---
The journey led them to the gates of the Kingdom of Altaria, specifically to the bustling trade hub of Gelber Town. Sarah's eyes widened as she took in the sight. It was a panorama of prosperity: towering buildings with slate roofs, a market overflowing with colorful wares, and in the distance, the majestic spires of a royal castle.
"Whoa," she breathed, a rare, unguarded smile on her face. "It's huge... and pretty."
Kenta stood beside her, taking in the familiar scenery. "Indeed. It's one of the most prosperous and wealthy towns on the continent."
"You know about this place?" Sarah asked, turning to him with curiosity.
He nodded. "I've been traveling since I was nine. My former master brought me through these lands once."
As they walked through the crowded streets, Kenta shared stories of his past travels and the woman who had trained him. Sarah listened, fascinated by the tales of distant towns and his master's wisdom, especially since the System persistently listed his Intelligence as a mere C+.
"Wait, you had a master?" Sarah asked, her interest piqued.
"Yes," Kenta said, a nostalgic smile gracing his features. "She was a woman who looked to be in her twenties. She taught me everything I know." His gaze grew distant. "And she was... very beautiful. She often mentioned her own former master was, too."
A playful smirk touched Sarah's lips. "She was beautiful, huh? Do you still remember her face?"
Kenta chuckled softly. "Of course. I will never forget it. She had hair as white as snow, striking red eyes, and a smile that could be both warm and fiercely cool."
"Wow... she sure does sound like a beauty," Sarah admitted, her smirk softening into a genuine smile.
"She was," Kenta agreed, his tone shifting to one of deep respect. "But she was also incredibly strong. Her name was Hikari Tanaka."
"Hikari Tanaka..." Sarah repeated, committing the name to memory. She raised an eyebrow. "Is she a legendary ranker?"
Kenta shook his head. "No. But she was UR-Rank, nearly Legendary. If not for her... health condition, she would have undoubtedly reached LR-Rank or higher." He paused, his voice filled with pride. "She is the true creator of the Light Blade style."
Sarah's eyes widened, impressed. She then pointed to the dark katana at his right hip. "Hey, what about that one? The one you used against Ryan. What's its story?"
Kenta's hand rested on the sheathed blade almost reverently. "This is Yami to Hikari—'Darkness and Light'. It was my master's katana. She entrusted it to me." His expression grew somber. "She mentioned the one who forged it died in the Emperor Wars centuries ago."
The name sent a jolt through Sarah. "Emperor Wars?" she asked, her voice dropping to a serious whisper. "What are those?"
---
Kenta's expression was grim, the usual lightness in his eyes completely gone. "Yes... the Emperor War. It happened centuries ago. A conflict that didn't just end nations—it shattered the balance of the entire world. The gods themselves were forced to intervene."
Sarah caught the gravity in his tone. "What do you mean, 'shattered the balance'? What could be that devastating?"
"It started as a dispute between Emperors—beings with power comparable to gods," Kenta began, choosing his words carefully. "But it escalated into a cataclysm. The war lasted for decades, reducing entire civilizations to ash. The front lines were held by LR+ Rankers and higher, with the gods fighting alongside—and against—them."
Sarah listened, her awe warring with horror. "Gods had to intervene... How did it even end?"
"The ending was as brutal as the war itself," Kenta said. "When it seemed like all of human civilization would be wiped out, the gods enacted a final, desperate intervention to stop the bloodshed."
He paused, his voice dropping. "But the most terrifying part wasn't the gods or the Emperors. It was the individuals who were stronger than both."
"Stronger than gods?" Sarah whispered, her disbelief palpable.
Kenta nodded. "They were known as the Pillars of the Naein Clan. A family of warriors, sages, and fighters so powerful they became a threat to every other faction in the war."
He began to list the legends, his voice a low recitation of forgotten history.
"First was Ryuhei Naein, the Void Emperor and clan leader, an LR++ Ranker. He had six children, each an Emperor in their own right. His first two sons were said to be Beyonder Rankers, even stronger than he was."
Sarah tried to process the scale of such power. "A clan stronger than the gods... What were they like?"
"Ruthless," Kenta stated bluntly. "The Naein's were a nightmare. They slaughtered countless clans to expand their power, feared by all."
He listed the known heirs:
· Kyuren Naein, The Dragon Emperor: A Beyonder who could summon an infinite number of dragons, growing stronger with each one.
· Kanji Naein, The Demon Emperor: A Beyonder who slew the previous Demon Emperor. His former title was Ruler of Heavenly Flames.
· Himeko Naein, The Vampire Empress: An LR+ Ranker with undebatable witchcraft, capable of blood manipulation and commanding legions of vampires.
"The other three children's identities and powers remain a secret to this day," Kenta finished. "Rumors say the fourth was the Empress of Souls, the fifth the Emperor of Space, and the sixth... is considered the weakest Naein to ever exist."
"But the Naeins weren't the only players," he continued. "There were other powerful Emperors:"
· Hirogi, The Flame Emperor: The samurai who conquered seven nations.
· Behemoth, The Emperor of Beasts: A half-demon with cruel control over animals.
· The Empress of Spirits: A uniquely benevolent ruler who never conquered any land.
· Orion, The Emperor of Shadows: A master of dark magic and sword mastery, wielding the legendary Death Sword.
At the name 'Orion,' Sarah's entire body went rigid. Her fists clenched, knuckles white, and her expression darkened with a storm of bitter memory.
Kenta noticed immediately. "You seem to react strongly to Orion's name."
"Yeah," Sarah replied, her voice strained and tight. "I have my reasons."
"The war's toll was unimaginable," Kenta said softly, returning to his history. "The Naein Clan was responsible for killing over 500 Emperors. Only four non-Naein Emperors survived."
"Over 500...?" Sarah breathed, the number too vast to comprehend.
[System Alert: Cross-referencing data... Confirmed. Hostile Entity "Kanji Naein" from dungeon encounter is identical to "Kanji Naein, The Demon Emperor."]
The System's calm, digital voice delivered the bombshell with chilling clarity.
Sarah's blood ran cold. The memory of that dungeon—the effortless black flames, the overwhelming pressure, the feeling of being an insect—crashed back into her with horrifying context.
"Wait..." she stammered, her face pale. "Kanji... is the guy I fought in the dungeon?"
The realization was a physical blow. She had challenged a Beyonder Ranker, a being who had slain gods and emperors.
"Oh my god," she muttered, her heart hammering against her ribs. "It was him. I almost died to... a legend."
The gap between her and her goal had just become a chasm.
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