Chapter 86: Cruel Fate
3rd Pov
A spark of irritation crossed Feldway's expression, as he swung his divine weapon [Ark]...the galaxy integrated blade bent out the very space.
Targeting Rimuru who effortlessly evaded the blow and countered with his own sword...his eyes glowed as [Future Attack prediction] was enabled.
Their confrontation grew out of proportion as the already ravaged barren land was reshaped once again...the sky violated as a piece of heaven and reality collapsed under their path.
Deadly condensed aura spraying around the world, the central world is special...its durability and resistance was reinforced by the very power of Veldanava and the other true dragon.
It can withstand the use of ultimate skill and release of aura that could implode worlds.
But the inhabitants weren't all supreme...most of them would be killed upon meeting these aura.
Rimuru : (Ciel...can we just re-cast that holy spell?)
In terms of ability, Rimuru was superior...but the experience and skill gave Feldway the edge.
Since our slime had just awakened as a digital lifeform...he had yet to get used to his new condition and Ciel was busy to analyse and comprehend all the new possibilities.
Azathoth, the God of Void and new ultimate skill that was created possessed such power that Rimuru dreaded using it.
It is the same case as handling a nuclear weapon to a man...if you don't possess any basic knowledge or experience of the weapon, you are nothing but a walking danger.
Ciel : (Negative, the holy spell [Last Judgement] was only a one time use skill that directly condensed all the faith place under the name of Rimuru Tempest, it is a usage that transcends both time and space...a lone ultimatum.)
Rimuru : (Then why using it on Dagruel or Ashura?)
Ciel : (The situation left us no choice, any more time and Feldway would have eliminated Milim Nava...i judged that finishing Ashura and absorbing his nature would be the most optimal route.)
She also omitted the part that [Last Judgement] took a long time to charge, even if they managed to squeeze out faith from another source.
They would need to immobilize Feldway during the whole activation process...and Feldway's power wasn't inferior to Rimuru.
Rimuru : (Still, is it me or does Feldway's movement appear awfully slow now?)
While communicating with Ciel, his fight was still ongoing...engaged in a close combat involving their blade.
Feldway is among the best swordsmen in existence...yet Rimuru found no trouble whatsoever in confronting him head on.
Ciel : (Is it due to the extended mastery over [Future Attack prediction], including the usage of a new sub skill [Sword Memories].)
Rimuru : (A new skill ? When...)
Ciel : (Just now, the skill [Sword Memories] is a direct ability layering below (Future Attack prediction], it allows the master to instinctively use the knowledge related to swordsmanship from other user bonds with the soul corridor.)
Simply said, Rimuru could now basically move, breathe and react like Hakurou, Benimaru or even Dawn...
This is why despite the almost equal stats, Rimuru ends up gaining the edge slowly...his adaptability via Ciel continuously devours all information surrounding him.
Only a matter of seconds after the beginning, had he already pierced through Feldway's sword art.
Rimuru : (This is incredible...)
Only then, he realized that foreign information kept stacking his movements...parrying another slash, Rimuru felt his vision slowing down.
His eyes traveled across Feldway's guard, finding several openings...each one of them were then circled in color via the guidance of [Future Attack prediction].
Green for the safe opening, red for the trap set by the angel...a smirk crept up Rimuru's face as he opted for a side kick around the ribs cage.
Feldway : Ugh-
Confirming Ciel's statement, Feldway was successfully targeted and threw back...taking the opportunity, Rimuru followed up instantly.
Feldway : How did yo-
Rimuru : (Ciel, how long until the analysis of Azathoth is done?)
Ciel : (Apologize, i cannot give an accurate measure but it won't be long...)
It surprised Rimuru a bit seeing Ciel struggle after her evolution...but at least, now she acknowledged her own weakness and didn't let it become a true weakness.
Rimuru : (Sure, take your time, partner.)
Ciel : (Hai!)
Beaming, she was glad her master accepted her as she is...still, this kindness didn't really help her understand the mess that Azathoth is.
Even for a super computer-mind like Ciel, Understanding a whole new skill takes time.
Rimuru : (I just have to stall time...)
