( Yuuki's POV )
My attack, which I used to scare the Magedome, left a deep, cone-shaped trench, and water began to enter that place; nature was adapting to my actions.
That was shocking to the mage lord; he was manipulative but not stupid. He knew the best option was the one he didn't want to take, but he also didn't want to show weakness by answering too soon, I can give him that, he still has to lead his people.
Mage lord: ...What guarantee can you give us that you will remain neutral towards us?
Yuuki: I am a man of my word, the people of the Magedome will never be in danger, you alone hold the fate of the royal family in your hands.
Mage lord: ... Let them through.
Shaira: Y-you heard him, let them through.
The soldiers stepped aside, no doubt in them; I'm sure they were relieved they wouldn't have to fight me, I didn't sense any deception in the mage lord's words, so I was the first to walk. The others followed behind me, but they had some last words to say.
Chrodechild: Your Lordship, for the sake of my people, this is where we say goodbye, but for having taken us in when we lost our home, I am truly grateful.
Manaril: Father, mother, I'm sorry for being a selfish daughter, but I will return someday, when I am no longer a burden.
That girl is too good for the family she was born into.
We left the forces of the Magedome behind, but with my enhanced senses I could still hear them talking.
Shaira: We're not going to pursue them, or at least we'll take the false chronicle.
Mage lord: No, we're sticking to the deal.
Shaira: eh but-
Mage lord: Was I not clear enough? We will return to the capital.
My friend, you made a wise choice. The Magedome army returned to the capital, and I stopped worrying about them.
Manaril: Um, e-excuse me, Mr. Yuuki?
Yuuki: just Yuuki it's fine, Did you need something?
Manaril: Uh, n-no, I just wanted to thank you. You were the one who gave me those potions and left Sif with me, right?
Yuuki: I'm sorry I didn't do more, and all that stuff about having to threaten your father.
Manaril: n-no, I think you did what you had to do, I think you're a good person, or at least that's what I feel.
The rest of our trip was more peaceful, but when rhe Alba Castle came into view, we noticed something worrying.
Seig: That light! It's like when we found the first chronicle!
Seig was right, this was like the incident I saw in Marica's memories, the sky was covered by a green and gold light, what followed was the earth collapsing in on itself and turning over, The castle was within that light, and I can't imagine anything good coming from that.
I ran at great speed towards the castle, but before I got there I felt relief when I saw that everyone had evacuated the castle. I stopped dead in my tracks and observed the strange phenomenon.
As the light shone upon the castle, I could feel the division between worlds weakening considerably, and when the terrain itself began to change, the wall between worlds broke in the area covered by the light.
That confirmed that the terrain changes were like something from another world blending into this one, but something more important came to mind, If the space between worlds was weakened, now I had a better chance of contacting my Sekireis.
I took out my phone and tried to call the girls. After a few seconds of hearing the ringtone, I received an answer and heard Matsu's sweet voice on the other end of the line.
Matsu: [ oh Yu-tan, on one of your spontaneous trips again, quick question, are Rossweisse and Athena with you by any chance? ]
Yuuki: Yes, they are with me.
Matsu: [ Perfect, one less thing to worry about. I'll open a portal for you guys. ]
Yuuki: Wait a bit on that, a slight change of plans.
Matsu: [ Oh, I get it. Tell me what you need and I'll have it ready. ]
Yuuki: Oh, what would I do without you, Matsu?
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After we separated from the Magedome, I didn't think our situation would get worse, but I had no idea things would only get better.
First, that light that covered the castle, instead of demolishing it, only raised a larger and cleaner castle; the only noticeable change to the terrain was that there was now a river next to the castle, what incredible good luck!
The second thing was that the castle started to fill up with people; there were more than double the inhabitants now, apart from the Blades of the Night, the growing fame of Seig's group attracted a colorful cast of allies, Most of them became bearers of the mark of the Stars, so even though some had never lifted a weapon, they were competent soldiers ready to be whipped into shape by me.
A couple of days later Matsu finished the preparations I asked for and I was finally going to meet with my Sekirei, I extended the area where the Gateway was located a little, and that's where one of our flying ships appeared.
Fumina, Seig, and their close friends, plus Chrodechild and Meruvis, were with me when the ship appeared, and at that moment they were more surprised than ever, magic is something they have seen and understand, but this kind of technology is very amazing.
When the flying ship landed and its hatches opened, drones emerged from the ship and began assembling our Gate next to the ship. After that, a hybrid gear on autopilot headed to the castle entrance and took its place as the castle's permanent guard.
Liu: Isn't this too much? I thought you couldn't give us a lot of help.
Yuuki: This is the smallest flying craft we have and a standard hybrid gear; we have nothing less to give you, this is for protection and transporting important cargo, so don't even think about slaking off.
The next to leave the ship were my Sekireis. This wasn't a high-risk mission, so only two Sekireis came: Saeko and Barghest. I ran to give my girls a big hug.
When we separated, Saeko walked towards the crowd behind us and she bowed.
Saeko: Thank you for taking care of Yuuki these past few days.
Seig: No, I'm pretty sure he's the one who's been helping us.
Yuuki: It almost sounds like you're talking about a child there.
Saeko: You can be impulsive sometimes; we need to keep an eye on you.
Marica: ah Are you another bodyguard or are you-
Saeko: I'm one of Yuuki's wives.
Yuuki: Yes, you can introduce yourself to everyone later. Fumina, are you ready to go?
Fumina: Thank you, as I said I will be back to help you soon.
Fumina winked at me and gave me a thumbs up, then she crossed through the newly built Gate. I turned around to talk to the Sekireis, but I noticed that one of them was missing.
Yuuki: Where's Saeko?
Barghest: She left with a blonde woman dressed in blue.
Ah, Chrodechild, yes, that makes sense.