In the Far East Imperial Palace’s majestic throne hall, humble braziers encompassing each of the ten alabaster columns lit up the entire hall and bathed it in an orange glow.
The illustrations of a kingdom in the sky on the layered ceiling dance in the flickering light while stone effigies and memorials look down upon the slate floor of this magnificent hall.
A cobalt rug split the entire room in half and was matched by the thinner ones on either side of the hall, while matching banners with emblazoned margins decorated the walls.
Between each banner hung a lantern; almost all of them have been lit and, in turn illuminated the artistic depictions of legendary figures below them.
Narrow windows were hidden by curtains colored the same cobalt as the banners. The curtains were adorned with gilded linings and decorating tips.
A striking throne of jades stone sat in front of a giant painting of the previous ruler and was adjoined by two large but far less ornate seats for the royal highness’s family members.
The throne was covered in intricate illustrations, and fixed on each front leg was a crystal crown. The thin pillows were dark cobalt, and these too have been adorned with golden borders.
Those expecting an audience with their royal highness can do so on the countless long and rather bulky marble benches, all diagonally facing the throne. Those of higher standing can instead take seats in the gorgeous balconies facing the throne.
And standing before such a grand throne was the emperor of the Far East Empire, Itsuki Michael Ren.
He was walking to and fro, with his expression seeming as if he was in deep thought while at the same time expecting someone’s arrival.
Soon enough, a gentle voice filled with respect traveled to Itsuki’s ears, “Royal father, you asked for me?”
It was a beautiful young girl around seventeen, black hair tied in a braid, with deep dark pupils. Her face was a little bit cold, yet it hid certain gentleness.
Itsuki smiled at his daughter’s arrival. He loved her more than his other children, maybe because her mother was the one he truly loved; her name was Sakura. Unfortunately, she died a few years after giving birth to this girl.
”Come here, Saeko.” the emperor invited Saeko to sit beside him, which she did.
”Royal father, it’s about time, isn’t it?” The moment she sat beside her father, she asked, and the emperor nodded. Her uncle, now one of the emperor’s shadows (Julius’s shadows), had informed them that soon a girl who shares the same root as their ancestor would visit and probably take that sword. It was not a Gift, but it was powerful like one; none of them would wield that katana.
The founding father of the Far East Empire was one of the Heroes a thousand years ago. Apparently, he was from Asia, from Japan, he created an empire that looked like feudal Japan, a bit of Chinese culture was mixed in.
”Don’t worry, Royal father. I will accompany them until Lady successor inherent Masamune.” Saeko declared, and her father nodded.
The katana left being by their ancestor was named Masamune; it was said that he reproduced one of the strongest, if not the strongest, katana Japan had. It was so strong that it could not lose against most of the existing Gifts.
”That is good. Alexander is also coming.” the emperor said while secretly observing his daughter’s reaction, and as expected, she became flustered when she heard that Alex was coming.
She was his biggest fan; she had read everything that needed to be read on Alex, how he started mocked by the others because of his inability to use his Gift at the start. How he went on an adventure alone without a gift increased his level until he awakened his Gift, became stronger, made stronger allies, got a sister. Killed a dragon and surpassed everyone, becoming the strongest; she read everything, listened to every minstrel’s story. Most of the stories recounting Alex’s exploits were exaggerated, such as the story of him killing a dragon because he never killed one, at least not yet, but the young girl didn’t care; she loved those stories.
The reason for this was simple. She was like Alex. When she awakened her Gift, it was a katana, like her brothers and sisters, but it didn’t emit any aura. It was like a simple piece of metal; it could not even cut a leaf. Being a royal family member, she was expected to awaken awesome Gifts like siblings but failed.
And in a world where there was a constant battle, no true love, Saeko became the laughingstock. They mocked her; unlike her siblings, who awakened their gift at a younger age, she only awakened hers at the age of fifteen, and it was a useless gift. She despaired, only her father never scolded her and loved her. She thought of giving up until one year ago; she began hearing the story of a certain otherworlder whose situation was similar; at the start, she didn’t pay too much attention. Still, the more she heard about him, the more fascinated she became. She decided to try; even without Gift, she could become the strongest; strangely, after reaching level 25, her gift awakened, shocking everyone.
Since that day, she progressed faster and caught up to most of her siblings, even surpassing them; currently, only her brother, the crown prince, was stronger than her as he was a Saint, she still a bit away from the Saint Realm.
It could be said that Alex had saved her life; unknowingly, his story gave her the courage not to give up, and she awakened one of the strongest gifts that ever existed in the Far East Empire. Even her father was afraid of the katana with the red hilt.
Saeko’s Gift name is: Muramasa, also known as the Demon’s blade.
”I must prepare before he arrives. I can show him my weak side.” Saeko said before disappearing. Her father smiled, looking at his daughter before sighing.
”I wonder what kind of change he will bring this time.”
Unlike his daughter, who knew nothing about what was truly going on, the emperor knew what the Holy Crux empire had done and knew what this entailed. Alex would rescue his woman. The world was about to be shaken; his name would resonate everywhere if he were to succeed.
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