3rd Pov
A scorching wave trailing through the sky, a blasting storm colliding with an unmovable malice...Veldora and Velgrynd against Kakeashi and Habataki.
Their fight fractured the reality contrasting with Dino and Suiemu's most impressive sight...
The sword of god and the fish that swim through the stars and worlds...Dino held his two swords up as he flew at a nearly impossible pace.
The first strike went to him as Suiemu has yet to acknowledge him as an opponent...empowered by the power of his ultimate skill.
In a single sweep, Dino launched himself, blooming several hundreds of sword slash cutting through Suiemu's countless tentacles.
The wound escalated further up, Dino's blade sharply cut through as finally he reached near the top...with a bat of his wings, he aimed a final strike toward what could be considered the beast's head.
Suiemu : You puny bastard !
A painful and agonizing cry left the gigantic mouth of the fish, his roar pushed back Dino as he protected himself by fending off the air friction.
Now that he had Suiemu's full attention, he readied himself for the true fight...but his actions angered the beast and he who possessed neither compassion nor love enabled his power.
The entirety of Suiemu's body started glowing like an exploding star...his cry reached through the heavens as crackles started appearing in the sky.
Before totally shattering reality once again, hundreds of blinding meteor started befalling the cardinal world...all of them being stars from outside the central world.
Dino : (This is going to destroy the central world...)
Gritting his teeth, Dino only needed a second before taking action...his body leaped forward toward the high sky.
His swords glowed at their turn, Excalibur in dazzling gold and Caliburn in a bright silver...
Dino : (I need to destroy each of them before they reach the land!)
A single swing of his sword severed a comet in half, another sliced it up into pieces and finally a series of mastered sword play followed as he annihilated each star through appearance.
The tips of his wings were worn out seeing no end to this wave of world crisis...what fortunate is that Suiemu didn't seem to be able to move while unleashing this technique.
Dino : (But at the same time, i can only discard those stars...should I carry out a bet and try to kill him in one go?)
This was way too risky, if he fails in doing so then the world will be turned into a giant crater...all Dino could realistically achieve now is to stall time.
His eyes trailing as a blur of flash bi color blitzed behind him...
Velgrynd and Habataki, the two of them specialize in speed with the latter used to soar mindlessly through the countless dimensions that levitate all around creation.
Her two heads moved independently while their body was united as one...a dark veil surrounding her body as she collided with Velgrynd's flames.
Darkness clashed against Lighting, Habataki was burned and injured but never stopped...malice and hatred constantly regrew her limbs and form to its original state.
No, each injury crawled up to fuel her power...Velgrynd who had the edge in power was struggling in finding a way to definitely get rid of that bird.
Velgrynd : (This thing is slowly matching up to my speed...how bothersome.)
Her skin started flaring up, countless scales covered her body as she turned into her dragon form...her golden pupils radiated a pure shimmering light as she ignited her [Cardinal Acceleration].
She flared up even faster in which Habataki followed...their trail glowed among the chaotic darkness, their fight started above the ocean and faded in the stratosphere and beyond.
They passed by the heaven which was now a land defiled of its purity and beauty...even reaching out into the spooky palace opened after Ivarage's arrival.
Burst of explosions lighten the sky as the two meet so often, no even once they stopped...
Habataki : This light...it's disgusting, unforgivable !
If Velgrynd could be called a sun, then Habataki is a sort of blackhole condensed from forming negativity.
She nourished herself and loathed the sun's light...another pair of eyes formed below the bird's heads.
On her chest then wings, they ran frantically while observing each of Velgrynd movements before striking.
Assessing the situation perfectly to find an opening, as she dug her fang into the scorch dragon's long neck.
Velgrynd : Arghhh-
A painful growl followed as electricity sparkled through Habataki's fangs, the flames dismissing and being replaced by crackling thunder.
Velgrynd : (This sensation...it isn't just nullifying my fire but also absorbing it.)
Her eyes shifted toward the bird with rage as a dilating light shrinked her form, returning back to her human form.
Habataki's bite was still lingering in her arms, her large figure towering over Velgrynd who raised her legs kicking it away.
The impact of her heel sent the bird flying, but a noticeable change already occurred.
Habataki's fur had now hint of blazing red, flames corroded out of her mouth as she breathed.
Habataki : So annoying, so infuriating !
Velgrynd couldn't help but feel nervous as she watched that beast spread its wings...now even larger than before ;
She was failing to see a way to deal with it...
Velgrynd : (I need to create a more destructive technique...should I condense all my power in one attack?)
She worked her brain off for a solution and as she was starting to wander on the most extreme option, a mechanical voice resonated in her mind.
Ciel : (Initiation of skill evolution, Lord of Charity : Raguel can be used to implement the creation of a new skill-)
Velgrynd : (Wha-)
Ciel : (Reformation of Ultimate skill : Lord of Vows, Uriel...successful, sending ultimate skill through the soul corridor, successful.)
Velgrynd stood frozen for a moment, her soul suddenly welcoming a new skill...out of nowhere, she instinctively realized that it was Rimuru or at least his skill's doing.
The warmness in her body reached a new peak as she could only stay quiet and listen to the mechanical voice.
Ciel : (Would you like to initiate the skill evolution ? Requirements are the sacrifice of Ultimate skill, Lord of Charity, Raguel and Lord of Vows, Uriel.)
Uriel was just received so Velgrynd didn't pay much mind to it, rather the problem laid in her ultimate skill...the one gifted to her by Veldanava.
Lord of Charity, Raguel...the very power that enabled her to push [Cardinal Acceleration] at the peak it currently stands.
Losing such skill for the unknown is a risky bet Velgrynd may not be able to carry out yet...still as the situation suggested, it was a desperate and urgent time.
Swallowing her pride, Velgrynd snapped her eyes close and made a decision in haste.
Velgrynd : (Do it.)
Ciel : (Requirement met, analysis of Lord of Charity completed and saved into back up data, unifying processes of Charity and Vows will now start.)
A calm and composed Velgrynd was set ablaze, her hair turned into a lump of blue fire as she felt a clear distortion in her soul.
Where two ultimate skills merged into one, the process merveiled the scorch dragon who felt like watching the doing of a god.
Her expectation laid down the foundation of her new ultimate skill...
