Time is a desert.
The meteor and sea of fire incident behind the Aqua Deer Squad base was like a rolling pebble, causing no ripples at all.
Soon, a month had passed.
It was the day the Spade Kingdom's Dark Triad had set to launch their invasion.
————
Outside the Heart Kingdom.
A young girl wearing an eyepatch stood on a rock, gazing out over the territory of the Heart Kingdom. Faint mist rose from the lush forest, and various animals played about; it was a scene of peace and beauty.
"The scenery is really lovely."
A soft murmur sounded.
The voice of praise held a hint of airheadedness and quirkiness.
The girl stepped down from the rock. Her black over-the-knee boots made her skin look snowy white. However, that unnaturally pale complexion also served as proof of the woman's identity... the northern Spade Kingdom, a country that remained in cold winds all year round, where residents rarely went outside.
The wind on the cliff was strong, even lifting the girl's coat, causing the black fur-lined garment to ripple slightly.
The newcomer was none other than one of the ruling Dark Triad of the Spade Kingdom, Vanica Zogratis.
She smiled and muttered to herself, "Ah~ it's been a while since we last met. I wonder if little Lolopechka and the others are doing well? It would be great if she's feeling energetic!"
"I really want to make her get serious..."
"That would be much more interesting, wouldn't it?"
While the girl talked to herself, behind her, the Dark Disciples, who had been granted "Devil Power," were also looking at the kingdom ahead and conversing.
"Is there really a need to do something as slow and frustrating as bringing Arcane Stages back? Why would Boss Dante make us do this? Wouldn't it be better to just kill them?"
"I don't know."
"But it's most likely that those Stage Zero guys have more value in being destroyed."
"Very well." Vanica's words interrupted the conversation behind her. She issued orders as sharp as the crown on her head, "Robero and I will head to the royal palace to deal with the Stage Zeros there. As for the rest of you, go wild in the areas outside the palace!"
"Enjoy this blood-colored day to your heart's content!"
"We... march forward!"
After saying that, Vanica leapt from the cliff. A pair of exaggerated blood wings sprouted from her back. With a flap of the wings, she sped forward. The remaining people surged with mana and likewise vanished from the spot.
Heart Kingdom, a border town outside Boronfrum Forest.
Neuko.
In this scenic small town, the people were unaware of the approaching crisis. They continued living their lives. By the clear river, women used water magic to wring out laundry, and groups of men gathered, preparing to go into the forest to gather and hunt for food.
A Masked Man appeared there at some point and set up a blue stall. Soon after, the aroma of grilled fish wafted from the stall, the smell of spices mingling with the rising steam from the open fire.
The two combined like a hook, tugging at the cravings in people's hearts.
Some children even stood outside the stall, staring wide-eyed at the golden grilled fish and drooling. After a while, they called over their parents. The residents here had long heard of a masked chef selling delicious food around the Heart Kingdom at fair prices.
So, while satisfying their children's cravings, they also bought some to taste for themselves.
In less than ten minutes, a long line had formed.
The Spirit Guardian Petrov, wearing a round hat, was also among them. Ever since tasting the food made by that masked fellow once, Petrov would show up whenever he appeared in the territory he guarded.
This time was no exception.
In the line, Petrov poked his head out to look at the food the Masked Man was roasting. "Grilled fish? I've already had it twice. Ah... I really wanted to eat that mushroom soup from last time, but it looks like it wasn't prepared this time."
"Tsk..."
"But even so, it's a delicacy I can't pass up. The last two times I only bought three, but this time I want five! Ahhh, I hope there's some left by the time it's my turn."
Petrov kept muttering to himself, and the line ahead of him shortened amidst his grumbling.
Suddenly, a strange mana flickered above the forest.
Bai En, who was grilling fish, paused slightly. After a moment of hesitation, he continued his movements.
Wild hair danced in the air like a swarm of writhing snakes.
Those in the forest were the first to be attacked. Strands of hair fell from the sky, instantly slashing a man's arm. The people under attack were the first to react.
Cries of "Enemy attack!" spread along with the sound of birds fluttering in the forest.
Fireballs and water jets flew out from the forest toward the woman with flying hair standing on the trees. But their attacks were too weak; as her long hair swung like braided ropes, the fireballs and water jets were scattered.
The sound spread, and the people began to react belatedly.
As an Spirit Guardian, Petrov immediately began directing the evacuation. "Enemy attack! Everyone, please head to the designated evacuation shelters!"
The Heart Kingdom had long anticipated an invasion from the Spade Kingdom, and evacuation drills had been practiced in advance.
The long line instantly dispersed.
Petrov glanced at the Masked Man still at the stall and paused for a second. He naturally knew the Masked Man's purpose; it certainly wasn't as simple as selling food. After all, he had also been present at the palace that day.
According to their current agreement, the Masked Man should have immediately gone to support the Queen... but he had yet to make a move.
He wanted to say something but then thought of the guy's elusive Spatial Magic.
After a moment's thought, Petrov hurried toward the direction of the enemy.
Halbet Chevour, the woman standing on the tree with wild, elongated hair, was in no hurry to kill those people in the forest. She looked down at them as if they were tiny ants, her arrogant manner putting her above everyone else.
"Just keep struggling like that!"
"To be able to witness my beauty before you die means you haven't lived in vain. Remember me like this, and then in hell, praise and spread my name loudly!"
The injured people below paid no heed to the woman's words atop the tree. They protected the man with the injured arm and retreated slowly.
"Don't worry, the Lord Spirit Guardian is nearby. He'll be here soon!"
"That's right, the Lord Spirit Guardian will defeat the enemy and protect us."
Seeing the people ignoring her and fleeing toward the edge of the forest, Halbet snorted coldly. The ends of her extended hair coiled together into a snake-like shape, which shot out rapidly, intending to cut off their escape route.
Just then, the Spirit Guardian Petrov arrived in time.
He slammed his palm onto the ground. Thick vines with countless flower buds sprouted from the earth. The emerald vines were exceptionally flexible, wrapping around the fleeing people and sending them to safety just a moment before the hair pierced the ground...
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