Some of the Nimbus Knights remained on guard, weapons raised, while others hurried to assist the wounded and assess the damage.
Fu Xuan, arms crossed and brow furrowed, observed the group.
"The Criminal will be transferred to the Divination Commission for interrogation."
Welt nodded before replying.
"We were given orders by General Jing Yuan to arrest the Stellaron Hunter. We appreciate your help, High Diviner, but we must escort the fugitive to the General."
"That won't be necessary. I have a warrant from the General himself. Go ahead, read it if you want." Fu Xuan said. "Once the Stellaron Hunter is captured, the Divination Commission will handle the interrogation."
"I understand. However, the General promised that any information would be shared with us. We have the right to know everything Kafka says."
"Huh?"
Fu Xuan made a slight grimace and muttered under her breath, but it wasn't quiet enough for Aleph and Stelle not to hear.
"That guy... always giving me extra work and trouble without saying a word. And when he does, it's either last minute or through someone else. Tsk."
"We're not here to make things more complicated than they already are. We just want to listen in on the interrogation."
March 7th, arms crossed, tilted her head slightly.
"Wouldn't it be better to interrogate her right here? Stellaron Hunters are slippery, every second we waste could be dangerous. What if she escapes?"
Fu Xuan shook her head firmly.
"It's not that simple. The Divination Commission has a special method that will help us uncover the truth and Kafka's intentions. Out here, her manipulation is still a threat."
Aleph clicked his tongue.
"It's not like we can't just gag her or something."
"Try that and you'll see her manipulate you without even needing to speak." Fu Xuan replied, unfazed. "Trust the General's decision."
"Great..." March 7th muttered.
Fu Xuan sighed and turned on her heel.
"Very well, urgency demands agility... The four of you will accompany me to the Divination Commission. We'll take two Star-Skiffs. You'll come with me in one, Kafka and the Nimbus Knights in another."
"Whoa!" March 7th exclaimed with a big smile. "Did the General just save us from a trip with Kafka? I knew he was a good guy!"
Aleph couldn't help but chuckle a bit at her reaction, but Fu Xuan was no longer paying attention.
...
The trip was brief but uncomfortable. Fu Xuan seemed uneasy, eyeing the navigation Meridian with suspicion. And soon, her suspicions were confirmed.
The vehicle descended in an area unfamiliar to the Divination Commission. As soon as they disembarked, Fu Xuan glared at Tingyun.
"I may live half-reclusive, but I am more than capable of recognizing my own territory. Tell me, Tingyun." she said in a dangerously calm voice. "Does this place look like the Divination Commission to you?"
The foxian smiled nervously, raising her hands in a placating gesture.
"Calm down, calm down, dear High Diviner. There was a malfunction in the Meridian device—I couldn't access the domain. This was the closest place I could dock the Star-Skiff."
Fu Xuan closed her eyes, massaging the bridge of her nose.
"And where exactly are we?"
"Welcome to the Sanctum of Exaltation!" Tingyun replied with a smile.
Fu Xuan let out a heavy sigh and looked at the group.
"From here, we'll walk to the Divination Commission... I foresaw there would be obstacles on the way, but not these."
"I've heard people in Xianzhou can read the future. How do you do it? With fingers, cards, or what?"
Fu Xuan shot her an expressionless look before averting her eyes.
"Since it's clear you lack knowledge of certain internal matters of the Divination Commission, I'll overlook your inappropriate comment. Make sure it doesn't happen again. I'll go on ahead. Goodbye."
Without another word, the High Diviner turned and walked off briskly, almost leaving the group behind.
"Mmm... Miss Fu Xuan." March 7th stopped her. "You might not like hearing this, but remember we have an agreement with the General. We need to be present during the interrogation."
Fu Xuan gave her a look that made the girl step back.
"... You underestimate my word and my patience. My promises are sacred. Even if this domain were to fall apart, I'd make sure you're present during the prisoner's interrogation, even if it means losing precious time." Her gaze swept across all of them before turning her back. "I will assign someone to escort you to the Divination Commission. Once we've handled our internal matters, you'll be brought there. Please be patient."
