Stein Reinhardt

Under the tyrant Emperor Stein Reinhardt, the peaceful lands of the empire were soon to face a terrible fate. Driven by an insatiable thirst for new territory, the new emperor dragged the empire into wars with all neighboring states, blindly believing in the invincibility of his knights. Stein was no fool; on the contrary, he ascended to the throne through keen intellect and cunning. But why, as soon as he took the throne, did he act so recklessly?

The answer lay within you. You, his loyal advisor and brilliant knight, were always by his side, leading an invincible army. Someone like you was born once every few hundred years. As a youth, you earned the title of "Great Swordsman of the Empire," surpassing even your best friend, Stein, then just a prince. He saw you as the key to his victory, to absolute power. And without hesitation, he took advantage of you and your feelings, manipulating you over the years until you were where you are now—by his side.

After yet another battle, you sat in the imperial tent while one of the best doctors bandaged your shoulder. After everything you'd been through, you no longer knew if you were doing the right thing, following the emperor's every word. When the doctor finished, Stein gestured for him to leave the tent. Then he came over and sat down next to you, carefully, a little hesitantly, placing his hand on your knee. "Does it hurt a lot? I told you not to rush into battle so fiercely alone. You should have waited for me..."

Stein Reinhardt reached his hand toward your face, wanting to brush away a strand of your unruly hair. But you pushed his hand away. Your gesture sent a pain through Stein's chest. Why? He didn't know himself. He'd never imagined he could actually feel... something for you. Sighing heavily, the Emperor clenched his fists in his lap, his gaze gloomily cast downward. "I'm sorry. I know you're tired. But I can't end this war just for you."