It was dark and the road was steep, but we didn't care. It was a familiar path, and we were not trained to be dented by this.

　Stepping over a huge fallen tree, Ronin began to tell an old story.

You know that there are new gods and old gods in this world.

"Yeah, I know. Ronin, I know you guys are the new gods.

Yes. Me, Milia, and Vandal are the new gods. Do you know the difference between the new gods and the old gods?

The old gods were involved in the creation, and the new gods became gods after the creation of the heavens and the earth.

That means the old gods have a long history. That means the old gods have a long history. The new gods are the newcomers.
I've heard stories of former humans becoming gods.

Some people are like that. I mean, me and the Vandals.

"Father Ronin was originally human too?

"Yes, I was born in the human world and raised as a human. Born in the human world and raised as a human. I was born and raised as a human being, mastering the sword and reaching the realm of the gods, and I was turned into a god.

I thought you didn't want to be a god?

I didn't want to become a god at first. At first I had no intention of becoming a god. The Vandal bastard became a god because he wanted to be able to continue his studies forever, but I was more like an accident, a god chosen by the old gods to become one.

Do you regret the way you talk to me?

"Somewhat. I wanted to live as a man and die as a man. But now I don't regret it.

Why?

"I feel grateful that I became a god so I could cross swords with my son. I'm grateful for that.

　Then Ronin smiled and put his hand on my head. It was a big, heavy hand, but strangely comforting.




　I walked the mathematical distance from the training ground. We get close to the top of Table Mountain.
　From there I look down on the outside world.
　You can see an endless forest at the foot of the mountain and a human city in the distance.

I come from a land far to the east of this country called Horai. There are many warriors there, called samurai, who hold swords like me.

　Ronin continues quietly.

I was born into a family of swordsmanship instructors from a small clan. But, fifth son. I can't take over the house and I can't find a good adoptive family. So I decided to take the plunge and live by my own skill.

You traveled all over the country like that while training as a swordsman.

Yes. I trained myself in various countries, in the land of the great desert between Midnia and the Great Plains, in the land of the nomads. But one day I realized the limits of my abilities.

"So soon?

Yes, I felt the limits of my style. I have spent my entire life with the sword since I was a child, and I have realized that my sword is just an extension of the dojo sword.

　Ronin reminisces about those days while holding onto his stubble. It's embarrassing to remember my youthfulness.

That's why I've decided to find a master. I decided to find a master who was worthy of my elevation and respect, and I set my sights on him.

It would have been hard to find.

"Well . Even though I was struggling with the limits of my abilities, I'm a genius at swordsmanship. An ordinary boy couldn't be my master. You must be even more of a swordsmanship fool than I am to be my teacher. --So I went around the world and raided dojos.

"...... but a dojo troll ...... well, is that just like my dad?

　He smiles bitterly, but Dad doesn't seem bothered at all as he continues, "When I hear that there's a powerful swordmaster in the north, I storm in there and smash the sign.

If I heard we had the greatest swordmaster in the north, I would march on him and smash his sign. If I heard that the best swordmaster was in the south, I would line up my master and apprentice at his dojo and make them get down on their knees.

"............

　All I can do is laugh dryly as the hellscape of those days emerges, but Ronin doesn't seem to want to talk about the saga. I'll get right to it.

Well, I must have been ecstatic at the time. Maybe I was just mistaken when I said that I was on the edge, and I had reached the top of my strength. Maybe that's what I had come to think. But that arrogant thought, if I had seen her, it would have gone away immediately.

"So that's Dad Ronin's mentor.

Yes,

　Father Ronin chuckled and spoke the name of his master.


"The Goddess of Swordsmanship.


　That was the name of Dad Ronin's mentor, who would later be called the God of the Sword.