Kami no gyakuten:The yamato hero-Chapter 27: The Castle of Secrets

Daigo sat on the warm sand of the small island, staring blankly at the waves. His mind was a void, a deep abyss of confusion. He didn't know where he was, nor who he was—only that the girl beside him, the half-human, half-fish creature, kept calling him Daigo. It felt familiar, yet distant, like an echo of a past he couldn't grasp.

The girl, who had once been a golden fish before evolving by his touch, watched him with concern. "You keep repeating your name. Are you trying to remember something?"

Daigo nodded. "I... don't want to forget again." His voice was quiet, as if speaking too loudly would shatter the fragile memories he clung to.

Just then, the sound of footsteps crunching against the sand made them turn. A woman stood a few feet away, her gaze sharp and questioning. She was dressed in a dark blue robe with golden embroidery, and a mysterious mark shaped like '|' was etched on her forehead.

"Who are you two?" she asked, her voice calm but firm.

The fish girl immediately answered. "He lost his memory. And... I evolved because of him."

The woman studied Daigo carefully. "Oh? That's quite interesting." A small smile appeared on her face. "Well then, my name is Lavender. I live nearby. Come with me—I have a place where you can stay."

Daigo hesitated, but something about her presence felt familiar yet unsettling. The fish girl gave him an encouraging nod, and with no better options, he followed Lavender.

After walking through the dense jungle that covered the island, they arrived at an ancient castle hidden behind thick vines and tall trees. It was massive, yet eerily quiet, as if it had been forgotten by time itself. The stone walls were cracked, but still held strong, and the entrance was guarded by two statues of armored knights, their swords crossed.

The heavy wooden doors creaked open, revealing a dimly lit hall lined with red carpets and towering bookshelves. Daigo and the fish girl exchanged glances, both feeling a strange energy within the walls.

As they stepped inside, a young woman with silver hair and deep violet eyes stood waiting for them. She was dressed in an elegant, flowing robe, her presence exuding authority.

"Welcome," she said smoothly. "My name is Issey, and I am the owner of this castle."

Daigo remained silent, still processing everything, while the fish girl asked, "Who is she?"

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Lavender stepped forward. "She is one of the Elite Servants."

Daigo blinked. "Elite... Servants?"

Issey chuckled. "Ah, so you've never heard of us?" She turned and began walking deeper into the castle. "Come, I will show you something."

Daigo and the fish girl hesitated but followed, their curiosity outweighing their caution.

They walked through long, candlelit hallways, passing by ancient paintings of warriors locked in battle. The air was thick with history, each step echoing against the cold stone floors. Finally, Issey led them into a vast chamber.

At the center of the room stood four large stone pedestals, each one holding a symbol of a different warrior. One of them had a mark that looked identical to the one on Lavender's forehead.

"There are four Elite Servants," Issey explained. "Lavender is one of them. And there are two more."

Daigo frowned. "What exactly are Elite Servants?"

Issey smiled knowingly. "We are... the hands of the one who seeks power. We do not serve kings or emperors. We serve a greater force."

Daigo's head ached slightly, as if something deep within him was trying to surface. "And what force is that?"

Issey met his gaze, her violet eyes gleaming in the dim light. "You'll understand soon enough."

A heavy silence settled between them.