Zeloria RT-01
This region was far from being considered prosperous and was almost unknown to most civilians. On the Arcane map, it appeared as nothing more than a small patch of land marked with strange numerical codes rather than a proper name. To outsiders, it looked insignificant—remote, quiet, and seemingly barren.
Yet beneath this unassuming surface lay one of the empire's greatest secrets.
Zeloria RT-01 possessed the largest energy stone mine in the entire empire, a rare geological miracle capable of producing high-grade solid color energy stones. Stones that could determine the rise and fall of families, guilds, and even military power. Stones that countless nobles dreamed of obtaining, yet never knew where they truly came from.
All energy stones mined here were exclusively operated through the Quantum Core Guild. Through layers of misdirection, ownership transfers, and false distribution records, the true origin of these stones was perfectly concealed.
To the outside world, the stones appeared to come from scattered, unrelated regions. No one suspected that this small, nameless land bore the responsibility of supplying nearly half of the empire's free low-grade energy stones, not to mention the rare high-grade ones that never even reached the open market.
The value Zeloria RT-01 carried was immeasurable.
Soren's aircraft passed smoothly through the region's close-range defense system. Invisible scanning waves swept over the hull, verifying layered permissions and identity codes before allowing passage. Heavy barriers parted soundlessly, and the aircraft descended toward the heart of the central mining area.
The tarmac below was vast and meticulously organized. Mining structures, transport rails, and energy shielding towers were arranged with military-level precision. Despite the importance of the location, the atmosphere remained calm and controlled.
The aircraft docked with a low mechanical hum.
Spade stepped forward and knocked on Soren's cabin door.
A moment later, the door slid open.
Soren stood there dressed in black casual clothes, a stark contrast to his usual sharp military uniform. The relaxed cut softened his imposing presence, though the aura of authority around him remained unchanged. In his arms, he carried the little beast.
The little leopard still hadn't woken up.
She was curled against his chest, completely relaxed, her small body fitting naturally into the space of his arms as if she belonged there. Her thick paws were clumsily covering her face, as though shielding herself from the world even in sleep. Her round white ears twitched faintly, and her soft spotted fur pressed against the dark fabric of Soren's clothes.
The contrast was striking.
Black against white. Steel against softness.
It made their commander—who was known across the empire for his ruthlessness on the battlefield—look unexpectedly gentle.
There was an inexplicable thought that quietly surfaced in Spade's mind.
In the future… it would probably look like this.
Their commander holding a child in his arms—steady, protective, and utterly gentle. A towering figure who inspired fear on the battlefield, yet lowered his voice unconsciously when speaking to someone small and fragile. Someone who adjusted his steps so they wouldn't be jolted awake. Someone whose hand, capable of crushing enemies, would carefully support a tiny back.
A majestic and loving father.
Just imagining that scene made Spade's chest tighten for reasons he couldn't quite name. The warmth of it was almost unbearable, as though it touched something deeply human beneath years of discipline and bloodshed.
The moment the thought fully formed, Spade stiffened and forcefully suppressed it.
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
Their commander's power was too overwhelming. Even without a partner, suppressing his Hysteria already pushed him to the brink countless times. If he were to marry—if he were to completely enter his mating period—what kind of pressure and kind of destruction, would their future lady have to endure?
Spade didn't dare imagine it further.
His gaze unconsciously shifted to Soren's left arm.
The energy stone embedded in the armband pulsed faintly, restrained and obedient. The utilization rate was astonishingly high—high enough to temporarily stabilize a Hysteria that had plagued their commander for years. But… it was too small.
No matter how efficient the carving was, size still mattered.
Spade clenched his fist subtly. He could only hope that the master-level engraver their commander had encountered could carve another one. A larger one. One strong enough to truly shoulder the weight of the commander's power.
Otherwise, the danger was merely postponed—not erased.
Soren stepped off the aircraft, his boots touching the tarmac with a quiet, decisive sound. Levi, the head of the Quantum Core Guild, was already waiting below, posture straight.
