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The Empire of Light, Lichtreich.
An empire established by Yhwach, who conquered and unified the fractured Quincy factions. With advanced technology and superior abilities, the empire expanded its influence at a staggering pace.
The people of Lichtreich possessed spiritual power, which they used to gather the Reishi in the atmosphere and forge it into weapons.
Calling themselves 'Quincies' and wielding bows and arrows made of Reishi, they exterminated the Hollows that threatened their families and comrades.
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"Grandfather, what happens next? What happened after that?"
Inside a small, peaceful cabin, a black-haired young boy felt the warm glow of the fire crackling beneath the chimney and asked urgently.
"What do you think happened? Thanks to His Majesty, we are all living well like this, helping one another.
Do you really enjoy hearing a story you've already heard so many times?"
In response to the boy's question, the man called grandfather gave a warm smile and gently stroked the child's hair.
"If the Quincies hadn't gathered together under His Majesty, we would still be living in fear of those formless things that could appear anywhere at any time."
"You can't see the Hollows? I can see them perfectly! I can even see ghosts!"
"It's just a figure of speech. Ordinary humans without spiritual power cannot see them."
Taking a sip of steaming tea, the man carefully rose from the creaking chair he had been leaning back in.
He passed the dining table, which was cracked in places by the passage of time, and slowly picked up a wrapping cloth that had been draped over a chair.
"I remember when I first saw you. Was it thirteen years ago? A newborn baby came floating down the stream, wrapped in this very cloth..."
The boy's expression turned slightly pouting, as if the story made him uncomfortable, but the man paid no mind. Holding the cloth to his chest, he approached the boy and continued.
"You cried so loudly, I thought the entire mountain was shaking."
"...Could you please not tell that part?"
The boy spoke up sharply, as if rebelling against the words delivered with such a kind smile.
The man soon wore a lonely smile and looked down at the child.
"I told you, Ichigo. I am not your blood relative. Besides, with a body as old as mine... it is my fate to part ways with you soon."
The man firmly pressed the cloth, which had the name 'Ichigo' written on it, into the boy's hands.
Ichigo buried his face in his knees at those words. The grandfather burst into a small laugh at the sight of Ichigo sulking and gently patted his back.
"You have talent. More than I ever had, even when I was praised as a prodigy in my youth. More than any noble house in Lichtreich."
At those words, Ichigo lifted his head slightly to meet his grandfather's eyes and muttered in a low voice.
"So, are you telling me to become a great person?"
"...Not at all, Ichigo."
The grandfather comforted Ichigo with a dry, wrinkled hand that still held a lingering warmth.
"Live the life you want to live. But remember just one thing.
Use that talent for the right reasons. If you ever realize the path you are walking is wrong, please, make sure to turn back."
Ichigo didn't fully understand what those words meant, but he gave a half-hearted nod for now.
The grandfather seemed satisfied with that, the corners of his wrinkled eyes crinkling softly.
Four months later, the old man passed away.
Ichigo spent the entire day crying by the old man's body. That night, following the man's final wishes, he buried him in a clearing a short distance from the cabin.
The year was 997.
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"I have finally found you, my son."
"...Excuse me?"
The year 999.
While walking through the marketplace eating bread, Ichigo encountered the Emperor of Lichtreich, Yhwach.
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