Ruins of the Dragon God's Palace, Dragon's Valley, DesuMachi World...
The morning of the fourth day came without much incident. Well aside for the chaos came after the hatching of Kagura. At the moment right after breakfast, Hachiman, Mei, and Sora stood outside the ruins of the Dragon God's Palace, each wearing their full Express Crew uniform. Their preparations for the journey toward the nearest human civilization were complete. In Mei's arms is the newborn Kagura, wrapped safely in her tiny Express cape above her baby clothes, protecting her from the cool and strong winds for their coming flight.
Beside them was Patricia Ericson, the chosen helper in raising young Kagura. As the oldest among the maid team and the experienced caretaker of the "Adventurous Princess," Alice Louise Gododdin, Patricia's presence was only natural. Not only a skilled mage and one of the few bearers of true 'common sense' aboard the Astral Express, she gives off a sense of reliability that made Mei and Hachiman sigh of relief.
She had arrived earlier that morning, gracefully carrying an assortment of gifts and supplies from the rest of the crew. Baby items, clothes, toys, and essentials. Without breaking a sweat, she organized everything with practiced ease, now holding a small travel bag filled with the most important necessities for Kagura's first journey.
"Thank you for your assistance this time, Hei Long-san," Mei said warmly to the Black Dragon before them, the very same one Hachiman had faced in battle on their first day.
"Don't mind it, Maiden of Thunder. As our God's mother, we are here to serve you whenever you require our aid," Hei Long said, his deep voice filled with reverence and warmth.
"This is going to be so cool!!!" Sora squealed, running excitedly around Hei Long. "We're riding a dragon! Does this mean I can call myself a Dragon Rider now?!"
Hei Long let out a low, rumbling chuckle. "If you can manage to stay seated until we land, then perhaps you've earned that title, little one."
Sora puffed her chest proudly. "Challenge accepted!"
A short distance away, Hachiman was speaking with one of the clan leaders of the Scalekins—the same tribe as the lizardkin they had met before.
"Then we'll leave this place in your care," Hachiman said, shaking the leader's hand firmly.
"Yes, my lord. We will protect the Dragon's Valley in your stead," the leader replied with a respectful bow. "We shall also begin constructing a grand new palace for Kagura-sama."
"Thank you, but please don't go overboard, alright?" Hachiman said with a wry smile.
The clan leader nodded eagerly, though Hachiman couldn't help but think, Do you really understand what 'not overboard' means?
"Please rest assured, Hachiman-dono," added the same Lizardkin they had first met. "We hold deep respect for the wishes of Dragon God-sama before her reincarnation. Everything will be as she and you desire."
"...that is exactly why I'm worried," he muttered under his breath, rubbing his temple. "Anyway, with the space anchor installed here, we can come and go anytime. Just make sure to send me weekly reports about the situation in the valley."
"By your will!" The lizardkin and clan leader saluted in unison, their tails swishing proudly.
Hachiman gave a resigned nod before turning away, muttering, "Why do I feel like they're still going to overdo it…"
He walked back toward Mei and the others. Hei Long's massive head tilted slightly as he rumbled, "Done giving your orders, hero?"
"Yeah. Sorry for the wait," Hachiman said, scratching the back of his head before glancing toward Mei—who held the peacefully sleeping Kagura—then to Patricia, standing nearby, and finally to Sora, who had finally stopped running laps around the dragon.
"Shall we go?" he asked.
"Yes!" Mei, Sora, and Patricia answered in unison.
One by one, they climbed onto Hei Long's back, finding their seats comfortably. Hachiman sat in front of Mei, shielding her, Kagura, and Sora from the harsh wind. Mei cradled Kagura with one arm while reaching the other towards Sora beside her.
"Sora-chan, make sure you stay put, alright? No running or bouncing around, or you might fall," she warned gently.
"Okaaay~!" Sora replied, her voice full of barely contained excitement.
"Please rest assured, Lady Mei. I'll make sure young Miss Sora stays properly seated," Patricia said as she settled behind Mei and Sora, her voice calm but authoritative.
Sora sweatdropped. "...Somehow, that sounds a lot scarier than falling."
Patricia gave a serene smile, eyes closed in confidence. "Discipline ensures safety, young miss."
