What does it mean to be strong? What does it mean to be weak? What does it mean to be born with everything? What does it mean to lose it all?
Constantly, a group of people boldly asked these questions: what should this be?
These people knew nothing beyond their own world; they did not know what it was to win or lose, what hunger or taste was, what death or life was, health or illness, war or peace.
A constant doubt invaded them: what did this mean? Why were they in a world lacking novelty, where everyone abstained from experience? Why?
One day, a boy of unremarkable character went and confronted the leader of this place.
"Tell me, what is this? And why are we here?"
That leader did not answer; he rejected the question and continued resting.
Faced with such brazenness, the boy could no longer tolerate this lack of diligence. He ran toward the beautiful green meadows, reached a tree in the center, and with a bit of effort sharpened a stick with a stone.
Then, with cynical determination, he went and confronted the leader again.
"Tell me now, where are we? Why are we here?"
The leader remained unmoved. Should he? That sharpened stick meant nothing. In a world that does not know war, why should he care?
So the young boy set out again. This time he saw something new: a mountain. Why a mountain? Apparently this was perfectly normal—the desires of these people were made reality.
But… why a mountain? The boy went to it, collected something from its walls, combined it with some rare materials into a ball, and returned to the leader.
"Tell me now, what are we? Why are we here?"
Faced with the leader's indifference, the young man activated that ball, and an explosion occurred. Could these be the beginnings of something greater?
The leader did not flinch but then pointed to a newly made hole, shining placidly in the darkness like a sun in space.
"If you want to know who you are, where you should be, and why you should be here; enter, jump, and discover the vestiges of your desires beyond any limit of your imagination."
The boy hesitated. Should he go? His mind clouded; he remembered those other children, and in that instant they had arrived there because that was their desire. He had to see them before departing.
Three silhouettes of light perched upon newly arrived darkness—what did this mean? And what were they? The faces of those silhouettes expressed only sadness, depression, an expression of "why?" — bewildered by what lay before them.
The leader, in a calm voice, then said that whether he jumped or not, his destiny would not change. He had already begun a journey of regret the moment he thought, fueled by hatred: "War." He craved war, and in a world where your desires are made real, that world was undoubtedly already doomed.
So the boy threw himself into the hole, into the unknown. What awaited him? What would happen?
※※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Alcor: 「Jah, it seems today has been an extremely productive day. A girl's trust, that fight, and a beautiful lake in front of me [Grmmm]. Even so, I'm starving… ah, maybe I should go look for her.」
Alcor, who wore a cold expression, bloodied and with disheveled hair, stood before a beautiful lake beneath what he could call a "house," but hunger overwhelmed him, so in a quick decision he opted to look for Mizard — a recent acquaintance he had made that same day.
Alcor: 「I wonder, where could she be? Is she alright? Jeh, what kind of questions I ask… maybe she's close to where we last met.」
Alcor kept walking while whistling with his characteristic indifferent face, across the green grass lacking flowers or trees.
He continued walking, but when he reached the area where the earlier conflict had occurred, he found nothing.
Alcor: 「Of course, 'Mizard' wouldn't wait that long for a stranger… but maybe she's nearby. I should look for her right now.」
With his objective still intact, Alcor quickened his pace. Perhaps two or three hours had passed, for the sun was already at that point just before night, so Alcor chose to hurry.
Thus he reached the depths of a village around the main city. This village was by no means bright, yet it still held a bit of life.
Alcor: 「Wuah, I've never been through this place at all. Maybe this is where she lives.」
???: "Hey! I remember you, you're the boy from a few hours ago!"
Alcor was startled, eyes wide, but a soft voice resonated from behind. When he turned, he saw a girl with gentle features, eyes a green comparable to the refraction of a forest, hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a simple and discreet outfit—a gray coat to protect against the cold, slim black pants, and brown boots. A pretty modest appearance.
Alcor reacted with surprise since, although she was his objective, he really hadn't expected to find her at that moment.
Alcor: "Wuah, you're Mizard, right? A pleasure to see you again."
Alcor said with an elegant tone, greeting Mizard as if he were her butler, placing his forearm over his abdomen and inclining his upper body toward Mizard.
Mizard: "Come on. You don't have to be so formal, you know? Please, be more reserved about that. And by the way; I don't remember you telling me your name."
Alcor: "Oooh… how could I forget something like that. My name is Alcor, just Alcor."
