Chapter 158 : The Debut & Heart (Part 2)

The world had begun to know the story of a young man who saved the Northern Region which was filled with dangerous monsters and a curse that caused an unending blizzard in the area.

Even the King of Luxion Kingdom, [Bradley August Alfredssons] who heard the news got up from his throne when he heard the report of the messenger from the North.

"What did you said?? The curse in the North Region have been resolved?!" He spoke towards the messenger in front of him, who was kneeling while holding a scroll that contained the report.

"Y-yes, your majesty, that's what it says here in this report..."

"When did that happen?!"

"It was around 1 month ago, your majesty..." The messenger muttered.

Bradley sighed as he rubbed his temples, he couldn't comprehend what happened right now.

[Norman Veit Ashdown], the Duke Ashdown and the King's Aide who heard it was as surprised as him.

"It was a curse that has been going on for more than centuries...yet it's gone now all of sudden?" Bradley spoke.

"Yes, your majesty, even I don't know how to respond to this." Norman shook his head.

"Do you know the identity of this person...who resolved the curse?" Bradley asked the messenger.

"M-my apologies, your majesty...I have no information about the person who did it. I was only told to bring the news to the capital..." The messenger explained.

"I see..." Bradley sighed, he had no idea how to deal with this.

"But..."

Then their attention shifted to this messenger again as he was about to say something.

"I heard...a rumor..."

"A rumor?"

"Yes, it's a story passed on from mouth to mouth from someone who witnessed the miracle, or so I've heard." The messenger muttered.

The two of them became curious, "Then can you tell us about it?" Norman asked him.

"I-it's a story about a man who wore black armor, clad in crimson black flame...using a giant battle axe and fought against thousands of monsters alone."

"He killed all of them without getting injured....it was a one sided massacre."

"And the folks said...it was as if the descent of the [God of Destruction]."

"They also said, he fought against the boss who responsible for the curse and won against it alone."

"Even...the warriors of our land couldn't do much but to fight against the minions of that monster, while he fought it alone."

The messenger words gave them goosebumps, they could feel the weight of each word he said.

King Bradley couldn't imagine just how fierce the fight was.

'A thousand monsters?...even the Hero needs an army to fight against those numbers.'

'Not only that, fighting a boss monster alone? He would needed a party to fight against it, especially a monster that capable to curse the whole land.'

He thought about it as well, reminiscing about the dark age where monsters were roaming around and Demon King still existed, now the thought of him fighting alone against the boss who probably a lot stronger of what he imagine.

His body trembled and wondering of what kind of monster that capable to fight it alone.

Norman who stood beside him, understood his worries, "Your majesty..."

"Norman, I think I don't have a choice but to judge this man myself."

"He maybe the one who saved the land that we gave up, but we need to know whether this man will be a danger to our kingdom or will be the one who save us from the danger in the near future." Bradley regained his calm as the King of this Kingdom.

Norman who seen his composed looks, relieved and bowed his head, "Yes, your majesty."

Being wary of the unknown power of a stranger was definitely a better choice for him.

But...

If they used the wrong method to approached him, they couldn't possibly know...what kind of danger would befall them.

"Tell Duke Sigebehrt that I want to invite him to the Capital to reward him for fulfilling his duty for protecting the territory that I gave it to him."

"Since his niece is about to debut in several days, I also want him to join the party as well." Bradley spoke with a firm smile, showing his authority as the King.

The messenger bowed his head, "Yes, your majesty, I shall relay the message to my lord at once."

"Ohhh, one more thing." Bradley added it.

"Yes, your majesty?" The messenger immediately replied to him.

"I want you tell him that I want him to invite this man who saved the North Region, so I could rewaed him as well." Bradley spoke with such obvious attention that he just want to see what kind of man he is.

But the messenger looked nervous, "Ummmm...about that..."

Bradley noticed the expression of this messenger, "Hmmm? What is it? Do you have something to say?"

"No, your majesty...it just...the man that you wanted to invite...are currently missing in action."

And the dignified atmosphere of King Bradley was suddenly broken to smithereens.

