Chapter 1: The Prologue [1]

Looking at the scenery around me, I couldn't help but accept my situation.

As I glanced around the dimly lit, gothic-esque building that resembled the infamous Cologne Cathedral in Germany, an exhausted sigh involuntarily escaped my mouth.

The sheer enormity of the structure made it impossible to see where the ceiling began or ended, making it seem as if the building stretched endlessly into the abyss above.

Black marble pillars taller than Titans cascaded all the way down from the unseen "ceiling" to the cold stone floor, swallowing up what little light remained in the cathedral.

The glossy-black pillars were placed symmetrically on each side of the cathedral, and in between them lay a royal-red carpet that stretched from the cathedral's entrance to the opposite wall.

For some unknown reason, the crimson-red carpet sparkled despite the lack of light, creating a visible path through the center of the cathedral.

Not even the stone floor was visible in the space between the towering columns.

Only the royal-red carpet was perceivable, stretching endlessly like a bridge suspended over a black chasm. 

Outside the pillars were countless obsidian benches that glistened like diamonds when the occasional light flashed into the building before being removed by the ominous black columns.

On the right and left walls of the building were stained-glass windows that displayed figures and images I couldn't even comprehend.

Although there were no lights within the building, I could still vaguely see the shapes around me through the small light from outside that managed to pass through the stained glass and enter the cathedral.

That was why my gaze immediately paused on the crimson-red carpet where hundreds of human-like figures could be seen.

Well...from all the way up here, they looked more like ants to me.

From the second I had entered this world, I had been sitting down in what seemed to be a large throne.

Below me, I could make out the faint outlines of a staircase that led down to the red carpet the human figures were standing on.

As I leaned backward and felt the cold stone of the throne touch my back, my gaze focused on the army of humans below me.

Most of them were too shrouded in darkness for me to make out any actual details; however, the features of the one that stood at the front were somewhat visible to me.

That iconic blonde hair...how could I not recognize it?

I had been transferred into another world.

Not just any world, though.

The world of my favorite novel.

More specifically, the prologue chapter.

Only two notable characters were mentioned in the book's introduction.

The current "hero," or the main character's elder brother.

And...the main antagonist.

Shaking my head, I stared at the "hero," waiting for him to begin his rant.

Every main character needs a reason to fight.

It wouldn't make sense if a character who grew up with both parents, money, and no tragedies suddenly wanted to defeat the demon king.

Instead, they would just join the royal family and get a high-paying job so they could live peacefully while other soldiers protected them.

What a novel that would be...

As that thought crossed my mind, I chuckled and let a smirk appear on my face; however, inside the silent and massive cathedral, my chuckle echoed, sounding everywhere.

" *PFFFT* "

Within seconds, I could see the "hero" stepping forward with his divine-blue sword and a cold expression.

"How many people have you killed? How many families have you destroyed? How many towns and cities have fallen because of you!?"

"AND...YOU'RE LAUGHING? Is this all game to you? A way to pass the time?"

Racking my head, I tried to recall how this interaction had gone in the book, but of course, I couldn't remember specific dialogue.

Letting out a groan at my terrible memory, I muttered.

"I don't remember."

Only one important thing that I could recall happened within the prologue chapter.

Placing my elbow on the side of the throne and resting my head against my hand, I watched as the "hero" turned around and stared at his army.

It had been mentioned in chapter one that the five thousand troops had been sent to aid the hero in his fight.

Yet, as I stared at the vast area below me, I could only make out around five to six hundred figures.

The demon king's minions must have put up a decent fight.

Snapping me out of my thoughts, the "hero's" voice suddenly reverberated throughout the cathedral.

"Most of us, if not all, will die here today."

"That being said, do any of you wish to leave."

"..."

"..."

"..."

As the hero spoke those words, I could hear the sound of swords moving and armor shifting as people looked backward.

It was true.

All of them died today, in the book.

Pausing and scanning the hundreds of people in front of him, the "hero" spoke.

"It is true that today, we may lose."

"However, how can we turn back now?"

"Even If I knew the future, and I knew that we would lose this battle. Even If I knew that I would die today. Even I knew that we would all die today....if I was given the choice, I would choose to repeat this raid every single time."

"Thousands...no millions of our fallen comrades are watching us, right now. Can you feel them? Feel their gazes? Feel the burden of their dead bodies weighing down on you?"

Letting out a similar chuckle to mine, the "hero" turned to face me and continued.

"Right now, it's taking me everything to simply stand up straight."

As the "hero" rose his divine-blue sword, the impenetrable darkness within the cathedral seemed to split in half.

With his blue sword lighting up the cathedral, I could now make out the faces and bodies of the human army behind.

Their iron armor was painted crimson red with holes everywhere, and their faces were covered in scars and wounds.

All of them seemed to be panting and out of breath, and their entire bodies were trembling as they stared ahead.

However, not a single one of them moved.

And, their gazes did not falter as they stared up at me.

Their bodies may have wanted to run and leave...to live, but their mind refused.