3rd Pov
Staring at the empty space in front of him, Dawn was welcomed by the old woman whose name is Lucy.
She had taken care of Ria after his disappearance and after seeing how devastated he was, Lucy decided to let him stay for a while.
While living there, Dawn didn't have the will to hide the truth...he revealed how and where he was sent...this was hard to believe.
But Lucy is a veteran in life, she has a few years left ahead of her so believe him or not won't change much.
His explanation also showed why he was still looking so young despite reaching his 30 soon...though she didn't know that Saint or Enlightened had a longer life span.
Anyway, it has been 3 days now...Dawn had properly buried Ria in the garden as Lucy agreed to that.
His eyes were still empty as he ate the warm soup prepared by Lucy.
Lucy : By the way...when you were away, a woman came to visit Ria.
Dawn : A woman ?
Looking up, he didn't have much willpower to think at the moment...though he instinctively tried to gather information.
Lucy : Yeah...this was quite a shock as she is pretty famous.
Dawn : Who was it ?
Lucy : The new supreme monarch of Falmuth, her majesty Luna Arceid.
At the name, Dawn's eyes finally shook, gleaming in a gray light.
Dawn : (Luna ? I expected her name to pop up when Velzard talked about Falmuth...but Arceid ? Why did she take that name...)
Lucy : Seeing how you react, you must know her too...i guess i welcomed some big shot, huh.
Dawn : W-what did Luna say ?
Lucy : I couldn't hear everything but it seems it turned into an argument...at the end, Luna-sama said that she will be waiting in Falmuth.
This left much to think for Dawn, he looked at his hand holding a spoon...tightening his hold he could see his reflection in the soup.
Dawn : (Heh...when did I start to become so pathetic?)
Chuckling to himself, he couldn't hide forever, even more when he was bothering the one who took care of Ria.
Dawn : I see...thank you.
Lucy : You don't have to thank me you kn-
Dawn : This soup...it's made with medicinal herbs against depression, right.
His eyes glowing gray, Dawn just used Read on the soup...the warm feeling he felt eating this soup was comforting.
Lucy was a bit startled but she ultimately nodded.
Lucy : Ria has been singing your praises whenever she could, I guess you are really good.
Dawn : I am still 8 years late.
Lucy : Mmh that's true..from the look in your eyes you are going to Falmuth, right.
Dawn nodded once again, he slowly got up and grabbed his sword and cape before walking toward the door.
Lucy : You're already leaving ?
Dawn : I...this guilt will never leave me, i couldn't properly admit it but Ria was a part of my world...but after talking and thinking more clearly, she wouldn't want me to stay here crying over her for too long.
He said without looking back at Lucy, the old woman couldn't see his expression but something surely had changed in him.
However, it wasn't what she thought it was...in reality, Dawn just suppressed all these negative emotions when he could still do it.
Using rewrite on himself, he removed the sadness and despair after he regained his sense upon hearing about Luna.
Once this was gone, he just wanted to leave this place before more guilt came chasing him.
Dawn : Take care.
Lucy just nodded watching the young man's back leaving her house, she sighed and let out a few tears.
This very same table where she was eating...in 6 years, it was never this empty as she gained the company of a young fallen princess.
Lucy : Ahh...if god exists, if the creator exists...or any divinity please look after this boy.
She silently prayed hoping that things will become brighter in the future, Lucy doesn't have a family anymore.
The last one that could be considered that was Ria...and Ria was Dawn's family, Lucy could just pray for him.
Despite having barely passed 3 days together, they could still be seen as family...right, Lucy just pushed the legacy of her small existence onto Dawn's shoulder.
Staring at the small and improvised grave, Dawn knelt down and prayed for a while.
Before getting up and leaving, this grave belonged to his supposed sister...he had already made the vow of coming back here every year to honor her death.
Dawn : In the end...I'm really a scumbag.
Sighing, after his mind was cleared...he had directly used Reader on the corpse underground, analyzing and reading through Ria's memories.
8 years condensed worth of information were assimilated and information about unique skill : False hope were registered.
Dawn : Emotional control and...the ability to gain more power upon losing hope in your most treasured things...
This was a bad ability, the moment it will properly give you strength is when your confidence starts to crumble.
