97 – Pain!
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PART 1 – Fragments!
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Skarla sits, looking at her documents and thinking about everything that has happened.
All the information she has gathered, as well as her daughter who has just destroyed the future she lived in and is probably stuck at some point in time, waiting for her to arrive there.
This irritates her. Kamilla obviously sacrificed a lot to give her this information, and those absolute beings gave her even more details about her future in the form of images.
Skarla laughed, remembering her dying body. She noticed the Morse code she had made using her own blood. They didn't notice it, but Skarla did, especially because her future self was literally pointing at it.
It meant that her future self knew that when Kamilla returned to the past and destroyed that timeline, destroying her and much more, it would result in that judgment.
And what was written in Morse code?
[Destiny] [False]
[Demon] [Enemy]
[Family] [Love]
That's all. From what Kamilla told her, Skarla understood the second line of the message. Demon refers to Sueika, which confirmed what she already knew: she is her enemy and must be eliminated!
As for the first line, Skarla analyzed everything that was said, the quotes, and understood. She soon contemplated and came to a conclusion, then just said what she thought, but she certainly did not expect that result, which indicates that her future version discovered things about these absolute beings.
“From the times I ended up there, I probably investigated them and learned something, maybe something related to the system... maybe how to disconnect from it or overcome it?” Skarla's eyes sparkled.
Since her future version discovered this weakness, it means that she somehow came into contact with something or someone, probably something outside the jurisdiction of the system, and through conversation or just observation, she came to conclusions.
It's difficult to make assumptions with virtually no information.
As for the last line... a farewell. Her finger pointed specifically to that line... Skarla understood perfectly what she meant.
Lohan kills her in the future, she failed to protect her family, she probably failed to show how much she loves her children. She made promises and failed, so her future self condemned that entire timeline... she probably lost much more than her life or her child.
Kamilla's pain... she remembered her voice precisely, her actions, how she had changed so much, how she was pretending... that future was destroyed, and it was probably for the best.
She gave up... that angered Skarla. She abruptly turned the table over, threw the chair against the wall, cracks appearing.
FUCK!!!
She roared furiously, her eyes reddening.
“YOU USELESS PIECE OF TRASH!” She yelled and stood in front of a mirror, shaking with pure rage. “You were supposed to protect them! They are your world, so how could you!” Her fist slammed into the mirror, causing several cracks to appear.
“But it's not our fault. Our future selves failed, not us.” A voice came from the mirror.
“Stop beating yourself up so much. There are things we can't fix, Kamilla stuck in time is one of them now. But she gave us the opportunity to fix it.” Another voice sounded, this one sounding bored.
“SHUT UP!” Skarla roared before another could sound. “None of that is an excuse! We can't? DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!” She growled fiercely. “It's our family, our responsibility! We've had two shitty, meaningless lives, but this one is different!”
“We are unique and we can't just use our daughter as we please. Destroy an entire timeline because things went wrong. These are the stories of our children, our wives, and our friends. All our efforts, destroyed by mistakes!” Skarla trembled, only silence answering her.
“Fuck if I’m putting pressure on our shoulders, it doesn’t matter! None of that matters! We will revive and have other lives, I doubt we can achieve supremacy in this life… but I don’t want to give up just because I can. We may never see them again, so giving up is not an option. We will continually fight until the last moment, until our last cell is extinguished! So don't come and tell me I'm not to blame or that I should stop pushing myself! I am eternal, they are not!" Skarla lost her voice at the end, falling to her knees and shaking.
Her reflections in the broken mirror looked at each other, smiling slightly.
It wasn't the first time the timeline had been destroyed.
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PART 2 – Decisions!
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After Skarla's outburst, she seemed to have returned to normal.
But in less than three days, she issued an order stating that, without exception and regardless of what they were doing, all her children must return home within a week. No delays would be allowed, or Skarla would personally come and fetch them.
The letters were handwritten by Skarla, containing her will, strong enough to make her children tremble when they opened them and realized that it was something serious.
So all of her children outside of Krugar began to return, regardless of what they were doing. Those at important events found themselves in trouble, but when their allies discovered that it was a direct summons from Skarla, they naturally kept quiet.
In less than four days, everyone returned.
......
At the main residence, all of Skarla's children were present, reuniting and naturally disputes began.
