A Multiverse Journey Beginning with the Supreme Sovereign

"...Don't worry. I will pay the price, and that price will be your—lives!"

Saigō said politely.

With his appearance, every living thing in the surroundings seemed to have fallen into a domain of Aging!

Awaken, Aurora!

(The renovations at home are nearing completion, and things are really busy, so I can't keep updates stable. Once the renovations are over, updates will stabilize. Sorry, bowing!)

Saigō's sudden appearance sent a chill through everyone present.

Akaya Castle's expression shifted slightly. This disheveled, defeated-looking middle-aged man swiftly moved in front of his two children, glaring intently at the strange and sinister demon before him.

"Dad—"

Suddenly, the young girl in red-and-white miko robes let out a shrill scream. Overcome by fear, she cried out her father's name.

Hearing Akina Nagisa scream, Akaya Castle panicked. He hurriedly looked at his daughter and asked frantically, "...What is it, Nagisa? What happened?"

Akina Nagisa had her beautiful, innocent eyes tightly shut. Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes, soaking her lovely gaze.

A faint redness mixed with the tear stains on her face. Two tears of blood dripped from the corners of Akina Nagisa's eyes.

At that moment, both Akaya Castle and Akatsuki Kojou were stunned. Their faces filled with anxiety as they called out Akina Nagisa's name.

Fortunately, Akaya Castle had enough life experience to remain calm. He quickly asked, "...Nagisa, what happened? What did you see?!"

In Akaya Castle's view, there had to be something wrong with his daughter's eyes because she had seen something terrifying that she should not have seen.

This was also a problem miko with powerful Spiritual Power often encountered. When they saw horrifying things invisible to ordinary people, their minds and sanity could easily collapse.

"Everyone is Aging. Everyone is being destroyed!"

"...I saw every living thing turn into dried corpses. Their lives were taken away. I saw this planet being swallowed by eternal darkness."

"Dad, everyone is dead. They're calling for help. They're wailing!"

Akina Nagisa muttered deliriously, until she finally let out another scream, shrill beyond measure.

This time, Akaya Castle finally understood what was happening to his daughter. He held Akina Nagisa tightly and cried out in terror, "...Close your eyes and don't look at that demon, Nagisa! Don't look at him!"

The vegetation withered. Ancient rocks dried up. Even the misty water vapor within the cave seemed to be rotting away.

That terrifying aura of Aging spread in all directions, bringing with it the utmost terror.

It was the most horrifying meaning of Aging among the ten forms of death, the end that all living beings sought to avoid.

Akaya Castle finally understood. His daughter had seen that demon and glimpsed its true nature, driving even a miko with immense Spiritual Power mad.

Liana finally recovered from her ecstatic shock at seeing the Night Lord of Blazing Light. Gritting her teeth, she stared at the smiling demon and said word by word:

"...Zarathustra? I know you. You are the demon contracted to the Witch of the Void, who has risen to prominence across Europe in recent years!"

"Since you are here, where is that Witch? Witches and demons are always inseparable!"

As soon as Liana finished speaking, the space beside Saigō rippled.

As the high-level magical art known as the Space Control Technique was invoked, two graceful figures appeared in the vast underground cave.

One was petite, expressionless, and delicate as a doll. She wore a black Gothic dress.

The long dress was adorned with exquisite lace and ruffles. Even in this underground cavern, she held a splendid Parasol.

The other woman was tall and slender. She wore a Twelve Layered Robe and was a classic Japanese beauty, her smooth black hair draped over her fragrant shoulders, her lovely features carrying a trace of seduction.

"Nangong Nayue, the Witch of the Void, and Sendou Aya, the Scribe Witch and Grand Scribe of LCO!"

Liana's expression became exceedingly grim upon seeing the two Witches.

Her right hand twitched as she prepared to summon a Familiar, but reason stopped her from doing so, and her hand froze in place.

There was no need to mention Sendou Aya, the leader of LCO. This Witch was far too mysterious, with few records of her ever taking action.

But Nangong Nayue, the Witch of the Void, was absolutely famous.

