Sneaking out of the estate at night wasn’t difficult. Well, it wasn’t exactly sneaking out. For once, the twins had gotten the night off from covering the guard shift at the front doors. Gunnar and Trent would remain posted during moonlight hours till the early starts of training.

“Out so late, Sonny?” Gunnar asked, his hands combed through the scruff on his chin.

Trent turned his attention, his eyes noting my darkened attire, “Robbing a bank, maybe?”

“If I have the time,” I spoke jokingly, adjusting the sleeves of the black tunic shirt, “No, but I’ll be out for a little.”

Both of the large men nodded, both to each other and me. I took that as my sign to head off, turning to the outer gates.

“Look at you! So eager to leave,” Gunnar yelled out, “Section 2, Article 18! Don’t forget!”

I didn’t need to check behind me to know that Gunnar was waving. Sticking up my hand, I raised my voice, “Yeah, yeah. I know. A guard off-duty is to represent the legacy of the Trane Royal Family. This insurance includes the banning of alcohol.”

Why would I drink that vile beverage?

Snickers faded in the distance as I approached the outer gates of the estate. The guards at the gate stood in salute. From questioning Eran about it earlier, apparently, they were miles below us when it came to the guard hierarchy. As stupid as the other Prince’s guards acted, it was a coveted position.

My first impression of the other guards had been a shirtless man bursting from the wooden frame of a destroyed door. It was a wonder that the troop was respected as much as it was. Really.

Still, the gate guards were a reminder of the position that I somehow nabbed so swiftly. They were at the bottom.

For instance, they were starting where I should have begun. My circumstances weren’t exactly normal as many have pointed out. The more I question it, the more the deal with Serlon had been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most applicants.

“Guard Asta. How many we help you?” The one guard questioned. It came out as more of an announcement, shouting loud enough for the small proximity of guards to hear.

“Just heading out for a walk,” I explained simply, “I’ll be back soon.”

The other guard nodded, marching over to open the gate. It opened with a click. The large metal bars reveal the lit-up scene of the kingdom’s streets.

They moved to the side of the gates. I walked through, remembering to give them a gesture before I walked off to join the nightlife.

It wasn’t extremely late at this time. The moon joined forces with the illuminated buildings of the kingdom. Some shops remained out, windows revealing chattering groups at tables. Compared to Hellion, the atmosphere was serene. Dare I say it was peaceful?

Reaching into my collar, I pulled out the mana stone. The dull rock discharged tiny amounts of magic levels. I held it up to the moon, closing one eye.

I had come out to attempt to contact Dagon, in hopes of trying to gain a better idea of what was occurring in the world outside of Trane. Yet, I was conflicted by thoughts that could only be attributed to my loss of title.

What authority did I have now? The answer was none.

The fact remained that I could no longer consider myself a “prince” nor did I hold authority over an army that was vanquished by my father.

What was stopping Dagon from betraying me? No. I refused to believe that the general that had raised me since hatching would do such a thing. Call it a foolish assumption, but I held onto it.

If my father knew that I was awake and alive, would he call for my death?

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

I shook my head, clutching the mana stone in my palm, and sighing.

Tucking into a darkened alley, I leaned against the brick building. I sank to sit on the dirt floor, removing the necklace from my neck, and holding it in front of me.

Might as well try.

I sighed, cupping the stone and coursing tiny amounts of mana into it. It glowed lightly before my voice rang from the small object.

“Prince Arsylm?” Dagon’s familiar voice spoke worriedly into the stone. His tone was hushed.

“Dagon?” I looked around, checking around the empty streets, “Is this a good time?”

“Of course, you need no appointment my sire,” Dagon assured, “I apologize for not being the one to contact you, Prince Arsylm.”

It was refreshing to hear my real name. I had not heard it since I interacted with humans. I’ll admit it was nostalgic.

“I am no longer your Prince nor general, Dagon,” I reminded, “You don’t need to be so formal anymore.”

There was a pause at the other end.

“I would never dare Sire,” He voiced, again his voice hushed, “I’m afraid I don’t have much time,” he paused again before shuffling was heard on the other side, “What can I do for you, my sire?”

I leaned back, holding the mana stone. My eyes remained transfixed on the glowing moon, gently covered in night clouds. At least, the sky was the same.

“The state of the world. What did I miss?” I asked, leaning forward, “I just need a better idea of what’s happening in the political scene.”

Wars were still raging, right? Was Hellion still a key figure? Would I have to choose sides? Could I?

“…I assume that you’re in a position that you must know. I’d expect as much from you,” He sighed, “You never change, my sire.”

“I suppose. It just happened this way,” I mused, “It’s hard to decipher the state of the wars from inside Trane.”

