A caravan moved slowly through the white, snow-dusted woods.
Wiping sweat from his brow, Grand panted as he made his way upstream against the flow of the wagons. He reached the largest carriage in the middle and spoke respectfully, "Klein-sama, it's nearly noon. Should we take a break and have a meal?"
"Mm." Aomori pulled back the carriage curtain and glanced at him. "Grand, you can decide these matters yourself. There's no need to ask me."
"Yes, yes, I understand, my Lord." Through the gap in the curtain, Grand caught sight of his daughter resting her face in her hands, her gaze dreamy and distant. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: My foolish daughter, haven't you made any progress at all?
What good was just blushing?
The convoy halted. Aomori and Elsa stepped down first, with Fynea following a moment later, seemingly snapped out of a trance.
Five days had passed since Aomori had caused that minor commotion back at the manor. At the time, the building had been swallowed by black fog, leading passersby to think it was under attack. Guards were summoned, and Grand only managed to clear their suspicions by claiming a Spiritual Arts User friend of his daughter was testing a new spell.
It was common knowledge that Grand's daughter, Fynea, was an Apprentice Spiritual Arts User.
Aomori hadn't expected his casual spell to carry such power. While expressing his apologies to Grand, he offered to instruct Fynea for a time. Since his daughter was now Aomori's student, Grand figured the trade-off was more than fair; if nothing else, it brought him closer to the man.
As frozen meat was placed by the campfire to thaw, Grand, Ralph, and the others gathered around to converse with Aomori.
"My Lord, in two days' time, we will reach the border of the Kingdom of Lugunica," Grand said.
Unlike the Empire to the south, the relationship between the Holy Kingdom in the north and the Dragon Kingdom to the east wasn't particularly strained. Passage was granted as long as the tolls were paid. However, the people of the Holy Kingdom mostly viewed their frigid environment as a trial from the Holy Spirits; they weren't fond of the warm, comfortable climate of Lugunica. Generally, only merchant caravans crossed the border to procure supplies.
"Good." Aomori nodded, feeling a touch of anticipation for the sights of Lugunica. He glanced at the two girls relaxing nearby. "Elsa, Fynea. You've rested in the carriage long enough. Resume your training."
"Yes!"
Elsa immediately jumped up to begin her physical conditioning, while Fynea, following Aomori's instructions, worked with the Lesser Spirits to control the atmospheric mana, honing her manipulation proficiency.
"Haha, you're quite strict, my Lord," Grand remarked with a smile.
"Diligence is the shortest path to becoming strong," Ralph added. He wanted to train as well, but as the man responsible for the caravan's safety, he couldn't afford to exhaust himself. He could only watch with envy.
Before long, the savory aroma of meat broth filled the air, and the entire caravan cheered. On a tedious journey, only good food provides solace for the soul.
…
The Kingdom of Lugunica is called the "Dragon Kingdom" because of a covenant signed with the Divine Dragon, Volcanica. Protected by the Dragon, the kingdom's destiny is inextricably linked to it. Consequently, the nation's entire history has developed around this divine entity.
However, a kingdom that relies excessively on a dragon and lacks an internal core has unknowingly become extremely fragile.
Two days later, having encountered no trouble along the way, Aomori's group crossed the border and reached the first city in Lugunica, the industrial city of Costuul.
Upon entering, everyone immediately felt an atmosphere entirely different from the Holy Kingdom. The prosperous markets, dense crowds, and cacophony of sounds left the first-time travelers, Elsa and Fynea, breathless with excitement.
"Onii-chan, I want that one." Elsa ran into a blacksmith shop, eyeing a shimmering silver dagger.
On the other side, Fynea was captivated by the beautiful dresses in a clothing store; she had never seen such vibrant and elegant garments before.
"Oh dear, young ladies, you mustn't run off! What if you get lost?" Grand panted as he chased after Fynea.
Aomori and Ralph entered the blacksmith shop. Aomori glanced at the dagger Elsa was pointing at and shook his head. "These are too ordinary. They look like they'd shatter easily."
