★113
After the war, Masayuki, who was Rudra's reincarnation, took the throne and proceeded to rebuild the Empire.
I've come to learn that all the people who fell in Tempest were revived by Rimuru. (What a slime.)
During the war, Masayuki had a bounty on his head and with the information I have, I can say Michael plans to kill Masayuki, Rudra's vessel, to prolong his reincarnation but Rimuru saw those and took him under his wings.
The two were acquainted and worked together to rebuild their homes.
It took me some time to get Sai back, and I wanted him back to his previous spot. With the help of Velgrund and Rimuru, they worked it out.
I spared some time to go meet the Emperor myself along with Queen Towa, Hinata, Elfaria, Elaine, Shinn, Atlas, and Rimuru.
The eight of us spent the day in the Empire with others discussing business, political affairs, and the likes.
Peaceful times were beginning to sprout since Feldway and Michael hadn't made a move since their departure. This only means the moment they step up to attack, the damage will be catastrophic.
With all of that weighing on my mind, I was still putting countermeasures in place.
'Now I have Michael and Feldway to deal with. And Magos is still hibernating… or whatever he's doing it.'
"Great. Just great."
I muttered, dry with sarcasm.
'Focus your resources on those two.'
Entares said.
'As for Magos, find a way to drag him into that Space and use Inception for a handicap.'
"Easier said than done."
I replied.
'We're talking about a Nebula. He'll be tougher than Mordryth, and you know exactly how that ended.'
I exhaled slowly. Nyxon's memories were still vivid, far too vivid.
'It's been over a thousand years since then.'
He countered.
'There's no way you're still the same.'
He was right… but I had never faced an opponent like Magos.
'Relax.'
He added.
'Magos isn't attacking any time soon.'
Maybe. Or maybe I just needed him out of my head so I could focus.
Hinata continued visiting the dragons every single day, her hope unwavering despite years of failure. When it came to Energy, there was still no progress.
Bored and restless, I headed for the Frozen Continent to see Red.
The moment I crossed into its domain, the temperature plummeted. The air itself felt hostile. And yet, deeper down, it was far colder.
I landed lightly, the cold biting through my skin—enough to be felt, yet never enough to harm. I walked towards the palace, demons parting before me as though it already belonged to me.
"Stop showing up like this is your domain."
Guy's voice echoed through the hallway, and I felt multiple presences scatter in panic.
"I'm just copying what happened that day."
I replied, phasing through the door as I made my way inside.
But his presence suddenly vanished. Leaving no trace of energy behind. Cool but Futile. For someone like me, at least.
I activated Etherium, tracing the disturbance. In here, something 'must' reamin.
I turned ans she was already there. Crimson eyes locked onto mine, her gaze openly hungry.
"You can't fool me, Red."
"Oh, yeah?"
She replied, slipping her arms around my neck.
"I'd let you s—"
"Not happening."
I used Aether Move, vanishing and reappearing far ahead of her, leaving only cold air behind.
"Are you going to resume your play with Rudra's reincarnate, Masayuki?"
I asked.
"Why did you ask?"
"Peaceful time is about to end. I see no point in having an internal war when something huge is about to happen."
"You're worried about Feldway?"
"I..."
"Ah, yes, you once stated he's one of the few who can best you without trying. So you're scared?"
She broke off.
"What's wrong with being scared?"
"You're getting soft. You're getting more human. The past you will at least give it a try. We're disappointed."
I took a deep breath. He can't understand why I can't face Feldway.
"I'm leaving."
I turned, taking my leave.
"Already?"
"Can you take on Feldway? A serious you versus his true body?"
"Laugh out loud, even Velzard can't get me fired up."
"Is that so?"
"You think you can take care of the Frost Beauty?"
"Who knows, an opportunity might present itself."
I said, teleporting back to the palace.
Later that night, Hinata came to my room and found me hovering in mid-air. More precisely, I was lying flat on my back, slowly drifting around the room as if gravity had simply decided to take the night off.
"Ati chan?"
"Hinata—what a coincidence, I just needed someone to talk to."
"Well, I'm here."
She replied, taking a seat on my bed.
"I'm in need of advice, Hinata. Grand Lord's Ultimate Skill, Lord of Justice, Michael, somehow gained consciousness. According to leaks, Grand Lord swapped his Michael with Lord of Vows, Uriel, with his disciple Rudra. After his death, and I'm sure the skill felt that too."
Normally, Michael was too strong for Rudra to handle. The skill doesn't want another master besides its creator.
"Feldway, the second separated from the Great Holy Spirit of Light and Grand Lord's right-hand man along with a few Seraphs and an army of angels was in the Otherworld, taking care of the Insector race when the tragedy hit.
This is just my point of view, but why won't an omnipotent god reincarnate even after death?"
"I'm afraid that's an answer only he can provide. We're not him. We're not God. We're not in his shoes. We can't decide how he feels."
"Fair point. Back to the case at hand. After waiting for aeons with no sign of the Grand Lord's revival, he decided to take matters into his hands.
Coincidentally, Feldway's plans were identical to Michael, the resurrection of the creator, Lord Veldanava.
