★23
THIRD POV
Asteri teleported them directly into the Kingdom of Raja. The shift was seamless, one moment the world was still, the next the grandeur of a vast hall unfolded before them.
Polished stone floors reflected the golden glow of enchanted lamps lining towering pillars. The air was heavier here, steeped in authority and the presence of countless lives moving beyond the walls.
Shinn and Eto stepped forward immediately, instinctively taking the lead, their expressions calm but alert. The others remained behind them, watching in silence.
Before they could advance further, armored boots struck the floor with a sharp clang.
"Stop! Who are you?"
The voice rang out across the hall. A guard stood in their path, spear lowered just enough to be a warning rather than an attack. His eyes narrowed as he assessed them, scanning their unfamiliar attire, their bearing, and the unsettling composure with which they had appeared, as though they belonged nowhere and everywhere at once.
"We're here to see the Queen."
Eto replied.
"You didn't answer my question."
The guard pressed.
"Listen to me you..."
Shinn quietly sealed Eto's mouth with his hands.
"Tell her Eto and Shinn are here."
At that moment, Queen Towa was already leaving the hall, her steps brisk and purposeful. She came to a halt only when her gaze met the duo standing nearby. The presence of Eto and Shinn made her pause, just long enough for the tension in the room to thicken.
"My lady."
"Your highness."
They both bowed respectfully, heads lowered in a formal gesture of deference.
"Come in."
Obediently, they stepped forward and took their seats, positioning themselves with careful poise.
Around them, the maids moved with quiet efficiency, placing refreshments on the table and attending to every detail with smooth, precise motions, ensuring the room maintained an air of elegance and order.
The clones' eyes drifted over the table, inspecting the carefully arranged items labeled as 'meals' with detached curiosity.
Their focus, however, was cut short when the Queen's sharp tone snapped them back to attention.
"So, what can I do for you?"
She asked, her voice calm but tinged with authority.
"Our Master is here to visit you."
One of the clones replied.
"Master?"
The word caught her off guard, and she flinched slightly, a subtle but clear reaction betraying her surprise.
"I'm not sure if I'm ready."
"Relax. Its won't be a big deal."
"Wait, Master?"
She asked lately, her head just processing what he said.
"Yeah. He's more like the one who created us. We're just his clones."
Towa's eyes widened at the revelation. She had known them before, yet never once considered that they were extensions of someone else's will. The thought unsettled her.
Eto moved with uncanny precision, as if invisible strings controlled every motion.
"You're his… clones?"
She asked, her voice barely steady as the weight of the truth settled in.
"Yeah."
"Eto replied calmly.
After regaining her composure, Towa nodded, ready to meet the source of it all.
"O… okay. Send him in."
Suddenly, Asteri and Hinamatsuri materialised inside the hall.
"To wait, huh? How low has my pride fallen?"
Asteri said, his tone light but edged with amusement, as he approached the table.
Without hesitation, they took the seats that Eto and Shinn had occupied moments before, while the two clones stepped back, standing silently behind them.
"Nice to meet you, Queen of Raja. I'm Asteri."
His voice was gentle and melodic, each word carrying a calm, almost hypnotic charm that made her heart skip a beat.
His presence radiated otherworldly beauty, flawless and commanding, yet she forced herself to remain composed, the weight of her crown reminding her of her duties.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Asteri san."
She simply nodded.
"Asteri is fine. No need to add anything."
"Y...ok."
"This is Lady Hinamatsuri."
He gestured towards her, and Hinamatsuri froze, caught off guard by the ease and familiarity in the way he addressed her.
"It's an honour to meet you both."
"Umm."
"I'll head straight to the point. They didn't tell you about my true ambitions but I will disclose everything here and maybe something can happen between us."
This statement earned him a side look from Hinamatsuri.
"O... ok go ahead"
"Good. I'll make it short and understandable.
First or all, I'm an otherworlder who came here intentionally, not summoned or reincarnated. I fought and befriended the Demon Lord Guy, who inspired me to aim for the same title, but I wanted to earn it myself.
