The journey to Yamabuki Village was a grueling thirty-six-day trek through untamed wilderness and rugged terrain. Along the way, Yoshi and his companions encountered countless travelers, campers, and explorers. They offered their assistance wherever they could, providing protection from bandits and creatures, guidance through treacherous paths, and even charity to those in desperate need. Their kindness left a trail of gratitude in their wake, but their path was not without peril. They faced formidable monsters and supernatural threats, each battle a test of their resolve and skill. Yet, they emerged victorious every time, their bond strengthening with each victory.
As they neared the outskirts of the village, Joseph broke the comfortable silence that had settled over them. His voice carried a mixture of nostalgia and wonder.
"You know," he began, glancing at his companions, "our journey is almost coming to an end. Back when we started, it felt... impossible. The obstacles we faced, the ones we overcame—and the ones we still haven’t—it's been something else."
A small smile played on his lips as he continued, "But I believe, at the end of it all, peace will reign. It always does, doesn’t it?"
Joseph's tone lightened as he added with enthusiasm, "And now that my XPT is fully restored, training with you guys feels better than ever. It's... exhilarating." He paused, as if something had just come to mind. "That reminds me!" he exclaimed, turning to face his companions. "Yoshi! Lyra!"
Yoshi and Lyra exchanged a glance before focusing their attention on Joseph, curiosity flickering in their eyes.
"I’ve been meaning to ask," Joseph said, his expression growing thoughtful. "How is it that the Treasure of Order is more effective than the Relic of Servitude? You two weren’t holding back at all when it came to the Treasure of Order, but with the Relic, you always seemed... restrained."
He paused for a breath, his gaze darting between the two as if searching for hidden answers. Then, with sudden energy, he exclaimed, "And don’t think I didn’t notice during our training sessions! You’ve both been holding back there, too. But thanks to the Treasure of Order, I finally got a glimpse of what you’re truly capable of."
Joseph’s grin widened with excitement. "That was insane! Absolutely sick!" He turned to Lyra, his eyes gleaming. "And Lyra, the way you mimicked most of my XPT techniques and abilities? That was epic!"
His tone grew softer, almost wistful. "Too bad I had to save you both—and the entire village—before things could really get interesting. Honestly, though, I was enjoying that spar more than I should’ve been."
Yoshi simply replied with a calm, "Good to know," while Lyra exhaled a soft sigh, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.
“Wait… are you serious? Is that all you’re going to say?” Joseph’s voice rose in mock indignation, his hands gesturing dramatically. He launched into a theatrical mimicry, his tone shifting between high and low pitches as he spoke. “Oh, Joseph! We’re so sorry we’ve been holding back during your training sessions. And now that you’ve seen a glimpse of what we can really do—thanks to the Treasure of Order—it’s only fair that we promise to fight you fair and square from now on!”
He folded his arms and tilted his head, his exaggerated expression a blend of sarcasm and amusement. “Seriously, not even an apology?”
Joseph paused, tapping his chin as though deep in thought. “Hmm… maybe the Treasure of Manipulation will do a better job than the Treasure of Order,” he muttered, half to himself.
Lyra’s eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin. “What the hell, Joseph?” she snapped, her voice sharp. “Do you honestly think Yoshi and I enjoy being manipulated by some cursed treasure or relic? Do you think it’s fun trying to fight for control of ourselves while under someone else’s power? Because it’s not. It’s exhausting, frustrating, and humiliating.”
Joseph raised a brow, unfazed by her outburst. “Wait, are you saying that even when you were being controlled, you were still holding back?” he asked with an incredulous scoff, rolling his eyes. “Please.”
Lyra’s glare could have melted steel. Joseph’s smirk faltered as he realized he might have gone too far. “Okay, okay!” he blurted out, holding his hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry! That was out of line.”
Lyra’s expression softened slightly, though her irritation lingered. After a moment, she sighed and replied, “Fine. I forgive you. But don’t expect any promises.” She crossed her arms and added, almost as an afterthought, “I’ll try not to hold back next time. No guarantees, though.”
Joseph grinned, his earlier bravado returning. “Fair enough. That’s all I ask.”
The group’s conversation faded into silence as they approached the gates of Yamabuki Village. The air here was calm, the village seemingly untouched by the chaos that had plagued other regions. Its streets were orderly, its homes intact, and not a single sign of danger could be seen or felt.
“Looks like everything’s under control,” Joseph remarked, glancing around. “Nothing like Kurohama Village.”
Yoshi nodded in agreement, but Lyra frowned, her gaze distant. “Outwardly, yes,” she said quietly. “But something’s troubling them. I can feel it.”
Joseph tilted his head. “Through empathy?”
Lyra nodded. “The villagers are yearning for someone—someone dear to them. A protector, maybe. The name Akari Yoshimura keeps surfacing in their emotions.”
“Akari Yoshimura?” Joseph repeated, the name unfamiliar on his tongue.
“Yes,” Lyra replied, her voice steady. “He was a hero to these people.”
