Elder Dwarf Beren stood before me, his earlier fear replaced by a profound, almost desperate hope. He had listened intently to my terms, his eyes fixed on my face, searching for any hidden clauses or subtle deceptions. His people's future hinged on this moment.
"I have no objections to the terms, my Lord," he stated, his voice firm, a newfound resolve hardening his features. He then bowed deeply, his gnarled hands clasped together. "I will need two days to convince my people and bring them here, my Lord. May I have your permission to depart?"
I nodded, a small, satisfied smile touching my lips. His acceptance was swift, and his understanding of the need for preparation was commendable. He was a dwarf who cared for his people.
I reached into a small pouch at my belt, retrieving a single, iridescent scale. It shimmered with a faint, draconic energy, radiating a subtle aura of ancient power. It was a low-level dragon's scale, a remnant from one of Tomoe's earlier form, imbued with a fraction of her essence.
"Take this as well, Elder Beren," I said, offering it to him. "It will help you convince your people more easily." The scale, though small, was a symbol of immense power and protection, a tangible proof of the might that now offered them sanctuary.
Beren gasped softly as he took the scale, his eyes widening in awe. He recognized the draconic energy, a force revered and feared in this world. This was far more than just a promise; it was a divine blessing, a sign that their new protector was truly formidable.
"Thank you, my Lord! We will not disappoint you!" he exclaimed, bowing even lower, his gratitude palpable. He clutched the scale tightly, as if it were the most precious treasure he had ever held.
As he turned to leave, I called out to Tomoe, who had been observing silently from a respectful distance. "Tomoe, assist Elder Beren in the relocation of his people. Ensure their journey is safe and swift, and that they are properly settled upon arrival."
"Yes, my Lord!" she replied, her voice crisp and immediate. She bowed, then moved with her characteristic grace to join the Elder Dwarf, a formidable guardian now accompanying him. Her presence alone would deter any would-be thieves or monsters.
With Beren and Tomoe departing, my attention shifted to my newest recruit. Mio, still kneeling, her human-like form shimmering faintly, awaited her instructions. Her devotion was absolute, her gaze fixed on me with an unsettling intensity.
I decided her talents would be best utilized under the guidance of one of my most capable and meticulous Guardians. "Mio," I commanded, "you are now under the direct tutelage of Albedo. She will teach you everything you need to know about Zeldania, your duties, and how to properly serve me."
Mio's head snapped up, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of excitement and fervent loyalty. "Yes, Master! This slave will learn all that is required!" Her voice was filled with an almost disturbing eagerness. I knew Albedo would appreciate her zeal, and perhaps even find a kindred spirit in her devotion.
I then turned my thoughts to Makoto. He was currently assisting the Orcs, but his integration into Zeldania required more than just manual labor. His knowledge of this world, and his ability to interact with its inhabitants, would be crucial.
"And Misumi Makoto," I mused aloud, though he was no longer present, "he needs to study the Hyuman language of this world. His current understanding is rudimentary, and communication will be key for his future tasks." I made a mental note to assign a suitable tutor and provide him with the necessary learning materials.
After getting all these immediate tasks done, ensuring the initial stages of Zeldania's expansion and the integration of new allies were set in motion, I decided it was time for a change of scenery. My mind, though powerful, required occasional shifts in focus.
I made my way back to my private chambers, a space designed for both comfort and strategic contemplation. The soft, plush carpet muffled my footsteps, and the ambient light adjusted to my preference.
Today, I decided, I would go check out the 7th Prince's world. My calculations indicated that it was going to be the event of the start of canon by now. Perhaps Lloyd, the protagonist of that world, had already acquired Grimo, his powerful demon familiar.
In fact, Silpha, one of the key characters from that world, was now my sword art teacher. It was an interesting turn of events, a subtle manipulation of the timeline. Nowadays, she got more freedom because of it. She had already gotten to experience many dungeons by now, honing her skills against creatures far beyond anything in her original canon world.
If I had to say, the current Lloyd, even without Grimo, was stronger than his canonical counterpart by now, thanks to my subtle guidance and the advanced training methods I had introduced. But I wanted to see if the canon had truly begun.
"System, take me to 7th Prince's world," I commanded, my voice calm, addressing the infinity system that governed my multiversal travel.
[Of course, Master.] The response was immediate, a synthesized voice echoing in my mind.
The dimension froze again, a shimmering distortion rippling through the fabric of reality. The world around me dissolved into a kaleidoscope of colors and shifting forms. In the next instant, the sensation of spatial displacement ceased, and I was back.
...
I was in my room in the 7th Prince's world.
My room here looked plain, almost spartan, compared to the opulent chambers of other Royals in the Saloom Kingdom. The walls were unadorned, the furniture functional rather than decorative.
Well, that's because I was disowned of any rights to inherit the throne in this life. A convenient turn of events for me, as it freed me from the tedious political machinations of the royal court.
