3rd Pov
On a fresh morning, as the third day of the second week of Tempest's festival started, Dawn found himself in the training ground.
Since the festivities were still ongoing, there were a few to no soldiers here, they were on guards duty and resting after all.
In front of him was Shizue, she was panting and breathing heavily...sword clutched in hand as she tried to get up.
Dawn : You already have excellent technique and basics, but if you really want to learn [Dawn Break], you'll need to learn several other types of sword art.
He spoke in a dry tone, before bursting forward...he swung a wooden sword down toward the helpless girl who did her best to parry it.
There were only 2 rules that Dawn gave her before the training, one is that she couldn't dodge and had to parry each incoming attack and the second one was that there won't be any break until the end.
Shizue : (i feel like each and every part of my body is breaking...)
She could only fathom at how much struggle Hinata had to go through following this training in the past, Dawn was merciless.
He didn't care if you were tired or injured, the training must continue...and for that, he swung another series of slaps.
Each one growing faster and stronger, Shizue could feel her body crumble under the pressure.
Despite her saintly body, she was feeling tired and her mind was on the verge of snapping.
Dawn : You are slowing down !
Sending yet another slash, this time the impact broke Shizue's balance as her knee went nimble...falling down, she gritted her teeth trying to muster any strength she had left.
But her opponent didn't wait for her to recover, Dawn merely brushed off his stance and focused all his strength into his arm...holding the wooden sword with two hands.
He swung down a powerful vertical slash...the sheer strength put in it broke what seemed to be the sound barrier and all Shizue could see as she looked up was...
Shizue : (Death...)
But before it could make contact with her face, the wooden sword stopped brutally...the sudden deceleration from high speed to stop generated a powerful gale.
Shizue's eyes flew among the hair as all the dust behind her dispersed...the sword a inch from her nose, she could feel a light burn who was already healing.
Dawn : At this rate, it will take years for you to learn it.
Shizue : I-i...
Removing his sword, Dawn took some distance as Shizue fell on both hands...she looked down with sweat all over her face.
As she just experienced a brutal way to die...that attack, if it was carried away in a true fight, she would have been disintegrated.
Shizue : (This...this isn't something you can feel when just watching, the leader is even stronger than he seems to be...)
It was a crushing defeat, a simple and hard loss...
Dawn : Are you going to abandon ? You are already strong enough to fight most.
Shizue : No...
But unexpectedly, Shizue slowly got up...her legs were still shaking and her body was in shambles trying to get itself together.
Still, she stood up...there was determination, fear and even anxiousness on her face...
Shizue : You said it will take years...how many to be exact ?
Dawn : I'll say at least a decade to get the basis done...
Shizue : Then let's get it 15 times harder !
Dawn : Are you serious ?
He himself couldn't believe what the girl was saying, he just did a light training on her and she collapsed helplessly.
And now she was asking for more...yet her determination was real, how could he say no to that.
Shizue : If you thought that this would discourage me, you are wrong...I lived a far worse life after all.
Smirking, she held her sword high into a stance...trying to replicate the one she saw Hinata use.
Dawn : Heh...fine, how can I not answer to such a spirit.
A few hours later, Shizue could be seen laying on the ground...her clothes were dusty, her skin was pale as she was breathing irregularly, the world was spinning around her.
Her sword lay near her too, she just went through the closest thing to hell in this living world...
Dawn : Tomorrow morning, the same hour...don't be late.
However, Dawn didn't seem to have even trained...he looked at the girl with a smile before leaving.
He didn't help Shizue up because he already felt the presence of a few people approaching, so he took his leave first.
Shizue : Ah...am I going to survive this ?
She spoke to herself, her arm and legs were aching and didn't respond to her call...at the moment, she could only stare at the blue sky filled with clouds.
Waiting for whoever has to come to help her...and surely, a few moments later...Rimuru arrived with two bottles of water.
Rimuru : Eh ? Shizu-san ?! What happened here ?!
Shizue : Hehe...Rimuru-san...
Chuckling after seeing the slime's shocked expression, she had just told him that she was starting a new training this morning.
But never had Rimuru imagined that it would result in Shizue being in such a state...
