3rd Pov
Gathered at the town's entry, Dawn and Rimuru were having a last talk before the former left...
A long night has passed since the dinner, Dawn having things to do decided to leave first with the accord of Luminous.
While Hinata and Shizue will stay in Tempest as official mediators, the actual situation is still very dire as the Western nation is still wary of Tempest.
For now, they had to slowly bring out Tempest quality and swiftly change the public opinion...
Rimuru : You could have stayed longer, you know...
Dawn : It doesn't look like it but i'm quite busy, i too would have liked to relax in Tempest for a month or two but this is simply not reasonable.
Rimuru : Yeah...oh, right ! I forgot to take this.
Remembering something, Rimuru materialized a letter in his hand...it had the official seal of Tempest on it.
Dawn : If it's political, you should refer to Yuu or Hinata...
Rimuru : Nah, you see with Luminous we decided to hold a large festival in Tempest...this way we can publicly show Tempest's intention and goal, naturally Ruberios's cadres are invited.
Dawn : A festival, huh...(So it will still happen...i should take care of Yuuki there.)
Rimuru : And I personally wanted to give you your invitation, so here.
Dawn : I see...thanks, I'll make sure to pass by.
Smiling sincerely, Dawn took the letter and carefully slid it in his pocket, looking up at Rimuru...he pondered for a moment before nodding.
Dawn : (Raphael, you there?)
Raphael : (Notice : What do you need, Dawn Arceid?)
Dawn : (It's early but I got a gift for you and Rimuru...so please take it.)
His eyes glowing for an instant, the unique sill : greed was ripped off of Dawn's soul before flying into Raphael's imaginary arm.
The sudden gift earned a silence from the wisdom king...
Raphael : (I see, Dawn Arceid I sincerely wish you good luck.)
Dawn : Mmh ?
As confusing as those words were, Raphael had immediately shut down the thought communication...Dawn's confusion was read by Rimuru who tilted his head.
Rimuru : Is something wrong ?
Dawn : N-no...I just think that computer Ai can be quite rebellious...
Rimuru : Computer ? Is there even a computer in this world ?
Dawn : Not yet, but if we put some effort surely we could make it happen.
Rimuru : That could be fun (Just need to hide it from Veldora and Milim.)
Sweedropping, he didn't want to imagine a world where both Milim and Veldora became video game nerd otaku...
Dawn : Anyway I should leave now.
Looking at the sky, the sun was slowly rising...it was the perfect time for someone named Dawn to leave.
Rimuru : Yeah, let's meet again soon.
Exchanging a light handshake, Dawn turned around and was about to cast Destiny beyond Fate, but before that he stopped and faced Rimuru again.
Dawn : By the way, Rimuru...Luminous and Velzard are both single.
Rimuru : Eh ?
Dawn : I know a lot about them so feel free to ask me if you're interested. ([Destiny beyond Fate].)
Silently using his skill, Dawn's body slowly dissolved in the air as Rimuru's face bursted red.
Rimuru : WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!
Dawn : Bye bye~
Disappearing from Tempest, Dawn found himself the next instant in Ingracia...
Opening his eyes, he was welcomed by Flora and her freshly hired assistant Glenda who was wearing a mask covering the upper part of her face.
Dawn : Is it ready ?
Flora : Yes, I have gathered the four cardinal bosses of the underworld, along with several reputed bandits, merchants and overall a bunch of crappy people.
Dawn : Good, then let's get in there.
Smiling, Flora lifted her hand giving a silent instruction to Glenda who immediately brought out a mask similar to hers.
The color and quality was different though.
Flora : Officially, this is just another annual meeting where everyone exchanges information, bet money and gets drunk.
Dawn : I should maybe use this opportunity to arrest them all.
A mad like grin forming on his face, Glenda behind gulped as she could see that scene happening...
But fortunately for those bad guys, Flora had their back.
Flora : Leader...you know they are a valuable source of income and intels, as bad as they can be, they are still useful.
Dawn : I know, I was just joking.
Flora : Anyway...no one dared refuse my invitation so leader will surely get what he wants.
Dawn : I see.
Placing the mask of his face, he made sure to alter his appearance with the Earring of deception and walked forward toward the partying room.
Inside, he could already feel some potent presence...not by their power but rather by the scent of blood...
