"Where is that retard?" asked the man seated on the throne, his gaze fixed on the servant kneeling before him.
"Ah… Your Majesty, the prince is… sleeping," the servant replied, his voice unsteady.
The throne room fell silent. Tall silver pillars rose toward the high ceiling, and cold light spilled through narrow windows, casting long shadows across the polished floor. The king's fingers tapped against the armrest, slow and sharp, each sound echoing through the chamber.
"Sleeping?" he repeated, his tone low.
"Yes, Your Majesty. He has not left his chambers since dawn."
A faint murmur spread among the courtiers standing along the walls. Some hid their smirks behind raised sleeves. Others watched carefully, waiting for the king's reaction.
"Then wake him up at once," the king said, his voice cold and final. "And send him with the party already preparing to depart. I want him at the border before sunset."
The servant hesitated for a fraction of a second. "Your Majesty… the investigation team is made up of senior officers. The prince has never—"
"I am aware of what he has never done," the king interrupted. His eyes hardened. "That is precisely why he will go."
...
Dae Silver pressed both hands against his head and cursed under his breath.
"Damn it… damn it…"
The room felt real and not a dream. Silver curtains hung beside tall windows. Sets of dark armor lined the walls. A long sword rested on a rack within easy reach.
Dae looked around slowly. He knew where everything was without thinking. He knew which drawer held clothes, where the hidden knife was, how far it was from the bed to the door.
The knowledge wasn't his.
Images flashed through his head. Faces he didn't recognize. Training yards. Palace halls. Servants bowing. Lessons about war and power.
He pressed his fingers against his temple and shut his eyes.
Battles he never fought. Faces he never met. Etiquette lessons, sword drills, names of nobles, rivalries, political traps. They sat beside memories of crowded streets, late-night screens, cheap food, and a life on Earth that now felt distant and unreal.
He dragged a hand down his face.
"This is insane…"
Dae Silver. That was his name now. Prince of the Silver Kingdom.
He laughed once, sharp and hollow.
"This has to be a dream."
A faint chime rang inside his mind.
A translucent screen appeared in front of his eyes.
[ Demon System Activated ]
[ Host Confirmed: Dae Silver ]
[ Integration Complete — Body Memory Sync: 78% ]
He froze.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
Lines of text moved across the invisible panel.
[ New Objective Pending ]
[ Warning: Dimensional Tears detected along the border.]
[ Threat Level: Unknown. ]
He groaned and buried his face in his hands again.
"Of course there's a system. Why wouldn't there be a system? Demon world, prince body, war coming… sure. Why not."
The body memories gave him fragments of understanding. The Silver Kingdom was powerful but surrounded by enemies. Demons respected strength above all else. Weakness invited death.
And him?
He had zero combat experience.
A sudden knock struck the door, sharp and urgent.
"Your Highness!" a voice called from outside. "His Majesty orders your immediate departure. You are to join the investigation party heading to the border tears at once."
Dae went still.
"…Already?"
Panic rose in his chest.
He had woken in this world only hours ago, and now they were sending him straight into danger.
He glanced toward the mirror across the room. Silver hair. Sharp eyes. A face that looked calm and cold — nothing like the chaos inside his head.
"Okay," he muttered slowly. "Think. Don't panic."
The system screen flickered again, waiting for his response.
Outside, armored footsteps gathered in the corridor.
Dae stared at the floating screen for a few seconds, then let out a slow breath.
"What the hell am I supposed to do…"
No answer came. The system stayed silent.
Another knock hit the door, louder this time.
"Your Highness, we must leave soon."
Dae clenched his jaw. Panic kept pushing up, but he forced it down. The memories in his head weren't just random flashes. They showed him how this body moved, how people expected him to act.
Arrogant. Cold. and a lil bit retarded.. kind of childish like
If he broke character now, someone would notice.
He swung his legs off the bed and stood. The movement felt natural, like muscle memory took over. He walked to the mirror and stopped.
Silver hair fell over sharp eyes. His face looked calm, almost bored.
Nothing like how he felt.
He straightened his posture. Shoulders back. Chin slightly raised. The expression in the mirror shifted without effort, turning distant and proud.
Prince Dae Silver.
He turned toward a wardrobe and opened it without thinking. His hand went straight to a dark coat trimmed with silver. The body remembered. He dressed quickly, fingers moving on their own.
Another knock.
"Enter," he said.
The door opened at once. A servant stepped inside and froze for a moment, then bowed low.
"Your Highness, the escort waits outside."
Dae walked past him without slowing.
He stepped out into the open courtyard.
Cold air brushed against his face. Rows of soldiers stood ready near the gates, armor shining under the pale light. Horses stamped against the stone ground. Servants moved quickly, carrying supplies and weapons.
He slowed for a moment.
Someone stood ahead of him.
Silver hair fell around her shoulders in loose layers, framing a calm, unreadable face. Two dark horns curved upward from her head, sharp and smooth, marking her clearly as a high-born demon.
She wore a fitted white uniform shirt with a red tie, the fabric neat but practical, with light armor pieces resting on her shoulders and belts strapped around her waist. A dark cloak hung loosely from one side, giving her an effortless but controlled presence.
Her posture was relaxed but steady, like someone used to fighting. Sharp eyes settled on him the moment he stepped outside, calm and observant, as if she had already judged everything she needed to know.
Valeraine Silver.
The name surfaced instantly from the memories in his head.
His older sister.
And, if tradition held, his future wife.
The thought made his stomach clench.
The Silver family kept their bloodline "pure." Marriage within the family was normal here. The original Dae had never liked it — mostly because he argued with everyone, insulted them openly, and acted like a spoiled child whenever things didn't go his way.
He forced his expression to stay calm.
Valeraine walked toward him, her steps steady and quiet. The soldiers nearby lowered their heads slightly as she passed.
She stopped in front of him and looked at his face carefully, as if searching for something.
"You're leaving already," she said.
Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of concern under it.
"My father gives orders. I follow them," Dae said.
The words came out colder than he meant, but he didn't correct it. If he spoke too casually, someone might notice.
Valeraine's eyes narrowed slightly, as if she heard the difference.
"The border tears are not simple anomalies," she said instead. "Three scouting teams failed to report back. Do not rush forward just to prove something."
He shrugged lightly. "You think I would?"
"Yes," she said without hesitation. "Because that is exactly what you usually do."
Dae stayed silent.
She stepped closer, lowering her voice so the nearby soldiers could not hear.
"Listen carefully," she said. "Do not rush forward trying to prove something. Stay behind the main line."
Dae tilted his head slightly. "You think I'd do something reckless?"
"Yes," she said without hesitation. "Because you always do."
He pressed his lips together but said nothing.
She continued, her tone calm but serious. "There are rumors spreading through the court and the army. These tears appearing at the border… they are not normal rifts. Some believe they connect to other worlds. Others say they lead to places no one understands yet."
Dae felt a chill but kept his expression steady.
"Three scouting teams disappeared," she added. "No signals. No bodies. Nothing."
She leaned a little closer.
"So don't play the hero. Watch first. Learn what you're dealing with before you act."
He let out a quiet breath. "That almost sounds like concern."
"It is strategy," she said. Then after a short pause, softer this time, "And… be careful."
Silence settled between them for a moment.
Then she stepped back, her expression returning to its usual calm.
"Do not embarrass the Silver name," she said before turning away.
She walked past him without looking back, her cloak shifting behind her as she disappeared into the palace.
Dae watched her go.
"…Well," he muttered under his breath. "That's not awkward at all."
He took a slow breath, then turned toward the waiting soldiers and the open gates beyond.
Time to meet the people who expected him to fail.