Episode 2: The Second Son of the Duke (1)
Episode 2: The Second Son of the Duke (1)
Carlos Crow, Jeonghyeon slowly retraced his memories.
Carlos Crow, Jeonghyeon slowly retraced his memories.
It wasn't exactly his own.
It wasn't exactly his own.
The last memory as Jeonghyeon was playing a game.
The last memory as Jeonghyeon was playing a game.
But the original owner of this body, Carlos Crow, had memories left.
But the original owner of this body, Carlos Crow, had memories that remained.
'War zone.'
'War zone.'
The place he was in was a battlefield.
The place he was in was a battlefield.
The war that broke out between humans and demons.
The war that broke out between humans and demons.
Carlos Crow was a man who was almost the supreme commander on the human side.
Carlos Crow was a man who was almost the supreme commander on the human side.
But Carlos Crow is about the same age as Jung Hyun, who was out on a teaching internship as a college student.
But Carlos Crow is about the same age as Jeong-hyun, who was out on a teaching internship as a college student.
Twenty-six years old.
Twenty-six years old.
He was not a child, but he was not old enough to become the commander of a military unit.
The child was not young, but it was not an age to become the commander of a military unit.
Nevertheless, the reason for gaining a position equivalent to that of the Commander-in-Chief was simple.
Nevertheless, the reason for gaining a position equivalent to that of the Commander-in-Chief was simple.
'Because I am a noble.'
‘Because I am a noble.’
This world was a class society. It was very thorough.
This world was a class society. A very thorough one.
The words of the nobility were law. And the family of Carlos Crow, the Duke of Crow, was a great noble among such nobility, at a different level.
The words of the nobility were law. And the family of Carlos Crow, the Duke of Crow, was a great noble of a different dimension among such nobility.
But there is just one questionable thing.
But there is just one puzzling thing.
‘Why is this noble dying on the battlefield... No, he must have already died?’
‘Why is this noble dying on the battlefield... No, he must have already died?’
The memories related to it were vague. I had no way of knowing whether Carlos, the original owner of the body, did not want to recall them, or if he had lost them due to hitting his head on the battlefield.
The memories related to it were vague. I had no way of knowing whether the original owner of the body, Carlos, did not want to recall them, or if he had lost them due to hitting his head on the battlefield.
The certain thing is that this situation is not a dream.
The certain thing is that this situation is not a dream.
‘I have no choice but to find someone I know.’
'I have no choice but to find someone I know.'
Jung-hyun was somewhat accustomed to such situations.
Jung-hyun was somewhat accustomed to such situations.
I haven't experienced it myself, but I've been exposed to it indirectly a lot.
I haven't experienced it myself, but I've been exposed to it indirectly a lot.
From the novels or comics he usually read.
From the novels or comics he usually read.
Regression, possession, reincarnation.
Regression, possession, reincarnation.
Among those three, it was... possession.
Among those three, it was... possession.
I could be sure because I knew the name Crow.
I could be sure because I knew the name Crow.
Aden Crow. A villain character appearing in 'Era of Empire'. Crow was his surname.
Aden Crow. A villain character appearing in 'Era of Empire'. Crow was his surname.
‘The duke who rules the north... and Carlos Crow...’
‘The duke who rules the north... and Carlos Crow...’
I had a memory of having heard it somewhere. The memory of Aden Crow definitely existed.
I had a memory of having heard it somewhere. The memory of Aden Crow definitely existed.
It's just an NPC, but it was one of the in-game characters after all.
It's just an NPC, but it was one of the in-game characters.
And Carlos Crow is... the brother of Aden Crow. He has outstanding talent, but he was deceived by Aden Crow and died.
And Carlos Crow is... the brother of Aden Crow. He has outstanding talent, but he was deceived by Aden Crow and died.
‘But why was I, no, he was dying on the battlefield?’
‘But why was I, no, he was dying on the battlefield?’
The power of the Crow family was high.
The power of the Crow family was high.
There are only five dukes in the empire. Among them, they were the ones who ruled the largest territories and people.
There are only five dukedoms in the empire. Among them, they were the ones who ruled the largest territories and people.