Mizard: "A pleasure, Alcor. Tell me something—do you really not want my help?"
Alcor: "Well… about that, I really do need it, you know. I definitely need your help… please! Help me a little!!"
In the light of the sunset, Mizard asked again—does Alcor need her help?—with a pure intention and an expression that delighted the surroundings.
Alcor, of course, needed her help. He knelt, remembering the lack of such kindness in his previous world, and declared, "Please, help me a little."
Mizard opened her eyes wide and consequently raised a faint smile.
Mizard: "Alright! This will be my reward for your help. Please follow me. I'll take you to my home where you can rest, sleep, eat, bathe, and do whatever you want!"
Alcor: "O-o-hey, wait a moment… isn't that too much freedom? 「I will surely miss my cozy bridge」"
Mizard: "No, no, no, don't worry about that; after all, I live alone."
After Mizard's energetic invitation—counting on her fingers the things Alcor would enjoy—Alcor expressed his surprise, moving his arms weakly up and down.
Mizard, of course, shook her head in negation.
Alcor: "Wuah, if that's what you want to give me, then I won't refuse."
Alcor said this with a smile that contrasted with his eyes. He followed Mizard, who had already begun walking, and they ventured together deeper into this "depressing" village.
Alcor: "Hey, wait!"
Mizard: "Uh? I thought you were already at my side—what's up?"
Alcor: "Well, thank you very much. But precisely where are we?"
Mizard: "Well, this is one of the villages that surround the Kingdom's capital. These kinds of villages don't have official names, so we just refer to them as 'Nweryt, Ousted, Urtrod, Seithid.'"
Alcor: 「Wow, it seems those words refer to the cardinal points. I think I've heard them before. Wuah, Mizard, you're really useful!」
Mizard: "Emmmm… I think even a small child would know that."
Although Alcor tried to express a little appreciation, Mizard brushed it off with cool words and kept walking as if nothing had been said, leaving Alcor bewildered.
Alcor: "Well, I really don't know much about this village. I think I'm still a newcomer here."
Mizard: "Oh, about that… you're that housh from the capital, right? I've heard a lot about you. I thought you were some Deskist, but I see that's not true."
Faced with this statement—which Alcor could not deny in any way—he simply wondered whether this was good or bad; apparently the growing mockery had made him somewhat famous, and definitely not in a good sense.
Alcor: "Heh, yes, that's me. Looks like I've become quite popular. Right?"
Mizard: "Yes, that's right. The whole Kingdom knows you as someone disgusting, despicable, and incapable of thinking. Are you okay with that?"
Alcor: "No, but I can definitely change that way of thinking."
Alcor had thought that if he could communicate with others, he might be understood, so he set out to change. Now, with pride on his face, he declared that this would change—leaving Mizard wide-eyed in confusion.
Mizard: "Well, that's something a bit difficult to do."
Alcor: "What do you mean?"
Mizard put her hand on her chin and clarified:
Mizard: "Well, everyone despises you because they think you're some kind of bad person. You didn't speak, and you even cursed many people once. Tell me: what was your intention?"
Alcor: "Actually, I don't know this village at all. I didn't know the language, and I don't exactly know how I arrived here. It was all a misunderstanding. But tell me one thing—aren't there guards or police or something like that?"
Alcor frowned at what Mizard had just said. Until now, he had never seen a guard, a policeman, or a soldier. Why? This is really strange.
Mizard widened her eyes, trying to grasp what he meant.
Mizard: "Police? Soldiers? Mmmmh, I really have no idea what you mean…"
Alcor frowned again. Was there truly no kind of law mediator?
Alcor: 「Wuah, it seems there isn't any law mediator. Maybe that's why nobody intervened when she was attacked. Wuah, this must be a very unpleasant place.」
Alcor: "Alright, then tell me—how are the laws enforced?"
Mizard: "Why do you want to know that?"
Alcor: ------
Alcor fell silent at Mizard's sudden question. While it is normal to wonder such things, why now? Alcor thought perhaps she wasn't so good after all—yes, a single phrase can change everything. Alcor had always been too distrustful to believe he deserved any trust.
But as their conversation took place, a fleeting shadow lurked in the background.
???: 「So he pretends to be weak, feigns mental damage, seeks someone's trust through deception, and tries to extract information about this kingdom. No doubt, your way of acting is too meticulous, 'Star.'」
That person hidden in the shadow stared intently at Alcor from the rooftops. To them, the existence of "Alcor" seemed strange and undoubtedly dangerous. Who was he? Who was lurking from the depths?