"Sir!" Levi greeted immediately, bowing with respect.
"Are the stones ready?" Soren asked, his voice calm but carrying unquestionable authority.
"Yes, Sir," Levi replied without hesitation. "All energy stones that have been mined are placed in the central warehouse. The moment we received your order, we halted all cutting and export operations."
He paused briefly before adding, more carefully, "Not a single stone has left the region since."
Soren nodded, satisfied.
"Good."
As he spoke, his hold on the little leopard adjusted slightly, ensuring her head rested more comfortably against his shoulder. She stirred faintly, letting out a soft, indistinct sound before settling again, completely unaware of where she was—or how many eyes were quietly drawn to her.
Levi noticed.
His gaze lingered for half a second too long before he abruptly looked away, cold sweat breaking out along his back. He didn't dare ask questions. In a place like Zeloria RT-01, curiosity was the fastest way to die.
"This way, Sir," Levi said, gesturing toward the inner passage leading to the warehouse. "The inspection chamber has been prepared according to your specifications."
The first ones they chose were the high-grade solid color energy stones that had already been cut and were neatly arranged on the shelves, waiting for packaging. Their colors were deep and rich, almost glowing faintly under the fluorescent lights of the warehouse. The quantity wasn't enormous, but it was enough to provide a wide variety for careful selection.
Each stone reflected the light differently—some shimmering with a calm, almost gentle luster, while others emitted a faintly ominous aura, hinting at the power contained within.
Levi carefully started the sorting machine, and with precise movements, began taking down one stone after another, laying them out for inspection.
Soren's gaze, however, was not fixed solely on the stones. The little leopard, nestled in his arms, had shifted slightly, ears flicking as if she was being disturbed by the noise.
He reached for her thick, furry ears, gently scratching behind them. The little beast immediately recoiled, her two thick paws shooting up to cover her ears, and her head pressed harder into his arm in protest.
Soren couldn't help but smile faintly at her stubbornness. Gently, he reached down and took hold of the tail, squeezing it lightly.
Soren's smile deepened as he lifted her paws, one at a time, holding them delicately. He placed her carefully on the polished surface of the table in front of him.
The little leopard, accustomed to leaning her head against the safety of his chest or arm, suddenly found herself unsupported. Her head tilted slightly, her body adjusting, and she blinked slowly, misty eyes meeting his. Her small, rounded ears twitched as she looked up at him, dazed.
Soren's hands moved almost automatically, gently patting her head. "Let's choose a suitable energy stone for you first," he said softly.
Levi, standing near the sorting machine, froze mid-motion. Weiss, holding the energy stone scanner in his hands, equally stopped, eyes widening as he took in the scene. Neither of them could process it immediately.
On countless battlefields, they had seen Soren in his most terrifying form—commanding armies, cutting down enemies, and radiating a presence so cold that it could chill a man's soul. And yet, here he was, crouched slightly to meet the little leopard's height, smiling, speaking softly, and handling the little beast with such care.
Levi's hand trembled slightly as he reached to adjust a stone, while Weiss gripped the scanner tighter, his mind reeling.
"This… did the commander just… smile?" Levi whispered under his breath. "And… was he… teasing the little beast?"
Weiss didn't answer at first, too shocked to form words. "I've followed him for years… and I've never seen him act like this," he finally muttered. "Not even on the battlefield… and I've seen him face the deadliest of enemies… But this… this gentleness—it's like he's a completely different person."
The little beast's red eyes followed each stone carefully, her tiny claws brushing the surfaces as if trying to sense some invisible energy. She tilted her head from side to side, sniffing the air around them, and occasionally pawed at a stone, tapping it lightly and then stepping back to observe the reaction.
Her ears twitched at every subtle vibration, and her tail flicked with restrained excitement, revealing just how intensely she was taking in everything before her.
Soren's gaze followed her every motion then he shifted his attention to Weiss, who was scanning the stones with a furrowed brow.
Weiss shook his head, exhaling sharply. "Sir… there is none suitable among them."