We return to the capital of Lionis, where King Kirilios, the ruler of the Kingdom of Lionis, ordered the kingdom's soldiers to purge the land of mages and recruit the maximum number of soldiers.
King Kirilios was fifty-five years old and was considered a descendant of the legendary Ring King, Markinius, the only one accepted by the power of the ring. He was a king respected by all kingdoms because he was the only one who defeated the Demon King Barderos… No one knows how or where the power of the ring disappeared.
After Sazaki found the gold and the sword, he returned to his village carrying the sword on his back. As he approached his house, one of the village boys who were training with swords noticed him.
One of them said mockingly,
"Sazaki, what is that sword you're carrying? Are you trying to join the army to become one of its generals?"
The others laughed at him, while Sazaki only looked at them without saying a word.
Another boy, the one who had lost to him before, said,
"I'm just joking with you… How is your mother?"
Sazaki replied,
"She is not well… She gets worse day after day."
Sazaki entered his house to check on her. He found her lying as he had left her. She was covered with sores, suffering from fever and coughing, fighting the illness with all the strength she had left.
He said,
"Mother, I'm back… I'm sorry for leaving you alone."
She replied with difficulty,
"Welcome back, my son… Where were you? You were late, and I was worried about you."
He said,
"Don't worry about me, mother. I finally found what I was looking for."
She asked,
"What did you find?"
He replied,
"I found some gold so we can buy food… And I will buy you the Afola antidote, the antidote that cures all diseases."
She said,
"Don't worry about me… Buy something for yourself to eat first. You look starving."
He replied,
"Don't worry, I will buy everything we need… I will also look for the antidote."
She then noticed the sword and asked,
"What is that sword you're carrying?"
He said,
"I found it in the same tunnel where I found the gold."
She said in a weak voice, "It sends a strange feeling that I can't quite describe. It reminds me of the feeling I had before I got sick, when I found your father alone in his room after this disease had taken hold of him—a feeling of sadness, darkness, and anger all combined inside him."
Sazaki replied,
"I don't feel that… Anyway,get some rest, mother. I will go to the city to buy the antidote."
Sazaki left the sword in the house and went to the city.
We return to Kaiser, in the Demon King's palace, where he began his training with Mayoka, his assistant, who knew every step needed to make Kaiser stronger and to help him understand the secrets of the Mankion power that Barderos, the Demon King, possesses.
The palace was full of servants; some prepared food, some took care of his bed, and others maintained the cleanliness of the palace. It was a royal palace in every sense.
While Kaiser was training with his assistant, he asked,
"Tell me, Mayoka… Why can I no longer communicate with Barderos?"
Mayoka replied,
"You are the only one who can communicate with him, my lord… Because you and Barderos have become one now."
Kaiser said,
"I want to ask him many questions about the secret of this world… how it came to be, and about its powers and techniques."
Mayoka replied,
Don't worry, my lord. It is only a matter of time before Lord Barderos returns so you can communicate with him. But you must master the power of the Mankion more. Since you have started getting used to this aura, we will move to stronger stages… such as facing our strongest soldiers inside this special training room."
Kaiser said,
"Alright, Mayoka. I trust your training program."
Mayoka said,
"Thank you for your trust, my lord. You are under my care."
Kaiser then said,
"Before we continue… I want you to tell me about the era when Barderos ruled the world. How did he lose? And how were you sealed and returned to this world?"
Mayoka replied,
"Very well, my lord… I will tell you everything."
(To be continued in the next chapter)