★44
THIRD POV
After a long silence in his head, Asteri heard a voice.
[You wish to combine Unique Skill: Defender & Unique Skill: Mirror and evolve to an Ultimate Skill?]
His thoughts stirred immediately.
<
He considered the prompt for a moment, carefully weighing the implications, before answering aloud.
"Add a fraction of Phylax to have accurate defensive skills."
The system responded without hesitation.
[Adding Unique Skill: Defender, Unique Skill: Mirror, and fraction of Mega Art: Phylax.]
.
.
.
.
.
[Successful. Ultimate Skill: Sycophant acquisition successful.]
...
Another prompt followed almost instantly.
[Do you wish to evolve Unique Skill: Bloodlust to Ultimate Skill: Asmodeus, Lord of Lust?]
An Ultimate evolution, there's no reason to say no.
"Yeah."
[Skill acquisition successful...]
Asteri exhaled slowly.
<
He issued the next command with confidence.
"Evolve the Unique Skill: Formulator."
[...Failed.]
"Heh? Try again."
[Failed.]
His expression did not change. Instead, he invoked another power.
"Mega Art: Wyrd Shaper increases the probability of evolving the Unique Skill: Formulator."
As the Mega Art activated, the system faltered.
[..you...]
The Voice of the World clearly hadn't anticipated this interference. Sensing its hesitation, Asteri smiled faintly.
"Unique Skill: Formulator, rewrite my requirements and make me eligible-and also rewrite your own conditions to evolve."
At this point, it was no longer a request. It was an order.
The Voice of the World paused, processing the command far longer than before.
[....Successful.]
[Unique Skill: Formulator has now evolved to Ultimate Skill: False Administrator.]
Asteri nodded, satisfied with the result.
"Forgive me, Grand Lord."
Not only for what he had done but for what he was about to do next.
"Add an Artificial World creation to Ultimate Skill: False Administrator."
[Successful.]
[Ultimate Skill: False Administrator has acquired new sub-skill: Artificial World.]
...
He continued calmly.
"Any free Unique Skill?"
[Yes. Unique Skill: Beyonder.]
"When did I acquire it, and what's its use?"
[It came into existence when you travelled through Hyper Space within this world. It allows the user to travel anywhere within this world regardless of distance.]
<
"Add Mega Art: Temporal Twist and Astro Forge to it, that way I can..."
[Failed.]
The response came before he could finish.
His tone sharpened slightly.
"Wyrd Shaper, increase probability. False Administrator, make it possible for me to add such skills."
This time, the Voice of the World remained silent for several seconds.
[Acquisition successful.]
[Mega Art: Temporal Twist and Astro Forge added to Unique Skill Beyonder.]
"Effects?"
[Allows the user to travel anywhere regardless of distance, space, and time.]
"Alright... that's all I need."
The system delivered its final notice.
[Harvest Festival reaching the final stage... Individual Asteri will be fully unconscious from now on.]
"Whatever."
<
<
Enta's voice answered just as Asteri was forced into sleep once again.
-
Roughly ten minutes later, the citizens of Star Island stood waiting in uneasy silence when a voice echoed across the island.
[All individuals with connections to Asteri through the Soul Corridor will receive a gift.]
"V... Voice of the World?"
Ramiris muttered in disbelief.
The moment the announcement ended, all individuals named by Asteri, whether through a clone or otherwise collapsed unconscious.
Majo attempted to escape by duplicating her mind, but the effort proved futile. She fell to the ground regardless. A small orb continued to orbit her body, evidence that she had only managed to isolate fraction of her consciousness.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know. But it has something to do with the Young Master's awakening, I suppose."
"That's right. Everyone with special connections to Asteri, such as getting a name or something magical from him, will be affected."
Ramiris explained the situation to the Stars as they stared intently at the source of light above them.
Aside from the elves and the two Stars, everyone else lay scattered across the ground, unconscious.
From the altar, Asteri's body radiated a blinding glow. After a brief moment, he blinked, then slowly opened his eyes. The darkness within them receded, returning to their original golden hue. His clothes were gone, his form completely veiled by light that concealed him from view.
Those who remained conscious could not look away. His presence was overwhelming, his beauty refined beyond what it had been before, enough to leave everyone stunned, everyone except the two Stars, who merely observed in silence.
<
Ramiris whispered in her thoughts.
Atlas and Elaine moved to approach him, but Asteri raised a single palm, stopping them without a word. He rose into the air and flew towards the star above, touching it once more.
"Rebirth all in perfect state."
With those words, he vanished.
Atlas and Elaine immediately sensed his presence elsewhere, in his room. They rushed over and found him lying on the floor, unconscious, beside the bed. Hinamatsuri's corpse rested atop it.
Atlas silently summoned a towel, letting it wrap itself around Asteri's body before turning away. The two left the room at once.
Then the unexpected happened. Hinamatsuri's chest began to rise and fall, slow and steady, as if she were merely asleep. A second later, her eyes opened.
.
.
.
The next morning, as his eyes slowly opened, the first thing that came into focus was Hinamatsuri smiling down at him.
