Despite the existence of automobiles and the like, horse carriages were still a prominent method of travel within the world.

While some areas had focused solely on the advancement that had been made for the means of travel, there had been some areas that preferred a much more old-fashioned means of moving from one place to another.

One of these places just so happened to be the Babylon District of Mazokuni.

Not just in its method of travel, but a large amount of the Babylon District had focused more on older traditions of performing tasks rather than advancing towards more recent options.

To some this had seemed like a burden while staying there, as it meant things wouldn't exactly be easy for them.

But for others this was a large benefit. There were those who preferred to have the same type of feel to life that their ancestors had many centuries ago.

This benefit however, also worked quite well for a certain group who were now on the move.

Nero: [This carriage will luckily take us from the Babylon District to the Dodomeki District. From there, we should have a good amount of our distance needed to travel covered. With that said, there's still a large portion to go, but we can at least reduce our amount by traveling like this.]

Shiro: [I kinda wish the ride wasn't so bumpy, but I guess the sooner we get there, the better. I'll just put up with it for now.]

Nero: [If it's alright with everyone, I'd like to sort out two things while we're here, since we will most likely have a hard time doing so while we're on the move. Firstly, let's double check to make sure we have everything we need for this trip.]

Kōkatsu: [Yep! Got all I needed from the shops in town before we left! Some sake from the Mina Shop, more sake from the Ilia Shop–]

Silvia: [Did you only bring ssssake with you…?]

Kōkatsu was now staring at Silvia with a displeased look on her face.

Kōkatsu: [...Just for that, yer not gettin' the Tama Shop sake. That's the best one, too. But 's not like I really needed to pack much anyways. Shiro, Nero and ya all got the essentials so all I needed to bring was my swords, my pipe, and some good booze.]

Shiro: [I went shopping a few times to get some canned food. My overall stock on water is really good so we're fine on that front. Clothing wise, I personally brought the right amount for a trip like this without packing too much.]

Silvia: [The ssssame goessss for me. Although in regardssss to clothing, I merely need only my coat.]

Nero: [I would say that we're better than good on what we need. I also made sure to bring a few tools to help out, like a compass, some maps, some tents, and some laterns. Now then, let's move on to our second part and focus on the order in which we shall do our tasks.]

Kōkatsu: [If that’s what we're focusin’ on now, let’s save Shiro’s for last.]

Shiro: [Kō…]

Kōkatsu: [Daroma is gonna be quite the bastard to handle. As much as it would be great to get that one done and move on to easier tasks, I think savin’ our energy till the end might be our best option.]

Nero: [I must agree. There’s also the fact that succeeding with the others duties at hand will give us a much needed boost of morale.]

Shiro: [I guess that’s true. Alright, then I’ll go last for mine.]

Nero: [Great! So if Shiro is the last one on our list, then we must decide our order for the other three tasks. Before we left, I wrote down a list that I believe would work out best, along with reasons for each.]

Kōkatsu: [Alright, lay it on us.]

Nero: [Firstly, we have Kōkatsu’s. So long as we know the village we are headed to, I believe it will be rather easy. It only involves searching the area, and reporting on what is found. The only difficult section to this is finding the area since the directions are unknown. They’ve only listed that it is somewhere relatively close to our next task on the list.]

Kōkatsu: [Ya all hear that? I got the easiest one! Yahahahaha!]

Shiro: [I think she ignored the difficult part…]

Silvia: [I believe sssshe did. Continuing forward, what issss nexsssst, Nero?]

Nero: [Our next task is my own. While it may prove to be a challenge, I would argue our next two after would require a lot more out of us than mine or Kōkatsu’s. Thus, I put mine next, and after investigating the village, we can then move towards Yoro of the Sands.]

Kōkatsu: [Fair enough. That means the next one is…]

Nero: [Silvia’s. Hers is rather tricky, as this gem we’re looking for is unknown in location. It would require an extensive amount of searching, and I think it would be best that we aren’t looking around for such a thing while injured from a fight with a powerful king.]

Silvia: [That king of coursssse being…]

Nero: [Yes. Daroma. Shiro’s task, as well as our final one to handle. We’ve gone over that one already, so there’s no need to repeat ourselves, but it should be clear now why this may work best.]

