3rd Pov
The sun rising over the Kingslay empire, a fresh wind spread across the world...seemingly announcing another pretty day.
However, a crimson cloud loomed on the horizon...the imperial castle was particularly agitated as for the first time in over 2 decades...
The empress had dressed up properly and summoned all her cadres...tension was palpable as one by one, people entered the throne room.
Many shrinked fearfully upon meeting the rageful glare of this empire's master...but soon the fear turned into confusion after most noticed the unknown presence standing beside the empress.
Laura : Well, it seems like our last reverent guest has arrived, without further waiting let's start this meeting.
Though she had dubbed this as a meeting, the tone used was laced with bloodlust...no one could escape the feeling that they would be facing their judgment today.
Anxiety filled the heart of the nobles and knights present...certainly, Laura isn't expecting to take back what hers in a single swipe.
But after discussing with Dawn last evening...she very well decided to take action, but above all she wanted to see the root of corruption that was spreading under her negligence.
A part of her truly wished that what was revealed last night would be an avid lie.
Dave : Your majesty...how come I wasn't informed of this sudden summoning beforehand ?
Dave Relingcton, prime minister of this empire...his father served the imperial family during the war era.
And since he stepped down, the son naturally got the position...certainly he wasn't a fool minded man, having the guts and intellect needed to assume such a post.
Laura : Oh ? Are you insinuating that me the empress needs the approval of a mere vassal to instigate such gathering ?
A veil of mana surrounded her body...right after getting up, in this lovely morning she had gone out on her own to get her belongings back.
No maids were present anywhere near her quarter...she could easily tell how neglected and abandoned she was compared to the rest of the palace.
Finding her precious sword and mana crystal covered in dust was a treason on its own...the blade forged in the previous age, passed down from the first founder of this empire.
This legendary item that symbolizes the imperial power was left there...tarnished and sullied, a shame on Laura's given legacy.
Dave : N-no...i mean-
Laura : Quiet, prime minister...don't make a fool of yourself in front of the imperial court.
Every living being possess mana but can only materialize it through a mana crystal...a tool made from an extremely rare ore in which mana flows in continuous flow.
Though this is just speculation as in reality, those ore are basically similar to magicsteel...bathed in a high condensed magicule source.
Making its production limited to only a few...Laura's mana crystal was specifically made for her during her youth.
Her mother had found a new chunk and thus it perfectly fitted Laura's own usage over mana...a precious gift that she should have always kept close to her heart.
Laura : What ? Why are you all shivering in fear ?
A maniac smirk formed on her face, she rested her chin over her fist and crossed her leg over the other.
She carefully judged every single noble present...until her eyes falled on the sole being below that could whistand her intent.
Right beside the man that is the cardinal of the church...a knight wearing a full armor set minus the helmet.
Laura : You seem healthy sir Heifer, those scars on your face are as impressive as ever.
The man she addressed, the most prominent blade of this empire...a man older than the empress and fought countless battles.
A seasoned warrior that Laura respected before...but now, all she could see was a stern old man trying to hold on to his past honor.
Heifer : Your majesty...who is that man ?
Laura : You...
This annoyed her, he was blatantly tossing her aside...perhaps he thought that the newly awakened empress couldn't do anything against him.
And he is partially right...after all, the entire palace was under the prime minister's command, while the army shifted under Heifer with his status of knight commander, lastly the remaining big force were under the cardinal's domain.
The empire was long corrupted from top to bottom.
Laura : Seems like the dogs forgot their place.
She muttered under her breath, only her sole ally inside this cold and tense room heard that.
Laura : Well I might as well make the presentation, this gentleman here is...
Her pupils shifting toward the man standing behind her, she waited for another instant before continuing.
Laura : My new personal knight...
Realizing that she still didn't know his name...she simply presented him as a knight, a warrior with unknown origin is bound to level the noble's discontentment.
Heifer : Personal knight you say ? And you didn't even consult me to check his background ?
Releasing his own mana, he overpowered the empress...making her sweat in nervousness, he had completely shifted the table in a single move.
