One week later…
-
Outskirts of the Capital, United Army, Main Camp—
Morning.
Despite the still rising sun, the camp was already wide awake…
Even before the day had fully begun, soldiers moved in steady streams across the muddy grounds, hauling crates, securing supplies, and shouting orders over the constant hum of morning activity. Because the United Army was technically not part of the Hellion Empire, it had to adhere to certain rules, which restricted its location to just outside the capital. All around, wooden boxes stamped with special seals were stacked in neat rows, some filled with provisions, others with densely packed weapons designed for a very specific purpose. Upon closer inspection, many of the surrounding pieces of equipment were focused on an aquatic environment.
Countless voices permeated the air, creating chaos despite the drowsy haze of the morning mire.
"…You heard? The Third Calamity's confirmed to come from the southern seas!"
"No kidding? Then why are we still inland?"
"Because we're moving out soon, idiot! Look at those hull frames!"
The second soldier turned, his eyes squinting slightly as he spotted the massive skeletal outlines of several ship parts being assembled in the far distance.
"…Those aren't normal warships…" He muttered after a long moment to assess…
"Of course they're not! Do you think normal ships can survive in the calamity? Didn't you hear about what happened in the western region? Fool!"
The younger man, a new recruit, fell silent.
Then—
"Hey! Move those crates over here!" A loud voice called out from afar!
The rhythm resumed, and this conversation was quickly forgotten…
-
In the core area of the camp—
Rotell Hellion, the first princess of the Hellion Empire and Commander of the United Army, walked forward.
Her boots struck the muddy ground with sharp, steady steps as her eyes swept across the camp, taking in every detail without missing a single movement. Reports were handed to her as she walked, only to be dismissed just as quickly once read.
"The western supply line has been reconnected, there will be no problem this time!"
"Good! Prioritize the water-resistant materials right now, regardless of what they want, the Black Tower is our best chance to get supplies without my sister's interference in the dark."
"First prince—Leader! The seventh to ninth fleet's reinforced plating is behind schedule."
"Then reassign some manpower from the northern artillery's construction team, we need to focus on a wide range, not a single target. Those weapons won't be as useful at sea, especially if we get overrun by the Sea Clan before we can even use them."
Her voice was clear, calm, and efficient.
Around her, several young officers straightened their backs.
The terms 'Chosen Admirals,' Overseer Council,' and 'Calamity Maps', often appeared in conversation.
This was the current main camp of the United Army!
After the Second Calamity, they had rebuilt, refined, and restructured themselves to function more like a proper army. Currently, they were focusing on solidifying their logistics channels before the next Calamity arrives. In addition to weapons and ships, they also had to compete for supplies, manpower, and dock space with the other forces of the Cross Continent. Combine all this with certain unidentified forces in the dark constantly interfering, Rotell had a headache.
Rotell stood at the center, not only as a leader, but as a symbol, a symbol of strength and power!
She was the current commander!
After the Tibon Family disappeared, the Heros went to do their own things, leaving Rotell with full control of this quickly constructed coalition.
After a full year to rebuild, they were finally ready to face their next challenge!
-
They moved from the main camp towards the construction yard…
Here, the sheer scale of their preparations became far more obvious! Half-finished vessels loomed like steel skeletons overhead, their hulls laid flat and layered with rune-etched plates designed to resist corrosion, pressure, and the unknown methods that might come from the sea.
Massive ballistae lined the earth, their tips glowing faintly with condensed elemental energy. Chains as thick as a man's arm coiled atop the ground, each one linked to anchors designed not to hold ships, but to restrain something else, something much larger!
Rotell slowed down slightly.
"…Tsk!" She clicked her tongue.
As she looked forward, her expression darkened. She could see a certain red-haired figure talking to those in the camp, clearly trying his best to get to know them.
"That damn Red Dragon won't give up…"
Beside her, a woman in uniform covered her mouth, hiding a small smile.
"I'm sure everything will be fine, Your Highness."
Rotell clicked her tongue but didn't respond.
"…Hm?"
Her gaze shifted.
From the hillside just beside the camp, a strange figure was approaching. Upon closer inspection, he seemed to be led by two figures, one of which was one of the seven overseers Rotell had chosen for her counsel among the individual powers who wanted a stake in the United Army.
