Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1057  The Hero of Space

Kahn was simply bewildered after hearing the current Hero of Space's origin story, wondering if he was the main character of this saga. "This guy checks every single box," Kahn mused, placing his fingers on his chin in contemplation.

What Miyamoto Musashi recounted about the Hero of Space was merely a summary. The tale was rich with classic elements that define a protagonist's journey. Witnessing the death of loved ones is a standard origin story for many heroes—a prime example being a billionaire who dressed as a bat to fight crime.

Similarly, the Hero of Space spent decades training under master-level warriors, much like the billionaire who honed his skills under Asian ninjas and African tribes before returning to his city to combat injustice. The Hero of Space followed the archetypal path of defying fate and surpassing all his predecessors in his bloodline.

Just the Hero's journey to find and make those divine spirits would be enough to provide a plotline for a whole arc. Contracting with 5 and then even going beyond to subdue 2 more demonic spirits was enough for half the story. Then returning to exact revenge and finally reclaiming his rightful place as the ruler of the country… By the very definition, the Hero of Space was the Main Character. [Hell, there's a whole genre in entertainment media over centuries in historical literature and folklore that had this classic setup.

Add in support characters and establish proper world building… One could write an entire novel with those ideas alone.] spoke Kahn to himself. That's why even Kahn couldn't help but wonder whether it was the Hero of Space who was supposed to be the main protagonist of this story. [Imagine reading a novel for more than a thousand chapters just to realize that all of this was just the prologue before the main character was finally introduced.

Forget others, I myself will break the dimensional barrier and hunt down that fucking bastard author.] he spoke in an exasperated tone. But in front of his sensei, Kahn used a different tone to address his surprise…

"Very admirable and inspiring I must say. On earth, he would have become a historical figure for future generations." said Kahn, acknowledging the strength and valor of the current Hero of Space.

"But how did he end up as the Hero of Space? You said he is the same age as me, but in your case, you were summoned at the end of your life." he queried.

But the very next moment… the sword saint's countenance turned serious.

"Not everyone gets a happy ending. Just a year later… Foreigners came to his lands.

With their advanced weaponry and naval combat skills, while possessing the power of magic, they made a quick footing and established strongholds over the coasts of his country.

The country itself was not even stabilized after the civil war and the newly established regiment of officials were barely settled… but the sudden invasion put the warring country into chaos very quickly." explained the sensei.

[Eh… this feels like something I've read already.

From the fall of the Shogunate, then becoming the First Unifier of his country and then foreigners invading his lands via ships…

So this guy basically lived through 3 different eras of Japan's history in his single lifetime.] thought Kahn to himself.

"In the end, the Hero of Space made a decisive battle with the invaders, leading their country to victory." iterated the sword saint.

Kahn then spoke…

"I sense a 'BUT' coming."

"Hah! You're right."

Musashi lightly chuckled as he responded...

"In the final battle, he burnt his entire life force and used all the Spirits excessively, just to save the lives of thousands of soldiers from his army troops.

After the war… he fell sick and was on the brink of death from the severe backlash.

But he made sure that the people would not suffer from another invasion and that no other civil war would occur before his demise.

However… it was just moments before his death, that the God of Space summoned him, showing him the truth of his world and how it was just one of the infinite universes and timelines in the multiverse." explained Miyamoto Musashi.

"After finding that his reality was just a speck of dust in the grand scheme of things… he quickly took up the responsibility.

He had seen war and bloodshed since young age. He related to the suffering of the weak and poor since he spent decades living among them while hiding his true identity.

He always thought that as the rightful ruler, it was his responsibility and life's purpose to protect the innocent and weak.

To put it simply… he is a man of Honor." iterated the sword saint.

Kahn gave an understanding nod. Although he wasn't keen on following something like the Code of Honor akin to Bushido that the Samurai practiced… he certainly knew few people who followed them.

First, it was Maximus Gladius, the Hero of Nature whom he met in the Beast Empire. And now, it was the Hero of Space.

"To meet him… we will have to give you a separate new identity." said the sensei.

"I already have one in mind. But you will have to help me use the name of some of your Daiymos." responded Kahn and thus began the preparations for his official meeting with the Hero of Space.

----------------

Meanwhile, in a separate realm created for the sole purpose of training a powerful saint… an intriguing scenario came to be.

Amidst thousands of shattered mountains and craters big enough to encompass a small town, stood a half-naked warrior with waist-length black hair and glowing mauve-colored eyes.

His ripped upper body filled with glowing black, red and blue tattoos was now riddled with slashing wounds and the katana in his hand was releasing a dense form of the space force. If Kahn were to be present here, he could tell that it wasn't the conventional space force and neither was it cosmic aether… rather an evolved form of the former created by this man himself.

Crack!

A void crack opened and a gray-haired samurai entered this realm.

"You have been training hard. To see that you became a 6th-stage saint just in 6 months… it makes me proud." said this man in royal attire.

"I greet the Tennō Heika (His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor)." said this saint warrior as he knelt on one knee.

This was Sakamoto Hideyoshi, the Emperor of the Empire of Space.

The emperor gazed at the warrior's wounds and spoke,

"You do not need to push yourself so far. You have been like this ever since you returned from the Conclave of Heroes." he stated.

"What can I do? I have fallen behind so badly despite all the training and hard work." responded the samurai warrior. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Do not say that. Compared to the previous 3 Heroes of Space, your progress in just 8 years, to even become a 5th-stage saint is commendable." said Hideyoshi in a benign tone.

But the Hero of Space's expression turned sullen and harrowed.

"Yet, compared to the Hero of Darkness who was summoned just 6 years ago, already becoming a 6th-stage saint despite being hunted by all the empires… I am nothing remarkable.

The dominance he displayed, the unwavering fortitude in the way he talked and carried himself in front of all of the emperors, empresses, and heroes…

He made me realize that I'm still not worthy to carry the burden of saving this world from the Demon God." iterated the Hero with a sense of admiration but also with a guilty heart.

"Comparison is the thief of joy." said Sakamoto Hideyoshi as he looked at the destroyed 50-kilometer radius.

Chuckle!

"Hah! For me… it a good competition, and source of motivation." said the Hero, and soon, his wounds healed in an instant as he summoned a set of black hakama (traditional japanese indoor clothes for samurai and nobility in 16th-century). "Let's go. It's time you meet your new party members." said the Emperor.

However, the Hero's expression stiffened as he spoke...

"I am still against replacing my allies just because they were severely injured during the trials of the God of Space.

I do not abandon people just because they're no longer useful to me." stated the Hero firmly.

"Do not worry. They're just temporary substitutes. Both of them were against it more than you." said the Emperor and opened a void crack to leave this realm.

As he turned his face, a content smile appeared on the old Emperor's face, satisfied by the answer that the Hero did not like throwing away people like mere chess pieces.

This was a man chosen by Raum, the God of Space.

A man who did not shy away from hardships, or his responsibilities and even acknowledged the difference of caliber when someone was better than him.

A man of honor and moral code, embodying the spirit of a Samurai…

The 10th Hero of Space… Sasakibe Ryuken.