★3
THIRD POV
After weighing the scale, Asteri made his choice.
"The latter is my only option. First, I lack the Hero's Seed. Second, it'll take time before I can get used to humans, let alone protect them enough to earn their trust for nothing."
"Yeah, that's right. But hey, you can still be a Demon Lord without awakening. The thing is you need to awaken as soon as possible or you'll be prey for another Demon Lord."
"Cannibalistic bastards. I'm ok with it. So you guys fight between each other?"
"Not me, but they do."
"Can I call myself a Demon Lord now?"
"No, you'll have to be present in Walpurgis in the presence of all Demon Lords and prove your worth."
"Well, let us go then."
He said, getting up from his seat impatiently.
"It doesn't work that way. Walpurgis only holds when three Demon Lords approve it. You only know me so it'll take time before you get to be well known."
"..."
"Aside from that, becoming a Demon Lord requires power and influence. Yes, in terms of power, you will be the third, if not the second strongest of the current Demon Lords. All you need now is influence."
"So there is someone beside me who is as strong as you."
"Yeah, some child named Milim."
"Milim?"
He paused briefly, as if he had heard the name before.
"What did you say about Influence?"
"Yeah, I have demons; Ramiris has fairies; Dagruel has giants; Valentine has holy knights and humans, and so on. It's your journey, your choice."
"So what do you think will be the best influence for me?"
"I really don't know. See, I am a progenitor, and any red-haired demon is my descendant, so they are automatically under my influence. The same goes for the demons under Rain and Misery."
"This will be a tough one."
He spoke, wiping his hand across his face, and taking a seat
"Yep. You also need territory in which almost 85% of the Central World is under a certain Demon Lord."
Asteri leans back on his chair.
"If it's not hard then it'll be no fun. So, Red, about the territory."
"No, don't even ask."
Guy immediately rejected his plea.
"I'm not alone on this continent. My partner isn't here. I would've introduced you to her."
"But if you'd agree to be my subordinates I'd be happy to take you in. I'll guide you through but you'll be under me that's all."
Guy proposes.
"I'd pass. It's just natural, I don't like being ruled over just like that."
"Oh, well, it is your choice. But hey, if you'd agree to be my lieutenant, I'll give you some Demons and a piece of land."
He fought back, attempting to recruit this powerful pawn to his side.
"My decision is final. It'll be a shame to just gain a high status with borrowed men."
"Hey, what? Friends help each other don't they?"
"It may be true but..."
Asteri's tone softened for a brief moment before fading back into calm neutrality. Not wanting to drag it any further, he diverted the conversation.
"Anyway, if you want to help, then give me the Fairy Queen's domain. I'd like to talk to her."
Guy raised an eyebrow.
"You must be kidding. You think Ramiris will help you?"
"Location."
"Actually, I don't know,"
Guy admitted, shrugging.
"No one does. She lives in a different dimension from this World."
"Wherever it may be, it must maintain a connection with this world."
Asteri replied coolly.
"I'll find that out."
"Well, if that's what you want, I'm sorry I can't help," Guy said, watching him carefully.
"I have someplace to go."
Asteri stood, his white and gold attire gleaming faintly in the dim light as he turned toward the exit.
"Come on, are you mad?"
"I don't feel anything."
Asteri replied without looking back.
"I'll be in touch, Red."
He vanished before reaching the door, leaving a ripple of white light in his wake. Guy sighed, tilting his head upward.
Calmly, almost amused, he looked at the sky.
"...He really is nothing like us."
"Why didn't you introduce me to him?"
A soft, melodic voice echoed through the icy hall. From the grand staircase descended a young woman with long, flowing white hair and eyes that glimmered like frozen light. Her attire, blue and white trimmed with crystalline frost, marked her unmistakably as Velzard, the second of the Four True Dragons.
Guy turned, his usual smirk playing on his lips.
"Yo, Velzard. I didn't want to disturb you."
He said lazily.
"But I guess you heard our conversation, huh?"
Velzard's expression was calm, but her eyes held faint curiosity.
"Yeah."
She replied.
"And all he said is true. I once witnessed my brother speaking with a being neither male nor female, something beyond form, beyond description. Even I, who can perceive countless planes, couldn't define its essence."
She stepped off the last stair, her feet barely touching the frost beneath her.
"After their conversation, my brother told me that the being was the Star God, the first existence ever separated from the Great Spirit of Light. They spoke of the Star God's wish to move beyond his multiverse, and my brother granted it."
Her voice softened, as if recalling something ancient and haunting.
"I never thought I would see anyone from that race again."
Guy chuckled, rubbing his chin.
"Well, that's impressive."
He admitted, a glint of intrigue flickering in his crimson eyes.
"Seems like things are getting a whole lot more interesting than I thought."
"Beyond impressive. Despite the limitations of his current vessel, he was evenly matched with you."
"How did you know all that?"
Velzard opened her palm, revealing a floating ice shard.
"This was with you when you guys fought so I saw everything."
"You still won't stop spying on me won't you?"
"Since he's on par with you, that makes us equals at some point,"
Velzard said casually, her tone sharp yet teasing. "Though without his True Body, he can't win."
Guy raised a brow.
"You're skipping a few steps there, aren't you?"
She ignored his remark, continuing with calm authority.
"Even so, he's beyond imagination, despite all those restrictions you mentioned."
So tell me, Ice Empress, would you lose if he fought you with his True Body?"
The hall went still. The frost-laden air thickened as the question hung between them.