Laura didn't expect this old fossil to have gained such strength while she was out...no, he couldn't because back then he had already reached his limit.
Laura : (He must have an external source of power...still, i can't defeat him with my current form...this is bad.)
She was about to raise her voice for objection, the original plan was to execute one by one the traitor who dared baring their fang toward the imperial blood.
But now, forcing their way through this would be suicidal...
Laura : I-
Dawn : Certainly, I didn't expect the knight of a nation nicknamed « Apex » to stand so low.
But to everyone's surprise, this unknown knight simply stepped forward unbothered by the pulsing aura of the elder knight commander.
Dawn : Pathetic, so young yet filled with filthy greed.
Stepping down the few marches leading to the noble crowd, Dawn approached the knight commander with blank eyes.
Heifer : I commend you for withstanding my might, however your words are too harsh for someone of your status.
Dawn : Is that so ? Well from what I see, you are merely a simple brat who forgot what loyalty truly meant.
Facing the crowd, Dawn straightened his back..any sort of fighting stance was removed leaving hundreds of openings.
This led Heifer to think that this unknown knight merely leached on the empress's grace and started something too big for his tiny head.
Heifer : You talk big, let's see if you can still hold onto these words after I deal with you.
Laura : Wait !
Ignoring the empress, Heifer drew his sword...a large claymore that fit his tall build, he took a heavy step forward shaking the throne room.
The nobles around stepped aside forming a corridor leading right toward their common enemies...that's right, all they wanted was to see the knight commander slay the dog of the empress.
Heifer : Taste the price of your own arrogance ! I challenge you to a duel before the imperial flame !
Laura : What ?! This old tradition ?
An old way of battling, fighting in front of the ruler of the empire...the contenders shall leave their pride aside, for this death match.
Only one shall remain alive after this...Laura realized just now that the situation was out of control, she could only watch and wait for Dawn's answer.
Dawn : A duel ? Pfff, fine suit yourself ! Let's do it your way, brat !
Spreading his arm, he looked so unbothered that it stunned Heifer for an instant...just a moment before he resumed to a grin.
Leaping forward as soon as he could, he well intended to end this duel in a single strike.
Heifer : May the heavenly scorch accompany you all the way down to hell !
His eyes narrowed psychotically as he jumped, his sword high above his head held with two hands.
He descended letting the weight of his body intensifying his striking force, all the way Dawn didn't even ove.
His gaze just followed the movement.
Heifer : (You can't even react to this, weakling!)
Behind, Laura got up in a hurry...her arm stretched trying to stop this but her voice reached no one.
All eyes just awaited for the inevitable outcome, Heifer's claymore reached down...the heavy swing made contact with Dawn's chest leveling the surrounding dust at the same time.
The impact was felt throughout the entire room, at the end Heifer could be seen grinning...his sword having pierced his target-
Heifer : Huh ?
Dawn : As I though.
A cold shower, in a shattering instant Heifer looked terrified...the vision he had after realizing the state of his blade that had stopped dead on its track upon meeting Dawn's skin.
The cladding sound of despair, as his gaze wandered toward the empty air...
Heifer : (W-what is this...a mountain ? A star ? No...th-this isn't something a human can face!)
When faced against a superior force whose gap was as wide as the distance between this planet and the end of space/time.
Heifer was experiencing a phenomenon where he would witness this gap...he now realized that this unknown knight supporting the fallen empress was a monster.
A monster that no human can face...
Dawn : This expression suits you much better, now kneel.
Spreading his own aura, the nature of his [True hero Haki] and their mana release is fundamentally different.
What Dawn was releasing is a pure oppressive power, it wasn't just magicule but an unknown power to this world.
An unshakable chain of destiny that forced down everyone to obey, the nobles were crushed to the ground shaking for their miserable life.
The silver strand of power emanating from Dawn flew everywhere across the entire empire...as a true hero, his aura cannot directly kill any human like it would for monsters.
But that isn't exactly true...it's more like it won't harm those with pure heart, Dawn has 3 hatched hero eggs.