This was the second time he got played by someone, other than that girl.

"What?!"

******

"Achoo!"

And that girl was none other than...

[Iris May Welford].

The one who's in control right now was [Hanamachii Yomi] and they were in the middle of training in her training room underneath her manor.

It was a secluded room that only she knew about and a few other people that she trusted.

'Do you have a cold, Yomi?' Iris asked within her mind, seeing her just sneezed during her training.

"No, since I have your skill [The Villainess] right? I mostly immune with debuff status anyway."

"So, I think someone just talked behind my back." Yomi spoke while holding her rapier and thrusting it towards a dummy.

'Well, it's true that skill allows you to be immune to all kinds of debuffs, but sickness is different.' Iris spoke.

"I know that, but if I was sick, I can still use healing magic to myself." Yomi replied while swinging her rapier again.

'That's true.' Iris stated.

Yomi sighed as she stopped, "I guess this is enough for warm up, it's time to train these guys first."

Yomi then opened her status that had undergone changes after 7 years.

=======================================

[STATUS]

NAME: Iris May Welford/ Hanamachii Yomi

JOB : Magic Swordsman

TITLE : [The Other Worlder]; [The Villainess]; [Quick Learner]; [Magic Master]; [Sword Master]; [The Tyrant Queen]; [The Dominater] !!NEW!!; [The Light Bringer] !!NEW!!; [The Dark Bringer] !!NEW!!; [The Commaner of Death] !!NEW!!; [The Saviour] !!NEW!! [The Empress Life and Death] !!NEW!!

[Level: 80->150]

[HP: 30900/30900]

[MP: 16500/16500]

[FATIGUE: 0]

EXP: 0/100250

STATUS POINT : 882-600 = 282-82 = 200

______

STRENGTH : 397(+35)

AGILITY : 356(+20)

VITALITY : 336(+30)

INTELLIGENCE : 495(+45)

SENSE : 318(+30)

[SKILL]

<PASSIVE >

Magic Mastery Lv7; Sword Mastery LvMax; Super Growth LvMax; Darkness Magic Lv9, Light Magic Lv9; Magic Eyes Lv9; The Villainess LvMax; Etiquette LvMax; Knitting LvMax; Cooking LvMax; Necromancy Lv9; Rapier Mastery !!NEW!!; Death Aura Lv9 !!NEW!!; Aura Lv9 !!NEW!!; Haki Lv7 !!NEW!!; Evil Eyes Lv9 !!NEW!!; Mystic Eyes Lv9 !!NEW!!; Magic Sword Mastery Lv9 !!NEW!!

<ACTIVE >

Status Appraisal Lv9

Foresight Lv8

Restraint Lv9

Intimidate LvMax

Shadow Movement LvMax

Shadow Blade LvMax

Heal LvMax

Holy Light Lv9

Sword Dance Lv9

Vital Strike Lv9

Omni-Slash LvMax

Thrust Lv9 !!NEW!!

Rain Torrent Lv8 !!NEW!!

Dark Magic: Dark Pulse Lv9

Light Magic: Light Pulse Lv9 !!NEW!!

Silent Field Lv8

Holy Wall Lv9

Fly Lv9 !!NEW!!

Telekinesis Lv8 !!NEW!!

Magic Missile Lv9 !!NEW!!

Magic Arrow Lv9 !!NEW!!

Dark Castle Lv8 !!NEW!!

Holy Sanctuary Lv8 !!NEW!!

Take Over LvMax [Unlocked]

Enchant : Strength Lv9

Enchant : Shield Lv9

Enchant : Speed Lv9

Enchant : Magic Lv9 !!NEW!!

Enchant : Luck Lv9 !!NEW!!

Spear of Light Lv9 !!NEW!!

Spear of Darkness Lv8 !!NEW!!

Divine Art : 13th Pillars Lv9

Divine Art : Nemesis Lv9 !!NEW!!

Divine Art : 13th Guardians Lv8 !!NEW!!

Divine Art : Divine Dress Lv9 !!NEW!!

Divine Art : Holy Pandemonium Lv9 !!NEW!!

