Dragon Across the Multiverse (Si-WC) (Patreon)

Chapter 22: Setting the Stage

Somewhere in Midgar

The smell of cheap alcohol and sweat reached my nose long before I laid eyes on the bandits. Their drunken laughter spilled out from the ramshackle hideout, a disgusting contrast to the muffled whimpers I could hear from deeper inside.

Perched atop the roof, I crouched low, my mask hiding my expression as I peered through the broken tiles. A handful of them were already too drunk to stand straight, but that didn’t matter. Drunk or sober, scum was still scum.

‘There she is,’ I thought as my gaze fell on a familiar figure huddled in the corner of the other room, her small figure struggling against the binds that held her. Rose Oriana. The princess who would one day shoulder an entire kingdom in another timeline… and right now, nothing more than a prize for vermin.

“Ciel,” I whispered in my mind, my fingers tightening around the hilt of my blade. “How many?”

“Twenty-three inside, Master. Most are weak. Two could be called competent for this world.”

“Good,” I muttered, a grin tugging at my lips beneath the mask. “That makes things easier. Let’s give Rose a rescue worth remembering.”

The sound of another bottle shattering below sealed my decision. I rose from my crouch, the moonlight catching the edge of my sword as I stood tall against the night sky.

“Showtime.”

=====

The bandits’ drunken laughter was cut short the instant I stepped through the front doors. I didn’t bother with stealth, the rotten wooden planks splintered beneath my boot as I pushed them open wide, letting the night breeze sweep in behind me like a herald of death.

For a moment, all eyes froze on me. A boy, cloaked in black, mask gleaming faintly in the dim light of the torches. I stood there in silence, sword resting lazily at my side, as if I had all the time in the world.

“What the hell, who’s this brat?” one of them barked, staggering to his feet.

I let my blade rise, slowly, deliberately, so every set of eyes followed its gleaming edge. Then I vanished.

The first man never even finished his curse before he collapsed, his weapon clattering to the ground. Gasps filled the room as I reappeared, blade already sliding back into position.

Another lunged. My sword whispered through the air, faster than their eyes could follow, but slow enough for the girl in the adjacent room to catch notice of the commotion and quickly peek through the creak in the door with a blue eye. For Rose to see the arc of light that followed my swing, clean and sharp, as though cutting the very night itself.

Screams erupted. Chairs toppled. Someone drew a bow, I cut the string before the arrow ever left, stepping past him as though it were choreographed. Each strike precise, elegant, merciless.

To the bandits, it was terror. To Rose, I wanted it to be pure art.

I was not ashamed to admit that Rimuru’s swordsmanship, the Imaginary Blade, while nigh unbeatable, it was still not the peak of pure swordsmanship with many shortcuts being used. My own time with a blade back in Konoha and my Rudra Template more than made up for it though, especially the latter who had spent literally thousands of years perfecting his art.

At this point, I could say with confidence that Cid’s swordsmanship was nothing compared to mine.

By the time the last one fell, the room was silent save for the drip of blood onto wood. I flicked my sword to the side, casting scarlet droplets into the air like crimson petals, before resting it against my shoulder.

Finally, I turned my masked gaze toward her, catching the blue eyes peeking through the small opening. They widened in surprise as she realized my attention was fixed directly on her.

“Please relax, Princess. I mean you no harm,” I said softly, my voice carrying easily through the heavy silence. Slowly, I approached the door, and she scurried back just enough for me to open it.

Once inside, I met Rose’s awed yet wary gaze. With a movement quicker than her eyes could follow, I cut through her bindings — hands, feet, and gag alike — before making my sword dissolve into motes of light. She blinked, staring down at her freed limbs.

“Stay here. You’re safe now,” I reassured her gently. “The guards should already be on their way, so just wait a little longer, alright?”

“T-Thank you,” Rose whispered, almost dazed by the sudden turn of events. Then panic flickered across her face as I turned to leave. “W-Wait! Please, at least tell me your name!?”

I paused, glanced back at her through my mask, then gave a faint nod. “My name is Akari. Just a stranger… fighting against the shadows of this world.” My voice was calm, deliberately mysterious and beneath the mask, I grinned as I felt the approach of a certain someone.

“Now please step back,” I added smoothly. “We have an incoming guest.”

A moment later, the psychotic voice of a child rang out from outside, paired with the wet hacking of blade through flesh.

“Whoo fuckin’ hoo!!! Evening, bitches! If you value your lives, show me yer valuables!!!”

Chuckling under my breath, I instructed Rose one last time to stay inside, then strode toward the chaos.

The scene outside was gruesome, severed limbs, blood painting the dirt, bodies writhing.

“Oraaa! Oraaa!”

‘Seems Cid is a bit of a sadist,’ I mused, noticing the way his cuts were precise yet designed to prolong pain.

A sudden slash came for my neck. My blade was instantly in my hand and rose almost lazily, sparks flying as steel met steel.

“Hoh, nice! A strong bandit!” the black-clad boy cackled, hood shadowing his face. “You even have a bit of style. At least live long enough for me to test my sword style!”

