? POV
Hummm...
The deep sound of resonance boomed from within the Jimuna Volcano, and the Love Sword continued its humming. Annoyed at its happiness, a figure slammed down ints giant claw on it.
"Stop it. Master's prophecy did not come true yet. What are you so happy about, anyway?"
Humm...hummm...
"What do you mean, the chosen one's here? You do not get to choose a master, that master chooses you! At least, that's what Master said. She also specified that I follow her orders, so you better too!"
Humm...! Humm Humm Hummm...
"Don't you dare get angry at me!" The wyvern flapped his wings in annoyance, trying to use the wind current to blow the sword away, but the Love Sword firmly stayed still, embedded into stone.
"Fine, have it your way. But it's up to me to determine his potential."
"After all, the Love Sword is a power that cannot fall into the wrong hands."
Going around the plains of Kararagi is something that is a true sight to behold.
Carriages were a common sight. Now that the blueprints to the steam engine were also released, some automobiles are also seen.
But a mabeast horde is always unique.
"Yes, it's always awesome to ride on mabeasts! Especially Guiltylowes, because their fur is really soft!" Typhon's exclaimed loudly as we traversed the plains.
My steam carriage and capsule are placed into the Dimensional Storage, and right now there's nothing else to do except for enjoying the scenery while we make our way towards the Magma Fortress of Zesperga.
The situation earlier with the Scratch of Silver seems to be resolved, as Capella gave me more than just a few reassuring sentences. I'm assuming she dispatched some assassins to handle the situation, but she never explicitly said so.
Well, the Assassination Organization is a good resource to have, considering that they help us finish a bunch of jobs we can't directly complete.
The worries that I've had recently flew over my head instantly as I enjoyed the calm atmosphere, trying to take in the scenery into my mind. After a while, my spirits came out to sit down beside me, along with Zarestia, who took the seat opposite of me on the Guiltylowe.
"You ready to talk?" I asked Zarestia, who seemed to be interested in something since she reached out to me last time.
"Yes. I want to know more about you."
"As a person? Or my history?"
"Of course your history, doofus. We're not that close, and I never will be that close with anyone."
That can be proven wrong. I thought, but refrained from saying. "My history, huh? Is it because of my relation to Frakinedottir?"
"Yes, precisely. Frakinedottir was once... defeated, quite utterly, by another being. I have no knowledge on who it was, because she died not long after the battle. Considering that both of you have connections to the Deceit Witch Factor, I'm afraid that individual would come after you as well."
"An individual...?" I asked, confused. Also, Frakinedottir was gravely wounded by someone? HUH?
Chid-chan, is this true?
Regarding Frakine-chan's death? I suppose so.
Why did you never tell me about it then?
Well, to be fair, you never asked. And I figured Zarestia would say this sooner or later after we reached an agreement, so there was no point.
My contractor replied in her usual emotionless yet sassy tone, refusing to spoil any more information on what Zarestia is going to tell me.
"Yes." Zarestia nodded solemnly. "They apparently incurred the wrath of that particular individual. The other party, according to some spirits present at the battlefield, had two golden cross-shaped earrings and gray hair. She also utilized a special flame similar to Alchemis-kun's flames, which she called Kolasifyre. Yet, the most intriguing thing she said was that Frakinedottir was... not supposed to be here, and she would've 'messed things up'."
I took in the large amount of info that Zarestia just dumped upon me, and pondered intensively, going over the details she mentioned. Whoever defeated the Witch of Deceit must be an extraordinarily strong person, and one who has probably achieved immortality as well. She said Frakinedottir was going to 'mess things up'. Does this perhaps have something to do with the timeline itself?
"Oh, one last thing to add." Zarestia cut in, and added the most shocking detail of all.
"That individual... she didn't have a Gate. Nor any connection to Od Laguna. I could not sense a single bit of mana from her, yet she uses that deadly flame..."
"Could it be that she was just an Outerworlder like me, too?" I muttered. "Wait, no. Even Outerworlders like myself and Subaru both possess gates and cannot stay here without one, so how could she..."
No. Is it perhaps...?
Following the usual trend of mysteries in isekais, I arrived at an interesting yet unsure conclusion to the identity of this mysterious individual.
"If it didn't have mana... could it be something akin to a god of sorts?"
This Re: Zero timeline... I see. The fact that Frakinedottir was able to even exist here, never mind myself, is through someone else's modifying, isn't it? Or else, I would've never even been able to come here in the first place.
The amount of conspiracy theories that could be generated off what I just said is so terrifying.
Maybe, it's best not to think about it too much.
"Zarestia, don't worry, if that individual happens to come to me, then I will be prepared to face them."
"Where does that confidence of yours come from..." Zarestia gave me a sigh, but nodded to affirm my statement. "Just know this. When it comes to the time that that individual strikes again, I will be there to protect you. I will not let Frakinedottir's successor die."
"I would rather that you live, not you dying. After all, just like that existence said about Frakinedottir: I'm not supposed to be here."
"Well, you are here. I just hope that for this time, I could protect someone."
"Don't worry, Tia. We'll go through this together."
"I suppose that's what's agreed upon in our contract. Let's move towards your goal together, then."
"That's what I like to hear."
? POV
"That spirit is right, where did that anomaly get his confidence from?"
"You humans are nothing compared to me. Even the great anomaly herself was utterly crushed. Those things called Witch Factors are nothing in my presence."
"I exist to bring order to the world. I don't care if Code and Chaos are constantly trying to mess it up, it's my duty."
"And if I can't go against my fellow deities... then I'll just eliminate you."
"For I am *************, the Goddess of Fire and Order."
The Kolasifyre bloomed around her as her golden cross earring fluttered, before she went off to make her preparations for a long time.
