Episode 2: The Mob Prince, Who Was Supposed to Die Before the Game Started, Was Actually the Greatest Magic Genius in History
“Your Magical Runaway is subsiding. I’m so glad!”
Mom nuzzled my cheek.
I was filled with an indescribable sense of security, knowing that no matter what, this person would love and protect me.
Ah, this feels so good…
This warmth of my mother. I lost it when I was six in my previous life, and it was an emotion I had been chasing all along, yet had completely forgotten.
“Lu… Luna… Ma… Mama…?”
To make my mother happy, I desperately tried to speak and smiled.
I was undoubtedly saved thanks to her, and I wanted to thank her.
More than anything, this reaction made my situation clear.
The name of Demon Lord Diana’s mother is Luna.
“Kyaaaaaah! Luna Mama?! Already speaking?! Amazing! Diana, your older brother is amazing!”
My mother was overjoyed and looked down at the baby lying in the other crib.
It was a baby who couldn’t even sit up on their own yet.
With this, it was confirmed that my mother’s name is Luna.
Then, it’s safe to assume that the one here is Demon Lord Diana in her infancy.
One of the reasons I thought so was that this room was filled with luxurious furnishings that ordinary people could never afford.
I think this is either the Imperial Court or a noble’s mansion.
Demon Lord Diana was a princess of the Celestia Empire. Isn’t this room fitting for her status?
The [Dark Edge] that appeared in my right hand vanished the next moment when I willed it to disappear.
I pondered.
Probably, this is 16 years before the start of the game’s main story.
However, one thing that bothered me was that I didn’t recall ever hearing the name Luke.
Emperor Alvaise had five consorts. One of them is the Dark Elf Princess Luna, who is now in front of me.
The other four consorts were all from great noble families of the Empire. Each of them had one son, and they were engaged in a power struggle among half-brothers for the throne of the next emperor.
Yes, Diana’s brothers were all half-brothers, and there was no prince named Luke.
Then, who am I…?
Why am I not in the game?
“Kya kya!”
Baby Diana looked up at me and gave me a radiant smile. She seemed happy that I was okay.
“See, Luke? Diana is also saying that her older brother is amazing.”
My mother soothed me while laying me down in the crib.
“Luke, if you feel that hot and painful sensation again, sing the song that Mommy taught you earlier. Then, the pain will go away, okay?”
“U…un.”
I nodded.
“Eh!? Yes, that’s right! You’re such a good boy!”
My mother’s eyes widened with joy.
I’m so happy that she’s so pleased just by me replying.
How many years has it been since someone praised me?
“But, it’s still dangerous for you to use [Dark Edge] by yourself. If anything happens, be sure to call Mommy. Mommy is working in the next room.”
“Aye.”
“Good! With this, you’ll surely be able to survive safely!”
What…?
I pondered at my mother’s unsettling words.
Perhaps, in the original game scenario, this me—Luke—died due to Magical Runaway?
If that’s why I didn’t appear in the game, it makes sense.
There’s no way a one-year-old baby could understand their mother’s words and use magic.
It’s probably because I’m a reincarnated person who inherited memories from my previous life that I managed to do it somehow…
If that’s the case, I need to use magic as much as possible to prevent Magical Runaway.
I don’t want to die so soon after being reborn.
…Also, Luna-mama is destined to be assassinated by the Emperor’s orders in about seven years.
I remembered my mother from my previous life, who disappeared because of my father’s violence.
I don’t want to lose my mother because of my father again.
Luna-mama loves me from the bottom of her heart. I must prevent her from being killed at all costs.
To do that, I have to use magic from infancy and master it…
I’ll become strong and protect my mother and Diana with my own hands.
I vowed to do so.
※※※
From that day on, I decided to keep using [Dark Edge] whenever I was awake.
I was worried that my younger sister Diana, who was sleeping next to me, might also experience Magical Runaway, but there were no signs of it.
According to my mother, Diana’s Magical Power is probably average.
Hee, that’s a bit unexpected.
But, if she can avoid experiencing that pain, I’m envious.
Even so, I think we are supposed to be the prince and princess of the Celestia Empire… Why isn’t anyone other than my mother coming to take care of us?
After observing my mother’s words and actions for several days, I realized that this place is a Prison Tower to keep my mother from escaping.
My mother was wearing something like a collar, which seemed to be a restraint that sealed her magic.
As a Dark Elf princess who opposed the Empire, she was being treated like a criminal.
My sister and I, who inherited that evil Mazoku blood, seemed to be feared and avoided by the servants.
In the game, Emperor Alvaise made Luna-mama, the princess, his consort and forced her to bear children in order to control the Dark Elves…
My mother sometimes disappears for long periods of time, but it seems she is participating in events as one of the Emperor’s consorts.
The Emperor seems to be showing off Princess Luna as a symbol of his conquest of the Dark Elves.
My mother obeyed the Emperor in everything and tried to improve his impression of her in order to protect my sister and me.
My mother, whose family was annihilated by the Emperor, wouldn’t be blamed for seeing us as the children of her hated enemy, but she showed no such signs.
My mother poured unconditional, warm love on us.
Even now, she is breastfeeding me.
“Now, let’s go to sleep.”
“Un…”
I get sleepy as soon as I’m full. My mother sang a lullaby and put me to sleep.
My mother’s beautiful voice, like the ringing of bells, is truly heavenly music. I never tire of listening to it, and I fall asleep in bliss.
But, as soon as I wake up, it’s [Dark Edge] time.
All for the sake of protecting my mother and my sister Diana.
I spent all my time on [Dark Edge], except for sleeping, excreting, and drinking breast milk.
In this world of [Chry Knights], the more you use the same type of magic, the more your [Proficiency] increases, and the power of that type of magic increases.
If it’s not a type of magic that you have an aptitude for, the efficiency of gaining [Proficiency] will be poor, but I probably have an aptitude for the Dark Attribute system.
That’s because my [Dark Edge] is different from the norm.
“Eh, you can create such a big [Dark Edge] now!?”
“Aii!”
Luna-mama, who came to change my diaper, widened her eyes.
I proudly showed off a [Dark Edge] that was about the size of a greatsword.
It felt good to be praised by my beautiful and kind mother.
“Originally, it’s a magic that can only create a blade about the size of a dagger…!”
“Unyu… Mama, Diana, mamoruu (Yeah. I’m going to protect Mama and Diana with this.)”
“Kyaaaaah, Luke! You’re so cute!”
My mother hugged me as if she couldn’t help but love me.
“You mean you’re going to protect me and Diana!?”
“Aye.”
It’s frustrating that I can’t speak well yet, but my intention seems to have been conveyed properly.
“You’ll surely become an unparalleled magician! Protect Diana with that power. You two are the only siblings in this world…!”
“Unyu!”
I promised Luna-mama.
I won’t let my sister Diana experience the same kind of sadness that I did in my previous life. I’ll save her from her doomed future.
Instead of reuniting in heaven, we’ll all be happy in this world as a family.
That’s my only wish.