Ancient Imperial Calendar Year 1819
Ricardo found himself on a battlefield.
"A war. Alright, which war, which year, which event?"
Ricardo surveyed his surroundings.
"We're in the Ancient Imperial era. Which war?"
He examined the environment. It was dry, barren, and steppe-like.
"The Northern Territories. Fine, but which region and against whom? I never regretted any of the wars I fought against the Northern Clan Chieftains and Village Elders."
Ricardo studied the enemy ranks.
"No. Today is the day I fought and killed my brother, Berechiel."
Berechiel was Harloumen VIII's youngest brother, whom he loved more than a brother, valued deeply, and cherished dearly.
The rift between Berechiel and Harloumen began with their father Clovis's death.
Due to Clovis's failed rule, rebellions had increased and intensified.
Berechiel had been tasked by his older brother Harloumen's order to suppress a rebellion. However, due to the betrayal of officers in the army and the Noble Lords, he was captured, his seal was stolen, and a false declaration of rebellion was written.
Although Harloumen VIII was a powerful and respected warrior, he was not a well-liked ruler.
He was convinced that his siblings would eventually start a war for the throne, and to prevent this, he had all his male brothers strangled to death—all except one: Berechiel.
Thanks to his close relationship with Harloumen, Berechiel had been spared execution, but this made him a target for certain Noble Houses.
The Great Houses, relatives on the mother's side of the half-brothers Ricardo had slaughtered, who sought revenge on Harloumen and wished to destroy the Ancient Empire to establish a new dynasty, a new empire, and a new order, along with the rebels, had captured Berechiel and forced him against his will to become the leader of their rebellion.
Unaware of these events, Harloumen, enraged by the perceived betrayal of his beloved brother, changed his campaign route and launched a total assault on the Northern Territories.
In the first battle, he destroyed his brother's rebel army, and in the following days, he committed countless massacres in the tribes and villages of the Northern Territories.
A few years after these events, he learned the truth from a soldier who had survived the massacres and was later captured in another battle.
After this event, Harloumen wore black clothes and armor for a year, secretly weeping and mourning.
"In my previous life, I had two great regrets. One was my dear son, Bartho, and the other was my one and only brother, Berechiel. Who or what sent me back to these times? I don't know if it's creating a false world using my memories, but I am very grateful to them. Now I can be free from another one of my regrets."
Ricardo drew his sword and shouted with a harsh and booming voice.
"ATTACK! KILL EVERYONE EXCEPT MY BROTHER!"
The warriors and mages of the Ancient Empire launched a total assault.
In a very short time, the Emperor's soldiers and the rebel forces were engaged in hand-to-hand combat.
Aura-enhanced swords were severing heads and limbs.
Spells were causing massive explosions, floods, tornadoes, and lightning strikes on the battlefield.
To reach his brother, Ricardo swung his massive sword furiously, left and right, at the speed of light.
Each swing tore dozens of soldiers to pieces as he rapidly advanced toward his brother.
Berechiel could see the anger and sadness in his beloved older brother's eyes.
He knew Harloumen was angry and saddened by the betrayal. These events had happened against his will, but he thought his brother wouldn't believe him.
Harloumen had pushed deep into Berechiel's position, killing all the guards around him.
The majority of the rebel forces had been slaughtered by the Imperial soldiers, and the survivors were running with their last strength to save their lives.
Harloumen and Berechiel stood side by side, eye to eye.
With a sorrowful voice, Harloumen spoke his brother's name.
"Berechiel."
Berechiel noticed the sadness in his brother's voice and responded with the same sorrow.
"Brother."
Harloumen advanced with slow steps. All the Imperial soldiers waited to watch Berechiel meet his death at his brother's hand.
"Berechiel, what I'm about to say might sound absurd to you, but I don't care. I already killed you once."
Berechiel couldn't understand his brother's words. Just as he was about to speak, Harloumen cut him off.
"I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry, Ber. For killing you without listening. For slaughtering you so mercilessly. For stealing the years you should have lived. Forgive me."
Berechiel burst into tears. He dropped his sword and walked toward his brother.
The two brothers embraced each other tightly. They wept. They knelt.
"Forgive me, brother. I had no choice. I didn't want this. I was captured. I even wanted to kill myself, but they stopped me. I couldn't face you. Forgive me."
"I forgive you, Ber. You forgive me too."
"I forgive you, brother."
The white light appeared again and erased everything. Ricardo began to await his next encounter.