Gamma contacted Arya through his communication device.
"Hello, sis. This time it's Jupiter, the wind, who will be chasing us," Gamma reported anxiously.
"Oh, I see..." Arya nodded slowly. "You said before that he was a calm person, right?"
"Yes, he seems to be smart in fighting."
Arya sighed. "A troublesome opponent. All right, Gamma. Thank you for the information."
"Okay, sis. Where's Dina?"
"She said she wanted to look for fruit."
"In the forest?"
"Yes. There's a lot of fruit growing here, so she couldn't resist eating some."
Gamma chuckled. "That sounds delicious! I miss eating together with you guys!"
Arya laughed too. "Yeah, it does make us miss it. But I'm sorry, Gamma. You have to stay away from us..."
"It's okay, sis. Oh yeah, see you later. Say hi to Dina for me!"
"Yes, see you later. Don't push yourself too hard."
A few minutes later...
"Reisa-chan, do you want to come with me?" Venus' soft voice was heard.
Gamma turned her head. "Where are we going, sis?"
"Somewhere. There's an interesting place I want to show you."
Gamma hesitated for a moment, then smiled. (Somewhere? Could this be the moment they reveal their secret?) "Okay, sis."
Venus and Gamma left.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest...
"Hey, Dina!" Arya called out as she quickly approached. "Gamma just contacted me. She said Jupiter the wind is going to chase us. And he sent his regards to you."
"Gamma called?! Why didn't you call me earlier?! I wanted to hear his voice too!"
Arya shrugged. "Talking to you takes too long."
Dina narrowed her eyes. "You mean I'm talkative?"
"No, not really..."
"Then who's going to fight Jupiter later?"
"What do you want to do? He said he's calm, not like the others. Maybe he'll be more troublesome."
Dina considered it. "Hmmm, how about just the two of us?"
"People will think we're ganging up on him. You can do it, right?"
Dina smiled confidently. "Okay, I'll do it."
A few hours later, their communication device beeped. Beep beep.
Arya answered immediately. "Gamma? What's wrong?"
A gasping voice came from the other end. "Haaa... Sis... There's important information... haa... hueeekkk..."
"What?! Gamma?! Take a breath, calm down!"
"Huuu... Sis... This is serious... about the King's plan... He intends to spread the results of human experiments to attack the entire kingdom!"
"Huh?! What do you mean?!"
"Experiments?!" Dina exclaimed in surprise.
Gamma explained quickly and solemnly. Venus had taken her to a secret place and shown her the creatures that were the result of the experiments—humans who had been turned into monsters.
"Venus said this is the beginning of the attack. When panic strikes, the royal army will be deployed, and Seven Eclipse will attack all the citizens of the city."
Arya gritted her teeth. "Why use monsters? Isn't the power of Seven Eclipse enough?"
"Yes! But this is part of a bigger plan... The king has a fortune teller who said seven years ago that seven years later, the defender of justice would be born. The king, who loves challenges, has been preparing everything since then."
"How crazy is he?!" Arya was shocked. "Are we just pawns to him?!"
"He is crazy..." Dina whispered.
Gamma explained that the experiments were spread across various cities that Exone had visited, in cities where corrupt rulers had been killed, the experiments continued to be carried out by their henchmen.
"The biggest one is in the capital," said Gamma.
Arya sat up straight. "Can you stop the one there?"
"Don't give Gamma such a dangerous task!" Dina quickly interjected.
"I'm not sure, sis... the place is too big..."
"All right. We'll meet in the capital in two weeks. Don't act alone."
"Yes, sis!"
"Take care of yourself!" added Dina.
"Yes, sis! Thank you! See you!"
"See you!"
After the communication ended, Dina muttered, "Human experiments turning people into monsters... how crazy is that?"
Arya nodded. "And the King planned it all seven years ago..."
"We have to hurry to the city of Zerio and find the experiment site!"
"Right."
The journey continued. One more day to Zerio.
"Dina," said Arya. "Can you finish the execution yourself? I want to go around the city to find the experiment site."
"It's still afternoon, why don't we go together?"
"If we go together, we'll be easily recognized. We'll be more efficient on our own."
"Okay. I'll look for information about the ruler."
"See you later."
"Yes."
They parted ways.
Arya activated his magic. Search!
"Hmmm... nothing above ground... maybe underground?" He expanded the range of his magic. Search!
"Oh, lucky!"
He found a dilapidated house, but the basement was very spacious. That's where the experiment was conducted.
Two guards saw him.
"Who's there?! Kid?! You're in the wrong place!"
"Bang! Bang!" Arya fired. The two guards collapsed.
The iron door opened. A foul stench filled the air.
Arya groaned. "Ughh... what is this smell?!"
He wore a perfumed mouth cover, but the smell still penetrated.
