I slowly opened my eyes.
When I woke up, I was on a large bed. I didn't understand what was happening.
' What was I doing here? '.
I got up and saw my face in the mirror. I was shocked, it's not me.
I looked at myself and saw that I have brown hair and golden eyes.
That's not me, it's more like one of the antagonists in my novel would say, [ Dern Verlt ], a nobleman without family which is the cause of Rhun's main misfortune because it was because of him, Rhun lost all of his companions when they staged a coup because the emperors and Dern, who has a great influence in the demon world were collaborating with the demon world (the demon world, ennemies of humans for decades) to trade the inhabitants of the kingdom who are not important the human slaves for gold and that's illegal and besides, Rhun's companions were also kidnapped and traded because of it but I think it's only the beginning right now.
' I'm lucky... If it were already the middle of the story, I would already be dead. '
But it's not enough for me to think that I'm really in this.... It's impossible, maybe it's just a dream.
I left the room and I walk slowly towards the main hall of this large house to calm me down.
There is decorations that looks expensive and there are a lot of rooms.
I don't really know where I am but just yesterday, I was reading the last chapter of my novel and I fell asleep. ' How did I end up here for real ? I'm not in a fantastic novel. I'm not a protagonist, just a reader. '
While I was observing my surroundings, still reflecting on my situation, I suddenly heard a voice behind me. " Mr. Verlt, you're here ! "
I turned and I saw a butler. He came to me, I could see him more clearly and then, I realized that this person is one of the side characters in the novel [ The Hope for a Better World ].
' Oh sh*t, I'm really in this novel...? '.
That surprised me, there is just in front of me, Kayle Alt, and he said. " Mr. Verlt, you are late, there is already 8:00 PM and the ceremony will begin soon at 8:30 pm. We must go to the royal castle. "
My eyes widened. ' Wait... The royal castle ? Isn't that how the novel began ? Rhun will be there... '
Kayle continued speaking. " The New Year's celebration ceremony at the royal castle will begin soon, sir. " I was still shocked that I'm here but I calmed down and finally accepted that I am in this story, I act like as if everything is normal and I followed Kayle who told me to follow him.
After that, Kayle led me to the carriage and we set off for the castle.
*****
We finally arrived at the castle. I was a little nervous. ' I'm really in this story and now, I might meet Rhun perhaps by chance... '
I smiled a little. ' This life is very incredible. '
I heard Kayle call me from behind and I stopped thinking. I went to him and we entered the castle.
There were many noble and wealthy people in the room. And since Kayle was the butler that I– no, that Dern had hired, he had to follow me.
I spoke to the people and other nobles of my rank. ' It's really strange to be talking to people when just yesterday I was holed up in my room reading. '
Throughout the ceremony, I tried to observe the entire surrounding area to see if Rhun was there. ' Why isn't he here yet? He should surely have arrived by now, but I can't see him anywhere. '
My thoughts stopped as someone bumped into me. I fell heavily to the ground.
I looked at the person in front of me. He was standing in front of me, and he looked surprise and embarrassed.
Then Kayle helped me up and the person who bumped into me, apologized. " Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going, I'm really sorry. "
I stopped when I heard his apologies and I looked at him more closely. ' He looks familiar... '
I noticed something now. He had silvery-white hair, which looked as silky as a cat's fur, and his eyes were blue which sparkles like crystals that could shine in the night. He was a little taller than me and his skin was fair, shiny, and looked soft.
' Woah... He is handsome. ' I thought.
And then, I recognized him immediately.
This is the person whose stories I've been following for the past 8 years.
Eden or rather his real name [ Xin Rhun ], the protagonist of this story that I have read for many years.
After a moment of reflection, I stopped getting lost in my thoughts and I spoke. " Oh... It's okay, don't worry. You didn't do it on purpose! I'm the one who should apologize. "
A great silence fell.
I spoke a little too loudly, and also, the character Dern Verlt was known for his arrogance in this novel.
' I forgot that I also had to behave like that a**hole Dern... ' And on top of that, this is the beginning of the story, so Rhun is not yet a royal knight but he is still a villager in a village that was destroyed by demons and also, he is always a transmigrator too, but nobody here is supposed to know that.
And in reality, he just arrived in the capital and he got an invitation by chance to go to this ceremony reserved for the rich only.
*****
I heard lots of people talking around us, saying bad things about Rhun because he bumped into me and Rhun clearly heard everything.
But Kayle tried to resolve the situation by telling people not to interfere in this discussion, and since Kayle is rather intimidating, some people looked away and remained silent.
Rhun was ashamed of the situation he believes he caused and he hadn't realized his presence could create so much trouble. He apologized again to me and he hurried outside.
I pursued him then, even though Kayle was calling me back. I ran after Rhun who ran towards the forest near the castle.
It was exactly like the beginning of the novel.
Rhun had been spotted by the guards of the royal castle when he caused a scandal in the hall and was chased out of the castle. But it's still too early, it should have happened after the passage of the red moon.
When the red moon passed, the monsters of the forest were much stronger than their normal strength.
As Rhun ran through the forest, he encountered a scarlet dragon, but the passage was over, so he was able to defeat it, but with enormous damage.
Fortunately, he was found by someone 30 minutes later, but it's too soon for that person to come and save him, and he can't face the scarlet dragon right away or he'll die.
It's all my fault.
I instinctively looked for him as soon as I arrived, and because of that, he appeared too soon.
' I'm such an idiot, even though I read the novel. One wrong move and everything changes in this story. '
I just ran even faster through the dark forest. ' I'm running too slowly, I'm losing sight of him! '. Then I turned to the side because I heard a noise over there.
Finally, I saw Rhun right in front of the dragon, Rhun had his sword in his hand and was paralyzed by some kind of dark magic cast by the demons.
The dragon was about to attack Rhun with its fire magic, but I intervened by throwing myself on Rhun to protect him, and because of my haste, we fell to the ground. After the attack, I heard a little that someone approaching us.
We got up, but Rhun was still a little paralyzed. He tried hard, and I helped him. As the dragon prepared its next attack, and Rhun prepared to attack the dragon as well...
Suddenly, a red flash burst right on the head of the scarlet dragon, it was a blow strong enough to kill the dragon instantly. Rhun and I were shocked by this scene as someone walked towards us, I looked towards the person and it was Kayle.
' Oh, yes, I forgot... Kayle was much stronger than Rhun at the beginning. No wonder he killed that dragon without much effort. '
While I was thinking about his power, Kayle called me. " Mister Verlt, you're here, I've finally found you! "
' Ah, yeah... I left Kayle in the castle while I was chasing Rhun. Now that I think about it, it would have been better if I had taken Kayle with me...'
As Kayle spoke to me, he noticed Rhun and asked me who he was. Rhun answered immediately. "My name is Eden and I am 23 years old."
" ... "
And Rhun asked us, with suspicious look despite the fact that we had saved him.
" And you, who are you? Why did you two save me when we don't even know each other? Furthermore, you are the nobles I met at the castle... "
" What exactly do you want from me? "
Rhun, or should I say "Eden," is quite suspicious.
That's understandable, he is who he is, after all.
It's going to be difficult to convince him and gain his trust.
-------------
• Red Moon Passage: a traditional spell created by demons every new year to strengthen the monsters that are in the human world.
• Eden is the name of the person into whom Rhun transmigrated and his original name is Xin Rhun and it is the same for Dern (Jein).