It had only been a few months, but to Bartholomew Kuma, the separation felt much longer.
For someone who had shown such kindness to his entire family, Kuma missed his master deeply.
Strictly speaking, for a slave to act like this—taking the initiative to speak to a Celestial Dragon—was already a serious crime.
And yet, the attendants of the Jaygarcia family standing nearby didn't react at all. No shock, no disapproval.
They were used to it.
Over the past few years, this kind of scene had become… normal.
For some reason, Saint Valthior showed unusual favor toward this "combat slave." When he was in a good mood, he would even allow Kuma to sit at the same table and eat with him—
Something utterly unthinkable in Mary Geoise.
But then again—
Valthior was a Celestial Dragon.
And one highly favored by Saint Jaygarcia Saturn at that.
No one was foolish enough to offend him over something like this.
—
"Oh? My loyal little Kuma," Valthior said with a faint smile, his tone teasing, "you look even stronger than when I left. Not bad. No one bullied you during these past few months, right?"
Just as before, thanks to Saturn's favor, very few in Mary Geoise dared to disrespect Valthior.
Even during his absence, no one had gone out of their way to trouble Kuma—especially since the boy rarely left Valthior's residence to begin with.
After exchanging a few casual words with Kuma, Valthior turned his attention to his butler.
"Alfred," he said, "you mentioned a few days ago that the Holy Knights sent an invitation?"
The butler stepped forward respectfully.
"Yes, Young Master. You've turned eighteen this year. According to tradition, you've reached the age to participate in the study tour and the hunting competition."
He paused briefly before continuing:
"And as it happens, this year marks the once-every-three-years occasion. The Holy Knights have already sent the formal invitation to the family. I contacted you earlier to make sure you wouldn't miss this grand event."
—
The head of the Jaygarcia family was, naturally, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn.
And the "young master"—
Was Valthior.
By blood, he belonged to the direct lineage, making his status exceptionally noble.
Within the family hierarchy, he ranked second only to Saturn himself. Even older relatives from collateral branches—uncles, elders—held less authority than him, and none dared provoke him.
As for his father?
The previous direct heir—
Was long dead.
The old man had suffered from some kind of condition and had been unable to produce an heir for most of his life. It wasn't until the age of seventy-six, with his eighty-sixth "mortal" wife, that he finally had a child—
Valthior.
Perhaps the excitement proved too much. He died the following year.
And as for the many wives who held no special status?
They were all buried alongside him.
—
At that time, Valthior had not yet transmigrated—or rather, his past-life memories hadn't awakened. After all, his current consciousness only emerged when he was three years old.
So, simply put, by the time he became self-aware, both his parents were already dead. Naturally, he had no emotional attachment to them.
In contrast, he felt more of a bond with Saint Saturn, who had favored him since childhood—even though he knew full well that Saturn wasn't some kind heartened grandpa, but a ruthless, cold-blooded character who could easily be called a vile villain.
—
"I see…" Valthior nodded, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.
The current year was 1484 of the Sea Circle Calendar.
Thirty-eight years before the present era.
The beginning of—
God Valley.
Receiving an invitation to this so-called "competition" at a time like this…
Was no different from being handed a ticket straight to hell.
—
As Valthior pondered this, Alfred spoke again, his tone carrying a hint of anticipation.
"With your talent, Young Master—and with the head of the family supporting you—if you perform even slightly well during this study tour…"
"You may very well receive an invitation from the Holy Knights themselves. Perhaps even become one of the Devoted Blades of God…"
"And in time—enter the order as a true knight."
His voice brimmed with expectation.
To him, this was an unparalleled honor.
A path to glory.
But to Valthior—
It was something else entirely.
Valthior frowned slightly at Alfred's words, but said nothing.
That alone was enough.
Alfred, who had been about to continue, immediately shut his mouth, not daring to speak another word.
He had served as the butler of the Jaygarcia family for many years and had long enjoyed the trust of its Celestial Dragons. But he understood his place better than anyone—
He was still just a servant.
If he displeased the young master, death could come at any moment. And when that happened, no one would speak up for him.
—
Valthior himself wasn't some morally spotless saint.
If he were, Mary Geoise would have driven him insane long ago.
In fact, he didn't even stand out much among the Celestial Dragons. At the very least, compared to certain eccentrics—like that one from the Donquixote family—he already carried himself quite properly as a "true" Celestial Dragon.
