I slowly opened my eyes, adjusting to the bright light in the main room of the floating castle. The gleaming metal ceiling above gave a calming sensation, but my attention was immediately drawn to the system screens hovering before me.
Lines of text filled my view:
[Mission Progress: Complete.]
[Hidden Quest "Lilac Town Dungeon": Complete.]
[Rewards Received. Inventory Updated.]
I took a deep breath, relieved. "Finally done," I murmured, sitting up straight in my cushioned chair.
A light voice greeted me. "You're awake?"
I turned to see Luna standing beside me, holding a small tablet. Her hair reflected the glow of the room's lighting. She looked at me with her usual curious expression, accompanied by a small smile.
"Yes, the mission is complete," I replied, rubbing my face. "As I suspected, there was a hidden quest in Lilac Town. Catherine and Thomas managed to finish it."
Luna stepped closer, her tablet displaying data presumably related to the mission. "Lilac Town? That's the one infected with undead magic, right?" she asked while glancing at the information.
I nodded. "Correct. The entire Town had turned into a living dungeon. The residents were all disguised undead. Catherine and Thomas uncovered the truth and not only completed the main quest but also the hidden quest tied to it."
Raising her eyebrows in mild admiration, Luna commented, "So they not only survived but turned the situation to their advantage. What was the reward?"
I glanced at the system screen detailing the rewards. "Base Gold 10,000, Moondrops 1,000, Storybook of Heroes 170, Cursed Bones 108, Goblin's Eyes 44, and the Staff of Awaken, SR grade."
Luna's thin smile widened. "That's a decent haul for this castle. With that reward, our supply upgrades should be secure for a while, right?"
I nodded again, allowing a small smile of my own. "For now, yes. It's enough to support several expeditions without worrying about running out of resources."
She sat in the chair beside me, relaxed yet attentive. "How are Catherine and Thomas? You said they succeeded, but what's the full story?"
Leaning back in my chair, I took a moment to gather my thoughts before responding. "They faced plenty in Lilac. From regular undead to a level-9 lich. Catherine demonstrated her ultimate skills, Dance of the Serpent and Court Intrigue. Thomas excelled with his Social Contract ability. Their strategy held strong, even when things nearly spiraled out of control."
Luna listened intently before narrowing her gaze slightly. "And Sasha? The child they managed to recruit?"
Rotating my chair slightly, I focused on another screen displaying unit data. "She was a critical element of the quest. While she seemed like a victim at first, she turned out to be the key. Without her, the mission might have failed. She's now part of their team. Her level is still low, but she has high potential."
Luna crossed her arms, appearing thoughtful. "What's next? Do we keep guiding them or give them some autonomy?"
A small smirk tugged at my lips. "They know what needs to be done. Our job is to ensure they stay on the right path. Losing assets like them isn't an option."
Luna chuckled lightly. "You're right. They're a valuable investment."
Suddenly, a new system prompt appeared, interrupting the sense of relief I had just begun to enjoy:
[Do you wish to recall units "Catherine de Medici," "Thomas Hobbes," and "Sasha Nilmero" to the floating castle?]
I inhaled deeply and opened the communication screen to contact them. Thomas's slightly sweat-covered face appeared first, while Catherine's expression was a mix of weariness and irritation—likely from the effort of gathering supplies.
"Thomas," I began, adjusting my posture, "have you gathered the food and other materials?"
"Yes," he answered curtly, his voice hoarse but confident.
Standing beside him, Catherine sighed loudly. "If you're done, can you bring us back already? I'm exhausted and need to rest. That Town was more than enough for me."
Her characteristic complaint made me chuckle. "Understood. I'll bring you back now." With a faint smile, I pressed the [Accept] button on the system screen, initiating their return to the floating castle.
Turning to Luna, who still stood nearby, I said, "Let's greet them outside. They must be eager to get back."
We made our way to the castle's main deck. A gentle breeze carried the cool evening air as the sky glowed orange from the setting sun. In an instant, three figures materialized on the deck. Catherine and Thomas carried large sacks, while Sasha stood awkwardly behind them, her eyes wide as she took in the grandeur of the floating castle.
