Chapter 3: The Burden of the Past
Kingoro lay on his bed, staring aimlessly at the ceiling. The moonlight gently filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows on the walls. Hours passed as he lay awake, replaying the events of the ceremony in his mind, reliving the moments of failure over and over. The weight of disappointment pressed down on his chest like a heavy stone. His father's words echoed relentlessly in his mind: "If you're not ready, you're unworthy."
His heart tightened with every thought. His family, his entire lineage, had been waiting for this moment, and the expectations had been high. But all he had done was fail. He could still feel the cold touch of the sword's hilt, only for it to remain still, unmoving. Why hadn't it responded? What was missing? Was he simply unworthy? His thoughts spun in an endless circle, unable to make sense of it all.
Suddenly, there was a light knock on the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
Kingoro stared at the door and sighed. He knew who it was.
"Come in," he whispered, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
The door creaked open slowly, and his caretaker, Lady Aria, entered. She was a woman of few words, but her eyes were filled with kindness and understanding. She had been with the family for countless years, and though she never pushed him directly, there was always a sense of comfort in her presence, even in the darkest moments.
"Master Kingoro," she said softly, approaching him. "I know you're going through a difficult time, but I'd like to explain a few things about your family's history. I believe understanding the past may help you through this moment."
Kingoro sat up on the edge of his bed, rubbing his eyes. "I'm not sure I'm ready to face it right now," he said in a low voice. "I'm not sure I deserve any of it."
Lady Aria smiled gently, then walked toward the window and drew the curtain. "Sometimes, true strength lies in understanding the past. If you don't mind, I'd like to guide you through it tonight."
Without waiting for an answer, she opened the door and gestured for him to follow.
As they walked through the vast hallways of the Haiskel estate, Kingoro's mind remained full of doubts. They passed by several luxurious rooms, each adorned with symbols of their family's heritage. Swords, shields, and medals filled the walls, reflecting a long history of victories and achievements. The word "strength" lingered in his mind, as though it followed him around every corner. But what about his own strength? What about the sword that had not responded?
Lady Aria took a deep breath before speaking. "Let me explain something about our world, Master Kingoro. Our world is divided into many kingdoms, each protected by the magical aura of its leader. This magical aura shields the kingdom from the monsters that slip through the cracks and threaten them. This system has kept the kingdom safe for many years, but outside, things are quite different."
Kingoro paused for a moment, pointing to a painting that depicted a battle between humans and monsters. "But what about the outside? How do people live in such constant danger?"
Lady Aria responded calmly, "Outside the kingdoms, there are areas inhabited by dangerous monsters and hostile creatures, as well as lower-class people who live in harsh conditions. They have no means of protection and live in constant danger. Even those born within the kingdoms but not from noble families cannot rely on the inherited power to protect them. This is why the noble families bear the greatest burden in defending the kingdoms and protecting them."
Then, she turned and gestured to the walls adorned with circular stones, each containing a sword sealed inside. "Now, the swords you see here are the swords of your ancestors. These swords, which were once wielded by your forefathers, were sealed inside these stones. This was an ancient ritual — the sword was sealed in a stone before its owner passed away, so that it could be passed down as an heirloom to future generations."
She then pointed to one of the stones containing a sword. "You now possess the sword of your grandfather, Kanemaru Haiskel. This sword was one of the swords of your ancestors, each one of which was of the S-rank. The S-rank swords were legendary, carrying unmatched power. This sword was the one that protected your family and the kingdom from many of the monsters that threatened them."
Kingoro stared at the sword sealed within the stone, wondering about the power he had been trying to reach. "But why didn't my sword respond? Why couldn't I draw its power?"
Lady Aria answered gently, "The swords do not choose people based only on their physical strength. They choose those who are worthy of leading, those who have the ability to bear the weight of the inherited power. Your sword is now the sword of your grandfather, and it was meant to show you one day how to become worthy of it."
Kingoro stood silently before the stone, his eyes fixed on the sword. His emotions were mixed, torn between determination and despair. But now, he began to realize that he had to prove that he was worthy of this inheritance. This task would be harder than anything he had ever imagined, but deep inside, he knew he would do whatever it took to obtain the sword and show the world that he belonged to this great lineage.
And in his heart, a new feeling began to burn. It was no longer just despair; it was also determination. He knew he had to change, to develop in ways he had never imagined before. And if the S-rank sword was the only way, he would find a way to be ready for it, no matter what it cost him.