Those here aren't innocent children, most are killers who have a high bounty on their head...but among all, only a few are useful...
The reason so many were invited was to deceive those selected individuals...so they won't suspect a trap with so many others around.
Those people are the 4 cardinals of the underworld...you could assimilate them to Mafia bosses on earth.
From the north, sir Leopole...a man who stood out among his peers, he mainly worked on small business and committed fraud...a cruel man who is blidned by gold.
From the south, Jeonil...another man who has close ties to most of the influential bandit group, he is a noble of Ingracia who plays it dirty.
From the east, Lady Celial...a woman who is known for her lust, she owns a brothel where she actively hunts down young men to the point of breaking them. At the moment most of her employees are slaves she accumulated herself.
And lastly from the west, miss Noireva...her main territory is actually located in the south of the continent as she is the supreme boss of most of the maritime commerce, among all of them she has the most wealth power.
Dawn : Then shall we get started ?
Those four aren't friends nor are they enemies, as long as they don't trespass on the other's territory, nothing will happen.
But if the opportunity arises for them to eliminate the other appearance...then without a doubt they would take it.
Noireva Pov
Honestly, I didn't expect much from this sudden meeting...rather than a meeting, it's really just a gathering to waste time...
I could see Celial on one side surrounded by handsome men, the dumbhead Jeonil drinking while smacking whatever he didn't like and Leopole fooling some newbie merchant.
Louise : My lady, perhaps should we leave ?
My sole attendant I took here, Louise suddenly suggested to me...she probably noticed by disgust toward the other cardinal...
Well, they sure are just a bunch of crap without a brain...
Noireva : Yeah, let's g-
But suddenly, my instinct kicked in...the door crackling as a tense silence enveloped the room...
I slowly turned my head toward the entrance as 3 individuals entered, their presence felt rather discreet yet no one could deny their existence...
I immediately sat down recognizing one of them...Fortune, the owner who invited us all, the only reason I'm here is because Fortune herself had invited us.
I couldn't miss this just in case the other cardinal schemed something against me...i'm the one who gets along with them the least after all.
Anyway, what urgent right now was the fact that Fortune...that greedy woman was standing behind a masked man...
Who is he ? I don't recognize him at all but the way he is standing suggests that Fortune may work under him...this is crazy.
Jeonil : Quite arrogant of you to show up this late when you invited us, Fortune !
This idiot...can't he read the room, even that slut Celial is shutting up at that time ! Wait, nevermind...
While glancing at the slut, I could see how heated she was...her eyes were fuming in lust as she glared at the masked man...can't they be just a bit normal !
Fortune/Flora : I don't think you can complain seeing how you were enjoying yourself.
Jeonil : Don't say that~why not come and have a drink with me ?
This crazy bastard...Fortune might look like a frail girl, but everyone know she is an expert when it comes to violence...
Dawn : You are really a pill of trash, the development of your brain must have been dropped by those useless muscles.
Pfff ! Wait...did this guy really insult Jeonil's most prized possession which is his expensive looking large muscle ?
He is actually crazy too...
Jeonil : What ?!
Dawn : I was planning to go easy on you all but it seems I overestimated you tuff guy.
Smiling, I felt like an ocean of dread washed over me the moment he raised his arm...now I understand, he purposely provoked that idiot of Jeopol...
If Fortune brought him here herself...that means he is someone important and is after something...one of our possessions ? Information ? Potential business ?
It could be everything...and for that, he is using Jeonil as an example, a warning for us all.
Jeonil : What ? I'm going to kill y-
Dawn : Anyway, you shouldn't talk too big, if you don't have the power to back it off, then it's useless.
His smile vanishing, he casually walked past the fortress Jeonil...all the attention was naturally on both of them as we pondered how this would go down...
The stunt easily managed to get through Jeonil's nerve as he roared in anger...turning around he tried to throw a punch...but before anything could happen, the most terrifying scene happened.
Dawn : A dead man shouldn't be yelling, you know...
As he said, he just walked forward without turning around...at the same time, Jeonil's body was cut in half...just now I had realized what happened.
The moment Jeonil approached Fortune...he had already been cut down, just his body and reality itself seem to have noticed several moments later...
In an instant, he had destroyed one of the cardinals of the underworld...this man isn't ordinary, he is terrifying...
