A moment later, a spark of spirit appeared in his sleepy eyes.
That's right, why care about true or false? Why care about reality or illusion?
When the false is taken for true, the true is also false; when non-being is taken for being, being is also non-being.
'My past self is real, Roy of the Zoldyck Family is also real, and Kamado Eiichiro in the world of cognition is equally real...'
'And I, I just need to do what's in front of me and cherish the people around me.'
A faint smile returned to Roy's lips, and he got up to get dressed.
It was almost four o'clock, and his daily morning run couldn't be skipped; he'd treat it as a warm-up for his upcoming Sun Breathing practice.
That's right, the moment he woke from his dream, Roy was pleasantly surprised to find the name "Sun Breathing" on his status panel.
However, it was grayed out, with a note... it required him to bear the "Weight of the Sun" to activate.
Yet, 'the Weight of the Sun...'
Roy put on his vest and shorts, gazing at the sky, where a sliver of dawn was subtly tearing through the darkness.
The scorching power contained within it would undoubtedly test one's willpower to the extreme.
He wasn't sure if he could pass, he could only try first and see... The young man took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and ran out.
At that moment, a certain old man lying in a rocking chair was still sound asleep, listening to a cartoon... In a bedroom hidden in the darkness at the corner of the corridor, a pale, flawless face suddenly opened its eyes... Meanwhile, in the master bedroom on the second floor... a man was roughly pressing a woman against the French window... Everyone was busily exerting themselves, just as Roy would not slack off in the slightest.
From the mountain top to the bottom, and then back up the mountain, his daily five kilometers quickly concluded.
When he returned to his bedroom, he looked out, and the magnificent morning glow, accompanied by the crimson sun leaping over the horizon, brought with it an ancient, wild aura and endless vitality, rushing towards him... Roy felt a stirring in his heart, closed his eyes, and began to practice Sun Breathing.
Unlike Tanjuro, this time, he moved with "Nen." Using Sun Breathing as a guide, he began to circulate his aura within his body.
Then, he felt a burning sensation!
This burning sensation grew increasingly intense, and as he performed movements like Waltz, Blue Heaven, and Retsujitsu Kōkyō (Scorching Sun Rainbow Mirror), it almost swelled into a ball of fire, instantly igniting Roy from head to toe.
Pain... It was very painful... Extremely painful... It was the pain of being roasted alive over a bonfire, so excruciating that Roy almost fainted.
He barely managed to lean against the door, preventing himself from collapsing.
This shows the immense value of only one Tanjiro appearing in a thousand years, from the Sengoku period to the Edo period!
'I want this rotten era to turn to ash...'
'I want the sunlight to shine, leaving no place for the corrupt to hide...'
'I want to use the true fire of the sun to burn away all darkness and slay all demons...'
In the ethereal realm, Roy, almost unconscious from the pain, seemed to hear someone's murmurings. Unbeknownst to him, a figure had appeared in his pupils... It was a swordsman carrying a flute.
He had deep crimson hair, and flame-like markings spread across his forehead... He stood quietly at the end of time, looking at Roy gently, smiling and saying something that sounded like... "Those who pursue the path, though by different routes, arrive at the same destination."
"Brother, I told you not to worry that the Breathing technique would be lost. You see it now, don't you?"
Tsugikuni Yoriichi... This figure... truly resembled him... Roy vaguely recognized his appearance, then swayed, slid down the doorpost, and collapsed... With that, the scorching heat that could kill a person dissipated... Roy was finally freed, gasping for air, almost completely exhausted.
Fortunately, all the suffering was not in vain.
The panel's notification sound promptly gave him comfort.
[Notification: Sun Breathing has been activated...]
[Current progress: Beginner (1/100)]
'It finally... happened...'
Roy smiled, the red sun shining, and the morning glow spilling onto his face, making him involuntarily spread his arms.
Enjoying this moment.
It was five o'clock in the morning, and as the old grandfather clock in the corner chimed, the butler Gotoh pushed a dining cart, as usual, to deliver Roy's meal.
He habitually knocked on the door, but seeing it open and Roy sitting casually against it, Gotoh paused.
Gotoh was stunned, walked over, and reached out to help him up.
At that moment, Roy opened his eyes, and instantly—
Gotoh felt a sharp pain in his eyeballs, as if he had seen a sun, or as if someone had shined a laser pointer directly into his eyes at close range, his vision immediately blurred... "Ah—"
A scream echoed... After that, Roy's butler changed from Gotoh to the muscular Tsubone.
"Is he alright?"
"The doctor said he's only temporarily blind and will recover in a few days."
"That's good."
Gotoh was eventually helped away for treatment... After his morning training, Roy ate lunch while listening to Tsubone report on Gotoh's condition.
He forked a piece of steak, frowned, and said, "Tell them to double his salary this month."
"There is no such precedent," the old butler said expressionlessly, with his hands clasped in front of him. "He is a dog of the Zoldyck Family; having food is enough."
"However, Young Master..."
Tsubone leaned over, staring at Roy, her gorilla-like physique completely enveloping him, and asked with a serious expression, "Master told me to ask Young Master how Gotoh got injured."
According to the doctor's diagnosis: his eyeballs experienced an acute stress reaction due to intense stimulation, leading to temporary blindness.
So, what stimulated him?
Sliva wanted to know, and Tsubone also wanted to know, but... since Gotoh hadn't exposed him, Roy had to respect his choice and show him respect.
So, he slowly pulled out a napkin to wipe his mouth and said, "I think as a master, I have no obligation to tell a dog..."
"You say Gotoh is a dog, aren't you?"
Tsubone nodded in agreement, "Of course, I am too."
Then her tone shifted, "But Master is not."
"Then let him ask me himself."
Roy pushed his chair back and stood up directly.
When words don't align, there's no need for more talk. He always respected the butlers who would die for the Zoldyck Family, but Roy couldn't agree with the self-perception that treated people not as people but as dogs.
He walked straight past Tsubone... and also passed a demon with empty, lifeless eyes... Illumi seemed to have just returned from killing someone, still enveloped in a strong scent of blood... With his hands in his pockets, he walked towards Roy, also about to pass him, but just as they brushed shoulders...
He suddenly stopped, turned his head, and glanced at him, saying, "Dogs are dogs, and humans are also dogs."
"It's as simple as killing a person or killing a dog."
"Is that so?" Roy sneered coldly, leaving Illumi with a back that wasn't broad but was glaring: "Then congratulations, my dog brother, you are very self-aware."
Illumi: "..."
With a "whoosh"... he revealed his hand blade.