One-Eyed Monster

”The secret spellcraft...” Igor felt unfamiliar with the word ’secret’.

”This is the second type of secret I just talked about, the Thunder Level secret. Such secrets are generally controlled by ancient families. They make agreements with the Kangen Family, who are responsible for the Soul Guardians, to let some Soul Guardians protect secrets that only their family members can master.”

”Oh, so those are the unique skills of each family!” It was at this moment that Igor understood what it meant for some secrets to need the test of time...

”Of course, what’s protected isn’t just the family’s unique skills, but also the family’s hidden stories!” Coban Kangen shrugged, evidently finding the topic more interesting.

”You said the Kangen Family uses spellcraft to control these Soul Guardians. Doesn’t that mean the Soul Guardians are bound?”

Igor still had many questions, but Coban Kangen was evidently not a person who would become impatient. He continued to answer Igor’s various questions naturally, though these answers were based on what Coban Kangen knew.

”The moment Soul Guardians made their choice, they were destined never to be free again.”

”They long ago entrusted everything to the secret they guard.”

”Freedom is a distant concept for them. Every Soul Guardian must be carefully selected by family members. There’s a strict selection process; not just anyone who wants to become a Soul Guardian can become one.”

Coban continued to elaborate. The system of Soul Guardians was very complex and hard for the average person to understand. Only family members like Coban from the Kangen Family had the opportunity to access the inner workings of the Soul Guardian system.

”Could anyone possibly be eager to become a Soul Guardian?” Kadi suddenly joined the conversation. Earlier, he had been marveling at the entire steam railway, but now he had calmed down and was naturally listening to Igor and Coban’s dialogue.

”The vast world is full of wonders. There really are people eager to become Soul Guardians.” Coban Kangen said, remembering the companions they used to play with as children; some of them were fascinated by such things.

”What do they gain from it? Why would they want to be like that when they have no freedom!” Kadi naturally didn’t understand.

”I can’t clearly explain it either, but some things always need someone to do them, and some people’s convictions are always different from ours.”

Kangen’s words reminded Igor of Nonoa among the Resistors, his swordsmanship mentor who had said something similar before.

”If it were up to me, I would definitely not give up my freedom to become a Soul Guardian.”

”What if you were to guard Guru Mountain, would you be willing to give up your freedom then?” Igor suddenly asked Kadi.

”If it were to guard Guru Mountain, I’d do it without hesitation...” Kadi blurted out and realized something was amiss halfway through.

”So, many times it depends on the circumstances. We can’t just view these things superficially!” Igor said thoughtfully, truly acting as a good mentor to Kadi.

”Igor is right; many things exceed our expectations. For example, within the Soul Guardians system, there are still traitors, but the emergence of a traitor doesn’t mean the entire Soul Guardian system is flawed...” Coban Kangen took up the conversation.

”How did this traitor, Willem, have his identity exposed?” Igor returned to the main topic. He could not constantly marvel at things; they needed to gradually discuss the matters they were about to face before the issue was truly resolved.

”This aspect is considered a blemish on the Kangen Family. As a member of the Kangen Family, no one forgets this disgrace!”

”Was it a serious matter?”

”You know Estev, right?” Coban Kangen asked Igor.

”Yes, he chose to stay at Guru Mountain now. To protect Guru Mountain’s secret, he lost an arm.”

”Estev is indeed an extraordinary person. He endured for so long, hid for so long, and exposed nothing.” Coban Kangen began to reflect.

But these reflections were not what Igor wanted to hear. He now wanted to know why Willem’s identity was exposed.

Logically, a Soul Guardian of Willem’s level should have been as dark as the night, with no one knowing their true identity, but now the whole world knew the leader of the Black Crow was a Soul Guardian.

”Could Willem have revealed it himself?” Igor asked probingly.

”You’re silly; surely it was Estev who revealed Willem’s identity. Weren’t you on Guru Mountain at the time? Why ask such simple questions.” Kadi naturally didn’t grasp the crux of Igor’s question but still answered self-assuredly.

Igor ignored Kadi. In this matter, he needed to hear from Coban Kangen. Of course, he didn’t plan to inform Kadi that from subsequent information, it was clear many organizations were aware the Black Crow leader had a Soul Guardian background.

”Willem did not disclose himself as a Soul Guardian.” Coban Kangen said quietly.

”Then what happened?”

”This is a complicated issue, and we might need to reach the Kangen Family to truly understand it!”

”It seems this issue also requires exploration!” Igor frowned, adding another question to his growing list.

”Willem is a traitor to the entire Kangen Family, but he was not a member of the Kangen Family. The reason he tarnished the Kangen Family’s name is because he was reborn!” Coban Kangen said quietly. This was a shame the family bore, and mentioning it again still unsettled him.

”Rebirth?” Igor suddenly seemed to realize something...

”Yes, for a non-Kangen Family Soul Guardian, any rebellion means swift retribution from the Kangen Family, making them pay dearly, and it’s this mercilessness that has kept the Soul Guardian Team stable for so many years.”

”Was Willem’s betrayal sudden?” Igor showed interest, suddenly realizing the depth of Coban’s resentment towards Willem as a member of the Kangen Family.

”Not sudden at all, just utterly unexpected.”

”Hmm?” Igor sensed that Coban Kangen was about to explain the whole story.

”As a member of the Kangen Family, I shouldn’t discuss these family blemishes with you, but given the current special circumstances, I feel that the more you know, the more you might help the situation evolve.”

”Alright, go ahead, we promise not to mention this carelessly. We won’t spread any tales involving the Kangen Family!” Igor reassured as he looked over at Kadi, who immediately nodded. Kadi always was able to respond to Igor’s signals promptly.

”Not necessary; the Kangen Family isn’t that petty. If they fussed over these rumors, there wouldn’t be tales of Bigas and Xiso’s celebrated feats.” Coban Kangen smiled, responding kindly to Igor and his cautious approach.