Scene-1:
"Chief, could tell me more about this place?"
When Rudra asked the Village Chief about this place. The Chief took out a map and showed it to Rudra.
Upon seeing the map, he received the biggest shock since he became Rudra. The map resembled neither Nero game world nor the Earth. It was a completely different world from both. The names of the countries were unknown to him.
If not for his Brahma artifact, he would faint. Although he expected this world to be an alien world with some similarities with Nero and Earth, when his assumption became the truth the shock was greater than expected.
The entire north was covered by a dense forest called the Great Forest of Angora. It was a largely unknown and unexplored area deeper inside of the forest.
A mountain range was branching out from the forest extending to the south. Solaris Empire was on the west side of the mountain range. There were two countries on the east side of the mountain range. One was the Gaia Kingdom and Other was the Jovinia Federation. The Gaia Kingdom was located between the Great Forest and the Jovinia Federation.
Solaris Empire and Gaia Kingdom were in diplomatic relations. The Jovinia Federation was not on good terms with either of them. Few years ago a war started between the Empire and the Federation.
At the edge of the forest and near the border of the two countries, there existed this village, The Mare Village under the Solaris Empire.
Rudra calculated the location of the Arcanum, it seemed it was around the area where forest and mountain range connected.
The extended mountain range connected to a very cold region in the south, it was called the Bifrost region. Some tribes inhabit that region.
West of the Solaris Empire was Holy Land, which was the home country of Goddess religion and church. Goddess religion was the biggest religion in the majority of the continent.
This new world was called Avaloria.
It seemed the village chief did not know anything beyond this.
Rudra reflected on the lack of knowledge about this world. Ignorance could become his weakness. If he wanted to adapt to this world or face someone then information was the key factor.
So He decided he had to take another identity and live in one of the cities in the Empire or the Kingdom.
As Rudra and the Village Chief were discussing, there was a knock on the door.
"My lord, please pardon my interruption but I have an important matter to report." Elsabeth said from behind the door.
"Come in and report."
"Yes," Elsabeth opened the door, her eyes twitched ever so slightly after seeing the chief's house, but immediately returned to her usual gentle expression before anyone could notice it.
"My lord, I have noticed some armed troops coming this way from a distance. Their attire looked similar to the knights we killed earlier. They must be the reinforcements that deceased knights called for. What shall we do, my lord?" Elsabeth reported while bowing her head slightly.
Rudra and the Village Chief looked at each other. Rudra sensed worry and an expression of plea in the face of the Chief.
"Do not worry chief, I have already given you my word that I am going to protect this village and I am going to stand by it."
"I know I have said it too many times, but thank you."
"Elsabeth, let's take the initiative and confront those troops before they arrive here." Rudra commanded, to which Elsabeth nodded.
When Rudra, Elsabeth and the Death Knight along with three prisoners were about to leave, the entire village gathered at the entrance to see them off.
"We are in your debt."
"Thank you for saving us."
Villagers expressed Rudra their gratitude and gave him a warm sendoff. When they were about to depart, Liza and Riza came rushing towards Rudra.
Riza said with a crying face, "H-Hey mister, please don't go. You are kind and strong, please stay here. Without you here, I will be scared."
"Please do not mind her. B-But when will you come back." Liza said with a slightly sad face.
Seeing them brought a small smile on Rudra's face. He patted Riza's head and gave her a cookie which made her smile.
He also patted Liza which made her blush. Then he took out a bangle and gave it to her. It was a steel bangle with six stars.
"You have the talent to summon spirits but you are so weak that you cannot actually do it. This bangle is a magical artifact which can not only help improve your talent but also can summon six spirits."
This bangle was awarded to Rudra as one of the rewards for completing a mission. He did not need it because he could summon strong spirits all by himself, besides it could only increase 20-30% of the user's spiritual energy and summon six weak spirits. So for Rudra it was an almost useless item.
But for Liza, this was the greatest gift she ever received. She never had a normal steel bangle, let alone a magical artifact.
"Magical, Magical A-Artifact! No, sir! I cannot receive such an expensive thing."
"Take it. Do not think of it as a gift, think of it as an investment. Work diligently and repay me later. Besides, this can help you protect your sister."
Rudra knew Liza would not take anything as a gift. But he wanted to see what would become of her if she went on a path of a spirit summoner. Magic caster in him did not allow him to let go of a chance to experiment. So he persuaded her.
"Then, thank you so much! Sir, no, master Rudra. I will work harder not only to protect my sister but also to live up to your expectations."
Rudra summoned five golems of level 30. Golems were 2 meters tall, sturdy and had earth-like material as skin.
"From now on, these golems work for the village. They are not only strong but they also have never ending stamina. They need neither food, water nor rest. They will protect this village and also help you in other works."
Rudra left those five golems there and went into [Gate] with Elsabeth and the death knight who was dragging prisoners with it.
