3rd Pov
The minor world known as Persillia, another world that completely differed from the central world.
Here, the state of magicule was poor...in fact, not many could use this magic and the presence of skills was lacking.
Perhaps, centuries ago or in its whole history some managed to awaken such a concept but it wasn't omnipresent like it is in the cardinal world.
Dawn witnessed the pitiful state of this world...even if he would describe it as such because of his own higher standard.
He briefly landed after engaging himself in a short monologue...far away from the luxurious quarter of this nation he had just set foot in.
Dawn : Is it here ?
Rachel : Y-yes...how did you travel so fast ? It usually takes a few hours to walk from the common quarter to here...
In front of them was a crumbling house...no in fact,the whole street or at least what this rotten area of this nation was filled with such design.
Rachel : W-well...for a noble like you, this kind of house must be quite downsighting...
Dawn : I can't say I'm not disappointed...
Rachel looked down with a sad smile, though she didn't notice the blatant anger sprouting on her new acquaintance's face.
Dawn didn't like how the one who was once his mother...lived in such a poor way, she had died as a hero for him...and fate repaid her in such a way ?
Dawn : I can feel the presence of a few people inside...are they your family ?
Rachel : You can feel their presen-i mean, yes ! I have 3 little brothers and 2 little sisters.
Dawn : Such big family...
Rachel : Hehe, our parents were killed a few months after the birth of the youngest...along with them, my two older siblings passed, ever since I'm the one taking care of them.
She scratched her cheek awkwardly, she didn't know why she revealed so much to a man she had just met...
Maybe because the way Dawn addressed her was...warm ? Or is it because of the strength he displayed and his lack of arrogance ?
Dawn : It must have been hard...
Rachel : I can't say otherwise but...not everything is bad, seeing my siblings grow up healthy despite our poor condition makes me happy.
She was doing her best, a sad smile formed on her...she took a step forward and gestured to her guest to come in.
Rachel : Even if I can't offer much, please do enter.
Dawn : Sure...(Her expression just now...it was regret...)
He simply brushed off the feeling for now and took her invitation, stepping inside the crumbling house.
The first thing he was met with was a noisy background noise coming from one of the 3 rooms present, there was no door...simply a dirty home without much furniture.
???: Big sishter is back !
A sudden voice rose sharply as all noise ceased...Rachel simply scoffed while giving a softer smile.
Rachel : Well welcome to my home.
Making way to the noisy room, which was a sort of living room...Dawn's eyes fell on Rachel's entire family.
As she introduced them...from the oldest to the youngest :
-Theo 12 years old
-Lucien 10 years old
-Lillie 9 years old
-Mila 7 years old
-Julien 4 years old
All of them turned toward the door expecting their big sister's return, though bewilderment replaced their expression after noticing the guest.
From his clothes to his appearance, he wasn't someone that belonged in such a poor place...even the immature brain of a child would understand that.
This was also why when Dawn was standing outside...some people around gave him the nasty look.
Rachel : I'm back everyone ! Oh and here is a guest I found on the street, his name is Origin Averion, please treat him well.
Dawn : Nice to meet you all.
He did his best to form a kind smile, the foreign motion on his face stirred his muscles as he wasn't used to forcing such expressions.
And in response, he was met with silence...
Dawn : (I guess they aren't comfortable with me, is my smile weird?)
They just stared at him without a word...from this point, he realized that bonding with them will be hard...
Or so he thought...
Rachel Pov
Well well, I didn't expect that...those chaotic siblings of mine are really unpredictable.
I expected them to embarrass me in front of our guest but instead...they behaved well better than the last 10 years combined.
I chuckled softly, looking at the amusing sight displayed in front of me...Mila, who is usually quiet, had found a comfortable sitting place on Origin-san's lap.
While the boys were playing with those glowing lights our esteemed guest had made appeared out of thin air.
Lillie however was more reluctant, since she clutched to my side while avoiding glancing with him.
Dawn : You got a nice book over here.
Mila : Yesh, big sishter found it for me !
He was referring to the soul book we had here...since it's expensive and valuable, I wanted to sell it but Mila took a liking to it.
So we kept it hidden, I couldn't read and so neither my siblings could uncover what was written.
