I.

THE UNION GATES BECAME busier now that the United Alliance – Aria Division was directly working with the Chasers.

With the identity of Daisuke as the Avatar of Ariyani has been confirmed, and the fact that the Dragon Raiders were indeed still somewhere in Aria, a significant portion of the Aria Division’s Army, Navy, and Aviation units were to be dispatched to hunt them down.

Rear Admiral Bolton of the United Alliance Navy and Major Garuda of the United Alliance Aviation was tasked to lead an attack on the Snow Cape Peninsula where the Dragon Raiders were hiding.

Several naval ships and airships will be deployed, including one of the famed airships of the United Alliance, the UAS Dawnripper.

Even though the United Alliance's airships were inferior in terms of speed against the Supreme Council’s more advanced ones and to the magic-imbued airships of the Drasgard Kingdom, the airships of the United Alliance were loaded with various artillery, missiles, machine guns, and could even carry small interceptors like the gyrocrafts.

Bolton and Garuda, both with confused expressions on their faces and mouths wide open, were staring at the airship as it was being prepared for departure.

“D-Don’t you think this is a bit too much?” Bolton scratched his head.

“Without a doubt,” Garuda totally agreed. “He’s even deploying several naval ships to accompany UAS Oceanstriker. Does Dragon Raiders even have a large fleet?”

“The last time we faced them a few months ago, they only have four ships intended for expeditions, not for naval warfare. I wonder what Garou was thinking, spending this much resource.”

Arms went over their shoulder. “Is it just me, or you two are talking about me behind my back?”

Bolton and Garuda flinched.

“No. No, no, no! Not at all! Hmm-Mmm” Bolton denied, shaking his head furiously.

“Yeah. What he said.” Garuda said, undecided whether to nod or shake his.

Garou sighed. “Anyway, Raya reached me. She told me that the contact of her associate failed to capture the avatar back at the Elysian Republic.”

Bolton raised his eyebrows. “Hmmm. Does that mean that the avatar is no longer there?”

“We don't know. Anyway, the plan will still carry on. But we got time. Make sure everything is in order before you two depart. I want everything to be perfect. Raya and two other Chasers will arrive in two days. They’re still in Prologia Island as we speak.”

“Um, Garou. Do we really need to bring Dawnripper? I think Bolton's Oceanstriker and the several Destroyers and Cruisers are already enough,” Garuda reckoned.

“We’re not taking chances. Nuh-Uh. We’re not letting the Dragon Raiders escape again. So you two go prepare as well,” Garou responded before leaving the two.

* * * * *

In Prologia Island, the headquarters of the Chasers.

“My apologies, Raya,” said Bivon, the Chasers Program’s current Rank 2.

“Don’t sweat it. At least we know that the avatar is still here in Aria. We still have plenty of chance to catch him.”

“Please. Let me join the team.”

“There’s no need for you to come along, Bivon. I have Lova and Rainart with me. Continue training the new recruits with Luna instead.”

“How about the elf? Shouldn’t he be the one to catch the avatar?”

“Jack has been out of reach for some time now,” said Luna, the Rank 3 of the Chasers, as she watched Raya pack her stuff.

“How about Melody? Isn’t she the one who volunteered to assist Jack?”

“Don’t. Even. Get me. Started with her. I would prefer that she’s not here,” said Raya, her nostrils flaring.

The two other Chasers then appeared outside the room of Raya, looking for her.

Rainart knocked on the open door. “Raya?”

“Rainart, Lova. Are you two done packing?” asked Raya, pausing for a moment as she turned around to see the two Chasers.

The man named Rainart and the woman named Lova had one large suitcase each. On the other hand, Raya was stuffing her fourth suitcase, and an empty fifth one was next in line. A mountain of clothes and other stuff is on Raya's bed, waiting to be cramped inside the suitcase.

“Uhh, Raya, what are you bringing with you to the Union Gates?” asked Rainart.

Raya scoffed. “My stuff, of course. Why’d you ask?”

Rainart and Lova looked at Luna and Bivon. The latter two just shrugged.

Lova smiled awkwardly. “Do you require assistance?”

“Why thank you, Lova!” said Raya, emphasizing her gratitude as she gazed toward Luna and Bivon, then back at Rainart and Lova. “Unlike you two, the two people inside here are just watching me for the last two hours and wouldn't lend a hand.”

Rainart went over as well to fix up Raya’s luggage. “Yeah, I wonder why is that.”

* * * * *

In the cold seas of the southern hemisphere, the Skidbladnir, the ship of Frey, was peacefully cruising under a summer sky. Using Summer Magic, Frey made a dome where it was always “sunny” and the water was “warm and calm” which followed their ship as it sailed.

“Lord Frey,” said a Ljosalfar, a light elf. “Should we not make haste? Perhaps flying would be faster?”

