The Past

"I've worked for the Kozuki Family since I was seventeen. From then until now, more than fifty years have passed." The old woman's voice was low and slow, as if every word carried the weight of the years.

Her expression was bleak, and her eyes revealed a deep weariness and endless emotion. The years of the past had carved deep marks into her face, as though time itself were mocking her mercilessly.

Swain sat there quietly, his gaze focused and solemn as he listened to the old woman's account without interrupting. Time passed second by second. It was only after more than ten minutes that the old woman slowly raised her head and looked into the distance, as though she had passed through the curtain of time and returned to that distant past.

Her voice carried a faint sadness as she continued, "The young lord Oden was in the prime of his youth back then, full of vigor and vitality. He was always eager to do reckless things. The family head was helpless in the face of his behavior and had no choice but to confine him, hoping he would become more restrained."

"And it was then that I became responsible for attending to all his daily needs." The old woman sighed softly, as though recalling every detail of that time.

"The family head had him read, hoping he would gain knowledge and wisdom from books. However, the young lord ignored the many books around him, showing affection only for one titled The First Pirate's Voyage Journal. It recorded countless strange and wondrous tales and was divided into five volumes. Each time the young lord finished one volume, I was the one who brought him the next."

A flicker of curiosity crossed Swain's eyes. He interrupted the old woman and