Chapter 190: Overlord of Crimson Domain [1]
--Medieval Era--
Winter was coming.
The cold wind swept across the plains, carrying with it the scent of snow. The trees surrounding our little village had already begun to lose their leaves, leaving behind only dry branches that cracked whenever the wind blew past.
I tightened the old rope around the bundle of firewood on my back and let out a small sigh.
"I'm still short..."
At seven years old, carrying firewood was harder than it looked.
Father used to do this every winter. He would always return with enough wood to keep our house warm until spring.
But Father had died two years ago.
He was drafted into the Empire's army to fight against the rebels. A month later, all we received was his broken sword and a letter praising his bravery.
Bravery didn't keep us warm.
Bravery didn't feed us.
Ever since then, I had become the man of the house.
Mother's body had never recovered after giving birth to my little brother. She spent most of her days lying in bed, coughing, while my five-year-old brother followed her around like a little duckling.
So gathering firewood became my responsibility.
I wandered deeper into the forest, searching beneath the leafless trees for dry branches.
"This should be enough..."
Just as I bent down to pick up another piece of wood, something caught my eye.
Half buried beneath the dead leaves was a golden bracelet.
"...?"
I brushed away the dirt.
It looked strangely beautiful.
Unlike ordinary jewelry, this bracelet was carved with countless tiny symbols that shimmered faintly beneath the afternoon sunlight. It didn't look old despite lying in the forest.
Instead...
It looked almost new.
I turned it over in my hands.
"What is this?"
There wasn't anyone nearby.
The forest was silent except for the rustling wind.
After waiting for a few moments, I slipped the bracelet into my pocket.
"If someone asks for it later... I'll return it."
Satisfied, I hoisted the bundle of wood onto my back and started walking home.
...
The closer I got to the village, the stranger the atmosphere became.
Normally, children would be running around while the adults chatted outside their homes.
Today...
Everyone looked nervous.
Groups of villagers whispered among themselves.
"...Imperial soldiers..."
"...rebels..."
"...they're searching..."
"...the Empire won't let this go..."
"...divine object..."
I tilted my head.
Divine object?
What was that?
I had never heard those words before.
It sounded like something nobles or knights would talk about.
Not something that concerned our tiny village.
Shrugging, I continued home.
Our wooden house stood at the edge of the village.
The moment I opened the door, warmth greeted me.
Not from the fireplace.
But from Mother's gentle smile.
"You're back."
"I'm home."
Before I could put down the firewood, a small figure ran toward me.
"Brother!"
My little brother wrapped his tiny arms around my waist.
I laughed and ruffled his messy black hair.
"Were you behaving?"
He puffed his cheeks.
"Yes!"
"He only broke one bowl today," Mother said with a faint smile.
"I didn't!"
"You did."
"I didn't..."
The two of them stared at each other before Mother chuckled softly.
Hearing her laugh made my heart feel lighter.
I placed the firewood beside the fireplace before remembering the bracelet.
"Oh."
I reached into my pocket.
"I found something."
Mother looked curious as I placed the golden bracelet into her hands.
The moment she touched it...
Her smile froze.
Her pupils trembled ever so slightly.
It only lasted for a heartbeat.
Then...
She smiled once again.
"It's beautiful."
"Do you know what it is?"
She slowly shook her head.
"No."
She beckoned me closer.
"Give me your hand."
I obediently stretched out my right hand.
Mother gently placed the bracelet around my wrist.
Click.
It fit perfectly.
Almost as though it had been made specifically for me.
"There."
"It looks nice."
"Really?"
She nodded.
"It suits you."
Her hand lingered on mine for a few extra seconds before she finally let go.
Looking back...
That was probably the longest she had held my hand in years.
Little did I know...
That one simple action would change my entire life.
...
Dinner was simple.
A small bowl of vegetable soup.
Half a loaf of bread.
Mother barely touched her portion.
She simply watched my brother and me eat.
After the meal, she suddenly called my name.
"Can you do something for me?"
"Of course."
She looked toward my younger brother.
"Take him to Rivervalley tonight."
"Rivervalley?"
He immediately became excited.
"The stars!"
Mother smiled.
"He keeps asking to see the moon reflected on the river."
I frowned.
"But it's cold."
"I know."
She looked outside the window.
"...Please."
Something about her voice felt different.
Almost...
Like she was asking for a final favor.
I didn't understand why.
Still...
I nodded.
"Okay."
Her smile became brighter.
"Thank you."
...
The night sky was beautiful.
Countless stars glittered overhead while a full moon hung high above the mountains.