Meanwhile, Dawn arrived behind the training ground where a girl was waiting for him.
Dawn : Did you wait long ?
Chloe : Nope, still you did quite the hellish training for Shizu-sensei.
There stood Chloe Aubert, leaning on the wall with both her hands on her back, she smiled sweetly before approaching Dawn.
Dawn : You asked to talk, so what do you need ?
Chloe : Tell me honestly, how much time left before the big war.
Dawn : ...
Dawn grew quiet at this question, Chloe was still a time traveler...she was aware of things that Dawn himself wasn't.
Dawn : At best, we have a month...at worst 2 weeks.
Chloe : So fast...even in the former timeline, it will only happen 2 to 3 years later...
Dawn : This is why I need to strike first.
Chloe : What are you going to do ?
Dawn tightened his fist, he looked down with a solemn look and spoke up.
Dawn : I'm going to take over the barren land and defeat Dagruel first.
Chloe : I see...then, can you help me before that ?
Dawn : Are you speaking about your adult body ?
Chloe : Yes, it should be sealed in Ruberios right now, but i cannot just recover it by myself..i need to meet some specific condition like Hinata's death...
Her time travel story was a complete mess, triggered by Hinata or Rimuru's death...there were a lot of conditions just so she could get back into her adult body.
But all those could be bypassed with certain help.
Chloe : But...with your power, you could overrule that, right ?
Dawn : I won't say it's impossible but there will be a lot of change...
Chloe : Like ?
Dawn : I will either have to snap Hinata's soul myself and send it back to the past with you or...I will have to be the one going back with you, in either way it will create a whole new temporality.
Chloe : That's...
She took a thinker pose and pondered, Dawn Arceid, this name never appeared in any of the previous timeline...
Neither are the genesis lights or most of Dawn's acquaintances...if she goes back in time, there is a chance that she won't meet Dawn and thus making this timeline void.
It was a complex paradox, which resulted in this current timeline being unique to all others...
Chloe : This is complicated.
Dawn : Mmh, wait, maybe things are a bit different...
Chloe : What do you mean ?
Dawn didn't answer and instead bent down, his finger slowly reached for the sand like ground and started to draw something.
He drew four points in a horizontal fashion...
Dawn : I am an irregularity, Chloe...i shouldn't exist normally and we should have never met in normal times.
Chloe : Well...that's true...
Dawn : That's why I think this timeline is different from all the others.
Chloe : How ?
Dawn explained, the first point he had drawn symbolized the time Chloe time traveled...the second design when she got sealed by Luminous.
The third is when she is unsealed and joins the war, the fourth is when Rimuru or Hinata die and she gets sent back in time returning to point 1.
Dawn : But what if this cycle was broken between point 4 and 1 ?
Chloe : Broken ? But i did time travel...wait-
Dawn : Yeah, I think that some irregularity made you time travel in another reality...you might not know but this whole world has an infinite amount of timeline and reality.
Drawing four other points in the same motion as the first four, Dawn named them point 5 to 8...he linked point four when Chloe traveled back in time and point 5.
Which meant a whole new reality where Dawn exists...
Dawn : The original cycle still exists but in all the infinite possibilities...when you time traveled back last time, instead of appearing in the past you knew...you came here in this reality.
Chloe : That's...
Dawn : Remember...a lot of events happened faster than they should, Milim's rampage happened 2000 years ago while it should have started over 20 thousands years ago.
Chloe : You're right, then...what happened to the original cycle ?
Even Dawn didn't have a proper answer to this, rather than that it was a supposition...
Dawn : Imagine a time traveler going back in time, at a precise date he is presented two choices.
He has a piece of stone in front of him, the choice is either he throws or doesn't throw it...thus two possibilities are born.
One reality where he threw the stone and the other where he didn't...this timeline and the original are the same.
Dawn : My theory is that the Chloe Aubert from the last timeline went back to the cycle but at the same time you came here, both realities can exist at the same time, we just will never meet each other.
Chloe : Then...if I went back now, would I meet you again ?
Dawn : Surely, this current world is the first of a new set of reality...if that's right, then from now on I will appear constantly in the future timeline.
His finger drew from point 6 which represented Chloe being sealed in this timeline to point 7 where she should wake up.
