This is…

I stared at myself in the mirror with wide eyes. I was wearing a long flowing black dress with golden leaf-shaped accents to the side. No cleavage was shown as it went all the way to my neck before going to an open back. I had a necklace and earrings, both golden, that contrasted with my eyes. And my hair was slowly being combed behind me by none other than Elasia.

I couldn’t help but look at my figure as a whole. I looked so… fancy. It was such a strange sight, but one that made me feel slightly giddy and nervous deep down. My hair was being slowly tied into a bun, one held by golden accessories that resembled chains.

And soon enough, Elasia finished as she stood behind me.

“What do you think?”

I simply looked at my whole body. I felt like royalty. “This is…”

And she placed her hands on my shoulders. “Look at you, you’re so beautiful.” Elasia got closer as she looked at me from behind. “You have the same eyes as me, the same stature, you have Lumina’s complexion and her affinity.”

Suddenly, I felt a bit awkward as Elasia pressed herself against me.

“You really are our daughter, even if not bound by blood.” She met my gaze in the mirror with a small smile. “To think it all started from an off-handed comment, but after Lumina was revived and things happened, we ended up having multiple discussions. Discussions about having a family, and ultimately, we chose you⁠—” she shook her head. “No, you chose us in spite of how fast things went.”

I paused as my heart rushed. “It’s really not a big deal, I was just…”

“We were all not in the right headspace, I understand. Perhaps we sought happiness too quickly and expedited the process. All this time, unlike Lumina, I felt unsure.” She looked down. “I felt unsure about whether I considered you my actual daughter or something else.”

“That is…” A bad feeling came within me, but before I could say anything Elasia continued.

“But after watching you fight the Emperor I am sure of it. After all, I was more than ready to kill that man even if the System made me pay a heavy price.” She closed her eyes. “Seeing you get hurt was painful. I felt more emotions during those moments than any other time. And that is when I realized that…”

And her eyes met mine as she sincerely smiled.

“You are my and Lumina’s child. Our pride and joy.” And she hugged me as my feelings went haywire. “We love you Blair.”

I bit my lip as I struggled not to cry. Was it even right to say it back? It had only been months since I even met them, but at that moment, I couldn’t help myself as I squeaked.

“I love you both too, thank you for supporting me.”

And then, I ugly-cried.

◇ ◇ ◇

I didn’t know how long it took, but Elasia helped me wipe my tears. Her face seemed slightly red too as she smiled at me.

“We can’t take too long. You are the main event after all.”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

I cleaned my face once more, and Elasia helped me fix up my hair before we set out. She flicked her fingers and we instantly found ourselves underground, inside of the mountain. It was dark. We were in a tunnel, and in spite of my senses I couldn’t feel anything.

“Are you ready?” Elasia turned to me.

Taking a breath, I nodded. “Yeah.”

And at that moment, I saw light. My surroundings unfolded like a flower as I saw red petals, and then, I saw it. A grand hall of wood with hanging chandeliers. Dark plants decorated the venue with beautiful and exotic flowers, and I was standing on a gigantic crimson flower. I heard noises in our surroundings as petals of different plants slowly and constantly rained.

I could see tables, people, hundreds of them, and all of them took notice of me pretty much instantly as they began to chatter amongst themselves. And before us, stood Lumina, with carefully combed white hair, a matching white dress and ruby eyes, all while walking towards me with a kind smile.

“Congratulations, Blair. You’ve achieved everything.” She extended her hands with a sparkling box. “I have a gift for you.”

“A gift…?” I received the box with some confusion as I slowly opened the lid only to pause.

The System spoke in my mind.

[Mutated Osthus Erinea. Lvl. 200]

I could see tentacles wriggling inside but they were mostly unresponsive. I blinked.

“This is.”

“It’s the same Osthus Erinea that saved your life. I resurrected it.” Lumina scratched her cheek. “Though it's very weakened and it also requires you to heal it by giving it your mana. It’s going to take a very long time before it's back to full health. But you seemed to care a lot about it.” She seemed a bit awkward.

