The two monks had known each other for many years. Miroku had long witnessed Miyatsu's decisiveness. Now that Miyatsu had openly asked Sebastian to take them as disciples, he, as the elder brother, could only follow suit and make the same choice.
"Are you serious?" Sebastian raised his brows. Both wanted him as their teacher?
"We are serious, Sir Sebastian. Please accept us!" the two answered in unison, their faces filled with sincerity.
Sebastian studied them for a moment, silent. At last, he shook his head. "I have no plans to accept apprentices."
"Sir Sebastian, could you reconsider?" Miyatsu pressed quickly, his tone almost desperate. He had seen Sebastian's overwhelming strength and longed to climb higher in his own abilities. If refusal came, he was ready to kneel until his request was granted.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes, weighing the matter. Their strength was decent, but not essential to him. Yet he saw potential; through them, he might better understand this world's spellcraft, and their reputations in the demon-hunting circles could bolster his influence. Influence meant territory, territory meant resources, and resources meant manpower.
"Very well," Sebastian said at last. "From tomorrow, you will serve as my guards. If you find it beneath you, then leave." With that, he activated the Portable Chronoshift Device, his form vanishing instantly.
"Teleportation spell…" Miyatsu whispered.
"Amazing…" Miroku echoed, awe in his voice.
The two stood where Sebastian had been, silent for a while. Miyatsu frowned. "Are we really to be his guards? With our strength, we are treated as honored guests everywhere, yet he speaks as if we are second-rate. Is this arrogance, or does he see something we don't?"
"But seeking another master after this… isn't that against our teachings?" His tone held reluctance, though he kept his voice low, wary that Sebastian might still be listening.
"Sir Sebastian's strength is undeniable," Miroku said firmly. "I've decided. No matter how hard it is, I will become his disciple."
His eyes burned with determination as he gazed at the empty air where Sebastian had stood. At first, his goal had been to propose building a temple here, lending faith to a growing settlement. But after spending the day listening to the villagers' stories, he understood something deeper. This once-impoverished place had been transformed into prosperity in mere months, and all because of Sebastian.
And during the battle with the God of Death, Sebastian not only fought without hesitation but shielded the village so completely that not a single villager was harmed. Had he not been here, the entire settlement would have been reduced to rubble.
What, then, was a temple compared to such a man?
Miroku's heart trembled with shame. All his life, he had pursued prestige, but beside Sebastian, such motives seemed petty. Sebastian's strength dwarfed theirs. His wisdom guided others. Even against monsters the two of them could not have faced together, he prevailed effortlessly. For such a man, following was not humiliation; it was duty.
Seeing this resolve, Miyatsu sighed. The dissatisfaction on his face faded. He recalled Sebastian's terrifying calm in battle, the gulf in strength between them, and at last he smiled faintly.
"If you've made your decision, then I will stay too," he said. For once, the usually carefree, indulgent Miyatsu grew serious. Then, softening again, he chuckled, cheeks red from wine. "Perhaps being his guard isn't so bad. To follow a man like that… I can only look forward to it."
"Then let's prepare gifts for tomorrow," Miroku said.
"Hm."
"What do you think he would like?"
"I don't know… would a grilled chicken leg do?"
"You fool, wait, where's my chicken leg?!"
Their banter trailed into the night, the unease of battle giving way to something like hope.
Meanwhile, Sebastian had returned to the Battle Lab. The God of Death's body, now in countless dissected fragments, was secured for research. New data flickered before his eyes:
[ Analysis of God of Death Gene ]
If even ordinary units carried a fraction of this power, the result would be a fearsome military force.
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, thoughtful. "I wonder… how many more monsters will come after the God of Death? And why do they keep seeking me out? Is it because of this?"
He looked down at his palm, where a bead glimmered faintly, the Jewel of Four Souls. Yet this one was but an imitation, not the true artifact.