3rd Pov
A few days passed...currently in the Jura forest, staring at a fire camp...he blankly waited for the Orc invasion to start.
Last day, Rimuru had met the ogres and evolved them by giving them names.
Soon, Gabimaru will visit Rimuru's village and after that the orc war will happen.
Dawn : You can come out, you know.
Throwing some hood to the fire, Dawn called out the lurking being who hid in a tree nearby.
Feeling no threat and knowing who it was, Dawn barely paid attention to it.
After a few seconds, a humanoid form separated from the tree and a beautiful lady appeared...long green hair and a prestigious presence.
Treiny : You noticed my presence...may i know the reason for your long stay in this forest, human traveler ?
Dawn : Don't worry, I'm not a threat to this forest or its residents.
Treiny : I can see that...
She had been observing him for several days now but weirdly enough he didn't move at all, just stayed sitting there while sometimes meditating.
The reason behind that is that Dawn had the necessary skill to observe the entire forest without moving.
Treiny : Still, your presence along the recent Orc movement is suspicious...you understand that right.
Dawn nodded, surely this makes him a potential enemy but Treiny should already be aware of the mastermind behind this.
Being Laplace, one of Clayman's dogs.
Dawn : As I said , you really don't have to worry about me, after all I wouldn't need an orc army to wipe this forest out.
Finally turning his eyes her way, Treiny felt chills down her spine before being assaulted by a massive aura.
The wind started pressuring her as a cold mist suddenly invaded the surrounding area.
Treiny : (This...)
Dawn : Sorry but you should also understand me, I'm being accused for nothing.
Treiny : W-who are you ?
Dawn : I apologize for the late greeting, guardian of the forest, my name is Dawn Arceid, count me like a mercenary who wants to help with the Orc invasion.
Getting up, he bowed politely before expressing a smirk...despite his unclear goal, the small burst of aura a second ago was enough for him to have the advantage in this conversation.
Yuu Pov
After a long journey, we finally got into Ruberios...behind me was Shizu-san or Shi now.
Speaking of her, Shizu-san's appearance was rather different...insead of her usual black hair she had long blonde one now.
Her eyes too were switched to green...this was one of the features given by the earring.
By the way, this earring is commonly called Earring of Deception...it makes sense considering what it can do.
Yuu : By the way, we'll directly join our hideout, so be careful to ignore anyone on our way.
Shizue : Ok...
She must be thinking about Hinata...though we normally won't cross paths with her, from the schedule I planned before leaving.
Hinata should be with Saare and Arnold out of the city on a monster subjugation...normally the church doesn't actually take care of these matters.
But since those monsters were approaching Ruberios, we took it from the adventurer guild to protect our land ourselves and reassure the population...that the saint of Ruberios can protect them.
Anyway, our small group's hideout is located inside the hidden sanctuary...with Dawn-san's help, we got the approval of Lady Luminous.
It's a simple complex of several rooms hidden under dozens of magic barriers...sound, illusion, protection, scent and more.
Everything that would betray us was covered...
Shizue : It's really impressive...
Shizu-san spoke in amazement, just now I had shown her the only existing entrance to our base.
A small portal formed behind a very crappy wall of the castle, it was hidden from the public near the empty training ground.
Rearranging the magical circle around, you could open the gate but that was impossible for anyone that didn't know its true nature.
This circle is a curse, if you get the perfect combination to unlock the portal which consists of over a hundred perfectly set magicule reactions...the circle explodes and takes the entire area with him.
I'm not confident in surviving the explosion despite being a Saint.
Yuu : This entrance was made by our youngest member...he is really talented when it comes to this kind of thing.
Finally opening the gate, I stepped back and made way for Shizu-san to enter first.
She nodded before placing her hand over the gate, a sudden spark happened as she got sucked into the wall...this is transportation magic.
Wait...inside, I can only feel two people...one is Shizu-san and the other is-crap !
3rd Pov
Panicking, Yuu quickly jumped into the gate before it could close...upon landing on the other side, her fear came true.
Shizue was shaking, her back against the wall while just beside her head...a sharp blade pierced the wall.
Yuu : Eleonor ! Stop this, she isn't an enemy !
Quickly calling out the aggressor, Eleonor von Trinity...otherworlder summoned from England in the old age.
She is a noble lady who was spoiled and disgusting despite her blessed appearance.
Bullying, torturing, discriminating...her life was epitome to wrongness before being summoned.
But once she fell into the Cardinal world, she was quickly brought to reality...the nation that summoned her treated her like a slave.