All 13 of Skarla's children, except for the four youngest, were looking for trouble. Challenging their older brothers and sisters to duels, others helping each other.
Even though they had lived together for a long time, as they grew up they drifted apart, not least because each of Skarla's wives had their own residence and work, and except for special occasions, the whole family didn't get together very often, especially with Lohan, Gina, and Theya exploring other worlds.
So the whole family together is something that hasn't happened in a long time. But what worried everyone was the tone of the letter, even their wives received it, but it's not as if they were far away, they are all pregnant, except for Grisaliel who is still waiting for her daughter to sprout.
So there was a big banquet, everyone's favorite foods being served.
The banquet venue was organized to resemble a common banquet in Murim. First, the central table with the head of the family and his wives on the sides, followed by several tables further down with their children, organized by age.
Everyone was eating, stories were being shared, it was a warm atmosphere, but doubts and concerns hung in the air. No one knows what is going on, not even Skarla's wives.
Then Lohan stood up, his gentle smile plastered on his face. "Sorry to bother you, it's been a fun night and I'm very happy to have the whole family together. I know that as time goes by, such events will become more difficult to occur, but... mother, what's going on? You wouldn't send such an urgent summons to everyone, including those who were present or our mothers." He looked around at everyone, the confusion and curiosity in the eyes of Skarla's wives, all eyes turning to her.
Skarla held out her palm, snapped her fingers, and a dome appeared, covering everyone. Those who were not family members were immediately expelled.
“I apologize for the sudden meeting and lack of information, but I have my reasons for not giving details. It is for the best of the family, so I will not explain the reasons for what will be ordered.” Skarla says calmly.
“What do you mean?” Letiphia frowns.
Skarla, her palm still raised, closes it into a fist, and her wives, about to speak, fall silent. Skarla's expression is serious.
“I will not explain what is happening. It is for the best. Hate me if you want, it won't change anything. But know that I am doing this for the best for everyone!” Skarla stood up calmly and began to float. She snapped her fingers and books appeared, which landed in front of each of them.
"In the book is a technique for cultivating the Order element. Starting today, it will be mandatory for everyone to learn it, without exception, including my dear wives." Skarla waved slightly.
“But we can't. We already have our cultivation techniques, and practicing others would be useless. Do you want us to reinvent ourselves?” Gakai frowned. “And we're pregnant,” she added.
"The books I am giving you contain two techniques. The first is the method I developed through several stages until I arrived at what I am cultivating. The second technique is an inferior version of [8 Trigrams], allowing two cultivation techniques to coexist in harmony within the body and Dantian, even if they are false or opposing energies. Practice it, I believe it will be beneficial for the babies," Skarla said calmly.
“Can't you explain to us what's going on? Or just measure the danger we're facing?” Viper growled as he asked.
“The danger we're facing could result in my death!” Skarla said, and silence reigned.
“Are we going to face demons or the undead? The Element of Order was created to deal with them, right?” asked Lohan.
“They will only be part of what we face, but it's good to be prepared. Now back to the task at hand!” Skarla snapped her fingers and more books fell onto her children's desks.
“I wanted to avoid this as much as possible, with time you would acquire this, but that is not a privilege we have.” Skarla clenched her fists, her children picked up the books and read their titles.
[Art of Mental Fortitude]
“Skarla?!” Viper shouted as she stood up. “What do you think you're doing?!” She began to blush.
“Are you crazy?!” Letiphia roared, slamming her fist on the table. “This technique is no different from torture!”
“What's this about, Mom?” Lohan asked, and Viper tried to pull the book from his hands before he could open it, but Skarla blocked his telekinesis, friction arising and the room shaking.
“Skarla, do you want to torture our children?!” Calah growled, remembering what this technique was.
"The [Art of Mental Fortitude] was a mental cultivation technique I developed many years ago while studying and improving Demonic Energy Cultivation, which Viper practices. She already had high mental strength, but not enough, and because I trusted her, I gave it to her. Letiphia also used it to stabilize her mind due to some damage she suffered when she was younger." Skarla said calmly.
“Yes, it benefited us, but only to complement our flaws. This technique is the same as torture, and one mistake could literally kill us!” Viper growled.
