Title: The Runaway

Summary: It's been quite some time, Rude. How's Rauda?

Chapter #?

"It's been quite some time, Rude. How's Rauda?" I bantered with her at the end of my shotgun.

"Leon!?" Angie and Livia said happily though their faces grew confused as they realized I had addressed the first princess so casually.

"I'm surprised you are here. We did organize it so that you would head to one of the other islands," my childhood friend said sadly.

"You know me, Rude. I always did love the atmosphere of the southern islands."

"Oh, I do know. Just as how I know you won't hurt me. You were always too kind," Rude said as she went to pick up one of the spent rubber bullets I had used. Did she intentionally arrange this scenario to trick me into coming here?

"Spilling blood has never been something I've been too keen on," I said as I lowered my weapon.

"I'd ask if you were ready to come home, but I suppose that would be too much to expect."

I only responded by whipping my gun back up and shooting a maid that came running through the door behind her.

"Then I suppose this is where you'll take me hostage?"

"Hostage is such an ugly word. I prefer insurance."

"... Leon... please, I beg of you. It's not too late. You haven't done anything serious enough to be considered treason. You can still come back home. I'm sure you want that. Rauda and I have missed you dearly."

"..."

"Other than these two, what's left in Holfort for you anyway? We've kept tabs on you. We know how poorly the Kingdom treats you. They've even branded your face to show you don't belong. There can't possibly be anything of value in this decrepit nation. Outside those two girls, every miscreant has shown exactly why they must be eradicated."

Chapter 1

What a predicament. I performed too admirably in my test. Now I was a Viscount, or more accurately, my descendants would be Viscounts while I would forever be an outsider. I felt my face itch from the branding they gave me. It was something I could have avoided had I only become a Baronet. Who was I kidding? I'm sure some nobles in the royal court were in Fanoss's pocket.

In addition to my permanent facial disfigurement, my privacy was virtually nonexistent. While I had been accepted into the Kingdom despite my origin in the Principality, the royal court naturally did not trust me. I had been assigned the Arclight family as my warden. The patriarch hated me, and he would often vent his frustrations on me during training. My only solace was that no one knew I was the Black Knight's grandson. I would likely have been executed on the spot or used for ransom until they realized I was already dead to Gramps.

But I digress. My rank and age necessitated I attend the Academy and, by some miracle, find a noblewoman insane enough to marry the defector from the Principality. As a result, I found myself walking to the Academy with the prince and his friends. Although, it would be more accurate to say I accompanied my current minder (Chris) and his friends.

I had half a mind to smack Chris for stupidly allowing someone from Fanoss to be so close to the crown prince, but I could not due to the current power dynamic and because Chris was the kindest person to me. He sympathized with my mistreatment at the hand of his father.

His friends, though, barely tolerated my presence at best. The nicest refused to accept me by citing that I interrupted their hangouts since Chris was obligated to keep watch over me. The only semi-reasonable response I got was from the one who hated me the most. Jilk took the safety of his foster brother quite seriously.

After we reached the auditorium, we separated so that Julius could give the opening speech. Chris pulled me aside.

"Leon, I'm sorry about my friends."

"Don't. They have every right to treat me cautiously. Jilk is even right about not wanting me to be near Julius. If anything, I should be telling you off for bringing me so close to them in the first place."

"But you aren't a spy. You shouldn't be treated so poorly."

"Chris... You may think that, but you can never truly know."

"But I do know you."

"This was what I signed up for when I defected... But thanks for the sentiment."

"It's not right," Chris said morosely.

"I know."

"But at least we can relax a bit in the Academy."

"You think the other students will warm up to this?" I said as I gestured to the branded mark on my face.

"Maybe in time. That's why I've been trying to convince my friends to take the time to accept you. If you are seen to be on friendly terms with the founding families, at the very least, you should be treated well."

"I can think of a few ways to get in their good graces except for Jilk."

"You can?"

"You five could be described by the archetypes you find in trashy romance novels."

"That is preposterous," Chris said with mild offense.

