The sky, a vast canvas of deep indigo, was adorned with a scattering of twinkling stars, each one a distant beacon of light.
The moon, in its various phases, cast a gentle glow, illuminating the surroundings with a soft, ethereal light.
The silhouettes of trees stood tall against the night sky, their branches swaying gently in the cool night breeze.
The air was filled with the soothing sounds of nocturnal creatures—crickets chirping, owls hooting, and the occasional rustle of leaves as animals moved about.
A nearby body of water, whether a tranquil lake or a flowing river, reflected the moonlight, creating a shimmering mirror-like surface that added to the mystique.
The cool, crisp air carried the subtle scents of night-blooming flowers and damp earth, enhancing the sensory experience.
As all of this affected the night, Asabe landed on the ground, creating a strong gust of wind upon landing. Some of the girls were already asleep, while those still awake—Natalia, Alisha, Arisawa, Furina, Yuri, Emiko, and Xyrene—carefully carried them down from Asabe's back and settled them into a tent.
The night wind continually made the girls' hair sway, enlightening the shining moon. Elara, also wasn't asleep, so she carried her daughter back to the tent that the girls settled.
Xialdre, who was also awake, dismounted from Asabe's back. Asabe transformed back into her human form and yawned, visibly tired.
Xialdre prepared a campfire using basic magic and then sat down, staring into the flames. Noticing him sitting there, Asabe went over and laid her head on his lap. Xialdre let her and gently patted her head as she drifted off to sleep in his lap.
The girls eventually headed to the campfire, joining Xialdre. Elara sat beside him, and a conversation began as they surrounded the fire.
"So, um, Elf girl, would you mind introducing yourself to us?" Natalia asked passionately.
"Oh, yeah, I'm Elara Spelven of the Elven race. I hope to be good allies with you girls," Elara introduced herself.
A brief silence passed, making Elara think everyone hated her, but instead, they giggled and began introducing themselves to her, including those who were asleep they introduced them to Elara.
"So, what is it like being born as an Elf?" Arisawa questioned, leading to a good interaction with Elara.
Xialdre shifted his gaze to the sky and muttered to himself, "Is this beauty? I hope I'll become a laughing living as well. I removed my own emotions, and at the same time, my reality manipulation isn't strong enough to control myself."
"In total, there have only been three occasions of my other lives dying, and yet five are already within me. It's like a storm: if one hits strong, that doesn't mean it can't get stronger. This means if one dies, it doesn't mean it's possible all of them will die just yet, since there are probably times they are already immortal."
"My true power is everything and anything manipulation—fiction, the first dimension, the second dimension, the third dimension, the fourth dimension, etc."
"Nothing you can imagine, and something you can imagine, I can do it. But yet there's a downgrade. For now, my power is still indeed everything and anything manipulation, but it's not strong enough to actually manipulate everything and anything. That is because my other lives haven't perished yet."
"Meanwhile, I'm second-guessing myself about taking revenge on Azathoth. I was arrogant back then, not realizing that not everything is about violence. There was actually still a way to stop him without me being split into seventeen fragments."
"Though all of that doesn't matter for now. What matters to me right now is protecting my future wives and finding Adonai. Once I finish that, I'll see what happens next," Xialdre concluded.
Meanwhile, back in the Northern Satalias Continent, King Avias stared at a family photo in anger as Queen Shion, Queen Stella, and Snow watched.
"Dear, don't worry. We'll eventually find them and bring them back to the palace," Queen Shion said gently.
"Cut that crap, Shion," King Avias retorted sharply.
"Dear, calm down," Snow commented, trying to soothe him.
"Tsk, you girls don't understand how it feels to lose a son and suffer a daughter's betrayal," King Avias replied, his voice thick with bitterness.
"We do know, dear. We lost our daughter and son too, but we have maintained our calm demeanor. We understand how it feels, how much it hurts, and how much it means," Queen Stella exclaimed, her voice firm yet empathetic.
"Shut up!" King Avias yelled.
Snow Astras walked slowly to Avias, attempting to place her hands on his shoulder. Avias immediately slapped her, and Snow fell to the ground in shock at her husband's sudden change.
"Don't touch me!" King Avias shouted before storming out.
Snow's eyes began to water as Shion and Stella came close to her, consoling her. Snow hid her face in Shion's chest, crying.