Then from point 7 to point 5...
Dawn : You will restart around a few years before we meet at Muth...
Chloe : This is...what is going to happen...
Dawn : You don't have to worry, since everything is already messed up...we can just adjust everything...
He then crossed the entire structure, washing off all the points before getting up.
Dawn : After all, this single round where I appear is when you'll get your happy ending.
Chloe : Dawn...
Dawn : Anyway, let's go grab some food, even if you'll return to your adult body eventually you can't neglect this child like body
Chloe : Wait-huh !
Grabbing her by the back of her shirt, she was lifted before settling on his shoulder, Chloe pouted cutely as she glared down at Dawn.
He was really treating her like a child...
Chloe : Can you stop that...
Dawn : You act like a child in front of Rimuru and Shizue, so do the same with me.
Chloe : Ugh, you know I can't...don't you remember how the cute little you and I met back then ?
Dawn : Oh that's right, I had to prove to you that I wasn't telling the truth...I think I mentioned your body measu-ouch !
Chloe quickly slapped the back of his head and pulled his hair as her face flushed red, it was truly embarrassing for her how a stranger knew her body proportion back then.
Chloe : Shut up, you creep !
Dawn : Haha, well you can't say much as we both are and were adults in child body.
Chloe : Fair enough, anyway go buy some ramen.
Dawn : Sure, there aren't many events today so let's pass the rest of the day together.
Chloe : (Hehe, a living wallet~)
But suddenly, she felt a threatening presence, it seemed the bloodlust was focused on her as Dawn didn'y seem to react.
Chloe turned around and tried to pinpoint the source of it...only to meet a pair of blue in the shadow behind a tree.
Chloe : (Who is that ? Those eyes are awfully familiar...)
Focusing, that person didn't hide herself...though after a few more seconds, he/she left...a few strands of white hair flew as she turned around.
Chloe : (That's odd...)
Later, the two of them could be seen in a Ramen shop...the chef was a kind goblin and the restaurant was buzzing off business.
Chloe enjoyed the speciality of the chef which was a bowl of ramen with extra garniture and meat, as for Dawn he just ordered a drink as he didn't feel like eating anything.
Dawn : Slow down, no one is going to steal your food.
Chloe : You asked me to act like a child, so let me enjoy my food, you old man.
Dawn : You are mentally older...ahh, just eat slowly...
Grabbing a napkin, he carefully swept the splitting sauce on her cheek, and Chloe just let him do without complaining.
This scene was the perfect replica of a father bringing his daughter to a restaurant which melted the hearts of a few married women also present with their children.
Dawn : Though I don't know how you can eat this much...in that underdeveloped body of yours...
Chloe : Don't question a lady's stomach.
She straightened her back showing off her non-existent chest.
Dawn : How childish.
Chloe : Well you asked for it, anyway i got another question.
Dawn : Sure, ask away.
Chloe spoke as she used her chopstick to catch some noodles.
Chloe : You met Yuuki-san, right...did you do anything to him ?
Dawn : Well, he should be in his room with Kagali trying to break off the fate I had given him.
Chloe : That sounds rough...
Dawn : It's not really, I'm sure Kagali will somehow find a way to break it...
Chloe : If you say so.
While talking she kept eating, not minding a single instant for Yuuki's fate...
She trusted him enough to hand over one of the biggest war factors...but that was a matter Dawn will take care of soon enough.
Chloe : Dawn-san...
Dawn : Mmh ?
Chloe : Can I order some gyoza too ?
Dawn : ...sure...
And so, the little heroine ordered another series of food...she continued to munch happily until a voice barged in the middle of their conversation.
A sweet and crystal-like voice coming from a hooded woman, standing right there beside their table.
???: It has been a while, sir...may i share the table ?
Dawn looked up and hid his surprise as he couldn't possibly expect this person to be here.
Chloe : (Wait...that's the person who was releasing that blood lust early!)
Dawn : It's you, huh...sure take a seat.
Nodding, the said person took her seat right next to Chloe and lightly pushed her in the process.
Chloe : Ugh...my ramen...
Some of her soup spilled on the table, Chloe was certain that this woman had done that on purpose, the reason ? She couldn't know.