Welt crossed his arms and watched her leave before speaking.
"Looks like we'll have some time to rest before heading over."
Aleph shrugged.
"Good. I've been wanting to eat something anyway."
....
After Fu Xuan's departure, the atmosphere became more relaxed, though the discomfort didn't completely fade.
March 7th crossed her arms, glancing at Aleph with a worried expression.
"I think… I offended someone again. Be honest, do you think I upset her?" she asked, a hint of anxiety in her voice.
Aleph shrugged casually.
"Someone had to be the bad guy and remind her of the deal." he replied while stretching.
March puffed out her cheeks in frustration.
"Well next time it's your turn—or Stelle's!"
"How unreasonable."
Welt stepped in with his usual calm tone.
"Don't worry so much, March. I've met people like her before. I'm sure she's not really angry with you. Besides, Fu Xuan seems like a reasonable lady."
Aleph barely managed to hold back a laugh at hearing Welt call her a "lady." She certainly had the composure of someone in her position, but her youthful appearance made the title sound… odd.
March, however, didn't seem convinced.
"I'd say she's more cold than reasonable…"
Aleph gave her a sidelong glance, raising an eyebrow with a smug grin.
"As cold as Dan Heng or Stelle?"
March burst out laughing.
"Dan Heng's not cold, he's just a weirdo! And Stelle… well, she's Stelle."
Stelle, who had been silent up until then, chimed in with her usual nonchalant tone:
"So are you."
March opened her mouth to snap back, but ended up sighing in defeat.
Thinking about everything they had experienced since the morning on the Luofu until nightfall, she couldn't help but feel tired.
"I hate to say it, but… compared to the people we're meeting here, I'm starting to miss the folks from Jarilo-VI. Heaven help me, I think I'm even starting to miss Sampo!"
The group went silent for a moment after that comment, until March seemed to realize what she had just said. She shook her head like she was trying to erase the thought from her brain.
Welt blinked, partially confused and partially curious. Who exactly was this Sampo they kept talking about…?
"I must be losing my mind! Who in their right mind would miss that blue-haired freak?" she exclaimed, a chill running down her spine.
Welt decided to shift the conversation, glancing around the area.
"Looks like Fu Xuan won't call us until everything's ready for the interrogation. We might as well look around in the meantime."
Aleph and Stelle nodded and began walking deeper into the Sanctum, while March 7th and Tingyun decided to stay near a food stall.
Aleph felt tears welling up in his eyes as he realized he didn't have enough credits left to buy even a single portion.
"…My… dinner." he murmured in a trembling voice, watching others eat like a starving child glued to the window of a candy shop. He'd fought all day on an empty stomach, and just when they finally had time to eat… he couldn't afford it.
They'd said all their expenses would be covered by the Astral Express!
Why didn't that vendor believe him?! Where was Tingyun when he actually needed her?!
What a cruel world…
March 7th, seeing his expression, just laughed and shook her head. Who told him to blow all his allowance on decorations for his room?
Hmph. But, being a good teammate, she'd obviously share a little of her food.
It'd be embarrassing if one of her companions collapsed in battle because they were exhausted and starving… right?
***********
Upon entering, Aleph and Stelle noticed that in the center of the plaza, several Nimbus Knights were gathered—many of them wounded and receiving treatment from a small figure with blue hair and two prominent horns.
"Don't move too much or the medicine will stop working!" she scolded one of the soldiers, her voice high-pitched yet carrying undeniable authority.
However, the relative calm shattered when one of the treated soldiers began to convulse violently.
A sharp sound echoed as his armor cracked, and a chilling golden glow engulfed his body. Around him, several of the other injured soldiers began to experience the same thing. The signs were unmistakable: they had succumbed to Mara's influence.
Aleph clicked his tongue in annoyance. Apparently, in the Luofu, the word "rest" only brought trouble when spoken.
"Get back!" the girl shouted, leaping backward.
