Taking Decisions
I was back to the other side of the world where the beastfolks resided. There were few kingdoms here too but four of them were more important than others given their size as global economy and the sheer landmass. All four were in favor of waging a war and winning back the world taken away from them by the Gods and the origin and currently the kings of the four kingdom were holding a meeting.
"We can muster up over 100,000 soldiers. All trained for at least two years." King Shuma said as he chugged down a glass of beer. A man with boar-like face. He stood over 10 feet tall and had battle scars all over his body.
"Good, good. This way, in a year, we can send an army of over half a million to overworld and reclaim our lands." Queen Nympha said, a woman who appeared rather youthful despite her age. Her body was covered in flowers that made up her gown.
"Land that once belonged to us... These youth would never understand what horrors we faced all those centuries ago..." Queen Lamia sighed. A woman with scales all over her body showing her water-borne origins.
"But we have to be wary of the summoned ones. They're especially blessed..." Amina, the acting queen said.
"From what my informants have said, aren't they divided? Hero and the apostle are at odds with each other and if we were to assume the prophecies, it would become even more difficult as the apostle would of course side with humans..." Lamia said.
"Who said I'm siding with humans?" I made myself appear out of time air. It was an ability I got from Leisha when she and I were team mates. Since I was the leader, I got access to all their abilities and I have them even now that the party is no more.
"WHO ARE YOU!?" Shuma grabbed his claymore.
"Wait... it's Kenji, the apostle." Amina informed them. Amina and I were on 'good' terms given our history.
"The apostle?" Nympha glanced at me suspiciously.
"I've died in the overworld... or well one of the links have made it so people will never question my death. To them, it is a fact that WILL never change. So I want to ask you for assistance." I said.
"I see..." Amina thought about it. "Seems like that magic doesn't work on us as we are not the creation of the origin. I understand, you can stay in Munioko for as long as you want." She smiled at me. "Plus... from here on, make proper appointments if you want to meet me."
"But Lady Amina, how can you be sure he is an ally?" Shuma exclaimed.
"I understand your suspicion and there is absolutely nothing I can show or do to prove that I want to side with you. But I have nothing to gain by siding with humans anyways. Due to certain reasons, the summoned ones hate me too. My party hates me too... I have absolutely no reason to side with them." I responded.
"I do think personally that Kenji is trustworthy. I can vouch for him as the crown princess of Munioko."
"Such... You must really trust him." Lamia was flabbergasted at the statement. She covered her mouth and side-eyed me. "Trusting a human is ... fine... If one of the four main kingdoms is vouching for this human then we must take this seriously."
"We can only trust him after he fights Vidar. A warrior's true intentions are only brought to light when his blade clashes with another." Shuma nodded as if agreeing with himself. I wonder if it is a thing amongst warriors but I do not share such warrior pride.
...
All had agreed to this arrangement and a week had passed where we had to prepare for the fight. Amina had informed me that Vidar was the strongest that they had. I had already fought the captain before so I guess I can accurately guess who is actually the strongest.
I was standing in the arena facing the man in question for the first time. He towered over me, standing at a height of around 7 feet tall. He was what I expect a warrior to look like. A scarred face, wearing an animal fur of some sorts as a coat, muscular and a scary expression. From my understanding, this man is literally too angry. The only reason he has survived so far is because he is too angry to die... but those were Amina's words and not mine, so, maybe my understanding of him could be skewed and full of prejudices.
"Crumble!" He shouted as his body glowed golden. I instantly fell to my knees without really processing what had just happened. I didn't take any damage but somehow I just no longer had the power to stand up. I used my mirror of honesty to fly up into the air. It seems like I can use my abilities just fine but there is no way I can actually fight him. He lunged at me but I barely managed to dodge. He is definitely slower than the captain but I think my perspective on the strongest has changed considerably.
I have a feeling that his abilities makes opponent physically weaker. So the title of strongest does suit him... if you make the enemy weaker than you but luckily almost none of my abilities require hand to hand combat but a single punch would knock me out of the air. I have to be extra careful while fighting him and instead of brute forcing my way through it, I will slowly chip away his health and play the long game.
Corrosion is an ability I rarely use considering the fact that I have to output a very specific amount in order to not kill the opponent and this amount differs quite a lot. Kristine would easily die in the amount of corrosion it would take to weaken the captain. Similarly, I can input same amount of corrosion into Vidar. If he survives it, I can at least confirm that his HP and Def is higher than the captain. Usually, I could just look at the status of other person but after a certain level, they can hide their status window.
As Vidar again lunged at me, I dashed away shooting corrosion darts at him. They barely do any damage on impact but they have contain a couple sub-abilities you get from levelling up. First is, obviously, a perpetual HP drain but second is, payback. It puts a stop to healing as well for certain period of time depending on how much corrosion I have put in the opponent.
"What... what is this...?" Vidar had already noticed his HP drain and stared at me with pure rage. I locked in and dashed away from him using my windblades to attack him from a distance. They didn't really land but that wasn't the point, I just want to stall for as much time as possible.
It seemed like Vidar was definitely taking a hit from the corrosion but he refused to back down. I think he is at his limit. I slowly moved towards him and created a twin vortex that further chipped away his HP. And sooner than later, he fainted.
"My win." I said as I landed on the ground.
...
"We are still not strong enough, huh...?" Amina and I were sitting in my private room after the fight.
"No... I think I was the worst opponent he could have. His main ability didn't affect me but if he were to fight the captain... I wonder. I do think captain would win but he would really give the captain run for his money."
"The captain... number one of the ascendants... Why is he so strong?" She asked.
"He always says it's his experience. He understands just about everything and this understanding of different abilities makes the difference. On top of that he is the incarnate of an ancient dragon king. A dragon king that fought against the origin and humans."
"If both us and ascendants are against the origin then why can't we just team up?" Amina asked.
"Because you're bunch is against humans too. Ascendants main purpose is to avoid the war that is going to happen. Hating the origin and the heavens is a by-product. What they're trying to do is slowly incorporate them into every major nation in the overworld and effectively push for a union. Yes, they do start civil wars, kill random royals and nobles and whatnot but it is for the betterment of the society as a whole."
"I see... War might be inevitable." Amina teared up.
"The pain and suffering of your people can never be erased. They had their lands taken away and I have experienced the war through someone's memories... someone who was a victim of humans. And, hence why I am even giving you a chance. If the war is inevitable then... you have my word, I will side with you and the demi-humans."