Almost seven days had slipped by—marking the passage of time and heralding an impending change that would reshape everything.
**Continent of Ice**
"Guy-sama, your task has been completed," Rain and Misery said in unison, bowing respectfully with graceful, deliberate movements.
"Good work. Prepare yourself," Guy responded calmly, his eyes sharp and calculating as he looked ahead. They bowed once more before departing with steps full of confidence and poise.
Inside, a quiet thought whispered;
"What surprises will Walpurgis bring this time?" An undercurrent of anticipation flickered behind his calm exterior.
Meanwhile, in a distant place—
*City of the Forgotten Dragon*
A bald man, bearing a symbol on his forehead, muscular and clad in a priest's robe, approached a young girl. His voice was respectful yet gentle:
"Milim-sama, your favorite meal is ready. Allow me to escort you to the offering temple so you may enjoy it"
The girl, around fourteen or fifteen, had pastel pink hair and bright blue eyes. Her expression was vacant and reluctant, as if this was a familiar routine—something she endured almost daily.
Her face, marked with exhaustion and apathy, revealed a deep weariness, yet she tried to divert her attention away from the weight of her reality with a simple, innocent tone:
"Hora, Middray. Seven days ago, someone told me Walpurgis was coming, right? Isn't it now that they'll come to pick me up? And you, as my servant, have to go with me, too. You're not preparing yourself as well?"
Her awkward demeanor and silly smile seemed like an attempt to convince him
Middray, the bald man exuding authority and composure, looked at her with a firm, commanding expression. His voice was steady:
"No, Milim-sama. Before we go to Walpurgis, it's better if you enjoy the meal I've prepared. I worry you might be hungry during the event"
"Besides, even if there's food at Walpurgis, it wouldn't taste the way you like. That's why I made something special just for you, Milim-sama"
Hearing this, Milim's expression subtly shifted—her eyes flickered with uncertainty, unable to find the words to respond. A faint trace of anxiety and resignation clouded her face.
"Milim-sama…" Middray bowed deeply, nearly 45 degrees, his voice gentle but earnest, "Please, eat a little first before we leave"
With a resigned, listless face, Milim slowly moved toward the offering shrine, her steps heavy and lacking energy. The burden she carried was invisible but palpable.
Behind her, Middray followed with genuine sincerity, a small warm smile on his face.
From a distant corner, a middle-height man with silver hair and blue eyes, a symbol on his forehead, watched the scene with a sigh of helplessness, muttering softly:
"Middray... Middray..."
---
*Kingdom of Beasts, Eurazania*
A nation located in the southern reaches of the Great Jura Forest, inhabited by fierce demi-humans and brutal warriors. Their ideology? *Strength is truth* Their society is built upon this principle, enforced rigorously through a strict class system: those below a certain strength threshold are automatically relegated to the lower class—barred from the capital, living on vast farmlands and territories. The elite—comprising only one percent of the population—enjoy privileges and power beyond measure.
Most resources from the regions are extracted as taxes and funneled into the capital. Those unable to pay are left unsupported, forced to fend for themselves.
The ruler of Eurazania, known as the *Beast Master*, is de facto the strongest individual in the land. Residing in a lavish palace in Laura, the seat of power, he exudes dominance and authority.
*Inside the Palace of Laura*
Within the opulent halls, a man seated upon a throne gazed downward with an aura of regal majesty. His short, pointed blond hair, towering muscular build, sharp black claws, and the beast paw tattooed across his chest radiated raw power. Dressed in loose-fitting garments with shoulder guards on his right side, he embodied the wild strength and nobility of a beast.
With a subtle smile, he issued a calm command:
"Summon the Three Beastketeers to me!"
---