Prologue 4.1

Hana Takahashi POV.

(This took place a few days prior to our meeting with Yuuki.)

Walking through the halls of the tallest building in the capital, I attracted looks of lust, envy, and respect.

Currently, I'm wearing a militaristic uniform that is all black. The uniform edges are trimmed gold, showing a sense of royalty and leadership. The thing that catches most people's eyes is Artemis that is sitting comfortably on my hip.

Legendary grade weaponry. In the empire, this indicates one thing, the Royal guard. The strongest soldiers of the empire are the 100 individuals that directly answer to the Emporer himself. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be here. I'd rather be at home eating Kiyo food or letting him train me. It's so much more interesting than being here. Alas, it is my duty. So I do what I must, even if I don't like it.

The reason that I am here is simple. Someone wants to challenge me for my spot on the royal guard. "Power is everything". This is our decree. It's because of this, people are encouraged to acquire strength. That leads us to our current situation.

"Ah! Stella Reginae!" The side characters near the arena bowed their head in obligatory respect. The ones who are here to challenge me just look defiant.

"At ease officer." They all stood at the authority of my voice. Soon after, the ones who started this whole charade in the first place walked down into the arena.

"Officer Ryounosuke Chipola. I challenge you, Hana Takahashi, to a duel for your position." He pointed an unsheathed rapier at me.

This is what I wasted my precious time with Kiyo for? Maybe if I were to kill him where he stands then people will leave me alone.

"Now, now Hana~chan. Killing him won't do you any good now, would it?" The amused voice of a noble male made everyone except me freeze in their tracks.

The nobleman, more like gold digger, has the appearance of a middle-aged man with grey hair and a goatee. His long grey hair is tied into a single low ponytail and draped down on his back. A black Chinese-style suit with gold embroideries and depicting 3 tiger heads is what he is wearing. One of the higher members of the empire. Only outdone by the Marshall and Tatsuya Kondou.

"I suppose you are right Damrada. I'm guessing you are here to supervise this match?" I asked the general in front of me while meeting his gaze. All he did was grin at my blatant disrespect.

"Why of course. We can't have you massacring everybody in this room, so I am here to watch over you." He stood in the middle of the arena, gathering attention by merely being here.

"Let's just get this over with." I stood opposite the side character as he took out his blade, I drew out Artemis shortly after. I want to end this quickly.

Closing my eyes for a brief moment, I felt the connection between me and Kiyo. I unconsciously smiled.

At least now I am in a good enough mood to not kill him. Of course, this means all I'll do is destroy all confidence he has in himself.

"3" Damrada's count down brought me out of my musings.

"2" My opponent, who is a recently awakened Saint, tensed his body.

"1" I just held Artemis at eye level in a single sword stance.

"Go!" He charged at me, creating a sonic boom in the process.

Easily maneuvering through all his slashes, I calmly dodged, blocked, and parried all his attacks.

He seemed to be frustrated so he cast an entrapment spell.

"!" I overpowered it with my presence. This is the blessed way to damage morale. He grits his teeth and attacked me again.

Only this time, I'm fighting back.

Going on the offensive, I struck at his vital points in one swift motion.

Tututu-Boom!

My sword caused air fractures through pure speed and dexterity. The side character was unable to block the onslaught that came his way.

Chrk! Boom!

He slammed through the arena walls, straight into the reception office. The natural law of motion took place, causing his descent.

Checking his vitals, he was still alive, just out cold. I didn't even use my skill yet... Truly, if not for Kiyo, this world would be boring.

"Quite the monstrous display. You know, you won't get any suitors if you play hard to get~" I just snorted at the gold diggers' words.

The observers of the battle just looked, respect drowning their gazes as they looked on at me. I promptly made my way out without so much as a word. Honestly, it's so boring here. I quickly walked into my office, closing the door behind me. Plopping down on the couch, I relaxed.

[ Hey~! Kiyo~! Are you done yet? I'm bored~.] I could feel amusement from the receiving party.

[Give me a few moments, master. I'll be over after I finish my business.] I couldn't help but blush when he said master.

Ah~! I'm in a good mood again. Maybe I should visit Yuuki sometime soon.

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What is a king?

