England Era 317
The dawn of a new day rose over England, Arslan's hidden kingdom—a nation veiled in ancient magic, protected by divine wind, and nourished by hope. The sky was a soft blue canvas dusted with gold. In the distance, the glimmering lake of Miraval reflected the palace spires, and meadows of silvergrass swayed to the rhythm of the wind.
Arslan stood quietly on the Moonspire Balcony, wrapped in a long navy-blue coat inscribed with subtle silver runes of protection and clarity. Six months ago, he had been a curious, lonely boy with only dreams and a forest to call home. Now he was a king. A warrior. A leader of goddesses.
He turned as familiar footsteps approached.
Nico Robin, her hair braided with tiny white forest-flowers, walked to him with a scroll in hand and warmth in her eyes. She wore a sleeveless forest-green dress—one he had designed for her through his system's tailoring interface.
"You didn't sleep again," she said softly, brushing a lock of hair from his brow.
He smiled. "Couldn't. The goddesses return today."
She tilted her head. "You enchanted the dining plates."
"They heat food evenly with passive mana!" he said, mock-defensive. "I don't want their soup to cool too fast."
She laughed quietly. "Hopeless," she murmured, then took his arm and leaned gently against his shoulder. "But thoughtful."
They stood in peaceful silence until a sudden chime echoed in his mind.
System Notification: Long-Range Magic Signature Detected.
Five Distinct Lifeforms Approaching.
Estimated Time of Arrival: 5 Minutes.
He straightened, eyes serious. "They're here."
The Arrival
The Skyglass Courtyard lay at the heart of the palace, open to the skies, its white tiles glowing faintly under morning light. Arslan waited there with Robin, flanked by two crystal guardian statues—Vigil and Honor, twin constructs bound to protect him with their lives.
The wind picked up, and from the horizon, five giant golden eagles soared through the clouds. Their wings shimmered with ethereal fire, trailing light. As they descended, their forms began to shift, morphing mid-air into human shapes.
And then, they landed.
✧ The Five Goddesses ✧
Erza Scarlet, clad in knightly silver-red armor, landed first. Her crimson hair billowed like a flag. She was the shield of justice, her blade sworn to Arslan's cause after he saved her from a cursed battlefield in the south.
Kagura Mikazuchi, graceful and silent, with flowing black robes and a sword that only she could unsheathe, landed next. Her serenity masked the immense power she carried—a goddess who once vowed never to follow a king, until she met Arslan.
Lucy Heartfilia, cheerful and radiant, dressed in silver-blue mage attire adorned with celestial keys. She had chosen to follow Arslan after he liberated an underground slave guild trafficking celestial spirits.
Orihime Inoue, warm and soft-spoken, descended like a falling flower petal. Her powers of healing and rejection were unmatched. She had met Arslan while healing war orphans in the North and saw in him a gentleness the world desperately needed.
Rangiku Matsumoto, fiery and alluring, landed last, her pink hair waving lazily. She was once an assassin for corrupt nobles—but Arslan's dream of a world without corruption stirred something long buried in her.
They approached and embraced Arslan warmly, like sisters returning from a long journey.
He stepped forward and raised his voice with gentle authority. "People of England," he said, addressing a small crowd that had gathered, "I present to you my companions, my guardians, and my future queens. They are to be treated with the same respect as you treat your king. Each one has risked everything to build this new world with me."
The crowd bowed. The wind itself seemed to kneel.
The Prophecy & The Mission
Once inside the Royal Solar Hall, Arslan sat at the round crystal table. Robin stood to his right. The goddesses encircled the room, standing proud.
"Tell me," he asked, "did you complete your mission?"
Erza stepped forward, hand on her sword. "The prophecy was spread across the lands. The people whisper of a young king, protected by divine winds, who will unite the fractured world."
Kagura added softly, "And the name of his army… the Reapers… strikes fear into the hearts of warlords and slavers. Just as you designed."
Rangiku grinned. "We cleaned up hundreds of criminals along the way. The slaver guilds are in panic. The corrupt nobles are fleeing into hiding."
Orihime looked up with fierce determination. "And those who once suffered now look to the skies and whisper your name: Arslan the Liberator."
The boy-king stood.
"Well done," he said. "But now comes the true campaign."
He raised his hand. The system interface projected behind him.
Global Mission Objective
Spread the message:
"The King of England declares that all forms of slavery are abolished. All slave markets are illegal. All corrupted nobles will be erased. The Reaper Forces will enforce this law. Nations who surrender peacefully shall join the united world order. Those who resist shall face judgment."
Robin placed a hand over his. "You've grown so much."
"I have to," Arslan replied. "In three years, I will unify this world. Even if I must become ruthless king to do it."
Farewell & Soul-Bound Promise
The six goddesses stood ready, each preparing to depart once more—this time across five continents. A long separation loomed ahead.
Robin stood quietly beside Arslan, her eyes soft. She didn't like watching him say goodbye to them. But she also knew this was the path he must walk.
Arslan took each goddess's hand one by one, forming soul-bond sigils upon their palms—runes that shimmered with green and blue light.
"These marks will let me feel your presence," he said. "Should any of you be in danger, I'll come to you. My Shadow Step can now cross entire continents."
Lucy smiled. "Then we won't say goodbye. Just 'see you soon.'"
Erza nodded. "We will return stronger, for you."
As the goddesses rose into the sky once more, golden light surrounding them, Robin reached out and gently took Arslan's hand.
"You didn't mark me," she said quietly.
He looked into her eyes. "You already carry the my bond. My heart."
She blushed, then smiled through glistening eyes. "Then let's make sure this heart survives what's coming."