《Machina Arcanis: Two Worlds Collided. [Sci-fi | Fantasy | Progression | Mecha x Magic]》


 1-2. Prologue: Light of Punishment

    Engine humming, the hall trembling, trusters burning red hot. A cylindrical-shaped bot, with a size of a 10 metre-in-length, rippled through the vast, emptiness of space. A leading bot drifted ahead, propelled by its triple rear trusters across the darkness, and accompanied by another fourteen bots under the command of a debris collector, Jack Squire.


    "Hahahaha!" Jack blurted out laughing, his hands still trembling after a recent triumph and last-minute snatching of the treasure trove. A large, rectangular metal box was now secured tightly in the mechanical arms of the leading puny bot that he was piloting. His last mission in the low orbital ring was soon accomplished and he would then reunite with his family on earth within a week.


    "Hahahaha! That''s what I''m talking about!" A raw, cheering laugh from his best friend echoed through the speakers, "Wonderful mission as always, Jackie! You almost gave me a heart attack there, my good man!" David voiced in, smiling ear-to-ear. An image of a fat man in his 50s beaming up at the left corner of Jack''s HUD screen inside the metal composite cockpit.


    "Let''s have one last drink before you leave, alright? It''s on me!" David suggested, lifting his fist in the air in celebration.


    "Of course, of course¡­" Jack answered before disconnecting the comm as he switched to autopilot. His hands now disconnected from the mechanical gloves controller that he used to manually pilot ''puny bots''.


    Puny bots were just the common jargon DebrisX employees used to refer to the multi-purposed debris collecting vessels, deriving from Petite Node Interface or P.N.I. (puny) in short.


    Jack glanced down on the earth once again, mesmerised by her beauty and admiring her for one last time. In the morning news, the friction between the Osten Empire and the Dunkelheit Empire escalated and erupted into an all-out war. None of which could be visually perceived from Luna base or where he was, their little selfish game of greed and power seemed insignificant and unreal.


    No matter, soon he would reunite with his lovely wife and son.


    As his vessels flew automatically back to Luna base, he got a bit of quiet time to himself. Jack shifted in his cushioned seat to find a sweet spot and rested comfortably. One thing he loved about space was the absence of gravity, his middle-aged back no longer ached. And he would miss that very much undoubtedly.


    Under no acceleration and constant velocity, his craft floated through space with little to no vibration. His eyes traced around the shorelines of the continent, seeking out the country he left behind, two long years from home.


    Germund, a country under Osten Empire''s reign, a land of magical wonders, where his family resided. He couldn''t help but think to himself, we were so tiny compared to the colossal body before him, he could barely discern the human city, let alone a single house from here.


    "Well¡­ I''m going to miss the magic and machine debate with David when I''m gone¡­" He lamented with a hint of regrets, chuckling at their silly-but-fun arguments during their non-working hours. But then he realised he had set aside one night out with David before he descended to earth forever. Then he would retire and live modestly with his family, spending his accumulated wealth away.


    "Bzzzzzt!"


    Suddenly, an enormous ripple tore through space. Defying the laws of physics, the vibration was visceral and violent, reverberating through his body as if the void itself had found a way to scream ¡ª despite the deafening silence of the zero-atmosphere vastness.


    Jack''s eyes widened in shock, inexplicable tightness in his chest, sweat appeared on his wrinkled forehead, and he reflexively swallowed hard to calm his nerves.


    "Huh!? Something isn''t right!" He murmured to himself, then a golden sigil of ancient rune slowly materialised in the sky above his home country, the size of it must be enormous to be visible from space. Another glowing sigil materialised and slowly it began to form into a colossal circle like an arcane spell. They violently pulsed in erratic rhythm and rippled the nearby clouds outward. They illuminated the firmament as though there was a local star, so bright that its golden light fell through the sight port and illuminated Jack''s face.


    With his rudimentary knowledge of the arcane, Jack''s instincts screamed that this was no ordinary power ¡ª nothing like the spells whispered about in the tales of old or the chronicles of new. This was something far beyond the natural order, a force so immense it eclipsed even the boundaries of his wildest imagination.


    Although he couldn''t explain it with his feeble mind, he could feel it in his guts as it rolled and churned. Once the celestial circle completed the rotation, something terrifying and menacing would occur like an impending doom bestowed upon humankind.


    Nauseating, Jack felt like he wanted to vomit but there was no time for that, his finger reflexively pressed the comm button, calling to warn David.


    Once the green beeped, indicating an established connection between them, Jack roared, his voice trembling, "David! Did you see the glowing ring of the spell over Germund?!"


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    "What?! Ye~yeah, I''ve seen them now, what do you think? Another magic trick~" About to make a mockery of his hometown''s ''magician'' but Jack snapped frantically. "~Listen! This is not a trick, initiate the evac protocol right now!"


    "Evac?! Are you mad?" David exclaimed incredulously, not convinced by Jack''s baseless suggestion, but he saw the pure terror in Jack''s eyes.


    "Listen, you fat prick! Now it''s not the time! Get your fat ass out~" Then the comm went static, leaving only disturbing noises in the background.


    "Damn it!" Jack boomed, sucking his cheeks in exasperation, he hoped either his friend listened and evacuated or he was wrong and overreacted about the solar spell.


    Jack tested all types of communication, radio, laser, microwave, satellite relay, and quantum entanglement. Nothing worked, no amount of effort could bring the communication back at this time. All human-invented comm systems had gone completely haywire.


    "ARH?!" Jack yelped in full panic after the gargantuan spell had finally completed its circle, and then the space and time ripped apart. The deafening pulse vibrated his entire world, Jack scrambled onto his pilot seat as if there was a force field buckling him down. The electrical device completely darkened. The engine stalled and the thrusters went cold. Puny bots erratically veered off course with their remaining kinetic energy.


    Stumbling to his sight port, the only visibility he had left from his craft, Jack watched the colossal beam of light, like pure condensed energy shoot skyward, annihilating everything on its course. Microbombs sparked distantly along its path like fireworks during New Year''s Eve, Jack knew exactly what they were, the destruction of arcanite engines. And with the size of these microbombs, he surmised that they were millions of Armatus knights and drones being obliterated by the light of punishment.


    Jack couldn''t imagine an all-out war between the two empires being orchestrated right in front of his eyes, never in his wild dream, it would be this scale.


    He watched from a safe distance, dumbfounded by the overwhelming display of power. It was a force that seemed almost celestial, reminiscent of the gods from ancient myths he had heard as a child. His mind struggled to piece together everything that had transpired in the past fifteen minutes, a chaotic whirlwind of events that defied comprehension.


    As the backup power hummed to life, faintly illuminating the scene, his puny bots flickered back to operational status. The sight rekindled his resolve. He knew he had no time to waste; he needed to find his friend before it was too late.


    "Setting a shortcut to DebrisX''s headquarters on Luna base, sending a distress comm until it reaches them!" He barked orders through voice command. His fingers snapped and motioned inside the mechanical glove controllers, all puny bots resumed their flight pattern and headed straight to the heart of the moon.


    "...David?!... David?!" Nothing but dead silence, as dread crept and nested in the corner of his heart. His eyes throbbed and twisted with sheer terror, but he kept them fixed at the light of punishment, it didn''t stop there as it swirled and shifted toward the moon.


    "How long does the light travel from earth to the moon again?! 1.3 seconds?!" Before he could realise the divine light pierced through the moon like an arrow speared an apple.


    The grey rock shook violently and crumbled almost in an instant, its grey infrastructure and buildings wiped out a fraction of a second later.


    Suddenly, one of the lights fractured, slithering through the void like a serpent of death. It twisted and turned with malicious precision, zeroing in on his fragile bots. In mere seconds, three of them were annihilated ¡ª cleaved and fried to a crisp, their metallic shells glowing red-hot before collapsing into lifeless heaps.


    "Activate shield!" He shouted a command as the engine twirled and overloaded like a roaring thunder and then blue translucent layers engulfed all of his crafts like protective shells. Another stray light chased down five more of his commanding drones, he quickly activated evasive maneuvers, but it was too late, they were blasted through and detonated into microbombs.


    From Jack''s keen observation, the shield took about three to five seconds to penetrate this time. He would need to use this knowledge to his advantage.


    The wrath of deadly lights knew no bounds and seemingly had consciousness of their own. Another stray serpent slithered and targeted his primary vessel, the one Jack was piloting.


    Luckily, Jack broke away and evaded the killing beam, he hissed air out of his nose in thrill. But it circled back and chased him down like a hungry hound with ever-increasing speed.


    "Layer manuveur!" Jack roared and the remaining puny bots piled up and formed a multi-layer of protecting bodies. The light of death clawed its way through all of them, it bit through his primary bot now. Slamming into his craft, it rocked his hall as though two asteroids collided, it jerked him around causing his helmet to ram into the composite dashboard in front of him.


    After less than 1 second, Jack was completely blinded by its brightness, he couldn''t hear anything except his throbbing heartbeat and his panting. But he knew he was alive, breathing heavily, and bleeding from his head.


    Fortunately, all of the protective shields sufficiently absorbed the damage and shredded away until only a fraction of its destructive power stampeded his hall, it crippled his engine whatsoever but he was still alive. After a while, his eyesight returned, stars burned in his retinas along with the smell of burning composite pierced his nostrils.


    Before him, the moon ¡ª Luna Base, the city of a new civilisation, the culmination of three hundred years of sweat, tears, and effort ¡ª crumbled in an instant. Jack''s wide eyes were fixated on the moon as it split into two massive halves, debris scattering outward like a cosmic storm. Microbombs exploded in rapid succession, followed by colossal shockwaves, each blast echoing like a final death bell. It was a vision of utter devastation, impossible to imagine. His arms dropped limply to his sides, overwhelmed by desperation and desolation, the weight of the loss pressing down on him like an unbearable, crushing force.


    "No one on Luna could have survived that¡­ All is lost, billions of people¡­ gone just like that¡­" A dark thought hung heavily inside of him.


    But before he could ever gather himself up, before he could even process things, the large debris suddenly crashed into his vessel, rocking his entire cockpit. His body was thrown by the kinetic force and slammed into a solid console, creating a loud meaty thud.


    Then nothing but darkness¡­ as everything faded.

 3. Debris I

    Have you ever stopped to realise how small our lives truly are? How little do we seem to matter in the vast expanse of the universe? How lasting or fleeting the impact of our actions might be in the grand scheme of things?


    Standing still, gazing at the sheer enormity of Mother Earth, you can''t help but feel captivated by her divinity, her boundless majesty rendering our existence both insignificant and extraordinary.


    Two years ago, I boarded a space shuttle to join DebrisX, a private company specializing in space debris management. My assignment was at their grand space station, a marvel of engineering that revolved in the low Earth orbit ring.


    It was the first time I laid eyes on her ¡ª not from the ground, but from space. Our massive blue world unfolded before me in all her glory. A peculiar sense of euphoria erupted within my chest, shifting my very perception. She was breathtaking, her vast greenery intertwined with shimmering blue oceans, glowing under the gentle caress of sunlight.


    Someone once told me that astronauts often feel an overwhelming wave of elation upon ascending into space for the first time. They weren''t lying.


    Yet, as I marvelled at her beauty, a sudden wave of bitterness washed over me. It struck me how utterly insignificant we, the so-called master races; humans, elves, Wildrens, and Animori, truly were when compared to her immense, unyielding scale.


    ***


    "Come in! Come in! This is Redrooster, Section 11 Command Centre!" A sudden, static-laden voice crackled from the comm speaker in Jack''s cockpit. The blue glow of the holographic HUD screen flickered to life in front of him, illuminating the face of a man in his early 40s.


    Deep indentations lined his gaunt cheeks, and the wrinkles etched across his forehead seemed even more pronounced under the dim light. His dull eyes, tinged with a faint red hue, hinted at a brilliance that once burned brightly, perhaps twenty years ago. Short silver hair floated listlessly in the zero-gravity environment, giving him an almost ghostly appearance.


    He was clad in an orange full-body jumpsuit made from heat-resistant composite fabric. The material clung tightly to his malnourished, tall frame, accentuating his frailty. His skin, pale as a ghostly sheet, added to his overall unassuming look. If judged by modern standards, Jack knew he wouldn''t be called ''handsome.'' On a good day, maybe a six ¡ª if the person rating him had a drink or two first.


    Instinctively reaching his hand to press the comm button on top of the compartment, "This is Jack speaking! Jack Squire, employee number 0423¡­" He replied after a green light flashed once. His voice was deep and somewhat mysterious, according to what his wife told him and she loved to listen to him rambling on and on.


    Awaiting the reply from the centre command, his eyes lazily drifted to a locket with a picture of his son in it. The digital locket illustrated a handsome boy, aged 10, who shared all of his genetics, with the same eye and hair colour, smiling like he was the happiest boy in the whole galaxy. Jack found himself grinning as he watched the locket swimming weightlessly. He knew what he had to do and once he completed the orbital mission, he could return home to family, to his lovely wife and son.


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    Actually, this was his last mission before he descended to earth and enjoyed his retirement with his family. As he gazed absentmindedly at Germund from his cockpit''s sight port of a puny bot, a cylindrical-shape and compact robot with two of 6 dimensional axis arms for debris handling. They called them Petite Node Interface Bot or P.N.I. in short.


    Glancing at that green and blue canvas of Germund now, he wondered what his family was doing at this time. Was she doing fine, raising his son on her own? Had she and his son been eating well? No matter, they would be set for life next week when he returned to them with his pockets loaded with the wealth of a lifetime. Just imagined it, he could even taste her home-cooked meals in his mouth.


    It wouldn''t be long now, suddenly the voice cracked out of static noises, "Yo, Jack! This is David McDonald, speaking! Do you read me?!" A hologram image of an overweight man in his 50s beamed up in the left corner of the HUD. Despite his weathered complexion, his smile never once faltered.


    "Hey! David, I read you loud and clear," Jack answered with a smirk, seeing a friendly face in his final mission, switching up on stand-by mode with a click of the button. One after another, his puny bots'' thrusters came to life as they dissipated rippling blue heat.


    "Terrific! It''s good to assist you today, my friend!" David exclaimed with delight and then let out a roaring laugh.


    "The sentiment is mutual!"


    "System checking¡­ 1¡­ 2¡­ 3¡­ and¡­ we''re all green!..." David informed methodically, as he commenced the system start-up protocol.


    David monitored the readiness of each puny bot in Jack''s fleet, abruptly his thick brows furrowed, "Fifteen?!" He yelled in disbelief, raising one of his brows.


    "Well, I don''t have much choice~," Jack said but David cut him off.


    "Don''t you get it!? This is a life-threatening condition! What if you ended up with brain damage?!" his big friend scolded, his voice heavy with genuine concern. "Most people can barely handle six of these ¡ª six! Even an Armatus knight would be pushing it to manage ten, at most!"


    The weight of his concern bore down, his frustration evident in every word.


    Jack took a long minute to examine the coordinator, "Don''t be such a worrywart, my good friend! I''ve done this countless times in the simulation¡­"


    The fat friend exhaled deeply in defeat before uttering matter-of-factly, "Simulation is not exactly accurate to gauge your mental load, I don''t want you to fire your brain over this, we still need~."


    Jack interrupted respectfully, "I''m resigning after this mission¡­"


    "What?!"


    "I''m going back to earth after this mission, David. So¡­ pretty please?" Jack added, using what he did best; persuasive skills accompanied by his deep, charming voice.


    "Okay¡­ You gotta be shitting me like those magicians of Osten!"


    "Pfft! You just called the arcanists ''magicians''?!" Almost couldn''t contain his laughter at the absurdity of David''s claim.


    Jack asked amusedly, "Like juggling bottles around, pulling a hare out of the hat? That type of magician?"

 4. Debris II

    "Aye! Those loonies are still stuck in the medieval age, just like we were 500 years ago..." David sneered, his tone dripping with disdain for the mages of the Osten Empire, known as arcanists. Rare as they were, most people in Dunkelheit dismissed their existence as nothing more than myth and folklore.


    "If those were real, see any of them floating around with you?" David smirked condescendingly, before leaning back on his chair.


    Jack pretended to sweep his eyes around mockingly, "Well, no¡­" He replied with a shrug.


    "See? The point is¡­ technology is the only thing that''s real. With it, we''ve conquered the moon! Look at Luna Base, our headquarters now, where I breathe fresh, clean air every day," He argued passionately, emphasising the technological advancements of the Dunkelheit Empire. Three centuries ago, they had completely terraformed the moon, transforming it into a habitable planet and naming it ''Luna Base''.


    "~Alright, alright. I get your point!" Jack interrupted, cutting David off before he could launch into another hour-long sermon about high-tech wonders. Jack knew his friend too well ¡ª David had grown up in one of Dunkelheit''s sprawling capital cities, surrounded by endless steel, concrete, and technology. It was all too monotonous for Jack''s taste.


    Jack, on the other hand, hailed from Germund, a land under the reign of the Osten Empire, where true arcane magic was said to exist. Though he had never witnessed it himself, Jack believed in its power with unwavering conviction.


    Despite their vastly different geopolitical backgrounds, they were as close as two peas in a pod. DebrisX embraced them both without prejudice or discrimination, fostering camaraderie among its diverse crew.


    Normally, Jack would have found their debates amusing, even engaging with David''s endless fascination with technology. But today was different ¡ª Jack''s mind was elsewhere. He was eager to get the mission over with; there was a big fish to fry, and he couldn''t afford any distractions.


    "I just got the mission details... Patching through now," David said smoothly, his fingers gliding over the control panel. The sheer number of buttons would have been intimidating to most, but he handled them effortlessly. "All systems green. Handing control protocol over to you now, Jackie!" He added with a grin.


    Jack''s blue screen lit up, displaying multiple monitors with live feeds from each bot. He scanned the status indicators, fifteen green dots. Everything was in working order, and full control was now his. Sliding his hands into the control gloves, he flexed his fingers experimentally, manipulating the multi-directional buttons. Each bot moved flawlessly in response, their precision mirroring his slightest motions.


    "Perfect," Jack muttered, satisfied with the seamless synchronisation. The stage was set, and it was time to execute.


    "Neato!" Jack replied, nice and short.


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    "Well, what a way to resign! This one is easy¡­ But labouring intensive¡­ Collecting the compartment from the Alexandra wreckage¡­ Its location should appear on your map, right about now," David informed and the map on Jack''s screen pinged up as a red dot about 100 kilometres away from his location.


    "Thanks, I''ll be taking it from here, moving in now!" Jack spoke into the comm.


    "Best of luck, my good man!" David replied with a salute.


    Thrusting spitting frame and exhausting, the engine rumbled, and Jack''s group of puny bots accelerated toward the wreckage. His primary piloted bot led another 14 bots in the triangular formation, exactly like his fingers dictated them with high precision.


    ***


    Amid the sprawling wreckage of the Alexandra, an ancient, colossal ship measuring five kilometres in length ¡ª an awe-inspiring marvel of engineering and construction ¡ª came into view. Jack navigated through the scattered debris: twisted metal, floating boxes, and sheets, weaving his way through the lower section of the ship. His eyes scanned the remains, calculating each movement with precision.


    There, amidst the chaotic storm of debris, he spotted it, an opening leading into a large metal accessway. With steady hands and careful control, he guided his craft into the narrow corridor, drifting effortlessly through the dark expanse of the ancient vessel.


    The automatic lights on the puny bots flickered to life, casting a cold glow over the passage ahead. The path was cluttered with floating bits and fragments of metal, suspended in eerie stillness. These relics had remained frozen in time, untouched and undisturbed for over a century.


    "It smells like death in here..." Jack murmured to himself, a chill creeping up his spine. The sight of the abandoned hall only amplified his unease, the air thick with decay. A tightness gripped his chest, reminiscent of the time he had ventured into an abandoned hospital at night ¡ª its silence, oppressive and suffocating, pressing in on him from all sides.


    Beep! Beep! Beep!


    A sudden frantic sound blared from the comms, warning the pilot that something was zeroing in on one of his bots. Jack''s eyes snapped to the front camera on the HUD screen, his pulse quickening. A broken puny bot, its limbs shattered and sparking, was drifting straight toward him. Without hesitation, he motioned to the controls, effortlessly guiding his bot to swerve out of the way, narrowly avoiding the collision.


    "...Another puny bot¡­ Odds¡­" He muttered under his breath, it was impossible to discern if that bots were here 100 years ago or just recently. There was no decomposition in the enclosed space like this.


    Thud!


    An abrupt, deafening noise vibrated through the cockpit, rattling Jack''s nerves.


    "AHH!" Jack shrieked in terror as a humanoid figure slammed into his sight glass, its impact sending a shockwave through the vessel.


    The lifeless body of a male figure, clad in a personal protection jumpsuit, was stuck to the wall of the vessel. His eyes were vacant, bloated with the emptiness of death, while his mouth hung open in a ghastly expression, teeth bared as though he had been screaming in agony at the moment of his demise. His skin had turned an unnatural pallor, veins visible beneath the surface like dark, twisted threads. As Jack''s gaze lingered on the body, something felt off. A faint yet distinct realisation slowly crept in; the body wasn''t human. The man had the unmistakable features of a wildren, a race known for their animal-like traits. His ears, sharp and cat-shaped, marked him as one of their kind, a stark contrast to the human-like appearance of his attire. The body''s presence was both tragic and perplexing, a haunting reminder of the brutality of space.

 5. Treasure Room I

    "Oh my goodness¡­" Jack exclaimed as fear crept in and nested inside his chest. His eyes widened momentarily. Shaking the sight off his head, he motioned one of the mechanical arms to peel the wildren corpse away.


    "I thought they all evacuated¡­ How come there was a body in here¡­" A dreadful thought crossed his mind as his brows furrowed into deep crease.


    After gathering his composure, Jack continued with the mission as he and his bots swam perfectly through the red mark on his map, dodging the obstacles with ease.


    After roughly 30 minutes, Jack arrived at the designated warehouse, the large metal door protected the valuable treasure inside. The mech arm reached out to pull the pull-down lever, but nothing happened.


    "Typical¡­" He grumbled at himself, knowing it wouldn''t be that easy, the power would be completely shut out by the time they completed the evacuation.


    Jack then motioned for two bots to attach themselves to the metal wall that separated him from the treasure. The magnetic lock spun beneath the P.N.I bots'' legs before clicking into place, efficiently sticking to the surface.


    The mechanical arms retracted and switched into a large laser torque for cutting through heat-resistant composite. The pilot flame sparked a few times before the laser blade, about 1 metre in length, gusted out of the nozzle.


    With a temperature exceeding 3000 Kelvin, the composite sheet bubbled and began to gradually melt away. Jack worked slowly and deliberately, making a precise square cut roughly 10 square metres in size.


    He ensured all of his vessels were positioned for a prompt escape, should any immediate threat arise. It was a principle his wife had always emphasized: "Always find the escape first before stepping into the realm of the unknown."


    The thick composite plate finally came loose and floated freely in the zero-gravity environment. A small push from the puny bot thrusters cleared the path, and the passage was now open for entry.


    "Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!" Jack smiled in contentment with everything going according to his plan.


    Beep! A comm blinked once. "Come in! Come in!" Suddenly a frantic call from David as well as his holo image popped out.


    "This is Jack Squire, Employee 0423 speaking, you copy?!" Jack asked, nervous about his friend''s reaction.


    "Yes! I copied." David replied with a nod before reading something on his own screen, narrowing his eyes.


    "What?" Jack asked with curiosity.


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    "Listen, Jack¡­ After you cut through the hall of the warehouse, we detected a surge of energy," David clarified, his voice shaky and interrupted by a few ragged coughs.


    "Are you sure? I haven''t been able to read anything from here," Jack replied matter-of-factly as he snuck a glance at his own radar, nothing showed up.


    "Be careful, there might be some sort of defense mechanism," David warned, his voice tinged with genuine concern.


    "Understood," Jack responded as he gestured all puny bots to advance.


    ***


    The warehouse was a vast hall, about 50 cubic metres in size, resembling a factory storage unit. It was lined with hundreds of rows of metal shelves, some packed with metal crates, all tightly secured with suspension wires. The air was thick with dust, the faint hum of machinery echoing in the background, adding a sense of unease to the otherwise silent space.


    "Activate Finder Keepers protocol!" Jack commanded, his voice steady despite the tension. Instantly, a series of self-controlled bots floated methodically through the aisles, their sensors sweeping each row with precision. They scanned and catalogued items, marking potential targets as their data feeds streamed into Jack''s interface.


    "Damn¡­ Jackie, we''re hitting jackpots here! These are machine parts, valuable metals, Armatus weapons,..." David exclaimed in excitement as he read through the list of inventory on his screen.


    Then his eyes dilated by the recent update of the list, "Umm¡­ sex bots?" He asked in surprise. Then raised one of his thick eyebrows and smirked knowingly at Jack.


    "Pffpt! Well, I guess Alexandra''s crews needed something to vent their frustration," He commented, almost unable to hold in his laughter. His eyes remained fixated on the updating lists of inventory.


    "Too far from home! Hahahaha!" David burst out in a roaring laugh, grabbing his belly.


    "Well, maybe I can snatch one for you on my way out, how''s that sound?" He teased.


    "You are so kind! Unlike you, I''ll be here for another 5 years or something¡­ It won''t hurt to have a bit of fun," David nodded his head with a big grin.


    "Consider it done," Jack replied with a mischievous smile.


    "Too bad, something went incredibly wrong with their campaign¡­ We''d have completely colonized Mar by now if their ship didn''t malfunction or whatever~" Jack''s speech was interrupted by a sudden signal.


    Beep! Beep! Beep!


    A frantic beeping noise reverberated through his hall.


    "What?!" David gasped and hurriedly checked the status to confirm the origin of the source, "The arcanite engine signature is substantial, it was an Armatus drone!" David roared in panic, his fingers slamming keyboard keys in rapid succession.


    "What did you say?!" Jack repeated incredulously, his pupils dilating in pure terror. The mere mention of Armatus sent a shiver down his spine, chilling him to the core. If what David said was true, he was now facing a war machine capable of leveling an entire city in just one single day.


    "Signal confirmed! It''s coming in hot! You need to pull out now!" David''s voice cracked, his fear palpable, the dread etched onto his pale face.


    "Roger that!" Jack barked, his fingers already dancing over the controls, issuing rapid commands. The puny bots immediately retreated to his flank, hovering in position as they awaited further instructions.


    "Activate shield protocol! I''ll lure it out with my bots!" Jack commanded with steely resolve, his sharp jaw clenching tightly as beads of sweat poured down his face. His mind raced, every nerve alight, as he prepared for the battle of his life.

 6. Treasure Room II

    He motioned through the glove controllers, his actions swift and decisive. The engine hummed and pulsed erratically before the translucent shield materialised around his P.N.I. bots like protective shells.


    The beeping red dot on his radar went into an urgent rhythm, indicating the Armatus drone was heading to his location, faster and faster, "It must be over 300 kilometres per hour with that speed!" Jack analysed in his head.


    "Damn it! It doesn''t even give me time to think!" He muttered and flickered his index to send out a scout and bait bot to intercept, while the rest shifted to retreat at full speed, every single bot ripped through weightless space in order and harmony like mechanical bees.


    Then suddenly and unintentionally, one of the bots got tangled into a suspension wire, swaying the crate and scattering its internal contents, and a strange rectangular box surfaced. From earlier Finder Keeper protocol, the scan signal coincidently picked up and updated the inventory list on his interface, reading, "Payload detected!"


    "Woah!? David, I accidentally found the thing!" Jack exclaimed with bewilderment.


    Without hesitation, he motioned one of the bots to cut the suspension wire and obtain the box. The mixture of hope and delight lingered in his wide eyes. And with his monumental sheer will, Jack was resolute in his determination to accomplish the mission.


    "Jackie! Screw that! The Armatus is one minute away! Retreat now!" David screamed the order, stern and death-serious in his tone.


    While Jack monitored multiple screens displaying each bot''s camera feed, the puny bots beneath him worked in perfect synchronisation, meticulously cutting and reeling the treasure free from its entanglement. Simultaneously, the scout bot, he sent out, eventually picked up an image of the Armatus drone for the first time.


    "Damn it!" Jack cursed under his breath, biting the inside of his cheek in frustration as the dark figure of death closed in on his scout bot.


    The humanoid drone loomed into view, towering at an imposing 10 metres in height. Jetpacks mounted on its back and thrusters embedded in its feet propelled it forward with unnerving precision, its movements a calculated blend of power and speed. Its V-shaped visor glowed with a menacing, demonic red light, cutting through the chaos like an unrelenting harbinger of destruction.


    Its very presence embodied the stuff of nightmares, a demon incarnate wrought in cold metal and unrelenting firepower.


    Armed to the teeth, it carried an ionised blade in one hand, crackling with energy, and a plasma cannon in the other, humming with lethal intent. Without a moment''s hesitation, it lunged forward, nearly cutting down the baiting bot in one swift, merciless strike.


    "Argh!" Jack yelped as he maneuvered his bot to dodge to the side. A sharp tingling sensation shot through his head, but he quickly pushed it aside. His eyes flicked rapidly between multiple screens, each displaying a different feed. Without hesitation, he sent three more bots to intercept the relentless killing machine.


    Meanwhile, two other bots worked diligently to free the box. Their laser torches hissed and sparked as they cut through the thick suspension wires. The wires bubbled under the intense heat, gradually fracturing one by one as the torches melted through the metal.


    "Jack! Your nose is bleeding!" David spoke up with agitation, his big face went pale and sweaty.


    "Can''t talk right now, David!" Jack snapped, cutting off the communication. The searing pain in his eye sockets was now unmistakably from the sheer overload on his brain. Normally, humans couldn''t manage more than six puny bots at a time, while Armatus knights could manage up to ten puny bots, which was equivalent to six Armatus suits ¡ª anything beyond that was considered too taxing on the neural interface. But right now, Jack was controlling all 15 bots simultaneously. The cost was clear: his brain would be scrambled by the time this was over.


    The Armatus moved with lethal precision, kicking one puny bot away with its powerful mechanical leg while firing its cannon at another in rapid succession. The targeted bot spun wildly, narrowly dodging the scorching energy blast that would have reduced it to scrap.


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    Another bot drifted in from the rear, slamming into the Armatus''s back with all its remaining momentum. The impact barely scuffed the high-durability armour of the Armatus, but the kinetic force was enough to knock it slightly off balance, giving the other bots a chance to reposition and regroup.


    Jack''s eyes flickered between the live feeds of all 15 bots. His breathing was laboured, and the veins on his temple pulsed visibly. "Just a little longer," He muttered through gritted teeth. The bots swarmed like a coordinated hive, each unit moving with precision honed by Jack''s desperate focus.


    The killing machine flew toward the wall with three pony bots on its tail. Then it masterfully circled 180 degrees and landed on its mechanical feet. With the momentum, it bent its knees and sprung toward Jack''s bots, denting the wall on its feet. Its ionised blade burned red hot and was about to cleave all three at one full sweep.


    "Shit! It out-maneuvered me!" Jack boomed in exasperation. The war machine lifted its blade to strike but his trick wasn''t all that. Another 4 bots he had been controlling in the shadow, flanking the Armatus drone.


    Jack sent 4 bots at full torque, ramming into Armatus and intercepting its attack. All four bots took out readily laser torches and jammed into the enemy torso while their off-hands held the war machine down in place. The Armatus squirmed as if it could feel pain, and thrusters went full-blown chaotically in an attempt to break free from Jack''s dissection.


    In the corner of his eyes, the suspension wire snapped and the box had broken free. Jack gestured his remaining bots to transport out of the opening he made earlier. The arms of the pilot''s puny bot secured the item steadily in its grip while the rest retreated behind as decoys and guards.


    But it wasn''t over yet, the Armatus spiralled with full centrifugal force and finally broke free, throwing puny bots outward and it suddenly flashed dangerously red.


    Jack''s eyes widened with the horrible realisation, it was going to self-destruct. He reflexively gestured four bots to retreat at full speed.


    They scrambled and manoeuvred through the debris and obstructions. One of the bots scraped against the sharp edge of a shelf, peeling part of its hand off. "Ugh!" Jack yelped. While it wasn''t physical pain, he felt an uncomfortable sensation in one of his fingers ¡ª a clever system designed to intuitively alert the pilot to damage, especially since they were often managing multiple crafts at once.


    Then the Armatus boomed. A storm of pulsing lightning and flames erupted outward, obliterating everything within its rapidly expanding radius. The last puny bot raced frantically toward the gap.


    "Ah! Go faster!" Jack shrieked, his voice strained with panic. The puny bot was swallowed by the swirling cloud of destruction.


    Just as the shock seemed final, the bot emerged from the inferno with its shield overheated, but its hull miraculously intact. "Ahahahah!" Jack burst into a loud, maniacal laugh, unable to contain his disbelief and relief at the bot''s survival.


    The comm channel crackled back to life. "Geez¡­ Jackie¡­ You survived, you reckless fool!" David''s voice came through, heavy with a mix of exasperation and relief. Any hope of reprimanding Jack evaporated as he realised the futility of it.


    "Hah¡­ hah¡­" Jack panted heavily, his chest rising and falling as he tapped a hand against his racing heart. The adrenaline from the harrowing game of cat and mouse still coursed through him.


    "All your puny bots made it out too! You damn legend!" David exclaimed, his wide grin almost audible over the line.


    "Sorry¡­ couldn''t grab your souvenir," Jack replied with a weak chuckle, glancing back at the Alexandra wreckage. The entire lower section, where he had barely escaped moments ago, was completely obliterated, spilling debris in every direction.


    "Don''t worry about that, who needs a sexbot anyway!" David dismissed with a wave. Then he threw back his head and laughed rowdily.


    "Hahahahaha!" Jack burst into laughter, the absurdity of his survival dawning on him. Just moments ago, he could''ve been toasted.


    David, tears streaming from his eyes, wiped them away with his stubby fingers. "I can''t believe it! You really tried to fight an Armatus with puny bots ~ PUNY!" He stressed the word, breaking into another fit of laughter.


    "PUNY versus ARMATUS! This is the stuff of legends! Absolute legends!" David continued, his voice almost cracking as he showered Jack with exaggerated praise, the hilarity of the situation refusing to die down.


    To Jack''s credit, it had been a wreckage before he entered, and it remained a wreckage now, only the scale of devastation had changed.


    As Jack and his puny bots charted their course back to Luna Base, a quiet sense of triumph settled over him. Yet, unbeknownst to him, the universe was on the cusp of an irreversible shift.


    In less than three minutes, a cataclysmic event would unfold, an annihilation so absolute it would come to be known as the "Light of Judgment," or more infamously, the "Moon Breakers." This singular moment would ignite a chain reaction of devastation, forever altering the course of history.

 7. Before D-Day I

    The same day, 2538 CE in the Gregorian calendar¡­


    15 September 2538. More than half of the Armatus knights around the globe had been rallied under the same banner under the direct command of Queen Charlotte, the Arch Monarch of the Agrian continent. Their mission was at the break of the new dawn they would embark into the enemy territory and seize Germund for its high-value industrialised cities. Their ability to mass-produce arcanite harnessers posed an immediate threat to the Dunkelheit Empire as a whole.


    The harnessers were artificial gems capable of storing arcane power, or magic, and transporting it in large quantities with ease. Their use greatly extended the reach of magic, enhancing both defensive and offensive capabilities, especially in regions where sentry mages were scarce.


    Under the reign of the Golden Throne, Astral Empress Nohrell Voss Fenrith, known as the Silver Scythe of Death, mustered the army of Armatus to launch a decisive strike at the heart of Germund, securing a glorious victory with the decapitation of the Magus Primarch, Mathias III.


    To orchestrate the total siege of Germund, over a million Armatus knights, drones, and hanger cruisers were strategically positioned to encircle the borders on all sides. Each unit had a specific mission to devastate Germund''s defensive infrastructure, with a particular focus on the arcane towers, where the sentry mages were stationed ¡ª acting as fortified garrisons or military bases in Dunkelheit''s terms.


    Among the many hanger cruisers steadily making their way toward their designated drop-off point along the western shoreline ¡ª the most direct route to the heart of Germund ¡ª one cruiser stood out. Each cylindrical vessel, measuring one kilometre in length, had the capacity to carry 10,000 Armatus knights. Inside, it was equipped with everything needed for prolonged operations: spare parts, arsenals, and repair bays. Its dark green exterior proudly displayed the name "Merry VIII."


    Onboard the Merry VIII, Rhok Wagner, a seasoned Armatus knight and celebrated war hero, carried out his final tests on his primary Armatus. At 38 years old, with fierce dark eyes and short brown hair, his commanding presence was undeniable. His broad shoulders, tall frame, and muscular build made him the epitome of strength, leading many to deem him ruggedly handsome. His sharp jawline, high nose bridge, and defined cheekbones were undeniable markers of his striking, rugged appeal.


    He was clad head-to-toe in advanced knight armour forged from ultra-tensile composite material, with an eagle''s sigil engraved proudly on his chest plate. The armour alone augmented his strength, speed, and endurance to six times that of an ordinary human, making the Armatus knights the undisputed pinnacle of modern warfare.


    Around him, the hanger buzzed with chaotic energy as Armatus knights, engineers, and technicians hurried about, performing final checks on their war machines and ensuring the readiness of the drop-off. The clatter of tools, hum of diagnostic systems, and occasional shouted commands filled the air. Rhok glanced at the gigantic digital display overhead ¡ª in three hours, they would be plunging into enemy soil.


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    "Screw those Arcanii bastards¡­" He muttered, spitting on the floor with disdain.


    Rhok''s attention turned to his black helmet, its surface etched with scratches and chips ¡ª battle scars from countless campaigns. Despite its wear, it was still in excellent working order, much like his armour paddings: rugged, worn, but reliable. He shoved the helmet onto his head, twisting it into a comfortable position. The blue HUD display flickered to life, immediately running diagnostics and syncing with his six connected Armatus units, its interface a constant stream of vital data and tactical overlays.


    A sharp, piercing whistle cut through the noisy hanger, momentarily overpowering the clamour of machinery and voices. A lean engineer approached Rhok with a brisk salute.


    After quickly reading the name and rank etched on Rhok''s golden chest plate, the engineer greeted him firmly. "Good morning, Commander Wagner!"


    "Tony, right?" Rhok glanced at the nametag stitched onto the engineer''s jumpsuit. The man nodded promptly. "You''re overseeing the maintenance on my mobile suits?" Rhok''s voice was flat, deep, and commanding, radiating an air of undeniable authority that seemed to weigh down the space around him.


    "Yes, sir! I''ve triple-checked all six of your Armatus units. They''re fully functional and combat-ready, sir!" The engineer replied with steady confidence, his tone crisp and professional.


    "Good job." Rhok''s lips curled into a cold, unsettling smile. "I wouldn''t want anything holding me back from massacring those Arcanii in their sleep." The mere thought seemed to ignite a grim satisfaction within him. Yet even that mental image couldn''t outweigh the rage he felt for what they had done to his family; his entire bloodline torn apart by one of their merciless mages while he was deployed in the battle countries far away.


    "Y~yes, sir!" Tony stammered slightly, visibly unsettled by Rhok''s eerie grin but too disciplined to falter further.


    After fidgeting with his HUD, Rhok meticulously checked all the artillery and close-quarter combat weapons loaded onto his Armatus units. It was a tedious task to repeat six times ¡ª once for each mobile suit under his command ¡ª but Rhok grew used to the routine. Experience had taught him the value of preparation; ensuring he could rely on all six Armatus was far better than gambling his life on overlooked details. He had survived enough battles to understand that this "chore" was a lifeline.


    "Huh? Ionised Mark V? What''s that?" He asked, his curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar name displayed on his primary Armatus''s loadout.


    Tony, glancing at his datapad, quickly responded. "It''s a new blade model, sir! It can heat up to 5,000 Kelvin in under a second, perfect for quick close combat."


    "Awesome! You guys always manage to surprise me with these new weapon developments." Rhok grinned broadly as he slapped a large, armoured hand on Tony''s shoulder, causing the smaller man to visibly jolt under sheer force.


    "Sir! Ouch!" Tony yelped, clutching his shoulder.


    "Oh... my bad," Rhok said, his grin softening as he nodded apologetically. "Got a little overexcited. This armour strength can be hard to control sometimes... like waking up one day and realising you''ve turned into Superman." He chuckled, offering a sheepish shrug that did little to diminish his imposing aura.

 8. Before D-Day II

    Rhok stood before the towering war machines, each painted in his favourite colour ¡ª black. His striking gaze swept upward, taking in the formidable sight of his six 10-meter-tall combat machines. Identical in design, their sleek black frames bore a striking white eagle emblazoned on their chest armour plates; a symbol of his unit''s precision and lethality. Thanks to the thrusters integrated into his personal armour, Rhok could switch between any of these Armatus units effortlessly. However, his designated primary machine now featured the newly installed Ionised Mark V blade, a weapon designed to give him the edge in close combat.


    Not that it truly mattered, he thought. His enemies, Osten''s Arcanii, would be pitted against a barrage of bullets, plasma, and ionised beams. The Arcanii might wield their mysterious spells, but their knowledge of Dunkelheit''s Armatus technology was as limited as Dunkelheit''s understanding of magic. In the end, it all came down to firepower.


    ***


    Seated comfortably in the cockpit of his Armatus, located within the torso of the massive war machine, Rhok leaned back and listened attentively to the global broadcast from the Empress of Dunkelheit. The soft glow of his blue HUD display illuminated the sharp contours of his face, casting shadows in the dimly lit control room.


    The broadcast screen came alive with the image of the Empress ¡ª a bewitching fox Wildren whose beauty was both mesmerising and intimidating. She wore an intricately embroidered white dress adorned with golden accents, layered with a shimmering silver cape that matched the silver hue of her cascading hime-cut hair, which flowed gracefully to her lower back.


    At the centre of her chest rested a dazzling blue jewel, an emblem of her high nobility. Despite her 99 years, her features remained youthful, and unweathered over time. Her almond-shaped eyes were a striking contrast: the left sparkled with a golden brilliance, while the right gleamed an intense blue. Adding to her otherworldly aura, her fox ears perched atop her head like a regal crown, signifying her Wildren heritage. Her beauty was unparalleled, transcending even the goddess of beauty herself.


    Nohrell stood before a grand podium in the vast throne room, her presence commanding reverence even through the broadcast. Her voice was steady yet infused with authority. "Citizens of Dunkelheit, loyal subjects of the empire, Armatus knights of all ranks, I address you today with pride and resolve. From the highest spires of our cities to the farthest reaches of our borders, your dedication fortifies the spirit of our great nation¡­"


    Rhok, however, barely paid attention to the Empress''s eloquent words. Impatient with the details of his mission, he fidgeted with a digital-ink photograph. The image depicted a little girl and his wife, both sharing the same dark hair and deep, soulful eyes. Rhok''s dark brown hair set him apart from them, but the bond in the photo spoke volumes of a time that once held joy. His thumb grazed the edge of the image, a rare moment of vulnerability, as he wiggled his nose absentmindedly.


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    The Empress''s words washed over him, blessing the Armatus knights and wishing them well in their endeavour. To Rhok, the speech was nothing more than noise. He didn''t fight for blessings or goodwill ¡ª he fought exclusively for revenge. His jaw tightened, and his dark eyes burned with hatred. The only thing that fueled him now was the promise of seeing every Arcanii or mage eradicated. Only then, perhaps, would he feel a reason to keep on living.


    "Alright, Commander Rhok! Your mission details are here," came a crisp, professional voice over the cockpit speakers. The female coordinator''s video feed blinked to life on his HUD screen.


    A malicious grin began to spread across Rhok''s lips, his mind now singularly focused. The hunt was on.


    ***


    The mechanical hatch door of the cruiser groaned open as hydraulic compartments hissed, releasing the steel giants into the atmosphere from 10,000 metres above the ground. Their jetpacks hummed to life, thrusters glowing red as they slowed their descent. Rhok''s squad, with a maximum of six Armatus suits that he could control, touched down with precision. The silver knights, capable of piloting four suits with full manual combat capacity, followed their commander.


    "Command Wagner, this is Silver Knight Daniel Asher, Div 101, happy to serve under your division once again, sir!" a voice crackled through the comms.


    "Welcome aboard!" Rhok replied, giving a thumbs-up with one of his Armatus as they ripped through the clouds, watching the terrain below grow larger as they descended.


    "If it''s alright with you, sir, we''ll hit garrison 0132X near Helm City, it''s the closest to our position," Daniel suggested, enthusiasm in his tone.


    "Garrison 0132X it is!" Rhok agreed, altering their course from a vertical drop to a horizontal thrust, heading directly toward the enemy base. As the Armatus suits shifted into a swift horizontal formation, the engines vibrated, roaring as the thrusters blasted against the air resistance.


    "How would you like to do this, sir?" Daniel asked, his voice attentive.


    "Full offence, minimum time spent," Rhok responded coolly.


    "Fu~Full offence, sir?" Daniel''s voice hesitated, "But this is just the outer rim of Germund, they couldn''t have Lunarius mages or even... Stellius!"


    "What the hell are you talking about, silver?" Rhok barked, raising an eyebrow, unfamiliar with the Arcanii''s terminology.


    "Oh, uh, to put it in layman''s terms," Daniel stammered, "Stellius mages are roughly equivalent to silver knights, while Lunarius mages are closer to gold in terms of power."


    "I see. In our ranks among Armatus knights, we have iron, bronze, silver, gold, platinum, and then the Astral Empress herself above all¡­" Rhok replied, understanding the comparison.


    "Yes, sir. In Osten''s mages, they''ve got Novitcius, Stellius, Lunarius, and Celestius," Daniel continued, his tone now more scholarly, obviously a geek for arcane lore.


    "They really do love their big words, don''t they?" Rhok teased, a grin crossing his face as his sharp eyes swept the terrain below. The two squads of Armatus knights sliced through the air, reaching speeds over 300 kilometres per hour.

 9. The Drop And Destruction I

    As the ping on Rhok''s map grew closer, the dark, ominous garrison with its towering structures emerged in the distance. Rhok could feel the air crackle with arcane energy ¡ª he could almost smell the magic.


    "Full offence!" Rhok commanded, signalling Daniel to prepare as he readied the heavy artillery on his Armatus.


    Hovering above the enemy''s defence towers, the Armatus suits deployed their missile pods. With the flick of a finger, the nozzles erupted, firing hundreds of high-explosive missiles that streaked toward their targets, obliterating the enemy''s defences and wiping out the base in a devastating display of firepower.


    The microbombs detonated simultaneously in the distance, but Rhok noticed something strange. The explosions occurred, but no damage was visible on the buildings.


    "Arcane barrier?" Daniel suggested, rubbing his chin in awe.


    "Tsk!" Rhok clicked his tongue in frustration. He''d thought it would be an easy task, but now he would need to descend to ground level and rampage.


    "Let''s get down? Commander Wagner?" Daniel suggested, raising his brows.


    "Aye! Let''s!" Rhok answered, his eyes burning with vengeance.


    Rhok''s Armatus suits, with six members, and Daniel''s Armatus suits, with four, descended upon the garrison. Their ionised blades glowed a fierce red, slicing through the massive arcane barrier. The shield crackled erratically, sparks flying as the barrier resisted. With a final, furious surge, a section of the arcane shield shattered, leaving a gap large enough for them to pass through.


    The Novitcius mages scrambled, frantically casting cheap spells in an attempt to defend their base. Lightning bolts, fireballs, and ice shards hurled toward the Armatus suits.


    "Futile!" Rhok roared, his blade flashing through the air. In a split second, he cut a male mage in half, leaving only a bloody mess in his wake.


    Daniel was quick to follow suit, firing plasma shots at the clusters of spellcasters positioned in the towers. Each time, their arcane barriers appeared to intercept his shots. But the mages couldn''t protect themselves for long.


    Daniel knew their barriers could block his plasma shots, but they stood no chance against the devastating force of an ionised blade. He baited the mages by sending an Armatus suit in the wrong direction, drawing their attention, before another swooped in and decimated the spellcasters in one sweeping motion. Blood and gore splattered across the corridor. One female mage, narrowly missing the blade, screamed in terror as she watched her comrades disintegrate. Her mage cloak was stained in blood and her peer''s entrails, but before she could even think of fleeing, a plasma shot turned her into dust.


    "Noobs¡­" Daniel mocked, smirking deviously as he moved forward, focusing on the west towers. With a concentrated barrage of missiles and plasma shots, the tower collapsed, sending a dark storm of dust and debris into the air.


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    The ground mages, seeing their west tower destroyed and another surrounded by Rhok''s Armatus suits, understood the hopelessness of their situation. Some ran in fear, while others dropped their arcane staffs and swords in defeat. Blood stained their clothes, tears streaming down their faces. The Novitcius mages had thought they were simply stationed here for a peaceful, rural life away from the city. But the war had come knocking at their door, and with it, death soon followed.


    Little did they know, Armatus knights had received no orders to take prisoners. The slaughter continued. The mages begged for their lives, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. One by one, they were killed in cold blood, their screams echoing through the now-silent garrison.


    ***


    At the heart of Germund, the large arcane dome glittered gloriously as sunlight shone through a semi-translucent hemisphere. There were two layers of arcane barriers, acting as the ultimate protection during the war. In the centre of the dome stood a tall black tower, with a large arcanite crystal at the top, beautiful like crown jewels. Beside it was a large castle, consisting of multiple interconnected buildings, where the Cat-Wildren King of Germund resided: Mathias III, Magus Primarch of Germund.


    The town was a mix of old and new. Narrow cobblestone streets passed by houses with steep roofs and flower-filled windows, giving it a medieval feel, yet on the streets bustling with cars and buses like modern day. The smell of fresh bread floated from the local bakeries, and people sat outside at cafes. In the distance, a tall church towered above the town, and stone walls and bridges added to its historic charm. The town had a cozy, old-fashioned atmosphere but showed signs of modern life with shops and new buildings.


    Under the black tower, a group of dubious individuals in dark brown cloaks cradled a large futuristic device, spherical in shape. With substantial bribery and lobbying, they had managed to transport the device without much effort. Once their path was clear, the device was laid down in the centre of the first floor, where arcane energy was being channelled to the arcanite harnesser above. One of the cloaked men gave a prompting nod to his colleagues before pressing a button on the console.


    Its glassy surface wobbled and throbbed as it charged. The ground began to shake violently. Meanwhile, the cloaked figures dashed out of the room in panic. Then the spherical disruptor erupted into an electrical storm, shooting lightning in all directions.


    From the aerial view inside one of thousands of hangar cruisers, holding over half a million Armatus suits in total, a stern woman, poised and graceful in her 50s, stood still in her private chamber. Her hair was grey, and her dark eyes focused intensely on the arcane hemisphere. Readily, she was clad in Armatus knight armour. Her platinum chest piece gleamed, standing out gloriously. Behind her stood six models of 12-metre Armatus mobile suits, gleaming with one gold colour and five silver, battle-ready with their warmongering equipment.


    Queen Charlotte stared down at the barrier with contempt. As the disruptor set off by the rebels exploded beneath the tower, the large spherical dome began to crumble and dissipate. Her lips creased into a smirk, knowing her rebels had completed their mission.


    The only practical defence against her siege no longer existed.


    With the help of a small propulsion device embedded in her personal armour, she jumped and leaped into her gold Armatus. The torso''s hatches swung close as she settled into her seat comfortably.


    The comm crackled after she opened the HUD screen. "Let''s rain like hail!" She ordered, her voice full of will and resolve. Twelve thousand seven hundred and fifty-four knights and three hundred eighty thousand nine hundred and eighty-two mobile suits dropped from the sky, creating a large, horrifying shadow above the heart of Germund.

 10. The Drop And Destruction II

    The city was rampaged, with missiles and bombs targeting their infrastructure, roads, bridges, and defensive towers. These were their first objectives. Each division of Armatus methodically and strategically targeted each garrison, ensuring the oppression front. Meanwhile, Queen Charlotte led over half of her knights to stomp on the main castle and finish off Mathias III, the ruler of Germund.


    Lunarius and Stellius mages concentrated their assaults, alternating between casting arcane barriers and firing powerful spells, mesmerising in their movement. Meteors materialised from the sky and crashed into the knights, burning their suits to ashes like mosquitoes.


    As the battle drew closer to the king''s castle and the high tower, the intensity and firepower of both sides became evenly matched. Both forces suffered heavy casualties. With their forces dwindling, Queen Charlotte stampeded her way forward, leading the fleet in her gold suit. With two powerful swings, she cut through six Lunarius mages, granting them a quick death. Only one of them managed to conjure a fortified magnetic field in time, reflecting the blade away. A hundred metres from them, another Lunarius mage launched a divine flaming sword the size of a house through one of Queen Charlotte''s Armatus suits.


    "Ugh! Damn insects!" She screamed in exasperation as her Armatus was reduced to red metal scrap. "Cover me!" She barked to her vanguard, who swiftly flanked to protect her.


    Then, she motioned for all five of her Armatus suits to concentrate their fire, draining the Lunarius mage''s mana until he melted into a boiling pile.


