The Aftermath

The flowers were gone, and a green, acidic substance steaming with smoke was scorching through the land.

Zereth was navigating the terrain. He looked at the soil that had now turned from brown to black. He picked up some of it, rubbing it through his fingers.

"So long for the agriculture here," he muttered.

In the distance, the Geomorphs, Ogres, Skyborn, and Lizardmen marched back to Wrym, their weapons slung across their backs, victory in their hands.

"We suffered zero casualties. For a team without a commander, they're pretty good. Makes me wonder how strong they'll be if they have a master tactician on their squad."

Zereth knew the Forest of Wrym had grown to be recognized as a nation of its own.

He let out a sigh. A friend or an enemy of all… this is bound to bring trouble. I can't catch a break.

Zereth thought he should head back to the leaders. He took two steps before his legs wriggled like noodles, his vision blurred, and he stumbled, leaning on a nearby stone.

"A concussion?"

He held his head as the migraine stung, his vision worsening. His body began to feel heavy. He glanced at his palm and noticed purple energy radiating through his veins.

I can't move, and I don't think Abyss can devour the energy within me without taking in my body.

Zereth lamented in pain, his trembling hands clenching. I'm experiencing it—Aetherion Overflow. My Aetherion is flowing backward. I have to interrupt the flow, or I'll be in danger. If Aeltheris were here, she could have done it for me.

This is one situation I don't recommend to anyone being close to me. I'll blow up everything around me. Worse, I might take myself along too.

"Squee..."

A weak voice, like the chirp of a baby bird, squeaked, snapping Zereth back to reality.

An enemy? Well, it doesn't matter if they go along with me.

"I can't help you, little bud."

[Notice: Struggling detected.]

[Would you like to use the extra skill Delusion?]

[Yes] [No]

A familiar voice echoed in Zereth's head, startling him. Delusion? That's a real skill? And here I thought it was just mockery.

He was now receiving information about the skill and came to understand he was suffering from Aetherion Overflow.

The flow of Aether is going backward, just as I thought. And my extra skill, Delusion, seems to have the perfect counter.

It offered one sub-skill. Talk about a letdown. The skill is called Mislead. What does it do? Mislead people?

[The skill Mislead can alter the flow of anything, including inanimate objects and human senses.]

How can an extra skill be better than skills unique to me and me alone?

He used the extra skill Delusion, altering the flow of Aetherion. The veins on his neck and arms began to disperse the energy easily.

Zereth started moving again, raising his arms and jumping. "Nothing is broken."

The voice under the stone caught his interest. He leaned closer to inspect. The soil had become muddy, mixed with the green substance, and was boiling.

I feel sorry for whoever's under that—a free sauna with a massage from a boulder on top.

He pushed the massive rock towering over him. This could easily level a house if thrown in the direction of one, he thought, grunting as he moved it slowly.

"Squee... Squee..."

There was a monster resembling Asheeron. It had a core on its chest, humanoid in shape, but its dry skin suggested it wasn't made of trees like Asheeron.

It was as if it clad itself in armor. Zereth smirked. He had once tamed a monster that took half of his level.

Is this a coincidence? What will you do to me now if I tame you—take half my life? It's worth it. I'm definitely taming you.

He removed the monster's core. Its body wouldn't heal, but its core—its life source—possessed an ability called Perfect Memory. It could revive itself as long as it had a body to return to.

He opened his domain and placed the core within. Time to meet the leaders. Well, I'm to blame. If I hadn't gone nuts during the battle, maybe Meadow would've been fine. But I feel like I haven't been myself since the fight.

Shaking his head, he moved in the direction of the leaders.

---

Zereth stood in front of the tree the princess once called home. Its top had fallen, and the stream of water had dried up.

On the ground stood Okarin and Kiroki, looking at Zereth. The young master and princess were also watching him.

He played with his hair nervously. "Hee hee..." He walked toward them. Present were Choji, his daughter, and two other Okarin.

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

The princess's menacing smile radiated authority. They're pinning it on me... aren't they?

"What are you?" Choji's daughter asked, poking Zereth's horns. "I've never seen anything like this before. You're super strong, too."

She's like Aeltheris. She doesn't know how to read the room, but she came to my rescue.

"I'm an Oni."

They didn't question him nor doubt his claim. What is this? If it were humans, they'd say, "You resemble something in folklore. There's no way you're from an extinct race—they died 2,000 years ago. How old are you?"

That's the kind of response he expected. Monsters, it seemed, were more understanding than humans.

"You'll take responsibility, right?"

The princess pressed on. I am to blame, after all. Helping them is the least I could do... but I need to know their plan first.

"What are you planning to do now? I don't think anyone can survive here."

"Yes, we plan to move out," the young master replied, his hands on the table.

"So you already have a place to stay? I thought you were like water and oil. Where are you moving to?"

The princess approached Zereth, her voice low but steady. "Yes. A place called Wrym."

Zereth's face turned red. "So, Kiroki and Okarin are a pair? Good luck in your new home... Wait, did you say Wrym?"

The revelation shocked Zereth. He thought he'd dodged the bullet, but now his face was pale with disbelief.

"You're mainly responsible for this destruction, aren't you?"

Zereth nodded. It's the truth, after all.

"One of the people who caused this is gone, and the other is standing before me. Isn't it fair for you to take the burden and responsibility?"

She's easily making me confess I'm to blame... but it's not happening.

Zereth stayed quiet, looking to the side and whistling.

"You'll take responsibility, right?" Her evil smile made him shiver.

"Yes, I'll take you to Wrym with me."

Her expression softened into one of grace, befitting a princess. But Zereth wasn't fooled.

Zereth stood over the edge of the tree, looking down at the crowd—men, women, and children. He wouldn't let fellow monsterkin die off.

"Listen, everyone! Form groups of ten. I'll teleport each of you."

After teleporting everyone, Zereth arrived at Wrym's gates. The Okarin waited for him, along with the leaders. Aeltheris and Missanya welcomed them, followed by the three brothers.

"Welcome back, Lord Zereth," Missanya said, bowing. Zereth nodded, while Aeltheris waved casually.

"Home sweet home," Zereth muttered, watching as the Okarin and Kiroki were accepted by the residents.

I've now become a king. There's no way I can back out of this position now.

Zereth had a tiring day. Using teleportation over 30 times felt like second nature.

His thoughts drifted to Asheeron. Someone has that monstrosity in their arsenal... but who?

The thoughts lingered as he connected the dots. I can tell Aeltheris has something to ask me. I just hope she'll be her usual self.