Among those 3, the prototype he had received from Veldanava was special...it can recognize the nature of another, being good or evil.
It's a subjective concept since the good's evil is also the evil's good...evil and good can be perceived from any perspective making such concept independant for each individual and mind.
But Dawn's aura could simply judge that based on his own mindset...thus, the entire apex empire was thrown into a turmoil storm.
Those who have sinned knelt down while those who lived rightfully remained sane.
Laura : This...who-no what is this guy really...
Laura Pov
This is madness...how can such existence suddenly appear, is it a blessing from god or a curse ?
I expected my sudden guest to be somewhat special but this goes beyond common sense...
This scene, where a lone man stood above dozens of other kneeling individuals...this sight shall be forever marked into my soul.
Dawn : Now then, your majesty...
Turning to me, he simply stepped aside presenting to me the head of the traitors...I could only shake my head as all of a sudden, I felt like a moron for even getting worked up.
Such meaningless worries were useless to begin with...
Laura : I wonder...did I perhaps make a deal with the devil ?
I chuckled nervously before stepping down to join him, my every step grew heavier and heavier as I approached the source of this oppressive power.
Even if it was not weighing on me, in the opposite direction I felt thrilled by this aura...through from the reaction of the other, it was only I who felt that way.
Dawn : Well to be honest, I would rather be compared to the devil than an angel.
Laura : Haha, I guess it's fine then as long as you don't take my soul.
I drew my sword, now standing right in front of Heifer. A moment ago he was still lively, full of fighting spirit but now...
Age seemed to have caught up on him, he should be around 70 now...as a warrior, I still respected him so I shall end you in such a way.
Laura : As convened, the loser of this sacred duel before the imperial flame shall be punished by the death sentence, any objection sir Heifer ?
His body jolted under my glare, I tried my best to stay composed, dismissing the useless emotion dwelling inside me.
This man wasn't human in my eyes anymore...he is just a traitor, someone who dared point his blade toward his own master.
Laura : So nothing, very well.
A part of me was certainly disappointed, memories resurged through me...sir Heifer was my instructor when i started wielding the sword.
He was a man by no means I didn't trust, the moment our relationship started to erode was the day I asked him to retire.
He was getting old, too old to be a soldier...and I wanted him to live happily with the family he left behind everytime he got on the battlefield.
Laura : Farewell, old friend.
Lifting my sword up to the sky, i without looking back stabbed down...the sensation of flesh pierced was way too familiar for those dirtied hands.
Blood spattered around, gushing like a fountain...a splash dropped onto my face, I simply ignored it while reopening my eyes.
Heifer : C-cure you...
His head snapped upward, a pair of dying pupils stared right back at me with those venomous words.
Curse, huh...perhaps it would be better if I did bear the whole suffering the empire had lived through during those past 20 years.
Laura : My heart is sealed, let's get rid of the trash now.
Swiping my blade out of this rotten body, I swung it through the air...a droplet of blood trailed across the floor.
My eyes glowed darkly as I took yet another step forward, this time toward the nobles, every single one of them.
I will get rid of them for good...those summoned here today are all guilty of charge, this will undoubtedly rush the empire down into chaos.
Weaken or defense and form many more problems in the near future, but that's fine...everything will go according to my will.
Laura : This is simply a punishment brought by themself.
And before I knew, hundreds of bodies were scattered at my feet, the imperial room was covered in crimson.
There was nowhere I could step on that wasn't a deceased body...a silent massacre.
Laura : It's so quiet now, this strangely reminds me of when that dragon descended from heaven to end the endless war.
A similar silence had quieted down a battlefield where several nations grabbed each other's throat...it was just overwhelming.
I closed my eyes once again, this wasn't a dream...a bitter reality.
Dawn : What a sight.
The sound of clapping hands broke the silence, I turned my head left and watched this mysterious man slowly approaching.
Laura : I feel relieved and empty, this is a really strange feeling.
Dawn : Well you need to pull yourself together because we are not done yet.
