Prologue

It was late in the night, and a dull red moon can be seen glowing clearly in the sky. A young man, dressed in leather armor, cape and carrying 2 swords sat silently in front of a flickering campfire. As he silently watched the flickering campfire, he recalls that nightmare from his childhood. The night when all he saw was fire. The night where blood rained all around him. The night that he lost everything he cared for.

It was the same night sky, where the dull red moon glowed clearly in the sky. Under that glow, was a large estate. To its people, such a peaceful dull red night meant that it’s time to sleep. While the people started to blow out their lanterns and snuff their glowstones one by one, the estate guards continue to maintain their vigilance. Even of such a night, the guards never relaxed.

However, as the time to change shift came, a few silent arrows pierced through the heads of the changing guards. Immediately thereafter, a group of people wearing entirely black outfits quickly scaled the walls and caught the falling dead guards. These men quickly moved on and silently eliminated the remaining guards around their objective: the estate’s front gates.

Everything proceeded to quietly that even the lord of the estate who was sitting in his studies did not notice anything, for he can see the gates from there. Out of habit, he glanced at the gate, to check if the night guards were slacking off. Upon seeing that there were people in black rather than the usual grey, he knew something was off.

“Theodore! Rouse everyone! I will get my family!” the lord shouted. Theodore, the elderly butler who was standing guard outside the study affirmed his orders and dashed off at a speed not befitting his age. The lord has already reached his own room and roused his beloved wife.

“What happened, Janus?” the beauty asked. She was already awake from his shouting and seemed prepared to take action.

“It seems that our enemies have decided to destroy us tonight, Miyuki.” Janus replied hurriedly while he quickly put on his equipment. He quickly put on every piece of his armor with the ease, as he had worn this suit of armor ever since his younger days.

After putting on his helmet, he nodded to Miyuki, showing her his resolve and determination. Miyuki ran towards the rooms of their three children after seeing this, knowing that she would probably never see Janus anymore. While she ran, Janus brandished his sword, and rushed to the front of the large manor.

Here all the brave men and women of the estate are gathered, all fully equipped to the teeth, ready to fight to the death. There was a total of 3561 people here, ranging from simple warriors to mages and even a single lich. This estate accepted all sorts of people as long as they follow the laws, which were effective, as various residents offered their services to Janus in return for a nice home to return to. Janus was satisfied that there were many who have come to his aid.

“My friends! The enemy of my clan have come forth in great numbers to destroy us, for they see us as a threat. They believe I will cower and surrender to them with such a show of force! However, I will not yield! For generations, our clan has upheld the principles of our ancestor, the Supreme Sword Saint Valius Glavo, and never held any wild ambition. However, it seems that our strength and influence have made them fear us to the point of wanting to destroy us! So my friends, if you wish to flee, go on. For all of you were never part of the clan!” Janus spoke loudly to all who were present.

“For Lord Janus who treated us well, we would be willing to die!” a man is his 40s wielding a trident shouted out. This was followed by all others, for they have lived a good life here and had known that the Glavo Clan were upright and honorable.

Upon hearing and seeing this scene, Janus laughed and brandished his sword, letting them know that the time for battle is nigh.

This entire band of brave souls stood in front of the manor, waiting for the enemy army to come. Janus could only offer prayers to the poor residents who were being slaughtered as the enemy armies make their way to the manor. However, he still stood straight with his sword out, ready to slaughter all before him.

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Soon enough, the ground rumbled as a large cavalry troop appeared in front of the group, stopping far enough for a charge. Heavy infantry surged from within their formation, forming a wall in front of the cavalry. It is apparent that their commanders are no fools to send the cavalry to death. Even so, more troops have arrived, including mages and small siege weapons. A man in golden armor riding atop a great warhorse appeared and spoke.

“Janus Glavo, Head of the Glavo Clan! I am General Ju Hwang Geum of the Baedal Kingdom and Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Alliance! Here and now, you and your clan shall be executed for conspiring against the various sovereign states and for blasphemy and heresy against the Great Holy Church of Eternal Light. Surrender peacefully and your executions will be quick and painless. Resist and you shall suffer torturous death!” Hwang Geum said in a loud and dignified tone.

Hearing this, Janus smirked and looked back at his friends. All of them showed that they are ready to die, for they knew that just by being associated with the Glavo Clan meant that they would be killed in the end. Seeing this, Janus roared loudly, shocking the Alliance troops and shaking their spirits. Even General Ju Hwang Geum was stunned by this form of reply, as he never thought that the Head of the Glavo Clan is a man unafraid of such pressure and threat of the Alliance and the Church of Eternal Light.

Janus charged forth and cut through the heavy infantry with ease, proving his strength and skills as a descendant of the Supreme Sword Saint. All the others followed suit and began their attacks in earnest. The close range adventurers charged with no hesitation, the mages began casting various spells one after another, and the lich kept summoning one undead after another to even the odds. This caused the soldiers to feel some dread and panic, especially when they see how Janus easily sliced through them like butter.

Hwang Geum frowned and ordered all units to attack, while he fired off a magic orb into the sky. In a short while, more reinforcements arrived and began bolstering the weakened formations to prevent the entire group from breaking through. This was all they need to do, as their respective champions have arrived and began to ferociously attack the group.

The champions quickly gained upper hand on the ragtag group, as they themselves have been equipped with various rare artifacts provided by their respective countries and the Church. However, despite this, Janus managed to kill 3 champions before being fully tied down. Soon enough, he was restricted by various means, be it physical or mental. This signaled the end for the ragtag group, as the champions proceeded to either kill or bind them.

While Janus fought off the Alliance army, Miyuki ran with her three children. Hearing the shouts of the Alliance men, she knew it would be a matter of time that they were caught. She looked at her beloved children and hardened her heart.

“Children, run ahead while I distract those soldiers! Julius, you are the eldest, you must take care of Irene and Kensei!” Miyuki whispered to them. The three of them showed faces of despair and sadness, as they knew clearly how it would end. Seeing this Miyuki could only cry in her heart, knowing full well she would probably never see them again.

Miyuki dashed in another direction as fast as she could, and started shouting to attract the pursuers. The three children also started running when they heard her shouting, and ran as fast as they can. However the pursuers were clearly professionals, as they split up into 2 groups and began the chase for both Miyuki and the three children. Sure enough, Miyuki was caught and bound, and brought back to the Alliance camp.

The children kept running, but they can hear the pursuers getting close. It was then that Julius and Irene looked at each other and nodded, with Julius proceeding to knock out Kensei. They placed him in a hole that would not be noticed unless it was bright and ran off to fight the pursuers. They might be young, but they are trained in the sword by their elders and father, and are more than capable. Needless to say however, more pursuers had joined and were able to capture the two after some casualties.

By the time Kensei woke up, it was daytime, and the Grand Alliance have dispersed, returning to the Holy Church’s headquarters. Kensei climbed out of the hole and understood what had happened. Realizing he is the only one left, he started to walk calmly and swore that he shall have vengeance.

After this, he found a cabin in good condition and lived there alone. He also found that there were a village and town nearby and traded with them by hunting down beast and monster parts. None thought to question him much since he was always stating that his father was always out training or hunting. He also saw the magic screen in the village showing the public execution of his family and friends. Although he showed nothing on his face, his fists clenched till they bled. As he looked at the screen, he remembered every single face of the perpetrators, marking them for death in the future.

And now five years have passed, Kensei, the young man staring at the campfire, was fifteen now. He have grown stronger, and adopted a different name to hide from the world. He stood up, put out the fire and begun walking in the direction of the nearest town.

It is time to begin.

It is time for vengeance.