“Do you think I don't know that?!” Skarla gave him an intense look. “Do you think I want the most important people in my life to feel unnecessary pain? I wish there was another way, but there isn't!”
“EXPLAIN IT TO US!” Letiphia roared. "Stop with these stupid mysteries! You've never hidden anything before, so why now?!"
“What enemies could we possibly face that we need to torture our children with this brutal technique that could kill them? What is this?!” Hackel finally spoke up.
“I can't explain it, but I want you to trust me,” Skarla sighed.
“How do you expect us to trust you? You haven't explained anything. It's one thing to hide it for the safety of our children, but to hide it from us too? We have a right to know!” Calah growled.
Skarla looked at the women she loved, who were the foundation of her world, the children developing in their wombs. She didn't want to hide this, but she had to.
“Hate me or resent me, it's your right, but there's nothing you can do to take this away from me.” Skarla kept her tone firm and with one step suppressed her wives and children. "This is a burden I must bear alone, and I will not accept any affronts to my decision! If you refuse to follow the arrangements I have made, I will punish both my children and my wives!"
"The technique in your hands is dangerous, and I will personally instruct you every step of the way. It will be painful, and you will probably hate me, so hate me and blame me for everything that will happen. Maybe one day you will understand, or maybe you won't. It doesn't matter. You are my children and you will obey!“ She looked at her wives. ”You are my wives and you will not go against my orders!"
......
Skarla finds herself alone in the air, looking at the full moon and feeling lonely.
She can tell the truth, the future, what Kamilla did, what Lohan would do... her children don't need to know this, it would destroy the relationship they have, she needs to strengthen it.
Creating a common enemy will be good for her children. They will support each other through pain and hardship, they will blame her, hate her for forcing them into this, but it will be for their own good.
If Lohan was manipulated by Sueika in the future, she looked much older than she is now, so Lohan should be around 30 years old, his growth rate is frightening, and Sueika managed to corrupt him.
So if Lohan was corrupted, her other children may suffer the same fate. She will not allow that, so she will become the necessary villain.
As for her wives... they would understand, Skarla knows that they would be on her side if they knew the truth, they would hide it from their children, but... just as this information destroyed her, it will do the same to them, especially Viper.
Viper already has her problems, she is fragile and if she finds out that her son killed Skarla and probably many more family members and she probably did nothing, or maybe... her own son killed her in the future and maybe he was conscious inside, watching everything and suffering, forced to kill the one he loves most.
That would destroy her, as it is destroying and corroding her.
Skarla feels immense pain, the weight on her shoulders is too heavy, she wishes she could share it, but she won't. She needs to carry it for the best. She may have more chances, but they don't.
This timeline is unique, so everyone is unique in a way. If they die, it will probably be forever... there will be no way to go back to the past or hope for a variant version in a parallel universe.
“Mom...” Lohan's weak voice sounded in her ear, Skarla calmly watched her son flying beside her.
“The moon looks lonely,” said Lohan, looking at the moon.
“It always has been...” Skarla smiled slightly.
“But it doesn't have to be,” Lohan smiled.
“The moon reflects the light of the sun, that's what we see, but amid the bright night light of the moon, there is a darkness and secrets deeper than one can imagine. A weight...” Skarla sighed.
“Sometimes that darkness needs to be illuminated, if not by the sun, then by other stars, even if only a little, so that the weight can be shared and become easier to bear.” Lohan crossed her arms.
Skarla laughed, grabbing her head and kissing her, then whispered in her ear, her palm trembling, which frightened Lohan. “Sometimes there is a weight so heavy and dark that it should not be shared, knowing that others would not be able to bear it.”
Lohan looked at his mother's pained face. “For sometimes this weight is so great that even the moon cannot bear it, but she has no other choice.”
“We can bear it. You don't have to carry it all alone.” Lohan clenched his fist.
“Son... it is my duty to protect all of you. So if anything or anyone wants to harm you, they will have to get past me, and I will never give in. I will endure everything... even if it means secrets that destroy me... I will be shattered with a smile on my face if it means a better future for you.”
“Even if it turns your future into something dark?” Lohan shuddered. “Even if you push away everyone you love?”
Skarla looked at the moon, her hands behind her back, which trembled, her shoulders seemed slumped. She no longer seemed as strong and reliable as she always had been.