But there was no time for further warnings. The infected Nimbus Knights rose abruptly, their movements spasmodic and stiff. From the Sanctum's shadows, hooded figures with golden roots emerging from their bodies began to appear—they were Sanctus disciples.
Aleph let out a sigh filled with irritation, forming his weapon with a smooth motion. What problem couldn't be solved with a bat?
Beside him, Stelle adopted a fighting stance without hesitation. They knew they couldn't let the chaos spread.
"Here we go again..." Stelle muttered, clenching her fists. She gave a sorrowful look to the unfinished sandwich in her hands before handing it to Tingyun to hold.
The Mara-possessed charged at them with wild, crude movements—but that didn't make them any less dangerous. Aleph dodged a spear swipe, countering with a precise blow that knocked his attacker down. Welt stepped forward and, without missing a beat, manipulated gravity around him, crushing the possessed with brutal precision before they could reach the girl.
"Watch the hooded ones." Welt warned. "They're different from the ones we fought before."
March 7th raised her bow and fired a volley of icy arrows that stopped several enemies in their tracks. But the disciples didn't flinch; with irrational fury, they charged again.
Despite her size, the little girl didn't just stand by. Her movements were quick as she continued healing the wounded, but her face showed concern.
"This isn't right..." she murmured. "Mara's infection is spreading faster than usual."
The battle grew more intense.
Aleph and Stelle struck down the soldiers with the same grace a farmer uses to rip out weeds. Their faces remained expressionless, but if one paid close attention, they were clearly trying to pick up speed and fight more efficiently—especially whenever they caught a glimpse of their foxy companion, who seemed torn between eating or not eating the sandwiches in her hands.
Their strikes seemed to grow fiercer with each such moment...
Welt continued manipulating gravity, warping the battlefield to his advantage, while March 7th offered long-range support and protective barriers.
One by one, the Mara-possessed were brought down, until finally, with one last well-placed attack from Welt, the final enemy collapsed. Silence fell over the plaza, bodies of the defeated strewn across the ground.
The girl let out a sigh and shook her head.
"At the very least, I hope they stay down now." she murmured as she looked at the fallen. She quickly turned to the group. "Thanks for helping stabilize the patients. You seem to have some experience with physical sedation techniques."
March 7th whispered to Aleph.
"...Since when does beating someone up count as 'sedation'?"
"The universe is full of surprises, March."
"I can't keep healing the soldiers if this keeps happening... It's not like I can spend all my time setting bones and wrapping wounds. I'm a busy person!" she exclaimed in frustration. "I need more information about what's going on here."
March 7th approached and gave her a gentle tap on the head with a playful smile.
"You're more impressive than you look, little one. Where are your parents?"
Bailu puffed up her cheeks and crossed her arms indignantly.
"I don't have a mother or father! Don't underestimate me just because of my size! Just because I'm small doesn't mean I'm some mischievous kid. People from Xianzhou don't age like ordinary humans. I might be way older than you!"
March 7th raised her hands in peace, while Stelle let out a small laugh.
"Don't take it personally. March is like that with everyone." Stelle interjected.
Bailu sighed and shook her head.
"I guess it can't be helped... Anyway, I have to stay here. I'd advise you not to go—"
"Not go that way? Sorry, but we've got business to take care of. So we don't really have a choice."
"Alright." she nodded, not pressing the issue. "Since you saved me, if you ever get seriously hurt, come find me. I promise I'll treat you for free—and give you a 20% discount on the meds."
With that, Bailu returned to tending the wounded.
Stelle suddenly felt a vibration in her pocket. It was her phone again. Taking it out, she saw a message from an unknown number.
"Huh?" she frowned.
Aleph came closer to glance at the screen. The message was short—a simple "See you here." accompanied by a photo of an area in the plaza, with several gambling booths in view.
"Is someone waiting for us?" Welt asked.
Stelle looked around, then back at the image. Comparing their surroundings with the photo—and with the help of a kind old lady—they managed to find the right location.
"We've got nothing better to do until they call us in for questioning." Aleph said, shrugging. "Shall we go see who's looking for us?"