My little brother sat beside the river, happily pointing toward the reflections dancing on the water.
"Brother!"
"Look!"
"The moon is moving!"
I laughed.
"It's the water moving."
"Oh..."
He stared again.
"...It's still pretty."
"It is."
For a while...
Neither of us spoke.
The only sounds were flowing water and the gentle winter breeze.
Then...
A scream echoed through the night.
My body stiffened.
Another scream followed.
Then another.
I slowly turned toward the village.
Orange light rose into the sky.
Fire.
"No..."
A terrible feeling gripped my chest.
"Brother."
"Hm?"
"We're going home."
I grabbed his hand.
The moment we reached the hill overlooking the village...
Everything stopped.
The village...
Was burning.
Flames swallowed one house after another.
Smoke filled the night sky.
People ran through the streets while armored knights chased them down without mercy.
Swords flashed beneath the firelight.
Children cried.
Women screamed.
The entire village had become hell.
"Mother!"
I broke into a sprint.
Nothing else mattered.
I had to save her.
Just as I reached the first house—
A hand suddenly covered my mouth.
Another arm wrapped around my chest, dragging me backward.
"Mmph!"
Beside me, another hand covered my younger brother's mouth before he could scream.
We were pulled behind a collapsed stone wall.
"Stay quiet."
A deep voice whispered into my ear.
"If you want to live."
I struggled violently.
"Mother!"
The man tightened his grip.
"You'll die."
I looked through the broken wall.
An Imperial Knight walked past, his armor stained crimson.
Behind him...
Another knight kicked open our front door.
My heart nearly stopped.
Mother...
I wanted to run.
I wanted to save her.
But...
The black-robed stranger was right.
If I stepped out now...
I'd only become another corpse.
So I watched.
I watched my home burn to the ground.
...
The screams gradually faded.
One by one.
Until...
Silence.
Only crackling flames remained.
The black-robed man finally released us.
My legs immediately gave out.
I stumbled toward the ruins of my home.
Ashes floated through the air like black snow.
Everything was gone.
Our table.
Our beds.
Our roof.
All reduced to charcoal.
Near what remained of the doorway...
I found Mother.
She lay peacefully against the wall.
Her eyes were closed.
As though she had simply fallen asleep.
"...Mother?"
No answer.
I knelt beside her.
My hands trembled as I gently shook her shoulder.
"Mother..."
Nothing.
Behind me, my younger brother quietly burst into tears.
The sound finally broke me.
Tears streamed down my face.
Why?
Why us?
What had we done?
The black-robed man slowly approached.
"The Empire wasn't after your village."
I didn't respond.
"They were searching for something."
His gaze briefly landed on the bracelet around my wrist before looking away.
"A divine object."
"They traced its presence here."
"But before they arrived..."
"The trace disappeared."
"They found nothing."
"So they slaughtered everyone."
My hands clenched into fists.
Just because they couldn't find what they wanted...
They killed everyone?
The black-robed man sighed.
"I'm one of the rebels."
"Our scouts were too late."
"I'm sorry."
Sorry...
The word felt meaningless.
Nothing could bring Mother back.
...
The following day...
The surviving rebels helped us bury the dead.
Every villager.
Every friend.
Every familiar face.
The cheerful blacksmith.
The old baker.
The children I used to play with.
All of them now rested beneath simple wooden crosses.
When the last grave was finished, the black-robed man looked at my brother and me.
"You two have nowhere to go."
He extended his hand.
"Come with us."
I looked around one last time.
The village where I was born no longer existed.
Only ashes remained.
I lowered my head.
"...Okay."
The man nodded.
That evening, we left the village forever.
For three days, we traveled through mountains and rivers before finally arriving at a place no ordinary person dared to enter.
The Forbidden Forest.
Legends claimed terrifying magical beasts lurked within its endless woods.
Even Imperial Knights avoided venturing too deeply inside.
Yet hidden beneath countless illusion formations and ancient barriers...
Lay the headquarters of the Rebel Army.
The moment I entered, I was stunned.
Thousands of people lived within the hidden valley.
Blacksmiths forged weapons.
Mages practiced spells.
Knights sparred against one another.
Children around my age trained tirelessly under strict instructors.
The black-robed man rested a hand on my shoulder.
"From today onward..."
"This will be your home."
I looked down at my little brother, who held my sleeve tightly, his eyes filled with uncertainty.
I squeezed his hand gently.
"It's okay."
Even if our home was gone...
As long as we were together...
We could keep moving forward.
Little did I know...
Fate wasn't finished taking everything from me.