Luna wasted no time. "I'll move these to storage." With a swift spell, the large sacks vanished from Catherine and Thomas's hands.
"Good work," I said, crossing my arms. "You handled a difficult mission. Now, go to the dormitories and rest."
Catherine let out another exasperated sigh. "Finally. And please, next time, spare me anything involving undead." She turned and began walking away.
Thomas chuckled, following her. "She'll always complain, even in victory."
Shaking my head with a small smile, I watched them disappear into the castle. Then, I turned to Sasha, who remained rooted in place, marveling at her surroundings.
"So," I began, extending a hand, "I'm the Navigator. Welcome to the floating castle."
She looked at me for a moment before carefully taking my hand. "Thank you… This place is amazing," she said softly, her voice tinged with awe.
I nodded, guiding her to the edge of the deck where we could see Lilac Town far below. From this height, the town appeared small, silent, and marked only by the gray remnants of its undead inhabitants.
Sasha stared at the town, her expression a mix of sadness and curiosity. "I never saw this castle while I was in Lilac. How is that possible?"
I smiled. "Magic. This castle exists in a slightly different dimension, just enough to keep it hidden from the world below unless we allow it. That's one of the reasons we remain safe."
She remained quiet, her eyes still fixed on Lilac. "That town… it's gone now. Everyone I knew is gone."
I said nothing, giving her time to process everything. I knew the weight of such loss wouldn't be easy for her to bear, but I also saw her potential.
"Here," I said at last, "you'll have a fresh start. We may not be perfect, but we'll make sure you have a safe place to grow."
She nodded slowly, her eyes still reflecting sorrow, but with a faint glimmer of hope. For now, that was enough.
I watched Sasha standing beside me, her gaze fixed on the view below. After a moment of silence, I decided to ask something simple.
"Do you know how to cook, Sasha?" I asked suddenly, trying to lighten the mood.
She turned to me, her expression puzzled. "Of course. I used to help my mother in the kitchen. Besides that, I often helped at our family restaurant in Lilac," she answered, her tone tinged with pride, though sadness lingered beneath it.
I nodded slowly, relieved by her response. Having someone who could cook in this floating castle would be a significant advantage. "Good. I might need your help with something later. For now, though, you should get some rest. Head to the dormitory—Catherine and Thomas should be there."
She nodded politely. "Thank you."
I watched her walk away, her steps slow but deliberate, heading in the same direction Catherine and Thomas had gone earlier. Once she was out of sight, I opened the system screen in front of me and navigated to the unit menu. Selecting the icon labeled Sasha Nilmero (N), I pulled up her unit details:
---
Sasha Nilmero (N)
Role: None
Level: 1
Abilities:
- Active Skill: None
- Passive Skill: Holy Mother's Blessing
Description: Sasha is protected by her mother's aura, radiating devout faith in God.
Effect: Sasha is immune to all debuffs inflicted upon herself.
---
I read the description carefully, processing the information. Her rarity was only N, which in the context of this game meant an average unit at best. Moreover, Sasha lacked active skills and only had a single passive skill with a defensive nature.
"Immune to debuffs, huh?" I muttered under my breath. Units like her were often seen as disposable distractions by wealthy players. But I wouldn't treat her that way. Sasha had potential, even if it wasn't in combat.
Closing the unit screen, I opened the construction menu. Thoughts of food resurfaced in my mind. I couldn't keep spending Base Gold just to buy ingredients. A facility capable of producing its own food would be a tremendous help.
The construction screen offered several options, but I quickly chose Tavern. A confirmation message popped up:
[Would you like to construct a "Tavern" for 2000 Base Gold?]
Without hesitation, I pressed [Accept], though parting with 2000 Base Gold stung a bit. This was a necessary investment. "At least this way, the castle's inhabitants will have better sustenance," I thought with a sigh.
