After Atem erased the Eastern Empire's forces from existence—and brought Rudra's long, broken story to its end—the world did not grow quieter.
In the land of the Beast Kingdom of Eurazania, something unnatural stirred.
An enormous structure loomed above the land: the Sky Castle, a colossal floating fortress still under construction. Countless majins worked upon it day and night. When the Eastern Empire invaded the Great Jura Forest, Geld, who oversaw the project, had left the site to answer the call of war. Because of that, the main construction had been halted.
Yet even now, the remaining workers continued in silence, repairing, reinforcing, and preparing—unaware that fate itself had come knocking.
And fate arrived wearing the face of a woman.
The uninvited guest was Obera, one of the Three Phantom Commanders.
At the highest level of the Sky Castle, inside a vast chamber temporarily converted into a command room, Milim stood face-to-face with her. The air itself felt heavy, as if the world was holding its breath.
Behind Milim stood Midley, calm and unmoving, his full trust placed in her. No guards were present. No reinforcements waited nearby.
Milim had ordered everyone away.
She had already sent Karion and Frey back to secure their territories. She herself had chosen not to join the war—not out of fear, but out of responsibility. Eurazania stood on a critical path. If the Eastern Empire had chosen to invade through her lands, she needed to be ready. And more than that—
Milim did not wish to stain her hands with human blood.
In hindsight, it had been the correct choice.
Milim crossed her arms and stared at Obera.
"So," she said sharply, eyes glowing with restrained power, "what business do you have with me?"
Midley watched silently, his senses fully alert.
Obera did not answer immediately.
Instead—
She removed her mythical-grade armor, letting it dissolve into light.
Then she knelt.
"I am deeply honored to stand before you," she said, lowering her head.
"My name is Obera. Once, I was one of the Seven Original Angels. I am a former apostle of Veldanava, the Star King Dragon."
The words struck like thunder.
Milim blinked.
"…Huh?"
The excitement she had felt moments ago—anticipating a fierce battle—evaporated instantly. Obera looked up, smiling faintly, her expression filled not with hostility, but reverence.
"It is natural that you do not know me," Obera continued calmly.
"When you were born, I was away on a mission in another world. I regret that I could not greet you sooner, Dragon Empress."
Milim frowned, confused.
"If you're that strong," she said slowly, "weren't you planning to fight me?"
"Never."
"Then why are you here?"
"To greet you," Obera replied.
"And to offer counsel."
The conversation moved to a smaller reception chamber within the Sky Castle. There, Obera explained everything—carefully, honestly, without embellishment.
And when Milim heard the truth—
That Velgrynd, her aunt, the Scorch Dragon, may fall into Feldway's grasp—
Milim's aura exploded.
She stood abruptly, fists clenched.
"WHAT?! Then I need to go right now! Atem—Atem is in danger!"
Milim's fury surged, the air cracking around her.
"Then why didn't you come sooner?!"
Obera bowed deeply.
"I have no excuse."
She did not defend herself. She did not shift blame.
Obera was bound to Feldway, ordered to guard the Palace of Monsters. Coming here at all was an act of defiance that could cost her everything. And yet, she had come anyway.
Seeing her posture, her shame, her sincerity—
Milim exhaled slowly.
"…I got carried away," Milim muttered.
"Thanks for telling me."
"To hear those words from you alone is more
than enough," Obera replied.
Milim's eyes softened, though her resolve hardened.
"Atem isn't reckless," she said firmly.
"He's cautious. Calculated. And far stronger than anyone understands. I believe he'll survive no matter what."
"Yes."
"But if you're telling the truth," Milim continued, staring straight at Obera,
"then understand this—I will never forgive anyone who dares interfere with Atem."
Obera nodded.
"I would like to say I am free to act, but I am not. For now, I must remain within Feldway's trust.
The question is—what will you do?"
"If Feldway orders you to fight me?" Milim asked.
"I will obey," Obera said without hesitation.
"But if you command me otherwise, I will abandon Feldway this very moment."
Her black hair shimmered like a starless sky. Her eyes burned with quiet resolve.
Milim studied her carefully.
"I don't sense any lies."
"That is because there are none."
"Then tell me," Milim said, voice firm.
"What is your true purpose?"
Obera answered instantly.
"Feldway seeks to resurrect Veldanava-sama. I believe that to be blasphemy.
Your father will return when he chooses to. If he has not, then it must be by his will."
She knelt again.
"Rather than forcing resurrection, I believe you should stand at the center of this world."
Milim froze.
"…You're saying you're on my side?"
"I would never presume something so arrogant," Obera replied.
"I wish only to be your tool. Command me as you see fit."
Milim fell silent.
"You'd betray Feldway for that?"
"It is not betrayal," Obera said calmly.
"It is a difference in belief. Feldway defies Veldanava's will. I do not."
Her conviction was absolute.
"I believe Veldanava's will is your happiness, Dragon Empress. And I will show no mercy to anyone who threatens that."
Milim stared at her for a long moment.
Then she grinned.
"Alright. I'll trust you."
She turned her head.
"Midley. You okay with this?"
"Of course," Midley replied instantly.
"I see no reason to object."
Milim laughed loudly.
"Then it's settled! Obera, from today on, you're one of us! I'll introduce you to Karion and Frey once this mess is over!"
"Thank you," Obera said, bowing deeply.
Milim threw her hands into the air.
"Wahahahaha! With Midley as the leader, that makes us the Four Heavenly Kings! I can finally brag to Atem!"
She had always been secretly jealous of Atem's overwhelming presence, his authority, his unshakable charisma.
Midley puffed his chest proudly.
"I'm the leader! Naturally. No one understands Milim-sama better than I do!"