    ***


    Rhok and Daniel pressed forward, their Armatus suits soaring through the sky, cutting a path of destruction across Germund''s outer rim. The once-strong garrisons now lay in ruins, reduced to piles of rubble ¡ª bricks and stone shattered beneath the sheer force of their assault. Ten strongholds had already fallen to their relentless advance, a testament to the merciless precision with which they struck.


    As Rhok and Daniel soared past a towering structure that resembled a church, the tranquil sight of a woman caught Rhok''s sharp eyes. Below, amidst the chaos, stood an innocent figure ¡ª her serene presence a stark contrast to the destruction unfolding around her. She was cloaked in a nun''s robe, her posture one of deep reverence as she knelt in silent prayer.


    The contrast between the serenity of the scene and the violence of their task sparked something inside Rhok. He couldn''t explain it, but the peacefulness of her presence seemed out of place in the world he was creating.


    As a matter of fact, he felt aroused.


    Before he could fully process the thought, a priest emerged from the building. The priest attempted to defend the nun by casting an ice shard aimed at Rhok''s Armatus. The magic barely registered on the heavily armoured suit, but Rhok''s temper flared.


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    "Silver... Sentry protocol," Rhok muttered, his voice cold and detached. His hand moved almost instinctively, a flick of his finger. The Armatus suits swatted the priest, his body crumpling into a heap of bloodied mess. Rhok''s eyes watched the gory goo through Armatus''s feed, unfazed by the gore he committed.


    "Yes, sir," Daniel replied reluctantly, his voice laced with discomfort, though he remained obedient. As a Silver knight, the hierarchy was absolute, and he had no choice but to follow Gold''s orders.


    Rhok didn''t utter immediately. He felt the cold steel of his Armatus suit as he descended slowly toward the nun, shredding his giant suits, his mind flickering with lustful emotion, licking his lips in anticipation. The mission called for ruthlessness, the nun''s innocence seemed too sweet to be left behind.


    Rhok, in his personal suit, stood just above the woman, slightly uncertain about his next move. The nun''s eyes met his, pure fear in her gaze. There was no fighting in her, no desire for power or violence like a sweet little lamb.


    Then, a devious smile spread across his face as the woman screamed at the top of her lungs, horrified by the mechanical lift of the armour pad on his groin.


    "May the Astral Empress bless you, Tony!" Rhok exclaimed with a wide grin, his voice booming with gratitude for the engineer who had designed the detachable armour pad, all while soaking in the twisted thrill of the moment.


    ***


    In the Magus Primarch of Germund''s castle,


    A distant rumble, followed by a deafening boom, shattered the stillness of the hall. Mathias, a bald Cat Wildren, stirred from his deep slumber amidst a tangle of naked escorts of various races ¡ª humans, Wildren, and elves. Groggy and disoriented, his dark feline eyes blinked open as he jerked into a sitting position. The remnants of sleep clung to him, and for a fleeting moment, he wondered if the noise was merely part of a sweet dream.


    Mathias was a male in his mid-sixties, long past his prime, yet famed for his insatiable appetite and unmatched prowess in bed. The night before, the king had indulged himself with seven women, basking in smug self-admiration. Now, they lay sprawled across the massive royal bed, their even breathing a testament to their exhaustion.


    Morning light filtered through the grand windows of his chamber, illuminating the lavish furnishings and the finest fabrics, sourced from across the seven continents. As bare of hair as a man could be, his scalp shone like polished glass, catching the sunlight and gleaming with an almost comical intensity.


    Yawning, Mathias leaned over to plant a soft kiss on the collarbone of one of the women beside him, just below the Lustbrand Circlet ¡ª a sinister magical device that ensured sensual compliance through intoxicating pain should its wearer dare to resist their master''s desires. Her striking blue eyes fluttered open briefly, and she returned a hesitant kiss to his cheek, her reluctance barely concealed.


    Before Mathias could savour the moment, another violent tremor rocked the room, followed by a thunderous explosion that sent him and his escorts tumbling from the bed. The chamber''s walls collapsed inward with a roar as debris, bricks, and dust rained down in chaotic disarray. A gaping hole, easily ten metres wide, appeared where the wall had once been, flooding the room with blinding daylight and leaving the king momentarily stunned.


    "What the¡ª?!" Mathias exclaimed, his jaw slack with disbelief. Around him, the naked escorts screamed in terror, their shrieks echoing as they huddled together in a trembling mass against the far corner.

 11. Ignius Lux Draconus

    Through the blinding haze, Mathias forced his eyes open to see the source of the destruction. A gorgeous golden Armatus hovered in mid-air, its backpack thrusters exhausting blue flame and holding it steady. The machine exuded both elegance and menace, gleaming with deadly precision. Behind it, an overwhelming fleet of Armatus suits filled the sky, tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, all poised in combat formation. Ionised weapons hummed with energy, and plasma cannons glowed, their barrels aimed squarely at the shattered remains of the chamber, ready to unleash total annihilation.


    "Mathias of Germund, it is I, Queen Charlotte, the Arch Monarch of the Agrian Continent, the Cruiser of the Red Sea, and the Usher of the Dunkelheit Empire!" The voice boomed from the golden Armatus, stern and commanding.


    "I~I, um, I¡­" Mathias stammered, his trembling lips failing to produce a coherent sound. Fear and panic gripped every fibre of his being as he scrambled on all fours, bowing low before the towering steel giant.


    Catching sight of the group of terrified women huddled near the wall, Queen Charlotte''s gaze narrowed. "Tsk!" She clicked her tongue in contempt at the sight of their arcane collars. With a motion of her hand, she gestured for them to flee. Though hardened by war, the queen had a soft spot for her fellow women ¡ª even for Arcaniis, citizens of the Osten Empire.


    "Ah?! Wha¡ª?!" Mathias exclaimed, his eyes darting wildly as the women hurried out through the double doors.


    When he hesitated, unsure whether he too was permitted to leave, he made a fumbling attempt to rise.


    "Not you, fleabag!" Queen Charlotte snapped, her tone like a lash.


    "Ah! Sorry!" Mathias yelped, sweat dripping from his nose as his legs quivered.


    "I shall claim your head and end your reign of terror!" She declared. The thrusters of her Armatus roared as it launched forward, intending to deliver a swift, merciful death.


    Mathias threw himself flat to the ground, his belly slamming against the cold floor. "No! Please~please!" He screamed, tears streaming down his face. Yet, no death came.


    Suddenly, an invisible barrier materialised between them.


    "What?! What is this?!" Queen Charlotte gasped, her dark eyes widening in shock. Experimentally, she pushed with the mechanical arms of her Armatus, but the wall was rigid and unyielding.


    A tall, broad figure strode into the chamber, his movements regal and purposeful. Clad in an intricate white cloak, his presence exuded mystery and power. A pristine wizard''s hat obscured his face, the fabric shimmering in white and gold hues. His Celestius cape fluttered behind him, bearing the golden sigil of Ares, marking him as one of the most elite arcanists in all the Osten Empire.


    "Ignius Lux Draconus, Celestius of the Ares Division¡­ You!" Queen Charlotte snarled, her teeth gritting in frustration.


    As the man raised his head to meet her glare, his features came into view. A well-groomed white beard framed his face, his golden eyes gleamed with wisdom and authority, and his milky white hair glistened in the light.


    Mathias scrambled to Ignius''s feet, clinging desperately to the polished leather boots and smothering them with frantic kisses. "Thank you, thank you, Celestius Ignius!" He wailed, his gratitude spilling out in incoherent sobs.


    Ignius remained silent, gazing down at Mathias with an expression that bordered on pity. With a faint sigh, he stepped aside, his focus shifting to the queen.


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    "Please, Celestius, kill the bitch!" Mathias barked, his voice high-pitched and desperate as saliva sprayed from his lips. "How dare she disturb me in my slumber?"


    Ignius gave him a sideways glance of pure disdain but no words to offer.


    Queen Charlotte drew back her Armatus to a safe distance, her voice then rising in command. "Artillery!"


    Thousands of high-yield missiles launched in unison, the air erupting in a cacophony of explosions. Flames and debris spilled outwards, the light and noise overwhelming. Yet, as the dust settled, the invisible barrier remained unscathed ¡ª an impenetrable bulwark shielding the castle.


    After a brief pause, Ignius finally broke the silence. "Tell me, Mathias¡­ Did you swear a binding oath of Gaia and pledge your allegiance to the Osten Empire?" His voice was deep, deliberate, and calculated.


    "Huh?" Mathias was momentarily taken aback, but he quickly regained his composure. "Yes, sir! Yes, yes! Of course!" he blurted, his response frantic and unconvincing. There wasn''t a shred of nobility left in the King of Germund ¡ª a pathetic display that the citizens of his realm would never have imagined.


    After a thoughtful moment, Ignius raised his hands with precision, each movement elegant and commanding, reminiscent of the dances of ancient myths. Glowing red runes and sigils materialised in the air, twirling and hovering around him like ethereal butterflies.


    "D''Arcane!" The mage recited, his chant reverberating through the ground. A sudden gust of wind swirled around him, causing his cloak to ripple dramatically, almost theatrical in his display of arcane casting.


    Realising the gravity of the situation, Mathias scrambled to his feet in a panic. "Celestius! You can''t possibly¡­" He stammered, his voice trailing off into sheer terror as the runes dispersed, flying in all directions as if they possessed minds of their own. One sigil darted towards Mathias, embedding itself into his sternum.


    "Sir! You''re going to sacrifice every binding citizen of Germund ¡ª and~and, me!" He cried out, his voice a mix of desperation and disbelief. "Even your own life! Please, do not do this! It''s forbidden~Forbidden!" His pleas echoed, trembling with despair.


    "You do not command the Celestius, pest!" Ignius''s response was frigid, his tone razor-sharp yet regal. He closed his eyes briefly before reopening them, red and gold light spilling forth from his sockets like molten fire in an alternative flicker.


    "Apolison Ten Dynamin!" The ancient words resonated without sound, transmitted telepathically to every bound citizen of Germund, including the king himself.


    "Nooooo!..." Mathias shrieked in terror as his body began to wither. His stomach caved in, his limbs shrivelled into brittle, ashen sticks, and his cries were abruptly silenced.


    The mana and life essence of every bound soul in Germund converged, forming colossal runes and sigils that illuminated the sky with an ominous glow. Far away, Queen Charlotte grasped the grim reality of the situation and swiftly commanded her Armatus knights to retreat.


    "Phos Timorias!" (Light of Punishment)


    The celestial ray fractured into countless serpentine beams, slithering through the air to seek out their targets. Each strand struck a fleeing enemy mobile suit with perfect precision. The resulting explosions sent shockwaves through the battlefield as the arcanite engines detonated, triggering microbombs visible from distant horizons.


    In the neighbouring country of Porand, children pointed excitedly at the fiery display lighting up the night sky. To them, it seemed like a grand celebration. Little did they know, it was the harrowing spectacle of genocide; a catastrophic ritual that claimed the lives of 70 million innocent people and annihilated half the Armatus fleet in existence.


    ***


    Meanwhile, Rhok recoiled in horror as the nun was drained of her soul, reduced to a lifeless husk before his very eyes. The weight of his misdeed bore down on him, but it was too late ¡ª the private finger on his groin had inadvertently triggered the same fate. A surge of horrifying arcane crept up his rod, spreading menacingly towards the base.


    Screaming in agony, Rhok felt the relentless force consuming him. Without hesitation, he mustered every ounce of strength, gritted his teeth, and made the harrowing decision to sever the infected finger with his glove hand, successfully halting the life-draining magic before it overtook his entire body.


    "Bloody F*ck! This is why I f*cking hate mages!" He roared in agony, his eyes fixed on the bloody mess between his legs, leaving him trembling and seething as a relentless, numbing pain crept through.

 12. Jack Squire

    In the beautiful garden, filled with a variety of flowers adorned in red and blue hues, stood a grand white gazebo at its centre. Cheerful chatter echoed from three children, roughly ten years old. Nearby, a tall adult sipped tea, watching them from a distance.


    "See, see!" A silver-haired boy exclaimed excitedly, clasping something in his hands. His voice carried a note of innocence.


    The little girl with bright red hair leaned in eagerly to watch, her hands instinctively clinging to his arm.


    "You ready?" He asked, his dazzling red eyes brimming with joy. The girl nodded vigorously.


    As he slowly unclasped his hands, a beautiful butterfly fluttered out, landing delicately on the girl''s nose.


    "Whoa!? A butterfly!" She gasped softly, awe lighting up her face. For a brief moment, her eyes met the boy''s, and a blush dusted her cheeks.


    They exchanged a sweet smile, their laughter carrying through the garden.


    Watching the pair giggle and flirt, the black-haired boy finally spoke.


    "Huh? Whatever¡­ Butterflies aren''t that cool," he muttered in mock indifference. But behind his fa?ade, he longed to join the fun.


    "True¡­ hahaha¡­" The silver-haired boy replied, then grabbed the black-haired boy''s wrist and pulled him into their circle.


    "How about we practice some arcane together?" he suggested gleefully.


    The trio nodded enthusiastically. The silver-haired boy turned to the adult and called out, "Master Ignius! Can we practice arcane today?"


    ***


    Suddenly, the vivid scene dissolved, and Jack''s ears rang with noise...


    [Oxygen level low. Low. Low.] Beep! Beep! Beep!


    Jack''s consciousness gradually returned, jolted by the persistent alarm of the life-support system. His eyes fluttered open and shut, his vision swimming. A numbing ache throbbed through his scalp, and the sharp, metallic scent of blood filled his nostrils.


    With a gasp, Jack sat upright, panicking. "Ah!?" He quickly examined his hands¡ªthankfully, nothing was broken. His fingers flexed as he tested them, though the persistent headache throbbed like an unwelcome, nagging presence.


    He reached for the emergency bypass switch in the top compartment, flicking it on. The blaring alarms ceased as the backup engine hummed to life, and the oxygen regenerator kicked in. Slowly, the gravity of reality settled over him.


    Somewhere deep in his heart, Jack wished all of this was a nightmare. But when he glanced out of the sightport, the truth was undeniable. Two massive bodies floated lifelessly in space, the aftermath of explosions still visible in the distance. Debris, boulders, and sharp shards of metal spiralled outward like a deadly storm.


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    Jack swallowed hard, forcing himself to process what to do next.


    In his peripheral vision, Jack noticed a digital-ink locket displaying the image of a beautiful boy with bright red eyes and silver hair¡ªa younger, childlike version of himself. The sight stirred a sharp pang in his chest, drawing his mind back to the vivid vision he''d just experienced, a dream of his son.


    But one question lingered, gnawing at him: "Who were the others in his vivid dream?"


    As the terrifying clarity set in, Jack scrambled to the sight port, panic flooding his senses as he desperately searched for Germund from space. The catastrophic scene confirmed his worst fears: the country was in no better state than the Luna base. Black, ominous smoke billowed from multiple cities across Germund, the destruction evident even from orbit.


    "M~my family! Holy Gaia!" Jack cursed, his voice laced with a mixture of shock and desperation. His mind raced as he began devising a way to re-enter Earth''s atmosphere.


    After forming a few plans based on the resources and tools available to him, his initial option seemed straightforward: find a shuttle with Earthfall capabilities. However, as he navigated through the debris field, it became painfully clear that the possibility was slim. Space stations and ports had been obliterated, reduced to nothing more than rubbish and scrap.


    Jack''s thoughts bounced between options until a sudden memory lit up his mind.


    "What about the Tool Shed?" He murmured to himself, recalling a standalone floating warehouse that orbited in the middle ring around the globe.


    Without hesitation, he directed the P.N.I bot to head toward the Tool Shed. As the flashing marker on his map drew closer, the rectangular structure came into view, its surface emblazoned with the name of his company "DebrisX." A glimmer of hope returned to Jack''s face, and his lips tugged into a faint, determined smile.


    Next, Jack focused on the arc barrier with its layered protocol¡ªan old strategy he''d used before against the Light of Punishment. Using his datapad, he began calculating the necessary steps.


    "It''s now or never¡­" He mumbled to himself, his resolve solidifying.


    The calculations revealed a grim truth: he would need almost 50 of the puny bots to act as a protective shield for re-entry.


    "With that staggering amount, my brain would be scrambled inside my skull before I even reached Earth''s surface¡­" He hissed through gritted teeth, the weight of reality pressing down on him. But giving up wasn''t an option, not now, not ever.


    Taking a deep breath, Jack steadied his nerves and stared into the endless void of space, abstractly clawing his brain for ideas.


    After minutes of intense scrutiny and internal deliberation, an idea finally clicked.


    "A pragmatic one at that," He exclaimed, his voice alight with sudden joy.


    Wasting no time, Jack carefully swapped his damaged bot for a functional one, boosting its system and fine-tuning the rest. Then it hit him; he didn''t need to control all the bots individually.


    "I can set up group commands in a one-to-five ratio! That means I only need to control ten in total. Each finger can manage two groups mirroring with the same command!"


    With his plan in motion, Jack''s fingers danced inside the mechanical glove controls like a conductor orchestrating a symphony. His movements were swift and precise, directing the bots to form five layers of shielding bodies, resembling a swarm of mechanical bees.


    Jack''s relentless nerves fired like electric currents through his synapses, his wide eyes locked on the scene as his plan began to materialise.


    "Activate shield protocol!" He commanded, his voice sharp and authoritative.


    As the bots moved in perfect unison, executing his design, a confident smirk spread across his lips, pride flickering in his gaze at the brilliance of his own creation.

 13. Earthfall

    With a final motion of his fingers, all thrusters ignited as the swarm began its descent toward Earth, setting course for Germund.


    As the bots entered the atmosphere, the heat from friction intensified, causing the swarm to glow in an ominous red hue. Jack watched helplessly as the shielding on the outermost layer depleted, the searing heat melting through their hulls and destroying the first line of his protective barrier.


    "Come on!" He growled through gritted teeth, pressing forward like a daredevil maniac.


    One by one, the layers fell. The second line shredded away, then the third, leaving only 20 bots out of the original 50. Jack''s eyes darted to the altitude meter ¡ª he was still far from the ground. Fear and nervous tension clawed at him as he swallowed hard, the rising heat in the cockpit making sweat bead on his furrowed brow and dampening his silver hair.


    Soon, the fourth layer disintegrated, leaving behind a glowing meteor shower streaking across the sky.


    "Screw it! Let''s go!" He shouted, a war cry to trick his mind into believing he would make it.


    The cockpit grew unbearably hot, the temperature gauge creeping higher ¡ª 35 degrees Celsius¡­ then 36.


    Suddenly, his shields failed, and the engine stalled. Jack stared at the HUD in desperation, silently begging it to work. A doubt flickered in his mind; had he miscalculated? The deafening alarms and flashing warnings offered no solace in the background.


    But then, he looked up. The harsh noises seemed to fade as his sight port revealed a serene blue sky above a shimmering ocean embracing a sandy beach. Geometric markings on his map confirmed his location ¡ª he had reached the southern part of Germund.


    "Hahahahaha! Woohoo!" A maniacal laugh erupted from his parched throat. He''d never felt terror like this before. His trembling hands slowly began to steady, and the crushing weight on his shoulders lifted, if only briefly.


    His relief was short-lived. Out of nowhere, a giant steel mobile suit rippled into view.


    "Now?! You''ve got to be kidding me!" He groaned, grinding his teeth as his radar began to ping furiously.


    An Armatus mobile suit tore across the shoreline at high speed, its thrusters churning up waves as it glided over the sea.


    Jack squinted at the HUD, enhancing the image to get a better look at the approaching foe.


    "Huh?! It''s missing an arm¡­ and ionized blades¡­" He muttered, his eyes darting to the bot status report. Only two remained ¡ª his piloted one and another that had survived the re-entry.


    "It''s two against one," he concluded grimly, scanning the radar on his HUD.


    Wasting no time, Jack directed a puny bot to move in the opposite direction while his piloted one surged ahead.


    "Please work! Please work! Please work!" Jack roared, his desperation echoing in the confined cockpit.


    "Stop right there!" The one-armed Armatus boomed as it closed in, its plasma cannon aimed directly at Jack, hesitating between recognizing him as friend or foe. This Armatus appeared to have narrowly escaped the light of punishment that had obliterated most of its fleet.


    When Jack didn''t respond, the Armatus fired several plasma rounds. He barrel-rolled, narrowly dodging the deadly shots.


    Meanwhile, the remaining puny bot maneuvered beneath the Armatus and tightly clamped onto its right arm.


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    "Huh?!" The knight inside the Armatus gasped, puzzled by the sudden move.


    [Self-Destruct!]


    [Self-Destruct!]


    [Self-Destruct!]


    "What the hell?!" The knight screamed, pure bewilderment etched in his voice. He violently twisted and spun the Armatus, attempting to fling the bot off using centrifugal force.


    [10! 9! 8!]


    Jack''s muffled voice came through the attached bot''s speakers, further selling the illusion of an imminent self-destruction.


    Panic overtook the knight. The hatch door on the Armatus torso suddenly flew open, and a man leapt out. His personal thruster boosted him towards the ground, where he rolled clumsily before scrambling for the cover of nearby treelines.


    "Hahahaha! Idiot!" Jack cackled, maneuvering his bot to hover near the now-unoccupied Armatus. As he closed the gap, he opened his own hatch, wind rushing in and whipping around him. His legs trembled beneath him, but he knew what he had to do.


    Swallowing hard, his heart pounding in his chest, Jack shouted, "YOLO!" and leapt. His stomach churned as he hung briefly in the air before the clang of his boots locking onto the Armatus''s metal hatch rang out sharply.


    Wind gusts buffeted him, nearly toppling him over.


    "Whoa! Whoa!" Jack yelped, flailing his arms wildly to regain balance. After a few tense moments, he crouched on all fours atop the Armatus''s entry hatch and scrambled to dive inside.


    Settling into the pilot''s seat, Jack quickly slid his hands into the glove controllers.


    "Quickly! Quickly!" He muttered, his eyes darting to the horizon in case enemies returned. His mind raced as he issued commands.


    "Override protocol implementing!" His commanding voice barked, meticulously taking control of the enemy suit. The system was surprisingly easy to hijack ¡ª after all, the Armatus was designed for superior personnel, not against hacking attempts.


    "Now, reroute full authority to me and disable location trackers. We''re going rogue!" He instructed coolly, his hands moving deftly within the gloves, inputting commands one after another.


    At last, the Armatus suit''s head tilted upwards in response.


    "Connect its protocol to the two P.N.I bots!" He ordered, his newfound euphoria making him grin like an idiot.


    [Protocol Completed]


    [Access Granted]


    With the hijacked one-armed mobile suit and the two remaining puny bots in tow, Jack drove them toward the shore at full speed. His red eyes locked onto the horizon, steeling himself for the chaos and destruction ahead, as his resolve to find his family burned brighter than ever.


    ***


    Somewhere in the southern city of Germund, a once-beautiful, European-like city, the remnants of war hung heavily in the air.


    The skyline, once a testament to vibrant life, now lay in ruins. Buildings, designed with charming European elegance, had crumbled into heaps of rubble. Flames and thick plumes of smoke rose from the wreckage, filling the streets with the acrid scent of destruction. Cars were abandoned, some charred to husks. Ashes floated in the air, a grim reminder of the chaos that had engulfed every corner of the town. The pavement was littered with the withered corpses of the fallen, their thin limbs and ashen, dry skin telling tales of lives lost too soon ¡ª the sacrificial lambs for the light of punishment.


    In the midst of it all, a burning hulk of an Armatus mobile suit had crash-landed into a two-story house, its mechanical legs severed, and sparks flying from exposed wires. The house, built in the traditional Bauernhaus (Germany-like) style, had its sturdy frame twisted by the explosion. The steep roof, typical of the region''s architecture, was half-collapsed, and ivy that had once decorated the outer walls now clung desperately to the charred remnants. The front door hung off its hinges, and shattered windows reflected the destruction outside. Sirens and distant explosions rang out, carrying the echo of the devastation.


    "Don''t worry, guys! I''m your trusty Olympian mage!" A cheerful Wildren called out, her voice cutting through the heavy silence as she led a small group of war-torn survivors through the wreckage along a narrow street.


    Despite the grim surroundings, her expression remained calm and reassuring. She exuded an unshakable confidence that steadied the group behind her. Some survivors had makeshift bandages around their limbs, others sported broken arms or bruises. All of them were grimy, their clothes torn and faces coated with the dust and ash from the destruction.


    Their destination was a safety bunker and also a refugee camp near the police station, a few kilometers from there. Though the path ahead was fraught with danger, the promise of refuge offered a glimmer of hope in the midst of the chaos.

 14. Lupus Hoffmann I

    "Stay here!" The Olympian mage raised her hand, halting the group. They stopped, looking at her, then exchanged confused glances. She pressed a finger to her lips and motioned for them to lie low.


    "Miss Hoffmann!" An injured man spoke up quietly, his face filled with concern. She turned to look at him, tilting her head slightly.


    "Please, be safe!" He deliberately worded his mouth so that she could read his lips.


    Lupus didn''t answer, but she gave him a reassuring smile. Then, her golden arc boots glowed with a mystical light, resembling the armour of medieval knights from the Middle Ages during the 15th century. With a powerful leap, she launched herself into the air, soaring 50 metres before landing silently on a rooftop. Thanks to her arcane equipment, not even the slightest shuffle of sound could be heard, despite the force of her momentum.


    Her silver hair, styled in a hime cut, fluttered gracefully in the wind. Her big golden eyes, expressive and bright like the summer sun, sparkled with an otherworldly light. Her plump lips were pink against her otherwise immaculate ashen skin, with small, sharp fangs peeking out, adding to her allure. Her prominent nose, slightly flaring, was the sort most people would dream of. Her white bunny ears on top of her head flickered, straining to amplify her senses. For her unusual garments, she wore a black corset with matching arm and leg garters, complemented by her gleaming golden arc boots.


    As Lupus crouched, her keen eyes scanned the area. Two massive mobile suits were huddled together below. Both were painted dark green, and armed with standard weaponry: ionised blades and built-in plasma cannons on their hands. However, there were no missile launchers on their backs like those of the silver or gold-ranked models. Judging from their conversation back and forth, she surmised these were bronze-rank Armatus knights, operated independently, not controlled by a single pilot.


    "Fufufu!" Lubus chuckled childishly, "They''re no match for the Olympian me!" She thought, amused.


    From her vantage point, she spotted a woman and child, their tunics and linen pants typical of the Arcanii citizens of Germund. They were clearly prisoners, captured by the two Armatus knights.


    "Keep walking!" One of the steel giants barked, startling the terrified child, who clutched his mother''s arm tightly. In response, she gently squeezed his hand in silent reassurance.


    "Where''s the refugee camp?" Another giant demanded, his voice final and absolute.


    The woman''s face turned pale as she slowly raised her trembling finger, pointing to the north.


    The knight''s massive plasma cannon lifted, aimed directly at her. The size of its nozzle diameter dwarfed even the mother''s torso. "Are you sure?! You''d better not be lying~!" He threatened coldly. Before he could finish, his plasma cannon arm was severed in an instant.


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    Clank!


    The arm, weighing tonnes, crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust in the air.


    The knight''s eyes widened in shock as he scanned for the enemy. "Sniper?" He muttered to himself as his initial mind sought out the type of his enemy, his instincts kicking in. Without hesitation, he devised a plan to activate the defensive measures and reposition his mobile suit; just like how he was taught in the institute.


    "James! Activate Shield Protocol!" He shouted commands to his comrade, his voice sharp. With a flicker of a finger, a translucent blue shield materialised, enveloping each mobile suit wholly.


    "Sniper!" He yelled as his thrusters roared and flared red, launching his giant into the air, his panic palpable. His ally followed, equally frantic in his motions.


    Suddenly, a hazy figure appeared above the one-armed Armatus, golden boots gleaming in the sunlight, etched sigils glowing mystically. Without missing a beat, Lupus slammed one heel down onto the Armatus'' head, crushing it into the messy piles of metal scraps, gears, and shafts. The damaged part twisted, and blue electric sparks crackled, dancing from the exposing wires.


    "James! Shoot her! Shoot the bitch!" The knight screamed over the comm, realising his primary visual was gone. However, his sensor still detected her physical presence on his Armatus''s shoulder.


    Without hesitation, his comrade, James, fired three plasma rounds at her in quick succession. But Lupus merely smiled, her cheeks twitching with amusement as she chanted, her voice echoed with divinity, "Phoros!" Simultaneously, she stomped her metal heel down, causing the mobile suit to vibrate violently.


    The plasma rounds tore through the chaos of the battle, striking both Lupus and the headless suit, sending them hurtling into a nearby building. The explosion detonated with force, sending shockwaves through the air and causing the structure to collapse instantly.


    As the dust settled, the upper torso of the Armatus was buried deep within the rubble, only its legs still visible. It was completely motionless as deafening silence filled the atmostphere.


    "Is¡­ is she dead? Boss, do you read?" James spoke urgently into his comm, but only static replied. He proceeded cautiously toward the collapsed building, his sweaty fingers gripping his weapon tightly. His peripheral vision caught a glimpse of a figure moving casually to his left.


    Lupus moved with surprising ease, her steps light and almost joyful as she tiptoed toward him.


    The bronze knight studied her, noting how her black corset dress remained pristine, not a speck of dirt on her fabric. Her golden eyes locked onto him with a mocking gleam before she did the unthinkable. With a playful flick of her eyelash, Lupus stuck out her pink tongue and taunted, "Brrrrh!"


    Anger surged through him, blood rushing to his face, his ears burning red. "You cheeky Wildren!" He spat, launching his mobile suit toward her, the ionised blade igniting in a blaze of fury.


    Despite her frivolous attitude, Lupus was exceedingly cautious and remarkably superior in agility. One of her bunny ears twitched, and with a sharp click of her heels, she chanted, "Magnetos!" An invisible barrier, a different type of defensive spell, shimmered into existence, enveloping her just in time to deflect the full force of the ionised blade.


    The knight''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Huh?! Im~impossible?!" His blade recoiled, its reversed momentum sending his suit into a tumble, causing it to lose balance and arc backward mid-air.

 15. Lupus Hoffmann II

    Before he could regain control, Lupus hovered just above him, her shadow casting eerily across his face, sealing his fate. Her silver hair lifted with the wind as she ascended, spreading out like a pair of celestial wings. Each strand shimmered in the light, cascading in ethereal waves that framed her as though she were an angel descending from the heavens ¡ª a vision of unparalleled grace and divinity.


    And with lightning speed, she plunged her gold-clad heel directly into his suit''s torso. The heel pierced through his hull effortlessly, cutting through metal like a hot knife through butter. The scent of hot iron filled the air, and the screech of grinding metal echoed ominously.


    Her heel came to a sudden stop, just a hair''s breadth from his chestplate. Everything happened too fast for his brain to process. Fear, confusion, and disbelief clouded his senses. The bronze knight froze, paralyzed by the intensity of the moment, sensing only throbbing in his ears.


    Without warning, gravity took its toll, and the mobile suit slammed to the ground with bone-crushing force. The knight gasped, his lungs expelling all the air in a painful whoosh.


    "Yield or perish!" Lupus called out, her tone playful and light, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Her small fangs glinted in the light.


    In a final, desperate attempt, the bronze knight reached out to grab her arc boots and crush her legs. But Lupus, ever the cautious one, was faster. With her beast-like strength, she tapped his chest plate lightly. The sound of crushed metal echoed as the knight''s body crumpled, his unconscious form collapsing into the pilot seat.


    Lupus crouched over his motionless body, tapping her finger thoughtfully against her cheek. "I wonder if I broke his ribs¡­" She mused, inspecting the damage to his armour, which had been dented and shattered in places, revealing the exposed, bloodied skin beneath.


    A moment passed. Somewhere safe further from the ruckus Lupus had recently caused, she crouched in front of a little girl, gently patting her messy hair, and offering some consolation. The girl was bawling her eyes out in relief, reassured that she and her mother were now in the safe hands of a seemingly invincible mage. Beside her, the mother nodded repeatedly in gratitude.


    With a soft smile, Lupus explained her plan and motioned for the two to join the rest of the war-torn survivors.


    Before following them, she took a moment to inspect herself thoroughly. Her limbs felt heavy with exhaustion, her breathing was laboured, her skin coalesced with sweat, and her mind had become foggy and light. A sudden, alarming realisation of mana depletion struck her. "Oh no, I''ve overexerted my mana in the last battle. I''ll need to rest soon. If I''m caught in another fight without any mana left... that''d be disastrous ¡ª certain death, even!" She analysed inwardly as she moved through the narrow street, each step cautious and deliberate.


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    Eventually, she made up her mind. "No more showing off. I need to use my mana more sparingly from now on."


    When she rejoined the group of survivors, they waved at her with cheerful smiles. Despite her fatigue, she returned their warmth, grateful to see hope flicker in their weary faces.


    ***


    Jack Squire drifted through the skies of southern Germund, setting his course for his family home, roughly an hour away. Germund wasn''t a large country by any means. Rectangular in shape, it measured approximately 700 kilometres wide and 1000 kilometres long. With the standard bronze model he was piloting, he could cross the entire country from west to east in just two hours, assuming, of course, the mobile suit remained functional for the duration of the flight.


    Suddenly, his HUD flickered erratically, and the engine indicators blinked red. A universal language for "danger imminent." "Oh hell, no!" Jack barked in frustration, jerking his fingers up to halt his descent. But it was futile. The engine had already gone cold, and his 15-tonne hunk of metal was plummeting toward the ground at death-defying speed.


    "Bloody hell! Get your shit together!" he growled through gritted teeth, his hands flying across the controls. Sweat trickled down his temple and his nose as he directed two puny bots under his command. Each bot propped itself against the Armatus''s massive shoulders, generating uplift force at full throttle. His eyes darted to the charge gauges on the bots ¡ª there wasn''t much juice left, his recent maneuver had consumed heaps of arcane energy.


    "One!" Jack shouted, yanking the controls as the thrusters roared to life like a dying lion. The hall lurched skyward, sending his heart dropped and his stomach churning. A nauseating, tingling sensation stabbed at his brain as the mechanical bots managed to lift the massive suit briefly before the crushing weight dragged them back down.


    "Two!" He yelled, pushing his voice through the chaos. Once again, the descent slowed slightly. Still, tonnes of metal screamed through the atmosphere. The veins on his neck and forehead bulged with exertion.


    "Three!" Jack roared, issuing one final lift command. But this time, every engine, and every system failed. The blue HUD flashed into a crimson screen of death.


    Jack''s gaze shot out of the sight port, seeing nothing but clouds whipping past at terrifying speed. With no further options, he clenched his eyes shut, tucked his head down, and braced for impact. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he found himself desperately praying to any gods or goddesses who might take pity and save his soul.


    Meanwhile, Lupus and her group of arcaniis trudged through the post-war apocalyptic wasteland. Just yesterday, this had been a bustling street, lined with shops and filled with cheerful crowds. How quickly the world had descended into chaos at the whim of a power-hungry tyrant.


    Lupus''s heightened bunny ears twitched at a faint shift in the air above. Her golden eyes scanned the sky. "What is that?!" She gasped as a steel giant hurtled down from the heavens.


    Quickly composing herself, she turned to her group and urged them to safety. "Hide now!" She commanded, her voice sharp and absolute.


    The survivors didn''t hesitate, dashing to shelter behind the crumbling remains of buildings. From their hiding places, they poked their ashen faces out to glimpse the metallic monstrosity falling toward the earth.

 16. Die with a Smile

    After the third deafening sonic boom rang out, the lone Armatus, accompanied by two P.N.I. bots perched on its shoulders, slammed into the ground with a thunderous impact. The landing tore through the road, creating a crater as winds blasted upwards, sending dirt and smoke billowing over ten metres high.


    Momentarily stunned by the menacing machine''s dramatic arrival, Lupus quickly composed herself. Seizing the moment, she dashed forward without hesitation, her armour boots illuminating with blue sigils of arcane power, determined to gain the upper hand before the smoke cleared and the visibility returned.


    "Stop right there!" Jack called out, his voice raw and panicked as he noticed an enemy marker on his HUD closing in fast. He fumbled with the controls, milking the last drop of energy from the arcanite engine to move the Armatus''s failing arms. All the while, his vision blurred as blood pounded in his temples, exhaustion weighing heavily on him.


    Jack''s voice, deep, coarse, and laced with an oddly mysterious undertone, startled Lupus. "Wha~why is his voice so sexy?!" She found herself thinking, the stray thought momentarily distracting her. She shook her head furiously, banishing the notion, and surged forward again with lightning speed.


    The gap between them shrank rapidly ¡ª less than fifty metres now.


    "Stop! Stop! I''m Arcanii too!" Jack''s voice cracked with desperation over the speakers. As the words registered, the Armatus''s torso hatch hissed open, revealing a man in an orange jumpsuit stumbling out awkwardly, stepping on the lower hatch door.


    Lupus halted, her golden eyes narrowing as the man climbed out. "Huh? Why is he so old?" she scoffed inwardly, taking in his weathered face and malnourished frame. Her frown deepened as she thought, "What a waste of such a deep, mythic voice!"


    "Say, Uncle! Then why are you in an enemy mobile suit?" She demanded sternly, taking a cautious step closer.


    "Good question¡­ uh, my name is Jack¡­ Jack Squire," He replied, nonchalant in his tone, raising his hands in a gesture of peace.


    "Ugh... Wait a second," He groaned, grimacing as he straightened up. His back protested against the chaos of the crash landing and the relentless pull of gravity on his aging frame.


    Examining him with a pity gaze, "Okay, Unc, how about you get on with your answer?" She pressed, sniffing the air suspiciously. "Or are you trying to pull a trick on me?" She repeated, sceptical at his approach.


    Jack''s thoughts briefly wandered. "Why is she still calling me ''Unc'' even after I told her my name? Am I really that old? Kids these days¡­ no respect for their seniors," He mused with melancholy.


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    Meeting her captivating golden gaze intently, he spoke with sincerity. "I''m here to find my family," He explained. Seizing on an idea, he pointed to one of the P.N.I. bots. "See that? I''m a debris collector in the low orbital ring¡­"


    Lupus tilted her head, puzzlement and unconvinced distrust so palpable it seemed to hang in the air. Jack hurriedly added, "Look, here''s the logo ¡ª DebrisX. It''s a private company. See? It''s on my jumpsuit too!" He gestured nonchalantly to the patch emblazoned on his chest.


    Her long rabbit ears twitched, irritation flickering in her eyes. "Why is this old fart explaining things to me like I''m a dumb animal?" She muttered under her breath. Her stance tightened, her suspicion unwavering.


    "Answer me this! Who is your family?" She yelled, stepping closer.


    "Of course... um¡­" Jack hesitated, a cold dread settling over him. He realised with growing horror that he couldn''t recall their names; couldn''t even picture their faces. Panic surged through him as his thoughts scrambled. "Do I¡­ do I have amnesia? I can''t remember anything before arriving at the space station¡­ before the Luna base. My life on Earth¡­ it''s all gone."


    While Jack''s mind reeled in shock, Lupus''s frown deepened. She sensed something amiss in his demeanour.


    Resolute in his decision to tell the truth, Jack stammered nervously, "Oh, oh... I have amnesia~!" Before he could utter another word, Lupus faded into a blur of motion. In one heartbeat, she was metres away; in the next, she was right beside him. Her leg coiled around his neck like scissors, locking him in a crushing hold before she hurled him to the ground. His body slammed into the metal hatch door with a deafening clang.


    Jack''s body twisted in agony, his breath ragged as her thighs constricted around his throat, cutting off his air supply. "No!... Please¡­" he gasped, his voice faltering as his vision began to fade. His eyes rolled back, and his consciousness slipped away, engulfed by darkness.


    "You lying uncle! I know you''re trying to trick me!" Lupus sneered, flexing her legs tighter. Jack didn''t resist; he lay limp, accepting his fate. A fleeting thought passed through his mind, "If this is how I go, it''s not a bad way to die..."


    Despite standing at death''s door, Jack refused to touch the mage''s voluptuous thighs to pry his throat free, a final act of decency from a dead man.


    Then, something caught Lupus''s sharp eyes ¡ª a locket peeking out from under his collar. She loosened her grip slightly, allowing it to fall into view. Inside was a picture of a child.


    For a brief moment, she wanted to believe the man as her thoughts solidified.


    Jack wasn''t wearing any Armatus knight personal armour, but an orange jumpsuit with a peculiar design.


    His claim of working with a private company ''DebrisX'' seemed convincing with his nametag and company logo, the same logo etched to the side exterior of strange cylindrical drones.


    His motive didn''t show any sign of hostility toward her as he voluntarily opened the hatch exposing himself to her offensive attack.


    Releasing her hold, Lupus slowly unclenched her thighs, watching as his unconscious body lay motionless on the cold, metal floor of the hatch. Despite everything, his face appeared strangely serene in the sunlight.


    "Mister Jack?" She nudged his shoulder, and there was no response. Her face whitened like a sheet as though blood draining out of her, "Oh, no... I think I''ve killed him!" She gasped, regret hung heavy in her heart, her golden eyes lingered at the serene complexion of Jack Squire.

 17. Friend or Foe?

    After several attempts to wake him, the uncle remained motionless, his blood-strained face serene as if he were lost in blissful dreams. Awkwardly, a bright idea flickered in Lupus''s mind. Clasping her hands together in apology, she murmured, "Sorry, Mr. Jack!"


    Without hesitation, she unzipped his top, exposing his frail frame. His rib bones protruded out prominently, evidence of severe malnourishment in the unforgiving void of space. Her gaze fixed on his chest as she pressed her ear close to listen for a heartbeat.


    "Ha! It''s still beating!" She mumbled, a flicker of relief in her voice. "Only faintly¡­" The thought unsettled her, worry creeping back in.


    There was no time to waste. She had to act quickly. As she contemplated, she realised that her choices were grim. Either use her healing essence to stabilise him, risking a significant drain on her withering mana and leaving herself vulnerable to unknown encounters in the future, or attempt the traditional CPR method.


    With Jack''s vital signs rapidly deteriorating, Lupus decided on the latter. She knelt beside him, lacing her fingers together and placing her hands firmly over his sternum.


    "Please work! Otherwise, I''ll have to use Iasis (Healing)!" She prayed aloud, her tone weak yet resolute. With rhythmic precision, she began chest compressions, counting steadily while exerting enough force to generate artificial blood flow.


    Then, a mortifying thought dawned on her ¡ª mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Her face darkened at the realisation.


    "Holy dolly! I didn''t think of that!" She whispered, her fingertips brushing her lips as she hesitated. It wasn''t that he was ugly, but she had never kissed a man before ¡ª not even on the cheek to her 12 brothers or her father. Despite being 22 years old, she had remained chaste, entirely focused on honing her arc athletic skills, which had recently earned her an Olympic gold medal, as well as her title of the Olympic mage, just months ago.


    Shaking off her selfish thoughts, Lupus steeled herself. This was no time for embarrassment. She had to save his life, it was, after all, her fault he was in this near-death state and really-death experience.


    Her resolve firmed as she leaned over him, her puckering lips hovering near his. Her face flushed crimson, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to push past her embarrassment.


    "Ay?! What''re ya doin''?" A deep voice cracked suddenly, shattering the moment.


    Lupus jolted back instantly, brushing her bangs awkwardly to hide her flustered heart. "N~nothing!" She stammered, her timid gaze darting away.


    Jack sat up with a groan, confusion etched across his face. He looked down at his exposed chest, his mind racing to piece together what had happened. Two questions loomed large: Why wasn''t he dead? And why was his chest bare?


    Glancing at Lupus, the likely culprit, he squinted suspiciously. "Lady, were you trying to grope me while I was dead?"


    "What?!" Lupus''s voice boomed, her jaw dropping in utter disbelief. She quickly regained her composure, crossing her arms defensively. "In your dreams, uncle! I was trying to save your life, actually," She retorted, her tone trailing off.


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    "Oh¡­ right¡­ okay," Jack muttered, his words sluggish as he struggled to process the events of the day. Slowly, he zipped up his top, his mind still foggy. "So¡­ are we, um, good?" He asked uncertainly, eyeing her warily.


    "Yep, I''ll believe you this time, despite the absurdity of your claim¡­" Lupus exclaimed, flashing a toothy grin, her small fang glinting brightly.


    She then added with a chuckle, "But judging by the wound on your head, I reckon you must''ve hit it pretty hard when you crash-landed here."


    "Finally, someone who doesn''t attack first and ask questions later," Jack quipped, sarcasm dripping from his tone.


    Lupus''s face fell slightly, fidgeting her fingers, her expression akin to a child caught red-handed by a parent. "Well, sorry¡­" She murmured, her voice soft and apologetic.


    "It''s fine. I''m alive, aren''t I? At least you tried to¡­" Jack paused, initially tempted to tease her but deciding against it. Given her youthful demeanour and appearance, he guessed she might still be a teenager. Instead, he continued more gently, "...save my life."


    The girl''s face brightened instantly, her golden eyes sparkling with joy. She sprung to her feet with boundless energy, approaching him and extending her hand. "Let me help you, Mr. Jack Squire! I''m Lupus Hoffmann, the Olympic mage for the agility division!" She declared proudly, her hair flowing like a mesmerising cascade in the gentle breeze.


    Jack nearly, just nearly, lost himself in her radiant beauty but quickly snapped out of it. Grasping her outstretched hand, he hoisted himself up and smiled politely. "Thank you! Nice to meet you, Miss Hoffmann," He said with a nod.


    "The pleasure''s all mine¡­" She replied, though her tone faltered slightly. A nervous chuckle escaped her lips as she realised ''pleasure'' wasn''t exactly her first impression of him. Still, from what she had seen so far, Jack seemed honest, gentle, and respectful.


    Even at death''s door, he hadn''t resorted to touching her thighs to free himself. She marvelled at the thought ¡ª a man of such honour and humility was rare in her world.


    "Oh, you can just call me Jack. No need for all the formalities ¡ª I''m pretty chill," He offered amicably, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.


    "Alrighty, Jackie! Then please call me Lupy!" She exclaimed, overjoyed, bouncing on her heels like an excitable child. Perhaps it was one of her Wildren personality traits, given her rabbit-like nature.


    Jack blinked, slightly startled by her sudden casualness, but eventually relented. "Jackie''s fine¡­" He said with a slight shrug.


    Lupus nodded enthusiastically, clearly pleased he had accepted her chosen nickname with ease.


    The way she said it triggered a pang of nostalgia, reminding Jack of the few people he could still remember.


    "David, my friend¡­ People around me just keep dropping dead," He thought grimly, his expression neutral but the grief in his eyes unmistakable.


    "What''s wrong?" Lupus asked, tilting her head, puzzled by his sombre shift.


    "Oh, it''s nothing. Just thinking about something, haha," Jack replied vaguely, laughing it off to deflect her concern.


    "How about you join us? We''re heading to the refugee camp," Lupus suggested cheerily, her voice carrying a sing-song quality, almost like a melody laced with her undertone. As she spoke, she gently brushed her hand over his silver hair, careful not to aggravate the blood-clotted wound on his head. "I reckon you''ll need some patching up too," She uttered softly, her tone filled with genuine care.


    "Th~thanks¡­" Jack stammered, averting his gaze as his thoughts raced. "Calm down! She''s just being kind. I need to find my family ASAP, but I can''t go on like this in my current state," He reasoned internally.


    As if on cue, Lupus''s group of survivors emerged to greet them, a few ten metres from the ground. Jack raised his hand in a small wave and dipped his head in a polite bow. Together, he and Lupus rejoined the caravan of refugees, each step taking them closer to the uncertain path ahead.

 18. Peace Treaty I

    A bright ray of light streamed through the expansive opening of the Japanese-style garden, adorned with small canals, bonsai trees, stone ornaments, and a wooden gazebo near the centre. Like its own heavenly ecosystem, the canal water sparkled with pristine clarity, its bed lined with white gravel, and lively, multicoloured carp swimming gracefully within. In the distance, the cheerful chirping of birds created a serene atmosphere, oblivious to the chaos unfolding in another corner of the world.


    The large garden was encircled by traditional Japanese architecture, featuring intricately crafted shoji screens and ledges. The open-plan design of the adjoining hall offered unobstructed views of the garden, allowing its beauty to be appreciated in full.


    At the centre of the hall stood a grand arrangement of rectangular tables, reminiscent of a massive conference room. Velvet-finished chairs were positioned neatly around the table''s perimeter. The table itself was exquisitely adorned with vibrant floral arrangements and sophisticated humidifiers, exuding an air of grace and aristocracy. The subtle aroma of nobility spread through the space, enhancing its regal atmosphere.


    To the left, at the head of the table, sat an ethereal Wildren woman ¡ª Nohrell Voss Fenrith, the astral empress of the Dunkelheit Empire. She sipped delicately on her hot matcha tea, her posture poised and elegant, her silver fox tail neatly tucked beneath her chair. Her white dress, embellished with intricate gold embroidery, radiated refinement. A shimmering blue crystal embedded in her chest, a rare arcanite harnesser, further emphasised her otherworldly allure. Behind her, the flag of the Dunkelheit Empire, bearing a gear and sword symbol, was prominently displayed, a reminder of the tension in the room.


    To the right, the head seat remained empty, accompanied by the flag of the Osten Empire. Its emblem of a staff and orbs symbolised the nation''s ancient and enduring legacy of arcane magic.


    Seated at the central position was the mediator of the peace treaty conference, Ryusei Sol Solara. A tall, slender man in his mid-fifties, he sat calmly, though his fidgeting gloved hands under the table betrayed his nerves. Nohrell''s sharp senses didn''t miss his unease, and as his gaze briefly met hers, she winked playfully, her teasing nature ever-present.


    Ryusei''s sleek white hair was neatly combed back, and his bottom-framed glasses added a polished touch to his composed appearance. His dark navy suit, accented with silver, featured padded shoulders that lent him a more imposing figure. Behind him stood the golden flag of Solis Aeternum, emblazoned with a radiant sun, proudly on display.


    Beside him sat his daughter, Aurelia Sol Solara. At just 14 years old, her round face hinted at her youth, yet her posture and demeanour reflected the grace of a well-groomed princess. Her vivid red hair and eyes, fiery and expressive like dragon flames, made her presence impossible to ignore.


    Standing behind Aurelia was her steadfast guardian and childhood friend, Friederich Eir Regis. His composed stance, hands neatly folded behind his back, exuded the calm assurance of a steady rock. He wore a black suit accented with gold trim, proudly bearing the silver crest of House Regis on his chest. A golden-white katana sheath was fastened at his side, though notably without its blade.


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    Aurelia leaned close to her guardian, a playful glint in her eyes as she covered her lips with her hand.


    "Fried! Don''t fall for the empress, alright?" she whispered mischievously, her teasing tone eliciting no visible reaction from the ever-impassive Friederich.


    Friederich didn''t respond, but his glare shifted to meet Aurelia''s teasing gaze, his expression unwavering. After a moment, however, a faint pink hue began to dust his cheeks.


    "Fufufu!" Aurelia chuckled quietly, delighted by his innocent reaction.


    "Ahem!" Her father cleared his throat, a subtle prompt for Aurelia to cease her playful teasing. She straightened her posture and directed her attention forward, a mischievous glint still lingering in her eyes.


    "Well, well, well¡­ Look who decided to eventually show up," Nohrell''s ethereal voice resounded through the hall, a rich, echoing tone akin to a grand pipe organ, as another party made their entrance.


    Aurora Vere Borealis, the Astral Empress of the Osten Empire, strode into the room with purpose. Her movements were brisk yet somehow regal, an intricate balance of urgency and dignity. Despite her composure, the signs of exhaustion were etched into her pale, divine features, an inevitable toll from the recent invasion of Germund. Countless councils, measures, and inquiries with high lords and kings had left their mark.


    Aurora, an elf, bore her heritage proudly, her pointed ears a testament to her lineage. Her eyes and hair shimmered a bright silver under the sunlight, an otherworldly brilliance that only heightened her presence. She was clad in obsidian armour with gold accents, resembling the noble knights of old. Black feathers adorned her shoulder plates, and her dark cloak, crafted from griffin wings, a trophy from her victory over the legendary beast two centuries prior, fluttered ominously as she moved.


    Ignoring Nohrell''s feeble provocation, Aurora settled into her designated seat, situated 20 metres from her adversary. A butler meticulously adjusted her chair, and she offered him a slow blink of gratitude, a rare display of humility despite her immense power. The butler nodded swiftly and disappeared into the background.


    Without waiting for pleasantries, Aurora spoke, her voice cutting through the room with stern authority.


    "Speak, fox."


    The words carried a weight akin to a compelling spell, though none was cast. Her gaze locked onto Nohrell''s with unyielding intensity, brimming with loathing for the woman she held responsible for the lives of over 70 million of her citizens, and counting.


    "Oh, you don''t have to command me, Aurora," Nohrell replied mockingly, tracing the rim of her teacup with a silver-tipped nail. Her eyes flicked up, meeting Aurora''s fiery glare with playful disdain.