The nebulous blade [Ark] coming his way, Rimuru tilted his head...letting the enemy's sword barely gaze at his neck.
Another suggestion appeared before him, confirming his next action...thrusting his sword of tempest forward, he once again forced Feldway to be on the defense.
The blades clashing once again, their aura continuously expanded ravaging whatever left there was to destroy...life.
Ciel : (Master, a barrier has been set surrounding the entire barren land.)
Rimuru : (Huh ? A barrier?)
Looking up, there was indeed a form of dome now blocking access to this battlefield...
Ciel : (Confirming the source, individual : Velgrynd, Velzard and Mirai have been detected outside...)
Rimuru:(So it's their doing ? How sturdy is this barrier?)
Ciel : (Solid enough to contain both master and individual : Feldway's aura...I also confirmed that Velzard is on her way toward here.)
Rimuru : (What ?!)
Before he could even react further, and under Feldway's eyes...a large chilling figure emerged from nowhere.
A white dragon covered with silver tinted scale...a large gem like stone on top of its head, golden eyes that contrasted through the chaotic sight of destruction.
The field instantly shifted to a frozen land, a cold mist embraced Rimuru's skin as his eyes widened at the sudden appearance of the frost dragon.
Rimuru : She is already here ?!
He was notified not even a few seconds ago, the sheer amount of magicule bursting from the dragon's body was enough to kill any A rank classified monster.
No, from what Ciel could muster...perhaps at this point, even a demon lord seed would be struggling between the line of life and death.
Feldway : Ice empress, Velzard ? I didn't notice your arrival...
His eyes narrowed nonchalantly, Velzard was listed among the threats that needed careful attention...and now that they meet face to face.
Feldway could instinctively tell that her current power level has expanded radically higher than the last time they met.
Feldway : (With the support of that abnormal slime...I cannot defeat both of them...)
Gritting his teeth, his hold over [Ark] tightened...his attention shifted to the barrier now isolating them from the rest of the world.
Feldway : (This magic signature belongs to the scorch dragon and...some kind of weird power, is it Dawn Arceid ? No, something similar to the power he holds...)
Velzard : I never appreciate your presence, yet we met again as you use the appearance of my respected brother.
Her remark irked Feldway, with Rimuru on the side he was more careful with his every move...knowing full well that any single mistake could lead to a shift in the following fight.
But that was the least of his worries, for now he had to face the wrath of the frost dragon...cold energy gathered inside her mouth.
Her body straightened backward, holding her head high as more and more power was harvested turning into a [Frost Breath].
Feldway : What is this...
Rimuru : Oi oi, Ciel-sensei...can you apraise this ?
Even Rimuru felt threatened, it was his instinct that told him that such an attack was dangerous...even if he wasn't the target of the killing intent.
Ciel : (Yes, this is most likely Velzard's variant of the [Storm Breath], it's nature consists mainly of pure matter deceleration, freezing everything on its path...she is currently pouring all her power into this.)
Rimuru : (All her power?)
Ciel : (Yes, from the looks of it...she expects the master to help once she fires her spell.)
Nodding, he stood ready as he brushed off the feeling of cold death Velzard gave off.
His attention sharpened when Feldway moved ahead, trying to stop Velzard before she could launch that spell.
Ciel : (Emergency setting, activation of ultimate skill : Uriel.)
A barrier formed before Velzard, the icing sound of a sword clashing against a wall resonated through the field.
Rimuru moved right after, appearing near Feldway while engaging in another sword fight.
Rimuru : Don't you know that it's a silent rule to let the enemy end their power up ?
Feldway : You damn slime...get out of my way !
The urgency of the situation reflecting his action, he harshly swung [Ark] at Rimuru...each slash was parried at a fast pace.
The cadence alone left nothing but an imaginary blur for the naked eyes, only to frustrate Feldway as none of his attempts were successful.
Feldway : (Does i have to unleash that spell here ? No, it is only a one time emergency use...)
Alas, there was no plot or mercy in such a situation...Velzard finished charging her spell, the cold mist spreaded across the entire limited field.