Her unique skills were useful so she wasn't disposed of, slowly her personality was broken and she became australized.
She was scared of everything, the stare from the officer, the contempt, lust and humiliating glaze traumatized her.
To the point where she barely dared getting out anymore...
Eleonor : Yuu ? What is the meaning of this ? You dare come back without the boss and bring an unknown woman ?
Glaring at her, Eleonor was the Fourth member to join the team...she was an enlightened human who went past her 100th birthday already.
Yuu : I brought her here over Dawn-san's order !
The tension rising, Eleonor took a last glance at the terrified Shizue before sighing and backing down.
Eleonor : I see...sorry for that.
Helping Shizue up, her previous behavior took a sudden shift as instead of a cold and ferocious woman.
Eleonor turned into a sweet and elegant one.
Shizue : (Does she have a split personality?)
Yuu : Don't mind her Shi, Eleonor is just like that...she might appear cold at times but in reality she is really kind.
Eleonor : Shut it, Yuu...
Turning around, her voice appeared annoyed but in reality she was blushing...playing with her curly and long brown hair.
Yuu chuckled before stretching herself.
Yuu : Ahh, it has been a while...home sweet home.
Eleonor : Anyway, where is Boss ?
Yuu : Dawn-san decided to stay behind...he had something to attend...(probably the orc invasion...he acted a little weird back then...as if he saw something that he shouldn't.)
Eleonor : I see...what a shame, I just finished the scarf...
Looking down, one of Eleonor's hobbies was sewing...though despite having some talent for it, she never sewed anything for anyone besides their leader.
Yuu : A scarf this time...
Eleonor : What ? It's starting to get cold and Boss really likes to go outside during the night.
Yuu : I see...(Though he literally is immune to cold...)
Engaging in frivial talk, they seem to have forgotten the presence of a third party...
Shizue : E-eto...
Scratching her cheek awkwardly, both Eleonor and Yuu finally remembered her presence and looked away embarrassed.
Shizue : You actually forgot about me ?!
Yuu : S-sorry...
Eleonor : Ahem, sorry for earlier...my name is Eleonor von Trinity, and who might you be ?
Coughing, she quickly introduced herself to switch subjects...Shizue could only sigh and go with the flow.
Shizue : Shi-(Wait, how should i introduce myself...)
Yuu : She is the conqueror of flames, Shizue Izawa.
Shizue : Eh ?
Turning toward her companion, Shizue was bewildered when both her and Dawn put a major point over hiding her identity.
Yuu : Don't worry, anyone inside this group can be trusted...
Shizue : I-i trust you on that then...
Eleonor : Yeah, don't worry...your identity isn't really important anyway, for us it's just a way to show that you trust us.
Nodding, Eleonor turned around, joining back the sofa she was originally seated at before jumping on Shizue.
Eleonor : By the way, Lady Luminous called for you, Yuu...don't ask me why, I don't know.
Yuu : She called me ? That's weird...
Luminous is the only one who is aware of their existence...Gunthler, Louis and Roy had only ever heard of the name Fallen light but nothing more.
So for Luminous to call her, it must mean it's something important.
Yuu : Then I should go see her. Can you show Shizu-san around ?
Eleonor : Sure.
Waving her hand, Yuu nodded before leaving...
Shizue Pov
This sure isn't what i expected...they are a lot more human and warm than i thought, it's like they were...a big family.
Eleonor : So newbie, tell me what are you good at ?
Shizue : Well...i was an adventurer and a teacher, i'd say i'm not bad with sword and fire magic ?
Eleonor : Sword, huh...well this won't be much of use since all of us are trained...
I could see it earlier...the speed and swift swordsmanship she used to block me, she could easily kill me at that moment.
Are they all that strong ?
Eleonor : You know how to cook ?
Shizue : Wh-i mean yes...since I mainly lived alone, I had to learn it.
Eleonor : Good, then from now on you'll take charge of that.
Shizue : O-ok...
Am I in the right place...
Eleonor : Oh don't misinterpret, i know how to cook but beside me...the rest are just a bunch of inelegant bunch of muscle heads, they could eat bread with water for years they won't mind.
Shizue : Bread with water...
Eleonor : Awful right !
Well...it seems I'm going to start by doing chores, I don't really mind that but is it really ok ?
3rd Pov
Walking the path leading to the most beautiful place within Ruberios, the garden cherished by its ruler.
Yuu pondered what this was about but came to no conclusion.
