Prologue

This is the world's largest continent, Bale-land.

Currently, over twenty nations exist across these lands, each locked in a fierce struggle for dominance. Because of this, the fires of war are never truly extinguished, and a cold, bloodthirsty atmosphere hangs over the entire continent.

On the southern edge of this war-torn land lies the Astoria Empire—a superpower boasting both formidable military might and a thriving economy.

Deep within a forest on the outskirts of this empire...A black-haired youth was silently practicing his sword swings. His name was Ryuu.

Specifically, Ryuu Ardren. He was the eldest son of the House of Ardren, a barony belonging to the Astoria Empire. At fourteen years old, he spent nearly every day immersed in training.

I’m fourteen now. My swordsmanship and magic have both become a hell of a lot better than before.

As he continued his training with these thoughts in mind, a nearby thicket rustled.

Ryuu didn't panic; he calmly shifted into a combat stance.

Then...

"Bwaaaaaagh!"

A boar the size of a large dog burst from the brush and charged straight at Ryuu.

"An E-Rank Lesser Boar? Perfect. You'll make a fine addition to dinner."

Ryuu exhaled deeply and closed his eyes, sharpening his senses.

He kicked off the ground, closing the distance in an instant. At the moment of impact, he twisted his body—

Slash.

With a single, decisive stroke, he severed the creature’s thick neck.

"Phew... I’d better bleed it out before other monsters show up."

Without lingering on the thrill of the kill, Ryuu immediately set to work.

That evening, at the Ardren Barony’s detached villa.

"Welcome home, Ryuu-niisama!"

"Welcome back, Master Ryuu."

"I’m home. Hey, you two."

The adorable girl who greeted Ryuu was Rena. She was the eldest daughter of the House of Ardren and his only younger sister.

Standing beside her was Sebas, the family’s veteran butler who had served the two of them since the day they were born.

"Ryuu-niisama, Mother was asking for you earlier."

"I see. But before that... Sebas, take care of this."

"At once, sir. Right away."

Ryuu handed the Lesser Boar to Sebas and headed toward the room where his mother was waiting.

"Mom, I'm back."

"Come in, dear."

The woman smiling at Ryuu from her bed was Airisu Ardren, the Baroness. She had been bedridden for several years, spending most of her days in this room.

"I’m sorry to make you come all this way."

"It’s fine. I’ve got nothing to do until dinner anyway, so don't worry about it. More importantly, how are you feeling?"

"It hasn't gotten any worse. I suppose it’s just the same as always... cough, cough..."

"...I see."

Don't lie. Your complexion is much worse than before, and your voice has lost its strength.

As Ryuu sensed, his mother’s condition had been gradually deteriorating over the past few months. She was simply putting on a brave face so her children wouldn't worry.

Airisu noticed the bloodstains on Ryuu’s clothes.

"Did you go out and find food for everyone again today?"

"Yeah. Today’s catch was a Lesser Boar. The meat is tender and delicious."

"Thank you, truly. I don’t know what we’d do without you, Ryuu."

"It’s nothing. Think of it as part of my training. It builds muscle—two birds with one stone."

Despite his casual words, not a day went by where he didn't bring home a kill.

"So, did you need something?"

"No, I just wanted to see my darling son's face."

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

Ryuu gave a wry smile.

Airisu looked around the room—a space so sparse and humble it was hard to believe a noble lived there.

"I’m sorry... It’s all because of me..."

"You did nothing wrong, Mom. The fault lies entirely with that trash father."

About four years ago, Airisu contracted a rare disease. A doctor’s diagnosis revealed that the only cure was a special potion known as an Elixir. An Elixir was an ultra-luxury item, something far beyond the reach of a mere Baron’s wealth.

Furthermore, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that the current House of Ardren was the poorest among the Imperial nobility, making the purchase even more impossible.

When Airisu, who had been managing the territory in place of her incompetent husband, collapsed, Ryuu resolved to work with the servants to develop the land bit by bit and save up enough money to buy the Elixir.

However, tragedies rarely come alone.

As soon as Gray Ardren, the head of the family, learned of the situation, he claimed the illness was contagious. Using the excuse of protecting others, he unceremoniously banished his weakened wife to this old, dilapidated villa. This was despite the fact that her condition was not contagious at all.

His only real reason was to seize the safe Airisu had managed and spend the family's money on booze and prostitutes.

Ryuu was banished along with her.

He was cast out because, for some reason, he was unable to use magic at the time. In this country, it was customary for almost all nobles to master magic, and the Baron simply couldn't tolerate a "failure" as an heir.

The only ones who followed them to the villa were Rena and Sebas.

The Baron had blocked all other servants from moving with them.

As time passed, Gray began to look upon Ryuu and Rena with cold, hateful eyes, until they were eventually in a state of near-total estrangement.

While the kind servants from the main house brought them food every day, the number of mistresses Gray kept only increased, and resources quickly grew scarce. When things got tight, it was always the servants who suffered.

Ryuu’s daily hunts in the monster-infested woods were his way of ensuring the House of Ardren had a stable supply of food.

"Master Ryuu, Lady Rena. Dinner is served."