“Sacrifices are necessary... if, in order for you to smile, even for one more day, I have to bleed, so be it. I am your mother, and I will bear the weight of making this entire universe my enemy if it means protecting you. One day you will have children of your own and understand the weight of responsibility, but as long as I am here, I will bear the weight of this darkness so that no one else has to carry it...”
“So you will carry the weight that I should carry for my children?” Lohan couldn't understand.
Skarla touched his shoulder. “I can't take it...” She was frank. “But I don't have the right to give in.”
Skarla looked up at the sky. “Go rest and prepare for tomorrow, and then your mother will send someone to take care of your affairs... Mom wants to be alone now...”
Lohan looked at Skarla's back and lowered his head. “Good night, Mom.”
“Good night, son,” Skarla said softly, and Lohan disappeared.
Skarla stayed there until dawn, hardening her heart. She went to visit her children and took them to the preparation rooms. Her wives tried to convince her otherwise, that there must be another solution.
Gina, the eldest, was the first. She trusted Skarla and was confident that she could handle anything. Her screams rang out shortly after and continued for a long time.
The door opened, and an exhausted and staggering Gina came out, supported by an extremely worried Ilyria, who for the first time showed resentment.
Theya was next. Her screams were even more shrill, but she persevered well after a while, showing a hidden determination that even Skarla didn't know existed.
Belisandre was next, looking silly, her giant baby. Hearing her cry was painful, Letiphia's look of hatred was even more painful, she knew what the pain was like, having gone through it many times in the past.
Lohan came, he was the strongest, but even he faltered and screamed.
The real pain did not come from the screams and angry looks of his wives, it came from when his children could not bear the pain, it came from that cry that shook her soul, that made her want to stop and ask for forgiveness.
But she continued, a trauma that will remain for a long time, but that must be overcome for a bright future, even if she may not be part of it.
That was her choice.
...
Their minds were strengthened, but it was only the first step of many. They needed to be several times stronger, then use that to establish a stronghold, then the technique would be complete.
The hellish training began. Skarla wanted them to have time to train and develop, as this world is very lacking in technical terms compared to Murim.
The young generation of Murim would certainly beat the young generation of this world 10 to 0. So her children were far ahead of their peers. That's why she gave them so much freedom, but she took that away from them now.
She became the enemy, accepted it, and continued.
So she delegated to Lohan the mission of conquering the Dungeon up to its 19th floor, but not to face the Demigod on the 20th floor.
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PART 3 – Coldness!
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With the [Art of Mental Fortitude] coming into effect, Skarla developed training grounds, bringing in real monsters to fight, kill, and gain EXP.
Her children began to undergo a rigorous training regime, and Skarla was no different.
She began to practice [Art of Mental Fortitude] as well. She had never established it before, as she saw no need. It is extremely useful, but even she fears the pain and harmful results it can bring.
That's why she lied. She modified the [Art of Mental Fortitude], so the pain her children felt is not even 1/3 of what will really come. It can be said that only the foundation is being laid, and over time she will intensify it until she completes the cultivation technique.
As for the benefits, there are many. In addition to strengthening and protecting the mind, it dramatically increases pain tolerance and mental resilience, which will make it easier to avoid manipulation.
For a martial artist, having a stronger and more resolute mind will help with overall cultivation, improvement in techniques, and much more. It will help strengthen a connection with the universe.
Such an incredible technique full of benefits, why haven't you practiced it until now or made it mandatory?
If mistakes occur with this technique, they can traumatize or even kill; going mad is among the side effects of the smallest mistakes.
So at that moment, Skarla is testing the worst in herself. It is worth mentioning that she did in fact use it in her past life, but never finished its creation; she did not have enough perseverance for something like that.
Not even Letiphia or Viper, who used the technique, finished it. They only used enough of it to repair their confused minds.
...
Weeks passed with the start of training, and Skarla saw her children's eyes change, but in her direction. The older ones are becoming the support of the younger ones, their safe haven alongside their mothers. Skarla has become the enemy, the cause of pain.
Before, they loved spending time with Skarla, training under her tutelage, or just playing. Now they are drifting away... pain transforms...
Skarla now spent her nights alone. At first, her wives tried to make her stop, they wanted answers, but Skarla stood firm. Naturally, they tried to fight, to force her to give them answers, but with children in their wombs, they did not dare to challenge her.
