
...—Capital of Excelia, Arestia— Empire...
...—28 August 1238—...
The atmosphere was bustling, many people passed by from where they worked on the streets of the capital with the twilight sun shining down on them.
However, economic activity continues. Many market traders are still selling their merchandise. Dried meat, bread, and fresh vegetables that can be cooked for tomorrow.
Dressed in casual clothes in light robes that did not cover their heads, two people were seen walking through the main street crowd of the capital.
One of the figures is a white-haired old man who has a firm face, has a yellowish white skin with blue eyes, his white mustache can also be seen above the upper lip of the man.
One of the others was a short black-haired youth who had a slightly raised topknot, neatly combed. The face he showed was a 19-year-old face, but somehow he showed the "intelligence" of his bright appearance.
Cornwall's chief, Connor Cornwall, is the heir to the world's largest company, Loic Coulent.
More than a year has passed since Loic Coulent survived the military torment of the Renacles Empire.
From the news he received from one of his spy merchants, Emperor Renacles considered that Ares—, who was still a noble of the Kingdom of Rowling under the rank of Margrave—, wanted to control the company that originated and took root in the Empire of Renacles by establishing a union between merchants, the Merchant Guild, and the, in the territory he controlled.
The emperor acted quickly. All the companies that were in his country were nationalized, the Emperor took most of the ownership of the big companies in his country—including the largest companies in the world, the Emperor took most of the ownership of the big companies in his country, Coulent— firm and replaced it by elevating those merchants to baron-ranked nobles.
Unlike his parents who acted obediently, his grandparents— who was the head of the company at that time— refused firmly, until they were considered to defy the decree issued by Emperor Renacles.
Knowing that his grandparents were to be executed, Loic lodged a violent protest, questioning the Emperor's decision that led to his confinement by the knights.
Heavy torture awaits. Not only became the object of human research that received severe mental torture from researchers, Loic also required to live with the guinea pigs who have a body that has been damaged.
The severed limbs seemed to have just been done an operation carelessly, the contents of their stomachs that had come out, to the body that was covered in blood. Naturally, they were still guarded by his consciousness, Loic was unable to endure the mental torment, causing him to become depressed and lose hope for life.
As a result of Ares' uncomfortable feelings, he sends Connor to see Loic's state in his country.
Bad thinking comes true, Connor saves Loic who was almost a madman because his mind can no longer be said to be sane.
After saving her, Connor makes a recovery to restore Loic's mental health by hiding in the neighboring country of Renacles, requiring at least more than 11 months just for his mental recovery.
Loic no longer has anything. A noble girl who becomes Loic's fiance has left him due to the status of a commoner owned by Loic, having an affair with another noble.
Of course, a special case has occurred. Because it is a large company whose production activities can almost affect the country, Loic— and the heirs of the previous Coulent Firm—have a partner who comes from among the nobility in order to maintain the relationship between the company and the country.
Loic has left it all, his parents, possessions, until the woman who will be married politically, to the western continent for whom he is still in the middle of nowhere.
"The city has changed." Loic looked in admiration.
Same with Connor. Having long left the capital just after Ares staged a coup, Connor doesn't expect that in just under two years, Ares can make as significant a change as he values from what he sees.
It was impossible to serve the nobles, the servants of the common people could only perform menial tasks such as cleaning and tending the gardens, to washing the clothes and furniture inside the palace.
It does not mean doing with weight. The commoners who worked in the palace had a pride, a prestige of being able to work in the service of the nobles, which they looked up to in society. Moreover, with their very high salaries when compared to ordinary traders.
The small door behind the wall was visible. Loic and Connor approach it casually—so that the door opens on its own, making Loic feel alert.
"Welcome to the Imperial Palace... Mr. Loic." Dia—aibi Ares and Milly—'s mother came to greet with some elite knights behind her.
He was a little confused as to how to summon the young man before him, deciding to call him only by his personal name as he felt Loic was no longer under the auspices of the Coulent Family.
To his welcome, Loic could only smile sadly, though he did not raise the slightest objection, "Thank you. um..."
"He's von Vienna." He answered straightforwardly.
"Eh?" Loic was a little surprised, not thinking if a noble would welcome him.
He could only display a wry smile, "It's okay. After all, two years ago I was also still an ordinary knight. No need to feel uncomfortable, Mr. Loic."
"Um.. good..." Loic answered confused.
"I'll lead you to His Majesty." He immediately turned around, entering the depths of the palace that looked extremely majestic.
"Thank you." Following him, Loic parted ways with Connor due to different interests as Connor soon headed for the slum district of the commoners near the capital's walls.
Loic is increasingly confused, his legs do not lead to the palace hallway, but through the stairs nuanced dark although still maintained cleanliness.
"Please remember, you have been in the inner palace environment. Everything you do will be watched closely." Warning He made Loic's entire body faintly tremble.
Although Loic's mental health had been rehabilitated, it was not fully recovered. Loic was sometimes frightened to the point that death had been at the end of his throat just from hearing the word "inner palace."
Regret etched into His mind, he looked at Loic with an apologetic expression, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to threaten you."
"Ah.a.yes..." Sounding a little quivering, Loic continued his steps, following him and several other elite knights towards the brownish-colored twin doors that did not have a single knight guarding them.
A feeling of light fear lingered in Loic's mind. The dark memories of his past are back. Even so, Loic's step remained steady, never thought if the figure he would meet later would do something bad to him.
Kriiettian.
Looking at an unkempt short blue-haired young man in a black military uniform who smiled warmly at him, Loic was sure, this was the day that his life had completely changed.
"I'm very much looking forward to your arrival, Loic Coulent."
...----------------...