My name is Vincent Homestead and, as any person in my line of work would've attested, I'm someone who has a plan for everything. I had planned my entire life, or, at this point, my past life, at least.
"Methodical by nature", they would say.
So, I always triple check anyone in my team when going for a mission. As usual, I did the same, sans one person.
My closest friend, Albert.
We've been in mercenary work since our teenage years. So, I couldn't help but be shocked when, after twenty-five years working together, he simply shot me in the back of the head.
I was killed, but it wasn't the end.
I woke up covered in water, or something like so. Opening my eyes was difficult, the light around me hurts. The ceiling was white and I could see a bunch of young men around me, all in the same type of water tank.
That was my start in this new world. Afterwards, I was put to sleep for a while, waking up and being forced back to sleep in random intervals of time.
After what I later learned to be the first two months, we were taken away from the tank and sent to another place, where they took blood samples. It stung, but what annoyed me the most was how little information there was about us, about this place, and how numb my… peers were.
It was almost like they were newborns…
Regardless, I took that chance to look discreetly around me, taking in all the different things that existed here. The personnel were clearly scientists and other workers, but, for some reason, we all looked alike.
Fair skin, white hair and ruby-like eyes.
My peers were much the same… There's also the fact that this body felt different. I was growing old before, but now I feel like a young laddie again.
Then, there was the atmosphere. It was hot, to put it quite plainly.
Almost like stepping into an extremely hot bath, almost like the place was run with heat. Alongside, they used gas lamps instead of electric ones. The smell of this place was impossible to tell, thanks to all the hot air around us.
Those were the first cues I had that I wasn't in the highlands anymore.
After that, back in my prison, I was put to sleep… but not for long.
Somehow, my consciousness was returning more frequently, and each time it came back, I learned more about those who I initially thought to be my captors.
We were in a place called "The Cradle" in Myrka, one of the three main kingdoms that was continuously fighting against demons.
This facility was where people of the kingdom were made. As if it wasn't disgustingly enough, the way those scientists spoke about those who came before us, about the few who didn't make the cut…
About the place called "The burner", whatever that was…
Such senseless killing made me wonder in what kind of accursed place I was brought to…
Surely not my world, I suppose.
This realization brought upon a numb feeling. One that filled my heart with despair, that burned my lungs as I tried to cry in that water filled tank.
For the first time I allowed myself to indulge in sadness, in the knowledge that I died, that everyone I knew and loved didn't exist here.
I wouldn't be able to see my beloved Greta end her arts degree, and wouldn't be there for little Mark when he came to me about a girl he likes…
This was… unfair.
I want to go back, somehow…
At that moment, I blacked out.
After a few days, we were then taken out of the tank and placed each close to another woman. They had, much like the men and the other manchilds, white hair and red eyes, but also wore a maid outfit.
I tried to ignore the aching sensation in my insides. Even after days, I still can't believe it's all gone.
They took us to a long hall, as we passed more and more doors, more and more of my peers were taken to somewhere else. Until only me and two others were left.
Afterwards, the door opened and we entered another room. This one had an older gentleman, wearing what I could assume was a military uniform, white mustache and a bald head. He also had the same ruby eyes.
"Is that all?"
"The latest batch wasn't to your standards, sir" said the maid that held my arm, her voice a cold, uncaring monotone.
"You better perfect it on the following one then. The king won't tolerate failure."
So there's also a king… Great, it seems this world is a lot more simple than I originally thought…
Greta would have a field day if she ever found out an Isekai actually happened…
Afterwards, three other maids wearing some sort of military insignia took us to what appeared to be two carriages.
However, there were no horses, only what appeared to be a disk.
It wasn't a car, for cars usually don't feel that hot once you get inside. It was almost like I was stepping into a sauna…
Looking around, I soon found out why that was.
A couple of tubes were attached to the ceiling. From how steamy they were, it seemed almost like this vehicle used heat to move.
My skin felt clammy already… Couldn't they take me out of that place more regularly? At least I wouldn't have to deal with this…
Once the general sat down, the carriage rose and the heat grew, propelling us forward.
The other two laddies with me looked no older than sixteen, but the way they cried out, afraid, while flailing their arms and legs almost made me laugh.
My amusement came to an end when both maids took syringes and injected that sickly green liquid into their veins… Following that, the one who was by my side took one and looked at me.
Frowning, I tried to shake my arm out of her grip, but she only tightened it…
The lassie grip almost crushed my arm…
That bawheid smirked, enjoying my discomfort, and then I felt that bloody needle pierce my flesh. Following that, with a button pressed, that bastard put both the laddies to sleep.
What in God's name is wrong with this bastard.
"How amusing," I was shook out of my stupor when I noticed the old man looking directly at me. "This one is different. Quieter… Perhaps some strange coding in his genetics?
After that, the trip was uneventful, with me trying my best to not attract anymore attention to me. It wouldn't do if they wanted to single me out, not with how little I knew of this world.
After that blasted thing finally landed, we exited it and I could see what appeared to be a military base.
Such a place had weapons, some of which was from the same technology that runs the carriage.
Does gunpowder even exist in this place?
"Maids, take them to their room."
"Yes, sir!"
It seems that my purpose here has been determined since birth… While such things deeply annoyed me, I couldn't help but watch their military training.
How nostalgic.