I quickly signaled Louis to back down as we clearly don't want to deal with such monster...
Dawn Pov
In this world, not everywhere...what matters the most is strength, the ability to influence others and impose yourself on your surroundings.
No one will attack if they fear you, no one will refuse you anything if you are just stronger...most villains and bad guys just inspire terror and that's their main strength.
Now what if that same terror was exterminated by a random person coming from nowhere...Jeonil, i had already known that he would cause trouble and won't cooperate.
But aside from his brainless head, the reason he acted so confidently is because others fear him...he is among the top dogs in the underworld...influence, power and fame.
He had it all and just now, I ripped everything from him...in gaming terms, I just passed from level 1 to level 99 in a second.
Dawnn : Let's get down to business shall we.
Sitting down at the large table in the center of the room...I didn't wait long for the remaining 3 cardinals to hurry and join me.
It seems I successfully instilled fear in them as the crazy merchant, Leopole was avoiding eye contact but you tell he didn't have good willed thoughts...
The man hunter, Celial however looked at me as if i was her next prey...well considering her persona it was to be expected.
She is a shameless woman who already had seven children at the age of 32...all of them from different men...her motto is that strong genes must be coupled with beautiful ones.
No one would disagree in saying that this lustful woman is actually beautiful and would attract most people...well compared to the woman that surrounds me, she is pretty average.
Dawn : You should control your hormones and try to save the tiny bit of dignity left in you.
I spoke up and didn't avoid her gaze, instead my cold eyes met her lustful one...a hint of disgust washed over me when her face just flushed red.
Celial : Hehe, you know that big boy you just killed was the father of one of my children, shouldn't you compensate for that ?
Stretching her finger to make a circle, she suggestively brought her hand in front of her face and moved in a very sexual motion.
It seems I actually underestimated her lust...anyway, I have to endure it for now as her brothel is visited by thousands of men every month...all sorts of men, her information and intel gathering isn't a joke.
Noireva : You should just keep quiet, slutty woman, we all got fooled and are trapped in this room, can' t you think a little ?
Oh ? It seems among them trash, one stood out...Noivera, she is actually the one I'm here for, her main power is from her maritime business.
In other words, every pirate ship that explores the world outside the main continent is under her rule...
Nine heads told me she crossed the sea in her memories, then the chance for the laboratory being on an island is possible.
Well that normally wouldn't make sense but i got a theory...Averion, the dukedom of Averion i lived in my past life is located in the south of the continent.
That land was specifically known to be the biggest port city that dealt with the northern continent where the High human once lived.
But over the age, the topography of the world changed...some former land is underwater now, perhaps the laboratory was hidden in one of those land now turned islands.
Celial : Don't be such a party pooper, your quite cute we could have a three way if you want~
Noivera : You...
Leopole : (These women...all of them are really shameless, they really should just wait at home like a cute puppy.)
Seriously...ahh, at this rate I'm going to pass the whole day here...let's put an end to this already.
3rd Pov
A single droplet is enough to shatter even the sturdiest rock...this is how nature is made, and a single existence can change the course of life of thousands...
The moment Dawn activated his hero haki dramatically turned the atmosphere within the room upside down...
The wall crackling under the pressure, he clearly meant to impose his rule shutting everyone down.
Dawn : Let's keep it brief, I came here to buy information...no, to be more accurate i'm here to get information.
His words suggest that even if he had to use violence, he would get what he can from the people present...
This was obviously a threat, and one that couldn't be neglected...Leopole now understood why Noivera said that they had been trapped.
Everything was a perfectly laid out trap...lurring its prey using the other prey as bait, then sealing the cage.
Dawn : Will you cooperate ?
And ending with fake consideration...the hand Dawn offered was purely out of malice, if they took it...
It would be the same as surrendering, if they rejected it...their head would fly...
Leopole : Ahh...what do you want to know ?
Noivera : I will cooperate.
Celial : Everything for you, handsome~
His cold emotiong deforming into a wicked grin, Dawn had won the introduction...now the main part, he had to get the information out of them.
He could use the Lord of Fate to make them pull out everything, but decided against it as he wanted to increase his mastery over his other skills.
[Divine eyes], the unique skill he had got from Luna...a power that dwelled and was rarely used by Dawn, it can easily see through lies and composition, so in this type of situation, it's a cheat skill.