A fog that would make any normal human go crazy was summoned upon Velzard's calling, finally time itself seemed to have been frozen as Velzard launched her [Frost Breath].
Velzard : Vanish and never reappear now !
A ray of freezing light left her mouth, Rimuru who felt the danger arriving from behind let Ciel take over...coating themself in a barrier made from Uriel.
However, Feldway didn't possess such defense...he was forced to quickly get out of the way, flying high up as the heavy beam devastably ran past his previous location.
The beam devoured everything on path, before hitting the barrier...crackling it before covering the instantly regenerated wall with frost, upgrading the dome...
His eyes grew heavier as he realized what he had just escaped...everything that came into contact with the [Frost Breath] was turned into a state of [Suspended World].
But the very essence of life and stuck souls of the giant of the Holy Void nation were eradicated into oblivion.
Feldway : (What in the world...since when did Velzard possess such power?)
But even as he observed this dreadful sight, he was soon brought back to reality...the [Frost Breath] was only dodged once.
That didn't mean he was safe from harm, the scream of death followed as the beam shifted direction.
Feldway : She can control the trajectory ?!
Realizing his mistake, he started flying away at a fast pace...the [Frost Breath] tailing him closely, beginning a breathless pursuit.
Leaving even Feldway, the first creation of god in a sweating state.
Feldway : (I need to wait until she ceases, the magicule consumption of such spells will be great even for a true dragon...)
A simple strategy he made up after realizing that parroching Velzard with such threat looming will be mainly suicide.
Stalling time was difficult too, but realizable because controlling the [Frost Breath] in such a state was hard...thus giving the opening gap for Feldway to fly out of its range.
But again, would Velzard use such a technique while knowing those flows ? No...
Feldway : What th-
Rimuru : Can't let you escape now, right ?
Cutting off his route, Rimuru emerged in a similar unexpected fashion as Velzard's previous entrance.
Being trapped between a slime and dragon...Feldway completely fell into their trap.
Rimuru : (Bind him now, Ciel!)
Ciel : (Hai, activation of [Unlimited Imprisonment])
Golden chain opened reactively to seal Feldway's movement, instinctively he could know that this « prison » was half baked.
But that was intentional on Rimuru's part as he only intended to seal off his movement for a short instant.
Feldway : You piece of sh-
Ciel : (Activation of ultimate skill : Uriel.)
Once again coating himself in a protective layer, Rimuru watched as the incarnation of true winter approached...overloading the area while devouring both Feldway and himself.
Still he was perfectly protected, he couldn't but let out a dry chuckle while looking up...his vision easily piercing through the frozen continuous beam.
Staring at Velzard's menacing figure, he shook his head seeing an oddly warm picture.
Rimuru : (These white hair characters...Dawn, Mirai and now Velzard, and if you count Ramiris- what an overpowered family they got...)
He shook his head again as the [Frost Breath] blossomed upon hitting its target...for long minutes who appeared to flow as hours.
Rimuru remained hidden inside his comfortable barrier...while Ciel announced that she would begin to analyse the world affected by the cold breath...a state of suspension total.
It was clearly what flawed them previously [Suspended World], now that he was a digital lifeform...understanding the concept was much easier.
It continued until the frozen beam gradually weakened before ending...its coldness dispersed under Velzard's mouth.
Her figure went into a state of golden light as she was forced to shift into her child human form...unable to muster enough magicule to maintain any other appearance.
Velzard : It was an experimental run but it worked perfectly fine...
Catching her breath, she recollected her thought before letting her eyes land on Feldway...his external body was completely frozen.
No sign of life could be found, still his soul was perfectly preserved...he had sacrificed this previous body offered to him by Veldanava to survive this desperate situation.
At the moment, the threat known as Feldway is gone...because he cannot escape his own physical body due to the lasting effect of [Frost Breath].
Rimuru : You outdid yourself with this one...
Velzard : Mmh...
Velzard was pleasantly surprised to see Rimuru move despite the blatant suspended state of the field.
She didn't directly cast [Suspended World], just the location that was unlucky enough to be on the path under her attack.
Velzard : Ugh-
Still now fully feeling the recoil, she felt tired...more than ever, it is a strange sensation since as the second oldest true dragon an absolute like being.
