In Arcanum, floors 13, 14 and 15 were the only mass residential districts. Each floor was occupied by various races. As the Arcanum was created with a dark theme, so races like humans, elves, dwarves and beastmen were not found in the entire Tower. Thus, Arcanum was entirely filled with demi-human races and Heteromorphic races.
Even though these residential areas were for non-humans, they were designed with better ambience and facilities than most places in the 21st generation. These districts had a mixture of futuristic facilities and classic relaxed atmosphere without sacrificing nature. Since most of the resources were either magic or renewable energy resources there was no problem with pollution.
Each residential floor had an inspiration: 13th floor was inspired from Renaissance Era Italy, 14th floor was from Southeast Asia and 15th floor was from East Asia.
On the 15th floor, there was a Shoin-zukuri style affluent residence. It was more of a mansion rather than a house. It belonged to the Onigami household, with its head of the house being Raiden Onigami, the floor manager of 15th floor and one of the direct subordinates of Zodd. He resided there with his family. His family included his wife, Shion Onigami, his son, Benimaru Onigami(25 years old) and his daughter, Satsuki Onigami(21 years old).
All four of them were sitting in a seiza position around a small table on the tatami floor chatting leisurely.
Shion Onigami, sitting beside her husband and facing her daughter. Shion looked like a refined Japanese woman in her middle age with cherry blossom hair and two horns on her forehead. Her traditional kimono attire hinted at her buxom body.
Benimaru Onigami, sat beside his mother and facing his father. Benimaru looked like a younger Raiden with short pink hair and two horns.
Satsuki Onigami was a tall, slim yet athletic female with an angular face similar to her mother's. She had long thigh-length black hair that had inward diamond-shaped bangs hanging over her forehead, blue eyes, fairly thick eyebrows, two horns on her head and a large bust. She was in a blue kimono.
"Congratulations, Satsuki, you are on the escorting team of the Supreme Being." Raiden said while looking at his daughter.
"I gave my best but I did not get qualified for it…" Benimaru
"That was expected, you are just level 63. To be in the escorting team you should be atleast level 75 and with potential to grow. Even with that your position would not be confirmed. So, you should be grateful, Satsuki." Raiden said.
"Father, with all due respect towards the Supreme Being, I am in this team only because you recommended it. I am stagnated at level 78, my only aim is to grow stronger."
"I know that you and Benimaru were too small to remember him for 20 years. So you do not know how magnificent he is."
"The stories I heard about him were too much to believe."
"Satsuki, I also never saw him directly. But I had witnessed all those stories. It is only because of him we are having this moment. So be grateful." Shion said.
"Your mother is right, he is the one who created my grandfather, the founder of the Onigami family, a hundred years ago. Moreover until just two decades ago, surviving outside of the tower was very difficult. So everyone in this tower is eternally loyal to him."
"I am not like them. I will only follow the strong. I know the ministers are very strong, so I am trying to become one of their direct subordinates, just like you."
"Do you know why the ministers and their direct subordinates are that strong? Do you know why I am level 96?"
"Why?"
"Including ministers and myself, there are less than 40 people in Arcanum who made a direct pact with the Supreme Being. Excluding ministers, who are level 100, there are also less than 30 beings with more than level 95, with counting me in. Did you get what I am trying to say?"
"Are you asking me to make a direct pact with him?"
"I am saying that he is the key to the island of transcendence. Observe him with your own eyes then decide. But remember this, those who make a pact with him will be loyal to him until their death. Satsuki, you know I love my family but if he orders me to exterminate you I wouldn't hesitate."
"I will think about this."
Scene-2:
Rudra Khaoticos Maximus Erebryx Barathrum was in his room, seriously pondering something.
It was about the public meeting that was going to be held in a few hours. It was going to be conducted to celebrate his return.
The problem was Rudra had little to no experience in this. When he was a human, he hardly gave speeches in front of hundreds, let alone thousands.
Although his divine earring could stabilize his thinking, it could not stop stress. He was barely managing himself to be the boss of 8 extremely talented people. Now, the fact that he had to be a sovereign to hundreds of thousands of people was overwhelming to him.
He read books about historical figures, past kingdoms and about managing territories. But they could only give him theoretical knowledge.
He was not only concerned about the experience but also about the consequences. What would happen if he made a blunder? Would they still be loyal to him even if he was not efficient? He did not know. All he knew was he had to give his best to live up to the expectations.
There was another problem recently. Ever since he became a demon, his desires like lust, greed, pride etc. rose up abnormally. Until he was mostly unaffected because of his Brahma artifact but whenever he used his racial skills it became a little difficult. For example After the battle at the Mare Village, he clearly felt lustful towards Elsabeth and Liza, greediness to conquer the village for himself, disdain towards those knights etc.
In the past, he heard many stories about evil rulers. There was one thing common about them, it was that they were defeated not because they were evil, it was because they were arrogant.
To the people in Avaloria, he was an evil demon. He needed to be careful if he wanted to survive for long.
"Pardon me, Master, but it is time for the event." Michael spoke from outside of the room.