'In such a family, why was the son dying on the battlefield?'
'In such a family, why was the son dying on the battlefield?'
The memory was vague, and the more I considered the context, the more it didn't make sense. I had to quickly find someone who knew the possible circumstances.
The memory was vague, and the more I considered the context, the more it didn't make sense. I had to quickly find someone who knew the possible circumstances.
And it happened faster than I thought.
And it happened faster than I thought.
"...Is it a barracks?"
“......Is it a barracks?”
I've seen it in a historical drama.
I've seen it in a historical drama.
Before the large-scale war, in a scene where generals gather for a meeting, there are tents lined up with subtitles like 'Joseon Army Camp'.
In the scene where generals gather for a meeting just before a large-scale war, there are tents lined up with subtitles like 'Joseon Army Camp.'
It came into view far away, at the edge of sight.
It came into view far away, at the edge of sight.
'It is the camp of humans.'
'It is the camp of humans.'
Hoo. He let out a sigh of relief. He walked aimlessly because he didn't know where to go when leaving the battlefield.
Hoo. He let out a sigh of relief. He walked aimlessly because he didn't know where to go when leaving the battlefield.
Fortunately, it was a direction that was correct, as it walked more towards the footprints of humans rather than monsters or demons.
Fortunately, it was a step in the right direction, as there were more human footprints than those of monsters or demons.
"Crow...."
“Crow....”
The symbol of the Crow family was the raven. And the flag stuck in that barracks had a raven drawn on it.
The symbol of the Crow family was the raven. And on the flag stuck in that barracks, a raven was drawn.
The Crow family must surely be related to the current Jeonghyeon.
The Crow family must be clearly related to the current Jeong-hyun.
"Who is it!"
"Who is it!"
Finding the door between the rickety wooden fence, I walked towards it, and a soldier aimed a spear at him.
Finding the door between the rickety wooden fence, he walked over and a soldier aimed a spear at him.
Jeong-hyun felt a hot emotion rising from within, something he couldn't quite identify.
Jung-hyun felt a hot emotion rising from within, something he couldn't quite identify.
It was not moving... but anger. My mouth opened naturally, and words came out.
It was not moving... but anger. My mouth opened naturally, and words came out.
“You.”
"You."
It was a cold and sharp voice even to Jeonghyeon himself.
It was a cold and sharp voice even for Jeonghyeon to hear.
"Don't you even know who your master is?"
"Don't you even know who your master is?"
“Ka, President Carlos Crow...? I have committed a grave sin!”
"Ka, President Carlos Crow...? I have committed a grave sin!"
"Done. Is Kylon inside?"
"It's done. Is Kylon inside?"
"Yes! I will guide you!"
"Yes! I will guide you!"
Jung-hyun did not know who Kylon was. It was just a name that flowed naturally from his mouth.
Jung-hyun did not know who Kylon was. It was just a name that flowed out naturally.
He followed the soldier who was sweating profusely.
He followed the soldier who was sweating profusely.
The camp was spacious, but there were not many people inside. Among them, Kylon was in the largest tent.
The camp was spacious, but there were not many people inside. Among them, Kylon was in the largest barrack.
"When you came in, you definitely had permission... Lord Karl?"
"When you came in, you definitely had permission... Lord Karl?"
An elderly veteran speaking in a voice mixed with anger upon seeing the soldier. He was none other than Kairon.
An old veteran speaking in a voice mixed with anger upon seeing the soldier. He was none other than Kairon.
The old man stood up immediately upon seeing him.
The old man stood up immediately upon seeing him.
"Do I also need to get permission, Kylon?"
“Do I also need to get permission, Kairon?”
"Car, young master Car."
"Ka, Ka-rul Do-reon-nim."
Joy filled the wrinkled face.
Joy filled the wrinkled face.
“Is it not that the old man's eyes have gone blind and he is seeing illusions? When I returned to the battlefield, I could not even find the young master's body, yet you have lived on like this. Ah, my God. Thank you.”
“Isn't it that the old man's eyes are blinded and seeing illusions? When I returned to the battlefield, I couldn't even find the young master's body, yet you have lived on like this. Ah, my God. Thank you.”
