“TAKE HEED!

THE OLD PACT HAS BEEN FULFILLED, THUS I, PRAESIA, WILL FINALLY LEAVE THIS WORLD.”

The voice accompanying the shadow looming over the sky was heard by everyone as if it came from inside their heads, including the inhabitant of Zagrant empire which was known as the most zealous among Praesia’s worshipper. Zagrant Empire was also where the largest temple dedicated to worship Praesia is located. Hence, as someone who was more than just a worshipper, but also as one who holds a more profound feeling towards the existence called as Praesia, emperor Zenon Darius Forxa Al Zagrant stood from his seat with a colorless horrible face during an assembly with his imperial retinue. It was an expression that not even one soul in the room had ever seen, and yet, everyone was also too surprised by the voice that they failed to notice it.

“THE OLD PACT HAS BEEN FULFILLED, THUS I, PRAESIA, WILL FINALLY LEAVE THIS WORLD.”

When the voice repeated the same message, the emperor made a dry laugh and ran to nearby balcony, followed by his unbelieving retainers.

“What the heck is this? My goddess never told me anything! Why? What in the world is happening?”

Only half shouting, because his body was rapidly losing strength, the emperor who has forgotten his usual dignified way of speech pulled Daunte closer by the collar and glared at him with his bloodshot eyes. Daunte who was also bewildered could not even respond other than hinting that he has no knowledge of the current event with his eyes.

“THE OLD PACT HAS BEEN FULF--”

The voice stopped abruptly when a bright light appeared right above the imperial palace, showing a woman with a pair of large majestic wings.

“My dear citizens of the empire, do not believe the voice, for it was my enemy, the evil dragon Aži Dahāka’s voice.”

With a gentle smile that was strangely visible to emperor Zenon and his retainers despite the distance, the goddess who showed herself nodded at them before continuing her speech.

“Rest assured, believe that I shall never leave irresponsibly and betray all your prayers and hope. I swear in my name that I will continue to strive for the glory of mankind alongside all of you.”

Her voice was transmitted to everyone in the imperial capital who mostly showed relief while there is only a small minority of people who started questioning the truth behind what had transpired that day.

To emperor Zenon, however, mere sight of the goddess’ figure had eliminated any and all traces of his previous agitation, leaving only smile and tears of joy.

***

Praesia finished relaying her message to the world and closed her eyes for a few seconds.

(So, that’s all? By the way, how will you leave this world? is it a transfer to another universe?)

(I suppose I should tell you, not like this is a secret to begin with anyway. There is no multiverse, Erik. This is a planet within a galaxy that, in your term, is only several megaparsecs away from milky way galaxy. I will have to first reach the vicinity of this galaxy’s supermassive black hole and use it to transfer myself to other galaxy where I found Tiamat’s last known location. I used the small amount of mana I managed to prevent from being sapped by the tower to look for Tiamat during this one thousand year.)

(... Eh?)

(I want to tell you more but let’s just say that each galaxy has an administrator who is responsible for the ‘world system’. The world system dictates any law or rules concerning things such as physics, magic, or anything else that constitutes it. The reason for earthling to become stronger is also thanks to that system. The Ar Draughum in charge of milkyway strictly limited the amount of mana while the raw form, ether is extremely abundant over there. Perhaps, you would understand it if I said that ether is one of your so-called dark matter while mana is more of a dark energy? Being bathed in ether all the time and then coming to where there are far less ether is the main cause. In exchange, though, magic is close to non-existent on earth.)

(Uhh… wow?)

The sudden revelation combining fantasy and known science had me baffled there.

(There is at least 1 to 10 planets per galaxy housing life. Due to the administrators own quirk, or hobby, each world system is unique. Like how the Ar Draughum in charge of milkyway instilled some of our names into the mind of earth’s inhabitants so that many myths would have characters with our names. For some reason, however, majority of the intelligent life-forms have human-like appearance. You can ask Eusthelia later if you want to know more.)

