Chapter:135 Blood of the Crane
The chamber walls were lined with glowing runes—ancient and modern instruments , forgotten symbols pulsing like the veins of time itself. The electric bulb flickered on stone pillars as the scent of sandalwood and old parchment filled the air. Sir Varion stood in the center of the room, eyes shadowed beneath his regal helm, his voice grave with memories older than most living men.
"After a decade… Arcade returned," he began.
His voice carried with it the weight of ten years of silence, echoing like thunder behind Sakamoto's pounding heart.
"But by the time he re-emerged," Varion continued, "he had learned to harness the piece of the God Tree he stole. It made him stronger than we could have imagined. He didn't just return—he brought chaos, ruin, and his seven warlords."
The flicker of firelight danced across Varion's armor as he slowly raised a hand, motioning to a large map pinned to the wall—scarred by blade marks and faded from age. "He brought war to the Sovereign Union of Hunter Associations. SUHA stood ready… but barely. We had grown powerful, yes we learned a better way to use our techniques and since everyone manifested different abilities we pushed ourselves to be better at it . We had hope. But Arcade? He no longer wanted order. He wanted annihilation—he wanted to reshape the world using the one thing no one else could control,the true essence of the God Tree."
He turned toward Sakamoto now, eyes piercing through his soul.
"And do you know what he wanted, Saka? A world where only the Shen-oriented would survive. All others—cleansed."
The air tightened. The bulb inside the room flicked off and on .
"There was war," he said. "And your father, Ichabod, stood against Arcade… alongside your mother, Hera."
Sakamoto's eyes widened at the name. "My… mother?"
"Yes," Varion nodded solemnly. "They fought valiantly. But victory has a price. Your father triumphed—but your mother perished during the final clash… and she was carrying you."
A sharp breath escaped Sakamoto's lips, his fists clenched at his sides.
"Your mother," Varion continued, "was a priestess and a princess of the Berserker Tribe—a secret tribe known for there lineage to monkeys,they worshipped the Cursed Sun Lord. She was born for the spiritual. Her very body was a conduit to divine energy. And it was that same connection that kept you alive… when she died."
The words hit like stone.
"You are a prince, Sakamoto. Not just of the Crane Bloodline, but of the Berserker tribe. Your mother's blood granted you the strength to survive death. And just so you know your father… shrunk the God Tree into five pieces using his Shen after defeating Arcade. He entrusted each piece to a different nation."
Varion motioned to the map again.
"And something we didn't expect happened each piece developed… a guardian. A sentient protector. A Pet—born from the tree's energy. Ichabod hoped that balance would be restored… but fate had other plans."
Sakamoto lowered his gaze, jaw trembling. "So… my whole life…"
"Was the preparation," Varion said gently. "Bartoni didn't find you by chance. I ordered him to begin your awakening. We tried forcing Jushin into me, but it rejected me. The power would only choose a true Crane heir—especially one with Berserker blood. That's what your father left behind. Not just a legacy… a weapon. You are that weapon."
Sakamoto raised his hand sharply. "Enough!"
His voice cracked with anguish. "It's like my head is going to explode. Every second I hear more… it's just…"
He turned away, eyes welling with frustration. "A fake life. That's all it was. A setup."
Tenzy, watching from the side, stepped forward. "You need to listen to your uncle, Prince Saka."
"I know I do," Sakamoto whispered. "But this is… too much."
Varion's tone softened. "You are all that remains of the Crane bloodline you and I . You are royalty, whether you accept it or not."
And just outside the room, where shadow met stone, Asger leaned against the wall—her lips curled into a grin as she closed her eyes.
"I knew it…" she whispered to herself. "When I called him the Salvation."
She chuckled softly, then vanished down the corridor like a ghost.
Back inside, Minister Tenzy stepped forward, his robe dragging across the floor.
"There's a war coming, Sakamoto," he said. "And we want your uncle to train you—to prepare you for what's ahead."
He paused, looking at the young man with heavy eyes.
"What do you say?"
Sakamoto inhaled deeply. The silence felt infinite.
"…I never got to see my father. Not even once. But I'm going to honor his legacy here and uphold it … if this is his will…"
His voice became firm.
"Then I will obey him. I may have disowned SUHA. But I'll never disown my father."
He turned toward Sir Varion.
"If it means training with you… then so be it."
Varion smiled faintly.
"And we have a timeframe," his regent added grimly. "If The Ten gather all the Yggdrasil pieces, they'll need only a month to bring the God Tree back… even without the remaining hybrid."
Tenzy's expression darkened. "Then we have one month… before salvation or damnation."
Sir Varion eyes narrowed as he spoke.. "Arcade is a dangerous human"
Later that evening…
Outside the Building, the wind howled softly across the moonlit stone path. Sakamoto sat on a ledge, gazing at the stars, lost in thought—when Madagascar appeared beside him with a lazy grin.
"So… you're a prince now?"
Sakamoto blinked. "You heard that?"
Madagascar chuckled. "Mujin asked me to keep a listening ear. I can do that… with my ice."
He gave a playful wink, and Sakamoto shook his head with a small smile.
"That's creepy, but impressive."
Madagascar stretched his arms behind his head. "Training with the best hunter SUHA has to offer, huh? That's a hell of a feat. When you're done, I might just show you my new technique."
Sakamoto raised an eyebrow. "You mean your usual Ice Spikes?"
"Nah," Madagascar grinned. "The Will of Ice Age."
"…What's that?"
He smirked.
"Just as it sounds—my ice now has a will of its own."
He laughed and walked off, leaving a slightly confused—but amused—Sakamoto staring after him.