NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 268: Chapter 267
[Third Person's PoV]
Cid smiled at the three newly ascended Monarchs and gave a simple order.
"Put an end to this war. We have someplace to be after this," he said, flipping his hood back over his head.
"As you command, my liege," Alpha, Epsilon, and Zeta responded in unison.
Without hesitation, they each turned in different directions. A powerful gust of wind erupted around Cid as they took off, vanishing in an instant.
Epsilon's every step caused her to grow in size, her towering form making the very ground beneath her quake. A delighted grin spread across her face as her strength surged.
Zeta darted across the battlefield, a golden streak zigzagging through the chaos. Wherever she moved, deep slashes marked the earth, and monstrous beings were cleaved into countless pieces before they even realized they were dead.
Alpha soared low, her wings outstretched as she weaved effortlessly between Shadow Soldiers. She held out her hands, and countless orbs of flames materialized around her, crackling with destructive energy. With a mere flick of her wrist, the orbs shot forward, blitzing through the battlefield. A chain of fiery explosions erupted in their wake, so intense that even the mighty giants were incinerated.
Standing behind him, Eta looked at Cid with pleading eyes.
Shadow turned to her, pinched her chubby cheeks, and said, "Go rest. You work hard enough as it is."
Eta's eyes grew teary as she rubbed them against her forearm. "I have such a kind and understanding Lord husband," she sniffled.
With a happy squeal, she darted toward Shadow, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed his cheek. "Thank you~ Love you!" Hugging her pillow tightly, she vanished into his shadow.
Shadow scoffed, shaking his head with a smirk before closing his eyes.
"Shadow Domain."
A vast purple aura spread from beneath his feet, rapidly expanding until it engulfed the entire dimension.
Bellion and Igris, now wreathed in blazing violet flames, felt their strength surge under the domain's influence. Their eyes gleamed with power as they stepped forward, gripping their weapons tightly.
"My liege," they intoned, their voices thick with anticipation. "Permission to engage?"
"Do as you please."
Shadow's eyes glowed as he let himself fall backward between them.
Just before he touched the ground, his shadow swallowed him whole. At the same moment, Igris and Bellion surged forward, the sheer force of their movements shattering the ground beneath them as they disappeared in opposite directions—swords already in motion.
Shadow reappeared beside Gamma and immediately noticed the change in her. Before he had called Yukime towards him, Yukime had transferred the Essence of Yogumunt into Gamma, Making her a Monarch before Epsilon was one.
Gamma's form had transformed. She now wore a flowing purple witch's gown with a hood draped over her shoulders. Her ears had grown slightly longer, her once blue hair had turned a soft shade of violet, and her crimson eyes shimmered with newfound power. Her usual carefree expression was now noticeably more stoic.
"Congratulations," Shadow said, patting her head.
At his words, Gamma's cool demeanor instantly melted into delight.
"It seems the Essence of Transfiguration has adapted to suit you," Shadow continued. "You've become the Monarch of Alterations. Your ability has evolved beyond simple transformation—you can now alter not just objects and beings, but even space and gravity itself. Your powers have reached an almost conceptual level."
Gamma bowed deeply. "Thank you, my lord~"
She took a step forward, intending to show her gratitude properly—but her foot caught on the hem of her long robe, and she tumbled forward, landing face-first on the ground.
"..."
"..."
"..."
A small hic broke the silence.
Gamma sniffled, still sprawled on the ground, her red nose and watery eyes making her look utterly miserable.
"Am I cursed?" she whimpered. "I've ascended beyond the level of a god… and I still tripped. I have to be cursed, right?"
Shadow crouched down, offering his hands with a warm smile. "Never change, Gamma… Never change."
After helping her up, he gently began cleaning her face. Midway through, his smile widened.
He felt it. His shadows were expanding exponentially.
5 million.
10 million.
25 million.
66 million.
86 million.
99 million…
Shadow heard it all. He felt it all. His shadow soldiers working together, their numbers swelling, fighting in an unrelenting frenzy.