Divine Art : Seraphim Lv9 !!NEW!!

Summon Undead Lv8 !!NEW!!

Whisper of the Dead Lv8 !!NEW!!

Death Grasp Lv5 !!NEW!!

=======================================

"Even as I am looking at it now, I still can't believe I achieved this much from all those training and monster huntings." Yomi spoke.

'That's a given because you achieved a lot of it with your own effort.' Iris commented.

'Although, compared to 7 years ago, you barely had any skills, there's no combination whatsoever.'

'The only thing I can say is that...you are shit at this.' Iris stated which stabbed right into Yomi's tender heart.

"Ughhh...you don't have to retort it like that." Yomi replied.

Iris huffed, 'Hmph, I simply stated the truth, a harsh truth is better than a sweet bitter lies.'

'Beside, the you in the past doesn't have the appropriate strength for swordsmanship.'

"Ughh—!"

'You barely use your mana for skills.'

'Ouch—!'

'Lastly, you are easily panicked and scared to get hurt when your opponent launch a surprise attack.'

"Agh—..."

Iris didn't pull her punches on commenting on her failures which just further hurt Yomi mentally causing her to fell into her knee after that final blow.

"Y-yes...I know that..." Yomi coughed out blood from her words while bawling her eyes with tears from being incompetent.

Iris sighed, 'But, at least you have the talent to make it up.'

'Because of your will to keep going and not giving up, is what makes you who you are right now.'

'So do not forget that.' Iris coached her to motivate her even further.

Yomi's expression brighten up by her motivation, "Yes ma'am!" Yomi abruptly answered because she usually called her that during the training.

Though it makes Iris worried about her in the future, 'She sure are easily to be convinced.' As she thought of that.

'Now then, let's begin our training again.' Iris spoke.

As she took control of one of her skills.

'[Arise...My Guardian].'

The skill that they were bestowed 7 years ago.

[Divine Art: The 13th Guardian].

=======================================

[Divine Art : The 13th Guardians]

Active Skill

MP Cost: 0

Duration : 0 sec.

Cooldown : 0 sec.

A skill that allows the user to summon [Undead] monsters that act as the 13th Guardian to protect the user. you can summon them according to the list:

1. [Death Knight - Kaiser]

2. [Death Assassin - Kage]

3. [Lich King - Grayson]

4. [Death Guardian - Harold]

5. [Dullahan - Alfred]

6. [Bone Dragon - Sigmund]

7. [Pale Rider - Harley]

8. [Night Walker - Black]

9. [Undead Beast (Giant Wolf) - Beowulf]

10. [ ]

11. [ ]

12. [ ]

13. [ ]

WARNING: This skill won't allow any changes after the user put the name and set the command word.

Command word: [Arise My Guardian]

=======================================

After Iris gave the command word, her shadow suddenly spread widely throughout the room.

Then three of the guardians she called upon, rose from her shadow in front of her.

Her first guardian, [The Death Knight, Kaiser], wearing a full plate black armor and a great sword on his back.

Her third guardian, [The Lich King, Grayson], wearing a robe that covered every inch of his body except his skull face with shadow energy and holding an orb on his hand.

Finally, her fourth guardian, [The Death Guardian, Harold], wore the same full plate armor as Kaiser, but he's 2 meters taller than him with a giant shield and hammer on his back.

The three undead immediately knelt with one leg in front of her.

*"We heed your call, our Master"*

Kaiser spoke politely as he greeted his master.

"Thank you for answering my call, as you know the drill, we are going to train again." Yomi spoke.

*"Yes, my master."*

Kaiser understood her order the moment he was summoned by her, then he stood up and lifted his great sword with one hand.

'We'll be going with the usual, fighting against a proper party.'

'With warrior, tank, and mage as your opponents.'

'This is like the most basic of basics, knowing in the future we're gonna fight against those people with this kind of party.'

'So we need a countermeasure for that.' Iris explained.

'By fighting them again and again.'

*SWOOSH*

The Lich King, Grayson started first by firing a large fire ball towards Yomi who was currently being taught by Iris.