I cracked a nervous smile, this man was again showing an unimaginable show...the body covering the ground froze up before breaking down.
I guessed that much but he is capable of using unknown magic without crystal...in a matter of seconds, he had cleaned the entire room of any indesirable bugs.
Dawn : This is the location of Rachel and her « siblings », you know what you have to do, right ?
Laura : Yes, the damage made by time cannot be healed but from now on I will make sure this girl will live a correct life.
Dawn : Good, then I shall take my leave, I'll come back in a few days.
Laura : Where are you going ?
He let out a soft smile, his finger trailed up to his lips in a dramatic way.
Dawn : The supposed adopting parent of Rachel, they are still alive and kicking.
Laura : Oh ?
I briefly heard of my younger sibling's story last night...it broke my heart to know how a pure life has been levied by these damn traitors.
But her parents, those commoners engaged to take care of her...they were supposedly dead leaving their 6 youngest children alone.
Dawn : Them along with their oldest child ran away with the supporting money.
This made my blood boil, my gaze wandered off coldly, I didn't expect the empire to procure much fondness for this family.
In fact, it's a miracle they even sent some pocket money, yet these damn commoners abandoned their responsibility ?
On top of that, they stretched their own stupidity to ruin my sibling's future ? Unforgivable...
Dawn : I already pinpointed their location, so don't bother with them, I'll punish them truthfully.
Laura : Then I'll leave this to you, though it would be appreciated if you brought them back to me alive.
Dawn : I'll consider it while breaking every single bone in their body.
Such terrifying words for this pretty face, I left my question for him aside...not like I am stupid enough to try arguing with such a monster.
3rd Pov
For the next few hours, Laura had gathered the few honest nobles and made them submit...she walked down the street of the empire, a small army following her.
Visit each one of the corrupted houses, slaying hundreds years worth of history...old or new, none were spared.
The crimson reaper, the mad empress, the craziest monarch...Laura in the matter of a day gained countless titles...for the better or the worse.
This day marked a radical change of the Apex empire of Kingslay...
In the meantime, Dawn had teleported to a neighboring nation...the lawless city, Rashak.
A land where money prime over everything, the perfect location for bandits and scammers but also...those fortunate enough to win a large sum of money, a runaway place.
Dawn : This place is so ugly.
Walking down the busiest alley of this city, Dawn didn't bother to hide his valuables, making him the target of every possible stare.
Though he didn't really care, this was the perk of being too powerful for the world itself...it might just be an illusion or allusion he made to himself but the people around him couldn't be seen as human.
But rather an insignificant creature, a man doesn't bother with the millions of ants surrounding the ground after all.
Dawn : I can already see it, these pigs must have wasted all the money given for betting and all kinds of trash activity here.
Looking around, he narrowed his eyes...a glowing trail drew itself across the air, invisible for all but himself.
This was the string of fate that will coincidentally get Dawn and his target met.
Dawn : Good...
Turning left into a narrow alley, Dawn halted when a group of bandits blocked his path...in front and behind.
Bandit : Well well, drop your goods and leave !
Bandit : What a dumbass, going straight into our trap.
Bandit : He got an annoying face, a scar or two would suit him !
All sort of degrading comments were thrown without fulfilling their purpose, as Dawn just blandly sighed.
Dawn : This is annoying...
Stretching himself, his breath turned colder leaving a freezing mist escape...his eyes glowed in the dark path before he calmly stepped forward.
A few minutes later, Dawn left the alley unbothered...behind him was a trail of unconscious bodies...
Dawn : I had to hold back a lot to not kill them...
Fortunately, he had reached his destination...as in front of him laid a modest house reeking of alcohol.
Dawn : I can only feel 2 presences...where are the other childs ?
He didn't wait long before kicking the door open, an explosion followed as he destroyed everything on path.
Upon landing inside, he immediately noticed the dirty floor covered in trash of all kinds...the smell was utterly disgusting and any kind of hygiene is neglected.
Dawn : No response ?
This was odd, anyone sane would react after hearing your door getting destroyed, Dawn wasn't hiding it after all.