On my journey, I met Hinamatsuri and later discovered Ramiris's domain, which helped me a lot. Now I have an island to protect those who choose to follow me, though they're few. I sent five clones to free slaves across the world, those saved can join me or go their own way; I force no one. There you go, the briefest summary you can get."
(Not needed but I can't change what I've already written._.)
Towa was left speechless and frozen.
"I know it's hard to believe, but trust me that's what happened."
Hinamatsuri added.
"If you think I'm bluffing about meeting Demon Lords, then I'll take you to Guy's domain."
Asteri raised his arm, poised to snap his fingers.
"No, no, no! I do believe you are just that..!" She blurted out, panic overtaking her composure. Even Heroes avoided confronting an ordinary Demon Lord, let alone Guy himself.
"I should've been a Hero right?"
Asteri tilted his head slightly and asked a question that made everyone else pause, one they would have considered more prudent than striving to become a Demon Lord.
"Yes but..."
"It's choice. I like fighting stronger opponents. The Demon Lords are consider one of the strongest. Given that they rule more than 60% of the Central World."
"um.... that wasn't my concern."
"What is it then?"
"After I used the tiara, I was cursed and left to die but Shinn helped me. But ever since I've been feeling something overwhelming flowing into me."
"Impossible?..."
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She thought for a moment before answering as if she's reading from a book.
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She paused and Asteri was praying for good news.
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She asked, her voice laced with concern.
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"Apologises, it's my fault."
"Eh? What are you talking about?"
"The magic potion Shinn used was only meant for Stars. I contacted Elaine and she told me about it."
"Star?"
She asked, dumbfounded.
"My race."
"So what's happening to me?"
"The energy you're feeling is the Star energy, if not taken care of you'll die. But don't worry.... I can fix that."
(Lol, he can fix her:)
"Forgive me, my Lord. It was the best healing item & I didn't know it had such risks."
Shinn bowed.
"Don't worry, Shinn. It's my fault also. Lady Elara didn't explain it to me cause she thought I'll use it on myself."
Towa was down.
"I was dying already."
"No, I promise to make it right, so please give me the time. Then we'll discuss what brought me here. It's not a theory as it's right in front of me and I've seen one already."
"What's that?"
"A Hybrid Star. Unfortunately, managing our energy is hard even for some of us. But few laboratory species can handle a literally small amount without dying, probably like a drop of water. I'll contact Lady Elara right away. Excuse me for a moment."
Asteri rose and vanished, reappearing in his Paradis. From his coat, he plucked a delicate pink flower, set it gently on the ground, and closed his eyes, as if connecting with something unseen.
"O Goddess of Life, I…"
Before he could finish the incantation, a soft, melodic voice rose from the flower itself.
"Anta-chan, I've been waiting for you for eternity. How dare you keep me waiting?"
"La… Lady Elara?"
Asteri's eyes widened in surprise. He began to bow, but before he could, a sharp command cut through the air.
"What did I tell you about bowing or kneeling to me? Get up now!"
Her voice was harsh, yet carried an undercurrent of softness that made it both commanding and intimate.
"Sorry. I was just teasing you."
He straightened immediately, regaining his posture, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"So, this is your otherworldly vessel huh? It's good to see you in white and gold."
"Purity and Royalty. That's my dress code."
He spread his arms wide, letting the fabric of his attire catch the light, displaying the elegance and regality of every detail.
"Low key, but I love it. So, how's your trip? Are you enjoying the Cardinal World?"
"Yeah. Everything's going well, but I have a problem."
"Aww, Anta-chan, you still can't handle things by yourself?"
Light immediately censored his face as he lowered his gaze, a clear sign of embarrassment.
""I'm no longer a child, Ela. Stop using that name."
"You're still a thousand-year-old Dwarf who left his nest too early."
Asteri clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Look, I've made a mistake, and it's almost too late."
"Hhh. How bad is it?"
She chuckled, inquiring.
"Really bad. I used the portion you gave me on a human. I don't want to use my own healing methods. Contacting you is the best option."
The matter was serious but she laughed.
"It's not funny. Someone's life is at risk."
"I know. Anyway, I can take care of that."
"Good thing."
"I'll extract the tear without harming them."
"Good..."
"You seem worried, that's unusual. Is there anything you want?"
