The Zodiac Kingdom had only ever known one bloodline.
Since its creation, the throne never passed outside it. Each ruler carried overwhelming strength—some equal to their predecessors, some greater. Power was everything, and weakness had no place in the royal line.
That was the law.
So what was this?
A sharp cry cut through the chamber.
"Wah… wah…"
The newborn's voice echoed faintly against the stone walls.
The room was heavy with silence. Servants stood frozen. The royal physician avoided eye contact. Even the air felt tense.
The king stared down at the child.
His expression didn't change—but the disgust in his eyes was clear.
"My king…" the court wizard spoke carefully, lowering his head. "We cannot let the people know of this. Even if we suppress his power readings… the child is—"
"Silence."
The word landed like a blade.
The wizard immediately shut his mouth.
The king's gaze remained fixed on the baby in the queen's arms—thin, frail, barely able to cry properly.
"I knew this woman was incapable," the king said coldly. "And this is what she gives me?"
The baby cried again, weaker this time.
"Wah… wah…"
The queen tightened her hold on him, her body trembling.
"My king…" the wizard tried again, more cautiously this time. "What do you suggest we—"
"We do what must be done."
The king turned away.
"We cannot allow something like this to be seen. Kill the child."
The room froze.
"And the woman as well," he added. "I have no intention of wasting another seed on her."
The queen's breath caught.
"If a single word of this leaves this room," the king continued, his voice calm, "every one of you will die. Slowly. Do you understand?"
No one spoke.
"My king… please…"
The queen dropped to her knees, clutching the child tightly.
"He's just a newborn. He hasn't even seen the outside world yet… please—take my life instead. But let him live. I beg you…"
Her voice broke. Tears streamed down her face, falling onto the baby's skin.
The king didn't look at her.
"Silence," he said. "You've done nothing but waste my time. For all I know, that thing isn't even mine."
The queen flinched.
"Guards."
Two armored figures stepped forward immediately, kneeling.
"Yes, my king."
"Take them to the boundary of the kingdom. Kill them there. Leave no trace."
A pause.
"Do you understand?"
"…Yes, my king."
The queen's voice rose in desperation.
"Please! If not for me—then use him! Let him live as a servant, a slave—anything! The people never have to know he's yours! Just—please…"
The king didn't respond.
"Foolish woman."
The night moved on as if nothing had happened.
Under darkness, the queen and her child were dragged out of the palace, their fate already decided.
The wind was cold near the kingdom's outer boundary.
The guards stopped.
For a moment, no one spoke.
"…This feels wrong," the first guard muttered, his grip tightening on his weapon.
The second guard exhaled slowly. "You think I don't know that?"
The queen fell to her knees again.
"Please… do whatever you want with me… just spare my child… I'm begging you…"
Her voice was hoarse now.
The first guard looked away. "I can't kill a child."
The second guard clicked his tongue. "We're knights. We follow orders."
"You do it then," the first guard snapped. "I'm not that cruel."
"…Tch."
Silence fell again.
Then—
The first guard's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…My queen," he said quietly. "You're a level 2 assassin, aren't you?"
The second guard frowned. "Why are you asking—"
"Yes," the queen answered immediately. "I am."
The first guard nodded once.
"Good. Then listen carefully."
His voice dropped lower.
"There's a level 4 assassin watching us from a distance. He's here to confirm the execution."
The second guard stiffened. "…I noticed him too."
"I've set up a mana circle," the first guard continued. "He can see us—but he can't hear us. What he sees… I can control."
The queen's eyes widened slightly.
"You have a cloaking skill, right?" he asked.
"…Yes."
"Then this is what we'll do."
He took a step closer.
"When we leave this circle, I'll cast an illusion. It'll look like we've killed you both and thrown your bodies into the river."
The second guard caught on immediately.
"…A fake body."
The first guard nodded.
"As a level 6, that's not a problem."
He looked directly at the queen.
"You'll activate your cloak the moment the illusion starts. Run. Don't look back. Don't come near this kingdom again."
The queen's lips trembled. "Why… why would you—"
"Your brother," the guard cut in. "He fought in the war. Saved a lot of lives… including mine."
Silence.
"This is repayment."
His tone hardened.
"But understand this—if you ever return here… I'll kill you myself."
The queen lowered her head deeply.
"…Thank you."
The plan worked.
To the watching assassin, everything looked normal—the guards carried out their orders, disposing of the bodies in the river without hesitation.
By the time he left, there was nothing left to question.
The guards returned to the palace and reported the execution.
Hours later, the assassin confirmed it.
The matter was closed.
The king summoned everyone who had been present during the birth.
Servants. The physician. The wizard.
They stood in silence.
"If any of you speak of what you saw," the king said, his voice low, "you and your entire bloodline will disappear."
"…Yes, my king."
A pause.
"Zenoba."
The wizard stepped forward. "My king."
"Kill the nurses."
A few of them collapsed to their knees instantly.
"…And their families," the king added. "No traces."
The room filled with quiet panic.
"Please, my king—!"
It didn't matter.
Zenoba raised his hand.
A short incantation left his lips.
Within seconds, their bodies dropped.
Still.
The doctor trembled violently, barely able to stand.
"I—I swear… no one will hear of this…"
"Good," the king replied.
He turned away.
"Announce that the queen died during childbirth. Prepare a funeral. Make it convincing."
Three months later, the kingdom had moved on.
A new queen entered the palace—this time from the Wolf Clan, known for producing powerful offspring.
9 months later , she gave birth.
Twins, everyone knows twins means good luck.
A boy and a girl.
Both overflowing with power far beyond expectation.
The kingdom celebrated even neighboring kingdoms heard about the good news and the king and some of his citizens visited the for the celebration.
The king smiled again.
And just like that—
The past was bureid.
Or so he believed.