Ciel : (Evolution successful, acquisition of Ultimate skill : Lord of Divine Flames, Cthugha...successful, strengthening the soul corridor between master Rimuru and individual : Velgrynd, successful...)
Ciel's voice carried away into the wind like a comfortably whisper, Velgrynd was sort of reborn anew...
Reopening her eyes, her hair lumped down as time and space drifted away from the scorch dragon's every move.
Velgrynd : This is really incredible...I feel like all boundaries set by logic were lifted...
She mentally thanked her new slime friend and siblings, recognizing him as one of her own kin.
Still even after such change, Habataki blinded by its own hatred dazzled down ready to continue the fight.
Back in the central world, Veldora and Kakeashi's battle was much more destructive...
The storm dragon being in his draconic form, a laster western dragon with dark scale colored nightshade, his ferocious storm based capabilities pushed the beast around.
Veldora : Kuahahaha ! Is that all you got, tough guy ?!
Laughing with his iconic three staged laugh, he ruthlessly unleashed his arsenal...a beam of bursting light filled with storm energy flew across the ocean.
Literal storm started crawling up into the air like hundreds of skyscrapers...All of these hit and tore Kakeashi around, who survived only due to his regeneration.
The dozen of eyes that moved frantically around his body started growing agitated...like the other beast Executioner, Kakeashi has little to no patience.
Kakeashi : A imposter daring to laugh at me when all you possess should be mine !
Veldora and Kakeashi in a way weren't different...both creations of a fragment of the omnipotent god, Ivarage's Executioners were Veldanava's True dragon.
Although much less developed, Kakeashi felt a strong hatred for the true dragons because like Ivarage sought Veldanava as a traitor and imposter.
The world should have belonged to Kakeashi and his siblings, not the imposter true dragon who usurped that position.
Kakeashi : Your power cannot compare to mine !
A crisping and terrifying sound followed, Kakeashi unleashed a cry...a long and agonizing roar filled with hatred.The pulse of sound affected all living beings...those too weak willed were corrupted into madness while being like Veldora earned a slight headache.
The consequence of this cry was as devastating as Suiemu's [Hollow Stars Devastation]...the morale of all troup around the world were brought to a knee, some fainted and many began to fight each other.
Veldora : Whoa-what was that ugly cry ?! My ears almost popped off !
Kakeashi : Now meet your end !
Kakeashi immediately dissolved his body into a pit of darkness, dark matters dispersed birthing from the beast's core.
Beings made of darkness started rising midair, slowly repealing Veldora's magic...it started with a few, and it turned into hundreds of those shapeless imaginary monster made of malice
Kakeashi : Children born from hatred, nursed with malice and crave for resentment ! Now our time has arrived, devour the imposter and bring the world to its knees before mother !
As beasts unbound by Veldanava's creation and system, they didn't possess skills but supernatural ability developed through their exile.
Affecting and manifesting directly through the deepest depth of their living environment.
Kakeashi had harvested all the souls and death he brought out to fuel his insanity...his hatred taking the form of a dark fire burning endlessly.
Those soldiers made of darkness are the manifestation of his own children that he birthed instinctively through malice.
Their existence is not much different from the egoless angels...
Veldora : Kuah, this is so creepy...
The children of darkness started shaking uncontrollably before launching themself toward Veldora, their charges were dreadful to the environment.
But as the embodiment of chaos, Veldora couldn't feel any uneasiness...a single flap of his wing scattered those children away.
Veldora : Is that all you got ? It's weaker than I thought ! Kuhahaha !
Taunting the beast, Veldora was shut quiet when he noticed that the supply of children was constant...Kakeashi totally quiet while multiplying the previous number of his army by 3 already.
The swarm continuously charged toward Veldora whose behavior switched to a serious degree, he flew around swiping as many children of darkness as he could.
But ultimately, some of them managed to crawl on his wings, his legs or shoulder...his scales instantly started to melt accompanied by a burning sensation.
Veldora : Kya ! That hurt !
He struggled in a panicked fashion, his large body tangling around formlessly...ultimately, he resolved himself to return into his humanoid shape.
His cape was burnt and a few plates of corrosion could be located around his body...Veldora examined his condition for a while before getting angry.
He cracked his neck and stretched his arm around before taking a battle stance...dramatically flashy.
Veldora : Now that's it ! I'm getting serious, behold and worship my super Veldora killing art !
Channeling his power into a visible aura around his fists, an angry smirk tickled his lips.
The children of darkness insensible to danger didn't wait long before targeting Veldora again but this time...the target was much smaller and agile.
With a swift swing of his leg, Veldora using the quintessence of his supreme martial art blasted right through a children's body implosing it into destruction.
The corrosion didn't happen and Veldora directly continued on his unslaught...his right hand grabbed a child, his left back handed another.
The combination of continuous punches in series culminated as he made way forward endlessly...
Veldora : Kuhahaha ! As expected those things are nothing before my killing art !
Laughing, Veldora in the end is a genius when it comes to fighting...he naturally encompassed the ability of the Lord of Investigation, Faust and removed the chance of corrosion.
Probability manipulation...that is Veldora's advantage, and it took him only one action to understand and get rid of the nuisance.
Veldora : Just wait ! I still have some amazing new techniques to show off !
Jumping back, he flipped in the air before stabilizing further away...the children of darkness immediately crawled toward him and that is exactly what Veldora wanted.
His two arms stretched forward, his palm opened as a blue light lit up between his hands...with a smirk, he retracted his arms back to the side of his hips.
Veldora : KA-ME-HA-ME-
The memories of all the holy scripture he had studied were engraved in his mind...
Veldora : HAAAAA !
Finally, with a mighty roar...a beam made of a crystalline blue emerged from his hands, the ray crushed the incoming children of darkness.
As Veldora directed the explosion toward Kakeashi, the beast didn't react as the powerful beam crashed into him.
Totally going through his figure akin to a needle flying through a dark cloud.
Veldora : That wasn't enough, then next !
Terminating his Kamehameha, Veldora straightened his posture and started flying up...the wind colliding with his face as in the corner of his eyes, he saw Rimuru and Ivarage's fight.
Veldora : Mmh...I need to finish here quickly.