Frey was lying on a piece of wooden furniture, wearing only a comfortable tropical-printed trunk and circular-framed, black sunglasses. He was sipping a cocktail poured inside a coconut shell. “What’s the hurry? We’ll get there when we get there. Besides, the aevi are peacefully swimming up above. We don't want any attention. And also, the sky is Zeus's domain. Would be safer if we go airborne later.”

“How about the Summer Magic, Lord Frey? Are you not concerned that he may feel our presence? The Sun is his domain, right?”

“You worry too much, Elzea! The current Ra is not selfish. He would not mind sharing the sun's blessing.”

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“But my Lord, are you not concerned that Lord Odin is watching us right now?”

Frey finished his cocktail and asked for more. Another light elf took the coconut shell and brought a new one. “Oh, I’m pretty sure that he’s watching someone else, or something else right now. Now, relax. Bathe under the sunlight. That’s an order.”

The light elf reluctantly agreed.

Behind the elf, several others were watching him converse with Frey. As the light elf walked away from Frey, he gave two thumbs up to the spectating elves and they all silently cheered.

Frey smiled as he sipped his cocktail.

* * * * *

II.

IN AETERNAS KINGDOM, the Supreme Council’s new recruits were still busy with their training. It’s just been a few days and the new recruits have already shown remarkable progress.

Hugo, now the third seat occupant, gave the new recruits more advanced bows and arrows, and other gear as well. Alloy showed a remarkable use of Explosion and Barrier Magic together with her marksmanship that Merlin accepted her into his academy.

Cobalt and Silver focused more on fighting one Guardian. In just a few days, they were already able to deal small damages to it. The two of them were getting used to the weight of their iron lizard form and they could already move faster.

“Those two are more resilient than I expected,” Ra commented as he watched the two fight a guardian.

“I’m glad you think so,” Melody responded. “By the way, here’s my recommendation for the tenth seat,” she handed over a piece of paper.

Ra gladly accepted and read the name on the paper. “Selena Ramirez. Hmmm. I was expecting that you’ll nominate one from your team.”

“If I did, then I could no longer work with them. Besides, they’d rather be a member than occupy a seat.”

“Is that so? Well, can you tell me more about this Ramirez?”

“She’s an orphan, originally from Queltala. As of today, she’s working as a hitman for the Lumbard family mafia in Elysian Republic. She excels not only in the assassination but also in espionage and sabotage. She’s not a Karma user, nor a magic user, but her use of advanced mana control is impeccable. Her weapon of choice is a pair of karambit, just like most Lumbard family hitmen.”

“Don Luca has an eye for associates. And where is she now?”

“I believe she is on her way to Gloriosa. She was hired to assassinate the division commander of United Alliance – Aria Division, Garou Lamérouge.”

“W-What?!” Ra asked in disbelief.

“What what?”

“You’re telling me that someone ordered a hit on one of U.A.’s high-ranking officials. And Garou Lamérouge for that matter. The man that was dubbed the Blood-Drenched Blades. How did you even know about this woman? ”

“Maybe she’ll succeed in assassinating Garou, maybe she’ll fail. Either way, U.A. will blame H.H. and that would give them a reason to finally end their conflict once and for all. If we managed to get her here though, then she will certainly choose to occupy a seat than assassinate Garou. You guys pay better after all. Anyway, since I am in the ninth seat now, I believe I earned a raise?”

Ra breathed deeply. “W-Wait, a rai—”

“Right, I have to go now. My team and I will leave tomorrow very early. We already know where Nobunaga is hiding.”

“Umm. Melody, wait for a—”

Melody created a wing using her mana and abruptly left Ra.

Ra stared at her speechless. “What just happened?”

“Trust me, she’s just trying to get under your skin,” a woman made a soft chuckle.

Ra looked behind and saw a familiar face. “Arania! When did you return?”

“A few hours ago. Merlin fetched me with his portal thingy,” said Arania, the now-sixth-seat occupant. Arania has a curvaceous body, stands at almost six feet tall—just a few inches taller than Ra, and was wearing her signature red dress with a spider web design.

“Oh, wow. He always complains about us asking him to use his "portal thingy"—”

Arania softly chuckled.

“—but when it comes to you, he’ll gladly use it in a heartbeat.”

“Hey! I heard that!” said Merlin, joining the conversation.

“Oh yeah! Well good for you!” Ra replied laughingly.

“Come on guys, my stomach will hurt if I laugh too much,” said Arania, rubbing her abdomen.

“Anyway, here's my recommendation for the tenth seat,” Merlin handed a piece of paper to Ra.

“Lanaya Yue. the Queen of Arcanas Kingdom. Are you sure about this, Merlin?”

“She was my best pupil and a talented one. A prodigy. Her abilities will be wasted if she just stayed on Arcanas doing some royalty stuff.”

“Can mine wait?” asked Arania. “I'm not yet sure whom to nominate.”

“Sure thing. Anyway...what do you mean she’s just trying to get under my skin? Melody, I mean.”

