The Ronin’s Legacy

After seeing that I had calmed down, Garban began telling me the story of the Ronin—Miyamoto Musashi—who once wandered this very world.

“At that time, I was still young, and I dare say my skill in forging weapons was among the best in the land. One day, while I was working at my forge, a young man burst in, wearing strange black clothes and a farmer’s hat, carrying a weapon unlike anything I had ever seen. He kicked open my door and demanded that I make him a new weapon like the one he carried, which was nearly broken.”

“Of course, I was furious at him for breaking my door and tried to throw him out. But the moment I laid my eyes again on that weapon, I couldn’t help but be intrigued. Strangely enough, he apologized as if it was nothing and immediately paid me compensation. I could tell from his eyes—this man was a fool, perhaps, but not malicious. So I forged him a new weapon, one he called a katana, and named it ‘Kaneshige Koshirae’.”

I looked at Garban in awe. So he was the one who forged Miyamoto Musashi’s katana. He then unlocked a tightly sealed chest, and to my shock, inside lay—

“This is the original ‘Kaneshige Koshirae.”

If this was the original, then the katana I saw at the Green Valley shrine must have been nothing more than a replica.

“But why is Miyamoto Musashi’s katana here, with you?”

“That, even I don’t know. Musashi rarely visited me. He was always wandering from village to village—I never truly understood what he was seeking in life. But one day, he came again, bringing wine from a distant village, and invited me to drink with him. After a long conversation, he handed ‘Kaneshige Koshirae’ to me and said he was leaving… going far away. I never heard from him again.”

Going far away… Could it be that Musashi returned to Earth? Or did he die in this world? Damn it, I have no way of knowing. But if he really did return, then maybe… maybe I could return as well. No. I have to focus on what’s in front of me first.

“What’s wrong? You look troubled.”

Despite his massive frame and intimidating presence, Garban was surprisingly perceptive.

“It’s just… I don’t know what I should do next. I don’t understand why King Rapo XI is after me, but it’s only a matter of time before his men find me.”

“Hmph… If you’re that desperate for answers, why not seek out Baba Laurence?”

“Baba Laurence?”

“An old seer. Quite famous once, though I don’t know if he still practices. I haven’t heard of him in a while.”

“Garban! Please, tell me—where does Baba Laurence live?”

“Hm… just a moment.”

He rummaged through a drawer and pulled out a small map.

“This is Gravendor. Your destination is this village—Mikaor. If you leave now, you can reach it in about three days. It would take at least six days for Alphenia’s forces to catch up with you there. My advice—leave Gravendor immediately and head for Mikaor.”

“Three days… I think I can manage that.”

But Garban looked at me skeptically, then glanced at Rin.

“Are you sure about taking this girl with you? The road will be dangerous.”

At his words, Rin’s face fell. Truth be told, Garban was right—the journey would be dangerous. But I couldn’t just abandon Rin. Somehow, there was a strange bond between us.

I crouched down, meeting her eyes directly.

“Rin… this journey will be dangerous. But if you are willing to walk beside me, I swear I will protect you. Will you come with me?”

Rin nodded, her sad expression melting into a smile.

“Thank you. Please take care of me, too.”

I stroked her head gently.

Garban sighed, then gave us a strange smile. He took the katana and held it out to me.

“Take it.”

“…You’re serious?”

“Yeah… better one of my masterpieces see the world than rot in a chest. Take it, before I change my mind.”

“Thank you. I’ll wield it with honor.”

I laid down the bandit leader’s sword I had brought before Garban and accepted the katana.

That wasn’t all. He then called out to the woman we had seen earlier at the front of the shop.

“Anny, bring it here.”

A moment later, she handed me a large, dark-brown bag, wider than a school satchel.

“This bag contains supplies for your journey to Mikaor. I don’t want to see that girl suffer because of your stupidity.”

Rin ran to Garban and hugged his leg. I could only smile at the sight of him awkwardly blushing.

Afterward, I bid farewell to Garban and Anny outside the shop.

“Once again, thank you. You’ve both been so kind to me and Rin. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

“Haha, don’t worry about it. Bring me some good wine someday. And most importantly—take care of Rin. If you come back and I see a single scratch on her, I’ll have your head.”

“I’ll remember that.”

And so, Rin and I left Garban’s shop behind. I thought about the ‘Hunters’ the gatekeeper had mentioned, but I had no time to dwell on it—Alphenia’s forces were closing in on me for reasons I still didn’t understand.

Perhaps Baba Laurence, the seer, would have the answers I sought.

And so, though our stay had been brief, Rin and I left Gravendor behind, setting out on the road to Mikaor.