???: I apologize...I didn't give you my name the two times we met.
Dawn : It's fine...(thought i already knew you, why did you come here...without your disguise...)
Mirai : Well then, please accept this late introduction...my name is Mirai, i am a commoner adventurer from the west.
Smiling, she still hid most of her head under her hood...Chloe on the side could only look at her and realize how similar she is to Dawn.
Chloe : (Are they related ? No...from Dawn-san's story, his appearance is from a past life from thousands of thousands years ago, it couldn't be relative from that far back then.)
Dawn : Dawn Arceid and this little girl is Chloe.
The said little girl pouted and glared at Dawn for calling her that, still she kept quiet as she felt like this interaction had that sort of..tension ?
Mirai : I see, Dawn-san...nice to meet you.
Chloe : (She completely ignored me !)
Mirai : So can I ask...I mean, you two seem really close...
Dawn just stared at her, he seemed to have realized the problem...Mirai was jealous, that night where he had revealed himself to her before erasing her memories.
She must have realized something was wrong, and no matter how well he performed the mind spell, Mirai's fate changed at that moment...she acted outside her character and went out to meet her father, she didn't know why herself.
She just felt like she had to do it...but after leaving with her true appearance she saw Dawn with Chloe...that ignited a spark in her.
She thought that she never needed something like paternal warmth but seeing her own father showing that kind of affection to another child.
Mirai somehow snapped, reason and logic were defeated by feelings...this led her to be here now.
Dawn : Chloe is like a sister to me...
Chloe : Yes yes, i don't know what you've been imagining but that's all about our relationship.
Mirai : I-i see...anyway, i just came here to say hello...i'll take my leave now.
Realizing her mistake, she snapped back to logic and instantly got up, and tried to leave.
But before she could, Dawn grabbed her sleeve and looked at her straight in the eyes...both their pupils gleamed crystal.
Mirai : S-sir ?
Dawn : It's alright, don't forget to rest...okay ?
The table grew quiet instantly, Chloe looked at both of them with a perplexed look...there was clearly a connection between them.
It almost reminded her of Leon and herself back then...no, it's a connection even stronger.
Mirai : Yes...thank you, da-
She muttered the last word inaudible to the point where even Dawn couldn't catch the sound, his grip on her sleeve loosened finally letting Mirai leave.
Her body had stopped shaking and it seemed her impulse of today was gone..
Chloe : So who was she ?
And finally, once she made sure that the girl had fully left...Chloe asked the question that was eating her out mentally.
Dawn : She is...the brightest star in my personal world.
Chloe : Mmh...i see...
Looking away, Chloe immersed herself in her own thoughts for an instant before releasing a deep sigh.
Chloe : By the way, that star of yours spilled my food...get me another bowl.
Dawn : Yes sure...
Dawn didn't really care about how much he would spend today...after all, he was given by Rimuru that super extra deluxe black card prototype.
That basically connects all his purchases to Tempest's central treasury...unlimited money...
Dawn : Chloe...can i ask you something too ?
Chloe : Anything as long as it's my cup size.
Dawn : You brat...ahh, anyway i just wanted to ask what kind of gift children like the most ?
Chloe : Children, huh...that's an odd question coming from you but well i guess a plushie bear or some toy ?
Dawn : I see...should we leave for the market after this ?
Chloe nodded, not really minding, she wanted to buy some books anyway...
The day then passed and then another, the festival was reaching its end...on the fifth day, Rimuru decided to open the Labyrinth to the public.
The announcement was greeted with numerous cheers and from the first day onward, the Labyrinth bloomed in business.
There were even rumors that the witch of the west, Hinata Sakaguchi failed in conquering it...attracting those in quest of blind fame.
While this happened, Dawn was nowhere to be seen in Tempest...no instead he was in Ruberios with a few of his subordinates conducting a meeting.
The purpose ? Simple, the incoming war...
Dawn : Give me the report on the north coast.
Knight captain : Yes sir ! It seems the naval army of the empire is regrouping, a powerful anti-spy spell was casted around their coast but we have located some names like the Imperial Mage Gadra, Baron Calgurio Heath and an unidentified lady with otherwordly beauty was spotted.