Skarla overrode their authority and rights, ignoring any pleas, simply stating what would be done and refusing to accept any changes.
This shook the trust they had in her. The love is still there, but they love their children and hate to see them scream and cry in pain. They know the cause, but they are powerless. So they see their children with injured eyes, only able to hug them and try to offer words of comfort. They try to be a safe haven, when they feel they have failed as mothers.
Among all of them, Shunam was the least concerned, not least because she is a Beastkin and being submissive to the leader is normal. It is not only love and loyalty, it is almost blind trust.
This was probably one of the few comforts Skarla had, but even she saw Shunam's expression waver. Cultivation, opportunities, and metamorphosis changed something in her, reducing the effectiveness of her instincts and beastly sense, so she cares more about her children and doesn't want to see them hurt.
But again, she trusts Skarla. They are all acting purely on emotion, as this is practically torture. But something they didn't see and Shunam did is that the one torturing her children is herself.
Skarla, who loves her children the most, who created vigorous laws for the protection of minors, severely and brutally punishing any child abuser, reducing children's exposure to liberal libidinous acts, which are quite common in the world.
This same person who protects children and treats her children as if they were her world is making them cry in agony. Shunam cannot understand this, which means that something has pushed Skarla to the limit, to the point of enduring all this.
So Shunam stood by her side, trusting Skarla.
But besides Shunam, unwavering confidence came from someone unexpected... Theya!
The child Skarla loves, the child she saw go down the wrong path, lose her way, and become something she did everything to avoid. The child who represented Skarla's first failure in this life.
The child that Skarla saw suddenly repent and strive as never before to change and improve. Theya has become an incredible and respectable woman, someone worthy of pride.
And she asked no questions, just endured with firm determination and never changed her attitude toward Skarla. Calling her mother, showing respect, and maintaining closeness.
......
As the Mental Fortress was established, the training intensified. It started with nightmares. Illusory formations that pushed them to certain mental limits, but they all prevailed.
They endured, Skarla knew that.
Then came martial arts training, with everyone attacking Skarla, who crushed them, breaking their bones. But they stood firm, the physical pain not matching the pain of the mind.
Skarla saw her children become strong and improve dramatically. Supporting each other, climbing the huge mountain she had created. Skarla couldn't be more proud.
...
The cultivation of the Internal Energy of the Order Element. Skarla had been developing this for some time, but since her encounter with Gersha, along with what she achieved on the 16th Floor, Skarla has been working to recreate it.
During her tests, mixing various knowledge in her possession and various ideas, in addition to, of course, researching various Dungeons, understanding as much as possible.
Demigod Mages also studied the Dungeons, spending millennia to recreate something similar and achieving many things, but they are not Skarla. With her martial arts, she is able to connect to the world, subsequently gaining details of things that the conventional and limited methods of this universe cannot extract.
So she got a lot of inspiration, and it didn't take long for her to use one of her [Hearts of the World], resources she uses as nuclear batteries, providing energy for all of Krugar, as well as serving to improve the fertility of its lands.
Skarla used one of them in a complex magical array that mixes Taoism and Murim formations. She then structured her Order Element cultivation technique, as well as brought in various materials with sacred properties from that world.
The result was a perfect zone to train this element, feel it, and perfect her cultivation technique.
With that, his children and wives began to master this art, with Viper achieving something special, resulting in an epiphany and developing something that reminded Skarla of Yin-Yang.
Skarla found it curious what this did to his body, but what is interesting is how it is affecting the fetuses in his womb.
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PART 4 – Plans!
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The training was intensive, but the results were equally enormous.
Lohan, who was already absurdly strong, practically cleared the Undead Dungeon up to the 19th floor. He gained tons of EXP and reached the Legendary level, something he was already very close to.
Their martial performance improved dramatically, and many of their children developed telekinesis, while those who already had it noticed a monstrous improvement.
They went through months of torture, but when they established the Mental Fortress, achieving the 1st Success in this brutal technique, the aspects of their lives affected by their minds more than tripled.
So when they returned to their normal lives, they, who already stood out among their peers, were beyond comparison. They matured too quickly, which is unfortunately common in children from powerful families.
Lohan returned to his original job, his effectiveness improving dramatically. Not only did the paperwork become easier, he was seeing the world differently.