Leopole : But before that, could we have a game of poker ?
Noivera : Poker ?
Dawn : ...
This was a blunt request...if you looked from the outside, they were in a gambling room so it should be natural to propose such game.
But if you looked at the internal situation, this was just out of picture...however, Dawn understood what he was aiming for.
His smile widened as he raised his hand and signaled Glenda to proceed.
Dawn : Sure, let's have a game of Poker.
His eyes glowing, he could see through Leopole's scheme...unique skill : Gambler, that's his bet.
With this, he can alter the order of the cards and perform well in any gambling game...but the most notable trait of this skill is...his killing sub-skill.
If he wins 7 games in a row against the same people, then a new bet arises and by flipping a coin, he has a 99.9 % chance of killing them.
This skill is truly overpowered and could get rid of anyone who doesn't know its effect.
Unfortunately, he had to fall on Dawn Arceid...who for one possesses an Ultimate skill, the natural law that states : An Ultimate skill holder can only be defeated by another one...
On top of that, Dawn is the Chosen hero by Fate...the one power that surpasses even the most vicious skill related to gambling which is probability.
And as expected, 5 minutes later after a few short games...Leopole realized the oddity of the situation.
Leopole : (What ? Lost again ? But I made sure to get the best cards...)
He couldn't understand what was happening...no matter which combinaison he had, it was always inferior to what the other had.
His hand slipping, a noise disturbing everyone, a small detail or incident happening out of nowhere...every single time, something happened out of pure unluck toward him.
This was the power of fate, the moment his fate was set to lose every single game...no matter how he twisted reality to suit his interest.
He would lose...at the moment, he was just dancing in the palm of something he couldn't see.
Dawn : Full house...
What more is that Dawn purposely got each time, a hand barely superior to his...6 games won out of 6.
Leopole : (W-who is this monster ?! I have to get rid of him now ! Or he will ruin everything!)
Dawn : Are you sure you want to play this next game ?
Leopole : W-what ?
Dawn : 6 games...if you lose the next game something terrible might happen.
What Leopole didn't know was that his skill had another rule...if he won 7 games, he can place a bet to kill his opponent.
But if he loses 7 games in a row, then the same rule applies on himself automatically.
Leopole : What are you saying ?! Quickly distribute the cards ! (I'll corner him this time, I'm sure he is cheating!)
Dawn : I see, then let's play.
Closing his eyes, he patiently waited for the cards to be distributed...the two women with them stayed quiet most of the time as they could feel a silent tension.
Glenda : (This is insane...some people might think we are cheating but in fact, i'm not doing anything...)
Glenda was the dealer, sweat could be seen on her forehead as she realized how fearsome the supreme commander of Ruberios was.
Dawn : A pair.
And this time, he decided to call out his cards before even the end of the distribution...this startled the other but soon, like a prophecy.
Everything went according to his words, a single pair is the second lowest hand in regular poker...
Managing to win with such a hand when multiple other players are involved is rare...yet, this single pair was the highest hand on board at the end of the game.
Leopole couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at his hand...
Leopole : H-how ?
Dawn : Fortune, I count on you to seize everything those two idiots had.
Flora : Naturally, in any way the dead's assets can only benefit the living.
Cold and cruel words were followed by blood...Leopole's skill activated on its own as the 7 games were lost.
His head exploded much to everyone present's horror...
Dawn : Don't be too startled, this is what he brought on himself.
The blood flowing on the table, it was a disgusting sight yet Dawn remained unfazed...instead he chuckled happily that things went down that way.
Dawn : (Mmh, i was already pretty cold to this kind of thing but now...i feel like a part of my humanity has been deleted...weird...)
Dawn pondered, he placed his hand over his chest and felt his heartbeat...it was stone cold, almost nonexistent...
Perhaps one of his other theories was true, that slowly the personality he had as Origin Averion was overlapping his very own.
Dawn : Whatever, anyway dear ladies, can we finally have a civilized talk ?
Surely from the other's perspective, not even Flora and Glenda could only see a villain...not a glorious hero who had protected the holy land for centuries.
At the saùe time, in hell...the domain house of all demons...
Jaune, the most chaotic primordial, was slowly flying toward her arch rival's castle...though, Jaune couldn't help but notice the lack of presence there.
Jaune : Weird, Violet would have already attacked me...
