1 chapter 1

Chapter 1 – The Betrayed Hero

"Gahck!"

Twisting my body to the side, I ship up a wad of blood, the usual red liquid tainted black.

The shivers across my skin, the ache present around my heart, the thrumming pain in my head.

It seems I've been poisoned yet again.

Pulling out the familiar Solar magic, I cycle it through my body to flush the toxin from my system and to heal any damage.

But instead of the relieving warmth, I'm assaulted by another wave of agony, much stronger this time.

What!?

Feeling a tickle in my throat, I force a cough out, the phlegm drowning my lungs twisting with the force.

Dammit, how did they make a poison that repels healing magic?

No... from how I can't even enhance myself, it nullifies all magic.

Something like that is only a skill befitting of the royal court's highest assassin-!

Haa, I see.

I knew that the prime minister's smile was not its usual strained fakeness after I'd drunk the wine.

And to think I would be killed at the celebration dinner for me.

For the hero that had vanquished the Demon of Corruption that had plagued this world.

Maybe, unconsciously, I accepted this conclusion.

After all, what was the point of my life now?

My part as a hero had been played, and with no one left but the den of tricksters, and my one love in this world extinguished, what left is there to do?

The creak of an opening door enters my ears as I turn to the force, my limbs shaking as I try to focus my vision.

Entering my vision is the lord of this land that I've served since childhood, King Orwin Van Clemonte.

King of Aspia, leader of the Great Alliance formed to end the Demon of Corruption's terror.

And the father to my departed lover.

"Haa, such a waste. With your influence, combat power, and political skills, you would have been a fine pawn."

Struggling to open my mouth without simply leaking blood, I can only harden my glare.

"Don't look at me like that, I hate this just as much as you. But you see... you simply have too much influence, being the hero and all. The peasants have even begun talking about using you as their banner for revolution. We can't have that, can we?"

This conniving prick!

Betraying me for something as simple as political power when I was planning on leaving this wretched capital of lies the next day!

Now reduced to my hands and knees, I crawl toward the king as I feel the poison begin working in earnest, the burning itch spreading through my system as my thoughts become hazy.

"Well, with all that said and done, I do need to thank you for all the work you have done, both for me and this Kingdom. I would wish nothing more than be able to put you out of your misery, but you see, the poison you ingested will be traced back to the Arcant family. They've been making moves now that the war is over, trying to expand their Dukedom."

Coloured dots dance around my view as the pain recedes into a numbing warmth, pulsing with the beat of my slowing heart.

"Once again, I'm sorry it came to this, Cassius. I won't ask you for forgiveness, but I do hope you find peace in the afterlife alongside my daughter. Goodbye, hero of humanity."

The door closing behind him, I lose complete control of my motor functions, landing flat on my face.

Everything becomes numb, my vision now bathed in complete darkness while the patter of rain against the window fades to silence.

I don't remember death being so... peaceful.

My mind now clear, I think back on my life in this world.

Although the memories are faint, long since faded from the horrors of war, I do remember that this was not my first life.

An advanced world of technology and relative comfort as opposed to these backward lands filled with schemes and magic.

I had been a musician, no, an aspiring one.

A life confined to the indoors due to sickness, my only escape being through the songs I so admired.

But eventually, the illness I had been plagued with caught up to me.

Upon my death, I was taken to another world, gaining consciousness at the age of three and living in an orphanage.

Not long after my 'awakening', I had been bought by the royal family due to my appearance.

Captivating blue-green eyes, slightly wavy dirty blonde hair, and a handsome face that displayed femininity.

All matching their young princess who was a year older than me.

From then on, I trained in servitude, impersonation, navigating the royal court, combat... everything that would be needed of the assigned butler of the royal family and a body double to the princess.

Princess Lilianna Van Clemonte.

My master, my liege... and my dear lover.

At the age of 7, I was able to unlock my magic, which gained me the label of a prodigy since most kids unlock theirs at 12 if they ever do.