Loyal subject.
Loyal subject.
He was one of the 'own people' who has been serving him since Karl was born.
He was one of the 'own people' who has been serving him since Karl was born.
Such memories poured into Jeonghyeon's mind.
Such memories poured into Jeong-hyun's head.
"The surviving soldiers? Not mercenaries, but my soldiers."
"The surviving soldiers? Not mercenaries, but my soldiers."
“No more than a hundred. Even those who survived are hardly intact.”
“No more than a hundred. Even those who survived are hardly intact.”
"Is there a village nearby?"
"Is there a village nearby?"
"Several small villages are scattered around."
"Several small villages are scattered around."
“Disband the mercenaries and go to the village to feed and rest the soldiers. As for the residents, gather only those who can fight, promising compensation in the name of the family.”
“Disband the mercenaries and go to the village to feed and rest the soldiers. As for the residents, gather only those who can fight, promising compensation in the name of the family.”
My mouth moved on its own. It was clear that it was moving by the will of someone other than myself.
My mouth moved on its own. It was clear that it was moving by the will of someone other than myself.
It might be Carlos Crow himself. The one who was whispering words in his head as well.
It might be Carlos Crow himself. The one who was whispering words in his head as well.
‘Wasn't it that I died from being hit by the window back then?’
'Wasn't it that I died from being hit by the window at that time?'
It seemed that only the will remained. Otherwise, Jeonghyeon would not be able to give detailed orders on matters he did not know.
It seemed that only the will remained. Otherwise, Jeonghyeon would not be able to give detailed orders on matters he did not know.
But that didn't last long either.
But that didn't last long either.
"And...."
"And...."
The face of the old man appeared blurred. Carlos Crow's consciousness was fading away.
The face of the old man appeared blurred. Carlos Crow's consciousness was fading away.
What was the last thing he wanted to say, even refusing death?
What was the last thing he wanted to say, even refusing death?
Jung-hyun realized what it was.
Jung-hyun realized what it was.
[Top Priority Goal: Revenge] [Eliminate Aden Crow, who is trying to eliminate you. If you fail, you will die.] [Reward: Trait Points +5]
[Top Priority Goal: Revenge] [Eliminate Aden Crow, who is trying to eliminate you. If you fail, you will die.] [Reward: Trait Points +5]
The letters that flicker before my eyes.
The letters that flicker before my eyes.
Surprisingly, it was similar to the quest window of Era of Empires.
Surprisingly, it was similar to the quest window of Era of Empires.
Originally, Carlos Crow's goal was to show the protagonist, who was possessed just like Jeong-hyun.
Originally, Carlos Crow's goal was to show the same thing to Jung Hyun, who was possessed just like the protagonist.
Jung-hyun, no, Karl opened his mouth.
Jung-hyun, no, Karl opened his mouth.
“…We are going home.”
“…We are going home.”
He had to take revenge on the author who made him like this, his brother.
He had to take revenge on the author who made him like this, his brother.
For the next two days, Karl gathered information.
For the next two days, Karl gathered information.
The memory of Karl that came to mind, and what I couldn't remember well, I asked Kylon to understand the circumstances.
The memory of Karl that came to mind, and what I couldn't remember well, I asked Kylon to understand the circumstances.
"Ha."
"Ha."
Indeed, he had entered the game. Into the world of 'Era of Empire' where he was betting and playing with his friend.
Indeed, he had entered the game. Into the world of 'Era of Empire' where he was betting and playing with his friend.
Whenever university life gets tough, I often think about wanting to embody a character in a game... but I didn't want to be in such a complicated situation.
Whenever university life gets tough, I always thought about wanting to embody a character in a game... but I didn't want to be in such a complicated situation.
The original owner of the body he possessed is Carlos Crow, the half-brother of Aden Crow, a character from 'Era of Empire.'
The original owner of the body he possessed is Carlos Crow, the half-brother of Aden Crow, a character from 'Era of Empire.'
In a few years, I would have blossomed with magical talent, but I lost my life to my brother's scheme, a fated genius.
In a few years, I would have blossomed with magical talent, but I lost my life to my brother's scheme, a tragic genius.