Scene-2:
A troop of 200 soldiers with the Jovinia Federation crest were riding their horses in the Empire.
Their destination was the location of a squad that sent an emergency signal. That was one of the squads that were sent to destroy the frontier villages of the Empire and take civilians as hostages. Thus reducing their production and demanding ransom.
This troop would act as the reinforcements if any squad encountered troubling situations.
Although the war between the Empire and the Federation was going on for a few years, This was the first time the Federation conducted a bold mission.
"Captain Miles Vinet, the location is now visible in the telescope. It seems the emergency signal came from a village. But I cannot see any armed men in the village, including our people." said a soldier with a telescope.
"Maybe the enemies took our enemy and retreated. If that is so, we will chase them and kill them." said a man who was the captain of the troop. Unlike others, he was dressed in mage robes. His name was Miles Vinet.
He was the only one who knew the real mission here. The squads they sent to destroy the villages were too strong for that type of mission.
The real mission was not to destroy the villages. It was actually just bait. If any local knights or soldiers came to rescue the villages, they would be just killed. So the Empire would have no chance but to send their elite force, Imperial Knights.
Imperial Knights were the only capable team to defeat those knights. When those knights were defeated or at the fighting, the reinforcements of these 200 men would attack the imperial knights and wipe them out.
If Imperial Knights did not come, then the federation would use this opportunity to create a hole in the defense of the Empire.
This two-step plan was conceived by the new army commander of the federation who became the commander just a year ago. Even though she was a rather young woman, she was very powerful and cunning.
Miles was very confident in succeeding the mission because he had a trump card which could give the strongest people in the Empire a run for their money. By succeeding this mission he surely would get promoted. Such thoughts made Miles smile as he rode along with his men.
After some time, a [Gate] opened in front of them. Miles and his men stopped and looked with confusing eyes because they were ignorant of it. Then Rudra and Elsabeth, who was still in her armor, stepped out of it.
"Greetings, everyone. My name is Rudra Khaoticos Maximus Erebryx Barathrum. Are you going to that village to destroy it?" Rudra said.
"It is none of your business and who are you?"
"We are wandering magicians."
"Did you two do anything to my men in that village?"
"Yes, I have killed them."
"How dare say such things so brazenly! You will not get in the way of our mission and go without punishment. You two may be mages but we have hundreds of soldiers with numerous mages."
"It seems you want to kill the villagers that I bothered saving. Moreover you expressed your intent to kill us too. If you submit now, I will kill you painlessly as an act of mercy."
"You fool! Your foolishness will be paid with your death. Men, CHARGE!"
"Come, it will be a massacre. [Shadow Impaler]." Rudra's voice became colder as his red cape fluttered in the wind.
All the soldiers who were just about to run, instantly stopped moving because they were pierced by a black spear that came out of their own shadows. Those spears went from their backs and came out from their chests.
Miles turned his gaze at the horrific scene. In his decades of experience on the battlefield, he faced many death threats and killed numerous people but he never saw this type of situation. Killing around 200 people with a single spell was something he never heard of.
A cold shiver ran through his spine as a realization dawned on him. He just realized that he might be facing the strongest person he ever met. His body was filled with sweat, his instincts screamed at him to run and his emotions overwhelmed him.
"I-Impossible! How, how could one do that with just one single fucking spell. Even the strongest people I have ever heard of cannot do it. Rudra, I never heard of it. Who the hell are you?!"
Miles started shouting and lost all of his calm which was present a few moments ago. He knew that even the strongest soldiers of the Federation, "Superhumans", could not defeat him.
"What?!"
"How!?"
"Ohhh…Lord…"
"I-Impossible!?"
The voices of other survivors beside him returned him to his senses.
"I left out the mages that you are so proud of. Please prove to me that you are not as weak as I thought you were." Although Rudra's voice sounded arrogant, his eyes were cold and calculating as if they were observing a prey.
Miles fixed his composure and hid his fear as much as possible to not to look weak to his subordinates. "D-Do not cower! Men, I will make him regret not killing me when had the chance. Protect me and buy me some time, I will use my trump card."
Under the command of Miles, the mages of federation raised their hands and recited something, Rudra's eyes saw mana fluctuating in their bodies.
"By my will, freeze and shatter—unleash devastation: Iceball!"
"Venomous wrath, seep and decay—unleash destruction: Poison Spray!"
"By my will, ignite and consume—unleash destruction: Fireball!"
"Storm's fury, strike and sear,
Unleash your wrath: Lightning Spear!"
The barrage of spells launched towards Rudra and he let them hit him without moving an inch. Although this action confused them, they were relieved that their spells successfully landed on him.
But unfortunately for them none of the spells harmed him, no, actually they did not even make him bat an eye. This scene left the magicians speechless.
"It seems my magical immunity is still working. Hmm. Although The magic you used is different from the one I know, the spell power is at most tier 3 level and you also took longer time. Is this the best you could do?" he nonchalantly spoke to the magicians who were not in a state to listen.
