It was 3 years ago when the three prodigies learnt of their fate, and I overheard them. They were only 13 years old when they were told that in a few years they would leave for the capital and venture around the entire continent, keeping the peace and defending nations. Those three were decided upon by all the nations in the world to be their mediators, their protectors, their saviours. It was only a year later that they went to the capital for the first time to be trained and prepared for the real journey. And it was now only a week until their true departure. This single trip to the capital, the trip they had to make all on their own, was known as the King's Passage.

It was only by circumstance that I heard of their mission. I was trying to get to them after their meeting with His Majesty, but I stopped in my tracks when I heard that familiar voice of authority belonging to the head of the Royal Guard.

"-the words His Majesty said to you this day."

"Yes we won't." Those three replied in unison.

"Make sure to continue to train too. 3 years may seem like a long time before you must depart for the King's Passage, but those 3 years will pass in a blink of an eye."

"We will continue to train diligently, sir." Sebas said with a deep bow.

"It seems I do not need to worry about the future of our world's saviours, after all it seems like they've already got most of it sorted out!" The man laughed, followed by the blushing and swift interjections of the three prodigies. "Anyways, it is time for me to go. Good luck, young saviours. For the world rests on your shoulders now."

With a quick salute, the man turned around and marched off to his regiment. It was a couple days later that my 'friends' told me of it. I pretended to not know so they wouldn't become suspicious, but I was afraid that Sebas, ever so sharp, would have caught on. Fortunately, he did not and I was able escape any suspicion. I desperately needed to look naïve and innocent otherwise I would be rejected by them.

Yet at that time, I began to feel something. An emotion I would get intimate with in the coming years. It made me hate them. It made me love them. It made me disgusted with myself. It made me infatuated with myself. It was dirty. It was dirty.

I felt dirty.

And for the first time, in a voice I could not hear or recognise, something began to announce,

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[>Pure Sin「Envy」Has Been Detected>]

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I was overcome by a severe migraine shortly after, making me bedridden for weeks. I had and still have no idea what happened to me. After all, the source of my problems was something I did not have the authority yet to understand or even hear. The authority that I would not get until almost four years later.

And as quickly as the migraine came, it ended quite suddenly as well. One day, unable to talk and another running around again as if it had never happened. But something did happen, and 'it' had announced something. Something I can't hear.

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"Do you want to be our chaperone, Ren?" Sebas asked me, as we sat watching Bren and Aquila battle. Sparks of magic and metal flying everywhere, I couldn't decide if I just heard him wrong or I didn't understand what he was asking of me. Since it is only a week from the King's Passage, I assumed it was related to that. So, I elatedly responded,

"What's that?!"

"When we depart on the King's Passage, you have permission to take someone with you. Apparently you're supposed to take a guard or someone who knows their stuff, but Miguel didn't think we needed one. Ah, Miguel is the Royal Knight Captain, by the way. Essentially, I was wondering if you'd like to come with us as on the journey?"

What?

Are you all that arrogant?

Arrogant enough to go on a trip all by yourselves, without a guard?

Arrogant enough to take a foolish, weak kid like me and still think to survive?

Perhaps it's their way of telling it to me. That they will get rid of me. When they earn their position as Saviours, they will need to get rid of the pest in their backside to preserve their image. What better opportunity to do it than now, where no one would question if a poor, weak boy is killed. What would be a word my father would call them? Yes, assholes.

"I have to ask for permission from my parents first..." I murmured, trying to think the situation through. If I objected, I would likely never see them again. And perhaps to get rid of me, they may do it right here right now. If I go with them, I have an opportunity to escape and delay my death. Yes, that would be the most optimum choice. "But I would love to come!"

But, maybe... Just maybe they are being genuine.

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Could they really be inviting me?

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There is only one way to find out. Following them on the King's Passage.

"Thanren! Thanren! Dinner is ready!" My mother called out, looking worn out from both running and cooking. With the same brown and curly hair as me, she was often called the beauty of the village. It was my father, a plain looking man, who was lucky enough to impress her. Impress her by doing nothing at all to do so. Just by being himself, did he begin to attract the attention of the Aldfield Princess.

"I'm coming, Ma!" I responded, sitting up and stretching my legs. "Sorry Sebas, it seems I can't continue talking with you."

"Go to your mother, Ren, and don't worry about it." Sebas said. Yes how foolish. He was always gonna dismiss me. It all but proved how he thought of me. How he despised- "We can always continue it later. How does tomorrow morning sound?"

Huh?

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Doesn't he... hate me?

"S-Sure!" I assured, trying my best not to let my true expression slip. One that was utterly dumbfounded.

I simply couldn't understand. Was Sebas actually not hostile towards me, like I had thought all this time? Could it be that the rest also thought of me that way? Could it be... that they liked me?

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It was so confusing to me that I barely remembered returning home, saying hello to my parents and sister, or even starting to eat dinner. When my thoughts were interrupted, I was met with a cold, full bowl of soup.

"Are you okay, Thanren? You've been staring at your soup this entire time..." My father said, putting a hand on my shoulder from across the table. His hand firm and strong, my father didn't look strong nor weak. Yet, he had the strength to rival a seasoned lumberjack. He often said that I looked just like him when he was young, though most of my face came from my mother.

"You okay Ren-Ren?" My sister, Thanlin, stuttered, pulling on my sleeves. With the silky blond hair of my father and adorable puppy eyes, I couldn't resist her cuteness even on a bad day when I'm too tired to do anything. It's a shame though. I don't think I will see her grow up if I go on this journey.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just Sebas told me something and I'm not sure what to do..."

"What is it, Thanren?" Mother insisted, concern written all over her face.

"Sebas asked me to be their chaperone. To accompany them on their journey to the capital."

"You mean the King's Passage!" Father shouted, slamming the table. "What is that child thinking, asking an eight year old to come with them instead of proper protection!"

"Alex, calm." Mother scolded, contemplating what I had just said.

"S-sorry..."

"Thanren, do you wish to go on the King's Passage." Mother said, facing me directly.

"I do want to, but... I'm still not sure if what I'm feeling is actual want or fear of being left alone."

"Thanren, me and your father will always care for you no matter your decision. Just remember that you can't easily reverse what you choose when you do make the decision. We will support you either way."

"Mother..." I muttered, surprised by her frankness. I really did want to go with my friends. Friends? Yes... friends.

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But I couldn't help but be unsure about if they have any ulterior motives or not. I obviously can't voice these doubts to my parents, yet I must consider them nonetheless and whether my concealment of them is affecting their decision. Still, I couldn't be left behind. I want to stand by their side, as friends. I want the power to do that. And just like that, there was only one obvious decision left to me.

"I'll go. I'll go with them on the King's Passage!"

Yes. I'll stand by their side. I'll come back to my parents. I will live!

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It was with that proclamation that my fate was sealed. In 10 days, only a small way through my journey, Thanren of Aldfield would die.