The Conquerors Path Chapter 4: My New Identity

Austin Lionheart—a name etched into the mind of every gamer who has ever experienced Arizinons.

Even I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of pity for him while playing the game.

He was the younger sibling of one of the main capture targets. A pathetic wimp and a total crybaby, he constantly trailed behind the protagonist, affectionately calling him “big brother.”

Possessing a level of beauty that triggered the protagonist’s envy, he spent his time hiding away and acting with the delicacy of a young girl.

While he was rumored to possess latent combat talent, a traumatic event during his childhood left him paralyzed by a crippling fear of violence.

If his story had ended there, it wouldn't have been so tragic. However, the game developers decided to use him as a sacrificial pawn to elevate the protagonist's status.

The plot revealed that this weak, obsessive kid was allegedly entangled in an affair with his own uncle’s wife—none other than the Empress of the Azraeil Empire.

The Empress was so pathologically obsessed with him that she eventually chose to self-immolate, dragging him into the flames so they could be united in the afterlife!

Later, the truth surfaced: the Empress had actually forced herself upon him, using blackmail to keep him as her secret captive, hidden away from the world’s prying eyes.

My skin crawls just recalling the scene of Austin screaming in pure agony as the fire consumed him alongside the Empress.

I draw a sharp breath to steady my trembling nerves and walk toward the mirror in my chamber to inspect my reflection.

Staring back at me is an eight-year-old boy. He has shimmering silver hair and piercing purple eyes that seem to see through everything. With chubby cheeks and a dainty nose, he looks incredibly adorable.

Yes, there is no doubt—it's him. Even at this tender age, the features of his future handsome self are already becoming clear.

‘Th-then that means she is real as well. S-so, aren't I basically already a dead man?!’

‘Hold on, wait... just breathe. Those events are still far in the future, so the Empress’s obsession shouldn't have started yet.’

‘That’s it. I don't need to panic. I still have time on my side.’

I force my heart to slow down, gradually regaining my composure.

[Host, is your internal monologue finished?]

“Yeah, what is it?”

[It is simply that I have not yet transferred the memories of your current body. Please prepare yourself.]

“Memories?”

Only then did I realize I possessed absolutely no recollection of this body’s past.

“Fine, tell me what I need to do.”

[The Host simply needs to lie down on the bed while I initiate the transfer. You may experience a minor headache, but that is all.]

I give a short nod, walk to my bed, and settle down.

[Beginning the procedure in 3... 2... 1...]

A sudden, dull ache throbs in my mind as images begin to flash by. Like a film reel playing at high speed, the scenes race through my consciousness. I close my eyes and begin the process of integrating these memories.

Ten minutes later, I open my eyes. The mature aura I previously held vanishes, and my movements shift, naturally mimicking the behavior of a child.

A fierce sense of resolve flickers in my gaze. From this moment forward, I am Austin.

Austin Lionheart.

Suddenly, the chamber door swings open and a woman enters. For a moment, I am completely stunned by her presence.

She has shoulder-length blonde hair and emerald eyes that sparkle like gemstones. Her full lips and gentle, motherly aura are striking.

Grace Lionheart, my mother, has arrived. Although I recognized her from the newly absorbed memories, seeing her in person is a different experience entirely.

Grace looks at her son, and for a split second, she feels as though the child before her is a stranger.

‘What am I thinking? I must be more stressed than I realized.’

Dismissing the thought, she continues toward me.

Watching my so-called mother pause and knit her brows, my heart begins to race and cold sweat breaks out across my back.

‘Does she suspect something? Did she notice I'm different? I have to stay in character.’

Ending my internal panic, I look up at her and begin my performance.

“Little Austy, are you feeling okay? I was so worried when you suddenly collapsed.”

As she speaks, my mother pulls me into a tight embrace. I find my face pressed against her soft, pillow-like chest as the sweet fragrance of her perfume fills my senses.

‘Umm, it smells like roses... wait, that's not the point. Did she say I fainted?’

I scan through my memories and realize I had lost consciousness right in the middle of breakfast.

Placing my hands on my mother’s chest—strictly by accident, of course—to push myself up, I look her in the eye and offer a smile.

“It’s nothing, Mom. I just had a bit of a headache, but I’m perfectly fine now.”

Relieved to see her son looking healthy, Grace beams with a happy smile.

“Well, that’s a relief. I had a healer examine you, and she confirmed you were in good health.”

“Humph... of course he’s fine. He’s the type who always manages to survive, after all.”

Following that loud exclamation, two girls enter the room—one aged ten and the other six.

I immediately recognize the one who just spoke.

Nora Lionheart.

My older sister, and one of the game's primary capture targets.