It's been a while since Rudeus started teaching Eris. Not much interesting has happened in the meantime. Occasionally I've had to step in and help teach her, but I have to admit that she does have a natural talent for fire magic. Despite this, she focuses mainly on swordplay.
And it is in this area that I have been greatly honored. I was officially awarded the title of King of the Sword. This was not only a recognition of my strength, but also a great honor for my family. I can't wait for Paul to find out. What will it be like when he realizes that his little son has surpassed him in everything?
There was also a big celebration coming up. Rudy was learning to dance with Eris, and unfortunately, I had to join in. Fortunately, thanks to my skills, I was able to do the whole dance perfectly in one day.
As for those poor bastards I killed a while back... nobody really cared. The whole thing was thrown at Ghislaine, which made my life easier. Rudy preferred not to ask me about that day, for which I was grateful.
Meanwhile, Rudeus began to learn languages, and since I have the ability to understand any language in any world, I offered him my help. He accepted without hesitation, so I put together some simple exercises and created textbooks to help him learn.
I am still in contact with Roxy. She sent Rudy a demon language textbook, and I also played a little with fate to ensure that it didn't fall into the hands of that nasty noble. I'm glad I don't have to kill a sick child.
Time passed, and Rudy slowly tamed Eris' wild nature. She studied hard and eventually celebrated her tenth birthday. That was the big celebration I mentioned earlier. I wasn't in the mood to dance that day, so I left it to Rudy as usual.
The longer I'm here, the more I feel like this world doesn't need me anymore. I've already taken care of all the essentials.
I finally decided to intertwine my sword and mana. All I had to do was find the right moment…
[POV - Mephisto]
It was a few days ago when I made my decision-my sword would no longer be just a piece of steel. It will become part of my essence.
I stood alone on the training ground. I pulled out my sword and began sending my mana into it, amplifying it, combining my power with it. Black flames erupted from my hand, my eyes began to glow faintly, and I felt the sword change.
It was becoming more than just a weapon.
The flames that make up my soul completely engulfed it, and the sword took on a new shadow form. Seemingly gaseous, yet solid as never before.
The first thing that came to mind was to see if I could hide it in my shadow. I tried it and watched as the blade slowly sank into my own shadow.
I tried to summon it with a thought... and in a split second it reappeared, firmly poised in my hand.
Not even Excalibur can beat me with this sword anymore.
"Hahaha!" I laughed out loud as I realized how far I had come. At that moment, I noticed Rudy and Eris coming.
[Time skip]
We've lived here for a long time. I've been in this world for ten years. Yet I'm still haunted by questions about my past life. I know I said it didn't matter, but... what happened there?
Maybe I should go back and find out.
If I'm right, and if what Rachel told me is true, then time passes differently in every world. Maybe in my old world, only a week passed. Maybe a century.
But today is a different day. Rudy and I are having a secret party. Well, secret... actually, we found out about it long beforehand. But it's still nice that he's thinking of us.
The biggest surprise of the day was Hilda. It was similar in the anime, but her sudden change in demeanor was stunning.
And then there was a suggestion that gave me pause-one of us should marry Eris.
Of course I turned it down.
It was strange that they included me in the offer. Rudy knows her better than I do. And honestly? I'm not ready for a harem. And if the worlds are infinite... there's gotta be another Eris out there somewhere, right?
The party was great. I wish our people were here, but from what I've seen, they've got enough problems of their own.
Rudy got his cane, and I got basically the same cane, only with a red crystal. It was beautiful. I couldn't wait to connect it to my shadows.
[Time skip]
Time has passed like water. We'll be back home soon.
We'll be twelve, which is a huge leap. I finally successfully intertwined my staff with the shadows. It now looks much like my sword-dark, gaseous, but incredibly strong.
Things have calmed down in the village. I helped a little... all I had to do was send some shadows to sort it out for me.
I also remembered something…
If I remember correctly, in Solo Leveling Ragnarok there was a place called the Shadow Dungeon-a place where the Shadow Lord's authority was absolute. My own domain. Maybe I could visit it...
Rachel helped me, and when I was ready, I let my own shadows consume me.
And then I appeared in the darkness.
Slowly, it began to take shape. A huge, monstrous castle loomed before me. And in front of it...
Millions of beings kneeling before me.
I don't like it when people who fight for me kneel. "Stand up," I ordered.
As I walked among them, I recognized familiar faces. I'll take it. Igris. Tank. Kaisel. Iron. Bellion... and many more.
They were real I felt like a classic anime fan and wanted to jump for joy. Despite all this, I kept a cool face and walked towards the castle. Before I entered, I called for Beru and Igris to follow me. Of course they obeyed. Once I reached the hall I sat on the throne and they both knelt down. After that we plunged into conversation.
"Please stand up. Could either of you tell me what happened before I became shadow ruler?" I was really interested. Beru bowed his head and spoke:
"Sir, honestly... we have no memories of any rulers other than you."
I was taken aback by his words. "What do you mean?"
He hesitated for a moment before continuing: "The only thing we remember is your voice calling us out of nothingness. It was a single word, a single command-Arise. Each of us has that memory."
I frowned. That struck me as odd. So... I created them?
Just then, the screen of destiny appeared in front of me. "As the Lord of Destiny, you indeed created these beings according to your memories of them. However, they are not mere copies-their consciousness has not been replicated, so as not to upset the balance should you ever decide to visit their original worlds."
And then the window disappeared.
So it's true... I created my own army of shadows based on memories. That means their originals still exist.
Maybe... one day I'll visit the worlds they came from. But now is not the time.
I looked at my most loyal warriors still standing before me. "I understand. In that case, it is time to return to my world."
They bowed to me. "As you wish, sir."
With everything I knew now, I decided to return to my normal world and slowly prepare to leave.