Dawn : Truly, a curse...
Personally, Dawn will never forgive himself if this skill gave him more power.
Just the thought of it made his eyes turn stone cold.
Dawn : For now...let's go to Falmuth.
When Lucy mentioned what she heard from Luna's visit, it immediately clicked...the message was for him.
This was the only possible reason Luna had to visit Ria.
He didn't know her intentions but Luna clearly changed...
Dawn : I should prepare for the worst...also Snowie will be there for sure.
His fist tightening to the point where blood spurted out, there was so much to do now.
Chloe, Ruminas and Ramiris...he wondered how all these people were doing, since he had contact with them.
On the other side, in Falmuth castle...
Luna was sitting on the throne, her appearance had reached its peak...beautiful silver gray hair and blue eyes influenced by the constant flux of frost from Snowie.
However, the aura and presence she was imposing to the empty royal room was too much.
Luna : Mmh...I have a good feeling.
Muttering these quiet words, over those 8 years she become one of the most influential figure in the western nation.
Her name was even known by the 3 demons lord Guy, Milim and Ramiris...or the eastern empire who was still growing at that time.
Luna : I prepared this stage for us...but why didn't he come back.
Standing beside her was a knight wearing ice cold armor, you could basically feel pure coldness radiating from her.
Snowie in her physical form...something they achieved after long research, a body made of precious materials.
Snowie : (Seriously...she had gone totally crazy.)
Closing her eyes behind her ice helmet, Snowie recalled how Luna took the power in Falmuth...
After the great alliance took care of the orc lord and Charybdis...Luna went back to Falmuth with a new title and fame.
She then waited for a weak and exposed all the corruption behind Falmuth's royalty, this was a great shock for the world.
She then went on a rampage killing and executing every nobles leaving only the king alive.
The words she spouted at that time still resonned in Snowie's mind.
Luna : Because of you and that damn father of mine, everything went wrong, don't expect to die before I purge your body and soul from everything it has.
And she held her promise as the king was locked in the dungeon, tortured for 8 years straight...healing potions were available...
His mind and body was beyond repair yet Luna didn't stop...she still had to shatter his soul.
And as a Saint, she had a skill to affect one soul directly...
After that, she totally reformed Falmuth...people could say the kingdom had become a utopia though like every man made dream land, there is a part of darkness.
The justice policy was extreme and Luna would execute anyone right away if they stood on her way.
She was a merciless ruler yet those who truly devoted themself to her rule loved her.
Her title after 8 years...Ruler of the moon, the hero who fended off the calamity 8 years ago, the one who borrowed the heroic name Arceid.
Snowie : Still...i don't understand why you chose this name...
Luna : You know very well, Arceid...the household was erased from Falmuth after the revolution 28 years ago...with Dawn being its only living member.
Snowie : ...
Luna : Everything is ready for us, the kingdom will never fluctuate...I just have to wait for him to come back to me now...this name is also a message inviting him.
Snowie could only look down...8 years, during this gap of time, they haven't heard or seen Dawn at all.
Iyt was as if his very existence ceased to exist...even after visiting Ria who was discovered...nothing.
The conflict between Ria and Luna is still in her mind too...both ladies stood face to face with spark radiating from their eyes.
Luna was clearly superior but it seemed that Ria could still at least injure her.
At the end, nothing happened but their clash could have destroyed the village they were in.
Snowie : You reall- !!!
Suddenly jolting, Snowie interrupted her sentence and looked up toward the door...a very strong and familiar aura was approaching.
It wasn't even trying to hide...
Snowie : This is...
Snowie looked down at Luna and could see her terrifying smirk, she rested her chin on the palm of her hand and waited.
Seconds later, several knights flew through the throne room's gigantic door.
Luna : S you finally came, my king~
Lurking out of the smoke generated by his own attack, Dawn slowly walked in.
Dawn : Yeah...sorry for not answering your invitation earlier, I was involved in some trouble.
Luna : Trouble, huh...why don't you tell me more about it ? I'll destroy everything on your way.
Staring at each other, Luna frowned a little...Dawn was clearly stronger than when she met him 8 years ago.
Yet his growth was bad...in 8 years, he should be a total monster now...even Snowie saw through his strength.
