When people embark on adventures, they often find themselves carrying something more than just their gear. They carry songs—simple tunes or complex melodies, woven with memories and dreams.
♫Country roads, take me home♫
In those notes and rhythm, there's a secret power that carries them forward. The lyrics often speak of the heart's desires and the soul's struggles, tracing the path of those brave enough to chase something beyond.
It's a strange magic, one that only those who truly wander can understand.
♫To the place I belong♫
But the reality of the journey is rarely as smooth as the melody suggests.
For many free-spirited souls, the road can be harsh, filled with obstacles that challenge their dreams. But despite the hardship, some of them press on—always searching for the next note, the next verse to guide them.
"♫West Virginia, mountain mama♫"「A long haired songstress」
♫Take me home, country roads♫
They sing their songs to anyone who will listen, whether to strangers or those who seem as lost as they are. And in return, they seek something—anything—that might fuel their next step.
A few coins to fill their pockets, a kind word to keep their spirits high, or, if the fates are kind, something truly precious. Like a gold, which definitely something that doesn't just could be found stumbled on the road.
"Take me home, (down) country roads..."「A strange minstrel」
He paused for a moment, exhaling deeply. "Fhuuh... Not like anyone's listening, though." His eyes scanned the desolate surroundings before landing on a lone figure in the distance. "Ah! Wait, we've got one guy over there. Should we ask him for some pennies?"
The long haired songstress raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical but not dismissive. "Pennies? Maybe he's the generous type. Who knows—he might even give us some gold."
The minstrel smirked, tipping his hat. "Well, only one way to find out. I'll go ask."
Yet they did found it just by singing on the road.
"Huh? T-This is... a-a-a real gold?!"「A strange minstrel」
"You... you're not gonna take it back, right?"「A long haired songstress」
"Sure, it's just a coin. Not that I'm showing off, but I have friends who could give me more. Since you two seem like chill folks, feel free to take it. Whether you sell it or keep it, that's up to you."「Loli-man」
No one took notice of the young singers. The crowd felt as empty as a barren desert, so quiet that even Goku and Vegeta could've fought there without anyone noticing.
Perhaps out of sympathy, this is why he decided to offer them something.
Once he felt there was nothing more to be done, he struck a cool pose and waved as he walked away heading to meet someone he had made an earlier promise with.
He passed through a bustling station filled with civilians, the hum of daily life completely oblivious to his passing. Eventually, he entered a small men's restroom, which was in the midst of being repaired.
The construction workers outside, spotting the "closed for maintenance" sign, let out frustrated sighs, realizing the restroom was off-limits. Among them, Loli-man couldn't help but feel deeply sorry for his bladder.
Without a second thought, he ignored the sign and pushed the door open.
Inside, he was greeted by another one of his personas, Necro-phi/Vandango, who was busy washing his face at the sink while wearing an odd mascot costume.
"...Don't ask." Necro-phi/Vandango muttered, glancing up with a tired expression.
"Yeah so... what the business?"「Loli-man」
"...Haven't you seen those notification?"「Necro-phi/Vandango」
A series of glowing, ethereal screens materialized in the air around Loli-man, each displaying a list of ominous updates in bold, flickering text.
[Herald of Little Light has announced the return of an Old Champion.]
[Prince of Yellow has expressed great interest in the Old Champion.]
[Hundred Lapis Teeth shows hostility toward the Old Champion.]
[Cerulean Head Chief claims to remember the Old Champion.]
[Children of Epoch display hostility toward the Old Champion.]
[Legendary Dragon flapped its wings at the Old Champion.]
[7th Century to Love has shown hostility toward the Old Champion.]
[White Rhodiola attempted to summon the Old Champion... but nobody came.]
And the notifications didn't stop.
More and more hostile declarations flooded the space, each one like a wound reopening.
Every name was a tether to a past he wished he could forget. Faces he hadn't seen in what felt like lifetimes resurfaced in his mind, unbidden and unwelcome. Memories of betrayal, loss, and anger swirled together, making it hard to breathe.
He shook his head, as though trying to scatter the images. "I know," he muttered, his voice low and strained. "My head feels like it's about to split open from all of this."
But amidst the flood of hostile notifications from worlds and dimensions beyond, a few stood out—ones that caught Loli-man's attention for entirely different reasons.