There was no opposition.
No hesitation.
Thus—
Under the silent sky of Eurazania, as the world reeled from Atem's judgment—
Milim's Four Heavenly Kings were born.
And the ripples of destiny spread even further.
Obera—newly appointed as one of the Four Heavenly Kings—showed not the slightest hesitation.
There was no surprise, no pride, no confusion.
Milim's words, to her, were nothing less than divine law.
From that moment on, Milim's will became Obera's highest priority. Above Feldway. Above missions. Above even her own existence. That much was clear.
However—
A new problem immediately surfaced.
"Hmmm… now then," Milim muttered, arms crossed, tail swaying lazily behind her.
"What should we do with Obera? That's the real question."
She frowned.
"This is exactly when I'd normally ask Atem for advice…"
Midley scratched his head, thinking hard.
"That is tricky. Should she stay here and serve directly… or return to the enemy side and act as a spy?"
Both options had merit.
If Obera stayed, Milim would gain a powerful and loyal general immediately.
If Obera returned, they would gain eyes and ears inside Feldway's camp.
Either choice carried risk.
Milim sighed.
"I really want Karion and Frey's opinion too… and Atem's."
But neither were present.
Only Milim and Midley stood there.
Milim glanced sideways at Midley.
"Well? What do you think?"
Midley stiffened.
"…Uhhh."
Milim immediately waved it off.
"Never mind. That was unfair."
She turned her gaze directly to Obera.
"What about you?" Milim asked bluntly.
"What do you want to do?"
Obera replied instantly, without a shred of doubt.
"I wish to return to the Palace of Monsters."
Milim blinked.
"Really?"
"Yes," Obera continued calmly.
"I have not fully manifested my body in this world. Remaining here would require me to forcibly materialize. More importantly—"
She paused, eyes sharpening.
"My primary role is not combat within this world."
Obera explained without embellishment.
Her original mission was to monitor cryptids beyond this dimension—specifically—
Ivarage, the World-Destroying Dragon
The movements of interdimensional threats tied to the Otherworld
"Cornu handles dimensional invasions.
Zalario oversees the Insectars.
I am responsible for Ivarage."
Midley whistled softly.
"Insect Lord Zelanus… and Ivarage?"
"Those sound ridiculous."
"They are," Obera answered flatly.
"Zelanus is dangerous. Ivarage is worse."
Her tone hardened.
"Ivarage is pure annihilation. A being where coexistence is impossible.
It exists only because Veldanava's will allows it—but it must never be released."
Milim's expression turned serious.
"So if you stay here…"
"Ivarage's surveillance weakens," Obera finished.
"That is unacceptable."
Milim nodded.
"Then yeah. You should keep watching it."
"As you command."
Milim tilted her head.
"But wait… if that's the case—what is Feldway planning to do with Ivarage?"
Obera hesitated for the first time.
"…That," she admitted, "is something even I do not fully understand."
She then revealed everything she knew.
"Feldway was originally tasked by Veldanava-sama to monitor Ivarage.
However—he has abandoned that duty."
Milim's eyes narrowed.
"He's prioritizing resurrection."
"Yes. The Underworld Gate is being expanded.
Once complete, the Phantoms and Insectars will invade the Cardinal World in full force."
Midley clenched his fists.
"So that gate wasn't a short-term plan…"
"No."
Milim frowned.
"But if the gates stay open, won't Ivarage escape too?"
"That possibility exists," Obera said quietly.
"I warned Feldway."
"And?"
"He did not care."
Silence fell.
Midley finally spoke.
"So he's insane."
"That is the safest conclusion," Obera replied.
"Feldway is willing to let the world be destroyed—
as long as Veldanava-sama can be resurrected."
Milim clicked her tongue.
"So basically… if that dragon gets loose, we're the ones cleaning up the mess."
"Precisely."
Midley groaned.
"And Zelanus is still roaming free…"
Milim's irritation spiked.
"This is getting annoying."
Milim slammed her fist into her palm.
"Fine. Then I'll just knock Feldway into orbit."
Midley lit up instantly.
"YES! Milim-sama! As leader of the Four Heavenly Kings, I request permission to defeat Feldway!"
Milim grinned wide.
"That's the spirit! I'll fight as one of the generals.
We'll crush Feldway's nonsense with our own hands!"
Midley laughed loudly, blood pumping.
"HAH! My arms are already tingling!"
With Frey absent, nothing was stopping them from charging straight into chaos—
Until—
Obera spoke.
"Please wait."
Both froze.
"Emperor Rudra ( Michael) was goinh to capture Velgrynd's Dragon Factor," Obera said.
"However, at the final moment—Atem interfered."
Milim's eyes widened.
"And?"
"The plan was forcibly halted. Feldway has withdrawn."
Midley blinked.
"…So."
Milim exhaled.
"Atem's safe?"
"Yes."
That single word changed everything.
Milim relaxed instantly, tail swaying again.
"Then yeah… too early to move."
Midley nodded sheepishly.
"…Guess I got ahead of myself."
They had time.
More importantly—Atem was alive, active, and already interfering with the board.
Milim smiled.
"In that case, we should coordinate with Atem instead of rushing in blind."
She turned to Obera.
"Obera. You'll continue monitoring Feldway."
"As you command."
"Keep constant contact through Magic Communication."
"Understood."
They synchronized a private magical wavelength, one that could pierce dimensions themselves. The cost was enormous—but for beings of their level, it was trivial.
A secure line was established.
The meeting was over.
Obera bowed deeply.
"Then, I will take my leave."
With that, she vanished—returning to the shadows of Feldway's domain.
Milim and Midley stood alone atop the Sky Castle.
A new conflict was forming.