    "Since you refuse to address me properly, I see no reason to extend you the courtesy."


    "How insolent! Utter another pestilent word, and I''ll cut you down myself!" Aurora roared, her voice reverberating with unrestrained fury.


    Nohrell''s lips parted in a sly smile, her hands lifting in a gesture of mock surrender.


    "Such temper. Don''t worry, Aurora, I wouldn''t dare spoil your theatrics."

 19. Peace Treaty II

    Sensing the tension thickening, Ryusei cleared his throat nervously, stepping in to regain control of the room.


    "Introducing the Astral Empress of Dunkelheit, Nohrell Voss Fenrith, the Crescent Scythe of Death and the Moonlit Night!" He gestured towards Nohrell with a gloved hand before turning to Aurora. "And presenting the Astral Empress of Osten, Aurora Vere Borealis, the Golden Age of Osten, the Conqueror of Seven Continents~!"


    "Was," Nohrell interjected sharply, rising abruptly to her feet. Her sudden movement drew puzzled glances from around the room. She settled back into her seat with an exaggerated flourish, smoothing her fluffy tail with mock indifference.


    Ryusei hesitated, clearing his throat once more before continuing, "~and the Ventiff''s Demise."


    "And myself, Ryusei Sol Solara, ruler of this mystical land, Aurelia Sol Solara, my princess, and her prime guardian, Friederich Eir Regis ¡ª we humbly welcome you, esteemed guests of the highest honour!" Ryusei and his people bowed their heads deeply in respect.


    Meanwhile, Aurora kneaded her temper in restrained irritation, while Nohrell rolled her eyes, idly toying with her tail.


    Ryusei swept his gaze across the grand hall before continuing, "Today marks a pivotal moment in history, a great opportunity for peace and prosperity between these two great empires. As leaders, we are bound to serve our people, to ensure their wellbeing, and to build a sustainable future for generations to come."


    His speech concluded, but a loud, humourless laugh erupted from Nohrell at the Dunkelheit table.


    "Oh, I absolutely adore your speech! Truly, I couldn''t agree more," she began, her tone dripping with amusement. Her gold and blue eyes slid sideways to Aurora. "Unlike certain rulers, clinging to their barbaric traditions. Honestly, your empire''s endorsement of slavery disgusts me to the core!"


    Aurora''s eyes narrowed, but her tone remained controlled. "I do not condone slavery, fox. However, your citizens live under the illusion of freedom while enduring far worse conditions. At least our slaves are housed, fed, and cared for ¡ª basic needs provided without discrimination. Can your so-called free people say the same?"


    Aurora leaned forward slightly, her tone now pointed. "What happens when one of your citizens runs out of their credit, Nohrell?"


    A guttural growl escaped from Nohrell, her teeth clenched tightly. The two empresses locked eyes, the hostility in the room palpable.


    "They''re left to rot in the streets," Aurora continued sharply, unyielding. "Not even their own neighbours would spare them a glance. I''d loathe being born under your rule."


    "Such grand words, coming from you, Aurora," Nohrell shot back, her grin sly and feral. "Though, remind me ¡ª weren''t your so-called happy citizens massacred just days ago?"


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    Aurora''s expression stiffened, though she kept her composure. "Once again, I do not condone the actions of my Zodiac Mages."


    "Oh?" Nohrell tilted her head mockingly. "And what do you take responsibility for? You call yourself the Astral Empress of Osten, yet it seems that title is just empty words ¡ª a howl carried by the wind."


    The barbs struck home, but Aurora countered, her voice cutting. "You''re one to talk. Who was it that sought war? Who ordered the genocide of my people in their hunger for power?"


    Her gaze drifted momentarily toward the garden outside. The vibrant greenery swayed gently in the breeze, a fleeting solace amidst the heated exchange.


    "Ah, that reminds me!" Nohrell suddenly exclaimed, tapping her cheek in mock thoughtfulness. "The tale of Vinveil... What was it again?" She paused theatrically, her eyes gleaming with feigned innocence.


    "Oh, that''s right! All of Vinveil''s citizens were turned into lifeless fiends by one of your Zodiac Mages, weren''t they? History does have a habit of repeating itself ¡ª especially the part where your people are wiped out of existence." Her voice sharpened, dripping with venom. "Because you failed to act. Because you are incompetent as a ruler."


    Aurora fell silent, her expression momentarily wavering. So much had spiralled out of control; the wounds of the past still fresh and bleeding.


    Nohrell leaned back, her hand curling into a fist before striking her palm as if a sudden thought had struck her. "Serene Blair Veyne, the Magus Primarch and necromancer of Vinveil!" she declared, her grin widening as she mockingly applauded herself. "And let''s not forget the newest addition to the caravan of reapers: Ignius Lux Draconus, bearer of the light of punishment, the murderer of Germund... the moon breaker."


    The room fell into an uneasy hush, tension crackling like an unseen storm. The Solis Aeternum representatives exchanged nervous glances, unsure of how to diffuse the heated atmosphere. Even Aurelia sat frozen, her usual cheer silenced by the gravity of the confrontation unfolding before her.


    Aurora exhaled deeply, the endless arguments weighing her down like a relentless waterfall crashing against an unyielding stone. Despite her past title as the ruler of seven continents, her authority was not absolute. The elite mages, titled Celestius, were granted a degree of autonomy. At times, their actions sparked controversy, misunderstood by those who failed to grasp the context behind them. Serene and Ignius''s seemingly irrational deeds were glaring examples ¡ª both a burden and a challenge for Aurora to resolve.


    For the most part, her people thrived under her reign, living free of famine, disease, and insecurity, until the invasion of Germund shattered that fragile peace, and her world tipped into turmoil.


    "Ah! The strongest arcanist in history? Don''t make me laugh," Nohrell sneered with open disdain, her voice dripping with mockery.


    Aurora''s shoulders sagged ever so slightly, her composure fraying. In the realm of arcane arts, she was unrivalled, her supremacy heralded by many. Yet, in the labyrinthine world of politics, her brilliance dimmed, the complexities often eluding her grasp.


    Nohrell, the empress of Dunkelheit, purred with satisfaction at the sight of Aurora''s struggle, clearly relishing her discomfort.


    Eventually, Aurora lifted her gaze, her sharp eyes locking onto Nohrell.


    "I''m not here to debate politics, fox," she stated bluntly, her voice cool and detached as she attempted to disengage from the tiresome discussion and the endless barbs that Nohrell so enjoyed.

 20. Peace Treaty 3

    "Um¡­ Can we please get to the peace treaty, Astral Empress Nohrell?" Ryusei implored politely, his voice breaking the tension in the room.


    "Oopsie! Thank you for the reminder, Ryusei. My apologies, I do tend to lose myself in a battle of words," The fox empress replied with a slight nod. "Half of my iron fleet remains intact, and Germund''s arcanite factories are halted." She glanced at her nails, admiring their polished beauty. "Now Osten has one fewer troublemaker among the Celestius to worry about. Can''t we call it a win-win?" She added with a smug smile.


    "Germund is not yours to take. Nor any of my domains. You will withdraw your fleet and leave Germund by dawn!" Aurora declared, her voice resonating with unwavering authority while keeping her poise stiff.


    "Too late for that~" Nohrell began, but before she could finish her sentence, everything seemed to slow down, each passing fraction of a second sliced into a million frames.


    Abruptly, Aurora lunged forward, a dark, double-edged blade materialising in her hands. The ornate design of the legendary griffin, Ventiff, was etched along the entire metre-long length of her sword, its arcanite gemstone glistening beautifully at the hilt under the sun''s rays. Her Ventiff cloak billowed violently from her sudden acceleration, cutting through the air resistance.


    Friederich, ever vigilant, reacted instantly. As her blade tore through the space with physics-defying speed, the guardian conjured a glowing white sword and hurled it to intercept the strike.


    The two weapons clashed mid-air. The overwhelming disparity in arcane power was evident¡ªFriederich''s sword disintegrated almost instantly. Aurora''s eye slowly directed at him before returning to Nohrell. While his blue eyes widened in shock, his voice unable to escape his throat in time.


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    "No!" The thought flashed through his mind as he scrambled to conjure another sword.


    A grotesque gurgling sound replaced Nohrell''s words as crimson flooded her throat. Her wide eyes lowered to the flaming black sword embedded deep in her sternum, blood gushing forth and staining her pristine white dress.


    Desperate, Nohrell tried to speak, but only wet, choking noises escaped her lips. Her body trembled violently in agony.


    "I''ve lived fivefold your years, child," Aurora said coldly, her voice a blade sharper than the one in her hand. Her gaze was frigid and disdainful, and her fair skin was spattered with Nohrell''s blood. With a deliberate twist of her sword, she sealed the fox empress''s fate.


    Nohrell''s eyes rolled back, and the life left her.


    In the darkness, a glowing essence, a silver orb with a fox tail inside, emerged. The orb flickered, cracked, and then shattered into nothingness.


    "I''ve seen countless arrogant fools like you," Aurora continued, her tone impassive and detached. "None have lasted the ages. Let Germund and your death serve as a lesson for those who dare to follow in your footsteps."


    With that, she withdrew her blade. The purple flames engulfing it burned away the blood before the weapon dissolved into thin air, thus conspicuous evidence suggested her dark sword was crafted by no one but Aurora''s pure arcane power.


    Nohrell''s head slumped onto the table, causing a loud thud, her silver hair fanning out in a pool of crimson like the wings of a deathly butterfly.


    Aurora shifted her gaze towards the Solis Aeternum representatives, her sharp eyes lingering on Friederich ¡ª almost as if she were impressed. Not only had he managed to keep up with her speed, but he had also reacted accordingly. Such a feat far exceeded the expectations of his current rank of Stellius, as denoted by the silver ring on his index finger.


    Eventually, she circled back, coming to a halt midway. "There. Peace..." She remarked coldly. The room remained steeped in silence, its occupants still reeling from the abrupt turn of events.


    None dared to utter a word or even lift a finger as they breathed in the primal fear.


    Without another word, Aurora stepped out of the room, leaving blood and death in her wake.

 21. Nohrell Voss Fenrith

    In the heart of Ironhearth, the capital city of the Dunkelheit Empire, stood a gravity-defying metal structure ¡ª a castle that pierced the clouds, where the Astral Empress resided.


    In Nohrell''s private chambers, adjacent to her personal Armatus hangar, equipped with the latest weaponry, warcraft, cutting-edge Armatus models, missiles, and arsenals, a man strode through the sliding door. His movements were calculated and deliberate. He carried a tray of traditional Japanese cuisine ¡ª a beautiful arrangement of raw fish and seafood ¡ª prepared by the finest chef in the world.


    The man, in his mid-thirties, had dark blue hair parted in the middle. His almond-shaped eyes glimmered with a bright golden hue, and he was dressed formally in a plain tan suit.


    As he stepped into the room, he nearly stumbled as his half-closed eyes fell upon the naked back of a fox Wildren. Her pristine skin was as smooth as silk, and her nine tails fluttered in the air as she gazed absentmindedly at the summer clouds outside.


    Hearing his footsteps, she half-turned her head, allowing him to see only her left golden eye. "Oh, you''re here, Suingi Marchand¡­" She murmured, acknowledging his presence before returning to her cloud-gazing.


    "Your dinner is ready, a truly exquisite delicacy from Solis Aeternum," Suingi replied softly, placing the tray on a luxurious marble table with fluid, practised motions.


    Suddenly, she let out a sharp gasp, clutching at her chest as she hoisted herself onto the window ledge. Her face contorted with discomfort.


    "What''s wrong, Empress Nohrell?" Suingi asked hesitantly, stepping closer. She motioned for him to stop, and he froze obediently.


    In the dim light, the essence of her fox form cracked, then shattered into nothingness.


    Nohrell collapsed onto the plush carpet, gently stroking one of her tails as though it was her child, her expression shifting to one of amusement. "Fufu¡­ what a ruthless ruler¡­ Aurora Vere Borealis¡­" She said, watching as one of her white tails slowly disintegrated into thin air, eight tails left in total.


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    "But you''ll need to try harder next time¡­ perhaps eight times harder, fufufu!" She murmured as though Aurora could hear her.


    Nohrell''s power was not merely rooted in her technological advancements. Her reign, which had lasted an unbroken 79 years, was fortified by her mastery of the arcane arts. No Celestius mage from the Osten Empire had dared challenge her to a one-on-one duel.


    As the occurrence of arcane energy in nature was scarce, Nohrell resorted to bolstering her power through technological weaponry. Her crowning achievement, the Armatus project, was a testament to her ingenuity ¡ª mechanical humanoid killing machines so advanced that even minimally trained operators could pilot them effectively. With these machines, even the weakest bronze knights were capable of defeating Noctivius mages with relative ease.


    This innovation led to a meteoric rise in her empire''s power, transforming it into one of the largest in history within just 50 years which was a feat achieved ten times faster than the Osten Empire, which had taken 500 years to reach its zenith.


    However, limitations still lingered. The disparity in power between the higher ranks of her forces and Aurora''s forces was glaring. While her gold and even platinum knights were formidable, they were no match for the 12 Zodiac Celestius mages of the Osten Empire. That would be her problem for another day to tackle, Nohrell thought.


    "At least, I only need to deal with eleven instead of the initial twelve, let''s call that a win!" Nohrell murmured to herself in glee, then her soft chuckle broke out suddenly.


    Suingi could only watch as his Empress laughed maniacally to herself. It was a display of madness he had long come to expect after a decade of serving under her supreme sovereign.


    The sight brought to mind a quote, ancient and distant, far beyond his realm of comprehension.


    The philosopher Aristotle was often paraphrased as saying, "No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness." He believed that creativity, brilliance, and unconventional thought often intertwined with eccentricity or traits that defied societal norms.


    In this sense, Suingi thought, Aristotle might have been right about Nohrell Voss Fenrith.


    With nothing more to contribute, Suingi quietly resigned himself to his study as he exited through the double metal door.

 22. Refugee Camp I

    In the city centre of Southern Germund, a bustling crowd shifted through the streets. From a distance, their movement appeared hypnotic, a mesmerising flow of bodies. The air was filled with a cacophony of noises: wails of pain, cries of loss, and the hum of desperate bargaining. War had left nothing but tragedy in its wake. It seemed as though every survivor, those who hadn''t sworn a binding oath, had gathered here from across the southern regions. The headcount must have been in the thousands if not tens of thousands.


    At the heart of the city stood a statue of a god, Ares, carved from a glassy black obsidian stone of unknown origin. The figure held a double-edged sword pointed skyward, clad in full armour adorned with a ram emblem, a cloak cascading behind as though caught in the wind. The craftsmanship was so immaculate, so surreal, that the cloak seemed almost authentic, fluttering in an unfelt breeze. Surely, the sculptor had been an arcane caster.


    Underneath the imposing statue, the downtrodden sought refuge. Makeshift tents crowded the base like a sprawling slum, leaving only narrow paths for people to traverse. The once-pristine streets surrounding the statue were now lined with vendors selling their wares. Desperation clung to the air as people bartered feverishly, exchanging prized possessions for necessities. Items once deemed valuable namely, marbles, jewels, and fine stones, had become worthless in the shadow of war. Now, food, medicine, and clothing were the only commodities that mattered.


    Nearby, a heated argument broke out. A middle-aged man shouted about the worth of his tapestry, his voice rising above the banter as he tried to convince a vendor of its value. The vendor, unimpressed, dismissed him with a shrug, offering only enough rations to last a week if he sparingly consumed them.


    On the left stood a grand stone building, its tall oak doors displayed proudly amidst the chaos. A sign above the entrance read House Tasmania ¡ª an inn catering only to those who could afford such luxury.


    As Jack, Lupus, and their caravan of survivors reached the camp''s edge, they exchanged farewells before parting ways. The group dissolved into a horde of miserable citizens, leaving Jack and Lupus to their own devolution. They decided to find shelter for the night and food to rejuvenate their weary bodies.


    The camp itself was a grim scene. The stench was almost unbearable, unwashed bodies, rotting refuse, and the faint, sickly-sweet scent of death. As Jack and Lupus navigated through the crowd, they were forced to push their way through the tightly packed masses. The oppressive heat made matters worse; sweat trickled down Jack''s neck and pooled under his orange jumpsuit. He glanced at Lupus, noticing her black corset and thick, heat-absorbing clothing. Oddly, she seemed unaffected, barely sweating at all. Instead, a subtle, soothing aroma lingered around her ¡ª like baby powder mixed with sun-kissed fur.


    "Slaves! Slaves for cheap!" A merchant''s guttural voice bellowed from nearby, his words punctuated by the spit escaping through the gap left by his missing front teeth.


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    Jack froze, his stomach turning at the sight. Refugees were one thing, but this? He had momentarily forgotten that, in this corner of the country, men and women were still treated as possessions.


    Involuntarily, Jack shot the merchant a look of disdain. The man was built like a bear, his arms easily three times the size of Jack''s scrawny thighs. His chest was firm and muscular, though his protruding belly suggested a love of indulgence. His bald head gleamed in the sunlight, and his dark green eyes scanned the crowd with predatory intent.


    Their eyes met. The merchant''s lips curled into a wide, toothless grin.


    "Hola, se?or!" He called out, his voice thick with an unfamiliar accent. He rubbed his hands together, his gaze flickering to Jack''s orange jumpsuit. Clearly, Jack stood out amidst the sea of people.


    Before Jack could respond, the merchant gestured eagerly toward his wares. "Please, spare a moment to browse, s¨ª? Just a moment!" He bowed awkwardly, his behaviour hovering between mockery and courtesy.


    "Sorry, I''m not interes~." Jack began, but Lupus interrupted him.


    "All right," She said cheerfully, stepping toward the merchant.


    The hulking man loomed over her, his shadow casting a dark contrast against her pale complexion.


    "Se?orita, please, be my guest!" He proclaimed with exaggerated pride, his theatrical display designed to momentarily captivate his customer''s attention. Slave traders were among the worst of society''s scum, despised and distrusted by all, yet this man carried a peculiar charm, a presence so oddly affable it bordered on likeable.


    Behind him, a small group of slaves stood in a line. Five of them, dressed in ragged tunics and trousers, wore identical expressions of despair. Among them were two frail women, one short man, one tall man, and a Wildren girl who stood out from the rest. The collars around their necks, made of cast alloy, marked them as bound by the Slave Circlet, enchanted with arcane to subdue and control.


    "Caught your eye, hasn''t it?! Lother''s wares are the finest quality for the price!" The merchant proclaimed with an ugly laugh. Jack forced a wry smile, masking his disdain for the man.


    Lupus''s gaze lingered on the Wildren girl, roughly the same height as her. Her round, black-tipped ears protruded from her dirty blonde hair, and her dull purple eyes stared blankly ahead. The spark of life, the fire of freedom, was absent; it was the privilege reserved only for free men and women.


    "That one," Lother, the slave trader, said, his grin widening. "I''ll give you a very good price!" The man''s tone dripped with persuasion. For him, charisma was as vital a weapon for him as much as arcane power was the mightiest weaponry of the mages.


    Lupus stepped closer, reaching out to touch the girl''s lips. The slave hesitated but obeyed, opening the girl''s mouth to reveal her teeth ¡ª perfectly white, like a human''s.


    "Strange..." Lupus frowned, her expression darkening. Turning her direction to Lother, "What''s wrong with her fangs?" She asked sternly.


    "Well¡­ um¡­" The merchant stammered, his gaze darting to the side as if searching for an excuse written in the air.


    Lupus spun the Wildren around, inspecting her. "And where''s her tail? She''s missing her lioness tail too." She pointed out, her tone deadpan. The girl shuffled nervously, fidgeting her feet on the ground to ease her nerves.


    "What''s your name, love-y?" Lupus asked the girl, a motherly care laced her tone.

 23. Refugee Camp II

    "Frain..." The slave Wildren replied, keeping her dull gaze downward at the ground. Then Lupus glared back at the merchant, startling him.


    "I, uh¡­ I don''t know," the merchant muttered, scratching his cheek nervously. "She was like that when someone traded her for a few credits."


    "This is defective merchandise," Lupus said, her voice sharp and accusing. "If you''d cut her ears off, she''d be indistinguishable from a human. She''s a disgrace to her kind."


    Her words lingered in the air, heavy with implied bargaining. The merchant''s smile faltered as he struggled to maintain his composure.


    Jack, standing just behind Lupus, furrowed his brow. "Don''t tell me she''s actually going to buy a slave¡­" he murmured under his breath incredulously.


    Then, without warning, Jack seized Lupus by the wrist and yanked her out of that wretched place.


    "Come on! Lupus, you''re not seriously considering it," he said, his voice firm with disapproval, his steps hastening. If there was one thing he despised more than anything, it was slavery.


    "Hey~hey¡­" She yelped, startled by his sudden boldness. Jack would never touch her willingly ¡ª at least, not until now. Somehow, this time, it felt different.


    Lupus cast a fleeting glance over her shoulder, pitying the lioness Wildren, while the slave trader wiped his sweat in relief.


    "Okay¡­" she murmured, falling in step behind Jack. His silent condemnation was palpable, and she had no reason to resist.


    ***


    Eventually, they arrived at the entrance of House Tasmania. Lupus pushed open the double doors and strode inside. A soothing wave of lavender fragrance instantly enveloped them.


    The stark contrast between the interior and the chaotic streets outside was like stepping between two separate worlds, divided only by the massive, elaborate oak doors.


    Lavish lounges crowded the space, expensive leather suitcases and finely crafted baggage scattered over an embroidered carpet. Chandeliers of crystal brilliance adorned the high ceilings, casting warm, flickering reflections across elegantly dressed men and women.


    Lupus sniffed a few times before exchanging a glance with Jack, a small smile tugging at her lips. He smiled back, though he was tired, weary.


    Together, they made their way toward the reception desk, where a man in a dark red suit and hat stood, dipping his head politely.


    Just as they were about to check in, a cloaked elf shuffled forward, reaching the counter a fraction of a second before them.


    Upon realising he had inadvertently cut the line, he turned and nodded in silent apology, then stepped aside with an extravagantly polite gesture.


    "Oh, please, take your turn first, Sir Lunarius, Willhelm Mae Arden," Lupus spoke up with an unusual air of grace. She elegantly tapped her toe behind her bent leg, dipping her head slightly ¡ª an uncharacteristic display of respect among mages. Such formality was rare for her.


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    Jack, watching from the side, almost fell for her cuteness before catching himself, quickly turning away to hide the heat creeping up his face.


    As Jack took a closer look at Willhelm Mae Arden, he realised he could never stand on equal footing with his goddess''s favoured child. In every way¡ªappearance, aura, refinement¡ªhe was utterly outclassed.


    The incredibly attractive elf had dazzling green eyes, like the rarest emerald of Vinveil. His silky, long hair was tied back into a single ponytail, cascading down like a waterfall. His eyelashes were long and curled upwards like a crown, complementing his sharp monolid eyes. His face was finely chiselled, with subtle indentations along his refined jawline and high cheekbones ¡ª striking yet not overwhelmingly masculine. A Lunarius gold ring, engraved with the glyph of Ares, adorned his index finger.


    He stood even taller than Jack, easily surpassing 190 centimetres, his posture exuding both regality and pride.


    As Willhelm and Lupus engaged in what seemed to be an animated discussion about arcane matters, their conversation was peppered with occasional chuckles.


    "Well, don''t mind if I do! I have quite the urgent need to keep myself in peak condition for the battles ahead," Willhelm said, flashing a charismatic smile. Lupus tilted her head up, her golden eyes meeting his.


    "Then I''m most pleased to be of any aid," she replied, her tone lifting an octave higher.


    "Haha, too bad Empress Aurora called upon warmongering mages instead of Renaissance ones," Willhelm quipped with a chuckle, amused by his own satire.


    Lupus simply nodded, her gaze never wavering from his.


    "If she had, perhaps they could help the people outside ¡ª so many are starving, injured, lost¡­ It''s a tragic sight, yet who am I to judge the will of the heavens?" he added matter-of-factly, his voice tinged with genuine empathy.


    Jack observed him in silent admiration. Such nobility¡­ the perfect man, he thought, feeling the weight of Willhelm''s effortless charisma.


    Then, as if a puzzle piece had suddenly clicked into place, Jack understood the shift in Lupus''s expression earlier. She must have recognized Willhelm immediately¡ªnot just his name and title, but everything he stood for.


    "She likes him¡­ maybe even has a crush on him," Jack thought.


    A cold realisation settled in Jack''s gut, and he instinctively shrank back from the two of them ¡ª two people who seemed so perfectly in sync.


    If David were still alive, at least he would have had someone to relate to. Even if they weren''t on the same level in terms of looks, they had shared a passion for technology, neuro-controllers, brain synapse algorithms, and precision navigation intelligence systems.


    But here? Here, Jack felt completely out of place. Arcane terminology like essences and slots meant nothing to him but gibberish, ancient languages. He understood machines, not magic.


    Though he stood just a meter away, it felt like a vast chasm separated him from them ¡ª kilometres apart in knowledge, status, and presence.


    "Am I jealous? Jealous of Willhelm Mae Arden?" He scoffed inwardly. "You''ve got to be kidding me¡­"


    Yet, even as he denied it, the hollow feeling remained.


    He reached for the locket dangling from his neck, his fingers brushing over the faint digital-ink image of his son inside. The simple act grounded him, though it did little to ease the ugly emotion gnawing at his chest.


    Willhelm, ever composed, nodded apologetically.


    "Well, I do believe I''ve taken up far too much of your time," he said smoothly, his movements as effortless as a flowing river.


    With that, he turned to the receptionist, sorted out his room, and, moments later, was handed a keycard.


    Without missing a beat, he departed naturally, as if the world simply moved with him.

 24. House Tasmania I

    When it was Lupus''s turn, she tiptoed energetically to the counter and hoisted herself onto the ledge with playful ease. "Two rooms, please!" she chirped excitedly, her fangs peeking out ever so adorably.


    The receptionist nodded, tapping away on his kiosk, but his brow soon furrowed into a frown. He quickly masked his dismay before offering a polite smile.


    "Apologies, dear guests. It appears we did have two rooms¡­ until Sir Lunarius before you took one."


    "Oh¡­" Jack''s face betrayed no disappointment, though his mind raced with alternatives. He could sleep outside in a makeshift tent ¡ª it was just one night, after all. Anything would be better than an old, rugged man like him sharing a room with a beautiful girl like Lupus. And what if Willhelm found out? Would he see her in a lesser light? Think less of her as a potential partner? Courting another man at night like that...


    Not that it mattered. Where he slept was irrelevant. Tomorrow, he''d be scavenging for an arcanite engine from the wreckage of fallen Armatus on the battlefield. Scavengers and debris collectors weren''t all that different, and he had high hopes that luck would be on his side.


    Jack was about to step away from the counter, words forming in his mouth to bid Lupus farewell, until he felt a firm grip on his wrist. Her fingers wrapped around it, holding him in place.


    "Yes, we''ll take that room!" Lupus declared to the receptionist, leaving no room for argument.


    Jack blinked in disbelief. "Hey! I can''t share a room with you~!"


    "Shut up! Don''t be such a whiny old man," She cut him off, flashing him an impish smile.


    "I can just sleep outside like the others. I don''t even have any credits on me," He insisted, trying to pull away.


    Lupus didn''t let go. Instead, she tugged him closer. "I''m, uh, I''m scared of phantoms," She muttered, cheeks tinged pink. "So, you have to stay with me."


    "S-seriously?" Jack stammered incredulously. Phantoms were little more than myths; urban legends whispered about in the south of Germund, akin to mischievous spirits of the dead.


    "Also!" Lupus added, cutting him off before he could argue further, "if you''re planning any funny business, I know I''d take you down easily. Even without my arcane! Uncle Jack." She sealed the deal with a cheeky wink before spinning on her heel, her hair twirling past his nose. A warm, sun-kissed scent lingered in the air, curling around his senses longer than he expected.


    So that''s where that nice smell was coming from¡­ Her hair smells amazing, Jack thought absently.


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    Lupus tapped her Stellius ring against the payment machine, collected her key, and strode off, still dragging Jack by the wrist.


    "Please let go of my hand, Lupy," He eventually muttered as they stood waiting for the lift to arrive.


    She did so without hesitation, but a giggle escaped her lips. "Hehehe!"


    She was too innocent for this world. And Jack couldn''t help but think of all the what-ifs.


    What if I were a bad guy? Someone who would take advantage of her while she was asleep?


    But then he countered the thought, Lupus was incredibly strong, after all. If the mother and child''s story was true, she had taken down two Armatus knights in a single blow.


    An amazing feat.


    And a reminder that, if anything, he was the vulnerable one in this situation.


    Jack sighed, resigned to his fate. "I guess¡­ there''s no way out of this now. I should''ve just accepted her hospitality and kindness. Tomorrow, we''ll go our separate ways," He thought to himself.


    Upon entering their room, he was taken aback by its sheer luxury and spaciousness. It had all the amenities of a high-end suite, with a grand king-size bed at its centre, adorned with two towels folded into origami cranes. The view outside would have been breathtaking, mountains in the distance and the stunning architecture of southern Germund, if not for the remnants of war scarring the landscape and the sight of miserable people gathering in the square below.


    Lupus''s lips curled into a wide grin. "Bouncy!" She exclaimed, climbing onto the mattress and bouncing experimentally. Her excitement mirrored that of a ten-year-old, yet Jack was certain she had to be over twenty to hold the prestigious title of Olympian Mage of the Agility Division. Still, he dared not ask her actual age.


    "You should take a bath first," Jack offered as he collapsed onto the couch, twisting the cap off a cold bottle of water.


    Lupus''s eyes widened slightly, misinterpreting his offer as a hidden suggestion. "Do I smell bad?" She asked, embarrassed as she sniffed herself thoroughly.


    "N-no! I just meant that since you paid for the room, you should have the privilege of going first," Jack corrected hastily before taking a sip of water.


    "Can''t argue with that," She replied, eyeing him strangely before motioning for him to come closer.


    Jack hesitated, then shifted forward awkwardly. "What¡­ what?" He stammered, averting his gaze from her dazzling eyes.


    Lupus took his hands and guided him to sit before her. "Lupy¡­ what are you thinking?" He asked, his face flushing crimson. His heart pounded, and his mind raced through countless possibilities.


    Without answering, Lupus hovered her palms over his head, focusing on the dried blood at his wound. Closing her eyes, she chanted softly, "Iasis."


    Glowing green glyphs materialised in the air, revolving around Jack''s scalp. A soothing sensation washed over him as the throbbing pain in his head subsided to a negligible degree.


    As the green illumination dissipated, Jack ran his fingers over his head, searching for his wound ¡ª only to find smooth skin. His eyes widened in astonishment as he locked eyes with Lupus.


    "Thank you," He murmured in appreciation.


    The bunny girl grinned before flopping onto the bed in exhaustion. "Phew¡­ I''m out of mana now."


    "Shouldn''t you reserve some mana, at least?" Jack asked. He wasn''t entirely sure how magic worked; he had never attended an ''Arcane 101'' class, not that such knowledge was accessible to ordinary people anyway, but he could grasp bits and pieces.


    From what he understood, Lupus''s mana had a finite supply, and casting spells consumed it. The real question was how she would replenish it. Did it work the same way as an Armatus''s arcanite engine? Could she simply recharge her mana like replacing a battery?

 25. House Tasmania II

    Lupus didn''t answer instantly; she shuffled around a little on the comfy bed.


    "Don''t be such a worrywart, Jackie. My mana will soon return after I get some rest and some food," She said, stretching her torso on the bed and letting out a soft satisfying moan.


    Jack nodded in anticipation. "I see, so it regenerates by itself, like fatigue in my physical body. That''s intriguing¡­" He analysed inwardly.


    Lupus wiggled her golden arc boots at him. "I''m so tired still. Would you mind taking off my boots for me?" She requested out of the blue, mischief in her voice, yet Jack was too dense to grasp it.


    "Huh? That''d be improper," He replied, bashful like a teenager.


    "Come on! I healed your wound¡­ please!" Lupus fussily bargained, her body remaining sprawled on the bed with her legs dangling off the edge.


    Jack exhaled deeply before reaching for her arc boots. The golden metal surface shone brightly. As Jack focused on figuring out how to remove them, his eyes located three straps on the side of her calf that held them in place.


    Intuitively, his fingers went for the straps and wiggled them off, only to be met with a sudden jolt of electricity. "Ah!" He yelped, recoiling instantly.


    "Hahahahaha! Gotcha!" Lupus laughed uncontrollably, clutching her toned abdominal muscles.


    "Lupy! What was that?" Jack demanded, dumbly rubbing his finger.


    Eventually, the bunny-eared lady sprang up to face him, her eyes upturned in amusement. "I''ve noticed you''ve been tense since we met Lunarius Willhelm, so I thought I''d play a prank on ya! Fufufu!" She explained between giggles.


    "Oh¡­" His lips parted in puzzlement as he scratched his silver hair. "Is it a defence mechanism? Anti-theft measures?" He asked curiously, instead of getting mad at the frivolous girl.


    Lupus nodded happily, unbuckling the straps so her boots came loose. She stretched her feet experimentally, each toe bobbling with rhythms a soft, satisfying moan escaping her lips involuntarily.


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    Her toes were surprisingly agile and nimble, unlike those of humans. Jack watched in awe.


    "Pervert!" Lupus''s voice boomed, her cheeks dusted red. Her abrupt accusation made Jack spring to his feet. "I~I~I was just admiring your toe range of movement and agility!" He argued, realising how weird he sounded.


    "Oh¡­ I thought you had a weird fetish for feet or something¡­" Lupus teased, winking playfully.


    Jack exhaled in frustration. Her constant teasing was not good for his fragile heart. He retreated to the sofa, waiting for Lupus to finally take her bath.


    When it was his turn, he stepped into the shower. Her sweet aroma still lingered in the bathroom. Shaking his head to banish any unsavoury thoughts before they could form, he scrubbed himself clean, then soaked in the hot bath ¡ª something he was rarely privileged to enjoy in space.


    It must have been an hour before he realised he''d taken far too long. Hastily gathering himself, he wrapped a white bathrobe around his body and exited the bathroom; only to discover that his clothes were gone.


    Jack hesitantly walked up to Lupus, who was lying on her belly on the bed, kicking her feet in glee, as though being a Bunny Wildren came with a perpetual happy pill in her system.


    "Um, do you know where my clothes are? I think I left them over there," Jack asked, pointing at the empty basket. Lupus, now dressed in a satin robe supplied by House Tasmania, nodded eagerly.


    Before she could answer, a knock came at the door. "Room service!" called the voice of a young man.


    "I had them dry-cleaned!" She said, motioning for Jack to get the door. He obeyed, opening it to find a young man in a hotel uniform. The staff member tipped his hat and handed Jack his clothes ¡ª along with a new set of garments he had never seen before. A black tunic with shoulder pads, intricately designed, long-sleeved pants, belts, and even a pair of leather shoes roughly his size.


    Jack frowned, thinking it might be a mistaken delivery. Just as he was about to turn and clarify, Lupus appeared beside him so fast he barely registered her movement.


    "Thank you! And before you ask, those are for you, Jackie!" Lupus read his mind, taking her newly washed clothes while Jack took his own. She thanked the staff and shut the door behind her with her foot.


    "Oh, you shouldn''t have¡­" Jack said, appreciating the gesture but feeling an increasing sense of debt toward her.


    She waved his concern away dismissively. "Now get changed! We''re grabbing dinner right away ¡ª I''m starving terribly!"


    Before slipping into the bedroom, she paused momentarily. "Oh, about your jumpsuit¡­ They said they don''t know how to clean it since it''s¡­ quite peculiar."


    Jack examined the fabric in his hands, smiling softly. "That''s quite thoughtful of you, Lupy¡­ Thank you."


    "So I''ll ask them to bring it tomorrow," Lupus told him, to which Jack nodded in approval.

 26. Dining I

    After dressing up, they made their way to the restaurant on the second floor of House Tasmania. The grand oak doors opened into a spacious dining hall, where rows of neatly arranged tables stretched across the room. Each table was draped in pristine white cloth, adorned with fresh flowers and carefully placed tableware, arranged with meticulous precision. To the left, a counter bar served customers their choice of alcohol, while on the right, a classical music ensemble played.


    Jack recognised the melody ¡ª it was a genre called pop music, which had dominated the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Its signature rapid rhythms effortlessly triggered dopamine in listeners, making it synonymous with dance and euphoria. Some even speculated that certain pop musicians had infused arcane elements into their compositions, elevating the genre beyond all others.


    The more Jack observed, the more glaring the contrast between this world and the war-torn outside became.


    Here, war was merely a distant echo. The elite were always the last to suffer, while the poor plunged headfirst into the abyss of misery.


    Lupus, noticing the grim expression on his face, gently nudged his forearm. "Well, shall we?" She prompted, just as a waitress in a dark red uniform and brown apron approached them with a polite smile.


    Jack quickly masked his thoughts and gave a small nod.


    The waitress led them to a two-person table in the centre of the hall, skillfully pulling out a chair for Lupus before circling to do the same for Jack. He nodded appreciatively.


    "So, would you like to take a look at the menu first, or are you ready to order?" The waitress asked, maintaining her professional smile.


    Lupus returned the smile and promptly listed her choices. "I''ll have a Bratwurst platter, a Schweinshaxe set¡­" She paused, allowing the waitress to tap her order into a datapad. The waitress glanced up and inquired, "Would you like your Bratwurst served with chopped cabbage and mustard?"


    Lupus nodded eagerly, her golden eyes flickering toward Jack, silently conveying that she wasn''t finished. "And I''d also like a Sauerbraten."


    The waitress took note before turning to Jack.


    "Wait¡­ Didn''t you just order for me too?" Jack stammered, taken aback by the sheer amount of food she had requested.


    "No¡­ because I don''t know what you''d like for dinner," She admitted bashfully.


    "You can eat all that?" Jack''s mind reeled. Those three dishes alone were enough to feed at least ten people for an entire day.


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    Snapping back to the moment, he quickly placed his own order, a single set of Sauerbraten. The waitress recorded it and then noted Lupus'' last-minute additions: a dessert at the end of her meal and a takeaway portion of assorted sausages. She picked a slice of carrot cake, fitting for her bunny Wildren.


    Jack raised an eyebrow. A takeaway meal, too?


    Was she planning a midnight feast? He found it unfathomable how arcane users required such a high caloric intake to replenish their mana. It was yet another intriguing aspect of the arcane world that piqued his curiosity in ways he hadn''t expected.


    As they waited for their food, a love song played softly in the background. Lupus rested her chin on her laced fingers, gently kicking her feet in rhythm with the acoustic beat. Jack was too nervous to notice the subtle shift in her demeanour. When the lyrics conveyed a message of hidden love, Lupus found her gaze flicking toward Jack''s face, only to dart away just as quickly, warmth rising in her cheeks.


    Jack, dressed in the dark ornate tunic that Lupus had picked for him, looked unexpectedly refined. The extended shoulder padding broadened his frame, making him appear more muscular. His silver hair was neatly combed and parted evenly to the side, accentuating his sharp, clean-shaven jawline. Under the amber glow of the chandelier, his eyes seemed more expressive than usual.


    In Lupus''s mind, Uncle Jack was¡­ appealing. Enough to make her heart tingle in an unfamiliar way.


    She knew it was improper, enticing a family man away from his loved ones was nothing short of disgraceful. Yet, she reassured herself that she hadn''t done anything too daring. At least, not yet. Just for tonight, she wanted to indulge a little; just a simple dinner between them, nothing more.


    Then, as if struck by lightning, Jack''s denseness suddenly dissolved.


    "Wait, wait, wait! Is this a date?!"


    His thoughts jolted him like an electric shock to the core, and he straightened up awkwardly. His fingers fidgeted as he tried to calm his nerves. He wanted to think of his family, to remind himself of the boundary between them, but no matter how hard he tried, no memories came. It was as if they had never existed in the first place.


    What kind of dilemma was this?


    And to make matters worse, the age gap between them was enormous. He had likely lived twice as long as she had.


    Before he could spiral any further, a familiar voice shattered the awkward tension.


    Standing beside Lupus was the dazzling mage they had met earlier that evening. His posture remained effortlessly elegant.


    "Sir Lunarius Willhelm! Good evening again!" Lupus greeted, attempting to rise from her seat, but he quickly gestured for her to remain seated.


    Willhelm nodded politely at her before turning his dark green eyes toward Jack.


    "My deepest apologies for our previous encounter, and for what I''m about to say." His tone was smooth yet unreadable as he offered a small bow. "I originally mistook you for her servant, which is why I failed to introduce myself properly."


    Jack couldn''t quite tell if the elf was being condescending, sarcastic, or genuinely apologetic.


    Regardless, he shook his head to indicate no offence was taken. "My name''s Jack, Jack Squire. I¡­ um, was a debris collector in low orbit." He extended a hand, shaking Willhelm''s. "Nice to meet you, Sir Lunarius."


    "The pleasure is mine, Mister Jack Squire," Willhelm replied with his usual grace.


    Then, as if something unseen had drawn his attention, his gaze drifted toward the bar.

 27. Dining II

    "Well, if you''ll excuse me, I''d like to indulge in a bit of fine liquor," Willhelm said before pausing mid-sentence. His eyes flicked back to Lupus.


    "If you would like~." He hesitated, then suddenly changed his mind. "How rude of me, I should''ve realised by now that you two are together."


    He exchanged polite nods before turning away, his cape billowing elegantly as he strode toward the bar.


    Jack sat in stunned silence, completely bewildered.


    Meanwhile, Lupus simply smiled at Willhelm''s assumption without correction.


    "Lupy! We''re not together!" Jack blurted, flustered beyond words.


    But Lupus merely shook her head, leaving him even more frustrated.


    "Well, we''re in the same room tonight, so technically, we''re together... literally." She played on words, grinning toothily at him.


    He sighed deeply before continuing, "But that could make him misunderstand us, especially you!"


    "Not that I really care," She replied, waving dismissively.


    Then, suddenly, her golden eyes squinted mischievously. "Ho~ho! Why are you trying to set me up with the Lunarius, Jackie?"


    Her question caught him slightly off guard. He quickly gathered himself. "...I thought you had a crush on the guy," He said innocently.


    "Hahahaha!" She burst into laughter. "Oh, you''re so adorable!" She teased, wiping away tears with her finger, leaving him even more dumbfounded.


    The food arrived, and Lupus and Jack enjoyed their meals together in bliss. The delicacies at House Tasmania''s restaurant were far superior to those at the DebrisX cafeteria. During the meal, their main topic of discussion was the next steps. Jack told her that his hometown, Steinburg, was in Western Germund. To her surprise, Lupus''s hometown, Hasenwald, was just 50 kilometres away from Jack''s.


    Once the main course was finished, Jack noticed that Lupus had indeed managed to eat everything without issue ¡ª her appetite was three times larger than his. Then her slice of carrot cake arrived, and she bounced on her seat with joy as she ate it happily.


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    After dinner, the two retreated back to their room. Lupus held her takeout in her hands, walking closely beside Jack in the hotel corridor. Their room was located further down, near the end of the hallway.


    "I almost didn''t believe you could finish everything," Jack said as they walked on the dark red carpet floor.


    "Well, mana is life itself. Energy and mana are indistinguishable, according to Galileo''s observations," Lupus paused as Jack appeared confused. "Well, he was an arcanist who loved to write books over a thousand years ago," She explained patiently.


    "That''s an interesting take. So, you mages can regenerate mana by resting and consuming nutrients? I wonder if protein and fats would be more efficient, energy-wise since they provide more calories," Jack rambled, his mind wandering.


    Lupus''s face lit up with excitement. "Wow! You guessed it correctly. You see, as amazing as arcanes are, they still follow the laws of nature. So yes! Protein and fat are the best for mana regeneration in terms of the amount of mana. While..." She paused dramatically, closing one eye to tease him.


    Unintentionally, Jack leaned in closer, straining his ears in attention. She noticed how eager he was to learn more about the arcane. Unable to contain his excitement, he asked, "What? While what?" forgetting to blink.


    "Fufufu, meanwhile, ''high-absorbing rate'' carbs like sugar can temporarily boost mana... and..." She paused again to heighten his curiosity.


    Jack grabbed her arm, "And what?" He pressed, eyes glinting as he was overwhelmed by pure curiosity.


    She glanced down at his hand on her arm and smiled cunningly. He quickly retracted his hand with a look of shame.


    "Sorry," He muttered.


    "Arcanite harnessers, we can refill our mana almost indefinitely!" Lupus finally revealed, lifting her index finger triumphantly.


    "Ohhh! I''ve heard of that before. It''s like batteries for mages, right?"


    "You''re right, my esteemed student, Novitcius!" Lupus replied, pleased with his quick wit. She even referred to him as the beginner rank of a mage.


    "Hehehe!" He chuckled at her sudden joke.


    "You seem intrigued by the art of arcane, Jackie. Would you like to become a mage, hmm?" She asked, nudging his shoulder lightly in a teasing manner.


    Jack let out a soft chuckle before answering, "Well, actually, no. But I''d love to learn more about it. It couldn''t hurt, right?"


    "Righty right!" She replied with glee.


    The two entered their room and prepared for bed.


    After finishing his evening routine, Jack settled on the sofa, his legs hanging uncomfortably off the edge. But he had grown used to it. His back squeaked in protest as he shifted, feeling the strain of gravity. It had been a long couple of days, and the exhaustion had finally overtaken him. It was better than any sleeping pill. Soon, his mind began to drift off.

 28. Noises in the Dark I

    In the dead of night, Jack''s eyes fluttered open, assaulted by a piercing light streaming from the bedroom. His mind was still groggy, half-lost in sleep, as he pushed himself upright from the sofa. His legs, which had been hanging over the edge, were numb. A sharp jolt of pain shot through him as he rubbed them, trying to restore circulation.


    "Stay still, please!" Lupus''s muffled voice echoed from the bathroom. Even in his drowsy state, Jack''s sharp hearing picked it up instantly.


    "Who''s she talking to?" He muttered, stumbling toward the light, his movements sluggish and unsteady.


    Lupus''s cheerful giggle rang out, growing clearer as he approached. He was less than a metre from the door now.


    "Uh¡­ Lupy? What are you doing?" Jack asked, his voice sluggish as he knocked lightly on the bathroom door.


    The laughter abruptly stopped. A brief shuffle of movement followed, then the lock clicked open.


    Through the small gap, Lupus''s bunny ears poked out first, followed by her flustered face, pouting like a petulant child.


    "N~nothing¡­" She answered, her tone suspiciously coy.


    Jack, ever curious, leaned closer. Soon the door creaked open, and Jack yelped and recoiled.


    "Ah! Why are you taking another bath?!"


    Lupus stood in the doorway, wrapped in nothing but a white towel, her damp skin glowing under the bathroom light. Her ample curves and plump thighs were barely concealed, making Jack instinctively slap a hand over his eyes ¡ª though traitorously, he could still glimpse her through the gaps in his fingers.


    "It''s¡­ hot?" Lupus answered casually, a teasing chuckle escaping her lips.


    "But I hea~." Jack''s voice faltered as his eyes adjusted to the scene behind her. He froze, his breath hitching.


    Another girl.


    Standing there, completely bare, was the Wildren slave he had met earlier that evening, Frain.


    Jack''s mind short-circuited. Not because she was bathing with Lupus. No, that would have been surprising enough. But because she wasn''t wearing a single shred of fabric.


    Frain squeaked in mortification, hastily covering herself, while Lupus stepped forward to shield her, blocking Jack''s view.


    "PERVERT-Y!" Lupus yelled, slamming the door shut in his face. A gust of wind from the impact ruffled his silver hair.


    There was no going back to sleep after that. Jack sat on the couch, gulping down water in an attempt to cool his nerves, hoping and praying that the images burned into his mind would fade.


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    After a while, the two girls finally emerged, their hair damp and the soothing scent of lavender shampoo filling the air. Yet, despite the calming aroma, the tension in the room was anything but relaxed.


    Lupus busied herself reheating her take-out from dinner while Frain clung to her like a lost child.


    Jack observed them from his seat, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.


    "You cheeky little rabbit¡­ And here I thought she just wanted a midnight snack. She planned the whole thing, buying take-out in advance, making sure everything was set up." His lips twitched into an amused smirk.


    "Well, I need to stop underestimating Lupus Hoffmann. She''s way smarter than she lets on¡­ but I suppose all mages are geniuses in their own way."


    Frain, the Wildren slave, didn''t appear overly young, perhaps around the same age as Lupus, Jack analysed further. The girl was now dressed in a neatly wrapped bathrobe that covered her from neck to ankle, but the slave circlet remained fastened around her throat.


    As they waited for the microwave to finish heating their food, Jack finally had to ask, "Lupy¡­ would you mind explaining this?"


    "Yes, yes!" She nodded, albeit a little sheepishly, before shoving Frain forward.


    "I''ve decided that Frain will be my slave! So I bought her~ at 75% off! Only 3,500 credits!" Lupus announced proudly, as if she''d just won the lottery.


    Jack stared at her in disbelief, then sighed. Who was he to object?


    "Come on! You don''t actually think I''d treat her worse than that sketchy merchant, do you?" Lupus pouted, her voice softening as though she sensed his disapproval.


    Frain, however, remained frozen in place, unresponsive. Jack took a closer look. Her once matted, dirty-blonde hair had been washed and now curled neatly. Her striking purple eyes had regained some of their lost vibrance. Overall, she looked significantly better than she had that morning ¡ª at the very least, she was cleaner.


    Jack exhaled again, realising that Lupus''s claim wasn''t entirely baseless. Frain was undoubtedly better off with her than with those vile merchants.


    "Come on! Pet her!" Lupus suddenly suggested, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.


    Jack hesitated. The Wildren clans each had their own traditions and customs. Would touching her head be considered acceptable? But since Lupus had suggested it, surely it wasn''t offensive?


    After a few moments of internal debate, he decided to comply. He slowly outstretched his fingers, hovering just above Frain''s golden curls.


    A low growl rumbled from her throat, her once reserved demeanour shifting into something far more primal.


    "Lupy, is¡­ is this really fine?" Jack asked warily, glancing at Lupus, who simply grinned and nodded encouragingly.


    "She''s going to bite me for real¡­" He muttered under his breath.


    But despite his reservations, he pressed forward. The closer his hand got, the louder her growling became. Then, just as his fingers finally sank into her thick curls~.


    The growling stopped.


    It was replaced by a deep, contented purring.


    Jack blinked in mild surprise, a wry smile creeping onto his face as he observed the two. He hadn''t expected that.


    Then, without warning, Frain suddenly snapped back. Her mouth parted, exposing human-like teeth as she lunged at his fingers. Jack was too slow to react.


    "Ouch!~Wait¡­ huh?"


    Instead of sinking her teeth into his flesh, Frain merely latched onto his index finger, sucking on it gently before grooming it with her tongue.


    Jack stiffened. Her tongue was rough, textured differently from a human''s. The sensation was strange, oddly soothing yet completely foreign.


    Then, clarity hit him.


    His face turned crimson as he quickly yanked his hand away.


    "W~what the hell was that?!" He gasped.


    Lupus''s laughter erupted instantly.


    "Gotcha! Hahahaha!"


    Ding!


    The microwave''s chime momentarily halted the commotion. Lupus retrieved the heated sausages and served them to Frain, who practically lit up with joy.


    Jack watched in silence as she eagerly devoured her meal. She must have been starving all this time under the slave merchants ¡ª probably deprived of proper food, especially protein.


    At the very least, he thought, watching her eat was easier on his nerves than whatever the hell just happened moments ago.

 29. Noises in the Dark II

    Yet she didn''t act. Frain glanced at Lupus, then at Jack, incredulous at the moment unfolding before her. The question loomed in her mind, "Why did these people treat a slave so differently?"


    Lupus softly threaded her fingers through Frain''s blonde hair, patting her gently. "Frain, eat. It''s yours!" She said, her tone ever so cheerful. Jack nodded in approval.


    "Th-thank you¡­" Frain murmured before hesitantly picking up one of the sausages, hovering it close to her mouth. Still, she cast a reluctant glance at her master, as if silently seeking permission to eat such a succulent meal.


    "Owwww! My baby!" Lupus let out a pitiful gasp, wrapping her arms around Frain from behind. Frain nodded and began to slowly nibble on a sausage. "Delicious¡­" She uttered as she savoured the delicacy, a taste she had once known but had long eluded her.


    "Oh, did you know?" Lupus suddenly asked Jack, as if a thought had just slipped into her mind.


    He raised his eyebrows. "What?"


    "About Frain''s saliva. Her lion Wildren species has a very unique property, hehe." Lupus'' voice piqued Jack''s curiosity once more. He tilted his head, tuning in closely. "Tell me, Lupy."


    "It''s a seal! It means she''s accepted you and me as her masters!" Lupus declared proudly, flashing a toothy grin at Jack as she continued brushing Frain''s hair.


    Jack shook his head. "Oh¡­ I don''t want to be her master¡­"


    His words startled Frain, who was still eating. Her purple eyes turned glassy as though she were upset by his statement.


