Bael Pov.
"And That was the history of my Origin. I come from That legendary place. Along our journey, one after another, I lost all five of my friends, all of whom died a silent and peaceful death. They left their children in my care knowing that I will out live them.
The End."
I ended my not so true story of my Origin which I am proud to have created on the go.
While I ended my story a few seconds ago, the Kibou group seemed to be lost in a trance as they looked like they are still stuck inside my story.
Heck, even Aria seem to have gotten transfixed to my story. Judging by her gleaming eyes, I wonder if she will retell this story to the guardians.
[Probability of 99% is in favour of it happening.]
As if Gabriel guessed my musings, she answered my unasked question.
'oh? Why not 100%?'
[ 1% will be her unable to retell this story any time soon because you will just drop all the Adventurers work on her and flee.]
'I will not!!'
[....]
'Well, I haven't gotten any more things left to do here really. But I promise that I will relieve some work off of Aria.'
[But if she knew that you would lessen her tasks, then she might have an existential crisis of if she is not serving you properly.]
'Well we have that too..'
To be honest, after this quest, I plan on returning to being the OverLord of a nation.
Leaving Ari to settle things on this side with a doppelganger acting as me to not make people suspicious of my absence.
I could technically, assign another Doppelganger to imitate her but if something important happens while both of us are absent then the Doppelgangers might get in trouble.
I could make it so we alternate between who stays, but the problem of why would the subordinate be resting while her Lord works may come up. I can probably say something like, "What you will do is more important than this and I fully trust that you will do it."
[It seems you are learning how to use your words effectively.]
'You think so?'
[....]
'... right.'
Back to reality, these guys are still in a trance. Let's wake them up first.
*Swish* *splash!*
A stream of extremely cold water hit all five of them which made the Kibou team jump out of their skin in fright.
While Aria had only a slight twitch of her body as she regained control over herself almost instantly.
As expected, her superior racial ability as well as her resistances made her almost resilient to cold. I say almost became as her Lord,I have certain ways to make my spells effective against her.
[You just used me to turn her cold resistance off....]
'Shush. We don't talk about the fine details here.'
[.....]
"Huh!?"
"What-what happened? Where are we?"
Asked Tsuzu as they finally came back to reality.
"Your are in the middle of a forest, in a country called Gemmera, in the central continent of the world, in a planet made by the Dragon God inside the universe, inside the mul-"
"Alright alright! We understand!...shesh!, if not Stoped I don't know where you might have gone to Armin san.", said Tsuzu in annoyance at my small joke.
"Sorry, we got lost thinking how tragic and also epic the history of Yggdrassil was.", Apologized Riku while smiling sheepishly.
"Same here, I still can't believe that such a kingdom exists, well existed." Haku said, his voice was a mix of admiration and disbelief.
"Umn, Armin san. I haven't really heard of any kingdom that had the name Yggdrassil."
Misu said, her eyes showing a hint of puzzlement.
"You are right Misu san, no one will know about Yggdrassil even if you ask them."
I said.
"Why? Based on your story, the prosperity and strength of that kingdom might have made it quite famous right?" Tsuzu said.
"Indeed. But the thing is. The civil war happened 3 thousand ago."
I said.
Well they won't know, but me and the readers know that this is made up.
"I see...3 tho- wait.. what!?", Tsuzu at first seemed to absent-mindedly accept the explanation but soon realised how long ago the civil war happened.
"THREE THOUSAND years Ago??!!", Tsuzu shot up from her seat as she screamed, which quickly got the attention and glares of various people around us who were resting after a tiresome day.
Covering her mouth Tsuzu sat down on her seat as she again whisper-screamed.
"Three thousand years?! Is it really that far ago?"
"Yes. That is why I said no one will remember it." I nodded at her question. Amused at seeing their shocked expressions.
"But...that will make you 3 thousand years old right??", Misu said.
"I am quite old aren't I?", I said smilingly as I was rolling on my imaginary floor inside my head.
"You are REALLY OLD!" Still whispering, Tsuzu said.
"Then you are not human are you Armin san?" Riku asked.
"I am indeed Human but not entirely.", Right, let's get to another made up mumbo jumbo.
"What do you mean?", A confused Riku asked.