She never really experienced pure draining fatigue...her body started falling as she was unable to maintain herself.
But before she could get down too low, Rimuru caught her in a princess carry, gently embracing her.
Rimuru : You won't punish me for this right...
Velzard : What kind of image do you have of me...let's just get down, I need to signal Velgrynd and Mirai that we are done here.
Nodding at her instruction, Rimuru slowly floated down...in a way, he was being considerate of Velzard's state, not going too fast.
Sure enough, after a short while he reached the ground...his boots making contact with the suspended ground.
Right in front of him was the cryogenized body of Feldway.
Velzard : Let me go, I need to finish him.
Rimuru : Y-yeah...
Supporting her as she got back onto her feets, Velzard ignored her sore body...and tried to gather some energy in the palm of her hand.
But failed, since the space around was mainly affected by her [Frost Breath]...the natural state of magicule in the air was frozen...
Velzard : Ah...whatever, I wouldn't be able to use my skill here anyway.
Sighing, she quietly faced Feldway and tilted her head.
Velzard : Still I find it hilarious...your goal is to force back Veldanava considering the fact that he could come back at whatever moment you decide, right.
Even if at the end of his life, Veldanava was no stronger than an advanced human...he is still a true dragon in nature.
With time, his resurrection would have naturally followed yet even after thousands of years...No news of his rebirth.
This could only mean, Veldanava himself refused to reappear...this much was clear even to Velzard, and Feldway's goal was clear knowing the previous fact.
Veldanava cherished creation, his own creation like a child he had watched grow...threatening the world itself will ultimately force him to come back.
The true dragon's core, the world tree and spirit queen Ramiris also known as the manager...the very foundation of the world would collapse once half of those forces are destroyed.
Velzard : You wanted to threaten his beloved creation just to meet him again, but I find it hilarious to think that even in such a crisis...when you are about to be slayed, Veldanava didn't even bother showing himself.
Her words were sharp and cold implying how much of a bother Feldway was to his master...
Velzard : Don't you think he doesn't care about you at all ?
Plowing the nail down, Feldway's soul started shaking in rage...yet he couldn't get out of his frozen state.
Much to Velzard's pleasure, a silent growl left her rosy lips...she turned her gaze toward the frost covered dome above.
Signaling that things were settled...sure enough, the barrier displayed broke down after some time.
Velgrynd descended first followed by Mirai, a fresh wave of breezing magicule filled Velzard's lungs.
Velgrynd : You grew even stronger...this is kinda scary.
Mirai : Mmh...
Rimuru : You guys can't imagine what I witnessed directly.
Scratching his cheek, the cold atmosphere was filled with warmth...a short discussion followed that was soon broken as Rimuru turned his head frantically.
Rimuru : Wait, Milim !
Remembering the reason for his coming here, his eyes scanned the area in search of his friend...alas, instead of feeling the sense of relief upon finding her.
Rimuru's soul ran cold as he watched Milim...being carried in the embrace of a lady he had never seen before.
Black hair, deep blue eyes and a sort of gem crested on her forehead...
Rimuru : W-who ?
Ciel : (Her magical signature suggests that she is an angel, primordial at that.)
This revelation further made Rimuru more tense, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword...
Velgrynd : You are...Obera ?
Her words brought everyone's attention toward the primordial...the combined glare of a true hero, true dragons and true demon lord was intense.
Anyone would be shrinking in fear, and Obera wasn't an exception...she felt the pressure and knew that running away wouldn't be an option.
Her sole weapon were her next chosen words...
Obera : I greet the ruler of the central world...as you know, I am Obera, Seraphim charged with guarding the prison and binding the world destroyer.
Still holding Milim, she bowed her head respectfully...shortly bringing the tension down.
She emphasized her tone to be submissive and soft so they wouldn't get the wrong idea of her being an enemy.
Velzard : You are on the enemy side, what are you trying to achieve by bowing your head down when your angelic brain only does so in front of Veldanava ?
Obera : It's as you say lady Velzard, we seraphim exist to serve Lord Veldanava and solely him.