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    Quickly correcting himself, he added, "I mean, I''d rather be her ally. A friend."


    The concept of companionship with a slave seemed to elude both Lupus and Frain as they exchanged odd glances.


    As young as they were, Jack figured they had probably never visited the Dunkelheit Empire or encountered different perspectives on life and culture. Unlike them, he had met people from across the globe, exchanging knowledge and traditions. His mind was an open book, always willing to learn from others.


    If only more people in this world were like Jack, open-minded, sensible, and accepting of differences, perhaps this world wouldn''t be in such turmoil. Perhaps Germund would still be in its glory, rather than torn apart by war.


    "I¡­ see¡­" Lupus nodded twice, taking in his perspective. "By the way¡­ there''s something else useful about her saliva," She said, seamlessly switching back to her topic.


    "Hm?"


    "Well, it has healing properties too! Like the ''Iasis'' spell I used on you, but less potent," Lupus explained, lifting a finger as if delivering an important lesson. "Most people don''t realise that!" She pressed a finger to her lips in a playful hush.


    "Wow, she''s quite¡­ a handful?" Jack mused, admiring Frain''s unique traits. As his red eyes met hers, Frain offered him a small smile for the first time.


    "I know you''ll take the best care of Frain. That makes me happy," Jack said, fully approving of Lupus'' actions.


    Hearing his praise, Lupus beamed. "Yippee!" She cheered, bouncing happily. Jack realised that Rabbit Wildren were incapable of masking their excitement.


    As the night deepened and Frain finished her meal, the three retreated to their designated beds.


    Initially, Frain lay beneath Lupus'' bed, but her master soon forced her to sleep beside her. They cuddled as though they were friends, or even sisters. Watching the shift in their dynamic, Jack felt a strange warmth in his heart. Perhaps people were capable of change after all, he remarked inwardly.


    Content with his friends, Jack lay back, his mind drifting into the darkness.


    "Tomorrow, we''ll go our separate ways¡­ I can only hope that Lupus and Frain survive through this war, and one day, we''ll meet again in a better world."


    With that thought, his mind surrendered to the slumber.

 30. Part ways I

    The morning returned with the distant chirping of songbirds. Jack and his companions went about their usual morning routine, though today, he felt particularly refreshed and eager to set out on his journey to find his family.


    During breakfast, they stuck with the usual sausage and eggs served at House Tasmania. Though it was uncommon for slaves to dine at the same table as their masters, Frain''s presence among them drew curious and sometimes disapproving glances from onlookers. Some stared out of disdain, while others were simply intrigued by the unusual dynamic between Jack and his group.


    Lupus, however, paid no mind to the attention. Nothing ever seemed to faze her. Her will was set like a granite mountain, unwavering and resolute.


    "By the way, sleepyhead," Lupus piped up after finishing a bite, referring to Jack, who had woken up late. It wasn''t entirely his fault, given that his sleep had been disrupted by Lupus''s trick with Frain the night before.


    "Hm?" Jack responded, turning his attention to the bunny-eared woman.


    "I got this for you!" Lupus exclaimed with excitement, her fangs glinting as she pulled out a peculiar tome. The book had an ancient-looking cover adorned with intricate glyphs, framed in silver metal with elaborate engravings. Moreover, it even came with its own metal hoister, so it could be carried on a belt.


    Jack squinted. "What''s this antique?"


    "It''s a beginner''s tome. In layman''s terms, let''s call it ''Arcane 101''," Lupus explained, gesturing for him to take it. And, he accepted it eagerly.


    "Wow, this looks expensive. When did you get it? And how much was it?" Jack asked, running his fingers over the intricate design and protruding engraving of ancient glyphs, awe gleaming in his red eyes. The book had an inviting aura, as if beckoning him to explore its contents.


    Lupus smiled. "Well, I enjoyed our conversation yesterday, and you seemed genuinely interested in the Arcane, so I thought I''d get you something to help."


    "Oh¡­ thanks," Jack said, flipping through the pages. He recognised some of the alphabet but couldn''t decipher the runes and glyphs. Meanwhile, Lupus had expertly avoided answering his questions. The truth was, she had bought the book early that morning while he was still asleep. As for the cost, it had been worth more than twice the price of Frain, but seeing Jack appreciate the gift made her happy.


    "It''s all worth it in the end," Lupus thought, smiling through her golden eyes.


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    "You''ve done so much for me, Lupus. I truly appreciate it," Jack said, bowing his head slightly.


    "Thank you!" Frain chimed in cutely before returning to her meal.


    Lupus blushed at the praise and waved them off dismissively. "It''s not a big deal! Let''s just call it a parting gift¡­ and my apology for trying to strangle you to death."


    Frain''s lion ears twitched. "Strangle to death?" She repeated, unblinking.


    "Oh, my bad. It''s a long story, fufu!" Lupus laughed, amused at herself.


    After checking out of the inn, Jack and his friends received complimentary rations from the staff ¡ª enough food to last them a week. Jack glanced at his datapad, making sure everything was in order and preparing for his next steps.


    The air outside was crisp, but the lingering sense of dread remained. The streets were still crowded with refugees, their coughing and chatter echoing through the air. The reality of the war crept in, so suffocating.


    In the town square, Willhelm Mae Arden stood elegantly, performing a ritual. Glowing glyphs and ancient runes fluttered like butterflies around him as he moved his hands in precise and rhythmic motions, lips chanting in a low voice.


    Then, he brought out a strange gem, an Arcanite Harnesser. It shone brightly as it lifted from his palm, hovering momentarily before dissolving into the air, taking its light with it.


    "What''s he doing?" Jack whispered to Lupus, standing behind him.


    "He''s creating a barrier using the Arcanite Harnesser as a mana source," She answered eagerly, watching in awe.


    Moments later, a semi-translucent barrier expanded over two kilometres in diameter, enveloping the entire camp. It shimmered as it distorted the light, creating a mesmerising, wavy backdrop against the clear pastel-blue sky.


    The refugees gasped in astonishment, offering their gratitude to the elven mage who had shielded them from enemy forces. Some even bowed before him as if he were a deity. To commoners, seeing a mage of such calibre was a rare spectacle. While most assumed he was merely a Novictius mage, he was, in fact, a Lunarius ¡ª the highest tier obtainable. Only the Celestius title couldn''t be obtained by just simply studying arcane or progressing in their skills.


    The barrier was but a small display of the miracles Lunarius mages could perform. With a single spell, they could level a city, ward off calamities, calm raging storms, or even command a volcano.


    According to legend, Renaissance mages could heal the sick, feed the starving, and even restore an entire city within days. However, as technology advanced, commoners took over the task of rebuilding and maintaining their cities with machines and tractors. This shift allowed Renaissance Lunarius and Stellius mages to focus on mastering their craft, honing their skills for dire times such as these.


    "Sir Lunarius!" Lupus greeted the elf as he approached them, his movements ever regal, his cloak billowing dramatically in the wind.


    Willhelm studied the group with mild interest. "Hmm, you''ve added another member to your party, I see." His tone carried a note of amusement. "A slave Wildren, a debris collector, and an Olympian mage, what a mismatched party."


    "Oh! Thank you," Lupus replied, taking his remark as a compliment despite its ambiguity. Either that or Lupus simply didn''t care what his intricate mind thought of them.


    Jack, however, raised an eyebrow. "I''m not sure if he''s praising us or mocking us," He muttered, standing between Frain and Lupus.


    Willhelm turned slightly toward the rabbit Wildren. "Ah! Olympian mage. By any chance, may I inquire about the purpose of your travels to Southern Germund?"

 31. Part ways II

    "Well, I was on vacation when the war began. I received the signal for the camp through the arc comm," Lupus replied matter-of-factly, lightly tapping her Stellius ring on her index finger. A holographic interface materialised in the air as she continued, "I gathered a few citizens on my way here."


    "How noble of you," Willhelm nodded in approval before asking, "What about your future plans if you don''t mind me asking?"


    She shook her head, "Umm, since I haven''t received any orders from my division or my Lunarius supervisor, I figured I''d visit my clan in Hasenwald."


    "Hasenwald? Ah! I know of that place, such a scenic view with its burrow-style architecture," Willhelm mused aloud. "Is it in Western Germund?" He asked, extending his palm towards Lupus.


    "Yes! You''re quite knowledgeable, Sir Lunarius. For a moment, I almost believed you were from Germund."


    The elven mage chuckled softly, his eyes growing distant as though reminiscing. "Aha, I think they also have an amazing carrot cake!"


    Lupus nodded vigorously, soaking in the nostalgic atmosphere. It had been three years since she left her parents, twelve brothers, and seven sisters to pursue her dream of becoming an Olympian mage. When she finally achieved that dream a few months ago, she decided to spend at least a month sightseeing before returning to her clan with the good news.


    Yet, fate was a menacing trickster, bringing war to her at the peak of her proudest achievement.


    After a brief pause, Willhelm spoke up. "Well, I must take my leave for now, just in case the enemy mistakes my barrier as an invitation for war." With a polite nod, he strode away.


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    At the edge of the barrier, the crowds began to thin. Only a handful of people remained in this desolate area, where ruined buildings stood abandoned, their structural integrity too compromised for safety. Most survivors huddled together in the overcrowded square, uncomfortable, but safe. Occasionally, caravans of refugees trickled into the camp, seeking asylum.


    Yet, there was no sign of the Armatus mobile suits. Were they regrouping instead of attacking? A full squad of Bronze Rank soldiers couldn''t possibly challenge a Lunarius, could they? Jack pondered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.


    Lupus approached him, her face darkened despite her attempt to mask it with a forced smile. "So¡­ this is where we part ways¡­" Her voice faltered slightly, following by her trademark chuckle. Jack noticed it was a habit of her whenever she was feeling uncomfortable or anxious.


    The breeze softly carried her silver hair, making it flutter beautifully in the air, along with her warm, sun-kissed scent. It was the sweetest and the most innocent aroma that Jack could never forget.


    Jack cast his red eyes downward momentarily before glancing up. "Yes¡­ this is goodbye, Lupy. Thank you for everything." His fingers tightened around the tome she had gifted him as the dangling book brushed gently against his thigh.


    As he turned away, stepping into the post-apocalyptic war zone, his footsteps grew fainter with each passing moment.


    For the past couples of days had proven to be such wonderful experience, almost surreal and dream-like. Yet like all things, there was a beginning, then there must be an ending. Jack understood that notion better than most people.


    "Jackie!" A sudden shout echoed behind him, followed by the hurried footsteps of his companions.


    Jack glanced over his shoulder, startled to see Lupus and Frain running towards him. "Hmm? Did they forget something?"


    Lupus stopped just before him, struggling to find the right words before finally speaking. "Can¡­ can we come with you?" Her golden eyes shimmered like sunlight dancing on a pristine wave.


    Jack''s softened smile adorned his face, warmth dwelled in his chest, "Yes! Let''s go together," He invited them wholeheartedly.


    Her excitement surged as she jumped around happily, urging Frain to join in. "Yippie!" They both exclaimed, and the lion Wildren followed with the hopping, albeit reluctantly.


    Thus, the mismatched party, Jack, the master tactician ~ Lupus, the Olympian mage ~ and Frain, the strong Wildren. Together they set forth on their journey to Steinburg, Western Germund.

 32. I Hate Portals

    In the depths of the forest, a sudden tremor shook the ground. Wild animals fled in panic, deer and tigers, natural prey and predators, ran side by side, scrambling through the undergrowth, tripping over bushes in their desperate escape. An ominous boom followed, sending another wave of terror rippling through the land.


    Moments later, a brilliant green light shot skyward, illuminating the dark canopy. A powerful gust tore through the trees, branches snapping and spiralling outward. Then silence. Utter and absolute.


    Two figures emerged, suspended in the sky just above the treetops, easily five metres high. Gravity, merciless and unyielding, dragged them downward.


    "Fried!?" Aurelia, a red-haired girl, screamed against the rushing wind, her hair whipping wildly around her.


    "Aurelia!" Friederich called back. His blue eyes gleamed in the darkness as he twisted mid-air, adjusting his trajectory. Chanting quickly, he invoked, "Lampos-spatha!"


    Blades of pure light materialised in mid-air, forming a luminous pathway between them. With agility and lightning speed, Friederich sprang from sword to sword, ricocheting through the air like a phantom.


    "Eeeeek!? I''m dead, Papa!" Aurelia shrieked, squeezing her eyes shut as the ground rushed closer.


    Thinking fast, Friederich gritted his teeth and chanted, "Lampos!" More radiant swords manifested and hung motionless in the air. His mind worked at blistering speed, calculating every step. Bending his knees against one of the floating blades, he launched himself forward, rebounding off three in rapid succession, each propelling him faster.


    His hands reached for Aurelia, pulling her tightly against his chest. One arm cradled her small frame, the other securing the back of her neck to prevent whiplash. Just before they collided with the earth, he twisted, planting his feet into the ground. His knees buckled from the sheer force, sending a shockwave outward, scattering leaves and debris.


    Aurelia cracked open one eye hesitantly. "Are¡­ are we dead?" She asked, locking eyes with her rescuer. But as she took in Friederich''s panting form, his pale skin slick with sweat, her gaze dropped lower. "Holy Gaia! The crater!" she gasped, staring at the deep indent in the ground beneath them.


    "And that''s what you''re worried about¡­? Damn it!" Friederich groaned, collapsing onto his back. His legs throbbed with pain ¡ª bruised, battered, and barely responsive. He regretted pushing himself to the limit to save his reckless princess.


    "Fried!" Aurelia scrambled to his side, inspecting his injuries. Red bruises marred his legs. "Idiot! Are you trying to hurt yourself?"


    "What?! I didn''t do this on purpose... Sheesh!" He snapped, folding his arms as he lay on the disturbed dirt. His once-pristine white attire was streaked with soil. "Damn it! I should''ve worn darker colours for this expedition!"


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    Aurelia ignored his complaints, hovering her palms over his wounds. Closing her eyes, she focused, envisioning the damaged muscle and fractured capillaries beneath his skin. "Iasis!" She intoned. Green glyphs shimmered from her hands, slithering down into his legs and seeping into his flesh. As the light faded, so too did his injuries, vanishing as though they had never existed.


    Friederich wiggled his toes experimentally. "Oh, thank you," He muttered, voice dripping with sarcasm.


    "Eh? Before you blame me, this wasn''t my fault! You messed up the portal spell!" She shot back, crossing her arms defensively, cheeks puffed in a stubborn pout.


    "Hah?! Of course, it was your fault!" Friederich countered, voice rising. "Ryusei-sama explicitly forbade us from crossing into this war-ridden land, and yet you had to ignore his orders for what?"


    "For the greater good!" Aurelia''s voice boomed, her fiery conviction unmistakable. "Osten''s Arcaniis are people too! Should they suffer while we do nothing? Are we meant to just sit in our high castle, unbothered and uncaring? Is that what we are?"


    Friederich exhaled sharply. He hated how much sense she made. He knew this was the right thing to do. That was why they had risked it all in the first place.


    Still, he couldn''t ignore the reality of their actions. "We can''t risk our country''s stability either. If Ryusei-sama sends humanitarian aid, what do you think the people of Dunkelheit will assume?"


    Aurelia faltered, her lips pressing together. She had no response to that.


    Then she mumbled under her breath, "Zeta wouldn''t have messed up the portal¡­"


    Friederich''s eye twitched. "What did you just say?"


    "I said Zetius would''ve succeeded in opening the portal, and we''d have ended up at the Porand border ~ not stranded in the middle of nowhere."


    Friederich clenched his jaw, unable to refute her. He ran a frustrated hand through his dark hair, suppressing the bitter irritation swelling within him.


    The mere mention of Zetius Zel Celerius left a sour taste in his mouth. The three of them, Aurelia, Zetius, and Friederich, had been childhood friends. But two years ago, Zetius'' envoy was ambushed by Armatus knights, and the boy was presumed dead. No trace of him was ever found.


    What irked Friederich the most wasn''t just losing a friend. It was her comparing him to Zetius. The girl to whom he had given his heart, soul, and body always held Zetius in a higher regard.


    If only she knew.


    Eighteen-hour days. Relentless training. Swordsmanship, throwing, fencing, footwork, anatomy. He had honed himself and sharpened his skills through sweat and blood. Meanwhile, Zetius had simply been born with immense arcane affinity. Favoured by the gods. Blessed by Gaia herself.


    Aurelia''s warm hand rested on his shoulder, her touch gentle. "Fried¡­ I''m sorry," She muttered, sincerity lacing her voice. "I shouldn''t have yelled at you... Thank you for saving me."


    Friederich let out a slow breath, before pushing himself upright. He brushed off stray leaves and dust, straightening his posture.


    Aurelia giggled, joining him in tidying his clothes. "The Arc Coat is amazing! No dirt can stick to it, fufufu!" She mused, rubbing the smooth, pristine white fabric adorned with gold accents.


    Friederich hesitated, then reached out to pluck a stray leaf from her hair. But before he could, her sharp gaze pinned him in place.


    He quickly retracted his hand. "¡­You had a leaf stuck in your hair," He muttered instead, looking away, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks.


    "Oh, thanks," Aurelia hummed, picking it out herself. The breeze carried it away, twirling it into the dark forest beyond.

 33. Forest Chase I

    After a few moments of trying to get their bearings, the sun had already dipped low, painting the sky in an orange hue, signalling the night was fast approaching.


    "So, what now?" Aurelia asked her guardian, poking her head over to his side. She wore a white embroidered tunic lined with gold seams, white pants, and leather boots. Her red, wavy hair was partly tied back with a metal butterfly clip at the back of her head. Simple yet regal, she looked every bit the part of an expedition-ready princess.


    Friederich lightly tapped his ring, causing a blue hologram to float up mid-air. "Let''s try a locating spell," He suggested, but Aurelia quickly swatted his hand away.


    "Hey, don''t open the arc comm, we''ll be exposed!" She snapped at him.


    His brows furrowed into a frown. "Then¡­ what do you suggest we do?" Friederich asked.


    A smile tugged at her lips, her voice condescending. "Let''s get to higher ground," She said, pointing towards the defence tower looming in the distance, a few kilometres away.


    The two set their sights on the nearest defence tower, located at the edge of the dark forest, where they might be able to seek temporary shelter for the night.


    ***


    Friederich strode forward, illuminating the path with his glowing white sword, while Aurelia followed at his heel. They weren''t making much progress due to her leisurely pace. It began to irritate him how slow she was walking, considering she was only 160 centimetres tall.


    "It''s getting dark soon. Would you mind picking up the pace?" Friederich said, his voice tinged with irritation. He wasn''t the best at hiding his emotions ¡ª none of the House Regis were.


    "Ugh! My legs are sore already," Aurelia whined, dragging her feet lazily. Clearly, physical exertion wasn''t to her liking.


    Friederich extended his hand, palm up, gesturing slightly. "Maybe I can carry you?" He suggested, deadpan.


    "No way! If I can''t even walk by myself, I''ve already failed at my objectives," She replied, shaking her head. "I just wish we had arc boots¡­" She muttered, frustration evident in her voice as her shoulders hunched forward and her boots kicked at the branches scattered around them.


    Crossing his arms, a vein popped on his otherwise immaculate forehead. "Could you not kick things around? You''re making a trail for hunters to follow," He said, matter-of-factly.


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    "Oh my Mother Gaia, you''re such a killjoy, Fried! Zeta would have brought us arc boots and flown us to the tower by now. Wait, if Zeta were here, we wouldn''t even be trekking like idiots in the first place!" She continued blabbering on as if Zeta were still alive.


    His expression darkened. "Zetius is gone, Aurelia," He said coldly.


    "No, he''s not," The princess replied instantly, without thought.


    "But he is."


    "Na-ah!" Aurelia shook her head, refusing to listen. She could be incredibly persistent sometimes.


    Suddenly, Friederich snapped his head towards her, gripping her wrist with surprising force, his eyes filled with seriousness. "Aurelia, Zetius is dead! I don''t know what you think of him ¡ª he was a prodigy of the arcane, Ignius''s prime disciple, a god?" He blurted, his voice stern and loud. "You know what? Even a god is dead. Ignius Lux Draconus is dead! So, I''m not going to argue with you about this again! Do. You. Understand?" he said so quickly he nearly forgot to breathe.


    A primal fear lingered in her vivid red eyes. He quickly retracted, regretting his harshness.


    Aurelia rubbed her wrist gently, not saying anything. "But he... he isn''t... dead..." She murmured to herself.


    "HOW DID YOU KNOW!?" Friederich''s voice boomed, so loud that even the birds startled and flapped their wings in a panic. He shook his head in disbelief at how delusional Aurelia had become.


    Not looking into his eyes, she spoke quietly, "¡­I don''t know¡­ I just can¡­ I can still feel him¡­" She hugged herself tightly.


    Realising what she meant, Friederich''s heart ached. She must have loved him. Who wouldn''t? Zetius was not just brilliant with the arcane; he was also gentle, kind, righteous, and level-headed, despite his youth. Traits that Friederich himself lacked.


    He couldn''t help but ask himself inwardly, "How could someone be so selfless? What''s the point of living for others and not for yourself? The world would be a much better place if he had died in that envoy instead of Zetius. At least Aurelia would be happier that way."


    Friederich exhaled deeply before muttering, "I''m sorry..." His voice softened, easily lost in the wind, but she caught it.


    "You''re forgiven," Aurelia replied sheepishly.


    The awkward silence between them only slowed their progress towards the defence tower. Soon, the evening crept in, and darkness spread beneath the canopy of tree branches. The light from his arcane sword wasn''t enough to fully illuminate their surroundings. He could conjure more light, but that would be wasteful. Mana needed to be strategically managed, and using it for mere visibility was pointless.


    As the darkness swallowed the forest, strange shapes began to form in the shadows ¡ª branches, tree barks, and bushes that tricked the minds of the weaks. One moment they appeared humanoid, but when Aurelia glanced at them directly, nothing was truly there. Inanimate objects shifted their forms eerily.


    "Fried!" Aurelia called out to her guardian, who had walked about ten metres ahead. His long legs covered much more ground with each step, far faster than her own.


    Friederich turned slowly, the lower part of his jaw illuminated by the light from his sword. "What?" He asked.


    "I''m scared!" She replied, rushing to his side.


    "Good. Stay close to me," Friederich said, his tone unfazed by the creeping darkness. His dazzling blue eyes glinted in the gloom, giving him a heightened vision ¡ª one of many perks of his elven heritage. "I think phantoms dwell here."

 34. Forest Chase II

    "Ph~phantoms?!" Aurelia gasped, shuddering. A chill ran down her spine, making her tremble.


    "I think I know where we are. The Dark Forest, Mirehaven, Western Germund," Friederich told her, a mischievous grin spreading across his dimly lit face.


    "Why are you smiling like a total creep?" Aurelia asked, her fingers gripping the cape of his arc coat.


    "Because I didn''t mess up my portal spell, Aurelia. We''re just 20 kilometres off the mark," He explained proudly.


    "That''s not really impressive," She replied, tilting her head in confusion. "But how can you be so certain we''re in the great dark forest of Mirehaven?"


    "Hehehe," Friederich chuckled, not answering directly. "I bet you''ve noticed something for a while now. Things are taking the shape of humanoid figures, but when we look directly at them, they disappear. Kind of like a trick of the light. But it''s been happening every single time." He wore a smug expression.


    "But wouldn''t that mean this is every Phantom-haunting ground?" She questioned, unconvinced.


    "Not really, Mirehaven is different," He replied. "First, I had a hunch. I recognised the flora and bird species as being from the western part of Germund. But there''s something else... I''ve noticed it for a while now," He paused dramatically, his eyes locked onto the distance. In reality, he was using his elven vision to fixate on the location of the defence tower.


    "What? Don''t just grin! Come on, tell me!" Aurelia urged, her fear growing.


    "I can still see the tower, you know," Friederich said, pointing at his glowing eyes. "We''ve been walking for hours now, but we''re not a single step closer to our destination."


    "Mother Gaia¡­" Aurelia gasped in shock, her eyes wide, almost dropping to her knees. "What should we do?" Her eyes turned glassy.


    "We set it on fire!" Friederich suggested coolly, grabbing her shoulders.


    Friederich chanted, "Lampospatha!" and soon, swords of light materialised in the air. He nimbly ascended into the sky, perched atop the highest one, about ten metres in the air. He swung the static sword a few times to build enough momentum and, with a powerful push, landed atop his blade, crouching, and signalling for Aurelia to stay below.


    The red-haired girl nodded, closing her eyes, her hair fluttering in the wind as she imagined a burning forest in her mind. "Empyrion!" She chanted, her divine voice resonating through the forest. Red ancient runes stormed outward, shifting into flames that engulfed her and burst out in every direction, incinerating everything within a five-metre radius into charcoal.


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    The smoke swirled around her, and the scent of burning wood filled the air. She covered her mouth, coughing a few times.


    Friederich nimbly descended with his sword. "Hmm?" He pondered aloud, landing softly. Nothing had happened after all.


    "Must you be so harsh on us?" An echoing voice suddenly reverberated from all directions. Friederich stood his ground, listening intently, but the source remained elusive.


    "O'' Phantoms of Mirehaven, grant us passage or else!" Friederich shouted, unfazed.


    "We''ll burn you down!" Aurelia added, finishing his sentence. Her tone had grown more confident.


    "Fine¡­" The echoing voice replied, almost surreal.


    Soon, the forest appeared to move by itself, the trees shifting aside to reveal a single path leading to the defence tower.


    "Fried! You''re a genius! How did you know the fire spell would work?" Aurelia exclaimed.


    "It''s a wood phantom¡­ It wouldn''t take a genius to figure out its weakness," Friederich replied, humbly, though his eyes sparkled with pride.


    The two managed to step out of the haunted forest without much issue. As they exited the tree line, they saw a figure of a woman kneeling on the ground, her face serene.


    Friederich and Aurelia exchanged a strange look before approaching cautiously.


    The woman wore a veil over her head, and her dark robes, resembling those of a nun, wrapped around her from head to toe. Her face lit up with joy as she tilted her head to meet their gaze. "O'' Mighty Mother Gaia, you''ve arrived safely," She said, as though she had sensed their arrival before it happened.


    "Umm? Do you know us?" Friederich asked sternly, slowly edging closer to the kneeling woman, his hands ready to cast spells.


    "O'' there''s no need to be hostile, Sir Friederich Eir Regis, and Princess Aurelia Sol Solara of Solis Aeternum," She replied softly. "I''m just here to pray for you. I''m but a humble Novictius of the Virgo division, Terissa Mercier, but you can call me Triss Mercy."


    When Friederich finally examined the woman, he noticed her beautiful green eyes and dark green hair braided into a tail beneath the veil. A Virgo medallion dangled over her ample chest. As his eyes lingered there longer than intended, he quickly averted his gaze sheepishly.


    "Umm¡­ Thanks, I guess?" Aurelia scoffed, but was nudged by Friederich, signalling her to behave properly. She straightened up, gathering her regal composure. "Oh well, Virgo disciple, I appreciate your thoughts and prayers," She said, her voice overly sweet and sarcastic.


    Friederich exhaled deeply, putting a hand on his hip. "Well, Triss Mercy, it''s a pleasure to meet you," He said firmly as the woman rose to her feet. She was slightly shorter than Aurelia, about 158 centimetres tall.


    "Please come this way. Our castle hasn''t fallen, unlike most of Germund," Triss said, politely motioning them to follow, which they did obediently.


    "Hmm? Why do you think the enemies didn''t attack your garrison?" Aurelia asked as Triss led them along the dirt path toward the ancient dark rock walls of the defence tower. Its pointed tip soared high into the sky, with interconnected buildings inside the three-metre-high walls.


    "Well¡­ I guess it''s because they lost in the forest? Fufu," Triss replied, chuckling softly.


    "Stop asking the obvious. It just makes people question your intellect," Friederich whispered to his princess, but she waved him off dismissively.


    "It''s called small talk, Fried. Try it sometimes. It''ll make you more likeable," She quipped, winking at him.


    "Hades''s hell!" He grumbled, his face sour in exasperation.

 35. Defence Tower I

    Triss led them through the massive metal gate, where a few Novitcius mages, clad in identical dark outfits, emerged to greet them. The stone path beneath their feet was ancient, dimly illuminated by flickering fluorescent lights, their wires sagging under their own weight. Aurelia and Friederich walked at Triss''s heels, while three Novitcius drifted behind them.


    As they arrived at the empty courtyard, a strange vessel stood out, so out of place that it disrupted the eerie stillness. Aurelia recognised it immediately ¡ª it was a spacecraft from Luna base. Yet another question loomed so heavily in her mind that she couldn''t help but probe Triss.


    "Why is a DebrisX spacecraft here?" She asked, her gaze locking onto her father''s company logo emblazoned on the side of the craft.


    "They made an earthfall a few days back, and they''ve been helping us set up the defence tower ever since!" Triss explained, clasping her hands together excitedly.


    As Aurelia''s group approached the main building, one man among the three stood out. He was the tallest and noticeably overweight, likely in his fifties. He had dark eyes and short dark hair, with bangs swept to the side, exposing his wrinkled forehead. With a smirk, he waved at them, his peculiar jumpsuit sticking out like a sore thumb. His approach was casual, almost too natural.


    Once within earshot, he greeted them with a boisterous, "Hello! Gentlemen and lady~"


    Then, as his eyes fell upon Aurelia, his jaw dropped in shock. "Princess Aurelia?!" He blurted out, hastily covering his mouth.


    "Yes, indeed she is. And you are?" Friederich questioned him back, sceptically stepping between them after realising the man was standing uncomfortably close to his princess.


    "I beg your pardon! How rude of me. I''m David McDonald, employee number 5897L. I''ve been working with DebrisX as a coordinator for ten years now," He proclaimed proudly before letting out a hearty, raucous laugh.


    "Nice to meet you, David," Aurelia replied, softening her voice to appear more regal. "Thank you for your years of service to my father''s company."


    David nodded vigorously. "Pleased to meet you, Princess! And you must be her prime guardian, Friederich Eir Regis." He bowed politely, but Friederich motioned for him to stop.


    "No need for formalities. This isn''t a diplomatic mission," Friederich said bluntly.


    "By the way, Triss, here, has been a great help! I actually broke my arm during our landing, but she used, um¡­" David trailed off, struggling to recall the term.


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    "Iasis," Triss supplied calmly.


    "Yes! Yes! Magic is incredible!" David exclaimed. He could almost hear Jack laughing at him, reminding him of all the hours wasted arguing about the existence of the arcane ¡ª Jack had been right all along, and David had been too stubborn to believe it.


    "Well, David, thanks for helping with the lighting set-up here," Triss said, appreciating his efforts in integrating technology with the ancient defence tower and improving the residents'' quality of life.


    "Don''t mention it! It''s the least I can do~you did fix my arm, after all. I might as well put it to good use!"


    David checked the time on his bulky wrist device. "I''ve gotta run! I bid you farewell, m''lady, sirs, and madams!" He said before fading into the distance.


    "What a nice uncle," Aurelia murmured, watching the gleeful man return to his craft. Supplies were scattered beside it, suggesting they were in the midst of repairs or maintenance.


    Soon, Aurelia, Friederich, and Triss arrived at the dining hall, where they received their food rations ¡ª a simple loaf of bread and a bowl of pulled beef soup. The meal was bland and tasteless, but Aurelia didn''t complain. She was grateful to have sustenance and a roof over her head.


    Triss''s hospitality was evident as she recounted her story. She had been stationed here for six months, studying diligently, honing her arcane abilities, and assisting villages by treating wounds and diseases. The once-abandoned defence tower had essentially become a makeshift hospital.


    "Well, we aren''t the warmongering type, so this is the least we Renaissance mages can offer," She said in her ever-divine voice, clasping her hands together. "Which is why the gods and goddesses protect us from the malicious titans."


    Friederich exhaled deeply, justifying things differently in his mind. "It''s because, one, the castle is in the middle of nowhere, and two, it''s close to Mirehaven, a haunted forest. There''s literally no strategic advantage in attacking this garrison. More importantly, the defence tower had no barrier up and appeared abandoned."


    "I¡­ um¡­ I know you feel differently. I''m terribly sorry for sensing your thoughts. It''s an innate arcane trait of mine¡­ one I sometimes struggle to control," Triss admitted sheepishly, averting her green eyes.


    "Wait, what? You''re a clairvoyant?" Aurelia asked, both amused and intrigued. It was rare for Novitcius to develop clairvoyant abilities unless their bloodline had deep ties to future forecasters, also known as, fortune tellers.


    "Yes¡­ I have Proleptis, but I can''t control it well. It happens randomly, like just now." Triss explained, ashamed of herself.


    "I''m terribly sorry. I didn''t mean to offend you or your beliefs," Friederich apologised with a slow nod.


    "No need, Sir Prime Guardian. It''s not your fault for pondering ~ it''s my fault for prying into your mind."


    Aurelia shot Friederich a cunning glance. "Don''t think anything perverted around her, or she''ll sense it," She whispered teasingly, causing him to flush red.


    "Of course not! Why would I?!" Friederich blurted out, clearly embarrassed, while the girls chuckled in response.


    As night fell, silence enveloped the garrison. Yet, one elven man remained awake, training alone in the northern training grounds. The two halves of the moon shimmered through drifting clouds, casting a serene backdrop, perfect for focus and discipline. Friederich conjured his light swords, summoning and dismissing them in succession. He started with a few, gradually increasing to twelve at once, their ethereal glow illuminating the surroundings.


    He practised tirelessly, refining his footwork and fencing techniques until his body was drenched in sweat. His coat clung to his form, accentuating his lean, sculpted physique.


    "Let''s try to exalt," Friederich murmured to himself.

 36. Defence Tower II

    Then he closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. The image of a katana began to form in his mind. He focused intensely, picturing every detail, the sharp curvature of the blade, the guard''s elegant design, and the intricate engravings along its length. Once the vision solidified, he chanted, "Lampos!"


    A glowing katana flickered into existence in his hands. "Haha!" He let out a weary laugh before the sword dissipated into thin air, unable to hold its form. The elven man collapsed to the ground, completely drained. He had depleted his mana once again ¡ª it would take at least six hours before he could attempt another spell.


    "Working hard, young man!" A boisterous voice echoed from the accessway. A large figure leaned casually against the stone wall.


    "Oh, you''re David, right?" Friederich asked, raising his perfectly arched eyebrows.


    "Aye!" The man smiled warmly as he approached. "I''ve been watching you train for a while now. Never thought mages had to work this hard."


    "Hmm?" Friederich responded, slightly confused.


    "Well, to be honest~I never believed mages were real, considering how rare you lot are," David clarified, his teeth gleaming under the fluorescent light.


    "I can''t blame you for that."


    "Right? And I used to think magic was effortless, like you guys could just snap your fingers and create things from thin air," He continued, emphasizing the words. Scratching his head, he added, "But seeing how much study and training it takes, not to mention the mana you need to fuel spells. It''s mind-blowing. I guess I''ve found a whole new perspective."


    Friederich immediately recognised David''s accent, he was a former Mechanii, a citizen of Dunkelheit. "Thank you. Nothing in this world comes easily. If it does, it''s probably too good to be true," He stated with pride, straightening himself with graceful composure.


    "Nice speech, young man!" David chuckled heartily.


    After a brief silence, Friederich asked out of curiosity, "What about you, old man? Why are you still up and about?"


    Slightly scowled at what Friederich called him, "Am I that old? I guess, I am," He thought to himself before returning to the young elf. "I just figured out how to fix the power generator from the arcanite engine. Some of us would like to get home, you see?" David''s dark eyes held a hint of longing.


    Friederich studied him for a moment before asking, "Did you¡­ lose someone during the war?"


    David shook his head. "I don''t think he''s dead¡­ Well, there is a friend. He''s the reason I''m pretty much alive." His voice carried more of a hopeful prayer than certainty, his eyes grew distant as if Jack would suddenly emerge from the shadow. Apparently, he did not.


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    The middle-aged man yawned before bidding farewell and disappearing down the dark corridor.


    As he waited for his mana to recover, Friederich decided to visit the most sacred place for arcanists ¡ª the library. He strode through the stone corridor, its path well-lit thanks to the DebrisX crews. The library stood like a grand relic of the past, lavishly adorned compared to the rest of the structure. Towering bookshelves lined the walls, filled with tomes of arcane knowledge. Darkwood tables and cushioned chairs were arranged neatly in the centre. Above, a magnificent stained-glass window depicting the All-Mother Gaia cast a mesmerising spectrum of colours as moonlight filtered through.


    After some browsing, Friederich found exactly what he was looking for; books on swordsmanship, various sword styles, the history of the katana, and even the metallurgical compositions used in blade forging. He settled at one of the tables and began his studies. Knowledge was just as crucial as creativity in the realm of magic, his former master, Ignius Lux Draconus, had drilled this lesson into him relentlessly.


    Friederich could almost hear his master''s voice in his mind. "Intellectually speaking, Stellius mages are the equivalent of doctorate scholars in the ancient world and more. Mastery demands commitment, creativity, and sheer will. How can you create a sword in your hand without knowing its weight, its structure, or its material composition? Thus, I implore you to study hard, and integrate knowledge with imagination. That is where true arcane mastery is forged."


    He chuckled, recalling the strict yet passionate expression his master often wore when lecturing their trio ¡ª Zetius, Aurelia, and himself.


    Ignius had always been harsh, but a hidden kindness resided beneath his stern demeanour. However, after the death of Zetius, his prime prodigy, Ignius had become grim and distant, his resentment toward the Mechaniis growing ever darker. Still, Friederich had never been able to fully grasp the depths of his master''s mind. The man remained an enigma.


    "Was that why he had ventured into D''Arcane? Such perilous magic¡­ A forbidden art wielded in conjunction with the binding oath, exploiting innocent lives devotion to Mother Gaia. In the end, the master had cast a devastating spell, drawing on the mana and lives of others, including his own¡­" Friederich''s thoughts drifted before he quickly shook them off and returned to his study.


    "Umm¡­" A soft voice broke the silence, echoing through the vast library. Friederich lifted his gaze, searching for the source.


    "Prime Guardian, why don''t you rest?" Triss''s melodic voice rang through the quiet hall. She wore a flowing white gown that shimmered in the moonlight, her veil absent for once, revealing her cascading wavy hair that framed her delicate collarbones and ample chest.


    "Sorry¡­ ahem, I''m, um, just reading," Friederich stammered, forcing himself to shake off the distracting sight of her ethereal beauty. The last thing he wanted was to trigger her clairvoyance with an unintentional indecent thought again.


    "O'' Mother Gaia, would you mind if I kept you company?" She asked gently, her emerald eyes glancing sideways. "I promise I won''t make a sound. Just quiet companionship to offer."


    "Well¡­ well," He hesitated slightly before composing himself. "Please, join me. But, um¡­ I''m drenched in sweat. I might not be the most pleasant company."


    "Fufu," She chuckled softly. Leaning in closer, she inhaled subtly before whispering, "You actually smell quite nice, Sir Prime Guardian."


    Friederich swallowed hard, steadying his nerves as he turned back to his studies. However, dismissing Triss''s unexpected boldness proved to be quite the challenge.


    Thus, the two spent the night in peaceful silence, reading under the watchful gaze of the All-Mother until the clock struck 2 AM, when they finally parted ways for some much-needed rest.

 37. Path to Destination

    For the past two days, Jack, Lupus, and Frain had been actively scouting the metropolitan area of southern Germund, hoping to find a suitable arcanite engine to replace the one in the one-armed Armatus he had hijacked ¡ª along with two puny bots.


    Occasional signs of war efforts could be seen in the summer sky as cruisers flew overhead. Yet, none paid any attention to Jack''s party. He believed the Armatus fleet had likely been rallied and concentrated in the major parts of the country, such as the industrialised cities. As a result, they had yet to encounter any Armatus knights during their search.


    On the first day, finding an intact arcanite engine proved difficult since most of the wreckage had been reduced to charred composites. They covered approximately 20 kilometres that day. However, while scouting near a national park, Frain managed to detect an Armatus mobile suit amidst the broken tree line. Upon closer inspection, they found it had sustained a puncture in the lower torso, narrowly missing its vital components.


    Working together, Lupus and Frain''s Wildren strength allowed them to pry open the protective carapace of the arcanite engine. Using a makeshift sledge fashioned from ropes and logs, they hauled it back to their rendezvous point.


    Once they reached the spot where they had left the Armatus suit, Jack decided to install the arcanite engine in one of the puny bots first. This was to minimise the risk of drawing unnecessary hostility from mages, just as he had when first encountering Lupus. With a fully functional bot, he expected it would be easier to navigate the ruins.


    That night, they found shelter in a two-storey abandoned house. Judging by the family photos still hanging on the walls, it had once been a home filled with warmth and joy. Lupus and Frain busied themselves cooking instant noodles they had found on the stove. Surprisingly, the electricity was still functional. Meanwhile, Jack worked on the puny bot, configuring a sentry protocol to serve as a security measure, providing surveillance in case any enemies attempted to sneak in.


    Later, they all huddled together in the large bedroom, with Jack lying on the floor atop a makeshift mattress. The girls seemed to be in high spirits, whispering and giggling before eventually dozing off. Jack, too, drifted into sleep once their cheerful murmurs subsided.


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    On the second day, Jack woke before sunrise while the others were still curled up together. Sticking to his routine, he checked his bot''s system, ensuring everything was ready for takeoff. Today, he planned to cover a much larger area using the Finder Keeper protocol, which would significantly speed up their search for the remaining two engines.


    "It''s cramped in here¡­" Jack grumbled as the three of them squeezed inside the cockpit. With two beautiful women sandwiching him, he could barely breathe. But there was no helping it ¡ª leaving one of them behind at the house was too risky. Leaving them both would expose him to threats. After all, there was still an ongoing war.


    "Hehehe! I can shrink down really small with arcane magic!" Lupus teased, winking at him as her chest brushed against his shoulder. The engine roared to life, and the puny bot lifted off, hovering five metres above the ground as it scanned the wreckage for arcanite signatures.


    Raising a brow, Jack asked, "You can?"


    "Pffft! Of course not! Are you crazy?" Lupus burst out laughing, her amusement contagious enough to make Frain chuckle along with her. "Old people really are so gullible! No wonder they get scammed so often!" She said, clearly entertained by his reaction.


    "Uncle Jack isn''t that old! Hehehehe!" Frain chimed in, though her loud giggle suggested otherwise. She wasn''t as quiet as she first seemed, her life as a slave had simply taught her to be reserved. But once Lupus started treating her like a sister, her bright personality began to shine through. While not as overly cheerful as Lupus, she had a warmth of her own.


    Jack sighed. "You cheeky little rabbit," He muttered, his red eyes focused on the data updating on his HUD. Sometimes, the Finder Keeper revealed grim discoveries ¡ª like charred corpses. That part was always daunting, he thought bitterly.


    Before half the day had passed, they managed to locate one functional arcanite engine. Jack returned and installed it into another puny bot. Suddenly, the cockpit felt lonelier without the girls beside him, they were now seated in the other bot. He hadn''t let them control it since they lacked training with mechanical glove controllers, but he had taught them to use the comms system so they could stay in contact.


    That afternoon, the comms light blinked green, and the HUD screen lit up in front of Jack.


    "I think it found another one! Yippie!" Lupus cheered. She sat comfortably in the pilot''s seat, with Frain sitting on her lap, Lupus'' arms wrapped around her torso. It was an oddly adorable sight, and Jack couldn''t help but grin like an idiot.


    "Yippie?" Frain repeated, tilting her head as her lion ears twitched.


    "I can monitor that from here, but thanks for letting me know. I''ll regroup with you two soon," Jack replied, steering his bot through the air towards them.

 38. Home

    In the late evening, they had returned from their scouting mission and successfully installed all three Arcanite engines into Jack''s vessels.


    Standing before the now fully functional transports, Lupus and Frain stepped forward. Lupus''s golden eyes were steady yet tinged with something serious as she gently threaded her fingers through Frain''s waving hair.


    "Jackie... I''ve decided," She said, her voice wavered and hesitant.


    Jack turned, dumbfounded. "What is it?"


    With meticulous fingers, Lupus reached for the Slave circlet around Frain''s neck. After a few careful wiggles, the device clicked and came loose.


    "What?" Frain gasped, eyes widening in shock. Her hands instinctively reached up, fingers tracing the bare skin where the circlet had been.


    "I give you your freedom, Frain," Lupus said with a gentle smile.


    "But why?" Frain''s purple eyes became glassy, her lips trembling as an unfamiliar emotion surged within her. The sheer, overwhelming joy of freedom washed over the girl.


    "Because you''re my friend," Lupus replied, her tone became firm. Her golden eyes flickered toward Jack. He met her gaze and nodded, a quiet acknowledgment of her choice. Her actions made him proud.


    Before Frain could break down and cry completely, Lupus suddenly grinned. "High five!" She cheered, shifting the tone in an instant. With laughter breaking the tension, the three joined hands in a three-way high five. Even Jack participated, despite feeling it was a little childish. Still, he indulged them. The past three days had proven that their bond was more than just an alliance ¡ª it was starting to feel like family.


    In truth, Lupus and Frain had kept him anchored, preventing him from sinking into the grim reality of war and loss. Jack knew that without them, he would have fallen into a much darker place. The weight of the past days pressed on him, the loss of his best friend David, the entire DebrisX crew. The memories of their time together on Luna Base flickered in his mind.


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    Jack steeled himself for tomorrow, he would reunite with his family. He clung to the hope that they were still waiting for him...


    But he was gravely mistaken.


    ***


    The flight from South Germund to Steinberg took two hours, with the Arcanite-saving flight protocol engaged. When they arrived at Jack''s home, he found nothing but devastation. The once-standing two-storey house had collapsed into smouldering wreckage, the fire long extinguished.


    The sight burned itself into Jack''s mind, a chill crawling down his spine. Hollow emptiness nested inside his chest as his fingers trembled slightly.


    He stepped down from the Armatus suit, the girls following behind. Their expressions darkened as they exchanged glances, but no one said a word.


    Typing on his datapad, Jack whispered, "Finder Keeper protocol."


    Two bots whirred to life, scanning the wreckage. Jack gritted his teeth, his hands clenched in quiet exasperation. A warm tap on both his shoulders made him pause, Lupus and Frain stood beside him, offering silent support.


    Minutes later, the results came in. Two charred corpses were identified beneath the ruins, one adult, and one child.


    Jack didn''t cry. He ordered the bots to dig graves, and he buried them himself. The man who once laughed so easily had grown silent. He felt nothing but an unbearable hollowness. No grief, no tears ¡ª only emptiness. His family was gone. His bloodline was severed. His future stolen by the cruelty of war.


    As the graves were filled, Lupus and Frain quietly placed flowers they had gathered from the remains of the garden, paying their respects. Jack sat on the ledge of a puny bot, legs dangling as he stared at the graves.


    Lupus approached carefully. "Jack¡­" She murmured, hesitant.


    Frain followed, pondering the right words to say.


    "I''m fine," Jack replied softly, forcing a smile.


    Lupus reached out, squeezing his shoulder. "Do you¡­ wanna talk about it? You can cry, you know." She turned to Frain for support, and the lion Wildren nodded slowly.


    "We won''t judge," Lupus added. Her voice wavered slightly, and an awkward chuckle escaped her lips despite the grief in her eyes.


    Jack exhaled a shaky breath. "It''s¡­ just hollow. Maybe I still think this is all a bad dream." He said, his tone husky and deepened.


    Lupus hesitated. "Is it because of your dementia?"


    "That too," Jack admitted. He held tightly onto a small locket, the only remaining piece of his family. "But mostly, it''s because I just buried two people I didn''t remember. At least, that''s what it feels like."


    Lupus opened her mouth, searching for words, but found none. Frain, too, struggled to respond.


    After a moment, Jack stood abruptly. "Let''s move, Lupus." He suggest firmly.


    She blinked in confusion. "Move?"


    "To Hasenwald. There''s nothing left for me here. But for you~ your family is still waiting."


    The girls exchanged glances before nodding solemnly. Soon, they climbed into their vessels, engines roaring to life. With a flick of Jack''s fingers, the ships lifted off the ground.


    Their journey to Hasenwald had begun.

 39. Onlooker

    Before the war, Steinberg was a lovely town, rich with residential areas adorned with beautiful villas and houses ¡ª some single-storey, others two-storey. Their grey brick walls were elegantly decorated with creeping green vines. Each house had a small garden on the side, where residents cultivated their preferred flowers and vegetables. Most fences shared a similar design, standing roughly a metre high, with dark bricks partially concealed by intertwining vines, lending a natural charm to the town.


    That was only a few days ago.


    Now, everything lay in ruins, piles of bricks, collapsed walls, shattered vehicles strewn across the streets, and homes reduced to darkened husks of ash.


    Approximately ten metres away from the one-armed Armatus and two small reconnaissance bots parked on the street, three figures emerged from their vessels, inspecting one of the wrecked structures. Unbeknownst to them, another man stood atop a nearby building, his stance regal, hands folded neatly behind his lower back.


    His golden eyes were unmistakable, sharp and piercing like a dragon''s. His sleek dark-green hair was parted symmetrically at the sides, complementing his refined appearance. He wore a crimson-red suit and tie, with a single flower tucked into his chest pocket. Despite his true age, he appeared no older than a man in his thirties.


    A sudden vibration emanated from the datapad fastened to his belt. Casually, he picked it up, glancing at the screen with a frown before answering.


    "Suingi! Where are you?!" A female voice boomed through the device, the force of it almost stirring the air around him.


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    The astral empress''s displeased expression filled the screen.


    "Good morning, Astral Empress Nohrell," Suingi greeted politely, unperturbed.


    "Ugh! Doesn''t matter. Get back here right now. The war room meeting is about to start!" She commanded, rolling over in her bed, unclothed. Her immaculate, curvaceous figure lay sprawled on the white bedsheets, her stomach pressed against the mattress, an almost erotic sight ¡ª if Suingi weren''t entirely asexual. Her tail wiggled playfully, betraying the fact that she wasn''t actually angry.


    "Right away, Astress," Suingi replied with a weak smile. "After I''ve finished my task here."


    Her expression swiftly shifted from contentment to shock, then to irritation. "What?! How am I supposed to handle this without you?!" She whined, shoving her face so close to the datapad''s camera that it filled the entire frame.


    "Astress, if I may, you''ve managed just fine for a few meetings now. Also, may I remind you that it was your ''astral'' idea to wage war against the Osten Empire, despite the fact that we have barely increased our Armatus production by two~."


    Before he could finish, Nohrell let out an exasperated growl. "Ugh! You''re no fun! Stop spouting numbers and figures, they give me even more wrinkles every time you mention them!" She rolled her eyes dramatically.


    "My deepest apologies, Astral Empress Nohrell." Suingi bowed his head, theatrical in his motion.


    "Fine! Just get back here as soon as you can, you hear me? I need my adviser by my side." She snapped her head to the side, puffing her cheeks in irritation.


    Observing her childish antics, Suingi often wondered; were all rulers like this? Did they all have hidden personas unknown to the public? If that were the case, perhaps the revered rulers chronicled in history books had their own peculiar obscenities, veiled from the world. A fascinating mystery of royal records and historical legacies.


    "Understood, Astress," He replied politely, pressing the disconnect button with his gloved finger.


    Content with himself, Suingi continued to watch Jack''s group from afar until their burial rite of his family was complete and they flew off in their machines. Satisfied, he cast a portal before stepping through, vanishing without a trace.

 40. Hasenwald

    The one-armed Armatus and two puny bots tore through the dense forest. Their thrusters flickered between red and blue jets. Hovering just above the tree line, roughly twelve meters from the grassy ground, their propulsion sent branches swaying outward. Withered grey leaves scattered into the air like drifting embers. Beneath them, the dark forest stretched endlessly, eerie and foreboding. In their peripheral vision, the hazy branches seemed to morph into humanoid figures.


    The comm light pinged green. Lupus''s video feed popped up on Jack''s HUD screen.


    "Jackie! I think I just saw wood phantoms!" Lupus exclaimed, her voice laced with terror. She was inside one of the puny bots along with Frain.


    The lion Wildren, on the other hand, remained unfazed by the ominous forest. She sat beside Lupus in a makeshift passenger seat, refusing to be separated from her master. Well, technically former master, now a companion.


    "A what?" Jack asked, squinting as if that would sharpen his hearing.


    "Wood phantoms!" Lupus shouted, eyes momentarily squeezed shut.


    "Hm?" Jack tilted his head, unconvinced. He wasn''t particularly superstitious. Magic was one thing, but phantoms? That was a bit much.


    Frain grinned mischievously and slowly crept up beside Lupus. Suddenly, she poked her in the side.


    "Ah!?" The rabbit yelped, hopping up only to land right back in her seat. There wasn''t enough space inside the cockpit.


    Jack and Frain burst into laughter, their rowdy amusement filling the comms. The tide had turned. The teasing bunny girl was now the one being teased. Lupus''s ears drooped onto her silver hair, her cheeks puffing up into a cute pout as she let out a groan of discontent.


