The Ancient Imperial Calendar Year 1795
THE CHILD OF THE BLOOD WEDDING
In the cold silence of the night, the wind pierced through the stone walls of the palace and filled the vast courtyard.
In the very center of the courtyard, the colossal banners of the legendary Kislavein Dynasty fluttered.
The banners, embroidered with a double-headed crow in Dark Blood Red and a shining sword motif on its chest, symbolized the dynasty's power and warrior heritage.
This dynasty was founded in the year 795 by Founding Lord Karlmen I.
Karlmen I was the son of Harlena, the daughter of the last Emperor of the Ancient Empire, Harloumen VIII.
The most distinctive feature of the Kislavein Dynasty was the color of its swords and spells.
Their spells—whether fire, water, ice… no matter what kind—all glowed in Dark Blood Red.
Warriors' Auras usually reflected the depths of their souls, but everyone from the Kislavein household possessed the same Dark Blood Red Aura.
This was a gift that Founding Lord Karlmen bestowed upon his bloodline.
All descendants from his lineage possessed this unique heritage.
Not only their spells and Auras, but their eyes and hair were also Dark Blood Red in color.
And now, Ricardo Kislavein's story would begin in this house.
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THE BIRTH OF THE REINCARNATED EMPEROR
The infant Ricardo lay in the arms of his mother, Lady Seliarnevre Kislavein, in the grand library of the Kislavein Dynasty.
Seliarnevre, pushing back her long, lustrous dark blood-red hair, opened the book in her hand.
Her eyes were Dark Blood Red, shining like a great star.
Seliarnevre gently rocked Ricardo's cradle and began reading to him from the old book that told the founding story of the Kislavein Dynasty—a tradition within the House of Kislavein.
Ricardo's eyes were closed, but his consciousness was clear.
Because he was an emperor reborn into this world.
In his previous life, he was the last emperor of the Ancient Empire.
He had fought for fifty years to protect his throne and his country.
However, by a twist of fate, he lost his life in his final duel with King Frank II of Fresfurt.
And now… he had been reborn.
But he did not know what happened after he died.
That's why he listened to the book his mother was reading with great attention.
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THE BURDEN OF BLOODY HISTORY
Seliarnevre continued reading in a soft voice:
"A thousand years ago, King Frank II of Fresfurt defeated and killed the last emperor of the Ancient Empire, Harloumen VIII, in a duel.
Then the Ancient Empire was destroyed forever.
Harloumen's children and grandchildren were massacred.
However, Founding Lord Karlmen survived this massacre."
Ricardo trembled upon hearing his mother's words.
So his family had been massacred… But the story didn't end there.
"Karlmen swore revenge and founded the Kislavein Dynasty.
Together with his allies, he destroyed the Fresfurt Kingdom and avenged his family by killing II Frank and all the family members he could find.
However, when he tried to re-establish the Ancient Empire, he was betrayed by his allies and killed.
His son, the second lord of the Kislavein Dynasty, Harlmen, avenged his father but had no intention of re-establishing the Ancient Empire.
Instead, they 'continued to exist as an independent Dynasty and directly or indirectly intervened in the politics of the Western Lands, shaping its history.'"
Ricardo took a deep breath.
"So Karlmen tried to revive the Ancient Empire, but was killed… Just like me."
"A thousand years had passed. Now, at the head of the dynasty was the 65th Lord, Orsman IV. 'He was the most powerful Lord of the last hundred years.'"
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IV. ORSMAN KISLAVEIN
IV. Orsman was a massive man who struck terror into those who saw him.
He had Dark Blood Red hair and eyes, a large build, a booming voice, broad shoulders, and a terrifying face—all these features made him a fearsome warrior.
He was not just a Lord; he was like a creature born for war.
He had seven wives, eight concubines, and forty-nine children. Ricardo was one of his youngest children.
Ricardo's mother, Seliarnevre, had become the wife of Orsman IV through a political marriage. She was descended from the Payrist Dynasty.
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THE PAYRIST DYNASTY AND THE BLOOD HERITAGE
The Payrist Dynasty was a noble family known for their silver-colored hair and eyes.
However, the 17th Payrist Lord, Barmung III, married the daughter of Arlous V, the 54th Lord of the Kislavein Dynasty.
But due to the dominant blood of the Kislavein Dynasty, the Payrists' silver-colored hair and eyes turned Dark Blood Red.
This created a great crisis within the house.
Barmung VI, the 27th Payrist Lord, a descendant of Barmung III, wanted to reclaim his house's original symbol.
He eventually made his distant relative Kervin his heir and married his only child, Seliarnevre, to the Lord of Kislavein, thus regaining his house's symbol.
In return for this marriage, the ice dagger 'Silvarist' was sent as a dowry. Thus, the Payrists regained their silver color, while the Kislaveins added a unique weapon to their warrior heritage.
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SLEEP AND PEACE
Seliarnevre closed the book. Her son's eyes were closed in the cradle.
Smiling, she kissed Ricardo's forehead, covered him, and left the room.
But Ricardo was not asleep. His consciousness was fully awake.
"A thousand years have passed since my death… my bloodline lives on in the Kislavein Dynasty… a dynasty risen from the ashes of the Ancient Empire…"
But now… I am also part of them.
I must become strong again in this world.
First, I must learn to walk, then I must learn the combat and magical arts of this era.
But at least I can be lazy for a few years.
After all, in my previous life, I ruled the empire and fought incessantly for fifty years. I deserve some rest."
And so, the fate of Ricardo Kislavein, son of Kislavein Lord IV. Orsman, slowly began to take shape…
End of Part One.