-----Rudeus Greyrat POV-----
The tides had turned.
The wounds I'd taken no longer bled. I had frozen the flesh around each gash, sealing the damage in place.
I won't make the same mistake.
I bent my knees slightly, shifting my weight forward, letting it settle on the sole of my feet.
My arms rose above my waist, palms open, fingers spread wide as if inviting the next strike.
I pushed my chest forward, spine straightening, head tilting back just enough to expose my throat.
"WHAT'S WRONG, YOU FRAUDS?!"
Several assassins twitched, flinched at the sudden flare of confidence.
I activated my Eye of Foresight.
Mana surged behind my gaze, sharpening every detail.
"COME AT ME!"
One of them gave in.
A blur of motion, feet pounding the dirt.
The other two moved.
Flanking me with perfect timing on opposite ends.
They were trying to collapse the space around me before I could react.
But I didn't flinch.
I let them come.
The air thickened around me.
Mana surged outward, and reflective layers of hexagon-shaped surfaces shimmered into existence, forming a barrier that wrapped around my body like a crystalline shell.
Thud!
The sack of powder struck the shield and bounced off, igniting mid-air. A burst of smoke erupted, trailing embers as it scattered across the battlefield.
Then-
Whip! Whip!
Twin daggers sliced through the smoke piercing the shield's surface, embedding thin cracks spiderwebbed from the points of impact, pulsing faintly with mana strain.
A heartbeat later—
Screeech!
The short sword scraped against the shield's outer layer. But instead of breaking through the sword spun away, veering wide from its intended path.
As the smoke began to clear, the assassins were already airborne angled for lethal impact.
They launched their attack simultaneously.
A coordinated assault from above.
The earth trembled.
Boom!
Massive boulders erupted from the ground with terrifying force, tearing the terrain apart in all directions. The shockwave split the battlefield, sending chunks of stone flying.
The assassins halted mid-air, forced to abandon their strikes.
They twisted, flipped, and deflected, blades clashing against the incoming barrage, trying to carve paths through the chaos.
And in that moment of disruption, I flared my feet with firepower, mana igniting beneath my soles in a burst of heat.
A pillar of flame surged beneath me, propelling my body into the sky, away from the carnage below.
The assassins were injured with minor cuts streaked across their limbs, their stances distorted from the earlier clash.
Still, they recovered quickly, blades raised, eyes locked onto their target.
But before they could strike.
Boom!
A sudden force slammed into them, throwing their balance off.
As they struggled to stabilize, another gust of wind tore through the field.
Whoosh!
The assassins dropped low, grabbing onto nearby rocks to anchor themselves, their cloaks whipping violently in the storm.
They looked up.
Their eyes narrowed.
Through the swirling dust and fractured light, they saw a figure suspended in the sky with arms extended in opposite directions, body framed against the clouds like a divine silhouette.
Dark clouds gathered overhead, swirling into a dense, churning mass.
The rain began to pour.
Sheets of water slammed into the battlefield, soaking stone and soil alike.
The wind picked up.
Trees bent under the pressure, their branches thrashing violently as the velocity surged.
A gust of wind wrapped around the caster, spiraling upward.
It accelerated rapidly until the air itself roared.
A tornado formed.
The assassins understood the urgency.
Without a word, they regrouped.
One took distance to position himself for a run-up.
The other two crouched low at the far end, locking their hands together, forming a launch point.
In the next breath, the assassin sprinted forward, boots pounding against fractured stone.
He leapt.
His feet landed squarely on the interlocked hands.
And like a spring-loaded trap.
They launched him skyward.
His body cut through the air with ferocious velocity.
He pierced the tornado arriving just behind his assassination target.
He extended his sword, aiming straight for my neck.
I shifted my head.
Our eyes met.
"Gotchu."
Dun!
A massive boulder of ice slammed into him from the side with unforgiving brutal force.
The impact sent him flying, limbs flailing, blade spinning out of reach.
Then two presences pierced through the outer layers of my tornado barrier.
I charged my hands, mana crackling at my fingertips, and crossed my arms tightly across my chest.
My jaw clenched.
Then I flung my arms sideways.
CRACK!