    After fifteen minutes, the dark forest thinned. The treeline separating it from the small town became more defined. Streetlamps glowed in the distance. The sun edged closer to the horizon, painting the sky in mesmerising shades of orange and purple. Jack''s gaze lingered on the large river to his left. Its rippling surface was pristine, reflecting the evening sky in a mesmerising dance of colours. Tracing his eyes upstream, he spotted an industrialised city and a massive concrete structure shimmering in the far distance. Its retaining wall resembled a colossal dam flanked by two mountain ridges ¡ª a dam mountain.


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    "Lupy, on your left. What''s that town over there?" Jack asked out of curiosity.


    Lupus instinctively turned her head over her shoulder, momentarily forgetting she was in a cockpit. She was met by Frain''s chest.


    "Ah, my bad," She muttered sheepishly before navigating the camera with her glove controller to get a visual.


    "Oh! That''s another town, an industrial estate. We call it ''The Eastern Dam'' because, well, that concrete thingy is a dam," She replied.


    "I figured as much," Jack nodded.


    "It also provides my hometown with electricity, among other things," Lupus added, perking up. Knowing Frain''s enthusiasm, she exchanged a knowing smile with the girl.


    To their right, a defence tower loomed beside the mountain ridge. Its structure was ancient. The dark stone walls appeared abandoned, with no visible arcane barrier to protect it.


    Following Lupus''s instructions and his navigation system, Jack led the bots along the river. Eventually, they reached the river''s end, where the water shifted from horizontal to vertical. It cascaded down in an endless stream nearly a hundred meters wide. This was the first impression of Hasenwald, a scenic wonder described by Wilhelm Mae Arden.


    "That''s the riverfall!" Lupus exclaimed excitedly.


    Frain scrambled to the viewport to catch a glimpse. Her purple eyes widened in awe at the spectacular sight.


    Jack felt a wave of relief wash over him. Not because of the breathtaking view, but because this town had been untouched by war.


    "Thank the almighty gods and goddesses¡­ Thank goodness," He silently prayed.


    Nestled below the riverfall was a quaint town. White houses and fences lined the cliffside in a zig-zag pattern. Their architecture was carved into the white stone itself in a burrowed style. At the foot of the waterfall, a port housed various anchored boats, rocking gently with the ocean-like waves created by the cascade.


    Water droplets filled the air, catching the sunlight and creating a surreal, magical atmosphere. The whole town of Hasenwald felt like something out of a dream, unlike anything Jack had seen before.


    "Umm¡­ Where should we land?" Jack asked bluntly.


    Lupus directed him toward a clearing just outside the town. Once they disembarked, they traced a path toward a white concrete road leading into the city. The town was quiet, with only the occasional rabbit Wildren loitering about.


    As they passed under a white arch adorned with towering statues, Jack took in the figures. One depicted the river god Achelous, the other his raging bull, both crafted from white marble. Their intricate, surreal design hinted at arcane involvement.


    Everything was in various shades of white ¡ª off-white, milky white, plain white. Walking ahead of Jack and Frain, Lupus''s silver hair fluttered in the wind. Its strands slithered like liquid silver, catching the last rays of sunlight. They gleamed with an ethereal glow, like those of a goddess. In Jack''s intrusive thoughts, she might very well have been a reincarnation of one.


    The crisp, moist air filled their lungs, cool and refreshing without being freezing. Serene and tranquil, Hasenwald was a haven untouched by war. Jack found himself dreaming, just for a moment, of making this place his home. A long-overdue retirement plan began forming in his mind. No war to worry about. Just a man, living a modest life.

 41. Hoffmann’s Estate

    Jack stood in awe, his eyes widening in shock. The house he had pictured in his mind, a modest two-storey dwelling, crammed with too many family members, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, before him loomed an entire mansion, its pristine white structure burrowed into the side of a vast, pale cliff. Dozens of windows, perhaps fifty in total, gleamed in the sunlight. A towering metal gate, dark and adorned with gold accents, encircled the estate, standing at an imposing four metres. At its centre, a gold-plated sign read ¡®House of Hoffmann,¡¯ accompanied by a family crest depicting a leaping rabbit.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hop in, everyone!¡± Lupus exclaimed joyfully, striding forward with a hum on her lips.


    The front portion of the house jutted out from the main structure, serving as both an entrance and guest area. Lupus led Jack and Frain through the automatic doors into a grand hall, its arched ceiling soaring ten metres high. The corridor stretched endlessly, lined with intricate designs that hinted at the house¡¯s rich history.


    Jack¡¯s mind reeled, every detail suddenly falling into place.


    "Holy moly! The pricey inn, her golden arc boots, her ridiculous spending habits, buying Frain on a whim, that extravagant gift¡­ It was all excessive. Was she a highborn? Maybe this was the equivalent of a palace? A magistrate¡¯s daughter?"


    His train of thought was abruptly interrupted as two young Wildren children, no older than ten, sprinted towards Lupus.


    ¡°Lupy! Lupy! Lupy!¡± A little boy chanted, hopping along while gripping a bamboo sword. His twin sister trailed behind him, waving frantically. Both wore identical toothy grins ¡ª ones that mirrored Lupus¡¯ own.


    ¡°Lumie! Lumus!¡± Lupus cried out in delight, throwing her arms wide open. The three embraced tightly in a heartwarming reunion. Jack froze, watching them, torn between feeling happy for her and battling the pang of jealousy creeping up his chest. But as Lupus turned towards him, he buried the ugly thoughts, forcing a smile onto his lips. Unfortunately, it turned out rather¡­ unsettling.


    ¡°Stop grinning like a creep, Jackie!¡± She quipped. Frain exaggeratedly pulled her own cheeks into an awkward grin, mocking him.


    That evening, Jack found himself seated at an impossibly long dinner table with twenty-two seats ¡ª plus two extra for guests. Every member of Lupus¡¯ family was present: her parents, twelve brothers, and seven sisters, their ages ranging from seven to twenty-eight. They welcomed Jack and Frain with open arms, their exuberant personalities unmistakably the source of Lupus¡¯ own lively nature.


    The meal itself was a grand feast. Delicacies and drinks covered the table in excess, more than enough to satisfy even the heartiest appetite. Yet, despite the abundance, the dining atmosphere remained poised and dignified, with the exception of Lumus, the cheekiest of the bunch, who couldn¡¯t resist sneaking a playful poke at his twin sister¡¯s side. Jack quickly learned that rabbit Wildrens were particularly sensitive in that area. He made a mental note of it, knowing such a detail might come in handy one day.


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    Jack wasn¡¯t particularly surprised when Lupus¡¯ parents, Ludwig and Petra Hoffmann, revealed themselves as the magistrate and vice-magistrate of Hasenwald. Over dinner, he also gathered that Lupus was their eighteenth child, with Lumie and Lumus being the youngest additions to the family. He marvelled at how such a large household could function so harmoniously, every member contributing to the prosperity of the Hoffmann name.


    That night, after the meal, Lupus took Jack and Frain to a scenic overlook. The city¡¯s layout, built along a zigzagging cliff, made navigation surprisingly efficient with electric lifts and escalators.


    Stepping onto the large balcony, Jack was met with a breathtaking sight: the grand riverfall cascading endlessly below. Above, the shattered remnants of the former moon adorned the starry sky, casting an eerie yet mesmerising glow.


    He inhaled the crisp, mist-laden air, letting the droplets settle on his skin, washing away the weight of reality. Suddenly, a soft whimper sounded behind him, followed by a gentle nudge against his back. Turning, he found Frain pressing against him, nuzzling close as though he were her pack leader.


    Uncertain how to react, Jack glanced at Lupus for guidance. She closed her eyes in an exaggerated motion, then nodded. Taking the hint, he reached out, fingers brushing through Frain¡¯s hair. She purred in contentment.


    ¡°She¡¯s, um¡­ we¡­¡± Lupus stammered, heat rising to her cheeks. She struggled for the right words while Jack tilted his head in confusion.


    Eventually, she exhaled and spoke with quiet conviction. ¡°We¡¯re family now.¡± Her voice was clear as the river below, though her expression remained tinged with embarrassment.


    Jack smiled, appreciating the sentiment. ¡°I know you¡¯re saying that because I¡¯ve lost¡­ everything,¡± He murmured, his gaze drifting towards the waterfall, ears attuned to the soothing rush of water.


    Then, without warning, Lupus lunged forward, arms outstretched. Before he could react, she wrapped him and Frain in a tight embrace.


    ¡°Lu~Lupy?¡± Jack stammered, his thoughts scattering like waves against a shore. He couldn¡¯t comprehend why she would say such words, why she would do such a thing.


    ¡°Stay with me, Jackie. Please,¡± She whispered, her plea raw and unguarded.


    Jack had no words, yet his head nodded on its own, as if bound by an unseen force. Was this what he truly desired? Had his heart longed for her all along? Or was it merely the comfort of companionship filling the void within him? Countless questions swirled in his mind, overwhelming him.


    ¡°Stay with us, family!¡± Frain chimed in, rubbing her face against his side.


    ¡°Yes¡­ family,¡± Jack echoed under his breath. He closed his eyes, allowing gratitude to wash over him. For the first time in a long while, he appreciated what life had to offer.


    Persuasion had not been necessary. He already knew ¡ª he needed a new place to call home, a fresh start. At least here, he wouldn¡¯t have to rebuild from nothing. With that thought, he resolved to begin a new chapter of his life in Hasenwald, western Germund.

 42. Hein

    For the past week, Jack had been on patrol duty. There wasn''t much movement from the Dunkelheit forces in the area ¡ª only the occasional flyby of a war cruiser some 100 kilometres away. Yet, none seemed particularly interested in the region or in Hasenwald.


    All the while, Jack focused on what he did best, scavenging debris. Believe it or not, within a 30-kilometre radius of Hasenwald, quite a few fallen Armatus suits lay scattered about, remnants of the Light of Punishment or its aftereffects. Jack was able to strip them for usable parts, piecing together functional units. Fortunately, the magistrate had recommended an engineer named Hein to assist with the task.


    Hein was a rabbit Wildren, around 40 years old, who owned a workshop specialising in the repair and maintenance of the city''s elevators and escalators. He was a thin man with long dark hair tied into a single ponytail and large brown eyes. More often than not, he was wittier than he let on.


    It reminded Jack that, despite the existence of arcane magic, technology was still deeply integrated into daily life, continuously improving the quality of life for residents.


    One evening, when the sun was more forgiving and the weather less harsh than the day before, Jack arrived at Hein¡¯s workshop. It was situated on the far left corner of town, its spacious front yard overlooking a pristine lake. A small dock led up to the front gate, used for transporting materials, spare parts, and wear parts. Waist-high metal fences enclosed the scrapyard, securing Hein¡¯s property and assets.


    The Armatus and two puny bots made a soft landing in the scrapyard¡¯s vacant area, their thrusters dimming as they kicked up clouds of dust.


    Dressed in his brown jumpsuit, Hein approached, pleased with the haul. He motioned for his team to prepare the equipment before stepping in to inspect a fallen Armatus suit, missing both legs and its thruster.


    Standing in front of Jack¡¯s first-ever hijacked Armatus suit, now fully equipped with a new functional arm, Hein called out over the noise of the engines, ¡°Wow! Nice loot today, Jack!¡±


    As the engines wound down, Jack stepped out from the cockpit of the puny bot beside him.


    Hein turned, scratching his head awkwardly. ¡°Oh¡­ you¡¯re in that?¡±


    Jack laughed. ¡°Ahaha! Yeah, an old habit of mine.¡± He approached the rabbit Wildren. ¡°I just feel more comfortable in the puny bot¡¯s cockpit than in an Armatus.¡±


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    ¡°How¡¯s that one looking?¡± Hein asked, pointing at the fallen Armatus.


    ¡°Initial scans show a functional system up to the torso, but the main circuit and engine are fried,¡± Jack explained as they walked towards the workshop.


    Hein paused, pondering for a moment. ¡°But we scavenged those a couple of days back, didn¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°Luckily, we found the missing piece,¡± Jack said with a grin.


    Inside the high-ceilinged workshop, technicians worked on an overhead crane, carefully transporting a massive motor. One controlled the crane via a wired remote, while two others guided it with ropes, preventing it from swaying.


    ¡°The more, the merrier, I¡¯d say,¡± Hein remarked, gesturing for Jack to follow. He then proudly stood beside a newly modified Armatus suit, painted silver and white, fully equipped with thrusters, ionised blades, and plasma guns ¡ª towering at a staggering ten metres in height.


    ¡°Holy moly, you¡¯ve finished the modifications?¡± Jack asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement and admiration. He examined the colossal war machine, appreciating its sleek and aesthetically refined design. With Hein¡¯s expertise, his workshop, and his crew, they had managed to recreate a sophisticated war machine, an army of their own.


    Jack subconsciously ran his fingers along the sleek, glossy finish of its legs, admiring the immaculate paint job. The sensation reminded him of a flashy sports car, but this one could destroy mountains and withstand storms.


    ¡°Yes, yes. I knew you¡¯d love it,¡± Hein said, arms crossed, a prideful grin on his face.


    By the end of the week, Jack and Hein had managed to produce one more Armatus suit, bringing Hasenwald¡¯s defences to a total of three Armatus suits and two puny bots.


    Meanwhile, Lupus and Frain had been immersed in local government duties, assigned directly by the magistrate, Ludwig. Unlike Jack¡¯s tasks, Lupus¡¯s work was monotonous ¡ª providing security details and acting as a personal escort. There was little need for a war-mongering spellcaster of her calibre in Hasenwald. After all, the town had been largely neglected amid the brewing war. Her three siblings, who had also pursued the arcane arts, had each earned the title of Stellius. It was no coincidence that the magistrate sought to have his long-separated daughter by his side.


    With four Stellius mages, Lupus¡¯s title as the Olympian Mage, and Frain accompanying Hasenwald¡¯s magistrate, negotiations over trade routes with Porand merchants and discussions on property development with contractors proceeded seamlessly.


    In this society, wealth was considered a form of soft power. But if one chose to invest in an army, that soft power could quickly transform into real power. Much like arcane warfare, that was hard power.


    By the end of the week, a successful agreement had been reached. A new trade route for spices was secured with Porand, granting Hasenwald advantageous tariffs while maintaining a non-predatory contract. Meanwhile, the contractors finalised preparations for the construction of a large pier to accommodate the expected increase in trade traffic.

 43. Lupus’s Dismay

    On that night, when the shattered moon was absent from the sky, Lupus trudged forward, her feet dragging across the carpeted floor. Exhaustion clung to her despite doing nothing but travelling with her parents. At the very least, she had learned of their unwavering passion for fostering the town. Yet, this was not quite what she wanted to do. In fact, ever since Lupus had achieved her title, she hadn¡¯t found a new goal to pursue.


    She found herself standing subconsciously in front of Jack¡¯s room, already forgetting why she had come in the first place. Dully, she balled her fist, her knuckles turning white, and tapped herself lightly on the head. ¡°Stupid,¡± She muttered under her breath.


    Suddenly, her rabbit ears twitched at the sound of faint laughter seeping from his room. Overwhelmed by curiosity, she pressed herself against the wall, eavesdropping intently.


    ¡°... I figured you might need a drinking companion. Are you a wine or ale drinker, Jack?¡± A female voice asked, her familiar tone brimming with excitement.


    ¡°It¡¯s Lunice, my eldest sister,¡± Lupus analysed.


    ¡°I¡¯d say ale, though I¡¯m staying away from alcohol right now. A lot has happened~ah,¡± Jack¡¯s deep, sultry voice was abruptly cut short by a sharp exhale.


    ¡°What the heck¡­¡± Lupus pondered, her expression grimacing as she strained to listen more closely.


    ¡°My, what¡¯s wrong with your back?¡± Lunice asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s, um, the gravity. It¡¯s not exactly forgiving on this body of mine.¡±


    ¡°My, perhaps I should give you a massage~.¡± Lunice¡¯s words were cut off as the door swung open and Lupus stormed in, her expression displeased.


    ¡°Stop messing around, Lunice!¡± Lupus barked, doing her best to mask her extreme embarrassment. Her sudden entrance froze both Lunice and Jack in place.


    Inside the spacious room, Lunice and Jack sat across from each other on the couch. A glass of wine rested in Lunice¡¯s hand, while Jack held Arcane 101, a tome Lupus had gifted him. Despite being the eldest, some ten years older than Lupus. Lunice was slightly shorter than her sister but noticeably curvier. Her silver hair was tied into a single ponytail, and her dark eyes were just as expressive as Lupus¡¯s. She wore a white gown with intricate embroidery, leaving her tanned shoulders and upper chest enticingly exposed, while a Stellius silver ring adorned her index finger.


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    ¡°Lupy! I¡¯m not playing around. Go entertain the twins while the adults discuss important matters,¡± Lunice said, waving her off before turning back to Jack. ¡°Pardon her rudeness. She¡¯s always like this ¡ª barging in and causing a commotion.¡±


    Lupus shot a glare at Jack as if this were somehow his fault before snapping back to her sister. ¡°I¡¯m an adult too! And you¡¯re already drunk! Get to bed, you have another escort job first thing in the morning!¡± She huffed, grabbing Lunice and ushering her toward the exit.


    Lunice squirmed but eventually complied. ¡°Then I bid you goodnight, Mr Jack!¡± She called, winking at him before being shoved out of the room. Lupus immediately swung the door shut and pressed her back against it.


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡± She mumbled sheepishly, avoiding his gaze.


    Jack offered an awkward smile, unsure how to respond. Instead, he simply returned to reading his book.


    After a moment, Lupus shuffled in and sat beside him, her thigh brushing against his. Jack instinctively moved back a little, clearing his throat and trying to act indifferent.


    Lupus narrowed her eyes. ¡°Would you like to explain?¡± She probed, her tone hardening.


    ¡°What?¡± Jack blurted, his focus on the book intensifying. The glyphs were suddenly making a lot more sense.


    Blowing air out of her nose, Lupus grabbed a clean wine glass, poured the crimson liquid, and raised it to down in one go.


    ¡°Aey! What¡¯re you doing?¡± Jack asked, grabbing her arm.


    ¡°I¡¯m your drinking companion now, okay?¡± She declared, her pettiness palpable.


    ¡°Lupy, your sister came to me with a bottle of wine while I was minding my own business, reading. I told her I didn¡¯t want any, and besides, it wouldn¡¯t be proper,¡± Jack explained in his husky voice, studying her. Lupus seemed to have calmed down, somewhat.


    Satisfied, she downed the whole glass in one swift motion. Heat spread through her throat and face almost immediately.


    Jack returned to his book, but Lupus, unable to contain her curiosity, blurted out, ¡°Umm, do you like that kind of woman?¡± Her voice began to slur slightly under the alcohol¡¯s influence.


    ¡°What?¡± Jack asked, raising an eyebrow at her.


    ¡°I asked if you like that kind of woman. Do you like Lunice?!¡± She repeated, louder than intended, a sternness laced in her voice.


    ¡°Nope. I don¡¯t. That¡¯s why I didn¡¯t take her drink. And the door wasn¡¯t even locked ¡ª wait, why are you interrogating me?¡± Jack asked warily.


    ¡°Good,¡± She purred, cupping her flushed cheeks and flashing him a sweet smile.


    ...She¡¯s definitely drunk. That was quick. It must be her Wildren trait, Jack mused, making a mental note.

 44. Arcane 101 I

    ¡°Say, what are you reading?¡± Lupus asked, tracing her fingers along the edge of the book in Jack¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Oh... I¡¯ve been trying to learn more about the arcane. I¡¯ve been deciphering glyphs and runes for some time now,¡± Jack replied enthusiastically. He then launched into an explanation of how he had compared the symbols to modern language and had finally managed to understand the book''s contents.


    Lupus chuckled softly, watching his excitement with an amused glint in her upturned eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve outdone yourself, my esteemed Novitcius,¡± She praised, her voice carrying a cheerful lilt.


    ¡°Still, the arcane system is based on essence... Oh, and there¡¯s a word here,¡± Jack continued, skimming over a diagram of a circle with smaller circles along its radius. ¡°Slot? I don¡¯t quite understand that yet,¡± He admitted, recalling a conversation between Willhelm and Lupus at House Tasmania.


    ¡°Oh, my student, would you like me to teach you?¡± Lupus asked, running a finger over her plum lips in anticipation.


    ¡°Please!¡± He replied eagerly, shuffling closer so she could see the book properly.


    ¡°Ahem! So, our arcane system comprises two separate entities: essence and slots. You already know that, right?¡± Lupus paused. When Jack nodded, she continued, ¡°Well, let¡¯s see... um... ah!¡± She hesitated, struggling to find the right words. Teaching had never been her strong suit; in truth, this was the first time she had ever explained arcane concepts to anyone.


    Seeing his furrowed brows, she offered a sheepish smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s better if I show you!¡± Lupus eventually suggested, lifting a finger. ¡°Now extend your hand,¡± She instructed. Jack obeyed, though his confusion only grew.


    ¡°Now repeat after me and focus on your fingertip: Epopteia!¡± She commanded.


    ¡°Epopteia?¡± Jack echoed hesitantly, stumbling over the unfamiliar pronunciation.


    Lupus gestured for him to try again. Their fingertips touched.


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    ¡°Epopteia!¡± They chanted in unison.


    A blue glow enveloped them. Glyphs floated into the air, twirling like butterflies.


    ¡°Wow!¡± Jack gasped, his eyes reflecting the mesmerising lights.


    An image formed in his mind ¡ª not like a HUD screen before him, but as if imprinted onto his thoughts. Glowing lines and symbols appeared against a dark canvas, mirroring the glyph circles and their accompanying slots depicted in the book.


    ¡°How many do you see? The small circles around the edge?¡± Lupus asked.


    ¡°I counted... four. Wait!¡± Jack suddenly noticed something. ¡°There¡¯s something inside them.¡±


    Lupus chuckled softly. ¡°Those circles are slots. They¡¯re an innate trait, we¡¯re all born with a fixed number of them. Highborns tend to have more. In my case, I have four slots,¡± She explained excitedly.


    ¡°Okay...¡± Jack mused, processing the concept. Before he could ask about their purpose, Lupus interjected.


    ¡°Inside the slots, I can place essences. Each essence is different; think of them as spell types. Got it?¡±


    Jack raised a brow. ¡°So, to put it simply, essence is like a skill, and you need to equip them into slots to use them?¡±


    ¡°Aha!¡± She nodded, pleased.


    Jack rubbed his chin. ¡°So in your case, you can only have four spells at a time...?¡±


    ¡°Correct! Here, look, this one is Iasis,¡± Lupus pointed, and Jack instinctively knew where to look in his mind. The green essence, containing a pink blooming lotus, pulsed with light.


    ¡°A healing spell?¡± Jack guessed.


    Lupus nodded. ¡°Then there¡¯s Magnetos, Phoros, and Lagoskinesis!¡± She presented them one by one.


    She explained that Magnetos functioned as a barrier generator, capable of deflecting solid objects and close-combat weapons like plasma blades, while Phoros was particularly effective against projectiles.


    The last one caught Jack¡¯s attention. The essence had intricate designs along its edges and was noticeably larger than the others.


    ¡°Lagoskinesis? It looks oddly cute, like a furball,¡± Jack remarked, noting the silver tuft inside a white orb with an elegant vessel.


    ¡°Hehe, thanks! That¡¯s my passive essence. All Hoffmanns are born with it,¡± She said, averting her gaze. ¡°But, um... mine is epic,¡± She added, suddenly embarrassed when she should have been proud.


    ¡°What does it do?¡±


    ¡°I think it just makes us stronger and more agile, fufufu.¡±


    ¡°And you mentioned something about it being epic. What exactly does that mean?¡±


    Lupus smiled and patiently explained, ¡°Well, essences are classified by quality. The higher the quality, the stronger or more effective the spell.¡±

 45. Arcane 101 II

    ¡°That¡¯s intriguing,¡± Jack mused, flipping through the book. He vividly recalled reading about classifications.


    After a moment, he found the relevant section. ¡°So we have Lesser, Greater, Epic, Mythic, and Primordial?¡± He read aloud.


    Lupus leaned in close, her sun-kissed hair brushing against his shoulder. ¡°Yep, sounds about right. Although, no one has obtained a Primordial essence in a thousand years ¡ª not even the Empress Aurora herself,¡± She explained.


    ¡°Wow,¡± Jack murmured, realising just how much there was to learn about the arcane system. ¡°You can obtain essences?¡±


    Lupus nodded and continued, ¡°Mages have also found ways to overcome their limited slots, hence the invention of arc weapons and arc armour.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Your golden arc boots ¡ª do they have an extra slot?¡± Jack asked, his eyes lighting up as he pieced it together.


    ¡°Fufufu! Correct!¡± She chuckled, cupping her lips, their eyes locking for longer than they should. ¡°You¡¯re a quick thinker, Jackie!¡± She praised him, giving him a quick pat on the lower back.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s see yours! Most people, I mean, non-mages, are born with only one innate slot. But they can¡¯t use it since their mana isn¡¯t adequate to cast spells.¡± She motioned for him to perform another Epopteia ritual.


    They chanted once more, and another image flashed in their minds.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Jack and Lupus gasped in unison.


    The runic circle before them was far more intricate than Lupus''s, a grand design adorned with twelve slots.


    ¡°J-Jackie... You have twelve slots?!¡± Lupus exclaimed, utterly bewildered. She had never seen such a number before. Not even the Stellius or Lunarius mages she knew had that many.


    ¡°Maybe there¡¯s a mistake?¡± Jack replied sheepishly.


    Lupus shook her head firmly. ¡°Impossible.¡± Her expression grew serious.


    When Jack examined his Epopteia circle more thoroughly, he noticed the absence of essence in all but one of the slots.


    "Lupus, look! I think this is an essence," Jack pointed out. The small essence flickered to life in Lupus¡¯s vision.


    "It has a strange design, like a box of sorts. I¡¯ve never seen anything like it," She remarked. The orb contained a glowing purple box, composed of several smaller boxes of varying sizes, resembling a peculiar Rubik¡¯s cube.


    "Hmm¡­ You¡¯re definitely an anomaly. If we weren¡¯t busy with wars, maybe I¡¯d request one of the Celestius to look into yours," She mused, tapping her cheek thoughtfully.


    "Oh¡­ Thanks..." Jack murmured, massaging his temples. The entire ordeal took a strange toll on him, leaving a numbing headache in its wake.


    He closed the books and slumped deeper into the couch, his head tilted back against the arch of the backrest, eyes fixed on the ceiling as he processed everything.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking¡­ how¡¯s everything?¡± Lupus suddenly asked, switching the subject. She had just realised there was something else she¡¯d been meaning to ask him in the first place.


    "...Regarding my family, I don¡¯t feel anything," Jack replied coldly. His chest tightened, and his jaw clenched involuntarily. "And I hate myself for that."


    Placing a hand on his shoulder, Lupus spoke gently, "This isn¡¯t your fault, your dementia, your loss. None of it was by your own doing. You did your best, Jackie¡­ in case you didn¡¯t know that."


    Her warmth was soothing, but Jack didn¡¯t feel he deserved such kindness. He exhaled heavily. "I can¡¯t even cry..." He admitted bitterly.


    A heavy silence settled between them, thick and deafening. Jack had built a wall around himself, and Lupus would be lying if she said she wasn¡¯t trying to break it down.


    Realising the mood had soured, she sought a distraction. "Epopteia," She whispered. Soon, a ball of white light, the size of an adult¡¯s head, glowed in her palms.


    Forcing a smile, she handed it to Jack. "Here!"


    Jack¡¯s brows lifted in puzzlement. When she urged him again, he slowly took it into his hands.


    "This is the essence of Lagoskinesis, right?" He asked, confirming his knowledge. Lupus nodded, her face tinged with an inexplicable blush.


    The Lagoskinesis orb was warm and fluffy to the touch, emitting a faint purring sound. It felt like holding a small, living creature. Jack absentmindedly fondled the plush sphere, finding its texture oddly satisfying, akin to a stress ball.


    When he turned to Lupus, however, she was shifting uncomfortably, her fingers covering her lips as if suppressing a sound. Her face was deeply flushed, her ears twitching.


    "What¡¯s wrong with you?" Jack asked, perplexed. Then, realisation hit him like a bolt of lightning. Was she... aroused? His jaw dropped in pure shock.


    "Now stop fondling that! Ah! It¡¯s not a toy!" She snapped, her entire body trembling.


    "Okay..." Jack relented, though he couldn¡¯t help but notice a familiar scent wafting from the orb ¡ª Lupus¡¯s scent. His curiosity piqued. "Is it okay if I smell it?"


    "No! It¡¯s not okay!" She blurted, but it was too late. He had already inhaled deeply, letting the scent wash over him. Something stirred within him.


    "It smells really nice!~" Jack remarked, a euphoric gleam in his eyes.


    In an instant, Lupus recalled her essence back into her body, then grabbed Jack¡¯s collar and yanked him closer. "You¡¯ve done it now!" She muttered through gritted teeth, sweat trickling down her crimson cheeks.


    Without warning, her lips abruptly pressed against his. Jack caught the faint sweetness of wine lingering on her breath. Then, without hesitation, a soft tendril slithered its way into his mouth, entwining with his tongue like a passionate dance. It wasn¡¯t human, yet it was divine, enticing. Her tongue was far more agile, softer than anything he had ever known.


    To be fair, he had no memories of kissing any woman. However, this sudden intimacy left no room to question the euphoric arousal he felt as dopamine flooded his system, shutting down the logical part of his brain.


    The smoothness and moisture of the tendril were intoxicating, luring him deeper. Her nectar carried a sweetness with a slight viscosity, awakening something long forgotten within him.


    Overcome by the heat of the moment, Jack¡¯s mind focused solely on the woman before him. His hands found the back of her neck, pulling her in closer. As Lupus saddled him, brushing her chest against him, his finger traced and explored her outline, every beautiful curve and edge with enticing curiosity, all the while their kiss never parted. Every fibre of his being brimmed with the debaucherous desire of Lupus.


    Her sun-kissed scent, her goddess-like hair, the sweetest nectar of her tongue, and her intoxicating moans ¡ª every thought of her sent him spiralling into a bottomless abyss of indulgence. Like a maze of pure ecstasy, the deeper he wandered, the greater the thrill.


    Lupus¡¯s arms wrapped around him, embracing him completely. Her plump chest, especially her aroused buds, pressed against his body as he felt her heart racing with a tingling sensation. He couldn¡¯t escape or perhaps he simply didn¡¯t want to. Jack desperately wanted Lupus, and judging by her response, she wanted him just as much.


    ¡­


    After that moment, Jack learned another valuable lesson from his de facto teacher, there was a very clear reason why her bunny Wildren parents had managed to have twenty children.

 46. Aurelia’s Vision I

    "Huh?" Aurelia found herself lost in a strange, winding maze. The air was damp, thick with moisture, and carried the occasional stench of rotting carcasses, a clear sign that she was underground. Each step she took echoed against the black walls, amplifying her isolation. Disoriented and alone, she proceeded cautiously with her short legs.


    "Why am I seeing this vision?" She wondered, a sudden sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu forming in her mind. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t pinpoint the memory.


    The tunnel arched above her, its ceiling crafted from an eerie black rock that seemed to swallow light. She paused to take in her surroundings. The place looked like a dungeon of some sort, its oppressive darkness pressing in on her. The only source of illumination was the small ball of fire floating in her palm ¡ª her Empyrion spell. Swallowing hard, she tried to steady her nerves, but a bead of sweat trickled down her forehead.


    Then, a deep, guttural growl shattered the silence. Aurelia jolted upright, her eyes darting around in alarm. The sound echoed ominously, making it impossible to pinpoint its source. Her heartbeat quickened, each pulse pounding louder in her ears.


    A shriek rang out behind her.


    Terror seized her, and without a second thought, her instincts screamed at her to run. Her legs propelled her forward, a panicked scream escaping her lips. The relentless shuffling of footsteps, more than just two legs chased her, closing in.


    Up ahead, a faint glow flickered in the distance. A corridor of light.


    Despite her exhaustion, she pushed forward, dashing towards the warm amber glow. As she burst through the accessway, she momentarily shut her eyes, blinking against the sudden brightness.


    She found herself in a vast, cavernous space. The rocky ceiling stretched ten metres high, towering over her. And in the centre of it stood something ancient ¡ª a weathered red Torii gate, its worn surface whispering of forgotten history.


    But before she could turn to see her pursuer, a forceful blow struck her, sending her hurtling through the air. She crashed onto the rough, abrasive floor with a sickening thud, tumbling sideways.


    Her pink tunic tore, exposing her scraped, raw skin. Blood oozed from the wounds, the pain excruciating.


    "Ow¡­" She whimpered softly, her body trembling. She tried to stand, but numbness spread through her limbs.


    A shadow loomed over her.


    A massive wolf, the size of a fully grown man, let out a bone-chilling howl before lunging at her with its monstrous fangs.


    Tears streamed down Aurelia''s face. Her body curled up instinctively, her small hands covering her head as sheer terror consumed her.


    Then~


    "AURELIA!"


    A voice boomed across the cavern, halting the beast in its tracks.


    Its massive paws twisted mid-air, redirecting its momentum towards a new challenger.


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    A white-haired boy stood his ground, feet planted firmly, unfazed by the monstrous creature before him. He watched its every move, calculating. The moment the beast lunged, he sprang aside, moving with effortless agility. The wolf collided with the ground, the impact forcing a gust of air from its lungs.


    Without hesitation, he raised his arm. "Empyrion!" He commanded.


    The air around him crackled with energy. Glyphs spiralled down his body, flowing through his arm and condensing at his fingertip. A small, dense orb of energy formed, pulsating with fiery intensity.


    "Fire!" He shouted.


    A split second later, a searing flame erupted from his palm, tearing through the air with an ear-splitting boom. The force of the blast sent shockwaves outward, stirring the dust around them.


    But his aim was slightly off. The attack barely grazed the beast''s thick hide, singing its fur rather than inflicting serious damage.


    The wolf let out a deafening snarl. Its eyes gleamed in the dim light, burning with an almost demonic rage. Saliva frothed at its mouth.


    "Z''smite me!" the boy cursed under his breath, frustration laced in his tone. His stance shifted, adjusting for the next attack. The beast circled him warily, as though it had enough intelligence to anticipate his movements.


    It stood a head taller than the eleven-year-old boy before it. And yet, he stood firm.


    He refused to let it reach the girl.


    His red eyes flickered towards Aurelia, still sprawled on the ground. Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he thought, No point worrying about her now. If I don''t take this thing down, we''re both done for.


    Raising his hand once more, he aimed at the beast.


    "Empyrion, fire!" He roared~. Nothing happened.


    His breath hitched. "My mana is drained¡­!" He murmured in shock.


    The beast sensed his hesitation.


    Without warning, it sprang to the left, using the cavern wall to propel itself forward. With terrifying speed, it hurled its massive body at him, fangs and claws glistening in the firelight.


    The boy barely had time to react.


    Jaws clamped down on his arm.


    Pain exploded through him as he was thrown onto the cold, hard ground. The wolf''s fangs tore into his flesh, gnawing through his guard. He grit his teeth, suppressing a scream as agony surged through his twisted arm.


    Five metres away, Aurelia watched in horror. Her face turned pale.


    "ZETA!" She cried out, her hands trembling as she aimed at the beast.


    "DO IT!" Zetius bellowed. "BURN IT!"


    He shoved his broken limbs into the creature''s jaws, stopping it from biting down further. The wolf snarled, its muffled growl vibrating through its throat, but its fangs dug in deeper. Blood pooled onto the ground.


    "But¡­ but I''ll burn you too!" Aurelia''s voice wavered, hesitation gripping her.


    "DO IT!!!" Zetius roared, his body convulsing from the pain. His shoulder wrenched from its socket, sending another wave of agony through him.


    "Aahhh!!" He howled in pain. Aurelia remained frozen, unable to act.


    "Hades'' hell, Aurelia!!" Zetius screamed, his vision darkening as his consciousness threatened to slip away. His breath grew shallow~.


    No.


    He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay awake.


    "Empyrion¡­!" He chanted, voice breaking from the strain.


    The beast''s throat began to glow.


    A second later, an infernal blast erupted from within. The scorching flame shot outward, incinerating everything in its path.


    A violent explosion rang through the cavern.


    The creature let out a final, blood-curdling shriek before collapsing to the floor.


    Smoke and charred flesh filled the air. Blood painted the ground in deep crimson.


    The beast lay motionless.


    Lifeless.

 47. Aurelia’s Vision II

    Zetius scrambled back, unable to gauge the extent of his injuries as blood dripped from his wounded arm. He lay on the cold floor, his breath ragged and shallow. As Aurelia rushed to his side, tears of guilt and regret welled in her red-rimmed eyes.


    "I''m sorry, Zeta! I''m so sorry!" She cried, her hands trembling above him. She was sobbing uncontrollably but fought to steady herself so she could cast a healing spell.


    He swept his gaze over her, quickly assessing her condition, then reached out to clasp her quivering hands. "Aurelia¡­ I''m glad you''re okay," Zetius murmured, a faint smile gracing his lips.


    Sniffing and wiping her teary eyes, she asked, "It''s my fault. How could you not hate me?"


    "I~I ignored Ignius''s warning. I thought I could take on the beast alone and save the town," She babbled, her voice thick with self-loathing. "I was foolish¡­ so foolish! Every time I try to do the right thing, I end up hurting the people I care about most. Just like today."


    Instead of answering, Zetius lifted his bloodied palm to her damp cheek. "I could never hate you. You know that, right?" He reassured her.


    His gentle words ignited a spark of determination in Aurelia. She swallowed down her weakness, forcing herself to focus. Taking a deep breath, she recited the incantation, "Iasis!"


    A soft green glow illuminated the hall just as Friederich arrived, his footsteps echoing with urgency. He took in the sight before him ¡ª Zetius and Aurelia on the ground, the corpse of the monstrous beast beside them, its flesh gruesomely torn away.


    Aurelia gently ran her fingers along Zetius''s cheek as his silver head rested on her lap. She was so lost in the moment that she failed to notice their visitor until he spoke.


    "Friederich! You''re late!" Zetius greeted, waving weakly with his tattered sleeve.


    Friederich gave a slow nod, but his gaze quickly snapped to Aurelia. "Aurelia! Your back, it''s bleeding!" He exclaimed, rushing forward.


    She glanced over her shoulder, chuckling. "Oh, this? It''s just a scratch. You should''ve seen Zeta''s arm earlier."


    Zetius let out a soft laugh. "Aurelia, you should patch up," He said, his tone both teasing and firm.


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    With a deep exhale, Friederich performed a healing spell, and the wound on Aurelia''s back slowly sealed, leaving behind smooth, pale skin. He averted his eyes slightly, the sight of her exposed back bringing a faint blush to his cheeks.


    "Thanks, Fried!" She said cheerfully, though the redness of her eyes and nose still betrayed her earlier sobbing.


    The three of them rose to their feet, and before long, they managed to find their way out of the dungeon.


    A quiet sob stirred her awake. Aurelia''s eyes fluttered open to meet a pair of dark green irises gazing at her.


    Triss Mercie, the Novitcius mage and clairvoyant, knelt beside her, hands clasped in prayer, her face streaked with tears.


    "What''s going on!?" Aurelia blurted, disoriented and confused. She quickly realised she was inside a small room within the defence tower.


    "Please forgive me, Princess Aurelia," Triss murmured, sniffing softly. "I was going to wake you, but¡­ your vision was so moving," She explained, her voice velvety yet solemn.


    "My vision? You saw that too!?" Aurelia gasped, horror creeping into her expression.


    Triss nodded. "Yes¡­ I witnessed how Prince Zetius fought valiantly, despite his depleted mana. His courage was boundless as he protected you with his flesh and blood," She said with admiration.


    "W-Woah! That''s so embarrassing! You saw me crying too!?" Aurelia wailed, covering her crimson-stained face with her hands.


    Triss gave a small, knowing smile. "Yes. Just as I weep now. But yours was more¡­ petulant," she teased lightly. "I didn''t just see your vision, I felt everything you did at that moment."


    "Stop! Stop! Don''t say another word, or I''ll bury my face in the sand!" Aurelia shouted, mortified beyond reason.


    Triss chuckled but relented. "As you wish, Princess." Rising gracefully, she added, "Please join us for breakfast when you''re ready. I''ve left fresh clothes and towels by your bedside." With that, she strode to the door and exited, closing it gently behind her.


    Silence settled over the room. As Aurelia sat there, her thoughts drifted unwillingly to the past.


    Why am I thinking about this now? She wondered.


    Why Zetius¡­ why did you leave me?


    Her body trembled as the weight of memory pressed down on her. Tears streamed down her face, and before she knew it, she had buried herself in the pillow, muffling her sobs. The guilt and regret from that fateful day came rushing back, suffocating her.


    "Pathetic," She muttered bitterly.


    Not only had those feelings resurfaced, but so had her self-loathing. The realisation struck her like a dagger ¡ª she hadn''t changed at all in the past four years.


    Aurelia was still the same spoiled princess who once believed she could mend this broken world.


    And without Zetius Zel Celerius, Aurelia Sol Solara was so much less.

 48. Morning Light Under the Different Sky

    A loud, annoying shriek from an exotic crow jolted Jack from his peaceful slumber. His head was still numb and disoriented from last night¡¯s sudden workout. He swept his drowsy gaze around as the black crow, the size of a chicken, startled and fluttered its wings before flying away.


    Then, he felt a soft whimper beside him. A woman snuggled in closer. ¡°Oh¡­¡± He muttered, his fingers instinctively reaching for her bunny ears. He had always wanted to do that, and somehow, in his drowsy state, he decided this might be his only chance. Without a doubt, they twitched at his touch. Lupus¡¯s golden eyes fluttered open, staring at him questioningly.


    ¡°Ah, morning?¡± He said awkwardly, glancing at himself and then at her unclothed body. She sat up to meet his eye level, pulling the blanket just above her alluring breasts.


    ¡°Morning!¡± She replied, her drowsiness vanishing in an instant ¡ª one of the many useful perks of being a bunny Wildren, Jack noted internally.


    Without restraint, Lupus lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. His once thin frame had developed slightly more refined abdominal muscles, a result of proper nourishment.


    Despite the warmth of the embrace, awkwardness filled Jack¡¯s mind. ¡°Lupus, um¡­ does this mean¡­ we?¡± He asked dumbly, pointing between himself and her. What had happened last night felt like a spur-of-the-moment decision, yet he was certain. He liked this girl. No, he loved her.


    ¡°Yes, yes!¡± She replied, nodding gleefully, her fangs glistening in the morning light.


    ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry! I should¡¯ve asked for your hand in marriage first!¡± Jack blurted out, bowing his head apologetically.


    ¡°But you did,¡± Lupus said, tilting her head in mock confusion.


    ¡°I did?¡± Jack raised a brow.


    Lupus chuckled, placing a hand over her stomach before flashing a toothy smile. ¡°How could you not know? Accepting my essence is the same as asking for marriage,¡± She teased, winking playfully.


    ¡°What?¡± Jack¡¯s jaw dropped.


    ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk!¡± Lupus clicked her tongue theatrically. ¡°You have so much to learn about essence, my esteemed Novitcius. Accepting one¡¯s innate essence is the highest display of trust. It¡¯s the equivalent of offering your weapon, your wisdom, and your life to another person.¡± Her voice carried a melodic lilt as she explained.


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    ¡°Ah, that makes sense,¡± Jack mused, his interest flaring up like a raging wildfire. ¡°Considering innate essence is something you¡¯re born with and can¡¯t be obtained otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Correct!¡± Lupus said, leaning in closer, her hair brushing against his shoulder. ¡°Also, I¡¯ll let you in on a little secret¡­¡± She paused dramatically, letting Jack¡¯s curiosity burn brighter. ¡°It has a minor aphrodisiac effect on a partner too. But Jackie¡­ you sniffed the whole bunny-nip. Fufufu!¡±


    ¡°Sheesh¡­ that means I¡¯ve been played from the start,¡± Jack muttered, his face pale. ¡°You cheeky rabbit!¡± He snapped lightheartedly.


    ¡°Also, Uncle, you popped my cherry, so you¡¯d better take responsibility!¡± She quipped, poking his nose.


    They exchanged smiles before bursting into gleeful laughter.


    After a while, Jack¡¯s gaze met Lupus¡¯s golden eyes. There was something arcane about them ¡ª so mesmerising, like the golden sun in the clear summer sky, he mused.


    ¡°Seriously, Lupus, I love you,¡± Jack confessed wholeheartedly, his eyes never leaving her face.


    Lupus returned a mischievous smile. ¡°I think you said that a million times last night,¡± She teased, nudging him playfully.


    Heat rose to his face. ¡°Wait, what? Lupy, please! Stop teasing me!¡± His lips worked quickly, trying to hide his overbearing bashfulness. He did, after all, moan and groan those words more than a few times during the deed.


    ¡°Make me!¡± She teased, moving in close. Her lips were just a hairbreadth away. He could feel her warm breath against his skin.


    Invited like this, he wouldn¡¯t refuse. Slowly, he leaned closer.


    ¡°Uggghhh¡­ you two are so loud!¡± A sluggish voice groaned from beneath the bed. Frain¡¯s lion ears perked up before her annoyed face emerged. She yawned and stretched, completely unbothered by the situation.


    The unofficially wedded couple exchanged bewildered glances. ¡°Wait! How did you get in here?¡± Lupus barked at the lion Wildren.


    ¡°Because... Lupy, you weren¡¯t in your room. I searched and searched until I stumbled upon Jack¡¯s room. So, I waited for both of you to finish mating, then snuck in, slept on the floor, and kept you two safe,¡± Frain explained in a monotone voice, as if it was the most normal thing in the world. ¡°You forgot to lock the door, by the way.¡±


    ¡°You what?!¡± Jack¡¯s jaw nearly dislocated.


    ¡°She¡¯s been listening to us mate!¡± Lupus answered gleefully, clapping her hands like a proud mother.


    ¡°That¡¯s rhetorical! Damn it!¡± Jack groaned, shaking his head.


    ¡°Oh, my baby, come here!¡± Lupus cooed, her voice laced with affection as she extended her arms towards Frain.


    Without hesitation, the lion cub leapt onto the bed and joined in their embrace. ¡°Family!¡± she declared joyfully.


    A family may be lost, but never truly gone. For those who endure, a new one is won.


    At last, their little family of three was fully realised ¡ª Jack, the hardworking genius tactician, Lupus, the strong, cunning, and playful mage, and Frain, the oddball powerhouse of muscles.

 49. Escapist I

    Rhok stood before the withered husk of what used to be a nun, his metal-gloved hands clenching tightly around his bloodied junk. His eyes darted frantically, taking in the devastation around him. Every single body was drained of its soul and life.


    "How could this be?" He muttered softly, shocked.


    Before he could gather his thoughts, the sky flashed blindingly bright. Moments later, millions of microbombs detonated in the distance. His fleet. His comrades. They scrambled to find cover, but death pursued and reaped them nonetheless.


    "Daniel!" Rhok yelled, his scream futile as his silver knight, Daniel Asher, the one who had once watched over him from the sky. The silver knight came crashing down like a fallen angel. All four of Daniel¡¯s and five of Rhok¡¯s suits freefell, exploding upon impact, leaving behind a pile of composite ash.


    Now, only one functional Armatus suit remained, the very suit in which he disembarked from and committed the hideous crime against the nun. Deserted in the ruins he had helped create, the irony was almost comical.


    Unfortunately, this was just the beginning of Rhok Wagner¡¯s misfortunes.


    First, the global communication network collapsed across Germund and its neighbouring countries. Days passed without receiving any orders. Rhok scavenged for food and supplies, sustaining himself on whatever he could find. His suit contained a week¡¯s worth of MREs and medpacks, but he reserved them for dire situations.


    Veterans like him had learned the dangers of being cut off from information. Wars could drag on for weeks, months ¡ª or even years.


    Then, one night, a routing message came through, instructing him to rendezvous with the remaining knights. The transmission came via an ancient but reliable system, a radio signal.


    "What else is there to do?" Rhok sighed, finishing his dinner in an abandoned house. Soon after, he launched into the night, his Armatus suit hovering just above the ground as he flew undetectedly towards the rendezvous point.


    As he reached the warehouse, nothing indicated it was a Dunkelheit base. Odd. Either the base was well-disguised, or this was a trap.


    With scepticism creeping in, he proceeded cautiously around the perimeter, scanning for heat signatures. Nothing.


    "I hate this¡­" Rhok grumbled to himself, grinding his teeth.


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    His dark Armatus suit made a soft landing on the northern side of the warehouse. The thruster lights dimmed as the engine powered down. Disembarking, he moved towards the treeline. To his right, a fallen Armatus suit lay among crushed trees and bushes, its impact having obliterated everything in its path.


    "Tsk!" Rhok clicked his tongue, exasperated, before moving on.


    A hidden compartment in his gauntlet opened, revealing a pulse gun. The plasma nozzle sprang out, humming as it powered up ¡ª fully functional. A tingling sensation gnawed at the back of his mind. He might need it.


    He wove through rows of containers and trunks. Nothing seemed out of place. Checking his screen, he confirmed the rendezvous point: the large warehouse ahead. A rectangular structure with massive collapsible metal doors stood eerily still. Flickering fluorescent lamps provided meagre illumination.


    "This better not be a sick joke¡­" He muttered, stepping through the metal doorway. Darkness swallowed him whole.


    His metal boots clanked against the cold concrete floor, the sound echoing through the massive hall. The oppressive stillness sent a chill down his spine.


    Then it dawned on him, this clear was a setup, ¡°Bloody hell!¡± He cursed under his breath.


    He groaned but refused to retreat. This wasn¡¯t something a mage would do, was it? Must¡¯ve been those Arcanii bastards playing their cheap tricks. Soon, they¡¯d realise how powerful knights were in their personal suits.


    Then, the air shifted. A ripple. Rhok spun, but nothing was there. He followed the disturbance, searching for its source.


    Rounding a corner, he spotted a trail of blood leading into one of the storage rooms.


    "Bloody hell¡­" He muttered. Hardened by war, yet still, gore unsettled him.


    He tapped his visor¡¯s scanner, nothing suspicious was detected.


    "Fine¡­" He groaned, pressing his back against the doorframe. His plasma gun hummed to life.


    In a swift motion, he swept through the left and right corners. Empty.


    Satisfied the room was clear, he followed the blood deeper into the darkness. Night vision could only do so much; the flickering light from his suit barely illuminated the scene ahead.


    "F*cking hell¡­" Rhok cursed softly, his eyes widening at the sight.


    A mountain of corpses. Not just any corpses ¡ª Armatus knights. Their suits, in various colours, piled in the corners. A grotesque display of destruction. None of them were recognisable ¡ª arms, legs, torsos, all mangled together, forming a grotesque heap two metres high.


    Rhok took a step back, realising his boot had landed in a pool of thick, splashing crimson liquid.


    Then, a sharp disturbance in the air.


    Reflexively, he dodged. Something whizzed past, and he caught it ¡ª a kunai. A Japanese throwing knife.


    A shuffling noise rattled through the warehouse. Immediately, his scanner picked up movement.


    Over ten enemies closing in, it pinged.


    "F*ck¡­" Rhok muttered grimly, his grip tightening around his weapon as he steeled himself for the upcoming battle against a league of assassins.

 50. Escapist II

    Several kunai whooshed through the air, followed by the muffled rumble of footsteps closing in on Rhok. He ducked swiftly but not fast enough ¡ª one sharp blade plunged into his shoulder, another glanced off his armour, deflecting away.


    Adrenaline surged through his veins, his eyes dilating, jaw clenching. Rhok tumbled forward, scanning the dark, hazy figures. Three ahead, four above, and four more at his rear.


    The figures drew their blades, gripping them in a reverse hold along their arms. A moment later, purple flames engulfed the steel.


    The flickering flame cast shifting shadows across their features. Their faces were concealed beneath a mask and hood, leaving only their demonic eyes gleaming with malice. They wore an unusual cloak, its fabric rippling unnaturally despite the still air. The only discernible feature was the sigil on their right collarbone ¡ª a silver emblem of a sun with a nose and mouth, its writhing tails stretching into radiant strands.


    Rhok had only heard of such a legend once, from the sole survivor of a BlackOp mission in the north of Russha. The terrified man called them the harbingers of death, the shadow assassins. They later spread fear across the land as the Shadowbringers.


    Steeling himself for a fight, Rhok twitched his gauntlet, activating his plasma gun. The weapon popped open, the nozzle glowing blue before he took aim at the shadow, unleashing three rapid shots.


    The nearest enemy twisted unnaturally, his limbs contorting in an uncanny display of agility. The plasma rounds missed, splintering the wooden crates behind him.


    Zeroing in on Rhok, the ghastly assassin swept his blade in a horizontal arc, aiming to cleave his torso. Years of intense close-quarters combat training and primal instinct took over. Rhok stepped in, boosting his jetpack, and rammed into his enemy¡¯s body.