Her reputation had been carved out through killing. Countless powerful members of Europe's demonic races had died by her hand. Even vampires from previous generations could do nothing against her.

Compared with those ancient vampires, Liana could only be described as young. She was certain that she was no match for that Witch.

Besides these two Witches, there was also this bizarre demon who had astonished magical experts across the world. The three of them together were absolutely beyond what her side could withstand.

Where had things gone wrong? She had clearly come here to excavate the ruins through ordinary archaeological means. Why had her objective been exposed?

And why was that demon interested in the Fourth True Ancestor? What exactly was his purpose?

Countless thoughts raced through Liana's mind, yet she could find no answer no matter how wildly she speculated.

The beastmen hired by Liana and Akaya Castle remained silent. These powerfully built beastmen raised their firearms and aimed them at Saigō and the others.

Naturally, the weapons used by these beastmen were not ordinary firearms. Their guns were loaded with special magic bullets capable of harming any magical substance.

"Put down your weapons. It's checkmate!"

At that moment, another sharp female voice rang out. Accompanied by another ripple from the Space Control Technique, a silver-haired girl with a slender figure appeared in the cave.

The girl still looked quite young. Her long silver hair shone like moonlight, while her azure eyes were elegant and proud.

Dressed in what looked like a military uniform, the girl raised a strange gun in her hand. Even in the face of a group of beastman mercenaries, she showed no fear, looking down on them instead.

"You are... La Folia Liihavain, First Princess of the Kingdom of Aldegia? Why are you here?"

"...Could it be that the Kingdom of Aldegia is also interested in the Fourth True Ancestor?"

Liana's face had turned livid, and her voice wavered.

It was entirely possible that the Kingdom of Aldegia had taken an interest in the Fourth True Ancestor.

After all, aside from the past twenty years, this nation had been at war with War King's Domain throughout its history. The two sides were bitter enemies.

To oppose the First True Ancestor, it was only natural that they would need the Fourth True Ancestor's power.

Liana no longer had the time to consider how the information had leaked. All she could think about in despair was whether she could still leave this place alive.

Her own life or death was unimportant. The Karyana Family's chance to reclaim its former glory lay in this moment. If she failed, the Karyana Family might never rise again.

That was what truly drove Liana to despair.

Princess La Folia smiled slyly and spoke in her elegant voice. "...Surrender, Liana Karyana!"

"...Hand over the Vessel of the Fourth True Ancestor and obediently go to prison. You may still have a chance to live!"

"And Dr. Akaya Castle over there, along with your two children—you are now wanted by Malta. Illegal excavation of ruins is a serious crime in Malta!"

"...I have now received authorization from Malta and am formally issuing an arrest warrant for all of you!"

As she spoke, La Folia produced an electronic arrest warrant. It was not fake, but an actual order issued by Malta.

"Dr. Akaya Castle, your children are still young. If you confess now, they will not be mistreated or put on trial."

"...I'm sure you do not want them to carry a stain for the rest of their lives at such a young age, leaving them with a criminal record no matter what they do in the future."

"And you mercenaries over there, you were merely paid to do a job. If you put down your weapons and surrender, Malta will not pursue the matter."

"...There is no need for you to throw in your lot with these two criminals, is there?"

After La Folia's rebuke, the beastman mercenaries all looked shaken. Their gun barrels lowered unconsciously.

Nangong Nayue could not help glancing at La Folia.

Even she had to admit that this young Princess was truly outstanding.

As someone who wanted to become a teacher in the future, Nangong Nayue felt that if all her future students could be this exceptional, she would truly have cause to thank heaven.

"Ridiculous! Our investigation of these ruins was clearly authorized by Malta. How can you call this illegal excavation?!"

Liana snapped angrily.

La Folia remained calm as she parted her lips. "...Malta authorized you only to investigate the ruins."

"...Yet you concealed the fact that the object within these ruins was the Vessel of the Fourth True Ancestor."

"To Malta, your actions are no different from bringing a weapon of mass destruction into the country."