Dawn : I see...(That lady must be Velgrynd's parallel existence...the empire's force is around 2.2 millions soldiers...human, majin and otherworlder all counted...Rudra won't hold back on his offense.)
He was using the fact that Ruberios was at war with Demon lord Dagruel, even if the giants and the empire aren't on good terms...they have a common enemy.
And thus, fighting on one side will result in losing to the other...
Dawn : We won't have to worry about any attack from the east...as the western nation and the Jura Tempest will act as a shield for us...
Looking over the map, he started by giving some insight on the topographic war...their problem lay in the west-south and the north coast.
Dawn : Retrieve our knights near the border to Demon lord Dagruel's domain...keep security to a minimal degree and go reinforce the north.
Making his decision, despite his authority some protests were made...Dawn himself had declared war on Dagruel yet he was asking them to weaken our defense against him.
Knight captain : But sir !
Knight captain : It would be unwise...demon lord Dagruel is a foe we shouldn't underestimate...
High priest : We have the sea to help in the north...while Demon lord Dagruel are directly at our border...
But their complaint fell in deaf ears as Dawn kept his eyes on the map, calculating multiple possible scenarios...this strangely reminded him of his past life...which felt a bit unpleasant.
Though he didn't really listen...the two women standing behind him were starting to gro annoyed...Yuu who was wearing her knight attire smashed her hand on the table releasing her haki.
Even if it wasn't the strongest and most potent, she was still strong enough to shut everyone up.
Yuu : Quiet ! The commander isn't done yet !
Dawn : Thank you Yuu, anyway...I will consider betrayal, anyone who won't follow my decision from now on.
Finishing his calculation, he looked up letting out a bit of his own power...his magicule grinded against everyone overlapping Yuu's.
Gulp and nod of acceptance were given from everyone as they realized who they were standing in front of.
Dawn : As I said before, we will focus our force to welcome the empire...but that doesn't mean I will let Demon lord Dagruel take advantage of this.
His eyes growing colder, some of the higher executive branch realized that something was wrong...Dawn Arceid, he was an almost mythical figure in Ruberios.
He was known to be the god's ace, the strongest blade of Luminous...a cold hero who was supposed to be perfect...
But right now, he was showing a disgraceful side of his...his handsome face morphed with darkness, he was clearly angry.
Dawn : Because I will go and destroy him before the start of the great war.
Intertwining his finger, all could tell that he was dead serious...his aura seemed to roar like a beast.
And even in his words, everyone present were knights and priests who held some standing among Ruberios, they were recognized for their strength and leadership.
At the moment, only them knew about the incoming Great war against the empire...it was inevitable and some of them were fearing the worst.
But just now, seeing the greatest hero of the holy empire inspired some faith and courage in them.
Dawn : 2 days from now on, i will go personally to the Barren land and achieve victory, any objection ?
The room was quiet, some hesitant to stand up and talk...some tried but couldn't be oppressed by the heavy aura pressing them.
But amidst all this, a young knight who rose in rank by giving his all spoke up.
Young knight captain : S-shouldn't your eminence bring a group with you just in case...
Dawn : No, all of you would just hold me back.
His cold reverberated through the dark meeting room, and despite their harshness no one could retort.
Though Dawn wasn't going alone, Eleonor and Yuu behind him would accompany as they have their own use when there.
Dawn : No more objection ? Then let's pass to the next subject...the great sorcerer dynasty Sarion, Ruberios and Talion will engage themself in a strong alliance, along with the newly rising Jura Tempest federation, the Armed nation of Dwargon and the new domain of the Destroyer Milim Nava.
All the name that he just listed were individually terrifying, even the newly raised Tempest was becoming more and more intimidating to Ruberios's eyes.
Dawn : The East is securised as the ruler of Tempest and the Destroyer will be our wall (I haven't discussed this with Rimuru but it will inevitably happen, after all Veldora is in Tempest.)
Rudra will want to have the storm dragon under his control while Velgrynd will use this opportunity to snatch him away from the mere slime.
Tempest is bound to collide with the Eastern empire, and Ruberios could use this to gain time and reinforce themself.