To his unconcerned voice no one could talk except one.
"You lower…you base scuuum!!!" A shriek cut through the air. Its source, Elsabeth. "You lower life-form bastaaards! How dare you cause our loved and respected master, Lord Rudra—the man I love, the man I suuuuper love—to be in paaain?! Know your place as garbaaage! Death is a fate too merciful for youuu! I'm going to give you the maximum pain that exists in this world and mess with you till you go insaaane! I'm going to burn your limbs off with acid, make minced meat of your man bits, and force-feed it to youuu! When you recover, use magic to heal him! Aaaah, I hate you! I hate you, I hate you, I hate you so much my heart feels like it's going to explode!" Her armored arms flailed.
Elsabeth was more than just trembling, she was violently wriggling in her blood red armor. It felt like some sort of insane monster would come out of that armor and destroy everything. Even Miles knew that she would snap any moment. There was nothing and nobody could stop her except for one person. He quietly raised his hand and said, "I am fine, Elsabeth."
"B-but Lord! The lower life-forms, they—"
"It's fine, Elsabeth. Aside from the lower power of them than expected, everything has been going pretty much according to my plan. So why get angry?"
Hearing those words, Elsabeth put a hand over her heart and bowed her head. "You're always right, Master. It's so fitting that you would have such a carefully laid plan. I am deeply impressed."
"No, I mean, I'm glad you were anxious for me and got mad, but…Elsabeth, you're more charming when you smile."
"Tee-heeeee! Ch-cha-charming! Ahem. Thank you, Master."
Miles prepared his trump card while both of them were chatting.
"Enough of your idle chatter. It is time you learn the power of the federation and mine. This is one of the greatest treasures of my country and there is no human on Avaloria who could possibly defeat this." Miles declared while taking out a palm sized crystal.
His words filled his men with hope and he started grinning ear to ear.
Miles heard that this crystal contained a magic that could summon a high-level spirit that killed a demon, which rampaged two hundred years ago, all by itself.
"Elsabeth, stay close to me and raise your guard to the maximum. We do not know what he is going to summon so it is better to be careful." Rudra became cautious.
"Understood" Elsabeth followed his suit.
"Now, behold the power beyond mankind! Come, Ifrit!"
The crystal radiated a brilliant light before breaking down, then a huge cluster of fire formed which eventually took a humanoid shape. Its body was three meters tall fused pieces of red rocks and its face barely resembled a human.
"I regret…" Rudra quietly muttered.
"Yes! I know you regret fighting me and you regret fighting me. I also think it was an overkill for me to use it on you. But you left me no choice. Anyway, now, cherish the fact that you made me use it. Take pride in that! Time to end-"
"I regret the fact that I had taken you seriously even for a moment." Rudra interjected Miles and looked down at him. Miles, who was taken back, could not respond immediately. So Rudra continued.
"But one thing you said was correct. It is time to end it. [Disintegrate]." Rudra casted a spell while pointing his hand towards Ifrit. Then Ifrit turned into dust in an instant.
"No! It can't be! It can't be! It cannot be! No one should be able to beat this spirit! It even beat a demon! No human can win against this spirit! This has to be a dream!" Miles no longer had the means to control his emotions. He couldn't accept that there could be an enemy of the Federation who was stronger than their strongest spirit. Nor could he accept the fact that that enemy was standing in front of him.
This spirit was the strongest being on the continent, possessing ultimate power—it had even defeated a demon.
There shouldn't be any way to take it out. But what if there were?
What if the mysterious caster before me right now could do it?
That would mean that this man is far stronger than a demon.
How could such a powerful overlord exist?!
"I know what you really are! Demons! You're Demons!" Miles had practically no knowledge of beings who could do battle with high level angels. There were the angels and the Goddess (the Holy Spirit), which included the one he believed in; the kings of dragons—the most powerful race—dragonlords; the legendary monsters who were supposedly so strong that one could take out a country; nation breakers; and Demons. It was said that the twelve Heroes defeated the Demons and sealed them away. It made the most sense to Miles to consider that aura just a moment ago the seal on a Demon being broken.
But if he really was a demon, the spirit could have defeated him. Miles almost went crazy by overthinking but if he could not grasp what just happened.
The wind rushing over the plains, rustling the grass, seemed to echo. In the midst of the silence, a hoarse voice spoke
"What are you…?!" Miles asked the impossible being. "I've never heard of a caster by the name of Rudra. But then, there can't be someone who can take out the highest-level spirit in one shot. It would be wrong for such a person to exist." He shook his head weakly. "All I know is you're vastly stronger than those demons. It doesn't make sense… What ar—?"
"You are half right, I am a demon but not the kind you know." Rudra spoke after being silent for a few moments.
"Then tell me, what are you?"
"What am I? I am Despair. I am Destruction. I am Death."