He looked up, before walking off deeper into this house..soon enough, he crossed path with the reason for his shortcoming.
A woman was sleeping on a couch in a seemingly living room, her face was red from clear excessive drinking, a betting card and a piece of this world's currency spattered around the ground.
Dawn : That's one of them...
Even after he grabbed her by the hair, she merely snored before scratching her overly big belly...this was the neglecting parent of Rachel...
And the more he saw, the angrier Dawn was getting...if those pigs were comfortably sleeping at the moment, they couldn't know that a living nightmare was awaiting them in the world of living.
Dawn : And the second one...
On the first floor, in a similar state to his wife...he quickly settled the two of them on the ground before studying the room he was in.
His eyes naturally landed on a fairly exposed book, squinting his eyes he caught on a few words which immediately made him grab the book and flip the pages.
Dawn : This...
It was like a small diary, resuming only a few days of the last few years...even this book was neglected and barely updated.
Dawn : 5279 years of the new imperial callender, 3rd cycle 21 days...
Reading out loud, the diary spoke of a time where the father of this family lost a considerable amount of wealth on a gladiator match.
This loss was far too great for their economy, so to solve the money issue they...sold their childrens, they were already adults so it was easy to find a buyer.
5280 years of the new imperial callender, 6th cycles 12 days...
A tragic day this was, in a matter of months the sold childrens were all announced dead...they had separated way after being sold but...
As per the contract said, if any of the slaves died...they would be announced to the deceased family, in case they wanted to retrieve the bodies.
This wasn't a gesture made out of pity from the merchant side...it was simply because an unalive corpse didn't do any good for them.
They rather get rid of them in a clean way...
Dawn : « At the end of the day, we managed to get a few coins by reselling those bodies to some weirdo craving for death, hahaha what a great dea- »
Dawn calmly read through the content...this couple had broken through every moral code one should normally have.
By the most recent page was what made him snap...they intended to go back to Kingslay to get the rest of their abandoned children, so they could reenact their previous action.
Planning to sell the children and using Rachel to get some more money from the imperial court...
Dawn : This is sickening...
He closed the diary making sure to not accidentally rip it apart, he plans to hand it over to Laura when he get back.
But for now...he turned around to face the sleeping couple, their body jolted awake the moment Dawn turned the entire room into an ice coffin.
Dawn : (Dusk...make sure to heal them constantly, death is too kind of a mercy for them.)
Dusk : (With pleasure, master~)
Without letting the couple understand the situation, Dawn had already pierced them with a large spike of ice.
Their agonizing cries filled with their ugly tears didn't stop another wave of pain coming shortly after...
Dawn : Crying over that much ? I doubt it is enough to fill any of your children's grief !
This was just the start...Dawn also has some anger left from being banned from the cardinal world, pent up anger that he can release right here...
Rachel Pov
I don't know what is happening...but suddenly, I feel so out of place !
A few hours ago, I had just woken up and started getting ready for another long day...though I felt more tired than usual because...
Well because Origin-san didn't come back...it somehow made me more nervous than it should, keeping me awake late into the night.
Rachel : Geez, he probably left after our heated discussion...i shouldn't have gotten aggressive...
I sighed and quietly made my way into the kitchen, there was not much food left since we had a guest...
I should go fetch some at the market...another day of haggling and begging, I guess...
Or so I thought, because as I opened the paper-like door I was met with an unimaginable sight.
A woman with radiant blonde hair, her teal eyes seemed to reflect the sun itself...but what started me to worry is the fact that her appearance was covered in dry blood...
Rachel : I-i...
The woman scanned me from top to bottom before letting out a kind smile, I took a step backward fearing the worst.
Before closing my eyes as I saw the woman raise her hand in the air...is she going to hit me ? Her clothing seems very luxurious...perhaps a noble ? Is she here because I helped Origin-san the day before yesterday ?
But to my surprise, instead of feeling pain...the woman surrounded her arm around me, tightening a warm hug.
Rachel : Huh ?
