Chapter 1: Kaiser
Kaiser.
Some say it means "the Guardian of Humanity."
A name that appears whenever mankind faces extinction — once legend, no, perhaps myth itself if one limits it to humanity alone.
Whoever the opponent may be does not matter. Even if it were a dragon said to be unbeatable by humans, even if it were a being that had transcended mortal limits and stepped into the realm of the gods — the opponent was irrelevant.
Each time humanity stood on the brink of ruin, he appeared, saved them, and vanished again — asking for no reward, existing only as a divine guardian protecting mankind.
Anyone who lived as a human, regardless of nation, would eventually hear his name.
Especially in the Re-Estize Kingdom, where the legends were most abundant — to claim ignorance of that name would almost make one a suspected spy.
It was a name none could fail to know.
He tears through a dragon's scales, pierces the magic of demon lords, and severs the throats of gods — all for humanity, all for the sake of protection.
Perhaps that is why the Slane Theocracy regards Kaiser with hostility.
They could not tolerate the notion that a mere human could hold a legend of defeating gods.
And yet, as rumors of Kaiser's existence grew stronger in recent times, historians began to raise questions.
First — the power he wields is beyond what can be called human.
Second — despite being human, his period of activity is far too long.
Most people ignored the first issue, dismissing it as an exaggeration befitting a legend.
Only true experts and a handful of scholars understood how unreasonable that power truly was.
But the second issue — his lifespan — was far harder to overlook. No human lives beyond a century. Even with magic, the body inevitably decays.
A magic caster might extend life, but according to legend, Kaiser was a warrior who wielded a sword.
Physical degradation was inevitable.
Then how could Kaiser remain active for so long?
At first, historians concluded that he simply was not human.
Yet the portraits and written records all described Kaiser unmistakably as a human being.
Thus, scholars arrived at a second theory — one that has since become the accepted truth.
Kaiser is not one man.
Kaiser is not the name of a single warrior, but a title bestowed upon the representative of humanity in each era — the strongest warrior of mankind.
And that interpretation has since become the established belief — and in truth, reality seems to have followed it.
....
"Warrior Captain Gazef, thank you for your hard work today!"
"Ah, yes. You all did well, too."
Removing his heavy armor, Gazef Stronoff addressed his soldiers. They had just slain a powerful monster on this mission, and the excitement still lingered among them. Gazef himself felt a spark of battle-lust after facing such a formidable foe for the first time in a while.
"As expected of you, Warrior Captain! To fell such a huge monster in a single blow — I can only dream of becoming as strong as you someday!"
"Haha, don't flatter me so much. I didn't take it down alone, did I? Everyone played their part well, holding it off so that I could find my opening."
Gazef smiled warmly.
He had earned the absolute trust of his subordinates — and with good reason. His skill was unmatched. He possessed strength worthy of the title "Strongest Knight of the Re-Estize Kingdom."
Though he was born a commoner and should have had no right to become a knight, the king himself recognized Gazef's ability and created a new title for him — Warrior Captain — bestowing upon him the honor of knighthood.
Secondly, he had character.
He never grew arrogant from his strength, never looked down on others, and always upheld a firm sense of justice. He never despised the weak nor bore the arrogance of the strong. With both strength and virtue like that, what subordinate could resist admiring Gazef?
"No, Captain Gazef! I truly believe you are worthy to inherit the title of Kaiser!"
"Kaiser?... So, you too believe that Kaiser isn't just one person, but rather a name passed down?"
"Yes, of course. …For one man, the period of activity is far too long, and his appearances far too mysterious."
The reason the legend of Kaiser spread across the world is simple — because he acted across the entire world.
In every nation that had maintained its existence, at least one record or document mentioned Kaiser. It was a legend, a myth that transcended borders — and unlike most myths, there was evidence suggesting his real existence.
"Enough of that. That name is far too heavy for me."
"You're too humble! I truly believe you deserve it."
Gazef smiled awkwardly.
Had he never met that person, perhaps he might have aspired to that name as his subordinate suggested. Even if the title didn't suit him, "the strongest" was a label any warrior would find tempting. He might have trained for it, reached for it — even knowing he'd likely never obtain it.
