A massive spacecraft finally arrived at Sevoria, a small, lush green planet not far from where Kai and his companions were. On the planet's grassy plains stood a grand mansion, the only one in sight.
Creeeek… Creeeek… The large ship descended onto Sevoria's ground… CRASH!
Mas spoke, clasping his hands together with a smiling, flattering expression toward Meyrin:
"Miss Meyrin, I would like to know… is there a place here for medical treatment? My little friend is gravely injured, and I need urgent help."
Meyrin, walking ahead with a cold expression, paused and turned to face them.
"Yes, there is. I can take you there… But there's a condition—you must come with me, along with another person."
Kai asked, "Me too? And what exactly do you want us to do to get our friend treated?"
Meyrin replied calmly, "You only need to meet someone."
"All right, soldier, take the cat in the capsule and bring it for treatment."
"Yes, ma'am Meyrin," Mas responded.
The two of them—Mas and Kai—followed Meyrin into the mansion.
As Kai took in the surroundings, he thought to himself:
"This mansion… it's enormous. I wonder what kind of person owns a place like this, daring to build such a mansion in the middle of a planet where there isn't even a single other living being… as if it were abandoned."
The trio—Kai, Mas, and Meyrin—entered the grand hall, where a figure was seated.
Ezev, Ruler of the Northern Continent.
Meyrin said, "Behave yourselves in front of this person… your fates rest entirely in her hands now."
In the grand hall, a young girl with golden hair sat upon an immense throne, dressed in a flowing white gown.
Meyrin knelt before Ezev, her face pale and fearful.
"I am Meyrin, and I have brought these travelers before you, Lady Ezev."
Mas and Kai knelt respectfully behind her.
Mas thought to himself, his face pale with fear:
"So… this is Ezev, the Ruler of the North? She looks so small… Could the stories be true—that she can destroy a planet with a single finger? Sounds exaggerated…"
Kai spoke in a firm, serious tone:
"Great Lady, please help our friend… Ruby is severely injured. Are you truly capable of helping us?"
Ezev replied, a hint of irritation on her face as she sat on the throne:
"Do you think I am just a child? Little one, less than a hundred years old, curing the injured is far easier than you imagine."
Kai thought, puzzled:
"Less than a hundred years… So people on other planets live much longer than on Earth."
"Great Lady, if I may ask… could you tell me your age, Lady Ezev?"
Meyrin, still kneeling, glanced at Kai, thinking to herself:
"This brat… fearless, isn't he?"
Ezev, resting her chin on her hand, allowed a faint smile.
"No one has dared ask me that for seven hundred thousand years… I think I will tell you. I have forgotten my age entirely. Will that be acceptable, young adventurer?"
Kai's face relaxed, his worry easing slightly.
"I see… your age is so great you've even forgotten it… Seven hundred thousand years… For humans like us, reaching a hundred is already difficult."
Ezev nodded, satisfied:
"Meyrin, take these two to rest for now. They are my guests. Today, I am quite pleased."
"Understood, my lady. I will escort them to their rooms in the mansion," Meyrin said.
Mas and Kai followed Meyrin as she guided them to their quarters.
Ruby ran up, leaping onto Mas's shoulders, her face full of joy.
"Mas! Mas! Mas! I missed you so much! Meow! Meow!"
Ha… Ruby, you're better now? You're all right?
"Yes… seems like they have some sort of healing device here. I went inside a capsule-like chamber and… I'm fine now. Meow," Ruby explained.
Kai, worried, said:
"Ruby's back… Mas and I were so worried about you."
Ruby looked at Meyrin curiously:
"And who are you? Meow?"
"I'm Meyrin. Nice to meet you," Meyrin replied, her face calm and serious.
"I'm Ruby. Ruby! Meow!"
"Ah… so your name is Ruby, Meow?"
"No, it's Ruby. Ruby! Meow!"
The three of them walked with Meyrin, passing through several rooms until they reached their accommodations.
"This will be your room. When you're ready to depart, the ship is outside on the mansion grounds," Meyrin said.
Mas replied, "Thank you very much for helping us and our friend."
Meyrin responded, walking away:
"No problem."
Night fell, and the three of them slept in the prepared rooms.
Kai woke in the middle of the night and went outside the mansion.
"Wow… this planet's stars are even more beautiful than Earth… and the view is incredible."
At that moment, a golden-haired girl floated down from the sky.
"Ah… Lady Ezev, you're here?"
Ezev descended gracefully.
"Just like you, I suppose… looking at the stars. You're leaving tomorrow, yes?"
"Yes. Mas seems eager to continue our journey, especially now that Ruby is fully recovered."
"You're searching for the Ruler of the Eastern Continent, correct?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Then she may be a future adversary… but do not fear. I will not harm anyone unless necessary."
Kai stood, sweating slightly, his face pale from fear.
"I'll tell you something… a long time ago, three million years back, a great war raged across the universe. The rulers of all continents led countless armies into battle. The war lasted over a million years… but one stopped it: the Ruler of the Eastern Continent."
"Your quest to find the Ruler of the Eastern Continent is commendable. I support it, to prevent such losses from happening again."
Kai listened intently, then returned to his room, lying on the bed and drifting into sleep.