‘I couldn't even recognize such a genius!’ created to emphasize the incompetence of Aden Crow, who died with his younger sister.
‘I couldn't even recognize such a genius!’ created to emphasize the incompetence of Aden Crow, who died with his younger sister.
If there is a difference between Aden Crow and Karl, it is the overwhelming magical talent that resides in his body and his slightly pointed ears.
If there is a difference between Aden Crow and Karl, it is the overwhelming magical talent that resides in his body and his slightly pointed ears.
At first glance, it seemed no different from a person, but when you touched it with your hand, you could feel the sharpness.
At first glance, it seemed no different from a person, but when you touched it with your hand, you could feel the sharpness.
'Half, no Quarter Elf.'
‘Half, no Quarter Elf.’
'The world of 'Era of Empire' includes races such as elves and dwarves.'
In the world of 'Era of Empire', there existed other races such as elves and dwarves.
And the mother that Karl did not remember was a half-elf.
And the mother that Karl had no memory of was a half-elf.
This magical talent must have been inherited from that blood. The appearance reflected in the mirror is also much more beautiful than the original Jeonghyeon.
This magical talent must have been inherited from that blood. The appearance reflected in the mirror is also much more beautiful than the original Jeonghyeon.
"Young master, I have gathered soldiers who can fight."
“Young master, I have gathered soldiers who can fight.”
"How much is it?"
"How much is it?"
Jung-hyun was uncomfortable using informal language with someone much older than himself.
Jung-hyun was uncomfortable using informal language with someone much older than himself.
But perhaps because he entered another person's body, his way of speaking naturally became the way Karl originally spoke.
But perhaps because he entered another person's body, his way of speaking naturally became the way Karl originally spoke.
It was also saying that even if it is uncomfortable, there is a need to do so, according to the memory of Carlos Crow.
It was also saying that even if it is uncomfortable, there is a need to do so, according to the memory of Carlos Crow.
There are a total of forty-eight people. This includes me and the young master.
There are a total of forty-eight people. I included myself and the young master.
A few days ago, in the battle, Karl lost most of the twelve hundred soldiers composed of the Crow family's private soldiers and mercenaries in the fight against the demon tribe.
A few days ago, Karl lost most of the twelve hundred soldiers composed of the Crow family's private soldiers and mercenaries in the battle against the demon race.
Excluding the mercenaries that are hard to trust, there are only about 100 surviving soldiers. The number of people who can fight is less than 50.
Excluding the mercenaries that are hard to trust, there are only about 100 surviving soldiers. The number of people who can fight is less than 50.
If he loses the unique charisma and dignity that the original Karl had here, the remaining soldiers will also be lost.
If the original Karl loses his unique charisma and dignity here, the remaining soldiers will also be lost.
'To take revenge, they had to be there.'
'To take revenge, they had to be there.'
“Young master, when you say you are going home... do you mean you are going to the family home?”
“Young master, when you say you are going home... do you mean to go to your family home?”
"Yes."
"That's right."
“But why are you gathering soldiers who can fight? If you're not careful, the lord might….”
“But why are you gathering soldiers who can fight? If you're not careful, the lord might….”
"They will probably label us as rebels. It doesn't matter. They will actually do that."
"They will probably label us as rebels. It doesn't matter. They will actually do that."
The reason why Karl, who was conducting magical research in the magic tower within the territory, had to return to the territory.
The reason why Karl, who was conducting magical research in the magic tower within the territory, had to return to the territory.
And it was also what drove Karl, who knew nothing of military strategy, to the battlefield.
And it was also what drove Karl, who knew nothing of military strategy, to the battlefield.
It is all a matter that Aden Crow was directly or indirectly involved in.
It is all a matter that Aden Crow has been involved in directly or indirectly.
I will only follow your lordship's wishes... Is that alright?
“I will only follow your lordship's wishes... Is that alright?”
"He killed my father. I am merely judging the one who has betrayed humanity."
"He killed my father. I am merely judging the one who has betrayed humanity."
"Yes? Didn't the former lord pass away due to illness?"
"Yes? Didn't the former lord pass away due to illness?"
