Dao Of Heaven

Chapter 34: Even I… Can Stand and Fight!

A few minutes earlier…

Separated from the Shogun, Fiore maneuvered nimbly across rooftops with the aid of her mechanical arms, leaping from building to building… until at last, she found her target: the Master of Red's Saber—Kairi Sisigou. The man stood calmly in a dim alleyway, cigarette in hand, as though he had known she would come.

"..."

Fiore furrowed her brows slightly, scanning the surroundings to check for any ambush.

No traps set? She pondered briefly.

Seconds later… once convinced the area was clear, she dropped down from the rooftop. Her mechanical claws pressed to the ground.

Clack…

The arms flexed like springs, absorbing the impact perfectly without letting her feel the shock of landing.

Indeed, Kairi had not laid any magical traps. He was simply smoking, openly exposed to her sight without the least hint of defense.

Because he knew—against this girl, such petty tricks were useless, a waste of tools.

Click…

As Fiore stepped closer, her mechanical claws clicking softly against the ground, Kairi flicked away the nearly spent cigarette and ground it under his leather shoe.

Their gazes met—

"I think we can skip the introductions, don't you?"

He smiled faintly as he spoke to the girl suspended in the air by her claws.

Fiore, in turn, offered a polite, practiced smile—the kind used in business.

"Mhm, you're right."

Her clear, delicate voice echoed softly between the buildings of the narrow alleyway.

Clack!

Fiore then drove her upper claws into the walls on both sides, lifting herself slightly higher as she spoke again.

"We both know each other's names already… but as a matter of principle, allow me to issue a warning."

"…Please, go on."

Kairi shrugged indifferently. He knew exactly what she would say.

"You should withdraw at once, necromancer."

Her tone shifted to a formal, stern cadence, her delicate voice deepening faintly.

"This entire region is territory under the jurisdiction of Yggdmillennia. I am willing to overlook your trespass and let you leave unharmed."

Her azure eyes locked firmly with the gaze hidden behind his sunglasses.

"But if you ignore my warning, then you will pay for your foolishness—with your life."

Her voice was neither loud nor soft, yet the echo carried clearly to his ears.

"Oh… I see. But do you think I'll listen?"

Kairi chuckled lightly, spreading his hands.

At his words, Fiore's expression curved into a knowing smile. As he said—she already knew he wouldn't listen.

"You won't."

"But… if I don't say it, I can't clear my conscience. Since you've chosen this path yourself, don't blame me for what comes next."

"Ah… of course I won't. Because that is the fate of magi."

Kairi gave a bitter chuckle, then smiled lazily in reply.

He understood clearly—since she had warned him, she would not hesitate to strike to kill.

And neither would he!

The fate of magi… Hearing his words, Fiore's heart stirred faintly. But in the next second, she shook the feeling off.

Without another word, Kairi reached into the holster at his back and drew a sawed-off shotgun. At the same time, the flow of magical energy around him surged.

Seeing him move first, Fiore did not hesitate either, plunging swiftly down from above.

Kairi Sisigou… as a necromancer, he surely imbued his weapons with tricks. Not the sort of cheap illusions easily seen through—but still, dangerous traps.

Fiore's mind spun rapidly. He must also know she was specialized in spirit evocation and biomechanics… she had to be careful!

Bang!

With a thunderous blast, the shotgun flared, firing a special round of his own making. The bullet shot forth as though alive, homing straight for Fiore's forehead.

"Jupiter: Tin arm of Protection, intercept!"

At her command, the magical circuits in her legs flared briefly. The twin mechanical arms instantly crossed before her.

Whrrr—

An electronic shield shimmered into being in front of her.

Bang!

The bullet struck the barrier, its tip bending on impact before clattering harmlessly to the ground.

"!"

Kairi was startled for only a second before he immediately bolted toward the mouth of the alley with practiced agility.

Seeing this, Fiore swiftly maneuvered her arms in pursuit.

"Mars: Iron arm of War, pursuit!"

At her command, the mechanical claws leapt onto the walls, carrying her forward like a spider as she closed in rapidly from behind. With a burst of strength, one steel arm shot forward in a powerful punch toward Kairi's back!

"—!"

Without turning his head, Kairi caught sight of the looming shadow cast by the streetlamp and rolled instinctively!

Bang!

The steel fist smashed straight through the concrete wall beside him, leaving shattered rubble in its wake.

"..."

Fiore frowned slightly, then turned her gaze back toward Kairi, who had already dashed behind a nearby car. She drove her other claw into the wall at her side, suspending herself midair like a stationary turret.

"Haa… damn… if I hadn't dodged that, I'd be finished!"

That blow could have shattered his organs in an instant!

Breathing heavily, Kairi crouched behind the car, shaken, then peeked out cautiously toward Fiore's position as he reloaded his shotgun.

"Saturn: Lead arm of Roaring, fire!"

Seeing her opponent refusing to emerge, Fiore switched to a different command—long-range assault mode.

A faint layer of code-like data flickered across her azure eyes as a virtual targeting reticle appeared before her vision.

At once, her right mechanical arm shifted form, gears whirring as the steel claw transformed into the muzzle of a weapon. Below, her legs briefly flared with the glow of magical circuits.

The next second, a storm of luminous bullets rained forth with the roar of a machine gun, spilling out from the transformed barrel!!

The barrage swept across the ground, striking the car in a hail of fire—

Bang! Bang! Bang! ×N

Countless bullets clattered and ricocheted, forcing Kairi to duck low, covering his head as he pressed himself against the wreckage!

"Shit! Just how many attack modes does that thing have?!"

He cursed furiously. Was this really modern technology? Driven by the magical circuits in her legs?

If he destroyed her legs… victory might be his.

But as his gaze flicked through the shattered car window, catching sight of Fiore's legs dangling beneath her skirt, he knew—

Such a feat was nearly impossible!

Even as she fired relentlessly, Fiore felt his eyes glancing toward her paralyzed legs. She already understood what he intended—to cripple her, to destroy her legs and disable her completely.

But would she ever allow that?

Her thoughts hardened, and in response, her barrage only grew fiercer.

Chapter 68: This Must Be Fate

How strong were world-class items? Until today, many players only had a vague idea.

Even in this hastily assembled party of elites, some of them possessed world-class items. Yet most of their items were functional in nature, like the Eternal Snake Ring, rather than items that demonstrated raw destructive power within the game.

Earlier today, upon witnessing the power of the Self-Destruction Maniac's "Ivan the Terrible," players thought that was the limit of destructive capability.

However…

Ainz Ooal Gown's hero completely shattered that belief.

From the mouth of a pink slime with the ID "Bukubukuchagama," a massive scroll about a meter long emerged. The scroll unfurled as it floated upward, growing larger and larger until it blanketed the entire sky.

A low rumble of thunder echoed from above, followed by an overwhelming suction from the scroll. Every hostile target caught within its range was dragged in without the slightest chance to resist.

Even the Brahma Chant debuff that had been plaguing everyone disappeared completely.

"A world-class item?!"

As overall commander, the World Champion recognized it instantly. He was no stranger to world-class items, having the Eternal Snake Ring himself. But never did he expect Ainz Ooal Gown to open with such a trump card.

"Well, this was supposed to be confidential, but given our united front, I'll explain a little." Bukubukuchagama entered her favorite smug mode.

"This item traps opponents in an interdimensional space. Its coverage is massive, and it contains a hundred varieties of spaces, each with ways to steadily wear down the opponent's stamina. Without protection from another world-class item, there's no escaping it~"

"S-sugoi!"

This world-class item was god-tier for clearing mobs, perfect for this dungeon's endless waves.

"Che, that guy stole my spotlight again." Nearby, Nishikienrai stroked the hilt of his Billion Blades before reluctantly letting go.

Then, a red-skinned gnome stomped up to Bukubukuchagama.

"Hey, you pink slime! Why'd you ruin my fun?"

"Ruin your fun?" Bukubukuchagama tilted what may or may not have been an eye-hole at the gnome. "Want me to toss you inside so you can have your fun with those monsters? If it turns into XXXX.AVI, make sure you let me do the voiceover. Since you're so ugly, I'll even give you a 20% discount."

The Self-Destruction Maniac froze. Slowly lowering his head, his breath grew heavy. Tumors across his body vented even hotter steam than before, and his entire frame flickered with dangerous red light.

"…."

Peroroncino hurriedly grabbed his reckless sister.

"Cool it, sis! You trying to get us all killed?"

And you, calling him ugly—look at yourself! And what kind of scammy shop even gives a 20% discount?!

But Bukubukuchagama was a max-level slime. Even with her brother clamping her mouth, she sprouted three more from elsewhere on her body.

"Hmph! Ever since I became a slime, I've never lost a cursing match! Come at me!"

The Self-Destruction Maniac's eyes glowed a terrifying crimson. The stage was set for a detonation.

"Ahem, Bukubukuchagama-san. Bullying a gnome—that's not what the strong should do."

At the sound of that voice, the Maniac's trembling body froze. The red glow and steam sputtering from his tumors faded away under the weight of those words, as though they carried a strange magic.

That voice…

The Maniac's chaotic eyes finally aligned, focusing on the silver knight striding fearlessly through the crowd.

Behind the towering knight blazed an effect brighter than any nuclear blast. Shielding his eyes with one hand, the gnome peered through his fingers and saw four unforgettable words:

Justice Descends!

With each steady step, the metallic clash of armor echoed, and a red cloak flowed behind him, just as in memory.

The red-skinned gnome immediately abandoned Bukubukuchagama and dashed toward Takemikazuchi.

"Takemikazuchi-sama!" The Self-Destruction Maniac stood before him, face full of emotion. "I've been searching for you all this time. I never imagined you had joined this guild!"

This scene made the surrounding players, now idle after the battlefield was cleared, prick up their ears in curiosity, all gazes turning this way.

"Uh…" Takemikazuchi scratched the back of his head awkwardly. After a brief silence, he finally admitted he couldn't remember. "Sorry, but… who are you?"

"I'm Francis Jacob! Ever since you saved me in Goblin Forest three years ago, I've been searching for you."

"Huh? Did that really happen?" Takemikazuchi still couldn't recall.

"Hold on, I'll check the database. Time lock: three years ago. Character lock: 'Takemikazuchi-sama.'" Warrior Takemikazuchi-no-Kami was already flipping through his notebook.

Nishikienrai snorted dismissively, though his eyes couldn't help but wander toward the notebook.

"Found it!"

Warrior Takemikazuchi quickly flipped to a certain page and began reading: "On July 3rd, three years ago, Takemikazuchi-sama received an invitation to participate in the Nine Champions Tournament of another world. As expected of the goal I respect and strive to surpass, Takemikazuchi-san truly is the strongest…"

"Cough… cough…"

Flustered, he snapped the diary shut, nearly blurting out his embarrassing words.

"Oh, so this was during my invitation to the World Champion Tournament." Takemikazuchi finally understood. "Yes, I was invited to another world back then. That was my first time visiting another world… now that I think of it, it's nostalgic. Though, strangely enough, there weren't that many players in that server."

"That's not the point." The gnome quickly interrupted his idol's reminiscing. "Since I've met you here, Takemikazuchi-sama, I—Francis Jacob, the Self-Destruction Maniac—formally request to be taken in by the guild Ainz Ooal Gown!"

"Oh?~ You wish to join Ainz Ooal Gown?"

A voice full of authority resounded from among the group of bizarre heteromorphs. At once, the members of Ainz Ooal Gown, clad in artifact-grade armaments, stepped respectfully aside. Even the World Champion Takemikazuchi and the World Disaster Ulbert followed suit.

Though Momonga often humbly downplayed his strength within Nazarick, that was only without full preparation or equipment.

Now, adorned in ornate scholar's robes of artifact-grade, with the restrictions on his numerous world-class items lifted, and wielding the guild's Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, the power radiating from him surpassed even Tabula Smaragdina and Ulbert.

In terms of magical energy, Momonga could now claim the title of YGGDRASIL's number one "skeleton."

Surrounded by overwhelming waves of magical power, he stepped forward toward the Self-Destruction Maniac.

Faced with a caster of such magnitude, even a legend from another world could not help but feel a shiver named "fear."

"To join Ainz Ooal Gown, there are two conditions. First: you must be a heteromorph. Second: you must be a working member of society."

From within his empty sockets, two scarlet points of light radiated a terrifying gaze, fixing on the red-skinned gnome.

"Do you… meet the requirements?"

At this very moment, within the Sixth Heaven of Desire—

A colossal, multicolored cocoon of light, over a hundred meters in diameter, floated where the statue of the Demon Buddha once stood.

Around the cocoon, countless golden Sanskrit characters drifted through the air, while a strong lotus fragrance continuously spread outward. Three GMs, standing in a triangular formation around the cocoon, were channeling their authority into it.

After the devastation wrought by these three GMs earlier, the entire Sixth Heaven of Desire was left a wasteland, the earth scarred and the sky on the verge of shattering.

Now, however, the three GMs—who had originally been dispatched under official orders to raid the dungeon—had changed entirely. Their gazes toward the cocoon brimmed with reverence, their demeanor as humble as devout believers.

"Great Brahma King, you are the most sensitive to energy. Can you sense our Lord's current condition?"

Bathed in golden light, the GM now called the Great Brahma King shook his head. "The nature of our Lord's energy is far too unique and powerful. With my ability, I cannot glean anything at all."

He then turned his gaze toward a small, blue figure.

"Phantom Spirit King, can your [Status Control] ability discern our Lord's current state?"

"I will try."

The petite blue figure let out a low cry, spreading a thread of authority over the giant cocoon.

Moments later, Phantom Spirit King's body trembled violently. His authority began to destabilize as if under backlash.

"Not good! Phantom Spirit King has triggered our Lord's instinctive self-defense! His control ability is being corroded by the power of the Vipralopa!"

The Great Brahma King and the other, the Wheel Yama King, immediately increased their output of authority. Enormous twin-colored beams of light poured into the cocoon.

This sudden surge triggered the cocoon's defense mechanism once more, but the overflow of Vipralopa power redirected its target, restoring a tenuous balance among the four.

Phantom Spirit King coughed violently. "Cough… cough… Forgive me. I am useless, unable to discern our Lord's state."

Had a mortal been present, they might have seen the thick aura of despair surrounding the blue figure.

Meanwhile, drenched in the crimson glow of [Instant Death Authority], the Wheel Yama King spoke heavily: "Before our Lord fell into slumber, she ordered us to bind the Vipralopa power within her body using our respective authority, to prevent it from spreading and destroying the Sixth Heaven. She entrusted herself alone with the task of controlling it. Though the rampages of the Vipralopa have weakened since three days ago, it is almost entirely due to our Lord's effort. For me to struggle so much with my very first mission since my creation—what value do I even hold for our Lord?!"

His scarlet wings flared, the edges morphing into god-slaying blades, which he then aimed at his own back.

"Great Brahma King, Phantom Spirit King, take care of our Lord. I shall step down first!"

At that, this seemingly divine Wheel Yama King prepared to take his own life in shame.

Ugh, my head hurts…

Even the Great Brahma King, the only one thinking straight, didn't have time to retort. He immediately used [Energy Control] authority to restrain the Wheel Yama King.

"Calm yourself, Wheel Yama King, Phantom Spirit King. Our Lord's power and wisdom have already surpassed imagination. Since she created us, there must be meaning behind it. It is only natural we cannot comprehend it. Besides, as our Creator, our lives already belong to her—we have no right to dispose of them ourselves."

Had Satsuki heard these words, she might have praised him: as expected of a seasoned workplace veteran, his rhetoric was spot on.

And indeed, his words worked. The despondent Phantom Spirit King and the grief-stricken Wheel Yama King finally regained their composure.

But once calm, they noticed the anomaly that had occurred in the First Heaven.

As Satsuki's direct puppets, their very existence was an extension of her will, granting them high authority within the Six Heavens of Desire. Thus, the observation window for the other heavens appeared before them as well.

The first thing all three saw was a painting that spanned nearly the entire sky. As the most senior among them, the Great Brahma King recognized its origin at once.

"That is the world-class item—Depiction of Nature and Society."

Phantom Spirit King's eyes gleamed. "But its state isn't normal. It's been tampered with by another authority. Originally, activating it required immense magic power and lengthy chanting. Yet now, it consumes no mana, has instant-cast activation, and covers a far larger area."

"Hmph. They think such petty tricks can defeat our Lord?" Wheel Yama King sneered, then turned to Phantom Spirit King. "Spirit King, I'll suspend my World Protection state. Transfer my status into one of the monsters on the first floor. Let my avatar play with them a while."

In authority matters, Phantom Spirit King required the other's permission to replicate or transcribe a state. The replica would be nearly identical in power to the original, but without authority abilities or the invulnerability of "WORLD."

Weaker than the original by far, but even a GM without invincibility hardly needed much effort to slaughter players.

"Hmm, not a bad idea." Great Brahma King nodded. After all, the invaders had cleared the first floor despite triggering the detection mechanism—proof enough that their strength was extraordinary.

Using an avatar to test the waters was indeed a cautious strategy. Since both the Wheel Yama King and the Great Brahma King found the idea acceptable, Phantom Spirit King naturally voiced no objections—if anything, she was delighted to finally be of use.

She once again split off a portion of her authority. After scanning the Wheel Yama King with several beams of light, the gathered blue glow dove into a portal that Phantom Spirit King had opened.

"Now then, let us enjoy the show."

...

Within Shitennō Heaven—

When the Depiction of Nature and Society sucked in all the monsters overhead, the players on the battlefield erupted in thunderous cheers. Buffs and morale-boosting auras flashed across the crowd in dazzling colors.

The top-tier druid, who had tanked, healed, and even dispelled debuffs throughout the fight, was so exhausted he could barely stand. Yet his contributions were undeniable, and now his guildmates were tossing him into the air in celebration.

Other raid groups also pulled out celebratory items—horn blowers, flashy emotes, premium background effects, and even special dance moves.

The jubilant atmosphere felt as though they had just secured a first clear against a version's final boss.

"We did it—we won!"

"So much for an End-Tier Dungeon. Against us players, it's nothing but hot air."

"Finally, all our effort these past days paid off. My livestream's blowing up with gifts—so sweet."

That was the sentiment of most players present: some rejoicing, some posturing, some simply basking in the moment. And at the center of it all stood Ainz Ooal Gown's party.

Their actions had been the key to turning the tide (and the Self-Destruction Maniac had now joined their ranks), so naturally, they received the most applause and attention.

Their chat windows and mailboxes blinked nonstop with messages and notifications, leaving these "heteromorphs" with a conflicted mix of delight and reluctant pride.

After all, who truly disliked being praised?

"With Ainz Ooal Gown leading the way, we could clear the rest of this dungeon in one go!"

"They're practically the saviors of YGGDRASIL itself~"

"Tomorrow, I'm writing an article about Ainz Ooal Gown and posting it to the 2ch forums. With my editor connections, it'll definitely get traction~"

...

Meanwhile, away from the celebratory crowds, the World Champion commander and the actual guild leaders of the coalition gathered in private.

Takemikazuchi, Punitto Moe, and Tabula Smaragdina stood in for Ainz Ooal Gown. As for Momonga, he wisely left such intellectual matters to his guild's tacticians. Takemikazuchi, close friends with the other World Champion, attended mainly as a figurehead.

"I propose we leave part of our forces here to ensure the dungeon's progress isn't reset. The rest should withdraw in rotation to rest, then call in more reinforcements for the next push."

The suggestion came from the World Champion's guild strategist. It was sound and pragmatic, and those present nodded in agreement.

Though the surrounding players seemed eager and high-spirited, most had been here for days. Even with breaks offline, the constant tension had strained their nerves. Such a state was ill-suited for executing complex strategies. Besides, many had real-life obligations—they couldn't devote unlimited time to the game.

And of course, raid difficulty was never purely about monster strength. Special mechanics and execution demands often mattered more. In high-level raids, precision, coordination, and stamina were critical—keeping everyone in peak condition was essential.

Then it was the second speaker's turn. All eyes shifted toward two "cranes among chickens"—quite literally. In a game where most avatars leaned toward beauty and flair, the heteromorph members of Ainz Ooal Gown stood out starkly: Tabula Smaragdina, a mind flayer with an octopus head, and Punitto Moe, a robed mass of writhing vines.

Meeting each other's gaze, Tabula and Punitto Moe exchanged a wordless signal. Tabula stepped back, leaving the stage to Punitto Moe.

"Our guild agrees with the plan to leave one team as guards while the others rest in rotation. Moreover, we are willing to take on the duty of watch ourselves…"

The surrounding players, though expressionless, expressed their gratitude through emotes and stickers. But Punitto Moe's next words made several frown.

"…Therefore, I propose that Ainz Ooal Gown be granted the right to oversee and collect all loot from the past few days' battles. That is my condition."

Chapter 155: Tokyo No-Limit Fighting Tournament (1/3)

"The mountain rain is about to come, and the wind fills the building…"

In the city center, standing at the edge of the viewing balcony on the second floor of the family mansion, Mirumo Tsukiyama, president of Tsukiyama Corporation, stopped his hand from gently caressing a bonsai. Touching the railing, he gazed heavily at the skyline of Tokyo, silent and pensive.

This was the ancestral home of the Tsukiyama family, accumulated since the late 19th and early 20th century by the first generation Tsukiyama. It had stood for over a hundred years, with a serene environment, vast grounds, and luxurious grandeur—enough to be worthy of being called a palace.

Even after the devastation of General LeMay's firebombing in WWII, it remained prosperous. To this day, in the land-scarce, ever-costlier Tokyo city center, it continued expanding by purchasing surrounding land, banning tall buildings nearby to preserve its privacy and comfort. This demonstrated the Tsukiyama family's vast influence, wide political and financial connections, and immense wealth.

However—exposed wealth brings misfortune.

Blessings and disasters are intertwined. The fortune of the Tsukiyama family had ultimately drawn disaster.

The wolf named America!

Just as Mirumo Tsukiyama racked his brains, searching for a way to break the deadlock, creak—the half-closed door behind him opened. A mature, composed woman with short black hair, wearing a traditional black-and-white maid outfit, walked over lightly.

"Lord Mirumo, the police from the Metropolitan Police Department have left."

"So it's you, Matsumae."

Without turning, Mirumo asked: "And Yae?"

"Yae is in the reception hall, comforting young master Shuu. The young master…"

"Is blaming himself, isn't he?"

In a voice so low no one else could hear, Mirumo murmured: "Originally, I was pleased that Shuu had such self-reflection and the awareness to change. If he can overcome this disaster and emerge on his own, I would consider him truly mature—elevated to another level. At that time, he would be a qualified heir of the Tsukiyama family, not merely one enslaved by desire and indulgence as a mere 'Gourmet.'"

"Regrettably, surrounded by wolves and tigers, the current tense situation will no longer grant Shuu the ample time to settle and reflect."

Mirumo turned sideways.

From there he clearly saw, outside the metal gates of the garden, as the police departed, new uninvited guests arrived. A black government car pulled over, and out stepped investigators from the Tokyo Prosecutor's Office.

This was not the first time.

In the past three weeks, police and judicial officials had visited frequently, questioning the Tsukiyama Group's behind-the-scenes ownership of the land where the ghoul restaurant operated, and the possibility that the group had invested in its establishment.

And their attitudes were telling—some polite, others harsh and forceful, but their goal was clear. They named and demanded testimony from Shuu Tsukiyama, rather than entangling with the experienced and steady Mirumo himself.

Was it a case of the King of Hell being easy to meet, but his little demons hard to deal with? Or of ambitious officials seeking gains, while petty underlings had no choice but to obey orders? Mirumo could not be sure.

The only certainty was that Shuu's reckless indulgence in opening a ghoul restaurant, and the suspicious traces of irregular funds, had already been unearthed one by one.

According to friends in politics, the Prosecutor's Office was currently drafting criminal charges against the Tsukiyama family, including—

Economic crimes, negligence and mismanagement, victim compensation, bribery, large-scale tax evasion, illegal collusion with officials…

At this thought, behind his round glasses, Mirumo's gaze revealed no joy, anger, sorrow, or delight. Turning, he asked: "Regarding the proposal of united pressure for self-preservation, Matsumae—did they give a clear answer?"

"They… not one of them dares to step forward…"

Pausing, Matsumae's face filled with indignation.

"Fools!"

Mirumo slammed his hand on the railing in frustration. "Do they think that once the Tsukiyama family falls, Vela Adelheid Russell will stop and spare them? Such short-sighted people!"

"That woman's purge of the CCG is only the beginning. What the Americans want will never be mere vanity. This is the start of a new economic plunder, political intimidation, expansion of influence, and deeper manipulation—a hidden colonization. A second 'Plaza Accord' of the new century. Can they not see it?"

"Lord Mirumo…"

Matsumae parted her lips slightly.

Clearly, the intelligence fog caused by the CCG's high-level power shifts over the past month, followed by the unprecedented intensity of the CCG's ghoul sweeps with international investigator support, the intervention of US forces stationed in Japan and the Self-Defense Forces in Tokyo's security and stability, and the ambiguous stance of political and business circles…

This series of external upheavals turned into anxiety and exhaustion. Even a gentleman as composed as Mirumo Tsukiyama could not help but lose his composure.

"…So be it. Time, fate, fortune…"

A sigh—venting slightly instead of suppressing everything was better for emotional balance. Mirumo calmed himself, murmured so, and returned inside.

About half an hour later—

Vroom! The sound of an engine starting. The investigators from the Tokyo Prosecutor's Office, who had come to question Shuu Tsukiyama and record new testimony, drove away.

Inside, Shuu—who had been forcing himself to endure, suppressing his murderous urges to avoid exposing his kakugan—suddenly collapsed as if drained of all strength. He sprawled limply on the sofa, his handsome model-like face under his light-purple bangs twisting in pain, eyes shut tight, brow creased into a deep furrow.

"Yuuma… everyone died because of me… I even dragged my gentle, refined father into being investigated… Grandfather's legacy became an excuse for political enemies to covet… the Tsukiyama family shamed because of me… ahhhh—! Shuu Tsukiyama, you fool, what have you done?!"

Smack!

He struck his own face hard. His voice, filled with self-blame, pain, and despair, echoed through the mansion.

"Young Master Shuu…"

The attendants and servants standing in the reception hall corners all looked pained. A purple-haired, androgynous beauty with a long fringe over the right side stepped forward worriedly, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe Shuu's cheek.

"That's enough, Yae. Let Shuu calm down. To suffer setbacks, then rebuild—that is something everyone must experience."

A steady male voice spoke at his ear. Yae froze mid-motion. "Yes, Lord Mirumo."

She looked toward Mirumo, who walked in carrying coffee, and bowed respectfully.

"Shuu."

Mirumo looked at his son, collapsed in decadence under the weight of guilt.

Since his wife's death, he had always given Shuu double the love.

Now, it seemed overindulgence had harmed him instead.

A twisted obsession bordering on perversion, indulgence in desire, lack of restraint, emotions worn openly and prone to extremes of joy and despair… These were not qualities befitting the heir of the Tsukiyama family.

"Father."

Hearing his father's voice, Shuu lifted his head, face shadowed. The slap he had given himself had been hard—skin broken, swelling, stained with blood.

"I made you coffee."

With a gentle tone, Mirumo set down the tray and pushed the freshly brewed coffee toward his son.

"I'm sorry, Father. I… I've disappointed everyone."

Numb and sluggish, Shuu picked up the cup.

The rich aroma of coffee filled the air, but when the cup reached his lips, he couldn't drink it.

Pressing his lips shut, he said nothing, his gaze vacant, staring at the attendants standing nearby.

Seeing this, Mirumo sighed heavily. "The past cannot be grasped. We cannot remain forever in the past—otherwise, we will miss the beauty of the present and future. Shuu, if you stay like this, how can I entrust the Tsukiyama family to you?"

It sounded like a man preparing his last will.

As if by fate, at that very moment a servant pushed the door open, reporting: "From our human employees planted around CCG Headquarters and branch offices—Lord Mirumo, that foreign Dove, Vela Adelheid Russell, has made her move. She has left CCG Headquarters. Several Special Classes have also left their jurisdictions!"

"Which ward did she go to?"

Mirumo asked.

"Ward 1. The Washuu family estate."

"Oh?"

Behind his round glasses, Mirumo's eyes flashed sharply.

The Washuu family, eh?

This was a good opportunity!

...

Ward 1, outside the Washuu family estate.

"Briefings—everyone has read them, yes?"

Stepping out of the car, Vela stood calmly, carrying a black Quinque case, and looked at the group of CCG Special Class Investigators gathering around her.

To her left stood longtime allies who had fought beside her many times: Acting Bureau Chief Marude Itsuki, Countermeasure Division I's Shinohara Yukinori—currently in charge of Ward 7 operations—Kuroiwa Iwao, commander in Ward 11, as well as the newly appointed Deputy Director of Division II, Kousuke Houji, and the new head of Division II's Mobile Sweep Unit, Chuu Hachikawa.

The first three were among the seven most senior Special Class Investigators of the CCG. The latter two were recently promoted by Vela herself.

Especially Hachikawa Chuu—hunting ghouls like a mad dog, relentless, continuously providing Vela and Dr. Kouitsu Chigyou with plentiful Kakuhou. The overall quality was lacking, but the supply was stable.

Since Dr. Chigyou had taken over Kanou Akihiro's underground Ward 6 laboratory, he needed abundant materials. For that reason, Vela had even taken time to personally craft new Quinques for him and his team.

To her right stood two other senior Special Class Investigators: Countermeasure Division I's command officer Kiyoko Aura, Ward 2 Branch Chief Mougan Tanakamaru, and Associate Special Class Investigator Koori Ui, who held command authority over Ward 4.

Koori Ui, even under the Washuu regime, had been specially permitted to attend Special Class meetings. Following precedent, Vela considered his strength acceptable, his intellect sharp, and as a member of the CCG's local younger generation, she decided to bring him along despite his rank being only Associate Special Class.

After all, the grand drama about to unfold required enough witnesses.

"What about Arima?"

Walking behind Vela, Marude Itsuki—completely unbothered that as Acting Bureau Chief he stood behind Division II command staff—nodded respectfully toward her, then looked around.

"He's in Cochlea, Ward 23. According to reliable intel, the One-Eyed Owl of Aogiri Tree has appeared, seemingly preparing to assault the ghoul prison. Special Class Arima, concerned with his old adversary, has gone to reinforce Warden Shinme Haisaki. He cannot leave."

Passing unhindered through the Washuu estate's outer garden gates, Vela replied without looking back: "Then simply inform him afterward. He unconditionally supports the resolutions passed by the Special Class Council."

She had no interest in exposing Arima Kishou's little secret as a dying half-human.

Her stance was simple—let the "White Reaper" finish his last shift. After death, a grand state funeral awaited. Should he betray them with tricks of the One-Eyed King, his end would be disgrace, his final years infamous.

"Tch, Arima never did like meetings. How many times has he skipped already…"

Marude shrugged, lips twisting.

Shinohara Yukinori and Kuroiwa Iwao glanced at him, faces stern.

Though Marude spoke lightly, it was his way of easing tension, pretending calm. Yet the slight tremor of his fingers and his unsteady gaze betrayed the unrest deep within.

"So, Commissioner Russell—you are truly prepared to end the Washuu family's hereditary control over the CCG Bureau Chief and Grand Chairman posts?"

Exuding mature intellectual poise, Kiyoko Aura asked thoughtfully.

As the first female Special Class Investigator since the CCG's founding in Tokyo, Aura was unlike Vela, not known for combat prowess. Like Marude, her role as Special Class leaned more administrative and command-focused.

"Obviously."

Vela smiled faintly.

"Ghouls infiltrating investigator ranks, Rc detection gates with 'white list' loopholes, ghoul disasters in Tokyo multiplying the more they are suppressed… Case after case. So many management failures with no one held accountable—it cannot continue."

"You're a harsh commander, Lady Russell. But I support this. A single family monopolizing one department for too long, with no circulation, only breeds corruption and stagnation…"

Mougan Tanakamaru voiced his agreement.

For the misunderstanding among her colleagues, Vela had no intention of clarifying.

This was exactly the misleading impression she wanted.

Soon, they would understand.

Ending the Washuu family's hereditary control of the CCG could be done in law—or in blood.

The group climbed the steps, treading the blue brick path into the estate's interior.

Unlike the bustling atmosphere of the surrounding city, inside the main estate, the deeper they went, the quieter it became. Vela's ears heard only the crisp footsteps of her party against the tiles. Oh—and the faint sensation of unseen eyes watching from the corners.

Entering a grand hall with a towering ceiling, Vela's gaze immediately found the massive hardwood table set before tall floor-to-ceiling windows. Behind it sat an old man.

The former Grand Chairman of the CCG, Tsuneyoshi Washuu.

Dressed in a formal kimono with hakama, his hair and beard pure white, his expression stern, a man whose presence carried authority without anger.

Standing beside the table was the former Bureau Chief of the CCG, Yoshitoki Washuu—a middle-aged man with a thin mustache, his face appearing gentle, in sharp contrast to his father.

"Commissioner Russell, did you come here to laugh at my family's downfall?"

Tsuneyoshi Washuu was the first to speak, his voice low and hoarse.

"And bringing a Quinque case with you—what, do you distrust your colleagues so much?"

"Safety first. Caution is never a mistake. Who knows if the Nimura Furuta incident might repeat itself."

Vela shook her head with a smile. "As for laughing at you? To be honest, Bureau affairs are already complicated enough. I don't have the time to mock you."

Then, without courtesy, she said: "I came only to announce one matter. I expect the two former Bureau Chiefs to cooperate…"

"Hey, hey."

Unaware of the full truth, thinking Vela merely wanted to promote democracy on behalf of the USA and abolish the CCG's hereditary practices, Kiyoko Aura, Mougan Tanakamaru, and others were dumbfounded, furiously signaling with their eyes.

There was no need to strain relations so harshly, was there? Whatever their faults, the two former leaders had worked hard for the Bureau. Such bluntness would only deepen divisions.

"…."

Marude Itsuki, who had already suspected and unearthed some of the Washuu family's secrets, remained silent.

"What are you proposing?"

Agitated by Vela's bluntness, Yoshitoki Washuu could no longer sit still.

He seized on what he thought was his breakthrough—turning on Marude Itsuki. "Marude, I am very disappointed. Forcing my father and me to step down wasn't enough to satisfy your ambition? I was the one who promoted you. You should know very well—without the Washuu family, there would be no CCG. You know this!"

As everyone's gaze shifted to him, Marude first glanced at Vela, still calm as ever. Feeling steadied, he then lifted his head with a gloomy expression.

To rise against one's superior—to challenge the very man who had promoted him—when the moment came, it was true torment.

Yoshitoki Washuu saw Marude's eyes and trembled inwardly… He had never seen Marude wear such a pained, conflicted, sorrowful look.

Could it be—?!

Marude spoke calmly: "Bureau Chief Yoshitoki, Grand Chairman Tsuneyoshi—you two… are ghouls, aren't you."

"Marude-senpai, you…"

At the back of the group, the lowest ranked, least experienced, and least informed—Koori Ui gasped in shock, his pale purple eyes wide with horror.

"Shinohara, Kuroiwa…"

He looked around, but saw those men unnervingly calm, as though they had foreseen this moment.

Aura and Tanakamaru were surprised, but still waited for the Washuu leaders' rebuttal.

As for Vela Russell, she looked anything but serious—her lips curled into a delighted smile.

"…"

Inside the hall, a silence like ice.

Tap. Tap.

Vela stepped forward naturally, placing herself before Marude. "Still want to keep denying it?"

As she spoke, she pulled a phone from her pocket and dialed a video call.

Beep… beep…

As the signal went out, a new sound rose outside the estate—

Whirr-roar! Helicopter engines and the thunder of armored vehicles shook the air.

Beep.

The video connected.

Onscreen appeared a US officer in camouflage uniform, an eagle insignia patch howling on his arm.

"Commissioner, ma'am—the 187th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division awaits your orders."

The soldier's voice followed: "We have already split forces to surround properties within Tokyo identified by the CIA as belonging to the Washuu family."

To this, Vela straightened, nodded, and smiled.

"Good work."

The last piece of the puzzle was in place.

As long as the evidence she uncovered—of human-ghoul collusion, ghoul crimes, or simply interference—was sufficient, and the cake called "Japan" she presented to the Diet's old men was large enough to carve, the longer she played, the more support and resources she would harness.

Such was the advantage of working within the system, backed by great powers.

The initiative was hers. Calling reinforcements, leaning on official power to avoid risk—perhaps not the bravest path, but the surest and most convenient.

"After hiding so long, rats in the gutter—don't you think it's time to crawl into the light?"

Vela beckoned mockingly toward the direction where the darkest hostility radiated.

I wait for reinforcements—what are you waiting for?

Her answer came in pairs of irises glowing bright red.

Kakugan. Both of them.

"You go too far!"

Shrrrip! Shrrrip! Shrrrip!

The tearing of flesh as Kagune burst forth interwove with the metallic grind of Quinque cases unlocking.

...

Chapter 236: The Flawless One, Klein—Please Keep Working Overtime!

"Hey~ Mobius, do you have time right now?"

In the First Research Institute of Fire Moth, Elias walked in carrying five large cups of milk tea.

At once, he saw the twin sisters Cangxuan (Fuxi) and Dan Zhu (Nuwa) slacking off, Klein buried under mountains of work, and Mobius dissecting a Honkai Beast on the test bench.

"My my if it isn't my dearest little lab rat. What brings you to me today? Did you miss me?"

Seeing Elias come to her, Mobius was delighted. She casually stabbed her soulium scalpel into the Honkai Beast's shell, then coiled around him like a serpent.