Avias left the room in pure rage, heading directly to the quarters of his ten strongest warriors, the Royal Saints. As the king burst into their room, all of them woke up immediately.
"You guys, I want you all to find Xialdre Natori and all of the girls in his party, and bring them here ALIVE!" the king ordered angrily, his presence darker than a black hole. He exited the room, breaking the door down in his fury.
The Royal Saints were immediately mobilized, not wanting to face the king's wrath again.
"Shit, this is the first time I've seen the king this mad," Zail, a Royal Saint, commented.
Matsuro, their leader, replied, "This Xialdre guy is no joke, you know. I remember him fighting with the king and witnessing that he was a match for him."
"Really? If that's the case, even if we fight him all together, we still wouldn't win, right?" Airi, a girl in the group, mentioned, her voice tinged with concern.
"Well, at the same time, when Xialdre fought the king, the king wasn't using his full power. He probably could've killed everyone at the colosseum, or rather the arena, but he didn't," said Jinori, another Royal Saint.
"This is actually because the king still has mercy. But where he is right now, his face shows he's about to commit genocide," Vildora added, a Royal Saint.
"Well, if he does commit genocide, this won't be his first time," Matsuro revealed.
"That's true. His expression shows he's been to war before," Hiter, a member of the Royal Saints, exclaimed.
"That's because he's a king. It wouldn't be a shock if a world leader has gone to war before," Merry, another member of the Royal Saints, replied.
"Anyways, should we tell the king we probably cannot even put up a fair fight against Xialdre and his group?" Lara suggested.
"I guess we have to. We'll need the king's help to win, and probably the queens' too. We still don't know how strong Xialdre's comrades are, except for the princesses, and we know Arisawa and Alisha will probably give a hard time to the weakest of all of us," Matsuro replied.
"Though really, who do you guys think is the weakest among us?" Vildora commented.
All the Royal Saints' eyes turned to one who was still asleep as Roxy, the strongest of them all, was poking this guy's cheek, trying to wake him up.
"Wake up, wake up, wake up," she kept saying, poking his cheek.
The guy still asleep was Shinji Hijimari, known to be the weakest among them. Lara walked directly up to him and punched him awake.
"What the hell!?" Shinji blurted out, falling off his bed.
"Eh, Lara, I think that was too far," Roxy commented, maintaining her calm demeanor. She was expressionless and not particularly smart, but she was still the strongest among them.
"Roxy is right," Shinji replied.
"Anyways, guys, I gotta inform the king about us needing help to defeat Xialdre," Matsuro said, all suited up, as he left the room.
"Geez, I guess I better wear my gear too," Shinji muttered to himself. "What is happening again?" he asked, yawning.
"The king has advised us to capture Xialdre, though we doubt he'll even have a hard time defeating all of us," Jinori replied.
"Oh, that Xialdre guy?" Shinji spoke. "Though for real, I doubt even the king will defeat him. To be honest, I myself think even the entire Satalias Continent army fighting Xialdre all at once still wouldn't work," Shinji exclaimed.
"I felt his presence. He's not just some ordinary guy that is overpowered. He is someone who can manage to manipulate everyone and anyone he wants. And truth be told, I bet even the king himself was not even putting up a fair fight against Xialdre."
"You see, what most people focused on with Xialdre was his mana and aura. Everybody thought Xialdre's potential was at the same level as the king's base, since that was the limit everyone sensed."
"Queen Shion has revealed to me the extent of Xialdre's potential, and yet that was not even close to his fullest. What Queen Shion ordered me to do is protect everyone except the king."
"Queen Shion said it's for the better if King Avias dies at Xialdre's hand, since King Avias' true identity beneath the shadow is the Ruthless King. He was the true mastermind behind Satra; he was the one who encouraged Satra to become the ruthless prince. Hiding under the prince's shadow was him."
"One time, I stumbled upon the king about to punch Queen Shion, but I stood in the way to block his fist. This was the reason why the queen has placed her trust in me. And behind the shadows, I was her true royal knight."
"The king is an abusive husband and has actually hurt the queens under his facade. But really, what can I do about it—" But before he could continue, he realized he was spacing out.
"SHINJI!" Lara yelled.
"Huh, what?" Shinji replied, startled.
"Geez, they're already leaving!" Lara retorted.
"Shinji, I think we should go now," Roxy said calmly, still expressionless.
"Hehe, sorry," Shinji replied.