    The impact sent them crashing through a concrete wall, dust and debris spewing outward. Rhok tumbled but kept his head and neck tucked, rolling over the enemy¡¯s body before boosting to his feet in one fluid motion ¡ª masterful, as expected of a Gold-rank knight.


    No time to think. Another kunai sliced through the air, embedding itself in his back.


    ¡°Ahh!¡± he groaned, his vision blurring. The pain was instant, but his built-in med-pack injected a booster, heightening his senses, numbing the pain, and stopping the bleeding.


    He scrambled to his feet, his knee buckling momentarily before regaining motion. The booster roared to life, light flaring behind him as he lunged at 100 kilometres per hour, slamming into the concrete floor.


    He landed hard, rolling forward before pushing himself upright. His breaths came in ragged gasps. The HUD flashed dangerously red. The enemies were just as fast, tailing him closely.


    The treeline was 100 metres ahead, his Armatus suit just 300. He boosted again, hoping to reach his mech before the assassins did.


    One of them launched off a metal container, soaring through the air with his flaming blade poised for the kill.


    Rhok twisted according to his scanner and raised his gauntlet to block. The assassin¡¯s sword clashed against his metal arm, the blade vibrating violently on impact. His pulse gun crumbled into scraps, his arm now exposed. If not for his armour, it would have been severed entirely.


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    ¡°Shit! How are they~.¡± Rhok growled before boosting his jets, using the momentum to drive his knee into the enemy¡¯s torso. The force sent the assassin flying, crashing into a stack of shipping containers. The structure buckled under the impact, toppling in a cacophony of screeching metal and splintering wood.


    The area became slightly more visible under the dim glow of distant lamp lights. Rhok moved as fast as he could, his exposed arm, shoulder, and back all throbbing in pain as the med-pack¡¯s effect subsided.


    He had only taken out two enemies, yet he was already badly injured. His pulse gun was gone, his med-pack spent. The odds were stacked against him.


    He fled into the treeline, beelining towards his Armatus suit.


    ¡°If I can get into my Armatus, I¡¯ll kill all of you Arcanii bastards,¡± he thought bitterly. But a realisation struck him. Before entering the warehouse, he had seen a fallen Armatus. Upon closer inspection, it hadn¡¯t crash-landed ¡ª it had been destroyed.


    Pushing past the last of the trees, Rhok emerged into a clearing, only to see his own Armatus engulfed in flames, a thunderous explosion ripping through the night.


    He froze momentarily, sweat thick inside his helmet. His mind raced for a plan.


    Stray blades rained towards him. He tumbled sideways, rolling and scrambling to his feet before sprinting west.


    The relentless chase continued as he alternated between boosting and running. The jetpack wasn¡¯t designed for sustained flight, only repositioning. Overuse would lead to overheating and a drained power source.


    Each boost widened the gap, but whenever he slowed, the footsteps haunted him.


    Hours passed. His suit pinged, implying a critical battery warning. His legs grew heavier, his breath ragged and raw, his heart pounding in sync with the dying power supply.


    He finally stopped, unbuckling his helmet. A weathered face emerged, a man in his forties, dark eyes set beneath a strong, defined jawline. His damp brown hair clung to his forehead.


    He stumbled to a dead tree trunk, placing a hand on the bark as he sucked in gulps of air, relishing the momentary freedom from his helmet.


    ¡°I need to ditch this junk before it drains completely,¡± he thought, glancing over his shoulder. Silence. No footsteps. Relief washed over him.


    One by one, he shed his armour, starting with his injured shoulder. Gritting his teeth, he yanked the embedded blade free, blood seeping from the wound. Then he reached for the kunai lodged in his back, fingers fumbling before he tore it out with a guttural groan. He tossed the bloodstained weapons onto the dirt.


    Piece by piece, he stripped down to his insulated bodysuit, a dark, form-fitting material stretching from neck to ankles. It clung to his broad frame, the self-repairing composite closing his wounds and regulating his body temperature.


    Despite its advanced technology, the pain still lingered. Apparently, engineers hadn¡¯t thought Armatus knights would need morphine.


    He pressed forward, lost in the damn forest, heading west. Hours passed as he trudged through uneven terrain, exhaustion gnawing at his limbs.


    Sniffing the air, he caught the scent of damp earth¡ªthe unmistakable sign of a river nearby. His parched throat burned in desperation for water. He hadn¡¯t had any in at least six hours.


    His vision blurred, his legs buckling beneath him. He pushed forward, dragging himself through the underbrush, each step sending jolts of pain through his battered body.


    Finally, through the haze, he saw it; a river, shimmering in the moonlight, barely 100 metres ahead. Ducks glided across the surface, their ducklings trailing behind, playing in the gentle current.


    ¡°Go¡­ damn it¡­¡± He rasped, commanding his legs to move.


    But his knees gave out.


    He refused to surrender. Crawling now, his fingers clawed at the dirt, dragging himself forward inch by inch.


    Then, his arms faltered. His body slumped onto the cold ground, vision darkening, breath slowing.


    Everything faded to black.

 51. Honeymoon

    It was supposed to be a honeymoon of sorts when Jack and Lupus decided to take their first reconnaissance mission together. Under the pretence of duty, they were actually hoping to spend some wonderful time together. After all, there were no immediate threats or anything of the sort in a quiet town like Hasenwald ¡ª at least, not yet anyway.


    Jack piloted his new Armatus, painted glossy silver and white, with the Hoffmann family crest adorning its shoulder armour. Its propulsion arcs flared as they soared through the air. As they reached the sightseeing spot for the grand waterfall, the Armatus hovered above the breathtaking landscape.


    Opening the cockpit hatch, they settled on a picnic mat, feeling the crisp, moist air on their skin. Soon, they shared a delightful lunch, nothing too grand, just two baskets of assorted sandwiches and carrot tea inside the modified two-seat passenger compartment.


    As Jack thought about it, this was the very spot where he had his first near-death experience. If it weren¡¯t for Lupus crushing his neck with her thighs that day, he wouldn¡¯t have had this amazing moment. Or perhaps that had been a kind of heaven? He couldn¡¯t care less.


    He chuckled softly, mostly at their past selves; so much doubt, distrust, and tension between them. Now, Lupus, nibbling on her six or rather, seven sandwiches, became his love of his life and his purpose.


    They cleansed their palates with an incredible carrot cake, its blend of sweetness, tanginess, and creamy texture leaving them in awe. In the cockpit, Lupus purred as she nestled atop Jack¡¯s body. The soft melody of the pop song they had heard on their first date at House Tasmania played in the background ¡ª the very song that had made Lupus blush back then. Her sun-kissed scent filled his lungs, brimming him with affection. He wished time would stop, freezing this moment forever. He had found what he had been longing for.


    As Jack softly threaded his fingers through her silver strands, she slept soundly against him, occasionally chuckling in her sleep. Jack found this side of her utterly adorable. She was still young ¡ª only twenty-two. While he was almost twice her age, he felt the need to put in double the effort to make up for it. And, deep down, he carried a subtle guilt. One could say this was a guilty pleasure.


    ¡°I, Jack Squire, swear this undying oath. With my might, my heart, my soul, that I will never make you regret holding your essence and declaring your love for me, Lupus Hoffmann.¡± He spoke softly before kissing her cheek.


    ¡°Mmm, you have no tact at all, saying an oath while I¡¯m asleep,¡± Lupus murmured as her golden eyes snapped open.


    Now, she stared at his blushing face. ¡°Say it properly this time!¡± She commanded playfully.


    ¡°Yes, my love. Ahem!¡± Jack cleared his throat, preparing himself again. He remembered every word exactly and repeated the vow, this time with full sincerity and not a single stutter.


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    Lupus gazed at him, unblinking, her face growing warm. ¡°...W~where is the last part?¡± She asked, fully flustered.


    ¡°Last part?¡± Jack stammered, puzzled. He had said every word correctly and properly. How could he be wrong?


    Before his denseness could be dispelled, Lupus grabbed his collar and pulled him into a kiss. Their passionate exchange lasted longer than it should have.


    ¡°That¡¯s the last part!¡± Lupus exclaimed excitedly, making Jack blush once more. They both let out soft, gleeful chuckles that filled the air with love.


    ***


    After their short but fulfilling lunch, Jack steered the silver Armatus, scanning the perimeter, hoping to find some fallen mobile suits to salvage. The Finder Keepers protocol was engaged as the giant steel machine hovered just above the evergreen tree branches. The forests in the eastern part were more vibrant and lush compared to those in the south, where the townspeople called it Mirehaven ¡ª the haunted forest.


    As the Armatus followed procedure, it automatically scanned left and right. Jack glanced away from the list of useless junk the scanner picked up and turned his attention to Lupus, who was twirling her hair, lost in thought.


    ¡°Told you, my work is kinda boring,¡± Jack said bluntly.


    ¡°My security work is much worse! My parents had me standing by their side, attending headache-inducing meetings!¡± She argued, then fondled her cheeks. ¡°Ugh! My facial muscles are all stiff from making mean faces all day!¡±


    Jack chuckled. ¡°Is that a requirement? To make mean faces?¡± He asked, amused.


    ¡°Absolutely! I¡¯m supposed to be intimidating! Grr!¡± She said, imitating one of Frain¡¯s growls.


    ¡°Just a bunny pretending to be a lion,¡± He quipped.


    ¡°Fufu!¡± She let out a soft laugh.


    ¡°By the way, how did you manage to pry yourself away from Frain? She¡¯s overly protective of you.¡±


    ¡°I suppose¡­ I lied to her,¡± Lupus admitted sheepishly, ashamed.


    ¡°You did what?¡± Jack asked, shooting her an incredulous look.


    ¡°I implied that we¡¯d be going with the magistrate on another escort duty¡­ I told her to go ahead and that I¡¯d follow shortly.¡±


    ¡°But you snuck out and hung out with me instead?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± She replied, staring at the HUD screen.


    ¡°You cheeky little rabbit!¡± Jack said, quickly running his fingers along her sides. Her laughter boomed, and her body wiggled frantically like an eel.


    ¡°Ahahaa! She¡¯s fine! Ahaha! She¡¯s with my sisters!~¡± Lupus¡¯s plea was cut short.


    [Detected! Detected! Detected!]


    Suddenly, the Finder Keepers protocol blared a notification. It was alarming erratically than usual to signify the urgency within its find, this protocol was ingrained into the system for safety precautions. Jack¡¯s eyes darted to the list on the screen. His expression shifted to shock, his lips parting slightly.


    ¡°Is that¡­ a human?!¡± He exclaimed, exchanging a confused look with Lupus before swiftly zooming in on the target. The camera enhanced the image ¡ª revealing a man in noticeably dark, skin-tight fabric lying motionless, face down, his hand outstretched as if desperately trying to crawl towards the river ahead.

 52. Prejudice and Predicament I

    With swift flicks of his fingers inside the mechanical glove controllers, the gleaming Armatus made a soft landing. The gentle wind swirled around the white gravel ground, scattering green and red leaves in every direction.


    The thrusters on its backpack dimmed to black, and the steel giant knelt down, its mechanical arms forming two large steps. The hatch hissed open, and the couple descended, their movements hurried yet cautious.


    As he approached the fallen man, Jack exchanged a slow and deliberate nod with Lupus, silently instructing her to be ready should any threat arise. She wiggled her golden arc-clad boots and nodded back, reassuring her man.


    Jack''s hand reached out and grasped the man¡¯s shoulder, turning him over. ¡°W~what¡¯s that?¡± Jack trailed off, speechless. The man¡¯s face was pale, his eyes forced shut, and his mouth agape slightly. Most notably, strange purple glyphs peeked from beneath the collar of his dark bodysuit.


    Just like in CPR training, he received as a part of the DebrisX employee onboard process, Jack knew he had to locate and check for a pulse first. As his fingers pressed against the jugular, the violet runes pulsed eerily, reacting to him. It might have been his imagination, but Jack swore he could hear a faint hum emanating from the ink itself like it had gained sentient.


    ¡°Is he dead?¡± Lupus asked, peering at the man¡¯s face.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­¡± Jack replied hesitantly. He couldn¡¯t tell whether the pulsing came from the glyphs or the man¡¯s vital signs. ¡°Lupus, have you seen anything like this? I think it might be arcane.¡± He pointed at the glowing ink, which seemed to creep slowly up the man¡¯s face.


    ¡°Hm, I think I¡¯ve seen these glyphs before¡­¡± Lupus mused, crossing her arms and tapping a finger against her lips. Then it clicked. ¡°It¡¯s the Deadman¡¯s Brand, the infamous curse spell practised and perfected by the Shadowbringers!¡± She blurted, recalling a lecture about the lore of the northern hemisphere ¡ª the icy land that birthed the deadliest assassins, notorious for ambush tactics, arc poisoning, and arc swords capable of cutting even the strongest steel. These were the feared Shadowbringers of Russha.


    ¡°The Shadowbringers?¡±


    ¡°Yes! They are assassin mages, and arc poison is one of their specialties,¡± Lupus replied promptly.


    ¡°Is he alive then?¡± Jack asked urgently. Lupus nodded twice.


    Without hesitation, Jack pulled a med-pack from his vest. He lifted his hand, ready to inject the stimulant that could potentially save the man¡¯s life.


    ¡°What are you doing?!¡± Lupus interjected, grabbing his arm and halting Jack on his track.


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    Jack glared back, confused. ¡°I¡¯m saving this man¡¯s life. Why?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s an Armatus knight!¡± Lupus pointed at the dark bodysuit, a clear sign of his allegiance to the Dunkelheit Empire. ¡°He¡¯s our enemy,¡± She stated firmly.


    Unbeknownst to them, Rhok¡¯s fingers twitched. The loud voices stirred him from the abyss.


    ¡°But he¡¯s dying ~ Ah!¡± Jack¡¯s protest was cut short as he yelped at the sight of dark eyes staring at him, their pupils dull with desolation. Rhok¡¯s expression was twisted with pain. ¡°Pl~please¡­ save¡­ me¡­¡± He spoke with a deep hoarse voice, his trembling hand weakly reaching for Jack¡¯s leg.


    Jack froze. A moment ago, he had no hesitation. Now, he did. He found himself torn between saving a potential enemy and following Lupus¡¯s stance, letting the man die.


    Sweat beaded on his weathered face. The clock was ticking. The man could die any second. Jack needed to decide right here, right now.


    Jack¡¯s gaze shifted to Lupus, his resolve hardening. ¡°I¡¯m saving his life ¡ª because he¡¯s human, just like us. We need to show them that we are better. If none of us is willing to change, then war will never end. This is our nobility and everything we stand for. Even if he¡¯s an Armatus knight, so what? Loyalty to an empire doesn¡¯t strip someone of their humanity.¡±


    ¡°War births tragedy, and tragedy births war, an endless cycle...¡± Jack proclaimed, his fiery red eyes seemed to glow, his voice husky yet resolute.


    Lupus flinched. Jack had never openly defied her before. It was unsettling. Her stern expression wavered. Jack¡¯s conviction was proven to be unshakable, and for the first time, she saw just how deeply he believed in his ideals. With a reluctant sigh, she nodded. ¡°But you can¡¯t save him with conventional means. That thing,¡± She gestured at the med-pack in his hand, ¡°~would only keep him awake.¡±


    ¡°Huh? What can we do?¡± Jack asked, blinking in confusion.


    Lupus exhaled sharply, making a mental note to educate him on arcane principles once this was over. ¡°The curse running through him is purely arcane,¡± She eventually replied, crossing her arms. Though she knew saving a life was the right thing to do, Jack¡¯s defiance still unsettled her. It was a new feeling, one she wasn¡¯t sure she appreciated.


    ¡°Then please, Lupus. Save him,¡± Jack pleaded, his eyes filled with the compassion of a man with a heart of gold. His heart was like a pristine lake reflecting the blue sky. Lupus realised, in that moment, that this was one of the reasons she had fallen for him in the first place.


    Letting out a deep sigh, she relented. ¡°Fine. But you owe me one.¡±


    ¡°Anything, my love,¡± He replied without hesitation.


    Complying with his selfless request, Lupus lifted her hands over the dying man. ¡°Iasis!¡± She chanted. A swarm of glowing green butterflies emerged, fluttering down to land on him and dissolve into his body. The purple glyphs pulsed violently, tightening around his throat in resistance.


    Arcane forces clashed ¡ª the healing spell pushing in, the poison glyph pushing back. The struggle continued until, at last, the curse relented slightly, allowing the healing to take partial effect.


    Rhok¡¯s dull eyes shifted to Lupus, his vision swimming, ¡°Th~thank you¡­¡± He rasped before his consciousness slipped away. His head lolled to the side, his limbs losing out of strength.


    Jack stared at the man, confusion washing over him. ¡°Is¡­ is he dead?¡± He asked, his voice trembling. He had never witnessed the light of life being snuffed out before. Even though Rhok was a stranger, an enemy even. Jack couldn¡¯t help but feel empathy for another human being.

 53. Prejudice and Predicament II

    Lupus smirked. "Of course not! You should have more faith in me," She scoffed, conceit lacing her tone. Then she tapped on the Stellius ring adoring her index finger, and a blue holographic display flickered into the air, similar to the HUD screen inside the cockpit of the Armatus suit.


    Cocking his head to the side, even more confused than before, Jack asked, "What are you doing?"


    "Saving the man''s life, as requested," Lupus replied casually, her golden eyes glowing in the bright holo-screen''s light as she searched for something.


    "Oh¡­" Jack shuffled closer, standing beside Lupus and peering at the screen with curiosity. It resembled a list, filled with glyphs and modern languages. As Lupus scrolled through her a wiggle of her finger, "Is that a hospital directory? Or are you calling an arc ambulance?" He asked dumbly.


    "Pffft!" Lupus nearly burst out laughing. "An arc ambulance? Jack, your imagination really conjures the strangest words," She blurted, extremely amused.


    Jack awkwardly rubbed the back of his head and let out a soft, forced chuckle, realising how ridiculous his question sounded.


    To his defence, mages tend to slap the word ''arc'' in front of anything that called it arcane with magical ability, so far he had heard of arc boots, arc comm., arc poison, arc blades and so on.


    "Although my Iasis can heal most surface wounds, it is only classified as a greater essence, you see. It can stabilise his condition, but his curse requires a more skilled healer than me. So, what I''m doing right now is checking for anyone in the area who possesses the mythic essence of Iasis," Lupus explained patiently, her eyes skimming the list.


    "That''s really convenient," Jack remarked.


    Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he murmured, "The mythic essence¡­" Then, recalling a past lecture, he exclaimed, "Lesser, Greater, Mythic¡­ It''s the most powerful essence after the Primordial, right?!" He struck his palm with his fist in realisation.


    "Oh?" Lupus gasped, raising a brow at him. "You actually remember such things? My esteemed Novitcius," She quipped, smirking at her man, her small fangs glinting endearingly.


    Jack responded with a sheepish smile, humbly accepting her praise.


    "Aha! Found it!" Lupus exclaimed gleefully, then tilted her head slightly. "Virgo division¡­ Novitcius mage? Odd¡­" She mumbled, puzzled by the mismatch of name, essence, and status.


    "What''s wrong?" Jack asked, grabbing her arm in anticipation.


    "She has mythic Iasis, but she''s just a mere Novitcius¡­ It doesn''t make sense." Lupus frowned. Typically, acquiring an essence as powerful as the mythic class would at least grant someone the title of Stellius Mage or even Lunarius Mage. The fact that this Novitcius mage had not received a proper rank was incredibly bizarre to Lupus.


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    Seeing her troubled expression, Jack asked softly, "What''s her name?"


    "Terissa Mercier. She''s a maiden mage under the Virgo division," Lupus returned a reply. She then tapped lightly on an icon next to the list.


    Jack observed the screen. Two icons appeared ¡ª one of Lupus and the other of Terissa. A line flickered back and forth for a minute before finally connecting.


    "Umm¡­? May I ask who this is?" came Terissa''s voice, divine and echoing as though she were speaking from a heavenly chamber.


    "This is Lupus Hoffmann, Olympian Mage of the Agility Division! Requesting your assistance!"


    "O'' Mother Gaia, I''d be happy to assist you, Miss Hoffmann. My name is Terissa, but please call me Triss," She replied, her tone soft and featherlight.


    "Okay! Trissy!" Lupus returned. Jack strained his ears, listening intently. It was one of Lupus''s traits ¡ª she could make any stranger feel like a close friend within three sentences. He admired her social skills for that.


    "I''ll get straight to the point," Lupus said, casting a worrying glance at Rhok, who now appeared more at peace.


    "Please do, Miss Hoffmann."


    "We have an injured man. I believe he has been cursed by the Shadowbringers," Lupus explained, gesturing in the air.


    "A D~deadman''s Brand¡­ O'' Holy Mother," Triss murmured, her voice suddenly shook with terror and disbelief.


    "Correct!" Lupus said, clasping her hands together.


    "Would you mind bringing him to my location? I''m at the defence tower outskirt of Hasenwald, just southwest of your current position," Triss instructed, determination strengthening her voice.


    "Wow¡­ This Triss mage is actually quite nice. Not only is her voice divine, but her act of kindness is, too," Jack mused.


    Lupus hesitated. "How do you know where we are? I haven''t sent you our location yet."


    "O'' it''s a long story. Please come to me, and I shall tend to the man. Whether he is an enemy of Osten or not, we are all living beings. Life is precious and should be preserved at all costs. As the wise one enlightened us in the Book of Old, we shall never place a price on life itself." The dreaminess in Triss''s voice made her words oddly captivating.


    Lupus''s frown deepened and Jack noticed the uneasiness in her, "How does she know all that?" Lupus wondered, her bunny ears twitching reactively.


    "Understood. We''ll head to you right away," Lupus said, and the line disconnected. She glanced at Jack, wearing seriousness on her, "She''s definitely a clairvoyant of some sort."


    "A clairvoyant?" Jack asked, incredulous.


    "Yes. She can see, hear, and even feel those who come into contact with her," Lupus stated bluntly, stepping in so close that her voluptuous chest pressed against him.


    Jack turned away, his face flushing. "W~what?" He stammered, clearing his throat reflexively.


    "Don''t even think about anything weird around her. Got it?!" She pointed a finger at his face. Her usual playful expression had vanished, replaced by a stern glare.


    "Yes¡­" Jack replied reluctantly, though one question gnawed at him. "How do I stop the thoughts, especially the intrusive ones?"


    As if she could read his mind, Lupus smirked. "Think of me instead! That''s how!" She instructed, part playfully, part sternly.


    Jack nodded vigorously, his head wobbling back and forth in obedience.


    Thus, Jack and Lupus took off in his sleek Armatus mobile suit, with Rhok secured safely in its massive arms, setting their course toward an ancient structure, the defence tower, looming in the distance near the mountain ridges.

 54. Sparring

    In the northern training ground, the dark stone wall flickered with the glow of flames, and the clash of magic reverberated across the battlefield. Two figures engaged in a fierce duel, light and fire wrestling for dominance.


    Friederich Eir Regis, a black-haired boy with pale blue eyes that gleamed in the dim light, was an elven mage titled Stellius despite being only sixteen years old. His white arc-cloth billowed in the wind as he moved nimbly across the field, scaling the dark wall and using the static blades as stepping ledges to manoeuvre.


    A blast of flame shot toward him mid-air. Friederich lunged forward, pushing off the wall to redirect himself as the fire chased narrowly behind. He landed softly, bending his knees and shifting sideways to maintain balance.


    "Lampos-spatha!" Friederich shouted, pointing his fingers towards his sparring partner.


    Princess Aurelia Sol Solara stood in the centre of the training ground, dressed in a lavish white tunic and brown pants, flames erupting from her hands. She formed a triangular hand sign, aligning her index fingers and thumbs.


    "Empyrion!" She bellowed, unleashing smouldering flames in the direction she dictated. Her red hair and dark eyes glowed with the intensity of her magic.


    Above her, ten white glowing blades materialised. She noticed them in her peripheral vision and swiftly adjusted her tactics. Moving her hands in a circular motion above her head, she cracked her fingers like a whip. Aurelia focused, picturing a volcanic eruption ¡ª the sharp peak bursting and spewing balls of fire skyward. "Volcanic Empyrion!" She chanted, flicking both hands upwards.


    Immediately, her mana transformed into a massive flame, blasting to the sky and deflecting the descending blades away.


    Friederich clenched his jaw in frustration ¡ª her fire essence was growing stronger by the day. Sweat trickled down his arched brows, dampening his sleek dark hair. A new strategy formed in his mind; he knew he couldn¡¯t overpower her with arcane force alone.


    "Lampos-spatha!" Friederich cast the blades to encircle Aurelia from all sides, their tips pointing downward. She scanned the field, puzzled by his failed attempt to enclose her.


    "Whatever you''re planning, it won¡¯t work, Fried!" Aurelia shouted, her tone laced with condescension.


    The elven mage dashed forward, baiting her attack. Aurelia quickly switched stances, forming the triangular hand sign again before firing a long-range flame at him.


    "Knew it!" Friederich thought, dodging sideways. At the same moment, he summoned two glowing blades, blunt edges like he imagined them to be ¡ª one in his left hand and another hidden in his right.


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    He bellowed and threw the blade in his left hand. "Catch!" The weapon cut through the air at full speed toward his opponent.


    Aurelia easily read his move. She clapped her hands together. "Phoros!" She chanted, an arcane barrier engulfing her, distorting the light around it. The blade struck and bounced off harmlessly. With fluid motion, she spun around and prepared to counterattack.


    "Huh?" She gasped as another blade hurtled towards her.


    In a fraction of a second, she analysed its trajectory ¡ª it was completely off target. "Your aim is terrible, Fried!" She thought, amused.


    Seizing the opportunity, she resumed casting Empyrion to finish him off while he stood static and exposed.


    "Burn! Empy ~ ugh!" Aurelia''s words cut off as the blade struck another suspended blade, ricocheting straight into her forehead. Her head snapped back, and she fell onto her backside. A loud thud followed by the dust kicking up in the air.


    Eyes shut from the sting, she groaned and rubbed the reddened impact area. Friederich rushed over, concern etched on his face.


    "Aurelia, are you okay?" He asked, scrambling to her side. Fortunately, he had cast and thrown dull blades earlier, but the impact was harder than he had intended.


    Suddenly, Aurelia shot him a piercing glare, her red eyes gleaming with fury.


    "Au~Aurelia, time out!" Friederich stammered, motioning for a ceasefire. It was too late.


    She formed another hand sign. "Empyrion!" Her tone hardened.


    There wasn¡¯t enough time to dodge. He hadn¡¯t anticipated a counterattack.


    "Phoros!" Friederich chanted, raising an arm in a half-cross gesture. An arcane barrier materialised around him.


    Colossal flames surged towards him, their intensity growing. His barrier held, but his breathing turned ragged. His limbs numbed. "Aurelia! Stop! I¡¯m out of mana!" He yelled over the roaring inferno.


    "Holy Gaia!" Aurelia gasped, snapping out of her rage.


    The flames abruptly ceased, but the air pressure shift sent a shockwave outward, blasting Friederich off his feet.


    "Whoa!" He gasped as his thin frame flew across the battleground and slammed into the wall. He crumpled to the ground with a heavy thud. "Ahh!" He groaned, ¡°Hades¡¯ hell¡­¡±


    Smoke and dust thickened the air. Aurelia¡¯s eyes widened in horror as she realised what she had done. She sprinted to him, crouching and casting a healing spell. A warm green glow enveloped them, soothing his wounds. Friederich struggled to sit up, leaning against the wall, his face and clothes covered in soot and ash.


    Avoiding his gaze, Aurelia muttered, "I¡¯m so sorry, Fried..." She despised herself for letting her anger take control.


    "I won..." Friederich murmured, his voice hoarse.


    She puffed her cheeks in disapproval but conceded, "Yes, you did... You outsmarted me again."


    Friederich let out a soft chuckle, and Aurelia joined in.


    Then, she stood and extended her hand. "Come on, Fried. You need to wash up," She said with a gentle smile.


    Suddenly, a silver Armatus flew past them, hovering ten metres above the ground. It circled the defence tower as if preparing to land.


    Sensing a potential threat, Aurelia turned immediately.


    "Aurelia, no! Don¡¯t go!" Friederich called out, attempting to rise, but his energy was drained. He could barely stand.


    "Fried, don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s just a single Armatus," Aurelia reassured him softly before taking off toward its location.

 55. Synchronisation I

    Aurelia shuffled towards the stone path and high-arched tunnel, her boots clapping against the moss-covered stones.


    As she slowly made her way south, the princess felt her heart pounding furiously, her stomach churning, sweat beading on her forehead.


    After climbing up the staircase, she rested her hand against the wall to catch her breath. "What is going on with me?" Aurelia murmured, confused. Was she afraid? Or was it something entirely different?


    Fifteen minutes of walking led her to a clearing. Every sensation pointed to it. Undoubtedly, something bizarre lurked within that silver Armatus. She was certain of it.


    The Armatus mobile suit was now parked, kneeling on the grass. The grand opening space was enclosed by the defence tower''s outer wall. A group of people huddled next to the giant steel suit. Triss Mercie and one of her Novitcius mages, clad in black, were inspecting an unconscious man lying on the ground. Nearby stood a Wildren and a white-haired man. From Triss''s reaction, the guests appeared non-hostile, yet Aurelia did not recognise any of them.


    Narrowing her eyes, she examined the new arrivals. Something about the silver-haired man caught her attention. Each strand of his hair seemed to sheen and dance elegantly against the gulf of wind. His shoulders were broad complementing his towering heights, a head above Triss Mercie''s. His frame was wrapped in a loose grey tunic and black trousers. But most noticeably of all, there was an aura about him, something deeply familiar. It reminded her of someone she had known ¡ª someone she knew very well indeed.


    Without hesitation, Aurelia found herself rushing forward, hope glimmering in her eyes.


    ***


    Inspecting the unconscious man, Triss spotted the purple glyphs around his throat, its tendrils slithering into his skin like deadly serpents.


    "O'' Mother Gaia, he bears the Deadman''s Brand," She concluded, clasping her hands. Concern was evident on her pale face.


    The Deadman''s Brand was an arcane spell designed to gradually but ultimately kill its victim. It was a specific spell that only the Shadowbringers could wield. These assassins were trained under the Celestius mage of the Sagittarius Division, Jovian Zel Zepharion ¡ª the most feared assassin in human history.


    Many rumours surrounded Jovian''s origins. It was said that at just seven years old, he took a man''s life. But not just any man, but a Stellius mage. And he had done it with nothing more than a paperweight. If that wasn''t shocking enough, he had carried out the assassination undetected, leaving nothing behind but whispers and speculation. Tales of his ruthlessness spread far and wide, painting him as a cold-hearted killer who lived solely for the thrill of the hunt.


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    If Ignius Lux Draconus, the former Celestius mage of the Ares Division, was the master of thundering war, then Jovian was the master of silent, unseen death.


    Triss scanned the group, ensuring everyone understood the gravity of the situation. Then she hesitated before adding, "And¡­ he''s also missing his p~penis." Her voice wavered as she blushed at the mere mention.


    "What?!" Jack blurted out, his forehead creasing. He wanted to ask for clarification but held his tongue. The others seemed equally disturbed and chose to remain silent.


    "Umm¡­ Triss-y, can you do anything about it?" Lupus eventually asked, resting her hands on her hips. She exchanged a glance with Jack beside her, as if to say, "I''m doing everything I can for this Armatus knight."


    Jack nodded slowly in acknowledgment.


    "Well¡­ I''m terribly sorry. I might not be able to heal him completely. His condition is far worse than I initially anticipated because the brand is already spreading throughout his body," Triss admitted apologetically, bowing her head to Lupus and Jack.


    Her eyes brimmed with kindness and empathy as they lingered on the painful face of the man.


    "But I thought you could. Haven''t you registered your Essence of Iasis as mythic in the mage directory?" Lupus asked in disbelief, scratching her upper arm.


    "Yes¡­ that information is accurate, but I do not possess such immense mana required to perform this level of healing," Triss responded, her voice resonating softly.


    Jack''s shoulders slumped in disappointment. Triss took note of his genuine despair, her eyes darted the ground in guilt as if she was at fault.


    "But there is~ Huh?!" Her sentence was cut short as another girl lunged forward, tackling Jack from behind.


    "Zetius!" Aurelia cried out, wrapping her arms around Jack''s waist.


    Jack yelped reflexively from the impact.


    Lupus''s eyes widened in shock, watching her husband get a sudden hug right in front of her eyes.


    Jack spun around. "Woah?! Young miss, who are you?!" he snapped, startled. Now that he could see her properly, he guessed she was no older than fifteen ¡ª her round face and wide eyes giving away her youth. He studied her for a moment. Aside from her striking red hair and eyes, there was nothing particularly remarkable about her. In other words, she was quite mid as his DebrisX crews would refer to such quality.


    Aurelia''s expression mirrored his shock. She recoiled as if struck by lightning, landing on the ground. "W-who are you?!" She shouted, her face drained of colour before flushing crimson in embarrassment. Her skin shifted colours as though she was a chameleon.


    Lupus shot Jack a menacing glare, yanking his collar toward her. "Who is this lost child? Since when did you start grooming a child?! Answer me, Jackie!" She fired off accusations without giving him a chance to respond.


    "Wait~what?! I don''t know this girl, Lupus!" Jack yelled back, his face serious. "She just popped out of nowhere and called me Zetian or something." He turned to the girl.


    "I''m~I''m sorry! I mistook you for someone else," Aurelia stammered sheepishly. Yet, despite her words, she neither bowed nor gestured any sign of apology.

 56. Synchronisation II

    Letting go of his collar, Lupus exhaled sharply, trying to calm herself. "I¡¯m sorry too," She admitted to Jack, who adjusted his tunic back into place and dusted his shoulders.


    "Jeez¡­" Jack muttered under his breath, shooting her a glare for not trusting him.


    Triss and her mage chuckled in amusement at the drama. "Now, now, everyone. May I introduce you to our catalyst?" She announced, her divine voice carrying authority. Instinctively, everyone turned their attention to her.


    Both of Triss¡¯s hands theatrically pointed at the princess, showing extreme respect toward her.


    "Catalyst?" Aurelia asked, pointing at her face and tilting her head slightly.


    Triss nodded twice at the princess before turning to everyone. "I believe that if Princess Aurelia Sol Solara lends me her immense mana, I might be able to fully utilise my mythic essence."


    Jack edged closer to Lupus. "What does she mean?" He asked, curiosity lacing his tone.


    "It means she¡¯ll borrow mana from the princess to use the healing spell because her own innate mana capacity isn¡¯t enough to amplify her Iasis," Lupus explained matter-of-factly, keeping her voice low so only he could hear.


    "Wait, you can do that?"


    "Yes, but only if Princess Aurelia has a sufficient mana reservoir and is willing to allow the channelling," Lupus added.


    Aurelia put her fists on her hips, her condescending smirk drew on her lips, "Mm! I¡¯ll do it!" She declared with confidence and determination.


    Glancing at the dying man, she took pity in him. And if she could save a man¡¯s life with her mana, she¡¯d gladly go for it.


    "Wow, that weird girl is actually nice. At least she¡¯s willing to help strangers in need without a second thought," Jack mumbled, only to receive a nudge from Lupus.


    "Show some respect, Jackie. She¡¯s not just any princess ¡ª she¡¯s the princess of Solis Aeternum," Lupus scolded.


    "My bad, my bad," He said, waving a hand dismissively.


    "Then we shall not waste any more time. Princess?" Triss suggested, motioning for Aurelia to step forward. The princess eagerly did so, hovering her palms towards the reserved mage.


    "Oh? So you¡¯re familiar with the harmonious channelling ritual, Princess Aurelia?" Triss asked, glancing over her shoulder. Aurelia nodded a few times.


    "That¡¯s a relief. Then let¡¯s concentrate!" Triss instructed, clasping her hands to her chest.


    Her mind began shaping the human anatomy ¡ª starting with the rough outlines, then the intricate network of blood vessels, red muscle fibres, and bones. She envisioned the flow of rivers and the currents of wind. Aurelia did the same, aligning their focus.


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    Soon, emerald leaves materialised and began to flutter around them. Hundreds, perhaps thousands twisted and danced through the air, each one glowing softly with intricate glyphs etched into its surface.


    A luminous veil of energy rippled outward, cascading like an aurora waving across the tower. Shimmering waves of light painted the stone in hues of green and gold, their brilliance reflecting off the tower¡¯s highest spires.


    Jack and Lupus stood in awe. The ritual was more than magic ¡ª it was a spectacle of life itself, both mesmerising and profoundly serene.


    After a minute or two, Triss¡¯s eyes snapped open, glowing an ethereal green. Her hair floated as if she were in zero gravity. "Iasis!" Triss and Aurelia chanted in unison.


    The leaves surged, spiralling like a storm with Rhok at the centre. For a moment, a brilliant green light illuminated the entire space, almost blinding them. Then, in an instant, it vanished.


    Jack blinked several times, trying to adjust his vision. As expected, the deadman¡¯s brand had been completely wiped out. A triumphant smile curled on Aurelia¡¯s lips. "We did it! Yay!" She exclaimed, bouncing with joy, clasping hands with Triss, who hesitated before joining in.


    "Damn¡­ Magic is both awesome and terrifying," Jack murmured, exchanging a soft smile with Lupus.


    "He might remain in a daze or comatose for a few days," Triss informed the group, gazing at the man on the ground, who now appeared to be sleeping soundly.


    "Alrighty, we¡¯ll take him to Hasenwald as a prisoner of war. Then we¡¯ll decide what to do with him," Lupus concluded with a nod.


    As they celebrated the successful healing, a voice suddenly rang out.


    "Jackie?! Is that you?!" David called out incredulously, stumbling forward with glassy eyes and outstretched arms.


    Jack and Lupus spun on their heels towards the voice. "David?! Is that really you, my friend?!" He exclaimed, a mixture of disbelief and joy washing over him.


    "Ah!" The two men embraced tightly before pulling back. "I thought you were dead!" Jack said, still blinking in bewilderment.


    They exchanged broad smiles. From Luna Base to this war-torn planet, meeting here was the last thing either of them had expected. Fate truly worked in mysterious ways.


    "My good man, how?!" David asked, scratching his cheek.


    "I made a descent with some puny bots¡­ Fifty of them," Jack replied with a smirk.


    David frowned. "Impossible! If that were true, your brain would be scrambled already!" He blurted as his stumpy fingers reached out to examine his head, to which Jack evaded with a backstep.


    "Well¡­ I employed group commands and a mirroring protocol. That way, I was only controlling ten at a time."


    "Hot damn! You¡¯ve never failed to amaze me, Jackie!" David bellowed with laughter. Then he leaned in, lowering his voice. "Is that your wife?" He asked, his keen dark eyes glancing at Lupus, who was still deep in conversation with Triss.


    Jack¡¯s smile faltered, his expression darkening. ¡°They¡¯re gone, David¡­ It¡¯s a long story.¡± His voice grew quiet, heavy with unspoken grief. His shoulders sagged under the weight of a reality he could never escape. That emptiness, the one that had hollowed him out since that day, never loosened its grip on his soul.


    "Oh¡­ I hear you, mate." David patted his arm gently, offering silent solace before cursing at the sky. "Damn this bloody war!"


    After a moment, Jack looked up. "What about you? How did you get back?"


    For a good while, the two men exchanged into their respective stories, recounting their journeys, their struggles, and their unexpected reunion. Soon, Jack learned that David had been trying to fix a spacecraft he¡¯d salvaged from Luna Base, but a key component was missing ¡ª the arcanite engine.


    Jack offered to scavenge for one, sealing their next course of action. With a plan in mind, they prepared for the next chapter of their battle for survival.

 57. Frain’s Toy

    After the two uncles finished their conversation, Jack and Lupus prepared to leave the defence tower with Rhok. As Jack followed Lupus, David approached her and extended his hand.


    "Miss Hoffmann, please take care of Jackie. He''s an old soul, but he''s a good man, a great man even," David said, his eyes brimming with admiration. Then he turned and snuck a charismatic wink at Jack.


    Jack found himself chuckling, "Hehe, I''m not that old," He retorted light-heartedly.


    Taken aback slightly, Lupus soon smiled and shook David''s large hand. "I know. I''ll keep him safe, I promise."


    "Please come visit Hasenwald, okay?" Lupus said excitedly before heading towards the silver Armatus.


    "See you again, lady and gentleman!" David announced with an elaborate bow.


    In the far corner of the dark wall, Aurelia stood alone, fidgeting with the tip of her foot against the stone ground. Her eyes lingered on the departing pair, ashamed of her past actions. It had been a sudden surge of emotion when she thought Zetius had returned. That hope had crumbled into pieces when it turned out to be some handsome uncle named Jack.


    "Z''Smite me!" She cursed under her breath, berating herself.


    "What''s wrong?" Friederich abruptly emerged from the dark tunnel beside her, wearing a puzzled expression. The dazzling elf had a white towel hung over his neck, occasionally wiping the water from his face.


    Turning her face away, she clasped her palms over her cheeks. "Nothing!" She snapped.


    "Suit yourself, Aurelia," Friederich said, his tone flat as he approached and stood beside her. He was a head taller than the princess and more.


    The elven mage watched quietly as Jack and Lupus took off in their Armatus, disappearing into the horizon.


    "I... I, umm..." Friederich''s lips parted and then closed again, struggling to find the right words.


    The princess puffed up her cheeks, frustrated with herself even more. She didn''t know what was wrong with her lately ¡ª first the visions, and now this encounter with an uncle.


    "Aurelia, I sensed a large flash of green light. What just happened?" The prime guardian asked, crossing his arms.


    "Oh, Triss and I performed Astral Iasis through mana channelling," Aurelia responded excitedly.


    Friederich''s expression darkened suddenly, his blue eyes glaring at her in shock. "You did what?!"


    ***


    That night, Jack and Lupus arrived at the Hoffmann estate, the grand white manor seemingly carved into the white rock. As they entered the accessway, Jack strode forward with Lupus following close behind, their footsteps echoing against the high ceiling.


    A few meters ahead stood two familiar figures. The bunny Wildren, with her silver ponytail, was the eldest sister of the Hoffmann family. She wore a long navy cloak that extended to her ankles and dark high-heeled boots. Beside her stood the only lion Wildren in Hasenwald, dressed in a bright gray cloak that complemented her blonde hair. Frain carried something on her back ¡ª a three-meter-long instrument wrapped in leather pelt and secured with a black rope.


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    "Hiya!" Lupus waved enthusiastically at the two. Frain turned but maintained a deadpan expression, offering no reply.


    "Lupy! Mr. Squire! You''re home late," Lunice greeted them with a wave.


    Jack lightly tapped Frain''s shoulder, causing her to flinch slightly. "What?" She eventually said, her tone laced with a hint of pettiness and sorrow.


    "I''m so sorry. I didn''t know Lupy would dupe you like that," Jack said, his voice softening as he smiled at the lioness.


    "I''m sorry too!" Lupus interjected before hopping forward and hugging the girl. It didn''t take much for Frain to forgive her friends, and soon a contented smile adorned her face.


    For a good while, they both purred in delight, a pure display of affection that brought smiles to Jack and Lunice''s lips.


    Lupus pulled back, cupping Frain''s shoulders. "Thank you for forgiving me! Next time, we''ll definitely bring you along, okay?" She promised, locking eyes with her friend.


    "Mm! Mm!" Frain hummed and nodded before Lupus pulled her into another warm embrace, complete with a barrage of head pats.


    "By the way¡­" Jack spoke up, glancing at Lunice, his curiosity piqued. "What''s that thing on Frain''s back?" He asked, pointing.


    "Oh, that!" Lunice gasped in amazement but waited for Frain to reveal it herself.


    Recognising her cue, Frain set the object down with a heavy clank. "Lunice is a nice sister; she bought it for me," She said as she untied the ropes, unveiling its contents ¡ª a massive battle axe. The blade shimmered with a silver hue, its entire structure forged from metal from head to handle. The design was simplistic yet majestic, with the only striking feature being the arcanite harnesser embedded in the axe''s head.


    "We visited the blacksmith today, so I figured, why not?" Lunice added, resting a hand on Frain''s head, treating her like a child of her own.


    "Wow¡­ Is it heavy?" Jack crouched beside Frain, inspecting the craftsmanship in awe.


    "Very heavy," Lunice replied with a cunning smile. "Try it, Mr. Squire."


    Jack glanced at Frain for permission. After she nodded, he gripped the handle and attempted to deadlift the weapon. "Uh!" He heaved, but it didn''t budge.


    "Yaaah!" He tried again, harder this time. Something snapped ¡ª probably an old joint of his.


    "Ah!" Jack yelped, squeezing his eyes shut from the pain, and rubbing his back gently.


    "Hahahahaha!" Lupus and Lunice burst into laughter.


    Frain, however, effortlessly grasped the handle with one hand and swung the axe over her shoulder, her posture smart and cool.


    "I like heavy things!" She declared nonchalantly.


    With the battle axe in her grasp, Frain appeared all the more formidable. No sane person would dare challenge her while she wielded such a weapon.


    "That thing must weigh over 500 kilos... How does she swing it like a toy?" Jack''s mind reeled in disbelief.


    Wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes, Lupus turned to Lunice. "It''s an arc battle axe, right? What essence does it have?"


    "Atramn¨¦on, the Unyielding Edge! I handpicked it for her," Lunice replied with a satisfied clasp of her hands.


    "Wow, such a perfect essence for Frain''s monstrous strength," Lupus mused, kneading Frain''s biceps. To Jack''s surprise, they had grown significantly in a short time. He recalled vividly that Frain had been overeating since they arrived at Hasenwald, still she didn''t appear any chubbier.


    "I want to train, but Lunice said I should rest for the day," Frain admitted. The bunny Wildren returned a soft, empathetic smile.


    "Aww, we''ll train soon, but¡­" Lupus scanned the room before grinning. "Let''s have some food!"


    "Yay!" Lunice exclaimed, bouncing into the air, her bust jiggling with the motion.


    Jack could only sigh. Another lively night awaited them.

 58. Next Destination

    It had been a week since the encounter at the defence tower. Jack and David had been chatting on the short-range radio channel, exchanging information. After several attempts to scavenge the arcanite engine from the northern area for David¡¯s spacecraft, Jack eventually managed to locate and salvage it from a fallen Armatus suit.


    On a bright, sunny day, Jack hauled the arcanite engine to the defence tower. David excitedly got to work, installing it into his vessel with the help of former DebrisX crews. Jack found one of the stone ledges to rest his weary body, watching his large friend work.


    Jack casually swept his eyes around the defence tower, examining the area. The atmosphere seemed serene and quiet. A flock of songbirds soared in the distance sky. Nothing had changed much since his last visit, but he noticed crates and boxes scattered around the clearing, as though preparations were being made to move elsewhere.


    ¡°Maybe they¡¯re routing back to the major city to reinforce the war effort?¡± Jack mused, recalling snippets of rumours he had heard about the great war in another country. Some was more alarming than the rest as it suggested that the Dunkelheit Empire was planning to strike at Porand, a country situated west of Germund. This would likely grow their territory and power.


    "It¡¯s always those who hold power who hunger for it most," Jack thought grimly, his fingers unconsciously caressing the lines on his palm.


    Suddenly, a red-haired girl walked over and sat beside him, an arm¡¯s length away. Time passed, and she said nothing. The silence between them grew awkward, only interrupted by the occasional noise of the workers. Jack pretended to drink from a bottle of water, quenching his thirst and hoping to ease his nerves.


    Eventually, Aurelia spoke up. ¡°Who are you?¡± Her red eyes narrowed as she studied him.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her?¡± Jack thought. After steeling himself, he forced a smile. ¡°Nice to finally introduce myself. I¡¯m Jack Squire, former DebrisX crew.¡±


    Aurelia crossed her arms and glanced away at the vessels where the crews were working diligently. ¡°I¡¯m Princess Aurelia Sol Solara,¡± She replied bluntly. There was nothing regal about her as her gesture more boyish, Jack remarked internally.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± He nodded a few times, then returned to minding his own business.


    ¡°What?¡± She snapped, spooking the man.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to ask why the princess of Solis Aeternum is in this rural place?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s clearly your royal expedition, and I shan¡¯t pry into such a private matter,¡± Jack replied, trying to sound regal. It was a poor attempt, but at least the message had been conveyed.


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    Aurelia shook her head. ¡°Well, I might tell you,¡± She said, her expression ambiguous, closing one eye.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    She moved in closer, her excitement growing. ¡°I¡¯m going to tell you,¡± She whispered eagerly.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to stop the war!¡± Aurelia''s voice was full of overconfidence.


    As far as Jack was concerned, Aurelia was a princess of the neural empire, Solis Aeternum. Her political power was unmatched by that of the Dunkelheit or Osten empire, ¡°What an absurd claim¡­¡± He thought.


    ¡°Good luck with that, princess,¡± Jack replied bluntly, nodding politely. He tried to sound just dismissive enough. Why is she talking to me? I¡¯m just minding my own business, he thought in frustration.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ You¡¯re not taking me seriously, are you?¡± Aurelia said bitterly. His voice carried a tone that reminded Aurelia of how her father and even Friederich, her prime guardian, dismissed her in much the same manner.


    Changing the subject, Jack asked, ¡°Are you guys moving?¡± He pointed at the crates and boxes scattered around.


    ¡°Oh, that? Yes. Triss and her Novitcius mages will join Porand and station there.¡±


    ¡°What about you, princess?¡± Jack probed further. Their eyes met, and Jack realised her eyes were a vibrant red, much like his own, or more precisely, like his son¡¯s in the digital ink photo.


    Aurelia seemed dazed for a moment but quickly snapped out of it. ¡°I¡¯m going too. David will give us a lift there, and then, from there, I¡¯ll stop the war once and for all¡­¡± Her steady voice grew hesitant, and she found herself staring at her fidgeting fingers.


    Aurelia struggled to conceal her change in plans. Her innate ability, the grand mana reservoir, had been exposed during the dual Iasis with Triss to dispel the Deadman¡¯s Brand. While the chance of being found by enemies was slim, Friederich¡¯s analysis suggested that the exposure might invite trouble. As a result, Friederich¡¯s overly protective nature forced her to seek asylum in Porand for the time being.


    She¡¯s so strange... and overshares everything¡­ that trait won¡¯t last long in the game of politics, Jack thought to himself.


    ¡°What about the guy I saved? His name is Rhok, right?¡± She asked, tilting her head slightly.


    ¡°Ah, yes. Like Triss said, he woke up the next day and has been working at the carrot farm ever since,¡± Jack replied flatly. Rhok Wagner had been released after swearing defection from the Dunkelheit Empire.


    Still, Lupus didn¡¯t trust him and insisted he had the Slave Circlet on. Initially, Jack didn¡¯t agree with using the slave brand, but it was the right call to keep the townspeople safe, just in case Rhok had any malicious intentions. So far, he had proven to be a honorable man with ample knowledge of Armatus tech.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad¡­¡± Aurelia trailed off, touching her sternum. Jack watched her carefully. Despite her peculiar traits, she was genuinely a nice princess, which was rare among nobles and highborns.


    Jack raised up slowly, ¡°Well, I wish you the best of luck, princess.¡± His words were interrupted by another voice.


    ¡°Aurelia, have you prepared for departure?¡± Friederich¡¯s voice called from a distance. He strode forward, glaring at Jack for a brief moment before motioning for the princess to follow him.


    She shot up on her feet, ¡°I¡¯ll visit Hasenwald before we leave, so s~see you later!¡± Aurelia said, her voice rising an octave higher than intended. With that, she turned and followed Friederich toward the main building.


    ... Phew¡­ What an exhausting experience. Those royal families are full of weirdos, Jack thought to himself.

 59. Interlude: Jovian Xan Zepharion I

    Amidst the relentless storm, rain lashed the heart of Hongon, surging like a tsunami through neon-lit streets and colliding against towering skyscrapers. The simmering glow of green, pink, and blue neon flickered across the dense concrete jungle, casting fleeting shadows.


    On the streets below, thousands of Mechaniis shuffled about, seeking refuge from the frigid, torrential downpour. Overhead, a mere ten metres above, the erratic hum of flying cars echoed, their headlights flashing against the grey concrete, painting it in amber hues.


    In a dimly lit subway station, a rough-looking man slept against a ceramic-tiled wall, his legs stretched forward. His clothes were filthy and tattered, mirroring the misfortunes of his life. His long, wavy hair obscured half of his face.


    A staggering salaryman in a crumpled suit wobbled to a stop next to him, slurring slightly before unzipping and relieving himself against the wall. The pungent stench of urine filled the air as yellowish steam rose, droplets splashing onto the hobo''s hair.


    "Ah!" The hobo yelped, his eyes snapping open as he jolted upright.


    He scowled at the man, shooing him away with a flick of his wrist before exhaling sharply and slumping his shoulders.


    "Ugh... Disgusting..."


    A voice crackled from in front of him. A high school girl stood there, her shadow looming over him, her expression of distaste unmistakable.