And that was not the most surprising thing, rather, it was the magic I awoke.

Solar magic.

Most magic falls under three categories: elemental, enhancement, and unique.

Elemental magic being the ability to summon and control fire, water, earth, acid, wood... anything physical.

Enhancement is the most common magic, it being able to enhance users' bodies and their weapons, this magic being used by frontline warriors.

Finally, there is unique magic, things such as scouting magic, healing magic, barrier magic... anything that was neither physical nor enhancement fell into this category.

Solar magic, however, was special.

Not belonging to any categories, it held properties of other magics.

Ability to control heat and light, the ability to enhance myself, and the ability to heal.

It was the only known magic to be like this, and as such, was extremely rare.

Once every 200 years rare.

And so, my position as Liliana's knight became ironclad, as her father also pushed us to be together, seeing my blood as a prime commodity.

I didn't complain, after all, I was infatuated with the princess, just as she was with me.

Nevertheless, such peaceful times of budding romance couldn't last, as on a day shortly after my 12th birthday, two events took place.

One, the Demon of Corruption had awakened.

Giving birth to various monsters while expanding its decay across the world.

Previously sealed by the heroes of 1000 years past, it had awoken from its slumber to infest the world once again with terror.

Not being a being in having a consciousness, it could only be described as an idea, the incarnate of destruction.

Its 'body' is incorporeal, only able to be slain by Solar magic.

The second event was the appearance of my inventory.

A rack that popped in and out of existence with a simple thought, completely breaking the laws of physics.

It also was able to hold nine weapons, the held weapons becoming stronger and more durable.

I was also able to summon these weapons with a thought, and when not in the mortal 'plane', any damage to the weapons would be recovered over time.

An ability unheard of by the world.

With this, I was chosen to be the next hero and to lead the newly formed Great Alliance to victory against the Demon, having been granted nine weapons from the world of my choosing.

And so, the war began.

Death, death, and more death.

A carousel of bodies and grieving families.

My only respite from the torment was Lilianna, who had become my lover soon after the war had started, our bond fully realized on my 15th birthday.

Unfortunately, even she was not safe from the clutches of war, being taken from me a year ago.

Although I had always hated the Kingdom and royalties, I stayed in my position for her for all this time.

Now with her gone, I had no attachment to this land infested with deceit and corruption, but she gave her life for her Kingdom, so I would at least see her wish fulfilled before leaving everything behind.

But look at where that got me.

Lying face down on a dusty wood floor, blood leaking from every orifice at the tender age of 18.

But hey, that old asshole was right.

Now, I could finally rest and return to you, Lilianna, my love.

Consciousness fading into nothingness, a sense of absolute peace washes over me.

Light.

Growing brighter by the second, before exploding before me.

The surroundings have an infinite view of swirling colours, much like the northern lights.

"I'm sorry, little one. It was never meant to be this way."

Turning to face the voice, or trying to, I'm only met with a deep sense of vertigo.

"Unfortunately, mortal souls like yourself won't be able to see me."

Is this the afterlife?

Or perhaps a dream?

But if so, where does the dream start?

Did I get betrayed? Did I kill the Demon of Corruption? Did-

"This is not a dream, Cassius Anemoi."

So, not a dream.

Wait, did you read my thoughts?

Who are you?

"I am the one who sent you to that world. The one that manipulated fate to make you the hero."

Oh... I see.

I don't really understand, why me?

"Throughout the numerous worlds, I oversee, there is one power that disrupts fate and interferes with my ability as a god, infesting worlds at a great pace, only leaving death and destruction in its wake."

The Demon of Corruption.

"You're quick on the uptake. Yes, I sent you to that world to clear the corruption and save their souls."

Why couldn't you do it yourself!?

"As I had said, it interferes with my ability as a god. I personally cannot kill any incarnates of corruption, and any world infested by it, I lose power over, hence why my only way of support was through your divine inventory."

