Chapter : 04
The Beginning, Part 3
Omniscient POV
“I… Who am I…? I am… Saber.”
The emblem on Ars’s left hand glowed deep crimson.
“Uh… Saber-san, why are you here?” Ars asked.
“It’s too much trouble to explain everything. While thinking about your previous question, touch that tree. Also, think about Heroic Spirits and the Throne of Heroes.”
The voice was cold.
“Will I really understand anything that way?” he asked, half in doubt.
For the past few days, he had been trying to understand the World Tree and the strange things he had begun to see—mana. Nothing had happened when he touched them before, so doubt was natural.
“You’re really slow. Just touch it already.”
Feeling a gaze upon him, he obeyed.
The moment his hand touched the tree, it was different this time. Golden light spread from his arm to his whole body. He felt a clear connection. Even emotions were conveyed.
Joy. Excitement.
“…Did you… kill my parents?”
His voice trembled, but he didn’t look away.
Emotions swirled, tangled, and complex. Sadness.
Golden letters appeared.
‘NO’
Ars exhaled without realizing he had been holding his breath. His chest pounded fiercely.
It could be a lie. Still, he wanted to believe it. There was no malice in the feeling.
Tears fell. Green light surrounded him, melting fatigue and pressure.
He understood he was being comforted.
“Tell me. What are you? What does a guardian do?”
‘I am the World Tree. All life on this planet is connected to me. The true duty of a guardian is to safely connect me to other planes.’
“Other planes?”
‘I will explain when the time comes. For now, live.’
He didn’t press further.
“What is she? Why is she here? Heroic Spirits and the Throne of Heroes?”
Once again, light burst, and knowledge flowed directly into him: Heroic Spirits, Servants, Command Seals, the Throne of Heroes.
He understood everything without any explanation.
But the burden was heavy. His breathing grew ragged.
When he withdrew his hand, the light vanished.
“…Back then, really… nothing could be done?”
After a pause, a voice answered.
“When I was summoned, your parents were already dead. You were the only one still alive.”
He shivered and took a deep breath.
He bowed his head.
“Thank you for saving my life. I will never forget. I am grateful to you and the World Tree.”
Branches swayed, leaves danced.
“No thanks are needed. I merely fulfilled the agreement.”
“Still… thank you.”
A click of the tongue.
“Stand. We’re going.”
“Wait. Your real name? Can’t you show your form?”
“Not necessary. Saber is fine. I like being invisible.”
“Then… can I call you… Hero?”
A long silence.
“I am not a hero. Heroes do not fail. Call me Saber. I will protect you in danger. Come tomorrow. I will teach you the basics of self-defense.”
Pain tinged the voice.
The wind stopped. Presence vanished.
That night, Ars learned even more: magic, gods, rogue gods, Campione.
The world was deeper than he had imagined.
From the next day, basic sword training began. Only the sword could be partially visualized.
Three months passed.
Sumiko’s condition worsened.
The World Tree had been consuming a huge amount of mana. The rest was needed to maintain barriers and supply Saber.
Eventually, the feared moment came.
Sumiko passed away after twenty-five years of illness.
After the funeral.
“You shouldn’t be here alone,” said Nao.
Hiro tried to persuade him too.
But Ars refused.
He ran to his room and wept.
There, he saw a small girl.
A blonde girl with a blue scrunchie in her hair. A cartoon was stuck to her face.
“Nao-san…?”
The girl opened her eyes.
“Mama?”
A misrecognition.
Realizing, she quickly smacked her nose.
“S-sorry!”
“Who are you?”
“Hayasaka Ai. I came with my mother.”
Eventually, they exchanged names, and she left.
That night, Hiro entered the room.
Silence.
“Why me alone?”
A trembling voice.
“Everyone will be gone.”
Hiro didn’t interrupt.
“Grandmother was strong. She never hated life.”
He spoke quietly.
“Do not cling to the dead. Live. Move forward.”
Rough but warm hands rested on his head.
“But… it hurts.”
“Yes. Pain is natural. It is proof of how important it was.”
Ars rested his forehead on Hiro’s arm, quietly trembling.
Outside, the night wind swayed.
In an unseen place, the World Tree and a certain woman were also watching over him, sharing the same pain.