Mei chuckled, the sound light and warm. "Haha, with Patricia-san here, I can really relax."
Hachiman watched the exchange, lips curving into a faint smile. "You look like you've done this a hundred times already."
Patricia adjusted her gloves, smiling politely. "Experience makes all the difference, sir."
Hei Long's deep voice rumbled behind them. "Are you all ready, hero?"
"Yes. Please take care of us during this flight, Hei Long-san," Hachiman replied firmly.
"Hold tight then." With one powerful flap of his enormous wings, Hei Long lifted off,carrying them toward the nearest human city.
—---
Jedi Temple ruins, Coruscant Planet...
Four figures walked across the broken walls of the Jedi Temple, following a black cat that nimbly walked ahead of them. Dust floated in the rays of light coming through the cracked ceiling, floating against the remnants of old technology buried under the rubbles.
"So this is the legendary HQ of the former Jedi Order," murmured a petite young girl, lazily blowing a bubble of gum that popped before she spoke again. Her cyber‑punk, gamer‑inspired outfit felt a little out of place. Long silver-gray drill‑like hair was tied into a high ponytail with a black bow. "Hmm… definitely that strange mix of ancient culture and advanced tech."
"That's because the Jedi embraced advancement while keeping their traditions intact," replied a mature woman with wine‑red hair tied into a messy ponytail. Round sunglasses on top her head as she walked with unhurried confidence. A black jacket over a white shirt that exposed her shoulders, paired with high‑waisted shorts, nylon tights, and wine‑colored gloves, she gave off a dangerous elegance. "Their aesthetics remind me of the Xianzhou Alliance, a seamless blend of tradition and modernity."
"Hmp! But in the end, they still fell," said the tall man walking behind them, voice deep and cold. His long dark‑blue hair tipped with crimson tips swayed with each step. He wore an oriental‑inspired black tailcoat with a red inner lining and gray trousers. "Not because they were weak… but because they became corrupted from within."
The red‑haired woman smirked, the corner of her lips curling with amusement, while the young girl rolled her eyes. Neither argued, since what he said was the truth. Etched in the very page of history, the fall of the once‑great Jedi Order wasn't brought solely by enemies, but by millennia of flaws and pride they refused to acknowledge.
"Can you now tell us why you brought us here, Ellio?" The last person, in a tall, silver, heavily armored mech suit, spoke, their voice carrying a deep masculine tone. The others, the young girl, the red‑haired woman, and the tall man, all turned their attention toward the black cat seated calmly in the center of a vast, circular room. Around was the remains of the twelve broken seats where once the high council of Jedi met, covered in layers of dust that had settled over the course of thousands of years.
The black cat or just like what the armored person called him, Ellio, the leader of the infamous Stellaron Hunters, The Destiny Slave and follower of Finality, sat with his tail neatly curled around him, eyes staring at the seats in front of him. Behind him was his team: the mischievous young hacker from Punklorde, Silverwolf; the mature and dangerous woman with wine‑red hair, Kafka; the cold‑eyed warrior, Blade; and the armored person, SAM.
"Simple, really," Ellio finally said after a moment of silence, his calm voice filled with eerie certainty. "This is where the 'game' between the Trailblazer and those who are hunting them will come to its end."
Each of the four reacted differently—Silverwolf raised a brow, Kafka's smile sharpened, Blade's gaze darkened, and SAM remained motionless, unreadable.
"Even with all of his attempts to mislead everyone using those dummy trailblaze signals beacons. Whether they are from the Garden, the Gang, the IPC, the Fools, the Cremators, and the others,it won't matter in the end. Everything will lead towards here. On this desolate planet," Ellio's eyes narrowed faintly as he looked around the ruined room. "The once‑sacred heart of the Jedi Order will become the grand stage for their final confrontation."
"So… what, you want us to set traps or something?" Silverwolf asked, her tone flat as she lazily blew her gum.
"No," Ellio replied simply, earning a raised brow from her. "We simply wait. And ensure that only Duke Inferno and the Ever-Flame Mansion remain alive after this debacle."
Kafka tilted her head, lips curling into a sly smile. "Oh? So the others are expendable?"
"Correct," Ellio said without hesitation. "They have no place in the present… nor in the future."
