Audiobook version here (warning quality is mediocre at best)

It was a peaceful night with clear and starry sky. Inside a warm and cozy home two sisters sat at the dinner table. While a loving mother was cooking stew on the stove top. Delicious smell of onion, meat, and spices permeated the air.

The mother was a youthful beauty with braided ashen hair and her daughters had black hair and chubby faces.

Laughter from the elder sister teasing the younger one as the mother hummed a melody and stirred the simmering pot. Sounds of nature, crackling fire, and simmering stew accompanied the serene scene.

The border was rather peaceful this time of the year. Spring had just come and not much danger from reavers or monsters as of yet. People could enjoy their livelihoods without worry at this time of the year.

The mother was ladling some stew into a bowl when the air started growing cold and sounds started to quiet. The atmosphere grew heavy. The mother started feeling a crushing weight upon her and smelt the dreaded smell of sulfur in the air.

The peaceful night was pierced by screams from the daughters. Screams of pain as their body mutated inside the house. As their shadows twisted in the candle light. Silhouettes of bat-like demonic wings appeared on the wooden walls.

It was then the house door opened and a tall man with sharp features and long black hair walked in. The mother in despair turned and looked at the man her face immediately filled with dreaded. But she did not freeze in fear, her eyes focused and her iris turned from green to glowing white. She then unsheathed the stiletto blade from her belt. The dagger in her hand was set ablaze with white divine flames. She then positioned herself between the man and her daughters with the dagger pointed toward the face she recognized. The Shadow King.

The Shadow King entered the room and observed the mothers face. A look he remembered seeing often one filled with disgust and abject hatred.

“Please.” The Shadow King pleaded with a sorrowful countenance. “I am simply here to help the children.”

The mother looked at him with unabated anger and with the dagger still held forward with fingers clenching it tight. Her adrenaline coursed through her and she thought of a way to drive away the Shadow King.

The Shadow King waved his hand in the air slowly casting shadow magic. The demonic aura was then sucked from the children into the Shadow King and their forms returned to normal. Peacefully asleep now on the dinning table as their bodies collapsed.

Now the two former enemies starred at each other. As the room temperature seem to have now dropped to the dead of winter.

Finally the Shadow King broke the silence after contemplating his words for seemingly an eternity.

“I am not the Shadow King. I am but a humble man inside his now empty vessel.”

The mother looked at him now with a slight tinge of confusion in her hate filled eyes. Still sceptical, she did not relax her vigilance.

The Shadow King again tried to calm her and explain.

“I came because of his body’s memories and I am sorry for what has happened. But him, now I, is one of the few ways that can save your daughters.”

The mothers face now showed a grimace, for she knew there was dreadful truth in his words.

“The Shadow King is dead, his soul obliterated, his throne seized and even his body now stolen.”

The Shadow King stepped forward cautiously and grasping the mothers dagger still ablaze with white flames.

“I know it is difficult to be convinced with will words, but look.”

The flames danced as the Shadow King held the dagger, it was gentle to his hand it did not burn as the mother would have expected.

“The divine flame will burn the wicked souls driving them to damnation.” The Shadow King quoted an old verse.

“How, this is impossible.”

The mother looked at the Shadow King now wide eyed and letting go of the dagger.

“He is dead. He won’t hurt anyone anymore.” The Shadow King declared as he extinguished the white flame burning the dagger he was still holding.

***

The daughters were put to bed and the Shadow King sat opposite to the mother across the dinner table. Eating the delicious stew with nostalgic smile on his face.

“It’s been a while since I have ate real food. Thank you for this.”

The mother simply looked at the table, averting her gaze from his face.

The Shadow King noticed the mother’s obvious discomfort.

“I suppose there isn’t much of a point in wearing his face.”

The Shadow King casted magic and then his body mutated and started changing. Crackling sound of bones could be heard as his dark hair, pale skin, and red eyes changed. The Shadow King now morphed into an average height man with blond hair, tanned skin, and brown eyes.

“This is how I used to look.”