Gina returned to giving headaches to the rulers of other continents, only this time much stronger and more capable.
Everyone adjusted to their previous lives with a new mindset.
As for Skarla, she completed the Mental Fortress, her already immensely powerful power reached new heights, her cultivation improved, and the quality of her Internal Energy increased.
But what really pleased her were her achievements in deepening her knowledge of Space and Time, as well as improvements in her study of the Soul. Through the improvement of the latter, she found ways to further improve her Mental Fortress.
But she put that aside; achieving the 1st Success was already agonizing even for her, so she will wait a few decades before continuing on this path. The benefits are obvious, but there are things that even she fears, and that have nothing to do with her children.
And through her achievements in research, Skarla soon requested a meeting with Erzariel Lostwood, the current Queen of the Elves.
Receiving confirmation, she flew there immediately.
......
In the Sacred Land of the Elves, a place that is forbidden to other species, but which makes a single exception for Skarla Verona.
She was welcomed by her father-in-law, Cellus.
“Skarla, my dear!” Cellus laughed when he saw her. “It's been so little time since our last meeting, I didn't expect to see you so soon.”
“Cellus, it's been almost two years since we last met.” Skarla laughed bitterly.
“Is that all? Ah, I forget that you are human, and still very young at that.” Cellus laughed. For him, who had lived for millennia, the years passed as if they were days.
“Anyway. Is everything okay for my meeting with Your Majesty?” Skarla asked.
“Naturally. Your Majesty has had a lot of work since taking office. Unfortunately, many High Elves from vassal continents are causing problems, but it's nothing you need to worry about.” Cellus smiled kindly.
“I heard about that. I even heard that they joined forces with the Elves from other worlds,” Skarla sighed.
“Yes, an unfortunate situation. I can't believe they went against everything we stand for and allied themselves with such dubious individuals, going against one of her last commands,” Cellus smiled as he looked up at the skies, but there was a certain anger in his eyes.
“But putting that aside, could you satisfy this old man's curiosity? What is so important to you that you requested a meeting with Your Majesty with such urgency? I admit it worried me and others, almost all of us came in person.” Cellus smiled.
“May I be honest?” Skarla smiled.
“I expect nothing less from my family.” Cellus laughed.
“I hope to start a war, a very brutal one.” Skarla said, and Cellus frowned.
“Well... I think I'll wait for the details along with everyone else, but I hope you understand that we elves are quite opposed to such outcomes. We only fight when we are provoked or when there is danger to our world.” Cellus explained calmly.
“I know. Do you think I would propose war without knowing you would accept?” Skarla laughed softly, and Cellus became curious.
……
In the massive throne room, surrounded by the roots of the world tree. The majestic throne on which sits a stunning beauty with long silvery white hair, grayish brown eyes, and milky white skin.
Her wise and penetrating gaze, assessing Skarla the moment she set foot here. A strong presence, but not the strongest. But supporting her is something, a restrained and familiar presence, which Skarla recognizes as Queen.
[Image] →
This beauty is Erzariel Lostwood, Queen of the Elves, handpicked by Queen to inherit her position and doing a masterful job ever since, even with all the conflicts going on.
“Skarla Verona...” Erzariel said her name softly. “I don't think we've had a proper conversation since my coronation. It's curious to request such an urgent meeting.” She narrowed her eyes.
“Your Majesty, I apologize for my abrupt request and thank you for accepting such a hasty request.” Skarla smiled slightly.
“Knowing you, we know you are a direct person, so what is so urgent?” Erzariel asked, getting straight to the point.
“I desire the support of the elves in a war against the Demon World!” Skarla said without hesitation, and silence filled the room.
Seconds later, Erzariel said, "We naturally have a lot of hatred towards the demons for what they did to our mother. I was even more adamant than my great predecessor regarding the demons. But what kind of war do you specifically want? Do you want us to invade their corrupt world?"
"Unfortunately, the Demon World is a dimension of almost unlimited size, filled with aberrations that destroy entire worlds and devour them. Annihilating them, which I believe is the desire of everyone here, is impossible.“ Skarla sighed. ”But assassinating the main Demigods is not impossible. I believe this would bring a long period of peace to our world, where we can worry about other dangers and leave the demons aside."