I see... but why am I here, wherever this is.

"The land between worlds, but that's not important. As for why... well, I am sorry for making you take on all the burdens of a hero. You were meant to live the rest of your life in peace, but even I wouldn't imagine you being betrayed due to the greed of your fellow humans. I wish to give you a second chance at a peaceful life as forgiveness."

Huh?

A second chance?

But wouldn't this already be my third life?

And why can I hardly remember any details of my previous life?

Would this be the same?

"No, the reason for the lack of your past identity is due to you being reborn. Your memories of your past self naturally disappeared to not create an identity crisis for yourself. This time, however, I wish to give the current you a chance at a peaceful life. By being sent to a world with no magic or monsters as a transmigrator rather than a reincarnation."

I see, but wouldn't that be a large burden on you?

"Not at all. For worlds such as the one you will be going to, completely absent of corruption, I have complete omnipotence. It seems our time has come to an end. A mortal soul cannot withstand the eternity between worlds for long."

I then feel something ethereal wrap around me, a firm grasp yet completely incorporeal.

"Once again, I'm sorry for the suffering I have caused you and thank you for ridding that world of its corruption. Please live a happy life, find love once again and start a family. Good luck, Cassius Anemoi."

My vision is then engulfed in the light once again as my consciousness fades to nothingness.

----- Sometime Later -----

"Urgh."

Raising my head, I slowly gain awareness of my surroundings.

Seated in a carpeted chair, the backrest slightly declined while a strap fits snugly around my waist.

To my right is a large glass window, with the nighttime forest scenery passing by, illuminated by the bright moon peeking past the cloudy sky.

A dark blue curtain encloses me from the surroundings while a closed laptop rests on a tray table attached to my left armrest.

I guess I'm on a bus?

What a weird place to transmigrate to.

Opening the laptop, I'm met by an opened text document.

***Hello, Cassius.

You're currently situated on a bus on the way to your new apartment in Tokyo. Attached to this document is your background for this world, please read it thoroughly.

This world is much the same as your original world but with many differences in the specifics. Different celebrities, stories, music, etc. But the general history, geography, and nations are identical. While your memory should be enhanced by your awakened magic, it would be best to read over the general history and world situation document.

Your magic does work in this world, but I would heavily advise against using it with any visual effects, only using subtle physical enhancement or mind enhancement. While I doubt anything would be able to kill you, it would go against my wish for you to live a peaceful life to defend yourself against the world's powers.

Your belongings consist of everything in the backpack under the seat and the black carry-on suitcase placed in the overhead compartment. All important documents are situated in your backpack.

You also have a safe financial situation, but that will be explained more in your background document.

As for how I did all of this, I did say I was omnipotent in this world.

So again, read your background, research the current times, don't show off your superhuman abilities, and live a good life.

P.S. This document will be deleted after a day and your background will be locked behind the passcode 4251.***

Huh.

Who would think an almighty god would use something like 'P.S.'?

Checking my pocket, I pull out a wallet and a smartphone, the wallet having various cards, my id, and a fair amount of cash.

The smartphone shows an 'enter passcode' with the background being a picture of... is that me?

Yeah, a picture of me, my short wavy dirty blonde hair doused in sweat while I'm holding some kind of trophy.

Wow, I guess she wasn't lying when she said she's omnipotent here.

Scrolling down to the attached files, I open the background document, ready to study my past in this world.

Although not done with modern technology, I had read through many backgrounds to be able to properly support Lilianna, backgrounds concerning their moods to their ticks gathered by the royal spies.

So this would be quite easy, seeing as I would not have to act out a character.

Reclining further into the comfy chair, I grab onto the can placed into the armrests cupholder, the condensation coating my hand in moisture.

Pulling back the tab and releasing a satisfying hiss, I take a sip of the liquid, causing a familiar sweetness to assault my tastebuds.

Haa, I did miss this.

Well, time to learn who I am.