Moreover, his appearance doesn't seem to have changed...at all.
Snowie : Master Dawn...
Dawn : As expected you are here too.
Turning his attention to Snowie, he let out a painful smile...the spirit could just hold her excitement and stay back.
Right now, she was Luna's spirit...while her loyalty for Dawn was still unbreakable, she couldn't betray 28 years of life with Luna.
Dawn : Anyway, you invited me here so what do you want ? (I can't feel Sola's energy at all...where is she?)
He narrowed his eyes, Sola should at minimum be an Enlightened human, maybe even a Saint by now.
Luna : Look at this kingdom, Dawn...it's perfect, everyone is laughing and the risk of a revolution is null.
Snowie : (After all, you kill anyone from the moment they show signs of suspicion...)
She didn't even need solid proof, this was just the rule of the strongest at its finest.
Luna : Join me Dawn ! This kingdom just lacks a proper king now, with you at my side we call to create our Eden !
Getting up as she said, Dawn could see it...she clearly lost her mind into madness.
She should be the first one to know that a dream land full of peace and happiness is impossible.
Even in the future after Rimuru saved the world...there was bound to be darkness lurking around.
Dawn : I refuse.
Luna : Huh ?
Dawn : Luna...honestly it has been 28 years since we had a proper conversation...i seriously hoped you would live a good life and end up forming a family on your own.
Silence befalls the room, Dawn looked down gripping the hilt of his sword...from the memories he received of Ria.
He already knew that Luna wasn't the same, taking a small breath he then unsheathed Tenryu at the same time cutting dozens of ice blades coming toward him.
Dawn : Heh, did you just combine Earth and Ice magic ?
Luna : Ahh...it seems at the end I couldn't get you on your own accord.
Behind, Snowie just bowed and retreated, forming a large barrier around both her masters.
Luna : Then i'll just have to make you mine, I guess.
Dawn : All end up in a fight, huh.
Holding his black katana tight, it was clear that both of them were at a similar level.
If it was 8 years ago, Dawn would have dominated but now...Saint against Saint.
Dawn : I don't really want to fight Luna though...
Luna : Then join me, I'll take care of everything for you.
Calm eyes from Dawn against the crazy obsessed eyes of Luna...
Luna : By the way, how do you like this new sword ? After living for so long I wanted to look more like you.
Holding out a long sword, it was pure black with a hint of silver...one could tell this was a national treasure level.
This pitch black long sword called Full moon.
Dawn : (Can I win ? She turned into a true monster in 8 years...let's see, if we fight to death...)
Using Read, he quickly concluded...that he would lose in a different fight judging their EP and raw power.
She also outhaxed him with 12 unique skills...
Dawn : (12...how did she become so overpowered ? It's like she is the main character or-wait main character?)
He couldn't properly deduce everything at that time but the reason Luna grew so much in the meantime.
Dawn is the main character of this story...but once he was gone, the status of the main character became empty.
Then Luna becomes the main character gaining the super growth and plot armor from the mc status.
But that also shows something, Luna is incredibly talented...her growth in 8 years is comparable to Dawn's growth in 20 years.
Right now they might clash evenly but if Dawn came back 5 years later, then Luna would totally crush the odds.
Dawn : (I have to fight with the intent to kill.)
His eyes glowing as he overwrote his inner feeling, he dashed forward...his sword clashing with Luna's.
Both glared at each other...this was a conclusion both reached, they knew talking was useless at this point.
Their ideologies were too different to coexist, so one of them had to die...though Luna's outcome was different, she just wanted to crush those ideals and make him join her cause.
Their sword dancing in the sky, 3 days have passed since the start of their fight.
They have been continuously fighting with sword and magic, by now more than half of the city was either frozen in ice or simply destroyed.
One more thing is that this fight started to become famous and many of the strongest being's eyes are on them now.
The likes of Guy, Milim or Rudra...a fight of this scale was forced to be heard and watched after all.
But the biggest uproar was within the human nation...Luna is a heroic figure for them and she was fighting a stranger who was identified as a criminal from 8 years ago.
In the ice continent, Guy Crimson was grinning to himself as he observed the fight through a crystal ball.
Guy : Heh, that human...who is he really ?
