Epilogue

|Gary|

My eyes narrowed as I fixated my gaze upon the enigmatic device occupying the center of the expansive hall. It exuded an aura of potent aether, its power palpable to even the most untrained senses. Surrounding it stood Agrona, Jezebeth, Kevin, and Cecilia, alongside other formidable Vritras.

However, my attention was not diverted by their presence. It was solely consumed by the dangerous contraption before me—a device fueled by aether. Its intricate design and construction hinted at the fusion of Fate, Aevum, Spatium, and Vivum, the four fundamental edicts of aether. The mere notion of harnessing the combined power of these elements in a single device was perplexing, even baffling.

This otherworldly creation defied conventional understanding, raising questions about how Agrona, a Vritra, had managed to conceive such a formidable invention. The purpose of this device loomed ominously, shrouded in secrecy.

My inquiries were abruptly answered as the device's sinister intention manifested before my very eyes. A colossal rift tore open in the fabric of space, revealing a sprawling chasm brimming with unbound aether. Its magnitude sent shivers down my spine, for I knew that if this immense reservoir of raw energy were to be unleashed, Alacarya would face complete annihilation.

Yet, Agrona's true intentions diverged from my initial assumptions.

In a mesmerizing display, a figure emerged from the portal, sending a chill down my spine that prickled the hairs on my arms. The aura that emanated from him was undeniably formidable—a Demon Prince from the realm I once called home.

Though not the most powerful of Demon Princes, his rank soared to the remarkable <SSS-> level, surpassing the vast majority of beings in this world. His presence alone carried an air of menace that instilled both awe and dread.

His transition into this unfamiliar realm proved agonizing, evident from the pained groans that escaped his lips. The aether and mana of this world vehemently rejected him, effectively dampening his once-awe-inspiring might. The oppressive suppression diminished his strength considerably, presenting a unique opportunity to neutralize him.

Confusion clouded the Demon Prince's expression as he glanced around, attempting to comprehend his surroundings. His gaze eventually settled upon Jezebeth, and despite the Vritra's altered appearance, recognition dawned upon the Demon Prince, prompting a respectful bow.

"My King! You have survived!" the Demon Prince exclaimed, a mix of surprise and reverence coloring his tone.

Jezebeth, seizing the opportunity to exploit the Demon Prince's loyalty and ignorance of his current weakened state, responded with a smile of acknowledgment. "Indeed, Retainer Rodrick. I have been reborn in this world. I require your aid, and thus, I summoned you here."

Unaware of Jezebeth's diminished power, the Demon Prince pledged his unwavering allegiance, his loyalty unwavering. He remained oblivious to the reversal of their roles, continuing to exhibit the respect befitting his perception of Jezebeth as a superior entity.

With unwavering determination, I swiftly launched a surprise attack on the Demon Prince, catching everyone off-guard. Desperate attempts were made to intervene, yet I managed to strike him and abruptly teleport us away, leaving the others in a state of shock and confusion.

However, just before I vanished, Kevin's sword and Cecilia's attack managed to graze me, causing a sharp pain and a metallic taste that lingered on my tongue—a small price to pay for seizing the opportunity to separate the Demon Prince from his newfound allies.

As the Demon Prince and I materialized in an unknown location, I sensed a powerful presence emanating from Dicathen. Without hesitation, I opened a portal, propelling the Demon Prince through it and into the heart of that city. Although he possessed greater inherent strength, his unfamiliarity with the intricacies of aether granted me a temporary advantage.

Reuniting with the Paladins in Dicathen, we rallied our collective strength and engaged in an intense battle against the Demon Prince. The odds were stacked against us, but with the unexpected arrival of Saphira, Alistair's reincarnated mother, our forces were bolstered and the tides began to turn in our favor.

Overcoming countless trials and enduring a grueling clash, we finally emerged victorious, vanquishing the Demon Prince and dispelling the immediate threat that his presence posed.

"Now you know the tale of the Demon Prince," I concluded, savoring the comforting warmth of the tea as it coursed through my body. Certain details were omitted, such as my familiarity with his title, to maintain the secrecy surrounding my past life.

As I looked around at my fellow Paladins—Rachel, Lancelot, Arthur, Alistair, Tessia, Kathyln, and myself—a sense of profound accomplishment washed over me. We had come a long way from the humble beginnings of the war. Our relentless pursuit of strength had led us to reach unimaginable heights of power.

While reminiscing on our journey, a serene smile graced my lips. The unity and camaraderie among the seven Paladins were unbreakable, akin to the hallowed Paladin meeting room that had witnessed our growth and transformation. We had transcended our previous selves, becoming warriors of unparalleled might.

Saphira's piercing gaze continued to scrutinize me, her azure eyes reflecting a mixture of curiosity and understanding as she silently absorbed the information I had shared. It was clear that she possessed an unparalleled level of power, surpassing the limits set by this world.

Closing my eyes, I contemplated the enigma that she embodied—a true anomaly within this realm. In any world, the density of mana determined the extent to which beings could ascend in power. It acted as a natural boundary, limiting their growth and potential. For instance, in the human domain of my previous life, the renowned Octavius had reached a formidable rank of <SS+>, which was considered exceptional. However, his achievement was overshadowed by the subsequent influx of mana, drastically increasing the mana density and altering the possibilities for human advancement.

