Chapter 211: My Beloved Enemy

As Isabella walked into the place called 'The Sleeping Dragon Inn', she had only one goal in mind.

Execute anyone and everyone with any links to the traitorous and evil hero Mizik Iratus.

Currently, she wore the full suit of armor granted by her sword, Bravery. She held its shield at her side and wore a helmet that matched her armor to hide her face.

A young and cheerful girl with brown hair approached with a smile.

"Welcome! My name is Aria! Can I get you a table?"

"Hello, Aria. I won't be needing a table. My name is Rose. There are two things I want, instead. The first, is information on a man named Mizik Iratus," Rose said.

"Oh! My nephew! He's my sister's son! Although she died a while ago... His father raised him into such a nice boy! Mizik came to visit here before he left to go marry Princess Cassandra. Is he doing well? We all miss him so much!"

"He is a criminal who abducted Princess Cassandra and has killed hundreds of Albatross soldiers. He allied himself with an evil being who seeks to destroy our world."

"Eh...? N-no way... Not Mizik! He wouldn't do that! Mizik is a kind and sweet boy!" Aria protested.

Rose unsheathed her sword and held it to Aria's throat.

"Tell me everything you know about him!" She said.

"I-I...ah... M-mizik...w-went to the border... But I don't know where after that! That's all his father told us!"

"HEY!! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?" A large man shouted.

"D-daddy...help!!!" Aria said.

The large man pulled Aria away and readied his fists.

A fighting stance used by a Brawler class. Magic swirled around his fists.

No doubt, this man was a very powerful adversary...

But to Rose, he was little more than an ant.

"I see. I already knew that he went to the border. Just not where he went afterwards... It is unfortunate that you could not tell me more. Also...sorry, but the other thing I need is your lives," Rose said coldly.

"Wh-what!?" Aria said.

Suddenly, light erupted from Rose's body and everyone within the inn had their flesh eroded away.

They fell to the ground as skeletons.

"The traitor's family is no more. At least here... Now I'll be going to Albatross to deal with Jorgan and the others there... Ugh...why did my favorite restaurant have to be run by such people...?"

After Rose exited the Inn, she sheathed her sword and light erupted from her body again. It destroyed the building completely.

Then she focused her power into the sword she had and unsheathed it again.

She sliced a hole into the space in front of her and stepped in.

* * *

What did you just say?

[Another false wielder has arisen. I cannot verify their identity due to Bravery not communicating with me. However, it feels similar to when the other blades were reforged by Corruption.]

Damn it all... If I can locate this person, I'll kill them. How close am I to unlocking your fourth form?

[Closer than you have ever been. You currently need more strength to hold my power. As you are, it would destroy you. Once you have adequate power, you can begin the process of resonating with my underlings. The other Deus Arms.]

Good.

[Once you have resonated with all twelve of them, I can unlock my final form. But this will require you to face the wielder of Bravery. And fear not. Hope may still resonate in its current form.]

Fine. We'll work on it.

As I spoke to Vengeance, Difar had already consumed Tyranus' body.

"You know what, he might be an idiot, but Axiom is still a pretty strong General... I'll collect his body and toss him into the pit," Difar said.

"Why do you give them names like that? I'm curious," I said.

"Think of it as them being reborn. I give them new names because its fun and symbolizes that. Now then, are there any more stupid questions?" Difar said.

Instead of dignifying his question, I decided to change the subject.

"Moving on. Vengeance just told me why Bravery is missing. It's being used by another false wielder. He can't identify them because communication was cut off. He said that it was similar to when you reforged the swords," I said.

"Oh... That's probably bad. As much as I would LOVE to help you out there, I need something as well," Difar said.

"Ugh...you're insufferable. Fine, what do you need?" I said.

"Damn shitty brat... I don't really NEED it, so much as I think it would help. I want to talk with Kelvastiol. The water dragon."

"Can we just leave her? I would rather not travel with that abomination," I said.

"Isn't that like the pot calling the kettle black?" Difar said.

"I hate you, Difar. Why do you want the shadow dragon, anyway!?" I said.

"She's stronger than most Generals. Why else? She would be a valuable ally to have and I think that's important. I'm surprised you don't understand that. And I really mean it. No sarcasm."

"You make a pretty good point... Alright. Let's go to the water temple. I would also like to head to the dwarven city as well. The world gateway should help us get to Ignitus," I said.

Difar seemed confused.

"Why do we need the gateway, again?" Difar said.

As he spoke, he motioned towards Valtheim.