〈You have 999+ unread messages in your Mailbox.〉
〈You have 999+ unclaimed rewards.〉
〈You have 999+ unread reports in your Mailbox.〉
〈You have 999+ Battle Royale challenges pending.〉
〈You have 99+ friend requests.〉
〈The System version you are using is outdated and cannot access all messages and rewards. Would you like to update now and unlock exclusive benefits with the latest version?〉
Loli-man exhaled through his nose, half-amused, half-irritated.
"Zei, my man, has announced his modifier again. The one that always stirs up endless trouble. I bet the folks over at League, Nexus, Rift and a whole bunch of others are losing their minds right now," he said, shaking his head.
Necro-phi/Vandango leaned against the sink, still wearing his oversized mascot costume.
His expression remained flat as he spoke, his tone deliberately casual. "...Dust is busy handling Users trying to escape. Als is with Zei, waiting for Hylia to return. Sengoku's tagging along with Amour in the Void. That leaves us—the only ones free to move around."
The words seemed indifferent, almost dismissive, but the weight behind them said otherwise. He wasn't just reporting the situation; he was probing, waiting to hear what Loli-man would decide next.
This moment mattered more than either of them outwardly admitted.
With the next stage about to unfold, they both understood that the Personas wouldn't see one another for a long time—just like Dust, caught up in his own mission.
Necro-phi/Vandango's gaze hardened slightly. "...You represent his free will. That's why I haven't assigned you any specific tasks. The backup body we're using—you understand its limits and standards, don't you?"
"You talk as if I'm some unemployed drifter. Do you know how hard it's been keeping those Ashes from interfering? Besides," Loli-man added with a faint smirk, "I've always understood my own limits."
"...Then I'm trusting you to surpass those limits. Because we're going to need it—now more than ever."「Necro-phi/Vandango」
"Yeah... that's easier said than done," Loli-man replied, scratching idly at the collar of his shirt. His voice carried a faint edge of mockery, as if daring Necro-phi/Vandango to push harder. "But what do I get out of it? I mean, I could just run away, you know. I do have the opportunity."
As a Persona, their existence was undeniably tied to the main body.
But for Loli-man, things were a bit different. He was special—a Persona who always danced on the thin line between obeying and breaking the rules. A wildcard, capable of Independent Actions.
At any moment, he could walk away, abandoning Sakura Zeimachi entirely. He could leave him to fend for himself, driven purely by his own selfish desires which is to... well... you know what his name is.
And right now, that temptation loomed large in Loli-man's mind.
"So, what do I get?"「Loli-man」
"...I'm getting tired with this play. What else do you want but Lolis."「Necro-phi/Vandango」
Loli-man snorted, shaking his head as a sharp grin spread across his face. "Hehe... Do you really think you could handle me with just that? Do I look like some basic coomer who'd scream 'Uwooooh!'😭 at every picture of little girls?"
Necro-phi paused, his expression blank as always, though there was an unmistakable glint of exhaustion in his eyes—a weariness born from dealing with this Persona's antics far too often.
"You, say my name."「Loli-man」
"...Yes, you're Loli-man." he said flatly.
Loli-man leaned back, smug satisfaction radiating from him. "You're goddamn right."
Necro-phi/Vandango blinked slowly, his calm demeanor unshaken. "...You just wanted to say that meme, didn't you?"
"You're goddamn right again."「Loli-man」
Suddenly—
As if the universe itself had decided to deliver the punchline, the restroom door creaked open. In stepped a station security guard, his confident smile accompanied by the unmistakable glint of handcuffs dangling from one hand.
For a moment, the two Personas froze, exchanging quick glances.
It was Necro-phi/Vandango who broke the silence, muttering under his breath. "...Your curse really is troublesome, how could they even appear in here."
"Can't be helped! They always chased after me just like those Immortal Snail!" Loli-man shot back, already taking a step toward the door, and both bolted from the restroom.
What followed was a chaotic scene straight out of a slapstick comedy.
Necro-phi/Vandango, still awkwardly waddling in his mascot costume, and Loli-man, sprinting with surprising agility, darted through the station as more guards joined the pursuit.
The chase was on, and neither of them planned to make it easy for their pursuers.
"We've got two suspects on the run, reported for planning an abduction. One of them's wearing a mascot outfit, the other a plain white shirt and black pants. They headed east, requesting for backups!" A diligence security guard
Still running, Necro-phi/Vandango turned slightly toward Loli-man. "...Here. This might help."