With this, the three caught up with the rest of the Royal Saints, walking out of the castle.
"If I myself can't even defeat Xialdre, How would the king defeat him, All this time All the people's focus on Xialdre was his Mana and aura and not his Expression" Shinji Explained to himself as he continues "His expression shows, No matter how strong you are, he saw you as Nothing but a weakling that will never ever surpass him"
But then as they were about to get out, A man riding a cloud charged at all of them, Merry immediately was put to action creation a web shield.
The man backs up as this guys smiles as he holds a staff that made them all recognize who they were all about to fight against.
"Hehe, I guess this is gonna be a good fight" The man said.
"Guy's this guy right here is sun, Other known as the monkey king!" Vildora Informed.
Then all of them was putting their gaurd up since this guys is not someone they could easily defeat, or either even defeat.
And without even a second Sun has charged in, Though Merry again summoned web, but this time she used it to grab into Sun's feet.
Jinori charged at Sun while he was tangled in Merry's web. Jinori pulled out his sword as Sun cloned himself. The clone jumped in and kicked Jinori in the chin, but Jinori managed to slice the clone, killing it. However, arrows flew through the sky, targeting Sun.
Sun had already broken free from the web and hit Merry on the leg with his staff, causing her to fall to the ground. As arrows rained down, Sun maneuvered skillfully, dodging each one. Lara, the archer, was shocked by how easily Sun evaded her shots, known to be faster than the speed of sound. Sun grinned at her.
Merry, on the ground, grabbed Sun's foot and bit him. "The heck?" Sun muttered, confused since her bite didn't hurt. He kicked her away, but Vildora was already in front of him, punching Sun in the face and sending him flying. Vildora's speed caught Sun off guard.
In a second, Vildora reached Sun again, but this time Sun was ready. He caught Vildora mid-run, choking him and dragging him across the floor before throwing him into a wall. Zail, holding his wand, cast a spell without a chant, firing thunderbolts rapidly. Sun used his staff to absorb the thunderbolts.
Sun then charged at Zail, jumping from wall to wall like a monkey. He leaped ten feet high as Zail cast a barrier spell, but Sun broke through easily, hitting Zail on the forehead with his staff. Zail, still standing, shot a dragon breath attack, forcing Sun to back away. Sun's left leg began to lose strength from Merry's poison.
As Sun backed up, an arrow pierced his right shoulder. At the same time, Vildora slide-kicked Sun to the ground. Vildora carried Merry away from Sun. As Sun slowly stood up, a hazardous explosion targeted him directly. Zail's explosion magic tore down the entire entrance of the castle.
The guards sprang into action, rushing to the scene as Vildora carried Merry and gathered the rest of the group. Lara sighed in relief, thinking they had won, and turned to see Shinji and Roxy clapping.
"YOU BOTH DIDN'T EVEN HELP!" Lara yelled.
They both received a heavy punch from Lara, bringing them to tears. "Geez, that hurt, Lara!" Shinji exclaimed.
"Do you want it more fatal?" Lara angrily replied.
"Chill. It really seemed like you guys had it under control," Roxy explained calmly, maintaining her cold expression.
As the guards reached the commotion, they ensured the Royal Saints' safety. "Are you guys okay?" the commander asked.
"Not yet. Sun is still alive," Shinji exclaimed.
"What are you talking about? How can you tell?" Lara asked. Then, a heavy presence filled the scene as Sun emerged from the explosion's hole.
"You guys aren't so bad of a challenge after all," Sun exclaimed, laughing maniacally at the sky.
"It's time for me to act!" Roxy exclaimed.
The entire army, including the Royal Saints, backed up as Roxy pulled out a knife and wounded her palm. Sun's armor flew to him automatically as he stood. Roxy's blood became a sword, and her yellow eyes turned pitch red, her pupils disappearing. Without time to react, Roxy was already in front of Sun, attempting to pierce him, but he blocked with his staff.
Sun's armor shone as they fought in the sky without remorse. Roxy, moving at incredible speed, struck Sun from every angle, seeking a weakness. Sun struggled to keep up, summoning a clone to assist, but to no avail. Realizing she couldn't pierce his armor, Roxy backed up and began flying in circles. Sun, confused by her actions, charged at her. Before he knew it, Roxy was no longer in front of him.
A strong force hit his armor's side, and he heard a crack. Sun turned to see Roxy smiling psychotically. "AHAHAHAHAHAH," she laughed, trying to gain momentum to pierce his armor.
