Forest Outside Mistral — Midnight
Moonlight filtered through the trees. Blade sat beside a dying campfire, gently brushing his horse's mane as he whispered into Communication Magic. His face softened.
"Father… Mother… little sister. Are you safe?"
Inside their modest home in Valerion City, Ironwood Kingdom, the image of his family appeared.
But instead of warmth, Blade saw horror.
His parents lay lifeless on the floor, shadows clinging to their bodies. His little sister screamed, her clothes soaked in blood.
"Onii-chan!! Please help—!!"
The killer turned slowly.
A twisted smile spread across the face of Mistral's Watcher Hero.
"So this is your family… how pitiful. Humans are always weak—dying like insects. That's how humans are. Kill what they love, and they break so easily."
The connection abruptly shattered—severed by a dangerous magical barrier.
---
Within Blade's Soul — The Battle of Memories
Blade's body convulsed violently. His fists clenched until blood seeped from his palms. Then he collapsed to his knees.
Shujin's voice thundered within him like a storm.
"No… impossible… this rage, this despair—these aren't my emotions…"
Memories surged.
The night he lost everything in his first life—his parents murdered by criminals.
A second life, another world… and once again, a family taken from him.
Shujin fell silent, his heartbeat echoing in the void. Then his voice softened, tinged with rare sorrow.
"Blade… I have endured this pain twice. Two worlds stole my family from me. But listen… trust me. I will avenge them. Not for you alone—for us."
For the first time, Blade's trembling soul replied, quiet but resolute.
"…Alright. I'll trust you."
A fragile bond was forged.
---
Blade's Family Home — Valerion City, Ironwood Kingdom
As Blade's sister sobbed weakly, the Watcher Hero wiped his blade clean and sneered at her.
"Oh… no one's coming to save you. He's too slow. Soon, no one will even remember your name."
Before he could strike—
Dark radiance engulfed the house.
Rei appeared, her eyes burning with fury.
"You dared to touch what belongs to him."
The Watcher Hero's grin twisted into terror.
"W-What?! You!? How—?!"
Rei's blade flashed.
It tore through his body at impossible speed. Black blood splattered across the walls as the Watcher Hero collapsed.
Blade's family lay still.
Rei trembled as she clasped her hands together. Shadows consumed the Watcher Hero's remains, erasing every trace of his existence.
"…Forgive me, Blade. I was too late."
She knelt beside the child's body, gently closing her eyes.
Blade's little sister had already passed before Rei arrived.
---
Arrival of the Authorities
Moments later, the house shook as knights stormed in.
"By royal order! Investigate the magical disturbance!"
Ironwood Royal Knights, accompanied by church priests carrying purified wards, surrounded the home. At their center stood Ryuto, one hand resting on his sword.
When he saw the bodies, his expression froze.
"No… this can't be…"
A hero knelt beside him.
"Lord Ryuto, these wounds… this wasn't done by human hands. This was demon work."
Ryuto's eyes narrowed as his trembling hand touched the floor. He sensed a fading residue of Shujin's dark aura.
"…Shujin?" he whispered, eyes widening.
A priest approached.
"Do you suspect him?"
Ryuto hesitated—then shook his head sharply.
"No… that makes no sense. If demons killed them, why is Shujin's aura here?"
His thoughts spiraled.
If he wasn't here… who was he fighting?
Or was he… the one behind it?
The commander bowed.
"There's no evidence, Sir Ryuto. We can't file a report. This case remains unresolved."
Ryuto clenched his fists, silently staring one last time at the lifeless family.
Shujin… what are you hiding from us?
---
Forest — Blade Awakens
Blade's body jerked awake, breath ragged.
Inside him, Shujin's presence whispered softly.
"They're gone. But those responsible will pay… every last one."
Blade clutched his chest, tears streaming as his eyes shook.
For the first time, he and Shujin shared the same emotion—
Loss.
"…Strange… these aren't my tears…"
The fire crackled, casting long, distorted shadows.
The night over Velgrith grew darker.
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✨ End of Chapter 16 ✨
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