"She can take us to Ignitus just fine. No need for your stupid gateway."

"Ah...I forgot about that... Well, night is here, so let's just get some sleep first," I said.

"You have fun sleeping. I'll be keeping watch," Difar said.

"Okay. We can sleep in shifts," I said.

"No. I don't need to sleep. And even if I did, Valtheim can keep watch over everyone. I only sleep when I'm bored. To pass the time, you see," Difar said.

"I'm not even going to ask. Cassandra, lets get ourselves a room," I said.

"Right beside you, darling!" Cassandra said happily as she followed. She grabbed onto my arm as we walked.

On the way to one of the rooms, I found my father and explained the situation to him.

He still wanted to help me out, but I made sure to tell him that he could stay here if he wanted.

Ulysses had a lot of things to take care of here and Amelia had plans to help stabilize the family estate.

I knew that there wasn't a point in staying here, but my father likely wouldn't be able to help us very much unless he had the ability to take on Enforcer Aspects.

And without the Blessing of the Creator, he wouldn't be able to become a full-fledged Enforcer due to Iris having a limit of six without it.

I told him that he could stay behind if he wanted...

Difar had temporarily halted the infection of this world, but he had no plans to stop completely.

That wasn't part of our deal.

As much as I wanted Avernia to survive, my attachment to this world was slowly becoming more faint.

Still...there were people here that I still loved.

I wanted to see everyone in Lorelei at least one more time before I left. I wanted to hug Aria and introduce Cassandra to her.

Even if their memories were gone and they didn't know me, I still wanted Cassandra to at least meet them.

Just thinking about it made me smile a little as we made our way to a vacant room.

"Darling, your smile is so lovely! Did something make you happy?" Cassandra asked.

"Yeah, I thought about introducing you to my family in Lorelei. I'm sure they'd be thrilled," I said.

"It...it would be an honor! I'm already so excited... Oh...what should I wear!?" Cassandra said nervously.

"We can discuss that later. For now, let's get some sleep," I said

"Yes!"

We reached the room and I opened the door with a key that my father had gotten for us.

"Ah...d-darling? I have a...small request..." Cassandra said.

"What is it?"

"W-well...if we're going to Lorelei... Could we stop by your house...?" Cassandra asked hopefully.

"Sure. Any particular reason why?" I asked.

"I want to see the place Mizik grew up! And also...if I could go into your room and lay on your bed, that would make me so happy!"

For a moment I felt a bit flustered at the thought of having her go into my room. It felt deeply personal and somewhat embarrassing for her to see it.

My room wasn't a mess, but it wasn't the cleanest, either.

I used to not be so organized and my younger self reflected that.

But for some reason, the thought of having her in my room excited me. I would get to show Cassandra the place there I lived.

Still I was internally upset about the fact that I never got to go back home for my honeymoon with Isabella...

Hopefully, this could make up for it.

"Sure. You can go into my room. But why do you want to go in there?" I asked.

"I want to immerse myself in as much of Mizik's scent as possible! Just thinking about it makes me feel warm and happy!"

By Iris, you're weird...

"I should have figured as much. We can discuss those things later. For now, we should rest," I said.

I closed the door to the room and locked it. Then the two of us got cleaned up and laid down.

After that, Cassandra pulled herself up and laid on top of me.

"Mizik...will you allow me to show my adoration for you? Slaying Tyranus for me has made me so incredibly happy... I want to receive your love, darling..." She said with desire in her eyes.

I smiled at her and stroked her hair.

"I'm all yours," I said.

* * *

The next day, we sat and ate breakfast privately with everyone else.

The five of us had things to discuss. Excluding Valtheim, of course.

On another note, it was intriguing to see that Difar ate food like a normal person. Although, when he touched it, it became black and Corrupted.

"Today I've come to a decision," Ulysses said.

"As have I," Amelia said.

"You'll be staying behind?" I asked.

They both nodded.

"We have no place in the upcoming battles. It sounds like we would just be in the way," Ulysses said.

"As badly as I want you both to stick with us, that's probably true... But even so...this world is dying. Since Difar refuses to stop his Corruption, it will eventually be consumed by it unless I can stop him," I said.

"That is true... And I really despise that horrible man, but...we can't afford to slow you down. Not if the rest of creation is at risk," Ulysses said.

"Sitting right here..." Difar said.

"I know. And I think I should just be honest while I still can and say that you're a vile and despicable abomination. We might stay behind, and we may even perish, but I swear, Difar. On my honor, my wife's honor, and the integrity of our family. Mizik will not fail. He will slay you like the foul monster that you are!" Ulysses said angrily as he slammed his hand on the table.

