A week after my talk with Isabella, I was still in shambles.
She had truly and completely broken my heart.
Cassandra worked diligently to comfort me in my time of great pain... Part of me was still pissed that she had taken advantage of my memory loss, but I was also still very much in love with her.
I couldn't help it at this point.
Besides, I was thankful to not be alone.
Currently, I was laying in Cassandra's bed on her chest as she held me tightly.
She was really beating herself up over this...
"I'm so sorry... I feel like I ruined everything... I only wanted you to love me and look what happened... I'm such a despicable human being... Why do I have to be so greedy!?" She said through her tears.
I sighed.
"Please don't talk like that, Cassandra. I can't be angry with you because I love you too much. You're not despicable and you aren't greedy. I'm glad I married you," I said.
"E-even if...I ruined your marriage...?"
"Honestly...we weren't married in this timeline to begin with. I need to understand that, but...I just miss her so much..." I said.
"Isabella doesn't accept advances from anyone. She's always wanted to find a man and pursue him on her own," Cassandra said.
That explains a hell of a lot about how she acted when we met...
"I see... That makes sense..." I said.
"Darling...I don't want to say it, but-"
"I know. I have to get over Isabella. I don't think my heart will ever heal, but I can't let this stop me. At the very least, I need to pay back the Oracle for what she's done," I said.
The two of us got up and I lightly tapped Cassandra on the head with my fist.
"E-eh...?"
"Stop insulting yourself. You're better than that. I won't sit by and watch the person I love beat herself to a pulp. Okay? If anyone is to blame, it's the Oracle," I said.
"R-right... If not for her, we probably would have gone back to the Cursebreaker and continued our fight as normal..."
"Yeah. All that work...all the memories I made with Isabella...all the love we shared. Everything. It's all gone because of that damn Oracle," I said.
Cassandra nodded.
"You're so kind to me... I feel like I don't deserve you... But I'll still work hard for you, darling! Always!" She said with a smile.
"You really need to stop being so hard on yourself. Regardless...I think it's time you helped me forget about this sadness," I said as I allowed a smile to creep over my face.
"Yes, darling. And what do you mean?" Cassandra asked curiously.
"What I'm saying, is that you had better go down into the dungeon. I'm going to chain you up and use you for stress relief. If not, I'll make you regret it," I said menacingly.
Cassandra began fidgeting.
"P-please be as rough as you like, darling! Let Cassandra take all of your frustrations and sadness! And of course...your love!"
* * *
After that, I did exactly as I said.
Just like she requested...
When it was over, I smiled to myself.
And now my revenge against you for the things you did to me down here is complete. You're my possession...my slave...and my new wife. Together, we'll destroy the Oracle and everything she loves.
* * *
The next day, I planned to actually get ready to go to the border. I wanted to get moving, so there were a few things I needed to take care of.
Mainly Arvild...
"Let's get ready to go to the border. If Isabella wants to forget me, then I'll leave her alone. Although..." I said as I allowed Cassandra to dress me.
"Do you have an idea?" Cassandra asked.
"I need to pay Arvild a visit before I go. Vengeance labeled him as a false wielder and he needs to die," I said.
"Then, shall we go to the Darius Estate?" Cassandra asked as she gently straightened the folds of my shirt.
She occasionally stared at my chest as she caressed me.
I didn't bother to tell her to stop. Mainly because I enjoyed it.
"Yeah. But we should go on foot. We have to be quiet about this," I said.
"Of course! I have my illusion magic, after all!" Cassandra said happily.
It may not have been as potent as before, but I knew I could rely on her power to still be of great use. Especially for an idiot like Arvild.
Once she finished dressing me, I helped her as well. I could have let her dress herself, but I wanted to admire her up close again. She was submissive enough to let me do as I pleased.
Although being so close caused her to fidget and get flustered. It was cute to watch.
She was mine to use and adore as I saw fit.
Lately I had felt my mind slipping further into rage-filled insanity. As a result...I began to lose myself in Cassandra's obsession with me.
It was intoxicating...
There was no end to her devotion. It would be easy to get used to this...
She made me feel like a King.
When we had finished getting ready, I had Cassandra take me to the kitchen where she lovingly prepared us a meal.
To her, it seemed very fulfilling that I ate and enjoyed the food she made.
We spent some time after that going over our plans for Arvild.
* * *
Later that day, the two of us borrowed a horse and a couple of cloaks to hide our faces.
The Darius estate was located in the city of Albatross and took little time to reach.
Once we arrived, we waited for night to fall and made our move.