(Nah, it’s okay. I think what you told me was already more than enough.)

I wanted to retort on the ‘quirk or hobby shaped the world’ part, or ‘mythologies on earth were influenced by the administrator’ but, nah… I’ll refrain. The scale is just too absurd.

(Alright then, before saying goodbye, I guess I should first restore your condition, Erik. It seems that you are under a side-effect from using a lhordes class spell. Normally, a human should not even be able to use it. There are some exceptions, of course, but let alone side effects, without the compatibility a human would be using one’s own life force and die after using the spell. Even being contracted to Azanthys and Mareritter who have the compatibility, and sharing mana usage as well as spell processing with them will not change that. You might unexpectedly be compatible with lhordes class magic.)

I slowly turned my head to Azanthys who returned my gaze like how she usually does.

(There was a risk of death? Oi!)

“If it is...master… nothing… to worry… Azanthys… believe…”

Unconditionally trusting is also quite a troublesome matter. I is much enlightment, I can has cheeseburger? Ha~lp! my brain just short circuited itself!

(Be sure to tell me things like that first next time)

“Yes… master...”

Praesia who was silent, seemingly observing me in some unknown way, finally spoke again.

(Well I’d be. Erik, you do have the compatibility. If that is the case then I can teach you some magic of lhordes class. I will also give you the knowledge of what side-effects that might result.)

(Yay, I have compatibility with magic that will give me side-effects! Should I feel happy about this?)

(Well, lhordes class magis is a type of magic that can be used regardless of which world system you are in. It is also capable to overturn the set rule of the system to some extent. For a human to have the prospect of using one itself is already close to a miracle. Having side-effects as the price should be within expectation. It is to be noted that, as a human, you cannot do it without reciting the incantation even after registering it within Azanthys and Mareritter’s spell processing area. And the aria is very long too.)

(Quite impractical to be used in a battle. I did exactly just that, though. I guess I will use it depending on the situation then. How will you teach me?)

(This might be painful a little.)

(Huh?)

And, bam! Within seconds, a large amount of information regarding the spells and the price I will have to pay for using them entered my brain. My head felt pain beyond that caused by severe mana exhaustion. I crouched and Azanthys held my shoulders with worried look in response. What should have been only a few seconds felt like forever. I could only heave a sigh of relief while holding my head when it finally ended.

(Whatever the heck was just ‘a little’ with that?)

Praesia didn’t answer, while her pupils darted somewhere else. Ignoring me, huh? She’s not as majestic as her appearance, this, I am sure.

As if it was already within my own memories from the very beginning, I could recall the spells without problem, heck, it is even far clearer than my childhood memories. It’s just that I noticed, being unable to speak was among the better outcome from using a lhordes class magic. What is with becoming permanently impotent by using magic? I should remember to never use that one. Mana consumption is basically between most of my current mana capacity to several folds of it. It also seemed that I would not be able to use any without spell processing support from Azanthys or Mareritter since I was not a magician by nature. In short, I can’t see myself using one anytime soon.

(*Ahem, I will then restore your condition.)

I was covered in light particles to the point that I had to close my eyes, but then, I could feel no more fatigue or pain. My wounds are gone and it seems that my mana was also being filled. Instantaneous healing? But there should be no instant healing magic in this world. Wait, there were some healing spells in the lhordes class. Side effect if I used it… reducing life span by 50%, what the hell?

(I still can’t speak though…)

(That one is special. You used a magic that was not in the system so only the administrator can remove the side effect of something that violated the system’s rules. We, Ar Draughum are exception. You should return to normal with time though.)

(Owh, I’ll just need to deal with it for now, then.)

(Also, you three over there.)

“H, hyesss!?”

Albert answered Praesia with face like someone who was found out pickpocketing by the cops.

(I am deeply sorry that your people was trapped here along with me. Now that I am freed, I am able to transfer everyone outside. Erik, do you have any idea where to send them to?)