Consequently, Alcor and Mizard arrived at their destination.
A deteriorated house at the back of that village—this house seemed to be made of oak, and despite the dirt it maintained a sublime appearance.
Mizard: "Alright, we've arrived. I deeply apologize for the quality of this home, but you are free to do whatever you like or leave if it displeases you."
Alcor: "No, no, no, don't worry. This is definitely better than being under a bridge."
Mizard offered her apology with a faint smile; Alcor kept a positive attitude, nodding his head side to side to dismiss her remarks.
They looked at the home and entered; the creaking door opened and Alcor could see it—despite the outside deterioration, inside the house overflowed with care.
Yes, the occasional scratch or a hole in a wall, but overall the house was extremely clean.
Alcor: "Wuah, Mizard, this place is really well maintained."
Mizard: "Hehe, well, I really just do what I can, but thanks."
She smiled faintly, covering her mouth with one hand and thanked him with a clear smile while Alcor remained surprised by the home's splendid care.
After this, Mizard gently touched Alcor's shoulder and pointed toward the kitchen.
Mizard: "Weeell, how about we go eat? I prepared the house specialty!"
Alcor: "Wuah Mizard, I can't thank you enough. Thank you for inviting me to eat."
Mizard: "Hehe, it's nothing. After all, you were the one who saved me from those thugs."
Alcor stayed silent at Mizard's words, but without a doubt a bubble of happiness nestling inside him. Mizard smiled faintly and hurried to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, curiosity led Alcor to take a look around the house.
As he had seen, the door led directly to a staircase to the roof on one side and the kitchen on the other—white, gleaming floors and a comforting warmth.
On the other side lay a living room, noticeably worn furniture, and a slightly old diamond-patterned rug.
But despite the deteriorated furniture, it still conveyed a sense of care, as if the person who dwelled here had a deep love for the home.
Approaching a piece of furniture with a mirror, Alcor had the chance to see himself—deteriorated, bloodied, dirty, disgusting, repulsive—that's what Alcor thought of himself. How could that girl even come near him? Or worse, invite him to eat?
Alcor: 「Wow, I really am a disgusting guy.」
Alcor expressed that thought with a smile—yet he didn't know why he smiled.
While musing on his own deteriorated figure, Alcor noticed a photo beside the mirror. Taking it out, he saw Mizard in a floral-patterned dress next to a figure who seemed to be a man in a black coat, black pants, and a white shirt.
But looking at his face—no, rather he could not see his face—not because of sight issues but because that part was dark and deteriorated; indeed the entire photo bore traces of burns.
Alcor could only think that perhaps it was an old photo, so he returned it to its place and consequently considered venturing to the back of the house.
However, after a few steps he noticed the wall extended that far—there was no room behind the stairs.
So Alcor simply turned toward the main door in front of the stairs; for a moment he thought of going up—no, rather he was going to go up.
But just before taking another step, a softly sharp voice rose into Alcor's daze.
Mizard: "Please, don't go up to the second floor. I have maaany personal things up there, okay? Don't go."
Alcor: "O-of course! I won't go if you say so."
Alcor answered cheerfully, then looked up at the stairs but refrained from ascending. He instead took a place on one of the steps and leaned forward as if to rest.
Alcor: 「Aaaaah, after all, I'm in someone else's home, smelling a delicious dish from another world, resting on these stairs— I think this is even better than my previous life.」
Alcor looked at the ceiling and sighed, immersed in his thoughts. Perhaps that feeling came from finally being accompanied again, granting a notable warmth to his heart.
Yes—although Alcor didn't know this young lady until that very morning, he already felt at ease. After all, such a feeling was completely normal.
Alcor had been alone under a bridge for months, so the warmth and hospitality of a nice girl undoubtedly made his heart tremble.
Minutes passed, and a scent made its way into Alcor's nostrils, filling his taste buds with delight.
Alcor: 「Wua~aaah, this smells really delicious!」
He could not help but follow the aroma to the kitchen, where Mizard was serving food—what seemed to be a soup of some kind of meat from that other world.
Mizard proceeded to delicately point at one of the dishes on the table.
Mizard: "Look! This is the house specialty, [Baizardig og Mert]! What do you think?!"