Blade chuckled darkly, his voice low and amused. "Heh. Then leave it to me. I'll make sure they vanish without a trace."
Silverwolf crossed her arms, unimpressed. "That's easy to say, but we all know the Trailblazer could turn this whole planet into dust if he gets serious. And that's without counting his friends, like the past self of the 'Finality' Queen or that pink Anāsrava."
Her stare toward Ellio became of questioning. "So tell me, how exactly are we supposed to 'defend' the Duke and his family against people like that?"
"Those two won't be appearing this time," Ellio said calmly. "And as for the Trailblazer… we will have Firefly to deal with him."
Raising a brow, Silverwolf turned toward the armored figure. "Huh? Firefly, not SAM? What's she gonna do—seduce him?"
Kafka raised a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh, her shoulders shaking. Blade, on the other hand, just gave her a flat look. As for SAM, the towering mech tilted its head slightly, and even without seeing the pilot's face, Silverwolf could feel the exasperation radiating from within.
"...Do me a favor," Ellio said dryly, tone laced with a mix of seriousness and tired humor. "Don't ever say that in front of the Trailblazer. We'd rather not lose you before the end game."
Silverwolf blinked, her smirk fading. "Okay… yeah, that actually sounds terrifying." She rubbed her arms as a chill ran down her spine.
"Because it is," Ellio replied simply. "To him, Firefly(Hotaru) isn't just anyone. She looks like someone precious to him. A part of a family he once had. Someone had long passed and left the world."
"I see…" SAM murmured, voice low. "Then this might be… a painful reunion for him."
"...Maybe," Ellio said after a brief pause. "Even if he realizes you're not the same person, his heart won't let him act otherwise."
Silence fell over the room. Kafka's usual smirk faded into something gentler, Blade closed his eyes in understanding, and even Silverwolf held her tongue. The air grew solemn, as Ellio's words sank deep.
After a moment, he continued, with a firm tone. "But that doesn't change what needs to be done. Out of all of us, only she can stop him."
"...Understood," came Firefly's reply from within SAM. "I'll do what I have to do."
—--
At the edge of the forest path, the black dragon Hei Long descended gracefully, stirring the air as he landed. Hachiman and his group climbed down from his back, stretching slightly before preparing to continue their journey toward the nearby city.
"Hero, are you certain you don't want me to fly closer to the human city?" Hei Long rumbled, lowering his massive head to meet Hachiman's gaze.
"Here is fine," Hachiman replied with a small smile. "The city isn't far, and if you bring us any closer, the people might panic. Seeing a dragon suddenly appear over their walls? They'd probably start firing ballistae before we could even wave hello."
"Hmph. If you say so," Hei Long grumbled, his tail flicking with mild irritation.
Mei stepped forward with a calm smile. "It's alright, Hei Long-san. Just like Hachiman said, it's close enough that we can walk the rest of the way. Besides, we don't want you to get in trouble if the local guards mistake you for an invading dragon."
The dragon let out a deep sigh that rumbled like distant thunder. "...Very well. I'll trust your judgment, Maiden of Thunder."
Hachiman smirked faintly. "Heh, she's good at making even dragons listen."
Hei Long snorted a puff of smoke, muttering, "A wise dragon knows when to yield to terrifying women."
That earned a laugh from Mei while Sora and Patricia giggled softly behind them.
"Thank you, Hei Long-san. Until we meet again," Mei said with a warm smile.
"Bye-bye, Uncle Hei!" Sora waved her hand high, grinning ear to ear. "Thank you for bringing us here!"
"Thank you for such a wonderful experience, Sir Hei Long. May we meet again soon," Patricia said, bowing politely.
"Like they said—thanks, Hei Long. I'll definitely see you again," Hachiman added with a small smirk. "Next time, I'll even bring drinks and goats."
The dragon's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Oh! That would be something I'd be truly grateful for, Hero. Then—until we meet again!"
With a powerful flap of his wings, Hei Long ascended into the sky, the wind from his takeoff rippling through the forest as he disappeared into the clouds. The group watched silently until his figure became nothing more than a distant shadow against the morning light.
