High above Kyusha City, a silver-clad figure floated in the sea of clouds. They drifted lazily around her, tinted orange by the setting sun she quietly admired.
With a soft hiss, her helmet dissolved into thin air, revealing the youthful face of a Japanese girl. Her long lashes caught the fading sunlight, and her lips curved with the faintest smile.
Kirara exhaled slowly, her breath mingling with the cool air as she leaned back. She had been watching the sun set like this every evening for the past two weeks since awakening.
Normally, she would have fallen right through the clouds, but thin blue lines streamed from her body, sketching across the vapor. The glowing tracery hardened into a shape beneath her, forming a cloud couch in the sky.
"Beep."
Kirara chuckled as the familiar sound chimed. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm being lazy. But can you blame me? Flying's just too much fun… and honestly, that's your fault, Eve."
A blue light burst from her chest, coalescing into a hovering oval figure. Its sleek metallic surface shimmered like polished steel, while two floating appendages twitched playfully at its sides. Instead of a face, a black screen pulsed with shifting blue lights that formed simple expressions.
This was Eve, the first of her kind. A spirit-born Automara, companion, and the very being who allowed Kirara to become a Spirit Rider.
"Beep. Beep." Eve scolded, tapping Kirara's head with her tiny arms in quick succession.
"Ow, ow, okay, okay, I get it!" Kirara laughed, batting lightly at her companion. "You're worse than Kaede was. At least she wasn't this mean. You little tyrant."
"Beep." Eve hummed smugly, then floated closer to wrap her arms around Kirara's head in a surprisingly warm hug.
Kirara's smile softened as she returned the gesture, resting her hand gently against Eve's polished surface. "You know... I'm beginning to think you actually enjoy being a Matriarch."
Eve beeped twice in pure excitement, breaking away to spin through the air with dazzling loop-de-loops and playful barrel rolls.
Kirara burst out laughing, unable to hold it back. "Look at you. You're literally on cloud nine about it."
The reason behind Eve's excitement was no mystery, it was Kirara's new office and position.
After long talks with Kaede about where she might serve best, Kirara had realized she couldn't bring herself to take over another's role. She lacked the heart to replace someone… and besides, she was hardly qualified to be prime minister. So instead, Kaede had created something entirely new for her.
A strike force. One that did not answer to the military chain of command, only to Kaede herself, yet still carried just as much authority within Maple Tree, at least in name.
They were called the Spirit Riders.
At present, the order was small, nine otherworlders and six monsters.
And at the heart of it was Eve. With her new evolution and title as the First Automara, she possessed the ability to transform willing spirits into Automara like herself. Once transformed, if the new Automara so chose, they could bond with a human or monster, forging a contract that gave rise to a Spirit Rider. Together, rider and companion became something far greater than either alone.
"Alright, let's head back." Kirara finally declared.
Eve shimmered before vanishing back into her core, and in the same instant, Kirara's silver helmet reformed around her face. The glowing couch of clouds dissolved beneath her, and she let herself sink through, no longer sustaining its shape with her power.
She plummeted in freefall, twisting into a sharp dive. The air howled around her as she accelerated, faster, faster, until a sharp crack split the sky. A sonic boom rolled out as she streaked down toward Kyusha City like a meteor wrapped in silver light.
Moments later, she landed heavily within the courtyard of the Spirit Riders' barracks. The ground shook faintly under the impact, the hiss of dispersing mana following as her armor melted away. Within a heartbeat, the gleaming Spirit Rider was gone, leaving only Kirara standing in her simple clothes, strands of light brown hair falling around her face.
Kirara pushed open the heavy doors and stepped into the courtyard.
"Boss! Where have you been? The others have been waiting..." Glenda's voice rang out as she rushed forward, her expression a mixture of relief and exasperation.
"I haven't been gone long, Glenda. Just a few minutes, that's all," Kirara replied with a casual wave of her hand.
Glenda immediately lifted her forearm, tapping the polished watch strapped there. "Three hours, Boss. Three. Thank goodness for watches, or I wouldn't be able to catch your lies. Maybe we should ask the artisans to make one for you too."
Kirara blinked in surprise, her eyes widening. "Three hours? That can't be right…" She sighed, scratching her cheek. "Maybe I really should ask Kira to make me a watch."
A sharp beep cut through the air as Eve suddenly materialized in her full form beside Kirara, towering nearly four meters tall.
Glenda instinctively sidestepped, narrowly avoiding being crushed by Eve's arrival. "A little warning next time would be nice…" she muttered.
Kirara tilted her head up at Eve's massive frame. "…Wait. What do you mean you've had an inbuilt time system this whole time? If that's true, then why didn't you tell me?"
"BEEP!!!" Eve blurted loudly, her screen flashing with irritation.
Kirara crossed her arms and looked away dramatically. "Uh-huh. I don't want to hear it. This is all your fault, Eve. Right, Glenda? You heard her admit it."