"Kailon. Do you think I am just an incompetent wizard who can't even fix a single potion?"
"Kailon. Do you think I am just an incompetent wizard who can't even fix a single potion?"
The old man bowed his head. Kylon also knew it firsthand. It was none other than Karl himself who had taken care of the previous head of the family, Karl's father.
The old man bowed his head. Kairon also knew it firsthand. It was none other than Karl himself who had taken care of the previous head of the family, Karl's father.
It is Karl who can easily heal even wounds pierced through the body with just a single word of magic. Such a wizard attempted to heal, but failed.
It is Karl who can easily heal even wounds pierced through the body with just a single word of magic. Such a wizard attempted to heal, but failed.
It wasn't that I died from an ordinary illness.
It wasn't that I died from an ordinary illness.
"That was not a disease, but a curse. A curse so meticulous that I couldn't do anything about it. He brought in the demon and killed my father."
"That was not a disease, but a curse. A meticulously crafted curse that I could not intervene in. That bastard summoned demons and killed my father."
One of the charges against Aden Crow, which will be revealed several years from now in Jeonghyeon's memory.
One of the charges against Aden Crow, which will be revealed several years from now, is in Jeonghyeon's memory.
The crime of bringing in demons and killing the former head of the Crow family with a curse.
The crime of bringing in demons and killing the former head of the Crow family with a curse.
Karl was a wizard, not a sorcerer, so he naturally could not lift the curse and had no choice but to watch his father's death with his eyes wide open.
Karl was a wizard, not a sorcerer, so he naturally could not cast a curse, and he had no choice but to watch his father's death with his eyes wide open.
If Jeong-hyun hadn't possessed this body, Carlos Crow would have faced the same fate as my father according to the game's canon.
If Jeong-hyun hadn't possessed this body, Carlos Crow would have faced the same fate as my father according to the game's canon.
“Moreover, they pinned that crime on me. They said I was an incompetent fool who couldn't even cure my father's illness.”
“Moreover, they pinned that crime on me. They said I was an incompetent fool who couldn't even cure my father's illness.”
Aden Crow gathered all the vassals of the house to his side while Karl was at the Magic Tower.
Aden Crow gathered all the vassals of the house to his side while Karl was at the Magic Tower.
And the guests and Aden forced Karl to make a choice.
And the nobles and Aden forced Karl to choose between the two.
Will you abandon the name Crow and go outside, or will you go to the battlefield to regain your honor?
Will you abandon the name Crow and go outside, or will you go to the battlefield to regain your honor?
"You were planning to kill me too, weren't you?"
"You were planning to kill me too, weren't you?"
“…Certainly, the ambush by the demon race was strange. It was an impossible ambush unless they were fully aware of our location.”
“…Certainly, the ambush by the demon race was strange. It was an impossible ambush unless they were fully aware of our location.”
“He must have given the information. That Aden guy. So, he was a mercenary who didn't care if most of the soldiers died.”
"He must have given the information. That Aden guy. So, he was a mercenary who didn't care if most of the soldiers died."
Karl stared at the translucent letters floating in front of him.
Karl stared at the translucent letters floating in front of him.
I just saw the text [Sub Quest: Solving the Mystery!] pop up. The 1 point of trait points given as a reward was a bonus.
Just now, the words [Sub Quest: Solve the Mystery!] appeared. The 1 point of trait points given as a reward was a bonus.
It seems that Kylon couldn't see this letter.
It seems that Kylon couldn't see this letter.
“That guy has tarnished the honor of our family. Has there ever been anyone born with the name Crow who, blinded by power, killed his own father and even tried to kill his brother?”
“That guy has tarnished the honor of our family. Has there ever been anyone born with the name Crow who, blinded by power, killed his own father and even tried to kill his brother?”
"There was none."
"There was none."
"Is it justifiable to judge, or not?"
"Is it right to judge, or is it not right?"
"It is appropriate."
"It is appropriate."
"So now bring the soldiers."
"So now bring the soldiers."
There were no more voices heard in my head.
There were no more voices heard in my head.
He clearly knew what he had to do.
He clearly knew what he had to do.