Aetos, the land of the Untainted. In a world where titanic mountains were fought upon, Aetos was the first to ever build its own. They built theirs using Aetos Marble—a type of rock famous not only for its beauty surpassing porcelain but also for its ability to absorb a certain amount of energy depending on its mass.

From the lengthy bridges to the all-towering borders; each and every piece of infrastructure in Aetos is mixed with marble, thus they glisten a silvery white hue whenever the sun strikes their skin. Due to their abundance of the substance, Aetos became widely known as the Marbled Lands.

Then, what is the title "Untainted" for?

Is it because of the color of Marble, symbolizing purity?

Or is it because the citizens are devout worshippers of their god?

Perhaps, because they are untouched by the enemy?

Nay, nay, and nay.

They need not look white to show their purity.

They need not exhibit piety to prove their faith.

And the enemies will not touch them. Never, even if they tried their hardest.

After all, the title of the Untainted was given not to the kingdom, but to a person. A child, to be exact. A prince born in crimson blood, then dyed it white. A vessel of power chosen by the Gods themselves.

Ouro Aetos— The Untainted One.

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A bright and sunny day in Talon, the capital city of Aetos. Bustling were its streets packed with merchants from different regions of Erde, all eager to either buy Aetos Marble or sell their goods.

The Naga sold fish in varying sizes and proportions. An example is a Czekian trout—a fish famous for its taste and texture reminiscent of the rare chicken. Children would shriek at the sight of terrors like the Blue-gilled Limbtaker, which were usually displayed only for the most determined collectors.

The Tailed Ones from the Eastern sub-continent of Erde, also known as Continent Tzu, mainly focused on the different parts of the beasts that populate their lands. They can even sell these very same beasts themselves alive.

The cheapest ones were usually bought as pets for children, the most popular of which is the Flawless Armadillo. Why is it famous, you might ask. As its name suggests (or at least that's what they believe it suggests), the Flawless Armadillo can roll itself into a perfect ball.

"Aaand another point for Theodore!" A child kicked the furry ball with all the strength he could muster. It rolled swiftly in the air, heading towards the vigilant goalkeeper.

THUMP!

"Hah! No points for you!" she cheered after successfully defending her spot.

They were not nobles, nor were they royalty. They were not anything special, really. The two were just kids trying to play under the blistering heat of Solarius.

However, to the girl's dismay, she knocked the ball too vigorously. It went way over her friend and into the dark forest.

"What are you doing, Petra? Get Sigma." Theodore nonchalantly commanded. Petra turned towards the forest, then immediately shook her head.

"N-Nah. YOU go!" Petra replied.

"Well... you're the one who kicked it away!"

"I didn't expect it to go that far!"

"And that's supposed to be my fault? Do you know how much Flawless Armadillos cost?"

"I'll get it... But you have to come with me."

"Ugh, get it yourself!" Theodore lets himself fall flat on the grass.

"F-Fine! So much for bragging about being a gentleman yesterday..."

Petra slowly approached the ominous trees and gulped as she considered them. They were... tall. Very, very tall— her thoughts made her gulp exaggeratedly. Her Pa was much bigger than Theo's Pa, but she knew the slim trees would still dwarf them even if they stacked themselves. To add to her concerns, they curled like a horseshoe, pointed eerily in her direction as if collectively staring down at her.

Petra contemplated dragging Theodore against his will but-

"They say a monster lives inside that forest-"

"Shut up, Theo!"

"HAHAHA!"

Nevermind. She sighed exasperatedly.

Her footsteps grew more and more reluctant with each step.

I hate this.

As soon as her foot entered the shade, a voice spoke right in front of her.

"Hello."

"EEK!"

"... Are you okay?"

"H-huh? Who are you?" the girl asked as if she didn't jump from her spot the moment she heard his voice.

"I'm... Iris. My name is Iris." the boy responded.

"H-h-hello, Iris! Can I... get the ball?"

The boy stepped out of the shade and into the sunlight. Radiant rays of the sun shone over him, revealing the gasp-inducing face concealed by darkness.

Long eyelashes as curved as the arcs of the palace halls. Large, round eyes, like the pair of moons sitting aptly in the night sky. Symmetrical face endowed with a sharp nose. Lips as pink as a peach. Fair skin surpassing the kingdom's famous marble. Like all the ladies who saw the prince's ethereal features for the very first time, Petra couldn't help but stare openly.

He's prettier than me, and he's a boy!

Realizing that she had been gawking for far too long, she averted her embarrassed gaze.

Iris... it means rainbow. It's a girl's name but it fits him so well! What was he doing in that scary forest?

"Can I join?" Iris offered Theodore's ball to her. Before she could respond, however, Theodore suddenly grabbed the ball out of nowhere.

"Who is this girl?" He squinted. "And why do you have my ball!"

"He found it, doofus!" Petra smacked Theo's arm. "Why are you here anyways? I thought you were too busy lying on the grass!"

"That hurts! You took too damn long!" Theodore held the part struck. He turned to Petra, who was stealing glances towards the emotionless Iris. "He's a boy? Well, that explains everything."

Petra's smacks intensified. It did not take long before their bickering turned into a silly fight. As the one who witnessed everything unfold, Iris tilted his head.

"Am I not allowed to join you?"

"N-"

SMACK!

