章 1: Background history
Over the kingdom of Nasca, located in the distant East, the sun began to rise. It created a breathtaking view while simultaneously emitting pleasant, warm solar waves.
The sunrise was like a wake-up call. However, not everyone was just getting up. On the military training ground near the kingdom's capital, the sun served as a signal to begin rigorous training.
Numerous recruits swung their training swords, while others engaged in duels. Experienced knights observed the exercises, and mages coordinated the novices' training. The day promised to unfold much like any other in recent times.
Typically, a day on the training ground began with waking up before the first rays of sunlight. Once the sun rose, training commenced, and when the sun was fully visible, they would proceed to have their meal.
Due to a famine that had affected the entire continent, people were gradually beginning to starve. However, the situation in the distant East was relatively favorable in this regard.
Although people could not eat their fill, there was enough food to prevent deaths from starvation. Understanding the circumstances, people refrained from openly complaining about food shortages. However, they were well aware that the situation in other countries was far from good.
The looming specter of war could be felt in the air. This was driven by the far worse food crisis in other nations.
Hunger awakened primal instincts in people. Refugees from the distant Western countries described the situation there as dire. Kingdoms were collapsing, rulers were being overthrown, and the fight for food had turned into a battle of life and death. Some refugees spoke of witnessing acts of cannibalism, while others described seeing people eating tree bark.
The refugees' accounts terrified the people in the East but also evoked compassion for their plight. Yet, even worse news was on the horizon.
The intelligence service of the Nasca Kingdom confirmed that neighboring countries were beginning to mobilize: the Magic Kingdom of Namrium and the Eastern Union of Ulmeria.
The rulers of these kingdoms, fearing the loss of their power like the rulers of the Western nations, saw the relative prosperity of Nasca, an agricultural kingdom, as an opportunity. They decided to seize its lands at little cost, thereby strengthening their own rule.
Knowing this, the King initiated large-scale militarization. Although reluctant to go to war, he understood that it was inevitable. However, even so, their army could muster no more than 20,000 soldiers, while their adversaries could potentially field around 50,000.
Still, they had a few hidden cards up their sleeve. First and foremost, time was on their side. While Nasca had enough food to sustain itself, their neighbors were in a far worse position and would struggle to feed such a large army for an extended period.
Another of their strategic advantages lay in the state of the roads. Mostly sandy, they were unsuitable for transporting large quantities of supplies. Moreover, the Nascan forces could retreat and employ a scorched-earth tactic if necessary.
In such a scenario, the enemy forces would have no choice but to retreat.
However, the kingdom had one more hidden card up its sleeve: their prince. Rudra Nasca, as he was called, was a prodigy born once in a century. His swordsmanship skills had been recognized as the best in the kingdom when he was just 16 years old, and his magical abilities were among the finest in Nasca as well.
His strategic mind was also extraordinary. Yet all these traits paled in comparison to his unwavering desire to help the oppressed. His magnanimity, generosity, and charisma were renowned throughout Nasca.
Due to the current extraordinary circumstances, he could now be seen on the training grounds near the capital.
His medium-length golden-blonde hair, light blue eyes, and facial features were a blend of Russian and Japanese characteristics. His face could be described as handsome. He wore a simple outfit designed for ease of movement and efficient combat.
At his waist, he carried a plain European-style sword. The blade was polished, showing visible signs of use, while the hilt, although superior to that of an average sword, lacked any distinguishing features.
Rudra had been summoned to train the new recruits and also to continue his own training.
**POV: Rudra**
The sun was slowly rising over the kingdom of Nasca, casting its warm light over the vast training field near the capital.
As I stepped onto the grounds, I saw knights and mages standing in formation. Their armor gleamed in the morning sun, their faces blank and unreadable.
"Do you know why I'm here?"
The knights exchanged uncertain glances, unsure if they should know the answer. Finally, one of them, an older commander, spoke up.
"Prince, we assume it's about preparing for the conflicts ahead. But we don't know what exactly you intend to do with us."
"Our kingdom, as you well know, stands on the brink. The poor harvests of recent years, the hunger, the migrations from the West—all of it has weakened us. Neighboring kingdoms will seize this opportunity to attack us and claim our lands. And we? We must be ready to defend ourselves against anyone daring enough to raise their weapons against us."
Silence enveloped the training field. Even the birds seemed to fall quiet at the prince's words.
I could see a mix of fear and determination in their eyes.
"I want you all to attack me. At once."
The crowd of knights and mages erupted in murmurs. One of the younger mages stepped forward.
"My lord, this is madness! We are your subjects; we cannot—"
"You must," I interrupted, my gaze turning cold.
"If you cannot defeat me, a single man, how will you defend this country against an enemy army? Attack me with all your strength. That is an order."
**Third-Person POV**
The knights exchanged glances, then turned to their commander. The elder warrior nodded—a signal to attack. The training field was soon filled with the clash of swords, the roar of spells, and the pounding of warriors' footsteps.
Rudra drew his sword, its blade gleaming in the morning sun. As the first knight lunged at him, the prince moved deftly, striking the opponent with the flat of his blade and sending him sprawling to the ground. Two more knights charged immediately after, but Rudra, moving with superhuman speed, blocked their attacks and disarmed them with a single fluid motion.
"Faster! Stronger!" he shouted, parrying another strike. "Your current strength isn't enough to protect anyone!"
The mages, realizing their comrades couldn't overpower Rudra, began casting spells. Fireballs and lightning bolts cut through the air, aimed directly at the prince. Rudra dodged effortlessly, his movements precise and calculated, as if he anticipated every attack. He closed the distance to the mages and, with a single swift motion, incapacitated several of them.
Despite their overwhelming numbers, Rudra remained an unstoppable force. Every move he made was deliberate and effective, every strike perfectly timed. Knights and mages fell one after another, unable to land a single decisive blow. The prince, unwavering, seemed untouchable.
At last, silence fell over the battlefield. All of Rudra's opponents lay on the ground—some unconscious, others groaning in pain. Rudra, breathing heavily, lowered his sword.
"Is this your strength?" he asked, surveying the field. "If you want to protect this kingdom, you must be better. Stronger. Otherwise, we will all perish."
And so the days passed by.
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How do you rate the first chapter?
Considering that this is the first time I've written something like this, it probably didn't go badly. Right?
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