"How does it feel to sneak into my base, pretending to be human?" Sebastian asked with a calm smile, one far too relaxed for the weight those words carried.
Only then did they understand: he had known of their presence all along. He simply hadn't considered the two of them a threat worth addressing. He hadn't intended to kill them either, for he had shown no hostility. And beyond that, he was a master blacksmith among monsters, a resource far too valuable to waste.
Now, trembling, unable to speak, he could only stare at Sebastian in nervous silence. Then, without hurry, Sebastian revealed the blade at his side, the treasured weapon, Murasame. Steel slid against scabbard like a whisper of thunder.
Izumo's breath hitched. One glance was enough; this was no ordinary weapon. His eyes widened, curiosity igniting so fiercely it momentarily overshadowed his fear.
"What kind of weapon is this?! The craftsman behind it… a genius! Even I feel ashamed in comparison!" In that moment, curiosity eclipsed terror, and Sebastian saw it. He smiled.
"Join me, and I will grant you techniques beyond anything you can imagine. Refuse— and the only path before you is death."
Time passed.
After Sebastian defeated the enemy, silence fell across the land. The region surrounding the G.D.I. grew still, not only because his power terrified the surviving monsters… but because the true Jewel of Four Souls finally appeared elsewhere.
With that revelation, those who once schemed to reclaim the jewel from Sebastian abandoned all thought of approaching. The few who had survived the battle returned, spreading the truth, he had never possessed it.
The moment the rumor died and reality spread, G.D.I. became untouchable. Monsters would skirt its borders by instinct, avoiding it even from a hundred miles away.
Sebastian's reputation surged: fear, respect, awe. Refugees and wanderers arrived in droves, astonished by the technology within his territory, to them, indistinguishable from magic. Villages joined, lands expanded, until his base rivaled cities in scale.
"Brother Sebastian, are we still training today?" A slim figure entered the combat training hall, a girl with long black hair tied back in a white ribbon, a serene smile gleaming like morning light. She walked with crisp steps, radiating purity, as though untouched by earthly dust.
It was Kikyo, dressed more finely today, looking almost like a different person.
"It's a rare day with good weather. Let's rest," Sebastian said as he rose. He turned to the maid behind him. "Ram, open the ceiling. Let the sun in."
"As you command." Ram tapped the wall, the room shifted, the ceiling splitting apart to release a flood of brilliant sunlight.
"Master, I'm exhausted!" A voice rang from the doorway, lively and sweet.
Sebastian turned just as Tsubaki, dressed impeccably as always, ran toward him with bright eyes and perfect makeup. She threw herself against him dramatically, half-lidding her eyes like a wilting flower.
"Every time you return, it's like you're dying," Sebastian sighed, helpless as she swayed in his arms.
Once shy, Tsubaki had become bold, even shamelessly so, after spending time with him.
A soft cough cut through the moment. Ram stood to the side, aura sharp enough to chill the air, but Tsubaki only smiled back, unbothered.
Sebastian exhaled, resigned. "Alright, what reward do you want this time?"
Instantly, Tsubaki lit up, fatigue gone like smoke.
"I knew Master was the best! I worked so hard slaying demons! And I defeated more than three hundred and twenty-three this month! I deserve to be Senior Sister! I know Master is the fairest in the whole world!"
Sebastian nearly shivered at how sweetly she said Master, a tone she used only when scheming. She and Kikyo had been locked in a relentless contest for the Senior Sister title, and not even a tied duel had settled it. It was the only thing Sebastian had ever seen Kikyo truly care about.
But today, he shook his head,
"No. The month isn't over. The title won't be decided yet." Kikyo's quiet voice suddenly sharpened, cold, competitive.
Without waiting for Tsubaki to answer, she lifted her quiver, nodded to Sebastian, and walked out of the training laboratory, graceful, composed, but burning with resolve.