Chapter 24 : Emissary of Humanity

While we were running at full speed out of the castle, the landscape quickly transformed. We descended the artificial hill overlooking the capital of Iveralmn, creating shockwaves with every step. Despite our speed, we did our best not to cause damage to the ground or buildings.

In the throne room, the situation was far from calm.

Alfira, still standing next to her father's unconscious body, watched the scene unfold.

"Ah... my future husband has escaped."

A sigh escaped her lips as she adjusted her gaze to where we were just moments before.

"You really wanted me to succeed, didn't you, dad? But you know my temperament..."

A strange smile suddenly lit up her face, her eyes glowing with a golden light. A golden cross, a unique symbol of her power, appeared in her pupils. Alfira possessed the ability to copy the strength of those she intensely observed, a power called The Gift of Kings. And she had been watching Aley with particular focus.

Suddenly, a shockwave rippled through the castle. The noise echoed through the walls as Alfira disappeared, using an almost impossible speed, a frenzied version of what she had copied from Aley. But unlike him, she couldn't control her power. The castle trembled, windows shattered, and the corridors were ravaged by her passage.

Meanwhile, in the streets of the capital, Elvaria and I were trying to catch our breath.

"It looks like we've lost her..." I said, out of breath.

Elvaria, her cheeks slightly flushed, approached me and hugged me. Her embrace expressed all the love and fear she had of losing me.

"Don't leave... don't give in, even if she's a princess..." she murmured, her face buried against my chest.

I smiled tenderly.

"Elvie, I love you... you're so cute."

Those words made her smile in return, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

But our moment was interrupted by another shockwave, followed by heavy breathing.

"Ahh... ahh..."

The familiar voice of Alfira was heard. How had she managed to find us so quickly? And that strength, that speed... what was going on?

"Finally... found you... Aley... I also want to be loved..." she said, panting and trembling.

"Using my magic has weakened my life force... I could have died to find you."

I frowned, perplexed.

"Why are you so insistent? You don't even seem to respect what your father says."

Alfira clenched her fists, her gaze filled with determination and exhaustion.

"The world is going to perish, Aley!" she cried, her voice resonating in the air.

"What do you mean?" I responded, surprised by her words.

"The royal family of Voltruite recently informed us. The emissary of humanity from ancient times, from the Holy War, has been reincarnated. A new Holy War is imminent. A powerful group has formed, seeking to awaken a god to annihilate this god-slayer!"

She explained, breathless but serious.

My heart beat faster. If my memories and dreams were true, then I was the man they were talking about. A holy war was coming... and I was probably the target.

Elvaria sheathed her sword, visibly calmer.

"And why this sudden obsession with wanting to marry Aley?" she asked, her voice filled with suspicion.

Alfira blushed slightly.

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"Y-you two looked so good together... I also want to receive his love. In the royal family, they always talk about power, the throne... but I've read books about love... about what a man and a woman can share..."

She let out a troubling laugh, revealing a face that seemed almost deranged.

I sighed inwardly. This girl... was clearly not normal.

"When is the tournament?" Elvaria asked, clinging to my arm as if she wanted to protect me from any interaction with Alfira.

"In a week," the princess replied, her tone serious again.

I quickly thought about our plans.

"If I want to conquer the Prism of God, we'll need to head directly to Verdesable after the tournament. Maybe we'll stop by Voltruite to equip ourselves properly. What do you think, Elvaria?"

She nodded, proud and confident.

"Yes, no problem."

I then turned to Alfira.

"We'll agree to participate in the tournament if it can help uncover the cult members. However, our main goal remains the Prism of God. We don't have much time."

Alfira nodded, a strange smile on her face.

"I understand. I'll prepare my things by then."

"Wait, what do you mean, prepare your things?" I asked, surprised.

"I copied your strength. As long as you're in my line of sight, I'll become as strong as you. My father denied me access to the throne, so I've decided to travel with you," she declared, flashing a huge smile.

