Pacing back and forth, I considered my options within the prison of my room.
There weren't many.
I could escape, run away and start a new life.
No, the son of a duke couldn't just disappear before his trial. I'd be hunted down in moments. Maybe if I had been able to use mana.
Everyone in this world usually underwent a trial between the ages 10-15, afterwards, they'd be able to freely control their mana. Anyone aspiring to a higher calling would then go to the church in order to awaken the rest of their capabilities.
Unfortunately, Arthur was a late bloomer. He'd yet to awaken at 14, meaning I was stuck with a powerless body in a world where people could wield fire and air like extensions of themselves.
'Fuck's sake Sun, where is the mercy for this believer of yours? You couldn't have just made me rich?'
Arthur Gravewalker. A minor antagonist, a two-bit thing too pathetic to call a villain who I had read about during the flashback of Alara. She was one of the main cast surrounding the MC.
It was during a moment where she confessed to the MC about when an old friend had tried to take advantage of her when she was younger, and the trauma she had received as a result.
Trauma…by my hands.
A wave of revulsion rose up as I remembered from the book what Arthur had done - what he had tried to do.
It was an oddly familiar yet strange feeling, to look in the mirror, and feel nothing but disgust.
And fear.
Because now it would be me who faced Arthur's consequences. That was the only other option left to me.
In the novel, Arthur had been banished to the frontlines of the rebellion. He had tried to escape, fleeing from battle.
As a result he'd been stripped of his titles, branded a runaway and thrown onto the streets.
That was the last time he was mentioned. It was believed he had died somewhere on those streets. With no one and nothing to take care of him.
A fitting end.
I knew this day. Today the Duke would pass sentence on his son.
On me.
He had waited for a full assembly in order to show the full justice of House Gravewalker. It was all a show.
That's what the Duke had used me-Arthur for. After all, many in that court who would watch my sentencing, were guilty of similar crimes.
Pandora, that was this planet's name. It contained three mega continents, each with their own race ruling retrospectively.
The elves, the dwarves, and humans. Little was known about how the races arrived at Pandora, or if they had always been there.
What was known was that each race ruled their own continent, and alliances between the mega continents were tedious at best.
I had died just when the reveal of demons had been shown to the main cast. Evil creatures existing in another plane of existence that overlapped this world.
Taking deep breaths, I tried to let go of the worry.
I couldn't escape. Begging for mercy was pointless, if Arthur's memories were to be believed, the Duke had been nothing more than a cold administer of Justice. Certainly never a father.
I could go along with the punishment and join the army.
'That might work.'
The timeline of the novel officially began at the end of the rebellion. Back then, there had been a couple students, those who had won an army funded scholarship due to showing exemplary talent during the war.
'Veterans.'
They had been a strong, and ruthlessly powerful group of students who mostly kept to themselves, never really getting involved with the story. They didn't need to, in the school, few wanted to mess with them.
The Royal Thoracen Academy.
There I could get stronger, much stronger. With enough strength and skills under my belt, I could disappear without anyone stopping me.
Maybe find a little corner of the world for myself alone.
The MC could deal with all the saving the world crap, let me enjoy a bit of peace and quiet.
A nice life of retirement, that's what I needed.
Yes, that was properly the best plan.
Still, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming dread. Once again, I'd have to join the army. I'd have to kill again.
'A soldier in two lives huh….how fucking awful.'
In the Western Dukedom, there was a rebellion occurring. The Duke and a few other nobles of considerable power had decided to fight for independence against the Thoracen Empire.
The human mega continent was split between two colossal empires, and a buffer region of free city states between them.
Rule in the Thoracen Empire was split between the Four Dukedoms and the Central Kingdom which was under more direct rule of the crown.
The Gravewalker house ruled the Eastern Dukedom, and even though I was never going to inherit the Dukedom due to being the second last in the line of succession, it should've meant I would live a lavish life.
It should've.
Any moment now, I would be summoned by my personal butler to court where my father would sentence me personally.
In the original novel, Arthur had treated the entire event as a joke, showing little remorse and demanding to be let free.
Which meant if I wanted to walk out of there with any dignity, I needed to do the exact opposite. Keep my head down, stay quiet, get sentenced quickly and get the hell out of here.
'I should probably make myself presentable.'
With a sigh I changed into a black formal suit, complimenting it with a maroon shirt. It fit well, accentuating my eyes.
'I looked like a damn doll.'
This body hadn't developed any sense of muscle, the skin was smooth and soft. I didn't need my memories to know that the bastard who had owned this flesh suit previously was a spoilt one.
'Don't worry, I'll change that.'
As I was busy resigning myself to my fate, a knock came on the door.
"Come in."
A boy entered. He had pale skin, hazel eyes and dark hair, dressed in a slick butler's uniform. He kept his eyes downcast as he entered.
'Renis.'
My personal butler. Arthur had abused him since childhood, so much so that the poor boy had developed a nervous stutter.
Which only doubled the bullying he received.
'Who would've thought this frail looking thing would turn into a prodigy inside the Royal Thoracen Academy.'
Renis's father served my father. And his older siblings served my older siblings. Yet unlike them, he had never wanted to be a butler, something which Arthur's treatment had only solidified.
He wanted to become a MageKnight, and so he had been secretly saving to pay the fees for entrance.
"M-master Gravewalker, y-you've been s-s-summoned by y-y-y-your f-father" Renis stuttered.
I sighed heavily, feeling a sense of guilt as I remembered everything Arthur had done to the boy.
'This body really is trash.'
"Let's go then Renis."
Renis's eyes looked up, a twinge of shock that I hadn't done anything yet. He masked it quickly, bowing slightly. "Yes Master."
I allowed myself to be guided to the main court within the Gravewalker estate. It was a formal room where the Duke would pass laws, or on rare occasions, crimes that deserved his direct attention.
Avoiding thinking about the tongue lashing I was about to receive in court, my mind couldn't help but gravitate to the poor little butler in front of me.
When I entered that court, that's it, there would be no turning back. My short time as a noble would end right there, there'd be no opportunities to make amends later.
Seeing as though I had inherited Arthur's body and memories, in a way, I also inherited his sins.
"Renis."
Renis froze, turning around gingerly, his face a sheet of wide eyes terror. I approached closer, reaching into my breast pocket.
He froze, eyes shut tight as if bracing himself.
However, no blow came.
I waited until he hesitantly opened his eyes, to see a sack of coins dangling in front of him. It was all I had currently. Where I was going it wouldn't do me any good, they'd confiscate this off me before sending me to the army.
Might as well do something good with the money now.
"Take it" I proffered, holding the pouch of coins out.
Renis froze, his face a mix of disbelief and caution. I smiled. "No trick, just take it. I know you're planning on attending the Royal Academy. You'll need all the money you can get."
In the novel, Renis had been able to get an endorsement from the Gravewalker family, so this money wasn't really necessary for Renis's goal to become a MageKnight.
But, well, there wasn't really anything else I could do to make amends.
His eyes widened in shock, obviously surprised that I knew about his dreams.
Slowly he outstretched his hand, talking the pouch gingerly. "T-t-thank y-you master."
I couldn't help but smile, enjoying his utter shock.
'Maybe I should push it a bit further.'
Stepping forward, ignoring his flinching, I pulled him into a hug.
The poor boy was practically trembling now.
When I let go, Renis looked as if he was on the verge of tears. If it was from confusion, happiness or fear, I couldn't tell.
"I haven't been the best master Renis. I know that, but for what it's worth. I am sorry."
Then I walked past him, giving a half wave. "No need to escort me any further, I know my way to the courtroom."