The once majestic castle of the Mondevieu Union, known as the Monde Uni, had now transformed into an even more awe-inspiring monument—the World House. Both Ruhabayo and Jonathan were taken aback by the sudden shift, their sharp minds racing to comprehend the situation. They stood amidst the grand structure, their thoughts a whirlwind of analysis.
"Could it be... Did I summon an attack without any chant?" Jonathan wondered, his thoughts a mix of anxiety and determination. "The Devil's Pull that I unleashed earlier hasn't been fully executed yet, which means that at any moment, Schlachtan will awaken and explode within this barrier. Not only will Ruhabayo perish, but I too might fall victim to its grasp. The energy generated by Schlachtan will be trapped inside this barrier until the pressure forces it to burst. When the barrier shatters, the explosion's intensity will increase tenfold. This is catastrophic, even for me. What have I done?"
The Devil's Pull, Jonathan's powerful attack, involved a devastating explosion. However, 'Schlachtan' was the ultimate and final form of this attack. After its announcement, Schlachtan took 200-500 seconds to awaken. Once awakened, it would pull everything within a 50km radius into its vortex, followed by an explosion capable of obliterating an entire island.
As the world around them seemed to regress into a time of ancient grandeur, the high stakes of Jonathan's actions weighed heavily on both their minds. The monumental World House stood as a testament to the power and peril they faced.
"What world is this?" Ruhabayo muttered to himself, as the chaotic battlefield he was fighting on morphed into an opulent announcement stage of a grand castle. He wandered around, trying to fathom what had transpired in an instant. His surroundings, once filled with the clamor of war, were now replaced with the serenity of ancient stone walls, adorned with majestic banners fluttering in a gentle breeze.
It didn't take long for the perceptive Ruhabayo to realize that it was Jonathan's move that had deviated from his expectations. The astute Ruhabayo deduced that this form of Jonathan's sword, aptly named "Distorted Past," had the power to alter history. "But what went wrong?" he pondered, as the duel between the strongest God and the fiercest Devil continued unabated.
From a towering balcony, a figure emerged, drawn by the disturbance in the garden below. The figure's presence was commanding, almost suffocating in its intensity.
"Who dares to knock on the VICTOR's door?" bellowed the mysterious figure on the balcony, his gaze sweeping the surroundings like a predator surveying its territory. He was a colossal giant, standing at 7 feet 6 inches, with a muscular build that could intimidate any ordinary person. His hair, though not long, framed his imposing visage, and he wore a crown adorned with precious gems, highlighted by a brilliant red jewel. Bare-chested, he donned tight beige pants and was draped in a single white silk cloth that flowed like a cascading waterfall.
"What is it that disrupts the serenity of my lord, chosen by the heavens to bestow blessings upon the people of this world, the victor of the battle of judgment?" La Main, the victor's devoted advisor, inquired with utmost reverence. In the era of the Game, 'La Main' was the title bestowed upon the king's closest confidant and advisor.
"I hear the stir of some filthy humans resting below us and cannot bring myself to stop wondering who is brave enough to distract me, the victor," the mysterious figure standing on the balcony was none other than the man who won the Game, the leader of the Mondevieu Union, now the leader of the planet. This enigmatic figure was called Aldric Jeffery and his Maine was known as Morcant Grimza.
Ruhabayo, after hearing the call from Aldric, leaped onto a tall tree, hoping to find some clue. His heart raced as he glimpsed the faces of Aldric Jeffery and Morcant Grimza. For the first time, he remembered someone's face with vivid clarity. He was trembling; his calm and sharp mind had shut down, and he was numb. It was as if old wounds had reopened. Despite his traumatic past being thrust into the forefront of his mind, Ruhabayo regained his senses faster. Instead of backing down or formulating a plan, Ruhabayo intentionally stopped thinking. He felt that he should act not on his wits but feelings. He was ready to end the mess that was spread by his ancestors. He was going to change the course of history. Ruhabayo's eyes darkened, reflecting the resolve burning within him.
"ALDRIC JEFFERY!" Ruhabayo climbed to the balcony and called with unwavering determination. "Who in the hell is this madman? How does he dare to call me, the victor, by my name?" Aldric was furious by the insolence and disrespectful act of Ruhabayo. Morcant, attempting to calm his sire, said, "My lord, forgive me for I failed to prevent this rodent from coming to the holy castle." "The Victor? Oh, I see you have not been updated." Ruhabayo said calmly, a hint of irony in his voice.
