Prologue

There will be a great storm coming.

Hazkiel could feel it from the strong and cold wind blowing, and from the dark clouds rolling in the sky, enveloping the corners of the country in darkness. Ordinary people might think that this phenomenon was purely due to bad weather. But no, it was all because of that creature.

“Princess! We must go now!” A familiar voice came from behind Hazkiel, causing him and the Princess to turn around.

The first time Hazkiel heard that call, he felt amused. Because the person being called “Princess” was much younger than him, and her attitude did not at all reflect that of a princess. But after everything they had been through together, Hazkiel never saw the Princess as a joke again.

“Hazkiel, remember my message.”

Hazkiel could only nod. He wanted to suggest trying another way, to say that everything didn’t have to end here. He wanted to say that he couldn’t go through the days after this without her. But that was just his selfish voice. The country was at stake and it wasn’t the time to prioritize himself.

The Princess turned to him, her usually sharp eyes softening for a moment, as she looked at him, tears falling from the pair of eyes that often stole glances at him every time they spent the night together, staring at the line of stars she called her home.

Now or never, Hazkiel’s heart whispered.

Screwed the selfishness, screwed with the destruction of this country. For Hazkiel, only this woman is the most important.

“Lanaya, I—”

“To be honest, I want us to always be together.”

Hazkiel was surprised. Why did Lanaya say it now?

Her words only made Hazkiel’s emotional defenses crumble.

Lanaya started to run after saying a farewell sentence that would haunt Hazkiel for the rest of his life. Hazkiel reached out his hand, trying to chase after her. He wanted to reach Lanaya but was stopped by a very bright light that blinded him.

Thunder roared and lightning flashed in the sky, accompanied by a loud explosion.

“LANAYA!!”

Hazkiel was thrown backward by that power. He knew he should have moved aside, but he couldn’t. Hazkiel wanted to embrace Lanaya, something he had always wanted to do, but never got the chance.

And now he already lost the chance forever.