50 years? What the hell was that all about?
As my vision grew blurrier, I caught the smile floating up on the Warrior Monk's lips.
– Oh, dear Bodhisattva. Please, try to endure time itself.
[Transfer to the Main Island has begun!]
['Wall that Decides Samsara' is investigating information of your Fables!]
[Investigation has concluded!]
[The scenario location for you and your comrades has been decided.]
This was the very last message I heard before losing my consciousness.
[Sub-scenario, 'Genre Selection', has begun!]
Ricardo stared into the pitch-black liquid filling up his transparent cup and recalled the memories of the distant past.
⸢”Even if you train for 50 years, it'll be difficult for you to become a royal court mage.”⸥
That was back when he first started learning magic.
⸢”You don't seem to possess the suitable constitution to become a scholar.”⸥
That was when the number one scholar in the Kaixenix Archipelago came to tutor him.
⸢”Your hands are not suited to holding a sword.”⸥
And that was back when he grabbed a sword for the first time in the royal swordsmanship training grounds.
⸢”Some lives are like that. What's important is to never fall into despair and continue to strive forward, son.”⸥
Ricardo's father, Verchen Von Kaixenix, said those words.
That couldn't console him, though. A man who had no talent nor desire to do anything wouldn't be consoled after hearing those words, anyway.
Even with no talent, he should strive forward regardless? What would he become if he continued to live on like that, anyway?
Ricardo drunk himself into a stupor every single day. He hung around with the archipelago's worst hooligans and did drugs. He even became addicted to gambling and squandered away the fortunes of his family, too.
He even fell in love. Once upon a time.
She was older, and the most beautiful woman in the entire archipelago. Unfortunately, even that had to end after she married his oldest brother.
Ricardo stared at that black liquid and muttered to himself.
“I'll just kill myself.”
That resolution was the first time he swallowed the brave pill in his life.
He lightly grasped the cup, and as if drinking wine, he emptied its contents in one go. Its effect manifested itself not too long afterwards. His complexion became dark and lifeless, and his arms faltered to the side with no energy.
And exactly four hours later.
Someone else opened his eyes in Ricardo's body.
Besides 'Ways of Survival', I had read quite a few other stories. When I was young, I read those great works of literature my mother recommended, and after I grew up a bit, I began selecting books on my own volition to read.
As an aside, the very first web-novel I read began with its protagonist harping on about his misfortune while dying before waking back up again.
Just like now.
“Blergh…..!”
“Your highness! Prince Ricardo! Are you alright, my lord?”
Someone was patting me on the back, and I vomited out the contents of my stomach for a long time.
I wiped my mouth and raised my head only to discover a mirror. The handsome face reflected in it was pale and charmingly attractive.
….It was definitely my face, but something felt unfamiliar about it.
Who was I?
….Ricardo….?
⸢”You probably know this already, but I'm not a prophet. No, I am as far removed from such a being as you can get.”⸥
I am….
⸢”I'm not the 'Demon King of Salvation'. I'm also not the 'King of a Kingless World'.”⸥
I am….?
Chapter end
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