Laura : I finally found you...I'm so sorry...
Her words were distant and sorrowful, i-i unconsciously reached out my own hands to reciproque the gesture.
Tears built up in my eyes for unknown reasons, I just felt so comfy and familiar in this woman's embrace...
Rachel : W-who are you ?
Laura : Hehe, I guess they didn't tell you anything...
Her soft laugh rang like a tranquil melody, she separated herself from me but still left her hand over my shoulders.
Laura : I am your biological sister, you may just call me Laura or Lau for short.
Rachel : S-sister ? What ?!
My confusion was short sighted as I immediately realized multiple things...about myself, I always had these questions but never bothered with it.
My different appearance from my siblings, the way my mother would grab my hair and say how disgusting they were...why I was neglected more than my other siblings...
All these minors built up action and facts were answered in this very instant...
Rachel : B-but why ? How ?
I started panicking, my head felt like it was going to burst...my heart started racing at an uncontrolled pace, was I abandoned by my biological family ?
Why ? When ? I have no memories whatsoever of them since my birth ? Was I so undesirable that they left me at the first commoner's door ?
Rachel : (I feel sick...)
Laura : Calm down, Rachel ! Look at me !
My body jolted up, her hands dug further in my shoulder forcing me to calm down...I looked into her eyes and found nothing but warmth...
Laura : I will explain everything to you but please...don't ever think that i never loved you.
Rachel : I...i
I didn't know what to say...all I did was let my eyes fall along my body.
My ears kept registering some news information that slowly made me break down...what is everything a lie ?
Laura Pov
This is such a mess...her body state is worse than I expected, once we get back to the palace.
I hugged her unconscious body, it seemed like her mind snapped due to an overload of information and her own emotion colliding.
Laura : Guard, go inside and bring all the children back to the castle.
To my words, the dozen of guards that followed me, part of the imperial army...since their commander was slain earlier today.
The information hasn't passed down yet, so any sign of rebellion among the army is yet to come...even so I will have to suppress them before it happens.
Because I can already smell the neighboring nation coming for my land...war is about to break down again and this time a miracle won't happen.
Human greed has no limit...it has been only 20 years since the end of all war on the continent yet no nation had abandoned their military development.
My empire stands among the top echelon, there is no way I will be left alone when the empire just lost most of its prestigious families and force.
Laura : Wait...
Suddenly, I called back all the knights who were about to enter this falling house...my body coated itself in a golden mana.
As I glared at every single one of them lad...
Laura : Don't scare the kids, be careful with them.
Since sir Heifer is no more, there is no one else in this empire that can pose a threat to me physically.
My threat must have been effective because all the knights present turned rigid, they moved back with caution and removed their helmet to appear friendlier.
Laura : Good, then proceed.
Lifting Rachel in my arm, I turned around walking back toward the castle...I should have brought a carriage...
Well, I would have gotten another weird title for going to a mansion in a carriage just to massacre the entire family...
Laura : Everything will be fine now, I'll protect you.
Even so...looking down at the sleeping face of the younger sibling, I felt my worry easing...my words weren't meant to just reassure Rachel.
But myself too...
3rd Pov
At the dawn of a new day, Rachel woke up feeling dizzier than ever...everything felt so surreal that she had rechecked her memories several times to believe what had happened.
For the next few days she had to get accustomed to the life of a royalty...it was weird and she felt out of place but seeing how Laura didn't throw away her younger siblings.
Rachel felt like she could trust the current empress of this vast empire...so for now, she felt at peace with herself ignorant of what was happening below the castle in a dungeon being a prison.
Laura stood in front of a cold cell, her gaze filled with emptiness...she watched the gift her unknown savior had brought her back from the lawless city.
Two bad parents who had deceived not only the imperial family but also their own children, they deserved no compassion.
Laura : Their suffering will never end, I can guarantee you that.
Her voice laced with frost, she deviated her gaze to the side...ignoring the broken human on the other side of the cell.
Her eyes landed on Dawn who stood in the back quietly, arm crossed...