Once at a certain altitude above the beast, Veldora brought his hands together...letting them take the shape of a constructed formation.
He held his hands perfectly synchronized as the chilling world left his mouth.
Veldora : Domain Expansion : Otaku Realm !
A proud smile crepting his face, he started manifesting his inner words when Kakeashi's figure was splitted in half.
The dark clouds dispersed letting way as a lady Veldora was way too familiar with flew past it.
Veldora : Ah ?
His eyes nearly popped out of their socket, right below him was Chloe who raced up at an unimaginable speed.
Memories of the Hero Chronoa that sealed him started swirling violently the closer she got.
Chloe : Veldora ?
The storm dragon wasn't even given the time to let out a cry when Chloe flashed before him, her foot dug into his face as she used Veldora as a platform to propulsate herself.
Chloe : Thanks for the support, breeze dragon.
Her destination was higher in the sky where Rimuru and Ivarage are fighting...in fact, she didn't even notice Kakeashi blocking her way earlier and simply slashed through the beast.
Veldora : Itai !
A red mark shaped with Chloe's boots marked in the middle of his face, Veldora grabbed his head whizzing in pain.
He rubbed his nose a little bit annoyed, his attention quickly drawn back into action as Kakeashi reformed on itself...a dent of rage further boosted by the blatant disrespect he was subject to a moment ago.
Veldora : Why are all the women...and heroes around me so violent ?
Whining, his gaze lowered toward the beast and below...slightly above the surface of the ocean, several explosions and flashes of flickering light could be observed.
Veldora : Oh ? There are a lot of people there...
Thousands of people were fighting against the insectars who had gone rampant...under the leadership of the Empress of Insect, Peliod.
The balance was quickly shifting toward the cryptid's advantage...though the arrival of the 4 primordials of Tempest stabilized the force on each side.
Despite their prideful and chaotic nature, none of the primordial overstepped their boundaries to join the fight that involved Dino and the remaining true dragon available.
They must have realized that their powers could at best serve as a distraction...even for Dino who didn't appear that impressive.
Veldora : Kuu, geez I need to step up my game too.
Finally, he returned his attention to Kakeashi who had fully recovered, more children of darkness being created.
But this time, there was something even more malicious and dark about him...something that made Veldora warry as he raised his two hands to use the technique he was about to unleash earlier.
Testarossa Pov
To think a conflict of this scale would happen so soon after I received a name is certainly unexpected...
Again I'm not a fool, the beings currently standing above are true monsters...pride can only hold you for so long as you are the strongest.
The beings that are evenly matching the true dragons aren't to be underestimated, even after receiving an ultimate skill, I knew the moment I set my gaze upon them.
That they were still at a level I could only hope to reach one day...this made me regret not pursuing strength further earlier.
Diablo : You are in a thoughtful daze, quite the unique sight I must say.
Testarossa : With those two brats rampaging, I can relax a bit.
Despite my words and the vague truth behind, I still swiped my whip around...catching an anxiously brave cryptid by the waist.
Before channeling death magic into my weapon, I grabbed his soul and devoured it through white flames.
An agonizing scream followed my victim as he was fed to Belial, my precious ultimate skill.
Diablo : Kufufufu, this skill of yours is really mesmerizing.
Testarossa : Stop talking to me already.
I growled and left him alone, this creep has become even more creepy after meeting Milord.
Anyway, Carrera and Ultima must both feel very frustrated...their instinct guaranteeing their uselessness in the fight above.
So out of nerves and anger, they are taking it out on those poor cryptids...not like I care, in fact I'm also feeling quite bloodthirsty.
Even further when Diablo is the only one among us that could enter the fight above...that creep has gotten so much stronger.
Diablo : Kufufu.
Tch, you piece of shit...this laugh is driving me crazy.
I sighed and sent another cryptid to his doom, at some point I had increased my kill counts further up...
Testarossa : (This is getting us nowhere, and is it me or the number of cryptids has increased since the beginning...)
I strategically looked up at the battlefield, my attention trailing to the back of those uneducated cryptids.
Finally, I noticed the reason for this increase...there is a queen there, just like Apito back in Tempest.
In fact Apito and her were very similar appearance wise, that queen was laying eggs and hatching them nearly instantly.
The number of cryptids being killed was slightly inferior to the amount being created, at the same time the newborn are much weaker and inexperienced, so it's a fair deal.
Testarossa : I need to deal with her first.
I readied my whip but halted feeling a pleasantly familiar presence approaching.
Testarossa : You are here too ?
A flashed a tight smile as a carbon copy of a good friend approached, white hair that simply coaxed me...blue eyes contrasting to my own red.
Mirai : It has been a while...Testarossa.
Mmh, no honorifics ? Well she is really her father's daughter...not like i'm complaining, I actually prefer her acting casual with me.
Testarossa : Oh ? You seem quite distraught...
Her eyes particularly...had a shade of darkness, the same despair I too often encountered in the eyes of those humans.
Who lost their will to fight, her hand too...she was holding her sword but her grip was weak and shaking.
Something must have happened...this isn't the most potent heroic blood that I knew.
Testarossa : You should rest for a while, things are still under a reasonable handful of control.
Mirai : No, you noticed that insectar producing new soldiers, right ?
I nodded, she is still quick witted...
Mirai : Her name is Peliod, with her around this fight will be dragged on indefinitely.
Testarossa : So what are you suggesting ?
Mirai : I'll go kill her, so please assist me.
Her resolve would have been admirable if it wasn't for that shaking body of hers, geez kid these days...
Testarossa : Fine, I will create a path so get it done properly.
Mirai : I-I will !
Still it is easier said than done, this Peliod is hidden in the furthest back of her army...getting to her is equal to breaking through the entire army.
And those 10 guards that surround her, they are particularly powerful...dealing with all of them at the same time won't be easy.
Diablo : Kufufufu, it really doesn't suit you, this thoughtful look.
Testarossa : Ugh, why are you here again...
He really started to irk me...this damn weirdo ! Ever since I unleashed my [Underworld of White], he became particularly on edge with me.
Diablo : Naturally, i happen to overhead you two ladyship's conversation-
Testarossa : Eavesdropping is really a fitting term for a creep like you.
Mirai : ...