A surge of electricity burst from my palms, a web of light stretched across the tempest, threads of lightning weaving through the swirling winds, illuminating the battlefield in blinding flashes.
The assassins were caught mid-air.
Their bodies convulsed as the charge hit.
Boom!
They were sent flying, limbs flailing, blades spinning out of reach.
The storm swallowed their momentum.
And I stood at its center.
Then I sensed a faint scattered presences stirring in the shadows.
The assassins I had taken out earlier…
"Tch… How persistent."
I disperse the tornado and watched them bolt towards the forest.
In response I raised my hands, and a blinding light surged making their shadows stretch across the fractured terrain.
Curiosity betrayed them.
They turned.
And what they saw froze their blood.
A massive and radiant energy ball hung in the sky. Its sheer size swallowed the entire battlefield in golden light.
And beneath it.
A lone figure.
Eyes locked onto their souls.
As if death had reached out and gripped their throats.
Chills raced down their spines.
"EAT THIS!"
The giant fireball surged downward.
The battlefield vanished in white
*****4 months later*****
-----Narrator-----
A young boy sat cross-legged in the center of a stone cave, flipping through the worn pages of a massive grimoire. The book was so large it covered his entire head, casting a shadow over his face.
Above him, a bright orb of light floated gently, swaying with the brief gusts of wind that circled through the cavern.
Silence reigned.
Until a soft ticking broke it. The sound coming from a circular lump of iron lying beside him.
"Oh… it must be time."
He picked up the watch and closed the grimoire with a quiet thud.
Rising to his feet, he followed the subtle trickle of water that ran nearby, its path guiding him deeper into the cave.
The walls around him were etched with ancient engravings and faded paintings, massive creatures unlike anything he'd ever seen. Winged beasts with eyes like stars.
It was breathtaking.
Ever since he'd settled here, this place had become his favorite spot.
He often wondered what the symbols meant. Even his peer who lived in the cave with him struggled to decipher their true meaning.
"Sebastian!"
An old, wrinkled man in a tattered grey robe stood at the far end of the chamber.
"Coming!"
Sebastian took one last glance at the murals, then hurried toward the old man.
They walked side by side.
"You really do enjoy that place, huh?"
"Yeah! Those drawings are so cool! I'd love to see a real dragon!"
"Ha! You'll have to grow stronger like me if you ever want to see one."
"I am strong!"
"You've only learned a few tricks and you think you can take on a dragon?"
"Of course! You've fought dragons before, right? What was it like?"
"Mhm… yeah, I've slayed a bunch. In fact, this cave used to be a dragon's lair."
"What?! No way! Where can I see one?"
"Haha. In time, you'll get to see one."
They arrived at a bright alcove filled with furniture, magical tools, and stacks of books. Sebastian dashed to the counter, where herbs and vegetables were neatly arranged.
The old man followed, placing two lumps of skinned meat on the counter.
"Tonight's dinner is rabbit. Can you handle it, little chef?"
"We haven't had meat in forever!"
"Tomorrow's a special day. Let's enjoy ourselves."
A bittersweet smile crept across Sebastian's face.
"Tomorrow… it came too fast."
The old man looked at him, then smiled gently.
"It's because it comes too fast… that it becomes tomorrow."
Sebastian frowned, tilting his head.
"What does that mean—"
Smack!
The man slapped the back of his head.
"Eh?!"
"Don't worry about it!"
Sebastian opened his mouth to protest, but a strange noise escaped his stomach instead.
"Ha! You must be hungry, kid. Let me help with the vegetables."
The man pulled out a pocket knife and began peeling onions and carrots.
Embarrassed by the sound, Sebastian turned to the counter and quietly began prepping dinner.
-----
Sounds of tableware clinking and satisfied munching filled the space.
At the center of it all sat a boy, hunched over his plate, devouring an loads of food while his face lit up with pure joy.
Across from him sat an old man, his own plate modest and untouched. He watched the boy eat with a quiet satisfied smile.
The boy finished his portion, but his eyes wandered for more, stopping on the old man's plate.
Noticing the boy's gluttonous gaze, the man pushed his plate forward.
"Here, kid. You can eat this."
The boy hesitated.
