The doors to the Yamamoto Clan’s council chamber opened with a soft creak, revealing a grand room lined with dark wooden walls, ancient scrolls, and ceremonial armor. In the center stood a long polished oak table, its surface gleaming beneath the warm glow of traditional Japanese lanterns suspended from the ceiling. Silence descended like a fog as the group stepped inside.

Asuna’s eyes met those of her father — Ryu Yamamoto — for the first time in years. Her steps were hesitant, her chin trembling.

— “Father...” her voice cracked, like a taut string finally snapping.

Yamamoto, a man defined by his rigid posture and a face etched with age and war, faltered. His composure shattered for just a moment. Tears welled in his eyes as he crossed the room and wrapped his arms around his daughter — strong, but gentle.

— “Asuna…” he murmured, voice trembling. “My little girl… you’re alive…”

A wave of raw emotion surged through the chamber. Chloe stood silent, reverent. Ellie turned her face, hiding the tears welling in her eyes. Orion, as always, remained impassive. Vlad observed it all with a melancholic smile.

Yamamoto wiped his eyes and composed himself. Then he gestured toward the table.

— “Please, sit. We have much to discuss.”

As everyone settled around the imposing table, Yamamoto locked eyes with Orion. There was disbelief there. Awe. And then—he laughed.

First, a low chuckle. Then a rising wave of laughter, absurd, unfiltered, almost relieved.

The others looked at each other, confused. Ellie raised an eyebrow. Chloe frowned. Asuna’s voice broke through the laughter.

— “Father… are you okay?”

Yamamoto took a deep breath, calming himself.

— “Yes… yes, I just…” He looked at Asuna. “Seeing you again… I still can’t believe it. But him…”

He pointed at Orion, eyes glittering with something close to reverence.

— “He’s real.”

He snapped his fingers.

— “Sukehiro!”

The door opened once again. A man in his thirties stepped in — black suit, broad shoulders, expression like steel. Behind him walked a younger man with round glasses and a book tucked under his arm. His name was Oda, a genius of his generation.

— “Ladies and gentlemen,” Yamamoto announced solemnly, “these are the men I trust most: Sukehiro, my right hand, and Oda, the brain of our house.”

Turning back to Orion:

— “Before anything else, I would like to know the names of those who saved my daughter.”

To everyone’s surprise, Orion rose and bowed respectfully.

— “Mr. Yamamoto, it is an honor to meet you. I am Orion. This is Chloe, this is Ellie… and this is my friend, Vlad.”

Chloe and Ellie blinked in shock. Orion had never shown such formality before.

Yamamoto smiled.

— “Then it’s true…”

He laughed again, this time with reverence.

— “You really are alive.”

Orion’s expression tightened.

— “You know who I am?”

— “Stop calling me ‘Mr.’ And yes... I know the man erased from history.”

Sukehiro laid the cloth-covered object on the table and removed the fabric, revealing an ancient, thick book with a leather cover embossed in gold. Oda opened it carefully, revealing delicate handwritten pages.

— “This book,” Yamamoto began, “was hidden in a sealed vault beneath Westminster Cathedral. No government knows it exists. It was written by someone who followed every step of the greatest emperor the world has ever known.”

Orion remained stoic. Vlad merely watched, a knowing smile on his lips. Chloe, Ellie, and Asuna exchanged confused, anxious glances.

Yamamoto began to read aloud:

“Birth: Unknown. Location: France, ancient Kingdom of Gaul.

Cause of parents’ death: unknown.

Suspected cause: petrification by gold.

The newborn was found covered in golden dust.”

The girls held their breath.

Yamamoto continued:

“At age 3, fluent in five languages.

At age 4, reading philosophy and military strategy.

At age 5, defeating adult soldiers with real weapons.

At age 6, sent to the wild forests — trained like a Spartan, killing monsters barehanded.

Reason: magical seals placed to suppress an immeasurable energy.”

The weight in the room grew heavier with each line. Yamamoto turned the page with reverence.

“At age 8, survived the wilderness.

At 9, accepted by the elves to learn mana control.

Unable to cast spells, he created his own method — coating his body in mana, strengthening muscles, becoming a living weapon.

By age 11, he surpassed the elven masters.”

Then, his voice grew stronger as he met the eyes of the three young women.

“At 13, began his journey.

Found powerful allies — a primordial vampire, an immortal viking, and a golden-haired mage.

At 16, returned to Gaul to find his homeland on the brink of ruin.

Julius Caesar approached with an army of over 100,000 men.

Orion marched alone.

In a single night… he killed them all.

He was crowned ‘The Bloody Devourer.’

At 17, he became Emperor of Greece.

At 22… he vanished.

Today, he stands before us.”

Silence.

And then, in unison—

— “E-EMPEROR?!” cried Ellie, Chloe, and Asuna.

Vlad chuckled quietly. Orion crossed his arms.

Yamamoto closed the book with reverence.

— “I see you didn’t tell them anything.”

— “Didn’t think it was necessary,” Orion replied coolly.

Yamamoto met his gaze:

— “If you’ll permit me, I would love to hear the rest of your story.”

Orion nodded.

— “Maybe… if you offer me something in return.”

Yamamoto leaned forward.

— “The rest of your tale would be a treasure indeed. But what I truly ask is this: protect my daughter. She is everything I have.”

Orion’s voice cut through the room like a blade.

— “Nothing will happen to your daughter.”

A heavy silence followed. And then—

A wave of killing intent washed over the room.

Ellie fainted. Oda and Sukehiro flinched. Only Vlad remained unmoved.

— “Talk about me all you want,” Orion said, voice like ice. “But Vlad’s story… stays off the table.”

Yamamoto smiled, a single bead of sweat on his brow. For the first time in decades, his heart beat like a war drum.

— “Yes, sir. Thank you for that. Thank you… for existing.”

Chloe and Asuna stared at Orion with wide eyes, torn between awe and fear.

“Is he even human?”

“How did I dare talk to him like that?”

Orion turned to them, eyes softening. He smiled — light, almost childish.

It said: “Don’t worry.”

Then, to Yamamoto once more, voice stern:

— “Now… I have some questions for you.”