Gardenia's Heart - Chapter 54: Identity

In Bleach, with mediocre talent, the protagonist has been flatlining for thirty years. But with the sudden completion of the Zanpakuto conception, he has become a “sword person.”Unlimited Blade Works, essentially “unrestricted swords.”Since Soul Society does not allow two identical Zanpakutos to exist, then I just won't use my Zanpakuto, and that should be fine, right?Who is the strongest in the Zanjutsu category: Zangetsu or Zangetsu: Black?Who is the number one in Assassination Techniques: Ichimonji or Suzumebachi?Which is stronger: Kinshara or Senbonzakura?Can the Yami no Tachi Shura and Yami no Tachi Rasetsu compete for the title of the strongest Zanpakuto?Unlimited Blade Works, essentially “swords,” all the “swords” in the world are mine. Yamamoto, even you, the head of the 1st Division, “Black,” cannot take away my “swords.”

In her past life, Michelle was an ordinary doctor who worked in a small hospital, but once in a while, a strange envelope would arrive at her apartment and she would take up a weaon and turn into a deadly assassin known for her stealthiness. But being a top assassin, Michelle had many enemies and ended up dying, only to wake up in the body of Michelle Grace, a pampered young miss in a world similar to ancient dynasties, except that cultivation existed there. Not everyone could cultivate, but Michelle Grace could.The original Michelle Grace was engaged to the Crown Prince, and he killed her before Michelle took over the body, so after making a deal with Michelle Grace's father, the Archduke, Michelle took on the name Grace and started a revenge plan on the Crown Prince, his lover, his mistress and his father, the Emperor.A bit troublesome: Michelle gained the attention of two men who together were the Dark Lord. They were horrifyingly powerful, so Michelle had to be careful around them. Luckily, they didn't have in their plans harming her, as they were intrigued by her constitution. Michelle possessed a rare blood, which they could use.

In humanity’s final war against the Demon Lord, the strongest heroes fell—not by the enemy’s hand, but by their own, twisted into madness by a cruel illusion. Betrayal. Bloodshed. Despair… and then, silence.Only one person remained: Riley—the weakest warrior of them all. Powerless. Ignored. Forgotten.But he saw through the Demon Lord’s deception. The tyrant was on the brink of death—so weak even a fly could’ve finished him off.And Riley did just that, drawing every last ounce of strength to bite off the demon’s head.Victory? Not quite. A final, desperate strike from the Demon Lord pierced him from behind, killing him instantly.But fate wasn’t done with him yet.Riley awoke ten years in the past—when the online game [Apocalypse] was launched. Before demons descended. Before monsters overran the world.And this time, he wasn’t starting from nothing. He had a decade of experience—and a second chance.Even more shocking, he didn’t awaken his old D-rank Strength Boost talent. This time, he received something far more terrifying: an SSS-Rank Gluttony talent!He could now devour anything—monsters, items, talents, even traits—and gain their power.Ding![You have devoured: Iron Fang Wolf][Acquired: +4 Strength, +2 Agility, Skill: Bite (F-rank)][You have devoured: Goblin ShamanAcquired: +8 Intelligence, Skill: Mana Bolt (E-rank), Talent: Minor Spellcasting Efficiency][You have devoured: Flaming Salamander Drake][Acquired: +22 Endurance, Trait: Dragon’s Resilience, Skill: Flame Breath (C-rank)]Now, there is no demon, no god, no monster who will stand in his way. He will devour everything—and save the world.But the power of Gluttony was a double edged sword. If he wasn’t careful… he could be the one getting consumed.

It was in the middle of the night that the woman who would be the Duchess came to see me.

She said my father and mother died, and my kind uncle became king.

She said it’s not worth it for me, the crown prince, to be living in hiding, too.

“A while ago, Your Highness had been hiding from me. With all due respect, is that for the sake of survival? Just because your parents died doesn’t mean you have no reason to survive. Actually, that fact alone made it all the more reason why you should live. If you die now…”

If I died now?

When I asked her while looking at her eyes, the woman eventually brought out the harsh truth with empathetic eyes.

“It’s like a dog’s death.”

“That’s rude….”

It’s been a long time since I said that. In a short while, he has been treated as a madman and beaten to death just by saying similar things. She loosened her arms that held me and I suddenly stiffened up due to it. Because I thought she might have loosened her arm to hit me. But she didn’t.

She knelt down with one knee in front of me, just like a knight.

“Hastred’s Sarian raised her salutations. May you accept it gladly.”

My first knight is beautiful and kind.

“Are you on my side?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

It was all a lie.