The world came to a halt. That was the undeniable truth, absolute and unassailable, with no room for lies or exaggeration. It was reality itself, irrefutable and final. Such was the overwhelming power of Valerie Van Astrea, the current Sword Saint of the Kingdom of Altchare.
At that moment, Valerie Van Astrea strolled upward through the sky with a bored expression, casually transforming scattered water and dust particles into a shimmering staircase that led toward the heavens.
High above loomed twelve colossal asteroids, hurtling toward the kingdom at high speeds.
A by product of the World Class Spell of the Ultima Class.... Apocalypse Series: Ultima meteoron imbrem.
From their size, momentum, and speed, their impact would annihilate the planet's surface more than twenty times over.
And only a handful of the world's absolute strongest individuals might survive the cataclysm.
Herself included.
Yet as the Sword Saint, she had a duty. She was not only the Sword of the King, but also the Champion and Chosen of Od Laguna, a force meant to eradicate threats and calamities from the world if deem necessary.
Her personality, however, was anything but heroic.
Even now, as she approach the falling astroids now stuck in time as a result of 『The Divine Protection Of World Halting』 That allows her to stop or halt phenomenons that existed in their world for as long as she wants.
She did this merely out a sense of responsibility that comes with being love by the world, and most of all to protect the life of her precious wallet, the man that can make her dreams come through, her financial djinn if you will.
His Royal Highness, and the 766th King of the Kingdom of Altchare. Ren Van Astrea, Widely known as the Spirit Disaster.
"Sigh... Why couldn't my little brother just become the next Sword Saint, doing stuff like this is just so out of character for me."
She grumbled, but no one was here to reply to her, and even if they where, what the fuck could they even, do, for some reason Od Laguna love's her excessively.
"For fuck's sake, the bastard already became king after beating the shit out of all of us a few years back when he overthrew the previous ruler.... And our Father."
Ironically, she herself had only inherited the title of Sword Saint a single day after her brother took the throne after killing their Father.
For all intents and purposes, Valerie was a playgirl, a troublemaker and a stain on the illustrious Royal Astrea name.
After all, before claiming the title, she had been nothing more but a die-hard lesbian who also harbored a fondness for cute boys, Shots if you will.
On top of that she was an unruly character to boot too, a woman with more red flags, then they where stars in the sky, was how she like to describe her past self.
Not only was she violent, foul mouthed, petty, and was a drug addict, a gang leader, and lived a shameless existence before now.
She was also responsible for Slavery being reintroduce in there revolutionized society to make her profit margin go up the roof.
Why wouldn't she, it was well within her right to take advantage of her rich and powerful parents at the time.
What made her that way too, was also the fact that she had no talent for the sword; her true specialty was wind magic, and even that hardly interest her.
And despite carrying the blood of the Oni God in her veins, she had zero pride, or shame in her game.
And being the eldest sibling, she was the weakest among them too. The irony was almost laughable even given how overpowered her current self is.
Thankfully though, her parents were never abusive, nor were her siblings cruel. Those unfit to wield a sword in the Astrea bloodline were typically married off or given opportunities to redirect their talents elsewhere however they want.
Valerie, however, had none that was helpful to the family. Her only real gift was being a bitch, an egotistical cunt, as her younger sister liked to call her back in the day.
As she was skilled at manipulating others and committing crimes for profit.
As long as she brought home money and connections to strengthen the family, they turned a blind eye to literally anything she does. And if you where to ask her current twenty seven year old self that, she would say in an instant that she missed that old life dearly.
It had less responsibility, and she didn't need to watch her image as much as does now.
She had to give up her life of crimes, because of the power of the sword saint she received at the age of twenty four.
As everything changed the moment the world chose her as the next Sword Saint. She had protested against it, but enviably agree to take the role on.
Even becoming her brother's weapon, and her younger brother shared a strong bond with her too, so she agreed in the end, on the condition that the kingdom's treasury would be at her disposal with no limits on how much she can spend, or what she spend it on.
Now, whenever she wasn't acting as the kingdom's living weapon, playing reluctant babysitter for Ren, or saving the world from the latest disaster, the more mature, though far from reformed, Valerie spent her free time indulging in her favorite vices.
She would either have her cunt licked by a skilled tongue, seduce some attractive stranger she met during her evening strolls, or tumble into bed with one of the castle maids. Afterward, she would inevitably end up dead drunk at her favorite casino.
Reputation be damned.
She was the Sword Saint, after all. De-stressing, as she called it, was practically a requirement in her position.
Much to Ren's dismay, of course. He allowed her to do as she pleased, but he would occasionally beg her to at least consider her public image.
Things had only gotten worse over time, and it was starting to annoy even her. What made it worse was that she was nearing thirty and still had no husband.
Not that she particularly needed one, the single life suited her just fine.
But it was mandatory for her to produce at least one heir by the age of thirty. This wasn't mere tradition or superstition. It stemmed from an ancient contract made generations ago between the Astrea and Mather family elders and a The Witch Queen Omega, who was now the royal family second Divine guardian.
The terms were simple, yet chilling. Every few decades, the Witch Queen would claim at least one beautiful girl from the family line.
