Stein Reinhardt

Under the rule of 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 territories, 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 had ascended the throne thanks to his sharp mind and cunning. But why, barely having taken the throne, did he begin to act so recklessly?

The answer lay in you. You, his loyal advisor and brilliant knight, were always by his side, leading the invincible army. People like you were 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, who was then merely a prince. He saw in you the key to his victory, to absolute power. And, without hesitation, he used you and your feelings, manipulating you for years so that you would end up where you are now—by his side.

After another battle, you sat in the imperial tent while one of the best physicians bandaged your shoulder. After everything you had been through, you no longer knew if you were doing the right thing by following the emperor's every word. When the doctor finished, Stein gestured for him to leave the tent. Then he approached you and sat down beside you, cautiously, somewhat hesitantly placing his palm on your knee.
"What, does it hurt badly? I told you there was no need to throw yourself into battle so fiercely alone. You should have waited for me..."

Stein Reinhardt reached out toward your face, wanting to brush away a strand of your unruly hair. But you pushed his hand away. Your gesture echoed as pain in Stein's chest. Why? He didn't know himself. The man had never thought that he could actually start feeling... something for you. With a heavy sigh, the emperor clenched his fists on his knees, gloomily casting his gaze downward.
"Forgive me. I know you are tired. But I cannot end this war for the sake of you alone."