"Yay! I’m eating with Mother today, so could you bring mine to her room?"

"I'll eat after I finish some business. Just leave mine on the table," Ryuu said.

"Understood, sir."

Ryuu returned to his room and began moving his quill across paper. Moonlight spilled through a crack in the window, silently illuminating him.

He happened to glance toward the main mansion...

He saw the Baron with his hand around a young woman’s waist, triumphantly entering the house.

"Tch. Bringing in another woman? How many does that make this year...?"

He already has a house full of concubines. Just how many women does that monkey need to be satisfied?

The mansion where they had lived as a family until a few years ago was now nothing more than a brothel.

The Baron's extravagance only grew more reckless, and the funds for the Elixir showed no sign of accumulating.

"Spending the money me and the servants worked so hard to save like it’s water..."

Ryuu gripped his quill tight.

Meanwhile, in the main mansion, the Baron was soaking in wine, an escort in his arms and a satisfied look on his face. Empty bottles were scattered across the sofas and tables.

"A noble house head has gotta enjoy his wine and women, right?"

This prostitute was a particular favorite of his, so Gray was in high spirits.

"Hey, Baron~When are you finally going to make me your official wife?"

"Sorry, kitten, but that's impossible. Technically, I still have a wife who refuses to die."

"You mean that woman in the villa?"

"Yeah. An eyesore living in that remote shack. She should’ve kicked the bucket ages ago, but she’s persistent."

He spat the words out and took a long swig of wine.

"Then... why don't you just kill her? No one has to know."

Gray’s hand stopped for a moment. Then, his lips slowly curled into a smirk.

"...You're right. It’s about time I killed her. That bitch... and those brats while I’m at it. Then it’ll be a paradise of wine and flesh every single day. Heh... hehehe... I can't wait."

The Baron decided then and there to exterminate every other member of the House of Ardren.

Late one night, Sebas visited Ryuu’s room.

"Master Ryuu, my apologies for the late hour."

"Don't worry about it. What’s wrong?"

"I just received a report from one of the servants. It seems Lord Gray is plotting to assassinate Lady Airisu, Lady Rena, and yourself..."

"What!? ...You aren't joking, are you?"

"I'm afraid not. The information is certain; it came from Dylan."

Dylan was the head of intelligence for the House of Ardren, and a man Ryuu trusted implicitly.

Ryuu thought for a moment.

"...I want to believe it’s some kind of mistake. Killing your own family is beyond the pale, even for a piece of shit like him."

If you’ve fallen that far, you’re truly finished—Father.

Holding onto a tiny sliver of hope, Ryuu decided to give his father one last chance.

"If assassins really show up, I'll handle it. For now, let’s go about our days as usual. Let Mom and Rena know."

"As you wish...!"

But a few nights later, it happened.

Sebas burst into Ryuu’s bedroom, throwing the door open.

"Master Ryuu, it’s an emergency! The assassins are here!"

"...I see. As planned, Sebas, you look after Mom and Rena."

"Understood!"

With a look of grim determination, Ryuu hurried outside. Sebas watched him go before rushing to Airisu and Rena's side.

Five assassins stood before the villa. The man who appeared to be the leader muttered to himself.

"According to the Baron, the targets are a sick wife, a young girl, a geezer of a butler... and a failure of a son who can't use magic. Four in total. None of them have any combat ability, so don't sweat it. Kill 'em as you find 'em."

As the other four nodded and prepared to storm the villa, the front door swung open.

"..."

It was Ryuu.

The assassins were surprised for a moment, but their faces quickly twisted into sneers.

"Heh... To think the target would come crawling out on his own. Talk about lucky."

Ryuu’s expression didn't change as he spoke.

"I'll be blunt. Give up on the assassination and leave right now. If you do, I won't strike you from behind."

But to them, the boy was just putting on a brave face.

"Got some balls for a brat, don't you? But we can't do that. After all... there ain't no job as sweet as a noble assassination!"

The moment the assassins stepped forward to take Ryuu’s life—

A single bolt of violet lightning tore through the night from right to left.

"Wha—? But... he wasn't... supposed to be able to use magic..."

The lightning scorched all five of them through the skull, giving them no time for their lives to flash before their eyes. It reaped their lives with clinical efficiency.

The assassins—or rather, what used to be assassins—slumped to the ground.

"I’ve been able to use magic for a long time now."

Ryuu had eliminated the threat, but the smell of scorched flesh immediately filled the air.

"Tch. I told you to leave because cleaning up corpses is a pain in the ass, you idiots."

After disposing of the bodies, Ryuu returned to the villa to regroup with Sebas and the others. Airisu and Rena were in a panic, but he managed to calm them down after explaining the situation.

Later that night, Ryuu and Sebas were alone in Ryuu’s bedroom.

"Sebas, I can't forgive my father. For Mom and Rena’s sake."

"Yes. I, too, find my rage difficult to suppress. And unfortunately... I believe this house is finished as it stands."

"Yeah. This house is over... if things stay this way."

"...Meaning?"

"I’m going to assassinate that piece of shit and become the head of the house myself."

This year was going to be a turbulent one for the House of Ardren.