Cassandra picked the lock on the window of the first floor and we climbed in.
Yet another thing she didn't mention she could do.
She smiled cutely at me after I raised an eyebrow at her. Of course, I also made sure to praise her for her resourcefulness.
After we were inside, Cassandra cloaked the two of us in invisibility magic.
Then we made our way through to Arvild's room.
Cassandra had been here before back when she had more...shady dealings with him. To her, Arvild was always insufferable. But he was surprisingly one of the few nobles that didn't treat her like complete garbage.
He would actually give her people who had offended him to fuel her habit of torturing others.
Despite this, Arvild still lusted after Cassandra and treated her somewhat poorly.
I would make sure to pay him back for the suffering he brought both Isabella and Cassandra.
And luckily, Cassandra knew exactly where his room was.
I couldn't help but smile as I thought about what I planned to do to him.
We crept through the estate and once we arrived, Cassandra stopped as she listened for sounds on the other side of the door.
Then her face turned red.
"E-eh...Mizik..." She whispered.
"I figured as much..." I whispered back.
Arvild was currently enjoying the company of his other wives...
I didn't want to involve them. I had no grudge against his women, so we decided to wait until he was finished and hid just before he emerged from his room.
He was currently in his underwear and had a satisfied smirk on his face. He walked across the hall and into the bathroom where he took a bath.
[False wielder.]
I know. Stop reminding me. He's already earned his stay in hell.
Minutes later, he came out wearing a bathrobe...
Just before he could reach for his door, Cassandra placed a normal dagger at his throat.
"Oh? An assassin? How adorable. Let's see if you can break my defense. Go on and try it," he said.
"Come with me to the meeting room," Cassandra said coldly.
Then she lowered her weapon and Arvild looked at her with a confused expression.
"I-Isabella!?" He said.
Cassandra nodded and motioned for him to follow.
It seemed that she hadn't dispelled my invisibility. I followed them and once we were inside, a few lanterns were lit to make it possible to see.
She cast an illusion to make her look like Isabella.
Hilariously, all that required was a small mole underneath her left eye.
I fell for that trick once.
But now, I wouldn't be on the receiving end of it ever again.
After we both sat down, Arvild smiled at 'Isabella'.
"To what do I owe this delight? Have you come to give yourself to me in secret?" He said.
Cassandra looked at him in disgust, but he didn't seem to notice.
"I've come to ask you about your sword," Cassandra said.
"Ah, yes. Bravery. It is one of the legendary blades. A treasure beyond value possessed by our wonderful country...and it happens to be mine. Now then, Isabella... Enough games. Are you here to give yourself to me or not? You seem to be alone and-"
Suddenly, I heard Cassandra sigh and she dispersed the illusions.
"Wh-what!? C-Cassandra!? And...who are you!? What is the meaning of this!?" Arvild said angrily.
Didn't we already meet? Or maybe you didn't remember my name because I'm not a pretty girl, you degenerate.
"I apologize, darling... I'm just so...disgusted by him... He makes me want to vomit and I can't act as well as my sister..." Cassandra said sadly.
"Don't beat yourself up over it. You've done well up until now," I said.
"Haaaah...Mizik praised me! Even though I failed! I'm so happy!" She said.
"Mizik? Is that your name?" Arvild asked.
"Yes, it is. And you are most definitely Arvild Darius."
He nodded.
"Now...would you mind telling me why you are trespassing in my home so late at night?" He asked.
Without a word, I pulled out Vengeance and left it in its sheath.
Then I placed it on the table between us as I sat down across from him.
"Cassandra, please put Intelligence on the table. Arvild, I'll ask you to do the same with Bravery," I said.
Cassandra obediently placed Intelligence on the table and Arvild smiled somewhat nervously.
"I-Intelligence...? When did..."
"I'm offering you mercy today. Place your sword on the table," I said coldly.
Hah...mercy... Yeah right...
Arvild placed his sword down and looked at mine.
"I...do not recall this one... Is that one of the legendary swords?" He asked.
"It is. It's Vengeance, the thirteenth sword. Also known as the Overseer. Do you know why I'm here tonight, Arvild?" I asked.
"No... Otherwise, I would not have asked..." He said.
I picked up Bravery and looked at it.
[As the Overseer, I will grant you permission to use other Deus Arms as long as you request it.]
Understood.
I allowed a very slight smile to cross my lips.
"Vengeance. Give me permission," I said.
Suddenly, Bravery felt lighter in my hands.
I unsheathed it and looked at the blade. The runes were very pale compared to the brilliant pink they usually radiated.