Rudra finished his final touch up on his appearance to make an entrance. Rudra opened the door to see Michael waiting with a bowing posture. There was a group of women behind him. Rudra assumed they were his subordinates.
"Master, this is Team Alpha. They are your escort team. Please let them accompany you."
A young slim athletic woman with two horns on her forehead and asian ethnicity. She gave off the vibe of a noblewoman from Edo era Japan. She came forward with graceful steps and said,
"My name is Satsuki Onigami, The leader of Team Alpha. It is my honor to serve."
Until just a few moments ago, Satsuki was only considered as just duty, nothing more and nothing less. But the moment she sensed Rudra's presence after coming near his room she had an instinct of submission and she felt completely dominated.
This would happen to anyone from Arcanum who would come close to Rudra, it was a feeling of recognising their master. Only the 8 ministers of Arcanum could bear it without feeling overwhelmed.
It was the first time for Satsuki because before she never met him nor went close to him. The same thing was happening to the remaining women in the team Alpha.
Rudra was more than surprised to see Satsuki, not because of her behaviour, but because of her attire.
It was a revealing, more combat-ready form while retaining its dignified and militaristic essence. The chest area became more exposed, with angular plates forming a structured yet revealing frame around her torso. Large shoulder extensions with angular designs projected from her arms. Her skirt was transformed into segmented, armor-like panels suggesting a battle-ready appearance. Her thighs are encased in high boots that extend upwards with a metallic sheen, accentuating her powerful and imposing stance. Her revealing attire was completely in contrast to her dignified aura and confident posture.
"Aren't they your subordinates, Micheal?" Rudra asked
"They were picked by the ministers to serve you directly, Master. They shall live here on the 21st floor with you along with some of my subordinates. Is it comfortable for you, master?"
"I am okay with it. Let us go, Team Alpha."
"YES!" the women responded in unison.
Rudra and the team Alpha entered the gate that was created by him which was connected to the public auditorium on the 16th floor. It was his first time going to the floors other than the 21st one after creating them.
Rudra did not know anyone in Arcanum besides the 8 ministers and a few others. He did not know what to expect. He did not know what if any of them were rejected. He did not wish to hurt anyone in the Arcanum because they were his people. He did not want to become a tyrant to the people he raised.
He heard from Elsabeth that the population was around 7,00,000. He was sure that atleast a few people in them did not want him. There were dozens of thoughts in his head. He was feeling excited, anxious, nervous etc. But he did not let any of them show on his face. He kept on a dignified expression that was suitable for a godking like himself.
The gate was opened to one of the hallways. The walls of the hallways were pure white with small crystal orbs in the ceiling emitting light. He walked through the hallway with each side being guarded by the Team Alpha women. He thought the security was excessive as already had dozens of strong Shadow Soldiers in his shadow but he could not object to the consideration given by his ministers.
After a few moments, he reached the end of the hallway and saw the elevated Podium. The podium was surrounded by the ministers including Michael, who were on their one knee and bowing their heads. He still could not see the audience.
Before ascending to the podium, he took a deep breath. He was confident in his Celestial Demonic Body which always showed dignified composure and Brahma to enhance his thoughts. He readied himself for everything including criticism from the audience. He slowly reached the podium while the ministers were still kneeling.
He took a look and was baffled. He was so shocked that it broke his ever composed face, revealing a surprised expression.
What he saw was people to the extent his eyes could see were prostrating towards him in an uniform way. The fact that people who never met him were worshiping took him by surprise.
"Arise!" Rudra commanded. Everyone including the ministers rose up to their feet. Rudra could see the eyes of the residents go wide from viewing him for the first time.
"My name is Rudra Khaoticos Maximus Erebryx Barathrum, the ruler of the Arcanum. I have returned from my twenty years of exile." The entire auditorium was enchanted so that everyone could hear everything from the podium as long as the speaker wished for it.
"ALL HAIL THE SUPREME RULER!"
"ALL HAIL THE SUPREME RULER!"
"ALL HAIL THE SUPREME RULER!"
Chants broke from the crowd. Rudra raised his hand to stop them and continued speaking.
"My people we are in a rather difficult situation. The entire Arcanum was transported to an unknown world. This unknown world we are in currently is called Avaloria."
The murmurs spread across the crowd. He could see confusion and tension on their faces.
Initially, he thought everyone in the Arcanum were just game characters. Even after knowing they became sentient he did not change his opinion much. But after all this time, after seeing people who die for him and experiencing this immense loyalty. He changed, this loyalty and love he never received in his past life.
"Do not fear my people. I swear on my name I will never leave. And as long as I am here you can sleep just as you did before. I will become a shade for you and I will become death for your enemies. I will bend this world so that you can roam free."
According to the interactions he had with the humans of this world, most of the races that populated the Arcanum were feared and resented by them.
He had no doubt that as soon as they were found by the residents of Avaloria, they would try to annihilate everyone in Arcanum without hesitation.
It became Arcanum vs Avaloria.
"I will conquer this world. To them, I am despair, I am destruction, I…am…Death!"
"ALL HAIL THE SUPREME RULER!"
"ALL HAIL THE SUPREME RULER!"