    The hobo studied her, his gaze drawn to her tight white school uniform, which strained against her ample chest. Her medium-length hair was stylishly striking ¡ª half-white, half-black. Their eyes locked for a moment, revealing a shared and unusual trait: piercing purple irises.


    "...You¡¯ve got to play the part, Ziyue..." he muttered, stretching out his hand.


    She scowled instead of helping him up, crossing her arms beneath her chest. "I¡¯ve played my part, Uncle Jovian."


    Jovian scrambled to his feet sluggishly.


    Ziyue raised a hand, stopping him before deliberately slipping on a black mask. "You reek of urine. Can you at least bathe first?"


    Jovian didn¡¯t answer as they walked side by side, a striking contrast between a glamorous schoolgirl and a shaggy hobo.


    "It¡¯s the most convincing part of my disguise, Ziyue¡­ You¡¯re standing out too much," He drawled.


    "Well, at least this uniform is remarkably effective at luring pervy old men into talking... You should¡¯ve seen their faces when I ripped their nails out, one by one."


    Jovian arched a brow. "Is violence necessary?" His eyes drifted distantly toward the passing crowd.


    "Not always. But these people deserved it." She tapped her cheek playfully, her deadly charm unmistakable.


    Without another word, the uncle and niece melted into the crowd, vanishing.


    ***


    The intelligence Ziyue had extracted from high-ranking officers led them to the most glamorous casino in the city ¡ª the venue for a secret negotiation between Haoxuan, the Magus Primarch of Hongon, and Nohrell Voss Fenrith, Astral Empress of Dunkelheit.


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    Fortune Five stood as a monolithic, globe-like structure of full-duplex glass, gleaming amidst the surrounding concrete jungle. Its dazzling neon displays made it a landmark.


    Far to the east, two figures sprinted up the glass exterior, their feet gripping the near-vertical surface effortlessly. Upon reaching the 88th floor, Jovian, cloaked in dark fabric, raised a fist and gestured with two fingers toward the grand hall.


    Ziyue followed his motion, her gaze landing on a group seated around a lavish roulette table. A fox Wildren with sleek white fur lounged elegantly, idly brushing her tail. Beside her, a blue-haired man stood with impeccable posture, his hands clasped behind his back. Opposite them sat a thin, short man in a pristine white suit.


    "Jackpot." Ziyue''s eyes gleamed with excitement.


    ***


    "What do you say, Haoxuan?" Nohrell¡¯s teasing voice echoed through the opulent hall, adorned in gold and silver. "Are you feeling particularly lucky?" Her heterochromatic eyes; one a simmering gold, the other a deep aquatic blue, studied him keenly.


    She wore a striking blue qipao dress with a high slit, revealing her sleek black-stockinged legs. The fabric shimmered with an almost ethereal quality.


    "Hahaha! Yes, yes. Traditional roulette games like this are quite rare." Haoxuan forced a smile, dabbing sweat from his brow with a red handkerchief.


    Nohrell picked up a ten-million chip from her towering stack. "This is worthless," she remarked, her tone detached.


    Haoxuan said nothing, but his eyes flickered toward her advisor, Suingi Marchand, standing stoically at her side.


    "Shall we make this more interesting?" Nohrell suggested, resting her chin on her hand. She tossed the chip to the floor with deliberate boredom. "These stakes mean nothing to me."


    "Huh? What do you propose, Astress Nohrell?" Haoxuan asked, his voice trailing off.


    "Double your arcanite engine production. I¡¯ve heard whispers that you¡¯ve been deliberately slowing operations to create scarcity," the empress said, her tone regal yet unwavering.


    "And... if the house wins?"


    "Then you¡¯ll receive a third of my Armatus knights. Under your direct command." Nohrell¡¯s eyes sparkled with amusement as she clapped lightly, glancing at her advisor. "Wouldn¡¯t that be exciting?"


    Suingi exhaled a deep sigh, visibly unimpressed.


    Haoxuan¡¯s eyes glowed with greed. If he won, Hongon would become one of the most formidable nations in the world. His lips curled into a smile. "Only a straight, single bet ¡ª high stakes."


    "Line bet. Six numbers," Suingi interjected firmly, his golden eyes locking onto the Primarch.


    Haoxuan flinched. "Yes, yes. Sir Advisor."


    Nohrell tapped her manicured nails on the table before selecting her numbers. "Let¡¯s go with... 6, 8, 29, 37, 14, and 16."


    "Not 14," Suingi advised, swapping it for 15. Nohrell smiled at him contentedly and signalled for Haoxuan to proceed.


    The Primarch placed his hand on the pin and spun the wheel. The roulette whirred with near-frictionless precision before he released the ball in the opposite direction. It bounced back and forth before slowing.


    The ball teetered on 35 before ricocheting... landing on 14.


    Haoxuan¡¯s grin widened, triumph clear in his eyes.


    But then, a sudden lurch ¡ª an unseen force jolted the wheel, sending the ball rolling into 15.


    "What?!" Haoxuan shouted in disbelief.


    "Hahahahahaha!" Nohrell threw her head back, laughing through her fingers. "I told you ¡ª Lady Luck favours me tonight."


    Suingi stepped forward, datapad in hand, as Haoxuan, still reeling, begrudgingly signed the contract, committing to a 200% increase in arcanite engine production.


    Nohrell bounced in her seat, revelling in her victory. "Well, that was fun~!"


    Suddenly, the glass walls shattered.


    Three kunai whizzed through the air, hurtling toward Nohrell.


    Suingi reacted instantly, shielding her with his body as his energy barrier flared to life.

 60. Interlude: Jovian Xan Zepharion II

    Bang! Bang! Bang! Three rounds of gunfire echoed through the hall.


    The bullets flew ¡ª two ricocheted off the shield, but the last tore and pierced through, embedding itself in Suingi¡¯s shoulder. Yet, he neither yelped nor flinched from the impact.


    Even Jovian turned to his apprentice in astonishment. The gun in her hand smoked slightly from the residual heat.


    ¡°What?¡± Ziyue asked, glaring back at him.


    ¡°...Who even uses that nowadays?¡± He pulled a sour face.


    ¡°Ironic! I¡¯d prefer up close and personal, Uncle.¡±


    Instantly, she lunged forward, her leg crashing down like a hammer. Reflexively, Suingi crossed his arms to block. The impact sent pain searing through his limbs, forcing a grunt from his lips.


    She reappeared behind him, delivering another brutal kick to his back. Suingi barely managed to track her movements before he was sent crashing through a glass wall. The pane shattered but still held. Knocked out cold, he slumped onto the floor.


    Meanwhile, Jovian hurled a barrage of kunai at the empress. She slipped through them effortlessly, the blades narrowly missed her skin. A few silver strands of hair drifted to the floor.


    Primarch Haoxuan crouched behind the roulette table, barking commands into his watch. ¡°Security! Send everyone here now!¡±


    The thin man scrambled toward the door, but the kunai embedded themselves into the floor ahead of him. He reversed course, crawling back on all fours.


    Two enemies surrounded the fox empress, yet she remained unfazed.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± She teased, hoisting herself onto the table.


    Jovian tightened his grip on his blades, their purple flames flickering. He exchanged an uncertain glance with Ziyue.


    When neither responded, Nohrell smirked. ¡°Not much for conversation, are you? Ah! Shadowbringers!¡± Her eyes sparkled with delight, and she clapped theatrically.


    Jovian channelled mana through his legs, crushing the concrete beneath him. In a blink, he lunged at the empress at supersonic speed, his purple blade arcing straight for her neck.


    She ducked, her fox ears flattening against her head, and slid to the side with acrobatic finesse. Her tail swept upward, conjuring a whirlwind that sent Jovian flying.


    ¡°Crap!¡± Jovian gritted his teeth, twisting mid-air. In a split second, he inhaled sharply and planted his feet against the vertical wall, absorbing the momentum ¡ª defying the laws of physics.


    ¡°What... was that windy thing?¡± He muttered, standing upright and stepping onto the ceiling as if gravity itself bowed to him.


    Nohrell shifted her stance, glancing warily at Ziyue. Confirming the female assassin hadn''t moved, she turned her attention to the man above her.


    ¡°Quite fast! But your speed is way slower than Aurora''s.¡± She claimed, clapping mockingly.


    Almost instantly, in her peripheral vision, another purple dagger slashed towards her. Her eyes widened in shock. ¡°She¡¯s even faster than that guy!¡±


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    Her tail whipped up to block, but the blade sliced cleanly through, severing a third of its length. Blood splattered across the carpet and walls as Nohrell stumbled back slightly.


    ¡°Stupid fox! Don¡¯t underestimate me!¡± Ziyue taunted, relishing her small victory. Her purple steel had served its purpose ¡ª inflicting the Deadman¡¯s Brand upon her soul. Soon, all her copies would be afflicted by the arc poison.


    Instead of lashing out, the empress straightened herself gracefully, lips curling into a defiant smile.


    Snap!


    Without hesitation, Nohrell snapped her own neck. Her body collapsed to the floor.


    ¡°Noooooo!¡± Ziyue roared, reaching out, but it was too late.


    She stomped her foot in frustration, checking for a pulse. The empress was truly gone.


    ¡°Hades'' hell¡­¡± She cursed under her breath. Jovian grasped her shoulder in silent consolation.


    She pushed him away and strode toward the trembling man cowering in the corner. Yanking him up by the collar, she lifted him effortlessly.


    ¡°Primarch! Where is she!?¡± She demanded, her eyes burning with fury.


    ¡°I~I don¡¯t know¡­ she~she¡¯s dead, isn¡¯t she?¡± Haoxuan stammered, confusion evident in his eyes.


    Ziyue glanced over her shoulder. Jovian was crouched at the spot where Suingi had fallen ¡ª but the advisor was gone. The man had slipped away in the chaos.


    Jovian shook his head, signalling that the primarch was genuinely clueless.


    ¡°G~Guard!¡± Haoxuan screamed, but his cries went unheard. The illusion spell the Shadowbringers had cast before the ambush remained intact.


    Unexpectedly, Ziyue set him down gently. Her purple eyes gleamed with malice as she raised her dagger.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t kill me!¡± Haoxuan squeezed his eyes shut. But no death came ¡ª only the sound of steel being wiped clean on his white suit.


    Ziyue smiled weakly. Haoxuan almost fell for her deadly charm before snapping himself out of it.


    As she turned to walk away, he called out, ¡°Why? Why didn¡¯t you kill me?¡±


    She flashed another smile. ¡°Killing a man like you is pointless. Kill one, and another worse one will take your place. Cya.¡±


    With a snap of her fingers, she leapt off the building.


    Jovian scratched his head, casting one last unreadable look at the primarch before vanishing into the shadows.


    ***


    Namvie, a city under the reign of the Dunkelheit Empire.


    The gold ring on Aurora¡¯s index finger vibrated as the arc comm connected.


    ¡°Astral Empress, we failed the mission¡­¡± Jovian¡¯s voice came through, tinged with rare disappointment.


    ¡°I know,¡± Aurora replied calmly.


    Her gaze shifted to Nohrell, whose pale face was inches from hers, crimson liquid dribbling from the corner of her mouth.


    Aurora drove her flaming double-edged sword deep into Nohrell¡¯s torso. The fox empress heaved in pain, but her eyes never wavered.


    ¡°Psst!¡± Nohrell spat blood at Aurora¡¯s face, but she didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, she twisted the blade, cleaving through Nohrell¡¯s body. Blood poured onto the ground.


    Even in death, her mocking smile never faded.


    Her essence shattered and disintegrated in the darkness.


    Aurora stood, raising her blade to eye level. It had not served its true purpose. ¡°How many more do I have to kill?¡± She wondered grimly.


    A strange stillness filled the air.


    Aurora¡¯s silver-white eyes widened in realisation. ¡°Phoros!¡± She screamed, her voice raw.


    Blinding light erupted beneath her feet. Everything turned white.


    The deafening explosion obliterated the entire city. Smoke billowed in the distance, and a hundred thousand souls perished in an instant.


    Yet, amidst the destruction, a lone figure staggered forward, using a sword for support. One leg twisted at an unnatural angle.


    Aurora, her fractured dark armour exposing bloodied skin, groaned in agony. Her cape of legendary Ventiff, billowed through the wasteland, miraculously unscathed.


    Weakly, she surveyed the ruins before her. ¡°I underestimated you, fox¡­ I never thought you¡¯d destroy your own city¡­ Auh!¡±


    Her vision blurred. Her body gave out.


    She hit the dirt, feeling its heat seep into her skin.


    Her consciousness faded into darkness.

 61. Jazz in the Air I

    A couple of days later, on Friday, 13th October 2538 CE, a grand feast was being held at the Hoffmann estate, in honour of Princess Aurelia and her royal guardian. Terissa Mercier, David McDonald, and the rest of the Defence Tower staff had also been invited to the joyous occasion.


    On the expansive balcony overlooking the grand riverwall of Hasenwald, long rows of tables were elegantly arranged, adorned with a magnificent display of local delicacies ¡ª roasted boar, carrot salad, barbecue ribs, sausages, and more. Waiters and waitresses in crisp black and white uniforms glided gracefully through the crowd, serving food and beverages to the esteemed guests seated at ten circular tables.


    At the heart of the venue stood over twenty round tables, each covered with white cloths intricately embroidered with silver thread, set with white plates and polished silverware. Soft, glowing flowers illuminated the centrepieces, casting a warm light as the evening wore on.


    As the sun began to dip, painting the sky with shades of orange, the entire venue seemed to come alive with the vibrant atmosphere, regal and lavish, perfectly befitting the hospitality of the Princess of Solis Aeternum and her royal entourage.


    Jack and Lupus made their way through the crowd, Lupus¡¯s gloved arm intertwined with his. Their presence was dignified and elegant. Lupus wore a dark red dress with long, flowing feathers adorning her helm, her plump chest exposed and decorated with sparkling arcanite sapphires. Jack, in a dark crimson suit carefully selected by Lupus to complement her outfit, wore silver cufflinks bearing the Hoffmann family sigil on his wrists. His shoulder pads accentuated his posture, giving him an imposing, model-like frame ¡ª tall, broad, and striking.


    ¡°Nervous?¡± Lupus asked, her hand resting on his tricep.


    ¡°Y-yes... I¡¯ve never been to such a glamorous event before,¡± Jack replied, his nervousness evident as beads of sweat began to form on his forehead, making his skin glisten.


    ¡°Just be yourself, smile, and wave, remember?¡± Lupus said with a reassuring smile as she demonstrated the simple gesture to an elderly couple. Jack followed her lead, and a small smile spread across his face. "Wow, it really is that easy," he thought.


    Ahead of them, standing at the entrance to the venue, was Ludwig Hoffmann, the magistrate of Hasenwald. The tall wildren rabbit, dressed in a dark brown suit with his silver hair slicked back neatly, had been following Lupus''s advice ¡ª smiling, waving, and exchanging the occasional handshake with arriving guests.


    ¡°Father!¡± Lupus greeted him with an elaborate bow, dipping gracefully at the knees.


    ¡°Magistrate Ludwig, good evening,¡± Jack said, offering a small bow with a smile.


    ¡°Welcome, Lupus, and Mr. Squire,¡± the magistrate announced with a warm, inviting tone.


    To Ludwig¡¯s left, a band of over ten musicians played a blend of organic and mechanical sounds, with their instruments a mix of wood, metal, and electronics. The main piece, a golden saxophone, reverberated through the air, its melodies flowing like liquid. The distinct music was raw and improvised, embodying the essence of classical jazz.


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    ¡°Ah! Mr. Squire, you seem enchanted by jazz,¡± Ludwig said with a knowing smile.


    ¡°Jazz? I¡¯ve never heard of it, but there¡¯s something arcane about it...¡± Jack mused.


    Ludwig chuckled, opening his arms theatrically. ¡°What about this jazz resonates with you?¡±


    Jack listened to the music, trying to pinpoint his emotions. ¡°I think it¡¯s the sense of freedom,¡± he said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.


    A satisfied smile appeared on Ludwig¡¯s face. ¡°Exquisite taste! What else?¡±


    ¡°Father, let¡¯s not quiz my fianc¨¦,¡± Lupus interjected, crossing her arms with a playful scowl.


    Jack, letting the music wash over him, continued, ¡°Another feeling I sense is melancholy... and a touch of nostalgia.¡±


    ¡°Excellence! You have an impeccable ear. Lupus couldn¡¯t have chosen better,¡± Ludwig declared, giving Jack an approving tap on the shoulder. Jack realised that, despite being taller, Ludwig¡¯s rabbit ears made him appear the more imposing figure.


    Ludwig smiled slyly, ¡°...Though, keep in mind, my daughter tends to make mistakes from time to time. But I trust you¡¯re a forgiving man.¡±


    ¡°Father!¡± Lupus blushed, her voice tinged with embarrassment.


    ¡°Magistrate, it¡¯s an honour to serve you and have your daughter by my side,¡± Jack said, a little too formally, before adding, ¡°Maybe in a past life?¡± He chuckled quietly to himself.


    Soon, the couple in crimson made their way toward the table where the Defence Tower members were gathered ¡ª David, Triss, Aurelia, Friederich, two Novitcius mages, and three DebrisX crew members. Jack recognised the DebrisX team, all coordinators. Sitting beside David were Penny, Flickson, and Gust, while Frain was already at a neighbouring table, engaged in a food competition with the twins, Lumie and Lumus. Lunice cheered them on excitedly. Jack couldn¡¯t help but remark, None of them acted like adults.


    ¡°The Armatus drone self-destructed, and Jack barely escaped in time, flames licking his rear! And as Jackie said, ¡®My puny thing¡¯s small but tougher than Armatus knights!¡¯¡± David delivered a cheeky joke using Jack¡¯s story, and the room erupted with laughter, especially from the princess.


    ¡°She really does love those jokes. How strange...¡± Jack mused as he helped Lupus with her seating.


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember saying such a thing,¡± Jack whispered sheepishly to David after taking an empty seat next to him.


    David grinned, still chuckling. ¡°But people love a good joke, right?¡±


    Across the table, Triss gave Jack a bemused, almost teasing look. ¡°It isn¡¯t small, is it?¡± She whispered, her eyes glinting with mischief.


    Jack, suddenly self-conscious, lost his confidence. He didn¡¯t respond but burst out laughing, soon joined by everyone else, including Lupus. Betrayed ¡ª Jack thought, feeling the sting.


    The waiters and waitresses began to fill the tables with food and drinks. When they reached Jack, he gestured to the silver tray, pointing to the drink he¡¯d like.


    ¡°A champagne, please?¡± He asked, and the waiter placed it on the table at his right-hand side. Jack nodded in appreciation.


    ¡°But seriously,¡± Aurelia interjected, ¡°I didn¡¯t know a debris collector was capable of such feats. Maybe you had knight training before joining DebrisX?¡±


    Jack soon realised that Aurelia had been the one to steer the conversation in that direction.


    ¡°Ahem¡­ Well, I¡¯ve lost my memory,¡± Jack said, his tone laced with mock amusement.


    Laughter faded, and David stared at him, his eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°But how? You remember us?¡± He asked, his voice full of incredulity.

 62. Jazz in the Air II

    ¡°Yes, I remember all of you, from Luna Base,¡± Jack replied, then called out each name. ¡°Penny, Flickson, Gusto¡­ Yet, everything before the space-time event is gone. Not vague, not hazy ¡ª completely gone.¡± He stressed the last word, his eyes drifting to the table.


    ¡°Are you saying that when you buried your family in the soil, you don¡¯t remember them?¡± David asked before immediately regretting his question, cupping his mouth with both hands.


    Jack¡¯s expression softened. ¡°It¡¯s fine, my friend. Yes, I don¡¯t remember them,¡± he said, a hollow feeling creeping into his heart. Lupus gently clasped his shoulder, offering silent comfort.


    ¡°Thank you, Lupy,¡± Jack murmured.


    ¡°Ah! How convenient for you, Jack,¡± Aurelia remarked, resting her elbows on the table and her chin atop her interlaced fingers.


    Friederich glared at his princess, exhaling a frustrated breath. ¡°Aurelia, stop teasing an old man,¡± He scolded her lightly.


    Sensing the heaviness in the air, David broke the tension by raising his glass of fine crimson wine. ¡°How about a toast? To the spectacular view, amazing food, and mesmerising music?¡± He proclaimed loudly, and soon everyone lifted their glasses, declaring.


    ¡°Cheers!¡±


    David downed his glass in one go, ever the heavy drinker with a stomach of steel. He was one of the few who could spend half his earnings on nourishment alone. His belly was a testament to his affection for food and drink.


    ¡°Ah!¡± He sighed long and satisfyingly. Jack followed suit, and soon the joyous mood returned, with chatter and laughter filling the air.


    ***


    During their conversation, a voice from behind cleared its throat. ¡°Lupus, may I steal you for a minute?¡± It was Ludwig, wearing a worryingly odd expression. Lunice and Frain stood behind him, mirroring the same look.


    Lupus bowed gracefully to the group before following Ludwig to a quiet spot, the stairway facing out over the river, where the vice magistrate awaited them.


    The breeze was stronger here, fluttering Lupus¡¯s fabric and hair.


    The magistrate swept his eyes around, ensuring everyone was accounted for, then gestured to halt Lupus¡¯s question. ¡°One moment,¡± He said.


    Ludwig tapped his ring gently, and an integrated arc comm hummed. A holographic display appeared in the air, glowing blue and casting a sharp light on his features.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to pull you away from your blissful evening, but... I¡¯ve just received concerning news regarding our enemies,¡± He announced, his expression serious.


    ¡°The Dunkelheit Empire?¡± Lupus exclaimed, cupping her mouth in shock. Lunice nodded slowly, brushing Frain¡¯s blonde hair.


    ¡°According to the intel, it seems they are targeting Porand next. While it doesn¡¯t directly concern us, as Porand lies just to the west of our town...¡± Ludwig explained, rubbing his brow with his thumb.


    ¡°But?¡± Lupus urged.


    ¡°But some intel suggests that, within a week, they¡¯ll send troops to capture the Eastern Dam estate.¡±


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    ¡°And the Eastern Dam supplies electricity to us, so attacking it would put us at a severe disadvantage,¡± Lupus replied, connecting the dots.


    ¡°Correct¡­¡± Ludwig nodded in approval.


    ¡°Dear, what about negotiation? Is that something we can consider?¡± The vice magistrate asked, stepping up to her husband.


    Ludwig shook his head, his expression grim. ¡°Magus Primarch Mathias wasn¡¯t granted such a luxury, even though he was the king of Germund. I highly doubt my position holds any importance for them to consider...¡± He said, his voice heavy with defeat.


    ¡°Mother, I will not bend to the cold steel and heartless souls. We shall never negotiate with those murderers!¡± Lunice interjected, her words sharp as her dark eyes filled with rage. Even Frain shrank back, startled by her sudden intensity. The lion girl ran to Lupus¡¯s side, her ears flattened, whimpering softly.


    Lupus¡¯s mind began to race, the deafening pulse in her ears drowning out the arguments in the background. What resources do they have? What arsenal? How many troops will be sent to capture the Eastern Dam? And what about us? We only have three Stellius mages. Can we ask Triss and her Virgo Novitcius to aid us? No, they are renaissance mages, not warmongers! Her train of thought was abruptly interrupted by Lunice.


    Her elder sister, no longer playful, glared at her. ¡°Lupy! Are you not listening?!¡± She barked, snapping Lupus out of her trance.


    ¡°What?¡± Lupus blinked, dazed.


    ¡°Can you ask Jack to fight with the Armatus?¡± Lunice asked, her tone softening.


    ¡°What?!¡± Lupus gasped, her eyes widening. ¡°Are they seriously asking a non-combatant to fight this war now?¡± she thought, taking a step back.


    ¡°I¡¯ll fight too!¡± Frain said, her innocent gaze earnest.


    Lupus pulled Frain into an embrace, glaring at Lunice. ¡°She¡¯s not fighting our war! Stop trying to manipulate my friend! Is~is this why you bought her a battle axe? To make her your warmonger?¡±


    ¡°Lu~Lupus¡­¡± Petra reached out a hand toward her child, but Lupus pulled Frain away from them.


    ¡°Lupus! Stop acting like a petulant child for once! If three years don¡¯t make you grow, this damn war will!¡± Lunice screamed, her fiery fury unmistakable.


    ¡°But Jack isn¡¯t a combatant! He can¡¯t fight in the Armatus!¡± Lupus argued, but her voice softened to a whisper as she realised the futility of her resistance. ¡°Frain isn¡¯t a warrior, sister. She¡¯s just a child... Lunice, please.¡± Her tone wavered with an imploring note, her golden eyes glistening in the dim light.


    ¡°Lupy! I¡¯ll fight!¡± A husky voice reverberated from above. A tall, broad figure stood confidently atop the stairs. His red eyes gleamed with determination, a smirk playing on his face.


    ¡°What?¡± Lupus gasped, shocked by the sudden appearance of her fianc¨¦, Jack Squire.


    Jack didn¡¯t answer immediately. He strode down the stairs and joined the group, never once breaking eye contact with Lupus.


    ¡°I said...¡± His tone softened. ¡°I¡¯ll protect you and Frain.¡± His words were steady, like an oath.


    He then glanced down at Frain, still held in Lupus¡¯s arms. ¡°I¡¯ll protect you, Frain,¡± he repeated, and soon Frain¡¯s face lit up with a wide smile.


    Jack then turned, his gaze sweeping over the others as he spoke. ¡°I might not have been born a fighter, but I¡¯ve made up my mind. I¡¯m determined to protect the people I love. So, Magistrate Ludwig, Vice Magistrate Petra, Lunice... I¡¯m terribly sorry for rudely barging in like this. But please, tell me where the fight is.¡± His voice was cold, resolute.


    ¡°Jackie...¡± Lupus whispered softly, a warmth blooming in her chest. Did he not realise he was stepping closer to hell itself? Or was it simply because he loved her?


    The answer was clear when she looked into his fiery red eyes.


    Ludwig, taken aback by Jack¡¯s resolve, found himself agreeing. Jack¡¯s Armatus could give them an edge with a surprise attack. The enemy wouldn¡¯t expect mobile suits from Hasenwald.


    ¡°Very well, Mr. Squire,¡± Ludwig said, his tone softening. ¡°You have my thanks, and I¡¯m sure the townspeople of Hasenwald¡¯s as well.¡± He gestured grandly, and Petra followed with a slow, appreciative nod.


    Lunice pressed her lips into a thin line, turning her face away, her rage subdued. ¡°Thanks, Mr. Squire,¡± She said after a beat, her words grew gentler.


    The grim atmosphere lightened as it seemed that everyone was now on the same page.


    ¡°Well,¡± Ludwig said, his voice calm, ¡°Let¡¯s talk more about this come the first light of day. We should at least enjoy the rest of the night.¡± Everyone nodded in agreement.

 63. No Rest for the Retiree

    It had been three days since Rhok woke from his comatose state. Somehow, his aged body felt more invigorated than before. He was faster, stronger, and more flexible, even without the Armatus knight suit. More remarkably, his manhood had returned, all thanks to the wonders of Triss¡¯s Mythic Iasis.


    Being held as a prisoner of war by Hasenwald, a small city under the reign of the Osten Empire, was not what Rhok had expected. Initially, he had braced himself for a harsh life ¡ª a slave collar around his neck, hard labour under the scorching sun. But he couldn¡¯t have been more wrong. Instead, he was assigned to the Burrowbane family, a sibling pair named Alric and Elfa, who lived in a small house on the outskirts of the city.


    They ran a carrot farm and simply asked if he would help out around the house. Rhok was bewildered. ¡°Why would they ask a slave to do work? Wouldn¡¯t they just order it?¡± He wondered.


    Soon, he realised the slave circlet around his neck wasn¡¯t meant to enslave him or turn him into their dog. No, it was merely a precaution ¡ª ensuring that an enemy veteran like him wouldn¡¯t go berserk and unleash carnage on the innocent citizens.


    Yet, Alric and Elfa treated him like family, as though he were an uncle visiting from a distant city. They shared meals, drinks, and hard labour with him, sweating side by side in the fields.


    ¡°Maybe¡­ maybe this life isn¡¯t so bad,¡± Rhok pondered as he lay beneath a large oak tree, hands tucked under his head. A cool breeze brushed against his skin, relaxing him. That ''what if'' stirred in his mind, igniting possibilities he never imagined he could have.


    What if he could live like this? What if he could find peace? Who would have thought it might be in the land of the people he once despised?


    War had turned him into a scornful man, breathing hatred like air, dehumanising the people of Osten. Yet, here they were ¡ª flesh and blood, good and bad, just like the people he had fought for.


    ¡°Rhok!¡± Elfa¡¯s excited voice rang out as she hobbled towards him, a basket in hand. The Wildren girl, with matching dark eyes and hair, wore dark jeans and a long-sleeved jacket. Despite being in her twenties, she was small, perhaps only 150 centimetres tall.


    Rhok propped himself up and raised a hand. ¡°Here, Elfa!¡± He called.


    She turned, meeting his gaze with a bright smile, then settled beside him, tucking her legs beneath her.


    ¡°You must be thirsty!¡± She said cheerfully, revealing her oversized front teeth, which made her resemble an actual rabbit. She poured a drink into a cup and handed it to him.


    Rhok raised an eyebrow but accepted the cup. ¡°What¡¯s in it?¡± He asked, his voice hoarse.


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    ¡°Try it!¡± she urged, eagerly awaiting his reaction.


    He hesitated slightly before taking a sip. It was sweet, with an earthy undertone. ¡°Carrot juice?¡± He guessed, grinning.


    ¡°Yes! What do you think? Maybe we could manufacture it and make loads of credits!¡± Elfa exclaimed, her voice brimming with energy. Rhok noted how young and full of drive she was.


    ¡°Ah¡­ I think it¡¯s a bit too sweet,¡± He replied bluntly.


    ¡°Ugh! Not cool. Maybe old people just don¡¯t like sweet things!¡± she retorted quickly before tapping her lips thoughtfully. ¡°What if you saw it from a teen¡¯s perspective? What do you think then?¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯d say it¡¯s perfect and will make the Burrowbane family the richest rabbits in the world,¡± Rhok exaggerated, his words playful.


    ¡°Yay!¡± Elfa bounced up and down happily, her excitement uncontainable. Rhok found himself grinning, caught up in her cheerfulness.


    ¡°Maybe their enthusiasm is rubbing off on me,¡± He mused.


    He stood and raised the cup high. ¡°Well, Elfa Burrowbane, I raise this glass to celebrate your future success!¡± Then, he downed the entire cup in one swift gulp.


    She watched him with upturned eyes, clasping her cheeks adoringly. ¡°Thank you!¡±


    ¡°No, I thank you.¡±


    In that moment, Rhok made his decision. He wanted to retire here, to abandon his title as an Armatus knight, and spend his days in the countryside, helping the young Wildren with their carrot farm.


    If only the world had a place for a man like him.


    ***


    Rhok stood frozen, his bare feet sinking into a pool of crimson. His face was twisted in agony. His jaw clenched, his chest hollowed, and his dark eyes lingered on the gruesome sight before him ¡ª the dismembered remains of the Burrowbane family.


    Fate had played a cruel trick on him. No matter how much he wished it were a dream, the brutal truth lay before him. Alric and Elfa were dead, their bodies scattered across the floor.


    From the scale of the destruction, he knew exactly what had caused it.


    The very war machine he had mastered for over twenty years ¡ª the Armatus mobile suit.


    ¡°How could this be? Alric¡­ Elfa¡­¡± Rhok found himself kneeling, his hands trembling as he clutched the warmth of their severed limbs. He had only gone to the river to refill the well, and when he heard the sudden explosion in the distance, he had rushed back, only to find half of the house reduced to rubble.


    ¡°AHHHH!¡± Rhok screamed, tears flooding his eyes. His dream, and theirs, had been crushed in an instant, obliterated by the cold, mechanical hand of an Armatus knight.


    Ironic, considering he had done the same to a poor priest who was merely trying to protect his people.


    A low humming noise reached his ears, sending a chill down his spine. Slowly, his dark eyes lifted to the sky.


    A fleet of Armatus knights soared above, their thrusters leaving light trails in the air.


    His gaze hardened, raw hatred burning within. His pupils darkened, almost glowing with fury.


    "They call me a monster¡­ They have no idea what true horror looks like. But. Soon. They. Will."


    Without another thought, Rhok turned and ran, his unbooted feet pounding against the rough road. Rage and vengeance coursed through him, drowning out the pain and exhaustion.


    His destination: Hoffmann Estate.

 64. Binding Oath

    Rhok found himself standing before the grand gate, panting heavily. His breath was shallow and raw, his feet blistered and bloodied from running barefoot across the rough path to the Hoffmann estate. Sweat poured off his body, evaporating in the heat, creating a white, menacing aura around him.


    The pain was something he had grown accustomed to, but this deep hatred was something new. He thought he had understood it, but the image of Altric and Elfa''s warm, lifeless bodies in his arms kept haunting him.


    Soon, Jack and Lupus hurried to meet him at the gate, their faces pale and filled with confusion.


    "They attacked us!" Rhok yelled through his ragged breath, pointing toward the direction of the Burrowbane house ¡ª his home.


    Jack opened the gate, and Lupus examined him. "Oh my god, your feet!" she exclaimed in shock.


    "Who? What happened?" Jack asked, narrowing his eyes in confusion. Meanwhile, Lupus quickly performed a healing spell to mend his wounds.


    Rhok collapsed onto the ground on all fours. "Armatus mobile suits ¡ª hundreds ¡ª moving eastward..." He struggled to speak as he heaved, the pain in his feet subsiding but the brokenness in his heart unrelenting.


    Jack, observing the blood on Rhok''s shirt, arms, and legs, realised it couldn''t be his blood. The slave circlet on his neck would prevent him from causing such destruction.


    Jack crouched in front of Rhok, placing a hand on his shoulder. "...That¡¯s not your blood, right?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.


    "Alric and Elfa¡­ They''re dead... Jack... I... I went out to draw water from the river, but when I came back..." Rhok''s voice trembled, unable to hold back his tears as he bit his lip to suppress his sobs.


    Jack exchanged a grim look with Lupus before turning back to Rhok. "We believe you, Rhok. Hang on, we''ll get some water for you," he said, his voice heavy with sympathy. The emptiness in his chest mirrored the hollowness in Rhok''s heart. How much more blood must be spilled in this war? Jack clenched his fists tightly as he and Lupus headed toward the house.


    "How is that possible? The information we received yesterday said it would be another week before the attack," Lupus murmured, covering her mouth in shock.


    "I don''t know... Could the intel have been false? A trap to make us, and everyone in the Osten Empire, think we had another week?" Jack speculated as they walked inside, their boots echoing in the long hallway.


    "Z''Smite us!" Lupus cursed under her breath as she turned to Jack. "Listen! We need to wake everyone up, full alert. They might cut off our power supply soon. I bet they''re attacking the Eastern Dam as we speak." Panic laced her voice.


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    "Alright, I''ll get Rhok some water, and get the Armatus suits ready for combat," Jack said, his mind already working in overdrive. "Let''s meet at Hein''s warehouse?"


    "Good idea! Let''s not waste any time!" Lupus replied, pulling Jack close and kissing him passionately.


    Lupus pulled back with a deep breath, her voice soft. "I love you. Please stay safe."


    "I love you too!" Jack replied, turning on his heel and hurrying off.


    ***


    The chaotic sounds of movement and gasping echoed through Hoffmann''s estate. Children and other members retreated to the bunkers as Magistrate Ludwig sent out a city-wide alert, urging everyone to take refuge in the bunkers located at the right corner of the cliffside.


    The fully-equipped group emerged from the estate: Lupus in her golden arc boots, Frain with her battle axe, and Lunice, Lanny, and Larry with their staffs. Their Stellius rings glimmered brightly in the morning light. Behind them, Magistrate Ludwig and Vice Magistrate Petra followed closely.


    The shuffling sound of boots on the pavement echoed as they passed through the gates, heading for their transports.


    Frain sniffed the air, detecting a faint metallic scent. Her eyes widened when she saw a man resting against the metal fence, holding a cup of water. "Who''s that man?" she asked, pointing at the figure.


    "That''s Rhok Wagner," Lupus replied loudly enough for everyone to hear. "He was the one who ran here to warn us about the Armatus mobile suits."


    The group glanced at Rhok with sympathy, but their priority was the upcoming battle. They quickly turned their attention back to the transports.


    Suddenly, a war cry split the air. "I''ll fight!" A man stood, his bloodshot eyes burning with rage and vengeance.


    Lunice stepped forward to confront him. "You''ll fight for us? Against your fellow Armatus knights? Is this some kind of joke?" She scoffed, amused.


    Rhok stood firm. "Yes!" he replied resolutely. Gripping the metal circlet on his neck, he continued, "If this isn''t enough, I''ll swear an oath. I swear on my life that I''ll never betray the Hoffmann family, Jack Squire, or the Osten Empire. Is that what you did during the Light of Punishment? Some sort of binding oath?"


    The mention of the Light of Punishment caught Lunice off guard. It was a binding oath, much like a contract. If the terms were broken, the penalty was severe.


    "Fine!" Lunice sneered at Rhok, unimpressed. "I don''t trust any Armatus knight, to begin with. But if you''re so eager to swear a binding oath, I won''t stop you." She flicked her finger in a sharp motion.


    "Axiothemis!"


    A white glyph materialised at the tip of her finger, flickering like a strange firefly. Lupus extended her finger toward Rhok, and he did the same. As their fingers touched, the binding process began.


    "Now, state your oath, Gold Knight," Lunice instructed sternly.


    Rhok locked eyes with her, his voice steady. "I swear on my life, I, Rhok Wagner, will serve under Jack Squire, the Hoffmann family, and the Osten Empire. The importance of order shall follow as specified by those first in command."


    Lunice paused, slightly startled, before agreeing to the contract. "Axiothemis!" The white glowing light faded as the oath was sealed.


    "Now rise, Rhok Wagner. We have Armatus suits waiting for you," Petra proclaimed, her posture regal and graceful.

 65. Strategy

    Inside Hein¡¯s shop, a group huddled around a large digital board, the tension in the air thickening with every passing minute. A satellite image of the Eastern Dam was displayed on the screen, marked with strategic notes and key locations.


    Ludwig and Petra stood beside the board, explaining the map. In the corner, Jack, Lupus, Frain, Lunice, and two of the Stellius sisters sat anxiously, absorbing every word.


    "...And on the southern side of the city, the grand river cuts through here. We could use it to lure enemy attacks," Petra explained, her voice steady.


    "Understood," Jack replied, glancing at Rhok, who sat facing the board, elbows on his knees, his eyes fixed on the map, twitching with restrained anger.


    "Rhok was a Gold-Rank Armatus Knight. I believe we can hold our own while the arcanists focus on the eastern forest," Jack continued. He hesitated before asking, "Rhok, we have three mobile suits and two P.N.I. bots. How many do you need?"


    Rhok didn¡¯t respond immediately. He straightened, his expression unreadable. "One," he said coldly.


    "Got it." Jack nodded and turned back to the board. "I¡¯ll take the rest and split them into two groups. One will escort the arcane team."


    "I¡¯ll support you from above. My cruiser is non-combatant, but we can provide surveillance," David said, standing with his former DebrisX crew, still in their orange jumpsuits.


    Jack eyed him. "Wait, you¡¯re in?"


    "Of course! You¡¯re my friends," David said firmly. "We may not be fighters, but we can provide battlefield intel." His crew nodded in unison. "We¡¯d like to help."


    "Then keep your craft in mesosphere range," Jack advised. "That way, I¡¯ll know you¡¯re safe."


    "The shop is always open if you need repairs!" Hein chimed in with a toothy grin. Jack gave him an appreciative nod.


    "I¡¯ll fight too!" Aurelia interjected. Her voice made everyone turn toward her, including Friederich. The red-haired girl stood against the far wall, flanked by her guardian, Triss, and the Novitcius mages of Virgo.


    "Aurelia? This isn¡¯t our fight," Friederich whispered.


    "Are we going to ignore that these people are risking their lives against an army of Armatus?" she shot back. "And just stand by and watch?"


    "This is war... People die all the time."


    "Yes, but this is happening right in front of us. What did these people do to deserve this?"


    Friederich¡¯s face softened. He already knew he couldn¡¯t win against her unwavering resolve. "Fine¡­ I¡¯ll come with you."


    Aurelia shot him a satisfied smile, one that made him blush. He quickly hid his expression under his usual cold facade.


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    Triss stepped forward with graceful poise, hands clasped at her chest. "We will provide healing support on the battlefield. Please allow us to join." She exchanged a smile with the princess of Solis Aeternum.


    The magistrate smiled kindly. As he swept his gaze across the room, he saw courage and determination in their eyes. They had come together, sharing the same goal.


    Feeling immense gratitude, he bowed. "Thank you for volunteering to fight for us!" Petra followed his gesture with an even more graceful bow.


    Some nodded, and some smiled in response.


    "Alright, then! Let¡¯s protect our people and our town!" Ludwig declared, and everyone shuffled out of the meeting room.


    Only Jack, Lupus, and Frain remained in the dimly lit room. Lupus pulled them close in a tight hug. "Mmm!" she purred, her sweet scent enveloping them.


    "Will you two be alright?" Jack asked, examining their expressions. He wasn¡¯t overly worried, knowing half of his command bots would be with them.


    "Mm, mm! We¡¯ll be fine. We have a strong team. Plus, Prince Aurelia and that black-haired elf," Lupus said confidently. "Three Stellius mages, one Olympian mage from the Hoffmann family, two Stellius mages from Solis Aeternum, and three Novitcius mages of Virgo. They won¡¯t see us coming."


    "If we strike while they¡¯re engaged with the Eastern Dam¡¯s sentry mages, we¡¯ll have the advantage," Lupus added, smirking as she patted Frain¡¯s hair.


    "Lupus! Come on!" Lunice called from the doorway, waving.


    Suddenly, Lupus pulled Jack in and kissed him on the lips. She pulled back, both hands cupping his shoulders. "Please stay safe, Jackie," she said sincerely.


    Next to them, Frain stood quietly, giving them a thousand-yard stare. The girl never changed; she was still an oddball.


    "You too," Jack replied, deeply flushed and awkward. The warmth of her kiss lingered as his heart only wished for their safe return.


    Soon, the rest all hurried out.


    ***


    Rhok once again put on his dark armour. His heavy boots clanked against the workshop floor as he strode forward. Jack, dressed in knight armor, diligently checked system readiness on his datapad with Hein.


    "The P.N.I. bots have a service repair protocol," Hein explained. "Still, if the damage is too much, I suggest you fly them back here. I¡¯ll set up a repair station and have manpower ready." The workshop owner raised his voice to be heard over machinery noises in the background.


    Above them, three towering mobile suits loomed, casting intimidating shadows. Each was armed with standard blades and cannons.


    Rhok glanced up, momentarily impressed. Two silver suits, one black. "These are scavenged Armatus? They look brand new."


    "Ah! Rhok, over here," Jack called, motioning him closer. He pointed at the dark Armatus suit. "This one¡¯s yours."


    Rhok¡¯s eyes gleamed with contentment. "Any is fine," he said, inspecting the datapad. Everything checked out.


    "Thank you for having me," Rhok murmured, flexing his gloved fingers, reliving his past as a veteran. "I was foolish to think I deserved this..."


    Jack¡¯s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Rhok, the mission is simple, but since you have more experience with mobile suit warfare, any recommendations?"


    "Shield up, attack, shield down, retreat," Rhok said, rubbing his chin. "Stay alive, Jack."


    Jack smiled. "Nice and simple." He motioned for Rhok to enter his assigned suit.


    "Good luck!" Hein called from across the workshop.


    Jack¡¯s helmet slid over his head. He boosted himself into the torso of a silver mech, the HUD screen and arcanite engine humming to life.


    "All systems clear. Let¡¯s move!" Jack instructed.


    Rhok nodded, and the three Armatus, along with two small bots, lifted into the air. Their thrusters roared with blue flames as they flew eastward.


    A mix of excitement and fear surged through Jack. He swallowed hard, gripping the controls. "Calm down¡­ Calm down..." he muttered.


    The battle was imminent.

 Mage/Spell Codex

    <h4>Lupus (Lupy) Hoffmann</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>Mage Level: Stellius</li>


    <li>No. Slot: 4+1</li>


    <li>Essence Name:


    <ul>


    <li>Iasis = (from Iasis, meaning cure or healing)</li>


    <li>Magnetos = Magnetic field against physical attack, close attack, blade</li>


    <li>Phoros = Arc Barrier against ranged attacks, plasma</li>


    <li>Lagoskinesis = Hare + movement (Passive)</li>


    <li>Arc Boots: Hermes - Powerful kick, high mobility, and silent steps</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    <li>Mana Reservoir: Medium</li>


    <li>Mana Regen: 12 hrs</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h4>Friederich Eir Regis</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>Mage Level: Stellius</li>


    <li>No. Slot: 6+?</li>


    <li>Essence Name:


    <ul>


    <li>Lampos-spatha = Radiant Blade</li>


    <li>Iasis</li>


    <li>Phoros</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    <li>Mana Reservoir: High</li>


    <li>Mana Regen: 6 hrs</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h4>Aurelia Sol Solara (The Golden Sunress)</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>Mage Level: Stellius</li>


    <li>No. Slot: ?</li>


    <li>Essence Name:


    <ul>


    <li>Iasis</li>


    <li>Phoros</li>


    <li>Magnetos</li>


    <li>Empyrion = In fire (Fire manipulation)</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    <li>Mana Reservoir: Infinity</li>


    <li>Mana Regen: 0</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h4>Zetius Zel Celerius</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>Mage Level: -</li>


    <li>No. Slot: -</li>


    <li>Essence Name: -</li>


    <li>Mana Reservoir: -</li>


    <li>Mana Regen: -</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h4>Triss Mercy (Terisssa Mercier)</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>Mage Level: Novitcius</li>


    <li>No. Slot: 2</li>


    <li>Essence Name:


    <ul>


    <li>Iasis (Mythic/ Very potent)</li>


    <li>Proleptis = Preconception/ see the future like Clairvoyant</li>


    <li>Adamas (¦¡¦Ä?¦Ì¦Á?) = "Unbreakable" for her Virgo mages (Not Triss Herself)</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    <li>Mana Reservoir: Low</li>


    <li>Mana Regen: 24-48 hrs</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h4>Frain</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>Mage Level: -</li>


    <li>No. Slot: 2+1</li>


    <li>Essence Name:


    <ul>


    <li>Leontokratia = "Rule of the Lioness", strength, durability, bloodrush ace</li>


    <li>Arc Axe: Atramn¨¦on, unyielding edge</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    <li>Mana Reservoir: Low</li>


    <li>Mana Regen: 2 hrs</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h4>Nohrell Voss Fenrith</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>Mage Level: -</li>


    <li>No. Slot: 10</li>


    <li>Essence Name:


    <ul>


    <li> Enneaphania (¦¥¦Í¦Í¦Å¦Á¦Õ?¦Í¦É¦Á) = "Ninefold Apparition" (Primordial): she can create 9 duplicates at once but will have only 1 slot for essence, if she combines into one singular entity, she will have 9 slots for essence.</li>


    <li>Vortexis (¦¢¦Ï¦Ñ¦Ó¦Å¦Î¦É?) = "Vortex Storm", whirlwind</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    <li>Mana Reservoir: Extremely high</li>


    <li>Mana Regen: 8 hrs (She can duplicate every 8 hrs)</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h4>Aurora Vere Borealis (Ventiff''s Demise)</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>Mage Level: -</li>


    <li>No. Slot: ?</li>


    <li>Essence Name:


    <ul>


    <li> Thanatos-spatha (¦¨?¦Í¦Á¦Ó¦Ï?-¦²¦Ð?¦È¦Á) = "Blade of Thanatos" (Greek God of Death)</li>


    <li>Iasis</li>


    <li>Phoros</li>


    <li>Magnetos</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    <li>Mana Reservoir: Extremely high</li>


    <li>Mana Regen: < 1 hrs</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h4>Lunice, Lenny, Larry Hoffmann</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>Mage Level: Stellius</li>


    <li>No. Slot: 3</li>


    <li>Essence Name:


    <ul>


    <li>Anemax (?¦Í¦Å¦Ì¦Á¦Î) = "Wind Power", Larry / Staff</li>


    <li>Kinesis (¦ª?¦Í¦Ç¦Ò¦É?) = "Movement", Lenny / Martial</li>


    <li>Cryomax (¦ª¦Ñ¦Ô¦Ï¦Ì?¦Î) = "Cold Power", Lunice / Staff</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    <li>Mana Reservoir: Medium</li>


    <li>Mana Regen: 12 hrs</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h4>Canis Wolfgang</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>Mage Level: Lunarius</li>


    <li>No. Slot: -</li>


    <li>Essence Name:


    <ul>


    <li>Domoklasis (¦¤¦Ï¦Ì¦Ï¦Ê¦Ë?¦Ò¦É?) = Structure Assembly</li>


    <li>Iasis</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    <li>Mana Reservoir: High</li>


    <li>Mana Regen: 48 hrs</li>


    </ul>


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    <hr>


    Non-Essence Spells


    <h4>All - Binding Oath</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>Spell Name: Axiothemis (?¦Î¦É?¦È¦Å¦Ì¦É?) ¨C "Worthy Law"</li>


    <li>Meaning: A pact or oath considered just and sacred, often inviolable.</li>


    <li>Usage:


    <ul>


    <li>Can be used for a legal or divine contract.</li>


    <li>Enforces absolute adherence to an agreement, ensuring all parties uphold their commitments.</li>


    <li>Often invoked in ceremonies or high-order magical contracts.</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h4>All - Inspection</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>Spell Name: Epopteia (?¦Ð¦Ï¦Ð¦Ó¦Å?¦Á) ¨C "Inspection" / "Observation"</li>


    <li>Meaning: A ritual of revelation where both the inspector and the inspected agree to the process by uttering the ancient Greek word "Epopteia".</li>


    <li>Usage:


    <ul>


    <li>Unveils essence slots and their classification.</li>


    <li>The information is displayed as a spectral projection, visible only to those participating in the ritual.</li>


    <li>Results reveal:


    <ul>


    <li>Number of slots the individual possesses.</li>


    <li>Type of essence (e.g., fire, water, healing, etc.).</li>


    <li>Tier of the essence (Lesser, Greater, Mythic, etc.).</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>

 Arcana Magicka (Arcane System)

    <h2>The Essence Classification and the Inspection System</h2>


    The Essence Classification and the Inspection System in the Machina Arcanis universe serve as a foundation for understanding the strength, potential, and specialization of a mage''s abilities. Here''s a detailed breakdown:


    <h2>Essence Classification</h2>


    Essences are categorized into tiers based on their strength, complexity, and rarity. This classification helps mages assess their abilities and plan their growth.


    <h4>1. Lesser Essence</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Rarity: Common.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Description: Basic, rudimentary essences used for everyday utility or low-level combat. These are the first essences most mages or users acquire when they begin exploring their abilities.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Abilities:</li>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Simple manipulations like basic elemental control (e.g., creating a spark of fire, levitating objects).</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Primarily used for convenience (e.g., lighting a flame, minor healing).</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Limited power range, low efficiency.</li>


    </ul>


    </ul>


    <h4>2. Greater Essence</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Rarity: Uncommon.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Description: Advanced essences requiring a deeper understanding of natural laws. Users at this level are considered proficient and capable of contributing significantly to combat or intricate tasks.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Abilities:</li>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Moderately powerful skills such as creating barriers, sustained healing, or shaping the environment.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Some essences allow low-grade multi-tasking (e.g., controlling multiple elements in limited quantities).</li>


    </ul>


    </ul>


    <h4>3. Epic Essence</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Rarity: Rare.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Description: Exceptional essences that signify mastery over specific domains. Users are considered elite, with abilities capable of altering battles or performing near-miraculous feats.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Abilities:</li>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">High-impact powers, such as large-scale area-of-effect magic or rapid regeneration.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Unlocks specialized abilities like augmenting one¡¯s body, summoning entities, or bending more complex laws (e.g., manipulating sound, time distortions).</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Often unique or personalized due to the wielder¡¯s creativity.</li>


    </ul>


    </ul>


    <h4>4. Mythic Essence</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Rarity: Very Rare.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Description: Legendary essences tied to mythological feats or stories. Users with mythic essences are revered or feared, often holding unique slots capable of handling their vast power.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Abilities:</li>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Capable of reshaping landscapes, summoning mythical constructs, or affecting life on a massive scale.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">High adaptability and creativity-driven, with extremely complex spells requiring a profound understanding of natural laws.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Myths or historical events may resonate with these powers, making them unpredictable and highly situational.</li>


    </ul>


    </ul>


    <h4>5. Primordial Essence</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Rarity: Unique (One of a Kind).</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Description: Originating from the fabric of existence itself, these essences embody the primal forces of the universe. They are not "acquired" but are either inherited, awakened, or fused with over time.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Abilities:</li>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Beyond comprehension, enabling users to challenge natural laws entirely.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Power is essentially unlimited, but usage is bound by the wielder¡¯s capacity and their connection to the Primordial.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Allows reality-defying feats, such as rewinding time, creating dimensions, or crafting essences themselves.</li>


    </ul>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h2>Storing Excess Essences</h2>


    To manage and store excess essences, mages utilize specialized containers designed for accessibility and portability.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Spellbook ?? ¨C A tome containing inscribed spells, allowing mages to invoke or memorize magical techniques directly from its enchanted pages.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Spell Cache ?? ¨C A secured arcane box designed to store and preserve magical orbs or essences, preventing energy degradation and allowing later retrieval.</li>


    </ul>


    Each Spell Cache is equipped with a hoister chain, enabling portability for mages who need quick access to their stored essences.