Before anyone could respond, a new voice cut through the air. “You’re correct.”
The group turned to see a cluster of warriors approaching. Clad in armor and bearing weapons, they radiated an air of authority. Their leader, a tall figure with piercing eyes, stepped forward and addressed them with a respectful bow.
“Welcome to Yamabuki Village,” the leader said. His gaze swept over the group before settling on one of Yoshi’s companions—a traveler from the village itself. The leader’s expression softened as he inclined his head toward them. “It’s an honor to have you here. But as we speak, there is a dire situation that demands attention. The village head and the elders humbly request your presence, my prince.”
The leader’s words hung heavily in the air. As Yoshi and his companions exchanged glances, the traveler stepped forward, their face a mix of surprise and apprehension. Without hesitation, they nodded.
“Of course,” the traveler replied, their voice steady despite the weight of the leader’s words.
The warriors parted to allow the group passage, and as they moved forward, Joseph couldn’t help but whisper to himself, “This just got interesting.”
As Yoshi, Lyra, Joseph, and their comrades were escorted to the village's community hall, the travelers from other regions were taken care of by the village warriors. The warriors guided them to their quarters, ensuring they had a place to rest and recover from the journey.
The community hall was a modest but well-maintained structure, its walls adorned with symbols of protection and relics from Yamabuki's storied history. Inside, the village head—a resolute woman whose presence commanded respect—stood surrounded by the village elders. Their expressions were somber, their faces etched with the weight of years of hardship and responsibility.
Once everyone was seated, the village head wasted no time. Her voice carried both urgency and sorrow as she began recounting their plight.
“For years, our village has been under siege by monsters,” she began, her tone steady despite the emotions brimming beneath the surface. “These creatures have sought the Relic of Immortality, a treasure we cannot part with. Our warriors have fought valiantly to protect it and the lives of our people, but the cost has been devastating.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping across Yoshi and his companions. “Before I was sworn in as the village head, the history of our struggles was passed down to me, just as it was to those who led before me. But there is more to this history—more pain, more sacrifice.”
Her voice grew heavier as she continued. “The attacks have been relentless. Some monsters came for the relic, others merely to wreak havoc. Each battle left us weaker. Our village diminished, crops withered, and despair took root. Even the Relic of Immortality—a symbol of hope—could do little to save us. To wield it comes at a terrible cost: sacrificing both mortality and immortality. It is as much a curse as it is a blessing.”
Her hands clenched as she recounted the sacrifices of their warriors. “Our finest fighters gave their lives to protect us, yet the monsters always regrouped. Each wave of attacks grew deadlier. The previous village head—driven to the brink by the endless bloodshed—resolved to use the relic herself, though she knew the price it demanded. But before she could, Akari Yoshimura stepped forward.”
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The mention of the name brought a faint glimmer of pride to her otherwise grief-stricken expression.
“Akari Yoshimura,” she continued, “was our last hope. A hybrid—part human, part angel—his youth and unique nature made him formidable. As a C-Rank Tier 9 Knight-Hunter, he was responsible for protecting vast territories and countering threats capable of devastating entire continents. His dedication to this village went beyond duty; it was his home, his people.”
She took a breath, her voice trembling slightly. “Even with his immense strength and skill, Akari knew he couldn’t defeat the monsters alone. He urged the village head to give him the relic. At first, she refused—she knew the relic’s power would consume him. But Akari was unwavering. He understood the price and was willing to pay it. His only concern was saving the village.”
Her gaze grew distant, as though recalling the fateful moment. “Reluctantly, she gave him the relic. He absorbed its power and became fully immortal. Though he was already partially immortal due to his angelic heritage, the relic solidified his immortality. With this newfound strength, Akari singlehandedly vanquished the monsters that plagued us. He didn’t stop there—he hunted them down, eliminating threats to our village before they could reach us.”
Her voice softened, laced with both admiration and sorrow. “For years, he maintained his sanity, wielding the relic’s power with remarkable control. No monsters dared set foot in our village. When Akari finally returned, many years had passed. The village he fought so hard to protect had flourished in his absence, rebuilt by the peace his sacrifices secured. He was hailed as a hero, and his bravery became the foundation of our most cherished stories.”
The hall fell silent, the weight of her words settling over Yoshi and his companions. The tale of Akari Yoshimura was both inspiring and tragic—a testament to the price of heroism and the burden of immortality.
The village head's voice grew somber as she continued her story, her words resonating with deep sorrow.
“When Akari Yoshimura returned to the village, he was no longer the same. The place he had fought so valiantly to protect had transformed in ways he struggled to recognize. At first, he tried to accept these changes, but as time passed, he began to lose his grip on reality. The Relic of Immortality had altered him profoundly after years of relentless battle.”
She paused, her gaze dropping momentarily, as if the weight of her memories threatened to overwhelm her.