Between either the Mathers or The Astreas.
In exchange, as long as each generation produced an heir before turning thirty, the Astrea and Mather families would maintain their power indefinitely.
Whenever the bloodline was in danger, Omega would appear to preserve it. This pact was the true reason the Astrea royal family had endured for so long despite countless external wars and internal conflicts.
If an Astrea failed to give birth within that timeframe, the Mather line would lose their magical potential, while the Astrea line would lose their ability to procreate.
Even if they fail to deliver at least once.
Valerie wasn't entirely sure if the vow applied to her, but she did want children, so this contract was a problem for her. The problem was she refused to settle for a weak man as her husband.
It was for this reason that her brother was organizing a grand global tournament in celebration of his upcoming nineteenth birthday, a sensational event meant to find a man worthy of Valerie's hand. Or, at the very least find suitable candidates strong enough to father her child… even if that man was expected to disappear afterward if Valerie had no interest in them, for offering their seed they would be paid off with a grand amount of cash as compensation.
At first, she thought it was stupid, until today, at least. Suddenly the sky turned orange, and her mother informed her that someone was using Ultimate Grade Magic to attack the kingdom.
This wasn't just any spell; it was at the highest level possible. The sheer mana alone was so immense that she was confident every mage in the world felt the surge. It was so potent that tracking the casting origin was impossible for her as well.
Her mother, DCLXVI Hellia Z. Mathers, or her alter ego, Roswaal L666 Mathers bore the title of the Greatest Mage in History for a reason.
She was the former King Consort, capable of using Ancient Magic from the era when the Great Sage, the First Sword Saint, and the Divine Dragon Volcanica teamed up to seal the Witch of Envy.
These days, that tale was seen more as a myth than historical fact.
Just hearing that so many strong people were coming to Altchare didn't make Valerie feel anything at all.
After all, who could possibly be stronger than her? The Sword Saint, a being love by The World itself.
Even the strongest fighters from other nations were little more than ants to someone like her.
But then he suddenly appeared.
"Pleiades, was it…?"
Valerie murmured.
"In all my life, I have never met a man like him before. Not only is he totally my type with that youthful appearance of his though he would be absolutely perfect if he was bare minimum five years younger, a shame, truly."
Valerie said with on tear coming from her eyes, shota meat to her was the best meat there is, but her fucked fetish aside, Pleiades still extremely attractive to her
"Still though, youth aside....
She laughed, and chuckled as she lift her sword upwards, taking a sword stance as she imbued her sword with her aura.
"As the current Sword Saint, I am shame to say that since my duty began, this is the first time I am finally welding an unsheated Reid. To think I would finally met someone my Divine Protection can't tell me anything about. And then this worthless hunk of junk finally revealed itself too at his presence."
Valerie said, as Reid finally unsheathed itself from its scabbard to be used by her, since earlier she has been wielding the dragon blade at all.
"How nostalgic I must say.... I've seen Uncle Sylvester use it at least once before, when he was suddenly force into a fight with the Mad Emperor, one of the strongest existence in the current era."
"Along with being the immortal Tyrant of the Adgar Empire, Vague Adgar who had the help of all his War Gods, and his eldest daughter, Dexteria Adgard, the Spirit Eater who gang up on the former Sword Saint, before he was killed in combat by him six years ago during the Great Spirit Refuge War…
She paused, thinking of how the entire country was in an major uproar when he appeared.
It was also the first and last time she met one of the six calamity that was the Witch Queen Omega who ended up chasing away the Mad Emperor when the former Sword Saint died by his own blade.
"Ha, now that I think about it, that was also around the same time the youngest met his wife too. Ha, how Strange… he also wanted to become king after they met as well. I also remember he wasn't that insanely strong at all, he only became that strong after meeting his wife."
"Am I thinking too hard, or does something feel fishy here…? Hmm. Oh well, it doesn't matter. No point in slandering my wallet."
"What does matter though, is that man from earlier. I've never heard or seen him before. Reid only unsheathes itself if it deems the opponent worthy."
"I felt a horrific wave of dread the first time I met Pleiades. He said he would be staying in the country for a while too, but why isn't a handsome monster like him participating?"
"Am I, really that unattractive or something."
Valerie began to ponder.
Most who was participating in the upcoming tournament of power wasn't in it for the money or the noble status, rather it was to get a chance to date her.
"I don't know how strong Vague is, but my senses are telling me it would be a one sided beat down in favor of Pleiades of course."
"Ahhh, dearest Od Laguna, hear my prayer, make that man come see me soon."
[No]
"What the fuck do you mean no, you never ever refuse my request."
[That thing is dangerous, leave it be]
"Ohhh, so you do know him?"
[.... Yes]
"Who is he then?"
Valerie asked excitedly, and the world replied saying.
[Sin]
"Sin.... Why are you being so cryptid today, just answer the damn question already, at this rate I wont get knocked up."
[...]
"Sigh, your behaving the same way you did when I asked about information regarding the Witch Queen Omega, and the Demon Lord Pandora."
[...]
"Fine, keep your secrets, I will just find out who he is myself."