*CLINK*

With no hesitation nor flinching from the sudden attack, Yomi unsheathed her rapier and swung to cut through the fireball with ease.

Iris whistle, 'Flawless, your reaction towards chantless magic had improved.'

*SWOOSH*

Then followed with [The Death Guardian, Harold] who charged through the fire that was cut with his big shield towards Yomi.

*THUNG*

But Yomi confidently stopped it with just one hand.

'See? with appropriate amount of strength, even you could stop a guardian type job with just one hand.' Iris commented her.

'[Dark Pulse].'

Then repelled Harold's body through his shield with her magic that was shot in point blank.

'And with small amount of mana, with a complexity of your magic, it can cause a larger damage if it used to.' Iris added another commenf.

*SWOOSH*

Then Kaiser appeared on her right side with his giant sword swinging towards her while Grayson on her left side preparing his next spell to be casted towards her as well.

A pinch attack from two high-ranking undeads.

But Yomi remained calm and held her rapier up, then spun her body.

*TING*

Swinging her rapier to deflect Kaiser's great sword with ease, and at the same time...

*SWOOSH*

She thrusted her rapier through the fire, then repelled it away with her aura.

Harold didn't stop, and about to cast another spell.

*SWOOSH*

But Yomi immediately reappeared in front of it, then reached out her left hand to touch his chest.

'[Dark Pulse].'

Then pushed Harold with strong force from her hand and he crashed against the wall.

After that, Kaiser swung his sword from behind and struck her.

With minimal movement, Yomi slightly leaned her body aside and let his greatsword pass through and stuck on the ground.

Then she stepped on the great sword and lifted her rapier to aim it towards Kaiser's neck.

The fight was over without them unleashing their full strength.

'You are doing great, at this rate you are going to catch up to my prime.' Iris finally commented again after watching her fight through her eyes.

Yomi sighed and pulled her rapier then stepped away from Kaiser.

The three undeads immediately knelt in front of her.

'It was a flawless victory, your judgement to attack the weakest of the group and using your opponent's strength to outwitting them is briliant.'

'I am impress that you are capable of doing that now~' Iris praised her with high level comment from her own judgment.

*"As expected master, you have grown stronger."* Even Kaiser praised her as well.

"Well, it is thanks to you all for helping me with my training." Yomi spoke and sheathed her blade.

*"We didn't do much at all, master. It is your own strength that was able to handle the three of us with such ease."* Grayson spoke as well.

*"Indeed! Just as expected of our Queen!"* Harold exclaimed.

"I told you not to call me queen, Harold." Yomi sighed.

*"Oops! My apologies my queen!"* yet Harold still calling her that.

It made Yomi sighed once more.

Until...

*SWOOSH*

Something appeared through her shadow during their conversation. It's about to strike her from behind with its sharp claws.

Yomi immediately responded to the mysterious attacker and raised her sheathed rapier.

*TING*

Blocking the claw by the tip of it, with the sheathe. She pulled her rapier at that exact moment, then aimed the tip of her rapier towards the neck of the mysterious attacker.

*"Hahaha~ impressive as always, My lady."*

The mysterious attacker was one of the 13th Guardians, her second guardian, [Death Assassin, Kage]. A skeleton with its body shrouded in darkness, as if its own clothes was made out from the shadow and darkness itself.

His weapon was sharp claws on each hand with one unique ability, [Shadow Manipulation].

"Kage, your bloodlust is leaking, which is so obvious for me to feel it."

*"Then my apologies, my lady~ I shall take my time to learn how to control it~"*

Kage spoke in such playful manner as he enjoyed attacking her like that.

Yomi sighed as she knew that this was someone's plan.

'Good, now you know that danger can lurk everywhere.'

'Especially with the Empire on a movement. You need to hone your skill to counter assassinations that are coming right at you.' Iris explained.

"Well I am grateful for that, but using someone like him to train me, it is very disgusting." Yomi spoke rudely and directed to Kage who enjoyed her remark.

*"Ahhh~ don't stare at me like that~ it makes me want to kill you even more~"* Kage uttered with such dangerous words.