Without breaking his stride, he reached into the oversized mascot costume and pulled out a well-worn satchel. It wasn't just any bag—it was the bag, the one Sakura Zeimachi carried on every adventure.
The Kaban-chan.
Loli-man caught it mid-air, his curiosity piqued. Peeking inside as they sprinted, he saw a mix of items—artifacts, tools, and remnants of Sakura's past journeys through worlds. A treasure trove of their shared history.
"...Operation Magia is about to begin," Necro-phi/Vandango said, his tone unusually serious, even as his costume flopped comically with every step.
"...But the attention we're drawing is coming faster than I anticipated. The League will reconnect soon followed by others, and with Cera missing, we're going to face immense pressure from the Interstellar Pantheon. Can you buy us more time?"「Necro-phi/Vandango」
The Persona in the plain white shirt and black pants gave a firm nod, his grin unwavering. But before responding, he glanced back at the chaos behind them.
Guards and civilians alike shouted for him to stop, their voices blending into a cacophony of urgency and frustration. The sight filled him with a strange sense of nostalgia.
What a familiar scene, he thought, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. All these people trying to catch me... It almost feels like I was about to enter the jail again... what a pleasant memories.
"Draw attention? Who do you think I am? That's my specialty."「Loli-man」
————————————————
Twelve hours had passed since the Omen of Befall was unleashed, and concern and uncertainty loomed heavily over them. Amidst the tension, the feasty haired girl took a seat, her gaze fixed on the horizon.
Longing weighed in her chest—a quiet ache for her friends and the people she held dear.
...
....
.....
『PoV from Hylia』
The waves crashed against the rock I was sitting on, sending cold sprays of water onto my feet. The wind tugged at my hair, making it hard to sit still, but I didn't move.
The rock felt steady, even when the waves kept trying to push it away. "It's cold..."
I hugged my knees, my eyes locked at the horizon where the Academy was. The faint silhouettes of Fuwa, Zei, and the others danced in my memory, but something about that place stirred a knot deep in my chest.
A strange, unshakable tension.
"That light appeared again... just like it did a few days ago."
And then, it came again—a flicker of light in the distance.
My chest tightened. It was the same light as before. The strange one. The one I couldn't stop thinking about since I knew it came from that direction—the place where everyone I know is.
"It's already been a week... and it's about to become more. Fuwa, Zei... and everyone is doing fine, right? If only I had something to talk to them with… like that smartphone Ayaya and Lafey told me about…"
Since coming to this island, I've learned and seen so many things.
When I first opened my eyes here, it was big sis Coney who saved me.
She was the first one to take me by the hand and introduce me to the other big sisters. Together, we started gathering loot and picking up drops. I still remember my first item—found it while I was sticking close to her side.
Then I met Uche-sama. She's always so beautiful, like the princesses from my dreams.
And there's Orn big sis, who showed me how to find my way through the forest, even when the paths are tricky and the branches scratch at your arms.
All three of them helped me, and in return, I helped them.
"Uche-sama... is she doing another one of her experiments? And Orn big sis... she's probably out hunting again, right? As for Coney big sis... she's not around me, is she? Her Dimensional Shift always makes me nervous, like I'll get caught doing something."
With the three of them, we've built little camps here and there, thanks to Uche-sama's Skills.
We even found a hot spring and decided to make it our own. It's my favorite place—warm and safe, like nothing bad can reach us there.
After we all gathered together, then our missions began.
I first heard about the details from Coney big sis—since she always explains things in such a clear and serious way. But later, I figured out that each big sis had their own mission when they came to this island.
Like:
A mission to find me.
A mission to meet up with the other group that was moving separately. (That meant Yamama, Ichigo big sis, and Uyu-nee, who I hadn't met back then.)
———————————————
#(Beginner mission : Assemble!!!)#
→ Skull Island, an island teeming with dangerous beasts that must be kept away from numerous civilizations. Presently, this island has manifested itself within your world, marking the beginning of your mission.
Fulfill the requirements to initiate the quest, successfully achieve the objective to complete this mission, and regroup after accomplishing the objective to receive your next mission.
Good luck, girls.