"Of course I missed you. Here, I brought milk tea for everyone. Hm? Mobius, why are you lighter again? Did you die?"

"Just a little accident, but not dead~"

Mobius sipped her milk tea as if nothing had happened. She had indeed died, but revived again.

The genes of Sesha allowed her to resurrect almost infinitely. But without enough Honkai energy as nourishment, a side effect occurred: her body would regress in age.

A certain pink elf once admitted envy—being able to lose weight just by dying once was far too enviable!

"Next time you do these dangerous experiments, at least let me know first. If not for your own sake, then at least for Klein's… and, well, also for Cangxuan and Dan Zhu."

Elias turned to the newest additions to Mobius' lab.

Twin sisters from Shenzhou with long black hair.

They had joined after the Fifth Eruption and were said to be Klein's juniors.

The elder sister, Cangxuan, was calm and level-headed but an extreme money-grubber. The younger sister, Dan Zhu, was lively and warm but also a hardcore otaku.

"What do you mean 'also for Cangxuan and Dan Zhu'? Our safety isn't important? You're too mean, Elias."

"Dan Zhu, you're reading manga during work hours…"

"Ahhh! I'll drink my milk tea and get to work!"

Dan Zhu hurriedly snatched up her cup and scurried off to lower her presence. Beside her, Cangxuan shook her head helplessly. Her foolish sister… why couldn't she just stay quiet and watch?

"In any case, be careful, Mobius. You and I both understand how fragile and precious life is. Whether or not one can revive doesn't change that."

"Since you put it that way, Elias, fine. Next time I'll tell you first."

"Mm~ then no problem."

Elias stroked Mobius' cheek and slender waist. The snake's waist was a deadly weapon, even greater than the Pink Elf's charms. He absolutely adored it.

Mobius licked her lips, snake eyes gleaming with excitement. Just moments ago she'd been irritable over a failed experiment, but the instant she saw Elias her mood soared.

"Wow, so jealous…"

"Doctor, that's unfair…"

Dan Zhu and Cangxuan looked on with the bitterness of single dogs, their eyes filled with resentment. Cangxuan's face was stoic, but Dan Zhu puffed into her straw, making her milk tea bubble noisily.

After all, they were pretty girls too.

Yet no one ever dared pursue them—for the simple reason that they worked in Mobius' lab.

In this place known as the 'Devil's Den,' even beauty couldn't save them.

If everyone had to stay single, that would be one thing. But the culprit herself—Mobius—had secured Elias, a dreamlike partner handsome beyond belief and perfect in every way.

The sisters couldn't help but feel envious.

Of course, they knew full well that their Dr. Mobius was locked in fierce competition with Elysia, Sakura, Mei, Eden, and others. They understood just how cruel and dangerous this love war really was.

But so what if it was a love war? So what if there were many rivals? At least Mobius had a seat on the battlefield. Unlike them—single dogs stuck drawing power from their doujinshi.

Sha sha sha sha…

"Hm? Dan Zhu, what are you doing?"

Hearing a strange sound, Cangxuan turned her head, only to see her sister sketching something.

"Big sis, move over. Elias rarely visits the lab, I have to seize the chance to collect inspiration."

"…Send me a copy when you're done."

Cangxuan raised an eyebrow at the sight of the drawing. She almost forgot her sister was an artist. Dan Zhu was skilled at sculpting figures, drawing doujin, and writing novels. She had secretly created many works that had become classics circulating throughout Fire Moth.

Her current masterpiece was about a certain white-haired, golden-eyed boy entangled in daily love triangles with several heroines. Of course, it was purely fictional—any resemblance to reality was, absolutely, not coincidence.

"Elias, after work we're planning to eat out. Want to come along?" said Klein, finally finishing the stack of documents on her desk.

"Sure—wait, did you just say… after work?"

Elias froze in shock, staring at the green-haired girl before him. Her dark circles were almost as heavy as a panda's. The sheer impact of her words left him speechless.

Good heavens! Did he just hear what he thought he heard?

The flawless Klein… said she was getting off work?!

"…I think I must have misheard. Klein, could you repeat that?"

Elias was dumbfounded. Klein taking time off? He might sooner believe the Herrscher of Finality was about to descend—that sounded more realistic.

"Enough, Elias. Don't look at me like that. You make it sound as if I never let Klein rest."

"Mobius, put your hand on your heart and answer honestly—have you ever actually given Klein a break?"

"Uh…"

Mobius quietly averted her gaze. Maybe, probably, perhaps she had… though she couldn't recall. Maybe she had just forgotten.

"Yes. I'm off work."

Klein smiled with bliss, a face that finally saw the light of day. She hadn't left the lab for a whole week, working over twenty days straight.

And now, miraculously, she had earned a brief respite!

Klein swore she would savor every minute, every second of this rare freedom.

Suddenly her body wavered, and she nearly collapsed—only for Elias to catch her.

"Klein, are you alright?"

"Thank you for worrying, Elias. I'm fine. It's just that after working twenty days straight, my body reached its limit before my mind did. Doctor told me to clock out and rest for half a day, and return in six hours."

After nearly a month of nonstop work, Klein had finally received half a day's rest.

It was not easy. Truly not easy. She had thought she'd work herself into the grave, never imagining she'd see a day off again.

Gratefully, she accepted the milk tea and drank. The sweet warmth spread not only to her stomach but to her very soul.

So good. Milk tea even tasted better after work.

Lately, she'd even been planning to apply for the Meta-Morph procedure. Once she became a fusion warrior, she could work endless overtime without fear of collapse, hemorrhage, or fainting.

Elias shot Mobius a reproachful look.

(Mobius, if you end up hanging from a lamppost one day, you'll deserve it. No capitalist could be crueler. And yet…)

"I'm sorry, Klein. This is my fault."

"Eh? Elias? Why are you apologizing?"

Klein blinked, caught off guard by the white-haired boy's sudden apology, a very bad premonition rising in her chest.

The next instant, white flowers of Creation bloomed around her, sweeping away all the fatigue and strain she had built up. Mental exhaustion aside, her body was now fully restored to peak health. Which meant…

"This way, you can keep working overtime."

"W-what?"

"Sorry, but I've got new work that requires the whole Mobius lab to put in overtime. Don't worry, I'll make it up to everyone. So… keep working, Klein."

Elias patted her shoulder solemnly, guilt flooding his heart. But still…

(Klein, for the greater good—please sacrifice yourself.)

"…"

Though she didn't yet know the details, Klein understood clearly—her long-awaited vacation had just been ruined. New work had appeared, and she could no longer rest.

Captain Elias, I thought you were a good person!

"Don't look at me with such pitiful eyes, Klein. Come on, you can do it. The world needs your overtime. Once we finish this project, I'll personally grant you ten days of vacation!"

"R-really?!"

The light returned to Klein's exhausted eyes. Ten days off? That was heaven!

Since joining Mobius' lab, her longest break had never exceeded five hours. Forget ten hours— even ten minutes of rest was precious.

"Wait, Elias! Who gave you the authority to give Klein time off?! Without her, my research efficiency will drop by fifty percent at least. How do you think you can decide that?!"

Mobius slammed the table in protest. Anyone could be missing from the lab—except Klein. Even if Elias was the man she liked, she couldn't allow him to make such a decision on his own…

"I'm making this decision as the lab's male head. Is that acceptable?"

"…Yes! Absolutely acceptable!"

Mobius' lips curled into a smile.

She was the lab's mistress, and if Elias called himself the master… then, rounding it up, that made them husband and wife, right? Great! She had finally overtaken Elysia!

Elias wore a gentle smile, but to Cangxuan and Dan Zhu, it was as if a white fox's tail was wagging behind him.

A sly fox spirit!

Doctor Mobius, you gave in just like that? Where's your pride as a cold, mad, yandere scientist? As your subordinates, we are disappointed! Who knew you were such an easy pushover!

The next moment, Elias turned his gaze to the twin sisters.

"Once this is done, Cangxuan, you'll get this much in bonuses. And Dan Zhu, however many figures you want, I'll buy them for you."

"Work! Time to work! I love overtime!"

"For the sake of figures, I won't slack off this time!"

The twin sisters were instantly bought over.

Watching their rising morale, Elias smiled in satisfaction. Birds of a feather flock together—everyone in Mobius' lab was just as easy to handle as she was.

Thus, just as the lab was about to clock out, the Mobius Research Facility restarted its operations. Elias solemnly announced:

"This emergency task is to develop a medicine that can be universally applied to completely cure Honkai disease."

"…Huh?" ×4

At once, Mobius and the others froze. The morale they had just regained visibly withered.

"Elias, maybe we should pick another project?"

"Yeah, yeah, this one is impossible."

"Knew it wouldn't be something easy…"

"Uuu… my vacation is a distant dream again."

It wasn't that Mobius and the others lacked confidence—the truth was, this simply couldn't be done. Across the world, medical experts and biologists had been researching cures for Honkai disease.

Fire Moth was no exception. Mobius herself had attempted to solve it before, but the best result was only slowing its progression, never curing it.

Honkai disease was a death sentence.

That seemed to be an absolute truth.

"Oh? Why is everyone so lacking in confidence?"

"Ahh~ Elias, I understand your feelings, but this isn't something we can achieve in the short term. To develop a perfect cure for Honkai disease is, in some sense, the same as researching how to defeat the Honkai itself."

Mobius shook her head. Honkai disease was the result of Honkai energy eroding the human body. Once contracted, even replacing the body with mechanical parts did nothing.

Even a genius like her could only slow the erosion, never stop it—and certainly not cure it.

And though it was called a disease, Honkai wasn't a virus or bacteria. Human medicine for pathogens was useless against it.

Mobius had once thought:

To truly cure Honkai disease, one would have to find an energy capable of eradicating Honkai energy. If such an energy could be found, its meaning would be equivalent to defeating the Honkai itself.

"Emmm, maybe not defeating the Honkai exactly, but it can indeed produce an almost absolute restraining effect," Elias muttered to himself.

"…Huh? What do you mean?"

Mobius and the others froze. Did Elias actually have something up his sleeve? Even if he could punch Herrschers and kick Vipralopa-class Honkai Beasts as if nothing, finding an energy to restrain Honkai energy itself—that was too unbelievable.

Honkai energy being all-powerful wasn't an exaggeration. It was far more domineering than any elemental force.

Yet Elias only gave a mysterious smile.

He walked to Mobius' workbench, picked up the soulium scalpel still stuck in the Honkai Beast's shell, and cut a small wound on his own finger.

A single drop of bright red blood fell from his fingertip onto the Honkai Beast.

The Honkai Beast melted.

"What?! What just happened?!"

"Eh? Ehh?! What's going on?!"

"One drop of blood melted an Emperor-class Honkai Beast?!"

Klein and the others were dumbfounded. Mobius rushed over, staring hard at the Honkai Beast's corpse on the table, then at the blood on Elias' fingertip.

Even magma wouldn't have harmed an Emperor-class Honkai Beast. How could a drop of blood dissolve it?

And Mobius had seen it with her own eyes—this wasn't physical melting. The Honkai energy had been purified by Elias' blood.

"Ahem. I'll lay it out—I have a special trait. My blood neutralizes Honkai energy. Just 0.5 milliliters can reduce an Emperor-class Honkai Beast to ashes, and drive away all lower-class Honkai Beasts."

A super-concentrated version of Schariac Holy Blood. A single drop could kill lesser Honkai Beasts instantly. If Elias wished, one mouthful of blood could probably kill a Herrscher.

Mobius gulped hard, her hands trembling as she accepted the blood sample Elias handed her. She felt like she was dreaming. What kind of divine blood was this?!

Elias, just what kind of genetic mutation did you undergo to produce blood this powerful?! No wonder you never let me test it before!

"Elias, you really are a monster!"

Mobius exclaimed, unable to hold back her excitement.

She felt the long-forgotten impulse to slice him open and study him. The snake's eyes gleamed with madness—before her stood a temptation as alluring as the forbidden fruit of Eden.

Surely he had more secrets hidden inside. Right now, she wanted nothing more than to secure Elias' genetic material.

"Klein, run the most detailed examination possible! If Elias' blood really has that effect, then producing a true cure for Honkai disease will be no problem!"

"Ah, actually… I've already figured out the basics," Elias said.

"…What?"

Under Mobius' dumbfounded stare, Elias pulled out a serum from the Current Era—the [God-Killing Spear Pro Max]—along with its full manufacturing formula.

Mobius quickly flipped through the pages, and her face went blank. If the formula was correct, then yes—this could cure Honkai disease! But…

"You've already made this yourself, so what do you even need us for?"

"Well, it still has flaws. For example, the production cost is way too high."

Elias scratched his head. This was the fruit of a civilization 50,000 years in the future. Under his guidance, Dr. Maki had already begun working on a mass-production version of the Honkai serum.

But when he crossed into the Previous Era, it hadn't yet been perfected.

"My demands aren't that high. Mobius, just help me improve it so it can be spread worldwide—so that every Honkai disease patient can be saved."

Chapter 542: Penguin-Oneechan’s Girlfriend?

Burger King was packed today. Most of the customers were parents with kids, but there were also plenty of otaku men and women who had come just for the Pretty Cure collaboration keychains.

Whoever came up with this campaign—what were they thinking?

Wouldn't it have been fine to release a separate collaboration meal set? Why did it have to be tied to the kids' meal? Don't they know Pretty Cure isn't just for little kids?!

Starting today, Burger King locations all over Japan would be seeing adults and students walk up to the counter, glancing around nervously before awkwardly saying: "Hello, um… one kids' meal, please."

Thankfully, the planners of this collaboration had at least a little mercy. They didn't require customers to mimic character poses or shout out transformation chants or battle catchphrases when ordering the kids' meal.

When Kotomi Izumi had first seen the campaign preview on Twitter, she thought she might actually have to do that to get the collaboration keychain.

Although embarrassed, she had wanted the keychain badly enough that she had already decided which character to mimic: either Rikka Hishikawa! Or Madoka Aguri!

In the end, since there was no need to perform, Kotomi let out a sigh of relief. Still, she felt a faint sense of disappointment. Deep down, part of her really had wanted to try acting out Pretty Cure in front of everyone.

This Burger King × Pretty Cure collab had a total of five keychains. I have to collect them all… Kotomi thought as she reached for the door handle, ready to step inside.

But just as her hand touched the door, she spotted the Yuigahama mother and daughters sitting by the window inside, happily chatting and eating burgers.

If she had been alone, Kotomi would've walked right in, greeted them, and maybe even sat down to eat together.

But right now, Megumi Kato was by her side. Forget saying hi—Kotomi didn't even want to step foot inside Burger King.

She quickly glanced at Megumi. Fortunately, Megumi was still on the phone with her mom and hadn't noticed the Yuigahama family sitting inside.

Seizing the chance, Kotomi grabbed Megumi's hand and pulled her away.

Inside, Yuka was happily dipping fries into ketchup, sticking them in her burger, and taking a bite. Her little face showed pure satisfaction—this was a trick Kotomi had taught her long ago, one she had been eager to try.

After her first bite, for some reason, Yuka glanced toward the entrance again. The restaurant had large glass doors and floor-to-ceiling windows, so it was easy to see outside. When she spotted Kotomi approaching Burger King, she froze at first, then her little face lit up with joy. She was about to wave her chubby arm and shout: Penguin-Oneechan!

But then she saw another girl with Kotomi—a short-haired older girl she didn't recognize?!

Penguin-Oneechan looked really close to her.

Yuka stared carefully, and then she noticed—they were holding hands?!

At preschool age, kids didn't truly understand much, but they absorbed everything they saw from the outside world and thought they knew it all. In that sense, it wasn't so different from being a teenager.

Yuka had often seen couples holding hands on TV. So when she saw Kotomi and Megumi's hands intertwined, she naturally misunderstood, staring in shock at Megumi.

Could it be… she… she was Penguin-Oneechan's girlfriend?!!!

Plop.

The fry in Yuka's hand slipped and fell onto the burger wrapper smeared with ketchup. Realizing what she had done, she quickly lowered her head, afraid Penguin-Oneechan might notice her watching. She didn't want to cause trouble for her.

But her curiosity got the better of her. Sneaking a glance out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kotomi and her "girlfriend" already walking away from Burger King.

Yuka's heart was in turmoil. She looked at her sister and mother with complicated feelings and thought: Mom, Onee-chan—you have one more rival now! Can we still marry Penguin-Oneechan into our family?

She felt like throwing herself on the floor like she used to when she was little, rolling around and crying out:

Waaaah! I don't care, I don't care! Whether it's Mom or Onee-chan, either of you is fine—just hurry up and marry Penguin-Oneechan! I don't mind calling her Mom or Sister-in-law, just bring her home first! If we wait any longer, some other woman will steal her away!

"Yuka, do you want something to drink?" Yui Yuigahama stood up, ready to buy a drink.

Propping her cheek with one hand and gazing out the window, Yuka spoke in a deep voice: "The rainy nights in Japan are coming earlier this year than before. Please get me a cup of Blue Mountain coffee."

She was trying to mimic a line she had heard in a drama, but since it had been a long time, her memory of it was blurry. That was why what she said sounded so contradictory.

"...What are you even talking about?" Yui twitched her lips speechlessly. "You're still too young. No coffee. I'll get you some milk instead."

"I want juice!"

"Alright, alright." Yui nodded, then decided to just take Yuka with her to go buy drinks.

Meanwhile, Kotomi pulled Megumi Kato straight toward the third-floor food court.

"Aren't we eating Burger King?" Megumi asked in confusion.

"Ahahaha… suddenly I don't feel like Burger King anymore. I want something else."

When it came to food, Megumi always went along with Kotomi, so she didn't say much more.

"Alright then. Do you want to eat at the food court, or check the restaurants first?"

"Let's just go~"

Hand in hand, they strolled around the third floor.

As they walked, Kotomi thought to herself:

Why do I keep almost running into Yui and her family today? Oh, right—yesterday Yui said she'd be shopping with her mom and sister to buy her mom a new outfit. But she never said where… I didn't think about it at the time. Turns out they came to the Chiba mall too. What a coincidence.

After a few minutes, Kotomi chose a yakiniku restaurant. She was craving some grilled pork belly.

During the meal, Megumi mostly handled the grilling. Whenever a piece of meat was ready, she placed it on Kotomi's plate, smiling as she watched her eat. She really enjoyed feeding Kotomi like this.

After finishing their meal, the two of them went to the cinema on the top floor to watch the re-release of Hana and Alice.

On lazy afternoons when she didn't know what to do, Kotomi loved spending her time watching Shunji Iwai films. She was fond of the indescribable atmosphere his movies carried.

This wasn't her first time watching Hana and Alice, but it was the first time she had ever seen it in a theater.

After the movie, Kotomi and Megumi left the Chiba shopping mall together and headed home.

...

While Aimi Izumi was doing homework at home, the sound of the doorbell rang downstairs. Thinking her sister had returned, she rushed down barefoot, not even bothering with slippers. Peeking through the peephole, she saw her sister and immediately flung the door open.

"Welcome home, Onee-chan! You—"

Aimi's bright smile instantly froze the moment she noticed Megumi Kato standing behind her sister. She almost cursed aloud. If not for the need to maintain her obedient image in front of Kotomi, she would have let slip the words "the hell."

On such a bright, sunny Saturday, why did opening the door have to reveal Megumi Kato? What rotten luck! Aimi cursed silently. If she had seen Megumi through the peephole first, not only would she have refused to open the door, she would have grabbed planks, nails, and a hammer to barricade it shut. Instead, she forced a fake smile.

"Onee-chan, really… bringing an outsider home without warning me first."

"Now hold on. That's not right. Since when am I an outsider? Your sister and I are such close friends that we can't even stand to be apart for a single day!"

Before Kotomi could say anything, Megumi stepped forward with a smile, greeting her.

Here we go again… Kotomi sighed helplessly, stepping aside to watch what had become their routine whenever these two met—snide, sarcastic exchanges.

Sometimes Kotomi even wondered: if she added just a little fuel to the fire, would Aimi and Megumi actually start fighting right then and there?

For some reason, she really wanted to see it happen.

Aimi, still the weak little noob she always was, had taken the initiative to mock Megumi. But to her surprise, Megumi countered with a single sentence that left her speechless. Aimi could only glare angrily, then run over to Kotomi's side, making pitiful little noises as if to say: Onee-chan, this evil woman bullied me again! Aren't you going to do something?!

Kotomi chuckled softly, patting Aimi's head to comfort her, before smoothing things over. "Megumi brought cake. Let's eat together."

"I don't want her cake," Aimi muttered stubbornly.

"Oh? That's a shame." Megumi's eyes dimmed slightly as she shook the cake box. "I thought you liked strawberry cake. I even picked one with extra strawberries."

Strawberry cake?

Extra strawberries!

Aimi gulped, then gave a little cough, pretending to be reluctant. "Well… since you bought it on your own, not because I asked you to… it would be a waste if I didn't eat it. And wasting food is bad. Right?"

"Cherishing food is a very good habit." Megumi chuckled.

Upstairs, the three of them divided the cake. Though Aimi loved the strawberries most, she knew her sister loved them too. She was just about to limit herself to two and leave the rest for Kotomi, when she noticed Kotomi's plate already piled with strawberries—all given to her by Megumi.

Handing over every single strawberry from her own slice, Megumi smiled. "I don't really like the strawberries on strawberry cake. If I had to choose, I'd say I prefer cream cakes with pineapple jam filling. Kotomi, could you eat all of these strawberries for me?"

"Sure!"

Kotomi agreed without hesitation. There was no reason not to.

Every time they ate strawberry cake together, Kotomi loved it. That was because Megumi always gave her all the strawberries from her slice.

In the beginning, Kotomi used to say: "Don't just give them all to me—you should eat some too. Strawberries with a bit of cream are delicious."

Megumi would always reply: "You eat them. I don't really like strawberries."

Gradually, Kotomi came to believe Megumi truly disliked strawberries. After all, in all their time together, she had never once seen her eat one voluntarily.

When it came to fruit, Megumi seemed to prefer peaches—sliced into soft yet firm pieces.

And so, every time Kotomi ate strawberry cake, she gladly accepted the strawberries Megumi fed her.

"I'll go pour some tea!" Aimi, unwilling to give up, insisted on finding a way to show off in front of her sister. No sooner had she spoken than she dashed downstairs to brew tea.

The moment Aimi left the bedroom, Megumi naturally leaned against Kotomi's shoulder. The two of them snuggled close, until Megumi slowly sat up, slipped off her pure white stockings, and handed them to Kotomi—as promised back in the fitting room.

"Here, these are for you~ Think they can make up for the pair of pantyhose I accidentally tore before?" Megumi asked with a playful smile.

"One pair definitely isn't enough. Keep dreaming~" Kotomi huffed tsundere-like, but she wasn't wrong. Each pair of pantyhose Megumi had ripped before had been more expensive than the last.

Kotomi would always just scold her lightly, saying: You're so wasteful, always tearing my tights, so annoying! But she never once mentioned how much they had cost.

Mainly because Kotomi felt there was no need. She had never planned to make Megumi pay for them.

"After school the day after tomorrow, I'll give you the hot spring water park tickets."

"No rush. Just give them to me once we decide when we're going," Kotomi shook her head. "What about the rest of the tickets? Have you decided who to give them to?"

"Not yet."

Megumi smiled faintly. She hadn't told Kotomi that in reality, there had only been three tickets—and she had torn one up, leaving just two, so they could have the place all to themselves.

Leaning close together, even though they were in Kotomi's bedroom with no one else around, they still whispered to each other like they were hiding in the school's sports equipment room.

"Kotomi, what are you planning to do tomorrow?"

Go with Yui to karaoke… was what Kotomi thought, but what she said aloud to Megumi was:

"Stay home, play some games, catch up on anime. There's a show I haven't watched for two weeks. I want to binge the two new episodes tomorrow. In the afternoon, I'll spend an hour writing. Oh, and by the way—my novel's getting a special edition release."

"Congratulations!" Megumi beamed. As long as Kotomi was happy, she felt happy too.

Still, she tilted her head in slight confusion. "Special edition? I don't really understand, but that's okay. Once it's published, I'll just buy it and see. Hehe, I can't wait to read your special edition, Kotomi~"

"Do you want me to sign it when it comes out?"

"Of course!" Megumi answered without hesitation. Then, with a solemn expression, she said reverently: "Izumi-sensei, please sign it for me."

"Hehe~"

Kotomi ruffled her hair sheepishly. Every time someone asked for her autograph, she couldn't help but feel proud—even though, so far, those requests only ever came from friends, family, and her girlfriend Megumi.

Chapter 630: Selene Decides to Expand Her Imperial Guard

The sky city of Avant Heim, where the Eighteen-Winged Council resided.

In sending Raiden Mei and Raven to contact her tardy superior, Selene had now entered a separate world apart from Disboard—a world belonging to the Flügel. Wherever her eyes wandered, everything was filled with unreal objects.

Scarlet, twisted trunks, roots, and vines served as the very pillars holding up this space. Even the thinnest roots were dozens of meters thick.

There were no branches or leaves upon them. Instead, there were deep blue magical cubes.

These crystalline substances connected to the body of the Phantasma Avant Heim shimmered with a faint violet under the fluorescence emitted by the Spirit Corridors, swaying with a rhythm like breathing, giving an impression of serenity.

From Selene's perspective, the entire space floated in midair, vast quantities of cubes stacked together in chaotic complexity to serve as 'footholds' in the traditional sense.

Even the dwellings of the Flügel lacked doors and windows as humans understood them. All that existed were massive tree-like trunks and crystalline leaves.

But this was natural—given their special traits, the Flügel could freely traverse space. The absence of ground rendered conventional forms of movement meaningless, replaced entirely by their flight and teleportation abilities.

Any visitor without the ability to fly would find themselves utterly helpless here.

It was no wonder the Flügel were so proud, defying heaven, earth, and even the Old Deus—regarding all beings as prey, and the world as their hunting ground.

They truly were favored by creation.

Selene narrowed her eyes.

Vast amounts of data shimmered in faint-blue projections all around. Until now, Selene had been toying with them idly, moving them with her hands out of amusement.

Amid the clutter of these scattered projections, one region had already been arranged neatly by the Flügel and presented before Selene.

Each Flügel possessed her own treasury of knowledge. Even though the 'Book Sharing Act' had been forcibly passed by Azril some ten years ago, the ratio of opposition to support had been four to four.

For a long-lived race, six thousand years of accumulated knowledge was too vast, too tangled—far from something that could be organized within a decade.

Especially with many dissenters and countless Flügel still slumbering.

And here, before Selene, stood the very image of that opposition.

Selene cast a sidelong glance at the girl standing loyally at her side like a faithful hound.

Jibril.

She had left Avant Heim in protest against Azril's enforcement of the 'Book Sharing Act.' Later, she defeated the previous king of the human kingdom Elkia in a game and claimed the Elkia National Library, where she had resided ever since.

Indeed, this one's temper was fiery. When faced with the Empire's auxiliary forces sent to receive Elkia's library, her lofty arrogance and sharp, disdainful words…

They instantly ignited the fury of the Imperial Army, even that of the Astartes warriors.

Even someone as composed as Raiden Mei, the perfect noble lady (unlike Kiana, Mei was usually calm), was driven to rage by Jibril.

At the mention of the Domain of Sanction, she was ready to cut down this 'mangy bird.'

Both sides were truly ready to unleash.

Had Selene arrived even moments later, the kingdom of Elkia might have already been reduced to ashes.

The Flügel—their strength was indeed real.

Selene had to admit, leaving aside the Empire's conventional forces, even most of the Astartes (Honkai-enhanced versions) were insufficient to handle these 'god-slaying weapons'—creatures that could take nuclear strikes head-on, fly, fire light cannons, and devastate battlefields single-handedly.

Excluding powerful individuals or senior officers of the Empire, without deploying star-destroying armaments or colossal war machines—

Purely in terms of individual combat power, and organized as military units, there were very few forces in the entirety of the Holy Selene Empire capable of defeating the Flügel outright.

Selene's meticulously crafted Imperial Guard and the Sisters of Silence were among the very few legion-level units capable of defeating the Flügel outright.

A single unit of the Guard suppressing an entire star system was no empty boast.

They were the strongest legion under Selene's command, without question.

As for the Flügel's specific role, Selene was still pondering.

But one thing was certain: she had no intention of entrusting them to anyone else. Like the Imperial Guard and the Sisters of Silence, they would fall under her direct command.

Their extraordinary hunger for knowledge… perhaps guardians of the Grand Imperial Archives? Protectors of the Imperial Library?

Or maybe—personal battle maids?

Or even… the Third Sequence of the Imperial Guard: the Battle Angel Legion?

The Guard themselves still had shortcomings. Reinforcement was needed.

The structural traits of the Flügel offered Selene new inspiration.

Her slender fingers tapped at the void as her thoughts began to scatter…

"Hm? Your Majesty?"

Seeing her Divine Empress suddenly fall silent, the girl known among the other fifteen sentient races as an Exceptional Unit floated up before her.

"Your Majesty, is there something Jibril can do for you?"

She wore a sweet smile, devoid of hostility, clasping her hands to her chest in a sycophantic gesture.

She seemed eager to cling to Selene's arm affectionately, yet at the sight of the Suniaster, gnawed down to its last fragment, she faltered in fear.

Selene's habit of biting into the Suniaster as if it were candy… that—that was even more like a 'God of War' than their creator, Artosh.

That beating in Elkia… it had hurt far too much.

Surely, I didn't alter or tamper with her personality or mode of thought, did I?

Selene realized—Jibril was the hidden masochistic type.

Watching Jibril fidget between desire and hesitation, Selene laughed heartily. After popping the last fragment of the Suniaster into her mouth, she stepped forward and began to ruffle her like one would roughhouse a puppy.

I, Selene, am approachable.

"Waaah… hhhsss… Your Majesty's touch… heeheehee…"

Selene sweatdropped. This girl had the potential to become a hopeless pervert.

Not long ago, she had faced Raiden Mei with such ferocity. When Selene appeared holding the Suniaster, she had shown such bloodthirst, defiant even in despair—

A look that said, Fine, I can't defeat you, but I'll die splattering your blood regardless.

And then…

Jibril had been reduced by Selene to fragments, her body crushed below the head. Again and again, Selene used the Suniaster's power to repair her, only to break her once more. Repeated, endless.

What do you do with a disobedient brat?

Master Selene's methods were guaranteed to work.

Countless brushes with the brink of death led her to perceive the truth. The Honkai webway gnawed at the Spirit Corridors connected to Jibril, devouring her through destruction and rebirth, until it fully replaced them.

Crushed without hope of resistance, Jibril's attacks grew weaker and weaker…

Some strange connection bound her to the being known as the Goddess of Finality. Her instincts seemed to call her, urging her to seek it, answer it, even submit to it…

Naturally, everything that Jibril contained began to change, subtly, imperceptibly.

In the end, at Elkia National Library, before the Imperial Army's landing forces, human citizens, the embassies of other races, and their entourages—Jibril knelt.

For the Empire's auxilia, auxiliary forces, and Luna Wolf warriors, it was nothing unusual. In the Great Crusade, such scenes unfolded constantly. Another lost lamb had simply returned to the fold, bathed in the light of the Divine Empress.

To those who recognized the times, the Empire was always merciful. She would be granted merciful forgiveness.

But the true shock was this—The Empress herself had arrived?!

The Empress, at the front lines!

What were they waiting for? Charge!

Waaaaaaaagh!!!

Compared to the thunderous roar of the Imperial side, the races with embassies in the human kingdom of Elkia were left in sheer shock.

Jibril—who was she?

As the last Flügel created personally by the War God Artosh, a god-slaying weapon—the Exceptional Unit—she once fought alongside her kin against the higher races of Dragonia, Gigants, and even the Old Deus themselves. Together, they slew nineteen Gigants, three Dragonia, and three Phantasma.

On her own, she had even defeated one Phantasma, one Dragonia, and one Gigant—races ranked higher than her own. (Though in return, Jibril suffered one hundred and sixteen wounds so severe they required full restoration techniques.)

To the lower races, she was a true natural disaster!

And now—she knelt. Among the proud Flügel, she was one of the proudest—and yet she knelt!

Jibril's submission marked the premature end of the conflict in the Elkia region.

Under Selene's command, Jibril did not hesitate. With joy, she opened the path back to Avant Heim for her new master.

Selene gazed at the girl giggling foolishly under her caress.

In a sense, she was the first Flügel Selene had personally transformed.

The geometric halo above her head rotated, scattering faint crimson particles. Each time her hair swayed, it reflected like a prism, revealing hazy images of countless red-and-white Honkai Beasts beneath the mirror's surface.

More than a god-slaying weapon of the War God, Jibril now bore traits of Selene's pseudo-Herrscher.

How does it feel, to go from the final unit to the first?

Watching the teary-eyed girl staring at her with nothing but devotion, Selene couldn't resist flicking her forehead.

Was this really the heartless angel of extermination?

The corner of Selene's lips curved upward. She felt joy—or perhaps… amusement?

Artosh, your weapon is quite useful. I'll be taking her.

The arrogance, the bloodlust, the battle-mania of the Flügel—these things were irrelevant.

Selene didn't dislike them.

At that moment—

"Waaah! Drool! Jibril, what are you doing?! Your drool! How disgraceful! Utterly disgraceful!"

Clutching a compiled roster of the Flügel, Azril pointed furiously at Jibril, gnashing her teeth—though was that perhaps mixed with a trace of envy?

In an instant, Azril teleported, pinned down her younger sister, and apologized: "Your Majesty, forgive Jibril's shameful display. I swear, the Flügel are a noble and powerful race. We will not disgrace you."

Startled by her foolish elder sister's outburst, Jibril—still dripping with drool and half-dazed—suddenly panicked and wiped her mouth.

"Your Majesty, I—I apologize. I was careless."

"Enough, Jibril. I do not fault you."

Taking Azril's roster, Selene cast an interested glance at a particularly high branch beneath which hung, prominently adorned with ribbons, the pure head of a Dragonia.

The hobby of collecting the heads of prey—what a peculiar trait.

Selene mused aloud: "At the end of the Great War six thousand years ago, the head of that Ex-Machina—does it still remain?"

"Which one?"

Jibril scratched at her bangs, eyes alight with intelligence.

The end of the Great War was far too broad—she had collected many heads from many races.

"Hm?!" Selene narrowed her eyes, drawing out the sound.

Instantly, Jibril's mind shifted into focus.

"Ohhh, the cowardly Ex-Machina, right? Yes, rare indeed. That battle nearly broke me. Though I won in the end, out of respect for my opponent, I preserved her final remains."

"Bring them."

A simple command.

"Yes! Uuu… Your Majesty, don't be angry. Jibril will grow smarter…"

"Ha…"

Selene sighed softly, amused. Wasn't she supposed to be intelligent? The moment she submitted, she turned into a 'fool.'

I preferred your sharp wit when you were defiant.

Now, let's see… Tsk, the Flügel casualties truly were severe.

Flipping through the roster of surviving Flügel, Selene could almost envision the scene after the War God's fall, when the leaderless remnants despaired and slew themselves en masse.

Written by Azril herself, stroke by stroke, the roster contained not only the names of those who had survived to this day, but also the names of every Flügel ever born—along with the time and cause of death.

At the end of the ancient war, Artosh had gathered the strength of all Flügel to unleash the Heavenly Smite, fusing it into a single Godly Smite. As a result, the entire race was left weakened, and the Ex-Machina seized the chance to slaughter more than half.

Each Flügel had to be crafted personally by Artosh. Even at their peak, their numbers barely exceeded one thousand.

First came the massacre by the Ex-Machina. Then, with Artosh's fall, many lost the will to live and followed him in suicide. Less than a third remained—teetering on extinction.

She was truly unwilling.

Every word spoke of bitter regret. Selene's gaze fell upon Azril, kneeling before her.

After their defeat in the Great War, to stop the Flügel from killing themselves, Azril had lied—claiming that Artosh's final command to her, "When I fall, seek the reason for our defeat," was in fact a command to the entire race.

Only then was the wave of suicides halted. Their post-war obsession with knowledge likely stemmed from this as well.

As if piercing her heart, Selene spoke the reply Azril had yearned for but never received in six millennia:

"Azril, if you still have the remains of the dead Flügel, bring them forth. I am willing to give them another chance."

Chapter 560: Vampire Ninja

After finishing their interactions with Eriri, everyone in the restaurant finally turned their attention to Shiraori, Mirei Shinohara, D, and Meido, who had been waiting quietly.

Of course, before that, they didn't forget to greet Aoi Kujou, whom they hadn't seen in a long time, and they were already looking forward to tasting her cooking again today.

Although Momo and the artificial maids' dishes were delicious, compared to Aoi Kujou's cooking, they were still a step behind.

Seeing that the group was now focused on the four, Eriri promptly introduced them in detail. This time, her explanation was even more thorough than when she had introduced them to Haruno earlier, ensuring everyone understood their true identities and power levels.

After the introductions, Eriri's gaze fell on Haruno, and sure enough, after learning that both D and Meido were gods who had lived countless years and had reached Level 8 strength, Haruno's expression froze in astonishment.

And it wasn't just Haruno—everyone else also revealed shocked expressions.

Age aside, what truly mattered was strength.

Though Level 8, Stage 1 was nothing compared to Eriri, relative to the others who were generally only at the early stages of Level 7, it was overwhelmingly powerful.

This was also the first time they had ever met Level 8 beings other than Eriri herself. How could they not be surprised?

As transmigrators who had read So I'm a Spider, So What? in their past lives, Arifureta, Yuzuru Hanyu, and Akino immediately recalled their origins after Eriri's introduction.

