After the battle at the Cursed Pond, Yashiro ordered his troops to return to the castle and sent a few forensic experts to investigate the massacre. He wasn't searching for the person out of a desire for justice—he was driven by fear.
As Yashiro, Zani, and Saro rode in their caravan back to the castle, Saro noticed the worried look on Yashiro's face.
Saro: "What are you worried about, young master?"
Yashiro: "I didn't say I'm worried."
Saro: "You didn't have to say it out loud."
Yashiro: "And what do you know about it?"
Saro: "I don't think it's anything to worry about. I might have an idea of who it is, but take it with a grain of salt."
Yashiro: "How could you possibly know? You were with me the whole time! Anyway, I'm not interested in this talk right now—my leg is aching, and I can't focus on anything. Just leave me alone."
Saro: "Will that make you feel better?"
Yashiro: "No, but it doesn't matter. I just don't want to talk."
Saro: "That's fine, young master."
Yashiro: "Are you going to call me that even when I'm 90 years old? You're not much older than me."
Saro: "..."
Yashiro: "Sorry. I'm just frustrated."
Saro: "I know."
Yashiro: "How?"
Saro: "I just do. I can feel it."
Yashiro: "Are you some kind of psychic?"
Saro: laughs "Nothing like that."
Zani: "Yashiro, will you quiet down a little? I'm trying to sleep here, and you won't close your mouth."
Yashiro: "How come you only say my name?"
Zani: "Just shut it, kid. I'm too old for this."
Yashiro: "..."
The ride back to the castle lasted half a day, and they arrived at dusk.
Caravan Rider: "My lord, Master Zani, we've arrived."
Yashiro: "Saro, send more people to the scene right now. We need to examine the evidence while it's fresh. God knows if we'll ever catch the person, but it's worth looking into."
Saro: "Yes, young master."
Yashiro returned to the palace and instructed his servants to summon General Zani to discuss his trip to the Devil's Peak Volcano.
Zani: "I hear you want to go to that volcano."
Yashiro: "Yes."
Zani: "Why?"
Yashiro: "I was told about it, and I also read about it in one of my father's books."
Zani: "And what did it say?"
Yashiro: "It said it could make me more powerful."
Zani: "You know that's not a certainty."
Yashiro: "I'm well aware of that."
Zani: "You're willing to risk it?"
Yashiro: "Yes, I am. And you seem to know a thing or two about it yourself."
Zani: "You're smart. Like your father was."
Yashiro: "Does that knowledge have anything to do with him?"
Zani: "Yes."
Yashiro: "You will tell me what you know."
Zani: "Your father and I met not long before… that."
Yashiro: "Before what?"
Zani: "We were young. We met in battle, but we were on opposite sides. I was the leader of an anonymous assassin organization from the Emberon Empire. We received information that he would be passing through our lands on his way to the mountain, so I was ordered to eliminate him. I, along with six of my men, were dispatched to intercept him on the main road."
Yashiro: "You're from the Emberon Empire? It's widely known as a ruthless warring nation. No wonder you always reminded me of them."
Zani: "Yes."
Yashiro: "And what happened next?"
Zani: "We expected about forty men, including him, to pass, but to our surprise, he was alone."
Yashiro: "What the hell?"
Zani: "When I first saw him, I felt relief—just one man to deal with. I was cocky back then; no one had ever escaped me. But then, a chill ran down my spine. Why would one man journey alone, knowing it could be fatal? Especially with every nation at war… yet he was unafraid. When he got close enough, two of my men charged from the front, two from the sides, and two were waiting in the trees. I was behind him, his back wide open for me to stab. As I was about to strike, without even turning his head, he extended his arm behind his back and caught my blade with his bare hand. My men rushed him all at once, but then I felt a tremble, and all six of them fell to the ground, completely frozen. While still holding my blade, he turned and looked me in the eye. His left eye was burning bright red—it looked like a universe unto itself. He said, 'You can be of great use to me if you agree. If not, I'll shatter your men's brains and feed them to you, kill you, and hang you in the middle of your castle if that's what you want.' That was the first and last time I ever experienced defeat, but I wasn't angry. The way he looked and spoke tore through my very being, but I could tell he wasn't himself. I agreed to come under his wing in exchange for protection for betraying my country and my lord. I faked his death, quit the job, and claimed the assassination had traumatized me. Then I left the city and agreed to accompany him to the volcano. I asked why he was going. He said his other half was missing, and he was going to find it. I didn't understand then, but I went with him anyway. When we finally arrived, we began the climb. It was a long walk, and halfway up, my spirit couldn't withstand the mountain's pressure, but he felt no restraint. He told me to wait for him and that he'd return eventually. I can't remember how long I waited—it felt like days—when I finally saw him descending. As we were about to leave, I felt another tremble, and the next moment, I blink, and we're already at the bottom of the mountain. At the time, I thought I'd passed out, but later, I realized he might have frozen all my senses, essentially stopping time for me. Afterward, he seemed like a different person but still had that intimidating presence. I've been under your father's wing ever since. We conquered countless lands together, and he built one of the largest cities in the world."