Dawn : This is the birth of the great Human and Majin alliance, Ruberios will now evolve and advance further to the path of light...be proud knights, because you are the one who will create a new era.
Once done with the meeting, Dawn's job wasn't done yet...he was back in his office looking through some documents...
On the side, Kyuri was quietly sleeping on the desk while Eleonor assisted him with some tea and delivered the completed document.
Dawn : (We have to finish this project the fastest possible...)
Looking over, it was the sketch of a few new spells that anyone could use...the reason for him to go to such length as performing the creation of a new combat force was because of the empire.
Rudra for thousands years gathered otherworlder and engraved their knowledge into the army...tank, aircraft, naval...their technology severely outclass Ruberios.
Dawn himself didn't initiate such practice because Rudra would have activated Armageddon the moment he did...that's why, at the dawn of this war.
He was going to create a power to counter technology...
Dawn : (Anti-army field, Disrupt barrier...those spells are meant to overcharge their magical canon and explode on themself...i still need to finalize a spell to conquer the sky...)
Eleonor : How about a break first ? Even if you can't feel real exhaustion, it's still good to lay back and rest for a moment.
Brewing her tea, she was a noblewoman from England, the country who specialize in such art...even if she never learned back then.
She was still pretty talented for the art known as tea.
Dawn : I guess so...where is Yuu ?
Eleonor : She is finishing her assignment, that dimensional ring or something like that ?
Dawn : Yes...how long before it's done ?
Eleonor : From Shu-kun's expectation...by tonight, the first prototype would see life, some minor adjustments are needed afterward.
Dimensional ring, this was something Dawn also requested...based on the storage ring in Tbate, a story he had memories of.
It was a ring that engraved a powerful minor Space rune allowing the ring to become a whole storage in itself.
It would be beyond useful for the world in general, Dawn needed it for the war...provision, weapon and material.
This single ring might literally change the course of the war...
Dawn : Good, I will check on them later to finish the ring adjustment myself.
Eleonor : I'll tell them that.
Returning his attention to the stack of paper in front of him, he thought back about another order of his...
Dawn : (Flora should be dealing with Yuuki right now...i wanted to do it myself, but my own greed got the better of me and I had to delay most of the war preparation for the Festival...)
The war was near and they were thick on the schedule...Dawn had started the war preparation against the Giants and the empire a while ago when he declared war on Dagruel.
Using the demon lord as an excuse so he could begin with the Empire's preparation without anyone knowing...but even so, everything was delayed the moment he decided that he would enjoy the Festival.
Dawn : (I can't win a war of this magnitude by myself...even if on paper, our side seems brighter, we can't underestimate the enemy's force.)
The remaining demon lords, the imperial guards of the East, the angels and more than anything...the 4 major factors of this war.
That Dawn classified as mortal enemies, being that could potentially put him at risk...Guy Crimson, Rudra Nam Ul Nasca, Feldway and the incoming Manas Michael.
Dawn : (On top of that, Ivarage is bound to be unsealed...i still can't pinpoint the location of the spooky palace, the situation is a lot worse than everyone think of, the odd leaching toward us is lower than the enemy's.)
But that was something only he could know at the moment, he didn't mention or reveal that to anyone because...it was his duty to keep the morale at its peak.
Dawn : (I am the supreme commander of Ruberios, i incarne their hope...if I show any signs of weakness...it will result in catastrophic consequences...)
The pressure on his shoulder was immense, not like he wasn't used to it...just this was the final war, his last battle to achieve everything he was meant for.
He can't lose this, he believed in his own victory not because he knew he was stronger but because he had to win...
But inside...what about Dawn Arceid's feeling, not the weapon Veldanava developed but the original human that he is...
In reality, he just felt overwhelmed...he didn't show it, or rather he couldn't show it due to his habits of his past life but he was fearing the future more than anyone.
Dawn : (It's my job to protect everyone and lead them to the happy ending...yes, it's my jo-b)
He suddenly froze as he felt a hand connect with his head...his eyes looked aside to see a worried Eleonor...
It seemed he was quiet for a few long minutes, long enough for the girl to have called him several times without answer...worried, she placed her hand over his head as she noticed a sense of discomfort washing the usual calm face of her leader.
