The Overlord of Mysteries

Hello, this is my first time writing a fanfiction. If you notice any errors, please feel free to give me constructive feedback. English is not my first language, so if you notice any mistakes, please mention them in the comment section at the end of the chapter. Let's begin the story!

Word Count: 2960 Words

Note: Just a reminder that I've changed the Guild Auxiliary chapter. I've made some changes to it. I've removed a couple of NPCs and added a few.

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Bruce savored every bite of his meal, eyes drifting upward to the sky. He was seated on the grand balcony of a restaurant constructed like an opulent palace, its splendor surpassing anything found in the New World. Each tile of the palace could easily buy a town—perhaps even a city—in the New World.

Enjoying himself, humming as he listened to the music being played. Under the stary sky, with melody of every note of the piano and the violin being played by his NPCs. Bruce enjoyed his food, gazing at the sky of the floor Arcadia.

'Despite knowing it being just illusion and fake. It still is beautiful, the night sky that is.'

When gaze turned to his companion enjoying the food and the great view with him, he smiled. "It is great, isn't it, World?"

"Yes," World replied, a playful glint in her eyes. "Although I had to humor you back there. Otherwise, you'd be scrambling to adjust to the time that passed during your absence. You must have been lost, trying to piece together your memories back there."

Bruce's smile faltered slightly, and he sighed, though his tone remained light. "You know, a thousand years is a lot to process. But even I was surprised by it. Your playful antics held my focus, making me forget everything else, forcing me to be fully present. If I hadn't, I'd have fallen into whatever elaborate scheme you had planned for me."

World giggled softly as she took another bite, savoring the food, it was a first for her. "I'm not entirely certain, but I think I've changed a bit," she admitted, her tone holding a hint of uncertainty.

Bruce's laughter resonated warmly as he responded, "Changed a bit! That's putting it mildly. For a moment, I almost didn't recognize you."

A subtle smile curved World's lips. Intrigued by her sudden shift, Bruce's curiosity deepened. World enjoying his reactions, sighed as her expression grew serious as she spoke, causing him to brace himself for what was coming. He had noticed her growing wariness ever since he returned from the Nasuverse—the way she remained vigilant of the New World beyond their walls, even with all the power they wielded.

"The changes in me," she began, her eyes reflecting the starry sky, "can be explained by something that happened after we first arrived in this world." She paused, studying Bruce's reaction. His posture was tense, prepared for whatever revelation might come. She relished the moment, enjoying how attentively he hung on her every word.

"Over the past years, there have been many—or perhaps only a few—instances," she continued after a beat. Bruce remained still, fork and spoon frozen mid-air as he waited for her to elaborate. "There were some who expressed their interest in me. Some even dared to propose marriage."

Bruce's hands trembled slightly before he resumed the motion, taking another bite, fluently, with no visible reaction from him. After swallowing, he set down his fork and spoon and let out a sigh, speaking to no one in particular. "This world of Overlord is truly filled with morons. To court death is a habit they can't seem to shake."

World's smile widened at his unconventional response. This time, She continued, recounting events of everything that took place since they were transported to the New World.

---

As Saber stood guard a long distance from the Grand Hotel in Arcadia, curiously watching the Great Fool and World eating.

And so were the other Guardians of the Arcadia.

They were perhaps experiencing happiness, more so than ever since they had been summoned to this Unknown World.

To gaze upon the profile of the Supreme One, after eternity, it was a joyous occasion for them. Despite their Immortality, they were torn, left to despair from their longing for the Supreme One.

Saber stood silently keeping watch, more so for herself, to sate the void, that the Supreme One had left, when he had so suddenly vanished on them.

Though there were some theories floating around, trying to answer the mystery of his disappearance before World solved it for them.

One particular hypothesis had been that the Supreme One had sacrificed himself to save the Root from the doom of the Yggdrasil. This rumour had caused her pain and suffering, unlike anything she had experienced before. Even being ripped apart, cell by cell, by Dormammu, when she had been not so conscious of her action, and had invaded his floor. Hoping to make him reconsider his decision of joining TerrorBlade in his rebellion against World.

Though sealed in his floor, his prowess are unmatched in his domain. Fearful of his army of Mindless Ones joining the rebellion. Though they aren't fearsome by themselves, it's the boost they get from Dormammu throughout the Guild, be it any floor.

That worried the Guardians of the Arcadia.

Another being who also scared the Guardians of Arcadia was Cthon and Ghost Rider.

Though unlike Dormammu, Cthon was a strong being, who wasn't restricted by the Domain or Floor. Whose prowess matched by only a few in the Guild.

Saber being the strongest Child of Yggdrasil NPC and was also crowned as strongest Guardian of the Floor Arcadia, though she had yet to fight a couple of Guardians of Arcadia to test their strength but being duty bound they were, refused to entertain these line of thought.