In an instant, a new building appeared near the warehouse, on the left side of the main headquarters. A sign above the entrance read: Tavern – Level 1. The structure looked simple but sturdy, built with wooden panels and a gabled roof.
Folding my arms, I admired the newly completed construction. "Hopefully, this will ease the castle's logistical issues," I said softly to myself. Of course, this was only the beginning. A Level 1 building would have its limitations, and I'd need to ensure continuous upgrades in the future.
Luna appeared behind me, her curiosity evident. "A Tavern, huh? Good idea. You're always thinking ahead, as usual."
I nodded. "That's my job."
We stood there for a while, looking out over the castle, which was slowly becoming more self-sufficient. Though many challenges awaited, small steps like this gave me a faint sense of optimism.
I glanced at the numbers displayed on the system screen: Moondrops: 1000. Enough for one unit summon. We desperately needed reinforcements for combat. With only Catherine, Thomas, and Sasha, our options were far too limited.
"We're short on combat units," I muttered.
Luna, standing beside me, nodded in agreement. "You're right. If you're ready, now's a good time to try summoning another unit. With 1000 Moondrops, there's at least a chance of getting something useful."
I pondered for a moment, staring at the figures on the screen. Gacha was always a gamble. There were no guarantees I'd get a unit that fit our needs. But I knew a decision had to be made. Finally, I nodded.
"All right," I said, heading to the summoning room in the main headquarters. Luna followed silently.
The summoning room was adorned with glowing symbols etched into the walls, just as I remembered. A soft blue light bathed the room, creating an atmosphere both serene and hopeful. I opened the system screen again, preparing for the summon. But my fingers hesitated mid-air, doubt creeping in once more.
"You can always wait if you're unsure," Luna said gently, noticing my hesitation.
I shook my head. "No, it has to be now. Tomorrow, the floating castle will continue its journey. I need this new unit to adapt to Catherine and Thomas before we take on the next mission."
Luna smiled faintly. "Very well, then."
Taking a deep breath, I pressed the Summon button. A blinding light filled the room, nearly overwhelming. A faint humming sound gradually shifted into a soft echo, and from the center of the light, a figure emerged, kneeling on the ground.
She had long, dark hair and a serene yet resolute expression. Her attire resembled that of a nun, but something about her seemed off—her aura felt heavy, as though burdened by invisible sins.
The system displayed her details:
---
Marianna de Leyva "Nun of Monza" (SR)
Role: Healer/Support
Level: 1
Abilities:
- Active Skill 1: Forbidden Touch
- Active Skill 2: Shrouded Confession
- Passive Skill: Chained to Secrets
- Ultimate Skill: Sinful Redemption
---
I quickly skimmed through the information, my emotions mixed. A Healer? I hadn't expected to summon a support-class unit again, but she was an SR rarity—a rare find. It was an incredible stroke of luck, even if she didn't entirely meet our immediate combat needs.
Before I could say anything, the woman opened her eyes, her gaze sharp with awareness. "Are you the one who summoned me?" she asked, her voice soft yet cold, as if she were masking deeper emotions.
"Yes," I replied succinctly.
She stood slowly, bowing respectfully. "My name is Virginia Maria," she said politely.
I frowned, glancing back at the system screen. "But it says your name is Marianna," I pointed out.
Her lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "That was my old name," she said. "A name I no longer use."
"Very well, Virginia," I finally said. There was no point in prying further into her past. Someone like her clearly had reasons for keeping secrets.
She studied me for a moment before asking, "What do you need from me?"
I met her gaze, trying to gauge who she really was. Her serious demeanor suggested she wasn't an ordinary healer. "I need you to join our team. Your role will be critical."
Virginia lowered her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "If that is what you wish, I will fulfill your call. But do not expect more than what is necessary."
I offered a faint smile. "I only ask for your best."
We talked briefly, mostly about her role and how she would integrate with the existing team. One thing was clear: Virginia—or Marianna—was someone who held her principles close. Though I didn't yet know what lay behind her calm exterior, I was certain she would be a valuable addition to our group.
***