"What update?" Aldric asked, his curiosity piqued while Morcant rifled through his memory to find the record of Ruhabayo. "Well, the update that Aldric Jeffery has been defeated by the rightful ruler of the world," Ruhabayo declared, his tone resolute. Aldric and Morcant both were taken aback, their expressions betraying their disbelief.
"What nonsense!!" Aldric exclaimed furiously, his voice echoing through the grand halls, "Rightful ruler over my dead body." "Technically, you're going to die here," Ruhabayo warned Aldric Jeffery, his voice cold and unyielding.
"RUHABAYOO!!!" Jonathan aggressively shouted, his anger palpable. "How dare you talk to my ancestor disrespectfully? Our fight has not ended yet." "Quiet, Jonathan Jeffery!" Ruhabayo ordered Jonathan, striking the ground with his sword, sending a tremor through the stone floor. Jonathan, undeterred, uncovered his silver spear, the metal gleaming ominously.
"Wait, did you say Jeffery?" Aldric asked, a sense of foreboding washing over him. "Sir Aldric Jeffery, you are my great-grandfather. I'm called Jonathan, and I am the fourth president of the Monde Uni from the future," Jonathan revealed, his voice filled with a mix of pride and solemnity.
"WHAT?" Aldric was bewildered, his mind reeling. He turned to Morcant, "Maine, is this the truth?" "The young master is indeed speaking the truth, my lord. He bears the royal Jeffery birthmark on his shoulder," Morcant confirmed, referring to the blue Saturn mark on Jonathan's left shoulder, a symbol of their lineage.
"Stop this family reunion at once!" Ruhabayo ordered, his voice echoing through the grand hall, drawing all attention to himself.
"Who do you consider yourself to be that you are doing the insolent act of ordering us, Jeffery, the king of the world?" Jonathan taunted Ruhabayo, with Aldric showing his affirmation to him, both men oozing confidence.
"You'll soon understand," Ruhabayo warned, his eyes narrowing as he drew his sword closer. His voice dropped to a menacing whisper as he announced,
"Sword of Justice: Third Form—Domain of Just."
Ruhabayo's sword began to glow, the blade humming with energy as it sucked all the moisture from the air. A liquid substance oozed from the sword, flowing sinuously through the air to envelop Jonathan. The liquid solidified into a barrier, trapping Jonathan. Panic flashed across Jonathan's face, while Aldric and Morcant stood frozen, clueless about what was happening.
"What in the-" Jonathan exclaimed, his voice quivering. He swung his sword at the barrier, but the blade bounced off harmlessly. Ruhabayo's lips curled into a malicious smile as he chanted, "Teleport!"
In an instant, Jonathan vanished from the castle, leaving behind a shimmer of magical residue. Aldric, realizing the gravity of the situation, roared in fury and launched himself at Ruhabayo. His sword aimed for Ruhabayo's heart, a strike meant to end the battle in one blow. But Ruhabayo's Four Dragons' Defense materialized, ethereal dragons intertwining to deflect Aldric's attack. The impact created a shockwave that sent Ruhabayo crashing into the wall, the stone cracking under the force. Debris from the shattered wall floated eerily in mid-air.
Ruhabayo's eyes darted around, quickly assessing the situation. He summoned his 'Air Cannon' attack, his control over the debris now absolute. With a flick of his wrist, the pieces of rubble aligned and shot towards Aldric like a barrage of deadly missiles. Each fragment was a potential cannonball, ready to explode upon contact with living skin.
Aldric's gaze hardened, a steely determination reflecting in his eyes as he honed in on the battle. Without hesitation, he moved his sword with rapid precision, deflecting the debris back at Ruhabayo. The fragments shot through the air with lethal intent, but Ruhabayo remained unfazed. His Four Dragons' Defense sprang into action, the mystical dragons intercepting the projectiles mid-flight. The debris exploded harmlessly in the air, the force of the blasts sending powerful waves of wind rippling through the hall.
Ruhabayo's clothes fluttered wildly, the strong gusts tearing at the fabric and leaving them tattered and worn. His expression remained resolute, his eyes burning with fierce determination. The force of the explosions had caused the air to shimmer with heat, creating a surreal and disorienting atmosphere.
Aldric, undeterred by the failure of his initial attack, tightened his grip on his sword. He shifted his stance, readying himself for the next onslaught. His mind raced as he strategized, seeking a way to break through Ruhabayo's seemingly impenetrable defence.
Aldric's expression hardened, his mind focused and resolute. He spread his legs and joined his middle and ring fingers of both hands, his voice a powerful declaration that reverberated through the hall:
"Dimensions: Domain of the Victor!"
A black veil descended over the castle, shrouding it in darkness.
[To be continued in Chapter 28]