Dawn : I can trust you with that.
Laura : You sure can, even if your anger is dwelled mine will forever burn.
Dawn : Good.
Exchanging a smile, Dawn shook his head before turning it left where the staircase leading to the outside was.
Dawn : It's about time I leave too...
Laura : Already ? Won't you meet with Rachel one last time ?
She had witnessed his affection toward the girl, even so Dawn didn't bother to meet with Rachel ever since they departed on their second's day.
It was inexplicable but he felt he shouldn't get involved in her life anymore...he wanted to have a last talk but after seeing how down her life has been until now.
He just started re-questioning his own justice...was it alright to bring a past life to the current ? Rachel suffered a lot and...anymore worry would just harm her more than anything.
Dawn : Ignorance is a bliss, I am just a ghost of the past...for my own selfishness I almost brought Rachel another wave of worry...
Laura : Are you sure ? You will regret this later...
Dawn : Regret, huh...haha, that's right i'll regret it for sure but...that's fine, after all-
Words struck into his throat, his hand instinctively grabbed his own neck to stop the sentence.
Laura : Sir ?
Dawn : Ah...this is really burdensome, anyway i made up my mind i will leave right away though do you need any help with...well you know...
Laura : I...it's fine, I'll deal with it somehow.
What he was referring to was the expected war, a few nations surrounding the empire had suddenly shown their fang.
They were talking leisurely here but outside, it was time for war preparation...everyone was running for their survival.
Dawn : I see...then so be it.
He quietly walked away afterward, his figure slowly dissipating into the air...Laura kept her gaze fixated on his back until the very end.
Until he was completely gone...her knee felt weak as she let herself fall, taking a deep breath.
Laura : Should I have asked for his help ? No, he already helped this empire enough...he has his own journey to attend too.
She quietly rested her head onto the wall, needing this moment of solitude.
A week later, the war started...or rather, the foreign army started to gather, it was a very fast preparation leading Laura to believe that they weren't just preparing for a few days but years.
Laura stood with her own army, it wasn't as mighty as it was in the past but she had to do what she could.
Laura : The hour is upon us...
Cladded in her royal armor, she looked as the sound of rubbing men roared like thunder...the enemies were near.
She looked back to the castle who was even further away...someone was waiting for her there, she can't lose here.
Laura : Let's do this !
Drawing her sword, she took a battle stance followed by all her people...a divine flame, this is the symbol of the apex empire.
A never ending flame...with those principles, the spirit of those following this banner raised their blade.
Laura : We fight together and return together-
Her words were cut short as suddenly, a crashing resonated throughout the world...all movements were halted as the eyes of all living beings seemed to be forced to look up.
Laura couldn't believe her eyes as she witnessed the sky literally breaking down...like shattered glass, countless pieces seem to be falling...
Laura : What in the fuck is that...
She blattered out incorrectly, her eyes squinted when life emerged along the line of the shattering sky.
A growing light who soon took the shape of an irregular four pointed star...Laura instinctively felt it, this was a warning, an order to not engage in this battle...
Laura : This is...the heavenly descent ?
As the word left her mouth, the light descended...falling down instantly onto the land, their aim was the battlefield Laura was currently at.
A curtain made of pure light drew between the two armies...creating an impenetrable wall.
The light then bursted to leave a colored aurora germing from the ground, all eyes widened in horror as the land was splitted in half.
A large rift was formed right in the middle of this soon to be battlefield.
The rift extended thousands of miles away, even splitting a mountain to the same degree of down...
A divine warning...this single action was clearly such, the inhabitants of this world were once again reminded of the event from 20 years ago.
This was the end of this war and conflict, at least for the next few decades...after all fear is the greatest persuasive skill.
Laura : Is that what you're doing...my good sir ?
Laura couldn't help but chuckle nervously, she could swear she caught the glimpse of a person standing amidst the shattering sky.
But the moment was so brief that she wasn't sure...still, she wasn't foolish enough to believe that all the things that happened were mere coincidence.
Laura : Perhaps he is really a god that came down as a miracle...
