Moonlight bathed the streets of an unknown empire, yet even under its pale glow, the city remained cold and lifeless.
Two men stood beside a narrow alley, talking casually.
"Did you hear?" one of them asked. "King Asfer Frostalia has a new son. His name is Erek Frostalia."
The other man scoffed.
"He won't be anything special. Frostalia could never become a threat to our empire."
He folded his arms proudly.
"Besides... we have King Zeek."
The first man nodded with a grin.
"You're right. No one can defy King Zeek."
Neither of them noticed the pair of hungry eyes watching from the darkness.
Hidden inside the alley stood a frail young boy. His tangled green hair covered part of his face, while his dull black eyes revealed endless exhaustion. His thin body trembled from hunger.
He hadn't eaten for days.
Slowly...
He stepped out.
Without making a sound, he slipped behind one of the men and quietly untied the pouch hanging from his waist.
The moment it came loose—
He ran.
"My money!"
The man turned around in shock.
"Stop, you little brat!"
The boy sprinted through the twisting alleys with everything he had, desperately trying to escape.
But his luck ran out.
He stopped.
A dead end.
His breathing became heavy as fear spread across his face.
Footsteps echoed behind him.
"I finally caught you."
The man grabbed the boy by the collar and ripped the money pouch from his hands.
"You filthy thief!"
BAM!
A powerful punch crashed into the boy's face.
Blood splattered across the stone wall as he collapsed onto the ground.
The man spat beside him before walking away.
A few minutes later...
The injured boy slowly forced himself to stand.
Holding his bruised ribs, he staggered through another alley until he reached a shabby wooden house that looked ready to collapse.
Inside...
Several muscular men sat around a rough wooden table.
At the center sat a giant of a man with broad shoulders, short ash-brown hair, cold amber eyes, and a thick beard. A jagged scar ran across his left cheek, making his cruel expression even more intimidating.
His name was Lendo.
The boy lowered his head.
"...Sir Lendo."
"I... I couldn't get any money."
Silence filled the room.
Lendo's expression darkened.
"So..."
"Three months have passed."
"And you still haven't brought me any money."
His voice became colder.
"Do you think I'm a fool?"
"You deserve punishment."
He looked toward one of his men.
"Bring the girl."
"Yes, sir."
The man disappeared into another room.
Moments later...
He returned with a little girl.
She had shoulder-length green hair, innocent black eyes, and a frightened expression.
Her name was Elara.
The boy's eyes widened.
"Elara!"
She looked toward him and smiled weakly.
"Big Brother... Kael..."
Lendo slowly stood up.
"As your punishment..."
"Your sister will die."
Without the slightest hesitation...
He drew his massive sword.
SWISH!
The blade flashed through the air.
THUD!
Elara's small body collapsed.
Her head rolled across the wooden floor.
Blood slowly spread beneath her lifeless body.
"..."
"...No..."
Kael's entire body froze.
Then—
"ELARAAAAAA!!"
He charged toward one of the men.
Before he could even reach him—
BAM!
A heavy fist smashed into his face, sending him crashing to the ground.
The man laughed.
"A slave..."
"...trying to attack his master?"
"Teach this brat a lesson."
Three men surrounded him.
KICK!
BAM!
THUD!
Again.
And again.
And again.
Even after Kael began coughing blood...
They never stopped.
Far away...
Inside the Frostalia Royal Palace...
The atmosphere couldn't have been more different.
The royal nursery was warm and peaceful.
Soft moonlight entered through the window as Luna gently held baby Erek in her arms.
She softly sang him a lullaby.
Her gentle voice slowly filled the room.
Yet inside the tiny baby's mind...
"When will this end...?"
"I can't even control my own body."
"I have to find out what happened to my kingdom..."
Erek silently stared toward the ceiling.
Far to the south...
In the middle of endless green fields...
An ancient altar stood alone beneath the night sky.
Suddenly...
Blood began seeping from the cracks beneath it.
Drop...
Drop...
Drop...
The blood continued to rise...
Until the entire altar overflowed with crimson.
Then...
A hand emerged.
A terrifying demon slowly climbed out of the blood.
His skin was as black as charcoal.
His crimson eyes glowed like burning embers.
His hair burned like living flames, and a long tail swayed behind him, its tip blazing with eternal fire.
He slowly looked toward the south.
A smile spread across his face.
"So..."
"My Lord has returned."
He closed his eyes.
"I can feel your presence..."
"It's coming from the south."
His burning eyes opened.
