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The Vast Star finally arrived in front of the Cheery Black Guild via Toma's Shadow Escape, their bodies battered and bruised from the grueling ordeal at Engo's capital. As they staggered forward, catching their breath, they were met with an unexpected sight—Naoto Yugaha, sitting casually on the entrance steps of the Guild, nonchalantly eating a sandwich. He blinked at them before awkwardly raising his left hand in a small wave.
"...Hi?" he greeted, his tone filled with comedic hesitation.
No one responded immediately, their exhaustion overshadowing the absurdity of the moment. Fast forward, Elma and her brother Vince quickly took Chisa and Lala to the Guild's medical ward to administer deep healing, while Max handed Toma and Umi a light recovery potion before guiding them to the Guild's meeting room. The air inside was tense—the founding members of the Cheery Black Guild had already gathered, awaiting their arrival.
Inside the room sat Max, Yuka, and Jun, now clad in a fresh set of clothes. Miri, standing firm in her newly forged armor, exuded an authoritative presence. Beside them was Hina, the Guild's knowledgeable researcher, flipping through a set of old scrolls, and even Naoto, having abandoned his sandwich, was now present. As Toma and Umi took their seats, Oculis hovered over them, radiating a soft healing glow that mended their lingering wounds.
Miri, arms crossed, wasted no time. "So, what happened at the capital of Engo? Yuka's Ralfi and Malfi couldn't provide explicit details."
Toma exhaled sharply before answering. "Basically? Hell. A massive explosion erupted from the Grand Library, and from within the flames, a cloaked figure emerged, floating into the sky, wielding a greataxe in one hand. In the other… he held an eerie, dark red tome."
Hina's eyes widened as she immediately interjected, "Wait! A dark red book? That's the Book of Red Curses and Black Chaos! A forbidden tome, locked away in the deepest part of the Grand Library. If he has his hands on that book… we're most probably doomed."
"Oh no, he shattered it," Umi stated in a disturbingly casual tone.
"Oh, it's shattered, good—" Hina started, but Umi quickly added, "—but then red glyphs flew out of the book and directly into him."
"WHAT?!" Hina exclaimed, slamming her palms onto the table. Her face paled, and she ran a shaky hand through her hair. "That's… That's a whole different story. I've never heard of anything like that before. If the glyphs of the book consumed and merged with him… just a theory, but he may have become one with the dark red tome itself. That would mean full control over the Red Curses and Black Chaos…" She swallowed, her voice dropping. "This… this is probably even worse."
Yuka, sensing Hina's distress, placed a comforting hand on her back.
Toma, still grim-faced, continued. "And just before we escaped… I saw him summon something—a colossal figure, towering even beyond the giants of old. It was humanoid, but its body was entirely composed of this black stone, pulsing with red and yellow energy."
Hina inhaled sharply. "The Orvalisks… Humanoid-like titans with overwhelming physical power. They were larger than any giant and were once controlled by a previous Demon Lord, a being that the Sixth Chosen Hero had to defeat in a cataclysmic battle. And now… they are alive once more. But this time, under the control of something far more sinister."
Silence filled the room. The weight of this revelation sank into their bones.
"Who was the guy?" Hina finally asked.
Toma and Umi exchanged looks before Umi spoke. "Hiro… Hiro Hirotoshi. But he didn't look in control. I saw it in his eyes." She hesitated before adding, "And… I think he heard me mention the name of the High Kingdom. If that's the case, he's definitely going to target it. And on foot, it would take 10 days to reach the High Kingdom..."
A shift occurred in the room. Miri, Yuka, Jun, and Naoto shared uneasy glances.
"..." Miri said nothing, her expression unreadable.
"That scary guy?" Yuka muttered.
"The delinquent back at the crash?" Jun questioned under his breath.
"That rough-looking person?" Naoto echoed, confused.
Max and Hina immediately picked up on their reactions. "Wait, you guys know this person?" Max asked.
"Yeah," Yuka sighed, rubbing her temple. "Some delinquent… uhh… bad person? That we were… shortly acquainted with. About a year and a half ago."
"Oh…" Max muttered, suddenly understanding the tension.
Hina sighed deeply. "So… what do we do now?"
Miri took a step forward, her presence radiating an unwavering resolve. "Like we always do," she declared, her voice firm and steady. "We fight. And we do everything in our power to protect this kingdom from destruction and ruin. First, we prepare—stock up on supplies, obtain new gear, refine our skills and spells, and train harder than ever. No matter what, we will take down Hiro Hirotoshi."