Yuu : Maybe she already felt Shizu-san's presence ?
This wouldn't be weird since the current Luminous was much stronger, detecting an unfamiliar presence within her own territory would be easy.
Yuu : One of the other reasons would be...Horizon-san...
The first member of their unit, the one who assisted at the creation of Ruberios with Dawn and the most enigmatic among the group.
While everyone is friendly to the point of being called a family, Horizon White is someone who only ever opened up to Dawn.
His past with their leader is unknown to the other members, but one thing is sure...that even Yuu's loyalty pale in comparison to his.
Yuu : Horizon-san is like to kill anyone who dares insult Dawn-san...he might have caused some problem in a neighboring town...
And since Yuu is the one who takes care of the leadership when Dawn isn't here, she is the one who has to clean behind.
Yuu : I swear if it's him again, I'll send him to join Guy Crimson's straightness.
Sighing, she soon finds herself inside the garden...kneeling down upon reaching the center, for the first time in years, Yuu sees demon lord Luminous Valentine again.
Luminous : You grew up quite splendidly Yuu-chan~
Yuu : I feel honored by your compliment.
Luminous : Don't need to be this tense, I actually want to ask you a favor.
Yuu : A favor you say ?
Luminous : Yes...it's about Dawn-kun, it's about time he stops holding back on himself.
Back to Eleonor's side, she had shown Shizue around her new home and now both were sharing tea while waiting for Yuu.
Eleonor : She is taking some time now...it's unlike her.
Shizue : Y-yes...(But still, now that i was given a second chance...maybe i could-)
Eleonor : What's on your mind ?
Shizue : Eh ?
Eleonor : Ahh...seriously.
Sighing, Eleonor felt like a mother having to explain basic things to her child.
Eleonor : Listen here, right now you aren't that famous conqueror of flames Shizue Izawa, your name doesn't matter here...starting from now we are a family so whatever is on your mind, you can tell me or the other, we'll help if we can.
Shizue felt conflicted upon hearing the declaration, she wasn't used to such kindness or bond, it was going too fast for her.
She couldn't properly understand Eleonor either, why would she care about someone she just met...
Shizue : I...i have some regrets, i had lost hope in fulfilling them but now...i was given a second chance, i don't know what to do...
She herself didn't know why she revealed her mind to a half stranger.
Eleonor : I see...well I don't think any of us inside the Fallen light has overcome our regrets...but if you can't fulfill them...then just learn to live with them.
Shizue : Live with them, huh...(I don't think I could...no, maybe...after all I had passed down those regrets to Slime-san...)
Looking down, she was a little lost...things had happened so fast those last weeks that she didn't know where to put herself.
Dawn had said that Shizue Izawa was dead, so she couldn't possibly go save the children now...she could only pray for Rimuru to do it.
Yet a part of her wants to do it...
Shizue : You said you had regret...if it's not too personal, could you tell me ?
Eleonor : ...
Shizue : I mean, it's fine if you don't want to...
Eleonor just stared at her cup of tea, the liquid formed a clear and clean surface...her reflection stares right back at her.
Eleonor : It's fine...I come from another world just like you.
Shizue : I already know...everyone here is from the otherworld...
Eleonor nodded quietly, this wasn't a secret to any of them...
Eleonor : Back then, I was horrible...I bullied people for fun, I ruined life over nothing and overall was the worst type of person one could be.
Shizue : That's...hard to believe seeing you right now...
Eleonor : I changed a lot...you see, I have an unique skill called [Clairvoyance], it allows me to see the future to a certain degree.
Flashback
Back when she was summoned, she started acting spoiled as if above all...her skill showed her the future of people she touched.
Everything went on according to her desire and wishes...until one day, those predictions took a horrible turn.
The royalty, the nobility and the army...all routes ended with her being dead, terrified she stopped using her skill.
Soon enough, she was forced...her existence become meaningless without that skill, humiliation, torture followed.
To stop these, she had to use Clairvoyance again...but reality caught up with her.
Everytime she looked into the future, she saw her misery...how one would beat her, how another would try to use her sexually and more.
She did her best to avoid these but the stress and pressure started affecting her mental...
No longer than 7 months after being summoned, she had almost lost all hope...her existence was just a weapon.
Her rôle was to predict the course of wars and aside from that, she was locked in a room, barely any edible foods or anyone to talk to.
Yet she couldn't complain, if she did she would have to face much worse consequences.
The spoiled noble she was...died a long time ago.