Kōkatsu: [I’m all for it. If it gets things done easier, then ‘s fine by me.]

Silvia: [I too am okay with thissss.]

Nero: [And you, Shiro?]

Shiro: [It’s tough to take in everything we’ll need to accomplish, but yeah, I’m alright with this order.]

Nero: [Alright, then from here on out, unless something goes wrong, this will be the order in which we handle the tasks. Kōkatsu’s, mine, Silvia’s, and then Shiro’s.]

The team had finally decided the ways in which they would handle the tasks they were given.

The fourth trial has only just begun.

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The time had gone from morning to noon since the quartet of friends had traveled from the Babylon District to the Dodomeki Distract.

Due to the fact that they still had time left to travel before the sun had set, the group continued to move towards their destination while they still could.

Silvia: [I’ve read a lot about the Dodomeki Disssstract. According to what wassss documented, the town issss rather peacsssseful, but on the outsssskirtssss, there are often troublessssome figuressss around.]

Kōkatsu: [‘S fine. We’ll just beat up anybody who tries to confront us.]

Shiro: [I feel there are certain people who we should NOT do that to.]

Kōkatsu: [Look, maybe we’ll get lucky, and we can get all we need in terms of info out of ‘em.]

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As Kōkatsu had said this, the group noticed a pair of suspicious figures walking towards them.

Kōkatsu: [See? They’re comin’ to us for free!]

Thug A: [Well, well, well. Look what we have here? Three fine ladies to enjoy ourselves with for the night.]

Thug B: [And enjoy ourselves we will. Look, that one’s got a huge rack!]

The second thug then pointed towards Kōkatsu’s chest, before Nero stepped in the middle of the two shortly after.

Nero: [I’m sorry gentlemen, but we have somewhere we must be. If you do not mind, would you perhaps know of any broken down villages nearby?]

Thug A: [Huh? Who the fuck are you? Get out of the way jackass.]

Thug B: [Move it bub!]

Nero: [I do not wish to fight, so please do not engage in such a manner. I only wish to know where we must go and we will be out of your hair. If you do not know of any broken down villages, that is fine as well. I would just like to know.]

A small amount of matōki was now visible around Nero. Though he did not wish to fight, it was clear that if there were no options left, he may be forced to do so.

In that moment however, an idea sparked inside Kōkatsu’s head.

Kōkatsu: [Hey…wait a minute…I got somethin’ in mind. Hey, pssst, Silvia.]

Silvia: [Hm?]

Kōkatsu then whispered something into Silvia’s ear, which could not be heard by Shiro, nor the three men in front of them.

Silvia: [Are you ssssure?]

Kōkatsu: [It’ll be fine. Trust me. Plus, it’ll make things easier.]

Silvia: [Very well then.]

Silvia quietly slithered towards Nero. Once she was a few inches away, she quickly pinched him on his back.

Nero: [Gah!]

Thugs: [EEEEE!]

In an instant the small amount of matōki that was surrounding Nero’s body had grown into a massive amount, before reducing itself back down to its previous state shortly after.

Shiro: [Huh?!]

Kōkatsu: [Oi, oi, oi! I knew it was a lot, but what the fuck was that?!]

Nero turned around to face Silvia.

Nero: [Are you alright? Perhaps I should have let one of you speak, seeing as they were saying some rather awful things. I apologize.]

Silvia: [That’ssss….quite alright. I don’t particularly need anything.]

Nero: [Ah, I see. Alright then, well I apologize gentlemen but I–oh?]

Nero turned back to see the thugs completely on the ground with the hands spread out towards him, in a surrendered state.

Thugs: [WE’RE SORRY! WE WON’T DO THAT AGAIN, WE SWEAR!]

Nero: [I–well…no I’m the one who should–Kōkatsu?]

Kōkatsu: [Ya really scared me there as well. The fact that I felt some of that pressure must mean these guys were shittin’ themselves. Regardless though, we got what we needed. They’ll answer anything now.]

Kōkatsu began to pull out one of her swords.

Shiro: [Please don’t kill them.]

Kōkatsu: [Don’t plan on doin’ so. Might give them an injury or two dependin’ on what they say, but I’m not killin’ ‘em. Now, gentlemen…]

Thugs: [YES!]

