As a young imperial man in my twenties, from a respectable family…
I was naturally expected to have a fiancée.
In fact, there had been quite a few marriage proposals between families.
But she didn't suit me at all.
In truth… she didn't suit anyone.
—So, how was it? Your first kill?
Her name was Ezel.
She has sharp, feminine features and ash-grey hair, a trait of the Runecelot family, who are comparable to the Ebenholtz.
—I don't know.
There was a time when I liked her.
And according to her… she "could have liked me too."
But our paths were different.
—Max, do you actually want to marry me?
She asked, clearly annoyed.
I let out a small laugh.
Back then, every word she said would make me tense…
but not anymore.
—What about you? You don't want to?
—Of course not. You don't even feel like a man. You're too soft. And that hair… what is that? It's too long. You should cut it.
Ezel was imperial.
But her heart… had already begun to lean toward the revolution.
Which meant she was a good person.
—So, what did you think? About my killing?
—…I don't know.
Back then, I thought she was hard to read.
I assumed it was just a common push-and-pull game.
My experience had been that shallow.
—I don't think you needed to kill him… but in the end, he was a subhuman, right? I guess it makes sense.
Now, the slight tremble in her voice revealed her true feelings.
—Ezel… the truth is—
I leaned closer and whispered:
—That guy turned into a monster and tried to kill me. The Ezenheim… they're all monsters.
—…Huh?
Her face went blank.
Anyone would react the same way.
Unless they were a complete fanatic, no one would believe that.
I raised an eyebrow.
—Just kidding.
—…You should see a doctor.
—I told you, it's a joke. I just got angry because he deceived me, so I killed him.
—That's something you should see a doctor for too. Anger issues.
…
That word… touched something inside me.
My pulse spiked for a moment.
I picked up a knife.
—It's not anger.
Something surged up from deep within me.
Fragments of the future flashed before my eyes:
The Empire had already fallen.
My father, Sebastien von Ebenholtz, had been executed—his head displayed in the capital.
Ezel had become a core figure of the revolution.
I had fled desperately for years.
Eventually captured.
Decades in prison… though it felt like only a few years.
Watching Edmon Bryndol grow old in real time.
And in the end… witnessing the destruction of the world.
—…Just eat.
I pointed at her plate.
Ezel smirked.
—Oh~ trying to act tough now? Just because I said I like macho types?
—Before I knock your teeth out.
She laughed lightly and focused on her food.
If we fought… I would lose every time.
And yet, she had never once shown off or acted superior.
Because she knew my inferiority complex.
Ezel had always been… a good friend who held back for my sake.
When the Empire fell, it was Ezel who let me escape.
She was probably the reason I was kept alive in that underground prison.
If it hadn't been for her…
I wouldn't have even had the chance to return.
So—
—I'll pay for today.
—…That's suspicious.
—Then you pay.
—Thanks~
As she cut into her steak, I added casually:
—Let's not get married. I'll tell the family.
Her hand trembled slightly.
But she soon looked at me with steady eyes.
—Yeah. That's for the best.
"That's for the best."
Only now… did I understand what she meant.
***
When I got home, I threw off my clothes and stepped into the bathroom.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
In the end… everything comes down to strength.
Thanks to Ezel, I was certain now.
I need to become stronger.
Body and mind.
Edmon Bryndol once said:
"If the Empire had lasted longer… humanity might have survived longer too."
Because the Empire didn't seek understanding.
It was pure steel.
Rotten on the inside…
but solid nonetheless.
A weapon.
A war machine.
And I… was born near its peak.
If I had to wipe out an entire race…
I held the position to do so.
And the reason was clear:
To prevent the end of the world.
But…
Am I ready?
I was weak in the Empire's final days.
Afraid as it crumbled.
Always running after its fall.
—Answer me, Maximilian.
I looked into my own eyes.
—Are you ready?
If I was…
Then it was time to change.
***
The next morning, I ran until I coughed up blood.
As I ran, I tried to persuade the "thing" inside me.
It would benefit from helping me.
If I died… it would die too.
After about twenty laps—
—…Engi?
He stood at the starting point, smiling as he handed me a towel.
—What is it?
—The lord has prepared a gift for you. He says you've done something quite… imperial, for once.
My father… Sebastien von Ebenholtz.
—What kind of gift?
—He said you may request whatever you wish.
…That figures.
That rigid man loved to judge everything.
This time, what I wanted was clear.
—A swordsmanship instructor.
—But the Ebenholtz are a renowned swordsmanship family.
—It doesn't suit me.
The Ebenholtz specialized in longsword techniques.
I didn't.
A lighter, one-handed style suited me better.
In many ways… the Ebenholtz never suited me.
—Even father doesn't follow the orthodox path, right? And… take care of the three cadets.
—Why?
—If you tighten the leash too much, they won't reveal anything—even if they are traitors or subhumans.
Engi smiled faintly.
—I understand. I'll take care of it.
—Thanks.
He bowed and left.
***
I let out a breath of relief.
I had been lucky.
If Jacob had been even slightly stronger… I would have died.
The Ezenheim are strong.
And right now… I am weak.
Which means—
I must never let them know that I understand them.
That I can decipher their language.
Humanity's enemy is the Ezenheim.
That's all I need to know.
The worst outcome:
The destruction of the world.
The lesser evil:
The survival of the Empire.
In the distant future, Edmon Bryndol regretted not choosing the lesser evil.
I decided to believe his regret.
And now…
I finally have an ambition.