Eleonor : Are you okay ?
Dawn : ...
Dawn didn't answer, no his eyes darted toward the girl before her figure blurred in his vision...was it the mental exhaustion ? Or the stress ?
He didn't know but at the moment, that gesture...those words and the worried expression Eleonor was showing, a genuinely worried expression.
All this made him see a sort of hallucination...the figure of Eleonor turned into a nostalgic shadow...
Dawn : Lara ?
Eleonor : Lara ? Who that ?
Still in daze, Dawn was shaken up before coming back to reality as Eleonor retracted her hand...his eyes shook a bit longer as he bit his lips and looked down.
Dawn : It's no one...
Eleonor : Is that so ? (Weird...)
Even if it was brief, Dawn felt his heart calming down...the imaginary hand of the sole blood related mother figure he ever had hugged him from behind.
Dawn : (What a nostalgic memory...I guess it's true when they said that a loving mother will always be with you at your lowest.)
A tiny smile curved his lips as he grabbed a pen and resumed his work...
Dawn : (I can't doubt now...tomorrow i'll have to fight off Chronoa and wake up Chloe Aubert, the True chosen hero...)
While this happens, at Tempest...in a dark room, the elven possessed woman that Kagali was standing there motionless.
Rather than standing there, she was held in the air...both her arms stuck on the wall as two sharp knives pierced the palm of her hands.
Her face was swollen and beaten, her body was ravaged with injuries minor and major everywhere...the reason for such development came back 2 hours ago...
She was still stuck in Tempest with Yuuki...luckily, the other clown didn't follow them but Dawn had put a team to watch over the two of them.
So any suspicious movement could lead them to deal with Tempest's authority...and that's something Kagali and Yuuki understood...besides they were still trying to break off Yuuki's curse.
Fpr that, Kagali went out in search of a few composant...
But instead of reaching her original destination, she met a sweet girl with an innocent appearance...somehow she was led into that dark room.
The girl then switched expressions...her composed form turned psychotic as if another persona took over and that's where Kagali's nightmare started.
Kagali : (S-she is crazy...)
The pain and cry she released throughout the last two hours just couldn't satisfy the girl before her...
She was the second in command holding the highest kind of authority in Ruberios, Dawn's unofficial right hand, Flora Eta Florance.
And today, much to Kagali's dismay...it wasn't the sweet Flora that tortured her but the merciless Eta.
Eta : How wonderful, can you understand how delighted I was when the leader came to me with this request ?
Holding a poisoned knife, Eta took a bit too much pleasure in this...she didn't have a lot of occasions to come out as Flora was more useful in everyday life.
That's why whenever Dawn requests directly to Eta, she will always prioritize her own pleasure...
naturally, the well being of the mission come first but in this kind of task...a little more torture won't hurt anyone.
Eta : I heard you had an ultimate skill...i wonder why you won't use it ? Hihi, i really wonder...i want one too, maybe i should open your limbs one by one to see how it works ?
The reason as to why Kagali didn't use her Lord of Dominion, Melchizedek, is because she still believes that Dawn Arceid was in the city.
Also with all the people such as Luminous, Milim Nava and Demon lord Rimuru, topping the Storm dragon and White Ice dragon that was spotted.
If she revealed herself to be an ultimate skill holder, they would grow even more suspicious and then...their fate would be definitely sealed, that's why she had to hold back.
Kagali : Y-you bast-ahhrgh !
Eta : My~what a beautiful cry~
The toxic covered blade instantly pierced the former demon lord's stomach the moment she opened her mouth.
With that, she applied the effect of her unique skill : Killer to disable and cripple Kagali...completely killing her regeneration and intensifying her pain.
Eta : Now that i think, wouldn't it be better if i give your body to leader...i'm sure he'll find a way to extract your ultimate skill.
Flora's purple eyes were corrupted crimson by Eta's madness, the smile she showed instilled pure fear within Kagali's core.
Yet, no matter what...Eta kept moving the blade through her victim's limbs, going at a slow and agonizing pace earning louder and more painful cry each second passing.
Eta : You see...the task I was given this time was to kill Yuuki Kagurazaka and make sure he pays for the crimes he would commit in the future.