However, they only had real knowledge of Shiraori, D, and Mirei. As for Meido, their understanding was almost nonexistent.

Of course, their experiences here had already completely diverged from the original storylines—Mirei's very race had even changed.

That didn't stop Arifureta and the others from being deeply interested in them.

Like that, time quickly passed until noon.

After over three hours of interaction, the sociable Mirei had already blended in with everyone. With her current petite figure, she fit right in with Illya and the other lolis without the slightest awkwardness.

As for the socially anxious Shiraori, she didn't say a single word even when others tried to talk to her.

At first, some thought she disliked interacting with them. But after Arifureta explained her personality, they understood and let her be.

Out of consideration for her, they didn't press further.

Meanwhile, D and Meido remained in between—not as outgoing as Mirei, but not completely withdrawn like Shiraori either.

During this time, Miss Sayuri also rushed to the villa after hearing the news of Eriri's return.

Soon after, it was time for the customary banquet.

With Aoi Kujou leading Momo and several artificial maids, a feast of beautifully prepared dishes filled the table before Eriri and the others.

...

In the blink of an eye, two days had passed since Eriri's return to the Saekano world.

It was now Friday. After taking two days off, Arifureta and the others finally returned to school once breakfast was finished.

But Eriri didn't join them. Instead, she prepared to bring Eu and Naegleria back to the Korezom world (Is This a Zombie?) once again.

Meanwhile, the chat group was bustling with activity.

[Victoria (Level 2, Stage 6): @Erina Nakiri (Level 7, Stage 2) @Alice Nakiri (Level 7, Stage 1)]

[Victoria (Level 2, Stage 6): Miss Erina, Miss Alice, the Nekoya portal has appeared. When will you two be coming over?]

[Erina Nakiri (Level 7, Stage 2): It's already here? But I'm still a little busy. It might take me an hour or two before I can head over.]

[Alice Nakiri (Level 7, Stage 1): I'm free right now, but I'll wait for Erina so we can go together. I already bought my Cross-Realm Teleportation talisman though~]

[Victoria (Level 2, Stage 6): Mm, no rush. I'll wait for you both. The portal will remain open the whole day anyway.]

[Lalatina (Level 2, Stage 5): Remember to tell the group when you head out! I'll join you then!]

[Alice Nakiri (Level 7, Stage 1): Sure, no problem!]

[Chika Fujiwara (Level 7, Stage 2): What a pity I still have school today, otherwise I'd definitely tag along for some fun!]

[Arifureta (Level 7, Stage 3 / Group Leader): You can always go after school, right? Didn't they say the portal lasts all day?]

[Chika Fujiwara (Level 7, Stage 2): I'll pass for now. It'll be the same if I go another time, hehe.]

[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Lalatina, aren't you going to spend time with that new friend you just made?]

[Lalatina (Level 2, Stage 5): Don't call me Lalatina! Do you really want to see me embarrassed that badly!?]

It had been three days since Darkness joined the group, and throughout those three days, Eriri and the others insisted on calling her by her real name, "Lalatina."

No matter how many times she heard it, Darkness never got used to it. Instead, she only grew more and more embarrassed.

At this point, whenever someone called her by that name, she instinctively typed "Don't call me Lalatina!" into the chat. It was practically her catchphrase.

As for the "new friend" Eriri mentioned, it was naturally the thief Chris, whom Darkness had met two days ago outside the Eris Church.

After learning about her future from the memory footage, Darkness began coming to the Eris Church every day, waiting outside.

She knew that her goddess, Eris, would soon appear before her disguised as the thief Chris.

Even after joining the chat group and making so many friends, Darkness had no intention of giving up her bond with Eris, even if her friend's true identity was that of a goddess.

And sure enough, the next day, after she finished praying inside the church, the thief Chris appeared before her.

The moment she laid eyes on the petite silver-haired girl in leather armor, with a small scar on her cheek, Darkness recognized her immediately.

Without hesitation, she exposed her identity.

Eris froze on the spot, completely stunned. This was nothing like what she had expected.

When she pressed Darkness for answers, Darkness bluntly revealed the existence of the chat group.

[Lalatina (Level 2, Stage 5): Goddess Eris is very busy. She can't always stay in the lower realm.]

[Lalatina (Level 2, Stage 5): I really do want to take Eris with me to Victoria's world, but the Cross-Boundary talisman only allows one extra person.]

[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Don't worry about that. Once I establish a World Gate for your world, you'll be able to take her to visit other members' worlds anytime.]

[Lalatina (Level 2, Stage 5): That would be wonderful! I'll tell her the good news next time I see her!]

[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Alright, you guys keep chatting. I need to take care of something.]

[Kyoko (Level 5, Stage 2): Eriri, when are you coming over to my place?]

[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): That's exactly what I'm about to do.]

[Kyoko (Level 5, Stage 2): Great! Hurry over, both the vampire ninja and I are home right now.]

[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): No problem. We're already heading to the World Gate, so we'll be there soon.]

[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Oh, and Victoria, make sure to livestream your trip to Nekoya later~]

[Victoria (Level 2, Stage 6): Got it.]

...

As soon as they stepped out of the World Gate, Eriri saw Kyoko waiting at the entrance.

The moment Kyoko spotted Eriri and her companions, her face immediately lit up with joy.

But before she could say anything, Naegleria spoke first.

"You two go handle your business. I'm going back to sleep, I'm so tired~"

Yawning, Naegleria left the entryway and headed straight for her room.

Though Eriri had already cured her narcolepsy, staying up all night drawing still left her exhausted.

Once Naegleria left, Kyoko immediately hurried up to Eriri and Eu.

"Eriri, Necromancer, you're finally here. Hurry and get rid of that vampire ninja."

Looking at Kyoko's impatient expression, Eriri couldn't help but smile wryly.

"Do you really dislike her that much?"

"At first, it wasn't that bad. But after a while, it got unbearable. Can you imagine someone showing up in front of you every single day, repeating the same greetings over and over again?"

"But wasn't that supposed to not be part of her character setting? Wasn't she supposed to just quietly wait here for Eu to appear?"

"Who knows… Anyway, just come with me to meet her. Forget it—she's probably already noticed us and will be coming over soon."

As Kyoko finished speaking, a swirl of leaves danced through the air, and Seraphim appeared at her side, dressed in a rather revealing outfit.

"Eriri, Necromancer, I'll leave this to you two. I'm out of here."

Glancing once at Seraphim, Kyoko quickly excused herself to Eriri and Eu before slipping away decisively, just like Naegleria earlier.

Seraphim showed no reaction to Kyoko's departure. But when her gaze landed on the strikingly beautiful Eriri, she couldn't help but reveal the same awestruck look that everyone showed the first time they met her.

Even so, admiration wasn't her priority right now. She forced her gaze away from Eriri and turned instead to the quiet girl standing obediently at her side—Eu.

Immediately, excitement lit up her delicate face.

"Lord Hellscythe, I've finally found you."

It had been over half a year since she left her village with her mission and came to this city. Having failed to complete her task, the village elders had pressured her again and again to locate Eu and bring her back.

Despite finally finding clues, she had never managed to meet her target face-to-face.

The torment of those months weighed heavily on her.

Now, seeing Eu before her at last, she couldn't hold back. She decided to state her purpose directly.

"Lord Hellscythe, I ask you to return with me to the Vampire Ninja village!"

Seraphim half-knelt before Eriri and Eu, her refined face carrying a look of earnest pleading.

Expressionless, Eu gazed at Seraphim from less than two meters away. She had only learned of this girl's existence less than ten minutes ago, when Eriri had mentioned it to her.

All she knew was that Seraphim was looking for her. As for the reason, Eriri hadn't explained.

Still, Eu could easily guess the truth—that it was for her blood.

"Leave. I will not go with you."

Eu refused without hesitation. She knew all too well the power her blood contained. The last thing she wanted was for her existence to cause further unpredictable harm to this world.

Hearing Eu's answer, Seraphim wasn't surprised. She hadn't expected Eu to agree so easily anyway.

"If that's the case, then let me serve by your side instead."

She intended to stay close, hoping Eu might one day change her mind.

But again, Eu's rejection was immediate.

"No. I don't need your service."

Just then, Eriri gently squeezed Eu's hand in hers.

Eu lifted her head at the touch, looking at Eriri with a hint of confusion.

Eriri didn't speak. She only gave Eu a smile before turning her attention to Seraphim.

"You're Seraphim, right? The reason you're looking for Eu is to revive the leader of your Vampire Ninjas, isn't it?"

Seraphim froze at the words, then nodded blankly.

"That's right… but how did you know that?"

"Don't worry about how I know. In fact, I can give you a little piece of information for free~"

Eriri smiled faintly as she looked at the still-kneeling Seraphim.

Because Seraphim's only top was a skimpy bandeau, and with her kneeling posture, Eriri had a clear view of the deep valley of her cleavage.

"What kind of information?"

"Nothing too major. Just that your Vampire Ninja leader isn't actually dead~"

"What!?"

Seraphim's eyes widened in shock, and she instantly leapt to her feet.

Chapter 315: A New World, Ah, My Brain Trembles

"Universe No. 1 has already been handed over to the engineering department for study. The research department plans to construct two more city-level pocket-universes of similar scale for experimentation."

"Research on law-based weapons is also proceeding in parallel. The Zero-Homer's mathematical deduction models don't apply under faster-than-light conditions, so new models are being built…"

"Controlled dimensional strike technology is still under testing. Observer has proposed several new experimental schemes, but the costs are high—Commander's approval is required…"

In the administrative center, reading the sophon's summary report, Setsuna nodded with satisfaction.

The three advanced technologies obtained from the Three-Body world were all progressing steadily.

The Bulins had created a pocket-universe, which had been handed to the research department for study. What remained was the mathematical law weapon.

This was essentially a causality weapon.

In a sense, it was also the most powerful among law-based weapons.

The Zero-Homers could use mathematical laws to deduce the development of a civilization, even the future of the entire universe.

Mastering mathematical law meant possessing the ability to invert cause and effect and foresee the future.

For Setsuna, it could likely be used in the future to deduce and manipulate the development and destiny of other worlds.

To ensure that those meant to appear would appear, and that events meant to happen would happen—without his own interference creating bugs.

It was nothing short of a divine weapon.

"Ugh… I suddenly feel like our research difficulty has increased by a whole tier."

The nanobot sitting beside Setsuna scratched its head.

"Just researching pocket-universe tech at the starbase has those little lolis stressed enough. I still have to drop by every few days to give them a pep talk."

"Now we're adding law-based weapons on top of that. Sigh, looks like more overtime again."

"How do you even encourage them? I've noticed Kayo Senju and the others have been very motivated."

Setsuna was curious.

Recently, the little lolis had been working overtime at the starbase every day. Even when they occasionally came to play on the Eternal Snowfall, they still brought their work with them.

Using time distortion to squeeze out hours for work made Setsuna and the shipgirls feel ashamed while they partied.

"I told them that after finishing pocket-universe research, the Commander would marry the entire research department."

Grey answered matter-of-factly.

"???"

Clang—

Ouch!

A fist landed squarely on her head.

"When did I ever agree to that?!"

Setsuna flicked her again, leaving the nanobot clutching its head.

"It was just to motivate them… Besides, making a universe-level pocket-universe and then stuffing it into the Eternal Snowfall is still years away, right? By then the lolis will have grown up—so it's fine."

"???"

"Is that the issue here?!"

Setsuna grabbed Grey's cheeks and lifted her up. The nanobot grimaced in pain.

"Look, those lolis spend every day at the starbase far from Earth, doing research for you."

"Give them a little something to look forward to…"

Grey argued with righteous conviction.

"But you can't arrange marriages for the Commander!! We're still waiting in line!!!"

Several shipgirls joined in to gang up on the nanobot.

"Commander, do we need to clear up this misunderstanding?"

Essex asked seriously.

"…"

Setsuna thought for a moment.

"No need. Clarifying it now would only discourage them."

"And honestly, I think they're rather cute. Just wait until they grow up."

"Hey?! Are you seriously raising lolis now?!"

Gudako was horrified.

Ever since the Black Bullet lolis first arrived at the capital, Setsuna had been their idol.

Years had passed, and some of the more precocious lolis had already developed strange ideas about the Commander.

Led by Kayo Senju, the research lolis were the smartest and most mature group—it wasn't surprising.

It was foreseeable that this would only become more common in the future.

After a round of noisy bickering—

Suddenly—

Shwoom—

A communication signal arrived.

The holographic interface opened before them.

"Hi, Mr. Lu, I hope we're not disturbing you?"

Roman and Da Vinci appeared on the screen.

During the last two communications, Setsuna had been tangled up with shipgirls. This time, things were finally a bit more normal.

"Oh, Chaldea?"

Setsuna and Gudako perked up.

"Already pinpointed a new Singularity? That was quick."

"Yes, this time it's located in 1888, London."

Dr. Roman nodded.

"Oh, the Fourth Singularity—Death City, London Fog. I know this one."

Setsuna didn't need much explanation. For the Starsea Empire, clearing a Singularity like this was nothing more than a straight push-through.

"I was planning to open a map or head to another world, but never mind. Let's help Chaldea with this first."

He stood and straightened his clothes.

Since he had agreed to help rebuild Human Order, there was no shirking.

"Mm… it'll be boring to go alone. I'll take a few with me. Who wants to come?"

As he picked companions—

Gudako tugged at his sleeve.

"Commander—no, Boss, could you give me a chance to show what I can do?"

"Huh?"

Setsuna looked at the girl with mild surprise.

"Um…"

Gudako hesitated for a bit, then lifted her head and spoke:

"Think about it. Rebuilding Human Order is supposed to be the Chaldean Master's responsibility, right?"

"Since meeting you, for every Singularity we've gone to, you've led the way. You're incredible. All I've had to do is follow and pick things up."

"But sometimes… I want to train myself too."

Originally, Roman and Da Vinci had entrusted her with the duty of saving Human Order.

But after Setsuna's arrival, Chaldea and the Starsea Empire had formed a partnership.

Each time they went to a Singularity, nominally it was the two of them, but in reality Gudako was just there to shout POG.

Jeanne Alter had been recruited by Setsuna. Goetia had been defeated by Setsuna. Blackbeard and Medea Lily had also been handled by Setsuna and the Spirits.

As the official Master of Chaldea, she had very little to do with it.

Once or twice was fine, but always being the cheerleader was making Ritsuka Fujimaru feel a bit empty.

"Are you sure?"

Setsuna asked again.

"Hey! I may not be as strong as you, but I'm not that weak either, okay? Clearing a Singularity isn't such a big deal."

"I promise I'll finish the mission. And the Heroic Spirits you want, I'll bring them back for you! Not a single one will be missing!"

Gudako pouted as she spoke.

"Only the girls."

"Ugh, obviously!!! You think I'd bring back some Berserker for you?!"

...

Half an hour later—

Setsuna, Gudako, and a few companions passed through the transfer point and arrived at Chaldea.

"So, that's roughly the situation."

"This time Fujimaru Ritsuka will take the lead in clearing the Fourth Singularity. I'll provide support."

After brief greetings, Setsuna explained the matter to Roman.

"Oh?"

Roman was a little surprised, then thought for a moment:

"Actually, that's a good thing. As Chaldea's Master, she can't always live under someone else's protection."

Da Vinci also nodded in agreement:

"It's not good to always rely on Mr. Setsuna either. It's time she bore some responsibility on her own."

"???"

Gudako felt that after years of Master absenteeism, Setsuna's presence in Chaldea was stronger than hers.

"This Singularity isn't complicated. There isn't much of value to worry about—just fight through the enemies along the way."

Setsuna gave Gudako a brief rundown of the Fourth Singularity.

Compared to the later Camelot and Babylonia, the Death World in the City of Demonic Fog was far simpler, and the story wasn't even very convoluted.

It was indeed suitable for Gudako to train herself.

Then, he pointed at a few companions:

"Elma, Duke of York, Prince of Wales, King George V, Howe… you go with her."

"OK."

The dragon girl and shipgirls agreed.

"Nineteenth-century London? Perfect chance to visit. Heh…"

The George V-class shipgirls showed interest, curious to see another world's British Empire.

"Be careful, don't overexert yourselves."

Da Vinci reminded them repeatedly.

"Relax. These few could crush the Trisolarans flat. A Singularity is nothing."

Ritsuka Fujimaru's lips twitched.

She felt the companions Setsuna had assigned were far too strong. Once again, she might just be left picking up scraps.

"Tsk, too bad those slime creatures are locked up in the zoo now. Otherwise, someday, making the Trisolarans fight the Vanguard of the Umbral Star would've been quite a show…"

"?"

"Wait."

Roman and Da Vinci looked utterly baffled.

"What are Trisolarans??!"

...

[Anti-Summon System, Activate]

[Commencing Spiritron Transfer]

[Time until Spiritron Transfer begins…]

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1…"

[Process Complete!]

[Fourth Singularity: Mist City: London]

...

With the mechanical voice of the spiritron transfer system echoing—

Gudako and her team waved goodbye to Setsuna and Dr. Roman.

When they opened their eyes again—

They had landed in a city shrouded in fog.

Year 1888, London.

The architecture carried a strong period style. There were almost no pedestrians on the streets, and every building had its doors and windows shut tight.

A thick fog blanketed the city, visibility less than half a meter.

Thud—

Gudako took only a few steps before smacking her head against a lamppost.

"Tch, was 19th-century London pollution this bad?"

She rubbed her forehead, sniffled, and then realized—

This wasn't smog from the Industrial Revolution. It was magical fog that could harm the human body.

Of course, for her, the dragon girl, and the shipgirls, it was nothing.

"Oh, so this is the anomaly of this Singularity?"

Projected into the field, Dr. Roman examined the surroundings.

"As always, you need to locate this world's Holy Grail, then destroy or recover it."

"That should restore things back to normal."

"Why bother? It's just some magic fog, right?"

Elma shook her head and stepped forward.

She raised her hand, a red magic circle appearing between her fingers.

"Clear Skies!"

Fwoosh—

A beam of light shot into the sky.

Immediately, sunlight broke through the clouds, shining down onto the streets and sweeping away the thick fog.

As a demi-god dragon girl, this was trivial for Elma.

Within minutes—

The entire city was clear.

Sunlight bathed the earth, and a rainbow stretched across the horizon.

Every trace of darkness was banished under the blazing sun.

"…"

Roman was speechless.

"Uh, so should we still follow the usual procedure, or do something else?"

Gudako looked at the shipgirls and dragon girl for input.

"Same as before—recover the Holy Grail first, then recruit Heroic Spirits."

The Duke of York scanned the city and surrounding area, marking several points on the holographic interface.

"Oh, right. According to the Commander, Solomon will show up in the end to act cool, but he's actually a Beast, isn't he?"

"What should we do with him?"

Gudako suddenly remembered.

"…"

"I'll go a few rounds with him."

"Firepower saturation."

The shipgirls and dragon girl gave two nearly identical answers.

"…Fine."

"Let's find Mordred first. Her dad's still in the capital eating, after all."

"Hopefully the two of them won't fight when they meet later?!"

...

After sending Gudako off to clear the Singularity—

Setsuna returned to the administrative center.

Shwoom—

He pulled up the Hyperdimensional Star Map.

The Three-Body Problem world had been nearly fully conquered. Perhaps once dimensional and spatial technologies reached a high enough level, it would be possible to attempt a universe restart experiment there.

From the last batch of discovered worlds, two remained: KonoSuba and Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

"Hmm… Gudako left using the transfer anchor. The cooldown on spatial piercing is over."

"Should we conquer another world now? Or scout the map first?"

He thought for a moment, then checked the map again.

It was time to find some new neighbors and spread a little love and peace.

He focused on the star map, using his mental power to disperse the fog.

Bzzt—

Since becoming a Juggernaut, his spiritual power had grown immensely.

In the past, locating "neighbors" across the multiverse exhausted his spirit. Now, it only made him sweat a little.

Soon, four civilizations were projected on the star map:

[Shokugeki no Soma (Pre-Space Age)]

[Neon Genesis Evangelion (Pre-Space Age)]

[Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World (Tier II Magic Age)]

[Darling in the Franxx (Space Age)]

"Oh? Four worlds detected this time? Not bad."

Setsuna looked closely.

"Tch, all noobs…"

Two pre-space natives, one magic world, one space age.

Two of the series were already a bit old.

Shokugeki no Soma.

A cooking world.

Basically, in Japan there was an elite culinary school—Totsuki Academy. Any disputes there could be resolved through cooking battles, or shokugeki.

It also had another name—Food Wars.

The chefs' cooking often came with special effects. At the light end, clothes exploded off people after one bite. At the heavy end, they collapsed blushing on the ground, unable to rise, like they'd just undergone a dozen IV drips.

"We could bring some chefs from that world to improve the food at our base."

Setsuna thought it might be worth it.

These pre-space natives didn't require him to personally go. Like with the Catgirls and Horse Girls, sending a small squad of shipgirls and Angeloids would suffice.

Shokugeki?

Sure, maybe our cooking isn't as good. But if I deploy a starship for orbital bombardment—how will you respond, huh?!

Re:Zero.

Setsuna's mind recalled only a few keywords:

Ram and Rem.

Apple stand.

Ah~~ my brain trembles.

It was the story of a boy transported to another world, gaining only one ability: Return by Death.

—When killed, he would respawn at a set point like in a game.

Then he kept dying and reviving, struggling desperately against enemies.

The Witch Cult Sin Archbishops' powers were flashy, torturing Subaru endlessly.

But flashy was all they were.

Whenever Setsuna encountered a magic world, he always asked three soul questions:

Could its strongest fighter beat an Spirit or dragon girl?

Did it have means to counter FTL starships?

Could it withstand planetary bombardment or even star-crushing firepower?

If the answer to all three was no, then it posed no threat.

It could be enjoyed as a leisure world to pick up girls.

And then turned into a vassal state.

Had he encountered Re:Zero a few years earlier, it might have been troublesome.

Now…

The Royal Maid team could soon gain a few new members.

As for the other two worlds—

Setsuna's expression turned subtle.

Neon Genesis Evangelion and Darling in the Franxx.

The latter's name was often shortened to Franxx, but due to its high-profile production team, fans usually just called it the National Team.

Both were mecha anime.

EVA was about teenagers piloting Evangelion units—giant humanoid weapons—to battle mysterious beings known as Angels attacking Tokyo-3.

The setting was extremely complex, and the Evas weren't even strictly mecha. Unit-01 was essentially a divine body, more like a biological entity.

Franxx told the story of humanity piloting mecha to fight monsters called klaxosaurs.

The first half of the series was solid, but the latter half… abstract beyond belief.

Still, its mecha designs were iconic. Strelizia was cool, Strelizia True Apus was even flashier, and of course, 02 was beloved.

The only catch—the mecha required a boy and girl dual pilot system, and the piloting positions were a bit… questionable. Almost like fanservice.

"Come to think of it, wasn't Gudako recently complaining that Barbatos was too weak…?"

Setsuna remembered something.

"Shame she left too early. Otherwise, I should've asked her—would she rather pilot Unit-01 or Strelizia?"

"Or maybe we just mash the three mecha systems together? Hm, is there a Gurren Lagann world I can hit so I can skip straight to the top?!…"

Chapter 314: Jade—I Would Never Join Hands with You

The Aha mask suddenly sprang back to life, floating in midair.

"Lady Sparkle, you really worked hard for the sake of joy In this regard, you are no weaker than Aha myself"

"But oh, how sad for Aha. From the beginning I have never been respected. And now, to be ordered around like a beast of burden—it's too tragic, too pitiful, too weak and innocent~"

Sparkle clapped her hands, arms akimbo. Though she too was one of the Masked Fools of the Tavern, none of them ever gave much respect to the Aeon of Joy. They were Masked Fools, not rule-abiding types.

To the Masked Fools, it was not that they had chosen the Path of Elation—it was that the Path of Elation had chosen them. The Aeon of Joy had rushed up to deliver them a Path.

"After all, you too must be anticipating this joy that will shake the cosmos, adding the greatest fun to an already chaotic universe, hehe."

"If you wish to loiter at my side doing nothing, that won't please me in the least. Consider this my fee for your admission ticket, fufufu~"

As for whether the Aeon of Joy would comply? As a Masked Fool, Sparkle knew full well the Aeon certainly would. For an Aeon of Joy, being asked by a Masked Fool to act was, in itself, the greatest joy.

The Aha mask shifted into a face of exaggerated sorrow. "Uwuuwu Fine, fine. I, poor Aha, am fated only to be bullied"

Sparkle tilted her head curiously, then teased with laughter. "I, Sparkle, as a proto-Aeon, can sense in some unreachable dimension of this cosmos the grandest concert ever performed. So tell me, Aeon of Joy, what role do you play there?"

"The lead? The clown? Or perhaps…"

According to the abyssal beasts, she was already a supergalactic figure, nearing the scale of cosmic structure itself.

Naturally, she could perceive that in some dimension beyond her sight, an Aeon war was raging—and one where every Aeon had entered the field.

And among them was the Aeon of Joy.

The entire universe trembled from that war. Were it not for some incomprehensible power sealing away its aftershocks, such a battle would have destroyed the universe outright.

The Aha mask fell silent for a moment, then grinned cheekily again.

"Amazing, amazing~ As expected of the new Aeon of Joy meant to replace me. You're nearly catching up to what I once was. Fufufu, joy—so much joy, hahaha…"

His Pathstrider was absurdly strong, and not even an Emanator of his Path. She could define her own Elation.

It was for this reason he had split a wisp of his will to follow her around in search of joy.

After all, she was not his Elation Emanator—what greater joy could there be than that?

And compared to all the Emanators of Elation he had empowered in the past, she was far stronger. Nearly second only to the insect to whom he once gave his entire power for the sake of joy.

Before becoming an Aeon, he himself had been only slightly stronger than Sparkle now. At that time, by his own strength alone, he had clawed his way out of his universe, climbing the branches of the Tree of Existence.

The Sparkle standing before him already possessed the ability to do the same—to leave her universe and attempt that same mad feat.

"For me, Aha, this is simply too joyous. Even if I were dethroned as an Aeon this instant, I'd still be delighted beyond measure."

Even stripped of the Aeon's seat, he would still wield power rivaling one.

"Since Lady Sparkle has given me such joy, I too shall grant you this one small wish. But only once~"

The Aha mask coughed twice, as though transforming into a clownish sports commentator.

"Cough, cough, here we go, here we go! The great commentator Aha is live at the scene!"

"This match is extremely fierce. The competitor from another universe is tremendously powerful—surely their champion. Alone, he seeks to face our side's eleven players!"

"The enemy competitor is brimming with confidence. Of course, he has the strength to back it up. Look! He makes the first move…"

As Sparkle listened to Aha's playful commentary, she grasped what the Aeons were presently doing.

She was stunned at the might of the Aeons from another universe—one being battling eleven Aeons alone, even holding the upper hand for the moment.

Eleven Aeons at once! The scene was unimaginable.

Yet she soon learned this was only temporary. The opponent was indeed powerful, but in a prolonged war lasting thousands of years, the Aeons would eventually prevail.

As Sparkle left the Radiant Feldspar and walked through the Dreamscape Hotel, she continued listening to Aha's commentator-style broadcast in real time.

...

The Dreamscape Hotel was now filled with middle and upper echelons of various great powers, all having fled there.

These figures, following orders, were in the process of inviting Robin to the temporary headquarters of the Interastral Peace Corporation.

"Miss Robin, at present, this is the matter that the highest leaders of the great powers request of you."

"There is no doubt that you alone are the one who can inherit the legacy of Order. You are the sole hope for the billions of races that have gathered in Penacony. We sincerely hope you will take part."

Among the Ten Stonehearts, Jade herself acted as the diplomat to speak with Robin.

Jade well understood the fear gripping the highest echelons of power, as well as the refugees who had fled there. Knowing there was only one hope, they would surely fall into desperate frenzy.

She did not worry much for her own safety. She had tested it already—though the abyssal beasts had scrutinized her, they had not immediately leapt upon her.

She considered herself not a good person, yet she had not been judged as residue to be cleansed away. That alone had been a pleasant surprise.

It seemed that though she bore guilt, it was not guilt warranting death.

In truth, it was only Noah's subconscious unwillingness to let a familiar female figure vanish before he could even react. All was subject to his will.

I must not commit further sins. Otherwise, the abyssal beasts will attack me as well.

Since she was not deemed inevitable residue, naturally she would not join hands with those others. To avoid harm and seek benefit—that was her logic of survival.

Jade continued: "Of course, whether you participate is your own choice, Miss Robin. I am only here to deliver the message."

"But I hope you will not refuse. Refusal does you no good—and may even bring you harm."

Robin had long been troubled by Penacony's current predicament. Even though she held concerts every day, using her songs to soothe the restless masses, she could clearly feel the people's fear and unease growing heavier with each passing moment.

She knew that if things continued like this, Penacony would soon collapse.

As a galactic superstar and messenger of peace, she had performed on countless war-torn planets, bringing peace to civilizations through her voice.

Thus she understood well—chaos was inevitable, and it was only a matter of time.

In truth, riots and war should have erupted already. It was only the legacy of Order that forcibly decreed no intelligent life in Penacony Galaxy could shake the existing order.

Thus, the entire galaxy was still bound by the family's laws. Not even Emanators could defy them.

And what if one did? Even the slightest violation would transform the offender into a stone statue for an entire day—Emanators included.

Yet Penacony's laws contained many loopholes, and were lax in places. Murder, robbery, and other crimes still abounded.

She had already foreseen that the great powers would force the family into negotiations.

But she had not expected it would be her, and not her elder brother Sunday.

Still less had she expected that she would be the only one able to inherit the legacy of Order—the sole hope for the countless civilizations and races gathered in Penacony.

Robin sighed, melancholy but composed. "Miss Jade, since everyone believes I am the only hope, why would you wish me to refuse?"

"I know anything related to Aeons is extremely dangerous. Or, if I am treated as the sole savior, I will become the target of all."

"Even had you not come today, I would still have been caught between enemies on all sides."

For Robin, who was not only a superstar but also politically astute, the pros and cons were plain to see.

"I could think of this as you trying to comfort me, or perhaps as you wanting me to help you as much as I can?"

Jade shook her head gently. "You overthink, Miss Robin. Perhaps before, I might have thought that way. But now, I sincerely hope you refuse."

"After all, I am not one the abyssal beasts will attack. Unlike others, if I were to push you into danger, perhaps I would be judged guilty."

"Moreover, with your intelligence, you already know your situation. I can only say—no one can change it."

Even if Robin refused, the great powers would publicize the news of her being the sole savior. Then all of Penacony would push her forward.

Could she still run? And even if she fled, the Emanators would drag her back.

By then, all pretense would be gone.

In the end, they would rather destroy all of Penacony.

One must never underestimate the baseness of human nature.

Sunday's face darkened. "Disgusting." He sighed, looking apologetically at Robin. "I'm sorry, Robin. Faced with such a dilemma, as your brother I am powerless."

Robin shook her head. "This isn't your fault. No one can stop it. Look—even the Emanators cannot change their fate."

"Perhaps this is my destiny. And maybe inheriting the legacy of Order won't be dangerous at all?"

"Only… it would make me a traitor to my family."

If she refused to inherit, the great powers would lash out in desperation. For even if they forced her, how could they trust she wouldn't turn on them once she succeeded?

But if she willingly inherited, she might at least keep them in check. And if she truly succeeded…

Ever since the black beast tide's mechanism of selection had appeared, she had come to believe that though cruel, it was correct.

Though she believed in Harmony—that every individual was part of the collective, all equal—she had also questioned equality. If a sinner repented, were they truly innocent again? What of the victims killed by those sinners—how pitiful their fate?

If she did inherit the legacy of Order, then she certainly would not protect the guilty.

At that moment, a cheerful voice suddenly rang out.

"Fufufu my, my. Didn't I say, Lady Sparkle, that this stage play—you'll perform whether you want to or not Look—superstar, winged boy, the audience already holds their tickets for the concert~"

A doll of Sparkle sitting in the corner spoke out.

Jade glanced over, thoughtful. "Oh? The Emanator of Elation?"

It was no secret to the higher powers that an Emanator of Elation had appeared in Penacony.

Sunday clenched his fists, his voice edged with anger. "A Masked Fool… Truly, you appear everywhere. You're the one pulling strings from behind, aren't you?"

"Fufufu an angry little winged boy is quite amusing too But no, Lady Sparkle hasn't pulled the strings. I merely added a little extra fun onto the foundation already there. You don't mind, do you? Even if you do, little winged boy, you can't touch Lady Sparkle anyway~"

Robin hurriedly asked, "Wait, Miss Sparkle—you just mentioned the audience?" Having dealt with the Masked Fools many times, she knew there was always something hidden in their words.

"Don't worry, don't worry Step outside the guest hall and see for yourself Off I go—Lady Sparkle needs to find the best seat for the show~"

The Sparkle doll suddenly burst apart, scattering countless flower petals across the hall.

Robin immediately stood and ran for the door, with Sunday and Jade quickly following.

Creaaak—the moment the door opened, before their eyes lay the broad avenues of Penacony. Countless people were crowded together, cheering as though welcoming a president.

Fireworks exploded in the sky, colorful ribbons fluttered everywhere.

Jade's eyes widened. "We were just in the Dreamscape Hotel…" She spun around.

What stood behind them was no hotel conference hall, but a grand opera house.

"Spatial transfer… or something else?"

[Fufufu… Spatial transfer? No, no. This is simply a Fool's trick~ Quickly now, greet your audience.]

"Miss Robin! We all know it now—you can inherit the Aeon's legacy, saving us from the beast tide!"

"Great Miss Robin! I'm your fan! Please, save us!"

"Miss Robin!" "Miss Robin!" "Please, we beg you!" "Miss Robin!"

The moment Robin appeared, cheers erupted like a storm.

All across Penacony, balloons appeared. When they burst, they spread prophecies before everyone's eyes—prophecies of Robin as the savior, and how she would protect them all from the black beast tide.

No one doubted them, for these prophecies came from Pathstriders of the Aeon of Hope.

Though the Aeon of Hope had appeared only briefly, and few ever walked that Path, each one brought forth unimaginable turns of fate—the strangest of all people.

"Miss Robin!"

"Miss Robin!"

The cheers echoed across Penacony, as though the entire planet rejoiced.

Chapter 33: As Fellow Women, Why Make Things Difficult?

Bang!!

On the rooftops of Sighișoara, violet lightning and crimson sparks clashed like entwining dragons, blinding sparks bursting forth as deafening crashes of steel rang through the night. The rapid exchange was like the rattling fire of a machine gun, shaking the very air with its frequency!

If not for the sturdiness of the rooftop beneath them, it would have long since collapsed from the force of their battle.

The Shogun's Engulfing Lightning and Mordred's Clarent collided again and again, each clash unleashing shockwaves that whipped up sand and dust. Violet arcs and crimson slashes crisscrossed the surface, carving deep gouges into the rooftop.

The Shogun spun and slashed her naginata at Mordred's neck.

"—!"

Szzzt!

Mordred dropped low, ignoring the weight of her armor, bending back at extreme speed to let the blade graze just above her. Even so, the searing heat of the lightning-imbued edge stung her face.

She did not stop there—while ducking, Mordred slashed horizontally with her sword, aiming at the Shogun's ankle!

The Shogun's gaze flicked downward, her movement seamless as she withdrew her foot just in time. With fluid grace, she twirled her naginata around her slender waist, her strikes flowing endlessly in a deadly, storm-like dance. Though graceful and elegant like a woman's dance, each motion carried lethal force.

Every spin of her blade was wreathed in lightning, forcing Mordred onto the defensive. Step after step, the red Saber stumbled back, desperately raising Clarent to ward off the Shogun's relentless onslaught.

This woman's a Saber?! She fights like a damn Lancer!!

Mordred snarled inwardly, sweat prickling at her brow.

Swish, swish!

The spinning naginata didn't simply target her torso. With liquid transitions, its blade swept for her neck, then her waist, then back again, constantly shifting angles in a pattern Mordred couldn't predict.

"Tch… A Saber using a polearm like that? That's cheating!!"

And indeed—her complaint held weight. With her shorter sword, Mordred was at a clear disadvantage. Against this range and tempo, she had no chance to counter, only to block clumsily.

"There is no dishonor in martial skill. Only strength and weakness—"

The Shogun's calm voice cut through the clash, utterly steady, as though this ferocious dance cost her no effort at all.

Clang!

At last, Mordred forced an opening, catching the spinning naginata against her crossguard. Their weapons locked. The Shogun halted with effortless poise, her legs crossed elegantly as she stood unmoving, expression tranquil as still water.

"—Only what proves effective is a true technique."

Her words finished the thought, violet eyes locking with Mordred's burning green.

"…Ha! I didn't expect such arrogant crap to come out of your mouth."

Mordred grinned manically, her eyes wild.

"I just don't get it. Why the hell is Black's Saber someone like you? Some stuck-up, stone-faced woman!"

She spat the words in a growl.

"Ignorant nonsense. To an enemy, this vessel shall never show a smile. And besides—you, too, are a woman, so why—"

"You… say that again!! You damn woman!!"

Mordred snapped at the word "woman," her entire body erupting in scarlet mana. With a furious roar, the surge blasted the Shogun back.

Bang!

Her crimson aura flared like fire, enveloping her entirely. With a stomp, she lunged, her sword striking in a whirlwind of blows!

Whoosh! ×N

Crimson arcs rained down like tangled threads. The Shogun narrowed her eyes, her body dissolving into lightning, slipping past each strike with perfect precision. When necessary, she turned aside the slashes with her naginata.

"Quit dodging!!!"