They are basically demon race so transferring them to where there are human is impossible. However sending them suddenly to a wasteland devoid of life is also bad. I don’t know much about what is within the demon’s territory either. Wait, wasn’t south of Arx Norr a former frontier village by the ocean that was devastated by tsunami? Now it was just an abandoned ruins with some demon beasts living in there but with some reconstruction work it might be usable. With their hunters’ level, the demon beasts living there can easily be wiped out, so there shouldn’t be any problem.

I told Praesia about the place and after a brief silence she just said “Done”. It’s not that I’m doubting it, it was just too fast and simple. I’d prefer it if she explained to them properly beforehand, but what done is done.

(Now, Erik… the inner tower will disappear soon since there is no more mana flowing into it. The tower outside has stored so much of my mana, enough that it can maintain its current operational state for at least 7 hundred years so you don’t have to worry about it crumbling down for now. Also, while doing the transferring, I found that there is currently a battle in Arx Norr. Maybe it is time for me to send you back out there.)

(What? Battle? Alright, send me there right now.)

I know i had Mareritter to stay behind but I’m still worried about Liz.

(Very well, before I send you, I will give you one more magic then. It is not mere lhordes class which almost anyone among Ar Draughum can use, but my own specialty. You should have seen Azanthys and Mareritter using a minor version of it. With your current amount of mana you might be able to use it at least once, but as it is a special gift from me, there should be no side effect. This much I can do without Eusthelia’s permission.)

Another wave of information entered my brain but at least my head only felt heavy instead of painful. This is… I see, its that one eh.

(Thanks.)

(It is me who should thank you for freeing me and taking over my task to foil the Ar daenocens plan. Good bye then. I don’t think we will be able to meet again.)

(Yeah, that’s what I’ve guessed.)

(Azanthys…)

(Yes… mother…)

(I entrust Erik to you and Mareritter. I don’t know if they are still alive or not, but if possible, convince your other siblings to help erik too in my place.)

(Azanthys… will do… anything… for master…)

I don’t know how to read a dragon’s expression, but I’m sure Praesia just smiled. After that, the floor started shaking and as Praesia said “The tower can’t keep its existence any longer. This is it, I will send you all out right now.” and the scenery changed like when you switch channel on the TV.

***

With the imperial capital as exception, the voice continued several more times until the shadow moved and started to gradually become smaller as if it flew higher and higher above before disappearing completely, returning unhindered sunlight to fall upon the remaining atmosphere of shock, awe, or fear which was all around the continent wherever man was present.

The demon race never worshipped Praesia, they only considered Praesia as a highly respectable figure of legend alongside several other mythical figures. Nevertheless, they were also surprised by the voice.

And so, the battle in Arx Norr came to a brief halt.

“What was that?”

“Was that really the goddess?”

“Did the goddess really said about leaving this world?”

“Were we forsaken? Did we, mankind do something to displease the goddess?”

Most of such murmurs came from the adventurers while silence dominated the demon race. Nobody dared to move for quite some time but Alurio finally shouted.

“You lot! I don’t know if it was really a goddess’ message or not but we’re at war right now. Move your damned ass or I will personally make you all move!”

With that, starting from the less surprised demon race, the cog of war started turning once again. On the other hand, the adventurers who received more impact from the message also responded to that and raised their weapons albeit being one step slower, making them completely fall into defensive stance.

The guild master who had picked up Izarea’s sword forced the earlier event out of his mind to focus on the battle at hand, but facing both Alurio and the dragon just seemed like an impossible feat and so hesitation started showing on his face against his will. from what he could see, Izarea who had his lance with her was also under heavy physical and mental stress.

“Let the carnage begin once again!”

And thus the battle resumed with its balance being in favor of the demon race’s side.

All the adventurers could do was to defend themselves, to avoid being killed right away. Still, the dragons’ attacks were able to bring down death each time. The guild master desperately shielded Izarea against the dragon’s claw, or breath and it seemed that their demise was only a matter of time. By then, almost nobody noticed several new figures mixed in the crowd. 3 men, and 2 women. The first one to realize their existence was Teobaldur whose jaw dropped and Alurio who was wary of the sudden appearance.