The most common answers can be summed up as a male monarch over a state. This is a ruler, a figurehead.

But that is not what a king is. A true king is someone who stands at the pinnacle of what they represent. A greedy individual, while human they are decisively alien to the concept of being humane.

The person who is revered by their people, but holds no true attachment to trivialities such as money or status. For what true king does not possess what they want? That is just a man who diluted themselves with a vision that can never be obtained.

The one who rules, the one who takes, the one who is the most selfish yet they are the wisest. The one that represents strength yet invites vulnerability. The one who conquers, claiming what is their own because it is their absolute right.

That is a king.

Currently, in the throne room, two such individuals who possess the qualifications of a king sit.nThese two are currently playing the king's game, chess.

On the thrown, is a handsome man with blonde hair and crimson eyes. He wears royal robes that are black while trimmed gold on the edge. This King goes by, Rudra Nam Ul Nasca sat as he moved his pawn.

On the opposite chair that was lavish, fit for royalty, was a boy of Japanese descent. His hair, just like his eyes were an inviting brown, his features were sharp but not overly so. He wore basic militaristic clothes, but the air around indicated the presence of royalty of the highest order. This is the aberration, the daemon. That goes by the alias "Ayanokouji Kiyotaka."

"Hana is quite the strong asset, don't you agree?" The blonde asked as he moved his piece.

"I do not appreciate the way you so brazenly talk about my friend." The king laughed at the

daemon's words as if they were the funniest words he heard in his life.

They continued to play in silence, playing a game that would leave the greatest of champions in great confusion as to how one could play like this.

"Do you want to trade?" The tyrant looked up, as he continued to talk. The daemon just listened as he observed the board.

"Information, since you claim to know so much about me, I would like to trade that information." Ayanokouji moved his pawn, as he thought about Rudras words in contemplation.

"On one condition." The king gained a playful smirk.

"But of course, you would not be here if you were some meek lamb." They played, even as they discussed.

"The winner of this match claims one pawn from the loser." The king laughed at the daemon's words for a second time. Just as boisterous as the first.

"Very well then. I should give you my information first." Rudra, sat in a relaxed manner as he moved his brook.

"You see, I am in the process of claiming a new piece. He goes by Yuuki Kagurazaka. He has the potential to be my next knight." He continued to talk, diverging a plethora of information.

The daemon couldn't help but be amused at the king's findings.

"I see, since you told me so much, I guess I should return the favor, no?" Ayanokouji sat back, relaxing as if he weren't in enemy territory.

"These eyes of mine, they see a lot. So much so to the point, I have already won this game. I am just guiding you to the outcome in which I have won." He gestures to his eyes, which held the far future within them.

"I see, that is quite the bold claim. But if true, then that means you have some form of awareness about that. Don't you? " The king looked on with childlike curiosity, at the prospect of having a third player on the board.

"Checkmate," Ayanokouji said, shocking the ruler of the empire, Standing the king couldn't help but chuckle, there might be some validity to the daemon claim. The kings shook hands in a placating manner.

"Thank you for the game, Rudra." The masterpiece said.

"Thank you for the entertainment, unnamed daemon." The king smiled in amusement, mirth tickling his eyes.

"... And thank you...Michael." with that, the daemon left just as abruptly as he came.

For the first time, since their meeting, the king was genuinely caught off guard, his facade fell off completely.

A bloodthirsty grin inhabited his face, as his eyes turned with a dangerous light.

"Hurry up, and claim your sit on your thrown. Only then, can we truly start our game."

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Loyalty.

That is the best word to describe the man walking down the Isle towards his king's chambers.

Dying for the sake of his nation, before being reincarnated and saved by The Emperor. From then on, he would swear his loyalty to this man, carrying out every order.

He, who is the perfect sword. He, who is the perfect shield. He, who is the greatest arrow. He, who is the greatest pawn. He is the perfect soldier. 001. Tatsuya Kondou.

As he walked down to the kings chamber to receive his next course of action. The strange words said by the monotone voice repeated on his mind.

"So this is the piece that I won? While not a queen, the knight is still a very good piece to use." the voice said in an appraisal-like manner before disappearing into the night.

Ominous premonition consumed the greatest soldier.

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And! You know the drill ~!