Diablo crackled a non-bothered smile, he placed his hand over his chest and continued.
Diablo : It is a request from Lady Mirai, Tempest has accumulated quite the small debt to her father so assisting her is the least i could do to keep Rimuru-sama's fac-
And then he kept on blattering, so annoying...
Mirai : Right, I think we get it...
Diablo : Oh is that so ? Well I guess times like these aren't exactly right to bring out Rimuru-sama's countless qualities.
I agreed with him at least on the part concerning Milord, speaking of him the sky had switched color...
Sky blue was replaced by the heaven's golden shade, that gold was turned dark through the appearance of the spooky palace and world destroying dragon.
Now...the entire world was under a veil of pure darkness, as if a sea of void replaced the sky...without any stars and light.
Us spiritual beings aren't affected by the change since we naturally possess night vision based ability, but for the human back on the mainland.
The situation must be quite the pickle...like fighting with only potential magic as source of light.
Well I'm over exaggerating the situation, back there the two symbols of light in the central world must have taken action.
Ramiris and Luminous Valentine...
Diablo : Then it settled, let's go with this plan.
As I was immersed in my own thoughts, Diablo and Mirai debriefed the situation...I listened instinctively so the information naturally came to me as I returned to reality.
Testarossa : Fine, let's do this.
Mirai : Yeah...
Not very enthusiastic, huh...whatever, all we have to do is fight in the end.
3rd Pov
A hero accompanied by two primordials...this was a unimanable sight, well for those close to Rimuru, they might have gotten used to such a horrific miracle.
The plan was simple and effective, both Diablo and Testarossa will take the front line and break through the insectar's swarm.
Once they reach the empress Peliod, the primordials will take on the elite guards protecting her while Mirai deals with their empress.
As for the reason Mirai wanted to kill Peliod herself...was that she tried to regain her confidence, she still felt lost about this whole situation.
But as Testarossa said, in the end...this world only accepts words from the winner, fighting is the only reasonable option to make your point and rise above the other.
No words can defeat a primordial or true dragon...
Mirai : (Everything is going to be alright, i already assessed the situation...Peliod is much weaker than me, I can kill her...)
Truthfully, Mirai possessed the power to achieve what they were planning all on her own...but she was scared of failing, so scared that her grip kept shaking.
Her sword barely became a threat for a middle ranked insectar...
Mirai : (It's just one kill...)
Taking a deep breath, she turned toward Diablo who brought out his claw and Testarossa straightened her whip.
The three exchanged one last glance before moving forward...the combination of their aura both demonic and heroic were rampant.
Momentarily stunning the entire battlefield, Diablo was the first to reach the enemy...his dark night wings swirled as he spun unleashing a spiral of death.
Testarossa followed closely behind as she was imbued with white fire, finishing off those lucky enough to escape Diablo's first passage.
The two flew around crushing each passing cryptid...a long singular path was created in the middle of the enemy line.
The sudden invasion also gave the allied force time to regroup and push back the insectars...
Mirai : (They are impressive...truly killing machines.)
Mirai followed, she simply held her sword for appearance...there is no way she has to take another life after two primordials clean the way for her.
Her eyes only gained focus when they neared the destination, Peliod could be seen on sight...a lady with pristine appearance that could be called beautiful.
She took the form of a humanoid bee, her wings colored with a rainbow shade...she stood overprotected from any harm as her imperial guards instantly got in the primordial's way.
The gap closing each instant, Mirai's eyes finally set itself locked on Peliod...the empress of insects noticed this new powerful presence and halted the production of new insectars.
She swiftly flew up, her figure leaping gracefully...she wasn't ignorant enough to stay put with such a threat looming closer to her.
Peliod : (This is bad...if only Zelanus was still here, he could have protected me!)
She isn't a fighter, her sole rôle has always been to produce more insectars and control them for Zelanus's sake.
She was terrified of Ivarage so she wouldn't back down but she simply saw no way to defeat the allied force.
The number was on her side but as time passed, the quality decreased...eventually, all she would have left were a bunch of young hatchlings who would be sent to their death as soon as they were born.
Peliod : (That girl is particularly dangerous, I need to get out of here...)
Mirai : It's too late to flee.
Peliod : Ugh-
Sacrificing her arm, Peliod barely managed to avoid death as she flew back several meters away.
Peliod : (How did she get there so quickly...is she faster than me?)
Gritting her teeth, she naturally looked down and around for her childrens...the imperial guards carefully selected and trained by Zelanus were being occupied with Testa and Diablo.
They didn't even bat an eye toward Peliod's direction...
Peliod : (Tch, those bastards...)
Her despair only grew when several explosions occurred in the army she was so carefully birthing...beside the total mess that two single primordials caused.
There were two more who in their stead rampaged more openly.
Peliod : (Should i go crawl back before the world destroying dragon...she is still in a way my grandmother and mother, but should i risk it ? She will just erase me for failure.)
Mirai : You are shaking...
Peliod : (Right I am ! Death is looming from all and every direction!)
Mirai : Oi...let's strike a deal, surrender and I'll let you live.
The sudden proposal shocked Peliod, she couldn't feel any trace of a lie in that heroine's voice...and that made her laugh maniacally.
Peliod : Live ? What are you ? A rotten ill bitch ?!
The sheer ridiculousness of the proposal, she laughed again and again...until the tune of her voice overlapped with the sound of the surrounding rampage.
Peliod : I thought you were like a grim reaper but in reality you are just a naive child ! There is no future for you folk ! Fighting a losing battle ! Can't you see the sky ! There is no hope for you !
Mirai remained quiet, she gripped the handle of her sword tightly...raising herself into a fighting stance, the shaking convulsing her stopped.
Mirai : Fine...i was just asking for myself, for you to live or die has no coherence for me anyway.
Peliod : What are you saying bitch ! Just rot back in hell !
A swarm of newborn insectars were created at Peliod's order...their forms were barely big enough to be considered a human child's weight.
Still the power they emanated was close to a B rank monster.
Mirai : First sword [Europa], second sword [Antarctica].
A clean horizontal and vertical slash slayed all the newborn in an instant, Peliod flared up with rage as this time she bursted her entire body forward.
Large claws sprouted below her nails, the needle at the end of her tail glowed with a poisonous substance.