〈Requirement〉: | All members undertaking this mission must set foot on the island |
〈Objective〉 : | Locate the VIP (The mission will be considered a failure if the VIP is found deceased) |
〈Reward〉 : | Skill: Iris of Blood (Level 1) |
〈Time limit〉 : |!Quest completed!|
〈Penalty〉 : | Failure will not be forgiven |
———————————————
After that mission, we started another one where we had to fight monsters. TB and Purple Screen gave us different tasks. My group went after a giant turtle, while the others took on a giant deer.
———————————————
#(Intermediate mission: Balancing the elements)#
→ Artificial as it may be, the island still needs to be balanced in various aspects.
Once you've all met and introduced yourselves, the next mission you'll undertake is to restore balance to the situation and conditions of the island. But fret not, you won't be tasked with creating an entire island from scratch.
Your objective is simply to gather a few required items and place them in one location. Additionally, for this mission, your Demi-Systems will be interconnected with each other. The VIP could also see your mission now if she want to.
〈Requirement〉: | Aqua Breaths (3/3) | Earth Forge (3/3) | Fire Embrace (3/3) | Wind Echo (3/3) |
〈Objective〉 : | Collect all requested items in one place and let something happen |
〈Reward〉 : | Skill level-up ticket (x5) |
〈Time limit〉 : | !Quest completed! |
〈Penalty〉 : | Something bad will happen |
———————————————
That's when I finally got to meet the other group.
They arrived with a huge flying deer from the sky! Afterward, they introduced themselves one by one: Ichigo (#1), Yamama (Yamashiro), and Uyu (Hakuryuu). At first, they scared me a little when they appeared, but now I'm really happy to have met them.
Well... except for Uyu-nee.
'I don't really like Uyu-nee that much. She's always asking me to fight with her, and I don't like fighting. Ichigo-nee is different—she's so fun to play with and always nice to me when she has time. As for Yamama... hmm, how do I say it? She's super caring, I think? Maybe a bit too caring sometimes...'
The waves crashed fiercely against the rocks again, sending splashes of water high into the air and forcing me to jump back toward the shore. If I didn't move, I would fall into the sea, where monsters lurked below.
And also... after meeting the six of them, I started to learn more about the existence of missions, and the presence Administrator, as well as the Demi-System.
["User Hylia, you have received a Sub-Mission. Would you like to accept it?"] (TB)
I had been thinking about something like that when the blue screen suddenly appeared, showing a picture of the girl. Her name was TB, and she was the Administrator who took care of what was called the Demi-System.
I could think of her like a Personal Advisor in the Orario guild.
She was the one who gave quests and managed the rewards once a mission was completed. But for some reason, it seemed like TB couldn't appear in front of me as often at first, like she does now.
According to TB herself, something had been blocking her access to the supporting system I was using. But after the mission to stabilize the elements was done, something changed, and we could finally connect like this.
I could also connect with the Demi-System that the Big Sis's used, but TB told me not to do that until I got permission from the Commander—or Zei, since he's the one who can allow it.
"Can I see what the mission is first?"
————————————————
#(Sub-mission: Extermination)#
→ Rare monsters have been found.
|〈The Kraken Lv. 340〉
〈Special Attack : Tentacle Slam | Abyssal Roar | Ink Cloud | Whirlpool Bind | Crushing Grip | Tsunami Surge | Deep-Sea Pull | Devouring Maw | Leviathan's Wrath | Oceanic Shockwave | Drowning Embrace | Black Abyss Drag | Abyssal Vortex | Stormcaller | Pressure Burst〉
〈Requirement〉: | Defeat the Kraken on Skull Island (0/1)|
〈Objective〉 : | Exterminate the target before the time limit expires |
〈Reward〉 : | Will be determined and transferred into the Principality Crate |
〈Time limit〉 : | 23:58:43 |
〈Penalty〉 : | — |
———————————————
"Whuaaah... so that thing earlier was the Kraken? I thought it was just big waves from the sea!"
Aside from the Administrator and missions, there's one more thing I haven't explained yet: Skills. But since I already understand how Skills work in Orario and what I've learned here on this island, maybe there isn't much left to explain.
"Alright, first is figuring out the enemy's HP and Energy. Its level is definitely high too."
In Orario, using a Skill usually means saying its name out loud if it's an active Skill. But for passive Skills, I don't think you have to say anything at all. Still, one thing they have in common is that using Skills always involves Energy or Mana.
The stronger the Skill, the more Energy or Mana it takes.