This was a strange, chubby young man.
He had the face of a toad, no, a frog. He was ugly, but in a cute kind of way. He looked like a beastman, but was undoubtedly human, with short black hair and big black eyes. He held food in one hand and a strap in the other. Connected to this strap was a small bookcase that he carried on his back, clearly filled with books, which was strange for a man who was so fat that he was almost a bouncing ball.
He jogged over, but it was more of a wobble…
Rotell frowned, feeling that this youth fit the description of somebody very important. After a moment to think, she realized that it was Elena who had told her about this person a long time ago…
As he approached, he seemed to meet her eyes.
After a moment of surprise, he began to wave, then run, then broke away from the two men who were escorting him over.
"…Wait! Wait! I'm here to enlist! Hey!"
He nearly tripped over himself as he reached them, panting heavily after he finally arrived.
While desperately catching his breath, he wheezed out—
"M-miss Rotell! My name is Toad! I'm looking for work!"
Rotell stared at him for a long time.
Just reaching her had practically killed him…
If not for Elena, she would definitely think that this was some kind of joke and immediately kick him out.
"…You picked a strange time." She muttered.
"I heard there's going to be a calamity, and you're going to be the vanguard!" he said proudly! "I figured I'd join before things get exciting and I can't find a place!"
Silence…
In Rotell's mind, why did it seem as if this young man didn't know about the previous two calamities…
Her eyes swept past the bookcase, then her lip began to twitch violently.
These weren't normal books, they were all erotica, each displayed proudly behind a glass pane!
Rotell finally remembered what Elena had said about this person…
- Although he has some 'slightly strange' habits, he is definitely a powerful asset worth recruiting
Then, after a moment of thought—
"…Go to the recruitment tent," Rotell said, already turning away.
She was unwilling to look at this young man in the eye.
"If you survive the initial background screening, you're in. I won't even make you take the main test."
Toad saluted with a lightning-fast enthusiasm. "Yes, ma'am!"
He then proceeded to sprint off.
Rotell watched as he ran a few meters, stopped to catch his breath, then continued this cycle until he disappeared into the distance.
This took a concerningly long amount of time…
The female attendant beside Rotell softly giggled, clearly liking this strange young man a lot.
"…What an interesting kid," Rotell mumbled.
The female attendant nodded in agreement.
* * *
Capital City of Llynun, Royal Palace—
A palace maid hurried down the corridor, her steps quick and light as she carried a bundle of documents, but just as she passed a large wooden door—
Bang!
"…I said no!"
A sharp, furious voice exploded from behind the closed door!
The maid flinched, nearly dropping the papers, and without hesitation, she lowered her head, picked up her pace, and walked faster, quickly disappearing down the hall.
Everyone knew better than to linger, but because of her haste, she had forgotten where she was.
Especially because of that room, most maids chose to avoid this part of the palace.
-
Inside the room—
Rolilly Hellion, third princess and youngest of the three sisters, stood in the center of the chamber, her short blond hair slightly disheveled, her green eyes burning with unrestrained irritation.
"I don't care what Father said!" she snapped, pacing back and forth. "I want the royal guard mobilized! I want every tracking team we have searching for her! How could he expect me to drop this so easily!"
"Damn it!"
Across from her, an older woman stood calmly in the room.
Unlike the other servants, who were either terrified beyond words or dull like a doll, this elderly woman didn't seem so easily intimidated.
This was Rolilly's nanny, the woman who had raised her since birth.
There was no servant, perhaps no person, not even her mother, in the world that was more familiar with Rolilly than this aged woman.
Despite the third princess's outburst, she was completely unmoved.
"Your Highness," she said gently, "His Majesty has already made his decision."
Rolilly stopped in her tracks.
Her expression twisted, but this was clearly not directed at the old woman.
"…And what, exactly, is that supposed to mean?"
For some reason, she was unwilling to meet the eyes of this elder.
"It means," the nanny replied, folding her hands over her stomach, "the Hellion Empire will not pursue Petra or Wind. If you wish to continue this futile search, you need to use your own forces."
Silence...
