I Refused To Be Reincarnated

"Huff-Huff. Are you two alright?" Asked Thorian, his breathing ragged and his appearance dishevelled after their mad dash.

"In what nightmarish expedition did you drag us!" Reynard yelled, his eyes trembling in fear after he witnessed fifty loyal mages die a gruesome death. Worse, they didn't even have the chance to fight back for their lives!

Alexandre, his face red after the efforts, added, "We effectively lost our royal mage battalion. Security in the capital will become a real challenge with the void their deaths left."

"Don't worry. We still have the kids," answered Thorian, fixing his hair and clothes before gazing at the dim sunlight filtering through the mist. Then, solemnly, he added, "Let's head back for now. Leave the apprentices to guard the entrance."

He refused to believe she could stay in this dreadful place for long, especially considering the lack of food sources.

The two dukes nodded, approving on the surface. Yet, outrage burned in their eyes' depth. 'Because of a girl, this fool sacrificed fifty nobles, not realising the political repercussions he would face!' They both thought in annoyance.

Every time he messed up, they were the ones pressured to fix everything behind the scenes while he basked in his illusory glory. Worse, their uncle retracted his support with a random excuse like old age and went to scheme in the countryside. Truthfully, they envisioned joining him more than once. But this failure was just too much.

Look at the country's state. In its entire history, never had it been so corrupted. With so many dissident nobles, it was only a matter of time before it fell, even if the kids matured miraculously. After their brief assessment, they looked at each other with knowing glances, planning to jump ship prior to its wreck.

However, as they silently planned for the future, their cousin's angry screams compelled them to focus on the canyon's entrance.

"What happened here?! Where are the horses?!" Screamed Thorian, shaking the oldest apprentice by the collar frantically to wake him up.

"Hurg..." Gradually regaining consciousness, the apprentice groaned, holding his head in agony. Yet, the persistent shaking swiftly brought him back to his senses. With trembling hands, he reported, "A kid assaulted and defeated us all in less than five seconds!"

"A kid?" Thorian's eyes narrowed, remembering Gabriel's mention of a criminal kid accompanying the girl. "That wench used the chaos to escape under our nose!" He yelled with reddened eyes, tightening his grip on the guard's collar, suffocating him.

However, his anger only began as Reynard ran to him, grabbed his hand, and said, "Let him go. We have suffered enough death already."

"Don't give me orders, cousin. He deserves death for losing against two kids!" Roared Thorian, tightening his grip instead. 'How dares he question MY actions? The action of the king!' With this thought, he sent a burst of mana inside the poor apprentice's head, making it burst into a rain of blood and brain liquids.

This sad spectacle further convinced the duke's duo to desert. Years of unopposed rules led their cousin astray until they couldn't recognise him.

"Kill them all if that's what you want! I'm going back. Alexander, you tag along?" Said Reynold, disgust filling his eyes as he gazed at Thorian's bloodied crown. What a graceful king he was.

"Sure. It'll take us the entire day to return to Highvale by foot. I'll need a conversation buddy to kill time or die of boredom," Alexander responded, trying to justify his agreement not to displease the lunatic before they left him to deal with the problems he created.

Without turning back, they walked away, their blonde hair swirling in the wind under Thorian's constricting pupils. "Where are you going?" He asked, his voice forceful, conveying his anger.

"We need time to digest what happened. Leave us alone," answered Reynard, ironically bowing his head for the first time in years. The thought of killing the fool here and there crossed his mind. Yet, facing accusations and resistance awaited him if he did. No, he would reclaim the kingdom with the support of the other nobles and choose a worthy king to serve with his own hands.

Upon reaching this thought, his eyes blazed, resolve burned in his heart, and his mind cleared from familial attachments. Without turning to look back, he stepped away, his head held high.

Following his departing figure, the metallic sound of Alexander's boots echoed against the rocky terrain as he followed, leaving Thorian alone.

"Tsk. Idiots! I don't need you to rule! You'll come back crawling after I conquer the neighboring kingdoms in a few years!" Roared Thorian, his face contorting into a grimace, nails drawing blood from his balled fists, and body trembling.

This expedition was a veritable disaster. He lost his royal mages, the girl, and his most loyal supporters. Clenching his teeth until they cracked, he spat hatefully, "It's all your fault, MORGANE! I'll make your life hell, beginning by burning your birth village!"

He kept hurling menaces, spit flying out of his mouth as he furiously stomped the ground until the apprentices awoke in panic.

Upon noticing them, Thorian ordered, "Escort me back to Highvale, dogs."

Scarred by their king's outburst, they swiftly surrounded him, departing five minutes later, and wondering where the kid who knocked them out went.

***

Simultaneously, the group of four strained their horse's stamina to put as much distance between them and the royals as possible, unaware of their frictions.

Yet, as they approached the Aurora kingdom, another problem troubled Adam's mind. How would they cross the border city without being investigated by the guards? Stumped by the question, he asked the expert of the group.

"We can either get around, but it'll take a few days, or try to infiltrate the city at night," answered Julius pensively. That's how he escaped the Ashfords' notice for four years. No one ever realised where he was because he left no traces of entering or exiting any city.

"I don't mind exchanging time for safety. But we have no food," answered Adam worriedly. Ghosts didn't need to eat. Thus, they went to sleep on an empty stomach yesterday, and he doubted they would hold long...