"You barely ate…"
"Just watching you eat with such passion already made me full. So go ahead."
"If you say so!"
The boy grabbed the plate and eagerly devoured the last portion, the warmth of the moment lingering in the air like the scent of roasted rabbit.
-----
The sound of water flow ran steadily and the soft clatter of tableware echoed from the counter where the old man stood.
Sebastian approached, carrying his empty plate.
"You can leave it there, kid."
"Eh—I can help clean the dishes!"
"It's fine. You don't need to do it today. I'll take care of them."
"Wha—really?"
"Yeah, or do you want—"
But the boy was already halfway across the room, sprinting away with a grin.
The old man blinked, eyes slightly widened.
"Heh… cheeky brat."
He turned back to the counter, wiping the food remnants from the plates, his hands moving slowly now.
His gaze drifted.
And his thoughts wandered what tomorrow might bring.
-----Rudeus Greyrat POV----
So the time had come.
So much has happened in this past 4 months.
After that awakening, I brought Sebastian back to the Dragon's Lair. Not just to recover… but to finish what I started.
I turned to my left.
There it stood.
Fifty meters in diameter, one meter tall—an immense platform composed of stacked lithographs, each a perfect square, each ten centimeters thick. Layer upon layer, they formed the largest magical circle the world had ever seen.
Encircling the base was a wooden frame, its surface carved with intricate, compact designs, symbols Sebastian and I had encountered on our journey here.
And rising above it all.
A colossal wooden arch, spanning the entire circle. Its surface was etched with the tongue of the Dragon God, pulsing faintly with mana.
It was breathtaking.
A monument to forgotten knowledge.
Truly… magnificent craftsmanship
One of my best works so far.
A bittersweet smile tugged at my lips.
Through my calculations, the boy should arrive in the winter of K425.
Just before the turning point.
My eyebrows shifted. My forehead furrowed.
I could feel a storm waiting behind the horizon.
I finished cleaning the plates and quietly made my way to the study.
The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of a floating orb.
Now that the research is done.
I should have felt the exhilaration I've chased my entire life.
The thrill of revenge.
The satisfaction of finally outwitting that damned god.
But it never came.
Instead, my heart sank.
And all that remained in this old body was weariness.
I sat in my chair, leaned back, and let my head fall, eyes tracing the veins in the stone ceiling above me.
The patterns were familiar.
Like memories etched into rock.
But my mind couldn't settle.
Not with that nagging feeling that had haunted me for weeks.
Will the boy be alright?
"..."
I shifted my eyes on top of the desk.
There lay a worn-out book with its leather cracked and yellow pages curled.
My diary.
I reached for it slowly, fingertips grazing the worn leather cover.
The book opened with a quiet creak, and I began to flip through its pages filled heavy memories.
When I reached the final entry, I paused.
Only a few blank sheets remained.
That nagging feeling in my chest stirred again.
So I picked up the quill.
To finish the story of my journey.
*****D-day*****
-----Rudeus Greyrat POV-----
As I completed my final inspection of the time traveling machine, my eyes drifted to the boy.
He was checking over his gear. Every item he packed had a purpose.
I had taught him the S-tier adventuring survival guidelines, more like drilled in him.
He looked like a range scout preparing to cross a continent.
Which, in truth, wasn't far from reality.
I couldn't pinpoint his exact spawn location.
But I could send him approximately to the northern lands.
"Got everything kid?"
"Yeah..."
"Are you sure?"
"Mh..."
"..."
The boy cast his eyes downward, fingers fidgeting in quiet distress.
He must be nervous.
"C'mon here, kid."
I approached and gently took his hand, guiding him toward the center of the circle. He followed obediently, but his gaze never left the ground.
We reached the heart of the construct.
"Stay here."
I loosened my grip and began to turn away.
But his hand tightened.
He wouldn't let go.
"I don't…"
I stopped mid-step, turning just enough to see his face.
He looked up.
Eyes met mine, blue navy, shimmering with tears.
"I don't want to go!"
"…"
"I want to stay!"
"…"
"I want to stay together!"
I stared into those eyes.
You look just like her.
I turned fully and knelt on one knee, bringing myself to his level.
My voice was firm. Steady.