"Julius is the crown prince, and while he acts with the decorum expected, he probably hates being treated as the crown prince. He likely loves indulging in commoner activities or foods like skewers because he was denied it. Jilk loves Julius as a brother and would eagerly dirty his hands and become a villain if it would help Julius. He feels alienated since he doesn't believe anyone can understand his devotion and barely interacts with his fiancee because she is devoted to him instead of the prince. Brad is gifted in magic and looks but has developed an inferiority complex because he does not exemplify typically manly traits. He also argues with Greg constantly since the two lay on opposite ends of the spectrum with their talents. Greg has a complex about being from the poorest of the five, and to deny his situation, he has attributed using inferior tools as a sign of manliness. Sound about right?"

"... Kindly put a filter on your mouth. Getting my friends to like you will be impossible if you hurl their insecurities in their faces. It also would convince anyone of import to report you as a spy."

"Duly noted. But still, do keep in mind that your friends' insecurities are quite obvious to those looking for them. It would be wise to be wary of people that perfectly appeal to them, especially if they appeal to multiple of your friends," I said dismissively.

"... I suppose you are right... Though I did notice you did not detail anything about me."

"Do you want me to lay your insecurities out in the open," I said bemusedly.

"I suppose not," he scoffed.

"Then I suppose you should go off to listen to Julius's speech about treating him as any other student," I said with a dismissive wave as I walked away from the auditorium.

"Where are you going? The entrance is this way."

"Don't feel particularly inclined to meet the other nobles yet. I think I'll take a nap somewhere out of the way. Might be the best rest I get before the social climbers get a little too eager."

"I'm supposed to be watching you, you know."

"Then you can watch me nap instead of attending the welcoming ceremony."

Chapter #?

"... You know, the fake nobles of the Kingdom could burn for all I care," I said gruffly.

Angie and Livia looked on in horror as they concluded I would side with the Principality. Rude knew me better.

"But then, there has always been more than just nobles."

"This war is just another cycle of an endless bloodbath over a stupid dispute between nobles. If casualties were limited to just the nobles, I wouldn't give a damn. Present company excluded, of course."

"But collateral is expected. Farmers, merchants, cooks, families... innocents with no sin would be caught up in the chaos."

"Yeah," I said as I glanced toward Livia.

Chapter 2

Today was turning out poorly. I was hopelessly lost. Due to my tardiness, I missed the instructors giving directions to the auditorium for the welcoming ceremony.

As I helplessly wandered about the campus, I couldn't help but feel out of place. The architecture was so beautiful and pristine. The air was crisp and free of dust. The fountains of water were clear as day. It was just so peaceful that I could only describe it as paradise. Which only made me feel more insignificant. I was a simple commoner, and yet I had the opportunity to study here.

"You seem lost," a boy said somewhere. Looking around, I did not see anyone in the hallways.

"Hello?" I asked to learn where he was.

"On the hill."

Looking in the direction of the voice, I saw a boy lying on the ground. He had yet to get up. He was lying on his side with part of his propped up by one arm.

"Hello there. Might I ask what you are doing?"

"I thought I would take a nap before the semester started. It is a rather beautiful day for one."

"Are you an upperclassman?"

"Nope. I'm a first year. Like you, I presume?"

"Yes. How come you are not at the welcoming ceremony? Are you lost too?"

"I decided to skip the ceremony. I didn't feel particularly inclined to meet the local nobles."

"Local? Oh! Are you a foreign exchange student?"

"I suppose one could say that," the boy said before getting up.

It was then I realized he was deliberately covering his face. It had an unnatural mark that filled me with dread. It was also beginning to show infection.

"Oh my god, what happened?" I said quickly as I rushed to heal him.

In an instant, I summoned forth my magic. The flesh soon began to heal. Puss emptied, the surface knitted together, and the skin smoothed out. It would take some time, but I was confident I could fix most of the damage. Unfortunately, though, the scar/s shape would forever mar his face.

"Uhm... thank you, but why would you do that?"

"Why wouldn't I? You should've gotten it treated much earlier."

"No doubt, but the doctors would never want to give me such treatment."

"Why ever not?"

"By any chance, are you a commoner?"

"Yes, but what does that have to do with anything."