"Looking forward to seeing him try," Difar said with a bored expression.

Cocky bastard.

"Piece of shit! What did we do to you!? What brought this on!? Why the hell are you even inflvading our world!? JUST GET OUT!!! GO AWAY, YOU DAMN MONSTER!!!" Ulysses roared.

Difar smiled.

"You aren't worth the effort of getting angry. In fact, telling you the full story would be pointless as well. Let's just call it revenge and leave it at that, hm? It's not personal. Not to you. I have my reasons and that's all that matters to me."

"Ulysses...please calm yourself. Getting angry at him solves nothing," Amelia said.

"Ugh...I know, Ami. I just...I only wish things could be different..." Ulysses said as he sat back down.

"We already discussed it. We're resigned to our fate. At the very least, your legacy will see this through to the end."

Ulysses nodded and calmed himself.

"Now then, with that out of the way... Mizik, you can stay as long as you like. But, you should still get going soon.." He said.

I saw tears welling up in his eyes.

"Dad, I'm happy I got to see you again. It was an honor to stand by your side."

"You have no idea how proud of you I am, Mizik. You became one hell of a man. And I'm honored to know that you could probably kick my ass!" He said with a bittersweet smile.

"I wouldn't want to. You're my Dad and I'll always respect you. Thank you for working so hard to raise me," I said.

"Uwaa... Mizik has such a wonderful father! I'm so lucky to have gotten his blessing!" Cassandra said.

"And then there's you... You're kind of...weird for a Princess. But also really good at taking care of Mizik. Don't take any of that the wrong way, of course. I just didn't expect one of the leaders of our...er...of Albatross to be an obsessive stalker for my son...no offense, once again. But promise me that no matter what, you'll protect him. Mizik needs you, Cassandra. And you have my thanks for sticking by his side and helping him remember himself. I'll always be grateful to you."

"Your words are unorthodox, but I am grateful for them. Mizik is all I live for and I promise that I'll protect him forever!" Cassandra said.

"Right. Especially since her sister is trying to murder him, now..." Difar said.

"Excuse me?" Ulysses said.

"Not to ruin this moment, but Isabella is here. I'm detecting a tremendous amount of power coming from just outside. Actually..." Difar said.

We stood up and suddenly I felt it too.

There was a heavy, yet familiar pressure nearby.

Cassandra looked unbelievably pissed.

Then...

Difar's eyes went wide.

"VALTHEIM!!! DEFEND US!!!" He shouted.

Suddenly, we were enveloped in one of Valtheim's void fields and I watched the entire estate violently explode into light all around us.

Moments later, it subsided. When I looked around, only wreckage and skeletons remained from those who lived here.

Ulysses and Amelia dropped to their knees as the field dispersed around us.

"What...WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?" Ulysses shouted.

"I don't know... Was that Isabella!?" Amelia shouted.

I was beginning to have a really bad feeling about this...

No...by the gods, no... Wasn't that...? No...it can't be...!

Soon, we were met with a woman who felt all too familiar.

I also felt my own strength increase greatly, somehow...as if Adoring Resonance had activated.

"Isa...bella...?" I said.

She was wearing a helmet... But it was definitely Bravery's Aegis Armor.

"I didn't think you would actually be here... But there you are. How did you survive that attack? And how did you know it was me?" She asked.

Then she took her helmet off.

"That would be Valtheim," Difar said as he readied Extinction.

"Interesting. So it's true... The Source of the Corruption truly is your ally..." Isabella said.

The more I looked at her, the more worried I became.

It was Isabella to be sure...

But...

She looked slightly older. At least twenty-two. She had an aura of radiant holiness around her.

And although I wasn't looking at her chest...something caught my eye...

Below her left arm was the heart device for the Heart of the Sky.

I felt a rising panic in my chest as I stepped back.

I could actually feel her hatred from adoring resonance. She despised me as I were some kind of Demon Lord.

"Mizik, I've got your back," Ulysses said as he stepped forward.

"Dad...no... By Iris...you'll die if you do that..."

"What's going on?" He asked.

"That...is much worse than I anticipated... This is worse than any worst-case scenario I could have ever imagined! She's-"

"The Heart of the Sky!? Is the old Isabella here!?" Cassandra said.

"Do me a favor and stop using that old name of mine. Isabella is dead. She was transformed into someone else. I am no longer Isabella...I am Rose the Invincible! The hero destined to slay the evil that is Mizik Iratus!!!" She said angrily.