"Are you questioning my authority?"
His eyes widened, then shifted downward.
"…Yes. I don't want to leave you."
A brief smile softened my face. The tension in my chest eased.
I placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Sebastian—"
Boom!
The cavern trembled, dust rained from the ceiling, and a deafening roar filled the air.
I shot to my feet, eyes snapping toward the source of the sound.
Smoke surged from the far end of the cave entrance.
I squinted, activating both of my Demon Eyes.
My vision sharpened cutting through the haze.
And then I saw them.
My eyes widened.
"Why are humans here…?"
A cold spike of danger pierced my senses.
Then I saw the emblem on their banner.
"The Milis Crusade!?"
Panic surged through me.
If they saw Sebastian with me they'd kill him without hesitation.
I turned sharply, grabbing the boy and pushing him.
"Hide, boy! Don't you dare come out!"
He obeyed instantly, slipping behind the wooden arch at the edge of the circle, vanishing into its shadowed curve.
I stood between him and the entrance, heart pounding.
I hurriedly stepped out of the magical circle, boots scraping against the stone as I rushed toward the control altar to initiate the teleportation sequence.
Behind me, the sound of metal clashing grew louder, echoing through the cavern like war drums.
I must hurry. I must activate—
Sharp sting flared in my neck with pain.
Bloodlust.
I spun around.
Just twenty meters away, an army of armored soldiers stood in formation, shields raised, spears angled, eyes locked on me with lethal intent.
And at their front a man in gleaming silver armor.
His presence radiated authority.
He stepped forward, voice ringing with disgust.
"Magician God… Quagmire."
Judging by the energy coursing through his body… he had to be an emperor-level warrior.
Which meant the thirty soldiers behind him were no less than king-class.
Shit.
I straightened my posture, masking the tension in my chest with a smirk.
"Do people these days not have any respect for their elders? Barging into someone's home uninvited?"
The leading knight stepped forward, his bloodlust intensifying with every stride.
"Only if that elder is a war criminal wanted in seven kingdoms."
I feigned interest, strolling casually toward the control panel.
"To think I'm that famous. Did you come all this way for an autograph?"
My fingers touched the panel carved stone laced with ancient runes.
I channeled my mana.
The knight's voice rang out again, sharp and righteous.
"We want the holy scripts of Saint Milis. The ones you stole 40 years ago."
I kept my tone light, scanning the room, calculating.
"Is that really it?"
My eyes swept across the knight formation.
"One might mistake this for a farewell party. All this effort… just to end the last few years of an old man's life?"
Half of my mana pool drained, I need more time.
The knight's voice grew colder.
"The continent of Milis demands your head for the atrocities you committed against our women and children. But true judgment belongs to Saint Milis."
The engravings on the wood began to glow.
The ink on the stacked papers shimmered, turning into light.
Almost there. Just a quarter more. But they'll notice.
I clenched my jaw.
No more games.
"I don't give a crap what your shitty god has to say!"
The cavern pulsed with tension.
Murderous intent surged from the entire army, their formation rigid, their eyes burning with righteous fury.
A storm of insults came hurling at me loud enough to shake the cavern walls.
"Blaspheming cur!"
"Your soul is a stain upon the land!"
"You'll burn in the holy fire, Quagmire!"
"YOU ALL ARE NOTHING MORE THAN INSIGNIFICANT FANATICAL MORONS!"
"That's enough, Rudeus."
The voice struck me like a divine chord.
It shook something deep within me.
Confused, I turned towards the source, towards the man who had stood behind the leader, now stepping forward from the shadows.
He was tall.
Muscles carved like stone, refined not by pride but by centuries of battles and burdens.
As he emerged into the light, his outfit came into view, simple, worn, unmistakably native to the demon continent.
In his hands, he carried a white spear shaped like a trident.
As his face emerged into the light.
A stoic expression. Eyes that pierced through flesh and soul alike.
My eyes widened.
I clenched my jaw and flexed my abdomen preventing from the stomach liquid jumping out of my mouth.
Green hair and a red jewel embedded in his forehead.
The man I had admired my entire life.
The warrior of legend.
The protector of the innocent.
Ruijerd Superdia.