But it was also because of my curse, weakest illusion, that made everyone just see me as a weakling, completely unfit to even be a candidate for the throne. They saw me as frail, sickly, and utterly devoid of magical talent.
Also, I kept myself distant from others, a deliberate choice, ensuring that nobody was ever truly on my side. This isolation, while perhaps lonely for a normal human, was a strategic advantage for me, allowing me to operate without scrutiny.
Ok, I admit that was my fault. My disdain for the petty squabbles of royalty led me to actively avoid them. But these siblings of mine in this life were way too annoying for me. Their arrogance, their constant vying for antics, their utter lack of foresight – it was tiresome.
Other nobles just peer-pressured others to outcast me, which was fine for me, as it gave me more freedom to pursue my own interests, to cultivate my true power in secret. The less attention, the better.
The problem, however, was a minor inconsistency. Why was Silpha my sword instructor? Isn't she supposed to be Lloyd's sword instructor, a key figure in his development?
Well, I did a lot to remember why that happened, shifting through my vast memory banks, but I was sure it wasn't that important. Perhaps a minor ripple effect from my earlier manipulations, or simply a detail I had overlooked. It didn't impact my overall plans.
The major news, the truly significant development, was that I got my powers from the Tsukimichi world connected now. The immense mana, the unique abilities, the very essence of my power from that dimension, now flowed seamlessly within this body.
So, how high it is for my that version? I am just as powerful now as both are me, connected and the same, with the same soul and body. My soul, a cosmic entity, molded my physical form to be its perfect vessel, transcending the limitations of any single dimension.
This was a privilege of the race that I created from Overlord, a unique ability that was helping me right now. It allowed me to integrate and utilize powers from various dimensions, making me a truly multiversal being.
I had already mastered every spell to a very high degree, far beyond what any mage in this world could comprehend. And with spells from Overlord, combined with my Tsukimichi world's powers, you could say I was the strongest being in this dimension.
But the curse made me look as weak as hell. It was a perfect illusion, a cloak of invisibility for my true might.
Good thing is that it only is an illusion of weakness, a trick of perception. I was still completely strong, my power unhindered, merely masked from the eyes of the unsuspecting.
Now, I got to check what Lloyd was up to. His actions were the primary indicator of the canonical timeline's progression.
If he had acquired Grimoire, then that meant the canon had truly started. The canon events would start.
I opened a transparent remote viewing spell, a shimmering, invisible window into Lloyd's current location. The image flickered into existence and there he was, a small, goat-like demon familiar hovering beside him.
He already got him. Well, just a few moments ago he got him, it seemed. The timing was perfect.
Oh! Looks like he just did his first double incantation with Grimo. The air around his surrounding shimmered with residual magical energy.
I could see the faint, shimmering hole in the stratosphere above the palace, a testament to the raw power of his spell. It was a clear sign of his rapid growth, and the start of his true journey.
Well, let's go and meet him. It was time for a subtle intervention, a gentle nudge to ensure his development aligned with my plans.
A few hours later, I was in front of his room. The palace corridors were quiet, the usual bustle of servants and nobles absent at this late hour. I opened his door, a silent, almost ethereal movement, and stepped inside.
Lloyd looked up from a stack of magic books, his eyes wide with surprise, then lighting up with his usual boundless enthusiasm. Grimo, the goat-like Majin, hovered beside him, its single eye regarding me with a mixture of curiosity and disdain.
"Lloyd, did you get that goat Majin as your familiar?" I asked him casually, my voice betraying none of my internal observations.
"Yeah!" he exclaimed, his face beaming. "It was sealed in the book, so I freed him. His name is Grimoire! It is good cause I can use Dual Incantation now!" He answered me casually, already excited about his new magical capabilities.
I may not have a good relationship with others in this royal family, but he was different. He was genuinely enthusiastic, unburdened by the political games or the curse that afflicted me. He saw only magic, and a potential teacher.
"Now quickly teach me new magic for my dual incantation!!" he demanded, practically bouncing in his seat, his eyes shining with an almost manic intensity.
…Yes, different because he always asked me to teach him every single magic, and I really mean every single magic. Not just a type or a specific spell, but every single magic, down to the slightest variations, the most obscure theories.
He was crazy. A true magic addict, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
Grimo, meanwhile, looked at me with an air of utter condescension, his single eye regarding me as if I were just a lowly human, due to my curse. He still seemed to perceive others as inferior, except for Lloyd, his newly acquired master.
"Master Lloyd," Grimo intoned, his voice a low, rumbling sound, filled with disdain, "who is this weak human? Why would you even learn from him? I can teach you few ancient magic instead, far more potent than anything this... mortal... could offer."
Lloyd looked at him like he was looking at trash, his expression one of utter exasperation. "Grimo, shut up." The command was sharp, immediate, and left no room for argument.
Turning back to me, his face instantly reverted to his eager, pleading expression. "Please just one. Just one today please?" His eyes were wide, almost puppy-like.
