Chapter 8
Kotaro slipped through Zeo like a ghost and then vanished. Suddenly Zeo heard a voice from him.
"Head back home, tomorrow I'll come to your place to get your dad's permission to take you on as my apprentice."
Zeo was thrilled when he heard that. Every day he would make sure to send his meal to Kotaro, and he developed a mysterious bond with the man throughout the year.
Kotaro taught him indirectly to stay focused on his aim. He never ridiculed his cooking and always finished the food that he brought.
On his way back, he kept wondering why Kotaro, who once served the king, had ended up in this small town. Why did he live in such a humble environment?
Zeo went through the centre of town and spotted the statue of the King of Zennethia standing tall with both hands on The Legendary Sword of the Kingdom, named Dagmor.
It's said that the sword had been used to slay the reincarnation of the devil and its soul was sealed inside the blade.
Zeo was lost in thought while looking at the statue, pondering how his teacher would awaken his mana circuit later. He thought to himself that his mother's revenge was getting ever closer and that the Noxus Kingdom would be next after he took care of Commander Fang.
Zeo continued on his way home, only to witness a troop of Zennethia soldiers led by Lina headed in that direction. It gave him a feeling of déjà vu, just like when his mother was killed. He instantly raced back to his house.
When he arrived, he saw Lina haranguing his dad about something. Arthur, who had been deep in thought, spotted his son and gestured for him to come over.
"Zeo, come with me to the capital right this minute. I have a major thing I have to take care of there," he said.
"Dad, you're just the head cook there. What's so urgent for you to rush off to the capital?"
Lina knelt down in front of Zeo.
"Young master , your father is one of the most important vassal for the king , currently the king need him. I will arrange a place for you inside the capital. I will guarantee your comfort there".
Out of nowhere, a gust of wind appeared in front of them and a man stepped out of it - it was Kotaro.
He announced to Arthur that he would be teaching his son from that day on.
Arthur was shocked and, with a serious expression, he and Lina with the other soldiers bowed on one knee.
"Lord Kotaro , where have you been. King Lin Feng has been searching for you for this past few years".
Zeo was the only one who remained standing, wondering to himself, "Kotaro? Who is this guy? He doesn't seem like the same person I often see in the alleyway."
Kotaro noticed Zeo's perplexity and his eyes flashed white as a cloak engulfed him, fusing with his body and transforming him into the man that Zeo was so familiar with. Zeo was taken aback.
"Uncle, which one is your true form?"
Kotaro chuckled, clarifying that his previous form was actually his genuine appearance. Arthur was still bewildered, so the man whom his son met and served dishes to every day was, in fact, Lord Kotaro.
Kotaro then moved closer to Arthur, "I can't reveal why I'm here, but do me a favor and don't tell Little Lin my whereabouts, or else I won't forget any of your faces."
Lina and the army were astounded to hear the term "Little Lin" being used by the man. This was the most powerful emperor in the whole of Zennethia's history, and the man in front of them addressed the emperor by a title with "Little" in it.
Arthur mustered up the courage to challenge Kotaro with a direct gaze. He was in a state of deep contemplation when Kotaro showed up to announce his intention of teaching his son.
"My Lord Kotaro, as a father, I have been constantly fretting since the tragedy that resulted in the death of my wife. I have come to understand that there is no place in this world that is truly safe. In this era of constant warring, strength is the most secure option for my son and you can provide him with that. Therefore, I implore you, my Lord Kotaro, to guard him until he is strong enough to survive when I am not around him." Arthur looked at Kotaro with a desperate expression.
He was aware of the power of the person before him; only the higher-ups of Zennethia were aware of the presence of the Fuuma Clan.
At the moment, his own strength was lacking; he was only skilled in cooking, but when it came to fighting, he had to rely on Lina.
He had no other choice.
"My Lord Kotaro, I humbly ask you to take my son under your protection. I understand that it is not easy to train a child, but I beseech you to teach him and guard him with all of your might. Please, my Lord Kotaro, I beg of you," Arthur said with a trembling voice as he bowed his head.
Kotaro was taken aback by the intensity in Arthur's plea; he knew that this man was not asking for himself, but for his son's future. He nodded.
Kotaro looked at Lina before switching his attention to Arthur and saying, "This lady will stay here to deal with the housework."
Lina was startled, and Arthur gave a gesture of approval for Kotaro's suggestion.
She straight away got up and grabbed Arthur by the lapel.
"What do you think of me? My responsibility is to watch over your life, doing the housework is not part of that. What if you are in trouble and I am not there, who will come to your rescue?" Lina yelled to Arthur.
Zeo thought Lina is strange, isn't she a subordinate to his father? It looks like their relation is more than master and subordinate.
Arthur patted Lina on the head, "Young Lina, I understand you are feeling indebted to me, however he is my beloved one. Just for a few years, please take care of my son."