The Butler, Unbound

They stepped inside the castle. The sun’s warmth was gone—only the faint flicker of wall lanterns guided their path. Several royal guards saluted Raizen as they passed or walked silently down the corridors.

Raizen’s voice echoed quietly, “I remember this place well. Stay close. No one will question you.”

Sumire raised a brow. “You’re quite the celebrity here, Mr. Butler.”

Kenzo smirked. “After all, he’s the personal butler of their beloved king.”

Kaminari glanced around. “Forget all that. Where’s Kuroshin?”

Raizen stopped. “We’re not here to fight. Not yet.”

They continued through another corridor, where more guards stood watch.

Raizen gestured casually. “This path leads to a trap. The Chamber Guards are posted just to confuse intruders.”

One of the walking guards saluted. “Sir! Who are these individuals with you?”

Raizen didn’t hesitate. “They’re here for a performance in front of Kuroshin-sama. You see the samurai, the girl, and the man with the beast mark? Yes, it’s that type of drama.”

The guard nodded. “Unusual for Kuroshin-sama, but I trust you. Best of luck. I hope he enjoys the show.”

Raizen nodded back and moved on.

They turned into a hallway leading toward the fortress’s central hall.

“This way leads to the fortress hall,” Raizen said. “It’s where Kuroshin assembles his guards to give orders.”

As they walked, Sumire suddenly stopped.

Kenji noticed. “What’s the matter, Sumire?”

Raizen also turned. “Hey, why’d you stop?”

Sumire stared toward a glowing passage. “Something’s pulling me there. It feels… different. Can I go that way?”

Raizen paused, then nodded. “You’re a light user, after all. But take this card.”

He handed her a stamped card. “This is my approval. Show it if anyone questions you. But be careful. That passage might be a trap—or a restricted zone.”

Sumire nodded and parted ways. The rest continued down the hall. Guards bowed respectfully as they passed.

Kaminari whispered, “You sure Sumire will be okay?”

Raizen smiled. “She’s more mature than you, Kaminari. She’ll be fine.”

They entered a massive open hall within the fortress.

High above, a man with a wooden wand sat silently, eyes closed.

Great Saint: (I feel him. Raizen? Why is he here?)

Flashback—Inside Kuroshin’s chamber

The General stood before Kuroshin, panting.

"My lord! A huge incident has occurred."

Kuroshin turned slowly. “Speak.”

“The Black Lotus Seal on your butler—Raizen—it’s broken.”

Kuroshin's eyes narrowed. “Already? Who could’ve broken your seal?”

“I don’t know, my lord, but Raizen’s true powers and memories have returned.”

The Great Saint, watching silently behind, clenched his fist. (This changes everything.)

Back in the present—

The Saint opened his eyes. (Why is he here? Is he under orders? Or… is something else going on?)

Raizen noticed the Saint from afar. He whispered urgently, “Kenzo! Grab Kenji and run. No time for questions. Head for the front gate.”

Kenzo nodded. “Roger!”

In a flash, Kenzo lifted Kenji and sprinted. Raizen grabbed Kaminari and dashed with thunderous speed.

The Saint blinked. “They vanished? No… they escaped. But why? Why come here at all? Is Raizen apologizing to Kuroshin? Or was he manipulated again?”

He slammed his wand onto the ground. The surroundings darkened, revealing glowing orange heat signatures.

“This aura… that’s Raizen. But where is his heat?”

He scanned the room—body after body—until he stopped. “Found him.”

Elsewhere in the castle…

Sumire followed the path of light. She gently opened a door and peeked inside.

“A library?” she murmured. “There’s a library inside the castle?”

She stepped inside, wandering between shelves. Pulling down a book, she read aloud, “Introduction to Body Sealing Techniques and How to Perform Them.”

Her eyes widened. “A sealing book? Wait—”

She checked another. Then another.

“Every book here… is about sealing.”

Back with the Saint—

He arrived at a training ground where the General was instructing guards in spear-throwing.

“General!” the Saint called out.

The General turned. “Eh? Oh, it’s you. What is it?”

“I have a question. Did you… ever reapply your sealing technique on Raizen?”

The General blinked. “Now that you mention it, no. I never redid the ritual.”

The Saint’s lips curled into a smile. (Interesting.)

The General squinted. “Why are you asking? Did something happen?”

“Nothing,” the Saint replied smoothly. “Just curious.”

He turned and left, then passed an order: “Go and catch the butler at any cost!”

Outside the fortress—

Kenzo, Kenji, Kaminari, and Raizen moved fast.

Kenzo asked, “What happened, Raizen?”

Raizen’s eyes narrowed. “The Great Saint spotted us.”

Kenji froze. “What?! One of the Five Deities you mentioned before? Are you serious?”

Raizen nodded grimly. “He was watching from above.”

“This is bad,” Kenji muttered.

“I want to fight him!” Kaminari burst out.

“NO!” everyone shouted.

“Awww, why not?”

“Fighting him is like fighting a mini-Kuroshin,” Kenji warned.

Soldiers began chasing them.

Raizen growled, “Tch! Kenzo, grab Kenji. We’re getting out through the wall!”

Kenzo nodded. “After you.”

Raizen unleashed Thunderstep, bursting through the fortress walls.

Kenzo followed, empowering his legs with green aura and leaping after them.

Back in the library—

Sumire had read three or four books when suddenly, she couldn’t feel Kaminari’s blood aura.

“What? I can’t sense him anymore.”

She placed the book down and moved deeper into the library.

“Did they escape?” she whispered.

Suddenly, she felt it again—Kaminari’s blood aura. But it was coming from inside the library.

She opened another door. A stone tablet glowed with red light, strange language carved into its surface.

“The tablet Raizen mentioned… this is it. That aura—did Hiroshi try to use this?”

She quickly realized something was wrong. Guards were more active now.

“They must’ve discovered Raizen’s team. I have to get out!”

She left the door ajar and activated her light aura, flying through the corridors.

The Great Saint, watching from afar, smirked.

“Another one escaped. A holy power user? Interesting. Raizen recruits amusing people.”

—To be continued