But Gazef did not seek that name.
For one reason — he was far too weak to bear it.
"Well then, I'll take my leave."
"Yes, sir! Please enjoy your day off!"
The strongest warrior of the Re-Estize Kingdom — that was Gazef Stronoff, the Warrior Captain.
Everyone in the kingdom, even those of other nations, acknowledged his strength as a national treasure. No strong man underestimated him.
Those who crossed swords with him felt fascination if they were powerful, terror if they were weak. Such was Gazef Stronoff.
He had stepped into the realm of the strong — even a hero in the eyes of many. Yet Gazef still believed himself weak. Not because of dragons or demon lords beyond human reach, but because he had once witnessed "nothingness" — the absolute pinnacle attainable by man.
'Now that I think of it… how long has it been? I wonder if that person is out there saving someone again.'
As a child, Gazef had once faced death.
It was then that a stranger, wielding nothing more than a wooden sword, saved him from a monster.
That scene was forever burned into his memory. Just a wooden sword — not enchanted, not forged from any special material, just something one could buy at a cheap shop.
Yet, with that sword, the man had split the very earth with a single strike. Gazef knew he would never forget that sight until the day he died.
'It's a shame his honor was never properly recognized… but then again, he was never one to care about such things.'
Even if Kaiser's meaning had changed — from a single man to a title passed down through generations — the man Gazef remembered would probably just smile and say, "Oh, is that so?" without a care.
To Gazef, he was the closest thing to a true hero — a man who showed that there were no limits to what humanity could achieve.
That was the Kaiser Gazef remembered.
And though Gazef had grown far stronger than his younger self — strong beyond comparison — he still hadn't even touched the tip of Kaiser's power. Not even a fragment of that strength could he surpass.
....
"Hm?"
Weary from his recent mission, Gazef was walking home, lost in memories of Kaiser, when he noticed a crowd gathered down the street.
A fight, perhaps?
Despite his fatigue from battle and marching, Gazef immediately rushed over. To ignore disorder would be to disgrace both the Kaiser who once saved him and the king who had granted him his position.
"Is he… dead?"
"What should we do? Should we report this?"
"No, he's still breathing…"
"Excuse me. What's going on here?"
"Ah! Warrior Captain Gazef!"
He had no armor, no sword — yet there was hardly a soul in this town who didn't recognize his face. The townsfolk quickly stepped aside as Gazef approached, and there he saw it: a man lying unconscious on the ground.
For a moment, Gazef feared the worst — but then he saw it clearly.
The man was still breathing.
"Who is this man?"
"Ah, well… He was just walking down the street when he suddenly collapsed. We weren't sure what to do, so we were trying to figure it out."
"Hmm."
Gazef knelt down beside the fallen man. Something about him felt… strange. Faded white hair, loose black clothes — a color scheme he felt he had seen somewhere before. The man on the ground was murmuring something faintly. Is he conscious? Gazef wondered, leaning closer.
"Hey, can you hear me? What happened? Do you need help?"
"…hun… gry…"
"Sorry, what was that?"
The fallen man slowly lifted his head. And as their eyes met, Gazef's own widened. His mouth fell open in disbelief.
The last time he had seen that face — it must have been when he was just a boy. Even if time had dulled his memory, this was something Gazef could never forget. It was as vivid as if it had happened yesterday.
"Ka–Kai—…" Gazef nearly blurted out the name, then quickly clamped his mouth shut. There were too many people around.
While it had become common lately for parents to name their children Kaiser, drawing attention here would do no good. Turning to the murmuring crowd, Gazef spoke in a composed tone.
"Ahem… I'll take care of this young man. Please, return to your business."
"Ah, thank you, Warrior Captain."
The bystanders slowly dispersed. Gazef watched until the last of them had gone, then leaned closer to the man and whispered.
"K–Kaiser, sir… what are you doing in a place like this? Ah, you may not remember me, but I am—"
"...Hm?"
He seemed to say something again, but Gazef couldn't quite hear it. So he asked once more — and then, with a face pale as death, the Guardian of Humanity managed to whisper just loud enough for Gazef to hear:
"…I'm hungry."