Velzard : Mmh (To think he would start a fight directly after all, well as long as he doesn't die it doesn't concern me though...)
Glancing at her partner, Velzard narrowed her eyes...Guy was totally immersed in this fight.
Velzard : (I should keep him away from Dawn, he might do weird things...weirdo.)
Guy : It was quite surprising to see the raise of that queen Luna but this young man isn't bad either, how could he have lived under our nose for long ?
Velzard : Really a weirdo...
In the Eastern empire, the emperor hero of beginning, Rudra and his partner Velgrynd were also staring at a crystal ball.
Rudra : This guy must be that criminal who's name was shouted everywhere back then, what was it ? Dawn Arceid i think ?
Velgrynd : He sure is strong for a normal human but the ruler of the moon is going to win this.
Through the crystal ball, both Dawn and Luna were heavily injured...their body already exceeded what a Saint could normally do.
Rudra : Still, I didn't feel right about Luna Arceid but this Dawn...he might be a good pawn.
Velgrynd : If you say so but before that, he will have to survive this fight.
The emperor nodded silently before returning his attention toward the live fight.
Rudra : It's true Luna Arceid is winning this but...something tells me the result will surprise us greatly.
In Night Garden, queen of vampire and divine ancestor Luminous Valentine.
Luminous : Well, it seems he got into trouble right after coming back from 8 years of absolute silence.
She was pissed off, after all Dawn had shown no sign of life for the last 8 years...
Luminous : Anyway, he better not die or I'll resurrect him and kill him myself.
Her eyes glowing dangerously, she was definitely serious with her words.
Anyway back to the fight, Dawn clicked his tongue as he received a heavy kick sending him through a house below.
The city was already evacuated so it's now just a giant arena for them.
Dawn : Unique skill : Regeneration...what kind of cheat code is that.
Even if their skills were outpaced by the intensity of the fight, Luna still held a great advantage because of her new skills.
Unique skill : Regeneration allows her fast regeneration over minor and heavy injury, it is also physical or mental, external or internal.
It also accelerates natural stamina and healing recovery.
On the other side, Dawn was just healing himself with light magic and rewriting but this was more draining in magicule.
Dawn : (I already refilled my magicule 5 times...if this continues, my mind will collapse first.)
Clicking his tongue, his mind was already operating at an insane pace...overextending past his limit for so long was only possible with his new body composition after evolving into a Saint.
Dawn : (I have no option left but...no even Story's domain won't be enough, she can cut through it with her unique skill : True law...seriously,she got a insane set of ability, Law/Reality manipulation, she can affect soul and spiritual body directly, she can cause beyond space attack and nullify other skill...)
The worse thing is that this was just the surface of her power, after all she fought with the intent to injure him not kill.
Dawn : (I'm matching her strength just because she has to enter Story's domain to attack me...using my own skill on myself to keep up, truly ridiculous.)
His left arm was the most damaged part of his body as he mainly used it to block Luna's physical attack,
For now, he had to stay on standby. The assaults are in continuous series so he doesn't have much time to heal himself.
Dawn : Shit.
Luna : You think too much, it's not good during a fight you know.
Bursting through the wall, she went past his senses and detection, he reacted too late as another blow landed right into his face.
Dawn : This hurts like hell !
He was again sent through multiple buildings, during the impact his mind wavered an instant turning off Story's domain.
Dawn : (Fuck, if i reactive Story's domain now, my brain is goin to-)
Luna : I just told you to stop daydreaming !
Appearing above, Dawn clenched his teeth as he received another blow as Luna send him crashing into the ground.
Luna : This was a martial technique powered by a unique skill, your body won't get up after that.
She spoke up looking down at the building crumble falling, her technique didn't destroy the area...rather she sent Dawn deep down underground.
He was basically being buried alive now.
Luna : Though, the Dawn Arceid I know won't die from that.
She narrowed her eyes before letting them glow, unique skill : Divine Eyes...this skill allows her to see through things.
This includes material things but also emotion, truth and people...but the strongest ability from Divine eyes is the capacity to analyze and having an omniscience state when it comes to skill.
Being extra to ultimate, as long the target is in her field of vision she can see the skills of the target and what these skills do.
Luna : Huh ? He isn't here ?