Her words struck like a hammer to steel, igniting a spark within each of them. Determination spread through the room, stiffening their resolve as they all stood in unison.
"YES, MA'AM!" they shouted in unison, their voices filled with conviction. The battle ahead would be unlike anything they had faced before, but they would not falter.
War was coming.
And they would be ready.
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For the next ten days, they trained relentlessly, pushing their limits in preparation for the battle ahead. Miri, accompanied by Toma and Chisa, informed King Danayus of the impending threat. With careful consideration, the king delivered a calmer yet firm announcement to the people of the High Kingdom. He warned them that a powerful, unknown force would arrive in ten days—a threat that must be met with their full strength. The kingdom's growing population of adventurers, still reeling from the sacrifice of Tobe Kusakabe, took the message to heart. They swore to ensure his efforts were not in vain.
Miri trained deep within an open forest teeming with A-S Ranked Beasts, refining her Spark: Jet Black Saintess. As she activated it, her armor transformed, becoming sleeker yet more imposing. The jet-black plating exuded a refined deadliness, while her once-holy halo now bore sharp, blackened thorns. Even her sword, now reforged with Bastion's Weapon Integration Skill, turned jet-black—lighter, sharper, deadlier. With a single effortless swing at mach speed, she cleaved through five S-Ranked Berserk Boars as though they were made of paper. But the beasts kept coming. Miri welcomed the challenge, meeting every monstrous foe head-on.
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Yuka focused on mastering her new skill:
As Yuka mounted Extent, Naoto stood before her, grinning as he prepared to unleash High Dead Rise. In an instant, a towering colossus emerged—the resurrected
"You ready, little bunny?" Naoto taunted, his smirk widening.
Yuka's face turned red with irritation. "We are! AND STOP CALLING ME THAT!" she snapped as she commanded Extent forward. The massive elemental blade met Arbiun's club in a thunderous clash, shaking the earth beneath them.
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Meanwhile, Max trained relentlessly, refining his Overdrive: Sizer ability alongside his newly learned
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Elsewhere, Jun, alongside Ino Johi and Burbon Wysk, fought tirelessly within a dungeon, their bodies moving with unwavering discipline as they slew countless creatures and ultimately vanquished a powerful dungeon boss. Every moment was spent refining their techniques, ensuring they were battle-ready.
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Elma and Vince, ever the alchemists, worked tirelessly in their workshop, concocting new and improved potions—some of which could mean the difference between life and death in the upcoming battle. The rest of the Cheery Black Guild's Raven Corps, along with Cal, Melina, and the newly promoted A-Rank adventurers, dedicated themselves to self-improvement. Some trained in weaponplay, others honed new skills, and many visited the High Kingdom's blacksmiths to procure stronger gear.
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As for the Vast Star, they pushed themselves beyond exhaustion. Every strike, every spell, every moment of their training was fueled by a singular purpose: to stop Hiro. No matter the cost.
And the adventurers of the High Kingdom? They, too, trained harder than ever before, their resolve unwavering. A shared thought bound them all together: We will not let Tobe Kusakabe's sacrifice be in vain.
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On the tenth day, as the sun dipped into the horizon, painting the sky in hues of amber and crimson, Miri knelt before Tobe's statue. Her Mythricalcum sword and Bastion lay before her, gleaming under the fading light. With a solemn expression, she clasped her hands together, her voice quiet yet resolute.
"Tobe… please watch over us. We promise you… your efforts and sacrifice will not be in vain. We will make you proud."
Bastion, ever loyal, spoke softly. "It's time, my lady."
Miri opened her eyes, nodding. She picked up Bastion and her sword, then gazed at the locket hanging around her neck. A small smile crossed her lips as she whispered, "Keep smiling…"
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With that, she closed the locket and turned toward her friends and allies:
The Cheery Black Guild's founding members: Herself, Yuka, Jun, Max, Elma, and Naoto.
The Raven Corps: Ino Johi, Burbon Wysk,
The Vast Star: Lala, Chisa, Toma, and Umi.
The A-Ranked Adventurer Party, Lapiz Gale: Cal, Melina,
The Knights of the High Kingdom of Riscone: Knight Captain Helrin, Second in Command Julius, and the rest of the knights.
The adventurers and healers of the High Kingdom of Riscone.
Willing adventurers and knights from other villages, capitals, and kingdoms across Falroria.
Familiar adventurers from Seturia Village, sent by Chief Dornias Seturia to assist.
And even support from August Munth, along with mages and sorcerers from the Capital of Munth.
...The absolute defense of the High Kingdom... was about to begin...
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