And then — grrrrrumble! — a sound like an earthquake roared from his stomach.
"…"
Apparently, even the Guardian of Humanity couldn't defeat hunger.
....
The Strongest of Mankind.
That title referred to only one being. Some might say that "strength is relative" — that it changes depending on circumstance. But such words only apply when powers are close to equal.
In the face of overwhelming might, everything else becomes meaningless.
Gazef Stronoff had never forgotten the proof of that power — the slash that cleaved both heaven and earth. To call it anything less than "a strike that split the world in two" would be disrespectful. He had spent his entire life training to reach even a fraction of that might.
Though he had grown far stronger than before, he still couldn't touch that strike. He couldn't even see it.
And yet, Gazef never despaired. He accepted his limits with humility and continued to train relentlessly, always striving upward.
....
"No, I mean it — I thought I was going to die! You might not believe this, but it's been nearly a year since I've had a proper meal. Honestly, you're too kind, Captain. Buying food for a complete stranger like this…"
"So… you really don't remember me."
"…Huh? Have we met somewhere before?"
"My name is Gazef. Do you remember now?"
"Gazef…?"
The man tilted his head slightly, his expression blank — like a child trying to recall a distant dream.
Then the man suddenly widened his eyes — and a faint spark of recognition lit them. He looked at Gazef with a hint of curiosity and nostalgia. It seemed he remembered.
Gazef's heart swelled with quiet joy. Kaiser remembered him.
He, a mere boy who had briefly crossed paths with a living legend, still lived in Kaiser's memory.
"That kid!? …You've grown so much. When we parted, you barely reached my waist — and now you're taller than me!"
"Kaiser, sir, you haven't changed at all since the day we met."
"This has always been my body… though I do wish I were a little taller," Kaiser said with a laugh.
Gazef smiled faintly, watching the man sip his water.
"You've changed, Kaiser. The last time I saw you… you looked so exhausted."
There was no mockery in his tone.
Kaiser's sword carried pride — the weight of all humanity itself. Gazef never doubted that his strength existed purely for the sake of mankind, that every swing of that blade was for justice.
But the eyes that wielded that sword had been dead.
Hollow. As though Kaiser had long since moved beyond duty, trapped in an existence of endless obligation.
The lifeless eyes of that man — the faint, weary smile he gave when young Gazef declared he wanted to be as strong as him — Gazef could never forget them.
But now, there was something different.
Kaiser still looked tired, yes — but there was life in him again. He no longer resembled the walking corpse Gazef had once seen.
"Kaiser, sir… have you come to the Re-Estize Kingdom for some purpose?"
"I'm just a wanderer. I go wherever my feet take me. Ending up here was a coincidence. Still, since you treated me to a meal, I feel like I should return the favor. I'm not the kind of man who forgets kindness."
"Then think of it as me repaying the debt — for saving my life, long ago."
Gazef had come to believe that humanity was never truly weak — and that belief was born from Kaiser himself.
Kaiser had shown him that there were no walls a human could not overcome.
"You've become quite the speaker," Kaiser chuckled.
"You were so stiff and serious as a kid."
"Haha, maybe it's from dealing with nobles too often lately."
"Nobles, huh…? Now that you mention it, if I remember correctly, in the Re-Estize Kingdom only nobles could become knights, yes?"
"His Majesty granted me a special position — 'Warrior Captain' — to serve as a knight in all but name."
"I see. That means the king values you highly. To receive such favor from royalty — that's no small thing. Seems this king doesn't care much for social rank."
"He is a great man," Gazef said with pride.
Kaiser turned toward the window, gazing up at the sky beyond.
Why had he come to this kingdom? Even he wasn't sure. It wasn't a lie when he said he simply walked here. But somehow, something had called him.
That inexplicable feeling — that sense of premonition — had guided him his entire life, kept him alive through countless ages.
And now, that instinct was stirring again — a quiet yet undeniable warning that something was coming.
He didn't know what it was, only that he could feel it in his chest like the beating of a second heart.
He was Kaiser, the Guardian of Humanity — fighting existed for no other reason than to protect humankind.
"…I'll step outside for some air."