And if someone runs out of Energy or Mana, they might experience something called Mind Down.
I've never had Mind Down myself, but from what I've heard, it's when your body gets really, really tired, and you just pass out—like fainting, I think? I'm not really sure, though.
Maybe it's called something else in this world.
"The wave just came from over there... ah, there it is! I can see something swimming down there."
When Uche-sama uses too much of her energy—the one she calls Haki—she says it makes her super lazy and too weak to do anything. But then, there are times when Ichigo-nee says she just needs Cooldown instead of Mana or Energy to use her Skills.
After meeting them, I realized there are so many different ways and rules for using powers.
To me, Skills are precious. I was taught that not everyone gets to have a Skill as an adventurer in Orario. That's why I keep trying to learn more about the ones I have for now.
〈Hylia Lv. 5 used Iris of Blood (Lv. 6)〉
———————————————
|〈The Kraken Lv. 340〉
〈Special Attack : Tentacle Slam | Abyssal Roar | Ink Cloud | Whirlpool Bind | Crushing Grip | Tsunami Surge | Deep-Sea Pull | Devouring Maw | Leviathan's Wrath | Oceanic Shockwave | Drowning Embrace | Black Abyss Drag | Abyssal Vortex | Stormcaller | Pressure Burst〉
| >HP : (////////////////////)
| >Energy : (///////////////////)
| >Mana : (/////)
———————————————
This Skill doesn't do a lot, honestly. It only shows the target's HP, Energy, and Mana once, and it stays visible until the target is defeated or disappears from sight.
But even with just that, it's super helpful. It lets us figure out when to fight and when to run. And looking at all those layered bars... uhh, I think running sounds like a really good idea right now.
"Umm... it's still brimming with power. Maybe I should talk about this with the others first."
["Alright, I'll save this Mission for now,"] TB replied.
Feeling like this place wasn't safe anymore, I quickly turned around and started walking away.
Oh, right—I'm at the southern beach right now, and the way back home is to the northeast. The path from the beach isn't too different: sand, tall trees, a bit more sand, and then a damp, sticky forest.
After the forest, there's the swamp with lots of trees... but I usually avoid that place. There's a giant crocodile living there. Going around the swamp takes longer, though, and the trip won't be smooth either.
Near the swamp is a giant ant nest. If I disturb them, they'll chase me, and trust me, they're terrifying! Sure, I could burn them all with Alastoru's fire... but there's just too many of them.
And they're almost as big as my feet.
"That's why I need to be careful—uhh... huh? What's this?"
But from a distance, I noticed something strange—some trees were bent and knocked over, like something big had crashed through them. My heart raced as I quickly hid behind a tree, scanning the area for anything moving.
|〈Big Ant: Lvl. 100〉
〈Special Attacks: Acid Spray | Mandible Crush | Swarm Assault | Burrow Ambush〉
A giant ant, even bigger than my foot, came crawling closer.
Its mandibles clicked menacingly as it moved in my direction. Without wasting any time, I ducked out of its path, sneaking around it before giving it a hard shove and a swift kick to send it tumbling away.
I always try not to kill these ants. I feel like if I do, the rest of the colony might come swarming after me. But still... who or what could've caused all this destruction?
Could the ants be angry because their nest was disturbed?
"Is it possible there's another Monster Fight happening again?"
With so many Monsters on this island, it's not surprising that they'd start noticing each other and fighting. Unlike the Dungeons in Orario, where gods and goddesses control everything, this island is... wild.
Orn big sis once called it a "Battle Royale island," where Monsters are gathered just to fight and kill each other. As food and water on the island run out, they'll keep fighting until only the strongest Monster is left.
Of course, that's just her theory.
But a lot of the other big sisters agree with her.
That's why we decided to build our base and hideouts underground. This way, while the Monsters are busy eating each other, we won't get caught in the chaos.
"Hmm, is that it? Ahh... so that's what's going on..."
As I was thinking, a loud and very familiar voice broke through my thoughts.
"You useless ants! Become rust on my blade!"「Uyu-nee」
It was Uyu-nee (Hakuryuu).
She looked like the one responsible for wrecking the ants' nest. Especially with those army of them surrounding her. Even so, I didn't realize there could be this many ants. I wonder... will she be okay?
Should I help her?
