Olga
In the year 87 of the ancient Arithon Empire, Sir Kostlen Arithon was assigned to lead the 33rd Guard of the Imperial Army. Under his command, the enemies of the Crown were successfully expelled from Arithon territory.
After three long years of relentless warfare in the lands of Ahu, where he mercilessly slaughtered all opposition, he was granted the rank of Commander of Troops in the now rising Arithon Empire. At the end of year 90 of the former Empire, Sir Kostlen A. marched into the sacred temple of his wife — a priestess of the Greater Gods — and slit her throat within her own sanctuary. He then took one of her handmaidens as his new bride and, according to reports from Imperial soldiers, defiled her that very same night.
That same handmaiden ascended the throne as his queen, ruling the Empire while her husband continued his bloody conquest. After a war that lasted ten years, three months, and eleven days, the queen declared the end of her reign. She claimed to have spoken with the divine council, and that the will of the Gods would once again guide the future of the new Arithon Empire. She exiled her husband.
In vengeance, Sir Kostlen Arithon...
He then sought refuge in a minor god's sanctuary, where a deity had descended to bestow blessings upon one of his followers. There, he uttered the first prophecy given to him:
(Prophecy censored by divine order)
: "Do not speak his name—"
Olga: — SILENCE! Are we not in the presence of the Gods, elders? Do not decide for them what should or should not be said.
— The hall fell silent.
Olga: — I will continue... After he uttered the first prophecy, a second one was confirmed by the Oracle of the High God, Zeus.
Some days ago, the one-thousand-year mark was completed. The lands beloved by the gods were invaded by lesser divinities from an unknown place. And the enemies of Zeus... are YOUR enemies! — raising her voice — TAKE YOUR POSITIONS, DRAW YOUR SWORDS, AND FIGHT FOR THE HIGH GOD!
— The hall grew still again, the focus now shifting from Olga to a short, muscular bearded man.
?: — I'm not charming, nor do I seek admiration like many of you... but listen well.
?: — He is my prisoner, and I WILL NOT HAND HIM OVER.
— Murmurs filled the room.
?: — I ask you all to consider the importance of judging the son of—
?: — DO NOT DARE SPEAK THAT NAME!
As the argument spiraled into chaos, I was silently escorted out of the hall by a doubled guard and locked in a small observation room.
Some time later, while I sat digesting everything that had happened hours before, I heard footsteps and the clinking of keys behind the door. My heart froze.
Alice: — Relax, idiot. It's just me.
Jan: — Alice, tone it down, — he said, walking in behind her, followed by a guard who unlocked the door.
Guard: — Hurry up...
Jan: — Alice—
?: — No, don't— — Knocked out!
While unconscious, I found myself in a place I couldn't fully recall — familiar, yet alien. A void. Infinite and suffocating, like drowning in a bottomless sea. But this time... it was different.
I could move. I felt my limbs, my skin. But I couldn't speak. Couldn't breathe. And yet... I didn't need to.
Everything was here. And at the same time, nothing existed.
Then—pain.
Alice: — Wake up, damn it!!
I gasped back to life, the punch knocking the air out of me.
Me: — I hate you...
Alice: — I don't need your love.
Jan (with regret): — Sorry... it had to be done.
There was a strange truth in his eyes that I couldn't name.
Jan: — We were ordered to train you. And if you failed... kill you. Alice is particularly fond of that part.
Me: — Wait... what the hell is—
Alice: — You talk too much.
In a blink, she was on top of me. Her fist came down fast — but something stirred inside me. My body moved on its own, my arm rising to block the blow.
The impact echoed.
Alice (grinning): — Aaaaaahhhh... he's ready, Jan.
---
Elsewhere in the kingdom...
?: — King of Khazrûn, you are determined... but your friend won't hide from Zeus's wrath for much longer. Odin no longer shields him.
King: — You're cunning. SHOW YOURSELF!
?: — Hahaha... you don't really expect me to reveal my trick, do you? Guard the child while we steal your Mithril.
King: — SOUND THE ALARMS, NOW!
But it was already too late.
As the horns echoed, the Mithril had vanished.
A royal order was issued: no one within the Dvergar Kingdom was to leave until the investigation was complete. Tensions rose, especially among the elders from other tribes who expressed outrage and thinly veiled hostility — particularly those who demanded Lucas's immediate execution.
---
Back in the cave...
Alice: — That's it? I didn't even break a sweat.
Jan (holding her shoulders): — Alice, stop! He's still injured.
Me (coughing): — Cof... I still want answers.
Jan: — Tonight, I'll tell you. But before the day ends, you need to find something to eat.
Me: — Here? There's nothing but stone and wall moisture.
Alice: — Good luck. We're off.
Jan: — I wish you luck.
Me (muttering): — Assholes...
I was alone again. Sitting on the cold floor. The walls were smooth limestone. A few patches of moss and dampness. Nothing more.
Pain flared in my abdomen — the wound had reopened.
I needed warmth... anything to remind me I was still alive.
I couldn't tell day from night. The light between the cracks didn't change. It didn't move.
My feet were shredded — cracked, bleeding, blistered. My hands trembled. My body ached from hunger, and my mind was fading. Breathing hurt. My chest was tight. I... might have pneumonia.
Me (delirious): — Damn it... what am I thinking? Could this ring help me?
I grabbed it, yanking hard.
Me: — Aaaaah... come off!
Me: — Wait... it won't budge? — I pulled harder.
Me: — If only it had a 'Menu' function...
[System Message]
Welcome to the Menu!
Sir.
[System Message]
Menu
Skills:
• Appraiser — Level 2
Achievements:
• Enemies slain:
0x
Me: — These messages again... I thought they were hallucinations. "Sir"...
Me: — This feels like a game—wait, what's that smell?
A foul stench seeped into the room. Rotten meat. Dry blood.
Voices.
Goblin 1: — @%@%# #&@%
Goblin 2: — Kikikiki &%$@@#
Two goblins. Laughing. Devouring fresh prey