"Well... but if something bad happens, I'm blaming you—and you'll have to give me as many back massages as I want!"
Aleph sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Alright."
....
After receiving the mysterious message and the attached photo, the group headed to the indicated location. Upon arrival, they found a game table surrounded by four figures. Three of them were foxians; their pointy ears and fluffy tails clearly revealed their ancestry.
"Hurry up! At this rate, we'll all be fossils by the time you're done!" one of the foxians remarked.
But it was the fourth figure who immediately caught Aleph's attention.
Her hair was neatly styled and tied back; her lime green eyes sparkled with cunning as she eyed the game pieces with a triumphant smile. She wore a black dress with dark green details.
If she were older, she'd definitely be hitting all the right spots in his strike zone.
What a shame.
What is it with this place and the overpopulation of lolis?
"Ha! I won again!" the girl exclaimed, raising her arms proudly.
The foxians sighed and moved away from the table, clearly resigned. It was at that moment that the young girl looked up and noticed the group's presence. Her victorious expression shifted into one of nervous surprise.
"Oh… this isn't good… You got here faster than I expected." she muttered before quickly standing up. "Please don't tell the Grand Diviner I was slacking off! I already got demoted to a terrible position as a librarian, and I don't want to find out what's worse than that." she pleaded with a nervous smile.
"And who are you supposed to be?" March 7th asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm Qingque, I work for the Divination Commission." she introduced herself with a slight nod. "And, well… I guess I'm supposed to guide you over there. Come on, this way."
...….
Led by Qingque, the group made their way toward the Divination Commission.
Along the way, they saw a large, destroyed tree off to the side.
According to Tingyun, it was called the Ambrosia Tree. Aleph didn't know why, but looking at it stirred a strange feeling in his chest.
"Aleph?" March 7th called, looking at him with a puzzled expression. Welt and Stelle were also staring at him with similar looks.
"It's nothing." he said. He wasn't sure if he was saying it to them or to himself.
...….
However, upon arrival, they found the main entrance closed.
"Seriously? Right now?" Qingque muttered in annoyance. "Not only is the food here basically garbage, but now they shut the door without notice. How inconsiderate!"
"Aren't you a member of the Divination Commission? Why is the entrance blocked?"
Qingque looked at her like she was a child asking if fire burns.
"Tch. Don't panic, I know another way into the Divination Commission."
...….
"Ugh… why won't this one open either?" Qingque held her head in her hands. "Now we've kept the Grand Diviner waiting. I already know what she's going to say… Uwah, she's gonna blame me for everything! She'll get mad and say they should cut the salary of 'Unreliable Qingque'! That's why she never grows up—her inner evil is so heavy it keeps her tiny."
March 7th whispered to Aleph.
"I knew I offended the Grand Diviner! Why else would she send this girl to fetch us?"
Aleph, for his part, could barely hold back a laugh. She was funny.
Welt stepped forward.
"Would you mind if I took a look, Miss Qingque?"
The mentioned girl stepped aside with her head lowered.
...….
Welt had been surprisingly skilled. Under the bright eyes of March 7th, Stelle, and Aleph, he opened the entrance.
Qingque stared with her mouth agape. Only one thought crossed her mind:
"Ugh… A foreigner is better than me, an employee of the Divination Commission, at opening the entrance?"
...….
"This is the pride of the Divination Commission: the Divination Matrix!" Qingque announced, expecting to see expressions of awe on the outsiders' faces, but was disappointed when all she saw were confused looks.
So she had to explain what the Divination Matrix and the Jade Abacuses were.
"Anyway, the name doesn't matter. As long as the machine works, what difference does it make whether it's called a computer or a jade abacus?"
Finally, they reached the large chamber where the interrogation was being prepared.
They were greeted by Fu Xuan, arms crossed and a stern gaze. She stood beside the Divination Matrix.
Next to her was a hologram of General Jing Yuan, who smiled upon seeing them arrive.
Qingque stepped in front, scratching her cheek with a finger.
"Grand Diviner, I brought the guests… even if you didn't ask for them."