They raised their weapon for the Great Fool and Fool only.

As she stood lost in her thoughts, Arcueid Brunestud sneaked upon her. Sensing the not so silent or discreet approach of her colleague. Saber questioned her, her gaze still refusing to leave the sight of the Fool.

"What do you want, Arcueid?"

Enjoying the sight of Saber's undivided attention on the Supreme One, Arcueid Brunestud questioned her, something that had been even bugging Saber herself. Causing her to pry off her eyes unwilling, as she turned to Arcueid, an expression helplessness written her face.

"I am not sure of it myself, Arcueid. Similar to your situation, I have also been unable to hear the words being spoken by the Supreme One and Mother."

"True. True. So, it's not just me and others. Even the Leader of the Guardians of the Arcadia has not been able to hear any of it." speaking to no one in particular, Arcueid kept repeating the part where even Saber failed to hear them and kept nodding to herself as she moved back, forgetting Saber's presence altogether.

While Saber stood frozen, not quite sure of what expression she should make. Whether to chase her or leave her.

Sighing at herself, she turned her attention back to the dinner of the Supreme One and World, to only notice them to have left.

Shocked at the sight, Saber cursed Arcueid as she rushed to the Hotel to get their location.

---

Bruce walked alone through the lush, enchanted fields outside the city that stood within Arcadia—a masterpiece of nature conjured by magic, indistinguishable from the reality outside the guild.

'Devouring the Blazing Sun Dragon God might have been the catalyst for World's change', he pondered, tracing a thoughtful hand along the bark of a colossal tree that crowned a small hill. The texture was rough, yet alive with energy. He shook his head at his surprise. 'Who am I kidding? Everything here thrives on magic. Mana-infused trees should be the least of my worries.'

Stepping out from the cool shade of the tree, Bruce's gaze was drawn once more to the magnificent moon hanging in the artificial sky. It's remarkable. 'Knowing it's an illusion doesn't diminish its allure or make it less of the beauty it is. The ability to command the cycle of day and night within the Guild is an amazing ability. Though I could do the same in the New World with a spell like Wish Upon a Star', he mused.

Turning to the distant city, he marveled at the contrast. The bustling city of Arcadia, illuminated with magical lights, a stark difference from the quiet, shadowed hill where he stood, bathed only in moonlight.

Lowering himself onto the cool grass, Bruce closed his eyes and let the memories wash over him. Thoughts of his previous life, to his life on Earth of Overlord Verse to Nasuverse, and the stories World had shared swirled in his mind. The breeze whispered through the trees, a gentle, soothing lullaby that eased the tension in his chest. Contemplating the information of the New World, she shared with him.

And so, he lay there in silence, caught between reflection and the present, savoring the tranquility of the night—a fleeting moment of peace amid the endless whirlwind of power, duty, and memory.

---

Opening his eyes after what felt like an eternity, Bruce blinked, disoriented. Though he couldn't be certain of how long he had drifted off, the subtle warmth of the sun on his skin hinted at the passage of time. As his vision adjusted, he found himself staring up into the deep, familiar eyes of World. She sat beneath the sheltering branches of the great tree, his head nestled comfortably on her lap. The realization startled him—when had she arrived? And how had he not sensed her presence?

"When did you come?" he wondered aloud, his voice tinged with a blend of curiosity and surprise. Doubt crept on him, wondering how?, he could have missed, of how she closed up on him?

World's fingers wove gently through his hair, the touch both soothing and deliberate. She tilted her head slightly, a playful glint in her eyes as she answered, "Not long after you fell asleep. It seems even you need rest, after all." Her expression softened, a smile forming as she added, "It must have been quite the nap. To think—you've finally let yourself sleep after two years, one month, six days, thirteen hours, eighteen minutes, and twenty-one seconds."

A faint smile crept onto Bruce's face as her precise count settled between them. He could almost feel the weight of time in her voice. "I didn't think you were keeping track so closely," he said, his tone half-amused, half-reproachful. The hint of weariness lingered in his eyes, a testament to the long, sleepless nights spent in an unfamiliar world.

World's hand paused for a moment, her gaze turning distant. "I would have never imagined you sacrificing sleep. But being stranded in an unknown verse, alone with no one to trust, must have drained you." The words hung in the air, a blend of empathy and sorrow lacing her voice.

"Quite so," he admitted, his eyes closing briefly. The silence that followed was companionable, filled with an understanding that transcended words.

The first light of dawn cast its glow upon her face, highlighting her serene expression. World's eyes shimmered with an unspoken warmth as she looked down at him. "Still," she continued, a gentle smile playing at her lips, "I'm glad you're here, and that you finally allowed yourself this moment."