Iron charged through hordes of demons and monsters, leading battalions of warriors. His shield was raised high, his axe swinging wildly, eyes unfocused yet alight with raw exhilaration, his grin stretching unnaturally wide.
Tusk commanded a vast army of mages, sending volcanic blasts of fire from his Orb of Avarice. Behind him, mages unleashed volleys of fire magic, creating chain explosions that tore across acres of land.
Tank, the colossal ice bear, led an army of beast-like creatures. A living stampede, they tore through enemies—claws shredding, fangs sinking deep. On their backs, the girls of Shadow Garden charged like a cavalry, cutting down anything in their path.
Beru was a storm of afterimages, moving too fast for the eye to follow. His wings beat so rapidly they appeared motionless, his screeches piercing the battlefield. Wherever he moved, blood followed like a rainstorm.
Every Sin (except Gamma). Every Virtue. Every last one of the 99 million shadows roared as they surged toward the final million enemies.
Bellion, Igris, and Beru bellowed in unison:
"FOR OUR LIEGE! FOR THE MONARCH OF SHADOWS!"
The Sins cried out:
"FOR OUR LORD! FOR OUR HUSBAND!!"
The Virtues, less poetic, simply screamed:
"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"
Shadow smiled, a single thought running through his mind.
'100 million…'
Silence settled over the battlefield. They weren't out of breath. No, they were struggling to contain their sheer excitement.
Then, the silence shattered—of course, it was Iron. He thrust his axe skyward, roaring in victory. His squad followed, their triumphant cries echoing across the battlefield.
The joy was infectious. One by one, others joined in, thrusting their weapons into the sky and cheering loudly.
Igris remained composed, his sword resting at his waist. Yet, a single look into his eyes revealed the silent pride within.
Bellion slung his sword over his shoulder, observing the battlefield.
'Finally, my Lord… you can rest.'
Beru, naturally, was the loudest, locked in a contest with Iron to see who could cheer the loudest.
But their celebrations were soon drowned out by the sound of dragons roaring.
Then, from Shadow's shifting shadow, the Sins emerged.
Eta, although she said she was going to sleep not even a minute ago had joined them. Gamma stepped away from Shadow, moving toward the others.
Alpha was the first to step forward. She knelt on one knee, closing her eyes.
Beta followed. Then Gamma. Then Delta. Then Epsilon. Then Zeta. Lastly, Eta.
Shadow raised an eyebrow, watching them in confusion. Before he could ask, the Virtues descended from the skies.
Claire. Aurora. Alexia. Rose. Sherry. Yukime. Elisabeth.
Then Akane, though not a Virtue, still a Ruler, knelt down after them.
The entirety of Shadow Garden—all 900+ members—followed, kneeling one by one. Among them, Shadow even spotted Zeto, Zeta's brother, his gaze filled with pure, unwavering admiration.
And then, one by one, all 101 million shadow soldiers knelt.
Even the dragons lowered their heads in submission.
Shadow looked around, his confusion growing. Finally, he turned to Alpha.
"Explain."
Alpha smiled. "Don't you see, my Lord? In this universe, and possibly beyond, there is no one who can oppose you. You have defeated the only being who ever could. That means you stand at the pinnacle of existence."
"You are the strongest being in the entire universe, possibly across multiple." Beta added.
"You are unparalleled throughout the entire cosmos." Gamma said matter-of-factly.
"Bossu is the strongest!" Delta grinned.
"The one without equal, whether in power or skill." Epsilon affirmed with a soft smile.
"And as the strongest being in existence, that only means…" Zeta began.
"…that you are King." Eta finished.
Then, they all smiled.
And, in unison, they declared:
"Which makes you The King Monarch! The Monarch That Rules All!"
"..."
'They fucking planned this out, didn't they? What the hell is wrong with them…'
Yet, despite his thoughts, Shadow wore a smug grin, looking over his devoted followers.
'He's loving every second of this…'
And they all thought the same thing in unison.
"We are all merely paying our respects to the New Emperor of the universe~" Alpha said with a hand over her heart.