Chapter 41: Chapter 3: Celestial King
Kanji returned to the Naein territory, his footsteps silent despite his formidable presence. Standing before his father Ryuhei, the Head of the Naein Clan, he reported everything that had transpired within the depths of the abyss.
Ryuhei listened intently to his son's report, his eyes betraying a mix of satisfaction and curiosity. Despite being the ruler of the Naein Clan, Ryuhei held a sense of respect for Kanji's prowess and the unique nature of his powers.
Ryuhei, his voice deep and commanding, asked, "And the Queen of the Abyss? What happened to her? Did you eliminate her as ordered?"
Kanji's reply was brief and to the point. "No, she remains alive." His words hung in the air, the stark contrast between his emotionless delivery and the enormity of his decision striking Ryuhei. The Head of the Naein Clan's eyes narrowed slightly, contemplating the implications of Kanji's choice.
"Interesting," Ryuhei mused aloud. He regarded his son for a moment before continuing, "And why did you spare her? Was it on purpose, or did something hinder your ability to kill her?"
Kanji's response was matter-of-fact, devoid of any hint of emotion. "Something stopped," he said, his eyes meeting his father's but betraying no hint of feeling. The vagueness of his answer left much open to interpretation, yet it seemed that even Kanji wasn't entirely sure about the strange occurrence himself.
Ryuhei, his irritation evident in his tone, realized that Kanji's kind-hearted nature came from his mother Rin. Frustrated, he ordered Kanji to leave. Perhaps he considered it a weakness, an undesirable aspect in a warrior.
As Kanji obeyed his father's command and left, Ryuhei's expression remained stern. He was troubled by the idea of his weapon having any trace of kindness, knowing that it could potentially affect his orders and missions. Despite his irritation, Ryuhei was aware that Kanji's powers and prowess were invaluable to the Naein Clan.
Ryuhei sighed heavily, his mind racing as he attempted to process the information. Despite his dislike for the idea of his son's inner kindness, he knew he could not afford to discard such a powerful asset. He understood the need for emotional detachment in times of war and strife, yet the idea of suppressing Kanji's inherent nature seemed almost cruel to his own flesh and blood.
Meanwhile, deep within the Celestial Mountain, the king of the celestial beasts sat on his throne, his gaze fixed on the breathtaking view of the surrounding realms. The mountain itself exuded an aura of tranquility and grandeur, a testament to the king's immense power and wisdom.
Zantios, the king of the celestial beasts, sat on his throne, peering down at the vast celestial domain under his rule. Countless stars twinkled in the night sky, their brilliant light forming a breathtaking spectacle. From his perch atop the mountain, he could see everything that occurred within his dominion.
As Zantios sat in contemplation, the sudden roar of his kin, filled with terror and pain, shattered the tranquility of the celestial mountain. Looking down, he could see the crimson hue of blood tainting the sacred ground. A sense of unease and concern washed over the king as he tried to ascertain the cause of such alarm.
Zantios' assistant, a humanoid dog demihuman maid, approached him with a look of urgency on her face. "My lord," she began, her voice carrying a hint of trepidation, "the disturbance has been identified. It is Kanji Naein, the son of Ryuhei Naein."
Zantios' eyes narrowed at the mention of Kanji's name. He knew the Naein Clan and its reputation for producing powerful warriors. The fact that Kanji was the subject of such a disturbance in the celestial mountain only added to the king's growing unease.
In a display of increasing irritation, Zantios rose from his throne, his eyes blazing as he acknowledged the audacity of Kanji's arrival at the celestial mountain. This sacred place was known for its divine status, and Kanji's presence was an unwelcome and possibly disrespectful intrusion.
"How dare Kanji Naein enter this sacred place uninvited," Zantios growled, his voice filled with anger and authority. "He clearly disregarded the sanctity of the celestial mountain." The king was not one to tolerate such transgressions, and he was determined to confront Kanji and address the disturbance he had caused.
Before Zantios could utter another word, Kanji materialized beside them in a blur of speed, his blade flying through the air. A chilling sound filled the air as Zantios' demihuman maid, who had been standing next to him, was cut cleanly in half. Blood splattered the ground, and her lifeless body fell to the floor.