This continued for 6 months, by then she was just the shadow of herself...until, a certain day a delegation of Ruberios had come to her nation.
Since they were important guests from a powerful nation, she was allowed to come out...the purpose being to meet the envoy and see their future.
Prince : Listen you worthless trash, once you see their future leave at once and report later.
Eleonor : Hai...
Prince : I heard that the famous Ace of Godand Pope are coming...I can't wait to find all their weakness, with that Ruberios is on whim to be conquered.
Listening to the Prince's antics, Eleonor followed and stood in front of the castle where all high officers and royalty were waiting for the envoy.
Eleonor : (What's the point of living...i'm just a tool for everyone here, if i died right now, no one would even care...)
Her eyes dead from all its light, the sound of a carriage rolling was heard...a luxurious carriage with a beautiful white horse stopped right in front of the castle.
And soon enough, a man accompanied by another came out.
King : Pope Louis, it's an honor to meet you.
Louis : The pleasure is mine, king of Farnam.
Shaking hand, Eleonor's eyes carefully analyzed the pope...but her attention was quickly attracted by the men accompanying him.
He was releasing a sort of passive aura...that no one seemed to notice, their eyes momentarily locked.
Eleonor : (This must be the famous Ace of God, the strongest knight in Ruberios...)
Silently observing, they soon all moved into the castle where Louis would talk with the king about implementing Luminism in this small nation.
While Dawn stayed behind, his job was to escort Louis...not like he need it, the people here are extremely weak.
Dawn : May I know your name ?
While everything went smoothly, Dawn approached the Prince and Eleonor who stood side by side waiting for the right occasion to accomplish her task.
And it seems it has finally come...
Prince : Oh, be hono-
Dawn : Shut up pig, I was talking to this beautiful lady over there.
Extending his hand toward the poor girl, Eleonor's lifeless eyes shone for a moment...she-no, no one expected the prince to be insulted that way.
The king, Louis and other officers all froze...stopping their activity to watch what was happening over there.
Prince : W-what did you just call me ?!
Dawn : Are you deaf too ?
Gritting his teeth, the prince almost unsheathes the sword at his belt...but is stopped by an officer.
Officer : Please your highness, calm down...starting a fight now against the Ace of god and in front of the pope would end up badly for us.
Prince : I know !
His expression turning enraged, he turned around and left...his eyes shooting a fierce glare toward Eleonor before.
Dawn : Mmh, how pathetic for a prince, anyway...what's your name ?
Turning back to Eleonor, the girl gulped...his hand was still extended and she just had to shake it and use her skill.
Eleonor : Eleonor...
Taking his hand, her eyes glowed purple as Clairvoyance took effect...this didn't go unnoticed by Dawn but he let it go.
After all, the moment he had seen her...he already understood her circumstance...and now he wanted her to join his team.
Eleonor : T-this...
A single tear running down her cheek, she expected her vision to be filled with blood and despair but it was the opposite.
She saw a beautiful and vast sea of flowers...the peace sight warmed her heart but the most important part was...
That she saw herself smiling in that future...
Dawn : Like what you see ?
Stepping back, Eleonor covered her mouth with both hands...more tears flowed, the scene made everyone around perplex.
They didn't know how to react but one thing was dangerous...the weak doll this kingdom had formed was retrieving its emotion.
Prince : What are you doing Eleono-
Dawn : You know, I came here personally to investigate an illegal otherworldly summoning that happened a year ago.
His cold voice referring through the space, at this point he had already started leaking his hero haki forcing everyone to stay still.
Dawn : Chapter 7.9 of the Human moral law, clearly banning illegal and unannounced Otherworldly summoning is heavily punished, you know.
It was a law formed by Dawn personally and since Ruberios is basically the main wall of the Western nation, he was agreed by most.
Even the Eastern Empire supported in a way this law...
Dawn : This is why under my authority and after investigation, everyone present here is under arrest and will be put under trial in front of the Western council.
Flashback end
Eleonor : That day, my life totally changed...
Shizue : That's quite a tragic past...
Eleonor : Not really, after all compared to the other, the only thing i had ever lost is myself...
Back in England, she was a horrible person...her family already gave up on her and considered her useful just because she could expand their family influence via marriage.
As for friends...she had none, coming to this world was originally an escape route for her...but in the end, no matter which world, she ends up alone.
Eleonor : Back then, when I used Clairvoyance on Boss...I knew that my life was about to change drastically.