I tilted my head, regarding him in silence, my calm amusement only feeding his manic grin. Then, slowly, I raised a free hand, beckoning with a single finger.

Smirking, Cid launched forward faster than before. To him, he was moving several times faster than. To me though, he still looked as if moving in slow motion. I blocked each blow with ease, my sword always in the perfect place.

“Oraa! Oraa! You’re pretty good for a measly bandit! Though I don’t recognize your style!” he shouted, strikes coming faster, louder, more desperate.

Still, he gained no ground. At last, his grin faded into a serious scowl, and he leapt back.

“I see… you’re strong. I might have to get a little… serious.” Violet mana flared around him, condensing into his crude iron sword.

If I remember correctly, he had still not experimented with Slimes this early yet and being able to make a sword out of the same material.

“Come then,” I murmured, tilting my head again, sword poised and steady.

“It’s still a work in progress, but taste my ultimate move!”

He raised his blade high, power surging.

“Almost Atomic!!”

A massive arc of violet mana split the air, screaming toward me.

I didn’t dodge. I didn’t block. I simply smiled beneath the mask and let the energy engulf me.

The blast shook the ground, dust and smoke filling the night. And when it cleared, I was still standing, untouched. The attack had been absorbed completely without harm. Not that such a weak attack had any chance of hurting me in the first place though.

Cid’s eyes widened. For the first time tonight, he looked shaken.

Tilting my head mockingly, I asked, “That was your ultimate move? Truly?” I even raised two fingers in exaggerated air quotes at the mention of ultimate move. “I expected better from you, Cid Kagenou. You are weak.”

His whole body stiffened. “…W-Who are you?” he demanded, struggling to mask his exhaustion from using that move too early when his body couldn’t handle the strain yet.

“My name is Akari. Just someone hunting the hidden shadows of this world.” I declared smoothly, amused at the thought of planting the idea that I was the true Eminence in Shadow he dreamed of being ever since young.

‘That should be a real kick in the balls. He finally gains the magic he coveted his whole life, only to find out the new world he is in already has an Eminence in Shadow.’

“…Hunting the shadows of this world?” he repeated, eyes alight with wonder.

“That’s correct. Now leave. I have no quarrel with you. My only enemies are the Cult of Diablos and their allies.” I dismissed my blade, turned my back on him, and added coldly, “Pray that we never meet again.”

With a snap of my fingers, I teleported him to the outskirts of the Kagenou estate, ending our duel.

Alone once more, I turned toward the house. Rose was still peeking through the doorway, eyes wide and shining, every ounce of her awe written plainly across her face.

‘Be thankful that I hid your name from Rose, Cid. Otherwise, your comfy lifestyle would have disappeared in an instant.’

I gave her a small nod before taking to the sky, vanishing into the clouds.

With my enhanced senses, I caught her whisper as I left.

“What beautiful swordsmanship…”

=====

“Hahahahaha, how was that for my first appearance as a mysterious figure, Ciel?” I laughed heartily while floating in the lower atmosphere.

Ciel was quiet for a moment before reluctantly admitting, “8 out of 10.”

“Boo, that was at least a 9,” I pouted childishly.

“Are you sure it was wise to confront him this early, Master?” Ciel asked instead, ignoring me and making me pout harder. “While the possibility is small, he might become an enemy in the future. In my opinion, Master should have just devoured Cid Kagenou and been done with it.”

“I could,” I agreed with a nod before grinning again. “But then it wouldn’t be as fun that way~”

“I had a feeling Master would say that,” Ciel sighed.

“Relax, Ciel. I appreciate you always looking out for me, but like you already confirmed shortly after arriving in this world, there is nothing here that poses a threat to us. So just sit back and enjoy the ride with me.” I said with a calm smile.

“…Haah, very well. If Master says so,” she muttered, sounding embarrassed at my compliment, but pleased nonetheless.

“Good. Now, I think it’s about time to go pick up Alpha. At this rate, she’ll be really jealous in the future since she isn’t the first person I recruited.” I nodded, turning toward the Elven Country.

=====

Moments Later — Elven Country

As I flew, I thought about the progress I had made experimenting with the Slimes in this world.

With Ciel’s help, I now knew how to make the Slime Bodysuit and weapons from that mission reward a while back. If I didn’t already have the Shroud of Power, the Slime Bodysuit would have been perfect for me.

But as it was, the Bodysuit was simply a downgrade. The Shroud surpassed it in everything — defense, offense, adaptability, even efficiency in channeling magic. Not to mention the Shroud had a host of powers the Bodysuit couldn’t match.

I was considering giving Bodysuits to the new recruits once our group grew larger. The original Seven Shadows and other main heroines would receive the Shroud, while others would begin with the Bodysuit. Once they reached Tier 5 and proved themselves, I’d upgrade them to the Shroud as a reward, further empowering them. It would serve as proper motivation at the least.

“There you are,” I muttered, spotting a cloaked figure seemingly running from something down below. I dropped from the sky, landing hard enough to leave a small crater, startling the small figure into stopping short.

