Aldes walked down the palace corridor toward the training ground. The rooms he passed looked majestic. The high stone walls were painted with a combination of dark blue and gold accents that reflected the morning sunlight. His footsteps echoed rhythmically on the marble floor.
In front of the iron gate of the training ground, two guards stood tall. Upon seeing Aldes' arrival, their eyes widened. Both hurriedly straightened their backs and saluted. Their weapons clattered against their armor.
"Master Aldes!" greeted the first guard loudly.
"Morning, Master Aldes!" added the second guard.
Aldes glanced at them and nodded slowly.
"Morning."
The first guard gathered the courage to ask.
"Are you going to train, Master?"
Aldes frowned. He stared at the guard's face with an expression of wonder mixed with disbelief at the stupidity of the question. He cleared his throat softly.
"No. I came here to kill you," Aldes answered flatly.
The first guard instantly went pale. Cold sweat appeared on his forehead. His mouth opened slightly.
"M-m...?"
"Yes. I know you are corrupt. I know what you did," said Aldes.
The facial muscles of the two guards tensed. They glanced at each other from the corners of their eyes. Their hands trembled on their spear shafts. Both lowered their heads, staring at the stone floor, not daring to meet Aldes' eyes.
Oi oi... don't tell me they are actually corrupt? The fuck? Aldes thought in surprise.
Aldes fell silent seeing their reaction. He thought for a moment, searching for a way out of the situation he had created himself.
He let out a long sigh. He looked up at the ceiling briefly, then glared sharply at the two guards. His voice lowered.
"Run seven laps around this area. After that, return double the amount."
He paused.
"With that, I might forgive you."
Aldes narrowed his eyes.
"I give you seven days. Put it back where you took it from."
The first guard opened his mouth to protest.
"M—"
The second guard immediately elbowed his partner's waist and shook his head quickly.
Both nodded obediently. They turned around and started running away from the gate.
Aldes stepped forward past the iron gate and entered the corridor area. He chuckled softly.
"Truly ridiculous."
The area behind the gate was quiet. The walls were decorated with intricate stone carvings. The air inside felt cooler. There were no other guards there.
Still empty. Am I the first to arrive? Am I late?
Aldes walked down the long corridor. Along the corridor walls hung a row of large paintings in thick wooden frames.
He stopped walking.
He was amazed by the details.
The first painting showed a man riding a black horse. The man raised his silver sword high into the air.
The second painting showed a red-scaled dragon flying in the sky. A human sat upright while holding the reins on the dragon's back.
The third painting displayed a golden crown. Thick red liquid dripped down, staining the edge of the crown. Three pairs of disembodied hands reached upward from below, jointly supporting the bloody crown.
Art in this world is not too bad. What is the meaning of these paintings? Aldes thought, feeling both amazed and curious.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
A voice cut through Aldes' thoughts from behind.
Aldes' back tensed. He immediately turned around.
A man stood only a few steps away from him.
The man had long red hair. A burn scar stretched clearly across his left cheek. He wore all-black clothing. His right hand gripped a sword. His red eyes stared at Aldes very calmly.
Aldes held his breath.
Since when was he there? Teleportation? His aura cannot be felt at all.
The original memories of this body responded instantly.
Aldes recognized the man before him.
He was Martius.
His biological brother, and also the second most likely person to become successor to the kingdom's throne.
Martius tilted his head slightly. His eyes narrowed, looking Aldes up and down.
"Did something happen?"
Martius' voice sounded flat yet oppressive.
"Do you finally want the throne, Aldes?"
Aldes did not answer immediately. He stared calmly into Martius' red eyes. His chest rose and fell slowly, regulating his breathing so he would not look nervous.
Want the throne? Why would he say that? Is it because I came to train? Wait... does that mean the original owner of this body never wanted the throne?
"I am just bored," Aldes said flatly.
He slowly turned his face, looking back at the bloody crown painting on the wall.
"Bored..." Martius repeated.
The corner of his lips curled upward into a mocking smile. He chuckled softly.
"Thank goodness you are starting to care about your future."
Martius turned his body toward the training room door.
"But it will be troublesome if you suddenly want to become king."
He glanced back over his shoulder.
"My rivals will increase."
Then he tilted his head slightly.
"Ah, impossible. I do not need to worry because my rival is you."
Martius stepped forward, passing Aldes' shoulder toward the entrance. His footsteps sounded heavy against the stone floor.
"You will probably train for three minutes at most," Martius said without looking back.
Aldes glanced at his brother's figure from the corner of his eye.
This guy is a bully type. Huh. In any world there must be people like this.
Aldes let out a long sigh. Cold air filled his lungs. He turned around and stared at Martius' back.
"Enough time to defeat you," Aldes said casually.
The sound of Martius' boots instantly stopped.
Silence enveloped the corridor for several seconds.
Martius did not turn around or reply. He simply resumed walking into the training room.
After being satisfied observing the paintings, Aldes followed him inside.
The training room was tightly sealed and shaped in a massive circle. Ancient symbols and large mural paintings covered the ceiling. The floor was made of clean white stone that reflected the bright light from the crystal chandeliers above.
Along the edge of the room stood wooden racks filled with swords, spears, and shields. A spectator tribune of layered stone seats circled the main arena.
Three people stood in the middle of the white floor.
First, a white-haired man with a black eyepatch over his left eye. He wore a tight all-blue combat outfit wrapped in a thick red cloak.
Second, a red-haired woman.
She wore the exact same uniform and cloak.
The third person was Martius, standing with his back to the two of them.
Aldes' memories responded automatically.
Those two people were the strongest Guardians in the kingdom.
They served as private combat instructors for royal family members.
The white-haired man stared straight at the entrance. Clear surprise appeared on his face.
"Aldes..." the man said in a low tone.
"Did you lose a gamble?"
Aldes raised one eyebrow. He put on a confused expression.
Just how lazy and absent is this guy actually?! Aldes cursed inwardly.
Seeing Aldes' reaction, Martius laughed loudly. He folded both arms across his chest.
"Hahahah! I told you. I told you there would be something surprising this morning."
The red-haired woman standing beside the eyepatch man initially looked confused.
But slowly, the tension on her face softened.
She stepped forward, approaching Aldes.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Welcome, Master Aldes."
She bowed her head slightly.
"Good to see you."
A beautiful woman with discipline in her posture... this training might be worth attending after all.