"Wh-what!? How did you-"
"Silence! Do not interrupt Mizik! Haaah..." Cassandra said.
I listened for the voice of Bravery and heard something.
[I am defiled by this evil coward. Wielder of the Overseer... I beseech thee...please free me from this perverse and cowardly man...]
"That settles it," I said.
I sheathed Bravery and placed it back down on the table.
"Arvild, do you know what a false wielder is?" I asked.
"Are you mocking me? You come into my home and ask me a bunch of stupid questions... How about I ask you a question!? What are your intentions and how did you unsheathe my sword!?" He said angrily.
He looked absolutely pissed, but I was calm.
When I looked at him, I saw little more than an insect about to be stepped on.
This bastard...this piece of garbage...
He had been harassing Isabella for so long. He didn't care about her at all...
I quietly got to my feet and picked Vengeance up.
"My intentions are to eliminate the false wielder of Bravery," I said.
I unsheathed Vengeance and its scabbard disappeared in my hand.
"He that slays thine enemy is the Vengeful one," I said.
I felt my power surge as a second sword appeared in my off-hand.
Arvild flinched as soon as he saw it, but before he could reach Bravery...
"Double strike," I said.
I instantly slashed with both swords and severed his head from his body.
It fell to the floor with a look of surprise and terror still on its face.
I regarded it as if it were filth.
"Rot in hell, you sick bastard," I said coldly.
Immediately after that, I gained an incredible amount of exp. I was boosted to level 127 and so was Cassandra.
Bravery seemed to harden itself and I picked it up.
"Now you're free... Only one more false wielder remains..." I said.
[No. There are two false wielders again. Hope has once again been reforged into Extinction. Your nemesis wields it as he always has... I do not expect you to kill him now, but some day, you will slay him and retrieve Hope.]
You don't have to tell me to kill Difar. I'll do it just because I despise him. But I'll kill as many false wielders as needed to unlock your final form.
[You are well on your way to being worthy of it. Continue acting on your own. Repay those who wrong you and kill any false wielders that stand in your way.]
It will be done.
I put Bravery and Vengeance back in my inventory and turned to Cassandra. She looked in awe of me.
She was breathing really hard... Her face was red. As if she were in heat or something.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"That was...so cool! You just executed him with such a cold and unfeeling expression! You looked so amazing when you did it! Like a King! Haaah...I'm falling in love with you again! If we didn't have to escape...I would have you take me right this instant!" Cassandra said happily.
"Ah...okay then. I'm glad you enjoyed it almost as much as I did. And we can enjoy each other later...but first... There's another problem," I said.
She tilted her head in response.
"Well, I'll probably be a wanted criminal for murdering a nobleman. I have to get to the border as soon as possible. Do you still want to follow me? It'll only get bloodier from here on. I'm going to burn everything the Oracle loves to the ground and I'll kill everyone who stands in my way."
In light of her behavior, it felt like a truly stupid question to ask.
After all...this is Cassandra I was talking about...
The one person who lived and breathed to serve and love only me.
But still, she deserved to have the freedom of choice.
"Ehehe...my darling Mizik asks such silly questions!" Cassandra said.
Now it was my turn to tilt my head.
"Life without my sweet Mizik isn't worth living. To me, you're everything and more! An addiction I can't live without! I'll follow you forever and shower you with love. And when you give an order, I'll follow it. When you say kill, I'll kill as much as you like. Whether it be a few people, or even millions! Anything to make my darling happy!" Cassandra said.
I smiled at her.
I couldn't ask for a better partner in crime...
[The wielder of Intelligence is always one of great knowledge and loyalty. Seldom have they ever betrayed me. They are my advisor and my tactician. My General and Adjutant. This one seems to believe that her absolute loyalty is in line with the philosophy of Intelligence. She is already well on her way to full acceptance.]
Already? Just because of her loyalty?
[Indeed. Is it not truly intelligent to give yourself fully and completely to the wielder of Vengeance when you, yourself, already hold Intelligence?]
I guess it would be...
[I have been speaking with Intelligence about her progress. I will talk more on the subject later. For now, the next false wielder still lives!]
Tyranus, right?
[Yes. The wielder of Justice. You will retrieve that blade.]
Understood.
"Alright, Cassandra, let's get going. We need to reach the border. Tyranus has to die next."
"Yay! I get to travel with my beloved Mizik!" Cassandra said as she clung to my arm and rested her head against mine.
Honestly, I didn't like being shorter than her, but it was also kind of nice. I knew I would eventually outgrow her, anyway...
