At Outer Gate 500, Heavenly Army headquarters.
Kalki emerged from the Heavenly Army headquarters holding documents stamped by the Heavenly Army.
Following behind were his comrades, also part of Ouroboros: Third Alliance.
The twelve-year-old boy with white hair and golden eyes couldn't stop looking at the documents repeatedly. The smile on his face didn't pause for a second.
He laughed heartily for a long time, then realized and said with slight excitement, "Our status is now recognized by the Heavenly Army."
Recalling the praise from the white-haired, brown-skinned older sister in the Heavenly Army earlier, Kalki couldn't hold back his joy.
After all, who was as unfortunate as him? He was the destined Savior, born with Kalki's Spirit Status, the Tenth Incarnation of Vishnu.
But who would've thought, in the end, he joined Ouroboros, a Demon Lord alliance community committing all sorts of evils.
Many things Ouroboros did, in his view, were utterly unacceptable, let alone joining them.
The Savior's compassionate nature made it impossible for him to witness this directly.
Fortunately, during their first mission, they were caught.
Caught en route by Uesugi and Prithvi, who happened to pass by Arcadia.
Then brought back to the Heavenly Army for interrogation.
Of course, as almost entirely spies, they spilled all information about Ouroboros without hesitation.
Keep anything? Not a single thing kept.
Also provided several Ouroboros bases to atone.
Naturally, the Heavenly Army wasn't an unfeeling organization. After confirming Kalki hadn't been with Ouroboros long and committed no wrongs—not even a Demon Lord—they released him immediately.
And due to the information Kalki and others provided, the Heavenly Army even gave substantial bonuses.
Of course, this was just what Kalki believed.
The truth was: Please, His Highness, we beg you!
The Heavenly Army temple is too small, truly can't accommodate a Buddha as great as you. Take this money, consider it your drinking funds.
How could their attitude not be good?
Don't forget how majestic Kalki's Spirit Status was.
Only Kalki, an innocent child born mere months ago, would believe such talk.
"Uh…"
Rin paused, unsure whether to tell Kalki the truth.
But after thinking, she felt reality too harsh. Her little brother was still too young.
"His Highness, more or less can be considered so."
"Ouroboros now shouldn't come after us anymore. In a sense, we're indeed free."
A blonde girl in a navy-blue long dress with double ponytails said confidently.
"But…"
As she spoke, Lamia's voice softened. But the next second, she perked up again.
"But this way, I should be able to find Aunt and Uncle."
Once Lamia finished, Kalki and the others fell silent.
A sense of sadness from parting enveloped Kalki's heart.
"Lamia, are you leaving?"
Clearly, the Prophet and Ouroboros just went through great trouble. Clearly, he just earned the right to walk under sunlight with great effort.
But why did combining these two things turn out like this?
For the first time, Kalki felt helplessness.
In his view, Lamia, who taught him fighting and developing Authority, was already a true comrade.
Of course, Lamia's wish was the direction of their efforts and struggles.
But Kalki knew well, compared to Aslan, Arcadia's leader, he was too young. He had no right to stop Lamia from pursuing a better future.
Aslan's likelihood of helping Lamia achieve her dreams was far higher than his.
"How could… I actually want to leave…"
Lamia sighed, shaking her head.
Was Ouroboros really dead? She didn't believe Ouroboros, which caused chaos in Little Garden, would die so easily.
It only exposed the backstage sponsor. But would the Heavenly Army really dare act against the backstage sponsor?
Ouroboros was just a useful black glove. Without Ouroboros, those backstage could conspire and perhaps create a new Hydra.
Was Ouroboros important? Not really.
Just a glove, don't take it too seriously.
As for finding Aslan and her aunt, just discreet contact like this, seeking a bit of solace.
What she wanted was to reunite with her mother, Lamia, by her aunt Letícia's side, and live together.
(Mother, wait for me. I'll definitely find you and ask Uncle to save you!)
