Amid gigantic mountains and humongous valleys, two carriages sprinted through the curves. The sun had started to set, the iridescent hues of the twilight spreading through the skies, imparting color to the bland clouds. The sky seemed to be a display of chintz.

The outline of a settlement's walls could be seen becoming clearer as the carriage approached the town.

"We are about to reach the town of Seraphelle, your highness." A sound announced inside one of the carriages. Arin looked out of the window. The town was encapsulated by pristine white walls, the towering architecture inside standing tall above them.

Seraphelle was a place famous for potionmaking and alchemy. Known as the alchemical hub of Aerthys, it was home to numerous enterprises and famous alchemists. This was their shelter for tonight as the journey to Rokaal was a lengthy one.

The carraige sprinted toward the entry gates of the town.

Just as a guard was about to block the carriages' path, a hand grabbed hold of him and pushed him aside.

"Do you want to die? Can't you see the symbol on the chariot?" A sharp gruff voice berated the guard.

"But sir, lord Darren had said to check even the chariots of nobles." The guard replied in a subservient tone trying to defend himself.

"Was your training useless? Trash. The imperial tiger's symbol means its the property of the royal family." The guard's superior chastised in an angry voice.

The carriage pulled to a stop. The guards around lowered their heads in a submissive manner. Three people exited out of the carraige in the back. One of them, a girl dressed in a maid's outfit, opened the door of the main carriage.

"We have arrived, your highness," the maid's calm yet tenacious voice echoed all around as a figure got out. His attire and ornaments sparkled with the sun's rays. Standing in the open air, his form radiated an ethereal energy.

The guards mouth was open in astonishment. It was only a while ago that the news of the prince's exile had reached their town and now the devil was before their eyes.

As a kingdom filled to the brim with religious citizens, a divination by the church's highest sage carried paramount weight. A prince that was once the subject of discussion for his talent and looks had become to the people more dreadful than a primordial monster.

To see the very being that was augured to bring their beloved kingdom into ruin was a matter of most worry.

Sensing their aprehension, Arin commanded the maid Phaedra,"tell the chariot pullers to take the vehicles to the shed, we will travel by foot."

"You can cotinue with your duties," he commanded to the guards as he turned around to face the town.

The guards went back to their work but inside of their mind was filled with repulsion for the unwelcomed arriver.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

*****

Inside an inn of the town.

Arin lay recombent on his bed, his gaze toward the ceiling, as various thoughts raced through his mind. He would leave the town tomorrow but before that a more important task was to be done.

In his past life, Seraphelle was a relatively famous town in Devil's Playground. A popular streamer had discovered a hidden questline here that wasn't focused on combat with the end reward being ridiculously overpowered. This was the reason he had chosen this particular town to stay in.

He was no fool and knew Rokaal was too dangerous of a place for a unawakened to venture into. He wanted to gain at least the powers to not be torn into shreds on his mere arrival in Rokaal.

*****

Early morning

Arin was changing into a new outfit. His eyes looked a bit red as if some matter had stolen away his sleep last night.

A knock sounded on the door,"your highness, the food has been prepared, may this servant enter."

Arin replied in the affirmative. She brought in with her a portable tray with delicacies placed on it.

Arin felt a bit grateful to her, he hadn't expected that the first person he met in this world would be so loyal as to follow a dreaded person as him.

She busied herself in serving the food. He finally said in a low soothing voice,"Thank you Phaedra, for looking after me even after all that happened."

His words reached her ears, consuming all her thoughts. Her lips arched upwards but a moistness was noticeable in her eyes.

"Its my duty since birth, your highness. This servant will forever serve you." A quiet sound escaped her mouth, her eyes turning wetter.

Arin was taken aback by her reaction, a strange nostalgia filling his mind. He could see it in her eyes, an emotion greater than a servant's loyalty, that of pure love. He had seen it before, numerous times, in eyes even livelier than hers.

His eyes shut themselves for a moment trying to conceal the beads of liquid forming inside. He had thought of it as useless, as meaningless. Yet now, that exact emotion, he missed more than anything else. It felt surreal, the memories that he considered a waste had engulfed his mind and moistened his eyes.

"Your highness?" A feeble voice called out to the prince lost in the past.

"you may leave," he uttered in a low tone as his frame took comfort in the chair's recline.

The maid had left, yet Arin, no Kaius wasn't alone. The thoughts of the past accompanied him.

Kaius had always thought of himself as person with a steel heart. Being a child who had been tormented by his own classmates because of what his parents did, he had started to feel repulsed to his own guardians.

His parents claimed to hear his every worry but in reality, no one was there for the tender child being punished for something he hadn't done nor even known about before.

The gorvernment of his country boasted about the mental and physical security of its citizens. But the reality, a child in agony had neither his parents for support nor the courage to report to the authorities. Such was the country claimed as the epitome of human excellence.

In those days where every moment felt like hell, she discovered the fallen him. Her inquisitive and caring nature finally exposing to her, the anguishes he was going through.

The girl, as young as him, took a stance against the entire academy and confronted his parents. As the two found about their child's pain, the entire academy was shut down for a few months. The reason being that they held immense power.

She was the person who had peiced together his ruined heart and awakened the life inside him.

But society as unforgiving as ever still didn't stop chasing his shadow. His new supporter famous for her beauty bolstering their offenses even further.

Constantly clashing against their brutal remarks, he finally got a job. But this aruduous life had emptied the inner him, the enormous wealth he possesed, the supposedly loving parents, and the person he loved— nothing was capable of reigniting the real him. Ungrateful? Immensly. But the broken person could do nothing else.

This was the reason he felt euphoric as he reincarnated into this game.

Yet now those exact moments called to him, her love screamed inside his heart, her care caressed his enfeebled soul.