[This chapter is still in Simon's perspective.]

[Disclaimer: This chapter contains gore and murder that may be uncomfortable for some readers.]

My mother only smiled, "Mother specifically wanted Uncle to watch over you. Do not be so ungrateful. You should be thanking me for always looking out for you."

I tightened my fists.

Thank her?

Because of her I was forced into the army! Because of her I was fighting for my life every day! Because of her I was doomed to be tortured until I eventually died!

I clasped my hand around the hilt of my sword. I pulled it out and charged at her screaming wildly. I began to stab and slash at her. I did not even blink or hesitate as her blood splattered tainting my clothes and dirtying my face.

I continued to yell enraged, "I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!"

My body trembled as I looked at that pool of blood and flesh that had once been my mother. My voice wavered, "Why?... Why did you abandon me? What did I do?"

However, she could no longer answer me.

The scene around me began to melt. The once familiar room morphed back into a damp, dark cave. My breath caught in my throat as I looked at the dead corpse in front of me. The fire continued to burn, illuminating the grotesque lump of meat that had once been a man.

I have to escape.

I started running away from the cave with all my strength. I could not stay there any longer. As I ran, my lungs burned from the effort. However, I could not stop. I felt as if my body was possessed.

Why was I running away? Why was I so afraid?

I just want to survive...

I just want to return...

My steps slowed down until I was no longer moving. I looked down and saw that I was covered in blood. I turned to gaze at the bottom of the mountain with lifeless eyes. My chest burned with rage.

No. I don't just want to return. I want revenge.

I want to kill that whore of a mother who gave me to the wolves.

I want to take everything my father loves and destroy it with my own two hands.

There was only one way for me to move forward at this point in order to have my revenge. At the foot of the mountain was the rest of my platoon. Between them and me was a number of children who were waiting to die.

Killing… It was not so hard after all.

With the bloodied sword in hand, I marched slowly back down the mountain. I took my time finding each child who was hiding or huddling for warmth. I effortlessly slashed and pierced them mercilessly and cruelly. Each life I took only filled me with more rage. I wanted to see more blood.

I panted heavily surrounded by a sea of crimson snow. I gritted my teeth and screamed into the now empty mountain.

It still was not enough.

I wanted them to suffer more for what they did to me.

With sadistic eyes I walked back to where the rest of the platoon was waiting. When I made it back, I coldly looked at the rest who stared at me in surprise. I had been the smallest and youngest one out of the group to be dropped into the mountains. They had no idea I would be the one who would succeed.

Now I was covered in blood with an apathetic face.

They also did not realize what I had in store for them. I tightened my hand around the hilt of my bloody sword and charged forward with dead eyes. Every strike, every swipe of my blade was calculating and deadly. Every single year I was forced to train until my hands bled was now being utilized.

No one could stop me as I massacred the entire platoon.

I stood on their corpses breathing heavily as my many cuts bled through my clothes. My thirst for blood was still not satiated.

When would I feel full once more?

The massacre of over 250 platoon members reached the King's ears. When he learned it was all done by the son he had forced into the army, he was astounded. He had thought that his soft son would die, but instead he was the one who massacred many other children and even adults.

How could a child be possible of such a thing?

It was truly impressive.

The King sent for me to come visit him at the Kingdom for a private discussion. I had no idea why the King would care enough to call for me. Was he going to punish me for killing his soldiers indiscriminately?

Thanks to my training, the worry did not show on my face. Truthfully, I was not concerned about what the King would do to me. From my experience in the army, I lost all ability to feel fear. I did not even care if the King intended to kill me.

It is not like I was attached to this life of mine.

I traveled back to the Capital City and followed the guards as they led me inside the Palace. They brought me to a grandiose audience room that was definitely decorated with the taxpayers hard earned money.

My insides twisted with hate, but I managed to keep a cool expression on my face. I bowed in front of the King.

"You may rise."

I stood up and looked at the King with calculating eyes. It was the first time I had seen him since he ordered the Royal Guards to place me in the army. Even now, the hate for him overflowed inside me.

It is true that I do not fear death. However, looking at my father after all these years makes me recall my deepest desire. I can't die until I ruin everything he has worked so hard for.

The King spoke, "I was told that you single handedly killed over 250 army members in cold blood. Is this true?"

"It is, your Majesty." I responded without fear.

"Is that so?"

I glanced to see the man who stood beside my father. I recognized Gilyn at once. However, he had a bandage over half of his face and eye. As he looked ahead at me, he had absolutely no expression. He did not act like he had before in my memories, but I could tell it was him.

The King spoke in a calm voice, "Gilyn. Everyone. Please give me and the Prince privacy."

Prince? He now refers to me as a Prince? Had he forgotten that he threw me to the wolves without a single concern?

It is true that my other brothers had participated in the Army when they were around my age. However, they were still treated like Princes. Their lives were never endangered. They got full meals and protection while all they had to do was train.

On the other hand, I was tossed to the Army like every other commoner that was deemed unnecessary. The people in my platoon went days without food while forced to do labor that no child should have to do. As a result, many of us died from disease and exhaustion. The conditions were worse than what prisoners had to endure.

In his eyes, could I really be a Prince after going through all of that?

How distasteful.

Gilyn spoke without a single emotion in his voice, "Your Majesty. I can't leave you alone-"

The King's cold eyes bore into Gilyn, "My son could not possibly harm me. Or do you think that I will harm him?"

Gilyn did not open his mouth to speak.

The King continued, "I just gave you the position as Head of the Royal Army for your loyalty. Do not make me regret it."

Gilyn bowed, "Of course, your Majesty."

Gilyn glanced at me one more time before walking out of the room. Once the King and I were alone, the King spoke to me, "Do you understand why I called you here today?"

"I do not, your Majesty."

"I was impressed by your reputation. Not only were you able to kill so many without dying, but you were also skilled in your stealth missions and undercover work."

I bowed, "I humbly thank your Majesty for your words."

He nodded, "I have a task for you if you so choose to accept it."

"Your loyal subject would accept anything your Majesty so graciously wants to give me."

The King chuckled, "You have a rather glib tongue. That is excellent. It will help you with this task. I require you to do three things for me. I need you to go undercover to the Imperial Kingdom and seek out the Holy Empress. Your main objective is to find and kill the Holy Empress and her bastard child."

Bastard child?

I was surprised to not only hear the King mention my mother and a bastard child, but also to ask me to kill them. However, I did not show the surprise on my face and kept it within my heart.

He continued, "Your third objective is to kill the Imperial King. I do not care what order you do this in, but under no circumstances should anyone find out about your objectives. Our goal is not only to weaken the Imperial Kingdom so that we can attack, but also to prevent those who pose a threat to the throne. Do you think you can do this?"

A sadistic grin spread across my face, "As you wish, your Majesty. Your loyal subject will gladly do as you ask."

What an excellent opportunity.