The sight of his loyal assistant lying motionless at Kanji's feet ignited a surge of rage within Zantios. The air around him crackled with an aura of intense anger and power. His voice, low and dangerous, cut through the silence as he spoke to Kanji. "You dare strike down my trusted assistant?"
As Zantios stood unaffected by the brute force of Kanji's kick, he felt a mix of annoyance and irritation. His celestial immunity rendered him resistant to physical attacks, making Kanji's assault essentially useless. Despite the lack of impact, Zantios' fury continued to mount.
"Your attempt to harm me physically is pointless," Zantios declared, his voice carrying a note of condescension. "My celestial nature makes me immune to the blows of mere mortals." He regarded Kanji with a mixture of arrogance and disdain, as if mocking his efforts.
Zantios, confident in his own strength and power, threw a powerful punch at Kanji, expecting to send him flying. However, to his surprise, Kanji managed to block the blow and withstand the impact, barely moving backward. Despite the strength behind Zantios' attack, Kanji's defensive abilities proved formidable.
Kanji, unflinching in the face of Zantios' brute strength, calmly spoke, "Your attacks may be powerful, but they lack precision and strategy." His tone carried a hint of condescension, suggesting that Zantios' reliance on raw power was predictable and ineffective.
Kanji's eyes took on a darker hue as a sinister aura surrounded his body. A new skill had likely been unlocked, further enhancing his abilities. With a cool, ominous tone, he spoke, "Your overconfidence blinds you to the reality that there is always someone stronger."
"Dark aura," Kanji declared, the name of his newly acquired skill rolling off his tongue. As the words left his mouth, an ominous energy began to emanate from him, visible evidence of the power he now possessed. The dark aura added an eerie and malevolent presence to his already intimidating demeanor.
After a grueling four-hour battle, Kanji emerged from the Celestial Mountain covered in injuries and blood, evidence of the intense fight he had just endured. Despite the wounds and exhaustion, he wore a stoic expression, giving no hint of the internal struggle he had faced within the mountaintop. The casualties of the celestial beasts were staggering, with nearly half of them slain by Kanji's own hand.
It was a grim sight, the aftermath of the conflict. The Celestial Mountain, once a symbol of tranquil beauty and grandeur, now lay in disarray. The loss of life was staggering, as nearly half of the celestial beasts had fallen at Kanji's hand, including their king, Zantios. The very air seemed to carry a sense of desolation, a testament to the brutal struggle that had taken place within the mountain.
After the events at the Celestial Mountain, Kanji returned to the Naein territory, making his way back to his father, Ryuhei. Though still visibly injured and weary from the recent battle, Kanji's expression remained stoic and devoid of emotion.
Upon reaching Ryuhei, Kanji stood before his father, his voice betraying no hint of fatigue or pain. "I have returned, Father," he said, his tone flat and matter-of-fact.
Ryuhei's gaze settled upon his son, taking in the sight of his bloodied and weary state. Despite the obvious signs of the battle Kanji had endured, he displayed no sympathy or concern, his eyes sharp and contemplative.
"Report," Ryuhei commanded, his voice cold and authoritative. He wanted a detailed account of the events that had unfolded at the Celestial Mountain, including Kanji's encounter with Zantios and the outcome of their battle.
"I breached the Celestial Mountain as you ordered," Kanji began, his voice steady and detached. "I encountered Zantios, the king of the celestial beasts." With a pause, he proceeded to describe the battle that followed. "...as you ordered..I killed him."
The impact of Kanji's words hung in the air as Ryuhei listened intently, no flicker of surprise or disappointment betraying his stoic demeanor. Despite the magnitude of Kanji's accomplishment, Ryuhei's expression remained neutral, his mind processing the information.
After absorbing the information, Ryuhei dismissed Kanji with a stoic command. "You may leave," he said, his tone dismissive. Kanji, used to his father's detachment, merely responded with a silent nod and turned to leave.
Ryuhei watched as his son departed, his eyes following Kanji's retreating figure. The conversation was brief and emotionless, reflecting the nature of their relationship. Despite the gravity of Kanji's achievements, Ryuhei maintained an aura of stoicism, refusing to reveal what thoughts lay beneath his composed exterior.
~Next Chapter "Sovereign dragon of Havoc"