But Mila kept opening and trying to interpret the book with her own imagination...perhaps, Origin-san can help with that.
Dawn : It's rather complicated, it's about a certain hero who had lived a long time ago and fought a mythical creature to free the land of Elfrid (This dialect...i remember such writing in one of the old research back in Averion, i guess a otherworlder from here happened to cross the world barrier.)
So this is a sort of fairytale, I guess it's a pretty book for a child to have...I'm glad i found it coincidentally, this suits Mila's age.
Rachel : You seem very knowledgeable sir.
Dawn : This isn't much...anyone lucky enough to have received education could read this.
His words struck me slightly...education, my parents weren't exactly poor, in fact they were successful merchants.
But I never got to benefit from this education as they weren't the kindest parents, even after they died I have scars of their negligence.
Though I'm partially glad I was the only one they set their wrath on...my siblings older or younger never received their harsh treatment.
Mila : C-canshyou read this ?
Dawn : Sure...
I listened to his narration, my eyes fixated on my own hand as I gathered what I managed to haggle in the market whenever I got the chance to go.
There is barely enough to feed everyone here...on top of that, having someone of noble stature makes it impossible for me to make a satisfying lunch.
Rachel : (I'm not a great cook either...mmh, I doubt raw vegetables would be an option, so a soup?)
Still, out of the negligence I received in my childhood and teenage, I'm grateful for one thing...their lack of attention forced me to get hold over responsibility at an early age.
Thus, I do know a bit of cooking and self management...this allowed me to raise my siblings up to this point.
Without a single one of them dying...it's rough, but I can do it ! All I hope is that they can grow healthy and find a path of their own to develop.
Dawn : Do you need help ?
Rachel : Huh ?
I slightly jumped just realizing the new found presence who simply appeared beside me...i turned around to look at my siblings.
Only to find them all asleep...how ? I never saw them asleep before getting food, their stomach would always cry because of hunger.
Dawn : Don't worry, I simply put them to sleep with a bit of magic.
Rachel : Magic ?
Isn't that a term used to describe a power only royalty possesses ? I think they hold those glowing crystals to conjure a mystic energy...thus performing miracles unfound by mankind.
But...i could neither see the activation of such energy or the presence of any crystal...am i just wrong ?
Rachel : A-are you some kind of foreign royal ?
My voice broke a bit...if he was, then executing me could be nothing but a single word of his.
Dawn : Not really, though you look rather tense so let me clear one thing for now.
He gently took the stone knife I used from my hand and pointed it toward the ceiling.
Dawn : I will never harm you even if you were to reveal that you are the cruelest demon.
My eyes widened as I watched the stone knife glow...its shape tangled in multiple directions before extending sharply.
As the light subdued, instead of a dull stone made knife...he had a pure short blade made of iron or at least something like that.
The edge of the knife reflected my very own appearance...this is magic, true power that transcends mankind...
Dawn : 2 weeks...for this short amount of time, I want to help you with everything you want.
He gracefully handed me the newly formed knife, his skin brushed against mine...an electrifying breeze parkoured my body.
This felt familiar...way too familiar but i was positive that i never met this man before...
I doubt anyone would forget such atypical hair color and facial features.
That aside, his words brought me extreme warmth...the kind of warmth I had once hoped for from my family.
I'm unfamiliar with the notion of love and Love...but somehow i could tell the difference here...
3rd Pov
An hour then flew by, Rachel and Dawn cooked lunch in a comfortable silence...there were no words really needed.
Since one was confused at the whole situation while the other simply bathed in nostalgia.
Rachel : (This is weird...)
Her eyes darted forward, despite the lack of ingredients...her companion was perfectly following her cooking method.
He didn't hinder her and adjusted just fine at the right pace...as if he knew exactly how she operated when cooking.
Rachel : (Because of this...we are already done?)
Since they were poor, she did her best to make the horrible food edible...usually taking much more time so it looked appetizing.
This was a way for her to show her devotion in watching her siblings grow up...children are often picky with food.
This little family had no much choice but Rachel still tried her best to make it right...if the taste cannot be great, then at least the eyes should feast.
Dawn : You made a lot of food, I guess children need that much to grow up.