Fu Xuan sighed, resting a hand on her forehead before turning to the hologram of Jing Yuan.
"How far is it acceptable to treat our guests like employees?"
Despite her slightly sharp tone, Jing Yuan didn't seem to take it too seriously.
"Well, since they're here, why not lend a helping hand?"
Fu Xuan's expression turned slightly bitter for a moment before returning to normal.
"Normally, accessing the Divination Matrix without my permission is a violation of protocol. But I suppose I can make an exception this time. Qingque may be unreliable, lazy, arrogant, a gambling addict, and possibly my worst employee…"
"There's no need to ruin my image like that!" Qingque shouted, shaking her hands in denial.
Fu Xuan completely ignored her.
"The point is that she can perform her duties when needed… and we're also a bit short-staffed. So, much as I dislike the idea, there's no alternative but to ask for your help once again. Would you be willing to accept my request?"
...
March 7th let out a sigh as she leaned against Aleph's shoulder.
"You know, I think I've seen our future. We're gonna be errand runners forever..."
Aleph patted her back in sympathy while looking at Fu Xuan.
"And the magic word?"
Fu Xuan looked puzzled, while Jing Yuan noticed something and his hologram shifted just out of the Diviner's line of sight.
"What? What magic word?"
"The universal one. 'Please.'"
The girl's face twisted like she'd just bitten into a lemon.
"... P-Please." She mumbled in a barely audible voice.
Aleph nodded, satisfied, while March 7th and Stelle gave her a thumbs-up. In the background, Jing Yuan could be heard failing to hold back his laughter as the group set off to carry out Fu Xuan's request.
...
Soon, everything was ready to activate the Divination Matrix.
"That's it?" March 7th asked, and Aleph had to agree with her.
It had been way too easy to set up something as complex as what Qingque had described. In fact, it was fair to say they'd spent more time walking back and forth than actually powering up the necessary matrices.
Qingque just shrugged.
"The more complex something is, the more important it is not to overcomplicate it. Right?"
...
They finally returned to Fu Xuan.
Seeing them back, she nodded in acknowledgment.
"Good work. Now it's time to interrogate Kafka. Those at the core of the terminal might feel a slight... impact. Are you ready?"
A small group of Cloud Knights approached with Kafka in handcuffs.
"Is this really necessary? I already told you I'd cooperate." Kafka said calmly.
Fu Xuan frowned.
"I don't trust the words of fugitive criminals—especially those who excel in manipulation. No matter what you say, I'm here to witness the divination of the Matrix of Prophecy myself." Her expression grew more serious as her gaze settled on Kafka. "The Divination Commission has many ways of extracting the truth—and they're far more effective than mere conversation."
Kafka let out a soft chuckle.
And Aleph couldn't help but wonder once again: Why are the most beautiful women always the weird or crazy ones...?
"Then, Great Diviner, bear witness to my fate."
...
Kafka stood at the center of the circle, looking relaxed—as if she were out for a stroll.
"Begin." Fu Xuan ordered.
The matrix activated, emitting a bluish-green glow that filled the surroundings.
For a moment, the energy seemed to scan Kafka, revealing her intentions. Fu Xuan watched closely, until suddenly, her eyes widened in surprise. She muttered under her breath,
"Was... that really all?"
Her gaze then shifted between Stelle and Aleph. First surprise for Stelle—then a mix of curiosity and a hint of fear toward Aleph. Without wasting a moment, she turned and said:
"I need to report this to General Jing Yuan."
Before leaving, she gave Stelle a final glance.
"You have permission to speak with Kafka alone. Ask her whatever you want—take all the time you need."
March 7th and Welt understood the hint and stepped away, giving them space. They knew Stelle had unresolved issues with Kafka.
Stelle didn't waste the chance and immediately stepped forward, dragging Aleph along. Though he complained, he didn't actually resist.
Kafka kept her smile as she looked at them both.
"My, what a familiar scene..." she murmured sweetly, sending a shiver down Aleph's spine. A sigh escaped her lips. "It's such a shame you have to see me like this... so pitiful."
