Lord of Avalon : Lost in Another World

An Unexpected Conflict

After the ritual was completed and everyone accepted that Ardi was just an ordinary human, the atmosphere began to calm—at least until Vivian and Amanda appeared in front of him.

Without hesitation, Vivian stared at Yui with a serious expression and said,

"Lady Yui, you should stay away from Lord Ardi! He might be connected to demons or the abyss!"

Silence filled the air.

Yui blinked, as if she couldn't believe what she just heard. Ardi, on the other hand, simply stared at Vivian with a blank expression.

"Vivian…" Amanda's voice was cold before—

Smack!

"Ow!" Vivian received a hard flick on the forehead from her mother.

Amanda let out a long sigh, looking at her daughter sharply.

"Don't speak without thinking first, Vivian."

The young fairy frowned and innocently looked around.

The result?

The four humanoid demons were now glaring at her, a dark aura slowly surrounding them.

The goblins and lizardmen looked displeased.

The elves and high elves simply shook their heads, disappointed by Vivian's naivety.

Before Ardi could say anything, Lady Sylthara stepped forward.

With her cold gaze, she spoke,

"As much as I dislike this reality, I must admit one thing…"

The elves and high elves focused their attention on their leader.

"Ardi Yuniarsyah is no ordinary human. He is one of Gaia's Chosen Ones."

"...!"

Amanda's eyes widened.

"Are… are you serious, Lady Sylthara?" she asked hesitantly.

The golden-haired elf simply nodded, though her expression showed reluctance.

Ardi frowned and let out a deep sigh.

"So She tricked me, huh…" he muttered.

Yui giggled softly, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.

"You just realized it, Master?"

"Wait, you knew?" Ardi asked, confused.

Yui gave a small nod.

"I was personally chosen by Cynthia to be your assistant. That means I knew from the start that you had a major role in this world."

Megumi, who had been silent all this time, suddenly gripped Ardi's hand tightly.

Ardi turned to her and saw the serious expression on her face.

Megumi pressed her lips together before speaking softly,

"Ardi-sama…"

Ardi smiled gently, reassuring Megumi with a calm voice.

"It's not as complicated as it sounds. I'm just a human who's a little more talented than the others."

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A Clash Between Demons and Elves

Reinhardt von Ciel suddenly stepped forward.

With his calm and dignified smile, he said,

"Actually… I just performed an Oracle Ritual to see Ardi-sama's past."

Ardi raised an eyebrow.

"…You did what?"

"I received enlightenment from Gaia herself," Reinhardt continued. "She wants me to guide you into becoming a proper Lord. Because, to be honest…"

Reinhardt chuckled.

"Gaia herself knows just how unpredictable and impossible to read you are, Ardi-sama."

Ardi exhaled heavily, rubbing his face in frustration.

"Seriously… Gaia is really playing with me, huh?"

The atmosphere in Minori Village's plaza turned tense.

On one side, the demons, led by Fire Demon Amon, stood with firm conviction and zeal.

On the other side, the high elves, led by Sylthara, stood gracefully but with deep skepticism.

Both factions stared at each other, their auras clashing as if their very existence was destined to be at odds.

Amon glared at Sylthara, his eyes burning with fire.

"You want to make Lord Ardi a Nature Guardian? That's ridiculous!" he exclaimed passionately.

Sylthara looked at him coldly before scoffing.

"And you want to make him a Demon Lord? That's beyond ridiculous—that's a disaster."

Amon stepped closer, clenching his fists.

"Ardi-sama has Void Energy, something even we Arch Demons can't have. He is the heir to a power far greater than you can imagine!"

Sylthara crossed her arms calmly.

"And you think we would allow a human, who doesn't even fully understand himself yet, to become a Demon Lord? History has already proven that creatures like you only bring destruction."

"Hah?! Did you just compare Ardi-sama to wild & low demons?" Amon glared at her.

"The fact that you still have to ask proves that you're blind," Sylthara replied without emotion.

"Enough!"

Ardi's voice echoed, powerful enough to make both sides go silent.

Ardi rubbed his face, feeling a headache forming.

Yui, standing beside him, chuckled.

"It seems you're really attracting a lot of attention, Anata."

Megumi, standing nearby, looked at him worriedly.

"Ardi-sama… do you think you can calm them down?" she asked softly.

Ardi gave her a small smile, trying to reassure her.

"I have to, or Minori Village will fall apart because of them."

But before he could speak further, a wise and steady voice came from beside him.

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Reinhardt's Advice

"Lord Ardi, if I may offer some advice…"

Reinhardt von Ciel, the Archmage, stood beside the three of them, his smile full of wisdom.

Ardi turned to him.

"Please tell me you have a solution, Reinhardt. My head is about to explode."

Reinhardt chuckled.

"A Lord must be able to control his people, not the other way around. Look at them—they are arguing over their own ideals, but they all acknowledge that you are the center of it all."

Ardi fell silent.

Reinhardt continued with a gentle yet firm voice.

"Do not let them dictate your future, but do not ignore them either. Listen, consider, and then make your decision as the Lord they trust."

Ardi took a deep breath, then nodded.

Ardi stepped forward, standing between both factions.

"Listen carefully, all of you."

His voice was calm but firm, making both sides pay attention.

"I will not be a tool for anyone. I am not a Nature Guardian, nor am I a Demon Lord. I am Ardi Yuniarsyah, Lord of Minori Village."

Both sides fell silent.

Ardi continued, his gaze sweeping across everyone present.

"I understand your concerns. The elves want me to maintain balance in the world, while the demons want me to embrace the power flowing within me."

He gave a small smile before adding,

"But… you know what? I don't even know what I want for my future yet."

Sylthara and Amon exchanged glances.

"So, I will make my decisions my own way. I will listen to all of your advice, but in the end, I will choose my own path."

Silence filled the air.

Amon looked at Ardi sharply.

"Hmph. You talk like someone who wants to escape his destiny."

Ardi shrugged.

"Or maybe I just want to decide my own fate."

Sylthara narrowed her eyes.

"We'll see whether your decision brings balance or destruction."

After a few seconds of silence, both factions begrudgingly accepted Ardi's stance.

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Introducing the Demons

After the tension eased, Ardi turned to the demons.

"Now, before any more conflicts arise, I want you to introduce yourselves."

Amon sighed, crossing his arms.

"Fine. I'm Amon, Fire Demon. I respect strength above all else. I will follow you, but I want to see if you're truly worthy of our loyalty."

Ardi chuckled.

"So if I'm weak, you'll abandon me?"

Amon grinned.

"No. I'll train you until you're strong enough."

Next, a green-haired demon woman gracefully stepped forward.

"Sylphiel," she said softly. "Wind and freedom are everything to me. I don't like being bound, but… following you seems like it could be fun."

Ardi raised an eyebrow.

"So I'm just entertainment to you?"

Sylphiel giggled, covering her mouth.

"Maybe."

The third demon, a large and muscular man, stepped forward.

"Undrik. I respect strength, but more than that, I respect a leader who can protect his people. Show me that you are worthy of leading us."

Ardi nodded firmly.

"I'll do my best."

Lastly, a blue-haired woman with violet eyes spoke softly.

"Nerissa. Water flows where it wishes, but it can also destroy when necessary. I want to see where your current will take you, Ardi."

Ardi smiled.

"Welcome to Minori Village."