Which made the three remaining guardians acted by pointing their weapons at him.

But Yomi raised her hand, "Stop, I know Kage is bound with a contract, so he won't be able to hurt me."

The three guardians stopped their action and bowed their heads.

*"I understand, your words is in our command, my master."* Kaiser spoke for their action.

Kage in the other hand just huffed and enjoying this situation.

"But since it is you who trained me, I will listen if it makes me stronger." Yomi replied and sheathed her rapier again.

Iris smiled, 'Fufufu~ be grateful to me more~ praise me~' Iris replied in a cocky tone.

"Don't get ahead of yourself! Hmph" Yomi yelled and pouted.

And that behavior confused her undead guardians.

"Ah, right, I almost forgot, next week is my debut isn't it?" Yomi spoke.

'Yes, since this is also your upcoming age ceremony.'

'Which mean, many people will know of your true identity now.' Iris spoke.

"Indeed, this is going to be tough, announcing myself right after seclusion for 7 years." Yomi stated.

'That's true, many people will learn about you, so does your enemy.' Iris replied.

"That's why, I won't be afraid, because he is waiting for us." Yomi spoke with full confidence.

Which gave Iris a sense of relief, 'Yeah, I bet he is waiting for us.'

"Now then, shall we go to prepare for our debut?~"

When Yomi said that, she left the training room.

*******

Then the next week, her debut had started during the evening of the Royal Ball.

Where many aristocrats from different families were invited into this upcoming age ceremony of Iris May Welford and her first debut.

High-ranking nobles such as the [Great Five Family] were gathered in one place, at the second floor of the ball room.

Although the one who gathered was not the head, but the representative of their family.

The first family was a family of mages, [Scafher Family], they were the family that currently had an alliance with [Welford Family] and [The Magic Tower].

And their successor, [Alex Nox Schafer] and with his sister [Emma Shalifa Schafer].

"There's so many people here…I guess Iris-sama is pretty famous now, I need to work hard to be as strong as Ray-san!"

Alex spoke with a body that was taller than any kids around him. He had short brown hair and green eyes. He's wearing black tuxedo for this occasion.

"Nii-sama, I think Ray would be taller than you now." Emma spoke with the same hair color as her brother, with a yellow light dress that matched perfectly with her appearance.

"Heh! Who the heck is this Ray-san? Probably just some snob commoner I bet!"

When the two were having conversations, they were interrupted by one of the guest, who's in the same position as they are.

The second family was the family of guardians, The [Radcliff Family]. They have relationships with the Royalty and currently the one who guarded them.

And their successor, [Aston Kei Radcliff], a young man with spiky light red hair with a rough attitude. He wore a red suit that matched his hair.

"Guh...Aston, what the hell are you doing here?" Alex spoke rudely as he felt irritated just by the appearance of this young man.

"Why wouldn't I? I am quite curious about this [The Villainess] of the [Welford Family] that people talked about." Aston spoke with such confidence that irritated the two siblings.

"After losing against me? Sure, you talk a lot for a loser, Aston." Alex spoke in confidence as the two of them have the same height.

"You mere mage, dare to think that you can win such honorable fight with your dirty tricks?!" Aston spoke in anger and immediately approached him with their foreheads against each other.

"Battlefield is ruthless, I learned from the man that I respect which you speak low of it." Alex glared at him to show his confidence which made the two released a bit of their auras.

But...

"Do not provoke them too much, Aston."

Another guest approached them and stopped their quarrel.

This time there's two of them.

A young man with blonde hair and such luxurious attire and another young man who stood beside him.

Aston immediately pulled back and clicked his tongue.

"Tsk, to think you came to this place...your highness."

The siblings noticed of these two presences…

They immediately bowed their heads towards this young man with blonde-hair.

"Greetings, Your highness, [Arthur-sama]." The three gave their greetings to the rightful successor and the current crown prince of the Luxion Royalty.

[Arthur Van Alfredssons].

And his aide who had the same position of these three, the [Ashdown Family]. The family that didn't specialize in anything, the same as [Welford Family], but their outstanding performances and talent secured them a place among specialists.