    <h4>Essence Slotting & Bonding</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Bonding Period: When an essence is slotted, it undergoes a bonding phase, during which spells are less efficient and consume significantly more mana.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Cooldown Mechanics: The rarer and more powerful an essence is, the longer the bonding period, requiring careful strategic use.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Swapping Drawbacks: Constantly swapping essences is highly inefficient, as it leads to mana instability and reduced potency, making it an impractical combat strategy.</li>


    </ul>


    Due to these limitations, mages must carefully plan their essence loadout rather than rely on frequent swapping.


    <hr>


    <h2>Storing Mana </h2>


    Arcanite Harnesser


    The Arcanite Harnesser is a versatile and powerful mana-infused gemstone that comes in various types and colors, each attuned to different magical properties. It serves as both a mana reservoir and an energy source for arcane technology.


    <h4>Primary Functions:</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mana Reservoir: Mages can store and draw mana from the Arcanite Harnesser to enhance or sustain their spellcasting, reducing personal mana exhaustion.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Arcane Fuel: The gemstone powers arcane devices such as arc barriers, enchanted constructs, and magical machinery, making it essential for both combat and infrastructure.</li>


    </ul>


    These gemstones are commonly embedded in wands, staffs, armor, and magical conduits, ensuring a steady flow of magical energy. In cities, large-scale Arcanite Harnessers are used to sustain protective barriers, lighting systems, and transportation networks, forming the backbone of arcane civilization.


    <hr>


    <h2>Inspection System</h2>


    To identify and classify a mage¡¯s slots and essences, an Inspection Ritual is performed.


    <h4>Mechanism:</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Both the inspector and the inspected must agree to the process by saying the ancient Greek word "Epopteia" (meaning "inspection" or "observation").</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">The essence slots and their classification are revealed in a spectral display, visible only to those participating in the ritual.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">The results reveal:</li>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Number of slots.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Type of essence (fire, water, healing, etc.).</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Tier of the essence (Lesser, Greater, etc.).</li>


    </ul>


    </ul>


    <h4>Limitations:</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Requires mutual consent.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">The process is mentally taxing for the inspector, especially when inspecting Greater or Primordial Essences.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Stronger mages can obscure or block inspection unless they willingly submit.</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h2>Essence Creation, Enhancement, and Leveling</h2>


    Mages can create, enhance, and level up their essences through two primary factors: Understanding and Creativity.


    Understanding


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Fire/ice manipulation requires knowledge of thermodynamics.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Air manipulation demands an understanding of aerodynamics.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Healing or vine magic needs familiarity with physiology and meditation techniques.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">The mage must deeply comprehend the natural laws governing their essence.</li>


    </ul>


    <h4>   Examples:</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="list-style-type: none">


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Without a solid grasp of these principles, the spell''s potency, accuracy, and efficiency remain limited.</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    Creativity


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">A fire mage picturing a swirling inferno or controlled embers for a targeted burn.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">An aeromancer imagining a precise airflow to lift an object or disrupt an enemy''s movement.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">A healer visualizing tissue repair or toxin removal while channeling restorative energy.</li>


    </ul>


    <h4>   Examples:</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="list-style-type: none">


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Imagination fuels the unique applications and manifestations of an essence.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">A mage must visualize the intent and effect of their spell, crafting it with precision in their mind.</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    The Synergy of Understanding and Creativity


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Understanding grounds the mage in reality, ensuring their spell adheres to the laws of nature.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Creativity expands the possibilities, allowing the mage to innovate within those laws.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mastery arises when these two factors are in harmony:</li>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">For instance, a fire mage with an understanding of plasma physics could create a controlled firestorm, while one with limited knowledge might only conjure basic flames.</li>


    </ul>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Training and Frequency


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Repeated casting and experimentation strengthen an essence over time.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Frequency alone does not guarantee progress without the mage actively deepening their knowledge and creativity.</li>


    </ul>


    Essence Leveling


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">A novice fire mage starts with a simple fireball.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Over time, they learn to:</li>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Create a continuous flame.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Manipulate fire¡¯s shape and intensity.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Generate flame shields or extinguish fires.</li>


    </ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">As a mage practices, their connection to their essence deepens.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">They unlock new techniques, greater power, and increased efficiency.</li>


    </ul>


    Essence Fusion


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Combining fire and air essences for flame tornadoes.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Blending water and earth essences to form mud traps.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Advanced mages (Lunarius +) can merge essences, creating hybrid abilities.</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Essence Slot System


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">The number of essence slots a mage possesses is fixed at birth, influenced by their lineage, natural talent, and external factors like Primordial Essences.</li>


    </ul>


    <h4>Slot Limitations:</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Slots determine how many essences a mage can hold.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Lesser mages may only have 1-3 slots, while prodigies or individuals with Primordial Essences may have more.</li>


    </ul>


    <h4>Slot Inspection:</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">The Inspection Ritual reveals the available and occupied slots.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Empty slots can be filled by acquiring new essences through training, inheritance, or rare rituals.</li>


    </ul>


    <h4>Slot Overload:</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Attempting to wield more essences than the slots allow results in severe mental and physical strain, often leading to death.</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Levels of Mages in the Zodiac Hierarchy


    <h4>1. Celestius</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">The most elite mages represent their zodiac divisions in the prestigious Zodiac Council.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Unparalleled mastery of their domain, capable of performing feats that define the laws of magic.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Title Example: Celestara of Aries, Celestara of Pisces.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Essence Requirement: Minimum of 1 Mythic Essence.</li>


    </ul>


    <h4>2. Lunarius</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Advanced mages who serve as protectors, strategists, and advisors within their zodiac division.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Exceptional control over their zodiac''s magic, often called upon for critical missions.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Title Example: Lunaris of Leo, Lunaris of Scorpio.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Essence Requirement: Minimum of 1 Mythic Essence.</li>


    </ul>


    <h4>3. Stellius</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Intermediate mages dedicated to refining their magical abilities under the mentorship of the Lunarius and Celestius.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Proficient and reliable, they are the backbone of the Zodiac hierarchy.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Title Example: Stellana of Gemini, Stellana of Taurus.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Essence Requirement: Minimum of 1 Epic Essence.</li>


    </ul>


    <h4>4. Novitcius</h4>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Entry-level mages who are just beginning their journey to harness the power of their zodiac sign.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Eager learners with budding magical capabilities.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Title Example: Novantra of Cancer, Novantra of Sagittarius.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Essence Requirement: Minimum of 1 Greater Essence.</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h2>Divisions of Zodiac Magic</h2>


    Warning: Subject to update/change!


    Stolen story; please report.


    Each division represents a zodiac sign, focusing on specific magical domains and specialties. The mages within each division are known as arcanists and are led by a Celestius mage, who directly reports to the Zodiac Mage.


    1. Aries Division: Magic of Combat and Courage


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Celestius: Ignius Lux Draconus</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Specialty: Offensive magic, fire manipulation, and physical enhancement spells.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Symbol: The Ram.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Bold, impulsive, and driven by action.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notable Spells: Flame Surge, Battle Cry Aura, Blazing Charge.</li>


    </ul>


    2. Taurus Division: Magic of Earth and Fortification


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Celestius: TBD</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Specialty: Defensive magic, earth manipulation, and endurance spells.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Symbol: The Bull.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Stubborn, reliable, and steady.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notable Spells: Stone Wall Creation, Fortified Resolve, Gaia¡¯s Embrace.</li>


    </ul>


    3. Gemini Division: Magic of Illusion and Communication


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Celestius: TBD</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Specialty: Illusionary magic, telepathy, and dual-element spells.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Symbol: The Twins.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Adaptable, cunning, and quick-witted.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notable Spells: Mirror Veil, Twin Elemental Fusion, Whispering Winds.</li>


    </ul>


    4. Cancer Division: Magic of Water and Protection


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Celestius: TBD</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Specialty: Healing magic, water manipulation, and protective wards.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Symbol: The Crab.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Empathetic, nurturing, and loyal.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notable Spells: Tidal Shield, Lunar Healing, Ocean¡¯s Blessing.</li>


    </ul>


    5. Leo Division: Magic of Light and Leadership


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Celestius: TBD</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Specialty: Light-based magic, charisma enhancement, and inspiring auras.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Symbol: The Lion.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Charismatic, proud, and ambitious.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notable Spells: Radiant Burst, King¡¯s Command, Solar Flare.</li>


    </ul>


    6. Virgo Division: Magic of Precision and Purification


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Celestius: Verity Vivere</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Specialty: Magic focused on precision, purification, and restoration.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Symbol: The Virgin.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Analytical, meticulous, and resourceful.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notable Spells: Needle Barrage, Cleansing Wave, Alchemical Refinement.</li>


    </ul>


    7. Libra Division: Magic of Balance and Justice


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Celestius: TBD</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Specialty: Gravity manipulation, judgment-based spells, and equilibrium magic.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Symbol: The Scales.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Diplomatic, fair, and balanced.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notable Spells: Weight of Justice, Balance Shift, Gravitational Bind.</li>


    </ul>


    8. Scorpio Division: Magic of Darkness and Secrets


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Celestius: Serene Blair Veyne</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Specialty: Shadow magic, necromancy, and soul magic</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Symbol: The Scorpion.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Intense, mysterious, and resourceful.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notable Spells: Venomous Touch, Abyssal Cloak, Spirit Chain.</li>


    </ul>


    9. Sagittarius Division: Magic of Travel and Precision / Assassination


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Celestius: Jovian Xan Zepharion</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Specialty: Long-range attacks, teleportation, aim-based magic, poison, Arc, purple flam,e sword, gravity manipulation.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Symbol: The Archer.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Optimistic, adventurous, and curious.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notable Spells: Celestial Arrow, Portal Leap, Shooting Star Barrage.</li>


    </ul>


    10. Capricorn Division: Magic of Time and Structure


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Celestius: TBD</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Specialty: Time manipulation, barriers, and structural magic.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Symbol: The Goat.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Disciplined, patient, and determined.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notable Spells: Chrono Lock, Temporal Echo, Stalwart Fortress.</li>


    </ul>


    11. Aquarius Division: Magic of Innovation and Air


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Celestius: TBD</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Specialty: Air manipulation, futuristic spells, and tech-magic hybrids.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Symbol: The Water Bearer.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Visionary, independent, and unconventional.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notable Spells: Aero Barrier, Spark of Genius, Cyclone Surge.</li>


    </ul>


    12. Pisces Division: Magic of Dreams and Intuition


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Celestius: Elenore Blair Vayne</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Specialty: Dream manipulation, illusion, and water-based spells.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Symbol: The Fish.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Traits: Compassionate, imaginative, and mysterious.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notable Spells: Dreamweaver¡¯s Touch, Tidal Mirage, Ethereal Cascade.</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>

 66. First Strike

    As they reached the southern riverside, the Esten Dam came into view. The massive concrete structure loomed over the river, its outlets gushing torrents of water that fed into the grand Riverfall of Hasenwald.


    On the ground, approximately twenty Armatus suits were positioned around the dam. Nearby, the dam workers, dressed in blue jumpsuits, crouched with their hands over their heads in surrender.


    Above them, another seven Armatus suits hovered in sentry mode, providing aerial surveillance for the knights below.


    "Gents! We''ve reached altitude! Sending the live feed to your screens now!" David¡¯s voice crackled through their comms as an aerial view appeared on their displays.


    "Thank you, David," Jack replied, his eyes scanning the battlefield. He focused on another group. Lupus¡¯s team positioned in the eastern forest, observing the enemy¡¯s movements. Nearly half of the knights were concentrated in the city centre.


    "Good, they¡¯re spread too thin," Jack analysed.


    "Jack¡­ there''s one silver and the rest are bronze," Rhok¡¯s voice came through the comms.


    "We¡¯re in position! Awaiting your initial attack, Jackie," Lupus interjected, using the watch David had given her.


    "We''ll initiate the first strike!" Jack instructed, drifting his suit low over the tree branches.


    "Let¡¯s¡­" Rhok signalled, his plasma cannon whirring to life while his blade heated up. His thrusters engaged, propelling the metal giant forward effortlessly.


    The enemies quickly took notice. "Who are you? You¡¯re flying unregistered crafts! Identify yourselves, or we¡¯ll open fire!" The enemy¡¯s silver knight, clad in a red suit, aimed his cannons at Jack. The other knights followed suit.


    No response.


    The silver knight repeated, "Stop right there! You have three seconds. Three¡­ two¡­ one~"


    "This is Gold Knight Rhok Wagner. Stand down," Rhok commanded, his dark Armatus drifting closer.


    The silver knight hesitated, verifying Rhok¡¯s claim with his team. "Gold Knight Rhok Wagner?~"


    In an instant, Rhok struck. His ionised blade cleaved vertically, shattering the enemy''s shield and slicing through his left arm and leg. Chunks of severed metal plummeted into the river below, sending up a splash.


    "What the~?!" The silver knight gasped in shock, engaging his thrusters to flee.


    Before he could recover, Jack swooped in, his blade flashing. Jack¡¯s blade slashed through the enemy¡¯s hall, the arcanite engined exploded, shockwave pushing his suit back.


    "Woah!" Jack scrambled to stabilise his thrusters. After a few attempts, he managed to regain control of his vessel.


    Meanwhile, three Armatus suits under the silver knight''s command lost connection and plummeted. Some crashed onto the concrete with a heavy thud, while others plunged into the water, sending splashes skyward.


    Three Armatus suits unleashed suppressing cannon fire at Rhok, plasma rounds arcing through the air. Rhok veered westward, drawing their fire. Some shots struck his hull, but his shields absorbed the impact.


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    Jack surged forward, leaving a trail of blue light in his wake.


    "Behind you!" one of the bronze knights yelled. They spun 180 degrees just as Jack cleaved the nearest one in half.


    Another bronze on Jack¡¯s left rapid-fired his cannon. Jack rolled right, narrowly evading the plasma rounds. The enemy dashed in, raising his blade. Jack landed, his suit¡¯s joints hissing as they absorbed the impact.


    His gleaming eyes locked onto the incoming knight. A smirk played on his lips, fingers twitching as he motioned the puny bot forward.


    The blue-shielded vessel rammed the enemy, toppling him. Seizing the moment, Jack boosted forward and cleaved!


    Bzzzzt!


    The roaring clash of blades sent sparks flying. Another bronze knight intercepted, blocking Jack¡¯s attack.


    "Damn it!" Jack cursed as two enemies surrounded him.


    They swung. He dodged. They exchanged blows and parries for minutes.


    "This is overwhelming!" Jack thought, sweat beading on his forehead. His eyes darted around, his mind racing for an opening.


    Tossing his cannon aside, he gripped his blade with both hands, his expression calculating.


    The enemies hesitated, confused by his move, before lifting their cannons.


    "Alright! Now I¡¯m a tryhard!" Jack roared, engaging his thrusters and launching toward them like a madman.


    The enemy reacted instantly, sweeping his sword sideways. Jack¡¯s boosters flared, twisting his trajectory. He spun mid-air, both hands gripping his blade tightly.


    Their edges collided with a thunderous impact, forcing the enemy¡¯s blade back. Jack¡¯s strike sheared through his opponent¡¯s hand, sending the bronze staggering.


    Another enemy rushed in, swinging wildly. Jack sidestepped, boosting backward. His blade arced and severed the bronze¡¯s arm clean off.


    Disarmed, the bronzes attempted to flee, but Jack anticipated their retreat. He cleaved through both, their metallic husks plummeting into the water.


    "Haa¡­ Haa¡­" Jack exhaled heavily, catching his breath. His eyes swept across the battlefield.


    Rhok had already decimated the ground forces. Only one enemy remained. His dark suit stood nearly untouched. Even twenty bronzes were no match for a gold knight.


    Rhok advanced toward the last knight, tossing his weapon aside. Behind them, the dam workers trembled, crouching in fear. His steel giant cast an eerie shadow over them.


    "You good?" Jack¡¯s image came through the HUD.


    "Yes¡­" Rhok responded, his tone detached. These people were once his allies. Now, he had killed them without hesitation.


    Without a second thought, Rhok raised his blade and drove it through the last knight¡¯s torso. The ionised blade screamed as it pierced metal, killing the pilot instantly.


    The dam workers screamed as the defeated knight¡¯s suit teetered above them. Some ran, others curled into themselves.


    But nothing happened. Rhok carefully motioned his suit, ensuring the wreckage toppled away from the workers, sparing their lives.


    He glanced down at them, his thoughts drifting to Elfa Burrowbane and her brother¡­ her smile¡­


    He yearned for answers, for the reason behind their untimely deaths. But in the end, he found none.


    Instead of victory, all he felt was emptiness.


    Death followed him everywhere. And soon, he knew, it would be his turn.


    "Rhok¡­" Jack¡¯s voice crackled through the comm as he made a soft landing. The dam was littered with debris ¡ª twisted metal remnants of what were once mobile suits. Such brutal destruction had occurred while he had been entangled in his own skirmish.


    "Sorry. I lost focus," Rhok admitted, motioning for the workers to evacuate into the dense forest westward.


    They nodded in appreciation, despite the terror they had just witnessed.


    "Those used to be your allies. I can imagine what you¡¯ve gone through¡­" Jack said gently, clearing a path for the fleeing workers. Soon, they disappeared into the treeline.


    Steeling himself, Rhok exhaled sharply. "It¡¯s alright. Perimeter secured. We should press on toward the city centre and draw their fire." He pointed ahead, his Armatus towering over the wreckage.

 67. Forest Skirmish

    In the dense forest just west of the Eastern Dam, a sudden, thunderous noise sent birds and animals fleeing in all directions.


    Frain leapt twenty metres through the air, her blonde hair whipping in the wind. The lion Wildren appeared bold and strong, gripping her battle-axe high above her head.


    Her targets were two Armatus suits stationed on the forest floor.


    "What the?!" The bronze knight exclaimed in shock, quickly manoeuvring his suit to fly away.


    "Yaaah!" She roared thunderously like a lioness, bringing her axe down in a full rotation.


    The grinding noise shrieked through the air, and the cleave shattered the shield, slicing through the shoulder and down to the torso. The composite hull strained and cracked open, revealing the knight inside.


    "Bloody hell!" He grumbled, signalling another suit under his command to fire at her.


    The lion Wildren dashed through the forest, zigzagging between the trees as splinters of wood flew in every direction.


    Inside the damaged Armatus, the mechanical door hissed but soon jammed.


    "F*ck!" The bronze knight threw himself at the hatch.


    Thud!


    The metal plate jerked open, and the knight stumbled out.


    "W-Whoa!" He yelped, plunging into the air.


    Quick thinking saved him. His personal thrusters fired up, steadying him just a metre from the ground. His eyes squeezed shut momentarily, the thrill of his near-death experience sending his heart racing.


    Out of the corner of his eye, a golden boot came hurtling towards him.


    Clank!


    The sound of metal colliding echoed as the impact sent him crashing through the forest. He tumbled across the dirt, rolling backward until he was stopped by a large tree.


    His armour shattered, his shoulder plates missing, his leg twisted at an awkward angle. He wheezed his last breath before the darkness soon claimed him.


    ***


    "Withdraw your forces, knights!" Aurelia commanded as she strode toward the four towering giants. Friederich stood beside her, the two surrounded in a semi-circle. Her sharp gaze flicked up at them, unwavering.


    "Huh? Is this girl stupid?" A middle giant boomed, glancing at his companions in amusement.


    Another giant stepped forward, his blade heating red as he chuckled. "Little sis, go play with your little bro. We ain''t got time to play!" He mocked, and his crew burst out laughing.


    Aurelia exhaled sharply, puffing her cheeks in annoyance as she glanced at Friederich.


    "At least I tried," She muttered.


    Friederich returned a knowing shrug. "I knew it wouldn¡¯t work."


    She spun on her heel with agility, forming a triangle with her fingers. The perfect symbol which replicated the primary elements of fire, namely heat, fuel, and oxidising agent.


    Feeling mana coursed through her body. "Empyrion!" She chanted.


    A raging beam of fire erupted toward the enemy.


    "Activate shield protocol!" The bronze knight snapped. A protective barrier materialised just in time, preventing his steel giant from melting.


    "Kill them, damn it!" He barked furiously, ordering all mobile suits to charge at full throttle.


    A blade swung horizontally at Aurelia, but she ducked with ease. Plasma rounds hailed toward her.


    "Phoros!" She cast a spell. An arc barrier enveloped her, absorbing the impact.


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    Under the protective globe, Aurelia''s keen eyes swept the battlefield. Two giants were focused on her while the rest brawled with Friederich.


    "I can take them easily... I just need the right opening. Let¡¯s bait them!" She thought, strategy forming in her mind. At the same time, she was reinforcing her protective layer with mana.


    The enemy knight smirked. "Keep firing at the lil¡¯ bitch! I¡¯ll show her my blaaaade!"


    His eyes gleamed with malice as he commanded his Armatus to dive down, the massive machine swooping in for the kill.


    "Magnetos!" Aurelia shouted, crossing her arms in a cross.


    Bzzzt!


    The blade collided with her magnetised barrier, the forces struggling to win over.


    "DIE!" The bronze knight screamed, pressing all his weight onto the blade, his back thrusters firing.


    Clank!


    The ionised steel shattered into pieces.


    Aurelia grinned after realising her plan worked. Her hands swiftly shifted into an offensive stance.


    "Empyrion!" She roared.


    A shockwave rippled around her, sending her hair and clothes fluttering wildly in the wind. A beam of fire shot into the enemy''s cockpit. The composite metal melted through thick layers of alloy.


    "NOOOOO!" The bronze knight wailed, hopelessly shielding his face. His eyes widened with pure terror before the beam tore through the back of his suit. The Armatus snapped, tumbling sideways with a thunderous crash.


    "Clark?! Damn you, red-haired brat!" His comrade bellowed in rage, watching his fallen ally.


    He ordered his Armatus forward, blades swinging at the sturdy Magnetos barrier.


    Aurelia held her ground, channelling mana to sustain her defences.


    The bronze knight smashed his blade down over and over. "Die already! Die!" He shrieked in desperation.


    Despite Magnetos¡¯ high defence, the ground beneath Aurelia began to buckle, kicking up a thick cloud of dust. She could barely see.


    Clank!


    Suddenly, the sound of a shattered ionised blade reverberated through the battlefield.


    Aurelia shifted her stance, her movements elegant and fluid. The flames cleaved upward, slicing the Armatus knight down the middle.


    The giant machine stood eerily still before crumbling into two halves, slamming into the earth with a deafening impact.


    As the dust settled, Aurelia swiftly sought her guardian.


    There stood an elven mage in a glamorous arc coat in pure white, Friederich. His glowing blades pierced the last remaining enemy¡¯s vital systems. Scattered metal limbs lay across the dirt, the torso the only part intact.


    "I¡¯ll rip your head off with my bare hands!" The last bronze knight howled from inside the cockpit.


    Raising his hand, Friederich commanded, "Lampos!"


    A piercing light shot through, silencing the pilot instantly.


    Once the area was deemed safe, Aurelia rushed toward Friederich, concern on her face.


    "Fried! Are you alright?" She asked, her voice trembling slightly as she ran to him.


    He turned, seemingly unscathed. His deadpan expression softened into a gentle smile as he gave her a thumbs-up.


    Aurelia caught her breath, standing before him. "...Sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have acted before thinking. It was reckless of me."


    "You¡¯re too kind to those who don¡¯t deserve it, Aurelia... Good thing these guys weren¡¯t much of a threat to us," Friederich replied matter-of-factly, surveying the carnage and distant explosions in the background.


    ¡°Seems like an arcanite explosion. Hoffmann mages might already wipe out the enemies. If so, they are just as capable,¡± He analysed, crossing his arms.


    Noticing Aurelia¡¯s sweaty face, he pulled out a handkerchief, planning to wipe it for her. But soon grew hesitant, so his palm opened, offering it to her instead.


    "Here, you''re covered in sweat, princess."


    ¡°Oh, thank you!¡± Aurelia replied cheerfully, wiping her face and neck. She then lifted the hem of her tunic, dabbing the sweat from her collarbone down.


    Friederich¡¯s gaze unintentionally lingered on her moist, pristine skin and collarbone. He quickly averted his eyes, pretending to study the sky.


    "Ahem, we should regroup with the others," He suggested, regaining his composure.


    Tapping his earpiece, he called out, "David McDonald, come in! How¡¯s the situation?"


    After a brief pause, David¡¯s urgent voice crackled through. "Nice takedowns, Sir Prime Guardian. Lupus and her squad wiped out all Dunkelheit forces in the west forest. I suggest you rendezvous with them at the west forest."


    "What about enemy movement in the city centre?" Friederich asked.


    "That¡¯s what I¡¯m about to report ¡ª All enemy forces are marching west. I believe they plan to eliminate the arcanists first. Please be careful! I repeat..."


    Friederich exchanged glances with Aurelia. "No resistance from the sentry mages inside the city. Something is fishy¡­ Let¡¯s regroup with Hoffmann."


    Briefly, a P.N.I. bot hovered close. "Howdy, princess and guardian!" Jack¡¯s voice rang through the speakers.


    "Mr Jack!" Aurelia¡¯s eyes lit up, stepping forth.


    ¡°Need a ride?¡± Jack said, guiding the vessel to a smooth landing before opening the hatch.


    ¡°Thank you, uncle!¡± Friederich said, helping Aurelia step into the vessel.


    ¡°Jeez, I¡¯m not that old!¡± Jack argued inwardly, his face soured beneath the helmet.


    ¡°Alright, hang on tight, and do not touch anything, please!¡± Jack¡¯s face appeared on the HUD screen. Aurelia smiled and nodded as Friederich buckled her into the pilot seat. Then, he secured himself in the spare seat on the side.


    ¡°Let¡¯s roll!¡± Jack exclaimed as he flicked his fingers, controlling the vessel remotely.


    The engine hummed, and the puny bot lifted off the ground before accelerating forward.

 Armatus Knights and Mobile Suits

    Armatus Knight Ranking System


    Platinum Rank


    <ul>


    <li>


    Capacity: 6 Mobile Suits


    </li>


    <li>


    Mobile Suit Size: 12 meters (Larger, cutting-edge features)


    </li>


    <li>


    Role: Supreme commanders leading major campaigns


    </li>


    <li>


    Notable Feature: Command Neural Synchronization System for multi-suit operation


    </li>


    </ul>


    Gold Rank


    <ul>


    <li>


    Capacity: 5¨C6 Mobile Suits


    </li>


    <li>


    Mobile Suit Size: 10 meters


    </li>


    <li>


    Role: Elite commanders of large units


    </li>


    <li>


    Notable Feature: Specialized neural dampeners for precision multi-suit control


    </li>


    </ul>


    Silver Rank


    <ul>


    <li>


    Capacity: 3¨C4 Mobile Suits


    </li>


    <li>


    Mobile Suit Size: 10 meters


    </li>


    <li>


    Role: Tactical squad leaders, specialized operations


    </li>


    <li>


    Notable Feature: Adaptive control for enhanced versatility


    </li>


    </ul>


    Bronze Rank


    <ul>


    <li>


    Capacity: 1¨C2 Mobile Suits


    </li>


    <li>


    Mobile Suit Size: 10 meters


    </li>


    <li>


    Role: Frontline fighters, junior leaders


    </li>


    <li>


    Notable Feature: Basic neural-link training for multi-suit usage


    </li>


    </ul>


    Copper Rank / Iron Tank


    <ul>


    <li>


    Capacity: 0¨C1 Mobile Suit


    </li>


    <li>


    Mobile Suit Size: 10 meters


    </li>


    <li>


    Role: Recruits, entry-level knights


    </li>


    <li>


    Notable Feature: Limited neural synchronization, mainly for training


    </li>


    </ul>


    Armatus Mobile Suit Loadout & Features


    Standard Loadout:


    <ul>


    <li>


    Ionised Blades: Close-combat weapons, Mark V variant can heat up to 5000K instantly.


    </li>


    <li>


    Plasma Cannons: Used in ranged combat.


    </li>


    <li>


    Thrusters: High-speed mobility for rapid movement.


    </li>


    <li>


    Arcanite Engine: Power source, interacts with magic and technology.


    </li>


    <li>


    Command Neural Synchronization: Enables high-rank knights to control multiple suits at once.


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    </li>


    <li>


    High-Yield Missile Launcher: Heavy bombardment weapon used for long-range destruction.


    </li>


    </ul>


    Specialized Equipment:


    <ul>


    <li>


    Lancer Armatus: Advanced version used for high-speed precision combat.


    </li>


    </ul>


    Notable Armatus Knights & Their Mobile Suits


    <h4>Queen Charlotte (the Arch Monarch of the Agrian continent.)</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>


    Rank: Platinum Knight


    </li>


    <li>


    Mobile Suit: Golden Armatus


    </li>


    <li>


    Tactics: Supreme commander of the Dunkelheit Empire, leads thousands of knights into battle.


    </li>


    <li>


    Weapons & Features: Plasma cannons, ionised weapons, heavy thrusters for aerial combat.


    </li>


    <li>


    Notable Feat: Led twelve thousand knights and nearly four hundred thousand mobile suits during the siege of Germund.


    </li>


    </ul>


    <h4>Gold Knight Rhok Wagner</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>


    Rank: Gold Knight


    </li>


    <li>


    Mobile Suit: Dark Armatus, armed with an Ionised Mark V Blade


    </li>


    <li>


    Tactics: Close-combat specialist, high endurance, experienced commander.


    </li>


    </ul>


    <h4>Gold Knight Aurum Specter</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>


    Rank: Gold Knight


    </li>


    <li>


    Mobile Suit: Green Armatus "Lancer", equipped with a high-powered plasma cannon


    </li>


    <li>


    Tactics: Uses high-energy ranged attacks, taunts enemies to break their concentration.


    </li>


    </ul>


    <h4>Silver Knight Daniel Asher</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>


    Rank: Silver Knight


    </li>


    <li>


    Mobile Suit: Standard Silver Armatus


    </li>


    <li>


    Tactics: Balanced fighter, experienced in both melee and ranged engagements.


    </li>


    </ul>


    <h4>Jack Squire</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>


    Rank Equivalent: Silver Knight (Not officially knighted)


    </li>


    <li>


    Mobile Suit: Silver Armatus emblazoned with Hoffmann crest


    </li>


    <li>


    Tactics: Agile fighter, prefers melee engagements, improvises tactics in battle, accompanied by P.N.I bots (for support).


    </li>


    </ul>


    <h4>Steve</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>


    Rank: Bronze or Copper Rank


    </li>


    <li>


    Role: Former enemy soldier turned reluctant ally


    </li>


    <li>


    Notable Traits: Skilled with ranged weapons, formerly lost but follows Canis.


    </li>


    <li>


    Encounters: Survived a sabretooth attack alongside Canis.


    </li>


    </ul>


    <div>


    <hr>


    AI-assisted Visualisation ~ First Look at Mecha Design:


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 48.7174%">


    Platinum Rank Armatus


    </td>


    <td style="width: 48.7174%; text-align: center"></td>


    </tr>


    <tr style="text-align: center">


    <td style="width: 48.7174%">


    Gold Rank Armatus


    </td>


    <td style="width: 48.7174%"></td>


    </tr>


    <tr style="text-align: center">


    <td style="width: 48.7174%">


    Silver Rank Armatus


    </td>


    <td style="width: 48.7174%"></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 48.7174%; text-align: center">Bronze Rank Armatus</td>


    <td style="width: 48.7174%"></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <div>


    <hr>


    (Bonus) AI-assisted Visualisation ~ First Look at Rhok Wagner & Knight Personal Armour:


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 98.9983%; text-align: center"></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 98.9983%; text-align: center"></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>

 68. The Light Beam

    High above the sky, brushing the edge of heaven, hovered a dark spacecraft, thirty metres in length. Beneath its flank, the emblem of DebrisX gleamed proudly.


    Inside the main hall, known as the starboard, the front of the craft housed two pilot seats equipped with a large sight port and a hologram display detailing all aspects of the vessel¡¯s status.


    Gusto, a slender man with a sharp jawline and dark, curly hair, eagerly monitored the ship¡¯s systems, ensuring all engines and components were operating at peak efficiency.


    Along the ultra-duplex alloy corridor, two rows of cushioned seats lined the interior ¡ª three on each side, roughly 10 metres apart. Moulded to fit the human form, each seat featured a powerful magnetic fastening system for maximum safety. In the event of an emergency ejection, they could transform into short-range flight systems, which could descend into safe areas.


    In the left row sat former DebrisX crew members ¡ª David, Penny, and Flickson. Their murmured conversations reverberated through the cabin, thick with tension.


    A holographic map flickered before David¡¯s eyes. At its centre, a cluster of intact city buildings was displayed. A large fleet of triangular markers moved towards the forest on the western side, where Lupus and his team were stationed. To the south, a river flowed vertically through the landscape, accompanied by a towering concrete dam. Three green dots indicated friendly forces ¡ª Jack¡¯s puny bot, Jack¡¯s Armatus, and Rhok¡¯s unit.


    ¡°Rhok, Jackie! Two Armatus units are heading towards your location in a few minutes! Intercept them!¡± David¡¯s voice was sharp as he tracked two red markers advancing southward.


    ¡°Hmph,¡± Rhok grunted, his dark helmet appearing in the bottom-left corner of the screen.


    Suddenly, a surge of arcanite energy pulsed from the city centre. Penny, a petite middle-aged woman, turned to her neighbour, urgency lacing her voice. ¡°David! There¡¯s an energy anomaly in sector E-6!¡±


    David turned sharply, doubling her HUD screen. His expression tightened. ¡°But all enemy forces are already moving towards Hoffmann¡¯s team¡­¡± He narrowed his eyes, scrutinising the map more closely.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! I ran it through the catalogue. Nothing matches this signature!¡± Penny¡¯s voice trembled, sweat gathering on her brow.


    ¡°Check it again!¡± David ordered. ¡°Flickson! Enhance the image on that location. I need a clearer view now!¡± His voice strained with urgency.


    ¡°Already on it, boss!¡± Flickson, a dark-skinned man, worked his fingers frantically over the controls, adjusting the visibility sensors and locking onto the city centre.


    David muttered under his breath, rubbing his mouth and nose. ¡°How could this be? We scanned the entire map for energy signatures. How did we miss something this big?¡±


    ***


    At the heart of Eastern Dam, in the middle of a vast sports field, a massive Armatus powered up. Its engine hummed thunderously.


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    On the mech¡¯s back, the propulsion system featured six standard thrusters, exhaling torrents of hot air. The wind howled as the cover sheet draped over the twenty-metre-tall war machine billowed and twisted. Soon, the work crew unfastened the tie ropes, revealing the strange war machine in full display.


    Unlike standard humanoid models, this Armatus had a flat, crab-like torso with an oversized cannon protruding forward. Its surface had a matte finish with dark green paint like military vehicles.


    As the enormous cannon lifted skyward, the machine¡¯s mechanical legs, each equipped with three stabilising claws, clutched tightly to the floor, anchoring its mass.


    Seated within the cockpit was a gold-ranked Armatus knight, Commander Aurum Specter. Clad in red armour, he prompted his elbow on the armest and rested his chin on his hand, another hand fidgeting the mechanical glove controller.


    His devious smirk concealed beneath his mask, a V-shape visor glowing with malice. His sharp eyes locked onto a red marker high above the ground.


    ¡°So, you think the sky is the limit, hmm?¡± He mused aloud as hydraulics hissed, securing the war machine in place. The seat beneath him trembled before settling into stillness.


    ¡°As they say, when you¡¯re in an Armatus, you can fight the storm¡­ You can reach heaven itself.¡± Aurum mused out loud as he flicked his fingers, initiating the cannon¡¯s charging sequence.


    On his HUD screen, the target, DebrisX¡¯s spacecraft, was locked. His eyes gleamed with thrill. ¡°Reach the sky... and enter heaven, you little tattletale!¡±


    Electricity crackled along the cannon¡¯s barrel. Sparks and light orbs converged at its nozzle, the whirling noise intensifying, the air itself distorting from sheer energy.


    A deep, reverberating thrum filled the cockpit as the charge reached critical mass.


    Then¡ª


    WHUMMM-BRRAAAK!


    A devastating beam erupted skyward.


    Gusto spotted the incoming signal and spun around in alarm. ¡°David! We need to~¡±


    Before he could finish his sentence or flick his fingers to activate the shield, the destructive beam struck. The hull shattered in an instant, reduced to nothing but dust and debris.


    ***


    Jack executed a sharp turn, his thrusters rotating 180 degrees, pulling the steel giant backward. The barrage of energy rounds narrowly missed their mark.


    The enemy¡¯s Armatus locked onto him, rising swiftly. ¡°Die!¡± The bronze pilot shouted, his heart pounding with exhilaration inside the armour. He was oblivious to the presence looming behind him.


    Szzzzzzzzt-Clank!


    A sudden, piercing shriek echoed as Rhok¡¯s heated blade tore through the bronze¡¯s hull, splitting it into two jagged pieces of metal. The wreckage plummeted towards the ground.


    ¡°You good, Jack?¡± Rhok asked, his tone uncertain.


    ¡°Yeah! I¡¯m fine,¡± Jack shot back.


    ¡°Good job being the bait.¡± Rhok spun his Armatus mid-air, locking onto another target. The enemy pilot froze in pure terror before frantically twisting his suit away.


    Too late.


    Rhok surged forward, closing the distance in an instant. The tip of his blade pierced through the hull, ending the bronze pilot in a single, decisive strike.


    There was no time to relish the victory.


    A brilliant beam suddenly tore through the sky above them, followed by a massive arcanite explosion, its blinding light visible even from the distant battlefield.


    Jack¡¯s breath hitched as he caught sight of the blast. A chilling sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu seized him.


    ¡°Oh¡­ my god¡­ David!? Come in!?¡± He roared into the comms.


    Silence.


    ¡°Impossible¡­¡± His expression darkened, his stomach twisting. He clenched his jaw, his ears ringing with the sound of his own pounding heartbeat. The weight of reality crushed down on him.

 69. Foresight

    Forest west of the dam, 15 minutes earlier.


    The group of arcanists hurried through the forest, their boots shuffling erratically. Lupus and the Hoffmann mages led the way, while Triss and the Virgo mages followed closely behind.


    Lunice, the eldest, surveyed the treeline. The area ahead had large trees and almost flat terrain ¡ª suitable for a skirmish. A hit-and-run tactic would give the mages an advantage, exploiting their smaller target size while the enemy suits would be exposed.


    Nodding to herself, Lunice glanced back at her sister. ¡°Lupy, we can set up our defensive perimeter here! Let¡¯s do a whack-a-mole¡­ sort of¡­¡± She suggested, rolling her eyes at herself.


    ¡°Sure! Sister, Larry and Lenny, you two stay with Big Sis,¡± Lupus ordered, her voice clear and crisp. Then she grabbed Frain by the shoulder. ¡°Frain, you¡¯re with me ~ stay close!¡± She added, her expression serious.


    ¡°Mm, mm!¡± Frain hummed, nodding twice as she rested the head of her axe on the dirt, her hands gripping the pommel.


    Soon, the distant hum of arcanite engines grew louder. Two allied vessels approached, the puny bot descending smoothly to land. Hydraulic hissing filled the air as Friederich gracefully stepped out of the craft.


    Meanwhile, the Silver Armatus patrolled the airspace, performing sentry protocol with weapons hot.


    Lupus strode towards them just as Friederich helped his princess step down from the ledge. ¡°Prime Guardian and Princess Aurelia, you¡¯re both safe!¡± The Wildren exclaimed with relief, seeing them unscathed.


    ¡°Thank you for your concern, Miss Hoffmann,¡± Friederich replied humbly before turning to the machine. ¡°Thanks for the lift, Uncle,¡± he added loudly, making sure his voice carried. Aurelia gave a quick nod before stepping away from the landing zone.


    ¡°Lupus, we¡¯ll regroup with you soon! Please don¡¯t go choking people with your thighs again!¡± Jack¡¯s voice came through the bot¡¯s speaker as it ascended to rejoin the Silver Armatus.


    Lupus¡¯s ashen skin flushed crimson in an instant. ¡°Why are you broadcasting that to everyone!?¡± She snapped, squeezing her eyes shut in embarrassment.


    Now, everyone except Frain glared at Lupus with deadpan expressions.


    ¡°Oh, Holy Gaia! My bad! I¡¯m in the middle~¡± Jack¡¯s voice was cut off as he engaged in another battle roughly fifty kilometres away.


    ¡°Focus, Jack!¡± Rhok¡¯s voice interjected, and silence followed.


    Lupus shook her head and refocused on the matter at hand. She quickly recounted the plan to intercept the Armatus fleet in the forest for the late arrivals. Friederich listened intently, arms crossed, before adding a few points of his own.


    ¡°I think the Virgo Novitcius should be stationed over by the pine trees in the northeast,¡± Friederich suggested, pointing. The high ground and dense canopy would provide an excellent vantage point where the Novitcius could offer healing support.


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    Lupus found herself agreeing. Not only did the elven boy have an angelic face, but he was also calm and calculating. ¡°Yes, I agree. Let¡¯s tell Trissie,¡± She said.


    The Olympian mage spun on her heel, narrowing her eyes and singling out Triss among the group. ¡°Ah! There she is!¡± Lupus murmured, spotting the girl kneeling in prayer on the ground.


    As Lupus strode towards her, the others followed. Suddenly, Triss¡¯s eyes snapped wide open, staring into the distance. Her green irises shimmered under the sunlight, almost glowing on their own.


    ¡°Wah! Did she have a stroke?¡± Frain yelped, cupping her mouth in shock.


    Immediately, Triss snapped out of her trance. Her eyes darted around before tears began streaming down her face. ¡°The pain¡­ the heat¡­ It¡¯s terrible!¡± She cried out, clawing at her cheeks. Friederich rushed forward, steadying her.


    ¡°Terissa! Terissa! What¡¯s wrong? What did you see?¡± Friederich yelled, one arm holding her upright while the other gripped her wrist firmly.


    Her gaze eventually met his, finding comfort in his piercing blue eyes. ¡°The enemy! The light! They have a long-range attack! I saw the DebrisX crew decimated! Quick, you must warn David!¡± Triss screamed, her voice laced with fear.


    Lupus was already relaying the warning. ¡°David McDonald, come in! You need to pull out right now!¡± she barked into her comms.


    ¡°Miss Lupus? What¡¯s wrong?¡± David¡¯s voice crackled in response.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask, just do it! Now!¡± She commanded.


    David exchanged a confused look with the pilot before giving the order. After all, the bunny Wildren was his best friend¡¯s partner.


    The spacecraft went full throttle, leaving a light trail as it streaked across the horizon. Soon, it disappeared into the clouds, descending below the troposphere. The DebrisX crew successfully regrouped at Hein¡¯s workshop, following their new instructions.


    On the ground, Triss recounted her vision of the war machine to the rest. ¡°...Please be careful of its range ¡ª it can strike precisely from an immense distance!¡± She warned, biting her lip nervously.


    Friederich straightened his back with his usual grace. ¡°Now we know what we¡¯re up against,¡± He grumbled, calculating their next move.


    Meanwhile, Rhok had been listening to the strange exchange over the comms. His rasping voice cut through the static. ¡°Miss Triss, where did you see it? Can you locate it for me?¡±


    He motioned for his Armatus to halt mid-air. Jack followed suit, hovering beside him.


    ¡°It¡¯s in the centre of town, I saw a grass field¡­ Maybe it is somewhere inside the sports field,¡± Triss replied promptly.


    ¡°Understood.¡± Rhok turned halfway towards the city. ¡°Jack, I¡¯ll intercept it. Leave it to me,¡± He said, his expression resolute.


    ¡°Are you sure? Do we even know what exactly it is?¡± Jack asked, uncertain about Rhok¡¯s plan.


    ¡°Yes¡­ It¡¯s the latest model. Still in beta testing back then. We called it ¡®Lancer¡¯.¡± Rhok stated bluntly.


    ¡°Then I¡¯m coming with you!¡± Jack declared.


    ¡°No!¡± Rhok¡¯s sharp tone was louder than intended. He pressed his lips into a thin line. ¡°You¡¯ll only get in my way, newbie. I know exactly who¡¯s piloting that suit. He¡¯ll figure out soon enough that you¡¯re my liability.¡±


    Jack¡¯s expression darkened on the screen.


    Sensing his distress, Rhok added, ¡°Jack, you¡¯re a great pilot. Hell, you might even hit silver from the get-go. But¡­ you¡¯re still no match for gold. Especially, Aurum Specter.¡±


    Jack fell silent as he reaccessed, realising just how formidable the gold knights were. Even with a single mobile suit, Rhok had taken down nearly twenty bronze pilots with ease.


    ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll rendezvous with the mages and support them instead!¡± Jack decided calmly.


    Rhok didn¡¯t object, he found himself nodding slowly.


    A grin played on his lips. ¡°Let¡¯s roll out!¡± Rhok urged before they parted, each heading in opposite directions.

 70. Gold Against Gold

    Rhok flew his mobile suit, drifting through the factories, navigating an intricate network of pipes and towering silver columns.


    ¡°No damage at all¡­ They¡¯re planning to use these factories and their infrastructure for themselves.¡±


    His craft soon reached the town.


    [Arcanite Energy Detected!]


    [Arcanite Energy Detected!]


    [Arcanite Energy Detected!]


    A warning voice reverberated through his cockpit, red emergency lights flashing.


    ¡°Aurum Spectre!¡± Rhok roared, pushing his thrusters to full throttle. Blue flames erupted from the exhaust as his suit shot forward.


    A deep, throbbing hum reverberated in the air ¡ª then, an abrupt BOOM!


    BZZZZZZZT¡ªWHACK!


    A beam of white light cut through the buildings, evaporating everything in its path.


    ¡°Crap!¡± Rhok yelped as the dark Armatus darted low at near-lightning speed.


    The destructive beam narrowly missed him. His eyes flicked to the status bar ¡ª no visible damage, but his suit had consumed a considerable amount of energy.


    Rhok manoeuvred cautiously through the city, spiralling between buildings as he aimed for the city centre, where the Armatus Lance was stationed.


    Suddenly, a familiar voice crackled through his comms.


    ¡°Fancy seeing you again!¡±


    An overly cheerful face popped onto the comm screen ¡ª a stark contrast to Rhok¡¯s grim expression.


    Rhok clenched his jaw, saying nothing. He ignored the taunting man.


    The dark Armatus roared as it surged forward. As it reached supersonic speed, the air barrier shattered with a deafening boom.


    ¡°Despite piloting an Armatus, you¡¯re not fighting alongside us,¡± Aurum continued, reclining back with a casual gesture. ¡°Too bad¡­¡±


    He rubbed his chin, feigning deep thought.


    ¡°You served Dunkelheit for what ¡ª twenty years? I wonder what changed your mind. Was it magic? Mind control?¡± Aurum mused, eyes glinting with curiosity.


    ¡°Get off my comms,¡± Rhok growled, jabbing at the controls, but nothing happened.


    The proximity connection ensured that Gold Armatus suits had overriding command over lower-ranked units. There was no escape.


    ¡°Heh¡­¡± Aurum chuckled softly. Then, his smirk widened.


    ¡°Or is it¡­ love?¡±


    Silence.


    Aurum¡¯s eyes sparked with amusement.


    ¡°I¡¯m right, aren¡¯t I? Hahaha!¡± He burst into laughter, slapping his armrest.


    Rhok grunted, ignoring the gold knight as he spotted the battlefield in the distance.


    ¡°I must be close now,¡± He muttered, darting between the towering buildings, using them as cover.


    Aurum¡¯s voice took on a playful lilt.


    ¡°Do you know the penalty for treason against the great empire?¡±


    When Rhok didn¡¯t answer, Aurum leaned closer to the screen.


    ¡°The penalty is death!¡± He snarled, his voice dripping with hatred.


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    Another beam ripped through the air, cutting down everything in its path.


    Its trajectory locked onto his flight path.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    Rhok¡¯s eyes widened. If he didn¡¯t move now, he¡¯d be fried to a crisp.


    He jerked the controls, throwing his suit into a sudden nosedive.


    Here goes the paint job.


    His war machine crashed into the streets, ploughing through abandoned cars.


    Vehicles flew ten metres into the air, smashing into nearby buildings and shattering glass.


    Momentum carried the giant suit forward, scraping across the concrete and kicking up dirt and debris.


    ¡°Shield Protocol!¡±


    Rhok tucked his head, bracing for impact as a blue, semi-translucent barrier enveloped his mobile suit.


    The hulking machine tumbled, smashing into the pavement. The shield absorbed some of the impact, but he still bounced violently before slamming into a ten-story building.


    BOOM!


    The structure buckled and collapsed atop his suit, bricks and debris scattering in every direction. A thick cloud of smoke engulfed the area.


    Aurum¡¯s chuckle crackled over the comms.


    ¡°Hehehe¡­ That wasn¡¯t even a fight.¡±


    His thrusters flared, lifting his massive machine into the air.


    ¡°What a bummer¡­¡± Aurum exhaled, disappointment lacing his tone.


    Scanning for energy signals, he followed the trail of destruction from his earlier attack.


    His sensors locked onto the pile of rubble where Rhok¡¯s Armatus had fallen.


    Cautiously, Aurum touched down twenty metres away.


    For a moment, nothing moved.


    Then ¡ª the debris shifted.


    Suddenly, the dark Armatus lunged, its red visor gleaming ¡ª alive, as if thirsting for blood.


    ¡°Shield Protocol!¡± Aurum barked.


    CLANK!


    The ionised blade struck the barrier and bounced off.


    ¡°What the f*ck!?¡± Rhok exclaimed.


    Never before had the ionised blade failed to cut.


    The amount of Arcanite energy needed to sustain such impeccable defence had to be quadruple that of a standard suit.


    Aurum smirked.


    ¡°Tell Hades I said hi.¡±


    His fingers twitched.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Three rapid energy rounds blasted toward Rhok.


    His engine roared, metal joints straining as he dodged the first two ¡ª but the third struck home.


    CRACK!


    His left arm snapped clean off, severing his cannon hand.


    Rhok¡¯s eyes twitched with fury. But then he noticed something.


    The shield was down.


    ¡°I understand now!¡±


    The high energy consumption only allowed one active defence at a time.


    They hadn¡¯t solved that issue during beta testing.


    It wasn¡¯t ready for close combat.


    Instead of retreating, Rhok lunged forward, slashing down just as another energy round fired.


    CLANK!


    The heated steel ripped through Aurum¡¯s massive cannon, severing its protruding nozzle.


    But not without cost.


    The blast struck Rhok¡¯s midsection, tearing his suit in half.


    CRACK!


    Rhok grunted, his cockpit shaking violently.


    Then, to his horror, the Armatus Lancer hissed loudly.


    Its outer shell peeled away, revealing a ten-metre green mobile suit ejecting like a butterfly from its chrysalis.


    Aurum¡¯s voice oozed mockery.


    ¡°You think our geniuses didn¡¯t figure that weakness out, you dumb prick?¡±


    The green Armatus grabbed Rhok¡¯s suit, ripping off his other blade arm.


    ¡°Now that you¡¯re¡­ hmm¡­ limbless?¡± Aurum smirked.


    Defeat crept into Rhok¡¯s mind.


    ¡°Finish me,¡± He muttered.


    Aurum chuckled. ¡°Not quite done yet. I¡¯ve got something to show you.¡±


    The green Armatus dragged him through the air, soaring across the ruined town.


    After a short flight, Aurum slammed Rhok into the ground.


    Rhok¡¯s vision blurred, his head spinning.


    Then, he saw it.


    A pile of blackened, ashen figures stood eerily in the town square.


    Aurum¡¯s voice was cold.


    ¡°Do you know why we took this town so easily?¡±


    Rhok zoomed in with his visor¡ª


    And froze; his blood ran cold.


    Human remains.


    Burnt to a crisp.


    Dozens of them.


    Aurum¡¯s joyful voice sickened him.


    ¡°We burnt the witches!~¡±


    His mind thanked the inventor of the Arcane Disrupter, the device that had made this mission far too easy.


    Unfortunately, the scientists of Dunkelheit hadn¡¯t yet managed to mass-produce them ¡ª and each one was single-use only.


    ¡°YOU FUCKING BASTARD!¡± Rhok snapped, driven by burning fury.


    In return, Aurum just laughed.