Then, after a moment of one-sided tension—
Bang!
"Ridiculous! Does that old man really think I'll show my cards for such a petty thing! Ha!"
Rolilly slammed her hand against the table.
"She humiliated me! She humiliated us! I am the face of the Royal Family! How is this not his problem! And you're telling me we're just going to sit here and do nothing?! Bang! Damn it! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The nanny didn't react, no, she didn't even twitch.
Instead, she once again spoke softly.
"Regardless, the Royal Ring Secret Realm will be opening soon..."
Rolilly froze after hearing this.
"…What? Ah, right… I almost forgot…" Rolilly frowned.
"You should focus your preparations there," the nanny continued. "That is what truly matters now. If that child is truly like you believe, then not only will this be an opportunity to 'help' the first princess, but some of Petra's people should be there as well. Perhaps this is the best opportunity…"
Rolilly's jaw tightened, her nails dug into her palms, and her mind turned.
"…Fine!" She spat!
Her voice had dropped.
"Then I'll handle it myself."
The nanny quietly sighed, then left.
-
A few minutes later—
Rolilly stormed down the palace halls, her steps sharp, her mere presence sending servants scattering away from her path like startled little birds.
"Out of my way!"
Her anger rolled off her like a wave of heat, nearly manifesting! No one dared to stop her, especially in her currently enraged state!
Bang!
She reached her personal quarters, and with a push, her bedroom door slammed open!
"I swear, when I find that little—" She muttered, but suddenly, she stopped…
Her eyes widened, and her brain glitched.
Looking ahead, in what should have been her private space—
"…What are you doing here?" These words came out unconsciously.
There, standing calmly in the middle of her room—
Rolilly was stunned to find a little green-haired girl swaggering around, treating the place as if she owned it, and rummaging through her stuff.
The anger that was building up was immediately extinguished, and her brain had a small hiccup.
Just ahead, casually rummaging through her underwear drawer, Petra glanced up like a child playing with some toys in a toybox.
"…Mm?"
She blinked.
Her face was so innocent that it appeared as if she didn't understand the question at first.
"Oh!"
A small, polite smile appeared on her face.
"Sorry, I just wanted to take a look for… reference materials."
Rolilly: "…"
Before she could even process it any further—
Petra reached forward.
Clack!
She 'removed' the entire drawer, ripping it from the wall, which it seemed to have been nailed to! She casually lifted it up, despite the difference in size. Her small foot, which was bare for some reason, stretched out, then quickly pulled another seemingly 'borrowed' box towards her with her toes. Tap-tap-tap-tap… This took a few attempts, but she eventually managed to pull it over.
Hup!
Petra then proceeded to also whoop it up onto her shoulder.
At the same time, several other things floated up around her, illuminated by a green light, and neatly stacked themselves on top of the pile as if they had already been prepared.
"…You—"
"Mm," Petra hummed, adjusting the weight and making sure it was properly balanced. "I'll take these!"
Petra nodded to Rolilly as if it were a friendly gesture between sisters.
Flop!
A transparent black sock fell, flopping across Petra's face like a feather.
Achoo!
She sneezed!
Rolilly's face turned red, then white, then red again…
"PUT THAT BACK!" She screamed!
Petra tilted her head, thought for a moment, then with a wave of her hand—
"…No?"
Then—Swoosh! She vanished in a flash of black light!
Along with the drawer…
And dozens of other personal belongings…
There was a silence, a long, terrible silence that shrouded the room...
Rolilly stood there, frozen in place, trembling!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA—!!!"
Her shrill scream echoed through the entire palace!
-
Mere moments later, several servants rushed in only to find the Third Princess standing in the middle of her room. Her eyes had rolled back, her body was swaying, and after an appropriate moment of pause—
Thud!
She collapsed, unconscious.
"…P-Princess?!"
Panic erupted instantly throughout the palace!
* * *
Unknown Waters, High above an endless sea—
A small bird cut through the sky, its wings flapping steadily against the quiet wind.
It was free, chirping lightly like an unbound sparrow, but—
Snap!
A larger shadow descended, and in a blur, talons flashed!
The smaller bird vanished in an instant, swallowed whole by a large beast many times its size. This huge beast flapped its wings and disappeared into the clouds.