"Let's see..."
|〈Hakuryuu〉|
〈Race : Ship girl〉
〈Level : 125〉
〈Job : Big Sword Master〉
|〈Power : 5042〉|
I guess she'll be fine. Still, it doesn't feel right to just leave without doing anything. A little help won't hurt, right? I thought about using Alastoru since fire should work well against insects like these.
But... I also wanted to try out the new sword I just got.
"Let's test Seilenos this time."
I waited, trying to time it perfectly. Watching Uyu-nee swing her giant sword and cut through everything, I could see her tearing up both the ground and the insects all at once.
Then, she jumped high into the air with her sword raised. That's when I called Seilenos. It appeared behind me like always, floating in the air.
Moving like one of the kites Cera told me about, Seilenos could hover and follow my hand's direction. At first, it was tricky to control. But now? I can make it spin in place or shoot through the air like an arrow.
"Haha! Thanks, you little girl!" Uyu-nee shouted, still smashing her massive sword into the ground.
Meanwhile, I directed Seilenos to cut off the ants' escape routes. It was so much fun using it—like playing with a toy that I could push and pull however I want.
But because I was having too much fun, I was late to pay attention on my behind.
'Be careful.' (Alastoru)
I spun around and saw three ants fried to a crisp. "Thanks, Alastoru. I'll stay alert."
We kept clearing out the swarm, slicing through their numbers. Then, I spotted something huge hidden beneath the ground—a giant ant the size of a horse cart. It had to be the queen!
But before I could take a closer look, Uyu-nee defeated it in one massive swing.
She turned to me, grinning like she could conquer the whole island, her massive sword resting casually on her shoulder. "Alright, who's next?" she said, heading toward me with that all-too-familiar spark in her eyes.
"Don't wanna!" I shouted, already knowing where this was going.
"Don't be so cold! How about a quick sparring session?" Uyu-nee replied, her grin growing wider.
"Uhhh! I regret stopping to help you!!!"
Sigh.... As always, dealing with Uyu-nee was exhausting. She loved challenging me to fights, and it looked like today wouldn't be any different.
Of course, I wouldn't back down. Gripping Alastoru in my right hand and Seilenos in my left, I prepared myself. The combination of the two swords felt new, but I was ready to show her I wasn't going to lose.
Uyu-nee's eyes lit up when she saw the unique blade I was wielding alongside Alastoru. Her excitement only grew.
"So that's the new sword you mentioned earlier? How's it feel? Did all that meditating on the beach pay off? Also… its shape is kinda weird, isn't it?"「Uyu-nee」
Her questions came rapid-fire, and I could tell she was itching to fight already. Typical Uyu-nee.
"Not yet, but I know I can do it on my own, without Uyu-nee's help!"
"Prideful little girl... but that's fine. Here's my advice: that sword isn't meant to be used together like that. Try using just one at a time, like before. When it gets too hard, switch weapons and keep going," she said.
To prove her point, Uyu-nee moved fast—really fast. One moment, she held her big sword, ready to swing. Then, in the blink of an eye, it changed to a smaller one from her waist.
"Just like that."「Uyu-nee」
"...Got it."
I nodded and put Alastoru back into the flames and lightning that surrounded it.
"That azure blade, what's its name?"「Uyu-nee」
"It's Seilenos. It always floats around me, like this," I said, showing how Seilenos hovered near me. I tried to spin it around on my finger, but it wobbled a little. "It's not really a sword. It's more like an arrow… isn't it?"
"It shoots through the air," Uyu-nee said, tossing her own sword high into the air and catching it without even looking. "What's so strange about that? Mine can do the same. What matters is that you use it like a sword."
"...Whatever."
I didn't like Uyu-nee much, but I had to admit, her advice wasn't bad.
For now, I decided to follow her advice and stick with Seilenos. I let it float around me, keeping it ready by my shoulder like a two-edged blade, waiting to launch.
Seilenos power was still a mystery to me, and I had never used a big sword that could be launched like an arrow before. Even if I could use it, I wasn't sure I could handle it as well as Alastoru.
"Then... go!"「Uyu-nee」
"Yes!"
But if I could understand Seilenos, maybe I'd be able to borrow its power better. And maybe, just maybe, I'd meet Satyr big sis again in my dreams so I could learn more about Zei from her.
Thinking about it made me even more excited.
——————————————
As Hylia and Hakuryuu grew closer, a commotion was brewing elsewhere beneath the surface.