“He watched as those he once fought beside aged and died peacefully. His loved ones, too, passed on, leaving him behind. The world around him became meaningless. No harm could come to him, no release from his eternal torment. The relic had sealed his fate—an existence untouched by the passage of time. What was once a gift became a curse.”
Her voice faltered as she recounted his torment. “Akari tried everything to sever his connection to the relic, but all his efforts failed. In his despair, he even attempted to end his own life, yet death eluded him. And then, after years of peace, the monsters returned. Akari, still the hero at heart, stepped forward to protect the village. But this time, his battles weren’t just against the monsters. He was fighting his inner demons, too.”
The village head’s voice trembled as she recounted the turning point. “After vanquishing the monsters effortlessly, Akari’s fragile sanity gave way. Hallucinations consumed him, and he began to perceive everyone around him as enemies. In his madness, he became a threat to the very people he had sworn to protect. His actions nearly destroyed us.”
Her expression softened, tinged with sorrow and admiration. “But even in the depths of his insanity, Akari fought to regain control. Somehow, he managed to overcome his delusions, if only briefly. When he realized the horrors he had inflicted upon us, guilt consumed him. He apologized for his actions and took full responsibility. Then, with a heavy heart, he chose to banish himself from our village.”
She straightened, her eyes meeting those of Yoshi and his companions. “Before he left, Akari confided in me. He shared his struggles, his torment, and his desire for peace. I swore to him that I would find a way to help him, no matter the cost. Please, my prince, and you, royal witch—save Akari Yoshimura from himself. It is the only kindness he deserves. Even now, he fights monsters in their domain, ensuring they never reach our village. His sacrifice is why we remain safe.”
With that, the village head revealed the location Akari had shared with her. Yoshi, Lyra, and Joseph listened intently, their hearts heavy with the weight of her plea. They now understood the somber mood of the villagers and the depth of Akari’s sacrifice.
Rising from their seats, they made their promise. “We will do everything in our power to grant Akari the peace he deserves,” Yoshi vowed.
The village head bowed deeply in gratitude. “Thank you,” she said.
As they prepared to leave, Yoshi turned to the rest of his companions. “Stay here and assist the villagers however you can. Work alongside their warriors in case anything unexpected arises.” With their duties delegated, Yoshi, Lyra, and Joseph ventured out toward the location given to them.
***
While traversing the dense forest path, Joseph broke the silence. “Do you really think we can kill him? I mean, putting him to rest seems almost... impossible.”
Yoshi’s expression was thoughtful, but his tone was firm. “Akari’s immortality is tied to the relic. His connection to it is absolute. The relic has kept him alive through battles, losses, and centuries of anguish. Unless he severs that connection himself, no force—neither magic nor might—can end his life.”
Lyra nodded solemnly. “And even if we manage to face him, we must prepare for the possibility that his insanity could still cloud his judgment. This won’t be an easy task.”
Joseph sighed. “So, we’re going up against a battle-hardened, immortal hybrid with nothing to lose. Great.”
Despite his sarcasm, the trio pressed on, their resolve unwavering. They knew the journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but they were determined to fulfill their promise—for the sake of the village, and for Akari Yoshimura.
"With that relic, not even death could claim his soul," Lyra said thoughtfully, her voice carrying a mix of admiration and concern. "The best way to approach this is to reason with him, to appeal to what remains of his humanity. Any form of violence—physical or mental—would be pointless. You cannot kill an immortal. Even imprisoning him would only delay the inevitable. He would eventually break free, unchanged and unrelenting."
Joseph glanced at her, an eyebrow raised. "So, he's just like me in a way... but only because of the relic?"
Lyra nodded. "Yes, Joseph. You both share the burden of immortality, but his is bound to the relic's curse. Unlike you, his immortality isn't his natural state. It consumes him, a constant reminder of the price he paid."
She paused for a moment, then added, "However, if Akari were to face a power greater than the relic itself—something beyond its influence—he could be destroyed, truly and irreversibly. But such powers are exceedingly rare, and even if they existed, it wouldn't change the tragedy of his existence."
The moment Lyra spoke, Joseph shot her a sarcastic, rhetorical look that she immediately understood. Sighing, she made her stance clear before he could push further.
“Joseph! Are you seriously suggesting that Yoshi and I go all out right away? We should at least try to resolve this peacefully first,” she said, her voice tinged with concern.
Joseph opened his mouth, ready to cut her off, but she anticipated him.
“But,” she added, her tone steady, “if it comes to that… yes. We’ll do whatever is necessary to save him.”
Joseph sighed, running a hand through his hair. "So, the only solution is to talk to him, convince him to sever his connection to the relic on his own."
"Exactly," Lyra affirmed. "Only he can choose to let go of the relic. Until then, nothing we do can bring him the peace he deserves."
Yoshi, who had been silently observing the conversation, finally spoke. "Then we'll find him and give him that choice. If there's still a part of him that longs for freedom, we have to help him find it. But if not..." He trailed off, his expression darkening. "Then we must prepare for the worst."
The group continued their journey, the weight of their task growing heavier with each step.