Kōkatsu: [Broken down villages. Know about any to the west of here?]

Thug A: [There are a few…but we haven’t exactly searched them a lot. Nobody really goes to them at all….]

Kōkatsu: [I see. Any of ‘em near Yoro?]

Thug A: [By Yoro…]

Thug B: [...Do you mean the Demon Lord of the Sand, Yoro–EEEEEE!]

A cold blade was mere inches away from the chins of the thugs.

Kōkatsu: [Who the fuck else do ya think I mean?]

Thug A: [TH–THERE ARE A FEW NEAR HER!]

Kōkatsu: [Good to know, good to–wait, hold the fuck up. Her?]

Thug B: [You…said Yoro of the Sands, righ-EEEEEEEE!]

The blade had closed the distance between the chins of the thugs.

Kōkatsu: [Yeah. I did. Yoro is a she?]

Thug A: [YES! YORO IS THE FEMALE DEMON LORD OF THE SANDS, MA’AM!]

Kōkatsu: [Hmmmmm, I see. Doesn’t really change much, but it is interestin’ nonetheless. Alright, final question. Know about any lost gems?]

Thug A: [Lost gems…?]

Kōkatsu: [Nero, the fuck is it called again?]

Nero: [The Loucura Diamond.]

Kōkatsu: [Yeah. That. Know about that at all?]

Thug B: [N-no ma’am! We’ve never heard of such a gem!]

Kōkatsu: [Ya ain’t lyin’, are ya?]

Thugs: [NO MA’AM! WE SWEAR!]

Kōkatsu: [Haaaah. Guess I shoulda figured that one would be a hard one to solve. Alright, I’ll let ya two go for now. But I hear anythin’ ‘bout yer antics again, I’m cuttin’ ‘em off.]

Thug A: [Them?]

Kōkatsu: [Ya know damn well what I’m referrin’ to.]

Thugs: [EEEEEEEEE!]

The thugs then quickly ran away in the opposite direction of Kōkatsu.

Kōkatsu: [We got what we needed, so let’s keep movin’ then…Oi, what’s with the look on yer face, Nero?]

Kōkatsu turned to Nero to see a slightly nervous expression being displayed.

Nero: [I’d rather not fight with others, but should I do so, I would prefer that it is someone who is male. Knowing what we know now…I’m not sure what I’ll be able to do once we reach my task.]

Kōkatsu: [Chill. It’ll be easy. Plus, they never specified who had to do it really. If ya want, me or one of the other two can kick her ass.]

Nero: [I feel since it is my task, I must be able to conquer it myself. I’ll find a way, I promise.]

Kōkatsu: [Alright. Suit yerself. Regardless, let’s keep movin’ while the sun is still up.]

The group continued to move forward with their journey, now with newly learned info on where they must go.

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Dusk had finally arrived, and the group had set up a campfire on the way to their destination.

Kōkatsu and Silvia were fast asleep in their tents, along with Nero reading in his own tent.

Shiro had been the only person who was outside of a tent. She was sitting by the campfire, taking in the night sky.

Shiro: [It’s rare that I really see the sky like this…Usually it’s only when I’m in my room….]

She continued to look at the stars that had decorated the vast heavens above her.

Shiro: [It really is pretty….]

Nero: [Indeed. I find myself captivated by it quite often.]

Shiro: [Oh! Nero.]

Shiro looked down to see Nero, who was now sitting on the opposite side of the campfire, staring up at the sky with her.

Shiro: [You nervous about what you have to do now?]

Nero: [...I can’t really say that I’m not. It’s quite the task as is, but I’m a rather gentle soul. I prefer peace over violence, and this is especially true towards many groups. One of which of course…]

Shiro: [....Yoro falls into. Being female and all. I get you.]

Nero: [It’s a rather hard pill to swallow. I’d much rather be kind than use any force towards her. But this is Yoro of the Sands. She is not someone who will be swayed so easily from what I have heard.]

Shiro: [We’re both kinda in a weird boat here. My task is gonna be a real pain to deal with, and yours is…well…the short end of the stick really. If it was one of us, it would likely be a lot easier, and we could still help at that, but I’m sure you and I are the same on that front. We would want to take these things on ourselves.]

