FATHER OF MONSTROSITY - The Entire Book

Hi everybody o/

I just wanted to post this for both tiers, now that the story has completed its run. The PDF contains all chapters of the story and has a few more edits since the "all chapters" post from the 29th of May, which was available to the Ascendant tier.

Although I'm not 100% sure how to do it, my plan is still to gift all my supporters on here with free advanced digital copies of Father of Monstrosity once it goes on Amazon. That's still some months away though, but I am keeping track of everyone's individual contact information and will reach out to you with a free copy (hopefully) once I can, even if you are not supporting me at the time.

I once again just have to thank everyone who has supported me while I wrote this, and I hope that you will support the sequel as well as my other stories, if they catch your fancy. 

I just yesterday posted the first three chapters of a new story called Isekai Exorcist, which I'm having a lot of fun writing. It's very understated at first, but has some horrific moments in later chapters that I'm having a lot of fun with ;p

As another little thanks, you will below find a sneak-peek at the first chapter of Sovereign Monstrosity.

Thanks again!

- Dosei -

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“Milord! We have received urgent summons from both the Pope and the King of Heimdale in the southern continent!”

He looked up at the Advisor with faint interest. “About time, I would say.”

“Yes, milord!”

“Prepare the fleet to leave before the end of the month.”

“You’re finally going then, milord?”

“To wait much longer is to invite trouble, wouldn’t you say, Kamo?”

“Indeed, milord! I shall oversee the fleet preparations and troop conscriptions personally!”

“I leave it in your capable hands,” he replied.

As the eager Advisor left his tent, Yuuki returned his gaze to the painting he had been working on with his ink-dipped brush. He had made a vague outline that mirrored the coastline of the north-middling continent of Oblus, and to it he had added the many rivers, tributaries, and lakes that dotted its vast landscape, as well as the prominent mountains and ancient forests.

At the age of twenty-seven he was perhaps the youngest ruler Oblus had ever seen, but his sights were now set on world dominion. Yuuki had given up on the reservations he had felt for many of his early years and now fully indulged in his preposterous dream. Part of him was hopeful that he might find a fitting opponent in the Usurper King of the southern continent, but he had already bested many fiends and demons across Oblus, so he was doubtful there were any left standing who might challenge his might.

Once, he had held firm to the dream that he might return to his home once he had established peace across the Kingdom of Arley, but that peace had never come, as the rebellion he had helped quell had quickly been replaced with a war against the neighbouring kingdom. And from there his march had simply not stopped until he reached the farthest coast and could look back to see a continent united under his rule. Granted, he left the minutiae of governance in the capable hands of his vassals, but there were none who doubted his sovereignty.

Yuuki was a rare creature in this world, for he had been summoned here to aid Arley in its time of need, with no say in the matter. He had been seventeen at the time and had had to quickly learn how to acclimatise himself to so alien a place. The first year had been particularly brutal and he had often despaired at the enormity of the responsibility and hopes placed upon his shoulders, but now he had found a solemn patience that fuelled his potent earth magic and resilient body. Many said he was blessed by a Deity or that he might be the offspring of one of the Old Gods that only few worshipped in this era. Yuuki did not know about any of that, though he had to wondered if perhaps there was not an element of truth to the rumours, as his resilience was certainly legendary.

He added another deft stroke of his brush to the painting, adding the great rend in the centre of the continent, where he had once, in a fell strike of his most potent incantation, wiped an entire army from the face of the world.

When he had first discovered his mastery over the earth element, he had been terrified of the power he possessed, but, like the unshakeable bedrock upon which the continent lay, he had become wise and patient with his power, understanding how best to utilise it. Certainly he possessed the power to condemn entire nations to cataclysmic ruin, but he knew that with proper attention and observation, one need not apply such excessive force to achieve the same outcome. Though he was not proud to admit it, he had developed a knack for pitting his foes against themselves.

But what truly worried him the most was the newest title that his adherents had gifted him: the Living Saint they called him. The Saint of Patienceor the Patient Saint were likewise often used to describe him. And most confusing of all, they seemed to draw some mystic strength from his presence, allowing even the weakest of his footmen to somehow withstand ruinous blows and lethal injuries.

Perhaps there was a truth to the rumours. Perhaps some secret God had cast its blessing upon him. He only feared what might be asked for in return, for he knew that nothing in this world was given freely.

Yuuki left his tent after donning his armour of living stone. He carefully moved his fingers around within the large gauntlets, manipulating the dense desert stone beneath his feet, such that it appeared as though the very rocks became smooth marble with his very step upon it. It was all part of the careful manipulation of his followers. They expected him to be a Deific ruler, so he simply played the role to the best of his ability.

All around him the people fell to their knees is reverence as he passed by the many troops in their group tents. Conversations halted at his presence and words of solemn prayer were spoken to his title. In truth, Yuuki cared little for the worship and the adulation. He had never truly cared much about thatelement of his heroic journey, for he truthfully found little comfort or joy in the presence of others.

Only once in his life had he felt a sense of joy, when he had shared a brief love with a half-demon outcast, but it had been stolen from him and he knew there would not follow a second love, for his heart would never forget the first and could spare no room for anyone else.

As he came to the edge of the rocky outcropping, upon which the main portion of his army’s tents lay, he overlooked the distant port of Petumber and the enormous vessels that lay in its emerald green bay waters.

With a single step, he walked off the outcropping and fell to the ground at the foot of the rocky hill. Like a human with bones of unbendable steel, he landed feet-first on the ground below, no worse for wear, leaving behind a small crater from his impact.

He walked from the foot of the hill to the emerald water that lapped against the beach and with a simple gesture lifted a seat out of the large-grained sand, upon which he sat, letting his living stone armour fall from his body in pieces, as though a sand wolf shedding its protective coat.

For a while, he sat and admired the waters, letting it touch the tips of his toes with its surprisingly-fresh coldness. Yuuki reached into an inner pocket of his shirt and withdrew the ephemeral and impossible-thin piece of his past lover’s soul, holding it draped across both hands, while watching the way the dim peach-red glow sparkled across the gossamer wing. For years he had carried this piece of his first and only love with him, and its touch and sight served well to alleviate the apprehensions in his chest.

While starting intently at the shifting colours and swirling patterns and tiny twinkling lights of the Elphin wing draped across his hands, he spoke the brief litany that his lover had taught him.

“Guardian in your lofty abode of stars and formless void.”

“Allow this lowly one to receive thy blessing once more.”

“Grant me the power to overcome my struggles.”

“And safeguard the soul of my beloved.”

He had at first simply assumed it to be a meaningless prayer and had only indulged his love’s passion at first, but, as he spoke this brief prayer every day, he felt as though a minor blessing imbued him with the strength to accomplish whatever he prayed for.

Yuuki had known the power of demons and their twisted offspring, but none of them possessed such a strength to bless as what he received, so perhaps the rumours were true after all, and the Guardian was an Old God who answered his prayers with benediction. Perhaps it was the source of his overwhelming power.

He sighed, it would be nice if such were the case, after all, he had been nothing but ordinary before he came to this world, so it was painful to imagine that he had squandered such potential his entire life back on Earth, only to have it realised once coming here.

As he arose from his seat, the living armour flew to his body, covering him from head to toe, while he marched towards the port city.