Suddenly Difar stepped closer to her and narrowed his eyes.

"From the data Valtheim returned to me, I can see that she's exactly like she was before the reset... How the hell does she still not have her memories?" Difar said.

"I truly have no idea what you mean. Grandma Oracle gave me this power. In exchange, I have forfeited my right to take the throne of Albatross and have forsaken everything. Now I will save my sister and slay Mizik!" Rose said.

"Grandma Oracle? Ah...so she knows of our little group, now. That's going to make things complicated..." Difar said.

As Rose glared at me, I still wanted to try and talk to her...

I couldn't figure out why, but some small part of me refused to completely let go even after the incident at the border.

And by the gods...I REALLY needed to divert her wrath...

The state we were in before the reset could destroy worlds! Isabella was now an existential threat to every world!

"Rose! No, Isabella! You have the same form as you did before everything was reset! The crystal in your chest is called the Heart of the Sky! Remember mount Gahu? That awful place that worshiped you like a goddess?" I said desperately.

She tilted her head.

"Your fantasies are certainly diverse, Mizik. Oh well...they won't be a problem for much longer," Rose said.

She put her helmet back on and unsheathed Bravery.

Her sword had a very faint dark green aura surrounding it.

[This is...beyond insulting. The Oracle has warped Bravery!]

Maybe so, but that isn't an enemy I can fight right now!

[You must flee or allow your temporary allies to take care of it.]

"Difar...I really need your help here..." I said reluctantly.

"I already planned on it. But something about her is off... Valtheim, devour her for me. Bring Mizik the sword," he said.

I almost protested. I didn't want to watch her die to Valtheim...

But I didn't have a choice.

Valtheim appeared and shot towards Rose.

A barrier went up and Valtheim's form dispersed.

She reformed by Difar.

"Cannot...barrier... Like Excelsis..." She said.

"Creation magic...?" Difar said.

Creation magic is useful against Valtheim? I'll remember that. But for now...

"Isabella! Listen to me! We are not your enemies!!!" I shouted.

"I AM ROSE!!! Stop calling me Isabella! I've already eliminated the traitors in both Lorelei and Albatross and you are all that is left!"

"Traitors...? Who!?" I said.

"The people in that disgusting inn as well as the restaurant in Albatross. Your family members. I killed them all because they were guilty by association."

I felt something in me akin to being stabbed in the chest. Then I gritted my teeth.

Again... They had perished again... But this time, it wasn't Difar's fault.

"You...MONSTER!!! WHAT DID THEY DO TO YOU!? HUH!?" Ulysses screamed in rage.

"Nothing. I had no personal quarrel with them. Only a desire to destroy Mizik. That is all," Rose said.

"You killed Mizik's family...? Why... Why do I have to be related to you!?" Cassandra said as she started tearing up.

"Those people were innocent! They were the kindest people I had ever met!" Ulysses said.

"I wanted to meet them!!! Why did they have to die!? They were Mizik's family!!! You MURDERER!!!" Cassandra wailed.

"I am no murderer! Do not compare me to that filthy demon, Mizik!" Rose said.

Then Ulysses unsheathed his sword.

"SUPREME WRATH OF IRATUS!!!!" He roared.

He was enveloped in a glowing emerald aura.

Then he shot straight for Rose.

"DAD!!! WAIT!!" I shouted.

But it was too late...

He was covered in light and fell to the ground as a skeleton instantly.

"ULYSSES!!!!" Amelia shouted.

She charged as well and met the same fate.

"That was easy. Are you ready to die yet, Mizik?" Rose said.

"Dad...Amelia... Damn you, Rose..." I said.

Instead of crying, I felt something fall further from me. Like my humanity was slipping away...

"Fine then... I can see that Isabella is truly gone forever. You're dead to me. From now on, you're an enemy. Cassandra is my wife now. I never want to see you again!!!" I said.

"That makes two of us. Now then-"

"FORGETTING SOMEONE!?"

Suddenly, Difar flashed forward and slammed his sword into her shield.

The ground violently exploded as a pillar of Corrupted energy erupted from it.

When it dispersed, Rose stood unbroken with her shield raised.

"You are much stronger than I anticipated... I'll have to be careful dealing with you," Rose said.

"Careful? With ME? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT I AM!?!?" Difar said.

"The Source...yes?" Rose said.

"I AM THE KING OF THE ABYSS!!!! THE GOD OF CORRUPTION!!! KNEEL OR BE OBLITERATED, YOU LOWLY WENCH!!!"