Wearing a set of tattered armor and clothing, but strangely without any wound, was the notorious adventurer, Erik. He opened his mouth to speak when he saw Teobaldur, but no voice came out and then he scratched his head.

Behind him was the maid, Azanthys while behind her were three seemingly absentminded demon race youths.

Erik seemed to ponder about something before he suddenly exuded an insane amount of bloodlust to everyone in the battlefield. No, it was no longer mere bloodlust, it was something much more basic, and yet, far stronger. The only interpretation anyone could make was ‘death’ itself.

Even the brawniest of the adventurers fainted on the spot. Only few were able to barely hold their ground, without the courage to look at where the feeling of death came from. The number of individuals from both human and demon race who were unfortunate enough to see the source of the worst dread they have ever felt with their own eyes can be counted with one hand. The rest just ceased holding their consciousness and fell limp onto the ground.

Alurio trembled with beads of cold sweat tracing the whole surface of his body, but he stood still in place. Izarea who was terrified clung to the guild master who only looked to be slightly better in comparison.

The surviving wyverns flew scattering in all directions, dropping their unconscious riders from height that might just be enough to kill. Even the three dragons became restless and tried to flee but was unable to do so as if their strength has left their body, perhaps because they were close to the source. The next action the trembling dragons took as Erik started walking forward was to lower their head and whole body as close as they could to the ground. Simply said, the dragons desperately prostrated before the man called Erik who then disappeared, leaving a loud rumble, gouged earth, cloud of dust, and wave of destruction where a path of collapsing buildings and people of both races being flung away heading to where the adventurers last line of defense was located.

***

Well, Praesia told me that there was an ongoing battle in Arx Norr and she sent me right into the middle of it before she left. I was about to ask Teobaldur on the battle progress, I forgot that I was still unable to speak. Ah, there’s Mareritter whom I told to protect Liz.

(I am glad that you have returned safely, master.)

Mareritter contacted me before I could do it myself so I immediately replied.

(Yeah, how long has it been since I left?)

(23 days, earlier than expected.)

(How is Liz? is she with you?)

(Yes, Miss Lissa is al… no, actually… as we were attacked by a large number of enemies she forced herself too much to repel them and has lost consciousness after barely fending off the enemies. Her condition is bad but fortunately, not too severe. I will receive whatever punishment as I have failed my task…)

What?

I couldn’t hold back my anger. For the first time ever, I released as much bloodlust without any control or restraint. I was still able to notice that even Azanthys faltered a little before she approached me.

“Master…”

(Tell Albert and the others to follow me for now.)

I just gave her a glance before I dashed forward to where Liz is.

I ignored any sort of things hindering me, be it buildings, human, or wyvern corpses, and continued forward until I saw Mareritter kneeling. I slowed my pace and stopped in front of him. I heard people shouting things like, “What was that? New enemy?” or “It came from the frontlines, just what could cause such destruction?” from above the buildings a little distance away behind Mareritter..

(Where’s Liz?)

Still kneeling with his face looking down, Mareritter answered me.

“On the rooftop of that building, Miss Lissa is being taken care of by the adventurers.”

I immediately jumped to the place as Mareritter pointed to find Liz, who was breathing roughly and sweating profusely with her head on Yusa’s lap. Martlea who was next to her was the first to notice me. Perhaps surprised by my sudden appearance and whatever face I was showing, Martlea flinched and then she averted her gaze. Yusa who noticed me a little bit later yelped in surprise with teary eyes and seemed like she wanted to run away but couldn’t since she was giving Liz a lap pillow.

At least Liz’s condition doesn’t look to be life threatening.

(Azanthys! Mareritter!)

The two appeared behind me the instant I called their name.

(Tell them to take care of Liz for a bit longer.)

