Chapter 2

A few days after the coming-of-age ceremony, Raido was exiled from the capital city, where the royal palace was located, and sent to a frontier development town by his brother's order.

Officially, he was to take up the role of a lord, given the land surrounding the development town as his fiefdom.

However, those who knew the circumstances were certain that this was, in fact, an exile.

The fact that Raido had drawn the holy sword Dainsleif during the coming-of-age ceremony was under a strict gag order and became a secret known only to a very few who served the royal palace.

This was because if it were publicly known that Raido had been chosen by the holy sword, it would provide a legitimate reason for the 12-year-old second prince to become the next king, and a power struggle with Granado was inevitable.

Even if Raido did not wish for it, those who revered the first king would not leave his successor, Raido, alone.

Exiling Raido was unavoidable to prevent the country from splitting and to avert a civil war.

Even if Granado's personal grudges and jealousy were excessively involved, the decision would never be overturned.

Raido, deprived of the holy sword Dainsleif that caused his exile, had no other path but to be sent to the frontier alone.

Only three people came to see Raido off as he was sent to the frontier.

The Chancellor, Lockwood Marcel, the highest political authority in the country.

The General, Bazel Galst, the highest military authority.

And—Raido's childhood friend and the Chancellor's daughter, Meltina Marcel, who was to marry him.

"Prince Raido, please be careful on your journey."

"……"

Raido glared silently at Lockwood, who bowed with his hand on his chest.

Raido's wrists were shackled, preventing him from using the swordsmanship and magic he had trained in as a member of the royal family.

It was not permissible to shackle a member of the royal family, who was not a criminal. However, this cruel treatment was carried out by special order of Prince Granado.

Raido looked down at his restrained wrists with a heavy heart and spoke softly.

"……Where is my brother?"

The words were spoken softly, but the sorrow and despair in his voice made Lockwood narrow his eyes.

"His Majesty the King is too busy with state affairs to come and see you off. He has asked me to convey his regret for not being able to show his face at your departure."

"Regret... There are more important things to apologize for."

When Raido said this in a reproachful tone, Lockwood feigned surprise.

"Your Highness is merely taking up your own fiefdom. Nothing more."

"Then what about these shackles! It makes me look like a criminal!"

The response to this shouted question came not from Lockwood but from General Bazel Galst, who stood beside him.

The towering Bazel, over two meters tall, looked down at Raido with a rock-like face and continued in a stern tone.

"Your Highness has become the bearer of the holy sword and now harbors part of its blessing. If that power were to go out of control, it could cause great damage. The shackles are to prevent that, not as punishment for a criminal. Please understand that, Your Highness."

"But...!"

Raido opened his mouth to protest but fell silent, unable to say anything.

No matter what he said to these two, it would be meaningless. They were the king's close aides and supporters of Prince Granado, one of the people who decided Raido's exile to the frontier.

"Your Highness, you have done nothing wrong. However, this is necessary for the governance of the country. Please do not harbor any resentment."

"Indeed. When Prince Granado ascends the throne and his reign stabilizes, you may be called back to the capital. Until then, please stay healthy."

Raido, who had bowed his head and clenched his teeth, was consoled by Lockwood, who seemed somewhat sympathetic. Bazel also followed, offering his own encouragement.

"……"

Raido remained silent, biting his lip in frustration.

For a boy being exiled from his homeland for a crime he did not commit, such adult selfishness could never be a comfort.

Instead, he turned his gaze to the last person present.

"Meltina..."

Raido called out her name, clinging to her as if begging.

If the Chancellor's daughter, Meltina, petitioned to reconsider Raido's treatment, perhaps he would not have been exiled.

Even if that did not happen, she, who was closer to him than anyone else of his age, might have come with him to the capital.

His plea was filled with such hopes, but Meltina's response was merciless.

"Yes, Prince Raido. Please be careful on your journey."

"Eh...?"

"I've heard that the southern frontier is warmer than the capital. Since you don't like the cold, it's perfect for you. When we meet again, please bring back some interesting stories."

"Eh, wh... Meltina?"

The face of his childhood friend, who was supposed to be his fiancée, showed no trace of sadness. She was sending him off with a calm, serene smile, as if she did not regret their parting.

Raido, bewildered by her lack of emotion, could not hide his confusion and looked up at Lockwood.

"Your Highness, Meltina has been educated as the Chancellor's daughter and a noble lady. She has been taught from a young age to choose her family and country over personal feelings."

"What do you mean...?"

"You are no longer her fiancé. You are now a part of the past."

"Huh...?"

Lockwood's apologetic words left Raido's mind blank.

He and Meltina had been together since he was old enough to remember, sharing countless precious memories.

To Raido, these memories were invaluable, like jewels.

But—these feelings were one-sided. Meltina had never thought of him in that way; she had only been with him out of a sense of duty as the Chancellor's daughter and a noble.

"Your Highness? Is something wrong?"

"……!"

Meltina looked at Raido curiously.

Her innocent face seemed monstrous to Raido. He recoiled in fear, retreating into the carriage that felt like a prison.

In the frontier, he would face days of fear from monsters and barbarians.

But the people who could so easily abandon their family and friends seemed far more terrifying than any monster.

The royal palace, which had once been his home, had become a den of monsters. This reality was too much for the young Raido to accept.

"Farewell, Your Highness."

Meltina's voice came from outside the carriage door.

Lockwood and Bazel bowed deeply, and the carriage began to move.

Raido hugged himself, his shoulders shaking as he was taken away.

Thus, Raido Zain, the second prince of the Zain Kingdom, was sent to a frontier development town and disappeared from the capital.

Five years after Raido disappeared from the public eye, his father, the king, passed away in his sleep due to illness, and the first prince, Granado, succeeded him as the new king.

Thanks to Granado, who had been handling state affairs even before the king's passing, the Zain Kingdom appeared to maintain a peaceful reign without any visible turmoil.

However—quietly, like a snake slithering, the waves of war were approaching the peaceful kingdom.

The holy sword Dainsleif, separated from its master, was enshrined deep within the royal palace, listening to the approaching footsteps of war.

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