I shook my head. “Thank you, this means a lot.”

Then I turned back to look at the box.

“Thank you.”

And I placed the lid over it. The plant was inert, it was probably best to let it rest. I held the box within my arms as I turned to look all around the hall. I could see the skeletal ceilings, tall arches made of wood and combed plants.

The tables had plenty of food, and people seemed to be enjoying themselves. The hall expanded forward, clearly leading towards a podium, but before we could do anything, a person approached us.

A familiar old human. It was none other than the Light Maker.

“I saw your battle. Congratulations Blair.”

“Ah, thank you.”

He nodded at me and walked off. Lumina nudged me from the side. “You have lots of fans now. Everyone saw the fight against the Emperor.”

I blinked. “They… did?”

“Yeah, I sort of decided to show everyone in the city…” Elasia scratched her cheek.

“Oh.” I nodded slowly, taking in the atmosphere once more. “That makes more sense.”

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“Anyway, are you ready to claim the planet?” Lumina asked with mild concern. “I can understand that such an event is a bit… weird.”

I shook my head. “Why wouldn’t I be ready? Both of my parents are here.” I turned to the end of the hall. “Leon, Sun, Glim; all of my family is here.”

Lumina smiled. “Then let’s get this started.”

She took the box from my hands and clicked her fingers, instantly vanishing along with Elasia, appearing a moment later at the end of the hall along with Leon and the others. Sun was there too with a small bowtie going around his neck.

Then, the light changed as the edges of the hall darkened, giving me a straight line of light towards the end of the hall where there was a podium of plants.

I took a breath and began to walk forward under the curious gazes of everyone.

* * * * *

Shao Yun stared from the sidelines, along with Mildred. He had wanted to congratulate her, but no one dared to. It was arguably the most important event that would ever occur in their lifetimes, and the Monarchs had ensured it would go without a hitch.

And so, all he could do was stare at the dark elf that was walking forward under the light. She had tied back hair sparkling with golden chains, beautiful earrings and a necklace. A dress that was the most elegant he had ever seen.

She was a queen. The Queen of the Elves and now of the Rue Vulpes. And now, for the first time, Shao Yun finally saw her for what she was. Royalty.

He could hardly draw a parallel from her appearance to how she looked during the fight against the Emperor, but that hardly mattered.

Right now, he was here for one thing and one thing only.

Witnessing the birth of the ruler of the New World.

* * * * *

Lloyd smiled.

It had been such a busy day. His heart had been rushing after killing so many Heralds with the help of others, but turns out he had missed the main event.

He stared ahead at the dark elf. Blair. She looked elegant, but he knew what she was⁠— he had seen a replay of her battle against the Emperor.

She was a true warrior.

And now, she was walking towards her righteous position as the ruler of the New World.

In the past, he had dreamt of surpassing her, but now he had another goal, and that was to serve under her. It had all started when the Illusionist had called her the strongest person in the world, and that claim had taken its course and been revealed as truth.

And Lloyd felt glad to watch it all.

She was going to rule everyone here to new heights.

* * * * *

Zac felt nervous. It was a prestigious gala he had been asked to attend.

Everyone present were important figures that greatly contributed to the development of the city, and they had all been invited just to watch the Queen’s ascension to sole ruler of the world. Something that Zac still had trouble wrapping his head around.

It felt like yesterday when he had met her. But now, the two images of the Queen in his mind were vastly different. One was akin to a barbarian, and the current one was a dignified existence, beautiful and captivating.

In the end, he looked at the ground as the Queen continued walking.

Just being in this place was enough of an honor for him.

* * * * *

The Light Maker smiled from his seat, next to Victor.

He didn’t want to admit it, but the Realm Breaker he had met had grown so much. She had surpassed everything he thought of as possible within the System, and the final battle proved everything. And he was glad to have watched it all.

His help to her had been limited, but he would always be around for anything she would need.

In the end, the Light Maker felt glad⁠— Ron felt glad and happy for the dark elf. She had gone from not having much to everything, and he looked forward to seeing where she advanced.