Aleph raised an eyebrow.
What did he have to do with this...?
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Stelle asked, her voice full of concern.
Aleph couldn't help but stare at her in shock.
Kafka chuckled softly.
"So now you care about me? Well... there's no need. Xianzhou treats its prisoners with courtesy."
Stelle seemed to breathe a little easier.
Kafka looked at Stelle, then at Aleph.
"I was so surprised to see you with her on the Astral Express... I barely held myself back from talking to you. But it was worth it, wasn't it? We're finally alone. I know you both have questions for me, but I have one for you, too."
The atmosphere subtly shifted. Something in her tone, her words, made Aleph feel a strange sensation…
Something he couldn't quite understand.
"You've changed so much. It's good to see you safe and sound." Kafka said suddenly, turning her eyes toward Aleph with a melancholic smile. "Not even Elio could see what happened to you. One day, you just disappeared, and no matter where we searched, we couldn't find any trace of you."
Aleph's body tensed up.
His vision started to blur as an image formed in his mind.
Aha's laughter echoed in his head.
The image of two bodies appeared—both male.
A black-haired youth, missing limbs, covered in wounds, with broken glasses on his face. He didn't look older than 15.
It was him… more specifically, the appearance Aha had shown him when picking up his body—his form before waking up on Jarilo-VI.
A gray-haired boy. He wasn't wounded, but he seemed conscious. Aleph could feel his fear. He could empathize with that feeling—after all, he had stood before Aha too.
It was Caelus. From head to toe, identical to the boy he had met alongside Flynn.
Aha's laugh echoed again. The boy looked around in fear. Shadows seemed to surround and squeeze them together.
A scream escaped his mouth as the sound of crushing echoed.
Aleph began to feel nauseous.
Finally, the shadows engulfed them both. The screaming stopped.
Now, only one boy remained there—lying in the snow.
Aleph's eyelids trembled as the sound of something cracking echoed in his ears.
*********
Aleph remained silent.
Not out of indecision. Not out of doubt.
In his mind, the image he had just seen looped endlessly, filling him with nausea and self-loathing.
A thought crossed his mind.
Had he… s-stolen Caelus's body?
Aha's laughter echoed once more in his mind.
Lost in thought, he ignored Burroughs's notification.
[Path changed to Exultation.]
...
Stelle looked on, puzzled, and Kafka genuinely didn't seem to fully grasp what was happening either. That only made Stelle's concern grow.
"Aleph?" Stelle asked.
He didn't respond. He didn't even seem to hear her. Kafka tilted her head with a puzzled smile.
"Curious, isn't it?" Kafka finally said, turning her attention to Stelle, who already seemed to have reached her own conclusion. "Sometimes silence is the only way to shield yourself from words."
"Why are you really here, Kafka?" Stelle cut in, bluntly. Her tone was much drier now as her worried eyes stayed fixed on Aleph. "What did Elio tell you?"
Kafka let out a soft chuckle, as if the question tickled her soul.
"Ah, always so direct. I love that about you." she said, toying with the shackles still bound to her wrists. "Luofu wasn't a coincidence. It wasn't about Blade. It wasn't about me. It was about you all. Or rather… about you, Stelle."
Stelle frowned, doubtful.
"And what did Luofu have that any other place didn't?"
"Internal conflict. A fracture of ideals." Kafka answered, her tone lowering slightly, gaining an unexpected seriousness. "Elio foresaw that the power of the Hunt would be indispensable. And the Hunt… you needed to build a solid relationship with them. Earn their trust. Make them see you as an important ally—someone they would support. That's why… we had you come here. Dark times are coming, Stelle."
Kafka shrugged.
"Nothing brings people together quite like a shared catastrophe, right?"
Stelle said nothing, but her gaze hardened. Kafka turned her head toward Aleph—still absent—and then back to the girl.
"And you know?" she continued, now with a mischievous smile. "Fu Xuan was so startled when she saw Caelus… I don't know why she looked at him with such fear. Quite curious… Do you think your older brother has finally become dangerous enough for women? Reached a point where even someone like her feels fear?"
