After closing the lid of the box, Ryuken pulled it into his own space ring. He didn’t reveal the supposed ’reward’ to anyone and only revealed a quaint smile. Soon, his head turned to the emperor, his eyes narrowing with curiosity and a hint of suspicion. "Who really is Masamune Byakuya?" Ryuken asked via the isolated voice message, his voice low but filled with intensity. "He helped me discover what I couldn’t in both of my lives. And I refuse to believe the story he told me that day as well. There’s no way someone as powerful as him part of just some fallen noble clan. Also, he had a lot of bloodline skills that his Majesty, the emperor’s lineage do not possess. Was he just some random saint you brought to assist me, or is there a greater secret behind his existence?" he queried in an earnest tone. By no means, was Sasakibe Ryuken a fool. If anything he was certain of after his encounter with Kahn/Byakuya... that the latter was far too powerful and also distinct than everyone he had met and fought so far ever since he became the Hero of Space. The emperor, sitting quietly in his majestic robes, looked up at the moon glowing in the night sky. His expression was serene, yet his words carried a weight that resonated deeply. "He is on a journey similar to yours," Hideyoshi began, his tone contemplative. "A path he was meant to walk years ago. The main difference between you two is simply this… he has already decided to forge his destiny with his own hands. And one thing is for sure… he isn’t the kind to abide by the rules. Rather… He creates his own rules." iterated Emperor Hideyoshi, his expression filled with appreciation for some reason. Ryuken’s brows furrowed as he processed the emperor’s words. There was something enigmatic about Masamune Byakuya, something that set him apart. He wasn’t merely a guide or an ally; he was a man on a mission, driven by a purpose that seemed to mirror Ryuken’s own. Yet he had no idea… if or when he’d meet this mysterious man ever again. ****************** 10 Days Later… Thousands of kilometers away, a gigantic black castle flew in the sky with the speed of lightning. This ginormous and tall black castle that spanned 5 kilometers in width and 1 kilometer in height, floated quietly in the cloudy sky, not even leaving behind a shadow or any sound as it remained undetected even to the clouds in the sky. "How long?" asked Kahn. Kahn was now back to his original appearance, adorning his signature dark gray longcoat made of the legendary rank monster’s skin. He, Omega, and Vildred were currently escorted by Lucian Varangis, the tall, burly, golden-haired vampire. This vampire was the right-hand man of the Revenant Sovereign and was a 7th-stage saint himself. Yet a man of his strength and status was merely acting like a guide and also a guardian to Kahn. "Just a few more hours, young lord." replied the vampire saint in a respectful tone. 3 Hours Later… The flying Bran Castle finally arrived in the capital of the Belmont Kingdom, a land famously known as the Kingdom of Vampires. The sight that greeted Kahn as they descended was both surreal and fascinating. The vast majority of the architecture resembled victorian era Europe while the large cities had multiple floor systems where roads and districts were connected perfectly to each other. Although the weather was mostly cloudy and rainy, the citizens of this kingdom managed everything just about as easily as breathing. "Where am I? In Yharnam?" wondered Kahn. To him, the capital they had arrived in resembled a lot of old London or Paris if he were to make comparisons with Earth. The majority of the population here were vampires, but the society was an eclectic mix, featuring demihumans, monster species, and even elves. However, these were not the typical elves Kahn expected; they were Dark Elves, their presence a stark contrast to the woodland dwellers he had imagined. Stay connected through empire As Kahn surveyed the bustling kingdom, he noticed creatures that appeared to be akin to the Undead, yet they possessed life and flesh like any other being. His eyes widened as he took in the sheer variety of species coexisting in harmony. "The diversity here exceeds even that of the Rakos Empire." said Kahn in a serious tone. There were arachnid-like beings, towering over the crowds with their multi-limbed forms, and gigantic animals that spoke with the eloquence of scholars. Some wore intricate jewelry and finely tailored clothes where their bodies allowed. Among the crowd, a goose and a panda sold soup noodles to those attending their small restaurant, a peculiar yet oddly fitting sight. Then there was a green ogre walking alongside a talking donkey. Kahn’s gaze then fell upon a massive three-headed wolf, standing ten meters tall, with darkness seemingly oozing from its fur. The wolf’s eyes glowed menacingly, yet it mingled calmly with the rest of the citizens. What struck Kahn most was the lack of any visible hierarchy or division between humanoid species and monster races. They