Narrowing her eyes, she quickly flew off and landed directly through the castle wall not bothered by the damage she caused.
To her shock, instead of meeting a fierce and annoyed Violet, all that Jaune saw was a little lady on her throne...
Her face buried in her knee as she silently played dead...
Jaune : W-what happened here ?
Looking over, she soon had an explanation from Veryon...basically, around a thousand years ago...Violet had relieved a past trauma that put her in that state...
Jaune : A trauma ? Do you mean that time she went into the main world and got destroyed ?
Veryon : Y-yes...the last few years she had been recovering but a few days ago, she suddenly started hiding herself like that...
Jaune : What the hell...
While Jauna was perplexed, Violet was going through a traumatic experience...
Violet : (W-why me ? I will never go back to the main world ever again...)
Her most recent trauma was 1200 years ago when Dawn slew her in the middle of her game...after that she had passed around 500 years before returning to the main world.
But then, a few days ago...she suddenly felt dread as if her instinct warned her to not go back...she felt as if her biggest nightmare was coming back.
Violet : (Please, don't tell me that guy reincarnated or somehow crossed time itself to hunt me...)
She seriously hoped that wasn't the case...but her traumatic phase had to be stopped when another strong presence other than Jaune suddenly appeared.
Finally lifting her head, her eyes shook when she saw Noir or now Diablo.
Diablo : It has been a while Jaune, Violet.
Jaune : Noir ? (What the heck, when did he get that strong?!)
Startled by his sudden appearance, Noir was indeed much stronger...because Rimuru himself was stronger than his original self.
The current Diablot could surely take dozens of Violet and Jaune together...
Diablo : I have come here to recruit both of you, so why not serve my lord, Rimuru-sama ?
A few hours ago, after everyone had woken up and spared from last night...Tempest started another charged day into their development.
Diablo had priorly asked Rimuru if he could leave to recruit a few people that might be useful to his lord.
To which Rimuru just nodded...thought he couldn't expect him to actually go and recruit two other primordials...
Anyway, for now let's focus on Velzard as she currently stayed at Tempest though she had planned to leave soon.
At the moment, she was watching over the city on one of the many hills surrounding the capital...
Velzard : This city sure is beautiful, I can understand why Veldora is so fond of Rimuru.
The climate was very warm, the location of this nation was near perfect with the only problem being the first target of the Eastern empire if they decided to invade...
Velzard couldn't guess if it was luck or skill...but one thing was sure, fate seemed to favor Rimuru a lot.
Velzard : I would have gladly stayed here but unfortunately I prefer the colder climate.
Smiling softly, her peaceful time was interrupted when her guest arrived. She had asked this particular person for a private meeting last night.
Behind her, hidden under the shade of the countless trees that inhabit the Jura forest..;the queen of nightmare, Luminous Valentine stood in all her glory.
Luminous : I seriously didn't expect you to ask me out on a sunny day like this one.
Velzard : Quite cocky, it seems you are getting a little too comfortable with me.
In normal circumstances, Luminous would be on guard to make sure she doesn't piss Velzard off...after she is genuinely among the top 3 strongest beings in the world.
As the oldest True dragon, her standing was by no means neglectable...but as they ate and passed time, Luminous realized that Velzard was just feared because of her power.
Not her character, she might be psychotic and dangerous...she wouldn't go destroy for no reason because she is overwhelmingly superior.
Luminous : I would be already dead if you really hated it.
Velzard : Well, killing you isn't part of my plan so I'm letting it pass this time.
Behind this beautiful lady, was a fierce dragon...Luminous has to keep that in mind at all times.
Luminous : Anyway, you called me here so let's get to the point already.
Velzard : Alright....
Her expression solidifying, Velzard brought her hand forward...a small snowflake as she blew the wind of her cold breath.
Velzard : I plan to take residence in Ruberios as its guardian deity.
Luminous : !!!
The sudden revelation came to a shock for the vampire, her eyes widened as she stared at the stone cold dragon.
Velzard : I decided to stop fooling around, Guy has already gone too far and now I have people I want to protect.
Luminous : I didn't expect that...the Frost dragon who has been silent to any political and world problem until now...
Velzard : I myself found it hard to believe, but even I am subject to change.
Looking up, the surroundings were already enveloped in a cold mist...a few leaves were covered in frost too.