"...You are no different from terrorists now. The Kingdom of Aldegia will join Malta in recognizing you as terrorists."

"Under the Sanctuary Treaty, even if you are in War King's Domain, your status will not change."

Those words changed even the expression of Akaya Castle, who was usually so carefree.

He looked at the girl, who was not much older than his son and daughter, and could not help muttering, "...That little girl is terrifyingly capable."

"Whoever marries her in the future will have a hard time."

La Folia heard him and smiled brightly. "...Thank you for your concern, but I do not think Dr. Akaya Castle needs to worry about my marriage."

Saigō could not help applauding. "...Wonderful, wonderful. You used the greater situation to crush them and forced them into a corner without spending a single soldier."

"...Princess La Folia, you truly possess a terrifying talent for politics and diplomacy."

The Princess smiled modestly. "...Although Mr. Zarathustra, you taught me that becoming overly obsessed with using rules will only trap my thinking in rigid blind spots."

"...But I have no choice. I do not possess the power to ignore all rules and order through my own strength."

"All I can do is make use of the existing rules."

Saigō shook his head. "...No, you have already done very well. After all, humans are creatures of order, entirely different from us demons."

"...Although I do not need any help from you, since this has already happened and you handled it perfectly, I will agree to one request of yours. I can help you oppose War King's Domain."

"I know that what worries Your Highness most is still War King's Domain. Vampires have long lives; to them, hatred from decades ago is as fresh as yesterday."

"...But human lives are short. A few decades are enough for people to forget their hatred."

"If the people of the Kingdom of Aldegia forget their hatred, forget the war, then several decades from now, should War King's Domain, which still harbors resentment, suddenly attack, the kingdom could face destruction."

"...After all, the kingdom's capital was once destroyed by war. For the kingdom, the current peace is not necessarily a good thing. Remaining in a controllable state of war is more advantageous."

Saigō's far-reaching words filled Princess La Folia with solemn respect.

"Mr. Zarathustra, you are truly farsighted. Even within the kingdom, very few can see the crisis waiting decades in the future."

"...They are immersed in a false peace. If they one day forget war, the kingdom will face the danger of destruction!"

"I do not worship war, but only restrained, localized war is most beneficial to the kingdom."

"...I wonder whether Mr. Zarathustra would be interested in joining the kingdom. I would offer you a high position!"

At this moment, the Princess made an invitation to poach him.

Saigō laughed freely. "...Thank you for your kind offer, Princess! I am merely a demon who worships chaos."

"...All I can bring is chaos, death, and Aging. I am not suited to join a human government."

La Folia did not give up. "...But to one's enemies, chaos, death, and Aging are the most useful weapons!"

Seeing Saigō merely smile without answering, La Folia sighed in disappointment. "...I had thought that if Mr. Zarathustra joined the kingdom, I would even be willing to make you my King Consort!"

Saigō raised an eyebrow and rubbed his chin. "...Now that you put it that way, I think this might be negotiable."

La Folia's face filled with anticipation, and an ambiguous atmosphere rose within the cave.

Nangong Nayue could finally endure no longer. She snapped, "...The two of you, stop flattering each other here. Can you handle the serious business first?!"

The ambiguous atmosphere vanished under Nangong Nayue's shout. Saigō smiled, then began walking toward the crystal-like ice coffin.

Nangong Nayue hurriedly said, "...Hey, what are you doing? Haven't you noticed the powerful curse on that ice coffin?"

"Oh? Little Natsuki, are you worried about me?"

Saigō stopped, his expression half-smiling.

"Hah, idiot. Who is worried about you? I'm afraid something will happen to you and affect me!"

Nangong Nayue sneered.

"I thought you were straightforward, but it seems Little Natsuki has a tsundere side too."

Saigō looked thoughtful before smiling. "...Do not worry. That curse cannot harm me."

"...On the contrary, that curse is precisely the medium for controlling the Fourth True Ancestor!"

"So awaken, Aurora Florestina, Sleeping Beauty!"

Become My Wings, Aurora!