Mordred howled. Her blade now glowed with surging red lightning, her overflowing mana making the debris around them levitate.

Vrrrm—!

Slash!

With a fierce sweep, she unleashed a massive arc of crimson energy, tearing through concrete and air alike!

The Shogun responded in kind, her weapon humming with her own sword energy. Leaping lightly back, she spun her naginata, then swept it upward in a powerful rising slash.

Whoosh!

The Shogun's lightning-clad blade released a slash equal in size to Mordred's sword beam.

Boom!

Crash!

The two waves of energy collided, erupting in a massive resonance of mana. Flames spread outward from the impact, rising into a fiery cloud. The intense heat melted the surrounding concrete, and the rooftop collapsed under the destruction.

Through the firelight, a streak of violet lightning flashed, revealing the Shogun as she reappeared on the street below. Her expression carried a faint trace of apology as she glanced at the destroyed building. The Holy Grail War often brought devastation of this scale—but what would the civilians think afterward? What excuses would the organizers provide? She did not know.

Bang!

Mordred burst out from the rubble, standing before her once more.

"Heh… not bad at dodging. Now let's really fight! Don't you dare run from me!"

She sneered, her tone half-taunt, half-admiration. Despite her mockery, Mordred herself was forced to admit the Shogun's strength—few could meet her sword beams head-on. She had already heard that this Saber had fought Lancer to a standstill. No wonder Shirou Kotomine had called the bluish purple-haired Saber a grave threat to Red, one that must be eliminated.

"Foolish question. If I don't dodge, do you expect me to simply let you wound me?"

The Shogun's reply was flat. What was the point of taking unnecessary injuries? She was no masochist.

"Heh… You always wear that stiff face, but now and then you let slip a sarcastic line. Hah! Don't tell me you actually have a sense of humor, woman?"

For once, Mordred flashed a genuine grin.

"No person shows only one side. What they reveal to others is but a thousandth of their true heart."

The Shogun answered calmly.

"Oh~? Is that so? Then what about you? Beneath that emotionless mask, is there a soft, 'gentle' heart?"

Mordred smirked, drawing out the word "gentle," her tone dripping with mockery.

"I hear only ridicule in your words…"

The Shogun narrowed her violet eyes slightly, her tone still calm and without anger—merely stating the truth.

"Damn right I'm ridiculing you! You sniping coward—acting like some boring, stone-faced woman, lecturing me about human hearts!"

Mordred laughed wildly at her, unrestrained.

"Is that so… Yet aren't you the same? A woman who refuses to acknowledge her own womanhood. Are you mocking yourself as well?"

The Shogun raised Engulfing Lightning once more, her tone uncharacteristically tinged with mockery. The faint curve at the corner of her lips formed a small, mischievous smile—almost cute, contradicting Mordred's accusation of her being emotionless.

"You damn woman… Dare you say that again?!!"

Mordred's body trembled with rage, her face twisting as she glared at her.

"Did you not hear me clearly?"

The Shogun tilted her head slightly, feigning confusion. Then, obliging her foe's fury, she repeated the words in the exact same tone.

"A woman who refuses to admit she is a woman—"

"I'll cut your head off!!!"

Boom!!

Unable to endure further, Mordred erupted with mana, charging at her in a frenzy!

So she did hear it clearly… Then why insist I repeat it? What a waste of breath.

The Shogun pouted inwardly with the faintest trace of a complaint, readying her stance as the rabid Saber lunged once more.

Within the Plane of Euthymia, Ei slowly opened her eyes…

Since when did this child learn how to quarrel?

However—

Just as Mordred closed the distance, a sharp voice rang in her ears—her Master, Kairi Sisigou.

[Saber, fall back!]

"—! Tch…"

Hearing his call, Mordred froze mid-charge. Her body skidded forward a few paces before she stopped, understanding instantly—her Master must be in danger. This was no time to drag out a fight. With one last hateful glare at the Shogun, she dissolved into red light and vanished.

"…"

The Shogun lowered her naginata slightly, her mind racing. An ominous intuition spread within her. For Mordred to retreat so suddenly, it could only mean her Master had ordered it. Which meant… she had likely returned to his side.

And at this very moment, he was locked in combat with Fiore—

Her brows furrowed.

That girl is in danger!

Without hesitation, she became a streak of violet lightning, vanishing with a crack of thunder from where she stood.

Chapter 32: A Saber Who Cannot Use a Bow Is No Good Archer~

Boom!

The explosion below was visible from the top of the clock tower, flames and smoke rising into the night. Having just loosed an arrow, the Shogun did not pause—her hands were already setting another long arrow onto the string.

Crackle—!

The moment the bow, Thundering Pulse, was drawn, lightning surged along its string, gathering in dazzling intensity around the arrow.

"Shogun… did it work?"

Beside her, Fiore lifted her gaze toward the blazing city streets and asked.

"It struck true… but not fatally. The enemy has lost mobility, however."

The Shogun answered calmly, then loosed another arrow with a sharp swish.

"I see… And Saber?"

"She evaded the first strike. Her skill with the sword is not to be underestimated."

Just as expected, this second shot was intercepted—the opponent had been prepared. The arrow achieved nothing but to expose their location. Yet this, too, was within their plan…

If all went as predicted… Assassin would retreat, and Saber would charge straight for them. Just like now.

From atop the sixty-four-meter tower, they could clearly see a streak of red light surging from afar, rushing toward them like a raging crimson dragon.

"…Target has withdrawn."

Sensing Assassin's disappearance, the Shogun spoke softly to Fiore.

"Mm. Then as planned, we'll shift our focus to Red's Saber. Shogun, I'll leave Saber to you. I'll deal with her Master—Kairi Sisigou."

The best outcome from the earlier arrow would have been a double kill. But plans rarely kept pace with reality, and Fiore had already accounted for this in her alternate strategy.

Hearing her words, the Shogun turned her eyes on her Master. For just an instant, her movements—meant to intercept Saber—stalled.

"U-um… wh-what is it?"

Caught under her gaze, Fiore flushed slightly, asking in a low voice.

"…Can you truly manage it?"

The Shogun's tone carried uncertainty.

"Eh?"

"In combat… you intend to face the enemy's Master yourself. Will that be alright?"

Her eyes drifted meaningfully toward Fiore's legs, suspended powerless in the air. In such a state… how could she fight?

Not even a second had passed, and Fiore, unaware of the subtle hesitation, only smiled faintly.

"Hehe… Is the Shogun worried for me? I'm glad. But rest assured—I'll be fine. I'll stall Sisigou so you can focus on Saber."

Because that was her role as the Shogun's Master—her partner in battle.

"I see… In that case, I'll say no more. But… do not push yourself needlessly."

The unspoken meaning was clear: if danger came, call her, and she would appear.

"Mm, I understand."

Clack—!

Boom!

The very next moment, Fiore hurled herself from the sixty-four-meter tower, borne aloft by her mechanical claws without restraint!

A fall that would reduce any normal human to pulp was nothing to her now. Like a hunting leopard, her mechanical talons dug into the walls in quick succession, sparks flying as she descended, until she landed with perfect balance upon the rooftops. Then, with long mechanical strides, she charged straight toward Kairi.

"—!"

From the street below, Mordred spotted her figure and moved to intercept. But the Shogun did not allow it.

Another arrow was nocked, loosed unhesitatingly at Mordred's head!

Swish!

Mordred's instincts flared. She abandoned her strike at Fiore and gritted her teeth, swinging her crimson-lit sword at the oncoming thunderbolt arrow.

Boom!

The explosion scattered smoke and sparks. Through it, the red Saber burst forth, racing with beastlike speed across rooftops, leaping onto the wall of the tower, and sprinting vertically upward toward the Shogun's position.

The Shogun tilted her head slightly, watching the armored knight claw her way up the sheer wall like a rabid hound. Her eyes narrowed. Then she calmly drew again, bowstring humming with violet lightning as she loosed another arrow straight downward.

Crackle—!

The lightning-charged shaft shot forth from the bowstring, streaking like a thunderbolt toward Mordred below!

The arrow split apart mid-flight into multiple violet beams, raining down toward Mordred from every angle!

"Tch!"

Clicking her tongue, Mordred's body blurred into crimson light, weaving through the incoming beams at blistering speed. Explosions burst around her, smoke and dust cloaking her form… until she suddenly leapt free of the haze, springing straight to the top of the tower—right before the Shogun's eyes. For that brief instant, their gazes locked.

Violet lightning surged in the Shogun's eyes, while Mordred's green gaze burned with fury and defiance. One pair was cold and merciless, the other blazing with rage.

"Damn it… Just looking you in the eye pisses me off!! Bastard!!"

Mordred roared, her blade swirling with crimson mana until it became a raging vortex, which she slashed furiously at the violet-haired woman before her.

The Shogun showed no change in expression. In the instant the blow descended, her figure dissolved into lightning.

Boom!!

Mordred's strike smashed into the clock tower below, detonating in a fiery blast that turned the structure into a blazing torch. Even Kairi's bounded field could do nothing against destruction on this scale.

Reappearing behind her foe, the Shogun released an arrow point-blank into Mordred's back.

Bang!

Mordred reacted instantly, blocking with her sword across her chest. The Shogun leapt back lightly, then bent into a back-arching dive off the ruined tower. Mid-fall, she nocked and loosed another arrow upward at her foe.

Clash!

Mordred deflected it with a sweep of her sword, then launched herself from the tower as well, bracing her feet against the wall and sprinting downward in pursuit.

Still in descent, the Shogun vanished into lightning once more, reappearing upon the rooftop opposite. There, she loosed a final arrow—not at Mordred, but into the heavens.

Whoosh!

The thunderbolt arrow pierced the sky. Instantly, the clouds above churned with surging light.

Crackle!

A heartbeat later, countless lightning pillars poured down from the stormy heavens!

And yet, as expected of a Saber—Mordred was undaunted. Dodging through the fiery gaps, the armored knight tore through the thunderous onslaught, breaking past the storm to stand once again before the Shogun.

How different she was from that loudmouthed green-haired punk before…

Tap, tap…

Mordred stepped forward, unfastening her helmet to reveal her true face.

"Hey… You're supposed to be Saber, right? So what's with the bow? Stop looking down on me, damn it!!"

Her furious shout rang out.

"As you wish."

The Shogun remained unmoved by the provocation. Calmly, she released the bow Thundering Pulse into motes of light. Then, interlacing her fingers, she drew forth a storm of violet lightning between her palms.

As her hands spread apart, the storm took form—a naginata wreathed in violet thunder. Lightning swirled about her body as she vanished into a bolt of light, reappearing instantly before Mordred.

"—!"

Mordred's eyes went wide. Even she couldn't keep up with that speed!

"You're too slow."

The Shogun's voice was low as her naginata descended mercilessly toward Mordred's head.

"Tch!"

Mordred gritted her teeth, stepping back and raising her sword horizontally to catch the strike.

Crash!

The impact shook the rooftop, nearly collapsing it beneath them.

The Shogun's expression never changed. Twisting her wrist, she slid the naginata's blade sideways across Mordred's weapon, aiming to shear into her grip.

Shriek!!

Steel ground against steel with a piercing screech. Mordred narrowed her eyes against the sparks, flipping her sword upright to catch the naginata against her crossguard.

Seeing the opening, Mordred lashed out with her leg, trying to sweep the Shogun. But the Shogun's eyes flicked down once, and her right leg snapped back instantly, her counter-kick slamming into Mordred's knee.

Thud!

Mordred blocked with her leg, the two of them forcing apart with a clash. The kick drove her backward, sending the two combatants skidding to opposite ends of the rooftop.

And as they separated, behind the Shogun the Chakra Desiderata slowly unfolded, the wheel of all wishes and a hundred eyes opening in silence.

Chapter 31: Thundering Pulse

In one corner of the city of Sighișoara, a dense, ashen fog had gathered… From within, flashes of blinding red light occasionally burst forth, accompanied by the sound of clashing blades!

"You little brat! Don't underestimate me!!"

Crackle, crackle!

Mordred tore off the helmet of her armor, revealing her face, as she raised her red-and-white sword, roaring toward the unseen Assassin.

"Red Lightning!!"

Boom!!

With her shout, a surge of crimson lightning entwined her blade, flooding it with mana. As she swung, the storm of power burst outward, scattering the suffocating fog around her!

The red light cut through the haze, revealing directly before her the small figure of Assassin—Jack the Ripper, staring blankly in surprise.

"—!"

Jack frowned instinctively, biting her lip, glaring at the red Saber with utter loathing.

"It's over! You little brat—if you want to bawl your eyes out, better do it while you still have a head! Once it's chopped off, there won't even be crying left for you!!"

Mordred's taunts poured out like oil on fire.

"Heh…"

The short-haired girl only sneered disdainfully. From beneath her bangs, her eyes gleamed with a terrifying blood-red light.

"I don't want to~ My tummy's still hungry!"

She replied in a childish tone.

Swish, swish!

Spinning her two strangely shaped daggers in a flourish, she crouched low, preparing to lunge once more.

"So you still won't give up, brat…"

Mordred smirked coldly, gripping her sword tighter, red mana gathering steadily along its blade.

Now that the fog had been dispersed, the heavy pressure weighing her down had lifted as well. She was Saber—how could she possibly lose to an Assassin? No matter how one looked at it, her victory was certain!

From behind, Kairi Sisigou crouched cautiously behind his car, peeking out to observe the fight. He scanned the surroundings carefully—no civilians in sight. The bounded field he had laid beforehand had worked, dispersing the unrelated. Otherwise, a battle of this scale would have certainly drawn a massive crowd.

Still… one thing worried him—

Because the bounded field excluded ordinary people, if anyone entered, it could only mean a magus or a Servant. Worse, it meant they were already being targeted.

Right now, all he wanted was for Saber to finish the fight quickly. The longer it dragged on, the worse it became. After all, news of Jack the Ripper would have reached the Black Faction by now. Which meant… they could already be on their way—or worse—

Already here!

As if to confirm his fears, a sharp sting pulsed in his palm. It was the sign of someone breaching the barrier. Just as he dreaded!

"Saber!!"

He leapt up, shouting toward her. But it was already too late—Mordred and Jack had charged each other once more!

I'll win this!!

Mordred raised her sword, already foreseeing the outcome. Her strike was aimed squarely at the girl's neck. In just seconds, her head would fly. Surely Jack thought the same.

But fate had other plans—

Just as she charged, Mordred heard her Master's voice. Trusting him, she instantly understood his warning carried meaning.

"—!" ×2

In the next moment, an overwhelming chill of killing intent surged over them both. Though she couldn't pinpoint the source, Mordred knew—

She… no, both of them had been targeted! Jack too felt the same murderous pressure.

The next second, a gale ripped from above!

Swish!!!

Like a meteor streaking across the pitch-black heavens, a thunder-charged arrow tore through the sky, falling straight toward them! The sheer pressure of the airflow nearly overturned Kairi's car.

"Tch!!"

Mordred's body reacted faster than her mind—her feet slammed the ground in an extreme brake, twisting her stance, her head snapping violently to the side as she barely dodged. Her entire body spun through the air in the process.

Crackle, crackle!

Swish!!

The thunder-charged arrow ripped through the air with such force it made the very atmosphere tremble. It would have pierced straight through the back of Mordred's head had she not narrowly twisted aside, cold sweat breaking across her skin.

Time seemed to slow. Midair, she forced her body into an extreme turn. At the angle of her fall, her eyes caught sight of where the arrow had come from.

From her vantage point, atop the city's famous clock tower, two figures stood bathed in the pale moonlight. One, surrounded by violet radiance, stood poised with a bow drawn, eyes cold and merciless with killing intent, gazing down upon her like a god judging mortals. The other, a young girl at her side, brushed her windblown hair and watched with a faint smile.

Rumble!

Thunder rolled across the sky above the high tower.

"You bastards!!"

Fury surged within Mordred at the disdainful strike, and she cursed loudly.

The arrow streaked past her, continuing on. Jack, though less aware than Mordred, still managed to force her body to turn aside. But… she was a moment too late.

Shhk!

The arrow speared cleanly through one of her thighs, severing the limb completely.

"Uwahhh!!"

Jack screamed as she crashed to the ground, clutching the bleeding stump of her leg, her shrieks echoing in agony.

The arrow, still charged with lightning, buried itself into the earth beyond, discharging violently before exploding.

Boom!!

Flames burst across the dark streets, illuminating the night. Kairi broke into a cold sweat—just one arrow had nearly thrown him into panic. Just what kind of Servant wielded such murderous intent?

Swish!

Crackle!

Another arrow came in the very next second!

From the high tower, another thunderbolt-laced shaft streaked down, aimed squarely at the prone Mordred's head!

"Don't you dare push your luck!!!"

Mordred erupted with blazing crimson mana, forcing her body upright as she swung her sword with all her might just before the arrow could strike.

Clang!

The blow didn't sever the arrow, but the impact forced her backward several steps.

"Urghhh!"

With sheer strength, she smashed the arrow downward into the ground.

Boom!!

It exploded violently once again.

"Damn it…"

Bleeding, battered, and missing a leg, Jack realized she had no choice. Using the cover of firelight, she vanished into spirit form. If she stayed, she would die. Her mother was still waiting for her at home—she couldn't die here.

Mordred, watching Assassin retreat, only grew angrier. She raised her head, glaring at the distant clock tower. With a sharp step, she dashed back toward her Master.

"Sniping bastards! Master! Leave their Master to you!!"

Bang!

She barked the order at Kairi before dashing off, her body streaking like red light toward the high tower.

"Hey—!"

But she was already gone, leaving him behind.

"Damn it… Things keep going from bad to worse. Still… I can't say I didn't expect this."

Exhausted, Kairi stepped out from behind the car. He lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag to calm his nerves as his eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, remained fixed on the two figures atop the tower.

Both Master and Servant were women… one shrouded in violet light, the other a young girl by her side…

He recalled the list of Yggdmillennia's Masters he had seen earlier.

Fiore Forvedge Yggdmillennia… was it?

His face hardened grimly. Which meant the ones who had struck at them were none other than Black's Saber!

Chapter 30: When the Snipe and the Clam Fight, the Fisherman Benefits

The most famous landmark of Sighișoara was the clock tower standing tall in the city center. Reaching a height of sixty-four meters, it was the tallest building in the city. Not only did it provide a panoramic view of the entire city, it also served as an excellent sniping point. The only downside was that this towering structure could be easily seen from any corner of the city.

The central spire was surrounded by four smaller towers. At this moment, the Shogun and Fiore were at the very top balcony of the central spire.

The Shogun stood at the edge of the high tower's observation point, surveying the corners of the city below. The wind at this altitude howled, lifting the hem of her kimono to just below her hips, leaving the entirety of her alluring thighs exposed above her dark purple stockings, while the long sleeves at her sides fluttered continuously behind her.

Above, the clouds thickened ever further… and from time to time, the faint sound of thunder could be heard.

Sitting on the steps behind her, Fiore was no longer in her wheelchair. Her slender legs rested on the edge of the tower's top. It had been the Shogun who had carried her in a princess hold to this height, causing Fiore's heart to pound wildly the entire way up.

Now, she was adjusting a set of silver-white mechanical equipment from a box by her side. Although it was mechanical, it could only be driven by the magical circuits on her legs, so even someone as clumsy with machinery as her could manage it.

Beep—

A clear notification sounded. Fiore brushed back her wind-blown hair and finally let out a sigh of relief. She then looked at the Shogun's back.

"Shogun… could you help me for a moment?"

Her delicate and soft voice was carried by the wind into the Shogun's ears.

The Shogun turned her head toward the girl holding the equipment in both hands. Fiore gave her a small smile and gestured at the device. Nodding, the Shogun steadily walked back along the observation point to her side and unfolded the device.

Clack…

With a press of a switch, the mechanical device unfolded like a backpack. Fiore swiftly strapped it onto her back and pressed the mechanical handle at her side.

With an electronic chime, two pairs of tentacle-like electronic suction pads extended outward from the backpack.

The Shogun picked up one pair and examined the ends. Each was about two centimeters in diameter.

"Shogun… please place those on my back."

Fiore shyly lifted her coat and shirt, her face flushed red, inviting the Shogun to place them.

Clack…

As the suction pads adhered to either side of the girl's bare back, a pair of wing-like mechanisms began to transform, as though alive, ultimately becoming two long metallic claws. Each claw clamped firmly onto opposite ends of the tower spire, emitting mechanical screeches.

The Shogun silently drew back her hand, watching the strange sight unfold. In the process, her cold fingers accidentally brushed against Fiore's exposed skin.

"Ah~"

The girl let out a sensitive gasp at the sudden touch, quickly pulling her clothes back down, her face crimson.

"Are my hands that cold?"

The Shogun, puzzled at her reaction, sighed slightly before asking.

"N-no, it's nothing…"

Fiore shook her head in embarrassment.

The Shogun pulled her hand back, stepping slightly away.

"…"

In that instant, Fiore felt a pang of regret. Should she not have cried out? If she hadn't… would the Shogun have touched her again?

She sighed softly, then picked up the other pair of suction pads and pressed them onto her thighs over her white stockings. The pads instantly adhered to her skin beneath, and her magical circuits flared briefly.

Clack!

With all the suction pads activated, the lower pair of mechanical arms engaged, floating like octopus tentacles in the air around Fiore.

With the sound of bearings clicking into place, her delicate body was lifted by the two long mechanical claws extending from below, raising her higher than even the Shogun's height.

"…"

The Shogun looked at the scene in silence, her expression unreadable.

[Truly remarkable.]

Ei sighed with wonder.

'I agree.'

Supported by the mechanical arms, Fiore's legs now dangled in midair, suspended weightlessly.

To ensure the mechanical suction pads could better adhere to the magical circuits in her legs, Fiore had changed into a black short skirt before setting out. The hem reached only mid-thigh, revealing her white stockings fully, which had previously been hidden beneath her pants.

Though her lower body had long been paralyzed, the girl's legs were still slender and beautiful, no less than the Shogun's. Fiore's natural height exceeded 162 cm, and in this powerless suspended posture, her legs appeared even longer.

"This… is my equipment… Since my legs are paralyzed, I have to rely on these."

Fiore softly explained, a bit embarrassed at noticing the Shogun's gaze. Beside her, the mechanical arms flexed their claws slightly.

"Understood… What is our next step?"

The Shogun asked calmly.

"When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits. We'll wait for Red's Saber to locate Assassin. When they clash, we'll strike."

Fiore maneuvered the mechanical arms delicately, lowering herself back down to sit at the edge beside the Shogun.

From this vantage point, nearly every corner of the city was visible. Once a battle broke out, it would be difficult to miss.

"In that case, I'll follow your lead."

The Shogun gave her a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

"Mm… Thank you for trusting me, Shogun."

Fiore nodded sweetly in response.

[The Shogun indulging in beauty—how rare. Then why not indulge in me instead? Is it because we look the same, so you feel nothing?]

Ei occasionally teased her like this.

'Foolishness. This is only normal conversation. How could it be called indulgence?'

[But you smiled at her just now, didn't you? Could it be this girl reminds you of Ayaka?]

'Hmph. Why don't we trade places? I could go meditate and rest a while, while you, who laze around all day, stop making such baseless accusations.'

No wonder Yae Miko had once said Ei was nothing but a shut-in who disliked leaving home.

[…]

At first, she thought Ei hadn't responded, but then silence lingered.

'What's wrong?'

She asked inwardly.

[Haa… I don't recall ever teaching you such thoughts. So you've grown up too? Your heart… is stirred.]

What nonsense was that?

'Ridiculous. You're speaking nothing but nonsense.'

She muttered in complaint at the voice within her.

…

Within the Plane of Euthymia, Ei lowered her eyes slightly and sighed, as though lamenting that her child had grown distant from her.

"Shogun… can you attack from long range?"

Fiore's soft voice drew the Shogun back from her thoughts. She turned her gaze toward the girl, recalling her earlier words.

"Archery, perhaps?"

She asked after a pause.

"Mm. How is your accuracy?"

"Almost never missing… basically."

"Good. Then that's our plan. From here, when the time comes, we'll eliminate Assassin."

Fiore exhaled in relief as she shared her intended strategy with the Shogun.

Chapter 29: Computer? What Is That?

The next day, around three in the afternoon—

Click… click…

In Fiore's room, the young girl in the wheelchair sat before a computer, brows faintly furrowed as she operated the webpage. Her slender fingers tapped against the keyboard at a slow, steady rhythm, like the ticking of a clock's second hand. Her typing posture was hardly standard, using only her index and middle fingers to press the keys clumsily.

On the screen, words appeared in the input box one by one. Occasionally, typos and misspellings popped up, and each time she would hurriedly backspace to erase them.

Though Fiore's skills at using the machine were clearly unpracticed, it did nothing to lessen the Shogun's look of deep curiosity and astonishment as she stood beside her, eyes fixed on the strange device.

"What is this?"

Her tone carried urgency as she asked.

"Eh? Ah… this is a computer… Shogun, have you never seen one before?"

Fiore stopped her hands and looked softly at her Servant.

"Com…puter?"

The Shogun frowned, repeating the unfamiliar word.

"Mhm… it can connect to the internet to look up information, or be used for other things. But… I don't really know how to use it well either. Usually, Caules helps me with it."

Fiore gave a shy smile. Though her room had a computer, she hardly touched it, and in truth, she was not good at handling such things.

"'Internet'… what is that?"

Once again, the Shogun looked puzzled. These words were all foreign to her.

"Eh? The internet is… um… a 'bridge' that connects information across the whole world, I guess? I… I'm not really sure myself… but it's something like that."

Fiore's voice faltered awkwardly. This sort of knowledge was completely outside her depth.

The Shogun lowered her gaze, propping her chin lightly with the back of her hand, lost in thought. Though fragments of modern knowledge had entered her mind upon arriving in this world, seeing such strange contraptions firsthand never failed to astonish her.

"This thing… computer? Is it powered by Electro?"

She pointed at the machine before Fiore, asking again.

"Electro? You mean electricity? Pfft… well, yes. Without plugging it in, it won't start up."

Fiore chuckled at the Shogun's innocent question, answering her with indulgent warmth.

"So then… with Electro as its energy, this device can connect to the 'internet'? And from there, it can access information from other nations?"

"M-More or less…"

Fiore nodded quickly.

The Shogun's mind began turning…

Perhaps such a system could be established in Inazuma. If it was powered by Electro, then nothing could be more suitable.

"Then… could you demonstrate it for a while? Let me see its capabilities."

The Shogun pulled up a chair beside her Master, signaling toward the computer.

"Um… okay."

Fiore's cheeks flushed lightly as she felt the Shogun's warmth and faint fragrance so close, nodding softly.

A few minutes later…

"..."

Fiore's face was growing redder and redder. Aside from simple typing and searching, she knew nothing else. And with the Shogun sitting right at her side, staring intently at the screen, she felt so embarrassed she wanted to vanish into the floor.

"How is it?"

Noticing the girl's inactivity, the Shogun turned her gaze and asked softly.

"Um… I'm sorry… I-I don't really know how to use computers. These few things were just what Caules taught me. Beyond that, I can't do anything."

She lowered her head like a child who had done something wrong, slender fingers fidgeting over her lap. Her usually delicate voice now carried a fragile, apologetic tone.

The Shogun stared blankly at the girl in the wheelchair for a moment, then let out a faint sigh with the hint of a smile.

"It's fine… I understand. In that case, there's no need to force yourself."

"Shogun…"

Fiore peeked up at her cautiously.

"Don't mind it… Everyone has things they're not good at. That's normal."

Just like someone I know who can't cook… The Shogun thought with a trace of mischief.

"Mm… hehe…"

Hearing this, Fiore let out a shy laugh. She knew the Shogun was comforting her, and her heart felt warm.

Step, step… Just then, footsteps approached.

"My sister is really terrible with computers… I had to teach her many times before she memorized just these few steps."

Fiore's younger brother—Caules—entered the room just then. Having overheard their conversation, he spoke up with a tone of exasperation.

"Caules?"

Fiore was clearly surprised… Why had he come?

"Sister… you're trying to look into Jack the Ripper's killings over the past few days, aren't you?"

It was as if Caules could see through her thoughts. After all, his sister was known for being thorough in her work.

"Mhm… Did you come to help me with the computer?"

"Yeah… I figured you wouldn't be able to find much. Just look at what you typed—it's all wrong."

Caules gave a wry smile, then turned and began typing rapidly across the keyboard with practiced ease. His typing speed was worlds apart from Fiore's earlier fumbling.

The Shogun watched his expert movements closely, unable to hide her astonishment. It was truly impressive.

Click-clack, click-clack…

On the screen, webpages switched back and forth at lightning speed. In no time, he had pulled up all the cases and reports.

[To set up something like this in Inazuma would be sheer fantasy… don't you think, Shogun?]

'Indeed.'

[Even setting aside the creation of such devices, the difficulty of operation alone would already overwhelm our people. And more importantly—]

'This machine seems to require more than just Electro. Inside, there appear to be all sorts of intricate mechanisms. Electro simply serves as a means to power them. In other words, Electro isn't the decisive factor here.'

In her mind, the "computer" resembled an electronic book, one born of Electro, carrying countless forms of knowledge.

[Exactly… and I doubt the internet is as simple as that girl described. It must rely on support from many nations and places, with… stations?… forming the information network.]

'Like the principle behind our Statues of The Seven. Except instead of elemental energy, this world uses…'

[True technology.]

During this time, she and Ei exchanged thoughts one after another, speculating on the principles and technology behind such a device. As gods of eternity who ruled over mortals, their intelligence was undeniable.

'Which means… bringing such technology to Teyvat may not be possible at all.'

[How fascinating… Since the fall of Khaenri'ah, I've scarcely seen anything related to technology. Today is truly an eye-opener.]

She could feel the faint excitement and delight in Ei's tone. There was a reason she had said scarcely. She hadn't spoken in absolutes, because the "Shogun" standing here was herself a pinnacle of technological craft on Teyvat. But as for computers… those she had never seen. Then again… did the Shogun herself count as a "computer"? AI, perhaps? The thought made her pause.

Meanwhile, Caules had finished his work, showing Fiore the neatly listed reports now arranged on the screen.

"As I thought… Assassin has killed many people already. We need to put a stop to this quickly."

Fiore frowned slightly as she whispered, her eyes lingering on the censored crime scene photos.

"Sister…"

Hearing Caules call, she looked up at him.

"Please let me go with you!"

Caules stepped forward, gaze resolute, earnestly pleading with her.

"..."

Fiore froze slightly at those words. She pressed her lips together as she gazed into her brother's eyes, the same color as her own.

"You can't. This mission is for Saber and me alone. Caules, you'll remain here at the castle."

Her delicate voice turned heavy as she averted her gaze.

"Sister!"

Caules protested, raising his voice.

"Caules… no means no."

Fiore's tone lifted as well, her reply firm. It was nothing like how she usually spoke to the Shogun. Now, she gave off an aura of calm authority that brooked no refusal.

"…I want to be there to support you, Sister! I can't relax otherwise!"

Caules still refused to yield. He had his reasons.

"I have Saber by my side. You don't need to worry about me… And besides, this is Uncle's order, isn't it?"

Fiore's lips trembled as if she wanted to say more, but she swallowed it back and gave another cold response to the boy before her.

"Si—"

"Caules!"

"!"

Her sharp call, laced with a trace of anger, finally silenced him.

"…"

Fiore's blue eyes trembled, her lips pressed tight as though enduring something.

"…I understand."

Caules clenched his fists, lowered his voice, and turned to leave the room.

"Haa…"

The moment he left, Fiore exhaled heavily, her emotions tangled. Her small fist, once clenched tight, slowly loosened. She turned toward the Shogun, who had been silently observing the entire exchange.

"Um… I'm sorry you had to see such family matters, Shogun… Caules, he… haa…"

Fiore let out another deep sigh, still hesitating.

"If it troubles you, there's no need to say it. Some things can only be resolved by oneself."

The Shogun rose from her chair and walked to the window, gazing at the blue sky outside. Her calm voice reached Fiore's ears.

"Only by oneself…"

Fiore fell into thought at those words. In truth, the only reason she had refused her brother was fear. She was afraid he might be in danger. She was afraid of losing him.

"Let's go. It's time."

The Shogun turned back and reminded her softly.

"Mhm… Let's go."

Fiore shook her head slightly, casting aside her worries. Determination filled her once more. This was to be her first mission alone with the Shogun—she could not afford any mistakes.

Chapter 67: A Shining Entrance

"This isn't something to hesitate about, Momonga-san!"

Momonga glanced at the "Message" bar. There were private messages from Peroroncino, Variable Talisman, Beast King Mekongawa…

Outwardly, he kept a calm and thoughtful demeanor, but in reality, he was frantically opening each one.

Every message read the same:

"Ah~ this condition is too good. Every time I see one of Peroroncino's creations like Shalltear, I get so xxx…"

Hey, hey, what the hell is this dangerous remark? And what kind of unspeakable filth is hidden behind that censored "xxx"?!

"My path as a warrior is one of solitude. I will not be swayed by temptation from worldly things."

Momonga felt a rare relief. Warrior Takemikazuchi was at least dependable.

But before he could savor the thought, he saw the second half of the message.

"It's absolutely not because I envy Tabula Smaragdina's Albedo… but if we had an extra 500-level slot, surely creating a figurine wouldn't anger Master Miyamoto's spirit in heaven."

Your Master Miyamoto would rise from his coffin, make you wait three hours, then beat you with two rolling pins before finally letting you pull out the Thunder God Sword, damn it!

"Even though I'm just a grade-schooler, I… I also want to…"

Yamaiko-san, that's a dangerous thing to say. Even if you're female, that's still jail time!

Momonga panicked. To stabilize the situation, he quickly skimmed through the rest of the guild members' messages. In short, every single one of them supported accepting the GM's commission.

Bukubukuchagama's words carried the most weight:

—"This is basically free real estate."

Free… real estate????

FREE REAL ESTATE!!!!

Those two words carried a power surpassing even super-tier magic. In an instant, the entire guild had united under a single stance.

"Momonga-san—no, Guildmaster. Let's do it."

"Yeah, Momonga-san, this is an opportunity we can't miss! As a housewife, I never skip a bargain at the market, and I won't skip one in-game either!"

...

Oh my, it's rare for everyone to be this fired up. When was the last time? Right—the time they all raided and conquered the Great Tomb of Nazarick together.

Momonga let nostalgia wash over him for a moment.

"Alright! I've decided!"

He struck the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown against the ground, adopting a solemn and dignified tone.

"I—Momonga, as Guildmaster of Ainz Ooal Gown, hereby represent all guild members in officially accepting the GM's commission."

The moment his words fell, beams of radiant light pierced the clouds and shone down upon every guild member present. At that moment, they were the brightest stars in the sky.

"What… is this?"

The onlooking ordinary players were dumbstruck, flooding the chat with "shocked" emotes.

One particularly experienced player, wide-eyed, muttered: "No mistake… I've seen this before. This is the divine blessing of GM protection."

"Nani? These heteromorphs, whose justice values are lower than the bandits I kill, are being blessed by the GMs? Where's the justice? Where's the law?"

But perhaps this was simply the principle of overlooking the small for the sake of the greater good. Regardless of Ainz Ooal Gown's strange hobbies or skewed values, in the most crucial of moments, strength alone was the universal standard.

The radiant light also signified that Momonga's declaration had truly reached the heavens—acknowledged and recognized by the official system. Thus, all guild members of Ainz Ooal Gown received divine favor and protection.

...

Meanwhile, those players who had been waiting on the first floor for news of the GMs' victory were still locked in battle within Shitennō Heaven, desperately holding back waves of endlessly respawning monsters.

On the right wing, the leading unit was commanded by a top-tier druid clad in "obviously OP" gear. He constantly raised protective totems around his allies, occasionally toggled forced PK mode to restrain a teammate under the influence of Brahma Chant, then with a howl transformed into a massive white-furred bear. Casting buffs on himself as he charged headlong into the monster horde, he embodied the full extent of his functional versatility.

The main damage dealers were three elves clad in artifact-grade light armor sets. Their forms darted rapidly through the ranks, loosing arrows, providing cover fire, or finishing off enemies. As hidden-class [Holy Arrow Saints], their mobility and lethality were top-tier in the team. Most of the time, the three stood at different vantage points, unleashing volleys of arrows outward, dealing tons of damage.

At the very center was a large group made entirely of spellcasters. YGGDRASIL was a game without any natural mana recovery, but the ingenuity of players was limitless—especially this veteran group of "magic chanters." Ever since they were once beaten into the dirt by Champions, they had devised tactics to handle both sudden strikes and prolonged battles.

Under the team's protection, they had constructed a massive magic array at the center. This array absorbed ambient mana, creating a giant energy shield that sealed off most of the monsters outside their position. At the same time, it provided a stable output of super-tier magic for emergencies, while also casting buffs like [Accelerate Time] for allies. They were attack, defense, and support all in one. Their physical frailty—easily killed if controlled—was cleverly countered: under Brahma Chant debuffs, they would simply auto-swing their staves like melee fighters, a bizarre yet effective workaround.

Amidst this strategy, a calm voice issued orders in the voice channel:

"Buff Team One, hurry and reapply buffs—they've been dispelled again."

"Yes. [Mass Physical Enhancement], [Mass Mental Enhancement], [Mass Magic Resistance]..."

"Tank Team Two, rotate defensive skills and replace the front line. Watch your debuff timers—if they pass 80%, retreat immediately. Strip gear, prepare for resurrection."

...

The tactics were solid and professional. But the sheer number of monsters on the first floor exceeded all expectations. Endless portals poured out monsters in an unbroken tide, surging from every direction.