From an outsider's perspective?
He wasn't a good person.
Not even close.
—
From the very beginning, Valthior understood one thing clearly:
This world devoured the weak.
Even as a so-called noble Celestial Dragon, without sufficient strength, he could still be eaten… or killed.
The upcoming God Valley incident was proof enough.
Plenty of Celestial Dragons would face mortal danger there.
Some wouldn't survive.
—
So if he didn't want to be prey—
He had to become a predator.
Killing, then, was inevitable.
At the age of six, he made his choice.
To temper his will—so that when the day came, he wouldn't hesitate, wouldn't falter, wouldn't reveal weakness or fear—
He began killing with his own hands.
Over the course of a single week, using different methods and weapons, he personally executed fourteen slaves in Mary Geoise.
—
Of course—
He wasn't completely devoid of restraint like most Celestial Dragons.
The ones he used for "practice" were all genuine criminals—pirates who had slaughtered innocents, violent offenders, scum by any standard.
That said…
He had also eliminated servants he found displeasing more than once.
Which was one of the reasons Alfred feared him so deeply.
—
And the moment he took a life for the first time—across both his past and present lives—
Valthior had already accepted something:
One day, he might be killed in turn.
This world was beautiful.
And cruel.
If he refused to be a lamb… if he wanted to become a beast…
Then he had to stake his life on that choice.
To gamble everything for the future he desired.
Those who kill must be prepared to be killed.
Simple as that.
If he died?
Then so be it.
It would only mean he wasn't strong enough.
—
It was precisely this mindset, combined with his abilities, that earned him the favor of Saint Jaygarcia Saturn.
—
As for this so-called "study tour"—
In truth, it was nothing more than a carnival for beasts.
A grotesque game that Valthior, for all his pragmatism, still found distasteful.
But in his current position, he had no right to object.
Refusing the invitation?
That wasn't really an option either.
Besides, Saturn had already mentioned it before.
Participation was expected.
—
And it wasn't just the study tour.
As Alfred had said, Saturn also hoped he would take things a step further—
Join the Holy Knights.
—
But that?
Valthior had no intention of doing.
Because once you entered the Holy Knights…
You stepped into the inner circle of Imu.
And that meant forming a Deep Sea Contract (Covenant).
Once that contract was established, Valthior would be nothing more than Imu's obedient dog, and any sign of negligence could cost him his life.
He had come to this world—not to become a dog whose life could be taken at will by Imu. So the Holy Knights were never an option for him.
And if he remained in the Holy Land, given Saturn's plans, he would inevitably be pushed in that direction. Saturn might favor him somewhat, but in the end, he was still just a promising chess piece. Joining the Holy Knights and securing authority for Saturn was likely the "path" being arranged for him.
Right now, Valthior had no way to oppose Saturn's will within the Holy Land.
Which meant—
It was time to leave.
—
"God Valley… the great mystery that's been tugging at my curiosity. The Void Century…" Valthior mused inwardly. "And the Roger Pirates… heh, the timing couldn't be better."
—
Before long, surrounded by attendants, Valthior arrived at Pangaea Castle.
He was here to report to Saturn about the results of his recent "training."
Officials of the World Government were already waiting. They greeted him respectfully and led him inside.
As Saturn's favored descendant, Valthior had naturally met all Five Elders before.
But today?
The other four had no intention of seeing him.
He wasn't taken to the Room of Authority—the shared office of the Five Elders.
Instead, he was led elsewhere.
To Saturn's private residence within Pangaea Castle.
—
Come to think of it, the old man rarely returned to the Jaygarcia family residence.
Most of the time, he stayed here.
Perhaps—
To better serve Imu.
The other four Elders were much the same.
Because of that, most Celestial Dragons never even had the chance to meet the five figures who stood at the pinnacle of power.
—
Valthior knocked lightly on the door.
A voice soon answered from within, granting him entry.
This wasn't his first time here.
Without hesitation, he stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
Compared to the vast emptiness of the Room of Authority, this room was smaller—but no less extravagant.
Treasures from across the world filled the space. The finest luxuries imaginable were placed here as if they naturally belonged, nothing standing out because everything was extraordinary.
And there—
Sitting calmly on a sofa, holding a cup of rich, fragrant black tea, savoring it at his leisure—
Was the man himself.
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn.