Somewhere, Woz was turning the pages of a book.
"Now, the long month of August is finally coming to a close. With the disappearance of Sherlock Holmes, leader of I-U, a new era of chaos was about to be born across the world."
Woz read aloud from the story.
---------
The timeline shifts.
Just as the battle between Sherlock and Shou was taking place, a woman was watching the fight from a short distance away.
Dressed in a maid-like outfit with mechanical rabbit ears on her head, she was Tsubasa Shinonono.
Using the surveillance cameras set up inside I-U, she had prepared popcorn and a cola, watching the fight as if it were a movie.
When a powerful electric shock shorted out a camera, and when the subsequent flames blew one away, she used only her ring and pinky fingers, which weren't holding popcorn, to restore the footage on the screen.
"Nyahaha~, yup, yup. That's some serious power. But none of the instruments can identify it. All they can tell is that it's an unknown energy. Ahh, this is so interesting."
Her joyful demeanor as she watched the life-and-death battle was certainly befitting of someone called a "natural disaster."
"That zombie-kun got caught before I could even study him. It's a pain to break him out of that prison barrier he's in. But with this kid, it seems like he'll do a good job~"
She crunched on the popcorn in her mouth.
Just then, the fight came to an end.
"Hmm, not bad."
Tsubasa hadn't expected Shou to be able to strike a blow against Sherlock, so her tone was relaxed, but her praise was genuine.
Tsubasa switched the screen.
It showed a missile soaring into the sky, with Sherlock inside. Using some unknown technology, a camera followed the missile as it reached supersonic speeds.
But that was as far as it went.
Tsubasa Shinonono would never cling to a bygone era. The camera following the missile gradually slowed down, and the missile on the screen began to shrink.
Tsubasa made a gun with her fingers and pointed it at the screen.
"Goodbye, Sherlock Holmes. Thank you for protecting this boring world until now... From here on out, it's Tsubasa-san's era!♪"
She made a gesture of shooting the screen.
---------
"This year, the island was even more chaotic than usual."
"Indeed. I heard there were even some casualties on the island."
La Folia and Polyfonia were seated on the chairs of the Ardigea royal family's personal airship.
With the monster incident resolved and all diplomatic duties completed, the Ardigea delegation was now preparing to return home.
The preparations for takeoff were complete; all that was left was to head back to their country.
Before the Queen and Princess, who had finished a major summer's work, a female knight stepped forward.
"Excuse me for interrupting your conversation. I have a report on 'that matter'."
Her name was Justina Cataya, a female knight who had been secretly investigating a certain person this summer.
"Ah, what did you find?"
"It seems the information was correct after all."
"Oh my..."
"I see..."
The Queen and Princess made difficult expressions and groaned. It was information they had hoped was wrong. But there was no changing what had been confirmed. As royals, they had to fulfill their duty.
"What do you wish to do?"
"For now, just provide a security detail."
"So, you won't meet with them this time?"
"No. The eyes of other countries are on us right now."
"It must remain confidential for now. We won't be able to make a public announcement in the future, either."
La Folia and Polyfonia told Justina of their plans.
After hearing everything, Justina bowed and was about to leave—but La Folia stopped her.
"Oh, and if anything happens, please ask for his help. He should be of great assistance."
"Huh, this person... no, I understand."
Justina tilted her head at the photo she was handed but bowed once more and left.
Polyfonia was also puzzled by La Folia's actions.
"It's alright, Mother."
"---Is that so. If you say so, then I won't say anything else."
Polyfonia smiled with a look of relief. She trusted her well-accomplished daughter.
"Even so, your father is a troublesome one."
"Yes. To think he actually had a hidden child. Grandmother would be furious if she found out."
The guards turned pale at this casual conversation. It was a known fact that La Folia's grandmother and Polyfonia's mother was a woman of action.
"I had hoped to explain the situation and bring them to our country this time..."
"The intelligence agencies of other countries are watching. We don't need to give them any scandalous material. But..."
La Folia looked out the window.
"It seems we'll be back on this island soon."
She said with a laugh.
---------
"So, you're saying no?"
"Yes. I'm very sorry..."
Aria was bowing to Carrie. Aria, who had been kidnapped by Patria on the last day of her security detail, had been unable to say her goodbyes to her employer, Carrie.
She was doing so today.
She also gave her answer regarding the offer to go to England. The answer was, of course, "NO."
"I see. Well, that's fine. Thank you for all your hard work."
"Yes, please excuse me."
Aria left the room.
"She turned me down after all."
Given Carrie's personality, she wouldn't ask for the detailed reasons. From Aria's usual demeanor, she had probably known she would be refused.
"I-U's destruction. The fact that he came back means that H. Aria Kanzaki didn't become the top of I-U, and only the legacy of the Scarlet Bullet was secured."
She had wanted to secure the Scarlet Bullet before it went to someone else, but there was nothing to be done now.
If she tried to provoke her, and she went out of control, it would be meaningless. Such a powerful force had to be put under proper control.
This was the mindset of Carrie, who was an expert in "military matters."
"More importantly, who is Holmes's current partner? To get a hit on Sherlock... he's no ordinary person. Or is this all part of that detective's plan? The movements of the Jewel Mage are also bothering me."
Just as talk of I-U arose, the Jewel Mage appeared and established a Clock Tower branch. She didn't care if a mage had an interest in the world's balance or the Scarlet Bullet, but it made her feel that something was up.
The situation had changed dramatically.
"For now, let's think about our next move. For the sake of our great nation."
With that, Carrie laughed menacingly.
---------
"Ah, is today the day we say goodbye to this island? How unfortunate."
The one sighing was the Princess of Landsol, Eustiana. This island, where delicious foods from all over the world gathered, was a true paradise. She didn't dislike her country's cuisine, but it simply couldn't compete in variety.
The King of Landsol looked at his daughter with a loving gaze, but his expression instantly became serious as he addressed her.
"Eustiana, may I have a word?"
"Yes? What is it, Father?"
The serious expression he rarely showed her made Eustiana straighten up. She was sure something important was about to be discussed.
"When we return to the country, I'm sending you on a journey of martial training."
"Martial training?"
"Yes. It's a royal tradition for heirs to the throne to go on a journey of martial training and adventure to broaden their horizons when they inherit the throne. Eustiana, you must do this."
"What?! Father, are you retiring already?!"
"My dear, isn't that a bit too soon...?"
Eustiana was shocked by the sudden news, and her mother tried to stop the abrupt conversation.
"No, no, I don't mean I'm retiring today or tomorrow. It's just..."
"Just?"
"Mmm, I just have a strange premonition. We must be prepared for anything."
During this conference, the King of Landsol had felt something. A bad feeling, as if a massive conspiracy was moving in a place he didn't know about.
And he couldn't believe that the countries of the world would unite to face that plot. On the contrary, countries might even try to outwit others for their own gain.
It would be too late if something were to happen to him. With that thought, he decided to begin preparations, even if it was a little early.
"Does that mean Mana-san won't be coming with me?"
"That's right. You must go on an adventure and broaden your horizons on your own."
"...Okay!! I'll do my best and go on a great adventure!!"
With a determined "munn," Eustiana got fired up. Behind her—Mana's eyes were glowing ominously.
---------
As dignitaries from various countries boarded their respective airplanes, there was a particularly conspicuous vehicle on the runway.
Its black-themed design, different from the others, was the Deviluke Kingdom's special aircraft. The Deviluke Kingdom, with its advanced science, had special planes as well.
Inside, Gid, seated in a royal chair different from the others, and Zastin, the captain of the royal guard, were having a final discussion.
"...Alright, Zastin, go and inform them. I'll have Lala head over later."
"Understood!"
Zastin bowed and disembarked, accompanied by a few subordinates, even though he was supposed to be returning home.
From behind Gid, who had given the order, the twin sisters appeared.
"Hey, Father, is that story true?"
"I'd like to hear the details as well."
It was Nana and Momo. Seeing Zastin leave the plane outside the window, the two of them couldn't remain silent.
Even now, on the day of their return, they couldn't believe the words their father had told them. For the two, who loved their sister dearly, the thought of their sister—Lala Satalin Deviluke—leaving the Deviluke Kingdom to study abroad was unbelievable.
"There's no need for details. It's decided."
Gid propped his cheek on his hand, looking bored.
"Well, she told me herself..."
Gid was thinking of his wife, who had returned home a step ahead of them.
Even though he was the ruler of a nation, Gid was no match for his wife.
She had never been fond of Gid's forceful matchmaking, and when she heard about what happened to Lala that day, things somehow ended up this way.
"She said you need adventure to find a good partner... Geez, she's projecting her own childhood onto you."