Straightening herself up, her gaze didn't flatter under the intensity of the ice and scorch dragon's glare...though her interest was picked upon meeting Rimuru.
She sensed an odd sensation of familiarity with him...unmistakably, she saw the shadowy figure of Veldanava in this little slime.
Obera : (Huh ? I can clearly tell he isn't Lord Veldanava but...he is so similar to him right now...)
Shaking her thought off, she avoided meeting the slime's gaze for now...another oddity was the white haired girl that quietly stood behind the group.
Mirai Averion, she wasn't showing hostility toward Obera...and that made her also very worrisome.
The calmest mind during moments of crisis are always the most dangerous...but above all, Obera just felt like there was too something familiar about her.
Obera : But I long ago started thinking that a change was needed in our mindset.
Sharing her vision, she looked down at the unconscious Milim...a tiny smile flashed before her lips.
Obera : After watching the fight here develop, I made up my mind...I wish to wholeheartedly serve Lady Milim, as she is the real star left by Lord Veldanava in this lowly world.
Her voice laced with honesty, she was still suspect in the eyes of the group facing her.
But the fact that she was now standing before them, harmless, switched the balance in her favor.
Rimuru : I couldn't care less about which master you serve...for now, give me Milim.
Obera : Mmh, very well.
Taking a step forward, she was now being devoured under Rimuru's watch...her every movement being monitored.
And instead of feeling uncomfortable, Obera actually felt relieved to see Milim having such a good friend...that would take precaution for her safety.
Obera : She simply lost consciousness, I already healed the minor scratches and cuts dealt on her physical body.
Rimuru : I see, thanks (Ciel, run a appraisal on Milim...and this Obera too.)
Ciel : (Right away.)
His eyes glowed for a moment, scanning both targets of Rimuru's attention...Ciel instantly gave back a report.
Ciel : (No ill intention detected, individual : Obera is most likely sincere with her feelings, Milim is also in stable condition, she will wake up in a week mainly due to emotional exhaustion.)
Rimuru : I see, I will trust your words for now.
Addressing Obera, he carefully hugged the unconscious Milim...she was so fragile and vulnerable at the moment that it made Rimuru soften his gaze.
Rimuru : Let's go back to Tempest.
The longing sense of going back home, Feldway is out of the picture for now so the Tenma war is reaching its end.
All that is left to do is to go back and settle a few more minor details...
Velgrynd : The fight is still not over...
Rimuru : Mmh ? Now that i think, since you and Mirai are here...did you take care of Michael ?
Velgrynd : Mmh...
Averting her eyes, her demeanor instantly revealed their failure in bringing down Manas : Michael...
Rimuru : What happened ?
Mirai : I will explain...
Raising her hand with a sigh, Mirai kept it short...upon reaching the empire, the entirety of its population was gone.
Manas : Michael moved ahead of their plan and fled before the Tenma war even began...now his intentions are unclear.
She was also notified of their visit in heaven and meeting with the supreme authority, Manas : Lucia.
Obera : The cardinal, her ladyship Lucia is gone ?
The revelations were of even greater shock for Obera, to think the conflict was so unbalanced...sure with the seraphim and Feldway as their lead.
The heaven were a considerable threat but now looking at it from the other side, Obera felt like this war was simply one sided.
Velzard : Obera, you must have some piece of information to complete ours, so spill the beans.
Obera : Y-yes...but honestly, Feldway and her Ladyship were always secretive...I myself just heard about this Manas : Michael...
So many holes in the complete picture, still she did her best to narrate what she noticed before the beginning of the war.
Obera : Her ladyship was always a mystery, I was neither close or foreign to her...since Zalario and Feldway acted on their own, I was the one to maintain contact and report the situation in the spooky palace to the lady...
Topping that, Obera is a naturally observant person...the behavior of Lucia before the war and in the past few centuries was different.
Obera shrugged it off naturally as the context around the world could actually make someone change radically, but now that she looks back, things were truly stranger.
Obera : We seraphim have never taken part in the Tenma war campaign...but this time, her ladyship mobilized all of heaven and seemed to act moving toward a specific goal.
