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ASTERI'S POV
By the time I was done with Feldway and Velzard, I returned to the Cardinal World. The first to greet me were Rimuru and Atlas.
"Sensei, how did it go?"
Rimuru stepped forward, searching my face for an answer before I even spoke.
"It wasn't good in the slightest."
I admitted, my voice quieter than usual.
"But I managed to win."
The words didn't feel like victory. Not after Antares himself had to intervene.
"What happened to Velzard?"
He asked it carefully, concern bleeding through despite everything. As a True Dragon, she was still his sibling.
I held his gaze for a moment before answering, knowing there was no gentle way to say it.
"I don't know for sure."
I said.
"I managed to come up with an attack at the last minute and use it on them."
"S…so careless…"
The words left him in a broken breath, more disbelief than accusation.
"It was the only way to win.
I said quietly.
"Besides, I left something behind. If they manage to find it, they'll be able to come back."
The air grew heavier at that. Atlas shifted beside us, jaw tight.
"If one of them finds it… that's bad. We can't have Feldway charging back at us again."
I exhaled slowly.
"Worry not."
"O…ok. Let's pretend it'll be fine."
He tried for a smile and failed. His fingers curled at his sides.
'Hmm. It won't.'
"What happened after I was gone?"
I asked at last. The question felt heavier than it should have.
Atlas glanced away before answering.
"We clashed with Michael. He had the upper hand for a while… it wasn't looking good."
He said.
'If you used death, the result would've been different. He's holding back.'
"But Chloe stepped in and we were able to turn the table."
"She did?"
My head lifted sharply. Relief came first, then confusion.
"How did she escape? Where is she now?"
"She's resting in Tempest as we speak. Barely conscious when we got her back, but alive."
Rimuru's tone softened.
The words struck harder than any blow.
"So I was fighting for nothing?" Protecting nothing?"
"No."
Rimuru said firmly, waving.
"You bought us time and protected Tempest and the Sarion Dynasty. You've contributed a lot in this war. We're forever in your debt."
I sighed, waving it away.
"I can't have the world ending weeks after my marriage. With Michael gone, the war is over for now, right?"
It should be
"Yes. For now, since we might be expecting Feldway soon. I had to intervene, preventing Kazalim from being killed."
"Why?"
"She was been controlled. You can't blame her."
"She's annoying. Giving birth to zombies isn't good for the war. I had to shut her down."
"I understand, but I'll take care of her."
"I'm off to go rest. See you later."
I said before flying away to Star Island, Atlas followed me, and Rimuru went home. The war has ended, and we managed to say victorious.
However, that doesn't mean it's safe. I had all the forces remain where they are under further notice. That's the only way to be prepared for the next attack if the enemy has something up their sleeves. After getting days of rest, I decided to visit the Sarion Dynasty on the following day.
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To be continued...