Chapter 139: Clash of ideals

A simple application of enhancement magic allowed them to see for miles on end and then some. It was how they got a clear view of the battle against titans in the vast vacuum of space. Though the word 'battle' did not do what they were witnessing justice. It was more like a cataclysm.

("I-is that really a mortal?") Ezerald could not help but question with her mouth agape. She was still perched upon the cliff in the utterly ruined landscape of cracked distant mountains and ruined, crater-filled ground. Beatrice, too, wore a similar expression of awe and disbelief. She probably felt like an idiot for insulting a monster like that, but Ezerald saw an opportunity to speak. "Do you see now, Beatrice?" She started as she gazed at the sky, an intense red light illuminating the sky as a thunderous quake encompassed the planet once more. "Mikoto Yukio, him and the other Inheritors," Beatrice grimaced as she heard the name of Arne's killer, but Ezerald continued unabated. "We can never hope to combat them as we are now. If Rhiannon has a method of strengthening us, then we must take it."

Beatrice frowned, "I know that, damn it." Whether it was pride or something else, she didn't want to submit to someone who would house and trap Arne's soul. The man who had accepted her first, the man who had taken her in, the man who raised and taught her all she knew, a man who meant the world to her. A man who would want the world restored to what it was. "But this...Arne..." She pursed her lips.

"Your emotions are understandable, Beatrice. You need not walk this path. I can fight for the both of us," Ezerald offered with a smile, earning a wide-eyed stare from her fellow Fate Walker.

"You would, wouldn't you," Beatrice sighed as she gazed at the sky, another quake reverberating through the world as the intense red light followed once more. What did it take to be as powerful as that? What would it take to kill Mikoto Yukio? To make him suffer for what he took from her? ("I want strength. I want to honor Arne once more, and I will do that by killing Mikoto Yukio,") She clenched her fist and grit her teeth, ("Not before making him suffer.") She solidified her intent, and just then streaks of white and gold descended rapidly from the space above.

They were naught but blurs as they continuously clashed while descending, pure kinetic energy boomed out like rapid sonic booms, and the barren wasteland shook once more. The figures landed on the ground simultaneously, further widening the fissures and craters as a shockwave kicked up a cloud of dust while the two skidded away from each other.

Dante flexed his arm, and a wave encompassed the dust cloud, sweeping it away and revealing both fighters. Safe for their armor, which seemed the least bit damaged, there were no clear signs of injury on either of them. Neither took apparent or heavy breaths as they stood opposite each other, the wind howling as if anticipating the continuation of their bout, Dante's cape flowing slightly as Rhiannon's locks mimicked it. But something was extremely damaged—Radiant Dior was shattered. The top half of the blade was missing, leaving a jagged golden end. Rhiannon tossed the magic artifact aside as if it were merely trash.

"Hmph," Dante grunted out, flexing his right arm. "The foreign power you wield does justice to the tales I've heard, I admit. Yet with my conviction, I will emerge victorious. As such, I will shatter your ideals as I shatter your bones."

"Such pride will even make me blush," she smiled casually, not at all minding that her weapon was ruined. "Yet still, I've not shown my hand. And my ideals will not be so easily broken. They have held strong for eons. Naught can shake me. I've conquered a realm, slew Divine Beasts, and matched the Goddess of war and magic. You will be but another added victory. But still, I've seen the God of strength before. He was not as powerful as you. For a mortal of all beings to attain this absurd level of strength...tell me...."

"Who am I?" Dante finished, and Rhiannon merely remained silent as he continued, "Who I am does not matter. I am merely someone who would have the realm continue as it is now."

"Even if petty squabbles plague it constantly?" Rhiannon questioned with a raised brow. "In the past, how many wars were waged over the most insignificant of things? Trying to enslave others, seeking to expand territory, or merely viewing war as sport. Is that crown prince not a good example? He has conquered many smaller nations all for the sake of mere sport," Rhiannon chuckled slightly, seemingly finding that amusing. "As interesting as he is, he is but one of many parasites that stain the world. Eventually, the realm as well. His will shall overtake others, and more like him will rise. Even if this world and era can be beautiful, that beauty is broken down by all that is wrong with it." She reasoned, lost in her set of thinking. "Even this very barren space proves my very point. I care not for nature or some nonsense like that. Though the denizens of this era are interesting, even if they are a worthless bunch."

"Selwyn Von Auerswald is something I aim to eradicate in due time," Dante affirmed, not minding that Rhiannon could spring to action at any moment, he took a glance at the clear skies, any clouds having been expunged by their battle. "This world is an ugly place. Malice, greed, and hopelessness plague it at every waking moment. Even if you do not see the suffering in front of you, it does not mean that it is not present. Countless wars have been waged, nations wiped off the map, innocents upon innocents killed day by day. The world truly is a hopeless place, I admit that much." He stated, and Rhiannon frowned slightly as she folded her arms, awaiting his continuation. Dante's ideals were as set in stone as hers were. A few words told her as much. "But you said it yourself, there can be beauty found within this era. A small and insignificant ray of light, hope, but it is there all the same. That alone makes this realm worth preserving, so that that light may grow and engulf others."