"Wait for me..."
"My Lord."
"I'm coming."
The cold evening breeze swept across the magnificent royal palace of Meledia.
A young woman with long, silky pink hair rushed through the palace gardens, her breathing uneven as fear clouded her emerald eyes. Her elegant crimson robe fluttered behind her with every desperate step. Sweat trickled down her pale face despite the cool weather.
She wasn't running from an enemy...
She was running toward someone.
Toward the king.
Finally, she reached the enormous golden doors leading to the throne room.
The two royal guards standing on either side immediately recognized her. Without asking a single question, they pushed the massive doors open.
Creeeak...
Inside sat the ruler of Meledia.
A man whose snow-white hair flowed gracefully over his shoulders like freshly fallen snow. His piercing sapphire-blue eyes radiated authority as he calmly rested upon the magnificent golden throne.
King Zeek Meledia.
The pink-haired woman immediately fell to one knee, lowering her head in respect.
"Y-Your Majesty..."
Her trembling voice echoed throughout the silent hall.
"He... he has returned..."
"...Demon King Kritos."
Before King Zeek could respond, a tall man standing beside the throne frowned deeply.
His name was Lucas, the King's most trusted advisor.
"What nonsense are you speaking?" Lucas questioned sharply.
"Our great King Zeek defeated Demon King Kritos seven hundred years ago. How could a man long buried crawl out of his grave?"
The woman bit her lip as her body continued trembling.
"I... I don't know..."
She clenched her fists.
"But I was once an Archdemon General, one of Lord Kritos' highest-ranking subordinates."
Her voice shook with fear.
"There were only a handful of us who stood directly beneath the Demon King himself. The moment his soul entered Eryndor..."
She paused.
"...I felt it."
A heavy silence filled the throne room.
"If Lord Kritos discovers that I betrayed him..." she whispered.
"He will surely kill me."
To everyone's surprise...
King Zeek simply smiled.
"I already know."
Lucas turned toward the throne in disbelief.
"Your Majesty..."
"How did you know?"
King Zeek slowly rose from his throne.
His royal cloak gently swayed as he looked toward the evening sky visible through the palace windows.
"Fate is not something we can decide."
"It has already been written."
"We are merely slaves following the path prepared for us."
His sapphire eyes narrowed.
"So..."
"The time has finally come..."
"...to fulfill the meaning of my life."
Far away...
Within Frostalia's royal palace...
Luna gently lifted the smiling baby Erek into her arms.
She smiled warmly.
"Erek."
"Today is a very important day."
"Today, you will choose the one who shall faithfully serve you for the rest of your life."
She carried him into a beautifully decorated chamber.
Five individuals stood in a straight line, patiently waiting.
The first was a graceful young woman with long silver hair tied into a neat braid. Her emerald eyes reflected kindness, while her maid uniform was spotless.
Beside her stood another young woman with shoulder-length midnight-blue hair. Though her expression remained calm, her sharp golden eyes suggested she possessed exceptional intelligence.
The third was a cheerful girl with chestnut-brown hair reaching her waist. Bright violet eyes sparkled with excitement as she eagerly smiled at the young prince.
Standing beside them was the only man among the four.
He possessed short jet-black hair and deep green eyes. His broad shoulders and disciplined posture reflected years of rigorous training despite wearing a formal servant's uniform.
Finally...
The fifth servant.
Orange hair.
Crimson-red eyes.
A perfectly tailored butler's outfit.
Unlike everyone else trying to appear impressive...
He simply smiled.
Confident.
Calm.
As though the outcome had already been decided.
The moment Erek saw him...
His crimson eyes widened ever so slightly.
Zox...
He is alive.
Luna gently placed Erek onto the polished floor.
"Erek."
"Go ahead."
"Choose your loyal servant."
Immediately, the first four servants stepped forward.
"I would be honored to serve Your Highness."
"Please choose me, Prince Erek."
"I shall dedicate my life to protecting you."
"We will never disappoint you."
Each tried their best to win the young prince's attention.
Only one person remained completely still.
Zox.
His confident smile never disappeared.
Without the slightest hesitation...
Erek ignored everyone else.
Tiny footsteps echoed across the room.
Tap...
Tap...
Tap...
He walked directly toward Zox.
The orange-haired butler knelt before the young prince before gently lifting him into his arms.
For a brief moment...
Their eyes met.
Then Zox smiled.
"My Lord..."
"I have returned..."
"...from the depths of hell..."
"...to serve you once again."