Rimuru : A goal...is it about Veldanava's resurrection ?
Obera : No...as much as she too wanted the return of our lord, her Ladyship has always maintained a face of neutrality...being the cardinal of heaven, she merely ever responded to the call of Armageddon.
The conclusion was simple, Michael had a plan he proposed to Manas : Lucia and the latter was betrayed.
It was perfectly coherent since Manas : Lucia held great affection in awaiting Veldanava's return...she didn't show it but the lingering feeling of hers is the same as the rest of the seraphim.
So a little bit of persuasion under the guise of Veldanava's return could have convinced her to change her way.
Obera : This can't be...then what is the plan-
Velzard : Frankly, this whole resurrection thing is absurd...if Veldanava doesn't want to come back, no matter how many offerings you get or dragon core, he won't appear.
It is a cold reality, perhaps he would come back if the world was truly at stake...but that clearly wouldn't happen because even then.
The probability wasn't at a hundredth...he is the god creator after all.
Mirai : I see...(I doubt Manas : Michael is under the Author's control...it is more likely a deal was struck between them, this could match as the sudden death of Maas : Lucia...)
Holding the Author's card in her mind, Mirai realized that Lucia's death wasn't a coincidence...but she needed one last piece of intels to confirm her suspicion.
Velgrynd : Is something on your mind ?
Mirai : Mmh, Obera...do you know how they banished my father outside of the central world ?
Obera : Your father...wait-
A sudden spark of revelation flashed in her dark iris...she could now see why she felt like she had already met this girl.
Her white hair and blue eyes were distinct and rare features...only Velzard, the frost dragon possessed such a trait as far as she can recall...
Yes, long memories aging from a time before the death of Veldanava or the direct appearance of the true dragon in the mortal world.
Obera : You really look like him...
Mirai : Huh ?
Velzard : Enough, just answer her question.
Velzard interrupted for some reason, she prompted the angel to not stray from memories of the past in the current evolving situation.
Obera : Ah, apologize...as for your question, it is due to the authority given to her ladyship after she ascended as the cardinal manager of the heavenly star palace.
Veldanava as the owner and ruler of that place died, so naturally the hierarchy should naturally be born to manage the star palace.
But for a very long time, no one stepped up for that rôle...it didn't really matter because the seraphim were all occupied with their own order.
Guarding the spooky palace, others went on rampage out of sorrow, some left for the other world...in the end, when Manas : Lucia appeared seemingly born out of nowhere with a direct piece of Veldanava's authority.
The angels concluded that she was a being born from their lord's will...her origin remaining unknown to most even some of the Seraphim.
Her position was granted naturally and Feldway himself vouched for her at a time...now with the current information, perhaps Michael had already made contact with the first creation even back then.
Obera : (From what I can understand of the concept of a Manas, it is mainly of an ultimate skill becoming alive and obtaining an ego...but for such evolution, a name is required.)
She suspiciously turned toward the frozen status of Feldway...
Obera : Could you have been the one that named both her ladyship Lucia and Michael ?
Mirai : This is possible, it is not a secret anymore that the two of them share the same creator being the ultimate skill, Lord of Justice : Michael.
The story of the Justice king, Mirai had it in mind since she inherited the memories of the corrupted though her father was subject to.
The memories of a die hard fan of Tensura, with this everything was now clear for Mirai.
Mirai : (I wonder if the Author influenced the birth of Manas : Lucia...well this might not be the case since the timeline is jumbled totally.)
Justice king, Michael...perhaps the most loyal subject of Veldanava, the incarnation of absolute and repressive justice.
After the death of the star king, his own ideology led himself to obtain a will...and this will end up trying to overtake the host that was given the lord of Justice.
Rudra Nam Ul Nasca, having exchanged skill with Veldanava...the lord of Justice never really accepted his new master as such.
In the Web novel, Manas : Lucia was born only after the Lord of Justice was stolen from Rudra...while Manas : Michael is the direct ego that is lurking behind the Eastern emperor's back.
Now here in this reality, Manas : Lucia was born way before Rudra lost his mind...Michael still trapped under the pure might of the heroic emperor.
