That night, a man stood alone in front of his sink, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
Neptune: It's fine… I think I'm done…
Then, suddenly changing his tone:
Neptune: What was I doing again? Ah right… I have to go!
In Bardam, the city where Vassal Anna's main headquarters is located.
Neptune stood before an immense building. The guards immediately opened the gates, revealing a gigantic space.
Endless halls, countless offices, training areas.
Neptune was amazed, but quickly regained his composure.
Butler: May I assist you, Sir Neptune?
Neptune: Ah— yes!
(He thought to himself: "Me… being called 'sir'? Wow… this is amazing!")
The butler led him to an inner garden of unparalleled beauty.
Flowers of every color were displayed, bathed in the glow of the night.
On a terrace, Anna could be seen, calmly sipping her tea.
Neptune sat across from her.
Neptune: You know, Anna…
Anna: ?
Neptune: Tea keeps you from sleeping at night.
Anna laughed with great elegance.
Anna: Really? For me, there's no better sleeping aid.
They laughed together briefly, then Neptune became serious again:
Neptune: Why… why did we let the vassal go?
Anna: Never doubt the king, no matter what. If he orders something, we must obey. He is our king.
Realizing his words, Neptune bowed slightly.
Neptune: I am extremely sorry. It won't happen again.
Anna: It's fine… Besides, I summoned you here to give you this.
She handed him a thick file.
Neptune: What is this?
Anna: All the information and tasks you will have to carry out from now on. And starting today, this is where you will live.
Neptune: Here!?
Anna: There's more than enough space. This will also be your workplace.
Neptune flipped through the file, stunned.
Neptune: This is basically an encyclopedia!
You can count on me, I love reading…
By the way, I'd like to ask you something…
Anna: Go ahead.
Neptune hesitated for a moment, then spoke:
Neptune: You're stronger than me, logically…
But would it bother you to…
Well…
ALLOW ME TO FIGHT YOU!
Just to know where I stand compared to you.
Anna stayed silent for a moment, then smiled slightly.
Anna: Very well, if it means that much to you.
I'll go get ready.
Butler?
Butler: Yes, ma'am.
Anna: Take him to the arena while I prepare.
---
After several minutes, both opponents were ready.
The arena was vast, circular, surrounded by pale stone walls.
The ground was smooth, almost too perfect.
Neptune took a deep breath.
In front of him, Anna stood straight, motionless.
She held her sword in one hand.
And Neptune couldn't help but think:
(…But that's… )
The blade was enormous.
Far too large to be wielded so naturally.
Wide, thick, made of a pale metal that seemed almost unreal.
(How can she even lift it…?)
Anna took no particular stance.
Her gaze was calm.
No anima was released.
Anna: Whenever you're ready, Neptune.
He swallowed, then smiled.
Neptune: Then… here I go!
The first step was light.
Then the second.
And suddenly, Neptune seemed to glide off the ground.
His body spun, rose, fell, as if carried by an invisible current.
His movements were fluid, continuous, without the slightest break.
As if he were swimming.
His blade cut through the air in a curved trajectory, aiming for her shoulder.
CLANG.
Anna hadn't moved.
A simple flick of her wrist.
Her great sword intercepted the attack effortlessly.
Neptune bounced back, spun, and charged again immediately.
He attacked again.
And again.
And again.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
Anna didn't take a single step.
She pivoted in place, deflecting each strike with unreal grace.
Her blade traced slow, precise, perfect arcs.
Neptune felt something strange.
His breathing grew heavier.
Not suddenly.
Gradually.
(…This is weird…)
He continued.
Jumped higher.
Accelerated.
The space around him seemed denser.
Impossible to stop instantly.
Impossible to break the momentum.
Anna watched silently.
(He never stops…)
(His movements continue even when he wants to stop…)
Neptune attacked again.
A feint.
A vertical strike.
An aerial spin.
CLANG.
Anna stepped back half a centimeter.
Just enough.
Then pushed him back.
Neptune smiled.
(I got her!)
He focused everything.
His body glided one last time.
His blade aimed for her heart.
The pressure became overwhelming.
His legs trembled.
His breath locked.
His knees buckled.
His movement continued.
But his body could no longer follow.
He fell to his knees.
Anna's great sword was already there.
Gently resting against his neck.
Silence.