Kagali : Ahhh ! H-aght ! How-ugh does that even-gah ! Makes sense !
Eta froze her hand when the elf retorted, her crimson eyes who bloomed with life turned colder as she removed the blade for the half opened body.
Blood gushing, splash of red tainted the perfect black kimono of Flora...
Eta : You didn't understand ? That was basically Leader giving a blank card...he just wants you guys death, no matter how much pain you receive before meeting your doom.
Her crazy smile returning, the pain Kagali was facing increased tenfold as Eta turned more violent...
Eta : But...since I'm a nice woman, I came here with a deal for you.
Kagali : Huh ?
As the pain subdued again, Kagali looked up with dead eyes...she was tired of feeling that pain, even hope of coming out of her alive started to dismiss as she realized that her soul was directly shaken.
Eta : You see, I don't really like Dawn Arceid...so I plan to backstab him sooner or later...join me and I'll let you live.
Kagali : You want me to believe th-
Kagali looked up with newfound rage but soon grew quiet as she showed Eta's expression, it was pure disgust...she really meant those words, at least her face showed that.
Kagali : Are you really...
Eta : You can't trust me ? Well you have no other choice...
Her slender hand reached out for the elf's cheek, Eta smiled once again before removing the two knives that tied the curse lord letting her fall.
Due to the severed limbs and injuries, Kagali could only stay on the ground...unable to feel or move her body.
Eta : So ? I will help you get your revenge, doesn't that sound good ?
Kagali : I-i...
Eta : Tik tak...the clock is turning, make a decision quickly or i'll have a change of mind.
Finally, a ray of hope illuminated Kagali's world...she who was just tortured to the bottom layer of despair saw a glimpse of hope in her own torturer.
Because, her expression was way too genuine...disgust and hatred, that's what Eta displayed toward the words Dawn Arceid.
Kagali : Y-yes i wan-huh ?
Finally, as she was about to answer...Kagali felt her head drop on the ground along her body.
She didn't receive any hit yet all her life force was being sucked somewhere...she couldn't understand how and why but it just happened.
Her pupils moved up to see an evil grinning Eta, standing there with the craziest expression one could possess.
Her lips quivered upward to almost reach her eyes...the image of a deadly flower came flashing right on Eta's face.
Eta : Fufu...haha-haahahaha !
Holding her head, her laugh had no end...she looked down on the elf with such look that an ant wouldn't even receive.
Eta : You really believed that ? Me betraying the leader ? How crazy is that ? It disgust me...just thinking and bringing those words to my mouth almost made me crazy !
Her hands reached down to her shoulder, she hugged herself in disarray as the prospect of herself betrayed the man she trusted more than anyone rang.
Her mind started leaping in craziness and unfortunately, the one who shall receive that craziness's wrath was Kagali.
Eta : Hihi...the poison I covered my blade with...it's a special kind given to me by Dawn Arceid himself !
A deadly poison that has a single Fate, to enable any regeneration and to slowly eat away one's soul..
Naturally it won't work on many, but Kagali who was a wandering soul...this was her mortal enemy.
Eta used that poison knowing that the elf woman would drop dead in a few minutes and decided to use the remaining time of her alive to give her false hope.
So Eta could savor the purest despair Kagali could offer at the very end of her life...
Eta : You know how easy it is to trick you dumb shit with my power ?
On top of that, Flora/Eta had the unique skill : Deceiver...Eta's natural disgust for betrayal and the skill's effect made Kagali's despair even more savoring.
Kagali : (S-she is the devil...)
Her vision slowly turning dark, she could feel her end coming near...or at least that what she thought as Eta stretched her arm at the very last moment.
Killing the poison inside her...Kagali was still too weak to even live at this point, still her eyes caught a glimpse of the grim reaper formed by Eta's sinister presence...
She could listen to Eta's last words before having her conscious fading away.
Eta : I still like the idea of having your skill given to leader as a gift, so be grateful you'll be alive for a few more days...in my care~
Her crimson eyes sparkled in the darkness before returning to its original purple shine, Flora taking back the control of her body once Kagali was confirmed to be unconscious.
She stood there with a bored look...
Flora : Yuuki Kagurazaka is next...