"Captain, at this rate the shield won't hold. Even with the array recycling mana, the casters can't keep up with consumption. We'll…"

"Another wipe?"

The temporary overall commander was a man clad in black World Champion armor. His commanding ability had already been proven over the past days—his growth and adaptability were astounding.

But against this difficulty, even he felt powerless.

"Damn it! If not for the monsters suddenly entering Berserk state, we wouldn't be struggling this badly."

In Berserk, monsters became nearly immune to all debuffs and control except instant-death, while gaining a massive boost to both attack and defense. He had done everything he could.

"Don't tell me—even with elites from three worlds united, we can't even clear the first floor of this dungeon?"

As a World Champion, his pride would not allow surrender. Yet the hopelessness before him left him without options.

Every player here, after three days of desperate survival, longed for reinforcements. Someone, anyone, who could break this deadlock—perhaps a world-class item holder, or a hidden class. Who could save them now?

Suddenly, across the chat channel, a massive line of explosive subtitles appeared:

"Hahahaha~ With a thunderous crash from the sky, your grandpa makes his dazzling entrance!"

From the same teleportation gate through which they had first entered, a red-skinned gnome less than half a meter tall suddenly appeared in the middle of their formation.

The already-tense mages stiffened instantly. At the sight of this gnome, three spellcasters immediately force-logged off. The rest stared at him, trembling with unease.

His skin writhed and bulged grotesquely, covered in tumors that vented scalding steam. Wearing nothing but a tattered robe barely covering the essentials, he looked poorer than any pauper—no gear, no equipment.

—Except for the one thing around his neck: a shining silver cross.

"S-s-s-s-self… Self-Destruction Maniac!"

Some sharp-eyed players had already recognized the gnome's identity.

As the scourge of an entire world, the infamous "Self-Destruction Maniac's" real name had long been forgotten. After all, most players, the moment they glanced at his ID, were already blown to bits in the next second.

Thus, a legend spread through that world: "If you see a red-skinned gnome with a cross around its neck, don't hesitate—log off immediately~."

Judging from the length of that trailing "ah" and its symbols, one could imagine the psychological trauma behind those words.

Several of the magic chanters present had once traveled to other worlds through portals, and so they too had heard whispers of this legend.

And now, they finally stood before it—whether fortunate or unfortunate, none could tell.

"Hahahaha, looks like I've got fans here too. But I don't have time to chat with you lot right now."

The gnome's red head swiveled side to side. "Hey, got any launching devices around here?"

"Eh?"

The mage he'd spoken to was maintaining a key part of the magic array. Being suddenly addressed by such an infamous being nearly caused the array to collapse.

With a "nervous" sticker, he answered: "Self-Destruction Lord, we're on the mystic side. High-tech stuff isn't our specialty."

"Clicking my tongue! You wizards who pride yourselves on wisdom can't even make a catapult or something? Failing that, no 'Mage's Fist' or similar to toss me out there?"

The gnome hopped impatiently. "Fair warning—my debuff's almost full. When I detonate, don't you dare blame me."

"Uhh!!"

The threat had its intended effect. Even the World Champion commander had to pause his orders and step forward. The moment he saw the unimpressive gnome, an overwhelming sense of doom filled him. Especially watching the creature's two yellow eyes rolling independently in different directions, he wondered if the heavens were playing a cruel joke. Was this even a player? Or had the dungeon spawned a monster?

"Um, Self-Destruction Maniac, we can't build siege engines right now, but… there's another way."

"What way? Hurry up—I'm about to blow!"

The commander quickly signaled to a nearby spellcaster. Blushing with a "shy" sticker, the caster swung his staff, conjuring a portal.

"Self-Destruction Maniac-sama, this portal can send you to a designated nearby location. But its range is only 3,500 meters…"

"So basically, more than 3,000 meters? Hehehehehe."

Not even letting him finish, the red-skinned gnome spammed "hehehehe" emotes like a madman.

"You pick the spot—I'll go blow myself up."

With that, the gray-skinned gnome dashed headlong into the portal.

"Commander, what now?!"

"Don't worry. I adjusted the exit beforehand. He'll land exactly where he's most needed."

Portal redirection was a trick any World Champion had to master. Otherwise, fighting spellcasters was impossible.

"Commander, where did you send him?" the others asked, curiosity burning.

"Take my advice: don't look northwest."

As he spoke, the commander put on a pair of sunglasses.

And then—

BOOOOM—

From the far northwest corner of the battlefield came a deafening roar. Players at the center saw, in the distance, a massive fireball expanding at blinding speed.

In reality, looking straight at such an explosion would mean guaranteed blindness. But thankfully, this was only a game. Those who stared directly at it merely received a short blindness debuff, quickly dispelled by pre-prepared purification totems.

The colossal orange-white fireball rose into the sky, expanding outward. The shockwave spread rapidly across the land, annihilating everything in its path—grass, trees, monsters—obliterated instantly by the sheer force of the blast.

The immense shockwave even shattered nearby portals, scattering all those in the northwest. The entire land of Shitennō Heaven quaked violently under the force.

Even players 3,500 meters away, upon witnessing it, were struck dumb.

Some players who hadn't been up to date on the rumors had scoffed at the unimpressive red gnome. Self-destruct? At best it might kill a few dozen, maybe a hundred monsters. At most, a super-tier magic equivalent.

But after seeing this world-shaking explosion, their faces froze solid.

"What kind of monster is this…?"

"Don't tell me this world will be saved through self-destruction?"

"I… I don't want to get turned into greenery!"

...

In the face of the Self-Destruction Maniac's overwhelming might, some players even began to doubt their chosen paths.

In reality, for explosions of this scale, the destructive power was typically distributed like so: shockwave about 50%, light radiation about 35%, early-stage nuclear radiation 5%, residual contamination 10%. The lethality was split accordingly.

But in the game, things like shockwaves or radiation were nothing but visual effects. The essence of this skill was simple: a 3,000-meter-radius AoE instant-death nuke.

At that moment, every monster within range simply fell before the "light wave" even reached them. It was sheer brutality.

And then, a few seconds later—

"With a thunderous crash from the sky, your grandpa makes his dazzling re-entrance~!"

Alongside the mushroom-cloud spectacle, under a flash of light, the familiar red gnome appeared once again in the players' midst.

This time, however, their gazes had completely changed.

Where once was disdain, now they looked as if they'd gladly grovel at his feet.

"As expected of Self-Destruction Maniac-sama… That blast's power surpasses super-tier magic by who knows how much. With your aid, this dungeon will surely fall."

"Yes, with you here, no End-Tier dungeon, no Berserk monsters, can withstand such might!"

"Self-Destruction Maniac-sama is this game's savior!"

The red gnome chuckled hehehe, basking in the flood of flattery and private messages. Twisting his hips mockingly, he lifted a finger—making a bold middle-finger gesture.

And under the stunned eyes of the players, he turned away and dove once more into a portal.

This time, the explosion erupted in the southeast, shaking heaven and earth. Nearly half of all the monsters in Shitennō Heaven were obliterated on the spot.

More importantly, the monster-spawning portals themselves collapsed under the force. The endless waves finally ceased. After days of struggle, the players finally saw hope for clearing the dungeon.

Just then, beams of teleportation light shone from the resurrection point in their midst.

"Reinforcements again?"

"Could it be companions of the Self-Destruction Maniac?"

...

When Ainz Ooal Gown's guild members entered the dungeon in all their grandeur, they were greeted by the blazing stares of the surrounding players.

"Uh…"

As a heteromorph guild—especially one known for less-than-'benevolent' playstyles—they weren't used to such gazes. Well, everyone except Takemikazuchi.

For guildmaster Momonga, however, his passive skill immediately triggered. He knew he had to say something. Clearing his throat, he amplified his voice with Banshee's Wail, exuding authority.

"Everyone, thank you for your hard work~ From here on, leave it to us—Ainz Ooal Gown!"

The moment his words ended, under the players' complex stares, the ground shook violently once more. From one corner of the land, a familiar mushroom cloud rose high into the sky.

BOOOOOOOM—

Chapter 154: The Following Month

The autumn equinox had passed, and the cold dew was approaching.

At the end of the month in Tokyo, the atmosphere was joyful and peaceful, yet carried a sense of heaviness and oppression.

Joy belonged to the people, worry to the upper class.

Vela Adelheid Russell, Special Class Investigator of the USA and Special Commissioner with full authority, had already been serving in the Tokyo Commission of Counter Ghoul for over a month.

It was also a month of remarkable achievements for the CCG.

Including but not limited to—

Continuing the pursuit of the surviving 'MADAM' in Ward 7, eradicating the 'Skull Masks' group in Ward 13, purging the remnants of 'Shachi's' organization in Ward 6, sweeping Ward 4 and uncovering the ghoul mask workshop 'HySy ArtMask Studio,' striking Ward 14 and dismantling several ghoul gathering nests, seizing the ghoul bar 'Helter Skelter,' fighting and defeating 'Aogiri Tree' in Wards 9, 10, and 11, destroying multiple strongholds and eliminating numerous harmful ghouls…

Under the drive and leadership of Vela—the 'Angel of Death' cloaked in black, as investigators and ghouls alike called her—the CCG began operating with an efficiency reminiscent of the post-Showa era, starting with the ghoul restaurant cases of Ward 7.

Although the 'Nimura Furuta Case,' that is—the fact that a ghoul had disguised itself as an investigator—had caused a crisis of credibility and cohesion within the CCG, and even led to major upheaval among its top leadership, the organization still maintained its capacity to carry out duties, since high-ranking investigators such as Special Class and Associate Special Class officers had been confirmed to be human.

After all, externally, there were strong institutions providing support—UN troops led by US forces stationed in Japan, the North American Commission of Counter Ghoul, the UN Anti-Ghoul Guidance Organization, the CIA, the DIA, and others.

At this time, Bureau Chief Yoshitoki Washuu had already been dismissed by the Prime Minister for incompetence, due to ghouls infiltrating the Bureau and attacking the Special Commissioner.

Even the retired Grand Chairman Tsuneyoshi Washuu, once behind the CCG, had been held accountable.

With Vela's support, Marude Itsuki returned to the Ward 1 Headquarters and temporarily assumed the position of Bureau Chief.

The maturity brought by an old bureaucrat's experience allowed him to quickly stabilize the situation.

In terms of action: re-examining long-unsolved cold cases in their jurisdiction with greater thoroughness, responding more swiftly to newly emerging ghoul crimes, integrating and upgrading the city's surveillance network in cooperation with the police department…

In terms of management: reorganizing the public relations team, documenting frontline anti-ghoul operations to produce dedicated propaganda films, submitting the 'Legally Recognized Ghouls—Ghouls Against Ghouls' bill to the National Diet for discussion, and seizing favorable ground in public opinion…

This month, with Vela and Marude working together, the CCG had many tasks pending and in progress. Though numerous and varied, all proceeded in an orderly manner.

Among them, the most publicly eye-catching were undoubtedly the physical extermination operations.

Directed personally by Vela, these targeted sweeps against regions plagued by ghoul outbreaks were what citizens could most directly perceive.

Over the past month, CCG operations had followed one after another.

The joy of the citizens lay in the visibly improving public security and the government's demonstrated determination to eradicate the ghoul threat.

In contrast, anxiety lingered among certain members of Tokyo's upper class.

As for foreign military involvement, and whether it was inappropriate for a foreigner like Vela Russell to push reforms, enact new laws, and impose arrests and sanctions—that was considered irrelevant.

Japan had its own national conditions.

There were precedents to follow.

The situation resembled the postwar democratic reforms in Japan under General Douglas MacArthur, which laid the foundations for the nation's comprehensive development and modernization.

The reforms of the Commission of Counter Ghoul under Special Commissioner Vela Russell would likewise open a new chapter in Tokyo's anti-ghoul field.

"About time. The CCG wasted taxpayers' money for so many years. Baka, the Washuu's incompetence drained the entire force."

"I heard the Prime Minister and the Diet are planning to award Ms. Russell and the North American counter-ghoul operatives with medals…"

"Medals? When will that happen?"

"Not sure. Maybe when Ms. Russell leaves her post. Rumor is it'll be the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun and the Order of the Precious Crown, White Paulownia."

"Waaah, sugoi."

After school, on the way to the library, Touka Kirishima and Yoriko Kosaka walked side by side up the street. The passersby they brushed past were excitedly discussing the hot news unfolding.

Stopping, Yoriko couldn't help but turn her head curiously toward the television screen hanging outside a small shop, which was broadcasting a live interview with the de facto current head of the CCG—

Vela Adelheid Russell, Special Class Investigator.

"CCG investigators risk their lives every day for the safety of the people. Thanks to them, the citizens of Tokyo can live free from the threat of ghouls. They are noble and worthy of respect."

The blonde, blue-eyed beauty spoke confidently from behind the podium.

"I am here to solve problems, for investigators as well as for the people. Only by properly addressing the concerns of investigators can they fully devote themselves to eradicating the ghoul threat, thus ensuring the safety of all citizens… This is the mission entrusted to our counter-ghoul organization. Thank you."

When the interview mentioned "eradicating the ghoul threat," Yoriko couldn't help but ask: "Ne, Touka, what do you think ghouls are like?"

Her eyes flickering slightly, Touka paused, then replied in a somewhat uncertain tone: "Like humans, I guess. Beyond that, I don't know. Why are you asking—do you want to apply for the CCG?"

"Well, why not?"

Hands on her hips, Yoriko nodded seriously. "Even though my grades can't compare to yours, Touka, my chef certification exam is almost passed. I should be able to apply for a position in the CCG kitchens. Investigators are people too, they need to eat snacks, right?"

"Then do your best."

Eyebrows arched, Touka smiled encouragingly before continuing toward the library.

Yet behind her forced smile, a shadow of sorrow lingered in her eyes.

Eradicate the ghoul threat…

Recalling the rare, solemn expression on Manager Yoshimura's face, Touka felt a suffocating weight like dark clouds ready to crush the city.

Powerless.

The storm named Vela—or rather, the storm named the "Angel of Death," as investigators called her. "Angel of Death," death's messenger—so fitting, for too many ghouls had died directly or indirectly at her hands.

Even the 20th Ward was no longer peaceful.

The CCG's sweeping wind had already reached Ward 20.

Nishio, because of his arrogant behavior in the past, might be suspected by the Doves re-investigating old cases.

And Shuu Tsukiyama, that crazy pervert—the so-called Gourmet—relying on his family's power and connections, had long acted with impunity. Owning his own restaurant, meddling far too much in the Ward 7 ghoul restaurant scene… Now, it had all come back to him.

Even with the influence and networks of the Tsukiyama family and Tsukiyama Group, this month they had been battered badly. The Tokyo Prosecutor's Office, the Metropolitan Police, the Financial Services Agency—all frequently came knocking over economic investigations and consultations. Bleeding them dry.

According to Manager Yoshimura, that foreign Dove, on the surface eliminating active and aggressive criminal ghouls, was secretly rooting out traitors and corrupt figures within.

More than one ghoul family entrenched in Tokyo's high society had already been raided and sealed by the CCG, with assets directly frozen. None of this appeared in the media, clearly suppressed and silenced.

"…Sigh."

Entering the library, sitting down, spreading out her University of Tokyo review notes, Touka let out a faint sigh.

"Manager, Father, Mother, Ayato… can I still grasp the future?"

...

CCG Headquarters, Ward 1.

Section II, office marked with Russell's name.

"Their future? The future I've designed for them has only two options—legal, or illegal. Oh, that doesn't include Aogiri Tree or ghouls who kill deliberately."

With a faint smile, Vela set down the battle report in her hand.

How legal? The right to interpret the law rested with her.

"It's time to finish this."

Her elbows and forearms resting on the desk, Vela's eyes glimmered with shifting colors.

Half-truth, half-illusion. A frog slowly boiled in warm water. Now the fire was ready.

The Clowns, V, Aogiri Tree, the Washuu clan, the Sunlit Garden, even Kishou Arima's Squad 0… all risks were to be eliminated one by one.

Then, mobilize the troops. The time had come…

Chapter 235: Elias and Elysia's Jealousy

After Sheele was forcibly released from prison, Elias went with her to visit many places. First, they bought a few sets of clothes to replace that pink little dress which didn't quite suit her style.

Then they bought plenty of snacks and tasty food.

Elias found that her taste was quite similar to both Seeles: she liked sweet things but didn't reject spicy ones either.

However, during this time Sheele repeatedly tried to attack others—not out of her own will, but because of the mission forcibly branded into her by the Honkai, an instinctive drive she couldn't control.

Fortunately, Elias managed to stop her each time.

"Elias, I-I can't hold back anymore."

"Are you alright, Sheele?"

"No… just seeing humans makes me want to lash out. My heart fills with uncontrollable hatred… ahhh, I want, I want to kill so badly. Elias, can I kill someone?"

Sheele's body trembled slightly. Her once-clear eyes were now hazy, the forced mission branded by the Honkai making it hard for her to control herself.

Elias frowned and pulled her into his arms, holding especially tightly onto her hand—one already imbued with the remnants of the Herrscher of Death's power.

Her small hand was wreathed in black mist. Even if the power was only a fraction, it was still fatally dangerous—ordinary people, even low-level fusion warriors, could not withstand it.

"No, Sheele. You must not kill anymore. I will never allow you to kill again."

"But, I'm about to…"

"It's fine. Since looking at others makes you lose control, then just don't look at them. From now on, just look at me. Come, let's walk hand in hand."

Elias gently patted Sheele's head and whispered softly into her ear.

At the same time, he held onto her black-mist-covered hand, using white flowers to neutralize it, and stuffed a cup of milk tea into her other hand.

This way, with one hand holding Elias' and the other holding milk tea, Sheele wouldn't have a free hand to harm others.

"Just… look only at you…"

Sheele took a deep breath and followed his words, focusing her attention on Elias. At once, she felt much better—the killing intent in her heart was slowly fading.

She didn't notice that she was starting to feel warmth toward Elias, her subconscious affection for him gradually increasing.

But of course, that was only natural.

At this moment, Sheele was like a young wolf who had strayed into a herd of deer. She instinctively wanted to hunt, but her fangs and claws had already been taken away.

Humans were enemies and prey to her. But Elias was different—the only one who made her feel a sense of kinship. Not an enemy, not prey, but her only companion.

To her, the world was filled with enemies.

So, her only companion was someone she instinctively clung to.

"Well done, Sheele. That's it."

Sheele's breathing gradually steadied. The raging Honkai energy inside her calmed once more. Then Elias, as if conjuring from nowhere, brought out a string of candied hawthorns and handed them to her.

"Here, this is your reward for your effort."

"Hmph~ I don't want to eat human food."

"Really? Then think of it as doing me a favor. If you don't eat it, I'll just have to throw it away."

"What a waste… ahem! Fine, for your sake, Elias, I'll reluctantly eat it."

Sheele swallowed nervously and gave her classic tsundere response.

Elias chuckled softly, thinking that she was truly adorable this way. Instinctively, he also wanted to take extra care of this girl.

After all, that face identical to Seele's pierced right into Elias' softest spot. And in the future, the Herrscher of Death's stigma that birthed Dark Seele would be created from Sheele's memories.

So she could be said to be Dark Seele's prototype. It was only natural their personalities were similar.

Elias hadn't returned to the Current Era in a long time. Though his journey in the Previous Era was good, he sometimes felt like a foreigner lost in another land, unable to find the way home.

Sheele's appearance made him feel as though he had returned to the Current Era. Simply put, he wanted to be close to her.

Their favorability toward each other grew quickly.

But after all, Sheele still bore the identity of the Herrscher of Death. For those who didn't recognize her, it wasn't an issue, but once the two of them returned to the Fire Moth base, many warriors immediately recognized her.

"Damn! Isn't that the Herrscher of Death?!"

"Crap, scared me half to death—why is this monster out here?"

"With Captain Elias watching her, it should be fine."

"Hmph! Go die already, Herrscher. There's no place for you in the human world."

As expected, Sheele was completely rejected by everyone. Some even directly drew their guns to shoot her—but all the bullets were caught by Elias.

"You have every right to fire, so I won't stop your actions. But I will block the bullets for her, because she's under my care now."

"Captain Elias…"

"Sheele's Core has already been extracted by me. She's no longer the Herrscher of Death. Her range of activity is limited to five meters around me—she won't harm you."

Elias spoke calmly. He was someone who could distinguish right from wrong.

At the moment Sheele became a Herrscher, the Honkai Eruption she triggered did indeed kill countless people. Even though it wasn't her conscious will, it was still a sin that had to be counted on her.

So facing hostility was natural. But Elias would not allow anyone to excessively harm her.

After that, Sheele continued to face rejection and hostility. Some especially resentful toward Herrschers acted recklessly—though Elias stopped them, Sheele still suffered a flood of verbal abuse.

And with Sheele's personality, how could she tolerate it? She immediately fired back with her own sharp tongue. No matter the result, at least in momentum, she never lost.

But once those people left…

"Uu… uuuhhh…" ┭┮﹏┭┮

The girl who had just been a sharp-tongued little devil switched to White Seele mode, now like a wounded little angel, pitifully wiping her tears.

Elias raised his hand to gently pat her head in comfort.

Overall, the first trip outside wasn't too bad. Sheele found more things to be interested in, her favorability and dependence on Elias grew, even if she also felt humanity's rejection and malice.

But that couldn't be helped in the short term.

Although many still rejected Sheele, as time passed they got used to her trailing behind Elias like his shadow. Wherever he went, she followed. Gradually, they began to accept her presence.

...

A few days later.

Other than missions, Sheele stayed by Elias' side. Though her Herrscher instincts still made her want to lash out, with Elias there she never got the chance.

However, when facing others, Sheele would always fight back when insulted. Yet when it came to Elysia, she only ever ran away. But with her activity range limited to five meters around Elias, no matter how she ran, she couldn't escape.

"Elias, you have to be careful of that pink bad woman. I can feel she's not simple!"

"Oh? Of course Ely isn't simple. But she's definitely not a bad woman. Can you explain more specifically?"

"…I can't put it into words, but she gives me a strange feeling. She's not like ordinary people."

Sheele sat on Elias' lap with a serious expression. But out of annoyance, she didn't explain fully. The truth was, Ely felt similar to Elias—their aura was alike.

"Oh my, talking about me? Of course Elysia isn't like ordinary people. After all, I'm a super cute beauty." Miss Pink Elf sparkled as she appeared.

"Guh… she appeared…"

The moment Sheele saw Elysia suddenly show up, she immediately acted as if facing a mortal enemy, hiding behind Elias.

She absolutely disliked this overly familiar Pink Elf. A social extrovert like her was someone Sheele just couldn't get along with.

And every night was a torment for her.

With her range of activity limited to five meters around Elias, at night she could only sleep on his bed. But Elias and Ely never cared about her presence when being intimate.

Every day Sheele felt like she was choking on dog food. Sometimes she even wished she could poke her own ears deaf.

Sheele: (Damn it, with you two making such a ruckus at night, how do you expect me to sleep?! And saying things like 'be careful or Sheele will find out'—what a joke, Elysia, you weren't careful at all!)

One night she really couldn't take it anymore. Sheele grabbed a pillow and made a bed on the floor—only to get the fright of her life. Tied up beneath the bed was a snake…

Mobius, caught for the 76th time trying to sneak food, had been bound and turned into a nighttime amusement tool. Tragic.

Either way, Sheele tried her best to avoid Elysia.

After all, Elias was the only one who wouldn't help her when it came to Elysia.

Though Elias treated Sheele very well—spoiled her, even—his affection for Elysia was at least ten times greater! That level of favorability was something ordinary people couldn't even dream of. Miss Pink Elf had been building it up for over a decade.

"Good morning, Ely. You look beautiful as always. But… why are you dressed like a nurse today?"

Elias' eyes lit up. Today, Elysia was wearing a nurse's outfit. The white uniform outlined the elegant curves of her body—pure yet alluring.

"Because I took a mission at the hospital. We're not weapons, you know. Fighting Honkai Beasts all day is unhealthy for the mind. Sometimes we need a change of pace, so I decided to do something different."

"I see. That's good… but change your clothes."

Elias' tone left no room for argument.

"Eh? You don't like it?"

Elysia blinked in surprise, a little unsure.

"I love it. But I don't want others to see. Ely, you don't want me to get jealous, right?" Elias said directly.

"Uu… that's true. Jealous Elias is scary."

Elysia shyly touched her belly, her cheeks flushing red.

Sometimes, they both got jealous. After all, both were the type to be kind to everyone.

But toward each other, they also had a special kind of possessiveness.

Whether Elias or Elysia, both had once thought of locking the other away in a little black room for life. Finding a prison stronger than the Deep End to keep him or her locked away forever, with a door that only opened from the inside—then throwing away the key before stepping in themselves.

"Boys are so sly. When I get jealous, I punish you, Elias, and you don't repent—you even enjoy it. But when you get jealous, I almost get killed. (muttering)"

Elysia pulled Sheele off Elias' lap and sat down herself.

"Ah… then next time I'll let you punish me, Ely. But about the nurse outfit—"

"I get it, I get it. From now on I'll only wear it for you, Elias. Oh, and tonight the Elf Clinic will be open. Eli, want to come in for a full-body checkup?"

Elysia suddenly pulled out a stethoscope, placing it on her elf-like ear. She pressed the diaphragm to Elias' chest and closed her eyes with a smile, listening to his heartbeat.

"Is this examination legitimate? If it is, I'm not coming." Elias wrapped an arm around her waist, blinking playfully.

"My, don't make me spell it out. I'm a girl, after all." Elysia pouted coquettishly.

"…"

Not far away, Sheele's eye twitched. The saccharine air around them made her roll her eyes.

She inexplicably let out a burp, then quickly opened the window for ventilation, her heart heavy with exhaustion.

What sin had she committed to be forced to watch this lovey-dovey display every day? If she had known, she might have preferred staying in the Deep End.

After that, Elias also accepted a hospital mission. The three of them busied themselves at the hospital for an entire day. Elias and Elysia were fine, but Sheele's mood was indescribably complicated.

She was a Herrscher meant to destroy humanity!

And yet she spent the whole day helping at a hospital.

Something was seriously wrong with this world.

"Thank you for helping, Elias, Elysia, and… Herrscher of Death."

Wearing a white coat, Su expressed his gratitude. But when he addressed Sheele, his tone was noticeably awkward.

"It was nothing. I just didn't expect you to be working here, Su. Kevin complained last time that he'd invited you to get noodles several times, but you kept saying you didn't have time."

"Hehe, I just didn't have time for Kevin because I was simply too busy with work. Don't laugh, Elias—but being a doctor has always been my dream."

"Mm, being a doctor suits you well. But still… there really are so many patients here."

Elias frowned slightly. Clearly, the Previous Era had already suppressed the Honkai far better than the original timeline, yet so many people were still dying.

"Yeah. Ever since the Sixth Honkai Eruption, the global Honkai energy concentration has risen sharply. Many people have contracted Honkai disease, and now they can only live in despair, prolonging their lives as best they can."

As Su spoke, his gaze grew complicated as it landed on Sheele. The girl instantly bristled.

"Don't look at me—it wasn't me."

Honkai disease had existed long before. It was the symptom ordinary humans without resistance developed when exposed to Honkai energy.

And as each successive Herrscher appeared, the global concentration of Honkai energy rose higher. Naturally, more and more people contracted the disease.

In the Previous Era, Honkai disease was a terminal illness. The only serum developed so far required extracting material from the corpses of over a thousand Honkai disease patients just to produce a single dose.

"Everyone is suffering. It's so pitiful."

Elysia's expression dimmed. She had already tried using her wish-making power to save them.

But a wish like "let all Honkai disease patients in the world be cured" could not be realized—or rather, to realize such a wish required a price far beyond something as simple as dizziness or fatigue.

The mechanism of Elysia's wish-making was that the wish was fulfilled first, and the price was paid afterward. Which meant even if the cost of the wish was so vast she could not bear it, she could still grant it—at the price of her own life.

(For example: granting a wish to restore a Herrscher's humanity and free them from the destiny bound by the Honkai.)

And deep down, Elysia had a faint feeling. One day, she would indeed make a wish at the cost of her life. She just didn't know if that day was now.

"…Leave this matter to me."

Elias suddenly spoke as though making a firm decision.

Elysia and Su both froze, momentarily stunned.

"Elias, what do you mean to do?"

"What else? Of course—I'll cure every Honkai disease patient in this world."

Chapter 541: Pretty Cure

After the Yuigahama mother and daughters arrived at the Chiba shopping mall, they wandered around the third floor once, deciding what to eat for lunch.

"Yuka, what do you want for lunch?" Tomoka Yuigahama asked the little Yuka, who was still being carried on Yui's back.

"I want Burger King's kids' meal."

Yuka said firmly. Right now she only wanted Burger King, so the food court and restaurants on the third floor held no interest for her at all.

"Why the sudden craving for Burger King?" Tomoka asked curiously. She remembered that Yuka used to prefer KFC.

"Burger King just launched a new kids' meal, and it comes with a Pretty Cure keychain. I've wanted that for a long time." Yui Yuigahama laughed as she explained.

"So it's for the toy in the kids' meal. Alright then, we'll have Burger King for lunch."

"Yay! Can we buy an extra one? I want another keychain to give to Penguin-Oneechan."

"For Kotomi?"

"Yeah. Penguin-Oneechan will definitely be happy when she gets it, because when she lived at our house before, I saw it with my own eyes!" Yuka said confidently.

"Saw what?" Yui Yuigahama asked, her curiosity piqued.

Tomoka also perked her ears up, waiting for Yuka to continue.

"Penguin-Oneechan forgot to lock the door when she went to the bathroom. I happened to walk in, and I saw that her panties had Pretty Cure designs on them!"

"..."

"..."

And just like that, both Tomoka and Yui Yuigahama now knew that Kotomi's panties had Pretty Cure patterns on them.

The first time she stayed at the Yuigahama house, the morning after she woke up, Kotomi had indeed forgotten to lock the bathroom door, and Yuka happened to walk in.

When Yuka saw, Kotomi didn't mind much—she just smiled and told her to wait outside for a bit. After all, Yuka was still a small child. What was there to be embarrassed about if a kid happened to see?

She never expected Yuka to have noticed the pattern on her panties… remembered it… and even recognized that it was Pretty Cure!

If Kotomi knew about this now, she'd definitely look down at the floor to see if there was a crack, and then dive straight into it.

Kotomi's panties becoming a topic—how embarrassing! Yui and Tomoka could only scramble to change the subject:

"Mom, I just saw that the clothing stores are on the 5th floor. Let's take the elevator up."

"R-right! Then let's go to the 5th floor!"

"Megumi, how about this swimsuit?"

Kotomi had picked out a pink and white bikini, with a very bold design. If she wore it to the beach, she would definitely become the most dazzling and breathtaking sight there.

"It looks good, but there's too little fabric. Even if you buy it, you can only wear it for me." Megumi Kato said.

"Hehe, just teasing you. I'm not buying this one. Even if it's only for you, I'd still be too embarrassed to wear it."

Kotomi chuckled, putting the pink bikini back, and instead chose a light-blue two-piece swimsuit. The top was a sailor-style swimsuit, and the bottom, though called swim shorts, looked more like a skirt.

Compared to the bikini earlier, this one looked cuter.

But with Kotomi's stunning figure, even if she wore the standard school swimsuit, it still couldn't hide her allure.

Seeing Kotomi put back the pink bikini, Megumi Kato felt a little disappointed. Right next to the hot spring water park was a five-star hotel, and she had planned to book a king-size room and spend the night with Kotomi.

Just now, when she saw Kotomi pick up that pink bikini, all she could imagine was Kotomi changing into it after they returned from the water park—just for her eyes only.

"Kotomi, how about we buy both? Let's get that pink bikini too."

Megumi said, unwilling to give up. She wanted so badly to see Kotomi wearing that bikini!

Of course, Megumi only wanted Kotomi to wear it for her. If they were going to a pool or water park, then Megumi hoped Kotomi's swimsuit would be as conservative as possible. Otherwise, the vinegar jar in her heart would surely tip over.

"One is enough, why buy two?"

Kotomi was amused by Megumi's persistence. She flipped over the tag inside the swimsuit for Megumi to take a closer look:

"Check the price of this swimsuit first. Swimming gear—just the swimsuit and goggles alone already cost quite a lot."

After seeing the price tag, Megumi shrank her neck. She hadn't expected a swimsuit to be this expensive… The last time she bought one was three years ago, and come to think of it, it had almost been three years since she last went swimming.

"If it's just the hot spring, we don't need to buy a swim cap. As for goggles… we should still get one." Kotomi continued browsing the shelves of swimming gear, until she spotted a special display case.

At first she wondered what kind of swimsuit could be so special that it needed its own display case. But when she looked up and saw inside… no, they weren't swimsuits—they were wetsuits! Faith itself!

Inside the display case were three EVA collaboration wetsuits! One for Unit-01, one for Unit-02, and one for Unit-00!

Kotomi's expression instantly turned serious, as if she had heard the song playing in her ears: Like a cruel angel's thesis… young boy, become a legend!

"Excuse me!" Kotomi called out to the shop assistant.

"Yes, may I help you?"

"How much are these three wetsuits? I want them all! I'll pay right now!"

The same Kotomi who had just told Megumi that swimsuits were too expensive so they should only buy one, now saw three wetsuits she had no use for and immediately declared she would buy them all—already pulling out her bank card.

"I'm sorry, miss, these three EVA wetsuits are not for sale. They're just for display."

"Damn it!" Kotomi gritted her teeth. She couldn't even dive and had no use for wetsuits, yet just because they were EVA collaborations, she wanted them desperately.

"My apologies." The clerk bowed politely. After all, Kotomi wasn't the first customer who had demanded to buy those wetsuits after seeing them.

Kotomi walked away reluctantly, turning her head back three times with longing in her eyes as she looked at the three EVA wetsuits in the display case.

Megumi silently watched her, saying nothing, only picking up the pink bikini Kotomi had put back earlier.

"Megumi, you're buying that?" Kotomi asked curiously when she saw it in Megumi's hands.

"Not for me. I'm buying it for you to wear."

"But I already chose one… and besides, one swimsuit is enough."

"Oh? Didn't you just say you wanted to buy all three wetsuits without even hesitating? We're going to a hot spring water park, not scuba diving in the ocean." Megumi asked with a smile—one that carried a trace of gentle menace.

"S-sorry." Kotomi scratched her head with an awkward laugh.

While continuing to accompany Megumi in picking swimsuits, Kotomi grew bored and glanced at the women's clothing store across the way. The moment she looked… she spotted the Yuigahama mother and daughters walking inside.

What?! They came to the mall too?!

Kotomi was stunned.

Just then, Yuka, as if sensing something, turned her head and looked straight toward the swimsuit store.

Just a second before Yuka turned her head toward the swimsuit store, Kotomi had already reacted. She grabbed Megumi Kato's wrist and rushed toward the stairs, hurriedly running up to the second floor.

Because of that, when Yuka turned her head to look, she didn't see Kotomi anywhere.

After pulling Megumi up to the second floor, Kotomi still felt it wasn't safe enough. She went straight into a fitting room. Dragged along by Kotomi, Megumi was left dumbfounded, still holding the pink bikini in her hand.

Aunt Tomoka, Yui, and Yuka… why are all three of them here?! I just left the Yuigahama house a few hours ago!

Luckily, I reacted quickly. The moment Yuka started to turn her head, I pulled Megumi up to the second floor. If she had spotted me just now, she definitely would have shouted and told her mom and sister: it's Penguin-Oneechan!

Leaning against the door of the fitting room, out of breath, Kotomi thought nervously. Just earlier, she had secretly bought Yui Yuigahama a down jacket of the same design but in a different color. Feeling guilty, she really didn't dare let Megumi and Yui meet today.

Once she calmed down, Kotomi started admiring herself for her quick reflexes: I'm amazing! If I could react that fast in CS:GO, I'd be Global Elite by now!

She wiped the sweat off her forehead and looked up, only to meet Megumi Kato's amused gaze.

"M-Megumi…"

"You suddenly grabbed my hand, dragged me up to the second floor fitting room… I haven't even finished choosing a swimsuit yet." Megumi's lips curved into a mischievous smile as she shook the pink bikini in her hand. "Or is it that you couldn't wait to put this on and show me~?"

Megumi felt like Kotomi was acting a little strange today. It was as if, even while shopping together, her mind would occasionally drift toward another woman.

Even though Megumi didn't believe that her soft and fluffy Kotomi had the guts to two-time, the feeling still left her a little unhappy.

After all, recently, through the micro camera hidden in the owl plushie she had given Kotomi, Megumi had seen Aimi sneak into Kotomi's room while she was asleep and do this and that!

The perfect example of "Older sister strikes, younger sister submits."

Every time she saw it, Megumi wanted to yell at Aimi: Once or twice a week would be one thing, but every single day?!

Aimi might have been a noob, unable to even find the starting line of the race—weak, clumsy, yet playful. But she was Kotomi's sister, after all! That gave her the natural advantage of "a close neighbor gets the moonlight first."

While Megumi and others were fighting tooth and nail on the racetrack, battling over who Kotomi belonged to, Aimi—unable to even find the track—simply plopped herself onto the winner's podium and began enjoying the prize: Kotomi herself.

Being stolen away so often by a noob—who could tolerate that?

Megumi certainly couldn't. But right now she was already fighting on high alert against Arisu Sakayanagi, with no energy to spare to deal with Aimi.

Speaking of Arisu Sakayanagi, ever since her declaration of war at the sports festival, she hadn't made any moves against Kotomi. Everything had remained calm, making Megumi wonder if Arisu had only been bluffing that day.

Even so, Megumi never lowered her guard against her.