The mother looked at him with surprised.

“You were a slave?”

“No, my mother was. I was a scholar… of sorts.”

The mother nodded, now looking slightly more comfortable than before.

“I should introduce myself. I am Marcus of Applewood. How would you like me to refer to your holiness as?”

“Just Celeste. I’m no longer befitting nor want the title of Saint.”

“And the name of your daughters?”

“Older one is Page and the younger is Lily”

Marcus nodded at Celeste’s words as he recalled the Shadow King’s memories of Celeste and her daughters as he went through them disturbing thoughts bubbled into his mind.

Kill them, torture them - Marcus frowned then forcefully suppressed the Shadow King’s thoughts.

“So, what’s your purpose here?” Celeste looked at Marcus in the eyes, scrutinizing his words and expressions.

“I have inherited the Shadow King’s memories and his powers. I hope to to put what was once used for selfish desires to selfless ambitions.”

“Why?” Celeste looked at him with disbelief. She had experienced many aspects of the world and she no longer believed in purely altruistic people. She believed Marcus had an hidden agenda, but she wasn’t sure what it was exactly.

“Well. When the Lady lets you live again, any man would want to make up past regrets.” Marcus then looked at Celeste in the eye with gentle eyes and softly said “call it a foolish dream for a foolish man.” Marcus then continue eating his stew with a joyful expression.

Then Celeste realized a haunting fact and asked with a slightly trembling voice “How did the Shadow King know where we were?”

Marcus frowned and looked Celeste in the eyes.

“It is all part of his sick and twisted play. He wanted to give you a sense of freedom, a sense of home, a sense of peace. Then shatter it all to bring you to despair.”

“That bastard.” Celeste eyes burned with hatred one again.

“An understatement.”

“How did he die, tell me it was at least painful.”

“I do not know the exact details, but I suspect it was a mixture of slow poisoning and curses. He suffered extreme mental anguish until his soul eventually snapped.”

“Good.” Celeste replied coldly.

There was a bit more discussion among the two before Marcus noted Celeste’s exhaustion. He bid farewell and told Celeste he’ll be back at another time to discuss things further.

***

Marcus didn’t really have a place to return to. After he had awoken in the Shadow King’s body he wandered around aimlessly while going through his new found memories. Then when he realized Celeste’s daughters possible dangers he went to them immediately.

Now after taking care of the immediate dangers Marcus decided to set up a temporary abode nearby inside the forest. He would be undisturbed and could quickly visit in cases of emergencies.

With that decided Marcus organized his thoughts while looking for a good spot to settle in the forest. He had told Celeste his general objective on helping people but he wasn’t quite sure where to start. Attempting to rectify the mistakes of the former Shadow King directly was like putting a band-aid on a severed arm. You can’t just go around resurrecting the dead victims after all. Those who are dead tend to stay dead.

Systemic problems of society was unsolvable even with the power of the Shadow King. If Marcus’ primary objective could be described as saving and bettering lives. Though there could be many superficial approaches such as assassinating corrupted officials. Without solving root issues removed rot will simply return with time.

Where as helping individuals could work but overall would have minimal impact on society. Doing things on a greater scale such as attempting to spread education would only invite the ire of the local lords. The oppressors of the world will not allow possible rebellious thoughts to fester.

Marcus could only sigh at how much easier it is to destroy than to build. Though after some thinking he did have an idea of where to start.

Fundamental problem with peasants is that the majority of their time and labour was dedicated to crop production. Kingdoms needed to be fed and a majority of the kingdom was dedicated to meeting that purpose.

Marcus thought that if he could discover or cultivate a crop which reduced the amount of labour required. Naturally the labour force will be freed up for other purposes.

With skilled labour comes the betterment of life as a plausible outcome. Granted, freed labour could always be put to mines and other harder labour, which was inevitable nevertheless. Good ruling policies need to accommodate freed up labour.

“It is a start, for better or for worse one must cast the dice.” Marcus muttered.

As the night grew long many formless shadows left the remote forest in all directions.