"Because this is something most nobles would know. My injury was a mark to tell others not to associate with me."

"That's horrible! Why would the Kingdom do such a thing?"

"It's a mark to show I defected from the Fanoss Principality. After all, no one wants to associate with a traitor from a hostile nation. Of course, there are other reasons for the practice, but fear of the enemy is why I will be refused aid."

"That's ridiculous!"

"Is it? Swearing my allegiance to the Kingdom is mere lip service, whereas my defection entails a lack of loyalty."

"But it's just so... barbaric! You sided with the Kingdom, and then they permanently disfigured you! I would think such an act would instill a lack of loyalty!"

"It does ensure loyalty when it prevents me from ever going home."

"What?"

"While marking me for the people of Holfort, it also proves I went to Holfort. The Principality does not take kindly to traitors."

"Why would you even consider coming here?!"

"Why else? I believed my life would be better here than back home."

"But you've become an outsider both here and there! How can you think this is better?"

He looked away uncomfortably.

"I suppose hearing Gramps plotting my murder did it for me," he said awkwardly.

"What?"

How could that be? What kind of grandfather would want to kill his grandchild? What sort of life did this boy lead? I refused to believe it was the norm.

"Could we kindly drop this?"

"Of course... Sorry..." I said morosely.

"Don't be. You couldn't have known. You were at least angry on my behalf."

"But how can anyone not be?"

"You're not the only one who feels the same, but..."

"You really should avoid that man," a boy behind us said.

Looking back, I saw blue haired boy followed by a short girl.

"Hello, Your Highness, or would you rather Julius? I was explaining to her why I'm considered persona non grata," the branded boy said while tensed.

"And yet she is still talking to you, Leon."

"She's been rather adamant that I should have been treated better despite my explanation. Perhaps my roguish nature charmed her. Everybody loves the idea of a forbidden romance," Leon said cheekily.

The prince did not take to his humor, judging from his frown.

"If you wish for a more pleasant experience at the Academy, you should not involve yourself with him any further. The other students might take issue if you associate with someone from Fanoss. I say this not out of spite for him but out of concern for you," the prince said while ignoring Leon.

It was clear there was no love lost between these two. The prince hated Leon on principle, and no matter how he worded it, Julius was trying to spite Leon. I wanted to speak up, but something told me the prince would encourage the other students to harass me if I did.

"He's right, you know. Life will be much easier for you if you go with the flow," Leon said quietly before walking away.

Without a thought, I followed him. I didn't know why I did. It was stupid to go against the prince, but it would have felt wrong to abandon Leon.

Chapter #?

"Is there no way for me to convince you to return to us?"

"Even if you could, I doubt the Principality would look too kindly on traitors," I said as my brand itched again.

"They would if they believed you helped orchestrate all of this. You have been in close contact with the heirs of the founding families. A few tweaks here and there in the story could drastically alter people's perceptions. We could easily say you have been feeding us information, undermining the development of the next generation of leaders, and puppeteering events to dissolve the controlling Holfort faction. Your quick response time could prove you knew what was to come."

"Come now. Everybody knows the Lafan girl was what started all of this. She and her lovers weren't discrete in their indiscretion."

"True. But you were the one to fracture the heirs, and your public match destabilized the Kingdom enough."

Chapter 3

"I've had enough of your vile pettiness, Angelica. Why can't you leave Marie alone?!" Julius hollered at the end-of-term banquet.

"I have no idea what you are talking about. I've already told you I have not lifted a finger against the girl," I stated evenly.

"You may not have personally done so, but your followers did."

"What? Are you suggesting I ordered them to torment the strumpet?"

"Don't bother trying to hide your involvement. It wouldn't be beneath you to do something like this."

Before I could stop myself, I slapped him. His head whipped to the side from the force, and my palm stung.

"How dare you?! To suggest I would stoop so low! The audacity! I let your other discretions slide, but you do not get to impugn my honor! Not when you have gone out of your way to humiliate my family and me daily! I demand an apology!"

Julius didn't respond immediately. He gingerly touched his cheek. Then the rage set in. The situation quickly devolved into a shouting match. Before I knew it, I felt something strike my midsection. Looking down, I saw a glove lying on the floor.