This happened by just the tiniest release of Velzard's power...
Velzard : Listen Luminous...the world is going to change greatly very soon...Rimuru Tempest, after meeting him i remembered something...
Luminous : ...
Velzard : And now I'm convinced, if everything goes as it should then the next few years are going to turn grim.
If someone like Velzard said that, no one could ignore her warning...
Velzard : The angels, the eastern empire, Guy and even the World destroying dragon, Ivarage...all started moving, it is just a matter of time before everything goes down.
Luminous : But why choosing Ruberios then ? I'm sure by Guy's side, you'll win far more.
Velzard : Don't get me wrong, I never sided with Guy to start with...let's just say it was a childish tantrum.
She was blinded with jealousy and wanted to definitely bury Guy, he who had stolen the attention of Veldanava from her.
But the last 2000 years changed her mindest greatly...she found herself having a daughter and a student...
Slowly, Velzard felt the shackle that bound her break...the white ice that covered her heart melted too...
She just wanted to see a world where all the people she held dear could smile...
Velzard : (Perhaps...this is what you felt about big brother Veldanava...you wanted Milim to witness such a world too, right...)
This feeling was warm and comfortable but at the same time, scary...every person she held dear was a powerful being.
Those who would fight in the incoming war, every second that passed could lead to their death...Velzard felt dread just thinking about losing them all.
And slowly, her standing at Guy's side was threatening all...
Velzard : I really want to get through all this with them...
Luminous : Huh ?
Velzard : You are far more fetched than me, Luminous...I'm sure you understand as well, the fear of losing someone...
Luminous : I see...and you are ready to make the world balance collapse for them ?
Velzard chuckled, by switching sides the world would surely fall into chaos...but does that has to change her mind ?
Velzard : The world balance was meant to be broken anyway.
Smiling, Velzard's eyes shifted to the side for a moment...her pupil catching a third uninvited presence.
Velzard : (So were there, the last wielder of the heroic blood.)
Luminous : Mmh ?
Noticing Velzard's wavering stare, Luminosu turned her own attention around...shortly after she noticed a capped individual standing several feets away.
This alerted the vampire as she couldn't sense any presence or power emanating from that person.
The only notable thing was that this individual had a sort of barrier made of shadow around his body.
Luminous : Who are you ?
The figure remained silent...this was the same person that contacted Eleonor when she was on mission in the Eastern empire.
Velzard : Don't question her, Luminous...i don't think she is an enemy.
Luminous : If you say so...
While Luminous was warry, Velzard seemed comfortable as if she knew exactly who this capped individual was...
Finally, after a minute of silence...the intruder spoke up.
???: It seems you have remembered something important, Velzard-sama.
Velzard : Indeed, but I didn't expect you, the last wielder of the blood of Averion, to come here in person.
The capped individual eyes suddenly glowed, a pale blue shone through the darkness below the individual's hood.
???: I just came here to verify something but it seems my worries were in vain, so i'll take my leave now.
Velzard : I see...
Letting the individual go, Luminous was dumbfounded...she heard something that maybe should have stayed secret.
Luminous : Did you say...Averion ? What does that mean ? They should have gone extinct millennia ago...
Velzard : Fufu, I told you the world is chaning greatly...even the ghosts of the past are moving.
Luminous : Can't you explain properly ?
Velzard : It is not right for me to reveal someone else's secret...you should already know but his reincarnation is here.
Luminous : You mean Dawn ? I suspected he was the reincarnation of Origin Averion but I couldn't know for sure...wait, were you acquainted with him ?
Velzard : Who know~
Leaving Luminous with her question, Velzard turned around and walked away.
Velzard : Call me when you're about to leave, for now I'll just enjoy this city a little more.
Luminous : ...arght, why do they have to always keep everything to themself...
Meanwhile, after long research...Dawn was standing on a platform made of ice.
Below him was the 21th island he visited after getting the information from Noivera...things went pretty smoothly after he got rid of Leopole.
Dawn : Found it.
Gazing down, the island was pretty large...clearly not the size of a continent or even a large city like Ruberios.
But big enough to have a small civilization living on it...the land was covered by nature beside a few spots signifying former human passage.
Dawn : Let's get this done now.
Jumping down, finally he could get the fragment of his existence all together.