Chapter 5 : Fallen Prince

In year 488 of solaris Calander, the Novarie Kingdom was established by the fist king under the order of emperor. The unmanaged land of Southeast of the Empire was bestowed to the Fist King marking the beginning of one of five great kingdom.

The Novarie Kingdom is a military Kingdom, a fortress. This place protects the humanity from the eastern lands, or beast land where beast kingdom exist. The Fist King, Asterion Lucian Novarie is the one and only king since the founding of this glorious kingdom.

...

Inside of the Albert's office

"Austin Lucien Novarie... A Crown Prince of Great Kingdom"

Mathew sat with visible shock on his face. But, at the same time he fell into deep thought and asked

"Isn't Novarie Kingdom destroyed?!"

Albert replied, "Yes it was destroyed, just a week ago. "

"According to reports, a great demon was summoned by the dark cultist. All the powerhouses inside the capital fought led by fist king but, died barely repeling the demon... Fist King's life and death is unknown."

Albert continued after a moment, "The aftermath of battle destroyed the capital city... and both Novarie royal family"

"The Empire deemed, the royal family dead thus announcing the fall of the kingdom."

Albert was pleasantly suprised that someone of Novarie royal family had survived but, also worried.

Mathew nodded and asked curious, "A Great Demon, huh?... What type of existence are they, that even one of the strongest human in the world barely defeated it."

Mathew was worried, a week ago. Entire prison was swept by the fear, and confusion about the destruction of a Great Kingdom guarding humanity for centuries.

Since the founding of solaris empire, such a disaster never happened.

Albert whispered faintly, "I don't know, what type of existence they are either!!... But, from the legends and rumours...We can conclude that their very existence is nightmare to humanity."

Albert sighed and turned the page containing information about Austin. His gaze froze as he swept through pages, his finger stopped at a line.

He suddenly grew serious and continued, "Sailor still rejected the request of Crown prince...prince Austin left dejected, but his cold gaze was lingering in sailor's mind...Fear, he felt afraid"

"Sailor was terrified, he quickly reported to the captain who was a navy incharge of importing prisoners to the muleton prison..."

Albert suddenly clenched his fist, and continued, "The next day, the Inn where Sailor were staying was burned to ground.

More than 7 Sailor died..."

"The local authority investigated the cause but they found no evidence... Three days later, seven ship got burned the same way... Causing 47 Casualties..."

"The navy received this information, and got furious. They guarded the remaining 3 ships for whole day, but still 2 got burned."

Albert loosened his fist and took a deep breath.

Mathew opposite to him was also shocked. Who'd so audacious to burn the transportation of empire.

Mathew froze as he thought, 'could it be?'

Mathew shook his head supressing his doubts. Soon, he heard Albert's words that made his stomach churned with disgust.

"Finally, they caught the culprit... rather than saying they caught them, culprit surrendered."

"Inside the last remaining ship, there was a young figure wearing black cloack, with striking red eyes looking at them with amusement. Navy team stood infront of him with rage as they tried to capture him.

The figure chuckled and said: I surrender,' it took you longer than i expected', his following words shocked them..."

Albert felt chill as he continued narrating, " I guess, i have harmed the assets of empire... According to section 322, of the empire's constitution law. I am now a criminal eligible to enter Muleton Prison."

"The red eyes figure narrowed his eyes and smiled widely : Oh, i am Austin... You peasants can call me your highness!...If you don't take me to muleton now, i will burn this whole port... I don't care about the consequences that follow...

Austin's eyes gleamed dangerously, he said: I will kill you... Your parents, wifes and childrens. Until, they realize. The only way they can appease me is by listening to my request."

Mathew was speechless, he never heard such arrogant words in his whole life. He couldn't imagine a boy saying such words.

Ablert was same... Even the dangerous criminals who were imprisoned in third floor and below never dare to say such words to officials but Austin, he was different. He continued reading.

"His words were taken seriously by the local authority, he was trasported to second floor of prison, mid night."

Albert massage his temple and sighed, "It's truly an explosive information , I never thought a child to be this devious. Threatening Empires military, burning and destroying assets, killing civilians like cutting grass... Now, i understand why a child is here in this prison."

Albert turned his gaze toward Mathew and asked, "Do you want continue pleading for this release."

Mathew was silent as he lowered his head.

After a moment, he stood shaking his head,"No, thanks!"

Mathew thanked, and left the room. His back looked exceptionally lonely.

...

Meanwhile, Inside the nursing room

Austin oblivious to guards thought slept soundly.

Open

The door suddenly opened, a guard standing 6 foot 2 inches stormed in.

Austin was alarmed, hurriedly woke up. He looked at mathew who was looking at him with disgust, rage and coldness.

Chills

Austin felt his heart skip, when he heard guard voice cracked.

"Your Highness, is this another type of amusement for you... Fooling me, and others to turn us into your toys."

Austin was stunned,' What toy?... Your highness? Did he found out my identity?'

Soon, he felt wary because the guards voice was too creppy, he could distinguish multiple empotion from his tone... Rage, disgust, and comtempt.

Austin repeatedly shook his head, looking at guard with inncoent eyes.

His voice quivered, "W-What Toy!!!?...And Why are you calling me Your Highness!!?."

Mathew remained silent, recognizing his silence made austin heart sink further.

Tik.Tok.

With every passing second, Austin felt suffocated like someone pressing his chest.