She was a Queen, a genius in her own right, and the winner of the integration.

Ron was sure of it.

She would achieve much more.

* * * * *

Leon watched from the podium; he watched his sister arrive.

She was a queen, a young one full of future prospects, and not only that but she was stunningly beautiful. A true gem. He knew that he had to do anything for her in the future. He would give her life for her success if necessary, but right now was not the future.

It was a celebration.

A celebration to signal a new beginning.

* * * * *

Glim watched, standing on top of Sun’s head.

It couldn’t believe that she had defeated the Emperor, but even though it hadn’t been able to help during that battle. Glim felt glad. There was a chance that that was their last adventure together, but it didn’t mind.

Because even if it was with or without its help, Glim was sure that Blair would grow much more thanks to the assistance of the other people that loved her.

And that was enough for Glim, to know that with or without it, Blair was going to continue growing to be extraordinary.

* * * * *

Dante watched with a smile as she closed into the podium.

He couldn’t believe how things had progressed. Both of them had started from square one, but by the end of things. He was a servant to her, and she was the Queen of the planet. It was something that would have made him seethe with rage in the past, but now…

He smiled deeper.

It made him feel happy.

* * * * *

Sun wagged his tail.

Blair had come so far. From a lost child to now the ruler of the planet. And he had witnessed everything. There were things he wanted to say to her, but looking at her, he knew they could wait.

All he wanted was for her to be happy.

Even then, he was proud of how long she had come, even if he had been only a small part of her puzzle. Sun felt glad to have been an integral part to who she is now. And hopefully, this would be the start of many more adventures.

Finally, under the gaze of everyone, Blair arrived.

* * * * *

I reached the podium as I stood with a small smile before all my family. Their eyes held nothing but happiness for me as I turned back to the grand hall. Seeing its full scale, it was easily half the length as the temple I fought the Emperor in, and there were so many people present.

I spotted the Nue King, I spotted Moonfangs and even Bloodfangs, I spotted familiar humans and other people I had seen around, including the elven princess, and they were all here to see one thing and one thing only.

Lumina came close to me and whispered to my ear. “It is time for your talk.”

I took a deep breath, but at that moment, I sensed Elasia step from behind.

“I almost forgot. Here.” And she offered me the Ornamental Sword I brought with me.

I smiled and took a hold of it as both of my parents stood right behind me. I held the hefty sword for a moment before raising it for everyone to see.

“The Emperor has fallen.”

I took a small breath.

“The New World has come to an end, and this sword is proof of it.”

I brandished it and dug it into the ground.

“Now it is time for a new era to begin.” I looked at the Nue Vulpes “One of prosperity.” I turned to the Moonfangs and Bloodfangs. “One of peace.” Then I looked towards the humans and elves. “One of companionship.”

I closed my eyes and brought a familiar prompt towards the forefront of my mind.

[Would you like to receive your reward?]

I accepted it with a small nod, as a light flashed, and at that moment, I saw it. There was a floating staff, one of gold with intricate designs.

[Staff of the New World (Mythical Item) ⁠— Grabbing this staff grants you ownership of all the land in the New World as well as its inhabitants.]

“And it all starts now.”

With a smile, I grabbed the floating staff and raised it to the air for everyone to see.

At that moment a notification resounded.

[The New World has come to an end. A Matriarch from the world of Foresia has taken ownership of it. Blair, the Elf of Death, the Immediate Death. Lvl. 166 has acquired the rights of rulership for the New World.]

And the hall exploded into cheers as I smiled. The golden staff vanished into thin air shortly after, but before I could react I was embraced by both of my parents. Lumina whispered into my ear

“We are proud of you Blair.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

Then, she parted and walked past me.

“What are we waiting for?” Lumina grinned with a wide smile. “It’s time to celebrate!”

And the crowd cheered harder as drinks were poured, all while Lumina and Elasia waited for me.

I took in all the atmosphere, and I simply knew:

I will remember this day for the rest of my life.

With a smile, I joined Lumina and Elasia in the celebration.