The Boy Who Didn't Have Anything, Lost Everything (2)

"Your majesty... General Aganzo lost the battle..." One of my generals reported the death of his friend, a fellow general like him.

"I-Is that so... I'm sorry..." I could only apologize.

"Please don't be, your majesty... It's his honor to be able to sacrifice his life for you and the kingdom..."

Again.

I made a wrong call, and once again lost a precious friend.

I dismissed all of the ministers and the generals and asked for personal space. But suddenly, the door got opened.

"Risa?" I called out the name of my wife as I seek her comfort.

But the figures that appeared before the doors are two young men.

One black-haired and one golden-haired.

One of them is my real son, while the other one is my adopted son, but even so, I love and cherish them with all of my heart.

"Lord Father, we've heard the news about Aganzo's death. Please let us go to the battlefield, we'll make them pay for the death of our comrades' lives,"

Alexander...

Reynald...

The both of them kneeled before me as they asked my permission to go to the battlefield.

The both of them trained together with the generals and the soldiers of the kingdom, and they have made great bonds with them. The one that just died is a kind and gentle man. Not only him, but we also know his wife and his children well. It must be frustrating for them to hear the news of his death, and to see the sad faces of his wife and his children.

A small smile formed on my face as I saw their grown body.

It had been 10 years since I brought Reynald here.

His pair of lazy eyes didn't change, but Reynald had become far stronger than before, it's not an exaggeration to say that he's the finest warrior in this kingdom.

The first time I brought him here, Alexander who never lost to anyone near his age in any things, lost to Reynald in every spar. He used to consider him as his rival, but not long after, they became closer and became real siblings.

After five years, Reynald was already got recommended to become the captain of the royal guards by the other royal guards, generals, and soldiers. But he rejected their proposal, saying that his duty is to protect Alexander, Aleia, and Victoria.

I also opposed the idea since it will make Alexander and the others hard to play with him, so I decided to let him continue to become the royal guard and continue to station him as the personal guard of the royal prince and princesses.

And after another five years, here we are. Alexander had become more than suitable to be a king. He's bright, charismatic, gentle, and everyone called him the genius prince.

While for Reynald, his name had become a legend just like Alexander's and my names in the kingdom. His powerful strength is well-known, and because of his curiosity in all kinds of knowledge, his intelligence is not less than Alexander's, and he easily mastered magic spells that he considered compatible with his fighting style.

"Please, your majesty. I'll protect Alexander with my life, please grant us the permission to retaliate,"

Maybe...

It's time...

"Then Reynald Lance. Hereby, I grant you the title of 'Black General'. You're now one of the Azeroth kingdom's generals. I'll give you your first task as a general, destroy the Gardat kingdom that killed general Aganzo, and bring peace to our land,"

It is just a manner of speech.

It's not like I really instructed him to be the one who ended the war that had been going between our kingdoms for more than 10 years.

But.

It really happened.

In just four months, Alexander and Reynald lead 80,000 soldiers and end the long war we've had for more than 10 years.

"As expected of the black general! All kingdoms at the continent feared him!"

"The collaboration of the legendary genius prince and the black general is way too overpowered!"

"Hail to the future of Azeroth! Hail!!"

"As expected of the king! He's the only one who could raise such legends like them!"

"Long live the King! Long live the genius prince! Long live the black general!!"

The citizens sing praises of Alexander's and Reynald's achievements. Alexander's absolute confidence, Reynald's absolute power, and Aleia supporting the two of them from behind. They made the perfect combo that made me believe that the three of them will be invincible together.

That was the happiest time of ours.

And that time, the route of Reynald's downfall started to appear.

"Reynald. You've done lots of things for the kingdom. But yet, you never asked anything from me. So as a king and as a guardian, I command you to ask a reward from me, you must ask for something,"

"I-I see... A reward, huh..." Reynald seems to wander his thoughts, but his pair of lazy eyes still remain the same.

"Then can I have some adventure with Alexander and Aleia as adventurers, your majesty? Since there will be long peaceful days before us, I wish to have an adventurer that Alexander, Aleia, and I wished to have when we're still kids. I-Is that fine...?" Asked Reynald as a gentle smile appeared on his face.

So in the end, his gift is still concerning the happiness of Alexander and Aleia, huh...

"Hahahaha! I give you the permission! You can also bring the royal equipment for your adventure! Go and venture as an adventurer and satisfy your curiosity!"

It's been a long time since they could have fun with each other for a long duration. With that decision, I hope that there will be some improvement in their relationship when they return to the castle, especially between Aleia and Rey.

A day after the announcement, Reynald, Aleia, and Alexander embarked on a journey as adventurers.

It didn't take long before they become famous as an S-ranked adventurer party. They said that they're going to venture with a group of the three of them, but it slightly surprised and please me when I heard that they recruited an additional member to their party.

Curious about who that person is, I summoned the four of them to the royal castle.

"It's an honor to meet you, your majesty. My name is Eliza Loiransworth. A wandering mage," the fourth member of their party politely introduce herself to me.

Her hair color is blazing red, just like a blazing flame. Her expression is cold yet warm, and her eyes are brimming with intelligence. Her emerald eyes could mesmerize people with their depth, and her face is as beautiful as Aleia- No, Aleia is more beautiful.

"Father, she's a genius mage! I believe no one could match her brilliance in terms of magic! I highly recommend her to become the head magician of the kingdom, father!" Alexander enthusiastically recommended I make her the head magician.

Our current head magician is already old, I've been thinking of making him retire so that he could enjoy his life to the fullest, so maybe this is a great chance. Alexander never praised someone to this extend except when he's talking about Reynald before as well.

"I see... I'll consider your recommendation, Alexander. Eliza, I'm looking forward to your achievements,"

Following my command, Reynald and co are to stay at the royal capital for two months. It's because I personally miss them, but it's not only me. My wife, the whole castle, the whole royal capital missed them.

And at their time in this kingdom, I witness the astonishing abilities of Eliza the mage. Her skills, knowledge, and brilliance are on a whole different level. Even the former head magician couldn't compare to her even if it's when he's at his prime.

Without hesitating, I gave her the title of head magician. Even though she's rather awkward, she's a kind and gentle girl. She's considerate and sensitive to the atmosphere of her surroundings.

My wife and I considered her as our third daughter, and as usual, we live the peaceful days joyfully as a family.

Until that day came.

I incidentally saw Aleia peeping at Reynald and Eliza talking inside the head mage's magic laboratory. Since Aleia learned as a priestess, she masters all kinds of light spells and healing spells, but she's not that accustomed to magic.

While in the other hand, Reynald is a bright one that loves to get new knowledge, so Eliza is like a new window of knowledge for him.

And at that time, I realized.

My Reynald is attracted to Eliza more than he is towards Aleia.

Looking at Aleia's sad smile made my heart aches. And that day, something evil grew inside me. As if a demon resided inside my heart, evil thoughts and feelings start to devour my heart.

Just like a cup of water that got defiled by a spot of black ink.

My heart that supposed to act as a shield for everyone suddenly became a sword that ready to strike at those who defy my wills.