Yet, even in this world where aether coexisted with mana, the overall density remained significantly lower than that of the human domain prior to the influx. As a result, the potential for growth and power attainment was curtailed. Only a select few individuals managed to reach the <SS+> rank, a feat accomplished once in every generation.

However, Saphira shattered these preconceived notions and surpassed all expectations. Her innate power and tenacity propelled her to the threshold of <SSS-> rank, a realm previously uncharted by any native of this world. The sole reason she had not yet achieved this illustrious rank was due to the limitations imposed by the mana density of her surroundings. If the mana in this world were to increase, even by a fewfold, her true potential would be unleashed, firmly establishing her as a formidable force at the <SSS-> level.

Although Saphira's aether arts may not have reached the same level of refinement or sophistication as those of the Djinns, her Claxter physique compensated by enabling her to command and manipulate a far larger number of aether motes. This inherent advantage amplified her prowess on the battlefield, making her a formidable opponent to contend with.

It became apparent that Agrona's actions, the manipulation of Legacies and interference with Fate, were all driven by his insatiable desire to ascend to an even higher level of power. He sought to surpass the confines of <SSS+> rank and transcend into an unprecedented realm—a realm where he would reign not just over this world, but over all worlds as the ultimate High Sovereign. It was an audacious and ambitious objective, one that would require the complete subjugation of fate and the manipulation of the very fabric of existence.

Yet, I knew that I would stand in the way of Agrona's grand design. It was a duty and responsibility that I willingly accepted.

"Understandably, lady Saphira, your trust may be shaken due to the memories you possess," I spoke with utmost respect, my amethyst eyes meeting her azure gaze.

She nodded in agreement, her demeanor guarded yet curious.

"In my possession, I possess a Godrune—an artifact that grants me the ability to manipulate memories," I revealed, "With your permission, I could utilize this Godrune to transfer Alistair's memories into your consciousness."

Her head tilted in contemplation, uncertainty etched across her features.

"I cannot deceive you," I admitted sincerely, "As a Claxter, your ability to read the flow of aether grants you the power to discern the authenticity of memories. You would be able to ascertain whether they are true or fabricated."

Saphira remained deep in thought, weighing the risks and benefits of my proposition. After a considerable pause, she finally nodded, granting me the permission I sought.

Rising from my seat, I approached Saphira and Alistair, who sat side by side. Placing my hand gently on their heads, I closed my eyes, summoning the power of the Godrune.

A surge of ethereal energy coursed through me as I delved into the intricacies of memory manipulation. Alistair's memories, carefully curated and preserved, flowed from my consciousness to the realm of Saphira's mind. With precise control, I guided the transfer, ensuring the memories were seamlessly integrated within her own experiences.

Time seemed to stretch as the delicate process unfolded, the memories intertwining like threads, weaving a tapestry of shared experiences and emotions.

Finally, as the transfer reached its culmination, I withdrew my hand and opened my eyes. The task was complete.

Saphira blinked, a mix of awe and bewilderment flickering in her eyes. The flood of memories, once foreign and unfamiliar, now melded harmoniously with her own recollections.

Saphira's incredulity filled the air as she grappled with the fragments of her lost memories, trying to reconcile the vast discrepancy between her recollections and the reality before her.

"I... I can't comprehend it," she stammered, her voice tinged with a mix of confusion and frustration, "How could I have been injured to the point where even a lesseruran could best me?"

Her words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the gaps in her knowledge that couldn't be easily filled.

Understanding her turmoil, I let out a sigh, realizing the impossibility of recovering her lost memories.

"You're right," I acknowledged with a heavy heart, "The memories beyond your injury... they are irretrievably lost. We can only piece together fragments of the war between Kezess and the Djinns, but everything that followed remains shrouded in darkness."

Saphira's eyes searched mine, a mixture of uncertainty and longing reflected in her gaze.

"But," she began, her voice carrying a hint of determination, "I choose to believe in you, Gary Whiteborn. Show me that my trust in you was not misplaced."

A wave of gratitude washed over me as I nodded in response to her unwavering faith.

"Of course," I replied, a warm smile gracing my lips.

Just as our conversation reached its critical juncture, a sudden surge of powerful mana engulfed our surroundings, jolting us from our contemplation.

My instincts kicked in, urging me to investigate the source of this disturbance. With haste, I made my way to the window, my eyes widening at the sight that unfolded before me.

A colossal rupture tore through the fabric of space itself, unveiling a spectacle unlike anything I had witnessed before.

Yet, what truly astounded me was the distinct composition of mana particles that accompanied this rupture. These mana particles, pulsating with raw energy, were unlike any I had encountered. They carried an artificial quality—a concentrated infusion of mana injected into this world, surpassing its natural limits.

The implications of this revelation sent a shiver down my spine.

"Crazy," I muttered, awestruck by the magnitude of the event unfolding before us.

The injection of such prodigious amounts of mana would undoubtedly trigger a seismic shift in the balance of power, transforming the very nature of this world.

The limiter on this world has been removed.