Ancient Empire Calendar Year 1819
The blinding light faded. A healing spell soothed the pain in Ricardo's eyes and healed the wounds on his body.
This time, Ricardo was in the midst of a city siege.
"Pleven... the capital of the Pleyciys Dynasty. Why am I here? First the Colosseum in the Ancient Empire, now this place?"
A fearful anticipation dominated the city's houses, large and small.
Everyone knew that once the Kislavein soldiers entered the city, a genocide would follow.
A dark aura filled with gloom, fear, and hopelessness enveloped the city.
Catapults brutally pounded the city walls. The war cries of the Kislavein soldiers resembled a nightmare.
"Alright, I need to find a mirror. In the Colosseum, I took over that boy's body. Now I need to find out whose body I'm in now."
Ricardo noticed the mirror in the corner of the room and went to it.
He was shocked when he saw his reflection.
"Shit, it's the steward."
The person Ricardo saw was Steward Gustavo.
Gustavo was the personal servant of II Oscar, the last Lord of the Pleyciys Dynasty, on the day Ricardo attacked Pleven city.
Despite being a servant, he was an extremely powerful warrior.
When Ricardo gave the order for his nephew II Oscar's execution, Gustavo had defended his master to the death, killing 30 Kislavein soldiers.
In the end, Ricardo had been forced to intervene personally and killed Gustavo.
He had his nephew II Oscar killed painlessly by making him drink poison.
"Gustavo was an extremely capable person. If he hadn't died by my hands, maybe he could have killed even more of my men. So, what should I do now? Last time in the Colosseum, I saw my past self. Maybe I can see him again here too."
Ricardo thought for a while.
"Was I sent back in time? Or are these just memories of the past? I don't know. I also don't know how to get out of here. There's no logic in staying and following the plot."
Ricardo heard a child's voice and noticed Oscar crying in the far corner of the room.
"This child... it's been years. Maybe if I hadn't killed him... whatever. There's no point in regretting now. I need to escape. I killed this child anyway. There's no point in engaging in this absurd confession of sins now."
Ricardo left the room. He saw people trembling with fear everywhere and others preparing for the final battle.
"These people will be killed by my soldiers. The women will be raped and killed. Proof that I haven't changed, neither in my previous life nor now. It's like it's being thrown in my face."
A few guards blocked Ricardo's path.
"Gustavo, what are you doing? You should be by Dynasty Lord II Oscar's side."
"I don't have time to waste with these guys. When we looted the palace, I examined everywhere. I know where I can hide. Killing them is child's play, but I can't deal with the aftermath, especially in this body."
"Don't worry, I've found a way to save the Dynasty Lord."
Everyone around was astonished and happy.
A guard joyfully put his hands on Ricardo's shoulders.
"Really? You found a way? Can you save him?"
A servant cried with joy.
"If he is saved, it will be worth all the losses and pain. He will avenge us."
Ricardo pulled away from them and started running.
"I don't have time to lose with you. I must protect the Dynasty Lord."
Everyone made way for Ricardo.
"Look at those faces. They were all brutally killed by my soldiers. My sins will suffocate and destroy me, but I must keep moving forward."
Ricardo entered the palace's most secret compartment and hid.
"A few soldiers discovered this place and told me about it. When they come, I must kill them all. Gustavo was a strong warrior, so I can do it in this body. For now, I just need to hide quietly. It seems there are some provisions here too."
Ricardo settled in for a long wait. He made no sound, didn't even move unless absolutely necessary. An hour felt like a year.
During this process, Ricardo noticed that he wasn't getting hungry or thirsty.
But he didn't think much about it.
After a long time, he heard a few Kislavein soldiers approaching his location.
He waited in ambush for a while, waiting for them to get as close as possible, and attacked at the best moment.
Amid the soldiers' astonished looks, Ricardo tore off one's head.
Without giving the others a chance to react, he plunged his sword into another's heart.
The last remaining Kislavein soldier attacked to behead Ricardo.
Ricardo pulled his sword out and parried the attacking soldier's sword, then immediately slit the soldier's throat.
"Forgive me, my loyal soldiers, but I must survive."
Ricardo gathered the corpses, cleaned the blood with magic, and continued hiding.
A very long time later, the white light flashed again.
"I think I'm starting to get used to this, but it still hurts a lot. Let's see where I'm going this time."