"Before I begin, let me ask you a question Riku san. Did you feel any changes inside yourself after you fought with Will?"
"...I did, I felt like I could sense something dense all around me as if it was air. I also felt that dense thing going inside my body and strengthen me. Besides that I felt a qualitative change to my body. I felt much lighter then before as if I could run extremely fast. Or I could cleave a boulder in one swing."
"Those are the benefits of your successful evolution to Enlightened. And that dense something is called Magicules. It is similar to mana, but much more abundant, and purer than simple mana. Excluding Humans almost every other race use Magicules or its variations."
"Wait. What does Enlightened mean? And by evolution you mean like the ones monsters go through?", Haku asked.
"Yes. Us humans also have the capability to evolve into higher life forms but it is extremely hard and rare to achieve it. If you successfully evolve though, then you will become an Enlightened. The holy church refers it as the 'right way of evolution'. Besides the term, Hermit or Sage is also used to refer to a Enlightened Human.
This evolution besides improving everything you have and adding more, also increases your lifespan ridiculously. So Riku san, you are guaranteed to live as long as a thousand years."
"A thousand...", Riku Muttered, while he glanced towards his friends.
I can probably know what he is thinking right now. It would be something along the line of If I live that long then won't I out live my friends by a long way? Even my children and grandchildren.
Something like that. Let's ease his doubts then.
"If you are afraid of out living your friends then let me tell you that since you guys have spirits inside you, all of you are expected to live at least a few hundred years. So you guys can probably figure something out till then, right?"
I said. But in reality, if they ever come hinder with my plans, that lifespan will not be able to save them. I have come to like them a bit really, key word being 'a bit'. Although I like them now, but if they become a thorn in my plans, then...
"Right, we can certainly figure something out at that time right?", Asked Tsuzu R
rhetorically to her group, all of whom just nodded.
"It's still unpredictable if you guys manage to find a way, but I have an Idea. Although I don't know if you will take it up or not, you can decide on that.", Although I know their answer, it's still worth a try.
"What Idea Armin san?", Haku asked.
"I did not tell you, that during the civil war, there was one participant who didn't take part in the war."
"Who Armin san?", Riku asked.
"It was the King. He was a very old being, who was the most powerful in the kingdom. During the civil war, every building, territory and regions were destroyed yet the King's castle and his capital was left un-touched. Neither side wanted to take up the irk of the King while embroiled in a war."
"But Armin-san, won't the King take in refuges and try to resolve the war? He sounds like he was ignoring the war.", Tsuzu asked her doubts.
"The thing is Tsuzu san, the King already knew the future of his kingdom. And he knew that whatever he would do won't change it so he embraced the war and refrained from intervening. Letting it play out as intended."
"He can see the future?", Misu asked surprised that someone can see the future.
"I don't really know, it was just rumours that time. Now it is just a legend. But even though it is a legend, the King is Very much alive and still is powerful."
"Who is he Armin san?", Riku asked.
"He is the master of Life and Death, the Lord of All Dragonkind, the ruler of a Castle that no power could invade in it's heyday. His name is Bael Draconio Armenon, the Great Dragon Lord "
From starting to the ending of the introduction, various ranges of emotions crossed the group's face. From initial curiosity of knowing the Legendary King, to gradual realisation, to out right shock at knowing who the 'King' was.
"THAT Dragon Lord who came to this kingdom? The new Demon Lord of the Council?", Haku blurted out which was inside everyone's mind.
"Yes.."
"Don't just yes us! He's a Demon Lord for God's sake!", Tsuzu screamed, to which Aria had a slight reaction of her body. Showing how close Tsuzu was from antagonizing Aria.
"Calm down first. Let me finish.", Still unconvinced of what I was going to say, They reluctantly sat down.
"It's true he is a Demon Lord, but it is for the Greater Good of all. As I said, he has means of knowing glimpses of the certain future which no matter what, will happen. He must have seen something which required him to declare himself as The Demon Lord.
Even though he has all these overbearing titles, he is benevolent and just in nature. Being his subordinate was the most honourable thing at that time. Now he has shifted his base to afar away land where no human can reach without assistance."