Whenever Megumi was beside Kotomi and Arisu showed up, or when Megumi ran into her while Arisu was near Kotomi, the air between them inevitably filled with invisible sparks.

Now, with Kotomi suddenly dragging her into a fitting room on the second floor…

The swimsuit store's first floor hadn't had many people to begin with. The second floor, of course, was completely empty except for the two of them.

Whether or not Kotomi had intended it, Megumi felt she understood her meaning. Reaching out, she flipped the lock on the fitting room door.

Click.

Hearing the clear sound of the lock, Kotomi, who had been about to step back out, froze. She looked at Megumi in shock.

"M-Megumi, what are you trying to do?!"

"I do!" Megumi answered without hesitation, pressing Kotomi's wrist against the fitting room door as she lowered her head and kissed this little lamb that had delivered itself straight to her lips.

"That's not what I meant—mmph!"

Kotomi's eyes flew wide open. She hadn't even had time to resist before the Queen of All Females' natural gift instantly made her knees weaken. Unable to fight back, she could only lean helplessly against the door, surrendering everything Megumi desired.

One hour later—

Megumi finally left the fitting room, hand-in-hand with Kotomi, satisfied, leading her down from the second floor.

For some reason, the swimsuit shop had an unusual number of customers today. The lone shop clerk was so busy that she hadn't noticed the time, nor realized that the two girls had disappeared into the upstairs fitting room for an entire hour.

She simply assumed they had gone to try on swimsuits and had now come back down.

"Have you two decided on which swimsuits to buy?"

"Yes, we've decided. This pink bikini, this light-blue two-piece, and this navy-and-white striped swimsuit. Three swimsuits—please wrap them up together. Thank you." Megumi smiled as she spoke.

"Alright, please wait just a moment."

The clerk took the three swimsuits to the counter for packaging and billing. Though she wondered why two girls needed three swimsuits, she didn't really care. In fact, she hoped to sell more before the shop closed for the season, so that her boss could afford to keep it open next year.

After all, jobs this easy weren't easy to come by.

She didn't notice Kotomi, who had been blushing non-stop since they came back down, hiding weakly behind Megumi with no strength left.

After leaving the swimsuit shop, Kotomi could barely walk without Megumi supporting her. Even now, her legs were still weak and trembling.

Seeing this, Megumi smiled faintly, filled with a sense of accomplishment.

"Shall we find a place for you to rest? Otherwise, you might not even be able to walk later," Megumi said with a teasing smile.

She was rewarded with a resentful glare from Kotomi.

"Megumi, I've decided—I'm going to cold war with you for one minute!"

"Don't be like that, Kotomi~"

"Hmph, coax me." Kotomi huffed, refusing to give in.

"Alright, Kotomi~"

Leaning close to Kotomi's ear, Megumi whispered sweet words over and over, not stopping unless Kotomi told her to.

Kotomi put on a proud, aloof front, pretending to ignore her.

Until one full minute passed.

Then she finally let out a tsundere snort:

"Hmph, since you already know you were wrong, I'll reluctantly forgive you."

"Thank you, Kotomi, you're the best~" Megumi replied warmly. Her words weren't as sugary as candy, but more like a sip of water—subtle, refreshing sweetness that lingered gently afterward.

Candy sweetness, or the subtle aftertaste of water—which one did Kotomi like best?

The answer: she liked both!

"Wife, are you hungry?" Megumi asked.

"I am. Let's go to Burger King! Oh, but when I order a kids' meal, you're not allowed to laugh at me," Kotomi said, emphasizing it.

Megumi didn't quite understand at first. But when they arrived at Burger King and saw the poster on the wall outside, she realized.

A Pretty Cure collaboration keychain came with every kids' meal. No wonder Kotomi wanted one.

Though, with the size of a kids' meal… even ten of them probably wouldn't be enough to fill her up.

Chapter 629: What Is Called Forcing the Bow

In the barren sky, Avant Heim floated quietly in the high heavens, basking in the unchanging starlight that had endured for six thousand years.

From the ground, looking up, it seemed as though a vast slab of bedrock had been dug from the earth's crust—a floating island suspended in the air.

Upon closer inspection, one would notice that the island, which resembled a colossal rock plate, also bore fins attached to it… Hm?

Splash—!

With the abolishment of the 'Ten Covenants,' the 'Spirit Corridor' that extended across every corner of the world revived once more. The 'island' hovering twenty thousand feet above trembled as if struck by an earthquake.

ROAR—!

The long-slumbering whale let out a mighty cry, its voice tearing through the clouds like thunder, a sound so loud it left heads ringing and thoughts scattering.

A living being?!

It was hard to believe that such a quake came from a living body, yet that was exactly the case. Amid the violent tremors, its massive outline became clear—a gigantic sky whale!

It was alive—a being ranked second among Disboard's sixteen sentient races, surpassed only by the Old Deus.

If an elder who had witnessed the Great War six thousand years ago were here, they would surely exclaim—'The God of War's Messenger!'

During the Great War for supremacy over the title of the One True God, one among the Phantasma mutated into a 'Devil,' leading monstrous kin to rampage across the world.

Among them, one such being—Avant Heim—chose to submit to the late master of the Flügel, the War God Artosh, and thus became known as the God of War's Messenger.

When the war ended six thousand years ago, Artosh was stripped of his divinity by the Ex-Machina, who sacrificed nearly their entire race, and he fell.

With the signing of the 'Ten Covenants' by Tet, Avant Heim's combat power was sealed, and it entered a long slumber.

Thanks to its massive body, the surviving Flügel who had lost their master chose to build a nation upon it, naming it after the Phantasma itself—Avant Heim.

BOOM—!

Now, the crystalline leaves sprouting from Avant Heim's body shimmered a bright azure in the sunlight, swaying like a living breath, sending out pulse-like tremors that shook the air.

The vast surge of magic power stirred the atmosphere into rippling waves that stretched to the horizon, refusing to fade.

Creaaak—

The Flügel's dwelling resembled a colossal tree, with blood-red trunks and roots endlessly extending downward. Among the twisting forms of countless irregular cubes, rows upon rows of book-laden shelves emerged.

This was the legacy after the signing of the 'Ten Covenants'—the Flügel had collected knowledge, that is, books, from every race across the world.

Driven by their innate thirst for knowledge, as well as the need to distract themselves and suppress their instinctive lust for battle—

One could say that the pursuit of knowledge had become their motivation to continue living after the war.

After six thousand years of accumulation, Avant Heim had become the largest library in all of Disboard.

It stored the wisdom of all sixteen sentient races, and even that of the 'unknown.'

To this day, much of the ancient knowledge that the Flügel held had already been lost or forgotten in its original homelands.

Undoubtedly, this was the fundamental reason Avant Heim had not yet suffered a catastrophic strike from the Luna Wolves Legion.

"What's happening?"

"The seal is gone?!"

"Did Tet, that useless god, finally fall?!"

"The pieces have collapsed. No doubt about it—the restrictions of the 'Ten Covenants' have vanished. So this is power…? I almost forgot how good it feels."

One by one, the Flügel emerged from their dormant personal spaces.

Without exception, a geometric halo spun above their heads.

From their waists sprouted glowing wings, far too small by aerodynamics to allow flight, yet glowing with ethereal light.

The air was filled with the ancient scent of books, emanating from these youthful, beautiful Flügel girls. But beneath their appearance lay a sharp contrast—an aura of destruction, mixed with the weariness and pain of unanswered questions, seeping from their beings.

"Is this reincarnation? The authority of the One True God has fallen, and now a new round of conquest is about to begin?"

"If even that kind of being could gain final victory, why did we lose? Even our great master perished—what right did he have to remain?"

Throwing aside their books, the Flügel girls were filled with sighs and doubts.

But soon—

"Sisters, it is time for our wings to cover the sky once again!"

"This is the second time! Our chance at redemption! Once more, we shall wage war! Claim the 'Suniaster' and let our master reign over Disboard again!"

"Those piles of scrap metal must not think their temporary victory will last forever!"

"Slaughter them! Mount their heads upon the One Throne of our Lord!"

"And those forest-dwelling grasshoppers too…!"

Their eyes grew increasingly blood-red, their lips increasingly bloodthirsty… There was a reason the Flügel were called 'god-slaying weapons.'

Born a race of war, though thousands of years had cultivated their interest in knowledge, the truth in their bones remained that of battle maniacs.

Now that the restrictions of the 'Ten Covenants' had vanished, the rebound of their immense combat power—suppressed for six millennia by their overwhelming magical adaptability—was terrifying.

"Sisters, restrain yourselves for now."

A woman appeared, with symmetrically glowing wings woven from light itself extending from her waist, emerald hair, a single horn upon her head, and mismatched blue-gold eyes.

The halo above her head was far more complex than that of other Flügel, composed of numerous intricate magic circles and geometric patterns.

Azril—the First Number, the very first Flügel created, Speaker of the Eighteen-Winged Council, leader of the Flügel, the "Proxy of All Wings," and full representative of the Phantasma Avant Heim.

Her usual angelic smile was replaced entirely by cold severity.

"Recall all Flügel. The failure of the Covenants marks a change of the millennium. We must seize this opportunity with everything we have!"

"For that, we will pay any price!"

Her words, brimming with killing intent, revealed an utterly merciless resolve.

This time, the elder sister was serious.

Though Azril was often regarded among her kin as incompetent, even ridiculed as 'that thing,' and even endured the disrespect of juniors—when she grew serious, no one dared cause trouble.

"Where is Jibril?"

Watching her countless kin gather as they awakened and filled the Eighteen-Winged Council, Azril's brow suddenly furrowed.

"As the Exceptional Unit, the final individual created by our Lord… how could she still be sulking outside at a time like this?! Recall her at once! That is an order!"

"Uh… elder sister, Jibril left home more than ten years ago because she opposed the 'Book Sharing Act.' Currently, her location is in some small human kingdom, called Elkia… Wait?!!"

A Flügel girl suddenly cried out in shock.

"Jibril's presence… has disappeared?!"

As a race designed for group hunting, the Flügel often acted in teams of several to dozens. Among them, a faint sense of each other's presence could never be severed unless one had died.

This was provocation!

Azril's expression twisted hideously. Instinctively, the only conclusion she could reach was that another higher race had struck.

"Good. Very good! Prepare for war—!"

"Your Majesty, this is it. The homeland of the Flügel—Avant Heim, the treasure trove that holds all of Disboard's knowledge!"

A sycophantic yet familiar voice rang out—crack!—

The barrier of reality tore apart. Under collapsing space-time, threads of light stretched like veins.

A violet-red radiance shone too brightly, too fiercely, staining everything around as though drenched in blood.

Those scarlet, rhombus-shaped eyes blazed, the surrounding void and spatial fissures alike reflected their hue, and so too did their fate…

The aura of despair it radiated was unforgettable—etched forever in Azril's mind.

All thoughts of war, slaughter, or hunting were abandoned.

Hummmm—!

The dim void was brushed by a glowing halo. Amid drifting particle fragments, Jibril and two human women stood respectfully behind an embodied form of "despair," seemingly in conversation.

Crack!

That multifaceted crystal shimmered with starlight brilliance like the Milky Way. Even at first sight, its meaning was unmistakable in their minds—'the Suniaster.'

The holy relic for which they were willing to pay any price now lay just within reach, yet utterly unattainable.

It was clasped in slender, delicate fingers… treated like a piece of candy for afternoon tea, bitten into, chewed…

"You…"

Azril wanted to say more.

But before she could—thump, thump-thump!—she had already collapsed to her knees instinctively, her forehead pressed to the ground, offering a worship named loyalty.

...

Invisible corridors etched strange marks above the Flügel's heads.

'How amusing…'

'So it seems… the third-ranked Elves among the sixteen races are in truth the common essence of all intelligent life in this world, regardless of their consciousness.'

'The only difference is the concentration. All conscious beings in Disboard have spirits flowing within them.'

'Just as the Flügel's bodies are entirely composed of spirits, most concentrated in their wings.'

Selene smiled. Her experiment was a success. The elves were the foundation of this world's structure.

These azure spirit particles were weak individually, yet indispensable.

The Spirit Corridors.

The source of all magic in this world, essentially channels of magic itself. Spirit Corridors were composed entirely of spirit particles, though not all spirits belonged to them.

Through these corridors formed by the aggregation of spirit particles, lower-ranked races could control the flow of spirits and thoughts, thereby manifesting abilities according to their traits.

The revival and reconnection of the Spirit Corridors would undoubtedly cause the Luna Wolves Legion's offensive to meet fiercer resistance and retaliation.

Selene had indeed set a trap for Horus.

It was as though a simple difficulty level had been raised to hard by her reopening of the Corridors.

But none of this hindered her true objective.

The Suniaster was in her hand.

She had never intended to close or destroy the Spirit Corridors—why ruin such a fine tool, when she could add her own ingredients to it?

Without hesitation, Selene connected the Honkai Dimension with the Spirit Corridors of Disboard.

In her vision, the azure spirit particles that filled the air and blanketed the earth began visibly to turn murky, heavy.

Particles of Honkai energy, extensions of Selene's will, boiled forth, corroding this new land.

"Go on, use them."

Selene lightly rubbed her fingers together. The mottled void of the Corridors revealed countless twisted lines, intersecting and entangling, then scattering forth to their ends—

The manifestations of intelligent races across Disboard casting their spells.

Once they used the corrupted Spirit Corridors, even without the Suniaster, the world's survival would rest upon Selene's will alone.

Would subduing these races require persuasion?

Answer: No.

She didn't care whether their obedience was sincere. She would force it.

Selene had no patience for games, to challenge and defeat each one, then suffer through endless disputes. Efficiency was better: with the Suniaster's authority, one simple step achieved it all.

No need for them to suffer. No burden for her.

Selene narrowed her eyes.

Crunch!

She bit into the Suniaster again, leaving a neat imprint of teeth. Her cheeks shifted slightly as she chewed, then turned her gaze upon the girls before her, dressed in sleeveless tops, adorned with ribbons, pendants, peculiar panties, and mismatched socks.

The Flügel, and the knowledge they had amassed over six thousand years, were Selene's most prized fruits.

Besides them, only the Ex-Machina, Dragonia, Gigants, and Dwarves earned her notice.

The Ex-Machina—beings capable of endless learning and self-reinforcement, fellow god-slayers of the Great War. Selene was deeply curious about their structure and construction, intent on studying them.

The Dragonia and Gigants—top-ranked, powerful races. No other reason. Her collector's obsession stirred—she wanted a batch for her own "menagerie."

The Dwarves—masters of manufacturing, technologically ahead of Disboard. Selene intended to seize their research, sort their entire race, and implant Mental Seals upon the compliant before handing them to the Empire's Foundry Division and Science Bureau.

Surely, they would be delighted.

As for the rest? Not worth her eye. She would leave them to their fate, without undue interference.

"Azril, tally the surviving Flügel. Categorize the six millennia of accumulated knowledge and present it to me as a full archive."

"Yes!"

Naturally, Azril obeyed.

Identity shifted swiftly.

The Flügel were indeed loyal and spirited toward their master. But before Selene… not even suicide in loyalty was possible.

Their will, their thoughts, their very structure—reshaped instantly into Selene's form.

To be chosen by me, to ascend in one step, is your fortune.

"Bring me the preserved heads—or rather, remains—of the Ex-Machina as well."

Issuing orders as she strode toward the inner hall, Selene suddenly remembered something. "By the way, where is Alyssa?"

"By the timing, she should have arrived already…"

Chapter 559: Tireless Joy

"Next, it's my turn, hehe~"

After Yuzuru Hanyu left, Shea, who had been standing next to her, came forward with a silly smile.

As soon as Shea appeared, Eriri immediately grabbed the tall pair of rabbit ears on her head with both hands and began kneading them skillfully.

"Shea's ears still feel just as nice as always~"

"Of course, I've been taking good care of them all along."

After more than two months, once again feeling Eriri's caress, Shea's heart overflowed with happiness, and she couldn't help but wag her tail uncontrollably.

After interacting with Shea for a while, Eriri turned her gaze toward the Kocho sisters—Kanae Kocho, Shinobu Kocho, and Kanao Tsuyuri—who were the last ones waiting in the restaurant to interact with her.

The three sisters were now dressed in high school, middle school, and elementary school uniforms respectively. Compared to the Taisho-era outfits they had worn back in the Demon Slayer world, these were clearly much more stylish.

Eriri didn't immediately speak to Kanae. Instead, she placed her hands on Shinobu and Kanao's heads, gently patting them a few times.

"Little Shinobu, Kanao, how have you two been lately?"

Hearing this, Shinobu quickly nodded. "Very well, but… not being able to see Eriri-nee has been a little lonely."

As she spoke, her expression grew a little downcast.

"Don't be sad. To make up for it, I'll spend plenty of time with you over these two days."

At Eriri's words, Shinobu's sadness instantly vanished, replaced by a sweet smile.

Although Kanao didn't speak, her continuously nodding little head and her happy smile were enough to show how good her mood was.

Eriri patted Shinobu and Kanao's heads, then turned her gaze to Kanae, who was gently watching their interaction.

Meeting Eriri's gaze, Kanae could no longer hold herself back, just like Utaha Kasumigaoka earlier. She immediately pulled Eriri into her embrace.

"Eriri, welcome back."

Held tightly in Kanae's arms, Eriri not only felt the woman's proud figure but also her overwhelming joy.

"Mm, I'm back!"

Smiling, Eriri rubbed her face against Kanae's chest, once again repeating the words she had already said many times without the slightest impatience.

Just as Eriri was about to introduce Shiraori and the others to Arifureta and the rest, a childish voice suddenly called out from outside the restaurant.

"Master, Master, I missed you so much, nya!"

A white cat then sprinted toward Eriri, and when she was still three or four meters away, she leapt straight into the air with outstretched limbs, pouncing toward Eriri's arms, fully confident Eriri would catch her.

And Eriri didn't disappoint her, opening her arms to catch her directly.

"So it's Haruka. In just over two months, you've already grown this much, and you can even talk now. Not bad at all."

Looking at the beautiful white cat in her arms, Eriri lowered her head and nuzzled her adorable feline face a few times.

"Thank you, Master, nya!"

Hearing Eriri's praise, Haruka gave a silly laugh.

At that moment, a graceful figure, as pure and clear as snow, followed behind Haruka and entered the restaurant.

"Haruka learned to speak more than half a month ago."

Yukino Yukinoshita, dressed in Toyogasaki Academy's uniform, quickly approached Eriri. On her flawless, beautiful face hung a faintly excited expression.

Having been playing with Haruka in the courtyard, Yukino had immediately rushed over with her upon hearing Eriri had returned.

Although she encountered others who had received the news along the way, she had no intention of waiting for them and simply came straight to the restaurant as quickly as she could.

However, out of restraint, her steps slowed once she reached the restaurant entrance.

Haruka, on the other hand, had no such restraint. She jumped out of Yukino's arms and ran straight into the restaurant at full speed.

That was why Yukino appeared just a moment after her.

Seeing Yukino standing prettily before her, Eriri freed one hand from holding Haruka and reached out to gently caress Yukino's soft cheek.

"Yukino, after more than two months, you're still just as cute~"

Hearing Eriri's praise, Yukino tilted her head slightly upward, the corners of her lips curling up uncontrollably.

"Of course, I've always been cute."

Just as Eriri was about to continue deepening her bond with Yukino, more commotion came from outside the restaurant.

Akino entered together with Lala, Nana, and Momo, as well as the three Gorgon sisters—Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa.

"Eriri, you're finally back! I missed you so much!"

The moment she saw Eriri across from Yukino, the ever-enthusiastic Euryale broke away from the group and rushed toward her, brimming with excitement.

Seeing their younger sister acting so unreservedly, Stheno and Medusa couldn't help but shake their heads helplessly. Still, they followed closely behind and approached Eriri together.

At the same time, Akino also came up to Eriri, standing on the opposite side of Yukino.

"Yukino, didn't I tell you to wait a bit? Why did you rush over so quickly? Were you really that impatient to see Eriri before us?"

Akino's mischievous gaze was fixed squarely on her twin sister.

At her words, Yukino's face flushed slightly, betraying her embarrassment.

"Don't talk nonsense. It's just that you were too slow."

Yukino snapped back, unwilling to admit her own impatience. With her tsundere nature, there was no way she would admit such a thing so easily.

Seeing this, Akino didn't push further, only letting her grin grow even more mischievous. Then she shifted her focus entirely onto Eriri.

"Eriri, why didn't you let us know in advance that you were coming back? If not for Yue-chan posting the news in our LINE group just now, I still wouldn't know you had returned~"

Stepping forward, Akino immediately latched onto Eriri's arm and leaned her face against her shoulder.

"That's because I wanted to surprise you~"

Retracting the hand that had been on Yukino's face, Eriri placed it instead on Akino's cheek, stroking her softly just as she had done with Yukino earlier.

Seeing Akino's spoiled expression, especially that identical face smiling sweetly, Yukino, standing across from them, found it hard to watch. And when she noticed that Eriri's hand—just a moment ago on her own cheek—was now caressing Akino instead, her heart sank with a touch of gloom.

But her gloomy feelings didn't last long. Eriri soon moved her hand away from Akino's face and instead patted the little heads of the three Gorgon sisters—Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa.

By now, Yukino and the others had already taken up the space in front of Eriri. A step too late, Lala thought for a moment, then ran behind Eriri and wrapped her arms around her tightly from the back.

"Hehe, Eriri, caught you~"

Standing on tiptoe, Lala rested her chin on Eriri's head with a radiant grin.

"Nee-sama, what are you doing?"

"Elder sister, this is rude. Hurry and let go of Eriri."

Nana and Momo quickly stepped up, each grabbing one of Lala's shoulders, trying to pull her off Eriri's back.

But before they could, Eriri smiled and stopped them.

"It's alright, Nana, Momo. I don't mind."

"…Fine."

Hearing Eriri's words, the two sisters reluctantly released Lala's shoulders. Since the one involved didn't mind, they couldn't really say more.

As for Lala, the moment she heard Eriri's response, her hold on her became even tighter.

"I knew it, Eriri, you're the best, hehe~"

Their bodies pressed together, Eriri could clearly feel the extreme softness against her back.

Just as Yukino and Akino were about to continue speaking to Eriri, Haruno suddenly appeared behind them, not far from where Shiraori and the others were standing.

"Yukino-chan, Akino-chan, you two only have eyes for Eriri and don't even bother greeting your sister. That really hurts my feelings, you know~"

At her words, both Yukino and Akino turned their heads toward the voice. The moment they saw Haruno, surprise filled their eyes.

"Haruno-nee?"

The twins spoke in perfect unison, their identical tones blending together as if it were only a single voice.

Leaving Eriri's side, they both walked over to Haruno.

"Haruno-nee, what brings you here today? Yukino and I don't even have a day off." Akino asked with a puzzled expression.

Although Yukino remained silent, her face carried the same look of confusion.

"What, can't I come here to play with others unless it's your day off? And see? My timing was perfect. I had just stepped out of the World Gate when I happened to see Eriri standing there too. Isn't that quite the coincidence?"

Haruno chuckled with a mischievous grin, as if showing off the fact that she had been the first to meet Eriri.

Unfortunately for her, neither Yukino nor Akino cared much for that kind of thing and paid no mind to her little boast.

Unlike Haruno, who was already used to such scenes, Mirei Shinohara and Shiraori watched Eriri's intimate interactions with Arifureta and the others with their mouths agape. Even Meido and D couldn't help but glance sideways.

The main reason they had come with Eriri this time was because she wanted to introduce them to some people. Mirei and D probably wouldn't be staying here permanently anyway. After all, Mirei still needed to take care of her parents in their later years, and D preferred a quiet atmosphere, most likely returning to her own home before long to continue playing the role of an ordinary high school girl.

Of course, for the sake of tasting Aoi Kujou's delicious cooking, D would certainly make sure to show up here during mealtimes.

Still, none of them had expected Eriri to have so many people so intimately close to her.

For Mirei and Shiraori, the shock was even greater. After secretly using their appraisal abilities, they discovered that every single person in this restaurant, without exception, possessed at least Level 7 strength. Even the clearly under-ten lolis were no exception.

Their own power was at the very bottom here, which only made their desire to grow stronger all the more urgent.

Just then, more commotion erupted outside the restaurant—this time far louder than when Yukino and the others had arrived.

One after another, the rest of the household members who weren't already in the restaurant came pouring in.

Saeko Busujima and Esdeath, who had just been sparring, Jibril, Shinobu Oshino, Schwi, and Athena, who had been gaming together, Ophis and Akua who had been idling about, Artoria, Irisviel, Shizuka Marikawa, and Remia who had just woken up, the Bible Loli who had been cultivating all night along with Gabriel and Aisha attending to her, Eucliwood Hellscythe, and Naegleria, who was currently taking refuge here.

Even Gabriel Tenma White, who usually never left her room and just gamed, had come out.

After more than two months without seeing Eriri, she too missed her dearly.

As for Lilliana, Rory, and Evileye, the three of them had temporarily returned to their own worlds some time ago, so they weren't present in the restaurant.

By the time Eriri had greeted and interacted with everyone, half an hour had already passed.

This sort of process was something that always happened whenever Eriri returned after spending an extended period in another world.

Though it took some time, Eriri never grew tired of it. On the contrary, she enjoyed it wholeheartedly.

Naturally, no one else found it troublesome either. In fact, they wished they could repeat this every single day.

After all, it gave them a perfectly legitimate excuse to cling to Eriri. Why would they ever complain?

By then, it was already eight-thirty in the morning. Classes at Toyogasaki Academy, St. Gloriose Girls' Elementary where Illya and the others studied, as well as the middle school where Shinobu and Kanao attended had all already started.

But none of them showed any rush to head to school.

After all, Eriri was far more important to them.

And Eriri didn't urge them to go either. Missing a little time at school—or even taking a whole day off—wouldn't make much of a difference anyway.

Chapter 314: Stuffing the Universe into a Spaceship!

Inside the pocket-universe city, everyone clicked their tongues in amazement.

In the original story, Cheng Xin's Universe No. 647 only included a house and a plot of farmland, but here it was an entire city.

Moreover, due to the peculiar space-creation technology, no matter which end of the city you set out from, once you reached the edge, you would return to the starting point.

It was a small world bubble.

Although its area wasn't large, its principles were completely identical to those of the universe outside.

"How did this sun and sky come about?"

Yat Sen activated her sensors and discovered the sky wasn't actually that far away.

"Holographic simulation."

Kayo Senju answered.

"The pocket-universe itself is a cube about 200 kilometers on each side. Because of spacetime distortion, you can never truly reach its boundary."

"It has its own internal circulation system, powered by a dark matter engine and a cube reactor."

"Oh."

The group nodded in understanding.

After patrolling the streets once, they saw that most of the living facilities had already been completed. The Bulins and Angeloids were busy finishing the last touches.

"Additionally, some physical constants and spacetime laws in the pocket-universe can be customized."

Grey walked as she opened a holographic interface.

Several conspicuous options were displayed on it:

[Spacetime Curvature: 1 (default)]

[Gravity: 1G (default)]

[Atmospheric Composition: ...]

"The timeline inside the pocket-universe is completely independent from the universe. By adjusting the spacetime curvature here, we can achieve effects similar to the Eternal Snowfall."

Grey explained.

"If the curvature is adjusted high enough—tens of billions of times or more—while we spend a short while here, in the universe we might witness the end within just a few years."

"Based on estimates… well, in half a year the sun would run through its life cycle, turning into a white dwarf. Within two years the solar system would collapse, and in ten years the entire universe would contract into a singularity."

"If the curvature is adjusted lower, it'll be similar to the Eternal Snowfall. Basically, like when the Commander throws a party and uses his authority."

Setsuna didn't touch the spacetime curvature.

In the pocket-universe, one could truly idle away as if eons passed in the blink of an eye.

Staying here for a short while could equal tens of millions or even billions of years in the outside world.

"As for gravity, it's straightforward. The gravity here is simulated and can be freely adjusted."

Grey tapped the panel, changing it to 0.2 standard gravity.

The little shipgirls gave a light jump, and without using any thrusters, floated into midair.

Ooooh—

Chirp?!

Even the little yellow chicks farming at the city's edge floated up into the air, flapping their wings frantically, chirping in panic.

"Can we contact the universe from inside the pocket-universe?"

Richelieu asked.

She found all her communication devices unusable.

"No."

Grey shook her head.

"This is essentially another universe. Aside from the Commander using his authority to connect with the outside, no information can pass through."

"However, the universe can send ultramembrane broadcasts to all pocket-universes, just like how the final Return Movement broadcast civilizations did."

"But sending an ultramembrane broadcast that a pocket-universe can receive would consume an astronomical amount of energy—about enough to convert the entire Milky Way into pure energy."

A nanobot counted on its fingers.

"Compared to the sub-light natives, our tech is advanced. If converted into Wisdom Cube energy, emptying our reserves should allow one full-universe, cross-world broadcast…"

"Are you insane?! There's no one else in this universe—who would you even be sending a broadcast to?!"

Richelieu smacked Grey on the head.

The group continued to tour the little world.

Whether city construction, agriculture, or industry, this place was a self-contained realm.

Without external interference, it could persist until the end of time.

—And external forces could never interfere here. Even if the universe perished, the pocket-universe would remain.

It was the ultimate refuge, a last resort created by god-tier civilizations in the Three-Body world.

"Amazing, truly amazing…"

The companions marveled in awe.

After exploring every corner of the city, Grey finally opened the exit, and the group reluctantly walked out.

"We'll designate this universe as Universe No. 1, city-level in scale."

Kayo Senju gave a summary report.

"Constructing Universe No. 1 consumed resources equal to about five times its total volume. Hmm, that's roughly the equivalent of an aircraft fleet?"

"Hiss—"

The simple conversion startled everyone.

Creating a universe out of nothing was naturally not cheap.

Even if it was only a small city, the Bulins could finish in one or two weeks, but the resources expended were very real.

To construct a solar-system-sized world inside a pocket-universe would require dismantling five or six suns, maybe more.

"Universe No. 1 will be handed over to the research department for study. See if it can be improved—cross-universe communication functions, for example."

Setsuna thought it over and assigned the little universe to the researchers.

"As for follow-up construction, keep the scale at city-level for now. When the technology matures, we can move on to planetary- or star-system-level."

"As for galaxy-level, universe-level… cough, let's wait until we have a pump before considering that."

"Also, I have a bold idea: try merging a pocket-universe with ship rigging and see what happens."

He came up with another wild idea. After all, combining technologies from two worlds was the Starsea Empire's greatest strength.

"Alright."

"Sounds a bit difficult, but we'll try later…"

The research lolis nodded.

"..."

"Wait a second."

"Stuffing a pocket-universe into the Eternal Snowfall?! We used to have shipgirls carried by warships—are we now moving on to universes carried by ships?"

Richelieu froze.

She couldn't help imagining a scenario:

Every cabin on the Eternal Snowfall was an entire world.

Opening a door would lead to a brand-new universe.

The starship itself would be a multiverse composite body.

It would carry countless universes across the stars.

At a mere thought, galaxies shattered and universes perished.

"I thought the Juggernaut's next upgrade would be a stellar-class warship or something like that, but it's jumping straight to something this ridiculous?!"

"A multiverse battleship?! Burning with cosmos?!"

Grey felt the Eternal Snowfall's upgrade route had gone far beyond imagination.

"Are you a technological Saint Seiya now?!"

"More like a pay-to-win version."

Gudako narrowed her eyes and muttered.

"Do you know how many resources it costs to build just one pocket-universe?! If we play like that, we'd have to drain all our neighbors dry!"

"And stacking multiple world powers onto oneself like that… isn't that basically a god?"

"A technological god?!"

...

The uproar over pocket-universe technology lasted for a while in the capital.

Many lined up to visit the little world.

Aside from its peculiar space structure, there wasn't much difference from the universe.

The empire's research department would conduct in-depth studies of the bubble-world.

Setsuna's wild idea had left the research lolis with a project hundreds of times more difficult than faster-than-light travel.

—Stuffing a pocket-universe into the Eternal Snowfall.

The Commander had a habit of wanting to install anything new into his flagship, whether technological or magical. Everyone was used to it.

But this wasn't as simple as placing a pocket-universe entrance inside. The Eternal Snowfall would have to actually contain an entire world.

"..."

"In three-dimensional terms, it might be possible for the Juggernaut to carry a city-level bubble-world… but for planetary or larger scales, the space is clearly insufficient…"

"Unless… unless…"

Kayo Senju toyed with her golden hair in the research center while pondering.

"Unless we elevate the Eternal Snowfall to higher dimensions? Transform it into four-dimensional, five-dimensional, or beyond…?"

"Aaaaah, that sounds even harder!!!"

The research lolis pulled at their hair in frustration.

"Do your best—our Commander's future depends on you."

The nanobots, acting as teachers, cheered the group on.

"We can't keep it up, it's too hard…"

Kayo Senju looked utterly lifeless.

"..."

"The Commander said you've done a huge favor for him and the Empire. When you grow up, he'll marry you."

Grey decided to encourage the lolis.

"Really?! Onii-chan said that?!…"

A roomful of research lolis instantly lit up, eyes sparkling as though injected with chicken blood.

"Actually, we could do it right now too."

Several lolis immediately raised their hands and shouted.

"It's true, there's even a record."

Grey casually pulled up a forged chat log, making things up without hesitation.

"Even if it's fake, once you succeed in your research, would the Commander really refuse such a small request?"

"See? Your contributions are obvious to everyone. We're all grateful to you. Just find a chance to act spoiled with the Commander, and it'll happen naturally."

Every word struck directly at the lolis' weak points, stirring a noisy uproar.

Ooooh—

Including Kayo Senju, the research lolis suddenly felt full of power.

"Everyone, let's work overtime this year and next! Strive to hold the wedding the year after!"

"Oooooooh!!! Burn with passion!!! For the sake of becoming the Commander's brides, charge!!!"

"???"

Passing by, Ark Royal was shocked.

"Why can the Commander have so many lolis, while just getting close to one would get me arrested and thrown into solitary?!"

"If the Commander breaks the law, shouldn't he be punished the same as us shipgirls?! My cellmate?!"

Smack—

Bismarck firmly pressed a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you done talking? If so, come with me."

"These research lolis will grow into young maidens in a few years, alright? What's the problem?"

"Maidens?"

Ark Royal instantly lost interest.

"Forget it, I'll go look for destroyer little sisters instead."

"Oh? Is that a criminal premonition I just heard?"

Bismarck raised an eyebrow.

"You're under arrest. Serve your sentence first before thanking me."

Chapter 313: The First Aeon Falls

Crack, crack—

Under his own will, Nanook's Holy Body shattered. Another arm, from shoulder to waist, splintered into countless fragments.

The power of the Path of Destruction, once enveloping half the cosmos, began to weaken step by step.

Nanook's Path of Destruction continued to fracture. Shards of philosophy peeled away one after another, then were devoured by the newly forged Path of Destruction.

As Firefly absorbed those peeled-away philosophical fragments, the breadth of her Path rapidly expanded.

Though both belonged to the Path of Destruction, the Tree and Sea never allowed two identical leaves to exist. There would always be subtle differences. Just as with Raiden Bosenmori Mei and her counterparts across various universes—they were not the same phase-being, but rather similar, separate individuals.

Such subtle distinctions, when placed upon the Path, manifested as vast disparities. Thus, all traits Firefly's Path of Destruction lacked would be absorbed from Nanook's Path.

The remnants that did not align with Firefly's new Path would be discarded.

Those remnants would either serve as evidence Nanook had not been fully devoured, or become the ashes of a fallen Aeon. Then, together with the traces of Nanook's will, they would converge into the cancer of all worlds—the Stellaron.

Most Stellarons today were indeed formed from the remnants of fallen Aeons' power.

"I've won, Nanook. My Destruction is utterly superior to yours in serving the cosmos. Life, civilization—because of the universe they shine, and because of them the universe becomes resplendent and diverse."

"And Destruction exists to purge the errors that hinder the universe's continuation."

"Just like seeds sprouting from the ashes of a wildfire, bringing forth new life to the world."

Firefly felt her strength growing ever greater as she absorbed shard after shard of philosophy.

An Aeon's power depended upon the breadth of its Path. The broader the Path, the greater the power it could wield.

Within the scope of her philosophy, she was invincible—unless another arose, as she had, to overturn Nanook's philosophy itself.

Yet such a miracle was nearly impossible. From the birth of the first Aeon until now—over tens of billions of years—only she had emerged.

Such a situation, she believed, might never occur again from the birth to the end of the cosmos.

Crack—

Nanook's Holy Body continued to shatter and collapse, yet his will's assault never ceased. Even his already broken Path continued to burn.

Aeons were creatures of absolute obsession. They would never waver from the Path they walked. Even if proven fragile, narrow, or flawed, they would persist unshaken.

Nanook remained unmoved, golden-red eyes calmly watching the new Aeon of Destruction devouring his Path.

"Indeed, you have won, new Destruction. But my Destruction remains an unshakable truth."

Firefly declared firmly: "From philosophy's view, yours may be the truth. But from reality's view—mine is the truth."

"This ends here, Nanook."

Nanook said nothing more, only continued to gaze in utter calm while exerting every last ounce of his power.

Firefly's Path accelerated, devouring shards of philosophy without pause.

The old Path of Destruction shattered like a river of glass.

As it was devoured piece by piece, Nanook's Holy Body crumbled completely, until only a head remained. Even that resembled a shattered melon, from which one golden-red eye was flung into the void.

Crack—

The old Path of Destruction shattered utterly, absorbed completely by the new Path. Nanook's Holy Body vanished from Firefly's sight.