Peliod :You fucker !
Mirai : (Her tongue is sharper than her attack...)
A flash of silver sparkled through her gaze as she moved...compared to Peliod, Mirai is an experienced fighter.
By simply calming herself, she can fight even under tension...a natural ability that any casual warrior needs to master.
Swiping your mind a blank, leaving all your worry for father...to focus on the fight before you, what's the point of worrying about the future if you are going to die now ?
Mirai : (She is full of openings...)
And in that state of full focus, the world surrounding the user naturally becomes slower if not static.
Mirai could see hundreds of different paths in which she could cut down Peliod, from a diagonal slash beginning at her shoulder all the way down her wrist.
Or aiming for her neck and sectioning all her limbs, destroying her wings to break her balance and finishing her off.
All that was left to do is to choose a solution...and thus, Mirai granted herself a clear victory.
Mirai : I win...[Dawn Break Ex].
Destruction...that word was implemented and engraved in Peliod's vision as her motion was forcibly halted.
Her hands and tail still marching forward, her body and mind however had already left to enter an instinctive state.
In an instant, she saw her wings being shred to dust...her remaining hand severed, her body mutilated and rendered to a useless state.
Peliod : (Am I dead?)
Finally, as if destiny itself wanted her to witness her last moment...the final strike of Mirai was clear and visible for her.
Peliod watched helplessly a sharp blade filled with the intent to annihilate her very existence closing the gap between void and her neck.
* Clang *
A heavy and metallic sound impacted through the surrounding, its echo startled both Mirai and Peliod who didn't see this action coming.
Against Mirai's sword, a sturdy barrier surrounded Peliod...succeeding in blocking [Dawn Break Ex] which was only possible because the barrier awaited the very last slash to appear.
Manas Michael : I cannot allow your death yet, empress of insects.
Manas : Michael who had recovered from his previous injuries, he had casted [Castle Guard] very carefully.
His crimson pupils sent chills down Mirai's spine as for a moment, her focus shattered like glass.
Mirai : (How did he get here?)
She started shaking, her head moved frantically as she instinctively searched for available allies.
But everyone was busy with their own fight, no there was someone who could actually help...
Mirai : Diablo !
The primordial Black, he wasn't struggling while facing 6 of those superior insectars, in fact he was smiling while toying with them.
Diablo : Is the lady requiring my help ?
His voice filled with danger, he stopped fooling around and executed the insectars surrounding him before vanishing in a veil of darkness.
A cocoon of dark energy hinted with purple aura then referred beside Mirai, blooming like a flower to reveal Diablo cockier than ever.
Diablo : This body...I assume you are the famous Manas : Michael, imposter to the heroic throne of the east.
To the demons, True hero has always been a sort of nemesis...primordial included, for Diablo he had a clear perspective and opinion on the strongest hero.
Rudra Nam Ul Nasca was like a sun that awaited its time to cover the world under its light...Dawn Arceid, the moon whose importance laid in second plan, overshadowed by his own duty.
Then Chloe Aubert or commonly known as Hero Chronoa, she is the eclipse...a boundary between duty and existence, ideal and dream.
(Ps : I waited so long for this analogy...Dawn the moon referred to Luna (Lune=Moon in french), Rudra the sun axed with Velgrynd.)
Manas Michael : Tch, this annoying demon...
Diablo : Though I'm perplexed, why are you helping that cryptid ? Shouldn't you be helping us protect what remains of this world?
As the Lord of Justice : Michael, he had witnessed the annoyance that Noir is...he possesses a particular characteristic belonging only to himself.
The ability to return instantly after each death...when a spiritual being like a primordial and true dragon dies, they will naturally be reborn after some time.
Diablo however possesses no such cooldown...he can come back as much as he wanted, that limitation was only available in the underworld but now, with Rimuru's influence and blessing.
He is surely capable of enacting that annoying ability of his even in the overworld.
Manas Michael : Get lost Noir, you are a pest that doesn't even deserve to breathe the same air as those damn humans.
Diablo : Kufufu, oh please do call me by my name, Diablo.
The two facing like two fierce beasts, their glare colliding indwelling a war in itself...Diablo was the first to break the staring contest.
His attention shifted toward the background where he saw Feldway rise up toward the void like sky...
Diablo : Lady Mirai, I shall take over here...I believe Rimuru-sama and the others are waiting for you above there.
Mirai : I need to get rid of Peliod first...as long as she is gone, their collective force will crumble (Beside, Diablo isn't strong enough to defeat Michael...)
As if sensing her worry and reading her thoughts, Diablo let out another diabolical chuckle...his wicked smile widened.
Diablo : A hero should always seek out the place that shines the most, as for a trade secret do know that I am known to be a nightmare for those kind opponents.
Mirai : Your words make little to no sense.
Diablo : Kufufu, just leave this to me my lady.
Mirai : Mmh, i just noticed but you are awfully kind to me...that doesn't suit you.
Diablo let out another chuckle, he had his own reason...as Testarossa called him numerous times, Diablo is a weirdo.
And Mirai could see why...
Diablo : A debt is a debt, I'm merely repaying my thanks for Ruberios and Dawn Arceid.
Mirai : That is a lie...well whatever, I won't insist if you don't want to tell.
With some hesitation, Mirai decided to do as Diablo suggested...her presence faded from the battlefield as she started flying up.
Manas : Michael didn't try to stop her...instead, he was more wary of Diablo, who stood motionless, his fearless smile never leaving that arrogant face of his.
Manas Michael : Get lost, Noir...your presence here will make no change.
Diablo : If that was the case, you wouldn't show such unfiltered emotion...Rudra Nam Ul Nasca was a threat of the highest order but as far as i can see it now, you are just a wannabe extra villain relayed on second plan.
Manas Michael : You-
Diablo : The situation has turned so chaotic, don't you find it ironic ? The lord of Justice has turned blind eyes to true malice...are you sure you are completely sane ?
A natural question to ask, Manas : Michael, despite gaining an ego and independence, has been going against the very principle he embodies.
Justice...even if it's narrow, the simple fact that he saved Peliod who is on Ivarage's side clearly insists that Michael betrayed the concept of Justice that Veldanava developed.
Diablo : You lost the very purpose of your existence, no wonder the star king dragon Veldanava abandoned you !