"You're not going to vanish on me again, are you?"
"Hahaha, you know me — being elusive is my nature."
Laughing, Kaiser climbed out through the window. Gazef wanted to tell him to use the door, but the man had always preferred it that way — even back then.
As he watched Kaiser disappear, Gazef drank the last of his water. For a being of legend, Kaiser's demeanor was surprisingly easygoing — perhaps even too casual. To anyone who knew the myths, seeing the man like this would have shattered their image of him entirely.
But Kaiser was, after all, human.
He had merely used his strength to protect others — his personality mattered little. The deed defined the man, not his temperament.
"Phew…"
Gazef sighed, turning his attention to the stack of documents on his desk. Reports from the frontier — stories of Baharuth Empire knights massacring villagers along the border. And the order to investigate had fallen to him.
He knew what this meant. The empire was laying a trap — using this pretext to eliminate him, the commoner granted the royal title of Warrior Captain.
Even so, a trap was no excuse to ignore suffering.
Citizens were dying near the border.
Knowing that, how could he possibly turn away?
Gazef's eyes burned as he looked out the window once more.
Please… grant me strength — even if only enough to touch the tip of your power, Kaiser.
It was a prideful prayer, and he knew it.
But if it meant surviving — if it meant protecting his people — he prayed anyway.
....
The world of man changes quickly.
Revolutions rise and fall in mere moments; civilization advances, collapses, and rebuilds again.
Kaiser had seen it all, for centuries.
Each time, he marveled — sometimes proud, sometimes disappointed. But always watching, always understanding.
Humans live on, no matter what. They pursue their goals, whether noble or vile, guided by their desires and beliefs.
Some risk their lives for family.
Some push past their limits for the ones they love.
Some walk dark paths to overcome their own weakness.
Some give everything to uphold loyalty, justice, and virtue.
As many people as there are in the world, there are that many colors — each unique, each vivid.
Kaiser had met countless such humans through the ages.
Men and women who wagered their lives for justice.
Others who never once betrayed their family, lovers, friends, or comrades — their resolve unshakable to the end.
Good or evil — it didn't matter.
After so long, Kaiser had come to believe that all these theories — human nature is good, human nature is evil — were meaningless.
For humanity was not one thing.
It was everything.
"Kaiser, huh…"
Do you still remember the name you had when you were human?
He didn't. It had been an ordinary name — a single-syllable given name. Unremarkable.
The kind of name you might hear once in passing and forget a moment later.
But perhaps it didn't matter anymore.
No one remembered it now, and he had lived as Kaiser far longer than he had ever lived under his human name.
It had probably begun the moment he defeated the 108 demons born to annihilate mankind. From that day on, people called him Kaiser.
At least back then, they still spoke his human name alongside it — the so-called "another name," a title given to heroes and legends. But as time passed, people stopped saying his real name.
The title became everything.
One by one, those who knew his true name disappeared.
The boy who had once been human died long ago.
Only the Guardian remained.
He looked like a man in his early twenties — young, almost too young. Yet in his eyes lived a depth and weariness no veteran could match. Those eyes had seen centuries.
He had protected human cities for hundreds of years.
Every time he found them beautiful, he learned to hate them; every time he found them despicable, he rediscovered their beauty. And so he continued to protect them.
Perhaps it was simply because he had once been human — and one needs no grand reason to protect one's own kind.
"The night's gone deep… yet it's still bright. And noisy," Kaiser murmured to himself.
That was his impression of the current age — bright, loud, restless.
He let out a quiet laugh, part amused, part exasperated.
"No matter how many centuries pass, they just keep repeating the same foolish mistakes. Foolish… and yet they never learn to give up."
And that was precisely why.
Because they were weak, cowardly, and disgusting —
and yet also strong, steadfast, and beautiful —
Kaiser had protected humanity all this time.
It wasn't quite love and hate; perhaps something gentler, deeper.
He simply chose to protect them, even knowing everything — their sins, their futility, their endless cycles.
To call it love might sound strange… but it wouldn't be wrong.
"…Hmm. But where was Gazef's house again?"
By the time dawn began to break, Kaiser finally managed to find it.
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