[88] Sword of Revenge - Clarent

Gosha Village serves as the home to Japan's supernatural beings, consisting of Taimanin with ninja capabilities. The village is supported by the government due to the rising threat of supernatural crime in the Land of the Rising Sun, necessitating a countermeasure against such malevolence. Relying solely on military technology is insufficient to combat entities that could obliterate an entire city with a single concentrated energy shot from their magical prowess. Gosha Village (五車町) is the headquarters of the Taimanin, formed by gathering shinobi and clans that were originally scattered across Japan.

This new village is located in a hidden area of the Kanto region, built near ancient forests and mountains. While it may have existed in some form since ancient times, it was not used as the central hub for all Taimanin until now. The village was created from the amalgamation of smaller villages and now houses around 10,000 people.

As a result, this place is protected by the elite members of the five major clans that currently dominate Japan's supernatural world. The gathering of these clans in one village has not been without social stratification, causing some clans to feel alienated and ultimately turn to the dark side.

This was the reason behind the ballistic missile attack. The explosion was substantial, demolishing the grounds that served as the center for the ongoing festival.

Kaoru could only stare in deep frustration and regret. While the population of the village was quite large, it was still divided between combatants and non-combatants. Witnessing innocent people turned into charred flesh filled him with anguish. Kaoru's sense of heroism screamed within him, as the festival coincided with the fireworks display, drawing many together. Children, parents, and unaware adults fell victim to this catastrophe, totaling 384 deaths spanning various ages.

This situation echoed Kaoru's past experiences as a hero in another world when a similar attack struck an enemy camp. At that time, after achieving victory, Kaoru had decided to send the corrupt individuals back to their home, hoping they would change. However, the reality was far more painful. Every person Kaoru returned after the attack ultimately brought disaster to their villages. Innocent civilians perished, and children were enslaved by them. With this haunting memory, Kaoru resolved to eradicate his enemies without mercy. If the foe fled, he would chase them to the ends of the earth, ensuring they would not complicate matters in the future—these words were now etched in Kaoru's heart.

While others were enveloped in despair, witnessing the ruins caused by the missile explosion, Kaoru made a reckless decision. All desire to conceal his power vanished in an instant—this was no longer a time for hiding. His enemies had to know who he truly was.

"Kaoru...?" Asuka gazed at her lover, her eyes still moist, tears yet to fully dry. The sorrow she felt enveloped her, stemming from the loss of lives she could not save. Her gaze was fixed on Kaoru's broad back, standing firm before her, seemingly unyielding.

Without warning, a dark red aura erupted from Kaoru's body, soaring into the night sky, piercing through the clouds and sweeping away the darkness, turning the previously gloomy night bright once more. The heavens opened, seemingly bowing to the immense power being unleashed. The energy was so potent that it created shockwaves, forcing those around Kaoru to stumble back from the sheer force.

"Asuka... stay here," Kaoru spoke softly, his tone calm yet carrying an unyielding command. He didn't turn to look; his eyes were fixed straight toward the missile's trajectory, filled with a resolve for vengeance.

Then, from the void enveloped by his aura, Clarent appeared—a sword with boundless destructive power. Clarent, the sword of retribution that was once a symbol of glory, now bore a curse. This sword was etched in the legends of another world, a world Kaoru had left behind.

Clarent was once a holy weapon, wielded by a great knight of the legendary kingdom of Aslan. However, a horrific betrayal turned it into a symbol of regret and curse. One of the twelve knights of Charlemagne, who had used this sword to protect his king, ultimately became the cause of the king's ruin. In his darkest moments, the Charlemagne knight drew Clarent to betray his master, and since then, the sword bore an indelible wound—the blade that inflicted pain multiplied.

The cursed uniqueness of Clarent lay in the malevolent power contained within. Every small scratch from its blade inflicted unbearable agony, transcending human limits. Not only did it wound the body, but it also struck the soul, leaving scars that could never heal—an eternal reminder of the knight's betrayal. However, as this sword had existed for over a thousand years since King Aslan first established his kingdom, the magical energy trapped within it had transformed over time. The knight's soul, trapped within the sword, urged Clarent to evolve, augmenting its destructive power to a fearsome level.

Now, the power of Clarent was so immense that Kaoru no longer needed to channel his aura to unleash destructive attacks. With the blade alone, he could obliterate everything before him.

Clarent trembled in Kaoru's grasp, its blade enveloped in a deep red energy, flickering like a blazing fire. The ground beneath him trembled, mirroring the extraordinary power radiating from the legendary sword. The dark aura from Kaoru's past began to revive memories he had always avoided, yet now he had to confront everything. There could be no retreat.

Kaoru stepped forward, each movement heavy yet resolute. Every motion seemed to echo the footsteps of destiny. His eyes were locked straight ahead toward the missile's source. One thought consumed his mind: vengeance.

"I will not let them escape this time," Kaoru murmured, his voice low yet imbued with profound strength. Those words were an unspoken promise to all the victims he could not save. He had been gentle long enough, and now, mercy had no place in his vocabulary.

In an instant, majestic armor enveloped Kaoru's body, wrapping him in protective strength suitable for the fiercest battles. The armor glimmered with flashes of red energy, like the aura of Clarent, emanating a terrifying light that left those around him in awe. They understood that something dreadful and formidable was about to unfold.

With a single leap, Kaoru ascended into the sky, piercing the night once filled with fireworks, now tainted by devastation. His speed was extraordinary, the night winds whipping around him as he raced toward the source of the missile that had brought ruin to his village.

The view below him whirled by rapidly, but in Kaoru's heart, there was only razor-sharp focus. Nothing was more important than finding those responsible for this attack. There was nothing more pressing than ensuring they would never have the opportunity to strike again.

Clarent pulsed, seemingly resonating with Kaoru's rage. In the distance, he began to see dark shadows of the enemy's base. The darkness surrounding them would not be able to conceal them from the destruction he was about to unleash.