A lot happened behind the scenes, and Feldway was granted a vessel to inhabit the Cardinal World as a soldier in disguise. Rudra, of course, couldn't have summoned him, but he was alive when it happened."
"It means Michael had taken over him a long time ago?"
"It's possible. As was the previous war. It went against the original rules of their game."
"You meant the game Rudra and Guy are having?"
"Yes. After dealing with the Originals, I arrived at the scene with Rimuru facing the two. There was no battle, but the confidence they held sent shivers down my spine."
I paused purposely before proceeding.
"As a Supreme Being, they tried to recruit me knowing I'll have no choice but to accept. If you were in my shoes, what would you have done, Hinata?"
I asked, still aimlessly circulating around the room.
"Well, I can't possibly think of that, but I'll try to solve it in my own way.
Given Feldway's status, one can understand how he feels. The feeling of betrayal. He's probably thinking Lord Veldanava has abandoned them, so he decided to take action.
Michael can't be any different. The feeling of being forced to stick to a human followed by his creator's death. To me, I think they have the right to do so."
"So you mean I should've helped them?"
"Gotcha."
This reply made me wonder how this lady can manipulate me sometimes.
"I haven't given you my perspective, so wait. If Lord Veldanava's revival really mattered, the Supreme Star God and the Holy Spirit would've done something about it. But they didn't.
These two must've been with Lord Veldanava from the very beginning, and I'm sure they'll know him better than the others even though they can't possibly know what he's thinking.
Then we have you, Antares. A supreme being striving to seek friendship and fun now has something bigger and better to cherish. While my source will side with the angels in order to resurrect the Grand Lord, what if the process they plan involves risk? Risks that'll destroy countless lives, even worlds to achieve.
You shouldn't just look at the process here. Think about how the future will look like when you've achieved your goal."
I stopped moving but still levitated as I listened.
"Lord Veldanava might have reincarnated as a human to explore, and tragedy struck down leading to his death. Even after losing his omnipotence, do you think he couldn't survive? What if this is what he wanted?"
That question struck my heart as I began to assess the situation.
"What if it's all a test to see how his precious world will get through without its greator? "
She took a deep breath.
"If it were a test, do you think he'll be happy with you all if you somehow succeed in reviving him?"
She askedand asked again, but I had no answers.
"What if you go through hell, and it wasn't enough to bring him back? Or let's say he chose not to come back at the right time. What now? The world has ended, and you've gained nothing."
"W—what if there's a peaceful way? A way around without getting anyone harmed?"
"You killed to protect us. You've killed to resurrect us. You've killed to awaken as a True Demon Lord, and you're still killing in order to protect what you cherish. Do you think resurrecting god himself will be priceless?"
This question made my heart skip a beat.
"Y—you're right. Michael himself said there's a price to pay."
"Are you willing to let go of all you've built and arrive at nothing?"
She asked, now holding my head. I didn't even know when I moved close to her. Or did she pull me?
"No. Whatever it is, the Grand Lord has his reasons for staying dead. It might be, as you've said, he's merely testing us. Guess I made the right choice."
I finally broke the mood and let a smile slip. Just like last time, it came at an unexpected moment.
A soft and warm skin brushed against my lips. My heart skipped a beat, and my eyes shot open.
"Of course you did. We won't be happy if you fell for their manipulation. I won't be happy."
"I—"
My words died the moment my body hit the bed, and before I could process it, she was already on top of me.
For the first time, I found myself speechless. Not because I didn't know what to say—but because it felt like I no longer had a mouth to speak. All I could do was stare into her deep, brown eyes, eyes that reflected me with frightening clarity.
She leaned in, and her soft lips met mine. My thoughts blurred, my mind dissolving into the moment as I struggled to grasp what was happening. Then, a faint glow traced her figure, her clothes shimmered, fading into a silken nightdress.
She pulled away slowly—and spoke.
"I learned a few tricks from my babies. You know, I've been waiting for this for a very long time and finally. After the baby stuff and this vulnerable state, I couldn't let this slide."
She confessed, her voice low, seductive, like a secret meant only for me.
In that moment, it felt as if my heart finally materialised— and then began racing wildly in my chest.
She leaned in, her breath warm against my skin, and whispered into my ear.
"Take me, Ati chan. Make me yours, let me be your first. Let's give Issei some step-siblings."
Every word she spoke sent a ripple through my chest, my heart pounding so wildly. It felt like it might tear free.
A regular human would've died due to strange instantaneous increases in heartbeat. This strange, divine phenomenon would've killed them on the spot. I felt faint, but I trembled. I tremble like a cornered rat before a mighty cat.
"B—but—"
I wanted to complain, but she landed a kiss, shutting me up. I felt the spike of pleasure taking over as she took control.
'Ah—this—'
Entares sighed.
'The Almighty Asteri has fallen.'
Did Enta say something? Because I couldn't comprehend a single word.
The overwhelming pleasure drowned everything out. All I could hear—were her moans, soft and broken, echoing louder than reason.
(Hehe, boi :)
The next morning, I opened my eyes, and my mind picked up exactly where it had shut down. As I turned to my right, I saw Hinata still asleep beside me.
I flinched an instinctive reaction I couldn't suppress.
To be continued...