"I think I know what you mean by an Idea now. You want us to contact this Benevolent King and ask him to grant us Immortality?", Haku asked.
"Not Immortality, he will just give you a long lifespan. Being Immortal has many disadvantages then you might think."
The group had now entered a thoughtfull dilemma of whether to accept my proposal or not.
To be honest, them accepting it will have little effects on my future plans then just out right killing them, which will be most beneficial.
But the little bit of humanity in me wants to give them a choice. A chance to help themselves and let them know the consequences of going against something they should not.
"I don't think we are ready to take on this proposal Armin san. Maybe next time we can come to a conclusive decision." Riku said. Observing his teammates unsure expressions, he knew his thoughts were true.
"It's fine by me. The King doesn't know what I am suggesting so it doesn't matter how much you delay this. But I advise that you do it sooner."
"We understand.", with a resolute determination, Riku nodded.
"By the way Armin san. How do you know all these about the king?", Ahh, the question I have been expecting has finally been asked by Misu.
What will I say? That I am the King Bael? Or that this is just a made up story to draw you guys towards my side?
"I was....his friends."
"Hmn....WHAT!? You were his friend!?!", It funny how comical Tsuzu looks when she has a delayed reaction.
"Yes, he was the one who taught me everything that I ever know of. Although he was a lot older then me and was sort of a mentor of me, we were first and foremost friends, the Best of Friends.
But after I decided to join sides and took part in the war . Our relationship kind of fell apart. At that time, I was too angry that he didn't support me, my people at the time when I needed his support the most.
But now that years have passed, I have realised that my anger had a very naive reason. Him participating in the war might have graver concequences then him doing against it."
Am I just that good of a story teller? Maybe I should retire and write stories. That will be a money maker scheme.
"Then..why didn't you guys reconciled yet, if you realised your error." Misu said.
"I had been searching for him from that day but was unable to find him. But now that he has shown himself. I know where to look for him now."
"So that's why you came here. Not to meet the Demon Lord but to meet you Best Friend!", with that sudden realisation, everyone, including Aria had a face like they had discovered the secrets of the universe.
Ari most probably might be thinking that I had been planning this since the beginning but it's just good writing and storytelling really. Using facts as a base to tell a made up story will seem more realistic then just a completely fake story.
"It seems I have found out.", I joked.
"I think it is late now. We should rest. Tomorrow will be the last day of our quest."
"Yes! And the sooner we finish this the sooner you get to reconcile with your friend and mentor!", It seems Tsuzu is more excited of the prospect of Adventurer Me meeting Demon Lord Me.
"Haha, yes yes."
With that the night ended. Tomorrow, we will see some interesting things. Let's see how they will fare against a Leveled up and evolved Dire Tiger.
--------------
It was currently morning, approximately 8 am.
We were all ready and geared to take on our final hurdle of this quest. The Dire Tiger Den.
Where a number of C ranked Dire Tigers, 6 A ranked or Hazard class Dire Tigers and it's leader, the newly evolved Dire Tiger, a Greater Dire Tiger which was a Calamity class resided there.
Between the Bandits and these Dire Tigers, the Den will be a lot more challenging for these adventurers.
'Hey Gabriel, remind me again how much human souls are required for my evolution?'
[100k souls of Ordinary Humans or 1 Million Monster Souls will be required to commence the evolution process.]
Its still jarring how much souls I will need for evolution.
'Also, how come Rimuru needed only 10k and I need ten times more then him?'
[The large amount of soul requirements is factored by these three reasons.
1. You are a being from another world which follows a completely different leveling system so to compensate for that, You will need much higher amounts of souls for your evolution.
2. You are far stronger then Pre demon Lord Rimuru so you need a larger quantity of souls then normally required.
3. Also, to evolve your Unique skills which doesn't originate for this world but is a manifestation of Your skill or World Item like me, a certain fraction of soul energy will be required.
Adding all these up, a larger pool of souls is needed for evolution.]
'So, if I wanted my subordinates to evolve too then, the same reasoning will be applied to them right?'
[Yes, but it will be relatively much lesser then you. It is also advised that you first name them so a higher chance of them getting unique skill variation of their racial skills is higher.]
'I think I will do that later.'
But for now, let's enjoy the show.....