Specifically, it was unfolding within the very earth where the ship girls had established their Underground Hidden Base—a place so well-concealed that it was nearly impossible to detect from above.
There were two main reasons for building their base underground.
The first was to fulfill the mission objectives assigned by TB. The second was the sheer difficulty of finding a safe haven on the island's treacherous surface. Skull Island was teeming with "immortal" monsters that roamed without end.
There, three of the six ship girls who used the Demi-System were present along with their System Administrator, TB the newborn AI. Tension crackled in the air as their voices clashed.
"...Why are you hiding such an important fact? Is it because of Lord Commander's order? Or perhaps... it's just another calculation you've marked?"「Ichigo」
["It's all according to the Commander's orders. If this information leaks to you, there's a very real chance you'll force yourself to leave this island."]
Due to their differing mind and heart, it was only natural for the ship girls to clash with each other. But this time, the conflict was likely to escalate into something far more intense than anything they had experienced before.
"Should be obvious," Deutschland snapped, her frustration evident. "How could I just sit here when I hear that the port's been attacked by the same people! Do you know why I wanted this power?! It's to destroy those savages!"
["I don't understand, since I was only just created recently."]
In short, what's happening right now is that the three ship girls have discovered that Azur Lane Academy was attacked by Yulijer and his allies.
Initially, they were puzzled by the strange occurrences surrounding them. However, what stood out most was Hylia's persistent mention of a bad feeling about the Academy—or what they called home.
Hoping for answers, they turned to TB, their System Administrator, but the responses they received were far from satisfying.
Sensing something was off, they called upon TB again—the Administrator of their Demi-System—to interrogate her and extract the latest information about the current state of the Academy.
Since doing this as a group would take too long, only the three of them decided to proceed. The others continued with their patrols and other activities, including Hylia, who had recently been lost in thought.
The conversation with TB began with a discussion about changes in their Omen status, while gradually shifting to TB's increasingly real and familiar behavior.
The Administrator had been showing more emotion toward them.
Which felt both comforting and unsettling.
They then delved into the missions they had completed so far. During this discussion, they uncovered a surprising fact—the Commander had been monitoring their progress through TB all along.
At first, they felt somewhat relieved to hear that.
However, their mood quickly soured when they asked about their friends and family. TB's evasive responses and refusal to provide clear answers only deepened their frustration and unease.
Eventually, they learned about the state of Azur Lane Academy, the Commander's actions in assisting the ship girls there, and how TB herself no longer knew how to reach him.
As she's been left in the dark and couldn't establish a connection.
TB offered the opinion that this was likely part of a plan the Commander had set in motion, or perhaps an unforeseen situation had arisen that made him unreachable—even by the AI he had created to support them.
"But I mean, we know enough about the Commander's abilities, and there are also my sister and her friends over there… so… it should be fine, right? Anyway, what's the status of 'Operation Maquia,' the Commander's plan?"「Hornet」
From their previous conversation, they've also learned that their role was to participate in an operation that the Commander had planned, but kept hidden from them.
The operation was called Operation Maquia, and TB provided details piece by piece. It was about helping them grow stronger together with their Demi-System and ensuring Hylia's safety.
["This operation will be deemed successful once all of you return to the Academy safely. The Commander has also provided me with a series of steps and instructions to follow in the event of an anomaly like this—where the Commander becomes unreachable."]
"Unreachable?!"「Deutschland」
"That's... another bad news I could hear," Hornet grumbled, crossing her arms.
"We've suspected for a while now that we have our own mission and responsibilities. I don't think the Lord Commander sent us all here just to play around with Lia-chan," Ichigo said, her tone steady but her expression clouded.
Despite her calm demeanor, the ship girl with animal ears and a tail couldn't ignore the growing unease in her heart—especially regarding the battles she hadn't been able to witness firsthand.
"But to be attacked by not one, but six devil of equal strength… we can't help but worry about those back at the Academy. You mentioned earlier that you couldn't contact the Commander, right? What about now?"「Ichigo」
["Since the Omen of Befall was issued, communication with the Commander is impossible. However, what is known is that the changes in your Omen status indicate that the Commander has advanced to the next phase of his plan: Operation Magia."]
"Operation Magia... Maquia and Magia... what does the Commander's unreachability have to do with these operations?" Ichigo murmured, her brows furrowing as she tried to connect the dots.