It could be said that they're one of the strongest families that rival [Welford].

Their successor, [Nicolas Han Ashdown], was wearing a black suit that matched his gray hair.

At this moment, the four successor of the [Five Great Family] have gathered with the [Royal Crown Prince] as the center.

"You can stop bowing your head, it was not your fault Alex-kun, because Aston who's at fault here." Arthurt spoke calmly then shifted his eyes at Aston who become grumpy.

"What?! I didn't do anything at all!!" Aston protested.

"But you did provoked them, so it was entirely your fault here." Arthurt replied to his protest.

"Ughhh..." Aston couldn't retorted to that.

Alex and Emma was surprised to see the hardheaded such as Aston immediately calmed down by the presence of this young man who is the same age as them.

Arthur clapped his hand, "Now now~ let just enjoy the party, since the one who started this party was none other than the young lady Welford, we should waited for her arrival."

Arthur spoke calmly even after giving off such a friendly attitude towards them but at the same his presence is very intimidating that befitting the rightful successor of the kingdom, his golden eyes was the proof of him being royalty.

Alex bowed his head again, "Thank you for your generosity, your highness." He decided to thanked him to calmed down the atmosphere around them.

"No~ you don't have to thank me here, but I do am curious about the young man you spoke of~ I think he is the commoner that friended with our young lady here." Arthur replied.

'Our?...' Alex was confused by that statement, but he brushed it off and answered to his curiousty.

"Yes, your highness, he is also my friend, who I respectfully for his strength, I can tell you about him later on." Alex replied to him.

"I see, then I am looking forward to hear your story about him~" Arthur replied back at him, though he gave him this feeling that he is being interrogated him.

Though Alex curious of one thing.

"May I ask you a question your highness?"

"Hmm? What is it, Alex-kun."

"May I bold to ask, why do you attend to this party, your highness?" Alex decided to ask him that.

Aston and Nicolas who heard him asking that way, was about to approached him.

But Arthur raised his hand to stop them and smiled towards Alex,

"Of course, just like everyone else here, I am curious about [her]." Arthurt gave off his answer, but Alex just stayed quietly and stared at him.

Knowing that he hide something from those words.

Arthurt who saw his gaze, couldn't help to admired him, "Heh,you are quite bold to ask even more."

"But seeing you insisted of wanting to hear my answer, I shall answer you here right now." Arthur finally gave up to give his true intention for attending this party.

"My father, the King of Luxion, have been trying to arrange my marriage with her."

"...?!"

The four were surprised to hear such news.

'I know this was just a rumor, but to think the Royal family had their eyes set on Iris-sama…' Alex thought.

"So, are you planning to marry her??" Aston spoke bluntly.

"Of course not, but my mother insisted as well." Arthur replied.

"Even the Queen herself?!" Aston surprised to hear that even more.

"Yes, she had been asking me to meet her, although I tried to go along with her words..."

"But instead me who refused...it was her, the young lady Welford herself refused." Arthur explained.

"Wha—how rude!?" Aston spoke out.

"Indeed, it was my first time getting rejected like that, and now I am wondering...what kind of person she is..."

"The one who caught many people's attention than I, the Crown Prince."

"Don't you think, that makes you interested of her, am I right?" Arthur spoke.

Alex and Emma couldn't help but feel wary of this Crown Prince with the way he's speaking. It was as if he's showing pressure and his dignity as someone who has a higher ranking than them.

While they were talking, Nicolas was the only one who remained silent, that was until his attention shifted to somewhere.

"...?!"

His stiff expression changed upon seeing someone who walked into the ball.

Arthur, who noticed the odd behavior of his aide, shifted his attention as well.

"Who....is she?"

A young woman walked through the ball while being escorted by a young man beside her.

Two siblings from [Welford Family].

The successor of the [Welford Family], [Albert Dragh Welford], a young man with blonde hair and blue eyes.

And beside him was the young lady of Welford, the one who was called as [The Villainess] with her black dress that matched her hair.

[Iris May Welford].

Finally made her debut.

To be continued...