Point-of-View: Belia Lasmodeus

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​​

"Wait, what do you mean? We're not attacking the Rustlands?" Inquired Shin with a frown.

"We will, but not yet...there's a more dangerous threat that we need to take care of first," I replied, putting on a serious expression.

"And that is...?" Asked Dwayne with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, it's only fair that I tell you the whole story...," I answered, before telling them a slightly altered version of this world's history...

The changes I made included excluding the fact that I'm the one who created the monsters, as well as the fact that I'm the one who brought the floating island back down to the planet, I instead said that the magic that kept the island floating and hidden finally wore off after a thousand years.

I mean, it's not like they know anything about how magic works in this world, let alone enough to dispute my claims. And besides, they trust me quite a lot now, so any doubts they have will be minimized. Anyway, as I finished my explanation...

"...and that about covers it all. So, you see, the other races despise humans with a passion and now that they're back, they want to wipe out all the remaining humans. I've tried to broker peace many times, but it's no use...there's no chance of coexistence between humans and the other races."

Okay, it looks like they're buying it, gotta keep this up...

"It's true, the humans of the distant past did some horrifying and terrible things to the other races...but the current generation of humans have nothing to do with that, I think it's wrong to take it out on them. That's why I've sided with humans...but considering what kind of humans live in the Rustlands, I decided against siding with them."

"But do you really want to go against and kill all the other races just to protect the humans?" Inquired Lily skeptically.

Hm, need to be careful about how I answer that one...

"Of course I don't want to, but I refuse to let the other races massacre the humans, I'd rather defend the weak from the strong than aid the strong in crushing the weak...you see, humans are the weakest race, with the exception of the recent monster power ups that have been gained, it's extremely rare for a human to be able to fight someone from the other races on equal terms. And then there are the Elemental Sages, individuals from each of the other clans with powers that are strong enough to threaten even me. Left unchecked they can kill thousands in a matter of minutes. I won't force you to fight them, of course...but we could really use your help, we'll likely be wiped out without it," I implored them, putting on an expression to make it seem like I was being sincere.

I concluded on that note, letting it hang in the air and sink in...I can't overdo it, so that's all I'm going to say. Forcing them would be pointless, after all. Let's see the decision that they make for themselves without me coercing them any further...

"We...we understand. I don't like the idea of killing those against whom I don't have a grudge or anything, but...I do understand that sometimes, you have to get your hands dirty in order to keep those that you want to protect safe...all of us understand that. And it's clear that you've put a lot of thought into this...it couldn't have been easy to come to the conclusion that you did and accept that it was the only option," Remarked Shin sympathetically, finally breaking the silence, "Revenge on the Rustlands can wait...we'll help you with the more pressing matter of the other races first. You guys agree?"

The other three voiced their agreement as he looked around at them...they really do just go with whatever he decides, they're quite heavily reliant on Shin...ever since I summoned them, I haven't seen a single instance of any of them disobeying him in any way. Excellent, now I'll have my army at full strength when we attack the Laus Domain.

I bet that dull-ass Sant has no idea what he's in for...after all, my mastery over my Dimensional Magic has advanced quite a bit over the past thousand years, back then I could only transport myself, but now I can let others pass through any portals I open too...he has no idea that I can transport an entire army now, as I did to the Rustlands.

And with this, my army will be at full strength when we attack-...ah, looks like the Wind and Lightning Sages will be here soon...too bad I couldn't watch their fight with Kuro, the moment he showed up in front of them, the Chaos Magic spell he inflicted me with kicked in and cut me off from using Observation Magic on them.

But that only lasted a few minutes, and once I was able to watch the two Elemental Sages again, it was clear from their demeanors that they'd lost to him, which was impressive, yet...not surprising. And now, they were closing in on Silvland from the north. I suppose that I'll go greet them...

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Point-of-View: Sylvar Miirphys

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"That must be Silvland," I remarked, as a large wall into sight in the distance.

It'd been about an hour since we recovered after the fight against Kuro Black, we rested up a bit and then teleported through a long, winding mountain range, and after seven or eight teleports, it looks like we're almost there. Bell then grabbed my arm and teleported us again, a couple hundred meters from the gates.

"Hm, this place is a lot more poorly defended than Abyss was. There is only one protective barrier in place, and it is a rather simple one, I can break through it quite easily," Remarked Bell with a frown.

"Oh, I see...so, uh, for comparison's sake, how many barriers did Abyss have in place?" I inquired curiously.

"Seven that I could detect, possibly more...even if we had been able to get closer, we would had been unlikely to be able to break past those barriers," She replied, a grimace on her face.

Wow...she's usually the type who hates to admit when someone's stronger than her or when there's something she can't do...so for her to so readily admit that she probably couldn't break through the protective barriers around Abyss, that says a lot.

"Heyyy, welcome to the nation I'm leading!" Suddenly exclaimed a familiar voice, before adding, "Well, kinda, 'using' is more accurate than 'leading'...but hey, let's not sweat the details, amiright?"

"You again," Growled Bell threateningly, drawing out a hidden dagger as lightning crackled around her violently.

Suddenly, she let out a yelp of surprise and alarm...as she fell through the ground.

"Oh, don't look so worried, I just sent her about fifty kilometers straight north...see, for right now, I just want to talk, and you're a lot more reasonable, but if she's here, this'll just turn into a fight," Remarked Belia with a laugh.

She acts so carefree and playful, but contrary to her demeanor, she's no idiot...she kinda gives me 'mad genius' vibes.

"Okay...what do you want to talk about?" I inquired warily.

"Well, I-...," She began, before trailing off with an amused smirk as Bell teleported back here, next to me, massive streaks of lightning crackling around her, her hair and eyes glowing with an electric shine as she extended a dagger with lightning.

"I will kill you!" She declared viciously and furiously, as she shot forward towards Belia...and disappeared into the air as she closed in on her, as it darkened and began shimmering...I see, that's a portal.

"Again, don't worry, I just sent her to the middle of the sea that's to the southeast of Abyss, she'll be just fine! If you're worried, I can just send you to wherever she ends up after we're done talking!"

She can't swim though...I just have to hope that she realizes that she can teleport to safety instead of just panicking and drowning. I'll play along with Belia...after all, we could use all the information we can get right now...

"Fine, just get to the point already."

"Alright, since you're in such a hurry, how's this...I'll give you five questions, and once I've answered all five, I'll send you to your friend. You can ask me anything, the only rule is that you have to be specific...like, you can't ask something like 'tell me everything you know' or whatever. Do you agree to those terms?" She inquired with a smirk.

Not sure why she's being so generous, but I'm certainly not going to turn her down just because I'm suspicious...

"Yeah...I do."

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