Manas Michael : N-NOIRR !!
Pure rage became the starting point of their fight, Manas : Michael's expression twisted completely...his divine sword [Diva] glowed as he lunged toward Diablo.
Diablo : This expression suits you better already !
Claw against sword, the first strike left Diablo badly injured before out of rage, Manas : Michael completely shred the primordial black apart.
His physical body destroyed, Michael didn't relax and turned around parrying the same claw he had just destroyed.
Diablo : Don't worry, i am not one to jest around...I will fully satisfy this thirst of yours, kufufu~
Manas Michael : Lunatic...
Leaping forward, Michael swung [Diva] in a very rash fashion, the grace of Rudra's swordsmanship nowhere to be seen.
Diablo at his turn flew backward, his arm stretched as he flicked his finger...a ticking sound echoed around...
The evolution of his unique skill : Tempter, now known as the Lord of Temptation, Azazel...Diablo's very personal art that manifests the [World of Temptation] in a virtual reality...
Diablo : Activation [Despair Time].
The ability in itself was much more proficient since the skill's evolution...Manas : Michael witnessed his surroundings being swallowed into a pitch of darkness.
A uncommon almost mystic pressure started oppressing him...in this subspace, Diablo was master of all, an absolute authority allowing the black progenitor to crush his enemy no matter how powerful they are-
Manas Michael : You believe such a boring trick can get rid of me ?!
A ray of light escaped that endless pit of darkness...Michael enabled a powerful sword art completely overpowering [Despair Time], the World of Temptation crumbling in pieces.
Michael didn't stop there, he continued his march as his sword reached Diablo once again...destroying the demon once again.
Diablo : Kufufu, very impressive.
Reappearing behind the Manas once again, Diablo clapped his hands genuinely impressed by the sheer destructive force of his sword.
Diablo : But not enough.
Manas Michael : You piece of-
Their fight was just beginning, Diablo could only blatter a chuckle while his eyes trailed dangerously to the side...Peliod, empress of insects.
She was frozen still for a moment, regenerating her limbs...she was obviously going to run once she got enough strength to.
Diablo : (Kufufu, there is nowhere to run...queen of cryptid, as your fate was sealed the moment you dared bare your claw toward that heroine.)
His thoughts were only right for the span of this moment...
Rimuru Pov
I fidgeted nervously as Ivarage stood face to face with me...the fight around us echoing as simply background noise.
The light exploding reflected across our face, that little girl before me was terrifying...her golden eyes mutated dangerously along with her humor.
Ivarage : You are shaking.
Rimuru : Huh ?
My instinct suddenly kicked in, I directed my whole body backward feeling the need to evade whatever was coming.
Ciel : (Emergency measure, Multi dimensional barrier-)
At Ciel's command, a series of barriers strong enough to withstand a true dragon's breath covered me...but none of that mattered.
Ivarage's attack simply erased the barrier, breaking them like glass...before taking out half of my body.
Rimuru : Ugh-
Ciel : (48 % of master physical body was removed, critical state...enabling [Infinite Regeneration], error...evolution granted, [Infinite Regeneration] has successfully evolved into [Godly Regeneration])
Seriously...that single attack forced Ciel to upgrade my skill ! This is absurd, I have to hold her off somehow but that doesn't seem realistically possible.
Ivarage : Your power...I want it !
The tone of her voice filled with greed turned her even creepier...I narrowed my eyes, gripping my sword tightly.
Rimuru : Then come get it ! [Void Collapse-
Even without using the Nucleus fusion with Velgrynd, I could still use the sword technique developed by Ciel.
I had hoped that it would at least shred an arm or inquire about some kind of injuries on the world destroying dragon.
My stance raised up, the image of [Void Collapse, World of a Thousand Blooming Changes]...my eyes already expected that technique to be unleashed and waved toward Ivarage.
But like my barrier earlier...that monstrosity outmaneuvered me completely, before I could even swing my sword.
She appeared before me, her hand entangled my stance...catching me off guard, I instinctively cancelled my action and threw down a classic swing.
Ivarage : Your sword is so dull, boring..
Rimuru : !!!
3rd Pov
The destroying dragon's hand gently caught the blade, the sharpness of this masterpiece of a sword couldn't even leave a scratch on Ivarage's palm.
She grabbed the edge of the blade, feeling its durability...
Ivarage : As expected, the sword is as worthless as its wielder.
* crack *
The masterpiece of Kurobe, a sword that bathed in Rimuru's aura...evolved alongside him to become a legendary blade, no even higher at this point.
It had yet to adapt to Nihilist energy but that sword was still one of a kind...the thought of having his weapon broken never crossed Rimuru's mind before.
And that still just happened, right in front of him...Sword of Tempest crumbled like dust.
Rimuru : Wha-
Ciel : (!!!)
Left with only the handle of his once mighty blade...even Ciel couldn't comprehend what just happened, the predictions she had set for Ivarage were wrong.
The world destroying dragon was underestimated...and now, Rimuru had to pay the consequence for that.
Ivarage : Haha, that's right...this looks suit you miserable creature much better.
Her form shifted into a pitch dark aura...taking the shape of a dragon ready to swallow Rimuru as a whole.
The slime watched with rising despair, his body stiff frozen...the echoing voice of Ciel trying to shake him awake failed to reach his subconscious.
Rimuru : (Is this the end?)
He was petrified, his very own eyes betrayed him, unable to dismiss the fear by shutting off.
The darkness surrounding him, he started hearing foreign voices trying to pull his sanity away...
Rimuru : (W-what is happening?)
This wasn't normal...his eyes darted down, the ground melted into some sort of dark liquid, vicious tentacles revealed themselves circling his legs.
They grabbed his body, a familiar sense of belonging overtook Rimuru...his eyes widened in pure horror.
The tentacles took the shape of humanoid hands...long and slender, dozens of them that Rimuru recognized.
A distorted reflection through the liquid...he saw his friend, the likes of Shuna...Shion, Benimaru and the others.
Their eyes pitch black devoid of any life, they seemingly tried to such Rimuru's will power...the void he heard earlier was a replica of his people.
Rimuru : (I-I need to get out of here!)
