Chapter 17 - Duopoly?

Note:: Mm, happy times that will last for a while incoming. Not that I mind. Well anyways I'm thinking of doing a mass upload . Should I just throw all the chapters once or make the author suffer by uploading daily? Down to all suggestions to make author suffer...

Arthur Leywin POV:

I was currently inside  the council's meeting room. The air was light as all of the officials who had been tirelessly working before even the war started had delighted expressions etched on their tired faces.

All of the battles we fought so far had ended up in victories. My plan to force Agrona to use all of his cards and pushing him towards an all out war worked better than expected. The only fighting force Alacrya now had were a bunch of retainers and the Ascenders.

Bzzzz

A sound from a communication scroll diverted all of our attention towards it. I opened it and saw the name 'Alea Triscan'

"Mission Report: Half of the alacryans forces have been killed and other half have been captured alive. We are currently transferring the Prisoners to various prisons." Alea reported

"And what about the casualties?" I asked

"10 dead and 10  injured but nothing serious about them. General Aya fainted early due to some un-foreseen circumstances. But her life is out of danger."

"Good, withdraw your forces and return to the castle" I ordered after closing the scroll.

The whole atmosphere which was previously silent bursted into roars, as people congratulated each other for the over-whelming victory against alacrya.

I decided not to interrupt their moment as In reality we only had won the battle, but not the war. With enough time and experiments Agrona would be able to nurture more scythes, even powerful than before. Last time Agrona tried to reincarnate cecelia. However I knew that if he could summon Cecelia he'd definitely go after someone else, more powerful than her, from some other world.

Before my regression I had known there were countless worlds with countless powerful people. The power which we wouldn't even amount to. And reigning over all the worlds were THEM. The one who gave me a fighting chance.

"Haah" I let out a deep sigh.

I looked at the faces of people filled with pure delight. They embraced each other and congratulated.

"Alright everyone, may I have your attention" I said amplifying my voice with sound magic "As you know we've won some major battles. But the war isn't over,,, just yet. Right now it's too early to tell you all. For now just enjoy your sweet time. Return to your families... oh and yes, get a barrel of wine per each from the cellar. All of you deserve this much"

All of them roared in happiness as they started to make their way out of the room.

"Oh, and council member Priscilla, stay here. I have something to talk about."

She nodded nervously and stayed behind, seated in the smaller seats that surrounded my somewhat throne like chair.  Once everyone departed I conjured a wind barrier around us;

"You might have an inkling of why I have told you to stay here, right?"

She just nodded as she kept her head down.

"So, you don't have anything to tell me or defend yourself in this regard?" I said my voice raised a little.

"No, I have nothing to say nor I need to defend myself. I'm okay with any punishment you'll give me." She said her , trying to make her tone confident but couldn't as her voice trembled.

'Why would I Do that? Is she thinking I'm some tyrant or something?'

Just as I was about to speak the doors opened with a bang. Regis walked inside his clothes covered with blood and grime but he himself looked clean. His hair which usually fell on his face were now combed completely back.

"They're taken care of princess. Also I have something to talk ab...." He trailed of as he saw Priscilla sitting in a seat. She turned her eyes towards him but soon cast her gaze downwards.

Regis took a seat on the opposite side of the table, and started to stare at me, silently.

"..... oh I was talking about the same thing you were going to tell me."

"I don't know.....if you're asking me why I did it. I don't know man. It wasn't because of my sick nature tho, I know that much. But if you say I'll just stick to aya and forget about he..." Regis replied

I raised a brow at him, but not in anticipation but in anger. I interrupted him as I punched him in the face making him crash into the wall.

"What were you going to say, REGIS?"

He got up rubbing his nose "What the fuck? You beat me up for something, that you wanted me to do? Don't you just want a reason to hit me? It's too non-sensical. Now you're beating me without even a reason, I was just saying what you wanted to hear. What have I ever done to be treated like this?"

"You mutt, first you cheated. And now you're trying to back off from your mess. Take responsibility or I'll just turn you back to the fucking stone you were."

"......"

"......"

Priscilla looked at both of frantically trying to figure out what I meant...

"What do you mean by that?" Regis asked, looking dumbfounded.

"What I mean is I don't care what you do. Just don't keep both of them in the dark. You're a sentient  being . I have no right to mingle in your affairs. But as your lifelong companion I do have the right to tell what's good for you. You can't keep running from this." I paused for a brief second and then turned my head over to Priscilla "are you serious about this?"

She looked at me with confusion "What do you mean?"

"Your relationship with Regis. I don't care what you both do, as long as there's mutual consent."

"I-I want this too. I was never happy, as Blaine only married me for my potential in magic. But then there are curtis and kath too" she replied

"You don't have to worry about them. They're old enough to get married. As for you both I'll arrange something only after you both break the news to General Aya. He's already engaged to her."

She looked at me and nodded Quietly.  "But once you decide that you have to say goodbye to your old identity"

"Huh?"

"What?"

Both of them looked at me.

"What I mean is I can't have a council member and human's representative's parent involved in such a love tale. So when all the war is done, you have to abandon your name and origins. You'll be a new person."

