★6
ASTERI'S POV
The next morning, Hinamatsuri, Issei, and Sasha woke up, and upon waking up, I was standing next to a portal.
"Good morning."
I decided to give 'greetings' a try.
"Morning, Asteri san."
Issei answered first, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"Morning. What is that portal doing here?"
Sasha asked, yawning.
"This will take you guys back to the Ulgracia."
"Wait, aren't you coming?
"I told you, didn't I, Sasha. I won't be near the kingdom on day five."
"Oh... yeah, I remember."
She answered, rolling her eyes.
"Where are you going, Asteri san?"
"I've found that 'someone' so I'll go meet them now. That's my whole reason for coming here."
"Oh... OK. Will you be back?"
"I can't say for sure. It depends on whether they're willing to help me. If they do, I might come back. If they don't, I'll move to my next target."
"Help you with what?"
"If time wishes for you to know, I'll tell you everything."
"O...ok. Safe journey."
<
"See you later, Asteri san."
Sasha and Issei waved and jumped into the portal. Hinamatsuri followed, but before she left.
"You said you want to pay me back, right? That means I'll definitely find you. Until then, sit tight."
"...OK. I'll be waiting for you."
Hinamatsuri jumped, and the portal closed.
"Let's go."
At my call, Atlas and Elaine appeared, and without hesitation, I teleported us straight into the Labyrinth.
Ramiris sensed a sudden presence in her space. She rushed to investigate, only to find Asteri and his subordinates waiting.
"Hello, Queen of Fairies."
"Oh, it's you. How did you manage to get inside my Labyrinth like that?"
"I only need to be in a particular space once. I can be here at all times unless it's destroyed."
"Hmm, you always have moves that fit your own. Who are these people?"
"This is Atlas, and Elaine is the Sleeping Princess. They are my companions."
"Oh, I see. What about those humans you brought the other day?"
"I took them home. Don't worry about them."
"Ok, what do you want, Asteri?"
"Do you mind giving me some other name? Only Red is permitted to call me that."
"Huh, well, whatever."
She pondered for a moment before replying.
"How about Asta?"
"Fine by me. It'll be a long talk, so do you mind getting us a place to sit?"
"Very well, follow me."
Ramiris led us to a hall with a table and chairs around. The four sat down, and I made the first call.
"You are a Demon Lord, right?"
"Yes, I am."
"If Red did not help me, I doubt you will follow in his steps."
Ramiris was shocked as this nobody mentioned one of the most feared demon lords in all generations.
"I thought you were talking about someone but Red? Red, you mean Guy? Demon lord Guy Crimson?"
I simply nodded.
"How did you come in contact with him? Guy is a prideful demon; he's only interested in people he likes."
"Long story short, I appeared at his castle and challenged him. We fought for seven weeks."
Naturally, this isn't common in the Cardinal World. The name Guy Crimson is feared, and this fella fought him for seven weeks. This is something that has never happened before.
Ramiris got up, shocked. She couldn't believe what this person was saying.
"Seven? Seven weeks!? You really managed your own against Guy for that long! You really are stronger than I imagined."
"Yes."
"So, who won? I'm just curious."
"I surrendered."
"You lost? Hahaha, I knew Guy wouldn't lose. He's the strongest, after all."
She laughed.
"Surrendering isn't losing. Let's say draw, ok."
Not wanting to drag it more than necessary, I called it off.
"Hahah, well, ok."
"That's only because the Young Master was holding back."
Atlas interjected.
"Heh, holding back? What is he talking about?"
<
"He's kind of right. This isn't my True Body. This is merely a vessel to live in other worlds. "
"Wait, you guys are otherworlders?"
She had it again.
"Yeah, and besides, I gave it my all despite being restrained from using my full powers."
"But wait, you three were summoned together or met in this world?"
"I came here first on my own without being summoned. They were sent to look after me."
My two fingers are pointing at them.
"Came here on your own. That's not possible. You mean... You travelled between worlds?"
"If it wasn't possible, I wouldn't be here!"
"It is but...You really are amazing, Asta kun. So what can I help you with that Guy didn't? "
"I want to become a Demon Lord like Red."
Silence filled the hall for a few seconds.
"A Demon Lord, huh? Well, why did Guy reject someone as strong as you?"
"He said I need strength and influence. I have the former but lack the latter."
"Yep, that's true. To become a Demon Lord, these two are important. You lack influence. How's that?"
"It's not long since I came here."
"I see."
"He offered some help if I'd become his lieutenant."
"Ah, and you rejected it. Well, don't blame him, Demons want something in return if they help someone. But why didn't you accept it since he'll help you?"
"Stars naturally hate being under others ruled over at some point,"
"Stars? What are you talking about?"
"I am referring to our race. Atlas and Elaine are Stars also."
Ramiri's eyes widened.
"Stars, huh?"
"Don't mistake us for those gaseous balls in the cosmos."
"Heh, then what Star?"
She asked with her hands on her waist.
"Stars are the wills of the Supreme Star God."
"Supreme Star God? That name sounds familiar, I guess."
She murmured.
The trio were shocked.
"What? You know the Creator?"
Elaine asked.
"No. I just felt like I've heard the name before."
She waved dismissively.
"Anyway, I need your help. I want you, a Demon Lord, to give me a space where I can build my nation or something like that."
"If that's the case, I can help."
"Really?"
"Sure."
"I appreciate it.
Actually, I don't.
Do you mind showing me?"
A hologram containing all the continents in the central world was put on display at the centre of the table.
