The sun was slowly setting.
Orange and crimson bled across the sky — painting the Wasteland in shades of fire and shadow. The wind had died down, leaving behind an cerie silence broken only by the hum of an engine and the soft patter of paws on cracked earth.
A jeep moved alongside a four-legged creature.
Heading toward the City.
"Man… we couldn't see you live in action," Marian moaned — dragging out the last word like a child denied dessert. She slumped against the backseat, her cheek pressed against the cool metal.
"The recording from the satellites will have to suffice," Yurei answered — her voice calm, regal, seated upright on Hiro's back.
"But we'll have to wait till we get to the base!" Marian continued moaning from the backseat, kicking her legs like a petulant toddler.
"So… how was it, Captain?" Bailey asked.
Her blue hair whipped against the wind — long strands dancing like silk ribbons — as the group rode back to the base on the armored jeep.
Just beside the moving vehicle —
Hiro ran.
In his fox form.
Four legs pounding against the earth — thump-thump, thump-thump — moving with a fluid, predatory grace. His fur caught the dying sunlight, shimmering between white and silver. His tails streamed behind him like banners.
"It was excellent," Yurei responded.
She paused — choosing her next words carefully.
"He seems to have massive talent. And should be able to reach the level of the other princesses' slaves."
Hiro's ears perked.
"Wait… but how strong are the other princesses' slaves?" he asked telepathically.
"Insanely strong," Yurei said out loud — loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Unlike Lover's Chain… Spirit Chain users can freely change slaves. As a result… most of the other princesses use insanely strong and compatible slaves."
"Most princesses have S-Class Mythic Type slaves," Daisy said.
Her voice was quiet.
A brief memory played in her head — unbidden, unwanted. A certain woman with dark green eyes. Her face was unclear — blurred like an old photograph — but her presence lingered.
The memory faded.
Daisy was seated on the driver's seat, driving the jeep despite her small stature.
"Well… damn," Hiro thought.
The thought instantly reached Yurei's mind. She felt it — the weight of it, the worry.
"Although they are powerful…" Yurei's voice softened. "…as an S-Class Spirit Type, you have a chance to catch up."
A pause.
"But that is if you take training seriously."
"But that may take some time," Bailey added — not unkindly, just factually.
"So don't get cocky, idiot," Daisy muttered.
Her eyes stayed fixed on the road ahead — but there was no bite in her words. Just… concern, buried deep.
"Right…" Hiro's thoughts steadied. "If I focus on my training… I'll be able to help Yurei. Whilst boosting the prestige of the entire unit."
"But compared to regular beast slaves?" Marian grinned from the backseat. "You're going to crush them."
"Now that I think about it…" Hiro tilted his head — an oddly dog-like gesture. "…I've never seen a beast slave up close."
"Well…" Yurei's lips curled into a small smile. "…can't wait to meet other beast slaves during the tour."
---
After a few minutes —
The group arrived at the base.
The gate loomed ahead — tall, imposing, carrying the Imperial Insignia carved into black iron. The outer exterior of the base was… unexpected.
It looked like a Japanese mansion — curved roofs, wooden beams, sliding doors — but combined with army vibes. Barbed wire lined the walls. Guard towers stood at each corner. Soldiers in uniform saluted as the jeep passed through.
"Finally back home!" Marian shouted — stretching her arms so wide her shoulders popped.
"Quiet down, idiot. You're making noise," Daisy commented — but her voice was tired, not angry.
The group slowly walked toward the living room.
The shoji doors slid open with a soft whoosh.
Inside —
Elira sat on the couch, watching TV whilst fixing her collection of eye patches. She had at least fifteen of them spread across the coffee table — different colors, different fabrics, one that looked like it had tiny skulls printed on it.
"Oh… you guys are back?" she asked — noticing their presence without looking up.
"It was one heck of an experience," Hiro said plopping down on a cushion, his fox body curling into a comfortable position.
"So… I'm assuming the training went well?" Elira asked.
"Major success," Bailey said — a rare smile tugging at her lips. "You should have seen it, Elira."
"Well… she still can," Marian said — making a beeline for the TV remote.
Click.
The satellite feed flickered to life.
"You guys don't really have to watch this…" Hiro tried to persuade them — his ears flattening slightly.
"But we have to," Daisy said — suddenly interested, leaning forward on the couch.
"Come on, Hiro… it can't be that bad," Bailey said.
---
A few moments later —
The satellite footage played.
Grainy at first then sharpening — showing the battlefield from above. Hiro moving. The Corrupted exploding. The red aura. The slaughter.
"Holy shit!" Marian shouted — her eyes wide. "Didn't think you were the type to go berserk, Hiro."
"Things got… complicated," Hiro said scratching the back of his head with a clawed paw.
"The berserk thing must have been a manifestation of his inner pervert," Daisy commented — completely deadpan.
"No, it wasn't —"
"We can't be too sure."
Whilst the group bickered —
Bailey was focused.
Her eyes stayed locked on the second part of the fight. The Spirit Pressure. The control. The way Hiro had learned two skills in the same day.
"He can already overwhelm a large number of Abyssals at once…" she muttered under her breath. "…and learnt two skills in the same day."
She glanced toward the window — toward the darkening sky.
"The other princesses may have this footage already."
A pause.
"With him…" Her fingers drummed against her thigh. "…it might be possible to increase our prestige."
She gave Yurei a side look.
Yurei looked back.
Both nodded at the same time.
No words needed.
---
"Damn… I'm already feeling sleepy," Marian said — standing up, stretching until her spine cracked. "Let me go to the bath for a few seconds."
"Let me join you," Elira said — getting up, carefully packing her eye patches into a small velvet bag.
"My body feels a bit sore…" Daisy stood as well, rolling her shoulders. "Let me join too."
Yurei stood up.
"I also need to go to the bath." She turned to Bailey. "Bailey, come and join me. We have things to discuss."
Both of them walked toward the stairs — heading to the exclusive bath upstairs. The one reserved for officers.
"Man…" Hiro thought — watching them go. "Everyone's going to the bath… while I'm left drying my balls watching TV."
He had a bitter look on his face.
His tail twitched.
Then —
Yurei stopped.
She turned — just slightly — her profile illuminated by the warm hallway light.
"Hiro…" A slight blush crept across her cheeks. "…do you need an invitation?"
Hiro's ears shot up.
His eyes widened.
"Oh crap…" he thought. "…another affection training opportunity."
His tail began wagging.