After scanning the entire underground area, she couldn't find him...this confused her as she was certain to have landed the blow.
Luna : Teleportation ? No transfer rewrite !
Realizing the situation, she turned around looking frantically for Dawn.
Luna : In the air ? No, where is he !
Even with Divine Eyes she couldn't find him...this started to annoy her so she decided to switch strategy.
Luna : If I can't find you with Divine eyes, then I'll force you out ! [Rising storm] !
Lifting her sword, soon enough the entire city was invaded by tornados, thunder strike and ice lance rain.
The buildings were erased one by one, the sky was cleared from its cloud...the kingdom of Falmuth was totally destroyed leaving nothing but a giant crater.
Luna : Tch, let's add another layer ! Answer my call, Earth and obey my will !
Switching to Earth magic which is her original affinity, the ground started to shake violently, an earthquake that shook the entire western nation...
At this very moment, her action could be called an aggressive action leading to potential war.
Luna : This is weird...even after all this, not in the air or underground...where is he !
Dawn was still nowhere to be found, there was no place to hide on the surface...so the only two spots he could be are either...
Deep underground, deep enough for him to not be shaken by an earthquake or he was not here anymore.
Luna pondered a moment before closing her eyes, she took a deep breath calming herself before raising her arm in the air.
Luna : Listen Dawn ! Come out in the next few minutes or I'll blow the entire Western Nation !
As her raging voice resonated throughout the space, dozens of meteorites formed in the vast sky...each one big enough to wipe out a small country.
The entire territory within the Western nation was covered...this was Luna's resolve, it didn't matter if a demon lord was involved now.
Luna : [Meteor rain].
She prepared the spell, shocking everyone...the news didn't last 10 seconds before every ruler in the Western nation was informed of this threat.
Panic followed...but the strongest reaction came from the strongest beings.
Rudra : This woman is crazy ! Is she really going to wipe out half of the continent for this !
Velgrynd : Should I go stop her ?
Rudra clenched his fist, this could be really bad for his game with Guy.
Rudra : No...if we intervene, Guy could use this opportunity to attack us, after all the Western nation is a neutral zone in our game.
Velgrynd : So if we stop her, he would have a reason to engage in a fight, huh.
Rudra : Exactly, I guess we can just place our bet on Dawn Arceid for now...though I wonder where he is.
He calmed himself and focused his attention toward the ground, he couldn't had fled so...he was most likely underground.
In the ice continent, Guy was laughing hard as he watched Luna going wild...this would be bad for the balance of the world.
But she was giving him enough entertainment for him to not act and watch the conclusion.
Guy : This girl has some guts !
Velzard : (Heh, this is starting to become interesting...) It sure looks destructive.
Guy : You bet it is ! She is going to wipe half of the main continent !
Velzard : Oh ? Did you grow blind ? I wasn't talking about those small pieces of rock.
Guy : Huh ?
He was a little confused by velzard's statement before focusing on the crystal ball, before letting his eyes widen.
Guy : Wait ! Is that...
Velzard : Yeah, the showdown has come.
Deep underground, being where any human had reached under the surface of the planet.
Far away from the trouble caused by Luna...Dawn was tearing his mind apart.
Large magical circle around him...the entire cave he was standing in was frozen in ice.
Dawn : I'll put everything into this one...
He was aware of Luna's threat...but this didn't change anything to what he had to do.
His skills are useless against such a powerhouse, so he had to find another to finish the fight now.
Dawn : It's ready...
10 seconds before the doom of the western nation, Dawn had finished his preparation and his spell was ready to be launched.
Dawn : If you want to affect the entire continent, then fine I'll just have to match that, here comes my ultimate magic [Frozen World].
His breath materialized in the form of a cold mist, 21km under the surface of the planet...the land itself turned into ice.
The natural temperature of the planet fell down into negative as gigantic pillars formed on the surface everywhere around the Western nation.
The large meteorites were now resting above those pillars...a divine work.
The fusion of Achieved Rewrite and Ice magic...his strongest and masterpiece spell.
The ultimate Ice magic capable of rewriting the world, Earth becomes Ice, Air becomes Frost, the formation of a new ice continent within the actual main land.
Dawn : I can win this-