"This is the centre continent of the Central World. I'll show you each territory of all Demon Lords and others who aren't Demon Lords, but they occupy some lands.
Frozen continental is Guy's domain,
Barren Lands, Dagruel's,
Holy Kingdom Ruberium, Valentine's,
El Dorado, Leon's,
Harpy Country, they themselves rule alone,
Yurazania, Carrion, the Beastmaster who rules beast-like demihumans,
Sky Castle, Milim's,
Land of Puppets Jistav, Mimon's,
The Kingdom of Ingrassia is a human nation where Heroes live,
Dwargon, a nation of dwarves,
The Eastern Empire is the strongest human nation ever.
Sarion Dynasty, home for the elves,
Western Providence is home to many small kingdoms and states for humans. It's under the protection of Ingrassia since they can't form a formidable army to defend themselves.
Bulmud and Farmas Kingdom; these two are neighbouring the Kingdom of Ingrassia. Yes, Ingrassia is a big kingdom, second only to the Eastern Empire.
Last but not least,
Great Jura Forest, a forest where monsters reside. So this is all in all. Where do you want to live?"
She explained while using the hologram to show them each territory.
"It's tough. My ambition is to become a Demon Lord so that all the human nations are no-go. Also, no Demon Lord will agree to share a land. It'll bring bad days."
"That's right. I'd suggest being a hero, but you don't have a Hero's Egg."
"Hero's Egg? Yeah, Guy said something about that."
<
"Oh, that's great. He told you about the Demon Lord Seed, too, right?"
"Yes. He said I can become a Demon Lord without the seed, but to awaken as a True Demon Lord, I must acquire 10,000 human souls."
"But that is only if you want to awaken; with your strength, you do not need it."
"I know, but when the time comes, I must make that decision."
"So that means you didn't get summoned here or incarnate?"
She went back to that topic.
"As for me, I left the Star Realm in pursuit of friendship and fun."
"Seriously, you travelled between worlds for just that?"
"Everyone has a goal."
"What about these two? "
Atlas replied first before Elaine, who was probably sleeping.
"I was sent to look out for the Young Master even though I am far inferior to him."
Atlas nudged her, and she freaked out.
"Y... yes, me too."
"That's the truth."
"Atlas kun is right. Why send people to look after someone as strong as you?"
"Let's just say I have a lot of friends in the Star Realm, some Hypergods including."
"Heh??? Hypergods, who are those? They sound pretty strong."
"Before we continue, let me have your word. You'll give me what I asked."
"Don't worry, there's a free island I didn't show you. You'll have that, I promise. So please enlighten me more."
"Well, ok then. To explain the Hypergods and Supergods, I'll have to explain the worlds for you."
(I don't have to explain it again.)
"Even without a Law to back that up, it's entirely possible for a 100+ year old star in a Hyperworld to rival or even surpass a Supergod."
"The train of power is insanely high. So what about you guys? Where did you live?"
"I've lived all my life in an extremely dangerous environment, the real home of the Gods. A place where even Hypergods can't set foot in without permission."
"What's she talking about? You guys are really a race of anomalies. One weird thing after the other!"
"We can't use our True Bodies in other worlds, so we create a vessel to inhabit them."
"True Body? So this isn't how you actually look?"
"It depends. The three of us are using vessels to interact with this world."
"What happens when you decide to come here without creating a vessel?"
"What do you think will happen when a Hypergod descends in a Superworld?"
"Hahahah, I...I'll leave that unanswered."
She forced out a laugh.
"What about now? Can you release your true body?"
"Unfortunately, no. This world is special, and it has restrictions that are making us on somewhat equal terms with you guys."
"Restrictions, what do you mean?"
<
"When I came here, my vessel had 50% of my power. But when I entered the Cardinal World, I could only use 20%. The rest were sealed off."
"Seriously, 20%? And you held up to Guy with just that. That's amazing."
"Not really. I knew he was holding back, too. He's a monster, I'll give him that. Once this vessel goes beyond 50%, my limiters will wear off. That's the 'certain level' I was talking about."
"Whaaaat!?"
<>
"So with 20%, you can't release your body?"
"You are curious to see how I actually look, right?"
"Yeah."
"There are conditions to be met before I can use my True Body in other worlds. There must be energy, star energy specifically if not the energy around should be enormous in space or else I won't maintain it for too long."
"Oh, I see & why is that?"
"I'll be releasing energy, and the energy from the space must be strong enough to withstand it or else it'll be converted or destroyed. But I can maintain my True Body by limiting the energy I emit."
"I get it. The point here is that the energy here is not comparable to the energy in Star Realm, right?"
"Correct."
"The same thing applies to demons in this world, too. They can't materialise for long in the Cardinal World compared to the Underworld."
"What are you talking about?"
Atlas asked, turning to face me.
"I've never heard of that theory before."
Elaine added.
<
"I don't know about you guys, but that's just how my body works."
I lied.
"My Lady taught me all there is about Statd. She couldn't leave side theory untouched."
Elaine replied.
"What's going on?"
Ramiris asked, dumbfounded.
<
"Enough about Stars and the Star Realm. Take me to that island."
I quickly changed the topic. Having a feeling it's a quarrel between us, Stars, Ramiris ignored and opened the hologram.
"Here it is.
She pointed to the location.
"Between the Frozen Continent and the Kingdom of Ingrassia. It's the only available place for you to stay."
"Don't worry, it'll do. I don't need much after all."
She got up and opened a portal to the island.
To be continued...