"This girl isn't normal..." Sun muttered as Roxy continued to smile. Realizing the danger, Sun used his staff at lightning speed, hitting Roxy at the back of her head and sending her crashing to the ground with brute strength. Roxy's head shattered, and her body was thrown to the ground mercilessly.
The Royal Saints and the guards were shocked, except for Shinji. "Is thi-this really the end..." Lara muttered. "This Sun guy managed to defeat Roxy with one hit..." Vildora said, trembling.
Then, Roxy flew back into the sky, her head regenerating. Her eyes turned black, and more blood formed into swords. "You aren't human, hehe," Sun commented as Roxy silently began attacking him.
Sun dodged all her attacks, grabbing her hand and throwing her back to Shinji, who caught her. Sun's smile disappeared as he ran away. Roxy tried to pursue him, but Shinji held her back. "Roxy... If you continue, you'll run out of blood and die on the spot."
"Roxy, stop this!" Zail yelled.
"He's right. We cannot lose you for just some monkey!" Merry commented.
"They're right. Please, you need to calm down!" Lara interjected.
"Roxy, don't let your blood overtake your body!" Jinori added.
"Roxy, we know you're still in there. So if you can hear us, don't let your blood control you!" Vildora added.
But Roxy was inevitable, stabbing Shinji on the spot. Everyone was shocked as Shinji, without a second thought, kissed Roxy as she stabbed him.
"Hmmhhm," Roxy immediately woke up, healing her palm wound instantly. "Eh, what is going on..." Roxy looked around, seeing herself stabbing Shinji as he lost consciousness.
"Huh... Uh, Shinji, Shinji," Roxy repeated, tears falling as Shinji fell to the ground.
"Why aren't you guys helping him? We can still help him!" Roxy cried.
"Roxy, did you forget? Shinji has a weak body, and even one stab from a knife in his chest could kill him immediately," Zail exclaimed.
"No! HUH!?" Tears fell from her eyes as she checked Shinji's pulse, realizing it wasn't beating.
The Royal Saints felt devastated, losing one of their allies. Despite being the weakest, he was the most entertaining among them. Lara and Merry cried, and the guards saluted Shinji.
Roxy kissed Shinji on the lips, but this time she was conscious. Then, Shinji slipped his tongue into her mouth, catching her off guard.
"Ehh!" Roxy backed up, pulling away from the kiss.
Shinji sat up, alive, as the guards commented in the background, "A GHOST."
"No, I'm not," Shinji said, taking off his jacket to reveal it had hit a ketchup packet in his pocket and his vest.
"Ahaha—" But before Shinji could finish laughing, Roxy kissed him again, this time with both of them conscious. She hugged him tightly.
As Roxy pulled away, she got flustered and yelled, "DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN!"
"Okay..." Shinji replied, looking around, only to receive a heavy punch on the head from Lara.
"You don't ever do that again!" Lara commented.
"Ouch!" Shinji exclaimed. "Chill!"
"But your pulse wasn't beating..." Roxy said, tears streaming down her face.
"Oh, that? That's because I have a special ability to play dead. I was hoping for a moment like this to actually use it, hehe. And besides, I got a tongue-to-tongue kiss with Roxy. Isn't that a very high achievement?" Shinji explained.
"Idiot! Idiot, idiot, idiot! YOU PERVERT!" Roxy yelled before running back inside the castle, flustered. The Royal Saints shook their heads.
"WHAT'S WITH THIS SUDDEN CATASTROPHE?!" the king yelled as he walked onto the scene with Matsuro, Airi, and Hiter. The three realized what their group had just done as they sighs.
Matsuro, Airi, Hiter, Vildora, Lara, Merry, Jinori, Roxy, Shinji, and Zail were the Royal Saints. Shion, Snow, and Stella were the queens. Mitsarao, Guts, Lucas, Masaru, and Takeshi were the Golden Knights. Daiki was the Diamond Knight, and Kenshin was the Platinum Knight.
This group would be the one to attack Xialdre and his party. As for the Satalias Continent, the third prince, Azirith Astras, would stay behind, as he was missing a leg. Sebas wouldn't be buried until Xialdre was captured, and his memorial wouldn't be held until Xialdre was also caught.
Meanwhile, Sun watched from a distance as everyone prepared to leave. He laughed and teleported away.