lived together as if part of a single, cohesive civilization, each contributing to the community without prejudice. Flying above were black gargoyles and humanoid beings with bat-like wings. Kahn even spotted colossal humanoids, their veins glowing with eerie, luminous blood, horns resembling demons, and wings that mimicked those of ravens. But this was just normal people going about their business. Kahn’s final destination, was on the different edge of the capital. ****************** After they landed in a secluded area of the capital, presumably the living estate of the Revenant Sovereign, they were greeted by an army of Royal Knights. Kahn had already met these people when they arrived at the Erdve Empire the first time, so he wasn’t taken aback. Amidst the extraordinary crowd, Kahn’s attention was drawn to a figure approaching him... a 2-meter tall demihuman with almost metallic white skin, and the head of a buck adorned with golden antlers. His regal bearing and the scrolls tucked under his arm indicated his role. "Welcome, esteemed guests." the man spoke in a voice as smooth as silk, bowing slightly. "I am the royal scribe, here to guide you." he spoke. Soon, a massive 4-meter-tall being also walked came forward. After a while, they entered a massive grand hall of the main castle, that was 3 times the size of the Bran Castle both in width and height. The line of guards and servants welcoming them here wasn’t lacking either. "This is Boris, one of my generals." said Lucian, his voice reverberating through the grand hall. Lucian then gestured toward the towering figure, a being that stood three meters tall. His entire form was encased in black armor, and emerald flames danced across his body, including where his eyes should have been... replaced instead by burning fire. Boris was a 5th-stage saint, and his presence was imposing. Yet, despite his spectral appearance, it was evident that he was as sentient and intelligent as any other person in the room. And finally in the throne hall... was the Revenant Sovereign, waiting for Kahn and the company. Argos and Kahn found themselves in the hall, joined by Vildred, Lucian, Omega, and Rathnaar (in Kahn’s body). The nocturnal nature of the kingdom’s inhabitants meant that the real discussions were only just beginning. "I guess you have questions." Argos Belmont, the Revenant Sovereign, said, his tone both inviting and expectant. "Yes, a lot of them." Kahn responded without hesitation. The Martial Emperor had briefed Kahn about Argos, one of the four sovereigns. However, beyond that, the details were sparse. He needed answers to the growing mysteries surrounding Argos and his connection to the unfolding events. "Who exactly are you?" Kahn asked, his voice steady but filled with curiosity. "How did you know I would be present during the Conclave of Heroes? And what ties do you have with the God of Darkness?" Argos smiled, a knowing expression spreading across his face as he prepared to divulge the truth. "I have been looking after you for quite some time now." he began. "I possess relics passed down through generations that allowed me to detect your existence the moment you reached the first stage of sainthood." Argos paused, allowing Kahn to absorb the weight of his words before continuing. "As you can see, I am a vampire with extensive authority and deep connections. Your presence at the Conclave of Heroes was no mere coincidence; it was orchestrated by me through the Heavenly King of Fire, Romulus Lykaios, one of your mentors." Kahn’s eyes narrowed slightly as he processed this revelation. The web of connections was more intricate than he had imagined. "Although I received information about the Hero of Time’s regression through the Erdve Empire, specifically from Miyamoto Musashi, the sixth Hero of Space." explained Argos. "My plan was always to reveal my existence as your backer during the Conclave of Heroes." The room fell into a contemplative silence, the gravity of Argos’s revelations sinking in. Kahn realized that his path had been under watchful eyes for longer than he had known, guided by forces that had shaped the course of his destiny without his knowledge. "Why? What do you gain from this?" Kahn’s eyes narrowed as he tried to piece together Argos’s motivations. "Are you a believer of the God of Darkness?" he queried, seeking clarity on Argos’s true allegiance. Argos chuckled softly, his expression one of mild amusement. "I’ve never even prayed to any god in my entire life." he replied, his tone laced with both pride and defiance. "But what I do have... is a mission. A mission that required me to safeguard you until you’re able to fulfill certain conditions." Kahn’s curiosity deepened. "And what are those conditions?" he pressed, needing to understand the purpose that tied their fates together. Argos leaned forward slightly, his gaze intent and unwavering. "Well..." he began, a hint of mystery in his voice... "It’s better if you heard it from someone who also shares that lifelong mission of mine."