Mirai : (It is most likely that the lord of Justice splitted it's ego in two distinct will...one became Lucia and the other remained as Michael, since the ultimate skill was directly created by Veldanava...it is natural that it possesses some sort of narrative authority.)
Closing her eyes, some mystery remained left for answer...but things were much clearer about the situation within the enemy line.
Everything was a coy plot developed from Millennia ago...The lord of Justice was always wary of Rudra, thus needed to separate itself to conduct its ultimate goal.
Which is Veldanava's revival, Manas : Lucia being born as a collateral...Feldway's intention aligned with their goal and led them to develop a strong alliance.
From Lucia's appearance to Rudra's downfall...everything was meticulously planned.
At least, this was before the anomalies that Rimuru Tempest and Dawn Arceid were appeared...shambling through the course of fate and their plan.
Mirai : (The Author's influence in this is questionable...i had fought him for so long that i know the way he operates, cold and emotive...his goal is to maintain the story called Tensura...and thus its ending, but this presence of mine is his biggest obstacle.)
Velzard shouldn't be here with them, this single change affected the course of the timeline significantly.
Thus the ending will never reach the same as the original novel...and no matter how happy or joyful the ending will turn out to be.
The Author will remain as her mortal enemy...his plan now was at least concise enough for her to understand, he wanted to use Ivarage to get rid of the anomalies and then let it be defeated by Rimuru.
Mirai : (This is the resume of all that has been happening...what is important right now is to find Michael and his intention.)
Concluding her thought process, another detail that she omitted came back resurging like a wild beast.
Her figure turned toward the other, they planned to retreat back to Tempest...as they were about to depart, when everyone's guard was lowered.
A looming shadow dominated through space, shattering the law of the world...in a single instant, this shadow appeared behind Velzard.
Plunging a bloodied hand right into her back, piercing the flesh and grabbing the soul of the ice dragon...
The sound of flesh being torn sent to halt all the others, Velzard herself who was subject of the assault was too stunned to react.
Her eyes wandered down slowly, a screeching pain invading her consciousness...feeling her dragon factor being ripped away along the hand of this shadow.
Velzard : Huh ?
A death-cold silence washed the area, all eyes turned back at Velzard...the ice dragon's eyes lost its gleam as she fell down, motionless.
Her body dropped silent the next instant...for a true dragon, their factors are a part of themself...they can maintain their form if it means giving it away violently but just now.
She was forcibly extracted...in the most brutal fashion, and at her lowest magical capacity moment.
There was no energy to heal herself or keep herself conscious any longer...
Velgrynd : W-what ?
The shock of Rimuru, the disbelief of Obera and the growing rage of Velgrynd...
As for Mirai, her body moved by itself...the memories warning of Velzard's incoming death resonated through her mind.
She had let her guard down at the worst time...and now that Velzard was down, it is maybe too late.
Mirai : Ah ?
Her mouth opened agape, a swirl of emotion surged through her...the accelerating sound of her heartbeat, the throbbing rage pulsing through her vein.
Her eyes gradually lost it's shade, her facial expression remained startled while her instinct naturally shifted her power.
Glowing runic marks spreaded across her body, becoming an extension of her power...this was the true form of the power granted through the Ultimate skill, Lord of Fate.
Now the Manas : Fate...the power that Dawn used but at its original state...
Mirai : (What are you saying ? She is going to die ? No, I can just use [Fate Paradox] and change the crisis into opportunity.)
Negativity poured into the vast sea of confusion, finally Mirai's pupils left Velzard's figure to look up at the one responsible for this ordeal.
A shade of purity hiding its destructive nature, a lady who appeared petite with sharper features than the last time they met.
The moment Mirai met that person's eyes, all hope dropped into ice age...as the one who just presented herself by ripping out Velzard's dragon factor is none other than the sole being alive that is not affected by the power of fate.
Ivarage, or rather the 10 % manifestation of her power...Varja, the glim in her eyes absent...her emotionless behavior filled Mirai with complicated emotions.
Mirai : (N-no...i can't use it...)