Yashiro: "Damn. I knew my father was strong and impressive, but I didn't know any of this about him."
Zani: "There's a lot I never found out about him, despite spending my life fighting by his side. Something always bothered him, but he never told me. If I'd known before he went to the volcano, I would've asked, and maybe he would've answered. Now that he's gone, I guess I'll never know."
Yashiro: "Maybe I'll find out if I go to that mountain too."
Zani: "Who knows. How do you plan on getting there? The borders are closed due to recent attacks. We'll have to send a direct request to Marinea Empire for help."
Yashiro: "Write, sign, and send the letter with our fastest birds."
Zani: "Okay."
Some time passed, and Yashiro received a letter of approval stating that under Marinea protection, he would be escorted via their ships directly to the foothills of the Devil's Peak Volcano. Zani took the letter from the courier and brought it to Yashiro.
Zani: knocks on Yashiro's door
Yashiro: "Come in."
Zani: "Hey, kid, you got the letter from Mizumi Lands."
Yashiro: "Give it to me. Let's see what it says."
Dear Lord Yashiro,
First, I wanted to send my condolences for the passing of your father and your brother. I hope you are recovering and continuing in your father's glorious steps. I've looked into your request, and I see the difficulties you're facing. I decided to assist you to make your journey at least a little easier and safer. It's the least I can do to ease your loss. We've already sent the ship with the crew and everything you'll need, so by the time you read this, the ship will be waiting at your docks, ready to be boarded.
Sincerely,
The Head of Marinea Empire,
Omos.
Yashiro: "So this means I can go."
Zani: "You better get going and not make them wait."
Yashiro: "Okay then, I'll get going."
Yashiro prepared himself and remembered his deal with Saro to accompany him on the journey, but Saro was nowhere to be found. With no time to lose, he decided to go without him.
Yashiro to himself: These past few days have been a bit less stressful, and miraculously, my leg hasn't hurt at all. That's a nice change in all this mess I'm in.
A few days later, Yashiro safely arrived at the base of the Devil's Peak Volcano.
Yashiro: "Thank you for the ride!"
Sailor: "You're welcome, Lord Yashiro! We'll be waiting for you here when you return!"
Yashiro: "If I don't return in ten days, you're free to leave without me."
Sailor: "Understood, Your Majesty!"
And so, Yashiro finally set foot on the first step of the volcano.
Yashiro to himself: So these are the infamous steps to Devil's Peak, huh? Let's see how difficult this really is.
As Yashiro began climbing, he quickly lost track of how many hours or days had passed. The higher he climbed, the harder it became to continue. He started hearing voices, seeing visions, and eventually reached a level where the steps were littered with corpses—just as the tales had described. But he was almost at the top, and there was no stopping now.
Yashiro: Damn it, it's scorching here! I sure hope there's some water at the top, or I'm going to burn!
When Yashiro reached the last ten steps, a cloaked old man in black robes approached him.
Yashiro: "Who the hell are you?"
Old Man: "My name is Baq. I am the guardian of this place."
Yashiro: "What are you guarding?"
Baq: "I guard the unworthy souls from escaping."
Yashiro: "Unworthy souls?"
Baq: "Yes, but worry not—I do not sense that in you. In fact, I sense the same kind of spiritual power within you that I did in someone from long ago."
Yashiro: "Would that be my father?"
Baq: "Hmm, what was your father's name?"
Yashiro: "Makato Mori."
Baq: "Ah, yes. I remember. There is a resemblance. Take this as no insult—he was already a monster before he came here. I cannot say the same about you, for I sense much fear within your soul. He did not have that."
Yashiro: "Whatever, just tell me what I need to do once I get up there."
Baq: "You will jump into the middle of the volcano."
Yashiro: "What the hell will I do?"
Baq: "You heard me correctly. If your soul contains enough power, you will transcend."
Yashiro: "And if it doesn't?"
Baq: "You will burn for eternity in the bottomless pit of souls that is this volcano."
Yashiro: "Okay. I'm going up then."
Baq: "Good luck, Yashiro."
Yashiro: "I never told you my na—"
As Yashiro turned to finish his sentence, Baq was nowhere to be found.
Yashiro: "Well, whatever."
He made it to the top and stood above the boiling lava below. Summoning his courage, he jumped in. As the heat intensified, he opened his eyes and found himself standing on solid ground, surrounded by darkness.
Yashiro: "Where the hell am I?"
A male voice echoed from the darkness: "You're nowhere. This is your own mind."
Yashiro to himself: This voice sounds so familiar!
Yashiro: "Stop screwing around! Show yourself!"
As soon as Yashiro shouted, he heard the sound of footsteps—armor clinking with each step. To his shock, Saro emerged from the darkness, holding his sword and wearing a maniacal smile.