"Pick it up, Angelica," Julius snarled.

"What?"

The world felt numb. Everything started to become incoherent noise. Where had things gone so wrong?

"Angelica, pick it up now!"

"That's enough, Julius."

"Jilk?"

"You need to wake up, Julius. Angelica has done nothing wrong. Marie has been deceiving you. She whispers sweet nothings, but that is all they are, nothing. Her words of love are meaningless. She has been courting Brad and Greg as well."

"We're quite aware," Brad said while standing by Julius.

"And we rather like the thing we have going on," Greg said as he stood by Julius.

"You can't be serious. Marie can't possibly be your ideal woman. You three are vastly different. Think you three! She's playing all three of you. She even tried to play Jilk and me," Chris said as he stood opposed.

"I can't believe you two! Why would you stand against me? I thought we were friends... brothers."

"We're trying to help you, Julius! Please, you have to trust us!"

"Why can't you two see that I love Marie? She makes me happy! She's the best thing that's ever happened to me!"

"I see we can't convince you... I'm sorry, Julius." Jilk said morosely before approaching me and saying, " I shall fight in your honor, Angelica."

"I, too, shall fight in your honor," Chris said.

"I don't believe this... How could you two?" Julius said with a devastated expression.

My two representatives looked at Julius pityingly.

"No. Ever since coming to the Academy, you two have been different. It's clear to me now. I should have taken Marie's warning more seriously," the prince said before glaring hatefully in a specific corner of the room.

The crowd parted, and we saw clearly who Julius was glaring at. Leon was leaning against a pillar with an unamused look as he sipped his drink. He patently ignored the prince.

"Leon, I knew you were trouble the moment I met you! Because of you, two of my closest friends have turned their backs on me! Fanoss with its poisonous words! What have you to say for yourself!"

"Does it matter what I have to say at this point? I could tell you that you've been hoodwinked by a girl who has everything to gain by seducing you. I could tell you that your real friends wouldn't ever want you to settle for a girl that needs a harem of men at her beck and call. I could tell you that you are throwing the one loyal woman in your life who would have accepted any dirty little secret you had. But I won't. You've already created a narrative in your little head about me being the source of all your problems. And it would be easier for you to accept that everything happening is because of someone else rather than the result of your stupidity."

"Well? You've orchestrated everything, have you not? Are you not going to volunteer as Angelica's representative?"

"As much as I would love to fight for Angelica's honor, I'm not too keen on my execution to follow."

"A coward to the end. Sowing as much chaos as you can using proxies. Honorless cur."

"I don't make the rules. I cannot be the aggressor without repercussions."

Did he just?

"And if you were to be challenged?"

"I'd have little choice but to accept. I can't deny the crown prince, now can I?"

Chapter #?

"You think too highly of me, Rude. If I recall correctly, the knights often called me quite the scoundrel."

"You can't possibly mean... You and your obsession with big breasts. Had I known you would have shown up, I would've brought Rauda," Rude scowled as she covered her chest jealously.

"I jest. It's not why I got myself involved," I said while looking at Angie, who was covering her face in exasperation. Funny how she thought I fought for her breasts.

Chapter 4

"I must say, I'm surprised you would want to meet little old me," the Branded said as he sipped his tea appreciatively.

"I believe it was you who sought my attention."

"How did you come to that conclusion?"

"Olivia was overly well informed about the unspoken rules for a commoner. Her tastes in gifts were also impeccable. A feat only made more impossible given she could not possibly afford them. She sang your praises, by the way, when I asked about her sponsor."

"She is a sweet girl. Shame the nobles here can't see beyond her status as a commoner."

"Quite, but I digress. What exactly was it you wished to speak to me about?"

"Nothing. I didn't help Livia to talk to you."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"Believe what you want. I was repaying her for a favor she did me. Her friendship was a bonus."

"And what favor could this commoner have provided you?"

"She healed my branding. It was getting infected and would have likely killed me in a few days."