Glenda deadpanned, her lips pressing into a flat line. "…Boss, I seriously doubt that's what she said."
Kirara chuckled, ignoring the jab as Eve continued to beep furiously, arms waving in protest. "Anyway, enough stalling. Let's go meet the team. I think it's about time they received their spirits, don't you?"
Glenda pinched the bridge of her nose with a groan. "Why are you making it sound like I'm the one wasting time? You're three hours late!"
Kirara just grinned, already walking toward the training yard. "Details, details…"
As they talked, Kirara and Glenda walked past the courtyard and into one of the many large mansions that made up the Spirit Riders' barracks. The polished floors and high archways carried the weight of purpose, but Kirara still strolled in casually, until her eyes landed on the chamber ahead.
She nearly tripped.
Kaede was seated at the center of the room, waiting for her. The young leader's expression was calm, though the faint crease in her brow said plenty. Several members of Maple Tree's inner council flanked her, their presence adding even more weight to the moment.
"H-hey, Kaede," Kirara greeted with a sheepish laugh. "You're here early…"
Before Kaede could answer, Ari stepped forward, her tone firm but respectful. "Aunty, I understand that you've been enjoying your time since awakening, and it's natural you'd want some space. But please, don't keep people waiting for something this important. We all have duties to return to. Especially Mother."
"Don't make it sound like I'm a deadbeat," Kirara gasped in mock pain, clutching her chest theatrically. She cast a glance at Kaede, who raised an unimpressed eyebrow. Kirara winced. "…Sorry?"
"Really? Three hours?" Kaede deadpanned.
"Time flies when you're doing absolutely nothing," Kirara muttered defensively. "I didn't know, promise."
Kaede sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "…Fine. Just don't make a habit of it."
The tension broke slightly as Kanade chuckled from Kaede's side. He plucked a rhombus cube from Crimara's hands, the war general glaring daggers at him after failing, again, to solve it.
Aurina, standing nearby, let out a soft laugh at her sister's expense, covering her mouth as though to hide it. Crimara's sharp side-eye only made her laugh harder.
Kirara seized the chance to shift the mood and quickly ushered everyone toward the bonding chamber.
Inside, thirteen figures stood waiting in a neat formation, seven humans and six monsters.
The humans were otherworlders, summoned during Kanade's experimental runs of the summoning ritual. Of the eight who had been pulled into this world, seven had chosen to join the order. Their postures carried a mix of nerves and pride, each of them eager to prove themselves.
The monsters stood tall among them, chosen specifically to ensure the Spirit Riders were not seen as a purely human institution. Each carried their own unique presence, a female orc, two dragonewts, a sharp-eyed dark elf, a delicate sprite no taller than a child, and a cute-looking Haulia rabbit woman with blue hair wielding a giant hammer.
Together, they formed the foundation of what was meant to be Maple Tree's most unconventional strike force.
---
Hinata sat at the head of the long council table, fingers drumming a steady rhythm against the polished wood. Her expression was calm, but the faint crease between her brows betrayed her irritation. Truthfully, she would rather have been anywhere else. The slime, Rimuru, was still at large, her teacher's death remained unavenged, and now there was another obstacle in her path.
'And then there was that Daemon Lord.' Hinata's tapping slowed as her thoughts drifted back to their brief confrontation.
'She wasn't affected by the {Holy Barrier}… or perhaps she was, and simply hid it. That's what I would have done.'
Her violet eyes flicked lazily toward the others gathered around the table, the so-called Ten Great Saints. Another nation had risen in the East, calling itself Maple Tree. Another nation of monsters. Another battle she would have to fight.
'Tomokashi, wasn't it?' she thought, the name rolling idly in her mind. 'I'll have to face her again soon.'
Her gaze finally settled on Saare. The boy looked no older than seventeen, with snow-white hair and a compact frame, but appearances meant little. He was far older than anyone in the room, thanks to his elven lineage, and the head of the Battle Sages. Only Hinata herself outranked him.
"I don't see why we're wasting time," Saare growled, his voice edged with contempt. "They sent an assassin after Hinata, of all people. Monsters are clearly declaring war on us. Since when do we sit back and take this? Or is it…" his crimson eyes gleamed as he leaned forward, "…because you had your ass handed to you by a mere demon?"
The words hung heavy in the chamber.
Hinata didn't so much as flinch. She had long grown accustomed to Saare's barbs. Ever since she defeated him and claimed leadership of the Crusaders, his grudge had been relentless. He had power, yes, but not enough to challenge her directly. That bitter knowledge kept his pride in check, even if his tongue ran wild.
Her fingers resumed their steady tapping.
Although for once, Hinata actually agreed with Saare. It had been over two weeks since she failed to kill Rimuru Tempest, and the fury still burned hot in her chest. Night after night, when she closed her eyes, she saw her teacher staring back at her, always the same question, unspoken but cutting deep. Why haven't you avenged me? The thought gnawed at her, corroding what little patience she had left.