Rachel : Ah no...well, since we have a guest I made a bit more...as much as I want to feed them I have to be careful so the next day we can have another meal.
She dropped the knife gently and grabbed a few wooden plates, dressing the table quickly...her eyes focused in fascination when Dawn decided to wake up the kids.
He gently tapped their forehead before waiting for their consciousness to return...their sleepy face soon followed by heavy growls from their stomach.
Earning a chuckle from the eldest sibling, everyone sat around the table starting a pretty warmful lunch.
A comfortable time where everyone enjoyed...though Rachel couldn't help but notice how quiet her guest was.
She at first thought he didn't enjoy the poor meal but...the smile he adorned was so honest that the idea completely vanished from her spirit.
Rachel : (He seems to be...enjoying ? But the taste is rather horrendous...)
Dawn : (I have long since forgotten the joy of eating...since this need was removed from my function the moment I became a saint...but this feeling isn't bad.)
His memories of that time were a bit hazy but even after reincarnation...the fundamental flavor behind this simple soup was similar to the one he had in his childhood.
Dawn : (For me...this simple dish is worth far more than any grand gastronomy.)
He quietly savored the food served and let time flow by...later, when the afternoon bell rang.
Dawn settled down with Rachel nearby the kids who were distracted by some magic toy Dawn created with ice.
As much as he wanted to enjoy his time here...even for a brief moment, he had to collect intels about this world if he wanted to help Rachel.
Rachel : So we are in the apex empire of Kingslay, this nation is ruled by her or his majesty...though it has been a decade ever since the last time her/his majesty had made a public announcement.
She explained how most people didn't even know about the gender of their ruler...it was simply a figure known by all clouded in a mysterious veil.
Rachel : Aside from that, the empire is divided into 4 social classes...the imperial, the nobility, the commoner and lastly the...waste.
Dawn : I can see why they named the last category that...
It was obvious that a major party of the empire, mainly the one they were staying in was neglected...the central plaza he appeared at was miles better.
Yet Rachel described it as the mere common folk's area...meaning, there is a severe case of social class separation.
Rachel : The waste like me are left to find refuge in a former war site...this entire area was destroyed in the heavenly descent over 20 years ago, ever since the entire section has been abandoned by the authorities.
Dawn : Heavenly descend ?
Rachel : That's what we call the miraculous event which resulted in the end of all war across the continent.
This left Dawn pondering, the way she described it was similar to the descent of a greater being with the purpose of ending conflict.
Rachel : I don't remember exactly since I was still young at the time but...it is said that a crimson dragon appeared from heaven, its majestic presence glowed and purified the land with its divine flames.
Dawn : (Crimson dragon ? Divine flames ? That oddly sounds like...Velgrynd?)
Rachel : Oh, there are also a major detail ! The dragon has a large scar covering it's body.
Dawn : A scar...then it's not her...
He at first thought Velgrynd must have crossed this world to find a fragment of Rudra's soul...after all, her travel wasn't affected by space/time and moved independently from such.
Though this would be complicated as the path to the cardinal world has been closed...perhaps this could have been possible if only the entry path was enabled.
Rachel : With its divine might, the kind dragon punished those who sought war and for the first time in centuries, peace was brought...even now, there is no ongoing war, at least from what I know.
Dawn : Sounds like this dragon is quite benevolent.
Though, this didn't fool Dawn...there must be more to this dragon as if such existence truly existed and inhabited this world.
Why would he have left war rotting the land for centuries...why only appearing then and not before, he couldn't just trust an act of goodwill at such a moment.
Dawn : (But at the same time...if that dragon really held divine power, he might be able to help me a bit...)
This story, the Heavenly descent was the sole narrative that really interested Dawn...the rest were just extra information
Satisfied with this, Dawn got up and followed Rachel as she stated her desire to go out and do her usual routine.
Finding some foods for survival and selling a few junks to earn money...
Dawn Pov
I watched as hours passed...it is truly pitiful how low the one who was once my mother had fallen...
It wasn't her fault, just fate wasn't kind...i shook my head disheartened as after the sun started settling, i walked side with Rachel.
Rachel : Well today wasn't really fruitful...
Dawn : You live a hard life...have you never considered freeing yourself ?
Rachel : What do you mean by that ?