I winced inwardly. I disagreed with the practice (more so since it nearly turned fatal). It wasn't supposed to happen. It was an archaic policy that was only enacted during times of war. For some odd reason, the faction opposing my family insisted on the act. I couldn't fathom why. I could only attribute it to their age. They did have to fight in one of the many wars we had with the Principality.

Then his words clicked in my head. She healed a fatal injury.

"She healed you?"

"Yes. She was rather proficient in Holy magic. So much so that I thought it must have been the will of the Saintess."

Did he hand me the next Saintess? For what purpose could he have done so? Had he isolated the girl, he could have escaped his situation by revealing her status at the right moment. Her ascendance and reliance on him would see him becoming her bodyguard. He must have known. He wasn't an idiot.

Possibly an additional chapter to detail Angie and Leon becoming friends.

Chapter #?

"Vandal will be most disappointed."

"Tell me something new."

"... Vandal may not express it well, but he does love you."

"Please, Gramps is incapable of love anymore. He's too full of spit and hate."

Angie's eyes widened as the realization of that tidbit came out.

"I'm not lying. He nearly killed himself from drinking too much when you ran."

"And I should care about my would-be murder?"

"What?"

"He's a Warhawk, Rude. He and his faction did not particularly agree with your parents or me about leaving behind old grudges."

"You dare speak of my parents!"

"I do when you are playing in the palms of their murderers."

Chapter 5

Leon discovers that his grandfather murdered the King and Queen and planning to off him next.

Chapter #?

"That can't be true. I can't trust the words of someone who abandoned my sister and me over my advisors."

"Abandoned? I suppose it would appear that way to you."

"Isn't that how it is? You promised to be by our sides forever, but you ran away. It wouldn't have been so bad had you run away to someplace like the Republic. I would have understood because I knew how much you hated going to war, but you chose Holfort. You chose our mortal enemies over us."

"Didn't have much of a choice. It was the only way to save you."

"Save me? How was joining our enemy supposed to save me!"

"Rude... there was no outcome in which you would survive the war. You'd either lose and be executed, or you would shred your soul apart summoning the Beasts."

"And how would you joining Holfort stop that outcome?"

"By preventing the Principality from ever finding an opportune moment to strike. I hoped to stall the start long enough for all the Warhawks to die of old age."

"I fail to see how your actions would have strengthened Holfort."

"Because a stupid whore got in the way of everything. She latched onto the prince before I could convince him of my sincerity, and because I had already tried to warn a few of his friends, it fractured their friendship. I help mellow out the prince's fiancee to be more discrete in resolving her frustration with the whore, only for said whore to push the prince to challenge his fiancee to a duel in public. I find the Saintess reborn and have the future Queen oversee her development so that both may ascend their respective roles sooner, only for the whore to find the Saintess's Bracelet and be recognized as the Saintess with her meager parlor tricks. I demonstrate how much Livia outclasses the whore, only for the crown prince to pull rank to ignore the truth. Every single fucking time I act to convince the Principality to delay their plans, Marie Fucking Lafan fucks everything up."

"Leon," both Livia and Angie said with hurt expressions. They probably felt used when they heard I was their friend for a purpose.

"Oh, don't give me that, you two. I would have helped you two, regardless. I'm just an opportunistic bastard."

"You're a real heartbreaker, aren't you," Rude said with a look of disdain.

AN:

1) The idea is Leon taking a proactive war to prevent the war in the first place since he had to suffer the repercussions of previous conflicts. He also wants to save his childhood friends from their fates since the war will inevitably lead to their deaths regardless of the outcome since they would be sacrificing their souls to the beasts. To prevent the war, he plans on making it so that the Principality never sees an opportune moment to strike, though he inevitably fails due to Marie's presence.

2) The main writing gimmick this time is having a portion of the beginning of the war written, followed by a semi-related section from the main plot. This would inevitably become challenging since I need to write a coherent conversation with the main story still following along.

3) This story is incomplete, as shown by the italicized sections, the sparsity of explaining thought processes, the missing conclusion, and the lack of events.

4) Please leave a review on the quality of the story idea and suggestions on improving the writing style or how you think the story could be improved. A little extra polish could make this into something worth writing. Feel free to take the fanfic for your own as well. I would love to see this fandom become more active.