Filling a bucket with water drawn from the military barracks’ well, Shun sighed deeply. 

 

“Dam*it, that fat pig is definitely going to kill me tomorrow morning.” 

 

Ten minutes ago, he threw the ancient tome on the ground. That should have been all, but Shun, used to the convenience of electricity, forgot about something else. 

 

“NOOO!!” He panicked when he saw that his bed had caught fire because of the toppled candle. “W-WATER? OI, STOP SLEEPING! WHERE’S THE WATER?!!”

 

“Shut up, will you?” The soldier on the bunk bed next to him muttered before turning to the other side.

 

“Who the f*ck is screaming in the dead of night?!” Someone yelled further back. 

 

“The guy beside me set his bed on fire.” 

 

“Tell him to go to the f*cking well at the back to get water, then??”

 

Thinking about what had just transpired, Shun let out another sigh and stared into the well. It was a moonlit night, so he could see the reflection on the still water clearly. 

 

Come to think of it, this is the first time I’m seeing my current self. 

 

He studied the appearance of the youngish thin man reflected on the surface. His tousled raven-black hair, though thick and unkempt, complemented his oval-shaped face. A large narrow nose sat between his prominent dark-brown eyes and pallid lips.

 

Shun traced the sanguine bruise on his cheek. The pain, dull but still noticeable, told him that this really was his face. “I look so...odd?” 

 

He couldn’t find any other words to describe himself. His visage could pass off as European, but his eyes suggested an Asian origin. He looked like a weird mix of features from different people plastered onto a blank template; it wasn’t ugly, but it definitely stood out in a less-than-ideal way. 

 

Trying to fix his appearance by combing his messy long hair with his hand,  Shun nervously peeked into the well again.

 

Dam*it, I still look weird as hell.... 

 

The growl of thunder in the distance interrupted his thoughts abruptly. I guess I better head back and try to get some sleep.

 

The rain soon began to pour from the murky heavens, mirroring the storm in Shun’s heart. As he lay on his makeshift bed (which was just a pile of flattened straw on the ground), a sudden wave of nostalgia overwhelmed him. 

 

Sh*t, I miss having a proper bed and warm food—not to mention my games. What’s so good about reincarnation? I rather die and forget everything before going to the afterlife, if I knew this was going to happen. Is this what they mean by “the grass is always greener on the other side”? I want to cry... 

 

While dreaming of his old world, Shun fell asleep to the lull of the rain. 

 

***

 

The storm raged all night and only subsided before dawn. The morning air was unusually refreshing and cool, a quality he never quite experienced back home. Standing on the empty field in the middle of the barracks, Shun sighed once he saw an all-too-familiar figure approaching.

 

“Private Shun, quit your yawning!” The fat pig Commander’s voice sullied the tranquil atmosphere in the barracks. “You’re already late by 10 minutes, and you still have the nerve to doze off in front of my face!” 

 

This guy seriously gets on my nerves every time. How can he be so energetic at 6 am? 

 

“Let me remind you again that you’re having an audience with King Arcadia in thirty, no, TWENTY MINUTES!” the Commander continued his tirade. “GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!”

 

“Y-yes, sir…” 

 

Wait a minute, did he just say… 

 

“I’m meeting the King?!” 

 

“DIDN’T I TELL YOU THAT YESTERDAY?” 

 

Huh…I wasn’t paying attention at all. But why am I meeting the King in the first place? 

 

Shun glanced at the fat pig and shook his head. 

 

Nah, I shouldn’t ask. He looks like he’s going to chew my head off any second… 

 

“Sir! The carriage has arrived and is waiting now.” Someone in a dignified military uniform came running over, and the Commander nodded his head curtly. 

 

“Private Shun, I expect you to know how to behave when you get there.” The fat pig approached him and patted his shoulder firmly. “Don’t let the Kingdom down, understand?” 

 

E-eh? Why does this feel like I’m about to embark on a life-or-death kind of quest? 