Dawn : You are smart and talented...but you are wasting yourself for your siblings...
my words seemed to have angered her a bit but she managed to contain it.
Rachel : I have to disagree...no matter how much at loss I am, I never once regretted the choice I had made.
Dawn : Is that so ?
They both stopped walking, standing in the middle of a ruined city...people around were too busy settling their own misery to notice them.
Though a few did glare at Dawn, mainly because of his unimaginably more luxurious clothing.
Rachel : I can't really relate to you and your belief because I'm aware of much of the gap our education must have had but...I believe in potential.
Dawn : Potential you say ?
Rachel : Yes...
She looked up, the dark sky was already looping...the tall destroyed building in the surrounding tower towered up to hide the coming dusk.
Rachel : Those kids did nothing wrong...they have lost their parents and older siblings leaving only me who was barely old enough to compensate all of them.
She spoke with a tone brimming with sadness...
Rachel : Leaving them was never an option for me.
Dawn : I see...but you said you believed in their potential, what of that ?
Rachel : Well...you might have noticed but none of them are stupid, despite lacking in many fields they all are balls of joy and I believe in human's unselfishness.
This wasn't a point of view Dawn expected...any adult who had seen reason would speak of the inverse.
Humans are selfish, they do things rationally only when it goes as they want...but once they cross a line, irrationality will simply take over.
Greed, jealousy and perversion...it is natural for humans to feel those, boosting their ego however they can, Humans are selfish by nature.
Only a rare handful of people actually are honest...some might appear good but once faced with a crisis, they will show their true colors.
Rachel : My life is only one...I'm content if this single life allows the bloom of 5 others, perhaps one day one of them will create a formula that will save thousands, or a descendant born from them will accomplish something great.
Dawn : Sacrificing one's present to save five's future, huh...
He couldn't help but stare at her saddened, compared to her Dawn was selfish...he for a moment hoped that Rachel herself would shine even if it led to the demise of those around.
But if Rachel herself thought like that...he could only close his eyes and change his original plan.
Rachel : I don't expect you noble to understand me...but know that if I was given a second chance, I would have taken the same path twice.
Dawn : Really...you are far too frail for this cruel world.
He muttered under his breath, making sure only he caught on those words...the memories of her past sacrifice resurged.
Was she thinking like that too ? Maybe...after all, a soul's essence tends to stay the same after reincarnation...an evil soul will remain evil while a good soul shall stay as such.
Dawn : I have somewhere I need to go, can you go back alone ?
Rachel : Ah...i-i mean sure...
She looked down disappointed, surely she thought her words managed to tick off her guest...and now he was leaving.
Dawn : Don't show such expressions, it doesn't suit you.
While he would have usually left his interlocutor on their own though, he didn't want to make her worry more than she needed.
Grabbing a few strands of her dirty blonde hair, he casted a light purification spell...the effect was much more potent now that this world was filled with impurity.
Dawn : I already promised you...so please, don't have such thoughts about me, I am your ally ?
Rachel : (My body...feels so light, as if a massive boulder of stress has been removed...)
Her hair shines gold...sure it caught the attention of the surrounding but soon enough everyone around grew quiet.
A dreadful aura surrounded the duo, taking the form of a silver wolf...it menacingly stared down at each of the people present, threatening them to not dare lay their corrupted thought on Rachel.
Dawn : This is a light blessing, as long as it will remain with you I will come back.
Rachel : I-I'm sorry...
Suddenly, she felt like the need to apologize...her hair was clean gold now, it was honestly mesmerizing how they glowed under his touch.
Perhaps, she had misunderstood him...his question never held any kind of malice or hostility after all.
Dawn : Don't ind it,.
With those last words, he backed away admiring her face another moment...he finally took his leave, melting into a puddle of air.
His presence completely ceasing, Rachel was left alone completely stunned...when suddenly panic surged over her as she tightly closed her fist and ran back to her home in a wild hurry.
Dawn Pov
Leaving Rachel, I didn't waste much time before teleporting to the largest building facility in this nation...the imperial castle.
Or at least what I assumed it to be...but considering the luxury and extravagance, it fit the living place of an emperor.
Dawn : This palace reminds me a bit of the eastern empire...