"Heh, noble guest, this dagger was crafted by the most advanced industrial machinery. It's a one-in-a-tenth-thousand masterpiece," the shopkeeper chimed in with a grin.
"It's good for something ordinary, but it's still just a tool for commoners." With that, Aomori took Elsa's hand and headed for the door.
"Wait!" The shopkeeper called out to the expert-looking Aomori, lowering his voice mysteriously. "I have three family heirlooms I don't usually show. You have an extraordinary bearing and clearly know quality. Would you like a look?"
"I'll pass, thank you." Upon entering, Aomori had already scanned the place with his Mind's Eye. There were no treasures; it was just a gimmick the owner used to lure customers.
The three left the blacksmith and went to the clothing store. Fynea had just changed into a red gown, looking ten times more charming.
"So beautiful!" Elsa's eyes lit up, and she joined in the selection, though she had a distinct preference for black clothing.
Eventually, even Aomori bought a few suits. Holding a cane and wearing a top hat, he looked every bit the noble gentleman, drawing stares from many women on the street. Fynea, meanwhile, had long since entered a "fangirl" state, her face flushed red.
"My Lord, I must attend to business. I leave my daughter in your care," Grand said after they had explored for a while. He still had the caravan's arrangements to manage.
"Go ahead," Aomori nodded. "Ralph, go with him. You're needed there more."
"Yes!"
Left to themselves, Aomori and the girls strolled casually through the bustling city.
Before long, they arrived at a canal and watched the slow-flowing water.
"So this is what flowing water looks like... it's beautiful," Fynea murmured.
"Mm." Elsa squeezed Aomori's hand, feeling a sense of profound peace.
"If you ever saw the ocean, you'd be even more stunned," Aomori said with a smile.
"The ocean? What's that?"
Aomori remembered that this world technically didn't have an ocean. He explained, "The ocean is a massive body of water formed by many, many lakes gathering together."
"Is it bigger than the Holy Kingdom?"
"Bigger than the entire continent."
"That... that sounds amazing. I want to see it. Onii-chan, will you take me?" Elsa looked up with expectant eyes.
"Me too!"
"If there's an opportunity." Aomori patted their heads. After a moment, he said, "Are you hungry? I'll go buy some food, and we can eat here by the water."
"Wonderful!" Fynea cheered.
"I'll go with you, onii-chan," Elsa said.
"No need, I'll be faster alone." Aomori smiled. "Besides, I'm not entirely comfortable leaving Fynea by herself."
"Alright then."
"Ladies, please wait a moment." Aomori adjusted his hat, gave a slight bow, and vanished in the blink of an eye.
Watching him disappear, Elsa felt a sudden pang of loss. This was the first time they had been separated since the day they met. Amidst her melancholy, she heard Fynea let out a small gasp.
"What is it?" Elsa asked.
"Just now... I think I saw our shadows move."
"Shadows moving?" Elsa asked doubtfully. "Wasn't it just your body moving?"
"No... hmm, maybe it was an illusion."
…
In a dark alleyway, Aomori stood hidden in the gloom, his expression solemn as he surveyed a dozen frogs. Every one of them had been disemboweled, meeting a violent end.
However, according to what he had observed with his Mind's Eye, those frogs had actually been a single, well-dressed man.
This ability to reshape others at will... it's an Authority, Aomori recalled the abilities of the Witches. Likely the Sin Archbishop of Lust from the Witch Cult.
Besides the Witch of Envy who devoured half the world, there were the well-known Witches of Pride, Sloth, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, and Wrath, as well as the Witch of Vainglory and the Warlock of Melancholy who appeared only in memories. While most were dead, their Witch Factors had been claimed by others, granting them Authorities. These individuals were usually the Sin Archbishops.
Their Authorities were exceptionally bizarre. Even Aomori could be "killed on sight" if he wasn't careful. This was why he frequently kept his Mind's Eye active.
Today, he had run into someone suspected to be the Sin Archbishop of Lust. She had appeared as a pure, innocent girl, but Aomori had reason to believe she was an existence that could change forms at will, much like a Ditto.