"Nah, I'd win."
She answered confidently.
(Hehe...)
Guy smirked faintly, his eyes gleaming, reflecting the icy light of Velzard's presence.
"You're strong, but you didn't feel what I felt."
He finally said, voice low and uncharacteristically serious.
"If that's really his True Body we're talking about... then the concept of 'losing' might not even apply."
Velzard tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable.
"Meaning?"
Guy's smirk deepened, though the humour didn't reach his eyes.
"Meaning, if the Antares descends in full, there won't be a battlefield left to decide who wins."
"So, you're saying I'll lose?"
"Facts on my end."
He giggled softly, his eyes glinting with playful arrogance.
"When that time comes,"
She said, his voice low but sharp.
"I'll make sure you watch closely and remember what True Dragons really are."
"You were holding back when I fought you at your peak."
He lied. Guy stood firm with only his Unique Skill against the second strongest True Dragon, who possesses an Ultimate Skill. He defied the norms that say Ultimate Skill is the ultimate power.
"You will also defeat his True Body if you're serious."
She hits back and he sighs.
"I am not sure why, but I have not felt like going all out since I came into this World."
"Furthermore, you kept something from him. Why? What if he finds out?"
She asked in a voice devoid of curiosity.
"I don't care. He only has one option and he'll have to stick to that forever."
His face was plastered with a vicious grin.
Asteri left the ice castle but remained within the Frozen Continent. Alone amidst the endless white, he stood still, eyes closed, face lifted toward the cold heavens
"Red may not have noticed you, but I did. Show yourselves or I'll take action."
He declared still maintaining his posture.
"We beg your pardon, Young Master."
"Please forgive us."
Two figures materialised before Asteri. Kneeling at his feet was a girl no older than thirteen, clad in flowing white robes, her long golden hair gleaming like sunlight.
Beside her knelt a boy with crimson hair and piercing green eyes, dressed in a black and white outfit. The moment their presence touched him, a familiar energy rippled through the air, and Asteri's expression shifted instantly.
"You...you guys are Stars,"
"Yes sir."
The girl answered.
"Did you follow me here or what, cause I've been sensing you ever since I came here."
"Something similar."
"Well, explain yourselves."
"I am Atlas, a Star under my Lord."
The boy with green eyes introduced himself first.
"Your Lord? Who's that?"
Asteri asked, turning to look at the boy.
"The Devil Lord."
"Never heard of that name. What about you, little girl?"
His gaze shifted toward the little girl.
"I..i came here under the mistress's order to look after you."
"They have a name, yes?"
"L...lady Elara."
"L...lady Elara."
He repeated, shocked.
"So she knows I made it. That's nice. And you, Devil Lord, who's that, a Hypergod or someone else?"
"No sir. He's...he's a Supernova."
Asteri's eyes widen in surprise.
<
He gently shook his head, dismissing his thoughts.
"I don't know about you and your Lord Atlas, but I'd like you to go back. I'll stay with.. what was your name again?"
"Elaine."
"I'll stay with Elaine."
"I am sorry but it's an order. I can't go back on Prince Lucifer's words."
"I'd expect you'd say that. Well, I was just kidding by the way. Feel free to do what you want."
"My duty is to serve you, Young Master."
"Why are you calling me Young Master? Only Lady Elara calls me that."
"Umm..I...I told him about the times you spent with Lady Elara."
Elaine interjected.
"S..seriously? I never expect you to tell anyone about those moments, my Lady."
Light coalesced around his face, hiding his embarrassment.
"....but it's ok. Call me what you want but never say my true name. I'm currently going by the name Asteri."
His aura darkened, and the atmosphere grew unbearably heavy, frightening the duo.
"O...ok, Young Master."
"As you wish, sire."
"You, Atlas, you must be strong. Back then, I felt two other signatures besides myself and Red. You did pull us some Arts to hide your presence and avoid our attacks."
"I did. But I am still far inferior to you."
"What do you mean, you must be a White Dwarf right?"
"No, I recently awakened as a Supergod."
"Impressive. Stronger than me in terms of rank. I am still a Star you know..."
"Im...impossible."
"It's not. I might be on par with some Hypergods but I'm still an unawakened Dwarf."
"..."
"Young Master, if I may ask, what are you going to do now?"
Elaine asked.
"I want to look for Ramiris the Fairy Queen. Since you guys are here, I need your help."
"No need to ask. Your wish is our command, Young Master."
"Exactly."
"We will go our separate ways, but you two can team up if you want."
Asteri opened his palm and a white orb appeared.
"Here, place your hands on top of the orb."
With Asteri holding the orb, Atlas and Elaine place their palms together, and the two stars sense a connection between the three of them and the orb disappears.
"Good, now we can talk to each other telepathically and can sense each other's signature/presence no matter the distance."
"Ok."
"Um hmm."
"You two should notify me of anything you hear about fairies?"
"Got it."
"Yes."
They nodded simultaneously.
"After this, I will find a place where we can all live together. Avoid revealing your true nature at all costs and stay safe."
"Thank you, sir."
"Best of luck, Young Master!"
The duo disappeared leaving Asteri all alone again. Feeling that his fellow stars would succeed and that everything would work out, Asteri looked up at the sky once more.
"Now then, where are you Queen of Fairies?"
He murmured to himself before teleporting away. This marks the beginning of Asteri's journey to become a Demon Lord.
Will this version of Asteri succeed or will he fail and choose a different route?
To be continued...