The energy released from its shattering was absorbed by the universe, distributed evenly throughout. For a brief time, the cosmos' energies rose by several percent.

Nanook had fallen completely. Yet he had not vanished without trace.

The marks he left upon the universe remained.

For instance, the Antimatter Legion forged from dark matter.

But bereft of their creator and no longer commanded, they now wandered aimlessly through the cosmos—like the parasitic pests left behind by the fallen Aeon of Propagation.

The black beast tide did not completely annihilate the Antimatter Legion. Instead, after clearing away the portions that affected civilization, it ignored the rest.

The creations of the Antimatter Legion possessed only instinct, devoid of self-awareness, acting entirely under Nanook's will…

Beyond that, they only moved according to the commands of the Seven Lord Ravagers.

But now, with Nanook's death, all seven had lost their power.

Each Lord Ravager possessed the might to burn galaxies, somewhat stronger than an ordinary galaxy-level Emanator, though their strength had limits.

Before Nanook's fall, two of them had already been slain by galaxy-level abyssal beasts. The rest, once stripped of their Emanator power, were swept up and hurled into the Abyss by the black beast tide.

Within the bottomless tunnels of the Abyss, a female figure of living flame struggled and screamed.

"Ahhh… my power is gone! Has my master truly fallen?!"

Before she could finish her wailing, a whip of abyssal energy lashed out, shattering her fiery body.

"Hmph, so you're called Phantylia, right? A strange lifeform of fire. Took me quite some effort to deal with you. Once you're in the Abyss, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy yourself. Ugh, exhausting."

"But hey, bagging a few tens of thousands of galaxies smoothly—hehehe, promotion and pay raise, promotion and pay raise! Even if I can't reach Supreme rank, rising to Abyssal Commander should be just about right, hehehe~"

The Abyssal Apostle Enjou, already a galaxy-level God-King, grinned so wide his mouth nearly split apart.

...

Though a universal catastrophe raged, the clash of old and new Aeons had still been observed by countless cosmic powers.

Especially Penacony, which had not yet been struck—but soon would be.

"Incredible. In a calamity of this scale, anything can happen. Even two identical Paths appearing, leading to a battle between old and new Aeons."

Diamond, Minister of Strategic Investment of the Interastral Peace Corporation, spoke in disbelief.

Dr. Primitive No. 64 of the Genius Society exclaimed with excitement: "Hehehe, isn't this the most unimaginable set of data? Information directly from an Aeon!"

Dongfang Qixing interjected: "Hey, hey! Sure, the Aeon battle is unimaginable, but what's more pressing is that the black beast tide is almost here."

"What we need to discuss is our counterstrategy."

"Based on results from gravitational wave detection, no world so far has been able to resist it. And even Emanators caught within it are eventually ground to death."

Diamond sneered at Dongfang Qixing's words. "Emanators? Heh… Emanators mean nothing to those abyssal beasts. How much do we truly understand about them?"

Dr. Primitive chuckled as well. "How much do we understand? Emanator of Preservation, you jest. Even among the top ranks of the Genius Society, our research has only reached the conclusion that abyssal creatures are somewhat similar to antimatter lifeforms."

"But it is clear they possess a complete ecosystem. The higher their life level, the more intelligence they exhibit. An abyssal beast at Emanator level is nearly impossible to slay—even for another Emanator."

"More shocking still, through universal detection conducted by our Genius Society, it's evident these abyssal beasts possess a hive mind—just like the Antimatter Legion Nanook created before his fall."

"Otherwise, how could such a ludicrous selection mechanism even exist?"

"If one were to follow this mechanism, then ninety-nine percent of those fleeing to Penacony would become targets for cleansing."

"And there would be no avoiding it—including me, and all of you."

Dr. Primitive was well aware of his own sins. Though he believed his research was right—that scientific progress must come with sacrifice—he had no illusions.

The number of those who wanted his life could circle the entire cosmos, especially the meddlesome Cloud Knights and Galaxy Rangers.

He was confident no one in the universe could take his life… until now. The black beast tide made clear to him that without a precise method, he was certain to die.

In terms of guilt, this so-called scientific genius—who turned entire civilized planets into experimental fields, wiping them so clean that not even a single bacterium remained—was the most heinous sinner in the universe.

Perhaps the only interstellar organization untouched by the beast tide would be the Garden of Recollection, that absolutely neutral group.

Of course, it wasn't that the Garden of Recollection had no sinners—it had plenty—but proportionally, far fewer.

At this moment, the Garden's Memokeeper were traversing the universe, collecting memories.

Louis Fleming pointed upward, toward the miniature sun hanging above the atmosphere, enshrouding the entire galaxy and laying down order. "Everyone here is clever. The only way out lies above. Surely you already understand."

"Only that legacy of the Aeon of Order overhead can let us survive this annihilation crisis. Only the power of an Aeon gives us a chance."

Diamond frowned. "But the key lies in finding someone capable of inheriting that legacy. Those who walk the Path of Order are rarer than phoenix feathers across the entire universe—let alone in Penacony."

Dr. Primitive chuckled. "That is a matter for us scientists to study. The legacy of Order will certainly favor whoever has most upheld Order at present. And that person has already appeared."

Everyone present leaned forward at once. "Oh? Who is it?"

This was their future on the line.

Dr. Primitive turned his gaze toward the largest screen of the Penacony Dreamscape Hotel. On it was projected the galaxy's greatest star, singing to soothe the hearts of all.

Her voice had once ended wars across countless civilizations, bringing enemies to shake hands and reconcile.

Barriers of language, barriers of culture, even barriers of species—none could resist her song. It broke down every wall, carrying messages of peace and beauty, leading strangers to clasp hands as friends.

Though the current calm of Penacony was due in part to the legacy of Order, the one who had truly pacified countless races' fear and panic was the singer, Robin.

The others understood at once.

Dr. Primitive continued. "Any Emanator, with careful perception, can discover certain clues. Isn't that so?"

Hearing this, Diamond erupted with Emanator-level power, extending the Path of Preservation to expand his perception and cover the entirety of Penacony.

Every life signal imprinted into his vision. Among them, one shone brilliantly, a silver thread from the legacy of Order connecting directly to it.

But that aura belonged not to Order—it belonged to Harmony. And Harmony rejected the favor of Order.

At once, all the great figures present could not help but grow excited.

Every conclusion they had drawn thus far pointed only to utter annihilation.

Only the legacy of Order offered them hope.

Even as mere remnants, the power of an Aeon could lay down laws across an entire galaxy—rules even abyssal beasts were forced to obey.

"Since hope lies before us, send someone to bring Miss Robin here. No—invite her politely."

After all, Robin was a superstar famed across the cosmos, and also an important member of her family line—the younger sister of the Oak family's patriarch.

Even if Penacony, in the eyes of these mighty powers and their Emanators, was not worth weighing on the same scale with them—

For Penacony had no Emanator, not even a Pathstrider capable of shattering a planet—

Still, their only hope now rested upon her. Should she succeed in inheriting the legacy of Order, and afterward turn that power against them—would that not make them into clowns?

None who rose to the top of great powers lacked cunning.

...

Meanwhile—

On the private commercial vessel Radiant Feldspar, belonging to Oti Alfalfa, patriarch of the Alfalfa Family—

Sparkle, having taken on the form of a Pixie while inflating balloons for stage props, felt the eruption of Emanator-level power. But when she merely swept the planet once with her Path, she burst out laughing joyfully.

"Heheh~ ahhh, those ants on a hot pan finally realized it. Just in time—Lady Sparkle has prepared balloons that can fly across the whole planet in an instant."

"At the critical moment, I'll celebrate for everyone."

"Wuuu… for this one dazzling moment, I, Sparkle, blew up ten million balloons with my bare hands. My arms are so sore…"

She glanced toward the Aha mask lying motionless at her side, as if it were a dead object.

"Fufufu, then next, releasing these balloons will be up to you, Lord of Joy. Refusal is not an option."

"Lend your hand personally, to aid in the birth of a great Aeon, hehe."

Chapter 28: We All Love You… Shogun

I can sense the same trait in you as well… Is it really right to treat your own kind so harshly, Saber?

No personality. No past. No family. Born only for the sake of battle.

For battle… for…

For… "Eternity," a puppet created solely for that purpose.

Eternity…

[Shogun…]

Eternity…

[Shogun?]

Eternity…

The word echoed endlessly in her mind like a curse, flooding her thoughts as though to drown her.

[Shogun!]

"!"

That familiar voice successfully pulled her back from her drifting thoughts, as if a gentle hand had seized her when falling into the abyss, restoring her once more to the light.

'…Ei?'

She lifted her gaze toward the window, where her reflection shone faintly in the night. On the other side of the glass, the woman who looked exactly like her wore an expression of concern.

[Your thoughts just now… were unstable.]

Ei's voice reached her softly, resonating not from beyond the glass, but within her heart itself.

'I…'

She faltered, unable to answer.

[Haa…]

Ei sighed in quiet sorrow, her identical figure in the reflection showing a tender smile.

'Ei…'

[Shogun, you don't need to care about what they said. You are different from that homunculus. You are not the same kind. He has no right to be compared to you.]

Ei's voice carried no hesitation—only conviction, as if to calm the Shogun's uncertain heart.

'…How do you know my thoughts?'

[You are my creation. I entrusted my consciousness into Musou Isshin, and that blade resides within your heart. Isn't it natural that I know you through and through? Why even ask "why"?]

'But… I really am—'

[Yes, you are indeed a puppet of my creation. But that does not make you the same as him.]

[The difference between you and him is not simply in how you were born. You possess what he does not.]

[You have your own personality… otherwise, who is speaking with me now? A prewritten program?]

[You have a past… Do you remember who it was you saw when you first opened your eyes?]

'It was you…'

She answered softly, obediently.

[That is your past… your memory of birth. And now, both you and I are Raiden Shogun. I don't understand why you even question such things. I don't recall your thoughts being so easily swayed before.]

'...'

She remained silent.

[Family, he said? Hah… I feel like I shouldn't even need to say this. Don't you already know? The people by your side, including me, and Makoto—are they not family to you?]

Makoto… It had been her elder sister's wish, upon leaving her, that gave birth to the idea of creating the Shogun. She didn't want her younger sister to be alone, so she entrusted the Shogun to accompany her. The energy that activated this vessel came from Makoto herself, who sacrificed a portion of her own to sustain her.

Of course, now her role went beyond companionship. She was the Raiden Shogun of Inazuma, entrusted to govern in Ei's place and help realize their shared ideal of eternity. Remembering this made Ei feel a little guilty toward Makoto.

But her feelings for the Shogun were real—genuine, with no trace of exploitation or disposal. On the contrary, her care for the Shogun was like that for her own child… or her dearest younger sister.

[Haa… That is why you are not the same as him. You are worlds apart. Do you not realize how important you are to us?]

'...'

The Shogun grew flustered at those words.

[Are you… embarrassed?]

Ei wasn't certain, but she could sense it in her heart.

'You're the one saying such embarrassing things. How could I not feel shy?'

She lowered her head slightly, hiding the faint blush coloring her flawless face.

[Fair enough. Haa… But because of the Vision Hunt Decree, they may hold some resentment toward me. Yet that's only toward me.]

And indeed, ever since the decree had been issued, her retainers and friends had distanced themselves from her.

[So… do you feel better now?]

'Yes… much better. Thank you, Ei.'

She allowed a faint, long-missed smile to surface at the reflection in the glass. The other side smiled back and nodded gently, before her figure faded from the mirror.

Time returned to its normal flow… At her ear was the faint sound of Fiore arranging teacups on the table. In the stillness of the room, it was not jarring, but instead somewhat pleasant.

"Shogun…"

The girl finally spoke, her voice soft and delicate.

"What is it?"

"Shogun… do you have something on your mind?"

Her guess carried caution, almost timid. After placing the teacups neatly, she turned, her blue eyes brimming with worry.

"..."

The Shogun froze slightly. Was her state really so obvious?

"Um… if it's inconvenient, then…"

"There's nothing inconvenient about it…"

The Shogun knew what she wanted to say, so she replied bluntly, then walked over to her side and sat down on the chair.

"Eh?"

Fiore was slightly surprised to hear her answer so directly.

"I do have some things weighing on me…"

As she spoke, the Shogun lightly brushed her fingertips against her side locks. The alluring beauty mark at her eye glimmered faintly beneath the strands of hair.

"Mhm."

Fiore straightened her posture slightly in her wheelchair, meeting her gaze intently, as though to say I'm listening seriously.

"…Rather than calling it a burden, it's more like some complicated personal matters. Better if I don't say for now."

After some thought, she chose not to reveal them to the girl before her.

"Ah… I see… In that case, I won't ask anymore…"

Hearing this, Fiore's expression visibly dimmed. Her delicate face lowered, her voice quiet with disappointment.

"Don't misunderstand. It's not as you think. I just don't know where to begin. When the time comes, I'll tell you."

Seeing her expression, the Shogun understood she must be disheartened. So she explained again, making clear there was no rejection in her words.

"Eh? Is that so… Mhm… Shogun, whenever you choose to tell me is fine. I can wait for you."

Fiore's face brightened at once. A faint rosy blush returned to her cheeks, and her voice grew sweet.

Seeing her smile, the Shogun relaxed slightly. Truly incredible… Though they came from different worlds, they could still share such calm, peaceful exchanges.

Knock, knock… The next moment, the door was rapped upon.

A maid entered the room, bowing respectfully to the seated Shogun and Fiore.

"Lady Fiore… and Lady Saber."

"What is it?"

Fiore asked softly.

"Yes… Lord Darnic requests the two of you come to the hall. He says there is an important matter to discuss."

"Mhm… I understand."

Fiore nodded without suspicion, dismissing the maid.

...

Creak…

The door was gently pushed open by Fiore. Following the Shogun's steps, they entered the hall where Darnic and the Grand Prince awaited.

At their arrival, the two ceased their conversation, turning to face them.

"Uncle… you wished to speak with me?"

Fiore asked politely.

"Mhm… Take a look at this."

Darnic approached and handed her a newspaper.

Fiore unfolded it and, upon seeing its contents and photos, her brows furrowed in severity.

"This is…"

The Shogun's eyes fell to the images as well—bloodstained and blurred by censorship, but clearly of a man disemboweled, his body split open, viscera strewn across the ground. The scene was grotesque.

"This… was Assassin's doing."

The Grand Prince interjected.

"…Assassin?"

"Mhm… This was Assassin's Master, Hyouma Sagara. His corpse was discovered around midnight yesterday. But according to the traces left behind, this was not the work of the Mage's Association. Which means—"

"It's highly likely the deed was committed by Assassin themselves?"

Fiore finished the thought, already anticipating Darnic's conclusion.

"Exactly. The culprit is 'Jack the Ripper.' Your next mission is to take Saber with you to Sighișoara and eliminate Assassin. If necessary, dispose of their Master as well."

Darnic turned his back to them.

"I understand. We accept this task."

"There is more… Reports indicate that Red's Saber and his Master, Kairi Sisigou, are also nearby in search of Assassin. You are permitted to clash with them if need be."

That was precisely why this assignment had fallen to Fiore and the Shogun. Saber against Saber—it was the most fitting match.

"Do we need to eliminate them as well?"

Fiore asked.

"No… merely drive them off. It is not yet the decisive stage."

Darnic answered sideways.

"Mhm… Understood. Let's go, Shogun."

Fiore turned to her Servant with a small signal.

Seeing this, the Shogun pushed her wheelchair, accompanying her as they left the hall together. She found herself growing ever more practiced at wheeling her Master along these past few days.

Chapter 27: After All, Still Just a Child… My Shogun

"Twisting words, nothing more."

"!"

Jeanne's sharp hearing caught those words. She immediately turned her gaze on the Shogun again, pointing her flag-lance directly at her.

"Hey… Archer… if every Servant here were to join the fight, do we stand a chance?"

Caules quietly leaned toward Chiron, whispering to him.

Chiron studied Jeanne's weapon and her full equipment seriously before finally shaking his head slightly.

"I'm afraid it would be difficult… Leaving aside her Noble Phantasm, the Ruler class possesses a decisive skill that is troublesome enough. To us Servants, it's an absolute authority, akin to the Command Seals you Masters wield."

Chiron sighed as he explained softly to Caules.

Facing Jeanne's weapon leveled at her, the Shogun's violet eyes gleamed with danger. She recalled the Engulfing Lightning to her hand, gripping it firmly, ready to battle the Ruler if need be.

Jeanne also raised her stance in response.

If she wanted a fight? So be it. She would accompany her to the end.

The Shogun's heart was unshaken.

But just then, her idle hand was gently enveloped by warmth. Turning, she saw her Master at her side. Fiore quietly pressed her warm palm over the Shogun's hand, offering silent comfort.

"Shogun…"

The young girl shook her head slightly, meaning: There's no need for you to fight.

Letting her Servant clash with the Ruler here was not worthwhile. That was her judgment.

"Miss Jeanne… since you've already decided, we have no right to interfere. Besides, we don't wish to make an enemy of you. This homunculus will be entrusted to your protection, then."

Seeing the Shogun withdraw her weapon, Jeanne too lowered her flag-lance, nodding to Fiore.

"However… I must ask one more time. Miss Jeanne, are you truly unwilling to cooperate with us? If you did, it would be a win-win. The homunculus could return with us, and you could remain in the castle to watch over him. What do you think?"

Fiore asked again, hoping for a final chance.

"No… As long as you all pursue the Grail, fighting for your own honor, I will accept everything. That is fairness."

Jeanne decisively refused.

Fiore was unsurprised—it was exactly as she had expected.

[Hmm? Suddenly she speaks of fairness now?]

Ei interjected with timely sarcasm.

"Haa…"

The Shogun closed her eyes and sighed. She had no desire to argue with this so-called Ruler any further.

Since Fiore had already spoken, the rest, including Darnic, also relented. After all, with the Ruler herself protecting the homunculus, seizing him by force would only backfire. They could only revisit the matter later.

However… Rider's conduct could not be overlooked. Such treachery was unforgivable. If not for this meddling fool, things would not have escalated this way.

Especially the Shogun—just the sight of his grinning, frivolous face made her long to cut him down! Not for any other reason, but simply because of his ridiculous, androgynous looks and smug demeanor. If this were Inazuma… someone like him would already have been arrested by the Tenryou Commission, under charges of corrupting social morals and standards of attire.

"Rider… do you consider your actions a shameful betrayal?"

The Grand Prince on horseback glared at the traitor, his tone harsh.

"Not at all."

Rider replied without hesitation, blunt and firm.

"..." ×N

Once again, everyone fell into speechless silence as they looked at him.

"Because what I did was the right thing—"

Whoosh!

A blade of violet lightning sliced past his ear, cutting through the surrounding trees and leaving a deep glowing scar across the earth.

Boom!

"Wahhh~!! Wait—!!"

Rider nearly collapsed to the ground in terror, utterly startled by the sudden deadly strike.

"Sh-Shogun~"

Fiore, half helpless and half indulgent, reached out to soothe her Servant as she sheathed her naginata again.

"Hey~! I'm still part of the Black Faction! Do you want to kill me?!"

Rider whined at the Shogun, dissatisfied.

"So you do know that much, huh…"

Caules muttered wearily.

"You misunderstand… it was the blade that moved on its own, not me."

The Shogun gave a cold, mocking smile as she replied.

Everyone could only smile bitterly at that. This breathtakingly beautiful woman—though icy and distant—clearly had her share of mischief as well.

"Heh, Saber acted correctly. Rider, for your earlier behavior… we cannot let you go unpunished. Caster, he's yours."

Bzzz~

At the Grand Prince's command, Caster appeared beside Rider and wove his magecraft, binding Rider's hands firmly with hardened material used for crafting golems.

Rider glanced at the solid stone-like orbs shackling his hands and only laughed indifferently. Before being led away by Caster and his Master, he deliberately cast one last look at the Shogun.

"I can sense the same trait in you as well… Is it really right to treat your own kind so harshly, Saber?"

"!"

Hearing Rider's hushed words as he was taken away, the Shogun instantly furrowed her brows, violet eyes flashing dangerously.

"That's enough… let's go, let's go~"

Rider, seeing her reaction, realized he had struck a nerve. Smirking faintly, he left, escorted toward the castle.

"…."

Watching his retreating back, the Shogun retracted her dangerous glare, replacing it with eyes full of thought and complexity.

"Everyone… back to the castle!"

With that call, the Grand Prince turned his horse and rode ahead. The others exchanged nods before following after him.

Only Fiore and the Shogun remained still…

"Shogun? Let's go too?"

Noticing her Servant's absent-minded look, Fiore called softly, bringing her back from her thoughts.

The Shogun glanced at her and nodded, instinctively stepping forward…

"Uh… um…"

Fiore's small, embarrassed reminder made her realize she had forgotten her. She had left her Master's wheelchair behind.

The Shogun paused, then returned to her side, placing her hands on the chair and pushing it gently as they caught up with the rest.

Shogun… is something weighing on her heart? Fiore wondered quietly. She mulled over it in her mind.

She tilted her head slightly to glance at the beautiful woman pushing her from behind. No matter her face, attire, or voice, everything about her stirred Fiore's heart. She didn't even know why.

From the very moment she had summoned her, it had always been this way. Sometimes, seeing the Shogun lost in thought, she instinctively wanted to ask what was on her mind. But she herself was just an outsider. Did she really have the right to ask?

The Shogun… surely she had her own friends, her own family in her own world, didn't she? Even gods must have such bonds.

Fiore's personality was delicate and sensitive—she cared deeply about such feelings. Of course, she would never force anyone. Put simply, outside of official matters, she was the passive type. Her everyday interactions with the Shogun made that obvious. Her pace was always disrupted by the Shogun's presence, leaving her flustered. Yet…

She did not dislike it. In fact, she liked it.

Meanwhile… within the Plane of Euthymia, Ei slowly opened her violet eyes, the very same as the Shogun's. She could feel the turmoil stirring within her counterpart's heart.

Haa… after all, she's still just a child… my Shogun.

Though, she herself was hardly in any position to say so.

Chapter 26: I, Jeanne, Captain of the Dragonflies

"Stop!!"

The moment Rider saw the Shogun press her naginata against the homunculus' throat, Astolfo suddenly erupted with a surge of powerful magical energy.

Boom!

As the surrounding mana burst forth, he forcefully blasted away the Berserker pressing him down with her great hammer. Then, mustering all his strength, he gripped his lance tightly and charged at the Shogun's side with tremendous speed.

"I told you to stop!!"

With his furious roar, the lance in his hands lifted high, stabbing straight toward the Shogun's body!

The Shogun, hearing the sound at her side, merely glanced at him. The next instant, her body turned into lightning as she flickered behind him. With a tilt of her naginata, the flat of the blade swept at his legs!

"Wahhh!"

Rider's feet were swept out from under him, and he instantly lost balance, falling face-first toward the ground.

But how could the Shogun possibly allow him to fall so easily? Impossible~

In the brief second before he hit the ground, she raised her naginata and used the back of the blade to lift upward against his abdomen.

Wham!

His body was launched into the air once more. Then, spinning her naginata, she struck the flat of the blade across his face!

Smash!!

Rider's body shot out like a baseball, crashing into a distant tree and breaking it apart with a thunderous boom.

"Hiss~"

Caules, watching, instinctively sucked in a breath of cold air. That was brutal!

Whoosh, whoosh!

Afterward, the Shogun twirled her naginata with a casual flourish before resting it at her back as if nothing had happened.

He was clearly a traitor, yet he still dared to bare his fangs here. Just looking at him was irritating. That was the only reason she went a little heavier with her hand. Was he still bluffing?

[Shogun, are you in a bad mood?]

Ei's voice carried a smile.

'He irritates me somewhat.'

[Hah… fair enough.]

"Shogun… do not kill him."

Hearing Fiore's gentle voice from behind her, the Shogun gave a slight shake of her head.

"This vessel has not harmed him—merely given him a small punishment."

Her earlier actions were more for show. After all, this fool had tried to strike at Fiore.

"That should be enough, shouldn't it?"

"?" ×4

The Shogun and the others turned their heads at once toward the voice that suddenly rang out. From within the forest emerged a young girl.

Jeanne. The Shogun faintly recalled her name. She was supposedly some sort of Ruler. But why had she appeared here? Could it be that wherever there was battle, she would appear—like some insect squad captain?

Upon appearing, Jeanne walked straight up in front of Sieg, standing protectively before him as she faced the Shogun.

"M-Miss Jeanne?"

Even Fiore was visibly surprised… why was the Ruler suddenly protecting the homunculus? Hadn't she said before that, for the sake of fairness, she would not interfere in any battle?

"…What is your meaning?"

The Shogun narrowed her dangerous violet eyes, her voice cold. Such an act—was it to be taken as declaring herself her enemy?

"The Holy Grail War must not involve uninvolved individuals… Black's Saber, I ask that you cease."

Jeanne spoke sternly, warning the Shogun.

"..."

The Shogun fell silent for a moment.

Several minutes later, Darnic and his party finally arrived at the scene. Seeing the situation before them, they were left shocked and confused.

"Where is Rider?"

Celenike immediately noticed her Servant's absence and, feeling uneasy, turned to look anxiously at Fiore and Caules.

"He attacked an ally. This vessel delivered the punishment he deserved."

The Shogun answered Celenike, her eyes flicking subtly toward the broken tree.

"Mm… I can vouch for that."

From her standpoint, Fiore naturally supported the Shogun. Firstly, the Shogun was her Servant. Secondly… the statement was true.

Then she looked to her younger brother Caules, urging him to agree as well.

"Ah… y-yeah! That's right, it's true."

Caules understood his sister's glance and, scratching his head with a wry smile, answered.

"Tch… that Rider! What a disgrace!"

Celenike believed their words. As his Master, she could also imagine Rider doing something so outrageous. In her anger, she kept cursing toward the direction Rider had flown.

"What exactly happened? Fiore, explain."

Gordes rubbed his balding head in puzzlement, turning to his niece and demanding an explanation.

…

"That's how it was."

After a while, Fiore explained everything to the group—including the matter of the homunculus, Rider helping him escape, opposing Berserker and the Shogun, as well as Jeanne's sudden arrival.

"I see… so that's how it was…"

Darnic sighed, his gaze shifting to Rider, who was still sprawled on the ground. His expression was full of exasperation.

Now the Black Faction had already surrounded the homunculus named Sieg. Any hope of escaping was nothing but a fantasy.

"Ow ow ow!! My head hurts… Saber, you hit me way too hard!"

Rider, having barely recovered from his collapsed state, finally staggered back into view, clutching his swollen face and whining nonstop. He even shot a resentful glance at the Shogun, who stood to the side, disinterested in paying him any attention.

"Darnic, that homunculus is extremely important as a core."

From behind his mask, Caster's eyes glimmered as he scanned Sieg's chest, leaning against a tree, and explained to Darnic.

"Is that so… then just seize him and bring him back."

At his command, everyone prepared to move forward.

"I refuse!"

Still bearing a swollen face, Rider once again planted himself in front of Sieg.

"Rider! You insolent fool! Don't force me to waste a Command Seal over something so stupid—!"

Celenike roared furiously.

"That's enough!"

One trouble after another—this time Jeanne cut in, drawing all eyes toward her.

"I will not allow you to drag him into this Holy Grail War."

"What?"

Caster froze, stunned by the unexpected words from the Ruler.

"The Holy Grail War has its rules. He never wished to participate in it."

Jeanne's voice rang clearly in the ears of everyone present, leaving them dumbfounded.

Caster, however, let out a mocking laugh.

"But… it's not as though he has no connection at all."

"Miss Jeanne… that homunculus was created using Yggdmillennia's technology. That makes him a member of the Black Faction."

Fiore joined the conversation, her gentle yet firm voice drawing Jeanne's eyes toward her.

"Fiore is correct. In fact, he was created precisely for this war. In other words, he is our asset."

Darnic nodded in agreement with Fiore's reasoning.

"He has no personality, no past, no family. He was born only for the sake of battle."

"I… I… want to live."

Sieg still muttered faintly from behind.

"..."

Jeanne glanced at the homunculus, then let out a soft sigh before turning back to the others.

"What you say is true. But he now wishes to live. And moreover, there are those who wish for him to live."

She shifted her gaze toward Rider, who for the moment stood on the same side as her.

"..." ×N

The group fell into silence.

"Miss Jeanne… I've already said, this homunculus is our creation. Even every inch of his flesh is built from our techniques, our labor, our time. That makes him the Black Faction's resource. By that alone, he cannot be considered innocent."

Fiore paused for a brief moment before continuing.

"You said before that as Ruler, you must maintain absolute fairness and never interfere with either side's plans or battles. Given that… don't you think your actions now contradict your own words?"

Her voice, clear and resolute though not overly loud, carried each word distinctly to the 'Ruler' before her.

Jeanne fell silent for a moment, then finally spoke.

"Before, he was indeed your resource. But the moment he gained the desire to live, and the moment he awakened his own sense of self, he ceased to be merely a homunculus. He is no longer yours. Now, he is nothing more than an innocent person."

She raised her flag-lance.

Whoosh, whoosh!

Spinning the weapon swiftly, she leveled its tip at the Black Faction.

"To drag the innocent into the battlefield is forbidden. That is a rule of the Holy Grail War. Do you intend to defy the rules?!"

Her eyes grew sharp, brimming with unyielding resolve.

"On my true name, I swear—I will not hand him over to you."

…

The group was left speechless by her declaration.

Even Fiore furrowed her brows in unease. To clash with the Ruler was hardly a wise option, not with her standing.

"Twisting words, nothing more."

The Shogun murmured softly.

...

Chapter 25: Why Are There So Many Traitors?

Within the forest near the Shogun's position, Rider Astolfo was frantically dragging along a frail young boy as they fled, both panting heavily.

"Hah… hah…"

The boy's stamina was far inferior to that of a Servant. After only a few minutes, he could run no longer and stopped, bending over, gasping desperately for breath.

The dark forest was deathly silent. Other than the faint rustle of swaying grass and branches in the wind, even the cries of birds could not be heard. Perhaps the familiars had been driven off, or perhaps the earlier battle between the Shogun and Achilles had frightened them away.

One thing was certain: they had not yet escaped the fortress's bounded field—they were still within its domain.

"Hm? What's wrong? Tired already?"

Seeing the boy doubled over and panting, Astolfo quickly asked with concern.

"Can… I really escape?"

The boy's voice was weak, his body utterly drained of spirit or energy, like a newborn child. His dazed eyes turned toward Rider.

"Of course you can!"

Astolfo declared firmly, hands on his hips.

"But… won't my escape cause them trouble?"

The boy recalled his kin searching frantically for him just moments ago, and guilt welled up in his heart.

"Ah, don't worry about them! We'll just keep running."

Astolfo waved it off casually.

"I see…"

"Mm! Don't you want to live?"

"I… don't know. It just feels wrong… to leave like this, without permission…"

The boy hesitated.

"It's fine~! It's not as if they'll miss a single homunculus or two. Losing one won't matter."

Astolfo had no idea just how important this particular homunculus was to Caster's magecraft. His decision would indeed cause major problems for the Black Faction. But he didn't care. This was simply his nature. Since the boy had said it, he would help him—perhaps out of his own private motives as well.

"So it's better that you live on…"

"Live on…?!"

"What's your name?"

"Name… I don't have one."

The homunculus shook his head faintly.

"Then I'll call you… Sieg."

"Sie… g?"

Boom, boom!

Suddenly, several giant golems appeared around them, conjured by Caster's magecraft. Clearly, their escape had been discovered.

The constructs closed in on them, surrounding them completely.

"Really? So troublesome!"

Astolfo sighed helplessly, but with a grin he lifted his lance, shielding the boy behind him as he charged into the enemy!

Crash! ×N

Half a minute later—

Astolfo clapped his hands proudly over the wreckage of shattered golems.

"Well then… take a little rest—!"

He stopped abruptly. His expression stiffened as he spun around, gaze locking onto the figure who had stepped before him.

"Berserker!"

Frankenstein.

Astolfo quickly gripped his weapon, taking a defensive stance to protect the boy behind him. This was no mere golem—this was a true heavy-hitter. If she was here, it could only mean she intended to stop them.

"Urghhh!"

Frankenstein's gaze passed over Astolfo, fixing upon Sieg. Her eyes twisted with a feral glint as she jerked her chin, gesturing for Rider to step aside.

"Eh… that's not good. Let's talk this over~"

Astolfo chuckled awkwardly, shielding Sieg behind him. The boy, meeting Frankenstein's gaze, shrank back in fear.

"Urghhh… Move…!!"

Frankenstein raised her hammer, giving one final warning.

"Not good… You, run!"

Astolfo's face hardened as he urged Sieg to flee.

"Eh?"

Sieg froze.

Just then, Caules' voice rang out.

"Berserker, restrain Rider!"

Caules had arrived with Fiore, who was now beside him.

"Urghhh!!"

At her Master's command, Frankenstein swung her massive hammer down toward Astolfo!

Crash!

Their weapons clashed violently, locking together in a struggle.

"What are you standing there for?! Hurry and run!"

Rider noticed Sieg still frozen in place and shouted desperately at him, all while struggling against Fran. He was reaching his limit.

"Rider!"

Sieg's voice carried hesitation.

"Don't worry about me! Go! If you want to live, don't hesitate! Run! Run!!!"

Clang!

Fran's hammer slammed down. Rider caught it on his spear, countering fiercely, too pressed to spare Sieg another glance. Fran's assault was overwhelming.

"!!"

Sieg glanced at Rider's desperate figure, then turned away with a pained expression. Clutching the "finest sword of the village" in his hands, he broke into a run toward the forest's edge.

That's it… run…

Rider managed a small smile of relief at Sieg's retreat—until the next instant.

A bolt of lightning crashed down from the sky!

Boom!

"Ah!"

It struck directly in Sieg's path. Dust and thunder forced him back, dropping him to the ground in terror.

"!!"

Rider's face drained of hope. He knew this aura—this power.

"No way… S-Saber?!"

His trembling voice was confirmed as the Shogun emerged. Lightning snaked across the ground, coalescing into a tall, violet silhouette. Step by step, the woman's form took shape, her kimono flowing, each footfall trailing a blinding flash. All eyes were fixed upon her.

Sieg's whole body quivered, retreating on his hands and feet. Born only recently, he felt—for the first time—the true meaning of terror and oppression. Lightning seemed to swallow him whole.

"Don't be afraid!! Run! If you want freedom, run!!"

Rider still shouted encouragement, even as Fran's hammer drove him to the ground. But for Sieg, his legs had lost all strength—the words meant nothing against the crushing weight of the Shogun's presence.

"Don't give up~! Guh—!"

Pinned by Fran, Rider could no longer move.

"Good work, Shogun."

Fiore wheeled closer, smiling softly at the Shogun before turning to the boy.

"You have nowhere to run. Please, don't make this harder. Come back with us."

Her voice carried no malice, only persuasion. Sieg lifted his head, forcing words past the weight pressing down on him.

"I… I want to live…"

"…Live?" Fiore murmured, startled.

"I… I…"

Clutching his head, Sieg trembled. His voice broke into a frantic shout.

"I want to live!!!"

Crackle…

Magic surged violently through his circuits, pouring into his hands. In the next instant, he seized the sword at his side.

"So! I'll—Override! Liberation!!"

Channeling all his power, he swung the blade down at Fiore.

"Sister!!"

Caules shouted, rushing toward her.

"!"

Fiore froze, her hands gripping her wheelchair tight. She hadn't expected him to suddenly lose control and strike at her.

But before the blow could land, an immense pressure crushed Sieg. His body froze as if weighed down by thousands of pounds. With a strangled cry, he collapsed, his sword clattering to the ground. He writhed in agony, clutching at his chest as if suffocating.

Fiore blinked, startled, then turned toward the Shogun approaching her side. Understanding dawned, and she smiled faintly.

"Thank you, Shogun."

Without her intervention, Fiore would have been gravely harmed. Caules exhaled deeply in relief.

The Shogun glanced once at Fiore's relieved face, then lowered her eyes to the prone homunculus.

"Before you speak of living… learn to control your actions."

Her voice was cold, edged with warning. Sieg trembled again, sensing her killing intent. He had no doubt—the strike he attempted truly aimed to kill Fiore.

"Though this one does not wish to shatter your will, your power is far beneath ours. Blind resistance is nothing but folly."

She leveled Engulfing Lightning at his throat.

"!"

Sieg shook uncontrollably, but his gaze, defiant and unwilling, locked upon her face.

Chapter 24: Eye of Stormy Judgment

"Hah…"

The Shogun let out a slow breath. Then, with a subtle shift in demeanor, her amethyst eyes blazed with sharp violet light. As her aura grew serious, the Chakra Desiderata unfurled behind her.

A cold wind swept across the battlefield, lifting the sleeves and hem of her kimono.

Achilles' chariot, cutting through the skies like a dragon, wheeled downward toward her. With the speed of a cannonball, it blazed with emerald light as it charged! From atop the vehicle, Achilles leveled his spear, prana surging, and thrust with all his might as the chariot bore down.

The Shogun stood her ground, body radiant with thunder. She had no intention of dodging. Instead, she met him head-on, raising her naginata.

Boom!

The impact shook the heavens. Violet lightning and emerald prana clashed violently, distorting air and shuddering the earth, warping the trees around them.

"Tch…"

Achilles clicked his tongue, irritated. He cracked his reins, urging his chariot to press forward, to overwhelm her defense with sheer force.

"…."

Sensing the pressure mounting, the Shogun unleashed her Elemental Burst. Behind her, high in the sky, a massive violet eye manifested—its threefold tomoe spinning as its lid opened. The Eye of Stormy Judgment.

