The next three months were a period of relentless "overdrive" for Artoria.
As the Flower Magus once said:
"After destroying an old world, you don't immediately get a new one. You only get a broken, worse version of the old."
For most, even the renowned wise kings of history, suddenly managing eight kingdoms would leave them overwhelmed.
But not Artoria.
Realizing the weight of her responsibilities, the "king" machine kicked into full gear. She worked tirelessly around the clock, handling the affairs of multiple nations: coordinating resources for eight kingdoms and over a hundred thousand people, personally quelling minor rebellions sparked by disgruntled nobles… and still finding time to stroll through city streets, asking ordinary folk about their concerns.
For three months, she didn't rest, yet her spirit remained vibrant, pouring boundless enthusiasm into building this new nation.
Perhaps in that moment, Artoria finally realized how the hardships of her youth had borne such sweet fruit.
But others couldn't keep up with her pace.
"O Lord God, take me away, please take me away…"
"Whether it's hunting for treasures or fighting gods, anything... please, just take me!"
Winna, who hadn't had a proper rest in three months, was on the verge of collapse.
Truthfully, Artoria barely knew her... they'd met only three times. But what did that matter? The kingdom was desperately short-staffed, and Artoria would've split every capable person into ten if she could, assigning them to the right roles.
Kay, Bedivere, Morgan, Lamorak, Merlin... she was one step away from dragging old Sir Ector out of retirement.
Under these conditions, even Guinevere, theoretically just an allied princess, was roped in to temporarily handle the kingdom's "diplomacy."
"Phew, good thing I'm not human anymore."
Ignoring his follower's desperate pleas.
Feeling unburdened, Alaric soared into the reverse side of the world, heading toward the island surrounded by black waters.
... He was keeping an appointment.
…
Alaric flew over the black ocean teeming with countless lost souls.
As he reached the island's airspace, an icy aura enveloped him.
This aura held the purest essence of death, the bane of all living things.
But Alaric no longer feared it.
"Form shift, Blue-Eyes Spirit Dragon!"
Surrounded by the aura of life, the white dragon unfurled his translucent wings. Radiating dazzling light, he flew toward the gray city ahead.
The spirits dwelling in that gray city looked up, staring in disbelief at the white light streaking across the sky.
This was the Land of Shadows, a realm of the dead where "light" Should not exist... yet Alaric's arrival shattered that rule, becoming the first living being to enter this deathly sanctuary without the Underworld Goddess's permission.
Unlike other underworld gods who fiercely guarded their domains, Scáthach felt no offense at Alaric's brazen intrusion.
She only felt excitement.
"Oh, you actually came?!"
Her earlier invitation had been casual, never expecting someone would actually visit the underworld. Even she found this lifeless land distasteful... if she had a choice, she'd prefer a place vibrant with birdsong and flowers, not this barren ghostland!
…
Alaric soared through the sky.
He crossed the island, passing the seven towering walls symbolizing the [Uncrossable Divide of Life and Death]. Finally, he reached the realm reserved for heroic spirits, finding the queen poised and ready for battle.
No questions were needed... the red magical spear in Scáthach's hand spoke her intent.
Without hesitation, Alaric confirmed her position and unleashed a [Burst Stream of Destruction] brimming with annihilating force, kicking off the battle.
"Am I… asking for trouble?"
Watching Scáthach effortlessly dodge his energy attack, transforming into a streak of red light, Alaric couldn't help but wonder.
Perhaps... but more than that, this was the outcome he wanted.
"That old lady is indeed a tough one."
"But this is necessary training!"
Alaric knew his weaknesses.
As a Blue-Eyes White Dragon renowned for immense attack power, he was born at the pinnacle of this world. In this twilight of the Age of Gods, with most truly powerful beings having returned to the world's root, no one on this island was his match.
So, in this era's end, he could live freely, untouchable.
But the next battle would be different.
The coming fight was against another overlord... the White Dragon King, Vortigern. No matter how much the world despised his name or scorned him for inviting foreigners to this land, his power was undeniable.
"That king is a true White Dragon King, uniting divine and royal authority!"
Unlike the red dragon, whose [Authority] and [Power] were split between two sisters, this White Dragon King was at his peak, an unprecedented foe!
This enemy wouldn't hold back like Scáthach. In his prime, he'd mercilessly tear apart any who challenged him, especially the red dragon, his [fated rival].
Thus, Alaric knew. To defeat such a foe, he needed to hone his "martial skills" And master true "combat techniques"... not just unleash his power recklessly.
And undoubtedly.
On this island... no, in the entire world... there was no better "sparring partner" Than the queen before him!
"So, please."
"Master~"
The keyword slipped softly from Alaric's lips.
It caught Scáthach, who had been approaching this as "a bit of fun" Or "stretching her limbs." completely off guard, her eyes widening in shock.
"Huh?"
***
Hi guys, I just wanted to let you know that I'm currently working on a new fanfic, so if you like this one, you should definitely check that one out too:
[Saint Seiya: The Lord of the Underworld (Multi-Cross)]
Hades.
The Lord of the Underworld and one of the Three Sovereign Gods of the Greek pantheon is among the most powerful deities to ever exist.
It is said that He was the strongest of the Three Sovereign Gods, and that Zeus holds the throne of the heavens only because He allowed it to happen, because He lacking of ambition and valuing the balance of the world above all else.
But what if this time, the title of Lord of the Underworld had changed hands, and inherited by someone whose ambition is as vast as the waters of the sea?
Chaos!
This is the story of an ordinary human who through both luck and misfortune inherits the title and responsibility of the Lord of the Underworld.
Yet there is a fundamental difference between the Lords of the past and the present.
Ambition!
It is in human nature to possess ambitions that can reach the stars, and because of this once-in-a-lifetime chance, he will not let the opportunity slip away to expand his dark and somber dominion, making it as bright as the sky and as deep as the ocean.
---
This is a multiverse fanfic that focuses on journeys to worlds other than Saint Seiya.
Saint Seiya, Nasuverse, Dragon Ball, Campione, Re:Zero, Date A Live, Genshin Impact, Akame ga Kill, Kimetsu no Yaiba, Overlord, No Game No Life, Marvel, DC, Naruto, One Piece, Bleach, Pokemon, Fate, Danmachi, and etc.