I shited my eyes around, the sun set was particularly beautiful...thought I just noticed but this world seems to have several moons.
I couldn't really put a logic to how the day and night cycle function, but it appears that only 2 of the 7 are proactive, the rest can be seen on a monthly cycle.
Dawn : Despite the lack of magicule, the air here is quite pure.
Feeling the wind passing through my hair, I took the time to observe...recollecting my thoughts, for now I plan to visit the emperor of this nation.
I already located the room, since it's the most guarded with a potent presence inside.
Dawn : (By the way, Dusk...have you managed to communicate with the mindless spirit?)
Dusk : (No, his ego is way too weak...i tried to give him a bit of my energy so he could awaken but no, my guess is that this world simply lacks the basic fundamentals.)
Rachel...she has a spirit dwelling inside her, I doubt she managed to meet one who coincidentally took her for host.
At least, the spirit wasn't native from this world...Lara upon dying must have the spirit follow her reincarnation.
Dawn : (Perhaps I should summon a greater spirit to protect her.)
But that was a matter I would have to attend later, for now I simply jumped off the pillar I was standing on.
Landing right back on a balcony below, I was met with a closed window...nothing I couldn't bypass through.
I simply looked ahead and got into the room via my digital nature, a disgusting smell of alcohol instantly invaded my nose.
Dawn : So this is the mighty ruler of this empire, I didn't expect it to be so disappointing.
Turning my eyes to the left, I found a woman...laying down on her bed, her body was barely covered with light fabrics.
Several bottles of wine could be seen scattered around the floor, her blonde hair and glistening purple eyes radiating pureness contrasting with her sorrowful state.
???: Huh ? W-hip ! Who are you~
I watched her getting up, she didn't bother to hide her nudity...her cheeks flushed pink indicating her drunk state.
???: Oh ! Are you -hick ! Are you the new escort ?
She slowly approached me, her every step threatening herself to fall...i just stood still waiting for her, my eyes did a quick analysis on this woman.
A lingering truth flashed before me...i can't just kill her, this empress seems strangely unaware of her circumstance.
And judging by how messy her hair is...the state of the room, her torn light clothes...i reached a temporary conclusion.
???: My~aren't you handsome~
Once in reach, her hands stretched...letting the bottle of alcohol she was holding, a tiny thud resonated through the room as her hand made contact with my face.
She attempted to get closer, probably for a kiss...I sighed shortly and waved my arm around, swiping off her hold.
???: Huh ?
She was startled by my action but I didn't wait for her to recover, instantly I grabbed her throat and lift her in the air.
Her eyes widened, her mind sobered on the spot at the realization that I might not be here with kind intention.
Dawn : Is your mind clearer now ? Because I'm not here to waste my time.
Once I made sure she was right in mind for a conversation, I simply tossed her onto her bed letting her calm down.
She coughed several times, holding her throat before looking at me...partial fear in her eyes, fear that soon turned into a fierce glare.
??? Who are you ?!
She quickly rose back to her feet, her arm reaching out to her wrist showcasing a habit of wielding a sword.
But she was almost naked at the moment, so her hand just reached out for air.
???: Ugh-
Dawn : I'm not here for a fight, but allow me to apologize for my rash though justified action.
Out of courtesy, I bowed slightly...even if I'm confident in my power, she was still the empress of a wide nation in another world.
Talking won't be beneficial if both parties aren't on the same line, in all types of negotiation talking is needed...stay calm and clear, it will let the other party feel safe and allow the conversation to flow.
???: Hard to believe when you were just choking me...
Dawn : Don't make me sound like I'm the bad guy here, anyway I still want to confirm it. Are you the empress of this apex nation ? (What do apex even stand for in this case?)
???: Geez, that's right...I am the empress Laura Rey Kingslay, for a handsome guy you sure are cold.
She groaned and got up, noticing her rather...free appearance, she went to grab a silky grown, seems like she didn't mind a man watching her.
Quite shameless for an empress, well at least this allowed me to understand more of her character...
Laura : So pretty boy, for what reason could you forcibly break into the empress's room ?
Dawn : Tell me...what kind of ruler are you ?
Laura : Huh ?
My question went under her skin unexpectedly, still she stuck her hand below her chin and pondered seriously.