"Sigh. Fine, just one," I relented, a small, tired smile touching my lips. "Today I will teach you about frozen fire magic, ok? Nothing more." It was a complex, paradoxical form of magic, perfect for testing his understanding and Grimo's arrogance.
"Yes! Just that is fine for today!" he cheered, his excitement undimmed. He immediately grabbed a quill and parchment, ready to take notes.
I started teaching him, explaining the theoretical principles, the delicate balance of opposing energies, the precise incantations. Grimo, despite himself, looked a bit impressed as I just taught him the basic concepts of it. The complexity of the magic, even at its foundational level, was clearly beyond his immediate comprehension. But he still looked down on me, his arrogance unwavering.
Well, it's nothing new by now. His underestimation was a constant. But still, it's a bit rude if you think I won't get a little revenge. A small lesson in humility was in order.
After giving him the theoretical lesson, I decided to provide a practical demonstration. I extended my hand, and a tiny, candle flame-sized flicker of frozen fire materialized in my palm. It was a paradox, a flame that radiated intense cold, shimmering with an ethereal blue light.
Grimo, still underestimating me, his arrogance overriding any caution, came closer to me. He extended a spectral hand, intending to extinguish it, just like how one would casually snuff out a mundane candle flame.
"What's the big deal about this?" he scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "It's just a weak cold—!!!"
His words cut off abruptly. His hand, the spectral limb he had extended, disintegrated into nothing but frozen dust, scattering into the air like fine ash. There was no pain, no scream, just a sudden, horrifying absence.
"As you can see, Lloyd," I said calmly, turning to my brother, who was scribbling furiously in his notebook, "it's good to destroy evidence as well. Especially when it's a nuisance."
He didn't even look up, merely adding another note to his parchment. He was taking notes like a real magic addict he was, completely absorbed in the lesson, oblivious to the true implications of what had just happened to Grimo.
Grimo, having lost his hand, looked utterly confused, as much as he was fearful. Majin's bodies didn't get affected by magic in such a fundamental way; they were beings of pure magical energy, immune to most conventional spells. But I had done him real harm. This meant that I had used so much mana in that tiny flame, compressed it to such an absurd density, that even Lloyd, with his immense mana, hadn't used such a concentrated attack on him.
His mind, a powerful magical entity, began to race, trying to comprehend the impossible. He sneakily tried to take my body, a desperate, foolish attempt at possession, thinking it was just a coincidence, a fluke, and perhaps to do a prank on me to get some revenge for his lost hand.
But as soon as his spectral form touched me, he started screaming. Not a physical scream, but a piercing, agonizing shriek that resonated directly within his mind, like he had a mental breakdown.
Well, I have an infinite amount of mana sealed within me, a literal cosmic ocean of power. Also, even without the infinite reserves, my mana density was still way too much more than Lloyd's. And all of that, tightly compressed inside me, the density of it was so crazy that Grimo felt like he died multiple times already, his very essence being crushed by the sheer weight of my power.
He quickly flew back down, a terrified, whimpering ball of magical energy, hiding behind Lloyd's back, trembling uncontrollably. His both eyes, wide with terror, darted between me and the now-restored hand he had just regenerated. He was trying to process what was going on with humans nowadays.
'First Lloyd, now this human...' he thought, his mental voice a frantic jumble. 'Lloyd is definitely a monster, a terrifying anomaly. But this human is like some kind of monster god, a being beyond comprehension.'
'Also, did I imagine it, or were there really many monsters sealed inside him? A multitude of powerful presences, all contained within that seemingly weak human form?'
'… Nah... I am sure I am having hallucinations. It must be the shock. No mortal could contain such power.' He tried to rationalize, but the terror lingered.
"Master Lloyd..." Grimo whimpered, his voice barely audible, "who is this human?"
Lloyd, finally looking up from his notes, glanced at Grimo with a bored expression. "He? He is my brother, the youngest, or also the 8th prince of Saloom Kingdom," he explained casually, as if talking about the weather. "But he is much better than me in magic, and probably the strongest as well. So he knows many magic that I don't know about, and I want to learn more magic from him. The only problem is that he doesn't want to teach me at all."
He then turned his eager gaze back to me. "Please, just one more spell? Just one more for today?"
"Why would I teach you when you constantly harass me to teach you all the time?" I retorted, a weary sigh escaping my lips. "In sleep, eating, and so on, without a break? You're an addict."
I don't hate to teach him. He is my brother in this life, and his passion for magic is genuine. But if I teach him even a single spell more than one spell per month, he would constantly annoy me, badgering me, following me everywhere, demanding another.
I am not going to teach him more than a spell per month. Otherwise, he would never stop annoying me, and I wouldn't have any time to do anything else, just because this magic addict will constantly keep asking me to teach him more and more magic. My own plans, my own research, would be constantly interrupted. My peace would be shattered.