Petra elbowed Theo's side before he could finish speaking. "Join us! Don't mind Theo-"

"Hey, it's MY ball! He doesn't look like he plays football anyway! Plus... Look at how white his skin is! You... you're a noble, aren't you?" Theo's tone turned grim. Petra was prompted to step back as well.

Nobles were believed to be cruel people who harassed those lower than them whenever the opportunity presented itself. Therefore, like every commoner parent would to their child, Petra's parents warned her to stay away from them.

"Are nobles not allowed to play?" Iris said, tilting his head the other way.

"NO!" Theodore yelled. Tears began to form in his eyes. "You nobles were the reason my father died! You made him work in that stupid mine because of a stupid rock! In the end, he became sick and died because of you! Now, my brother is sick because he followed my father into the cave!"

"... You're being irrational. I'm not the one who-"

"SHUT UP!"

SMACK!

Iris felt a sharp pain in his cheek before realizing his buttocks were flat on the ground. At that moment... nobody knew. Nobody was prepared, not even Iris himself.

SPLURT!

Theo's head flew.

A fountain of blood sprung from his headless neck and sprayed all over the vicinity.

"Ah... AAHHHH!!!" Petra shrieked before she too fell to the ground. "T-Theo... AHHHH!"

Iris, dumbfounded by the immediate event, tried to approach Petra while covered in blood.

"I... I didn't mean to-"

"S-STAY AWAY! MONSTER!"

SPLURT!

The girl's chest was pierced clean by a sword. Her corpse fell stiff like a tree, blood bubbling from her mouth.

"I have finally found you, Master Ouro." Prithee, the Crown Prince's personal attendant, fixes his attire before wiping the blood off his sword. "I must say, I am quite sad, Master Ouro. You escaped from the palace without telling anyone, not even me."

"I killed him." Ouro said, still with an apathetic and bloodied face.

"Who?" Prithee asked.

"Theodore. I killed him."

"... There are two children here, I cannot differentiate between them."

"The headless child below you."

"Oh! You mean this child!" Prithee kicked Theodore's head and breathed a sigh of relief. "It would've been a bit troublesome if you killed "that" child."

"What child?"

"Nothing. You've killed men before. It is a part of your routine. Why are you so disturbed?"

Disturbed? Iris questioned. It was the appropriate word, yet he couldn't grasp it quite yet. Him? Disturbed? It was not pride, but rather a sense of unfamiliarity. He had never "felt" before. Why IS he so disturbed?

"I... I don't know. I can't explain it."

Prithee sheathed his sword before walking around. Right beside Theo's corpse, he found the ball covered in blood. With the same handkerchief from earlier, Prithee cleansed the ball before finally tossing the handkerchief away.

"Master Ouro!" Prithee kicked the ball towards Ouro, who caught the ball with ease. Together, they passed the ball around and played as they talked.

"So, why did you leave? Surely, it wasn't just to play. I suppose they lack a limb or two but you have plenty of playmates in the palace."

"They aren't fun to play with anymore."

"Ooh, my master is finally growing up! Do you want someone your age, then?"

"Yes. I played with someone my age recently and found it fun. I also realized it's even more fun when my playmate is not screaming."

Prithee held his chin. The Palace is full of many, many men. Not a place for children. There are only 2 known children currently residing in the palace.

"Hold on, Master Ouro. This someone... Is it "that" child?"

"Who?"

"Your brother, Master Ouro. His name is..."

"He... was my brother?" Ouro paused briefly before kicking the ball once more. "I did not know that."

"Why did you leave the palace then? That child never leaves the palace."

"I sought him out but... he was sick. When I visited him, he had wounds all over his body. Terrible wounds. They say it was due to the maids-"

"So you're the one who killed the maid this morning. It seems that you like that child."

"He's fun to play with since he doesn't scream whenever he sees me. I wanted to treat his wounds. However, Father had forbidden the nurses from giving him medicine, so I went out to go get some but... I don't want to talk about it."

The young master is easily distracted. How cute! Prithee giggled.

"I see. Are you feeling better now, at the very least?"

Ouro picked Theodore's pet up and stared at it. It did not move, despite being a living, biological creature. It's probably dead already. "I just wanted to play with them, but I-"

Prithee clasped Ouro's shoulders. Through it, the prince felt undeniable sincerity from his loyal attendant. "Killing a natural part of this world, Master Ouro. I know you already know of this, but everyone does it, even these children you just killed."

"How? They're just children."

"Well, do they not eat meat? Meat comes from animals, which were once alive."

"But, they weren't the ones who-"

"Even still. Supply comes with demand and vice versa, young master. There is no innocence in this world, only obliviousness. You are lucky to be aware at the age of 8."

"... I see. I will remember that."

"That's the spirit! They were impudent anyway. Don't feel too bad!"

"You were watching?"

"Why yes! You were quite cute, Master Ouro, especially when you were practicing what to say to them."

"... Please forget that."

"I will not!" The attendant grinned. "It is a precious memory."

"Let's just go home, Prithee. Is Father mad at me?"

"Your Father? Mad at you? Hah! When worms finally learn flight, then perhaps he will."

The next day, a pair of corpses were found near the town's forest. The culprits were never identified. The parents of the victims, who constantly demanded justice, were also found headless the next day. Nobody has talked nor touched the matter ever since.