Pick Me Up!

A crescent moon hung in the star-studded sky.

Pria sat on a chair installed on the terrace, gazing out at the scenery.

The capital of the Millennium Empire—Baldia.

To commemorate ten years since Priasis al Ragnar ascended the imperial throne, a grand festival was being held throughout the city.

Bright magical lanterns lit up the streets, and cheerful music played as citizens of all ages gathered to dance and sing.

“…Haa.”

Pria took a sip from her glass.

A bitter liquid flowed down her throat.

‘Ten years.’

Once an empire ravaged by war, now even those wounds were gradually beginning to heal.

“Your Majesty, here you are.”

Pria turned around.

A man in light armor drew aside the curtain and entered, bowing his head toward her.

“Yoshua, is it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The man called Yoshua stood behind Pria.

His gaze swept over the city.

“…So much has happened.”

“It has. I still remember it all vividly.”

Pria looked at her loyal retainer with a smile.

His name was Yoshua Krnanche—once a lowly commoner, but through standing by Priya’s side and helping lead them to victory in the recent war, he had become the Imperial Guard Commander, a man whose life story was now legend.

“Look at the people enjoying the festival. Were it not for Your Majesty, they would still be suffering.”

“You think so?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

The Black War.

Ten years ago, it was the name of the disaster that shook the entire Townia.

Mysterious monsters called “Shards” began to rise everywhere, sweeping across the entire continent.

‘The war.’

Priasis recalled the past.

The war had ended in Townia’s victory.

Humans and all the other races of the continent had united to drive out the monsters.

‘Was it really a war that ended so simply?’

In her memory,

Certainly,

“….”

Pria furrowed her brow.

Sometimes, strange memories would surface.

Memories of times she had never actually lived.

“But, Your Majesty, are you not returning to the hall?”

“You mean the ballroom?”

“This festival is in celebration of Your Majesty, the Empress.”

“What would I even do there?”

“Court Mage Sir Eolka has prepared a special performance, apparently…”

“A special performance?”

Yoshua scratched the back of his head.

“She’s doing tricks—pulling doves out of a hat without magic, vanishing on the spot, reading the backs of cards, things like that.”

“Fufu, that does sound amusing.”

Pria stood from her chair.

“I’ll decline. If I watch, they’ll only feel pressured. Let them enjoy themselves. I’m content just hearing their laughter.”

After gazing at the street below once more, Pria left the terrace.

She walked down a long corridor.

Yoshua followed behind her.

“Sir Yoshua, return.”

“Your Majesty, surely you’re not… going on an inspection again?”

“And if I am?”

“At least take a guard with you. It’s dangerous.”

“I trust in the capital’s security. If a woman cannot walk safely at night, that too is my responsibility.”

Pria took off her coat and handed it to Yoshua.

She threw off her golden crown and scarf as well.

“Phew. That feels better.”

“Your Majesty, how many times must I say—if anything were to happen to your person…”

“I’ll be fine. Really. Don’t follow me. That’s an order. You stay here and make sure the palace officials enjoy the festival.”

Leaving the stunned Yoshua behind, Pria pushed a section of the wall.

Thunk. A light vibration sounded as a passage opened—an entrance only a handful within the palace knew about. A secret route she had created to inspect the capital with her own eyes.

“Hic! Hiccup! Long live Her Majesty the Empress! Long live, long long live!”

“You fool! That’s enough drinking for you!”

“Hee, heeheehee…”

Drunken revelers staggered with glasses in hand, gathered in small groups.

Wearing a shabby robe and pulling the hood low over her face, Pria walked the streets.

‘Are they truly happy?’

She observed each citizen carefully.

It had been ten years since she became emperor.

The empire was now said to be in its golden age.

‘A land where people can live tomorrow without worry or fear.’

That was the paradise she had tried to build.

But…

Pria placed a hand against a wall in the alley.

A hollow voice slipped from her lips.

“What was the point of it all?”

She had forgotten something important.

No matter how often she tried to remember, it wouldn’t come back.

She wanted to show someone.

This land she had worked so hard to create.

‘Just where have you gone?’

Pria staggered as she walked through the alley.

‘Just once. If only once would be enough.’

If he would say hello, tell her she’d done well—

If he smiled at her just once more—

After that, Pria would live her own life.

She would try to chase something called ‘happiness.’

Then why…

‘Where are you?’

Tears streamed down Priya’s cheeks.

Ten years—or perhaps more—there had been a great void in her heart.

Her noble birth, her loyal retainers, even her position as emperor of the empire couldn’t fill it.

“Where… am I?”

When she came to her senses, Pria was standing in a dark alley somewhere.

A foul stench drifted from somewhere nearby. She remembered this smell from over a decade ago.

“Khaha, what’s this now?”

A man who had been sitting on a broken column of a ruined building stood up.

A long, sharp scar was carved across his cheek. His gaze met Priya’s face beneath her hood.

“What’s a fine lady like you doing here, on this joyful festival day? Hehehe.”

She had come too deep.

Pria’s hand reached toward the dagger at her back.

Even if the war was over, punks like this—

“When everyone else is out partying, sticking around pays off, huh? Spit—Alright then, time for me to enjoy the festiv—!”

Thud!

The man collapsed forward.

“What a damn nuisance.”

Crack!

A military boot stomped down on the back of the man’s head.

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!