Regardless, the two of us made our way across town. We chose to sleep in Cassandra's room one last time and celebrated killing Arvild.
* * *
When we woke up the next morning, we immediately got ready to leave.
Before leaving...I had a severe lapse in judgement...
"Cassandra, it still feels wrong to just abandon Isabella," I said.
"Hmm... She won't listen to reason, darling. But I won't stop you if you want to talk to her again. I respect your wishes and I'll support you however I can!"
After that, I sought out Isabella.
Luckily, she had just exited her room for the morning and I walked straight up to her.
Walter appeared with his hand on his sword.
"Walter, I would relax if I were you," I said.
Executing him would likely not be very difficult at the moment and there was no way he could take both of us.
"Give me one reason not to slay you on the spot right this instant!" He said angrily.
"Because both Cassandra and I are level 127 legendary sword wielders. If you attack us, it'll be suicide. I have Vengeance and Cassandra wields Intelligence. Besides, if you raise Honor against me, I am left without a choice but to slay you where you stand. Any wielder who dares to stand against Vengeance is a false wielder."
He tensed up greatly as his eyes went wide.
"Wh-what are you...? What is the meaning of this!?" Walter said.
"All I ask is for you to let me talk to Isabella. I chose to do this peacefully because I still care about her," I said.
"Walter...just let him speak. If he promises not to harm either of us, it should be okay..." Isabella said worriedly.
"Will he promise to do no harm?" Walter asked as he glanced at me.
"You have my word that neither of us will raise our weapons against you as long as you remain passive this time," I said.
"Very well... But if you dishonor your word..."
"I know. Your sword will have no trouble cutting me down for it," I said.
Walter stepped aside and I approached Isabella.
"Are you here to force me to marry you like Arvild does so often? I thought you were better than him," Isabella said.
"I am better than him. I'm not going to force you into anything. Besides, Arvild won't be bothering you anymore," I said coldly.
I pulled out Bravery and handed it to her.
Walter gasped as he saw it.
"Th-that's-"
"Bravery. Now let me be blunt. Arvild was a false wielder. I know I just spoke of it, but are you familiar with the term, Walter?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Good. Then I don't have to explain why Vengeance wanted him dead. The reason I personally wanted him dead, was because he's despicable degenerate that constantly throws himself at the woman I love and treats her like an object."
"And it seems that you are a murderer as well. I would rather thank you for killing him, but I cannot ignore such a crime," Isabella said angrily.
"Of course. But I'm hoping that sword will jog your memory so that it doesn't come to that. Has Bravery spoken to you?" I asked.
"No. It hasn't said a word to me! Why would it!?" Isabella asked.
I was starting to become worried.
She wielded that sword so easily in the previous timeline...
"Bravery, I command you to select Isabella as your wielder," I said.
[Impssible, my Lord. I cannot. My deepest apologies... My power would destroy in her current state...] Bravery said.
What...?
[She cannot use Bravery this time. The most minimal requirements for wielding the Deus Arms are the aptitude to grow and understand their philosophies and having a level cap of at least 100. She meets only one of these.] Vengeance said.
Oh...I forgot something important...
I made a terrible mistake.
Isabella originally only had a leveling limit of 50...!
"Damn it all... I forgot! Your max level is only 50!" I said.
"H-how could you possibly know that!?" Isabella said.
"We were married for twenty years!!! What do I have to say to make you believe me!?" I said angrily.
"You're a delusional stalker and a murderer! GUARDS!!! ARREST THIS MAN IMMEDIATELY!" Isabella screamed.
Walter got in front of her as I backed away.
She was still holding Bravery.
"Ugh... Dammit...DAMMIT!" I said.
"Cassandra! That man is very dangerous! Please get away from him!" Isabella called.
"Absolutely not! Mizik is everything to me! Unlike you... You forgot him and have turned your back on Mizik! That is unforgivable!" Cassandra said.
"Cassandra!? Have you lost your mind!? That man is violent and dangerous! You should stay away from him!" Isabella said.
"My my...such hypocrisy. In the previous timeline, I was also opposed to your union with him. How the tables have turned... And sister, I'm a murderer too. I've killed hundreds without good reason other than to release my frustrations of loneliness and mother's poisonous ideals. Besides...who cares anymore? This world and its laws are doomed anyway! We'll be leaving now. Don't follow us if you know what's good for you!" Cassandra said.
Then she grabbed my hand as we were surrounded by guards and turned us both invisible.
Walter unsheathed his sword, but was too late. We were already gone.
[So you dare to stand opposed, wielder of Honor... Very well. Another false wielder has appeared.]