He saw it. The gate was still there. Unfortunately, it was locked.
Roy entered the cognitive sea again through deep sleep, noticing this situation and gradually forming a theory. This gate was, after all, an "imported product." Grandfather Zigg's consciousness was the key. Only through connection could it open. Fortunately, as long as the gate remained, nothing was impossible. At worst, as Maha suggested, he'd simply visit more often.
Either way, he needed to hone his Ren. The image of that sandworm bursting from the earth's surface, stirring wind and clouds, surfaced in his mind again.
Roy withdrew his gaze, pushing open the Demon Slayer gate to continue practicing swordsmanship. There's an old saying: "Learn the staff in a month, the blade in a year, master the spear in a lifetime."
The blade, known as the "Commander of All Weapons," follows the path of overwhelming ferocity. Entry-level cuts stone, mastery cuts iron. Anyone capable of severing steel in a single stroke earns the title of master swordsman.
Therefore, wanting to achieve mastery in swordsmanship overnight without accumulating significant experience was nothing more than a pipe dream.
"September 17th: Three thousand swings without dropping stones. Swordsmanship +30, Sun Breathing +1, Constitution +0.31. Withstood the sandworm's Ren for 17 seconds."
"September 30th: Four thousand swings without dropping stones. Swordsmanship +33, Sun Breathing +1.5, Constitution +0.4. Withstood the sandworm's Ren for 32 seconds."
"November 16th: First time completing 'ten thousand basic swings' without dropping stones. Swordsmanship +50, Sun Breathing +3, reached mastery level. Total Concentration extended to one hour. Constitution +1. Withstood the sandworm's Ren for one minute. Spoke my first words with Grandfather Zigg. He asked me whose child I was and how I snuck aboard the ship. I didn't even know how to answer him before getting knocked unconscious by a flying ship's helm."
Time always flows especially fast when someone's focused and busy. On November 16th, after visiting Grandfather Zigg and leaving the underground chamber, Roy returned to his bedroom. He dragged his exhausted body to the desk, meditating to recover his mental energy while opening his status panel to review his training gains and losses.
Two months had passed in the blink of an eye. His progress was obvious.
[Name: Roy Zoldyck]
[Constitution: 71.7 (Note: Average human = 1)]
[Sun Breathing: 1/1000 (Mastery)]
[Visible Aura Output: D- (170/10000) (Note: Rated using Chimera Ants as reference)]
[Potential Aura: D (236/10000) (Note: Rated using Chimera Ants as reference)]
[Nen Ability Shape Transformation: 17/100 (Beginner), Nature Transformation: Awaiting Activation]
[Four Principles: [Ten]: Lv1 (38/100), [Zetsu]: Lv1 (69/100), [Ren]: Lv1 (23/100), [Hatsu]: Awaiting Manifestation]
[Swordsmanship: Lv2 (996/1000)]
[Applied Techniques: Shadow Step: Mastered (278/1000); Limb Bending: Proficient (174/1000); Snake Alive: Proficient (783/1000)]
[Title: Apple Sapling Worth One Strike]
From sprout to sapling. Both "Nen" and "sword" required equal attention, equal effort. Roy studied carefully. Ren needed further strengthening. Swordsmanship was just one step away from breakthrough, awaiting the moment of transcendence.
"Young master, Holt's family had their baby."
At 8 PM, Gotoh pushed the food cart in right on schedule. Tonight's dinner: rosemary-seared steak, matsutake cream soup paired with several butter-spread toasted bread slices, plus a large bottle of milk.
"Have they chosen a name?"
Roy closed the panel, cut a piece of steak, and put it in his mouth. If he remembered correctly, Holt's child, Tsubone's granddaughter, was named Amane.
"They're calling her Amane. Master chose the name two months ago. Holt's been over the moon, bragging to everyone he meets. Such a smug expression makes people angry just looking at him." Gotoh seemed to harbor some resentment toward his predecessor. Understandable. Holt was slippery, not Gotoh's preferred type.
Roy recalled that perpetually smiling face, offering no comment. His thoughts drifted elsewhere. He vaguely remembered that shortly after Amane's birth, it would be Killua's turn.
Sure enough. "Madam is pregnant again," Gotoh said quietly. "Master's delighted. Every butler in the household gets double salary."
Not just that. After birth, it would triple. That child would have silver hair, after all.
"That's good." Roy finished the steak, expressionlessly sipping the matsutake cream soup. "Go buy some practical baby supplies for Holt. After all, he served under me for two years. We should acknowledge some loyalty."
Gotoh adjusted his glasses. "Young master treats us servants too well. That guy's lucky to have served under you for a while."
"Don't talk like that. Go handle it."
"Yes."
After the meal, Gotoh cleared the table and went downstairs to prepare the gift. Roy sat at the table for a while, then rose and moved to the window. Through the moonlight, he gazed at the night scenery, letting his food digest.
His eyes inadvertently caught two or three figures in the garden strolling hand in hand. A woman held the man's arm. She'd just become pregnant, nowhere near showing yet, but deliberately protruded her belly, enjoying Silva's company. The electronic eyes on her face displayed happy hearts.
"This child will definitely have silver hair." Roy could almost hear the woman's thoughts. He watched quietly for a moment. He watched quietly for a moment. When Silva seemed to sense his gaze and began turning his head, Roy quickly stepped back from the window and shut the door with a bang.
Time never moves backward. Pushing aside thoughts of Silva's surveillance, Roy reminded himself to stay focused. He took a cold shower to clear his mind, then changed into his pajamas. Lying flat on his bed with his hands folded on his chest, he closed his eyes and let himself drift into sleep.
The familiar falling sensation came. Passing through the kaleidoscopic dream tunnel, arriving at the familiar cognitive sea. Roy glanced at the locked "Gate to the Dark Continent," recalling Zigg's words. "Whose child are you?"
With a sigh, he turned and pushed open the Demon Slayer gate. As usual, he took the training sword and basket, heading deep into Mount Sagiri to practice. A group of ghosts followed behind.
"No need to hang stones today." Master leaned against the doorframe, calling out to him. "Can't forget the feeling of empty swings. Try to break through your limits."
"Understood."
The stone-filled basket was removed. Roy carried the training sword, trudging through the dense forest. Behind him, Sakonji Urokodaki followed in his exact footsteps, neither hurrying nor slowing.
Makomo and Sabito circled the pair. The little girl kept glancing between Roy and Sakonji Urokodaki, whispering to Sabito, "Master must think Eiichiro's hands are steady enough. He wants to see what level he's reached now so he can adjust the training plan."
Sabito's hand rested on his beloved blade, gaze fixed tightly on Roy. He shook his head gently. "No. Master hasn't adjusted the plan. He's always trained Eiichiro at ten times the intensity he used for Giyu. Eiichiro disrupted Master's plan."
Ten times? Makomo muttered softly, "I always thought it was twenty times."
"You're a girl," Sabito said, no more. All he could say was that as fellow humans, individual limits varied greatly. That Eiichiro couldn't be viewed through an ordinary lens. Without the stones' constraint, who knew what level he'd reach today?
Will he have already surpassed Giyu? Sabito narrowed his eyes, filled with anticipation.