Neptune panted, exhausted.
Anna looked at him for a long moment.
Anna: You are strong.
Truly strong.
She withdrew her blade.
Anna: But your anima shows no mercy.
Neither to your enemies.
Nor to yourself.
The fight was over.
---
On the heroes' side
Near a campfire, our five companions rested under a starry night.
The crackling fire blended with the soothing sounds of the night.
Efa broke the silence.
Efa: The timing is perfect.
Harvey: What are you talking about?
Efa: Well… since Peleria until now, we never really had the chance to introduce ourselves as we truly are. Our past, our desires, our dreams…
Arata: Okay, I'll start!
He straightened up, excited.
Arata: My name is Arata Sakurai. I'm sixteen years old. I used to live in Japan, in Tokyo, but I was teleported to this world without knowing how. I'm a manga fan, I read Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan…
Ah yes, my biggest dream is to become strong. Very strong.
He whispered, almost inaudible:
Arata: (…and meet my future wife.)
Harvey: Get to the point.
Arata: Anyway, I'd like to become strong alongside you all.
Hastur: My turn.
He stared at the flames for a moment.
Hastur: My name is Hastur. I don't have much to say about myself. I'm eighteen. I've lost all my memories, only fragments remain. My oldest memories date back to the Village of Ashes.
I want to know who I am. My identity was stolen, and I intend to take it back. Dante is the one who will give me answers.
Also… I like astronomy. I study and read a lot.
Efa: You're from the Village of Ashes? What a coincidence… me too.
She took a soft breath.
Efa: My name is Efa Terran. I'm twelve. I am… well, I was the daughter of Pierre Terran and Maria Terran.
Because of an accident, I lost my father. My mother rejected me. I ended up on the streets.
But I really like flowers and pottery. I have some talent for it.
My goal is also to find Dante. I feel like I have to.
And… I'm very happy to be traveling with you.
Rastaban widened his eyes.
Rastaban: You're the daughter of the Terran couple?
Efa: You know them?
Rastaban: Of course I do. I used to deliver potatoes to them often.
That's strange… from what I remember, the Terrans never had children, and Maria was never pregnant…
He shook his head.
Rastaban: Anyway. My name is Rastaban, but call me Ban. I'm twenty. I also come from the Village of Ashes.
I lived with Doran, my guardian, then spent the rest of my life with Hastur.
I really like mathematics and chemistry.
My goal is to live a great adventure, just like you, Arata. My whole life, I was forced to repeat the same thing.
But now, by your side, I want every day to be different.
Harvey: Me…
He hesitated.
Harvey: I am Harvey Lapis-Lazuli. As you probably know, I come from one of the greatest noble families.
Everyone replied at once:
— No.
Harvey: What!? What planet do you live on!?
He sighed.
Harvey: Anyway… despite my status, I was always overshadowed by my little sister's talent.
My jealousy and desire to surpass her led me to do things I regret.
Despite all my efforts, I only became a vice-vassal. It was insignificant compared to the great Anna.
Over time, my rage, hatred, and jealousy grew.
I'm sorry for trying to kill all of you.
He lowered his head.
Harvey: Rastaban fought not to defeat me, but to save me. At that moment, I realized I might not be completely useless.
I travel with you for redemption… and to save lives.
Thank you.
Ah yes, I'm twenty-seven, and I like ice sculpting.
Efa: Well… I think that's everyone.
At that moment, the dragonfly Lilith appeared in front of them.
Lilith: Oh really? And what about me? Am I not part of the group?
Hastur: No, wait—
Lilith immediately returned inside him, sulking.
Hastur: Since she's sulking, I'll introduce her.
Hastur: This is Lilith. On the surface, she looks like a dragonfly, but in reality… she's a person.
Arata: What do you mean?
Hastur: To be precise, this dragonfly is one of my powers.
But it's extremely complex to use and drains a lot of my energy.
Lilith, on the other hand, has the body of the dragonfly, allowing her to use its abilities with her own energy.
It's practical, and it costs me nothing.
You could say Lilith is a spirit living in another dimension.
Efa: That wraps up the introductions. Sorry, Lilith…
We don't know what awaits us on this journey, but one thing is certain: we'll be there for each other.
They all nodded silently.
Then, one by one, they lay down near the fire and fell asleep under the starry night.