Closing her eyes, she dropped her sword...there was no need to fight anymore.
On the other side, standing on the balcony of the imperial palace, Rachel stood there motionless as she looked up at the divine phenomenon.
She simply stared before feeling the need to cry, holding back her tears she placed her hand over her heart ?
Rachel : Why does it feel so familiar...
Her eyes alone could follow what was happening, a man standing above the sky looking down with gruntful eyes.
Before simply walking away into the shattered sky, a world beyond this realm...
Rachel : Goodbye, my hero...
In reality, she had already known why the sudden change in her life happened...the mere fact that she met an unknown man who happened to be excessively friendly with her.
Then two days later, she was in the imperial palace announced as a new royalty...this made it too oblivious and now again she confirmed it.
Rachel : But...you could have at least given me a proper farewell...
Closing her ears, she received what she wished for...as a low whisper flying along the wind tickled her ear.
« This isn't a farewell, we'll meet again for sure...take care of yourself, you deserve it more than anyone. »
Rachel : Right...i'll just do as you say...
A tear finally escaping down her cheek, she waited as the day would eventually end to start another.
A new morning followed by the retreat of all armies, peace was once again restored due to an external intervention.
Years later, Rachel found herself sitting in the imperial garden...surrounded by flowers and carefully lunching with her true sister.
Both of them enjoyed the scenery as the symbol of peace shone brightly across the world.
Rachel : What did you say ?
Laura : Well, you have finished your education so I thought it would be a good time for you to gain an official title.
The imperial law still existed, even if the empire was slowly rebuilding from the previous disaster...Laura had done a great job balancing her land.
She enjoyed taking care of her sole sibling and thus reluctantly presented this idea.
Laura : Currently, we are lacking a lot of manpower...i can't trust the unruled territory to anyone, but if it's you...
Rachel : Mmh, was this why the course of management was integrated in my study ?
Laura : Haha, you guessed right...as much as I want to keep you locked in the palace forever, I still want to see you spread your wings and shine as Rachel and not just a royal.
Rachel : You say some scary thing...but I guess I too want to repay my debt toward you...
The empress chuckled, she waved her hand dismissing the idea of any debt...
Laura : Don't be like that, if anything I'll be in your debt if you accept.
Rachel : We'll have to discuss deeper into the subject for that, still i'm curious what position you are going to get me ?
Taking a thinking pose, Laura took a moment to think before nodding.
Laura : You are still the princess of this empire, thus what other status than that of a duke ?
Rachel : So a duchesse, mmh...
Laura : You just have to select a name for yourself, the imperial name cannot be used for another family.
Rachel : A name, huh...
Laura : I'm not pressing you so tak-
Her voice fading in the background as Rachel grew lost into her thoughts, she calmly assessed the situation...
Rachel : (A name, mmh...)
Subconsciously, a smile crept up on her face...
Rachel : I've decided.
Laura : I know you need more tim-huh, what ?
Rachel : Let's do it, I also want to help build a better world.
Laura : I...I'm glad to hear that.
Smiling softly, it seemed her worries weren't needed as before she knew...her little sister had grown up to be a respectable noble.
Laura : So have you already decided on the name ? It's an important matter since it will be the symbol of your family.
Rachel : I think I got the perfect name for that...
Laura : Oh ? Mind telling me ?
Rachel turned her head toward the garden, the flowers were blooming during this time of the year so today was really the perfect day for remembering the past.
Rachel : Averion...i want this to be my name.
Laura : Averion you say...mmh, Rachel Averion, that does sound good but where did you got this name from ? I don't remember such a family existing before...
Rachel : Hihi, i'll keep that a secret for now, dear sister.
Laura : Aww~can't you tell me ? I'm curious now...
Rachel : No can do.
Ignoring the childish whine of her sister, Rachel looked up at the sky blue sky...she could still remember perfectly the sight of this same heaven breaking down.
Rachel : (Allow me to borrow your name...i feel like with this, there is nothing i can't achieve...)
The future is bright for sure...