As the air settled, Sora reached into her bag and pulled out a red and white ball. "Alright, come out, Wan-chan!" she called, and in a flash of light, her trusty companion appeared, tail wagging furiously before leaping into her arms.
"Hehehe, I'm happy to see you too, Wan-chan!" Sora giggled, hugging the creature close.
"Arf!"
Wan-chan barked happily, then crouched low to the ground, waiting for Sora to climb on. She laughed, quickly taking her seat atop his back. Once she was secure, Wan-chan stood proudly, tail swishing with excitement.
Sora spread her arms wide, her eyes shining as she turned toward Mei with a radiant smile.
Mei, who knew what Sora has in mind, smiled wryly as Hachiman shook his head in amusement. She stepped closer to Sora and gently placed the sleeping Kagura in her arms. As if sensing the warmth of Sora's hold, Kagura yawned softly and rubbed her tiny cheek against Sora's chest.
"Waah…!" Sora almost squealed in delight at the adorable sight but quickly covered her mouth, afraid to wake the baby. Her eyes sparkled with joy as she whispered, "She's so soft… and warm…"
Mei and Hachiman chuckled at her reaction, sharing a knowing smile before turning their attention to the path ahead.
"It should take a few hours of walking to reach the city from here," Hachiman said, adjusting his pack. "Not too far, but we'll have to pass through the forest first. Let's stay alert since we don't know what might show up on the way."
Mei, Patricia, and Sora nodded in agreement. Hachiman added with a small grin, "Well, with our 'cheats' and abilities, it's not like anything could stop us—but better safe than sorry."
"Don't worry, Hachi-nii! I'll protect Kagura-chan with everything I have!" Sora declared proudly, her serious tone making Mei smile.
"Then I'll make sure you and Kagura-chan are both protected," Mei replied warmly, patting the young girl's head.
Patricia added with a soft laugh, "Rest assured, I'll keep an eye on Young Miss Sora and make sure she doesn't get too… enthusiastic."
"Muu…" Sora pouted, puffing her cheeks. "Why is everyone being mean to me?"
Her complaint drew gentle laughter from Mei and Patricia, while Hachiman's expression softened. A faint, content smile lingered on his face as he watched the three of them.
"Alright," he said finally, amusement still in his tone. "Let's get moving before we spend the whole day here."
—---
After walking for a while, enjoying the sights of the fantasy landscape, Hachiman and his group finally came out from the forest. Strangely, their journey had gone too smoothly, no monsters, no wild animals, not even an ominous rustle in the bushes. It was peaceful… almost too peaceful, which only made Hachiman's unease grow.
"Is something the matter, Hachiman? You look tense, even after leaving the forest," Mei asked, glancing at him curiously.
He rubbed the back of his neck, frowning slightly. "Well… it's just that everything's been too smooth. Feels like the kind of setup where something's about to jump out and ruin the mood."
Before Mei could respond, a shadow passed over them. Instinctively, everyone looked up. A Wyvern circled above, its massive wings casting dark waves across the path as its sharp eyes locked onto the group.
In an instant, Mei's hand went to her katana, Patricia stepped protectively in front of Sora and Kagura, and Hachiman's eyes glowed faintly indigo as his hand went over his pistol.
"...Did you just jinx us, Hachi-nii?" Sora asked, half‑teasing, half‑annoyed.
Hachiman's expression went flat. Mei let out a snort of laughter, and even Patricia's lips twitched upward.
"S‑Sora‑chan, please don't say that. You'll hurt your Hachi‑nii's feelings," Mei managed between giggles.
Hachiman gave her a betrayed look while she smiled sweetly back at him. With a resigned sigh, he raised his pistol and fired a single warning shot into the air. The loud sound spread across the forest, and the Wyvern let out a startled roar before beating its wings hard and retreating like a scolded dog.
"Hmmp, let's go," he muttered grumpily, earning an amused smile from Mei and a long-suffering sigh from Sora.
"Hehehe, as expected of His Majesty's brother," Patricia teased lightly from behind. "Even in danger, you still find time to make jokes."
"Hey, it's called stress management," Hachiman shot back, though his tone was more tired than defensive.
A few moments later, something on his map caught his attention. He frowned, zooming in on the group of white dots ahead. "...We've got company."