She then crossed her arms and said "what do you think" as if seeking Alcor's approval.
Alcor: "Wuah! I don't know what that Vairdig og is, but it looks delicious! Thank you so much, Mizard!"
On the table, that thing called "Baizardig og Mert," if compared to food from Alcor's world, could be said to be a beef broth; however Alcor had not seen cows—only other clearly strange-looking animals.
Mizard, for her part, rejected Alcor's thanks because for her it was she who should be grateful to him.
Her heart seemed quite noble. Just before sitting, Alcor ran to pull out a chair for Mizard, raising his arm toward the chair as if he were a servant.
Alcor: "Please, take a seat, Lady."
Mizard: "Madam?"
Alcor: "Yes! It's an elegant and very polite expression from another world to say 'lady.'"
Mizard: "Oo~oh! Thank you then! Let's eat before it gets cold."
After offering Mizard a seat, Alcor admired the food before him. He then took his seat, picked up the cutlery delicately and elegantly, and began eating in a frenzied manner, as though he hadn't eaten in months.
And indeed, that was easily true—Alcor hadn't had proper food for months, so his ecstasy over the delicious food was completely justified.
Alcor: "Wuaaa~aah! This is really delicious! Undoubtedly the house specialty!"
He said this, pounding the table in approval, which splashed a bit of that strange broth onto Mizard's pale face.
Alcor grabbed a handkerchief that lay on the table and tried to clean Mizard's face quickly, stammering "s-s-sorry."
However, Mizard refused Alcor's hasty action, fluttering her thin hands in circles.
Mizard: "N-N-No~ it's unnecessary, I can clean myself, see? Yes, see?"
Alcor, embarrassed by her reaction, stopped cold.
Alcor: "Yes, yes, yes, forgive my hasty brutishness."
Mizard: "No, no, no, there's no problem."
Alcor sighed with some relief and pulled the chair back behind him to sit, but just before taking his seat Mizard interlaced her hands beneath her chin.
Mizard: "Well, I'm a bit curious. Where do you come from [Alcor]?"
The question was undoubtedly sudden. Alcor had noticed that asking "Where are you from?" early in a conversation is quite normal, but in that moment it felt very strange.
Mizard hadn't even taken time with her food when she asked. Alcor thought for a bit—if he said he came from another world he might be taken as crazy.
But if he said something random it would also be odd. After a few seconds of reflection he chose his words.
Alcor: "Well, real—"
However, just as he began to speak, sounds were heard from outside the house; it would be normal in other circumstances, but this sound came from right beside a window.
Alcor, of course, didn't let it pass and quickly asked Mizard about it.
Alcor: "Wuah, did you hear that, Mizard? It's like someone has been watching us…"
Mizard: "Hear something? Me? No, no, no, I don't think I heard anything outside or inside the house besides your voice."
At Alcor's question, Mizard stood up from her seat slowly, with a touch of elegance.
However, she quickly changed her tone to a fast and disordered one, denying having heard anything from outside the house.
Trying to change the subject right after that scene, she refrained from sitting down again and asked another question — one that was, in fact, quite trivial.
Mizard: "So? Don't you plan to change those ugly clothes? Come on, follow me."
Alcor: "Wuaaaah, of course, Mizard, how kind of you."
With a hopeful smile in his eyes, Alcor followed Mizard up the stairs. However, before stepping onto them, Mizard paused.
Mizard: "— All right, the—"
Yet, before Mizard could finish her words, before Alcor could finish his smile, before they could take a single step upstairs—
The front door in front of the staircase burst open toward Alcor, knocking him down instantly against the steps.
Alcor: "Agh-K!"
And with the light of the moons reflecting behind him, an imposing figure rose from the shadows.
Destiny: "Destiny An Majors, [Glekydor General] of the Kingdom of Ganstaranz. As of today, you have been sentenced to death."
Thus, unsheathing his sword toward Alcor, this "Glekydor," as he called himself, made an alarming declaration.
Alcor had been sentenced to death.
Alcor: "No, no, no, no, no! What the hell? What the hell are you talking about!? You show up out of nowhere and tell me I'm sentenced to death, huh? Who the hell do you think you are with that stupid star-patterned uniform!?"
The one who called himself "Destiny" was illuminated by the pale light of the moon on one side and the yellow glow of candles from the other.
With a fair complexion, he wore what seemed to be a military uniform—black with white lines on the sleeves and patterns of small stars.