The hands crawling up from his legs to his stomach..;it was only a matter of seconds before they reached his face.
His struggle was in vain as he felt completely powerless...
Rimuru : Get away from me !
Dozens of hands tied his arms, as they finally reached his neck...each passing instant, Rimuru felt weaker in both mind and body.
His vision started to fade, the liquid spreaded submerging him down into the abyss...
Rimuru : (C-Ciel...)
Calling out his previous partner's name...he expected the worst before finally closing his eyes.
???: Rimu-
A safe and warm whisper faintly called for him...
???: Sen-
Rimuru couldn't pinpoint it, he thought of it as a sort of illusion...a last bit of his imagination before the end.
???: San-
His eyes twitching, Rimuru somehow reopened his eyes...staring up as a slight ball of comforting light extended its warmth toward him.
???: Rimuru-san !
Rimuru : Huh ?!
In a breaking instant, the light forced his consciousness out...waking up with a nauseous headache, filth crawling into his nonexistent stomach.
He gasped heavily for air, instinctively ignoring his racial trait as a slime.
Rimuru : W-what ?
Looking around, his body was being carried away...in the horizon, Ivarage could be seen motionless, almost bored.
She was staring right back at Rimuru with annoyance.
Ivarage : Tch-
Rimuru flinched, the freshly made memories in that dark place was a mark of Ivarage's dangerousity.
???: Hehe, I got here in time Rimuru-san !
Snapping him back to the present, Rimuru looked up...only then he realized that he was being carried like a princess.
Topping that, the one carrying him was a beauty like no other...
Rimuru : W-who ?
Chloe : Heh, you don't recognize me ? That hurt me a bit...
Rimuru : (There is no way I would have forgotten such beauty...wait, that mask and those eyes...)
A realization hit him, this woman shared some facial features with his student...a quiet and smart girl who loved reading.
Now having the reference, Rimuru saw the little Chloe Aubert's face overlapping this beautiful woman.
Rimuru : Chloe ?!
Chloe : Now I'm glad, though it's a shame we reunite in such a catastrophic set up...
Rimuru was shocked...he then remembered a lump of information he had received after leaving Tempest.
Rimuru : You are really the hero...
Chloe : Oh ? You already know that...and me who wanted to keep the mysterious charm part, how sad...
She spoke with a teasing tone, but with a close contact...Rimuru caught on a hint of blazing emotion in Chloe's gaze.
It was relieving, even her voice did hide a teint of that same emotion.
Rimuru : Time...Chloe, what did you-
Chloe : Haha, as expected of Rimuru-san you already figured out so much...
Letting go of her thought surface, her eyes turned a bit watery...when she arrived and saw Rimuru almost getting killed.
She was overwhelmed with pure fear, as she did not rush in immediately...then Rimuru would have died for real and this time there won't be another chance.
Chloe : I'm so glad I made it in time !
Hugging him closer, Rimuru didn't dare stop her...he could feel the genuine feeling of this heroine who suffered so long on her own.
Rimuru : I don't know everything that happened to you, but I can guess you tried really hard...
As embarrassing as being carried like a princess by the girl he was himself carrying a few months earlier.
Rimuru hugged her back and patted her head...his eyes softened but remained wary as Ivarage was still standing still.
Chloe : Ahh, I wanted to hold back until the end of the war...sorry sensei, I got emotional...
Rimuru : It's fine, I really wanted to talk to you too...but as you said it's not the ideal time.
Chloe : Right.
Meeting Rimuru's serious expression, Chloe nodded her head two times...the two then fell into a sharp silence.
Staring at each other, the slime waited for something the hero couldn't catch on.
Chloe : Mmh ?
Rimuru : C-can you let go of me...
Finally averting his gaze, he was too shy to ask directly but Chloe simply didn't get it...her expression twisted into a chuckle.
Chloe : Hehe, sensei is so cute~
Rimuru : S-stop this please...
Chloe : Hai hai-
Releasing him, Rimuru sighed before stepping onto the air as if there was solid ground.
His body fully regenerated, his mind recovering...all he waited for now was a report from Ciel.
Rimuru : (Ciel, what was that just now ? I felt like entering the den of true hell...)
Ciel : (Yes, after analysis I concluded that this is a passive effect coming from Ivarage's aura...)
Rimuru : (Passive ? What does it do?)
Ciel : (Master met the direct manifestation of her power but Ivarage is constantly releasing this corrupting scent...)
Carrying on her explanation, Ivarage as the incarnation of malice and destruction can also be presented as the essence of true corruption.
Her power is greatly dismissed by the world system but upon direct contact, even the likes of Rimuru whose existence already transcended the cardinal norm would fail to resist the corruption.
Ciel : (The effects are simple, it will swallow one's consciousness crushing them into despair...the final effects are still unknown but I theorize that it involves the definite destruction of the soul and concept.)
Rimuru swallowed a hunch of nonexistent air as he grew more anxious, what he was just subject to is a fate worse than death.
Yet the effects were still weakened by the world system barrier...Rimuru could only dread imagining fighting Ivarage without the help of the world itself.
Chloe : Her power is extraordinary...honestly i can't see any way to defeat that thing...
Rimuru : Right...
Looking down, a similar liquid to the one Rimuru almost drowned into had covered the entire central planet.
The sky was replaced by a ground of this solid liquid...a dreadful voice could be heard sprouting like rotten herb.
Ciel : (Ivarage is currently attempting to overpower the world system, the moment the world barrier will be weakened will mark the inevitable defeat on our side.)
Ivarage was basically taking the world hostage with a bet...either they somehow defeat her before the world barrier breaks down.
Or Ivarage's beasts localize and destroy the world tree...
Rimuru : Is this why she isn't pursuing us ?
Ciel : (Most likely, but the reason as to why she is trying to control her power limiting its range to just the central world is still unknown.)
Rimuru : She became an intelligent being now, who knows what kind of plot she is devising.
He avoided looking at the now "ground"...already feeling sick from just standing above such a scene.
Chloe : Sensei...
Rimuru : Mmh ?
Turning toward the heroine, Rimuru flinched upon realizing that Chloe wasn't calling for him but rather the « ground ».
Her eyes reflecting her own fear as she stared at the « ground », countless Rimuru with dark eyes were calling for her...