Nero: [I was unaware you felt a similar feeling regarding your task.]

Shiro: [It’ll be hard, and I definitely will need some sort of help, but overall I want to be the one to deal with it.]

Nero: [Hm. I suppose we are the same there.]

The two continued to stare at the sky before it was interrupted by a question from Shiro.

Shiro: [If you don’t mind me asking, why do you want to become a god?]

Nero: [There’s a lot of violence and discrimination within the world. I’d like to try and bring peace from my position onto it. I’m quite familiar with both fields sadly, so I know what it’s like for those in pain. But that is exactly why I desire the power needed to bring peace. I will not use it for violence, nor intimidate others, but I will try to find a way of bringing peace for all.]

Shiro: [That’s a good reason, I’d say. A hell of a lot better than mine.]

Nero: [Why? What is yours?]

Shiro: [It’s two things really. I’d like to build a family-like crew to have as my own, and also my main one, which is to be the strongest, for the same reason as you said. Albeit, I’m a bit cruel. Violence is something I would rather not resort to, but if worse comes to worse, I’ll deal with it how I must.]

Nero: [I do not believe that is a bad reason either.]

Shiro: [Really?]

Nero: [Everyone will have their own beliefs. They will have some place in which their mindset comes from. Therefore finding a peaceful middle ground between one and many is what should be strived for. Though violence is not a pleasant option, if it is with the mindset that it is to defend others, I don’t believe that is incorrect either.]

Shiro: [Huh. I guess I never really thought about it that way.]

Shiro smiled at Nero.

Shiro: [You’re pretty nice, Nero.]

Nero: [I greatly appreciate your compliment. My mother had always made sure I was kind to others.]

Shiro: [Maybe I should thank her as well.]

Nero: [...]

Shiro: [Shit! Sorry! I did this shit again with the whole family thing! I’m terrible at this!]

Nero: [It’s quite alright. It was many years ago at this point. Though it haunts me, I’ve accepted what has happened.]

Shiro: [Is there any place that you and your sister have been staying? Like before you entered the school?]

Nero: [Shortly after what had occurred, we traveled to find somewhere to stay. It had been rough for quite some time. Eventually, according to my sister, I passed out from exhaustion while traveling. My sister had screamed for help while attempting to carry my unconscious body. A female martial artist had appeared, and from there, me and my sister were raised, and have been living with her.]

Shiro: [I see. I assume she helped support you and your sister with joining the school?]

Nero: [Yes. Much like how my mother had viewed us being gifts brought into the world, my mentor had told me that to achieve such a goal would allow my dream to be one step closer. From there, she helped us with what we needed, and thus I am here.]

Shiro: [Heh. Come to think of it, we’re more and more similar now that I think about it. We have martial artists taking care of us, our dreams are similar…]

Nero: [Even our names are rather similar.]

Shiro: [Hm? What do you mean?]

Nero: [Well, my name, Nero, translates to Black. Your name translates to White, correct?]

Shiro: [Yeah, it does. I wasn’t even aware your name was similar.]

Nero: [Hehe. Well, I suppose not every language will be known from one person to another.]

Shiro: [Yeah, that’s true. Man, we sure do have a lot that’s similar.]

Nero: [It is indeed interesting…]

The two then looked back up at the sky to gaze upon it once more.

Nero: [Well, as much as this view is nice, I believe you should get some rest.]

Shiro: [What about you?]

Nero: [You need not worry about me. I shall keep a watch over things.]

Shiro: [You sure?]

Nero: [I am positive. Now please, go on and get some rest.]

Shiro: [Alright. I was getting kinda tired anyways. You better stay safe while on guard patrol, Nero.]

Nero: [Your words have only strengthened my resolve!]

Shiro: [That’s the spirit! Goodnight!]

Nero: [Goodnight!]

With that, Shiro went into her tent to rest, while Nero guarded the area.

Much like before, he had still stared up towards the stars that adorned the night.

Nero: [I’m rather happy with my friends, Mother. I hope you are happy as well, up there.]

The boy continued to stare at the sky, speaking to an individual who had long since been gone.

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