On his shoulders, he carried silver plates, and upon his head, a black cap trimmed with silver, with a golden star in the middle.
His appearance alone inspired a feeling of inferiority in Alcor as the man's sword pointed directly at him.
Without hesitation, Destiny replied in a voice that roared like thunder.
Destiny: "There's no time for long introductions. Either you come with me right now, or you forfeit your life."
Alcor: "—"
Destiny: "And you—looks like you've given this boy food, haven't you? We'll deal with you later."
This stranger, who had intruded into the house without warning, now had complete control—intimidating the girl before him and leaving Alcor defenseless on the floor.
Of course, refusing to accept something as absurd as a "death sentence," Alcor shoved the door off himself and stood up, clutching his chest as he shouted in protest.
Alcor: "Agh-k— You really think I'll just accept death like that!? Stupid, idiot—no, no, no, damn it! Who the hell do you think you are, huh!?"
Alcor screamed in desperation and lunged directly at Destiny, trying to punch him. However, Destiny made an elegant maneuver, spinning his sword on its own axis and turning the hilt backward to strike Alcor square in the nose with the pommel.
The blow certainly broke his nose, stopping Alcor's charge instantly. Screaming in pain, he tried to stop the bleeding by clutching his nose with both hands.
Yet, in the very next instant, Destiny delivered a spinning kick to Alcor's ribs, sending him flying into the kitchen.
Almost unconscious, Alcor felt the weight of his entire body. His vision was blurry from the hit—it felt like a hammer.
A hammer made of fire.
His whole body burned with pain.
Alcor: "Ag-k... 'D-Damn it, I have to think fast, agh—w-what do I do, what should I do now!?'"
Lying against the wall, watching his enemy's slow steps approach, Alcor needed to think quickly—or he wouldn't make it out alive.
Turning his bloodied face slightly, he could vaguely see bags of starch. A thought crossed his mind like lightning.
However, as he crawled and tried to reach them, his hand was swiftly stomped on by elegant black boots.
Alcor: "Aaagh! Ah, damn it!"
Looking up, he saw him—the man with hunter-like eyes and a grotesque, grim expression.
Destiny: "Look at you. What a pitiful sight. I might even feel pity for you. You can't do anything but crawl like a pathetic worm. Yet still, you don't deserve forgiveness! Human filth!"
With a deep look of disgust and hatred, Destiny spat out his sharp words.
But before Alcor could say anything, Destiny delivered a brutal spinning kick to his face, leaving him sprawled on the ground.
Then, Destiny placed his shoe carefully on Alcor's head—only to stomp down violently right after, hatred burning in his eyes.
Raising his refined sword from the floor, Destiny spoke with a voice calm as the sea but as intimidating as a lion's roar, continuing the "conversation" over Alcor's beaten body.
Destiny: "Look at yourself, you miserable bastard—you've fallen so~ low. You're nothing more than human waste, not even capable of crawling through trash. Damn it, tell me! Who the hell do you think you are, doing this!? You can't even make me feel pity! You don't deserve even the courtesy of being treated as an enemy! Stand up and fight, damn scum!"
With clear impatience, Destiny limited his assault on Alcor's skull, then grabbed him by the neck and lifted him up.
A limp, powerless body—unable to defend itself in any way. Alcor was completely overtaken by helplessness.
Though furious, he could do nothing. Though brave, he could do nothing. Though clever, he could do nothing.
After all, he was just a common human—in his own words, a repulsive one—bathed in his own blood and broken by his own actions, watching as that "monster" towered above him, pointing toward his death.
Destiny: "Hah... What's with those trembling eyes full of hatred?"
Alcor: "—"
Destiny: "Huh? Speak! Filth!"
At Alcor's silence, Destiny lashed out violently, bombarding his face with kicks back and forth.
Then came the interrogation—each unanswered question turned into a blow square to his face.
Destiny: "Who do you work for!? For what purpose!? Why pretend!? Why are you here!? How did you enter this city!? You won't answer, huh…"
Alcor: "—"
Thus, the barrage of kicks to Alcor's face ceased, and Destiny simply sighed, placing a hand over his eyes, as if tired of it all.
But before Destiny could do anything else, a delicate voice echoed from the depths of the kitchen—it was Mizard, who until now had remained silent.
Mizard: "Plea~se—stop already! Can't you see!? He's almost dead! You'll gain nothing by doing this!"