Austin understood, his previous self had probably made a huge mess somewhere.

Austins hands trembled, he tried to grab guard's sleeve...

Slap

This time, he was rejected. Austin felt cold, tears welled in his eyes. This time, he was not acting.

He felt tired, pretending to be a child, acting as one while being a adult inside.

'This is so unfair...'

Austin felt hope was slipping from his hand, he opened his mouth trying to convince mathew. But, he quickly shut up.

He knew if he spoke another word, he may die. A common man rage is illogical and uncaring. Regardless of consequences, he may be killed.

Looking at those thick arm, big as adult's thigh, he gulped.

After about a minute, he heard mathew talk, "Your Highness, i guess you have recovered enough, it's time to return to your cell."

Austin was about to reply, but he heard Mathew continue, "No...I think it's better for me to take you there."

Mathew took out a blindfold from the drawer and quickly blinded austin, he yanked austin in his hand and left the room.

...

Moments later

Austin's sense of time was failing him, he didn't know how long has it been.

'Is it day, or night?... Is it time for dinner already?'

He was lost in his thought, soon after sometime he heard mathew talk.

"Your Highness, We are here."

Mathew opened blindfold, as familiar ceiling appeared infront of his eyes. Same bed, Same jail, and Same bathroom.

He felt like, he left bigger cage to be once again trapped in small one.

Austin heard Mathews voice like he was trying to ask him something, " Your Highness... Sigh, forget it. "

Austin knew from this moment, he was deemed untrustworthy by the guard. Mathew continued, "Your Highness, Food will be arrive soon, do not worry."

"I am leaving..."

Mathew locked the door, and Now, he was leaving

Austin knew, he must gamble again. If he failed, he will lose hope for freedom.

Autsin childish voice ecohed in the prison, "What do you mean by your highness? Why do you keep calling me that."

Mathew sighed, feeling troubled. He looked at young boy inside the prison. Now, he knew the boy infront of him was monster in human skin.

He still answered, not because he was intimated by Austins identity or his background.

In past, he would be surely terrified to even talk to a prince but now, Mathew was confident even if he told the truth to Austin. Austin cannot be harm him nor escape from this prison.

After giving careful thought, he said," I called you, Your Highness because you were once a crown prince of glorious nation... Now, just a historical ruins."

He looked at austin who looked puzzeled and sneered inwardly, he became more confident as he bowed slightly.

"Your Highness, please recognize the reality that you are currenly nothing more than a commoner. And stop your antics, i will not fall for your slippery tounge once more."

Mathew knew, even if Austin lost his memory. He was still a criminal... He was no longer a prince... A Royal but a commoner.

Mathew felt he need to crush Austins spirit to make him even stop dreaming about leaving this prison until he served his sentence.

"From tommorow onwards, you will be moving to first floor prisoner where commoners are imprisoned. There, You need to mine for 10 hours everyday to earn enough to eat a meal."

Mathew looked at child, whom he thought resembled his daughter. He thought, 'A fitting end for a bloodthirsty beast.'

Mathew left quickly without giving austin a glance.

...

Inside the jail

Austin slumped on the bed, the guard's last words continued to resound in his ears.

He thought.

'Ten hours of mining, even previous three hours everyday mining was so hard.'

He looked at the ceiling for a while, stood and went to the bathroom.

He opened the tap, splashed water on his face and looked at the mirror.

Curly blond hair, red eyes and cute face appeared in his eyes. It was face beautiful enough to be a child model, in his previous life.

Smirk

But, to him this face appeared to be mocking him, Mocking his fate.

Austin's face distorted with rage.

Crack

He punched,

Again, and Again

Drip.

His fist started to bleed, as cut deep enough to see his bone appeared.

Austin's felt his head cool down, from blood loss. He cursed,'shit.'

He felt chill entering his bones, he quickly left the bathroom and tore apart the sheet, using it as bandage.

Austin knew, he had done big mistake. In a prison where people freeze to death, he lost his calm. Causing great harm.

Ring.

A sound of bell ringing echoed, Austin knew dinner has arrived.

Sure enough, a small door big enough for a cat to pass through opened and a plate filled with steak, bacon and egg entered his sight, along with a bowl full of mushroom soup.

"What?" Austin was shocked. He never had such meal since the day of transmigration. A prison serving such meal, its unprecedented.

He picked the plate, as a paper fell onto the ground.

He unfloded the paper and read, "Your Highness, this is your last day in this floor prison. So, you are eligible to eat a proper meal befitting a noble... No, a prisoner of second floor"

Austin felt warm, because he knew the only people he know in this prison is a single guard.

He sat on the ground, tried to take a bite.

Tremble.

His hand trembled, his right hand which he injured in rage started failing him.

He smiled bitterly, lamenting at his own foolishness.

He put the knife and fork down, and used his left hand to pick up the steak, taking a bite.

Savouring the taste, he sipped the soup. Soon, he devoured the everything.

After cleaning himself, he laid on bed. Looking at his tiny hands, and Austin thought.

'Ten hours, huh? I will probably die.'

He smiled warmly, trying to dispel despair deep in his heart. But, it didn't work.

He thought realising gravity of situation more than ever.

'I have truly transmigrated...'

'As a Fallen prince... Huh?'

Austin closed his eyes as exhausation crept in.

'This... This is truly beginning of hell.'