Prologue

Pity for the weak is a betrayal of nature.

Duke Clausewitz, who had been true to these words all his life, recalled them as he looked at the dagger piercing his chest.

"You... you must be his child."

In front of him was a young boy with blond hair and blue eyes.

"So you finally remembered him... Duke Clausewitz. Uh, no. Recruit Carl of the Flame Corps."

Clausewitz smiled bitterly.

"So that's how much they hated me."

The youth turned the dagger.

"He died in agony."

"I felt sorry for him, he raised a stupid boy like you for his own ambition. That's why he was betrayed, but I must say I'm surprised he survived that battle."

Clausewitz began to bleed from the corners of his mouth. It was a miracle that he lived to the end of his forties. In fact... he hated himself for living such a life.

"You will die knowing what it feels like to be betrayed."

"Hm, don't worry."

It was very calm.

It was clear that he had resolutely accepted death.

The young man's eyes widened. The dagger in his hand began to tremble.

"Did you... did you know Uncle Louis was going to kill you?"

Clausewitz's lips curled upwards. He had known this moment would come from the moment he took the first step. But he had left enough of a mark on the world.

It was time to rest.

"The fall of the kingdom will be painful. Louis, you stupid old fool, you shouldn't have ordered my death until I've done my job."

"Wait!"

The youth looked around in fear.

Suddenly he realized what he had done. He had killed his Grand Duke, the strongest pillar of the kingdom. King Louis may have wanted it, but the situation was quite different.

Clausewitz felt all his strength evaporate.

He had fought for thirty years, from a raw recruit to the most powerful duke on the continent.

'I betrayed so many people, what did I expect to happen?'

His life began to flash before his eyes.

'How many people have I caused to die, I should be happy to die so peacefully.'

A bright face but contrasting bloodshot eyes revealed regrets.

'Children weeping over parents with one arm left; five hundred thousand people, the cruelest of all...'

His power slowly left his body.

Everything went black in an instant.