"So we're stuck here with no way to contact him, and all we get are cryptic missions? What kind of plan is this? Is he reaaally and completely unreachable?"「Hornet」
["I am unable to do anything about it. The only way to speak with the Commander directly would be to return to him in person, leaving this island—an option that, unfortunately, is not yet feasible."]
"Then let's just go back already. What's stopping us?"「Deutschland」
["You still haven't met the requirements to leave this island. There are several main missions that must be completed before you can return to the Academy, as per the given instructions."]
"Instructions?! Who cares about that!" Deutschland shouted, her voice sharp with anger and impatience.
["If you return in your current state, there is an 83% probability that you will die in battle. This is based on calculations comparing the strength of the enemies with your current capabilities."]
"...Are you saying... we're not strong enough yet?" Deutschland's voice softened, almost a whisper.
["Correct."]
Deutschland could only stare at her small hands, trembling with frustration. Her body tensed as if her anger and resentment were about to erupt at any moment. But when the moment came, there was no outburst.
Instead, her sharp gaze fixed on the ethereal screen where TB's projection was displayed.
〈Deutschland Lv. 99 used Color of Supreme King (Lv. 4)〉
"I'll remember that."「Deutschland」
The tension between them was palpable as Deutschland and TB locked into a silent standoff. Even though she knew the AI wouldn't be fazed by her actions, the ship girl couldn't help but feel insulted by TB's earlier words.
The charged atmosphere lingered for what felt like an eternity, but the weight of it began to lift when they noticed their teammates returning. Hornet and Ichigo let out audible sighs of relief, their attention turning to the figures approaching the underground camp.
"Finally," Hornet muttered. "Let's see who made it back this quickly."
Along with another set of bad news.
"Emergency! Emergency! Respawn points have stopped functioning for some reason! If the monsters are defeated once, they won't appear again!" Yamashiro exclaimed, her voice tinged with panic.
"Report: Gascogne has detected anomalies in the Dailies missions Gascogne typically receives. If this continues, Gascogne cannot optimize the leveling process. Requesting information exchange to resolve this issue," Gascogne stated mechanically.
"I just passed through the swamp area owned by crocodiles and the mound controlled by ants. Usually, they're peaceful, but this time, I saw them launching an invasion into another monster's territory. It's like a gang war back there," Hakuryuu added, her expression tight with worry.
"Me! Me! I also found a Kraken near the southern beach! TB issued me a mission about it, but I haven't... hmm?" Hylia's excitement paused as her eyes darted to Uche. "Uche-sama, did you just use Haki?"
Amid the flurry of unsettling reports, the atmosphere grew heavier.
Discussions overlapped, questions piled upon questions, and the weight of uncertainty pressed on each of them.
By the time they finally paused, the night had already fallen. The island was bathed in the chilling light of another distorted moon, its eerie glow casting long shadows across the camp.
In the stillness, the group exchanged uneasy glances, the unspoken dread creeping into their hearts. The once-familiar island was growing stranger by the minute, and they couldn't help but wonder—when will we come home?
——————————————
All living beings are driven by their greed, taking everything they desire.
They take from another, kill others, and consume the corpse of another.
"..." (Sakura Zeimachi)
Their hearts may be filled with darkness... but surely, there must have been moments when that darkness could have been cast out. Even if they had taken the form of a demon, or embodied some other manifestation of evil.
Hence what is better?
To be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?
"...I'll be waiting here..." (Sakura Zeimachi)
Do you believe the strong have a duty to protect the weak?
Or are you the kind of person who blames death on another's weakness?
Whatever your answer may be, for the strong, your way of thinking is yet another testament to your strength. Bearing force and wisdom that shall rule the earth and drag heaven from the skies.
It's alright to hesitate, however… dear sinful, mistaken, ugly, and wonderful hero... what are you trying to prove this time? With that fragile blade of the handpicked flower trembling in your hands.
"...Hylia-san."「Champion of Udna」
Your regrets scatter across the horizon, your wishes dying, defeated by the stars.
Just as the sky and water paint the land—have you found your Spectacular Happiness, the one you've sought for so long, beyond that pale and fleeting rainbow?
"Become the Brave... and return here alongside your friends."「Champion of Udna」
If only she could have delivered these words to you...
If only your final glimmer of light hadn't abandoned you to shine alone...