"Sorry, Novus Obris is full," Elvaria replied coldly, gripping my arm even tighter.

Just then, a familiar voice echoed in my head.

Aleystria, I asked you to return to Iveralmn to defeat the god they are going to resurrect, and then I-.

But the voice suddenly cut off, a sharp pain shooting through my body. Unable to resist, I collapsed, unconscious once again.

A girl locked in a cage, with poisoned tears, is she wrong to hate the heavens? No, she would never accept the idea of her being incorrect. This world where everyone dances joyfully is just an illusion to her eyes. She, who has always lived behind a mask of humanity, is finally ready to break free. And when she does, the entire world will understand its mistake, the mistake of giving birth to such a creature.

To others, she is Princess Mercuria of Voltruite. But to those she has buried with her own hands, she is Death incarnate. Signed up for a tournament without her knowledge, she eventually agreed to participate, but with a single, sole goal: to finally find death. Usually, she preferred solitude, lying atop the hill where her late mother rested, silently gazing at the landscape below.

And then, there is that man... The one who hides in the depths of the forgotten continent, a place that was entirely buried after the ravages of the Holy War. Every day, he desperately searches for his former companions, who disappeared during the exploration of that cursed place. He is called Owul, the revenant, a grim title he earned by returning alone, without his comrades.

Next, there is the Hero. The one who wears a face of kindness, who claims to have dedicated his entire life to protecting the innocent. Valentin, clad in his gleaming armor, continues to climb the ranks of power, driven by a single desire: to find his family. Yet, he knows well that this quest is futile. His family has been dead for a long time. His summoning into this world occurred at a particular moment, just as he was at death's door, following a car accident in his original world. He knows he has no one to return to, neither here nor anywhere else.

Then, there is her, a woman with an insatiable ambition, never satisfied, never grateful. She is called "Red," because of her fiery red hair and her devastating mastery of fire. She is a sorceress, renowned for her enchanting beauty, but those who are close to her ignore the madness that lies within. She is also nicknamed Phloriphis, the sorceress of light, in reference to the dazzling brilliance of her magic. In the past, she saved an entire kingdom from destruction, and since then, she has been worshipped as a goddess.

And then... there are them. Aley and Elvaria. Two adventurers who unknowingly move according to a mysterious will, far more powerful than they are. Their strength, so incredible, is already known by all. Yet, they still haven't realized that it doesn't solely come from their efforts. Their true power is far more sinister. They share an unmentionable secret, a secret that justifies their attraction to one another, and which fuels their desire to overthrow the gods.

All these individuals are S-rank adventurers, a title that places them far beyond human limits. Those who reach this level are considered beings who surpass humanity. And yet, despite their incomparable power, they are all preparing to face each other in this decisive tournament. Each participant carries within them a story, a will, a different past. This tournament will test them all.

But if everything went smoothly, it wouldn't be as thrilling, would it? Because reality itself is about to shatter into a thousand pieces. This tournament will only be the beginning. It will be from there that their entire world will collapse, revealing a higher and terrifying truth.

The adventure is just beginning. An adventure where Novus Obris will come to life and where legendary places await them, filled with wonders but also dangers. Fierce battles will put their solidarity to the test. Only their survival will determine if they can move forward.

And so, the hour of the tournament approaches. May fate be favorable to Aley and Elvaria. May their will be stronger than that of the other combatants. And above all, I pray that Aleystria stops ruining this world...

"Who are you talking to, mistress?"

A voice suddenly rose, interrupting my thoughts.

"I was thinking out loud," I replied, letting out a slight smile.

"The future of this person I sent into this world is simply fascinating. Every moment is thrilling."

A few months ago, I reincarnated a being into this world, a man who merged two universes to enter it. It took me time to understand who he truly was. This man... was Aleystria. What a mistake on my part, to have allowed his reincarnation. Now, all I can do is hope. That the world doesn't break because of him. And that he can save us once again from the Holy War.

You, emissary of humanity... Aleystria.