Suspected Necromancer

Chapter 15 – Heroic Ambition

I was born the eldest son of the royal family.
From birth, I was destined to be King.
However, our country wasn’t that large. And, even as a prince, I wasn’t allowed to live a life of extravagance.

“In that case, I’ll make this kingdom great and mighty!”

I resolved not to be just an ordinary King, but to become a hero of legend.
I wanted to engrave my name in history and become a figure passed down to future generations. That was my dream.

“Myths and legends are just made-up stories, so you can’t become something like that.”

Luciana, one of my attendants, was always too realistic and teased me.
I thought she lacked ambition. Since it was already decided that I would become King, I felt my life would be pointless unless I could surpass mere kingship.
However, most people, had a similar attitude to Luciana and didn’t take what I said seriously.

“I’m sure Rato-sama will succeed!”

But Kilian, my other attendant, encouraged me.
That guy was more of a blind worshipper than a sensible companion, so his words went in one ear and out the other.

Of course, anyone can talk big, but I wanted to back up my words. I devoted myself to swordsmanship and academic studies. I had to excel in everything. Otherwise, there was no way I could become a legendary hero.

──

As I grew older and became quite advanced in both swordsmanship and academics, I founded the ‘8th Knight Order’.
Well, even as a prince, I had no real authority. So I simply started doing some activities on my own.
With Luciana and Kilian as my companions, I tackled one issue after another, resolving corruption within the kingdom and addressing the troubles of the people. Occasionally, we even took on the task of defeating monsters.
I wasn’t blinded by my ambition. I began with small steps, accumulating achievements to make others acknowledge me.
However, what lay beneath was the harsh reality. While many people began praising me, I realized at the core, I hadn’t really changed anything. The issues our kingdom faces aren’t unique, many of them are global problems. Even if I addressed each individual instance of a problem, the world wouldn’t change. I felt powerless.
The world isn’t built solely on idealistic notions. As the heir to the throne, I had come to recognize this.

That’s when I met Luna. She was a girl around my age who I had gotten involved with due to a certain incident. She walked a unique path in life, aspiring to become a mage.
While sipping tea together at some shop, Luna said to me:

“It would be nice if the world could become one.”

Of course, such a thing seemed impossible. How would the world ever unify? The topic was complex both militarily and politically. Moreover, even if unification were forced through military means, I knew it would result in great sacrifices for the populace. War was the last resort.

“Sacrifices? There are sacrifices every day. For example, if even one country allows slavery, there will be children being abducted every day, right? It’ll become a business in that country. And the children who are sold suffer unjust fates. I might have ended up like that too. Isn’t that a sacrifice?
But it’s not just slavery. If many countries do things their own way, then the world will only deteriorate. After all, the countries who do dishonest things will benefit more than those that don’t. Then, in order to not fall behind, countries stop doing what’s right. No one will pursue the ideals you talk about, Rato.
If you want to do something good, everyone has to do it together. Otherwise, it’s meaningless. So, I wish for the world to become one. There might be many sacrifices, but the daily sacrifices that are happening now will decrease. There are already so many accumulated sacrifices.
And, if the world becomes one, wouldn’t things like tea and sweets become cheaper? We can all be happy.”

Luna said this and laughed.
Upon hearing this, I felt like I knew what I had to do.
Because I had aspired to be a hero, I had unknowingly narrowed my perspective.
It wasn’t about starting small and fixing little problems. We needed to do things on a larger scale.
Not only the Rama Kingdom, but the entire world needed to be corrected. That was indeed what a hero should strive for.

“You’re right, Luna! I was mistaken! I should have had greater ambitions!”

I held Luna’s hand and spoke passionately.
However, Luna’s gaze was cold.

“What are you talking about, Rato? Instead of acting so self-important, you should actually do something.”

“Actually do something? No, I’m important because…”

It seemed that from Luna’s perspective, I appeared inadequate.

“Why are you important? Are you working? Are you earning money on your own? Are you diligent? Who decided you’re important, Rato?”

Of course, I had never earned my own money. I had never even considered it. The fact that I was important had been predetermined since my birth. That was the only way I could describe it.
But Luna was different. Even in her earliest memories, she was already mere merchandise to be sold.
Yet, she lived without self-pity. She never spoke negatively.
She managed a large mansion beautifully, performed housework, gathered herbs, made potions, went shopping, learned magic, and did it all flawlessly. She probably never had a moment of rest. As far as I knew, she was the most diligent person I had encountered.
Comparing Luna and me, Luna was likely better.

“I see, indeed, I’m not that important.”

I chuckled. It was the first time I had ever thought that I wasn’t important.

“But watch me. I will become the most important person in the world.”

To unify the world and bring about peace. That was likely something only a hero could do, something only I could do.
Luna regarded me with a skeptical look.

“Rato only knows how to talk.”

“Of course. You have to start by saying it. Once you declare it to everyone, you’ll have no choice but to act on it. Staying silent won’t let anyone understand you. If you don’t tell people, it’s just because you’re afraid of failure. Trying to act quietly is because you’re afraid of embarrassment. I’m not afraid of failure or embarrassment. That’s why I’ll start by speaking out loud.”

“You really are all talk, aren’t you, Rato?”

While saying that, Luna smiled.

“Do you not believe me?”

“No, I do. Not believing in anything means nothing will change. Rato is trying to do something big. I don’t know whether it’s something you can do or not. But if my belief can support your efforts, then I’ll believe. After all, isn’t that what magic is about? Magic becomes real when you believe. It creates miracles.
Even though I’m just an apprentice mage for now, someday I’ll become an archmage. So if my belief can help make Rato’s aspirations come true, then I’ll believe.”

I had always been one to speak grandly. I believed that my words held power.

However, I had never felt the power in others’ words. The people around me always talked about ‘what they could do’. They never talked about ‘what they wanted to do’, and they were pessimistic about things they believed they couldn’t accomplish. I couldn’t find any strength in those words.
But Luna’s words held power. I could feel it.
Her social status didn’t matter. She truly was remarkable.

That’s why I wanted to be with her, wanted her by my side.
Whether she was a vampire or an Immortal King, those things didn’t matter.
I would give her as much blood as she needed. In return, I had no intention of taking a single drop of anyone else’s blood.
As long as my blood flowed within Luna, that was enough.

“I’m sorry, Rato. This will be the last time.”

I could faintly hear Luna’s voice.