Silence returned to the sky, but from that silence—
Buz!
A faint, translucent shape drifted freely, seemingly unaffected by its sudden death. It aimlessly fluttered its wings for a moment, carried only by the wind, before slowly recovering, then descending.
Down…
Down…
It flew down towards the vast ocean below…
Once the haze departed, an infinite expanse of dark, rolling water stretched in every direction, revealing a horizon that blurred into a thin line mixing the sky and sea.
And there, just below, a small vessel drifted alone…
It was almost insignificant against the sheer scale of the ocean, but as the spirit passed over it—
The world narrowed, and the camera focused…
-
On the deck, several figures stood with a strange stillness.
Each one radiated a terrifying presence, indicating that they were all between third and fourth order!
Their auras were heavy, controlled, and refined to the extreme. Even the faintest fluctuation of their spiritual energy would cause the surrounding air to distort slightly, but because they were elites among elites, not a single whisp was misplaced!
No one spoke.
No one moved.
They simply stood there, guarding, as the small ship went up and down with the waves…
-
After an unknown amount of time, one of them turned, then stepped forward.
She entered the cabin without a word.
No one stopped her, no one even questioned her.
Inside the cabin, the atmosphere changed immediately.
If the deck of this small ship was cold and quiet, then the cabin was warm and welcoming. Looking around, there was even a somewhat homely atmosphere about it.
The space was still quiet, but it was more orderly, deliberate, appearing more like the study of a scholar than the cabin of a ship. Because there were no windows to the outside, and because there was an unseen magic stabilizing the room, one could easily forget that they were even on a ship at all.
Near the far end of the room, seated calmly behind a small desk…
Rorall Hellion rested her chin lightly within her hand.
Her posture was relaxed, almost lazy, yet her eyes were sharp, and unfathomably deep...
This woman had a face similar to Rotell and Rolilly, but unlike her two sisters, she seemed much more mature. Instead of the freedom-seeking first princess, and the mischievous third princess, this second princess seemed to almost embody the aura of an empress, only more restrained and sealed behind the facade of a bookworm.
She had the iconic blond hair of the Hellion Family, with deep brown eyes and a pair of simple glasses. Her hair was tied back into a large bun, and her petite frame was strongly contrasted by her large chest.
She hummed, indifferently looking up from the book she had been reading.
Her eyes, meeting the servant who had just entered, flickered with a strange amber light.
"…Your Highness," the woman said, lowering her head slightly.
Rorall didn't speak to her right away, instead, she closed her eyes to 'feel something'.
Her gaze remained fixed on the open window, where the endless sea seemed to stretch beyond sight.
"…Have we crossed the boundary already?"
"Yes."
There was a pause.
"…That's good. Since we've made it here, then even if they find out that the me on that ship is not me, then they won't have time to catch up…"
Her fingers tapped lightly against the table.
They created a measured yet precise rhythm, each tap flickering with the same strange amber light.
The woman hesitated.
"…Is there anything further you require from us?"
Rorall finally turned her head.
Her eyes met the woman's, and for a brief moment, something flickered, and her face showed a depth that didn't belong to someone her age.
Her next words seemed to be completely unrelated…
"…If I want to break 'it'," she said softly, "then I'll have to take my fate into my own hands."
It was unknown who she was really talking to, but the woman opposite to her remained silent.
Her eyes glowed faintly, a thin ring of gold forming near their edges.
"I won't accept it!"
Her voice was calm yet firm!
The world, the calamities, the countless lives that would be swept away in the coming storm—
She did not care!
Not particularly, at least...
Her gaze shifted to the distance.
"…Rotell…"
"…Rolilly…"
A faint pause.
"…Just don't kill each other before I get there! I promise I will succeed in this life!"
Her lips curved up slightly.
"…I'd like the chance to break this myself, but I can only rely on you two, I understand that now…"
-
Outside, the figures on the deck remained perfectly still.
They were unmoving, unblinking, like statues carved from flesh.
They had no breath, made no sound, and seemed to possess no will.
Because there was no one else on the ship—
Only 'her!'
-
Far above, the drifting spirit faded, and the small ship continued forward—
* * *