Y/N POV
After a few more hours, we finally arrived at the Magma Fortress of Zesperga. It loomed over us like a towering beast, and only the lack of killing intent made it feel like an actual fortress.
This city is the closest one possible to the Jimuna Volcano, where my Sword of Powers' resonance pointed to. In order to set up a temporary camp, we needed somewhere with a lot of people to settle. After all, it seems that the word of the Swords of Power has been spread.
Yes, I know. Normally people wouldn't have known this, and I suppose it's my fault, too. I would believe the Schlizirkel is behind this, considering that they are the ones who could possibly achieve such a feat, but it was mainly due to my usage of the Swords of Power back in the battle of Priestella that spread the word.
Basically, the rumour mentioned the ten legendary swords, which mentioned Reinhard's Dragon Sword Reid and my three swords. Cecilus' katanas and the Yang Sword was also briefly mentioned in some versions, but the general gist is this: getting your hands on one of the swords of power would elevate you to a status that is on par with the current strongest four: Reinhard, Cecilus, Halibel, and the Mad Prince.
Based on me, who used three of them to drive of the Witch Cult's archbishops, the new craze for the Swords of Power has begun. Riften was no doubt the one who spread the rumour, though. I'm not angry about him doing so, it just means more competition for doing so.
We entered the city without any problems, thanks to Riften's merchant pass along with a personal security letter issued by one of Banan's top executives, who is allied with the Iron Fang. Gotta thank Ana for that one later. There was a nice little path leading straight up to the Jimuna Volcano, but when we approached it, several 'buff' men blocked our way.
"Halt. The Jimuna Volcano is restricted to the Lava Competition's participants only. We cannot tolerate any weak tourists such as yourself to die in the harsh environment above."
The words 'weak tourists' sparked a wave of anger among us. Even Palmyra, Colette, and Meili, arguably the weakest out of all of us, started emitting a tiny murderous aura field. Seeing this, I snapped my fingers to tell everyone to calm down.
"I see. Well then, good sirs, what if we are here to participate in the Lava Competition?"
"Then I suppose you can enter. However, how about a show of strength to test if you're worthy to go through? One for each of you, of course." The man taunted as he got into a fighting stance, and I laughed maniacally in my mind. Even Colette can completely crush you, ignorant dude. But since I'm short on time, I simply chose the easy way.
"Oh, no. I think you'll let us all through." I said as I gathered the rage accumulated through my Battalion members who have been incorrectly insulted, and thrust my left hand forwards.
"Authority of Wrath, Rage Pulse Stage 0.5. Paralyzing Anger."
A red electromagnetic beam shot out towards the man, and his nerves were shocked through the magical electricity. The waves surged throughout his body and eventually reached his muscles, completely stopping his movements.
"Well? How about letting us through now?"
"Your attacks are not bad, but as for the others..."
"Hey." I pinched my fingers together as I activated Dominator's Domain, and the immense pressure of the aura poured down on him instantly. "I said can we goooo now?"
"I... fine. You all pass. However, we're not responsible for any deaths here!"
"If any one of us manages to die, I'll give you a portion of Riften's mansion." I scoffed before marching on, and Omega seemed confused at my rash behviour.
"I thought you were a nice person, Y/N..."
"They're warriors. Talking logic isn't going to get through to them. A test of strength is unfortunately the only way."
"Whatever you say, then..."
We eventually reached a field where I saw many warriors gathering above a Lava Pit, with two stones in the middle that signified where the fighters should stand.
"Hello! Are you here to join the Lava Competition?" A boy came running with a tablet in hand.
"Yes...what, do we have to do more registration stuff?"
"No, not exactly. If you are, I suggest you join now. Because there's only one spot left."
"Oh. I guess I'll head in, then. I trust you guys to prevent any outside interference while I acquire the weapon." I said to my battalion as they nodded to confirm my words, and I jumped into the Lava Pit.
"The next match begins now! Remember, no weapons are allowed!" The referee said as he looked at the swords on my back, and I nodded before storing all three of them into my Dimensional Storage, surprising him.
He then waved the flag again and signalled to me and my opponent. And within 3 seconds, we bursted off the ground towards each other.
I readied a punch infused with Akra, but somehow the guy suddenly 'double-jumped' in the air, before delivering a straight downward punch towards my back, sending me crashing into the rocks.
"Ouch... I wanted to go easy on you, but you just had to go and do that..." I stood up from the rubble, and my opponent landed on the other rock while I glared at him.
I reeled my fists back while activating Dominator's Domain, and the gravity and pressure exerted through the field weighed down on him, pressing him into the stone floor. "Just disappear, you arrogant piece of crap."
I lifted him by the throat, and plated my arm in tin, rhodium, and palladium. "Sayonara..."
A large air current blasted forth from my arm, sending him flying all the way outside the Lava Pit before I raised my arm in victory. Now that I have 54 elements unlocked, it's a lot easier to make complex structures. However, just as I was about to wait for the judge to announce my victory, the guy came back and this time, his arms are coated in magma.
"That's not going to work, haiyaa..." I shot out a stream of water that turned his magma into obsidian, before piercing and breaking them with a diamond spear. Despite seeing his new move getting broken down in less than a minute, he still charged towards me. That's some serious guts, that's for sure.
"Potassium Iodide. Hydrogen Peroxide. Dish Soap. Yeast. Water."
Fusing the five ingredients together, a giant cloud puffed out just as he got within 5 meters of me. "Elephant's Toothpaste."
"Wha-" The man choked as he coughed. It's not that hazardous, but you definitely do not want to consume that...
It doesn't matter. I'm getting the Love Sword, whatever it takes.
"The contestant Y/N L/N wins this round!"