How troublesome. While Aomori currently had no conflict with the Witch Cult, given that they were all anti-human lunatics, it was better to strike first. Moreover, the Witch Factors and Authorities were things Aomori was interested in researching.
He began formulating a plan to hunt the Archbishop of Lust: Despite the shapeshifting, her spirit fluctuations shouldn't change too drastically; that can be the identifier. Since she can alter physical bodies, close combat is out. I have to lure her to an open area and use a powerful long-range skill to wipe her out in one hit.
As for bait... I have plenty.
…
"Hehehe, foolish man. Even as a merchant guild leader, you're just a toy for me to play with."
A pretty young boy was skipping down the street, but his pure eyes betrayed a bone-chilling malice.
"The next target is his partner, Viscount Fournier. I wonder what kind of woman he likes? Hehehe..."
Just as he was about to head back to his temporary lodging to check the next target's address, an exceptionally handsome gentleman blocked his path.
"Little boy, why are you all alone on the street? Are you lost?"
The boy blinked, then broke into an innocent smile. "Onii-san, how did you know? I'm looking for my mommy."
Before the main course, I'll have a delicious dessert. The moment the boy saw the gentleman, he already had ideas for how to torture him until he begged for death.
"Aren't you scared without your mommy nearby?"
"Mommy said boys shouldn't cry. We have to keep smiling."
"Wonderful. You're a real man." The gentleman smiled and took his hand. "Come, I'll help you find her."
"Okay! Thank you, onii-san."
Aomori gave a faint smile. "You're very welcome."
…
Deliberately guided by the boy, Aomori accompanied him to a secluded grove outside the city.
"Little brother, are you sure you didn't remember wrong? Is your home really here?"
"My home isn't here, of course. But your grave is!" Seeing the timing was right, the boy dropped the act.
"What do you mean?" Aomori frowned.
"I mean this!" The boy snapped his fingers. Aomori's body rippled and contorted, turning into a large, fat pig.
However, before the boy could burst out laughing, the pig suddenly dissolved into a burst of electricity, shocking him until he shook uncontrollably.
"Why?!"
"Yes, why indeed?" Another Aomori appeared before him, smiling broadly. "Nice to meet you. Or should I say, the Sin Archbishop of Lust?"
"Hmm?" The boy's gaze sharpened instantly. "You know who I am?"
"I guessed. But looking at you now, I'd say I guessed right."
"So what if you know? I am the Sin Archbishop of Lust, Capella Emerada Lugunica!" the boy said dismissively. "Since you dared to come here alone... die!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, his body ballooned, transforming into a massive black dragon, with scorching black flames swirling around it.
"Perish in my black dragon fire!" He exhaled a massive torrent of black flames toward Aomori.
"What dragon? You're a giant lizard at best." Aomori shook his head. He didn't dodge; the flames engulfed him, only for him to turn into electricity once more.
Another clone? Capella's heart jumped with a bad feeling. He looked up at the sky, where a massive, brilliant orb of light had appeared.
"Hado #88: Heavenly Dragon Cannon!"
BOOM!
"No!" Amidst Capella's desperate scream, a pillar of light pierced the heavens, slowly grinding the black dragon's silhouette into nothingness.
When the dust settled, Aomori reappeared. Looking at the charred remains on the scorched earth, he faced a dilemma: Darn, how do I recover the Witch Factor? He didn't want to accidentally absorb such a strange thing into his own body.
"Whatever. To be safe, let's disinfect it first." Aomori unfolded a Holy Light Barrier, encasing the scorched ground and filling it with holy light to purify everything.
After waiting ten minutes and seeing no reaction, Aomori stopped. He used telekinesis to wrap the few remaining fragments, placed them in a makeshift wooden box, and sealed it with layer upon layer of telekinetic energy.
"That should be foolproof." Aomori nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave.
A while later, the Costuul guard arrived. Seeing the catastrophic scene before them, they were struck with speechless shock.
————
NOTE: This fic has been completely translated. If you want to read the whole story head over to my p-atre-on: p-atre-on.c-om/Overgod [Just remove the hyphen to access normally]