Destiny turned his gaze toward the girl with deep black eyes, and with a twisted stare and a mocking smile, he spoke again.
Destiny: "Hah, what a pretty girl, huh? It's a shame that in such a short time, you've grown fond of that scum. Have you already forgotten the danger that housh represents, huh!?"
Cutting through the air with her arm and leaning forward toward Destiny, Mizard shouted in contradiction.
Mizard: "Those are mere assumptions! Nothing proves that! Whatever the circumstances, this boy tried to save me!"
Spinning his elegant sword on its own axis and grinning cynically as he stared at Mizard's defiance, Destiny couldn't help but mock her.
Destiny: "Hah! How amusing! So you actually believed that? That piece of trash sure is lucky!"
Mizard: "—"
At those words, Mizard could only clench her fists; she had nothing more to say. Opposing someone so dangerous would lead nowhere good.
Meanwhile, after saying that, Destiny turned his gaze back toward Alcor—who should have still been lying on the floor.
Destiny: "Hah! You sure are lucky with your lies. Now—"
However, Destiny's expression shifted from mockery to rage in an instant.
Alcor, who should have been immobilized, was no longer there.
Looking to the side in disbelief, Destiny saw Alcor moving clumsily, barely reaching for a knife that lay next to the bags of starch.
Seeing this, Destiny merely laughed at such a futile act—after all, what could a crippled man do with a knife?
Destiny: "Hah! This is really quite irritating! What the hell are you planning to do with that, huh!?"
After that, Destiny lunged toward Alcor, grabbing him by the hair—an act that made one doubt whether he was any kind of knight at all.
With his trademark cynical smile, he taunted again, bringing his face closer to Alcor's.
Destiny: "Hah! You really are trash. Did you honestly think you could beat me with that toy?"
Alcor: "—"
Destiny shook Alcor back and forth, who couldn't resist at all—it was as if Destiny were toying with a rag doll.
But he didn't stop there. Destiny then threw Alcor against the wall behind him; however, Alcor managed to extend his arm just enough to cut through the starch bags. The powder burst into the air, spreading quickly through the kitchen.
Still, the impact against the wall left Alcor nearly unconscious. He could barely see, his body feverish, his stomach twisting in knots.
He would never wish this feeling upon anyone—but even so, he wished it wasn't him suffering it now.
As Alcor drifted through his exhaustion, that shadow—that monster, that man—approached with slow, heavy steps, laughing cynically at Alcor's failed action.
Destiny: "Hah! Ha, ha, ha! You're hopeless. But my patience is running out—it seems you've no intention of saying anything! So then—then—then what the hell are you doing, huh!? Why the hell are you smiling!?"
Destiny lunged again, grabbing Alcor by the neck while his long sword dragged across the floor. His gaze was no longer mocking—it was furious, frustrated by Alcor's defiant silence.
With their faces only inches apart, the roles had reversed: Destiny was enraged, while Alcor grinned shamelessly.
Destiny: "—"
Alcor: "Wa– e– ca– caist– Agh-k—"
Yet before the words could leave his mouth, Alcor couldn't help but vomit blood—splattering it right across Destiny's face, something that made Alcor chuckle faintly.
Destiny: "Aghhk—disgusting!"
But before Destiny could react, a sound echoed from the floor. Alcor had struck a match against it—
and with the entire kitchen filled with starch powder, the house exploded in a chain reaction.
However, since Destiny had been standing right in front of Alcor, shielding him from the explosion, Alcor was merely thrown out of the house—while Destiny was buried beneath the debris.
Outside, under a pouring rain, Alcor watched the burning house through his blurred vision, his body aflame with pain, every muscle tense as his consciousness began to fade. For a moment, he thought—maybe this was the end. Maybe he'd die here.
But before that could happen, a slender figure ran toward him.
???: "Alcor! Alcor! Are you okay!? Are you all right!? I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"
As this figure reached him, she knelt down, placing her soft hands on Alcor's abdomen. Strangely, he felt comforted by her touch.
However, before she could do anything else, he felt the cold edge of a sword against his head. Turning quickly, he saw a powerful group emerging from the shadows.
With a deep, thunderous voice, a hooded man stepped forward, glaring with a killing intent that could freeze the air itself.
???: "So it's you—[Skeirtest og olsnt]. By order of the great Kingdom of Ganstaranz, you shall be executed here and now!"