Gid had met his wife during his own journey of martial training, when he saved her from a group of thugs.
"But! But! This island is dangerous! My friend went through a terrible ordeal!"
"That's right... After such a commotion, it might be better to study somewhere else..."
"There's no other place that would so easily accept royalty besides this island."
Gid casually dismissed Nana and Momo's suggestions.
This island was a mix of various elements. While it was dangerous, it was also very accommodating. Enough to accept royalty for a study abroad program in just a few days.
"In any case, it's already decided. Complain to Lala or your mother."
"..."
The sisters flinched. Neither of those two would easily change their minds once they had decided on something.
"If you understand, sit down. We're about to take off."
With that said, they couldn't argue anymore. The two reluctantly sat in their seats.
"Hey, Momo. What should we do?"
"What do you mean? There's nothing we can do if we keep acting childish."
"How about we study abroad here, too?"
"Oh, come on... Sister was only allowed to because she's getting married. Why would we be given permission when we have no reason to?"
"I know, right~, unlike Sister, we're not getting married... Oh, but I have a friend here."
"It's no use. No matter what, a friend isn't enough."
Momo easily shot down Nana's childish idea.
"Aww, I wanted to have a school life with my friends~"
"Sigh... Well, I'm glad you seemed to enjoy this year."
As they talked, the takeoff time drew near.
---------
"Well done, Lady Maya."
The elderly man in a butler's uniform bowed respectfully.
Despite being over 70, he stood straight and spoke clearly. Even on this tropical island, he was immaculately dressed in his black butler's uniform, not a single drop of sweat on him—he was a veteran butler.
His master, Maya Yotsuba, the head of the Yotsuba family, walked past him.
Hayama waited for his master to pass before following behind her.
There were no unnecessary guards. It was just the two of them.
"Was this alright?"
"Yes. Let's consider it a success just to have confirmed his existence. He won't run away. On the contrary, he will come to us."
"Hahaha, how interesting."
With that, Hayama headed to his seat.
"It's been a long time since I've been this excited. It feels just like those days."
He squinted his eyes with a nostalgic look.
---------
While dignitaries from all over the world were leaving Academy City, there was a ship sailing toward it.
The ship's name was the Oceanus Grave, a mega-yacht that could handle long-distance cruises.
It had departed from the oldest Night Empire in Eastern Europe, the Battle King's Domain, and was now steering its course to Academy City.
The ship's owner was a nobleman of the Battle King's Domain, a vampire said to possess power close to that of a True Ancestor, Dimitrie Vatler.
Being a vampire, his appearance and age did not match. However, his beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes were exactly as described in legends of vampires.
Vatler was leisurely enjoying a moonbath on the ship's rooftop deck. He was lying on a sun lounger, slowly tilting a glass filled with red liquid.
"So this is where you were, Lord Vatler."
"Ah, is that you, Kiera? How about you join me?"
"No, thank you."
The vampire called Kiera politely declined the glass offered by Vatler.
"Lord Vatler, why have we come to Academy City this time?"
Their departure had been very sudden. They had left so quickly that they only got the country's permission after the fact.
Vatler had left without telling Kiera or the other subordinates the full details. While they didn't complain about being swept along, they were curious about the reason.
Whether he knew what they were thinking or not, Vatler answered simply.
"I just got some interesting information."
"And that would be...?"
"Ah. I heard that I-U was destroyed, you see."
"That's...!"
The destruction of I-U, which had been balancing the underworld, was indeed a major event.
"And I heard that the person who accomplished it is on Academy City."
Vatler smirked.
"An artificial land made of scrap metal and magic. They've built a truly interesting piece of junk. That's why humans are so amusing. Perhaps because they go against the laws of nature, interesting events never cease to happen."
Vatler's attitude was somewhere between a sneer and a compliment.
"What about Lord Vlad, who was the senior ambassador on that island...?"
"Ah, he's currently in the prison barrier for breaking the law. It's amusing that he was arrested after being defeated by force."
Vatler bared his fangs and laughed ferociously. That was his purpose.
Vatler was a self-proclaimed battle maniac. He had a terrible personality, caring nothing about the collateral damage as long as he could fight a strong opponent.
His very existence, one who would even devour his own kind, made him feared as a gluttonous battle maniac.
"Ahhh, I can't wait. I wonder what kind of formidable foe is waiting for me."
Vatler's laughter echoed into the night sky.
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