"Hahahahahahahaha!" Rhiannon's response was a bellowing laugh that echoed through the destroyed wasteland. She clutched her stomach as her laugh continued. "How-haha-utterly naïve." She took a breath as she leveled a mocking grin his way. "Hope, you say? Ha! How foolish. The people of this era would not know what to do with it. They're depraved in their greed and animosity, even if some change, that does not mean others will follow. And hope is a fickle thing that will be snuffed out in the coming days."

"I see," Dante muttered, "I admit my goals are naïve and far-fetched, but if mere words could shake my conviction, then I would have given up long ago." He declared, his tone steady and unaffected by the Ancestor's mockery. "As such, I shall continue on with my ideals. If those in the past insist on being a constant companion of nuisance, then they shall be snuffed out. Should it be the Fate Walkers that claw at the heavens seeking to regain that which has long since ceased, or be it the Gods and Dragons that plague the skies, earth, and seas. All shall be destroyed without exceptions."

"There, now that attitude makes you more charming," Rhiannon grinned. Telluris was a worthy opponent, but the mightiest Divine Beast lacked the ferocity and motivation for battle, too caught up with this era she would dread to put it all in danger and her sense of balance she would not abandon. But Dante was different, holding ideals that clashed with hers. Willing to do what no one else could or even would, saying he would strike down the very Gods if need be was nothing short of absurd. But that was what made him all the more enticing, a mortal that would challenge those who would put themselves above. ("Dante and Mikoto,") Such interesting individuals she encountered in this era. ("I wonder....could they...")

Footsteps interrupted her train of thought, a myriad of heavy footsteps followed by metallic clinking. Rhiannon and Dante glanced to the side, they were a collision of black that swiftly made their way through the barren backdrop of the wasteland. Vel'ryr soldiers, at least a hundred of them, all in their standard sleek black armor illuminated by red lines, while helmets adorned their faces, all having ominous red visors. They were all outfitted with standard plasma rifles as they marched towards the two monsters.

In a synchronized display, they stopped just a few meters short in front of them. Rhiannon gave an annoyed frown at the uninvited guests as Dante gave them a hidden glare. One of the Vel'ryr soldiers stepped forward, rifle ready and poised to fire at any waking moment.

"D-Dante of Verdantis!" The soldier announced loudly, his shaken and muffled voice echoing slightly in the vast expanse. "Your presence has been requested by the great third princess Anuran Von Auerswald! F-failure to comply a-and we shall-"

"You shall what?" Dante questioned, fully turning to the few. The Vel'ryr soldier tensed as hundreds of muzzles were aimed at him. Were it not for his helmet obscuring his face, all would be regarded by the dullest of stares one could muster.

"The-ahem-the mistress wishes to speak of a peace treaty!" The soldier quickly squeaked out, "A-as such the mistress wishes to speak terms in person!"

"I see," Dante muttered. He glanced at Rhiannon momentarily. She was a problem, to be sure, but she no doubt had lost some measure of interest in Verdantis, for the time being at least. The same could not be said for Vel'ryr. Countless outposts still plagued Verdantis. He had annihilated the largest outpost, but countless smaller ones remained. They were conducting a series of kidnappings and illegal experimentations, all to harness mana which they used to fuel their vast technology. Vel'ryr was a constant thorn.

"Seems you're a wanted man," Rhiannon mused. She regarded him with an amused look. "Hm, their interference has all but dulled this conflict. I should kill the lot of them, but even that seems like such a chore. What say you, Inheritor, shall we postpone this bout?"

Dante pondered momentarily. The Ancestor was by far the biggest threat currently. Her ideals were too twisted to see reason; she was much too dangerous. But with outside influence, disposing of her would be bothersome. Their battle no doubt attracted the attention of more than just Anuran Von Auerswald.

"It doesn't matter, be it today or another," Dante turned away from the Ancestor as his cape fluttered around his form. "Your plague will end one way or another."

"We shall see about that," she merely smirked despite the threat. "But tell me, one with ideals opposite of mine, what is your name?"

"For you, the name of Dante will suffice," he stated as he addressed the Vel'ryr soldier. "Take me to your princess." He all but ordered, "But know should this be naught but deception, then I will kill the royal figures." He bluntly stated, only the strongest could make such a blatant threat and mean it. Though it was a threat not of pride but of certainty, such was his strength.

Strong enough to rival the Gods and fierce enough to match the very dragons.