When he entered, his eyes widened.
Human bodies in tubes. Some parts of the bodies had become monsters.
"Please... help us..."
Arya fell silent. Even with healing, they couldn't be restored. And even if they were saved, would society accept them?
"Please... kill... us..."
Arya nodded slowly. "All right... if that's what you want. I'll end your suffering."
"Who's there?! Intruder?!" The scientists and guards panicked.
Arya raised her pistol. "Fire Shot! Fire Shot! Fire Shot!"
The guards were burned alive.
Arya stepped into the center of the room. "Ultra Freeze!"
The entire room froze. The tubes, the victims, everything froze in silence.
She drew her katana. "Sword Blazing!"
Her fiery slash swept across the entire row of tubes.
The ice crystals shattered, as if burying their sorrow in peace.
Arya stood, her face full of determination.
"Just wait, you bastard King. You think this is all a game... but I will stop you!"
Arya stepped out of the experiment room, his eyes fixed on the sky, which was not yet completely dark.
"It's not even midnight yet..." he muttered. "Hm... should I go see Dina? But I told her to execute the target herself. Oh well, I'll just call her."
He picked up his communicator.
Beep! Beep!
From the other end, a panicked voice immediately sounded. "Arya calling? What's going on?!" asked Dina as she activated her communicator. "Hello, Ar! What's up?"
"My job here is done. Do you need help with your execution?"
"It's done? That was fast!" Dina's voice sounded surprised. "I really want to execute the ruler myself. But how about you watch from a distance?"
"I used the Search skill, so I found you right away," Arya replied casually. "Where are you now?"
"Your skill is so unfair! Okay, let's meet in the city center!"
"All right."
Arya ended the call and headed towards the city center. Soon after, he found Dina standing in the middle of the gloomy crowd.
"So, what information did you get about the ruler of this city?" Arya asked directly.
"Hehehe!" Dina chuckled, but her face looked embarrassed. "Nothing at all! I was busy looking for a food stall, but nothing looked good."
Arya stared at her sharply. "You... looking for a food stall in a city that is suffering? The people are starving, how could there be food vendors?!"
"Y-you're right!" Dina slapped her forehead. "Why didn't I think of that, hahaha!"
Arya sighed deeply. "Has your brain stopped functioning?" she muttered softly. "Never mind... let's continue. Shall we execute it now?"
"Usually it's done at midnight..."
"If we do it while the citizens are still active, it will be more dramatic. Besides, this is the last city, right?"
Dina nodded firmly. "You're right. Let's go!"
They headed for the ruler's mansion. Once they arrived at the gate, Dina pulled two daggers from their sheaths.
"Don't interfere, okay? Promise!" she said, turning to Arya.
"Yes, yes..." Arya replied lazily.
Dina approached the guard standing in front of the door.
"Excuse me, sir. May I ask you something?"
One of the guards glared at her. "Little girl?! Why are you carrying weapons?! Drop them!" He pointed his weapon at Dina.
"May I take your lives?" Dina replied flatly. In an instant, slash!, the guard's head was severed from his body.
"W-what?!" muttered another guard, unable to react as his colleague's body collapsed.
Arya cupped his hands. "My condolences," he said lightly.
"Mwehehehe!" Dina chuckled before pushing open the front door of the mansion. Kreeeett...
"Who's there?!"
"Intruders!"
"Armed?! Exone, right?!"
"Exone is attacking! EVERYONE!"
Dina looked annoyed. "So noisy."
In an instant, she darted forward. The sound of slashing echoed, accompanied only by a momentary scream before the guards' bodies were chopped up and lay on the floor. Hands, feet, heads, and bodies were scattered everywhere.
Arya watched calmly. Her speed is increasing... he thought. I can barely see her. Even though she's not using wind magic... It's similar to the Swap skill. Has she been practicing in secret?
Screams were heard from inside the house.
"Kyaaaah!"
"No-no!"
Dina replied, "Go, ma'am. I won't hurt you. Tell the other servants to get out of here!"
"O-okay! T-thank you!"
The servants immediately ran out.
"Is that all the guards there are?" Dina muttered.
"Hey, Dina. You've been practicing in secret, haven't you? Your speed is incredible."
"Really?" Dina smiled proudly. "Maybe it's because I'm used to moving fast, so I've gotten even faster."
"So you haven't been practicing in secret?"
"How could I? We're always on the move."
Arya shook her head. "You still have to practice. Especially since you eat a lot. If you get fatter, your speed will slow down."
"Did you call me FAT?! I'm not fat!"
"No, forget it..."
"Hmph!"
They entered the hallway, checking each floor.
"Can you use the Search skill, Ar? The controller isn't visible."
"Oh yeah, I forgot." Arya closed her eyes. "Search! Hm… third floor, second room on the right. There are two people… Stacked on one bed?"
