The Kingdom of Babylon, Year 385
The Rose Witch Kingdom launched an expedition into the forbidding Nephthys Desert. While they dared not provoke the young Flame Deity within, they did seize—and harvest—its deadly minions: the Poisonous Magpies.
These creatures were infamous for venom potent enough to slay a Level Four Wizard with a single bite.
The Empress of Death issued strict orders:
> Assimilate the Blood of the Poisonous Magpie.
Under the supervision of Fourth- and Fifth‑Level instructors, witch apprentices hastily erected alchemical labs. They mixed cauldrons of bubbling brews, risking death with every attempt. In the end, some succeeded.
But the blood had disastrous consequences:
Only women survived its infusion—and only by transforming into harpies.
Their bodies contorted into hunched forms; arms sprouted crimson feathers; claws sharpened; their bodies emanated virulent poison—and their tempers became savage. In power, they now rivaled Level Two Witches.
The Empress visited one such lab, observing from above as bubbling vials shimmered and harpy-like women writhed in cages.
> "So that's how it is," she mused. "Different creatures' blood causes different transformations. The Evil Eye Blood corrupts the mind—so we remain human. But Slime Blood and Magpie Blood reshape the flesh, birthing hybrids. We shall call them Beastmen."
One harpy screamed in desperation:
> "Your Majesty, we risked death for this kingdom! Now we're cursed to be the lowest of all creatures—and for no reward?"
The Empress's eyes flashed with disdain.
> "You are... grotesque. Women are supreme—yet you make them ugly. Look at yourselves."
Centuries later, the Spear of Witchcraft would record:
> "In Year 385, the Rose Kingdom cruelly forced alchemical experiments combining human and beast. The grotesque Beastmen were born—a twisted slave class formed for labor and magical ingredients."
---
The Kingdom of Babylon, Year 391
The Rose Kingdom reestablished slavery.
Society was rigidly stratified:
Witches—ruling nobility
Ordinary women—upper class
Men—commoners
Beastmen—enslaved
A man's life? Worth 300 Rose Coins. A Beastman's? A mere half-horse (arra) in compensation.
That same year, the Nephthys Beastmen Kingdom was carved from the desert. The Beastmen became indentured workers and alchemical fodder—a bleak caste system formed in corporate cruelty.
---
The Kingdom of Babylon, Year 397
The Empress decreed:
> "Fifth Level Witch Adeline, take over the throne of Babylon. Fully control it."
Three days later, Adeline entered the throne room.
Tall, seductive, ruthless, she sneered at Lilith seated on the throne.
> "So this is the Witch who once defied the Empress? Now we have eight Level Five Witches—while you remain inferior."
Lilith remained silent, her fingers tight around her scepter.
> "You say I don't supply enough men," Adeline continued. "The Empress may be merciful, but don't mistake mercy for weakness. I will now govern Babylon as a breeding ground for male magic labor."
Adeline was thrilled—elevated because her disciples discovered the Slime species. Now she monopolized two kingdoms: Babylon for manpower, and Nephthys for Beastmen production.
Lilith's face twisted with sorrow and pride—but eventually, she bowed her head.
> "I, Lilith, choose to surrender... and relinquish the throne."
Her words echoed magically across the kingdom.
Uproar followed:
> "Our Lady Lily... Has she truly surrendered?"
Ministers collapsed in defeat; witches wept. Everywhere despair reigned.
---
In a shabby cottage, Elizabeth's Coven wept too.
Slime hugged and sobbed. Tears stained everyone's faces. The nation, at once proud, was now forfeit.
Then—Future Skywhale hopped outside.
> "It's okay," he assured softly. "Leave this to me. I will fulfill my promise."
---
Throne Room—Moments Later
Pressure descended from above, chilling even Level Five magic-wielders.
A quiet voice spoke:
> "Lilith... you don't need to endure this any longer. I have surpassed Level Five."
Adeline gasped. She turned to see a nearly three-meter-tall figure—a man—and fell to her knees.
> "A Sixth Level Wizard! Hidden here in Babylon?"
Before she could flee, a silent force struck—throwing her unconscious.
Lilith's guards realized: Babylon had a Sixth Level Wizard encased within their kingdom.
News spread instantly:
> "We had a secret hero? An incredible wizard among us?"
Grief gave way to elation. The people once again dared hope.
In Elizabeth's Coven, the witches stared in utter disbelief.
> "He's just... a Slime. Their pet. That can't be."
Skywhale hopped forth again.
> "It's all right. I'm here to finish what I started."
---
Throne Room—Later
Lilith looked worried.
> "Your people have suffered enough. But I already have the power."
Skywhale stood tall, wielding shield and staff.
> "Tomorrow I leave for the Rose Kingdom."
Ministers gasped at the revelation: their champion was a man... and a Sixth Level Legend.
> "What do we do now?" they whispered.
Skywhale raised his staff—a silent crescendo before his shout.
> "War. Only war can redeem our homeland."
He cast Sound Ripple through the shard-runic air, declaring war to every corner of the kingdom.
---
The Living Room of the Alchemy Hall
Slimes lined in disciplined rows.
> "Ten thousand Slimes boarding the war fortress now."
One by one, they leapt into place.
They couldn't practice magic—but as a collective engine, they formed the most terrifying biological machine Babylon had ever seen.
> "Today we wipe away our species' shame. I took the J‑31 jet blueprint and rewrote it into an alchemical airship."
Skywhale boarded it—and with mechanical heart and magical power, the war-beast lifted off.
---
Balchik Mountains, Rose Kingdom
Crimson‑robed witches filled a resplendent throne room. From the throne came the sweeping revelation:
> "Interesting."
The Empress reappeared overhead. With a wave of her staff, black clouds coalesced into a rose, and darkness fell across the land.
---
Sky above Babylon
Skywhale's airship bristled with magic staves and alchemical energy. Gate of Holy Light roared from the hull.
Ageless beams pierced the abyss.
The Rose Kingdom trembled.
Above all hovered the Flower of Death.
Medusa stared. A flicker of surprise crossed her serene countenance.
> "Finally. Come out. Tell me—it's true?
> Are you... Babylon's last hope?