"How is that even possible?" She asked

"Nothing's impossible, For Me that is" I replied with a smirk . She parted her lips to ask more but I interrupted her "Regis will explain what I mean. Also , Regis after explaining her, invite aya over and sort this mess out"

Regis looked at me with disbelief "I-I'm speechless. For the first time. Didn't knew you cared so much."

"Why won't I care about for the one who was always there for me. Now go and sort your mess. And call me if Aya's out for your blood." I replied laughing like a maniac finally getting a chance to turn the trash-talk tables on him. Regis grumbled audibly and left with Priscilla in tow.

"Well that's one less matter to worry about." I muttered to myself.

The door slammed open once again as I sighed. 'Why do people keep coming in while slamming the poor door.?'

This time it was Virion. He walked towards me as he brought me closer in a bear hug. He congratulated me for our success.

"Congrats. To you too gramps. I can see you're looking quite energetic today."

"Why won't I? It's finally time to get some good rest. But about the announcement you said. What is that about?"

"Ah, that. Actually it's better to show you." I said as I conjured a portal and two people stepped from it.

"Gramps I'd like you to meet scythe seris of alacrya"

Hearing the word scythe, gramps immediately shifted in his integrate phase. Suddenly his integrate phase vanished like it was never there, as all the mana in his core got restrained. I looked over, Cecelia was standing in the corner.

"Thanks cecil, as for you gramps. Let me explain first. She isn't an enemy. She's on our side. As for the announcement it's very much related to her and...." A moment later Caera stepped out from the portal her horns protruding from the sides, but instead of coming down they went up, giving it a crown-ish touch.

"You see both her and caera belong to alacrya. My plan isn't to just outright decimate alacrya. The people there are forced into doing their "False-God's biddings." So what I suggest is to kill Agrona and the vritra and integrate both of the continents."

Virion fell in deep thought as he started to process the information. After a while he looked at me

"How do you plan to integrate them?"

"Leave that to me. There will be a ceremony some day later. As for what it will be, you'll know."

"Baaah, whatever. Do whatever you want. I mean, have you ever been wrong? Hahaha. Alright I'll take my leave."

As he was about to leave a gunmetal haired girl walked inside. She bowed  her head towards Virion as he avoided her gaze

"Greetings Marshal. We've received the prisoners and are under strict observations."

"Good work Captain Tessia. And since we're not currently at war, call me Arthur. It puts me on edge every time I hear that." I said with a slight smile.

"I-I'll try to."

"Anything else?"

"N-no. I...."

"You may leave then"

I knew what she was going to say, so I dismissed her not wanting to hear anymore of her rant. As she left I looked towards virion "Don't worry. The side effects and remnants will be gone before you know it." Virion narrowed his eyes but shrugged and left.

I looked towards Caera and seris who were standing there without saying anything. "Go back Seris. I have something to talk to her."

"Abandoning me so soon, Arthur? You're so cold" seris said acting hurt by placing one hand over her heart. I could've sweared I saw caera's lips twitch. "Fine fine. I'll go." A coy smile appeared on her face "don't be late just because you got too engrossed in your little crusade." She said while laughing as she disappeared in the portal.

Caera came closer as she wrapped her hands around me.

"Come with me. I want to show you something." I said as I grabbed her by her waist. Looking for the longest aetheric strands I god-stepped 3 times and arrived at the port of etistin. Despite the blood bath here it was now as clean as it was before.

"You remember this place?" I asked

"Definitely. Our first date got ruined while we were here." She said with a light chuckle. The setting sun's soft light and the light breeze that made her hair flutter made her look even more beautiful.

"Caera." I said, strengthening my wavering resolve

"Hmm?"

I took out a box from my rune. The box was red coloured as little jewels adorned the whole box. I got on one knee as I raised the box, opening it. Her large ruby eyes widened even more, as she looked at what I was holding. She covered her mouth with both her hands as tears started to trickle down. She looked at me with disbelief but her eyes showed pure joy.

"A-Arthur..."

"I love you, Caera. More that anything or anyone. I'm sorry it took 2 lifetimes, both yours and mine. I've been running from you in the previous timeline, and I've been running from saying my feelings out loud in this one. I know I'm not good at this stuff, but still.... I love the feeling and the butterflies I get when I see you smiling. I would love to smile for the rest of my life, with you by my side. Through every thick and thin, it's only you that I desire to be by my side. So, I say it's a yes?"

She stood there as the streams of tears began to thicken. "Yes. Yes dummy. Of course it's a yes" she said her voice trembling. I took the ring out, as I held her hand which was still shivering. I put the ring on her left ring finger as I looked at her with a warm smile.

"Welcome to the family, Caera Leywin" I said making her blush, but soon afterwards she placed her lips onto mine holding the back of head firmly. I gently grabbed her by her waist, and pulled her closer, deepening it.

'Finally! A moment of pure happiness in 3 lifetimes' was my last thought as I god-stepped.

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(A/n phew that was..... nevermind. Should I write where they god-stepped? Haha... well anyways hope you enjoy the chapter and I'll see you all next time.

Until then happy reading stay blessed , and I'm out

SAYONARA