Meeting

|Jude|

We stood in a small clearing atop a rise overlooking the town of Slore. The occasional breeze carried a salty scent from the nearby sea, leaving me sticky despite the frigid air.

"With the Vritra's meticulous planning—breeding asura half-bloods, creating mutants with our continent's mana beasts, and now the ships—I can't help but wonder how long Agrona has been plotting this. It feels like this war is more of a game to him than a passionate endeavor," I voiced my concerns.

"If Agrona were easy to predict, he would not have come this far," Aldir reluctantly admitted. "Since he, like all other asuras in this world, is prohibited from participating directly in this war, he has found ways to circumvent that restriction, becoming the unseen hand manipulating his chess pieces—for his side, at least."

"And who is the unseen hand guiding our side?" Virion inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"You are the one leading this war, are you not?" Aldir reminded him.

Virion shrugged skeptically. "That's what I tell myself at night."

"Enough," I interjected. "Is this our meeting place?"

"Of course not," Virion sighed, tying back his long white hair.

"This is as far as I can take us before we make the journey to our true destination," Aldir clarified. "Our destination lies in the middle of the ocean."

"Lead the way," Arthur gestured, determination evident in his eyes.

Aldir's feet gradually lifted from the ground, enveloped in a milky aura. Soon, the aura lifted Virion into the air as well. Virion's lips tightened, every muscle in his body tensing like a cat held by its scruff.

As I propelled myself upward from the steep edge, I took a moment to appreciate the breathtaking view of the bustling town directly below me.

Just as my body began to descend, I called upon the power of my white core, commanding the ambient mana to lift me.

Sylvie and I maintained a distance of a few dozen meters behind Aldir as we rode the top of the clouds. At this altitude, the only sound that reached our ears was the sharp whistling of the air, lending an air of tranquility to our journey despite its purpose.

Aldir and Virion paused above the clouds, waiting for us to catch up.

"I'm sure I don't need to remind you, but it would be wise to conceal your true strength during this meeting. We don't know how much the Vritra are aware of," Aldir's voice echoed uncomfortably in my ear, as if he were whispering right beside me.

"What about Sylvie?" Arthur called out.

"Lady Sylvie will need to revert to her miniature form," Aldir replied. "Arthur, I will carry you down."

As we descended beneath the layer of clouds, hurtling through the white blanket, the moisture in the air dampened our clothes. Soon, we spotted the glimmering ocean, its gentle ripples extending in all directions.

Despite the awe-inspiring view of the seemingly endless stretch of water, my focus was immediately drawn to the dark specks scattered across the ocean to my right. Several dozen miles north, I could see the fleet of Alacryan ships heading toward the shore near Etistin City, the capital of Sapin.

Floating upon the surface of the ocean was a pitch-black platform, about the size of a small house.

As we neared, descending a few dozen meters above Virion and Aldir, I could discern two small figures blending into the platform they stood upon, their forms previously obscured from a distance.

"They're there," I said aloud to no one in particular. "But I don't think they're ordinary messengers."

Arriving atop the platform with a soft landing, the four of us with Sylvie walked toward the centre, my jaws clenching at the sight of the two supposed messengers.

There, towering before us, stood a formidable figure, reaching a staggering height of seven feet. Two serrated horns gracefully curled beneath his ears, adding to the intensity emanating from his bright red eyes. Clad in a billowing cape drenched in a shade of deep crimson, he was none other than Cadell Vritra—the very being with whom I had first tapped into the power of aether back at Xyrus Academy.

However, it was the girl standing beside him who truly captured my attention. Her mana signature shimmered like an enchanting tapestry woven from raw power. Swirling particles of mana enveloped her in a mesmerizing dance, their movements resembling the harmonious choreography of devoted suitors vying for the attention of their beloved queen. Her captivating orange-golden eyes mirrored the vast depths of her immense potential, while her seemingly effortless confidence and charm radiated from every pore. Despite her casual attire, she exuded an aura of regality and grace, her jet-black tresses cascading in gentle waves, further accentuating her natural allure and elegant form.

She was more than just special; she was extraordinary. It felt as if she was in a perpetual state of passive connection with the Realmheart, her mastery over mana particles unparalleled.

Her piercing golden eyes scrutinized me, brows furrowing before settling on Arthur. The intensity of her gaze was laced with anger, as if Arthur had committed some unspeakable transgression against her in the past.

"I am Scythe Cadell, and this is Scythe Cecilia. It is an honor to meet you, Aldir. We, the Retainers and Scythes, have heard much about the renowned Asuras in Epheotus," Cadell spoke, his gaze fixed firmly upon Aldir. However, it was not a gaze of respect, but rather one that held an underlying tension. "I trust that you will uphold the pact and remain a noncombatant?"

Arthur's eyes widened in shock at the mention of the name Cecilia, disbelief coloring his features.

"Assuming your side will do the same? Then yes," Aldir replied, his stare just as piercing as Cadell's.

Cecilia took a step forward, each movement resonating with raw power. She was undeniably on a level far beyond ordinary beings.

My conclusion was clear—she must be someone from Arthur's past life. The fact that Aldir didn't recognize her, coupled with her apparent anger towards Arthur, hinted at a deep connection between them.

I half-expected her to explode in a fit of rage and launch an attack right then and there, although it would surely be suicidal. Yet, she managed to contain the tempest of emotions within her and instead uttered, "I hope you have grown stronger, Arthur Leywin, so that I don't have to end you swiftly on the battlefield."