Rimuru : Chloe !
Chloe : Ah !
Fortunately, Rimuru quickly shook her out of her stupor...he covered her eyes and raised his voice to overpower those from below.
Chloe : I-i...
Rimuru : It's fine, I'm here so don't look down !
Chloe : Y-yes...
He took another instant to make sure she was okay before releasing her...their attention shifted back toward Ivarage who was still ignoring them.
This however, a wicked grin replaced her passive expression...her neck crackled as she abruptly twisted her head toward the duo's direction.
Ivarage : Haha, I found you damn Author...don't worry I'll get you right after I finish crushing the trash here.
Another wave of corrupted aura burst from her body...it was less dense than before surely because she had to maintain a large portion of her power around the world.
But still enough to make Rimuru flinch and draw his newly reformed sword.
Rimuru : (It's not as good as my previous sword but Ciel can't do better at the moment...)
Chloe : So what are those hallucinations ?
Rimuru : Right you didn't get a debrief...(Ciel, can you transfer what you deduced to Chloe? Oh and give her the necessary information we have as well.)
Ciel : (Right away, master.)
Doing as ordered, a flash of infos were transferred to Chloe...her eyes glowing for an instant as she received and naturally digested the data.
Chloe : I see, so just the contact with her aura can shatter your battle spirit and will...really a terrifying passive ability.
Rimuru : Yeah, I'm also concerned about the other...
Chloe : They should be fine, as long as the world barrier is in place...Ivarage cannot directly affect the battle within the world.
Rimuru : We just have to trust those guys, huh...fine by me.
Chloe nodded, she already saw what Rimuru's people and the collective moral of the cardinal world's inhabitants could do.
They are giving their all, it would be too cruel to give a bad ending to such heartwarming unification.
Chloe : (Wait...Ivarage aura can directly affect the moral and fighting spirit, from what I know Mirai fought the unawakened Varja, could that version also possess a minor effect of this abyssal pit?)
It bothered her a bit, since she had spared with Mirai...she was well positioned in affirming that the girl was strong in both will and capacity.
Yet the one she met before getting here was totally broken...did Mirai instinctively fall into that abyss, albeit much weaker due to Varja being a minimal part of Ivarage ?
Chloe : (Mmh, then her surviving is already a miracle...the fact that she even retained her sanity is already proof of her strength.)
Burying the thought away, she sealed her eyes shut mentally preparing herself...slowly, the voice that was still calling for her.
Tone covered with malice that tickled her ears...they started wavering away before her focus.
Chloe : (It's my first fight with Rimuru-san in this timeline...and we got the last boss directly, how amusingly scary.)
She raised her sword [Moon Mistress], the rapier was twinkling a radiant glow lightly illuminating a spark of light inside this world of darkness.
Rimuru : We only got one option, throw everything we got and hope something works.
Chloe : The odds really aren't in our favor.
Ivarage Pov
They are all so pathetic and annoying, watching them struggle for survival brought me a sense of joy that barely lasted for an instant.
I had given enough time for them to recover simply because I managed to catch a glimpse of that bastard who tried to use me.
Though I will not lie to myself, this newcomer girl possesses a very intriguing power...the same as that blue haired weakling.
One possesses a nature pending toward my own and between that traitor Veldanava's...they called him an anomaly ? I can't very well understand why.
And that girl, is it a great spirit ? Yeah, she has the protection of those annoying things...that sided with Veldanava, even this world is under their blessing.
Utterly disgusting...but perfect at the same time, that just makes it more detestable.
Ivarage : But if I can get hold over that power...then that traitor will surely reappear.
There is no way Veldanava, the usurper of perfection will dare run away forever...
Ivarage : Mmh ? Oh...what is that ?
I clicked my tongue in an alarming annoyance...the freshly made connection between me and the Executioners beamed negatively.
An unnerving motion full of discomfort moved my core...it was the first time I felt such loss, like someone ripped my belongings.
Ivarage : They died ?
I slowly realized...the beasts that had just bowed and swore allegiance to me all failed...neither did they manage to bring any form of positive result but also left me with this payback full of poison.
How useless, pathetic...imperfect !
Ivarage : Tsk...
I clenched my teeth while releasing all the power I had...they are failing me on the first task, haha...
Fine, I will be merciless enough to give you all a second chance but that's it...I extended my generosity at a breaking degree already.
Ivarage : Do not fail me again.
I sent through our bond connection a wave of power...without even seeing them, I could tell they had received my blessing.
These final gifts and warnings...a malicious aura matching my own covered the three beasts that dared naming themself as my children.
Their aura burst forth...above us in the realm Habataki soared with a third head...his power increased by tenfold.
Below Suiemu and Kakeashi all received my blood and flesh...
Ivarage : Well then, let's start the second act.
Finally, I could get back to my own fight...I looked back toward the slime and hero, ignoring the pitiful roar my « children » exalted.
My eyes trailed to their weapon, a sword...both were swordsmen and that brought me a sense of confusion.
As a conscious being, I didn't fight many but all used this sharp weapon...I can't really comprehend the principle behind it since no matter how sturdy and powerful the sword is.
It will never manage to cut my scale...cut ? Oh, now that I think back there were those two heroes...Mirai and Dawn, they both managed to strike Varja.
With a newly gained interest, I stretched my arm and conjured a sword made of pure darkness...
Ivarage : Let's call it [Ragnarok].
Rimuru : A sword ?
I smirked and vaulted over...the distance separating me and those two gone in the flash of the moment.
I carefully analysed as the heroine dodged to my left while that slime shifted the opposite, the later immediately issued a strike of his sword aimed toward my neck.
It was a powerful horizontal slash, nothing I couldn't handle...
Ivarage : Is this how you use a sword ?
I moved my own sword on the path of his, the impact flattered his weapon as mine stood supreme.
I wanted to destroy him right this instant but couldn't due to the heroine, it seemed like Rimuru was a bait.
She had already prepared her attack, the loud sound of a bell ringing startled me...I turned around to face her and was met with a large structure.
Gears of a clock as big as my « childrens » fluctuated behind the hero...the clocks then started moving backward while all the power was directed back into her sword.
Ivarage : Time ? I need to stop that...
Rimuru : Nah, I'm not done with you yet !