Mei who is beside him, checking her own map. Her expression switched from gentle warmth to a stern seriousness. "There's some movement up ahead."
"Could be soldiers… or maybe a merchant caravan," Hachiman murmured, squinting down the path. "If we keep going straight, we'll reach the city in an hour or so. But if there's trouble ahead, I'd rather not walk right into it."
"I'd rather not take a detour," Mei replied, firmly. "Changing our route will only make the journey longer, and I don't want Kagura-chan exposed to the outside air for too long."
"...Understood," he sighed, straightening his back. "I'll go ahead and see what's happening up there. I'll signal you once it's clear or safe to move forward."
Mei narrowed her eyes slightly, staring at him longer than he was comfortable with. "...Fine. But if I sense something's wrong, I'm coming after you immediately. Understood?"
"Y‑Yes, ma'am," he replied weakly, scratching his cheek as he turned away and jogged off toward the path.
Watching him go, Sora tilted her head. "...Somehow, I feel like Hachi‑nii just got completely whipped by Mei‑nee."
"That's a common occurrence among couples, young miss," Patricia said with a hint of amusement.
"Huh… that's kinda sad. The strongest Nameless, defeated by his own partner," Sora added innocently, earning a soft chuckle from Mei.
—-
After running for a few minutes, Hachiman spotted soldiers forming ranks in the clearing ahead. Footmen raised their long spears, knights riding their mounts, and robed figures with staves took positions behind them, clearly a disciplined unit.
'Just as I thought… a group of soldiers,' he mused, crouching low as he observed from the tree line. When he glanced skyward, his expression soured. The same Wyvern he'd scared off earlier was circling above the troops.
'Ah… crap.' He rubbed his temple. 'Don't tell me this is my fault.'
"Stay in formation! Remember your training!!"
"Show the spirit of the people of Seiryuu Earldom!"
Their shouts carried through the air, loud and coordinated. Hachiman stayed still, ready to move in if things went south.
"Magic squad, on my count!" the commander barked.
Curious, Hachiman focused his attention on the robed mages, eager to see how this world handled its magic.
"Three… two… one—go!"
"■■ ■ ■,Thunder Bolt!"
"■■⏺⏺⏹, Air Hammer!"
'Huh? What did they just say?' Hachiman tilted his head, brow furrowing as the words before each spell name came out as pure gibberish. "...Was that even a language? Or did the Trailblaze translation blessing just give up on me?" he muttered, half-annoyed, half-intrigued.
A moment later, the barrage of magic struck true. Thunder and wind collided with the Wyvern's scales, knocking the beast to the ground with a heavy thud.
"Quickly! Pin it down!"
"Aim for its wings! Don't let it fly away!"
Hachiman let out a low whistle, watching the soldiers move in perfect rhythm. "Huh… not bad. With that level of coordination, they might actually pull this off."
Of course, fate had other plans.
Just as he sighed in relief, the Wyvern's body tensed. With one final desperate burst of strength, it flung its wings and tail outward, sending knights and footmen flying before charging straight toward a lone mage at the front.
"...Is Sora right? Do I seriously jinx things every time I open my mouth?" Hachiman muttered, his cheek twitching.
"Zena, stop it!!" the commander shouted.
"Y-Yes!!" came the flustered reply from the young mage standing directly in the beast's path.
Hachiman's eyes widened as the young female mage took a stand directly in the Wyvern's path. "That idiot! She's gonna get crushed!" he muttered, already bracing to move.
The girl, however, raise her wand and shouted her spell, "♦♦⏹⏹■⏺, Air Cushion!!"
A wall of wind appeared between her and Wyvern. The impact sent the monster crashing backward with a loud boom, but the same impact also sent the mage flying through the air like a ragdoll.
"Alright, that was impressive… Wait—no, now's not the time to be impressed!" Hachiman snapped at himself. His eyes tracked her falling figure, and without hesitation, he dashed forward, leaping high. Smoothly. He caught her mid‑air and twisted to absorb the landing.
"...I feel like I just triggered a flag," he muttered as his boots hit the ground softly
Then as if answering his words, a ping rang in his head, followed by a familiar message.
[Title Acquired: Life Savior]
He groaned internally, his expression paled. "...Oh great. I'm doomed."
======