Hero of Darkness

1038  The Sword Saint

Kahn was completely gobsmacked, his mind left in disbelief after learning that the 6th Hero of Space who was from Earth just like him was none other than the legendary Miyamoto Musashi.

For the second time in his new life, Kahn had met someone who was from Earth just like him. In total, it was the 3rd person from Earth that he had come to know of after Bjorn Ragnarsson, the 4th Hero of Life, then Marcus Brutus, the 7th Hero of Nature, and now, Miyamoto Musashi, the 6th Hero of Space.

Including Kahn, the 9th Hero of Darkness, thatʼs a total of 4 individuals who were summoned from Earth to Vantrea. Who knew if there were more in the past or whether someone else was also summoned from Earth in the current era just like him.

And to top it off, the old ancestor was a historical figure he had learned and read about back in the day.

Before him, sat Miyamoto Musashi, the very man who was hailed as the Greatest Samurai to ever live.

The man who fought in life and death duels since he was 13, invented the Niten Ichi-ryū aka the dual samurai swordsmanship style which translated to Two Swords as One.

Not only was this man the greatest Samurai, but he was also one of the great philosophers of the 17th Century even though he hailed from a life of warfare and politics.

His glory and achievements as well as wisdom were so superior that even in the modern times when Elric was alive on earth, millions of people held this man in high regard.

”Do you perhaps know who I am… was, before my death?” asked the 6th Hero of Space.

Kahn made a 90-degree bow and told him about everything he knew of the man and how even the current era perceived the name, Miyamoto Musashi.

”I see. So I did leave behind a legacy.

And what happened to our Land of the Sun?” asked the 6th Hero with a curious gaze.

”Well, after the Edo Era ended…” spoke Kahn and continued all the things that he was aware of related to the wars, political changes, and development as a country.

Kahn did not hesitate to hide what Imperial Japan did to other countries in the name of territorial expansion, their role in the World Wars, and how now it was famous for Animes, Mangas, Cuisine, Culture, and… ”I see. My homeland has always been a place of war even before I was born and even when I held a lot of power. The peace they have now… I hope it lasts for a long time.

Thank you, for telling me.” spoke Musashi as he gently caressed his long white beard.

Soon, they started discussing their arrangement.

Kahn asked curiously…

”Why me though? You could have helped your Hero of Space to achieve the 3rd enlightenment yourself.”

To those words, the old ancestor of the Erdve Empire replied in a benign tone…

”The matter with enlightenment is that it cannot be taught, learned, or imparted to anyone.

One can guide anotherʼs way on the path of enlightenment but if the person walking does not understand the goal and the meaning behind that journey itself… not even the greatest teachers can help one achieve it.

The Hero of Space has shown his limits already regarding the space law and even if I were to directly tell him everything… his mindset, his body, and his senses would simply reject the powers that come with the enlightenment itself instead of embodying it.” stated the samurai saint. ”Itʼs like expecting a fish to fly like an eagle or a newborn to fight an army of soldiers.” he iterated.

”I see… some things just canʼt be forced, can they?” said Kahn in contemplation.

Miyamoto Musashi nodded in affirmation.

”How many Enlightenments did you achieve in your time?” asked Kahn skeptically.

”I achieved only 4th Enlightenment before I died due to old age.” replied the old ancestor.

”Wait… you were at least an 8th-stage saint to become the emperor, right?” queried Kahn.

”Yes, a Peak 8th-stage Saint.”

”And how many years did you live?”

”After being brought to Vantrea as a Chosen Hero, I lived for more than 340 years.”

But Kahn asked another question.

”Shouldnʼt you have lived for more than 500 years even if you were a human at that rank?” he queried.

”Yes, however… just because your rank as a Saint is higher, doesnʼt mean that you will keep on living longer.

There are many factors. Dying in battle is just one of them.” replied the soul specter.

”You must have noticed how big of a difference Bloodlines, Species, and elemental affinities make in this world, right?” Kahn lightly nodded.

”By that logic, we Humans are at the bottom compared to other species and even monsters of the same rank.

Many live far longer but even there, some will live shorter.” spoke the Samurai Saint.

”How? And why?” asked Kahn.

”Because many rely on their bloodlines to raise their strength and have physical advantages because of it compared to humans.

But at a certain stage, the over-reliance on it causes their downfall.

The Boon becomes the Bane.” stated the Old Ancestor in a tone full of wisdom and experience.

Before Kahn could ask another question…

The old ancestor made a STOP gesture with his palm and continued…

”There are plenty of 7th or 8th stage saints in the world who achieved their rank within a couple of centuries but barely have a hundred years to live after gaining that almighty power.

Take Demihumans for example, such as Tigerkins, Lionkins, Elves, and even Demonkins.” said the sword saint with a stern countenance.

”After a point, they stagnate at a certain rank and their life force starts dwindling rapidly, leaving them barely with a few decades to live just because they used their bloodlines and species-related abilities to become strong.

In a way, they used it as an irreplaceable fuel to create a foundation akin to a machine factory. But one day, that fuel is finished and then that factory becomes completely useless, becoming nothing but an empty shell.

And soon, it starts crumbling from within.” explained the old ancestor who had spent more time in Vantrea than Kahn.

Kahn understood the logic.

Thatʼs why he had seen people like the Fireborne Emperor, Havi Hos Siegfreed who lived for close to 60 years but was already an 8th-stage saint while even his master Romulus, whose age was more than 300 years, was still a Peak 7th-stage saint.

”And what factors caused your death then? Because you didnʼt even have that advantage or some bloodline to cause any complications.

You even killed the Demon God once with only 4th Enlightment in Space Law.” queried Kahn with a calm demeanor.

”Just like it happened once…”

The emperor replied in a stern but calm tone.

”I died because of Cancer.”