Mareritter then conveyed my message to which Martlea responded by simply nodding, and Yusa doing the same, only repeatedly and with force that seemed like she could get her head to come off.

I jumped off the building, followed by the two and walked slowly to a place far enough from where I could sense anyone. Albert and his friends who just arrived also approached the place, somewhat hesitantly.

(Tell Albert to go first to where his tribe should have been teleported by Praesia its dead south from here. I will end this damn battle personally.)

After Mareritter, who didn’t even question who Albert was, told the guys who then ran as if they really wanted to get away from here as soon as possible, I invoked the full armor mode, mainly to hide my identity. In heat of the moment, I gave more than just hints that might lead people to realize that it was me anyway, but there is no reason not to take any precaution.

(Let’s go, Un num cordias. Armarevesta.)

In full armor mode I flew back to where I was sent by Praesia since it looked like the main stage of this battle.

From above it looked to be in chaos with more unmoving bodies than anyone standing...Wait, it might be because of me.

I landed near Teobaldur and a demon general whom I think I might have seen before. I forgot the name.

“Who, no, what are you!?”

The demon general was trying to coax the dragons who were rampaging wildly as if in a trance to stop, but then he looked at me who just descended from the sky with caution.

Teobaldur and a girl stood behind me without doing anything but I could feel their suspicious gaze on me.

Without saying anything, not that I could anyway, I killed the dragons by severing their head off their necks. Too easy, the dragons couldn’t even be compared to Rogannus and Fiamma, or the colossal dragon.

“What!?”

“In an instant?”

Alurio and the guild master only responded like such to what I just did. I then pointed Mareritter’s blade at Alurio who grinned, but clearly not in good humour.

“Never thought I would see two monsters in the day where it was supposed to have ended well for me. Now, what will you do, black armored monster?”

Two? Ah, the other was me when I just arrived. Anyway, that was a stupid question. Why would I let someone who led an army to attack this place, resulting in Liz falling to such a state, to just leave?

I moved and slashed with Mareritter. The demon general was able to raise his battle axe to block since I was taking it easy but it doesn’t matter in the end. My real attack was the one with Azanthys which cut him through his armor and separated his torso from his waist. I rid the blood covering Azanthys’ blade with a swing. I then moved to kill the still surviving demon race one by one, but I ignored the ones already unconscious, let’s leave them to Teobaldur.

“I have come to help!!! Huh? Is it already over? Aww...”

“I, isn’t it better like that? Why did you sound so disappointed?”

I looked at the source of the voice to find a teenager, hm, he looks like an asian… chinese, or japanese. A little distance away was a girl who looked to be an european, exuding a timid atmosphere.

(They are two of the newly summoned heroes, master.)

I almost didn’t hear Mareritter’s explanation when I saw knights with zagrant empire crest on their armor as I moved in an instant and ended up killing them.

One, two,

“What? S, stay away! Ahhhh!”

Three,

“Hieeeee!”

Four, five,

“W, who ar… ghaaahh!”

Six, seven,

“Uwaaaah!?”

“K, kyaaaaahhhh!”

The two heroes who were now behind me shouted in surprise and that brought me back. No good, I still couldn’t control myself well when I see that damned crest. I have different objective right now and we will need extra manpower to take care of the unconscious demon race as well as fixing up Arx Norr. Let’s refrain from killing the rest.

I stopped killing the imperial knights and flew up.

(Master, I would like to inform you that there should be a detached infantry units of the demon race army heading here. I believe they are currently traversing the forest ahead and will reach here in several days.)

(I guess we should take care of that one too…)

Flying in max speed I reached the great forest’ middle area in less than 5 minutes but there were still no sign or presence of any army so I continued forward. If what Mareritter said was true then shouldn’t the army have reached here already?

Right after I finished thinking such, I could finally felt a large number of presence, accompanied by the atmosphere of an ongoing battle. Huh? Battle?

From above, I could see an area of the forest with fallen trees as well as corpses and people of demon race fighting each other.

(Eh? What is happening here?)