Arthur seemed to have grasped her identity by now, his core shaken to its very foundations. It made sense—Cecilia had been a significant figure in his previous life, and now she had been reincarnated.

But, more importantly, he knew firsthand the true extent of her power.

The Legacy—a being born with an immense ki pool.

Just how formidable would she be in this world, where Arthur himself had reached considerable heights despite being outmatched by her in their previous lives?

She would be a force to be reckoned with, a potential secret weapon in Agrona's arsenal against Kezess.

If she held such value, why expose her now? Were there more Legacies?

No, if that were the case, Agrona could have launched a full-scale assault on Epheotus. There must be a deeper reason behind this cycle of reincarnation that Agrona was orchestrating.

With all these mysteries awaiting unraveling, the only certainty I could grasp at this moment was that Agrona possessed the ability to reincarnate powerful souls from another world using some unknown method. Moreover, the fact that he had sent Cecilia here suggested that she either held less significance than assumed or that he possessed a means to protect her should Aldir pose a threat.

She was undeniably formidable, but I remained convinced that Aldir could best her in combat since she was yet to break through to the integration stage.

Attempting to diffuse the tense atmosphere, I interjected, "May I inquire as to the reason for both Scythe Cadell and Scythe Cecilia gracing us with their presence here today?"

Cadell's voice held a touch of condescension as he responded, echoing his previous statement, "As I mentioned before, we didn't want to risk sending an innocent messenger who might fall into enemy hands and be subjected to interrogation and torture."

I nodded in agreement, acknowledging the validity of their concern. It was indeed a prudent decision.

Cadell continued, "The message that His Majesty has entrusted me to deliver to the leaders of Dicathen is simple and direct: Surrender the ruling family, and mercy will be granted to those who deserve it. Should you choose to persist in your resistance, our forces will proceed with the complete eradication of everyone on this land, showing no discretion."

Virion couldn't contain his outrage any longer and burst out, "You call those terms? That's nothing but a one-sided ultimatum!"

Cecilia, her orange-golden eyes piercing, locked onto Virion as she countered, "Indeed, it is an ultimatum, and one you would be wise to accept. There is no sense in futilely fighting a battle you are destined to lose. By accepting these terms, you can spare countless lives that would otherwise be lost in a pointless struggle."

I observed Virion's wavering expression, realizing the immense burden he carried as the commander of Dicathen. Despite his experience and resilience, the scale of this war was unprecedented, encompassing multiple continents. It was difficult for anyone to remain unaffected and composed in the face of such overwhelming odds.

Stepping forward with determination, I boldly declared, "We reject your ultimatum." As I took a confident stance, I released my control over my core, allowing mana to surge from within me. The raw power enveloped my body, creating a swirling vortex of energy that commanded the attention of both Scythe Cadell and Scythe Cecilia.

Cadell's eyes widened in astonishment, realization dawning upon him as he witnessed the extent of my growth over the years. Meanwhile, Cecilia's orange-golden eyes ignited with anticipation, a glimmer of excitement flickering within them as she felt the surge of mana emanating from me.

A surge of fighting spirit coursed through my veins. I yearned to test my limits, to gauge my strength against Cecilia. I understood that defeating her without utilizing aether would be a formidable challenge.

In this moment, I wanted to push myself to the edge, to explore the depths of my mana reserves, not against an opponent blessed with the unfair advantages of the Asuras, but rather against someone whose physical attributes were more akin to my own, lying between the realm of Asuras and lesser beings.

As I neared the threshold of the Seventh Door, my physical prowess approached a level that could almost be compared to that of an Asura. Once that door opened, I was confident it would elevate my abilities to such heights.

Our mana clashed, colliding in a chaotic symphony of power. The air crackled with intensity, resonating with the clash of our energies.

But then, unexpectedly, Cecilia withdrew her aura, her stance shifting as the power around her dissipated.

"Then, prepare yourself for the impending war, Jude Leywin," Cecilia proclaimed, her voice resolute. With that, she turned away, the radiant light in her eyes fading.

I knew this brief exchange had been enough for now.

Firmly, I concluded, "I will see you on the battlefield, Scythes Cecilia and Cadell." With those parting words, I turned on my heel, ready to face the challenges that awaited me.

We all soared above the billowing clouds, the wind whipping around us, as the weighty conversation hung in the air.

"You're not seriously considering their offer, are you?" my voice cut through the gusts.

Gramps expression grew somber, lines etching deeper on his forehead. "No, but we cannot ignore the potential to save countless innocent lives if they were to uphold their promise."

Arthur scoffed, his disbelief ringing in his voice. "A risky gamble, sacrificing your family's safety for a mere chance. I won't allow you to give up Tessia."

"Arthur has a point," Aldir interjected, his voice steady. "You're well aware of the consequences the world would face under Vritra's rule. Even Epheotus, with all its defenses, would not be safe from the havoc Agrona could wreak by breeding mixed races with his blood. And it wouldn't stop there—the rest of the asuras would eventually become targets as well, within a few generations."

Gramps let out a weary sigh, shoulders slumping. "I know. I dread the protests and backlash that will inevitably arise from this decision."

"Are you planning to disclose this to everyone?" I asked, genuine surprise coloring my tone.

Gramps nodded solemnly. "Trust is a fragile serpent—hard-earned yet easily shattered. A leader must be trusted by their people, but how much trust will they place in me once they realize their lives are being used as bargaining chips?"

As we journeyed back toward the western shore, Virion busied himself with coordinating plans through a mental transmission artifact, preparing for the public address scheduled for the following day.