“Muddled Start, Uncertain World”

As I gradually regained consciousness, a biting chill began to set in. The bed I was lying on felt incredibly hard, prompting me to slowly open my eyes. As they came into focus, I realized this was no hospital room. In fact, I wasn't even lying on a bed; I was resting on small stones, hidden beneath a layer of plants and overgrown weeds.

It was as if I were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by diverse vegetation I didn't recognize. As the reality of the situation dawned on me, a wave of emotions—fear, anxiety, and disbelief—began to take hold.

"Could it be that they took me to the hospital and then, after discharging me while I was still unconscious, they dumped me in some unknown place?"

"If they didn't want me anymore, why didn't they just say so?"

"Why do I have to go through this? I wasn't hurting anyone... his death wasn't my fault."

My head was in chaos. Unanswered questions surged one after another, each more haunting than the last…

Wait… what if I actually died and woke up in another world?

Is that really possible?

Was that sudden message not just a cruel prank intended to mock me? How should I even feel about this? Well, I won't solve anything by asking myself these kinds of questions, and I certainly won't reach a conclusion if I keep lying here.

Fortunately, I still had my clothes: my white long-sleeved shirt, a black trench coat, black jeans, and boots. However, my backpack and money were nowhere to be seen. I hope I won't be needing any of that…

•••

After walking in a straight line through the wilderness for a while, I could see that I was nearing a clearing. Upon stepping out, the realization hit me: I truly was in the middle of nowhere.

"They really abandoned me in the middle of nowhere..."

"What now? Which way should I go?"

Just as I began to ponder my next move, I saw a flock of birds heading north. I decided to follow that direction; I recalled reading somewhere that birds often head toward populated areas or something of the sort. Besides, the sun was still up, so it wasn't too late yet.

As I walked, I tried to conjure some magic or something similar, clinging to the hope that I hadn't been abandoned, but rather transported to a fantasy world... perhaps I’m just deceiving my mind to avoid the truth of being discarded. After walking a bit longer, I spotted a massive wall in the distance.

"Why is there an enormous wall? Where on earth did they leave me?"

The closer I got, the more visible that imposing wall became. But what surprised and gladdened me most was seeing several wagons approaching the site, which prompted me to quicken my pace.

As I drew near, I saw guards stationed at the entrance. They wore white cloaks with a red cross on the shoulders, long wool tunics paired with leggings, leather shoes, and leather belts—attire that reminded me of squires from the medieval era. I thought they would stop me, but they ignored me entirely, and I entered without any trouble.

"Why are they dressed like that? Why are they wearing medieval clothing... is this some kind of cosplay? Well, I won't solve anything by just standing here, so I might as well go in."

Upon entering, I froze. There, just a few meters from the entrance, stood a massive statue. A familiar face was carved into the stone.

"Th-this is imp-impossible... it can't be true."

•••

The world I had arrived in was divided into two continents: one ruled by humans and the other by demons.

The human continent was divided into five kingdoms:

Lutetia

Gandavum

Thule

Erindol

Birka

On the other hand, the demonic continent was ruled solely by the Demon King.

I had arrived in the Kingdom of Erindol, an irregularly walled stronghold with towers and gates at each of its four cardinal points. Every entrance featured a rather peculiar statue. Likewise, the kingdom was divided into four distinct districts:

The High District: The wealthiest and most elegant area of the city, where the most prosperous merchants and nobles resided. The streets here were wide and well-paved.

The Arts and Trade District: This area housed art shops and the workshops of guilds dedicated to the buying and selling of monsters, gems, and other items collected or sold by adventurers who delved into the dungeons scattered across the outskirts of the city.

The Magico-Religious District: This side of the city was split between those aspiring to become the next Templar Knights and those seeking to master their magic. The cathedral in this district was immense and renowned; anyone wishing for success as a Templar had to come here. On the other hand, the magic academy was large, but it paled in comparison to the cathedral.

The Low District: Finally, the poorest quarter of the kingdom. A place teeming with taverns, brothels, and narrow streets. Despite its nature, it was frequently visited by merchants, as desperation often drove people there to sell their own children or relatives just to afford a loaf of bread.

In the center of it all stood the most imposing fortress: the castle of the Imperial Family, home to the King, his wife, and the Princess.

Of the five kingdoms, this was the only one divided in such a manner, and also the only one that had begun a slow, steady descent into decay.

The other kingdoms also possessed dungeons, each unique and peculiar in its own way.

For instance, the Kingdom of Gandavum was the closest to the demonic continent and, consequently, suffered the most frequent attacks.

Lutetia boasted a military force to be reckoned with; it was even said that one of their Templars was worth two from Erindol. Although all these knights were trained in Erindol, Lutetia paid them far more than their home kingdom could.

Thule held the most prestigious magic academy in the world. While its population was small, the sheer number of skilled mages trained and residing there compared to other nations was undeniable.

Lastly, the Kingdom of Birka was a realm on the rise, though the reason for its sudden ascent remained a mystery.

Naturally, if demons existed, so did Heroes, and each kingdom had its designated champion... but the statue that turned me pale was that of an upstart Hero with a face I knew all too well. Since the arrival of this final Hero, everything had changed... the delicate balance between the kingdoms collapsed, negotiations with the demonic continent fell through... and the Heroes ceased to be beings of admiration, becoming instead symbols of fear.

•••

Returning to the present…

The statue towered over the entrance, its marble surface gleaming under the sun, but its beauty felt like a mockery. Those eyes, carved with such chilling precision, were the same eyes that had looked at me every day of my life. It was undeniable: it was a statue of my brother—the same brother who had supposedly died that fateful day.

A cold shiver ran down my spine. The irony was suffocating: while I was being spat on and blamed for his death back home, here he was, being venerated as a god. But the whispers I caught as I ventured deeper into the city suggested that his legacy was far from sacred.

"Don't stare for too long," a raspy voice interrupted my thoughts.

I turned to see a man in his forties standing beside a girl who appeared to be about nineteen; both were leaning against a weathered stone wall. "The Hero of Erindol does not care to be watched by those who look as though they have nothing to offer."

"I… I was simply struck by the craftsmanship," I lied, my voice trembling.

The man spat on the ground. "Craftsmanship? It’s a monument to our ruin. Since he arrived, taxes have tripled to fund his 'crusades.' He brought strength, yes, but he also brought a hunger for war that this kingdom cannot sustain. The other Heroes are no better than him, and the Demon King has ceased all negotiations. We are just waiting for a spark to light the fuse."

My mind raced as I walked away. If my brother was here, was he truly the person I once knew? Or had he become someone entirely different? Was I just jumping to reckless conclusions? I looked down at my hands—pale and empty. I had no magic, no sword, and no status. I was a ghost in a land of legends.

Seeing that I hadn't responded, the man added one last thing.

"By the way… don’t tell a soul I told you this. You’ll get us into serious trouble if you do."

"What kind of trouble?"

"Well, you see…"

Before he could even explain the danger he and his daughter were in, a pair of knights appeared, dragging a man through the dirt.

"Wait! This is a mistake! I never spoke ill of the Great Hero, you have to believe me!"

"Don't lie, you piece of filth. We heard you ourselves."

"It's not true! It’s just a misunderstanding, I swear!"

"Shut up. Everyone, look! Let this be a reminder of what happens when you speak ill of the Hero—not just him, but any of the Heroes!"

"No! I don’t want to die! Someone, help me!"

The crowd watched, but no one moved. They stood powerless, frozen by the scene unfolding before them.

"He—"