"So you're aiming for an assassination operation against the Demonic Demigods? You know that in addition to the group known as the 7 Deadly Sins, who are literal gods within their domains, there are still dozens of other Demigods under their control. I have confidence in your strength, but... how much would it cost us? Also... we don't have the numbers to match, even if we gathered all the Demigods in our world." – Erzariel was direct.
"Yes, numbers are the biggest problem. It's very likely that they have 10 times more Demigods than we do, not to mention Legendary Demons, they must have thousands to tens of thousands. We are lucky that the barriers between worlds are somewhat fragile and very limiting, or we would certainly have been engulfed by these aberrations long ago." Skarla laughed softly and immediately took something out of her storage space.
A metallic sphere, like an egg. Skarla threw it to Erzariel, who caught it curiously, understanding the mechanism, and with a simple movement, the egg opened and immediately the ambient energy intensified.
Inside the egg is a [Heart of the World]. It took Skarla a long time to create something capable of suppressing it in this way.
“What is it?” Erzariel asked with bright eyes.
"It's a scarce resource that I'm able to create, but I have to be careful, it could end up bringing unnecessary dangers to our world. But it is a treasure with many possibilities, among them, providing almost unlimited energy reserves if used as an accessory. If installed in a staff, it will amplify the power of spells to absurd levels, but unfortunately, I was not able to insert it into any weapon."
"With that, I believe that causing even greater damage to demons would not be a problem. But I doubt I have enough to arm all of our Demigods." Erzariel narrowed his eyes.
“Indeed, but I can get more, and I will seek the support of the elves.” Skarla smiled.
“What do you need?” Erzariel smiled.
"To create it, I need to open a tear in the world's protection. This will cause the area in question to suffer almost permanent damage, like an ugly scar." Skarla sensed the aggression in the air.
“Know that I created this by accident, and as long as I don't remove it from our world, the mother of all sees no problem with her children using their flesh and blood for their own benefit.” Skarla added with a bitter smile. “The one in your hands is from another world. It turns out that since the connections were made, it has become easy to tear pieces from other worlds.”
“So you aim to take more from other worlds?” Erzariel asked.
"Yes. Especially from our beloved world full of elves, your distant cousins. I've heard that they've been causing a lot of headaches, manipulating several continents, not to mention that their Pantheon of Gods is most likely causing problems for Your Divinity." Skarla looked at a wooden statue of Queen's face.
“So you aim to steal the flesh of an allied world?” Cellus asked.
"Well, they are not like you. You love and respect the world we live in, treating it as more important than your own lives. I have no doubt that you would stand in the way of an attack that could significantly harm the world and annihilate you. They, on the other hand... they exploited the world they lived in to the fullest, literally annihilating all other races, leaving only slaves behind. Have you ever visited their world? Gone outside the areas they show you? They colonize the most fertile areas and ignore the rest, even stealing all the vitality from those areas for their own benefit." Skarla sighs.
"They have no respect for their own parents, so why should we bother with them? Of course, I have no plans to annihilate your people. I will avoid more populated areas to avoid so much attention at first. Then I will ask for help to create more of these [Hearts of the World], which will likely weaken the connection between our worlds, forcing a disconnection. That is exactly why we need to establish a tunnel to return safely home after... this little revenge for all the headaches they have been causing us." Skarla smiles slightly and several whispers resound.
“Half!” Erzariel said without hesitation. “We'll want half of the hearts when we're done.”
“I can agree to 1/3. I'll do the main work, you'll just be my support. The real work will begin when we start damaging the Demon World,” Skarla said.
Erzariel stared at her, contemplating and observing the object in her hand. “Okay, I'll accept 1/3, but I want the method to create them.”
“I don't see a problem with that, but I guarantee you won't be able to replicate them,” Skarla says.
“That's for us to decide,” she laughs slightly.
Erzariel agreed to the theft and the war. If the power is as enhanced as expected, they will certainly be able to slaughter several Demonic Demigods, then assassinate some of the Deadly Sins, who are the main targets of the Elves.
They are the ones who manipulated and hurt the World Tree, so the elves' hatred for them is enormous.
Skarla succeeded in what she wanted, gaining capable allies for her plans of prevention and revenge. She will make the whole world burn for a bright future for her family!