I Refused To Be Reincarnated

A tense silence lasted for a few seconds as their eyes met.

Gaston's concerns weren't nonsense. He had seen people who became skewed after holding power, Moira being the best example.

He gritted his teeth, jaws protruding and blade trembling.

But he had also seen individuals like Ignatius: true bastards from the beginning. People like him sought power only to indulge in their depraved activities... like Gaston.

A bitter scoff escaped his lips as a sneer twisted his face.

"And you want to make me believe that you became reasonable? Ha! You've been evil since childhood. Lucius and Max told us. Even that snake Eleanor shared their opinions. Now tell me.

Why should I let you live?"

As he armed his arm, ready to cut through the wind and obliterate Gaston's soul, the latter exploded into disturbing laughter.

They echoed through the soul sea, shattering its peace before the nightmare's eye narrowed into a thin slit, and his voice echoed solemnly.

"Because you are the fool."

His brows twitched, and his soul throbbed at the stupid insult.

"Death it is."

However, Gaston continued, his eye firmly locked on him and his voice as stable as the mountain behind.

"You'll miss the interesting part. After all, Shepard told you about the battle monster's origin. Guess what? That rogue mage I used all those years ago inherited some of its knowledge."

Eyes widening, he struck his arm as it sliced the wind like a thin fabric and hissed in their ears.

SHATTER

The ground exploded into a sea of moonlight and solar flames, raising a cloud of dust and permeating the air with a charred smell.

The impact ruffled their hair in a wild dance as Gaston whistled a carefree tune before his voice cut through the haze.

"Though his information was limited, I still found something of great interest."

Gaston crossed his legs, relaxing as if he hadn't brushed death a second ago.

"That's the moment we start negotiating. I'll share the knowledge with you. I'll also help you with the werewolves and vampires. What do you say?"

"I don't need your help. I'm sure you'll ask for something stupid in return!"

His angry roar rumbled, shattering the dust cloud and dousing the flames as his chest rose and fell in anger.

'Even now, you're trying to manipulate me.'

"I won't, though. But trust me, you'll need my eye, and I guarantee you that Vivian's theories pale compared to its power and potential."

Gaston rose to his feet, taking a few steps towards him and outstretching his hand.

"Even If I had doubts, I'm convinced now. You are the fool. You'll accept to ensure those sixty Earthlings' safety and to get Selene's help."

"Tell me first. If your information is worth nothing, forget about the deal."

He exhaled a mouthful of steam, doing his best not to explode at the insult.

Despite everything, he had to admit it: Gaston was right. Even if he was confident in doing everything himself, an extra layer of safety never hurt.

"Sure. That's something I love about you and our biggest difference. You never lie when I always do. Hahaha." Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

As Gaston laughed, a deck of twenty-one dark cards appeared in his hand.

Eye narrowed, he retrieved the first one.

"Fifteen thousand years ago, the first mage order believed humanoid anomalies numbered twenty-one. Once one died, another would appear a few years later. However, the thing to note is that each one possessed a cruel flaw."

He noticed the card Gaston extended to him. The drawing on it portrayed a planet and the number twenty-one.

Then, Gaston extended the one showing sixteen and the evil demon it illustrated.

"The magus represents the world. I don't know about his flaw, but I can tell you about mine: greed, cruelty, and indulging in sinful habits."

Gaston showed number five next, forcing him to gaze at the emperor's glorious cape and regal robes.

"I suspect it is The Beast Emperor. His flaws are his iron-fisted rules and desire for conquest and power."

Then, he saw the following numbers flash before him: twenty, eight, fifteen, eighteen and two.

"The sun: Selene believes he's superior to anyone. The chariot: Moira believes she's always right. Temperance: A wise king who counter-acts his indecisiveness by surrounding himself with loyal and smart advisors. You'll meet him soon. The star: Vivian ignores reality and takes refuge in her wishful thinking. Finally, the magician: a creator who manipulates those surrounding him...

like Durgrim, I suppose?"

"Great. And what does it change for me?"

He didn't know what this would lead to but found it troublesome to control his eyes from rolling in their sockets.

Instead of answering, Gaston created an extra card depicting a well-dressed man with his features.

"This mage order believed in an extra card that appeared only when the world would face destruction. Contrary to the other anomalies, this one had no special traits and began a new journey to the top. Alone, it could surpass the twenty-one others and rid them of their flaws."

His eyes widened at the card's name and the number zero drawn on it.

"The fool. I suspect it's you."

Gaston's soft voice reverberated louder in his ears than a thunderclap as his mind raced in a chaotic dance.

'What kind of stupid story is that? Is he pulling my leg? No, it's too big! But what if he wants me to believe it is? And you are the fool!'

Gaston's voice cut through his confusion, offering a solution.

"That's what I want; build me a mineral puppet and make Selene turn it biological with Elena's ritual. I'll become your ally in exchange and focus my flaws on criminals. If I'm right, you'll gain a powerful ally whose sanity is guaranteed after you become powerful enough. If I'm wrong? You'll still have a powerful ally who contains himself. You'll win in both cases."

"NO! I'll never forgive you for killing Theodore!"

He flared up, anger shaking his frame, and a red glint flashing in his eyes before they constricted and trembled in disbelief as Gaston seized him by the collar.

"Don't let your emotions get a hold of you. Yes, I killed him and made him suffer. But you know what he said? Nothing! He endured everything and only prayed for your future. Will you go against his wishes because of him?

Do you think he'll feel happy? Or do you want to face the chaos brewing and fast approaching alone? The beast emperor is free because of you. He'll have a flying fortress soon because of you again. He has two archmage allies because of you. You don't realise it yet, but everything you did in this world disrupted its order...

and soon, everything will blow up into your face."

"What?! What two archmage allies?!"

An icy shiver ran down his spine.

'There are only three archmages, so what nonsense is he spewing?'

"Did you really think they struck a deal with a weakling like you? Your copy! This crazy animal improved Ossian's and Selene's mana circuits and offered them a path to the seventh tier. Now, guess what the elf who hates the magus, the man who wants to conquer the world and the ghost who wants to set up a haven for his species on human lands will do together?"