"Piled up?!" Dina's face turned red.
Dina went up to the third floor, and without hesitation, srettt!, she cut the door open.
"W-what is that?!"
"Kyaahh!"
Dina's face turned even redder. "What are you doing?! Perverts! Even if you're about to die, you still have time to be perverts!"
"Oh..." Arya turned his face away and covered Dina's eyes with his hand. "You can't see this! You're still a child!"
"Who are you?! What do you want?!"
"Perhaps you've heard of Exone?" Arya smiled coldly. "Hey, Dina. Do you still want to kill him? Or should I do it?"
"I'LL KILL THESE TWO PERVERTS!" Dina shouted. "While the people are starving because of high taxes, you guys are having fun in bed?!"
"How are you going to kill him? I'm covering your eyes," Arya teased.
"Let go of my hands! I can kill with my eyes closed!"
"Haaa... Hey, bastards! Hurry up and get dressed! Don't dirty Dina's eyes with your bodies!"
"O-okay!"
After they got dressed, Arya let go of her hands.
Dina stepped forward, dagger in hand. "I'll kill you!"
"P-please forgive me!" cried the ruler.
"I-I'm not guilty!" cried the woman next to him.
"Not guilty?" Dina narrowed her eyes. "Who are you?"
"I-I'm just a servant..."
Dina whispered to Arya. "Hey Ar, should she be killed too?"
Arya replied softly, "It's up to you. But if she's a servant and seems to be enjoying it without resisting... then there's a connection."
"That's true..."
"Forgive me!"
"Don't kill me!"
"We won't."
Slash! Both their heads fell at the same time.
"But what about his wife and child?" asked Dina. "We haven't seen them."
Arya closed his eyes. "Search! In the next room."
Dina held her breath. "He had sex with the servant... next to his wife's room?!" Her face turned red with anger.
They headed to the next room. Dina opened the door with one slash.
"Who's there?" came a soft voice.
"Who's there, ma'am?"
"Hey, Ar... his wife looks like a good person. Her face is bruised. Their child is still young."
"A victim of domestic violence," muttered Arya. "And the child is still innocent."
"Are we going to kill them?" whispered Dina. "I can't bear it..."
"No need. They are suffering too. There is no joy in their lives."
"Who are you?" the mother's voice was still trembling. "Ma'am... I'm scared..." whispered her child.
Dina crouched down, trying to smile. "We are nobody... Calm down."
Arya stepped forward. "Hello, ma'am. Kid. We're from Exone. Have you heard of us?"
"Y-yes... Exone... The group that kills corrupt rulers..." the woman's voice was faint. "So my husband too..."
"...was killed," continued Arya. The child began to cry. His mother immediately hugged him.
"Will we be killed too?" asked the mother.
"No," replied Arya softly. "You are also victims. Forgive us for killing your husband. And... Heal!"
A warm light healed the wounds on her face.
"Eh?! This wound... healed?! Really?! But I am his wife!"
"You seem like a good person," said Arya. "And if you don't want to leave, may I make one request?"
"A request?" Her tears flowed again. "Is it... my life?"
Arya chuckled softly. "No. I want you to replace your husband and lead this city."
"I can't! The citizens won't accept me!"
"Calm down. We will be your guarantors. And I can help restore this city. How about it? It's not a bad offer, is it?"
Charlotte burst into tears. "I... always tried to warn him, but I was beaten... I can't..."
Arya held her hand. "I believe you can."
Dina looked on from behind. "Arya…"
"This city needs a leader like you. It's not about position, it's not about gender, it's about caring. So… will you accept my request?"
"…Alright," she said softly. "If I can help…"
"May I know your name?"
"Charlotte Yana. Yana is my family name. And this is my son, Christopher."
"Charlotte and Christopher. Nice names. Nice to meet you. I'm Arya Setya, and that beautiful woman is named Dina."
"B-beautiful?" Dina looked down, her face reddening. "Nice to meet you... my name is Dina."
"Nice to meet you... and thank you for your cooperation."
"You're so beautiful!" Christopher exclaimed innocently.
Dina blushed even more. "Being praised by a little kid... doesn't make me happy!"
Arya laughed. "He is shy."
"Shut up!" snapped Dina.
Charlotte smiled slightly. "Hihihi..."
The execution in Zerio City ended successfully. There was only one goal left: the royal capital.
Inside the palace, Sekius stared out the window.
"So... there are spies in Seven Eclipse?"
Noctis bowed his head. "Yes, Your Majesty. Since he joined, Exone's movements have been too smooth..."
"Let it be," Sekius said softly, a faint smile on his face. "That way, my plan will be easier to carry out."
"As you wish."
Gamma was under suspicion... and what plan was King Sekius actually devising?