A crescent moon hung in the sky, where stars twinkled gently.
Priasis sat in a chair set on the terrace, gazing out at the view.
The capital of the Millennial Empire—Vardia.
Today marked the tenth anniversary since Priasis al Laghna had ascended the imperial throne, and a grand festival was underway throughout the city.
Bright magical lanterns lit the roads in every corner, and lively music filled the air. Citizens, young and old alike, gathered to dance and sing.
“Haa...”
Priasis took a sip from her glass.
The bitter liquid slid down her throat.
Ten years.
It had already been a full decade since she took the throne.
Though once ravaged by war, the empire’s wounds were finally beginning to heal.
“Your Majesty, there you are.”
Priasis turned around.
A man dressed in ceremonial armor stepped past the curtain and bowed deeply to her.
“Yoshu?”
“Yes.”
The man called Yoshu stood behind her.
His eyes scanned the cityscape.
“...So much has happened.”
“Yes. I still remember it clearly.”
Priasis smiled as she looked at her loyal retainer.
His name was Yoshu Knanche—a man of humble origins, once a mere commoner. But after standing by Priasis through the war and leading her to victory, he had risen to become the captain of the Imperial Guard—a man whose story was the stuff of legends.
“Look at the people enjoying the festival. If not for Your Majesty, they would still be suffering.”
“You truly believe that?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
The Black War.
That was the name of the catastrophe that shook all of Townia ten years ago.
All across the continent, monsters known as fragments began to rise and overrun the land.
The war.
Priasis recalled the past.
The war had ended in Townia’s victory.
Humans and all the other races of the continent had joined forces to drive the monsters back.
But... was it really such a simple war?
As she remembered—
Surely—
“......”
Priasis furrowed her brows.
Sometimes, strange memories would surface.
Memories of times she had never experienced.
“But Your Majesty, will you not return to the hall?”
“You mean the ballroom?”
“You are the guest of honor at this celebration, Your Majesty.”
“What would I even do there?”
“I’ve heard that Sir Eolka, the court mage, has prepared a special performance...”
“A special performance?”
Yoshu scratched the back of his head.
“He’s planning to pull doves from a hat, disappear on the spot, read the backs of cards... little tricks like that.”
“Haha, that does sound amusing.”
Priasis rose from her chair.
“But I’ll decline. If I attend, they’ll just feel pressured. Let them enjoy themselves. Their laughter alone is enough for me.”
She took one last look at the streets below and left the terrace.
She walked down the long corridor.
Yoshu followed behind her.
“Sir Yoshu, return to your post.”
“Your Majesty... are you going out for an inspection again?”
“And if I am?”
“Then at least allow us to escort you. It’s dangerous.”
“I trust in the security of the capital. If a woman cannot safely walk the streets at night, then that too is my failure.”
Priasis removed the outer cloak she had been wearing and handed it to Yoshu.
She took off her golden crown and scarf as well.
“Fuu, that’s better.”
“Your Majesty, I’ve told you many times. If anything were to happen to your royal body—”
“It’s fine. I said it’s fine. Don’t follow me. That’s an order. You stay here and make sure the palace servants enjoy the festival.”
Leaving the stunned Yoshu behind, Priasis pushed against a section of the wall.
Thunk. With a light vibration, a secret passage opened. A place known only to a handful of people in the palace. A hidden route she had created to personally observe the capital.
Hic! Hiccup! Long live Her Majesty the Empress!
“You’re drunk again! Drink in moderation!”
“Hee, heehee...”
Small groups of drunkards stumbled through the streets, mugs in hand.
Priasis had changed into a shabby robe and pulled her hood low over her ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) face as she walked the streets.
Are they happy?
She watched the faces of her citizens.
Ten years had passed since she’d become empress.
The empire was now praised as having entered a golden age.
A land where people can live for tomorrow without worry or fear.
That was the paradise she had tried to build.
But...
Priasis placed her hand against the wall of an alley.
A hollow voice escaped her lips.
“What’s the point of it all?”
She was forgetting something important.
She tried to recall it again and again—but nothing came.
She wanted to show someone.
This land she had built with her own efforts.
Just where have you gone?
Priasis staggered down the alley.
Just once. Just once would be enough.
If he could greet her and tell her he was doing well—
If he would smile at her one more time—
After that, Priasis planned to live her own life.
She was ready to chase after something called happiness.
But why—
Where are you?
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Ten years—no, even longer. All this time, there had been a great hole in her heart.
Neither her noble bloodline, nor her loyal subordinates, nor even her title as Empress could fill that hole.
“Where... is this?”
When she came to her senses, Priasis was standing somewhere in a dark alley.
A foul stench drifted in from somewhere. She remembered this smell from over a decade ago.
“Kh-hyeh, what’s this?”
A man stood from the broken pillar of a rundown house.
There was a long, sharp scar across his cheek. His gaze landed on the face peeking out from beneath her hood.
“What’s a pretty lady like you doing out here on a night like this? Heheh...”