Laura : Mmh, i surely didn't expect that...i thought you would ask for wealth or blackmail me onto the bed.
Dawn : Did a succubus replace the empress ?
Laura : A succu-what ?
Dawn : Nevermind, I can't feel any demonic aura...besides if you were, the simple contact with my aura would have drawn you out.
Laura : Demon ? I don't know the gibberish you are talking about but it seems I'm not what you expected to see...
I nodded quietly, before surrounding my body in a silver glow...I heard a small gasp from the other side before everything fell quiet.
The reason, I had just let her see the situation outside this castle...from my conclusion, I judged that this empress probably knew nothing of the misery happening outside.
She is stuck here...unable to know for whatever reason.
Laura : W-what is this ? Wait ! That girl ! Where is she now ?!
Her expression shifted from panic to anger, her steps resonated through the space as she re-approached me.
Her slender hand tightly grabbed onto my arms...I didn't push her back this time as i could somehow understand the whirlpool of emotion she was currently going through.
Dawn : It seems I was right...you don't know anything...
Laura : W-why ? The cardinal and my prime minister assured me everything was going well...they even took that child away saying she was protected...
Dawn : Everything was a lie, your highness...for over 20 years, you were lied to and cheated on.
Laura : I-i...
Her breath intensified, she started hyperventilating...so this is your true nature, it will be easier to solve the situation from this.
I took her hand and slowly covered her in a warm and calming light.
Dawn : I am just an outsider, I have no attachment to you or this empire but I have someone I want to make happy, so allow me to help you just this once.
Laura Pov
Ugh-my head is a mess...I can't believe my eyes, last night was rough for sure...nothing but a long discussion happened and I feel so drained...
And in the end, I didn't even get the name of that handsome guy...anyway, I slowly got up from my bed, my mind clearer than ever.
Now that i think, the scenery i saw for the last 3 weeks remained the same...always in this room, drinking wine.
The servants stopped coming beside for alcohol delivery at some point...i couldn't really remember but seeing how messy my room is.
I can only get angry and believe how everything in this palace is now siding with those traitors.
Laura : Mmh...
My eyes wandered off to the door, a trail with several bottles of wine was set in the early morning...this is the only time someone opens that door...
How annoying, to think they would drug it with an hallucinogene...from what i was told, they are drawing my mind into an extreme state of confusion...
To the point where rational thinking would be reaped out of me...creating a corrupted persona, this is clearly a scheme from the cardinal of the scorching church.
A group recently created worshiping the heavenly dragon that descended 2 decades ago...they are the only one who can produce such potent drugs.
Laura : Those pigs...how dare they manipulate me, I am the hero of this nation...
I had fought countless battles during the age of war, my body had been pushed to its limit a long time ago...but to strike a few disobedient pigs.
I don't mind raising up my blade again...
Laura : I need to move slowly for now...my sword and mana crystal, I need both of them to execute those pigs.
Speaking of mana crystal, this handsome guy sure was surprising...who is he ? I have never met someone with such an overwhelming presence before.
I wasn't sane spiritually, but now that I think back...he felt like an unmoving force of nature, his presence actually reminded me a bit of the heavenly descent...
Laura : A mysterious force working for the greater good of one person, still I can understand his feelings.
The greatest shock to me last night was...Rachel, my...last relative alive.
20 years ago, the war was still ongoing...this empire was on the verge of destruction so I had sent her away in hope of protecting her.
I was assured that she was adopted into a pretty and kind family...the prime minister did, or rather the father of the current minister.
When the war ended...i wanted to retrieve her but i was told that she found a happy family and bonded well with them.
Taking her away then would be equivalent to ripping her sole family...so I reluctantly let her go, this was the first moment where my mind started drifting.
They used my sorrow and depression to get me into drinking...they slowly shut me down into the castle doing as they wished of my empire.
I have sinned...the legacy left by my ancestor was tainted by wicked people...
Laura : This is unforgivable...
Finally, I was regaining my senses...an unknown man entered my room and made me realize how pitiful I had become.
This is time for me to wake up...I should be the sword protecting this land, the shield of the citizens but I failed in being both after the war.
Laura : Let the almighty imperial flames burn again.