“I’d imagine. Hellion is noticeably weaker without your presence, of course,” He admitted with a grimace to his tone, “But we’re still fighting against the human encampments. Your first brother is the main force currently. The second prince was placed on strategic defense. However, we’ve been pushed back by considerable amounts.”

Weaker? That was hard to hard. Looking back at my glory days, I could only consider myself as my father’s warmonger. I was as obedient as a dog, merely following the orders of the King.

But that was no longer my duty. I had no obligation to Hellion anymore and I had accepted that the moment I was discarded.

Still, nothing should have changed. I was feared in my past, sure. But it was beside my father to take loss sitting down. Had my first brother taken over the image that I was raised to create? A symbol of fear and absolute victory? The position rallied on the ability of your presence to spell destruction for the other side.

I was aware of that, even at an early age when I started fighting for the kingdom. My first brother was capable of taking up my old position, even more so than my second brother.

It made sense to me.

“What is Trane’s position in the war from your perspective?” I asked, curious about the answer.

Under the command of the Crown Prince, I was certain that I would see war once again on the battlefield. If I stayed here, at least. My options to go back to Hellion were improbable.

“I’m working under your second brother. It is unclear because of my station in Hellion, but from a strategies point of view…,” He cleared his throat, “We’re aware of the supply lines being dominated by Trane. I don’t think they’re actively in the actual fighting, my sire.”

I wonder why that was so? Trane didn’t strike me as a poor, struggling kingdom. They had power and political ties from the Kingdom’s academy from what I gathered. Strange.

“Thank you,” I replied, “How have you and Adbeel been managing since the collapse of the territory,” I questioned.

Dagon was a competent general. He had proven that repeatedly in his service under me and during the brief time for my father before that. I was certain that he had garnered himself another respected position. Since the last time I contacted him, I couldn’t help but remain curious about their positions since my disappearance.

Everything had been lost. I’d imagine that it was hard to pick up the pieces from there.

On the other side, Dagon was silent. Only rustling was auditable from the mana stone.

“Dagon? How are you and Adbeel?” I repeated. This time it was a little louder.

“…I am fine, my sire,” There was chattering from his end before he whispered into the stone, “My sire, I must go. Now is not the best time. Stay safe, Prince Arsylm. I’ll contact you when I can.”

“Goodbye, Dagon.”

With that final comment, the mana stone dimmed. The connection with my former general was lost. Sigh.

“Prince?” I muttered under my breath, placing the mana stone on the ground beside me.

I was no longer a prince. That fool. I exhaled, groaning as I picked up the necklace. Once again, I pulled it around my neck and tucked it under my shirt.

So. Trane was the main supplier for the war? For humans that valued education and skills, it made sense. Their ability to produce useful tools for the frontlines would back up that prowess.

Of course, I saw none of that in the gates of the estate. Nor, I had been sent on escorts outside of the kingdom in my brief time here. There wasn’t much to work with in my current predicament. At the same time, I had the upper hand because with status came power.

Dagon’s information was useful. Although it was brief, it was enough for me to work with. It was not like I needed to know the status of the lands outside the Kingdom of Trane.

I was a mere guard for a foolish human prince. But to better understand my situation, I was thankful for the information that I could get.

It was true. The best place for my well-being was within the walls of this human kingdom. As much as it hurt my pride to admit it.

In the future? Maybe not. For now? Yes.

I sighed, getting up to brush off my trousers. Stepping out of the alley, I strolled down the empty streets of Trane. Because I had not talked to Dagon for long, some of the stores were still open. The streets around this area were not crowded.

Instead, most humans were occupied in the shops. I supposed they were making their final purchases before the night’s end. I guess I didn’t need to head to the estate immediately after. My duties for the day had ended with the escort to the academy.

What was the harm in sightseeing the human establishments?

I stopped outside the lit window of a small library. A human sat inside next to a pile of older-looking books, dusting off the shelves with a cloth. Besides that, there had only been one other human inside.

I pushed open the library’s wooden door, a bell ringing to announce my entrance. The librarian that had been dusting off the shelves glanced in my direction.

“…You’re still open, yes?” I asked, walking further into the store.

The librarian, a younger man smiled, and nodded, “We’re open for a while. Help yourself, young man.”

I nodded, making my way to the shelves of books, and glancing down the spines. Finally, I paused in my tracks. If I were alone, I’d laugh at the irony of the situation.

Part of me had entered the small library as a joke. It had been a hundred years. Therefore, I had not expected much.

I crouched down beside the shelf, reaching down to grab a tattered red book. Of course, they had something like this.

[Records of the Dragon General: Released Documents.]