Third pov:

"Alright I'm done with my story", said Kage solemnly

"That's a nice story, but why did you tell me that? What does it have to do with me, and how does it justify torturing my mother and me."

**rip**

Kage ripped another voice-sealing talisman

"Well that requires another story"

'I'm going to punch him one day'

"As the kingdom kept shrinking down in power, the royal family did everything they could to maintain their strength.

They'd sell the common populace as slaves for funds, Marry their daughters into harems for connection, and partake in incest to keep the bloodline pure.

These acts were unspeakably cruel and ushered in a new era of darkness in the kingdom.

In the history books, this era called the Kurai Yuki era ended 200 years ago when the current royal family usurped the throne.

However, this was all a facade to move their deeds to the shadows and blame it on the past.

While in the shadows they claim to be in a period of peace to the outside world the general populace suffers.

Hunger ravished the land, and mysteriously kids would disappear into thin air.These phenomenons have been blamed on ghosts and evil spirits, but the truth is the royal family had been conducting experiments.

When the kingdom split many members of the main royal clan died or defected causing their numbers to plummet.

Because of this the number of full-blooded royals has decreased and over time the clan lost its trademark red hair.

For a royal family like them without their bloodline they wouldn't be nearly as strong, so they started interbreeding.

However, the problem with interbreeding with close relatives is that many defects develop over time.

Now the average lifespan of a royal family member is cut in half. Then 43 years ago a breakthrough was made.

A scientist implanted select genes of orphans in a branch family member's child and she came out with crimson red hair and 80% of the ancient royal family genes.

This child was heralded as a princess, and adopted by the king at the time who couldn't have children.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

After additional testing, it was found out with her blood she could potentially bring back the royal family by marrying into it.

There were many talks of young men in the main family of those who wanted her hand in marriage, but before she could get married she ran away and eloped with a man with yellow eyes.

It took us years to track her down, but when we found her it wasn't only her and her husband, but a child too.

When the main family found out they were infuriated, and said to kill the man and the child, but bring back the princess. However, unexpectedly the princess threatened to kill herself if they touched her family.

The main family immediately understood they needed to compromise.

However, they couldn't simply let go of what happened, so they made a deal with the princess. They'd spare the boy if he won a battle against an opponent of their choosing when he turns 10.

So before I release the talisman I have one last question for you.

Do you want to live?

Third pov:

As Itami heard the story his mind kept shattering with the new information he obtained after every sentence planning to question him extensively afterwards, but once he let him finish he knew it was no longer the time for questions.

He had a year and a half left and he needed to make them count, so he resolutely responded to his uncle. "I want to live, will you please train me." Hearing this his mother was in shock, but kage wasn't. His uncle had expected him to ask, but pondered on whether he wanted to do it or not.

However, once he saw Itami's resolute eyes he decided to give it a shot, so once again to Itami's mothers surprise kage responded "yes!".

Then suddenly a huge hole appeared inside the train and he and Itami jumped out and landed on a nearby mountain. The training had begun.

AUTHOR:

Thank You for Reading. as always if you have any critiques, opinions, or things you want me to add or edit please let me know. Know I will not listen to every request, and I can't compromise certain things.