‘So, she’s already infected.’ I thought silently feeling her unstable mana and seeing some black blemishes over her exposed skin that she was clearly trying to hide.

The girl froze, wrapped head to toe in her cloak, blonde hair peeking from the hood. When she noticed my gaze, she immediately shifted into a defensive stance.

“Is running all you plan to do?” I asked with my head tilted.

She blinked in confusion but answered, “Who are you?”

“My name is not important,” I dismissed with a wave of my hand and focused on her tense face even if she couldn’t see that I was looking at her with my mask on. “I’m asking if running is all you’re willing to do.”

“What? I don’t understand,” she said, shaking her head.

“Haah, let me spell it out then. What’s your end goal, after being driven from your home for Demonic Possession? Is running all you know how to do?”

The girl stiffened. “H-how do you know that?” she asked cautiously.

“Does it really matter?” I shrugged.

She went quiet, then slumped. “…W-what else can I do but run? I’ve got nowhere to go, no one to turn to. All I can do is run and hope I find a cure before I die,” she whispered, defeated.

“You are not sick,” I said firmly, making her look up at me in surprise. “Demonic Possession is not an illness but a curse. A curse laid by the demon Diablos on the descendants of the Three Heroes who vanquished him. That children’s story you’ve heard? It’s true.”

Her eyes widened. “A curse from the demon Diablos…?”

“Correct. With his dying breath, he cast that curse. I even have a theory that in the past it was not considered a curse at all but a blessing. That’s what’s happening to you. But a certain organization twisted history and turned your kind into objects of scorn, branding you as possessed with the help of the church.”

“Who is behind this? Do you know?” she demanded, stepping closer.

“Are you sure you want to know? Just hearing their name puts you in danger.”

Her hand rose to her cloak, tugging it back to reveal the blonde-haired, blue-eyed elf beneath. “I don’t care! Who did this to me?” she demanded unmasking herself revealing the form of a beautiful elf with blonde hair and blue eyes. The only thing out of place on her was her left arm which looked slightly mutated and was longer than her right.

‘As expected of an elf, she’s really cute!’ I thought internally pleased.

A chuckle slipped past my lips. “Seems there’s still some fight in you. Good. You’ll need it.” I stepped forward and pulled away my mask, revealing my true self.

The elf gasped, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

“Now allow me to reward you for making it this far, and strip away that curse.” My Shroud manifested, coiling around her and covering her completely.

Alpha could only stare in awe as it enveloped her. A moment later, the bond was forged, and I willed the Shroud away.

She gasped. The grotesque growth and skin were gone. She ripped off her cloak, standing naked, staring in wonder at her unblemished skin.

‘Yep, definitely an elf.’

I gave her a moment before speaking again. “Now that you’re freed, do you still wish to know the origins of this curse?”

“Yes,” she breathed, her gaze still filled with awe.

“The Cult of Diablos. A group of zealots plotting to revive the demon. They never show themselves in daylight. My mission is to eradicate them completely, root and stem.”

I released a pulse of my Dragon Spirit Aura, letting it wash over her harmlessly for flair before restraining it again.

“My name is Akari Tempest. He who will bring the Dawn to this world.” I took another step forward. “Child of Heroes, are you prepared to walk my path with me?”

Alpha remained silent for but a moment before looking at me with a steely resolve in her bule eyes dropping to one knee.

“…When I was cursed, I lost everything. My only future was to waste away as a beast. But you saved me. I… I can’t even express my gratitude. I’ll devote my entire life to repaying you,” Alpha pledged, hand over her heart.

“Welcome, then, to Haru. A sub-division of the Jura-Tempest Federation which I am the leader of.” I extended my hand to help her stand, raising an eyebrow to silently ask her name.

“Thank you,” she whispered, smiling softly. “As for my name… I have no connection to that name anymore. Will you give me one?” Her pleading gaze met mine.

“Very well,” I said after a moment of thought looking at her features closely and focusing on her eyes. “Your eyes are very beautiful, just like the sea. I got it. From today, you’ll be known as Liriel, daughter of the sea. When it comes to matters of the Cult, however, your codename will be Alpha.” My magicules flowed into her as I spoke.

“Liriel…” she repeated softly under her breath testing it, then smiled brilliantly. “Thank you. I love it~”

“Glad to hear it. Now cover yourself. You should instinctively know how to use the Shroud I’ve gifted you. Make some clothes.”

“Right.” She closed her eyes, tendrils of wind swirling around her body before condensing into a large black cloak.

“This is amazing. I can feel it, I’m stronger than ever,” Liriel murmured in awe, flexing her hands.

‘She got the Storm Shroud, huh? Fitting,’ I thought.

“Come. We have much to discuss before your training begins.”

Breaking from her reverie, Liriel nodded and stood beside me.

Without hesitation, I slipped an arm around her waist, ignoring her startled squeak, and teleported us back to Alexandria in the heart of the village.

“Welcome to Alexandria. This will be our base of operations, where I’ll train you and the others we save,” I announced with a smile, while she looked around in astonishment at the bustling clones.

“W-wow~”