Stelle stared at Aleph intently. Were Kafka's words true? A wave of unease hit her. Was Aleph really her older brother? Why hadn't he said anything? But before she could speak, Kafka seized control of the conversation once again.
"Elio saw the future, Stelle. One where you'll have to face Nanook. And I don't mean a simple confrontation. I mean a war. A war of… cosmic proportions—of a scale neither you, nor I, nor the Stellaron Hunters, nor the Astral Express could even begin to comprehend."
The atmosphere grew heavier, as if the air itself felt the weight of her words.
"And in most of those futures." Kafka added, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Everything ends there. You all, us, even Equilibrium itself… it all collapses. But, if we follow Elio's plan… maybe—just maybe—there's a flicker of hope on the horizon."
Stelle didn't know what to say. Kafka, seeing her frozen, continued in a lighter tone, as if she were talking about fairy tales.
"Have I ever told you how Aeons die?"
"They die…?" Stelle repeated, confused. "Killing an Aeon is… part of your plan?"
"Oh no, no!" Kafka laughed. "Such a strong word—'plan.' I'm just sharing stories. Stories no one else would tell you. Look… Tayzzyronth, the Aeon of Propagation—hunted. Ena, Order—devoured and absorbed by Xipe, Harmony. Long, Permanence… forgotten. Idrila, Beauty… faded into silence. And Akivili…"
Her smile faded.
"Akivili, the Trailblazer. What happened to them? No one knows. Except Nous. And we both know how much Nous loves keeping secrets."
Kafka sighed theatrically.
"Three methods. Only three are known. One: path collision. Like Ena and Xipe. Two: direct war, where the weaker is annihilated. That's how Tayzzyronth fell. And three…"
She paused, raising an eyebrow.
"Do you really think I'd reveal the third that easily?"
Kafka laughed again, as if she had just told a joke only she could understand.
"What do you think, Stelle, Caelus? Fascinating, right? These are the kinds of stories that those who cling to the 'righteous paths' would never dare to tell you."
Before anyone could respond, an explosion shook the ground.
Several Nimbus Knights fell nearby, screaming before losing consciousness. In the distance, the Ambrosia Tree was beginning to bloom once more, reborn through the energy of the Stellaron.
Branches wrapped in dark green and golden energy rose into the air, saturating the area with a life force that seemed limitless.
Stelle swallowed hard. Kafka, unfazed, stretched her arms.
"And… that's my cue. Time to go."
Blade appeared like a shadow, slicing through Kafka's shackles with one swift motion. She looked at him with a lazy smile.
"Thanks, Bladie~."
He frowned, turning away with irritation. Kafka chuckled.
"Oh, so shy."
Stelle tried to stop her, but Blade stepped forward, lunging to intercept.
Stelle barely managed to raise her bat in time to block the incoming strike—but the blade never landed. A familiar figure had stepped in between.
"Aleph…?"
For a moment, everything stopped. Even Kafka looked genuinely surprised.
"What are you doing?" Blade asked.
Aleph's smile widened. His expression twisted into something… a little unsettling.
"Let the show begin…"
And then, as if someone had flipped a light switch, reality warped.
Lights, flashes, oversaturated colors. The world transformed into the set of a reality show—a twisted parody of entertainment. The ground glowed neon. Floating cameras hovered in the air like hungry eyes. Background music and canned laughter filled the scene in a distorted symphony.
Aleph and Blade began to fight. Smooth Criminal played in the background as Aleph moved in sync with the music, dancing flamboyantly, dodging with mocking grace, smiling and laughing like a jester. Blade, furious, couldn't touch him.
Something had awakened inside Aleph.
The Ambrosia Tree, reborn by the Stellaron, was pouring its life force into him.
Ahh… what a beautiful feeling.
He could feel the vitality bubbling through his veins.
Then, he opened the familiar App tab and bought something.
[Mantra System. Installing…]
Following that same thread—
Centaur and Preta were fused in the Cathedral of Shadows. Oni was born.