Arania chuckled. “I heard from Gallant that you accepted a challenge from her. Ra, Melody may be strong, too strong even for her own good, but you should have known better that you are now the Ra and she's just a kid. With the Hierotech you possess and the exemplary knowledge you have about it thanks to the previous holders of the name 'Ra', I don’t think that anyone really stands a chance against you.”

“Does that include Zeus and Odin?”

“Oh, don’t push your luck there, kid,” Merlin scoffed. “Sure, Zeus does nothing but run after women. And Odin is nothing but a nerd who travels around the world to seek the "truth" in Laniagaea’s history. But when those two get serious, they’ll prove to be a worthy opponent. After all, they and your immediate predecessor were called "the Big Three" or something. Good luck living up to the expectation.”

“Wow. Thanks for the pep talk, guys,” said Ra sarcastically.

Arania smiled. “You worry too much, Ra. You know we have faith in you, right? I mean, he personally chose you to be the first seat.”

Ra sighed. “One of these days, I’ll send my resignation to the 'zeroth seat' as you guys call it. I mean, it doesn't even make sense. Zeroth seat?”

“And no matter what your decisions are, I’ll be supporting you,” said Arania smilingly.

* * * * *

The day before the infiltration.

Don Luca went out of his study after hearing the commotion inside his mansion. He was on the second floor’s deck when he saw his son, Luciano, pinning down Geode, who has covered himself with earth.

He watched as Graphael and Lira, both using their abilities, tried their best to stop Luciano from hurting Geode. However, Luciano proved to be too much even for the two executives.

Greta and Ventori, as well as Riku, Robin, Raijin, and Brunnhilde, were unable to do anything but watch as Luciano slowly close into Geode.

Luciano easily ripped through Geode’s earthen barrier and took him out like a seed in a fruit. Luciano released an ability-infused punch, thrice of his raw strength, when Don Luca appeared and caught his son’s fist without any effort.

“Anyone cares to explain why my mansion’s all thrashed?”

Luciano stood down, canceling his ability.

“We have a situation, Don Luca,” said Luciano. “It appears that we have found two moles. And inside the mansion on top of it.”

Greta and Ventori quickly ran toward Geode and assisted him. Brunnhilde went with them and healed Geode, closing all of his wounds and repairing the broken bones.

“Clara, your maid, has runic symbols on her back that my people use to see and hear what the slaves were seeing and hearing,” explained Brunnhilde after she healed Geode. “It’s not farfetched that the Auroses were using her without her knowledge. It consumes little mana, practically undetectable to those without affinity to runic magic.”

“Clara…she’s the slave that crossed the border from Gorgonzonia, correct? The one that Geode helped,” asked Don Luca.

Luciano nodded.

“Don Luca! P-Please! With all due respect, I can personally vouch for Geode’s loyalty! He may have come from Auros Famiglia, but he has proven his loyalty to you time and time again,” proclaimed Lira as she attempted to save Geode.

“This could be all an act! To gain our trust!” Luciano argued. “His cousins are Zeb’s underlings. Who’s to say that he’s not really working for them after all this time?!”

“Don Luca, I agree with Lira,” said Graphael. “I also had my doubts about Geode at first, but he has been a great agent to the Lumbard Famiglia. I doubt that he knew anything about the maid. As Brunnhilde said, anyone not familiar with runic magic could have easily missed it.”

Geode was still wobbly. Still, he stood straight and faced Don Luca. “I swear on my life that I have not been a spy against the Lumbard Famiglia nor am I betraying you, Don Luca.”

Don Luca faced Lira again. “Wasn’t the maid present yesterday when I asked the avatar and his friends for a favor?”

“Don Luca, they are onto us,” said Lira. “They know that the avatar and his friends are going there tomorrow. We will be sending them to their demise…”

“I managed to do something on the runic symbol, but it required too much mana and stamina. At the same time when we were at the library to study their territory, I countered the runic magic on Clara, allowing me to see and hear whoever had the receiver of the runic symbol,” revealed Brunnhilde.

“And what did you get from that, if I may ask?” asked Don Luca.

“Don Luca, the Auroses, and another family called the Giovannis, were having lunch in the Auroses’ place, and they will be teaming up to attack you and your family.”

Don Luca grunted. “Well, this changes everything. Regardless if we save Lars with our men or not, the Auroses seem to be after us.”

“But what if it doesn’t change anything?” said Robin. “Sure, they already know the plan, but they don’t know that we know about theirs. They are expecting seven outsiders to enter their territory, who will use a specific path to avoid their men, but we can still catch them by surprise.”

“Besides, healing this Lars doesn’t make sense. Unless of course, Lars has to be in top shape for some reason and be in the Auroses’ territory at the same time,” Brunnhilde deduced.

“There’s something you’re not telling us, Don Luca,” added Robin.

Don Luca guffawed. “Call it women’s intuition or the two of you are really just insightful. Indeed, this is not a simple search and rescue operation.” Don Luca then faced Lars’s team member. “Very well, prove yourself once again, Geode. You four will finish the mission together with the avatar and his friends.”