The casualties dealt by Ivarage cannot be saved through fate or time...Velzard's condition was unknown, was she alive between life and death ?
If she died now, resurrection won't be possible without her dragon factor...
Maybe she is already gone, but none of the rational thoughts crossed Mirai's mind...no, all she felt was a thirst of destruction.
Her pupils swirled chaotically as the grounding thunder shattered the last bit of patience in the heroine.
Mirai : (Velzard is close to father, if she dies...he will be disappointed in me who failed to protect her...losing, am i going to lose everyone once again?)
As all the trauma she went through before filled her mind, like a final drop of unfitting water into the fullest vase.
Varja merely glanced over the dragon core, almost uninterested...another figure then emerged before standing side by side with the world destroyer dragon.
Manas : Michael who merely observed the situation with a flash of his attention...he then grabbed the dragon core and let out a satisfied sigh.
Manas Michael : One down.
His words brought Mirai to action, her body was followed by the scorching aura of Velgrynd from behind.
Velzard is still her sister, a sibling she barely got to learn a new side...finally seeing her as someone she could get along with.
Yet all this was a pipe dream...a sweet reality hiding behind the cold lie of the future ?
No one could truly accept what just happened...but now that the world destroyer dragon was involved, the course of this war was set back a blank.
Meanwhile, in another world called Reistling...within the foreign and cold territory of Winteria.
Dawn calmly observed the frozen field, a land in under constant snow...in this world, he had become a knight once again.
Serving the ruler of this unfortunate land where life doesn't grow...for over 3 centuries as he has been here, guarding as a sort of royal knight.
All started with the prince of that time...his struggle granted him the interest of the outlander that Dawn is.
Now having witnessed three generations of this family...he waited until the end of this age to move to the next world.
Dawn : The snow is particularly abundant today...
It was peaceful...compared to all the struggle he is bound to face eventually, perhaps staying here forever would be ideal.
But that thought never really crossed his mind...as this was just part of his long journey.
Dawn : Mmh...
His thoughts were interrupted by the soft crackling sound of steps marching on snow...turning his head back, she shortly bowed his head greeting a fair lady.
Her fairy-like blonde hair and jewel blue eyes were a reminder of this nation's royal family...she also looked a lot like Dawn's friend from 3 generations ago.
Dawn : Good morning, lady Selene.
The girl holding herself under an umbrella, she was the third princess of the current generation...with minor political issues, she is a kind and well educated innocent lady who lived by the day.
Selene : G-good day, sir...
Her eyes showing a not too unfamiliar gleam, Dawn could only shake his head at those young lady's wild fantasy.
It might be cliche but the first love of a young lady will always end up with the weirdest taste.
Dawn : It is a cold, you shouldn't go out...you'll get sick.
Selene : Oh don't worry...i just went to collect some wild winter flowers and happened to see you sir standing alone here.
Holding a bouquet of crystal white flowers, it is a species only found here in Winteria.
It symbolizes royalty, and it has become a tradition to bring such flowers to Dawn during a certain period of the year.
When he first met the previous king of the nation...yet it wasn't such a period.
Dawn : I see...
Selene : Please sir, would you accept those flowers ?
Nervousness filled her voice, contradicting her confident action...she held out the bouquet forward with a hopeful expression.
Dawn stared at the flowers for a short moment before nodding and accepting the gift...he didn't really care as eventually, she would leave as well.
Like all the friends and acquaintances he made over his journey...
Dawn : I appreciate the gesture, little lady.
Selene : I'm not that little anymore...
Pouting, she glared kindly at the knight...her eyes widened when she noticed the tiny smile developing on his lips.
Exploding into a blushing mess, she stuck out her tongue in a mocking manner before running away.
Selene : I picked those flowers carefully so please take care of them !
Her figure disappeared in the vast garden of the royal castle...Dawn chuckled softly, looking down at the bouquet.
He was about to close his eyes in appreciation when the crystal-like flower moved...a crack appeared over their graceful bodies.
Dawn : Huh ?
A confused gasp left his lips, his hand quickly reached over to one of the flower...the body crumbled like withering upon contact.
Dawn : The winter flower cannot wither...what is happening ?