Asteri froze. His eyes widened, trembling as the sight fully registered. For a brief moment, he could only stare, his mind failing to catch up with reality. Then emotion surged through him all at once. He moved without thinking, pulling her into a tight embrace, holding her as if she might vanish if he loosened his grip.
"I'm sorry... this is all my fault..."
His voice wavered as he apologised.
She didn't answer with words. Instead, she pressed his face gently against her chest and hugged him even tighter, her arms firm and reassuring.
"You don't have to apologise."
She said softly.
"All that happened was meant to happen. And if the time comes again... I'll choose the same path."
<
Asteri's face flushed red. He went completely silent, overwhelmed, choosing to stay still and savour the moment for a few seconds longer.
Then, suddenly realising himself, he stood up too quickly. The towel around him slipped free and fell to the floor.
Hinamatsuri noticed at once and turned her head away in embarrassment, her face heating up as well. A soft light flared behind her.
"Oh... it's all right now."
When she turned back around, he was already dressed in his usual clothes. His long hair had been neatly tied, and he stood there as if nothing awkward had happened at all.
"Let's go say hi to the others."
He smiled as he spoke.
"Um."
The two stepped outside and were immediately met by Atlas and Elaine. The moment they saw Asteri, the tension they had been holding onto melted away, replaced by relief and quiet excitement.
They surrounded him at once, voices overlapping as they showered him with praise and heartfelt words.
"I'm glad to see you're ok, Master."
"Good to see you in perfect health, Young Master."
"No... You got us worried."
Ramiris added.
"L... lady Ramiris?"
"Yeah, it's me."
"Umm... forgive my words the other day. I wasn't in the mood to talk."
"Don't worry, it's ok. Thank goodness, you're ok."
"Yeah. Shinn."
Shinn was summoned, and before he could utter a word, Asteri interrupted.
"Get the clones back to work..."
"Done."
"And also get the crowd ready."
"Ok..."
Shinn ran off; he summoned the clones and sent them back. And also gathered the people. After a while, he appeared in front of Asteri.
"They're ready."
"Good, let's go."
Hinamatsuri, Shinn, Elaine, and Atlas stood behind Asteri, who stood on the balcony. He looked upon the revived souls and the happy faces they wore. The sacrifice was worth it. He's happy. Amplifying his voice with magic, he spoke up.
"These past days have been tragic."
Asteri said, his voice steady but heavy with reflection.
"And even though I walked what I believed was the righteous path, I still think the fault lies with me. Even so, I would save you again and again. Why? Because you deserve freedom."
He looked across the crowd, his gaze unwavering.
"I am not keeping anyone here for labour, duty, or obligation. If you believe that, then you are free to leave. I will not stop you. I am only interested in those who choose to follow me. Those people, I will protect with everything I have, no matter who stands in my way. Demon Lord or not, I will take them down without mercy."
A brief pause followed.
"I have learned from my mistakes. And now, I have loyal soldiers."
Behind the gathered crowd stood the Archdemons he had summoned. Every one of them knelt on a single knee, Majo among them, their heads lowered in solemn silence.
"Fear not,"
Asteri continued.
"What happened the other day will not repeat itself. I now stand beside subordinates who are loyal and trustworthy. Yes, they are Demons, but you have nothing to fear. They risked their lives and fought for our fallen brothers and sisters.
They defended our home and turned it into inviolable land. Everything they did was so that we could stand here today. No heartbreak. No broken bonds. No casualties."
He said firmly.
"That is what our demonic brothers and sisters fought for."
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, not for Asteri, but for the kneeling Demons behind them. After the noise settled, he spoke again.
"I have already made my decision. I will become a Demon Lord, and I will not waver. I have awakened, and the time has come to make it official, to let the world know who I am, to let our home be known, and to make clear the inevitable doom that awaits anyone who threatens it."
He took a breath.
"So I will ask you again. Do you wish to stand with me?"
"Yeah!"
"Will you help make my dream a reality?"
"Yes!"
The crowd roared.
"Will you stay by my side, share blissful memories, and allow me to protect you?"
"Yeah!"
"Forever!"
"Forever!"
Asteri waited in silence until the excitement calmed.
"I am truly grateful."
He said quietly.
"Because I cannot be that Demon Lord without you. Strength alone is not everything in this world, I have learned that much. I will hide nothing from you now. I am an otherworlder. I left my world by choice, seeking friends and enjoyment. Instead, I found more."
He spread his arms slightly.
"I found a nation. A home, a family. And protecting them, that is my role now."
The crowd shouted their support without hesitation.
With no more words to add, Asteri could only wave, almost like a politician standing before a rally.
After the announcement, Annie, Elfaria, Mikasa, and several others approached him.
"Your Highness."
"It's good to have you back."
They said, bowing.
"It feels like the old days again."
Asteri sighed.
"Isn't it time we dropped the honourifics?"
Laughter followed, and soon a long conversation unfolded, Ramiris joining in whenever she could, never missing an opportunity to tease him when the moment allowed.
To be continued...