Aleph grinned. Time to make this game more fun, right? He couldn't let down his dear audience if things got boring. Tossing aside the white hat on his head, he activated one of the free abilities included with the Mantra System.
He fused with Oni through demonic Mantra.
Under the stunned eyes of Kafka, Stelle, and Blade, the new Aleph… was no longer quite human.
His body bulked up as two crimson horns sprouted from his head. The skin on his hands turned as red as blood. His fingernails blackened, sharpening into claw-like points.
Every strike he threw pushed Blade back with raw brutality.
Stelle stared in disbelief. Then, a familiar voice echoed in her mind—the same one she had heard on Jarilo-VI.
"Save your companion before his life force is completely drained. Otherwise, he will die."
Stelle trembled, tightening her grip on the bat in her hands.
Aleph was still smiling, the lights gleaming off his form.
The show… was just getting started.
**************************************************************************
The Night of the Living Jesters (Ultimate Skill from the Path of Exultation)
Effect:
Aleph enters a euphoric and frenzied state where his speed and reaction time increase dramatically.
Extras:
Counterattacks deal more damage than standard attacks.
His combat creativity skyrockets, producing chaotic yet oddly strategic thinking.
Limitations:
Aleph begins behaving like a jester or showman, treating battle like a "performance" or "game."
The Path of Exultation is temporarily locked after use.
Smirk System (Derivated by The Night of the Living Jesters, a second Aha's gift):
This new ability is based on the "Smirk" mechanic from Shin Megami Tensei IV. While Aleph is in Smirk State (which is only maintained as long as he doesn't attack—he loses it immediately after attacking), his defense, speed, and critical rate increase to an absurd degree.
Any negative status effect attempted on him while in Smirk will instead be converted into a temporary buff (and this effect is cumulative).
Aleph can only enter Smirk State by either:
Withstanding a critical hit without taking significant damage, or
Being attacked with an element he is immune to—or one he resists so heavily that the attack barely tickles him.
Mantra System: General Description
The Mantra System is a support mechanic that serves as an alternative or complement to the Burroughs-style app system, allowing Aleph to obtain and use demonic or racial abilities without needing to directly summon demons. Its functionality revolves around the use of App Points to unlock Mantras—specialized trees or nodes of power.
1. App Points
Aleph can use App Points to:
Unlock skills (Mantras) within the Mantra System.
Retain racial abilities from demons (without relying on fusion or direct summoning).
2. Types of Mantras
A. System Mantras (May Have Consequences)
These include skills, fusions, and special techniques that may come with side effects or drawbacks depending on the power's nature and how it is used.
Examples:
Chimera Mantra: Allows Aleph to fuse with more than one demon at once. Risky and can cause mental or physical side effects.
Parasitic Mantra: Grants a passive skill that reflects a small portion of received damage, but lowers elemental resistance.
Hellish Void Mantra: Boosts Dark and Fire-type magic damage at the cost of constant HP drain.
Symbiosis Mantra: Allows Aleph to use a demon's ultimate skill once per day, but reduces all his stats by 10% for a short time afterward.
B. Demonic Mantra (No Direct Consequences)
This type of Mantra allows Aleph to partially fuse with a contracted demon, manifesting part of its power and physical traits.
There are no negative side effects as long as compatibility and trust are high.
Aleph retains his personality, though he may experience subtle influences from the demon (e.g., a deeper voice, brief emotional shifts, etc.).
Example with Belial:
Instead of summoning Belial directly due to his problematic personality, Aleph can use Sodom's Fire (Belial's racial ability) through the Demonic Mantra.
3. Conditions and Rules
Can only be used with demons under contract.
Basic demonic fusion lasts 3 to 5 minutes, though this can be extended depending on the bond and compatibility with the demon.
High-level or difficult-natured demons may cause buffs or debuffs post-fusion, depending on their emotional or ideological connection to Aleph.
Fusion with multiple demons at once is only possible with Chimera Mantra (which has consequences).
Aleph may choose to permanently retain a demon's racial skill by purchasing it with App Points, bypassing the need for fusion.