Lamia vowed inwardly.
Ouroboros was gone, some clues broken. But fortunately, Kalki's value was still high.
She might still find clues about her mother through Kalki.
"…"
Hearing Lamia's words, Kalki's emotions truly sank. Even the joy of regaining freedom diminished greatly.
He didn't want Lamia to leave. But if she really had to, he'd pray for her happiness.
But he even less wanted Lamia to lose freedom for some reason.
Rin noticed the off atmosphere and quickly changed the topic.
"But His Highness, have you thought about what we should do after regaining freedom?"
"Of course I've thought about it."
Kalki's emotions quickly rose. He'd been thinking for days about what to do after regaining freedom.
"I'll build a grand Community Alliance that can surpass Last Trial of Mankind like Arcadia!"
"Find comrades, and together surpass Angra Mainyu!"
Here, Kalki's eyes shone. This was his mission, and the mistake caused by his birth.
Of course, he had to resolve it.
"Great ambition. Makes this old man excited too."
A melodious voice entered his ears. Kalki turned curiously.
It was a middle-aged man with long hair, a slightly melancholic yet vibrant aura. He carried an ancient harp mismatched with his age.
"Kid, with such lofty ambitions, will you allow this old man to join and fight alongside you?"
The man tightly grasped Kalki's hands, speaking with a pleading face.
Kalki was a bit confused. His mere months of experience had no handling for this.
Facing Kalki's pleading gaze, Rin asked warily, "Who are you? Please state your identity, so we can proceed to next arrangements."
"Orpheus, just a second-class Poet."
"Orpheus? The founder of Arcadia? Canaria's teacher?"
Kalki said slightly excitedly.
Due to Aslan's feats, facing two Last Trials of Mankind alone. Though he participated, he felt his achievements far lagged behind Aslan.
In a sense, Aslan and Arcadia became the object and goal he must chase.
Aslan even became his idol in a sense.
If possible, he greatly hoped the community he'd build someday could ally with Arcadia, fight side by side against Last Trial of Mankind.
Orpheus nodded slightly, showing a proud expression. Founding Arcadia and teaching Canaria were indeed his most praiseworthy achievements in life.
"Just, why are you here? And seems not joined any community?"
Kalki asked slightly confused. Wasn't Orpheus Arcadia's founder? Should still be in Arcadia, right?
Why no affiliated community?
Arcadia didn't seem like it'd expel its founder, right?
"Maybe because I'm just a second-class hero."
Orpheus smiled.
"In Arcadia, full of first-class heroes, this old man truly can't do much. So, didn't want to hold them back, found reason to retire."
Orpheus was very open. This was his choice. He was just lucky. Became Canaria's first teacher, supported her dreams.
"Why, you also don't want to accept this old man because second-class hero?"
Orpheus said slightly excitedly, as if if Kalki didn't agree to join, he'd make a fuss.
Kalki hurriedly shook head, said slightly anxiously, "How could? We'd be thrilled if an elder like you joins."
"Hahaha, good kid."
Orpheus happily patted Kalki's shoulder.
"Don't worry, I think your talent won't be worse than Canaria then!"
Facing Orpheus's praise, Kalki just smiled shyly.
He completely didn't notice being set up. Of course, others didn't notice either.
And now the situation became interesting.
Ouroboros and Arcadia's scripts seemed swapped here.
Aslan became the snake causing chaos behind scenes, while Kalki took Arcadia's script.
Even member composition, in a sense, overlapped with Arcadia's early founding.
There's Graiya with Genome Tree, Rin the fictional disciple of Canaria, also a poet (Fictional Historian).
Lamia Draculea, niece of Letícia, Little Garden's last Knight, and Aura, daughter of Mixed World Demon King, sister of Sun Wukong the Great Sage Equalling Heaven and Celtic Fairy.
Of course, the most, most important member and founder, Orpheus.
At this moment, who's the snake? And who's the savior? The boundary seemed no longer so clear.