Part 3
Steam drifted gently over the crystalline waters of the onsen, beneath a sky where the moon never changed its phase.
Surrounded by cherry blossoms in eternal bloom and jade lanterns, this place existed nowhere in the physical world.
It was a sanctuary suspended between waking and dreaming.
A private dream realm, inhabited by a single deity.
—Mizuki-sama... —came a soft voice, breaking the silence.
The goddess half-opened her eyes, reclining against a warm rock in the water, her long silver hair floating around her like lunar silk.
—Hmm… is it urgent, Nagi? —she replied without moving.
The servant, with feline ears, white fur, and a calm expression, bowed respectfully.
—The Church of Estelaris has activated the summoning system.
—Ah... and?
—They've summoned five humans from the world of Minerva-sama —added the other servant, Mei, with dark hair and amber eyes, clearly more restless than her companion.
Mizuki sighed, raising a hand to catch a falling petal. She watched it twirl between her fingers with a lazy smile.
—Five, hmm… I suppose they haven't learned a thing since last time. How predictable.
Now they'll have to wait another thirty years before they can use the portal again. Bah, not my problem.
—The problem is… they've already expelled one for "incompetence" and are considering disposing of another because they see him as your mistake —Mei added, her tone slightly sharper.
—Should we intervene? —Nagi asked calmly, her tone unchanged.
—No. If they don't need me for war, then they don't need me for their stupid decisions either—Mizuki replied with a languid smile. —Besides, I'm busy watching something far more interesting...
She snapped her fingers, and one of the floating orbs around her lit up. Inside it, the image of a young man with dark hair walking beside a green-haired elf through a mist-covered forest appeared.
—Is that...? —Mei murmured.
—Haruto —Mizuki answered. —He's in Mythara, accompanied by a wind elf—I think her name was Yuna. They're far more entertaining than all the politics of Estelaris.
—And the newly summoned heroes?
—Let the Church use them as pawns on their board. I don't care. As long as they don't do something stupid or commit a taboo, I can't punish them...
Nagi stepped closer, lowering her voice.
—Actually... one of them pulled something from the Altar. A sword that, according to them, isn't in the records.
Mizuki's brow furrowed slightly. For the first time in the conversation, her eyes sharpened with focus.
—A sword not in the records?
—Rusty. Cracked. No class assigned. But when he touched it... the system didn't reject it. It simply remained silent.
—What's the boy's name?
—Kaito Amakawa.
The goddess closed her eyes. Her smile this time was different.
—So… Lunaris Edge has found someone worthy of her.
The two attendants exchanged a brief glance.
—Should we keep a closer watch on him, Mizuki-sama?
—Not yet. If that boy was truly chosen by her, then he doesn't need my guidance.
She extended a hand, letting a small azure orb float before her face.
Inside, it reflected an image of Kaito at that very moment, walking through Astralis with the sword wrapped on his back.
—It's been more than ten thousand years since anyone touched that blade… and lived to tell the tale —she whispered.
—Do you think he could be...?
—I don't know. But if the sword accepted him, it's because it has something to say. It doesn't wake for nostalgia.
She closed her hand, and the orb dissolved into a mist of light.
—Let him keep going. The world of humans has already rejected him… now we'll see whether he rejects the world—or bends it to his will.
With grace, she poured herself another cup of sake, letting the onsen's steam gently brush her face.
—Whatever decision they make, the fact that there are active heroes in the kingdom is... very convenient for Haruto. So... let's consider this human mistake a blessing for my plans.
She took a sip, once again relaxing in the hot water.
—Speak with Morgana. She'll know whether that boy is worth helping…
—And who knows… maybe he'll become a Lunaris.
—As you command, Mizuki-sama.
Both attendants bowed in unison and silently withdrew.
A new breeze stirred the cherry blossoms. Petals danced in the air. And the moon, as always, watched from above…
It was nighttime at the inn. The dim glow of lanterns lit the hallways, and silence began to settle over the building.
Kaito walked toward Seri's room at a steady pace, but once there, he hesitated for a few seconds before knocking.
—Hey, Seri —he called softly. —Could you come to my room for a minute? There's something important I want to show you.
A brief silence...
Then the door burst open.
—Are you some kind of pervert or what?! —Seri shouted, her face bright red as she wielded a pillow like a legendary weapon.
—No, no, no! It's not like that! Just hear me out! —Kaito said quickly, hands up in panic.
She blinked, still holding the pillow aloft.
—Something serious...?
—Yeah… it's personal. And since we're a team now, I want you to know.
—Whether you believe me or not is up to you... but we can't tell anyone else. Understood?
—Don't tell me you're actually the Demon King… —she asked, half joking, though a spark of genuine curiosity glimmered in her eyes.
Kaito sighed and crossed his arms.
—No... but you definitely have too much imagination —he muttered, resigned.
—Well, to be fair... that would've been a great twist —Seri said with a smirk and a shrug.
A little while later, they crossed the hall and entered Kaito's room.
The glow of a single candle cast soft shadows on the walls, and the window revealed a sliver of the night sky.
They sat on the carpet, facing each other, sharing a quiet but comfortable silence.
—Remember what the innkeeper said? That only three heroes were summoned this year.
—I remember. I also heard an elder in my tribe say that Estelaris usually summons five heroes from another world, and then they're joined by nobles or top adventurers from the kingdom.
—Then you already know... what the Church announced is a lie.
Seri blinked, surprised.
—A lie?
Kaito nodded, lowering his voice.
—Yes. There were five heroes summoned... just like the tradition says.
He paused, then said it:
—And I'm one of them.
Silence lingered for a few seconds.
—I was summoned along with the others, but they cast me aside —Kaito added. —They said I wasn't fit to be a hero… and kicked me out of the group without a word.
Seri looked down, as if trying to process every word.
Kaito clenched his fists unconsciously.
—So… technically, I'm a hero. But to this world… I'm just a mistake.
—But… if you were summoned as a hero, shouldn't you have a divine weapon? —she asked cautiously.
Kaito stood up without saying anything and walked to the table.
He picked up something wrapped in white cloth, returned to her, and slowly unwrapped it.
The sword appeared. Rusted. Cracked. Nearly falling apart with time.
Seri stared at it, a mix of surprise and doubt in her eyes.
—What is that piece of junk...? If I stare at it any longer, it might disintegrate right in front of me.
—It's not junk —he said seriously. —This is my divine weapon... Lunaris Edge.
—But that's not the important part... I just wanted you to know. I think the Church is hiding something. Why would they discard two heroes? What are they trying to cover up?
—From what little you've told me, I'm almost certain the king knows nothing. I'd bet this was all done behind his back...
—Looks like you're pretty sharp, Seri.
—I told you, I'm not like the rest of the fire elves. Our average intelligence isn't very high... only mages go above the curve.
—So... you're dumb, but not that dumb? Something like that?
—Tch! How rude... Says the Hero of the Rusted Sword.
They looked at each other.
And then, shared a quiet laugh.
—Either way, I have to go to the ceremony tomorrow. There's something I need to see with my own eyes.
—What do you mean?
—I want to confirm who the other rejected hero was.
—If that's what you want, we'll go together. After all... we're a team, right?
—Yeah… a team. That sounds kind of funny.
For the first time in a long while, both of them felt like they belonged somewhere.
The word team echoed powerfully in their hearts.
They were no longer alone.
They had each other.