Valerie said as she looked at the frozen asteroids, and white one single slash of her dragon blade. A torrent of great power was released from it, the light from her strike was so bright it engulf the entire kingdom and the attack could seen from space.
The rocks immediately vaporized due to her power, and the sky return to normal.
However all the clouds in the radius of the attack were deleted from existence.
Seeing this Valerie sheathed back Reid, and jump back down on the ground.
And the moment she did, time resume, and the flow of mana return.
"With that my job is done, still, I do wonder where I can find Pleiades, hey world help me out here."
[Sorry, but I can't, that man is invincible to me. I can only see him through the eyes of others]
"The fuck you mean he is invincible, aren't you supposed to be the heart of the world."
[That thing is different from you normal humans, in a way, we cancel each other out]
"Are you saying that man is a God then? How the hell is he competing with a literal God?"
[Might as well be.... Although he is False one]
"Wait are you serious, is he really a God?"
[Yes and no]
"Ahhh, how annoying, it is either yes or no for crying out loud."
[...]
"Do you atleast have an idea where he might be?"
[Yes, he is in the Shadow Garden]
"The Shadow what now, hmmm I can't say I have ever heard about it, but that doesn't matter, tell me where can I find this Shadow Garden?"
[I don't know]
"Ahhhhh, you know what, FUCK YOU I'm done... Omnipotent and Omniscience my ass."
[...]
Valerie said annoyed as people watch her with scared eyes, they already know she was most likely the one that save the kingdom yet again from danger.
But it begs the question.
Why is the Sword Saint talking to herself.
Sadly they would never know the answer to that question.
Valerie on the other hand, just sighed, and turned the opposite direction from the castle.
"Fuck it I am bored as I am stress now because of this stupid world, let's just take the rest of the day off knightly duties, and take a much needed trip one of Maddam Hoshin brothels. I can use a skill tongue from a baddie right about now, hell maybe they even have more of that Sordana Rum, that shit run out of stock too quick for my liking. Yes, yes, I am genius, time to have some fun and end up dead drunk, truly the only way to live life is to always be 65% intoxicated at all times. Otherwise the world would just be a boring mess I am force to live through."
"To Paradise I go, I am sure Ren would understand my frustration, he is a good brother after all."
Valerie said strolling happily in the public street, meanwhile however, a cat invisible to everyone else was lazily floating behind her.
It was of course none other than the Artificial Archbishop of Sloth that Pleiades sent after Valerie after he initiate Procedure Clotho.
The cat look and recorded everything it seen so far, it mission had just began and it was already thinking to itself.
'What the fuck is wrong with this woman.... Isn't she too care free if not outright too irresponsible to even be a sword saint. Has the world standards truly drop to the point anyone with red hair or blue eyes, or hell even anyone with Astrea as a last name could qualify to be a sword saint.'
'Sigh, I can already sense it, this horny overpowered drunk is going to give me a serious headache, why couldn't father sent Lust for this job, I am sure she would have love this irresponsible horn dog.'
Valerie let out a long, weary sigh and turned away from the castle.
"Fuck it. I'm bored and this stupid world is stressing me out. Knightly duties can wait, I'm taking the rest of the day off."
She smirked to herself.
"Time for a much-needed trip to one of Madam Hoshin's brothels. I could really use a skilled tongue from a baddie right about now. Hell, maybe they'll even have more of that Sordana Rum. That stuff flies off the shelves way too fast."
She grinned, clearly pleased with her own idea.
"Yes… yes, I'm a genius. Time to have some fun and get dead drunk. Honestly, the only way to survive this life is to stay at least sixty-five percent intoxicated at all times. Otherwise the world is just a boring mess I'm forced to endure sober."
"To Paradise I go."
She declared cheerfully, strolling down the public street.
"I'm sure Ren will understand. He is a good brother, after all."
Unseen by anyone else, a small cat floated lazily behind her, tail swaying.
It was none other than the Artificial Archbishop of Sloth, the agents Pleiades had dispatched after initiating Procedure Clotho.
The cat observed everything with half-lidded eyes, already recording every detail. Its mission had barely begun, and it was already thinking.
"Yawnnn.... What the fuck is wrong with this woman…?"
It said lazily.
"Isn't she.... I don't know, way too carefree, if not borderline irresponsible to be a Sword Saint? Have the standards of the World Od really dropped this low? Does anyone with red hair, blue eyes, or just the last name Astrea qualify these days to be a sword saint."
It let out a mental sigh.
"I can already tell this horny, overpowered drunk is going to be a massive headache to observe. Why couldn't Father send Lust for this job? She would've loved dealing with this irresponsible horn dog…
"Sigh, some please kill me, so I can sleep."
Sloth said with a soft and lazy voice, it didn't want to do this, but at the same time, it didn't want to disappoint it's Father either.
"I hope Father praise me and make me sleep for ten more years undisturbed after the mission is complete."
Sloth said as he continued to follow Valerie into the red light district, and for the next ten hours.
Sloth had to be extremely diligent in its patient, if not, he would have went mad with suicidal thoughts after following the Sword Saint for hours.