Smiling, Eleonor admired her reflection...even now after so many decades, she couldn't get used to seeing herself smile so sincerely.
Eleonor : Shizue-san, you have to understand one thing...everyone in this group shares a common trait, we are all people who lost everything, our loyalty to the other is extreme because we have nothing else.
Shizue : Nothing else, huh...i can't really say i share those thoughts...
Eleonor : It's normal, because you aren't like us...i don't know your situation but i can see it, you will never be able to replicate our loyalty toward Boss.
Looking up, her purplish eyes met with Shizue's ...the former champion could tell how serious she was, the determination in her eyes was on another level.
The only people comparable are those who had sworn total loyalty to their affiliation to the point of dying for it.
Shizue : Boss...you mean Dawn-san ? It seems you really love him don't you.
Eleonor : Love you say...it's only natural but my feeling can't be simply called love.
Shizue : (It seems I end up joining a really scary group...though I wonder if I will be able to melt into it and become one of them...that seems kind of unlikely.)
Eleonor : My feelings for Boss are a little bit different from the other members, you know...while the likes of Yuu respect him and harbor more of a sibling-like relationship, I'm simply happy to be able to see him.
Looking to the side, Eleonor pointed her finger toward a small table near the wall...following her lead, Shizue turned her attention toward the multitude of sewed clothes.
Eleonor : I already accepted the fact that my feelings might never be reciprocated and that I will remain as Eleonor von Trinity, a simple subordinate of his forever.
Shizue : That's sad you know...
Eleonor : I guess it is...we are all prisoners of our own emotion, I have the ability to see the future to a certain degree. Do you know how frustrating this power is ?
Changing the course of the future, altering the feelings of others by knowing what will happen...she could use so many methods to gain the favor of others.
But no matter how great her power is, at the end she would face a wall she couldn't pass...
Eleonor : Because of my nature, I know Boss better than anyone here...no, maybe the only person alive that can truly understand him is me, that's precisely why I accepted this reality.
Shizue : Accepted reality...(Is that what i lacked back then...)
Eleonor : Anyway, quite talking about me and my feelings, I should help you get used to your new identity for now, we wouldn't want any slip, right?
Shizue : Oh sure...
Getting up, Eleonor grabbed a cloak and readied to leave since Yuu didn't seem to come back anytime soon.
Eleonor : By the way...
But before she could get to the exit, she stopped taking a more serious voice tone.
Shizue instinctively raised her guard and listened carefully.
Eleonor : You should be careful with your actions from now on.
Shizue : Why ?
Eleonor : When it comes to failure, me and the other don't mind much as long as they aren't big messes...but it's different when it comes to him.
Shizue : Him ?
Eleonor : His name is Horizon White, he is the first member to have joined Boss...
There was a small hint of bitterness in her voice, Shizue could only guess what kind of relationship they had.
It didn't seem they were fond of each other...yet earlier she heavily implied how close to a family this group was.
Eleonor : If my love for Boss is akin to a star, then Horizon's loyalty is just creepy, I don't know what happened to him...I don't even want to know...
Her eyes turned darker as unpleasant memories made surface.
Eleonor : Back then, when I just joined...I was the fourth to come, the first two being Boss and Horizon...between us is a man called Lucas...
That day is still livid in her mind, despite their loyalty...human mind is bound to evolve and corrupt.
Lucas Schwartz had quite the background.
Losing people he loved over and over but after joining the Fallen light, he didn't just evolve...at some point he openly challenged Dawn because he couldn't really see him as their leader anymore.
Eleonor : That day...if Boss didn't stop him, Horizon would have slain Lucas...without a second thought.
A cold hearted monster, no matter how close they were...Horizon was ready to kill his own comrade for Dawn.
The betrayed look in Lucas's eyes that day was on clear display...he was closer to Horizon than Dawn yet the person he trusted didn't think about killing him.
Eleonor : The tension is gone since it happened over a century ago but that doesn't change the fact that Horizon wouldn't hesitate killing a friend...be careful of him Shizue, i say that for your own good.
Shizue : I see...(Even killing his own ally, i can't say that's very admirable.)
In the Jura Forest, a few days passed and Dawn was now staring at the giant lizardman lake which would soon turn into a battlefield.
Dawn : it seems Lady Luminous didn't come to investigate the forest in this timeline, well it doesn't matter right now.
If the route he had selected for this world was truly going to happen, then things are going to turn interesting.
A route that was never published...yet it was the safest route toward the ideal Tensura, at least it was as far as he knew.