On this jouro the Lower Lands, Ats decided t a pact team of just eight, including himself. His first pick was Edrik, a dependable presen nearly every sario. Edrik had a knack for clear opinions and articurly skilled at navigating plex problems with ease.
Then there was Kurogasa, chosen for his practicality and exceptional versatility in reaissand handling a variety of ditions.
was Manna—the Vampire Queen. Her inclusion wasirely by choice; Ats brought her along because she was bored back at Gacha Haven, and he feared she might stir up trouble if left behind.
Rounding out the group were four team leaders: Zara, Kaida, Garen, and Ronan.
For the journey, Ats had secured two vehicles—advanced caravans. They boasted a sleek yet sturdy desiguring reinforced metal pting, polished exteriors, and massive, rugged tires engineered for all kinds of terrain. They his vehicle the Sandstorm Cruiser.
During the journey, one of their objectives was for Zara to meet with someone, a woman whose identity remained a mystery even to Ats. After arriving at the meeting spot, Ats allowed Zara to speak with the rivately. Meanwhile, he and the rest of the group waited outside at a modest café, using the time to discuss their pns.
To avoid drawing unnecessary attention, they dressed in simple Awaketire, deliberately leaving out any signs of the Gacha Haven emblem. This way, they blended in seamlessly as ordinary Awakeners on a routine dungeon hunt.
Kurogasa stayed away from the main group and patrolled the area, scouting for potential threats or anything out of the ordinary.
Afterward, Kaida began expining Zara’s background, as well as the story of Edward—the man who had lost his life in the ret battle.
“Edward used to be a butler for Zara’s family,” Kaida said. “He chose to stay by her side even after she decided to join Gacha Haven.”
“Did you know about this, Edrik?” Ats asked, turning to him.
“Yes and no. I khey were familiar with each other from their gestures, but withieam, they always acted like any other colleagues.”
“So Zara kept this a secret,” Ats murmured, nodding before turning back to Kaida. “And what happeo Zara that led her to this situation?”
Kaida let out a deep breath befiving a brief at of the events.
“Zara was the daughter of a city mayor in a town not far from here. But due to... plicated circumstances, her entire family was killed. She was only spared uhe dition that she leave the city and never return.”
Ats fell silent, letting the revetion sink in. After a moment, he nodded slowly. “That’s certainly... not an easy thing for someone so young to endure.”
He paused briefly before tinuing, “Still, her level is impressive, her talent exceptional, and her knowledge and posure remarkable. If she keeps growing like this, I’m fident she’ll bee a great leader iure.”
“Agreed,” Edrik said with a nod.
Once Zara cluded her business, the group pressed on with their journey.
“Let’s make a stop at the own,” Ats suggested, a faint smile pying at the ers of his lips. “I have a hunch we might e across something iing there.”
***
“We have a few promising didates for Rank-1 Lords,” said a man in his forties, standing at the ter of the pristine, white-walled room. His tone was steady as he addressed the group seated in a circle of six chairs.
An older man with white hair and a matg beard leaned forward slightly. “One of them might very well be the Lord who defeated my son.”
The man in the ter nodded and tinued. “We won’t interfere if you decide to take a on a personal level. However, the alliance’s main objective remains unged. When we identify potential didates, we’ll recruit them into the alliance before rival groups make a move.”
“Uood.”
The man in the ter tinued. “Have you found the one we’re looking for yet, Kareem?”
Kareem shook his head. “Half the Lords on the initial list have already beeed. Oher hand, several Lords who weren’t even on the list have now bee viable didates.”
“Do you have any leads on the Lord iion?”
“I have a few,” Kareem replied.
The man in the ter folded his arms. “We’ll give you more time. If you need additional resources or support, the alliance will provide whatever you require.”
Kareem stood, his expression unreadable. “tih your pns. I’ll handle my own affairs personally.”
With that, he turned ahe room.
As the door closed behind him, the man in the ter turo the four remaining individuals in the room.
“So, have you chosen the name of the Floating Isnd you’ll target?”
One of them leaned ba his chair, a sly smile f on his lips.
“Gacha Haven… I’ll take this one. A assured, I’ll ehey join our alliance soon enough.”
***
A white carriage, sleek and horseless, soared swiftly through the air. Iwo young women sat, both appearing to be uwenty.
“Ember, are you sure Mira’s doing okay?” asked the one in a purple dress. “We’ve been through so much these past few months, I feel like we pletely fot about that girl.”
Ember gave a reassuring smile. “Luna, listen. I’ve passed by this area a few times, and her isnd’s been thriving. I haven’t stopped by because I was in a rush, but trust me, she’s fine.”
Lu out a small sigh of relief.
“Oh, that’s so good to hear.”
The carriage sped on, drawing closer to a floating isnd in the distance. As it came into view, Luna stood, her face lighting up with awe.
“Woah… are you sure that’s the same isnd? It’s massive now—way bigger than before!”
Ember grinned and crossed her arms smugly.
“See? Told you! Looks like they mao hahe ret battles just fine.”
As the carriage approached, they could see the isnd’s e, where several people were hard at work tending to a sprawling carrot farm. One of them noticed the carriage and sprioward the edge of the floating isnd, wavihusiastically.
“Hi, Luna! Hi, Ember!” Mira’s cheerful voice carried over the wind as she waved.
“Wow, Ember, she still remembers us!” Luna said as she waved back.
“Hey, Mira! How’s the isnd doing?” Luna called out, leaning slightly out of the carriage.
Mira cupped her hands around her mouth to shout back. “Hi! We’re doing great! We have so many carrots—I’ll bring you some, okay? They’re really good!”
Luna turo Ember, raising an eyebrow. “Ember… was my question unclear earlier?”
“Yes, let me try,” Ember replied.
Ember cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted toward the isnd. “Mira! Have you fihe current battle season?”
“Yes! We had so much fun!” Mira called back cheerfully.
Ember frowned. “A lot of fun?” she muttered, then g Luna. “Luna, was my question uhis time?”
Luna chuckled softly. “Yes, let me hahis.”
She leaned out of the carriage slightly and called, “Mira! Are you pnning to join the Dominion Skirmish?”
The Dominion Skirmish is a high-stakes event where partits fight for trol of unoccupied floating isnds. Each battle is typically limited to tenders of the same rank, though partits have the option to pete in battles one rank above their own for an added challenge.
This event serves as a rigorous test of both strategy and bat prowess, with the ultimate reward being dominion over a new isnd.
Partits eligible to join the Dominion Skirmish are usually selected based on their performance during the current battle season.
Mira looked momentarily fused, then waved enthusiastically again. “Yes, Luna, Ember! We’re having fun and will do lots of battles iure!”
Ember swallowed hard, her evident as she turned back to Luna. “Luna, do you think Mira’s taking the Dominion Skirmish too lightly?”
Luna sighed, nodding. “Ember, I’m worried too… She doesn’t have enough experie.”
Ember’s expression hardened. “I think we o support her more, Luna.”
“I agree, Ember.”
Luna stood and called out again.
“Mira! Don’t worry—we’ll open reinfort access for you. Take care, okay?”
Ember waved as well. “We’ll e back soon!”
Before they could leave, Mira tossed a rge sack toward them. Ember caught it, albeit with some surprise.
“Take these carrots, okay? They’re good for your health!” Mira shouted.
“Thanks… See you, Mira!” Luna and Ember called out in unison as their carriage soared away into the sky, leaving the floating isnd behind.
