Wortenia Senki (LN) - Volume 1 - Chapter Pr

Prologue 

The Empire of O’ltormea, supreme ruler of the center of the western continent. In an estate sitting in the outskirts of its capital, the city of O’ltormea, two men stood face-to-face. 

The darkness of night blanketed the world. Thick clouds blotted out the moonlight, not allowing even the glittering of the stars to shine through. The chandelier hanging down from the estate’s ceiling shone thanks to the power of its granted thaumaturgy. Its light poured outside the window, but even that was limited to a small radius. 

And beyond that feeble light extended an environment that rejected the life of man. 

Most illumination from this world came from lamps lit by fish or plant oil, and very few people could employ thaumaturgy. On top of that, oil was rather expensive given this world’s average income, and therefore the majority of people couldn’t make use of it as freely as water. So long as there wasn’t some sort of emergency, the middle class of this world, the so-called ‘commoners,’ returned home with the sunset and went to sleep as darkness fell. 

If there were any exceptions to that rule, it would be pleasure districts, like the one this estate was erected upon, and the sectors where mansions of the nobility were built. Even O’ltormea, which was regarded as a great power by its neighbors, couldn’t match Japan’s standards of living. 

“It’s eerie how deep the darkness can get, isn’t it?” A man whispered, looking through the curtains with shivering shoulders. “Almost feels like it could take your soul away... It’s been nearly eight years since I’ve been summoned to this world, and I still can’t get used to it. To be honest, I miss my old life in Japan so much it’s maddening.” 

The darkness was pure and impenetrable, with no street lights, vending machines or residential houses to illuminate it. One would rarely imagine that the night could strike such terror into the heart of man. 

...But no, it was more than just the darkness of night. This place was entirely different from Japan in every way. From religion and culture, to every minute habit, and even the designs of clothes and hairstyles, nothing in this world seemed to align with one’s life in Japan. 

And that just made him crave his life in Japan all the more. Those days were good. And the more terrible the present seemed when compared to the past, the stronger the yearning for home throbbed in his heart. 

“Well, one cannot help but feel this way, at least when it comes to this. This place is nothing like our sweet homeland, after all. But to find you being so sentimental, Saitou... It is truly unusual. True, we haven’t come face-to-face in some months, and yet... My, I simply must make this a topic in our next regular meeting. I’m sure the other representatives will have a hearty laugh over this.” 

The middle-aged man teasing him was seated comfortably on a sofa, sipping on a glass of aged wine. 

“Please spare me the embarrassment, Sudou. I have a position and reputation to maintain.” Saitou turned around hurriedly to face the other man, but Sudou merely regarded him with his usual smile. 

“No, no. You stand head and shoulders above the candidates for our organization’s future managers, and you’re young as well. It’s only natural the more aged managers would wish to tease you a bit. From their perspective, you’re close in age to their children or grandchildren. Think of it as one of the sole remaining pleasures available to a group of old, lonely men torn away from their families, and play along. You too know what it’s like to lose a family. Surely you can sympathize with their feelings.” 

Those words were said in jest, but they had evidently stabbed at Saitou’s old wounds. For a moment, his face distorted viciously. 

“Sudou...” He betrayed a slight growl in his voice. 

Just how much weight did the emotions behind that utterance carry? The sheer murderous intent seeping from him froze the air in the room. It was his true will brought to bear, a facet of himself he would usually never expose. 

An ominous glint flickered in Saitou’s eyes as he glared at Sudou’s face. Sudou, on the other hand, merely tilted the wine bottle sitting on the table once again, as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening. 

“Heheheh, yes, that’s a fine expression. That glare tells me your grudge hasn’t diminished yet. That unexpected sentimentalism in your words earlier had me slightly concerned you might have gone soft on us... But, hah, I see that isn’t the case at all. A relief, to be sure. Nothing else would suffice.” 

Those words made Saitou tear his gaze away wordlessly. It seemed that Sudou had angered him deliberately. The tense atmosphere which had engulfed the room gradually began to dissipate. 

“You’re... one obnoxious man. Honestly.” Forgetting his usual tendency to speak politely to his elders, those words slithered from Saitou’s lips venomously. 

Hearing those words, Sudou let out a rambunctious laugh. 

“My apologies, friend. No need to become indignant over this. Probing into the motivations of one’s subordinates is part of a superior’s job, you see. Especially in an organization like ours.” 

He then set his wine glass down on the table, and, the smile disappearing from his lips, turned his gaze to Saitou. Not a hint of frivolousness remained in his features. 

“Well, between you and me, I have great faith in that capable sword arm and bright head of yours... You’re the very image of priceless manpower to our organization. And that includes the dark lust slumbering in the depths of your heart.” 

His black eyes gazed into Saitou, as if capable of seeing into his heart. Like black holes, absent of all emotions. 

“And that’s why I chose to save you, over all other candidates. Not an experienced militaryman, nor a spy. But you... a mere salaryman, fresh out of adolescence. It is why we have entrusted you with a vital task, one our long awaited aspirations lean upon. I expect you to not betray my expectations.” 

Hearing those words, a sneer played over Saitou’s features. He recalled the powerless youth he was at that time. A younger, haughty and ignorant version of himself, who had blindly believed nothing was beyond his grasp. A foolishness that would ultimately cost him everything. 

“I can assure you. By this point, I know that much even without you having to remind me.” His clenched fist trembled with humiliation and rage. “It’s why I’m restraining the urge to scream even now.” 

He had to toady up to the hated foes that slighted him, and proactively do their dirty work for them. All necessities to accomplish that secret goal. It was only because he knew this much that he kept the darkness permeating his heart at bay. At least until the day finally arrived... 

And still, he couldn’t help but long for the past he’d lost at some point. 

Is this my weakness, I wonder? For a brief moment, a faint doubt floated up in Saitou’s mind. But what Sudou said next washed that doubt away without a trace. 

“I am not trying to say there is something wrong with looking back to one’s past. After all, we are comrades in the same plight. I can relate to your feelings, painfully so. But we must never forget our objective. There’s no going back to the past, after all. Hence why the future is so much more precious. Let us work together to grasp a future that much better.” 

Saitou nodded silently at Sudou’s words which almost seemed to see right through him. There was no changing the past. Struggle as he might, he would never be able to retrieve the things which had slipped through his fingers. Even if he were to keep trying forever... 

Hence why he had to fix his gaze towards the future. 

“Yes, splendid.” Sudou said with satisfaction, seeing the dark flames burning in Saitou’s eyes. “If that much is clear to you, I’ve nothing more to say. Let us go back to discussing work, then. So that we may accomplish our lofty goal, and paint this continent with the flames of suffering and the crimson shade of blood.” 

The whisper that spilled from Sudou’s lips echoed in Saitou’s ears like the sweet, seductive whispering of the devil himself.