Her own eyes slid shut for a moment.

—Transcendence: Baleful Omen.

When she reopened them, they gleamed with cold, unyielding violet light.

Whrrr…

The colossal eye rotated, its tomoe glowing with dreadful might.

"!"

"What is this?!"

Achilles froze for an instant, his body weighed down under a crushing pressure. His movements grew sluggish, strangled by fear.

The next moment, a slender doll-like hand emerged from the eye's pupil. With its fist clenched, it struck downward at Achilles with devastating force!

"No way!!"

Abandoning the clash, Achilles yanked the reins hard, forcing his steeds to veer aside just before he was smashed to pieces.

Boom!!

The place where he had stood erupted, the land upheaving like waves upon a stormy sea.

"That was close!"

From the sky, Achilles exhaled in relief.

But it wasn't over. The doll's arm retracted into the pupil—and in the next instant, the eye fired a colossal violet beam of thunder, chasing his chariot like a searchlight through the night sky!

"Damn it!!"

Frantically, Achilles steered his chariot, weaving desperately as the beam pursued him. He had no time even to curse properly—the danger was overwhelming.

By then, the Shogun had risen into the air. Stepping calmly upon invisible stairs of lightning, she gazed upward at his racing figure. His chariot always left behind a streak of emerald light, making his movements plain to her eyes.

As if the barrage weren't enough, she raised one hand in a mudra. From the Eye of Stormy Judgment burst countless violet energy bolts, forming a curtain of light so dense it threatened to blanket the entire sky.

"Oi, oi!! What is this, a human artillery battery?! This is insane!!"

Even Achilles despaired at the sight. How was he supposed to dodge something like this?!

Still—he was Rider. And when it came to riding skill, he had absolute confidence. With a shout, he hurled himself and his steeds headlong into the storm.

Like a serpent weaving through branches, he twisted and turned his path, somehow threading between the beams and bolts as he drew closer and closer to the Shogun's position.

But that was exactly what she had foreseen. His movements were already within her calculations.

For the first time, a faint smile tugged at her lips. The very next instant, her body burst into lightning.

"You think you can outmatch a Rider's mastery of steeds? Foolish—"

Before he could finish taunting, a flash of thunder appeared before his eyes. The Shogun materialized in lightning, driving her knee hard into his face.

Bam!

Pain exploded across his features, as though his teeth and skull had shattered. For a brief moment, his thoughts went completely blank.

The force of the knee strike rippled through the air itself, sending out an invisible shockwave that rattled the trees and stirred dust from the ground. Achilles' voice turned hoarse, slowed and distorted by the impact. His twisted face flew from the chariot like a cannonball, smashing into the earth without any resistance.

Boom!!

The crash tore up earth and trees alike, the sound echoing like thunder.

[Oh my… is he alright?]

Ei narrowed her eyes with a trace of pity in her voice.

'Not dead.'

[The Shogun's strike was excessive. Were he a mortal, he would not have survived that kick.]

Ei sighed softly within the Plane of Euthymia.

'I never intended to restrain my strength.'

Boom!!

Another violent explosion shook the battlefield. Elsewhere, Atalanta was beset by Berserker and Archer together. Unable to withstand their relentless coordination, she could do nothing but retreat desperately.

"Damn… no chance left?"

Perched briefly upon a branch, she muttered to herself. Then Shirou's voice resounded in her mind, ordering them to withdraw immediately. Their Berserker was to be abandoned—he could not be saved.

Atalanta raised no objection. Their side had already lost the initiative.

Crash!

Glancing toward the site where Achilles had fallen, she dodged Berserker's charge and leapt from the collapsing tree. Bounding swiftly, she raced toward Achilles' location.

Reaching the crater, she found him unconscious, his mouth slack, his face grotesquely swollen and unrecognizable.

"You got beaten badly… We're leaving!"

Clicking her tongue, she heaved the hulking man over her shoulder. Seizing the moment before Berserker could pursue, she sprang into the trees and sped away through the forest, narrowly escaping beyond the Fortress of Millennia's surveillance.

[They've fled. Shall we pursue?]

Ei's voice echoed.

'Cornered foes need not be chased. Driving them away is enough.'

Descending calmly upon lightning-forged steps, the Shogun answered. In the next moment, Fiore's voice entered her mind.

[Shogun…]

'What is it?'

Glancing at Berserker, who had stepped to her side, the Shogun inquired.

[Uncle has sent word. Rider has escaped with a homunculus. He is to be captured alive and returned.]

By then, Fiore had left the watchtower, Caules pushing her wheelchair toward the fortress gate.

'That homunculus… where is he now?'

[According to Caster's familiars, Rider has taken him into the forest. He should be in the area near your position. If you locate him, seize him.]

As the message ended, the Shogun turned her Eye of Stormy Judgment upon the forest. Its tomoe spun, surveying every detail—even down to the scattered grains of earth and stone.

Within mere seconds—

"Found you… traitor."

Her violet eyes locked upon a single point, her cold, commanding voice following.

She glanced at Berserker.

"You're coming with me."

"Uwah!"

Berserker nodded instantly, hefting her hammer as she followed the Shogun's stride.

Chapter 23: Why Is There Such a Noisy Man?

Facing the roaring tidal wave of thunder rushing toward him, Achilles clicked his tongue helplessly.

"Tch… no choice then. In that case, I'll use my Noble Phantasm as well!"

Whoosh!

He leapt back, raising his hand. A moment later, a small, silver-gray shield materialized on the back of his hand, conjured from his magical energy. Its surface was ornate, decorated with a cross and angular patterns.

"Ughhh!!"

Planting his spear into the ground, he gripped the shield with both hands and raised it against the incoming tidal wave of thunder. With a fierce shout, magical energy surged around him, gathering in torrents within a few meters of his body.

The shield began to glow faint green, illuminating the sky.

"Achilles Cosmos: The Miniature World Enclosed by the Azure Sky!"

At his cry, a pale-green bounded field spread outward, enveloping the forest around him, including the incoming sea of thunder.

That small silver shield now radiated immense magical power, transforming as it expanded. Within its mirror-like surface, a miniature world appeared.

As Achilles poured in prana, the shield's reflection turned, flipping the mirrored world inside out. The bounded field warped as that miniature world became real, manifesting outward like a fortress wall rising against the thunderous flood.

Zzzzt!

The roaring tide of lightning crashed violently against the 'world,' overwhelming the cities and fortresses within and shattering them without mercy.

"!"

Gritting his teeth, Achilles forced more prana into the shield, rebuilding the miniature world's structures and withstanding another wave of thunder! Again and again, he repeated the process—repairing and reinforcing the world, step by step, to offset the attacks.

"This power is insane… even a defense rivaling Rho Aias can't completely block it in one strike!"

Wiping sweat from his brow, Achilles muttered grimly. Just who was this Saber? He desperately wanted to know her true name—for with it, he might find her weakness. Otherwise, she would become Red's greatest hidden threat.

Perhaps thinking the battle was dragging, the Shogun dispelled the Bury the Thunder. The storm of heavenly lightning subsided after one final wave.

She caught the Engulfing Lightning as it descended from the air, twirling it lightly before her form became lightning itself, vanishing. A flash later, she reappeared at Achilles' side. Still in the rigidity of sustaining his Noble Phantasm, he had no time to react before she slashed upward with her naginata!

"Wha—?!"

Achilles hurriedly shifted his shield into position to block, but it was too late. Lightning strikes thrived on instantaneous bursts!

Zzzzt!

Her blade flared, knocking his shield violently aside, throwing him off balance!

The Shogun followed immediately, gripping her naginata with one hand at its end, swinging with brutal force at his neck!

"Tch!"

Abandoning his shield, Achilles twisted desperately, tilting his body backward at a sharp angle. By sheer effort, he narrowly avoided decapitation!

Vrrrmmm!!

The lightning-wreathed blade slashed past his face at point-blank distance, the crackling of steel and thunder ringing in his ears painfully.

Almost as if she had predicted this, the Shogun shifted her grip fluidly. Twisting her body, kimono swaying, she slashed low at his legs!

Her blade cut cleanly toward his heels!

"!!!"

Achilles' face drained pale. Desperately clutching his spear, he leapt up with a motion resembling a dancer's pole swing, narrowly evading another deadly strike that might have ended him!

The Shogun wasted no words. She stomped forward and struck at his spear's balance point with a sharp kick. Crack! The weapon tilted, throwing Achilles' body into the air.

Zzzzt!

Lightning gathered under the Shogun's feet. Raising her knee, she readied her naginata behind her back, then slammed her kick into Achilles' waist!

Boom!

With a dull impact, his body was sent flying, crashing through a massive tree behind him.

Such unnecessary flashiness. The Shogun shook her head lightly, lowering her elegantly raised leg. In truth, she rarely used her legs in battle, but just now, it had simply been the most convenient option.

Boom, boom!

A series of explosions in the distance drew her attention. She tilted her head slightly, glancing at the clash between Chiron and Atalanta, then shifted her gaze to Frankenstein, who was standing idly by, watching like a bystander.

"Leave this to me."

Her words carried the meaning clearly enough: Berserker was to assist the other side. Understanding, Frankenstein gave a nod, hefted her great hammer, and ran toward Atalanta's position.

The Shogun returned her gaze to Achilles, who was still sprawled on the ground, and let out a soft sigh.

"How long do you intend to lie there?"

That kick had been powerful, but hardly enough to cripple him. Against an ordinary person, however, it would have shattered their waist.

"Ahhh… I can't even take a moment's rest? So strict~"

Achilles emerged once more from the dust, brushing off his dirtied armor with a wry smile.

The Shogun narrowed her violet eyes, silently watching his insouciant demeanor.

"As expected of Saber… No matter your form, you are truly your team's greatest asset. At first, I was dissatisfied seeing you wield a weapon other than a sword. But now… I've changed my opinion."

Achilles sneered faintly.

"A Saber who doesn't use a sword? Heh… right now, I really feel that you—"

Whoosh!

Before he could finish, the Shogun released a slash of lightning several meters high! Like the fin of a shark, the violet blade of thunder tore across the ground toward Achilles, carving a deep scar into the earth as it passed.

"!"

Achilles evaded again.

"Hey… at least let me finish talking!"

"…So noisy."

Her cold reply was all she gave. She hadn't come here to listen to his chatter. And besides—what weapon she chose to wield was none of his concern.

"Tch… so aloof, huh~"

It was exactly as Karna had described. She truly was like a god—detached, unworldly, untouchable.

Achilles smirked no further. Instead, he recalled his spear to hand, and prepared to call forth another Noble Phantasm.

Fwooo~!

With a sharp whistle, magical energy surged from the earth. A grand chariot drawn by three steeds materialized before them, ancient in design yet radiating immense power.

"Oi, woman! Let's see how fast you really are. Dare to race against my chariot?!"

Leaping atop the vehicle, Achilles grinned wildly, shouting down at the Shogun with taunting arrogance.

"Hyah!!"

Boom!

In a dazzling streak of emerald light, the chariot exploded with speed and magical might, soaring into the sky in an instant!

Chapter 66: Official Intervention

End-Tier Dungeon

At the very outer edge of the grand map where "Six Heavens of Desire" was located.

Within one of the rare safe zones where there was no "Brahma Chant," Ainz Ooal Gown's party was making their final preparations.

In this game, which boasted maximum freedom, they were nothing short of outliers. The surroundings teemed with players who had come from all corners, some merely to marvel at this bizarre group, but most hoping to find a way to clear the dungeon.

After all, this dungeon was the deciding factor for whether the game could continue operating. It was the sworn enemy of every player who loved the game.

Before this hurdle was overcome, all personal grudges were set aside. So although the members of Ainz Ooal Gown were mostly far below average in justice values, they nonetheless arrived here safely.

Of course, as in any setting, the standard background chatterers were present.

"Look! Isn't that the pervy King of Critical Hits, Peroroncino? That dashing figure and balanced build—he's every fat otaku's dream."

"You've got no taste Look at that one on his head squirming like pink O-fluid, ID Bukubukuchagama . I heard that one's a girl player, you know"

"Seriously? A race based on O-fluid? No wonder this game is shutting down. Maybe it attracted divine beasts?"

"You're overreacting. Look at that octopus-headed tentacle monster next to her—that's one of the top alchemists. Supposedly, their hobby is brain-eating."

"Whoa, sugoi~"

Two sweet-looking human moe girls chatted starry-eyed within the safe zone as Ainz Ooal Gown's group of bizarre heteromorphs passed by.

To those paying closer attention, however, the rare full mobilization of the guild Ainz Ooal Gown, all armed to the teeth, was a major event for the entire Alfheim.

The nonstop chime of mail notifications popped up in the system bars of Tabula Smaragdina and Punitto Moe. The collective movement of these strange-looking Supreme Beings sparked countless discussions. Among them were the infamous "World Disaster" Ulbert, with justice values so far below zero they couldn't be displayed, and the "World Champion" Takemikazuchi, who upheld righteousness with absolute conviction. To bear the prefix "World" was an extraordinary rarity, even among high-level players.

And at the very center of these heteromorphs, surrounded by them, was a skeletal mage clad in ornate scholar's robes and wielding an "extremely OP staff."

Frankly, brandishing a guild weapon so brazenly was reckless. Even though they were max-level players, in a game that had been running for eleven years, any random coin toss into a crowd could land on a level 100 player.

Normally, heteromorph players like them were either targeted and annihilated on sight or turned the tables and did the annihilating.

Thus, in front of hundreds or even thousands of humanoid players watching, Ainz Ooal Gown's group was nowhere near as calm as their characters appeared. As guildmaster, Momonga's mind had already exploded into chaos.

"Ahh~ I feel like I'm going to die. Aren't there already a hundred Paladins of Holy Banishment targeting me?"

Paladins of Holy Banishment were the highest-ranked anti-undead magic class, natural enemies of Momonga.

Before acquiring the world item XX Orb, he had been one-shotted countless times by their [Sanctuary], only to wake up repeatedly at the resurrection NPC.

That class had become his lifelong trauma.

Though he held the guild staff in hand, his heart was in turmoil. Rather than walking forward surrounded by his comrades, it was more like he was being pushed along. Alone, he never would have dared wave Ainz Ooal Gown's staff before so many humanoid players.

Undead may have immunity to negative status effects, but even so, the green light flickering across his body was happening far too frequently.

Even though the devs had promised that within the grand map of this dungeon, death would incur no loss of equipment or experience, that assurance did little to ease Momonga's unease.

Meanwhile, Ulbert, wearing his gentleman's hat, remained his usual toxic-tongued self. With a shocking vocabulary and speed, he cheerfully exchanged greetings with nearby players he had grudges with. Well, as the World Disaster, his class was the envy of every magic-user. If not for the special circumstances, he likely would have been ganged up on and corpse-camped many times already.

Ding-ling, ding-ling~

A special system notification chime rang from the "Message" bar of Ainz Ooal Gown's party. As players deeply familiar with the game, they instantly recognized that this distinctive tone meant the message's sender was a GM.

This was no small matter. Normally, GMs rarely initiated contact with players.

Unless under extraordinary circumstances, no GM would interfere in any interaction between players and the game itself. Yet the existence of this End-Tier dungeon clearly shattered that boundary.

As soon as all members of Ainz Ooal Gown connected to the GM's message, they were pulled into a special chatroom. There, a golden-colored ID appeared: GM007-1000256, and it sent the first message.

"Members of Ainz Ooal Gown, would you happen to have time to accept a commission from the GM side?"

A commission… from a GM?!

The very first line stunned every member of Ainz Ooal Gown.

"Dear GM, what kind of issue could trouble you—beings who transcend the scope of players themselves?"

As guildmaster, Momonga alone could represent Ainz Ooal Gown at this moment.

"To be frank, my purpose here concerns this End-Tier dungeon, Six Heavens of Desire." The GM typed rapidly. "In fact, not only your guild—across the other eight worlds as well—any player officially confirmed to possess a world-class item or to meet a certain standard has received this commission from us. The content of the commission is: clear the End-Tier dungeon—'Six Heavens of Desire.'"

"Nani?!"

The GM's words left the guild dumbfounded. What kind of situation was this—GMs asking players to clear a dungeon? Wasn't it easier for the GM to just step in and swat everything down like little children?

After all, in YGGDRASIL, there were plenty of GMs. Most acted as online customer support or emergency troubleshooters when players faced urgent problems. But that didn't mean GMs lacked combat power or standing within the game.

On the contrary, since the game contained two hundred balance-breaking world-class items, to maintain authority and control, every official GM was themselves equivalent to a walking world-class item.

Each GM carried an innate "WORLD"—a buff meaning they were protected by the world itself. This granted them complete immunity to any form of damage, while their power rivaled that of world-class items.

Their attributes were infinite, their very concept equal to the strongest world-class artifacts. And such beings now requested players to clear a dungeon? Just so the game could continue running smoothly? This company truly was ruthless…

Weren't they worried some South Asian investor "daddy" might pull funding?

"This is unbelievable! GM, are you sure your account hasn't been hacked?"

"Or is this some twisted world-class item that can impersonate a GM?"

The golden GM name quickly clarified: "Members of Ainz Ooal Gown, our actions are actually permitted by the rules. Our intervention is, from the very beginning, part of the dungeon's design."

"Then why not simply form a GM squad to raid the dungeon yourselves? Wouldn't that make clearing it trivial?"

"Indeed, some players once used the Eternal Snake Ring to petition the company to send GMs into the dungeon," the GM answered earnestly. "If that had succeeded, it would not have violated the rules, since it falls within the game's settings. The real question is whether the company approved such an action. In fact, previously, three GMs were already dispatched to aid players in the dungeon raid."

"Nani?!"

It was rare to see more than a dozen of the bizarre Supreme Beings all shocked at the same time.

But compared to what the GM had just said, this wasn't much at all.

"GMs can personally take action? Doesn't that go against the warrior's way?"

"For the first time, I think world-class items are truly game-breaking. I protest!"

"Tear apart, Calamity Descends! I wonder whose magic is stronger—mine with full MP, or the GM's?"

"No way, I finally managed to get permission from my boss to take the day off for this raid!" A poor corporate slave let out a wail.

The chatroom was filled with light-hearted banter. After all, if three GMs joined the raid, what monster or boss could possibly stand in their way?

But then, a line of bloody vine-shaped text instantly seized everyone's throats.

The lively atmosphere froze in an instant.

"Ufu, I guess the raid failed, didn't it, GM-san?"

Punitto Moe's words sent the temperature of the chatroom plummeting.

"As expected of Alfheim's foremost tactician—you guessed correctly."

"That wasn't hard to guess," Punitto Moe replied slowly. "What I'm more interested in is why the GM raid failed. I heard this dungeon was developed by that big South Asian country. In reality, I always thought they were overambitious and under-skilled. Turns out, without physical restrictions in the game, they created a dungeon even GMs can't clear."

"Well, that's what you'd expect from a country 'destined' to become a superpower." Yamaiko waved her teacher's iron fist. "The devs too—choosing such investors, aren't they afraid of digging their own graves?"

Beside her, Bukubukuchagama whispered, "Yamaiko-san, is it really okay to mock the officials like that? Careful they don't nerf your tank stats again."

Hearing his companions' complaints, Momonga felt a crushing pressure. Fortunately, his "passive skill" kicked in just in time, reminding him that as guildmaster of Ainz Ooal Gown, he had to maintain composure.

"GM-san, if even three official GMs couldn't break through this dungeon, doesn't that mean players have no chance at all?"

"Don't worry," the GM replied. "Afterward, we consulted our South Asian colleagues. They explained that this dungeon has a special detection mechanism. Whenever extremely abnormal data or variables appear, the dungeon undergoes drastic changes. So we suspect the raid's failure was related to such changes."

"That's all? No new revelation from an Outer God rock band? No interference from the Shadow Plane's Shar Net? At the very least, couldn't it be a yandere SCP with soft voice, pale skin, and calling everyone 'onii-chan'?" Tabula Smaragdina sighed. "Does this dev team lack imagination that badly? I'll have to send them a copy of Hymn to the Macro Worm and a Mind Flayer Memoir so they understand that no dungeon is complete without tentacles."

…Tabula-san, sounds like you want to help them expand their minds.

Momonga broke into a cold sweat watching his occult-obsessed companion. Before the GM's sanity value dropped any lower, he hurried to steer the conversation back on track.

"GM-san, while you say the detection mechanism targets abnormal factors, during this time three other raid groups from different worlds have already entered the End-Tier dungeon."

He rubbed his bony jaw. "But so far, there's been no information about them on forums like 2CH or the boards—only that they're still stuck on the first layer. I doubt players alone can clear this dungeon."

"As expected of Ainz Ooal Gown's guildmaster—you've seen through our preparations."

Eh? Preparations? Weren't you just here to commission us to raid the dungeon? Weird as it may be, considering this dungeon determines the life or death of the game itself, maybe it isn't that unreasonable… right?

Though inwardly ranting, Momonga's skeletal face remained "expressionless." Then again, all avatars had expressionless faces.

"After these attempts, we've concluded that neither GMs alone nor players alone can conquer this dungeon. So we've decided to unite all players with world-class items and sufficient strength…"

"Group raid, is it?"

Clad in his World Champion armor, Takemikazuchi suddenly cracked his knuckles with excitement, throwing back his cape to reveal the paid-effect background of Justice Descends.

Momonga's heart jolted. Takemikazuchi was truly the strongest man in all of Ainz Ooal Gown—this wasn't an exaggeration. His shining silver Champion armor was proof of his power. His companion, Warrior Takemikazuchi-no-Kami, had long honed his own martial path with him as a goal.

And with that strength came firm principles. Takemikazuchi was one of the few in Nazarick with a karma value of +500. He was deeply righteous, believing firmly: "One who does not save the weak has no right to call himself strong." Would someone like him really participate in a group raid? Without his participation, this attempt would be extremely difficult.

Striking a dramatic pose with his meaningless explosion effect and pre-set Justice Descends background, Takemikazuchi spoke with fervor: "It's been so long since I've done something so just. I can hardly wait."

Ah, as expected of Takemikazuchi-san. A group raid really is…

Nani?????

Takemikazuchi-san, since when did group raids become acts of justice? And why are you so eager about it? Weren't you always an advocate of one-on-one duels? Just because you recently bought Dark Souls IX doesn't mean you can warp your values so easily!!!

It wasn't just Momonga ranting internally—Peroroncino and Bukubukuchagama, normally at odds, simultaneously sent "shocked" stickers in perfect sync.

Meanwhile, Ulbert, Takemikazuchi's eternal rival, stroked the magic ring on his hand. Suddenly, his entire body flared with the circles of a super-tier magic array.

The evil-looking ram's head fixed its gaze sharply on Takemikazuchi. "Tell me, where did you hide that tin can?"

"Calm down, calm down! Ulbert-san, even in a safe zone, casting super-tier magic will still drain your mana. Your Catastrophe spell is crucial for the raid—we can't waste MP now. Once the dungeon is cleared, you'll have plenty of time to… 'exchange ideas,' won't you?"

Punitto Moe's intervention let Momonga breathe a sigh of relief, though he still wiped away cold sweat.

Punitto Moe-san, do you actually want them to fight again after the raid so you can sell another 'hundred-battles-hundred-victories' strategy?

"Ulbert-san, justice never refuses a challenge, nor does it flee." Takemikazuchi raised his sword, pointing straight at Ulbert. "But Punitto Moe-san is right. Clearing this dungeon is what matters most now. I propose postponing our duel."

Ulbert's eyes grew dark. After glaring at Takemikazuchi for a long moment, he let out a cold snort and dismissed his super-tier array.

"Cough… cough." The GM awkwardly cleared his throat twice. "Actually, aside from those Twenty, the company has decided to lift the restrictions on all other world-class items for players. Of course, this only applies to players who accept the commission and enter the 'Six Heavens of Desire' dungeon. The effects will only function inside the dungeon. To prevent abuse, however, all players who accept will have their IDs and data recorded. If anyone refuses, we will not force them."

Restrictions on world-class items lifted!!!!

The news instantly silenced the entire chatroom.

The GM glanced at Momonga with admiration.

"Since you already saw through our plan, and as guildmaster of Ainz Ooal Gown, I, GM007-1000256, officially commission you on behalf of the company: Clear the End-Tier Dungeon—'Six Heavens of Desire.' The reward will be an upgrade of Nazarick's dungeon level by 500."

Chapter 153: The Enemy Within Headquarters!

It all happened in a flash.

The scene froze in silence.

Everyone inside the Ward 7 branch building stared wide-eyed in shock—an investigator, a ghoul?!

Bang, bang-bang—

Breaking the silence came more gunshots, fired in quick succession without pause.

"All units, stand back."

Vela, wielding a US military-issue Beretta M9 with one hand, didn't even bother aiming. Relying on memory reflex, she pulled the trigger, unleashing Q-bullets into Furuta Nimura's face with maximum efficiency.

At the same time, she lunged forward, brushing past the US officer who had instinctively reached for his weapon but found his holster empty. "Fetch my Quinque case."

Even as she spoke, her free hand drew the special M9 multi-purpose combat bayonet from his tactical belt sheath. She weighed it in her grip, spun it in a sharp flourish to adjust the angle, then thrust straight for the man's crimson kakugan at near point-blank range.

There was barely two meters between them—impossible to evade, practically nose to nose.

Meanwhile, in the instant he was shot in the head, Furuta's heart sank—his half-ghoul identity had been exposed.

Facing a deliberate close-range assault, blood dripping down his forehead, pain jolting every nerve—ghoul or not, instinctive self-preservation kicked in. Adrenaline surged, Rc cells activated…

The wound on his forehead visibly squirmed as flesh knitted. Forced to reveal his kakugan to channel Rc cell activity, he could not understand how he'd been exposed. He had been careful. He had been vigilant.

But no time remained to think—

Too fast!

The 9x19mm Q-bullets slammed into his face, torso, hands. Flesh, fabric, and blood sprayed as Vela closed the gap in a blink. Furuta stumbled back, one hand shielding his eye from being pierced, the other swiping forward clawed—

Thunk! The bayonet pierced through the webbing of his fingers, sinking deep.

Exposed, there was no turning back…

Trembling hand twisting the blade embedded in his palm, Furuta's lips curled as though savoring pain itself. He shed all pretense.

"Furuta… you damn ghoul! You tricked me!"

Shiki Kijima, who had just realized the truth after recovering from shock, bellowed in rage. His scarred, monstrous face twisted further in fury.

"Ah, ahh… so painful, so scary. Truly terrifying, Special Class Russell—you really are strong. But isn't it surprising? I'm stronger than you thought, too?"

Ignoring Kijima's words, ignoring the chaos of investigators drawing weapons around them, Furuta sneered. One kakugan blazing, he put on a grotesque, mocking mask, turning to smile at the nearby American anti-ghoul agent.

"Don't compare me to trash like the Yasuhisa sisters…"

Then, his tone hardened, venomous.

"Meddling Yankee!"

Instead of retreating, he advanced—smashing a tile underfoot with explosive force. With blood spraying, he yanked free his impaled right hand, raised his left hand blade-like, and slashed viciously toward Vela's slender neck.

His Quinque case, set down earlier when he bowed in false humility, still lay by his feet, unopened. And Vela's weapon was not at hand either. The perfect chance to kill her!

Only the Washuu, bound by traditions and taboos, would hesitate.

Those who needed reasons before acting were trash. He killed whomever he pleased. Those others dared not touch, he would kill!

As for backlash from North America, from the international community—what of it? Let Washuu burn, let the CCG collapse. Let everything be destroyed!

Bloodshot eyes gleamed with frenzied malice.

Vela, having emptied her 15-round magazine, casually tossed the M9 aside. She tilted her head slightly. "Is that so?"

Whoosh! The blade-edge of his strike swept past her ear. She smiled faintly.

Knowing well his history, she mocked: "How pitiful, the illegitimate son of a concubine."

"You!!"

The words "concubine," "illegitimate son" made Furuta's eyes twitch.

He froze, his movements stalling for an instant.

"How much do you know?!" he demanded.

"I've no interest in explaining anything to ghoul trash. You don't deserve to hear it."

A fleeting moment, but enough for Vela to act.

The next second, a surge of immense force wrenched through Furuta's arm. His eyes went wide in shock.

That strength?!

Something was wrong…

Not good!

Crack! His wrist bone snapped under unbearable pressure.

Seizing his arm, Vela twisted her waist and flung him overhead. From feigned weakness to full power, she slammed him down—his skull smashing brutally into the polished tiles.

Boom! The impact exploded through the Ward 7 CCG branch corridor. Marble shattered like brittle wafers, steel-reinforced concrete beneath caving in. Shards flew, cracks spiderwebbed outward.

Warning alarms shrieked through the halls.

"Associate Special Class Kijima, fall back."

Without looking back, Vela gave the order.

The buzzing chainsaw roar—that was Kijima. Enraged, he had drawn his custom Quinque chainsaw, its engine powered by a Kakuhou, its blade forged of Quinque steel, ready to fight Furuta to the death.

Ugly though he was, he was still fully human. A decorated investigator. The scars twisting his face came from ghoul hunts.

And he was an interrogator with real talent. Vela, unwilling to waste him, restrained his suicidal impulse.

"Why, Special Class Russell?"

"Because saving you would disrupt my rhythm."

Her voice calm, she commanded: "Release the CRc gas. Support me."

"A prize like this, at least SS+, maybe even SSS-rated Kagune—you think I'll let him slip away?"

She yanked the pin from a CRc gas grenade, grinding her steel-toed boot into Furuta's skull.

Even bodies hardened beyond steel, like those of SS-class ghouls, could not endure such force unscathed. Pain lanced through his frame, blood rising hot.

Sprawled in the crater, blood dripping from his lips, Furuta pushed with his arms, struggling to rise.

Crack! His sunken chest heaved outward, fractured bones knitting. His mangled left arm snapped back into place. Face grim, he muttered: "Damn it… how are you this strong? Are you half-human too?"

He had expected her strength—comparable to Kishou Arima. But she wasn't wearing any biological Quinque armor.

This was pure muscle. Strength even more outrageous than the Kuroiwa clan, famed for snapping ghoul necks barehanded.

America had no half-humans, no hybrids. Could it be super soldier serum? Augmented warriors?

And beyond doubt—Vela had been prepared from the start.

His information had been laid bare.

Unease crept in. Releasing or silencing the Yasuhisa sisters was no longer possible.

Internal injuries throbbed from the slam, stealing his breath. And with that gasp—his lungs filled with CRc gas.

Furuta's face tightened, limbs suddenly weak. Rc cell flow slowed, strength fading.

Impossible. The effect was too strong. He had already adapted to the CRc gas of Ward 23's Cochlea. Was this… Kouitsu Chigyou's new improved model?

Better to flee. Rize was still waiting…

At that thought, with a ripping shhk! sound, four dark red tendril-like Kagune burst from Furuta's spine.

The same type as the Yasuhisa sisters.

More precisely, the same as the ravenous, gluttonous S-rated female ghoul of Ward 20—the "Binge Eater."

But unlike the sisters, Furuta's Kagune glowed with a deep crimson radiance—Rc cells densely packed, ferociously active.

Crack-crack! Furuta's Kagune tore through the concrete, gouging deep fissures as the tendrils lashed toward Vela.

Without armor, Vela could not take them head-on. Kagune of at least SS+ grade would tear a human body apart. She dodged, shifted, withdrew, widening the distance.

Landing on one knee, eyes locked on the writhing appendages sprouting from Furuta's back, she showed no surprise.

This was her Divine Gift, granting her 'future vision.'

Furuta Nimura—or rather, Souta Washuu-Furuta.

The labels on him were many, as far as Vela knew.

Half-human, artificial one-eyed ghoul, scion of a Washuu branch family. Boyhood friend of Rize Kamishiro, collaborator of Kanou Akihiro, logistics operative for the Washuu's secret extermination group, V. Leader of the Clown organization—the same group that had once harbored the transvestite ghoul Nico, whom Vela had slain…

Born illegitimate, raised as a tool under suffocating discipline. Talented, but barred from inheritance. Resentful of fate, his mind twisted and erratic.

Loyal to no one—not Washuu, not any faction. His sole desire was to sow chaos, to ruin all.

A creature of pure, chaotic evil.

It had been he who released Rize from the Washuu detention zone. He who caused the falling steel beam incident that 'killed' her. The root of Ken Kaneki's tragedies.

Later, through Kanou's perfected surgery, he had a Kakuhou transplanted from Rize. His power soared. In rebellion, he annihilated his kin, patricide and massacre, and seized the Washuu name.

In the end, he was the mastermind behind Tokyo's downfall, spreading the ghoul virus.

That was in the original timeline.

Here, in this altered timeline shaped by Vela, the environment was harsher, the Washuu pressured, Kanou's lab exposed years early. Without three years of honing, of grafting Kagune, without cultivating the ghoul-source 'Dragon' or consuming its primal virus, could he truly surpass SSS+? Could he achieve complete Kakuja?

Vela's eyes gleamed with curiosity as she measured him.

His appearance at the Ward 7 CCG branch was unexpected. She was no god, no prophet. She could not foresee all.

If only she had [Arata-Ayato-α] and [Black Abyss IV] at hand.

A mixed blessing. If she had appeared carrying [Arata-Ayato-α], Furuta's first instinct would have been to flee, not to stay and fight.

After all, in Japan's counter-ghoul circles it was said Quinques accounted for 75% of an investigator's combat strength. Vela let them think so. She deliberately feigned reliance on weapons.

Furuta's killing intent—she felt it keenly.

"Damn it, what ghoul would be so reckless as to invade a CCG branch guarded by multiple Special Classes? Unless… the One-Eyed Owl?!"

Footsteps thundered. Marude arrived.

"Another one-eyed ghoul?!"

Seeing Furuta facing Vela, he froze—then his face darkened instantly.

One humiliation after another.

"Rank-1 Furuta."

As an administrative Special Class stationed at Headquarters, Marude knew the boy. To find he was a ghoul—ghouls inside the investigators' ranks!

"Special Class Russell did not exaggerate."

Kuroiwa's voice was flat, expressionless. "That a ghoul could infiltrate the CCG… Why did the Rc detection gates not sound? How did he pass evaluations? The rot has reached the point that only cutting to the bone will suffice."

"Ready?"

Yukinori Shinohara freed his Quinque, blade angled low. In unspoken accord, he and Kuroiwa pressed forward.

Houji said nothing, but his stance spoke volumes—poised for the strike.

"Rank-1 Furuta… this is the last time I call you that."

Grinding his teeth, Marude demanded: "How many ghouls are hidden within the CCG?"

Furuta sneered. "Take a guess."

Step by step, Furuta edged closer to the wall nearest the windows. He eyed Vela warily as she picked up the Quinque case that should have been his, flipping it open. With mocking sarcasm, he said: "My dear Special Class Marude, a friendly reminder—no upper limit, you know…"

What did Washuu's fate matter to him?

The gathered investigators looked confused.

No upper limit?

The words carried ominous weight.

Boom!

Without warning, Furuta leapt, smashing upward into the ceiling. His four Bikaku Kagune tore into the cement and tiles, sending debris raining as he burst into a conference room above.

"He's escaping!"

Marude cursed, stomping in frustration. "Russell, think of something! Use that No.1 combat strength of yours!"

"Relax. He's not getting away. By now… it should be time."

At that instant—

"Commissioner!"

The US officer returned, having retrieved her Quinque case.

Catching the toss, Vela armed herself with [Arata-Ayato-α] and [Black Abyss IV].

Click—

Equipped.

Her tall, black-armored form shot forward. The spear's spiraling thorn-blade gleamed cold, twin blood-red wings unfurled like flowing ribbons, Kagune-fire burning within.

Crack! Crash!

She smashed through the steel partitions, launching skyward. A hundred meters up, Furuta burst through glass, plunging into the stormy night.

Falling fast.

A third of the way down, his three Kagune stabbed into the building's glass wall, sparks flying like welding flames.

"Not enough. Far from enough. I need more Kakuhou…"

He replayed the plans of his "love nest" with Rize in his mind, eyes measuring the nearby skyscraper. Timing the jump—slash!—steel shattered, sparks rained.

"What?!"

"Goodbye… pitiful Washuu wretch."

Crash!

A black silhouette descended with thunderous force. Glass all around cracked with the shock. Furuta's eyes bulged, ribs crunching under the impact. He vomited blood and organ fragments.

Against gravity's force, even Rc-hardened flesh was paper-thin.

[Black Abyss IV] speared through him, his body carried away by sheer momentum. Three Kagune snapped—and he plummeted.

BOOOOM!!!

The crash thundered at the CCG branch entrance. Cracks spiderwebbed outward as blood and flesh spattered across stone.

Amid settling dust—

"Huff… huff… Since you came, you stay. Kagune of SS+, even SSS+ potential—I don't make a habit of letting tigers return to the mountain."

A cold, commanding female voice.

"Cough… cough… a caged bird… when… when will it fly free… Rize… if only we could live like normal people…"

His voice dwindled, a bloody whisper.

"Incoherent… Forget it. At least the head might still record a dream trace. The source of ghouls…"

The black-armored figure bent down, tore off the head, and lifted it in her hand.

She murmured to herself: "A Washuu ghoul assaulting the Special Commissioner of the North American Commission of Counter Ghoul. How should the sentence be?"

Moments later, investigators arrived breathless at the shattered front entrance.

Vela looked at Marude.

"Given the severity of Furuta Nimura's exposure, my recommendation is immediate phased internal purges within the CCG. Marude, you will oversee it—with no upper limit. I will submit this proposal to the Prime Minister, to legally suspend the Washuu family's hereditary privileges. Now, all of you—steel yourselves. Take your positions. Our ghoul purge is not yet finished."