Chapter 21: The Demon Continent?

[You wouldn't know about it of course, in fact very few people know all of what happened back then... when the Demon Lord of Chaos attacked...] - Manic Blade

The silence that followed was broken only by the sound of the crackling of the fire and the sounds of insects as my brain struggled to comprehend what this old man had said. I'm sure smoke came billowing out my ears as my thoughts repeated themselves over and over again but the only thing that came out of it was...

[What?] - Rose

Using his sword to shift some of the larger logs around as he remained silent a coal flew out and landed between us, bit's of smoke dividing the space. Overwhelmed by his silence, my mouth started running again.

[B-But wasn't that like 2000 years ago? You can't have been...] - Rose

[And I suppose you know everything there is to know about the way this world works then? Don't tell me what I can and can't have done.] - Manic Blade

[O-Okay I guess, but wouldn't that make you...?] - Rose

[Very VERY old? Yes. I forget the actual years but I've seen countless civilizations rise and fall in my time and more than a few summoned heroes.] - Manic Blade

Putting aside the possibility that he was lying to me as he had no reason to do so, that I could think of anyway. And I couldn't think of any reason for lying that made any sense, which brought one question to mind...

[How though? I assume that you're human so how did you survive that long?] - Rose

Laughing sarcastically he threw some more wood on the fire causing it to flare up showing his sorrowful face.

[Honestly? I'm not sure. After our battle with the Demon Lord and losing everything I didn't have a reason to live. I even tried to end it all by jumping from the Demon Lord's Castle. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you look at it, I didn't die.] - Manic Blade

Suddenly the old man started lifting his shirt to take it off and I immediately went red in the face and covered my eyes.

[W-W-W-What are you doing?!?!] - Rose

[Oh calm down little lady, like I told your little glasses friend, I'm only interested in big breasted Big Sister types. Just look.] - Manic Blade

Nervously opening my eyes, I opened my mouth in shock at what I saw. Scars. The old man's torso was more scar than skin, some of which looked to be from what should have been lethal blows.

[What happened to...?] - Rose

[For some reason ever since I fought the Demon Lord almost 2000 years ago I've been unable to die. Not for lack of trying mind you. Every injury heals up and no sickness has ever plagued me. Even drowning wasn't enough.] - Manic Blade

[You're blessed with immortality?] - Rose

[I guess you can call it that, I much prefer to call it a curse. To wander this world with no way to follow the only people I ever loved is a hell I wouldn't wish on my most hated enemy.] - Manic Blade

The immortal went silent with a grim face and I wasn't experienced enough to know what to say, I don't think anyone is. After a few minutes of silence he abruptly cleared his throat before pulling his shirt back on.

[Ahem! Anyways I'm sure you're wondering why I've told you all of this after kidnapping?, snakenapping?, you?] - Manic Blade

I nodded my head glumly, honestly with everything going on I'd completely forgotten about the fact that I was technically a hostage more or less. A fact that had slipped my mind with the revelation that an actual immortal had been the one to do it.

[Good! You'll need a good head on your shoulder's for what's to come. Regardless I had two reasons for capturing you. The first one is simple, I had to make sure that you weren't a threat to the safety of the world, or at least that you wouldn't become one on purpose. I know about your hidden title's but those don't mean that you need to threaten anyone.] - Manic Blade

[Wait I never asked how you figured out that Karen and I were reincarnated in the first place!] - Rose

[And I wouldn't have answered if you did ask, suffice to say that I have my methods and I may eventually tell you some of them but not today.] - Manic Blade

[But I...!] - Rose

[The second reason I had to grab you was a little more complicated than the first. I'm sure you've noticed by now that you cast spells a little differently than most people?] - Manic Blade

I nodded again but was interrupted before I could come up with a comeback. The suddenly energetic old man barreled our conversation along, while ignoring any attempt I made to get a straight answer out of him.

[Good, then I'm sure that you've also noticed the 3rd and final title you hold?] - Manic Blade

[The "One that Understands the Universe"? Yes but what has that got to do with...?] - Rose

[That title was exclusive to summoned heroes. Or at least I thought it was. Until today that is.] - Manic Blade

[Wait what?] - Rose

[In fact the only other person to have that title other than summoned heroes is...] - Manic Blade

[Is...?] - Rose

[Me. I gained it right after defeating the Demon Lord as well as the Hero class.] - Manic Blade

[Hero... class?] - Rose

[Yep! I am the only natural-born hero in the history of  Miscalis.] - Manic Blade

We spent the rest of the night in silence, not by my choice as I attempted to ask him more questions several times but was shot down each time. Before I knew it he had set up two bedrolls for each of us inside the shallow cave and without another word he had laid down, snoring only moments later. I once again thought about running but even if he didn't notice I now no longer felt a need to escape the unusual old guy who I now knew was an immortal companion of the first hero.

After staring at his sleeping form for a while, I decided that he was well and truly asleep and curled up with as much of me as I could fit into the human-sized bedroll, my tail wrapped around me.

[WAKE UP!!! WAKE UP!!! IT'S TIME TO START!] - Familiar Voice

Woken up by the sound of metal clanging and a voice screaming loudly in my ear I bolted upright in fear, my vision still blurry from exhaustion.

[W-What's going on!?!? Are we being attacked?!?] - Rose

Looking around as my vision cleared, I saw a smirking Manic Blade standing over me with a pan in one hand and a serving spoon in the other. Realizing that nothing major was happening I glared at the offending old man.

[What was that for?!?] - Rose

[What? You didn't hear me? I said it was time to start!] - Manic Blade

[Start? Start what?] - Rose

Glaring even more intensely at the irritating morning person in front of me I slowly extricated myself from the far too small bedroll.

[Why your training of course. You're much too weak afterall.] - Manic Blade

[Huh? When did you say you'd be training me?] - Rose

[I didn't. But I'm telling you now.] - Manic Blade

My glare turned into confusion at the mention of him training me then back to a glare at his flippant attitude about it.

[Wait what exactly is this all about?] - Rose

[This? Well this is the 2nd reason I captured you in the first place. For the next 5 months you'll be my student.] - Manic Blade

[Huh!?!?] - Rose