 

***

 

A horse-drawn carriage was waiting by the entrance. It wasn’t as glamorous as the one Cinder*lla was riding in, but the simple white finish on its exterior gave off the air of elegance. 

 

A man draped in a full-length velvet cloak sat on the rear-facing bench inside. He acknowledged Shun’s entrance with a tight-lipped smile that betrayed his disdain. 

 

“How can I address you, young soldier?” 

 

“Shun.” 

 

“Just ‘Shun’?”

 

“Uh…yes.” 

 

“Hmph.” 

 

Oi, who is this c*cky as*hole?  

 

“I’m the Chancery of the Kingdom. You shall address me as Lord Iocus.” 

 

O-oh, I see…

 

“Shun, how familiar are you with the Kingdom?”

 

“No, not really…I did go to the Church and the gates yesterday, though.”

 

“What a shame.” 

 

As the carriage rattled along the quiet cobblestone street, Lord Iocus took the initiative to point out landmarks visible from the carriage windows. 

 

“That’s the Irelenaian Abbey, where the Kingdom’s saints and priests hail from.” He gestured at an imposing Gothic building atop a small hill. “Since the beginning of the Kingdom, everyone places their faith in Goddess Irelena, creator of this world. During your free time, feel free to pay the Abbey a visit.” 

 

Shun couldn’t help but be impressed seeing such antique grandeur up close. “W-wow…” 

 

Lord Iocus seemed to be satisfied with his reaction, because he went on to explain other medieval-era landmarks and their respective boring histories. 

 

Shun only idly listened to his prattle to pass the time. 

 

“And finally, our destination which is just up ahead: the Palace of Arcadia. It was built just after the arrival of the Ancients on this continent to honor the dead in the war. The names of 100,000 Ancients are inscribed upon the marble pillars that support the structure.” He gestured at an opulent white building looming in the distance, which honestly looked like a troll attempt at building the Taj Mahal in the Gothic style. “Today, the Palace is the grand residence of King Arcadia.” 

 

The carriage pulled to a stop in front of a massive flight of white marble stairs. A servant waiting for their arrival opened the door and hurriedly stepped aside. 

 

Lord Iocus exited the carriage first with a dignified look, followed by Shun who nearly tripped over the carriage steps. 

 

The guards saluted the two and opened the main doors for them. 

 

Jesus, I’m about to sh*t my pants here. He desperately tried to mask his nervousness with a calm façade as Lord Iocus led him down a wide and florid carved marble archway. 

 

“King Arcadia is waiting for you in his personal quarters, so I can only guide you here.” Lord Iocus swept his thick cloak aside and executed a courteous bow. “Please, go on without me. May the Goddess bless you.” 

 

Shun gulped and timidly walked down the remainder of the archway.

 

At the end, a set of double doors stood before him. 

 

The sound of Lord Iocus’ footsteps fading away made him realize that he was truly alone before the absolute ruler of this country. 

 

C-come on, don’t start panicking just before the main event! 

 

He reached for the brass door handle and gingerly eased the door open. 

 

A large hall, larger than anything he had ever seen before. In the middle of the inundating space was a humongous table that could seat a hundred men easily. 

 

But, there were only two figures who sat at the table facing Shun.

 

One was dressed as a dignified King should be dressed, in red and gold velvet even more luxurious that the Chancery’s. He merely nodded in response to his entry. 

 

But the other figure, a prepossessing young girl no older than him with an air of regality around her, stumped Shun. 

 

Without a moment’s hesitation, she stood up and bowed her head gracefully.

 

“I’m the First Princess of the Elysian Empire, Tryamon Sera Elysian. It’s an honor to make your acquaintance, Shun.”

 

Her wondrous hazel eyes the color of autumn leaves met his. “I shall be in your care from now on.”

 

Message from Goddess - Having an entire Kingdom worship me feels so good~

Oh, here's something funny! Do you know that "Iocus" means "a joke"? 

Author: Don't say that to your biggest worshipper, please.