Tap-tap-tap-tap—
In the stillness surrounding the spring, deep within the shadowed forest, a sudden rush of chaotic footsteps shattered the quiet world shared by only two people.
From both sides of the trees, black-armored soldiers emerged without warning, rifles of heavy military make leveled directly at the silver-haired girl bound in Rikujōkōrō.
"Tch—?!"
Her face paled.
Ratatatatatatatatatatata—!
Without a shred of hesitation, the soldiers pulled their triggers. There was no mercy for beauty, no distraction at her goddess-like form laid bare—only the roaring blaze of their guns as a storm of bullets poured toward her, an unrelenting hail meant to rip her apart.
The gunfire tore across the spring, ripped the silence to pieces, and screamed through the air with a metallic shriek. Trees along the line of fire splintered, shards of wood raining down like a storm.
Such a volley could turn any living thing into a sieve in an instant—and for a girl immobilized in place, it was nothing short of lethal.
"Bakudō #39: Enkōsen."
Just as she thought she was finished, Kaiser's voice rang out, chanting kidō.
A round spirit shield shimmered into existence before her, intercepting every bullet.
The downpour of lead clanged and sparked against its surface, bursts of fire streaking across the barrier—but not a single shot broke through to touch the silver-haired girl.
Ratatatatatatata—!
The soldiers, as though only just registering Kaiser's presence—or perhaps simply recognizing him as an obstacle—swung their muzzles toward him and opened fire in a relentless barrage.
Kaiser didn't even flinch. Several silver short blades slipped from his side, orbiting in front of him like a whirling wheel.
The bullets never reached him. Each one struck an unseen wall, stopped cold. The space around the blades had been severed, creating an absolute barrier no material could cross.
The Type-100 Heavy Anti-Demon Blade and the Type-6 Anti-Demon Bow shared a unique ability: severing the link between matter and space, creating a dimensional rift. Anything unable to cross that rift could not touch what lay beyond.
Within that severed space, Kaiser was untouchable.
The soldiers seemed to realize this and began to reposition. Despite their heavy armor, they moved with unsettling agility, circling to flank both Kaiser and the girl, preparing to strike from the side.
They never got the chance.
Shhk-shhk-shhk-shhk—!
Silver light burst forth as the blades streaked through the air, faster than bullets, cutting them off in an instant.
Skkrt! Skkrt! Skkrt! Skkrt! Skkrt!
One after another, the armored figures were sliced apart. Their bodies split cleanly, toppling in pieces—yet not a drop of blood spilled.
Instead of flesh, a scatter of metal parts clattered to the ground.
"Watch out!"
The girl finally snapped out of her shock, calling to him.
"They're Magus Craft combat automatons, not living beings! As long as their cores are intact, they'll keep moving!"
As if to prove her right, several mangled units—missing limbs or weapons—still lunged at Kaiser, some firing their guns, others drawing blades for close combat.
Kaiser wasn't surprised. He could feel no spiritual or magical signature from them, no breath of life—just as in the original events he knew so well.
By the time she finished speaking, he was already moving.
"Hadō #58: Tenran."
A spiraling tornado roared from his outstretched hand, tearing across the spring in a wave of raw force. Rock, tree, and water alike were ripped apart, scattered like dust before a storm.
The automatons fared no better. Whole or crippled, every one of them was swept up into the maelstrom.
Shhk-shhk-shhk—!
The silver blades followed, streaking into the airborne targets, slicing, crushing, and grinding them into fragments.
Within moments, nothing remained but piles of metal debris, flung far into the distance amid soil, stone, and shattered wood.
When the wind finally died, the area was unrecognizable—a scarred wasteland where the spring had once been tranquil.
"…Incredible sorcery!" the girl breathed, awe flashing in her ice-blue eyes.
"Your gun's not bad either," Kaiser replied, his voice reaching her again. "Though I was the one you were aiming at."
She turned her gaze toward him as he approached.
Snap!
With a wave of his hand, the beams of Rikujōkōrō shattered, dissolving into motes of light.
"…Thank you."
Now free, she offered him a word of gratitude.
Kaiser, however, openly let his gaze sweep over her, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"I should be the one thanking you. Who'd have thought I'd find a naked beauty in the middle of a deserted island? Truly generous of you—my eyes are grateful."
A chill prickled her skin as she remembered her current state.
"… …"
No screaming. No fluster. Only a quiet lift of her arm to cover herself.
"Excuse me for a moment," she said calmly, before turning and slipping into the trees. Fabric rustled faintly in the dark.
When she emerged again, the breathtaking form that could stir desire in any man—and envy in many women—was concealed beneath a set of ornate, noble attire.
A military parade-style uniform, high-laced boots, a gleaming pistol strapped to her thigh… she was every inch the Valkyrie, beautiful beyond compare and radiating fearless poise.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Kaiser-kun."
She walked toward him with measured elegance, his name on her lips.
"You know me?" Kaiser raised a brow.
"Of course." Her goddess-like face wore a flawless, composed smile, as though the earlier exposure hadn't happened at all. "Special Attack Mage of the Lion King Organization. Watcher of the Fourth Primogenitor. The Beast King who keeps countless creatures of myth. Your name has echoed across the world lately."
The implication was clear—knowing of him was no rare thing among those who moved in certain circles. Ordinary citizens wouldn't, but individuals of high standing in governments and special agencies across the globe certainly would.
Her confident identification of him made her own exceptional status obvious.
"And that," she added, gesturing toward the silver blade now fully assembled in his hand, "is the famed Type-100 Heavy Anti-Demon Blade - Silver Radiance Qilin—forged specifically for you by the Lion King Organization. Triple-layer pseudo-space cutting formula, an absolute defense barrier that nullifies physical attacks, a blade that can sever space itself, create dimensional rifts, even warp the fabric of space… Its presence alone told me who you were."
Such intelligence-gathering ability was far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
"You flatter me," Kaiser said with a shrug. "But your cursed gun is just as impressive."
Cursed guns—crafted from precious metals infused with sorcery—were rare, costly, and devastating. Their ammunition was equally expensive, rendering them impractical for mass use. Only royals and nobles of considerable wealth could afford them. Many existing pieces sat locked behind museum glass.
The fact that she carried and used one so casually was yet another mark of her privileged status.
In truth, Kaiser already suspected who she was. Still, he asked,
"And you are…?"
Her smile bloomed like a flower.
"I am La Folia Rihavein."
Rihavein—the surname of Aldegyr's royal family.
Her identity was now beyond question.
"La Folia Rihavein, First Princess of the Northern European Kingdom of Aldegyr, daughter of King Lucas Rihavein. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
She spoke with a smile, blissfully unaware of just how much shock her introduction might bring.