Bruce's heart stirred at the sight—at the soft glow of sunlight framing her features, at the calm that had settled over them. "Yes," he murmured, the word carrying a quiet sense of peace, as if echoing the tranquility of the morning itself. And with that, for the first time in what felt like ages, he let himself simply be.

---

Bruce turned to World as he woke up, standing and stretching to shake off the remnants of sleep.

"So, the locket hasn't been affecting you in any negative way possible?"

World remained seated beneath the tree, her gaze steady as she watched him.

"No, I'm immune to such things," she said, her voice calm but thoughtful. "Which is why I'm still trying to understand how absorbing the memories of that Dragon God has changed me so much."

Bruce, unfazed by her scrutiny, continued his light stretches, trying to clear the haze in his mind. Despite his level 100 status and the countless boons he possessed, which rendered such physical exertion unnecessary, he found the routine oddly grounding. His body was an unparalleled vessel, stronger and more perfect than anything he had ever imagined in his past life.

"How long was I out?" he asked, finally turning his attention back to her.

"Not too long," she said, as if to reassure him. "Just a month." Her tone was so nonchalant that it almost made him feel foolish for worrying.

A brief look of surprise flickered across Bruce's face before he let out a resigned sigh. The initial shock of realizing he had slept for an entire month settled into acceptance. His gaze softened as he caught sight of the subtle joy in World's expression, and he felt a strange sense of peace.

'Come to think of it,' he mused, 'World did wait a thousand years for me. A month must feel like nothing to her. Making a big deal of this month might lead to undermining her thousand year wait.'

He let out another sigh, this time more at himself than at anything else. 'Well, at least this rest might finally make up for nearly two years of sleep, I had been deprived off.'

"So, what's the time outside?" Bruce asked, the question lingering in the air as he adjusted to his surroundings.

World's eyes sparkled with quiet amusement. "It's nighttime. Though it's been a month outside, Arcadia has remained under the serene shroud of night during that time. I adjusted it so that it would still be night till you woke up."

Bruce nodded, understanding. "So that's why it's day here while it's night outside."

He glanced at her, noticing the playful glint in her eyes. He couldn't help but smile as a thought crossed his mind—'A truly considerate assistant.' Yet, as he followed that line of thought, his expression shifted, and his eyes snapped up toward the sun.

"What about Tower? Is he still with Arceus?"

"Yes," World assured him. "You don't need to worry about him. He's been happy, enjoying his time on the twenty-sixth floor of our Guild." She rose gracefully and moved to stand beside him, her gaze drawn to the city of Arcadia in the distance.

"Good. And what about the meeting with the Guardians? Did you postpone it?" Bruce asked, his voice regaining a serious edge.

World's eyes met his, a soft smile playing on her lips. "You mentioned that the meeting would be tomorrow. Well, Arcadia's 'tomorrow' is now. The Guardians don't follow the day and night cycle of the New World. To them, tomorrow of the Root has just arrived."

"So, they'll be here in a few hours?" Bruce pulled out a pocket watch from the inner pocket of his coat, its polished surface gleaming under the morning light. After checking the time, he closed it with a snap and looked at her.

World's eyes softening at the sight of the locket.

"What will they think of this prolonged night? They might say, "Perhaps it's because the Supreme One has returned. This should have been the longest night in the Root." His voice carried a hint of sarcasm.

World giggled, the sound light and carefree. "Oh, they might indeed. But they'd probably make it more dramatic. Something like, 'The moon clung to the sky, unwilling to relinquish its vigil, as though in devotion to the Supreme One, to serve you. The sun, resigned, accepted its fate, hoping only that its light reflected off the moon would grace your presence.'"

Bruce's face remained impassive, though a slight twitch at the corner of his lips betrayed him. He suppressed a sigh, part amusement, part resignation, at her whimsical imagination. He hoped the Guardians wouldn't reach such fanciful conclusions. Yet, despite himself, he felt a twinge of warmth at her earnest compliments and their seamless connection. World's lighthearted nature was a comfort, even if at times, it left him exasperated. They way she could manage to sync with his personality, it was a first for Bruce. Or how she always managed to vibe with him.

"Enough with the jokes," Bruce said, his tone shifting to one of seriousness, his expression unreadable.

World nodded, though the mirth in her eyes lingered, her expression shifting from one of having difficulty to hold back her laughter to that of seriousness, though her playfulness sparked in her eyes. "Alright, serious mode activated. I promise."

Having Bruce nod at her dramatic actions, World walked up to him, locking her hands with his, she pulled him towards the City of Arcadia, continuing her talk from before.

"Though you say that, there are still some floors in the Root, who have no concept of the day and night cycle or have the eternal day or eternal night mode. So, it shouldn't matter much. And to ease your concerns, the Guardians of the Root, they would never raise any objection to any of your demands. Even if the said demand, asks of them to sacrifice themselves."

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**The End**

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