Two weeks ago she had been ready, ready to march into Tempest herself and carve through the monsters until Rimuru stood before her. She would have done it too, if not for the sudden recall order that dragged her back to Lubelius. That alone was enough to make her blood boil. And then, as if to mock her restraint, she had spotted the spy. A monster spy.
Her fingers tightened against the table at the memory. That girl had been slippery, far more capable than she had expected. Hinata had been forced to exert real effort to catch her, a fact that still left a bitter taste in her mouth. Hours of pursuit, the clash of blades, the sting of wasted time. Six strikes was all she had allowed herself to deliver, each one a deliberate demonstration of her superiority, punctuated with the calm explanation of her blade's ability.
The message should have been clear, surrender, or die screaming. Most would have broken at that point. Even a last, desperate frenzy would have been better, something she could crush, something to justify the time wasted. But that girl…
Hinata's jaw tightened. That damned girl had smiled, and impaled herself onto the blade. No hesitation. No fear. As though agony itself meant nothing to her.
The image still unsettled Hinata, no matter how many times she turned it over in her mind. The excruciating end brought by Dead End Rainbow was not something anyone could welcome. Yet that spy had embraced it with open arms, as if her death meant more than her life.
'That level of devotion… to Rimuru? Or to Maple Tree?' Hinata's lips pressed into a thin line.
Her gaze drifted from Saare to the man seated beside him, Grigori, his loyal right hand and another of the Battlesages. A tall, burly brute with corded muscles, black hair pulled into a ponytail, and rough features that suited his temperament. Hinata dismissed him immediately. If Saare was an annoyance, then Grigori was nothing more than his echo. Another moron.
Across from them sat Leonard Jester, vice chief of the Crusaders, his tall frame and golden hair giving him the look of a knight out of some heroic tale. He had the bearing to match, too, always preferring reason over impulse.
"Without enough information, we stand the risk of..." Leonard began.
"Like I give a damn!" Grigori snarled, slamming his fist against the table to drown him out. "They attacked one of our own! And Glenda and the others haven't even returned yet!"
Hinata barely twitched. The bickering was tiresome, but not unexpected.
Seated beside Leonard were the other Crusaders, Arnaud Bauman, a tall man with sharp features and dark hair; Bacchus, broader in build, his light-blond hair giving him a striking presence; and finally Litus, the youngest among them. Small and slender, with pale blonde hair tied back in a long low ponytail secured with a black ribbon, and sharp blue eyes that never seemed to miss a detail. Her uniform was pristine, the Temple Knights' white coat buttoned all the way up, an image of discipline that put the others to shame.
As their voices overlapped, a subtle shift in the room made Hinata still. She felt more than heard Louis Valentine take his seat behind her, his presence veiled behind a thin curtain of white cloth. Only then did the restless noise seem to settle.
The meeting, at last, could begin.
Hinata cleared her throat, and the chamber immediately fell silent. "This is not the time to fight amongst ourselves." Her eyes locked on Saare, hard and unyielding, until the boy finally looked away with a faint scowl.
Turning her gaze, Hinata gave a curt nod to Litus.
The young knight rose from her seat with practiced composure, her long ponytail swaying lightly behind her. "I bring a report. There have been no confirmed sightings of any of the forces that entered the Forest of Jura, neither the Falmuth soldiers…" she hesitated for a breath, "…nor Battlesage Glenda, Captain Fritz, or Captain Garde."
"Tch." Grigori clicked his tongue, arms folding across his chest. "They're already gone."
"Let her finish her report," Hinata cut in sharply, her tone brooking no argument.
Litus inclined her head and continued. "Although two weeks have passed since their disappearance, the Jura Forest itself remains… calm. Peaceful. Merchants continue to pass through the trade routes unmolested. There have been no signs of large-scale monster activity, no unrest, no irregularities to speak of."
Hinata narrowed her eyes. "Are you certain of this?"
"Yes," Litus replied firmly, her voice steady.
The girl went on to outline her findings on the surrounding regions and borderlands, merchant activity, and reports gathered from scattered informants.
When Litus finished her report, Hinata placed both hands firmly on the table, her fingers no longer tapping but pressed flat against the polished wood. The gesture alone was enough to draw the Saints' full attention.
"I will inform you all now," she said, her voice low but cutting, "that I received an oracle from the God Luminous."
The atmosphere shifted at once. The idle bickering, the tension between rivals, even the restless defiance in Saare's eyes, all of it stilled. Every Saint in the chamber straightened instinctively. Whatever else they were, whatever arrogance or grudges they carried, the will of Luminous was beyond question.
Hinata's sharp gaze swept across them, violet eyes narrowing. "These are her words. Bear them in mind."
The chamber seemed to hold its breath.