"...I need something else."
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They had a secret conversation.
"Nothing is impossible for us Supernovas. Bring her."
Asteri wasn't surprised so he left to go get her.
"Sure."
He appeared in the hall shortly.
"She's waiting, let's go."
"To where?"
The Queen asked.
"My World of course."
Asteri teleported them to his habitable world, the pink flower floating gracefully in front of them.
"This… this is your world?"
Towa asked, eyes scanning the serene landscape. Hinamatsuri mirrored her expression, equal parts awe and disbelief, her first time seeing such a place.
"Yes."
Asteri replied calmly.
"So far, this is the most habitable planet, literally zero transcendence, unlike the others."
"You can do all that?"
Towa asked again, incredulity in her voice. Before Asteri could answer, someone else spoke up.
"What did you expect from Anta-chan? He's an anomaly even among his kind."
Immediately after hearing the voice, Eto and Shinn knelt.
"You're still stubborn, Young Master. Tell them to get up."
"I don't need to say a word."
Antares replied. His clones have a voice of their own.
"I remember these appearance. Your drafts personas."
Asteri nodded.
"I haven't changed a thing about them."
"Oh, you're still a young and you already have two women, Anta chan. You never cease to surprise me."
Just as the atmosphere had grown friendly, she teased him, and his censor light flickered into existence, concealing his face.
"Lady Elara, please, let's go straight to business."
He said, trying to act normal despite his embarrassment. At this moment, part of Antares's childlike nature manifested within Asteri just so he could remember his past. It wasn't random, it's was tested.
It was just another moment that made her laugh, her amusement clear in the sparkle of her eyes.
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Hinamatsuri's lips curved into a gentle smile.
"As you wish, Paragon of Paradox. Which is it?"
Asteri gestured for her to step forward, and she cautiously approached the floating flower.
"Be grateful. The Young Master saved you. Close your eyes, lady."
She obeyed, and in the next instant, a strange sensation rippled through her. Something felt as though it was leaving her body.
Moments later, a colourless liquid emerged from her mouth, hovering in the air as if held by invisible threads.
"How do you feel now?"
Lady Elara asked.
"I can't feel it anymore. Thank you so much Asteri san and Lady Elara sama."
Towa said as she bowed.
"Didn't expect my tears to go to waste."
When the crystal container appeared, the drop got absorbed.
"Use it properly next time, Anta chan."
It faded back to it's inventory.
"I will."
"This is why I told you to learn Healing Arts, but you refused. You were solely focused on training with Zhou, eager to achieve an impossible milestone."
"I was still a naïve Star who wanted to break the Realm's record and remain isolated at the top. Do not blame me."
He raised both hands, a gesture of both defence and resignation.
"Hmmp, is there anything else?"
"Nope. That's all."
"Where's Elaine?"
"She is with Atlas in my Palace."
"Atlas? Oh yeah, the Taurus Star under Satan. I hope they've been useful?"
"Of course."
"Who's this pretty lady? Is this the lucky human who'll steal Anta chan from me?"
The flower now floated before Hinamatsuri, catching her completely off guard. Asteri remained silent, eyes closed, choosing not to respond.
The childlike fragment had faded, leaving him composed and calm for the moment.
"Your very existence defied the core nature of Stars. I thought you'd learned your lesson from your previous personas, but it looks like I'm wrong. I'll give you two pieces of advice though.
. Don't let your feelings and connections control you and subject you to its pain.
. Secondly, you M Class Stars are really something. You can be in love with your vessel form but don't let those emotions affect the real you. If it does, there's a punishment for that, you know?"
She highlighted. Antares knows, but what's life without risk?
"I'm well aware of the consequences."
"Good. Even with all your might, you can not from Omni like us. So be careful."
"I will. Thanks for the help."
He replied dismissively, his tone almost cold. A clear sign Antares needs a new scene on his screen.
"Sure, I'll recreate the flower for you. Bye, Anta-chan. Say hello to Elaine for me."
"I will."
The fading flower fully regenerated and returned into Asteri's body.
"Now, let's go back, shall we?"
"Um."
He transported them back to the hall, ready to pick up exactly where they had left off.
To be continued...