Arya and Dina’s journey from Zerio City to the capital of the Kingdom took ten days. Because of that, they decided to stop by several cities, and after three days of travel, they arrived in the city of Tureg.
“Hey, Arya,” said Dina as she walked beside him. “How many cities are there in this kingdom?”
Arya thought for a moment. “Hm... there are fifteen cities spread across the territory, not including the capital. And nine out of the fifteen are controlled by corrupt rulers.”
“That’s a terrifying ratio,” muttered Dina. “That means most of this kingdom has been poisoned by the rot of power.”
“Well, that’s the reality.”
“After going to the capital and meeting Gamma, we’re going to teleport to the eight cities we’ve already liberated, right?”
“Right. Our next goal is to destroy all the remaining human experiment facilities.”
Dina took a deep breath. “This city... smells so good. I can smell food everywhere! Hey, Arya, give me some money!”
Arya sighed and pulled out a pouch of gold coins. “Here.”
“Thank you!” shouted Dina cheerfully. “Snacks! Snacks!” She shot off toward the rows of food stalls.
Arya shook his head. “Is there nothing but food in that brain of hers?” He turned away, deciding to restock their travel supplies.
Meanwhile, some city guards were patrolling and speaking in low voices among themselves.
“Hey, they say the royal army is forcing us to arrest Exone?”
“Yeah, but... who’s crazy enough to try? They’re monsters!”
“I heard from a mansion guard—they killed the city ruler brutally—head blown open, body burned, parts shredded. And after they finished killing, they were whistling!”
Arya, not far from them, only smiled faintly, muttering softly, “What a terrifying rumor... Who could’ve done that? Oh right, us.” He chuckled lightly and headed toward the library.
When he arrived, he browsed the shelves until his eyes landed on a thick, dark-covered book titled Advanced Magic.
“Interesting.” He picked it up and began reading.
Inside, it was written that advanced magic included space, light, darkness, and... time.
“Time magic?” Arya muttered, raising an eyebrow. “Controlling time—stopping, slowing, accelerating... even for just a moment. But... it’s so complex.”
He stared at the pages, trying to understand the structure of the magic formulas.
“Doesn’t make sense. No wonder this book is just on display. But... that’s what makes it interesting.” He pulled out his notes and began copying down the important parts. “Maybe Mr. Noctarion can help explain it later.”
After finishing, Arya left the library and headed to the meat market.
“Excuse me, sir. I’ll buy all the meat here,” he said casually, pointing at the shop’s entire stock.
The butcher raised an eyebrow. “All of it? Hey kid, this isn’t a place to mess around! Get out of here, don’t bother me!”
Arya opened his pouch of gold coins. “Is this enough?”
The butcher’s eyes widened. “What? That’s... way too much! Where did you steal that money from?!”
“It’s mine. And I’ve got more.” Arya pulled out five more pouches of gold from his storage.
The butcher panicked. “O-okay! All the meat is yours. It’s only twenty coins!”
Arya handed him twenty-five coins. “Keep the extra. As a thank you.”
“O-of course! But how will you carry all this—”
“Don’t worry.” Arya smiled. “Storage.” Instantly, all the meat disappeared into his storage space.
The butcher stared. “Gone...?”
“Don’t think too much. Thanks a lot!” Arya waved and walked away.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city—
“Huk... uhuk!” Dina choked.
“Slow down while eating, Miss,” said a servant with an amused smile.
“Owkay... twhank yew!” Dina replied, her mouth still full.
Arya was also looking for snacks.
“Hm, some fruit first, then a few pastries.” He bought everything and prepared to find Dina.
Beep beep! His communication device rang.
“Dina?”
“Hold on, Arya! Three more minutes! I’m in line for food!”
“You’ve been eating for three hours, you know!”
“Shut up! Just three more people ahead of me!”
Arya closed the communication. “Haaa... This girl.”
Five minutes later, Dina arrived with puffed cheeks and hands full of food.
“Sorry to keep you waiting~!”
“How big is your stomach, really?”
“What was that?”
“Nothing. Let’s go.”
They continued their journey, and three days later...
“Hey, Arya...” muttered Dina as she glanced around.
“Someone’s watching us,” Arya replied.
He shouted loudly, “HEY! COME OUT! EVEN IF YOU HIDE, YOUR KILLING INTENT IS OBVIOUS! EVEN A BABY COULD FEEL IT!”
Someone stepped out from behind the trees. His presence was calm, sharp, and carried a deadly aura.
“You’re Exone?” the man asked.
“Sorry, are you Jupiter?”
“Correct. So Noctis-kun’s words about a traitor... were true.”
Dina whispered, “Gamma’s been found out?”
“Who knows.”
“So his real name is Gamma, huh?” said Jupiter with a faint smile. “After I kill you, I’ll go look for him.”
Dina snapped, “How do you kno—”
“Silence, Dina!” Arya held his breath.
“My specialty is wind. I can hear even whispers,” said Jupiter coldly.
“AMAZING! PLEASE TEACH ME! I CAN DO WIND MAGIC TOO!” Dina said excitedly.
Arya rubbed his temple. “This girl…”
“But sorry,” Jupiter said slowly. “Now... you have to die.”
Aether Slice.
An invisible slash shot out.
“Dina, dodge!” Arya pushed her.
“Why’d you push—” Dina froze when she saw the slash mark cut through the spot where she had been standing.
“He attacks with invisible wind. Can you handle it?”
Dina laughed, “Hahaha! Now this is exciting!”
Arya sighed. “Her battle mania’s acting up again.”
Dina dashed forward with Wind Step, both her daggers glowing with flame. “Hellfire Slash!”
Jupiter was surprised by her speed. “Damn... she’s fast.”
“Zephyr Bind!” Jupiter shouted.
A blast of wind bound Dina’s body, tearing her skin.
“Come on, keep going!” shouted Dina. “Corner me more!”
Jupiter narrowed his eyes. “She... enjoys it?”
“WindFire Slash!” yelled Dina, her body blinking as if teleporting.
The slash was too fast. Jupiter’s hand was cut.
“Ugh... damn it...” blood flowed from his arm.
“Gale Domination!” a storm swept the area. Then, “Vacuum Howl!”
A blast struck Dina. She staggered, open wounds appearing on her body.
“Whisper of Execution.”
“Wind Step!” Dina dodged—just barely.
“Aether Slice.”
Dina grinned. “The same move twice? Naive.”
Strength. Wind Step.
In an instant, she was in front of Jupiter. “Double Slash.”
Jupiter’s hand and torso were torn. His body froze for a moment, then he fell.
“Forgive me... my King...” he whispered before—Slash!
His head rolled.
“Haaa... haaa...” Dina collapsed, unconscious.
Arya smiled, walked up, and carried her. “Good job, Dina. I wasn’t wrong to choose you.”
Elsewhere, inside the palace...
Sekius sat on his throne. “Jupiter, huh? Thank you for your hard work these past seven years...” he whispered while moving a chess piece before him.
Behind him, Noctis stood still... staring ahead.