Chaos continued in the king’s mansion. Just as Hokori’s family was ready to sign up for another mission, Feuer and Danielle had their problem in the lobby. No other mage was present as well. Usually, up to forty would wait for self-expeditions to be valid.

The family stood confused upon seeing Aria tied to a chair. Her comrades were fine, but they had some puncture wounds. They saw most of it in their arms and legs. Aria’s eyes became even smugger. She even smirked intently at all of them. School supplies littered the floor.

Yukino walked and looked up. “What happened, Uncle? Are you hurt?”

Feuer turned. “Not at all, little one. My old friend became more deranged than usual. I’ve no clue as to why.”

Danielle stepped in. “She’s always been a massive jerk. Now, she’s looking down on us even in defeat. She keeps threatening my—”

“I never said such things over your family, trash.” Aria cocked her head. “I happen to love you both. So, I must kill your father, mother, brother, and sister.”

Her nerve popped. “I was an only child, dumbfuck! I told you just two days ago.” She went on to reject her commitment. She only ever saw her as a close friend. Sadly, it fell on deaf ears. So, she yelled louder.

Feuer held her shoulder from behind. “That’s enough. As for you, Aria, I never had a sister, and I do not feel the same way. Frankly, your idea of ‘love’ right now is horrid.”

She tilted her head to the point her body had curved to the side 90°. Her silken white crown touched the floor. “Horrid? Of course, it is. I love you two, but you’re still trash. But my voice actress won’t agree. Erica Mendez has a good upbringing, much like Chiwa.”

Another nerve popped within Danielle as she grunted. “Would you stop with that bullshit! I don’t know about this ‘Colleen Clinkenbeard’ you keep mentioning. My voice is my own.”

Hokori walked and chuckled. “Well, that’s surprisin’. I always imagined Patrick Seitz would voice pretty boy here.” He pointed at Feuer, which also got on his nerves. Still, he remained stoic.

Hokori tapped Aria’s head to make up for it. She returned but still curved herself at strange angles while insulting everyone.

The family and the three Novus representatives walked together in the hallway. The latter revealed quite a shock. Every brigade mage got dispatched due to strange phenomena outside Coelestis. One reported that massive humanoid maneaters ransacked three villages; a clean hit at the nape was the only way to kill them. Several towered over 60 m. Another had white armor and a gigantic hammer.

As Danielle revealed more, Yukino gasped and began hyperventilating. “No… Oh, no. That’s too many.” Her mother and sister comforted her.

“Don’t cry too much, kid,” she assured. “Families gave us their consent for loved ones. If any had their guts flying out, they’d know quickly. I paid my share for the funerals.” Her eyes lowered. “Still, five hundred isn’t just a number. I can’t blame you.”

Feuer raised an eyebrow over Hokori and his niece. He heard no subtle innuendos from him. It was like the world’s kindest ghost had possessed him. To think he was the less understanding brother-in-law.

Yukino smiled and raised her arms. “Can I, Uncle?”

“Sure, kiddo.” He carried her and, “Alley-oop!” put her on his shoulders.

She laughed joyfully. “Weeeee!” Due to Hokori’s build, she could almost touch the ceiling. Her mother giggled, and Kenkо̄ had her heart warmed. Her father and Kakunо̄ smiled with droopy eyes.

Moments later, Hokori put her down gently and opened the double doors at the end. They saw nothing unusual in the throne room. On the other hand, the king was busy. He had a call with his royal guards. Sakusei’s team recently defeated a chrome dragon with blue eyes. None ever saw such a species.

“It’s all taken care of, your majesty!” said the Kisoku twins in unison. “This P*in guy had weird purple eyes. But we pulled through. Hey, stop copying me!” They looked at each other.

Harald chuckled with closed eyes. “Splendid. I’m glad Hagel is as strong as ever.” He turned off the holographic screen. He walked toward the six. “This has been quite the fiasco in years. So much so that I’ll let you all do what you want. No periods this time.”

Hokori grinned, “Hahahahahaha!” and sighed. “Good to see ya still being a real homie, my guy. We’re still confused as F, tho. Any ideas?”

He shook his head. “Afraid not. I can’t even remember the one I told you to stop.” He stood in front of them. “However, the sylph queen told me about an illegal circus. She thanks you a million, Hokori. Her army awaits us.”

He caressed his chin. “Hmmm… Dunno about this sylph. But all rings a bell. Then again, I can’t recall for shit.” As he mentioned, his family had hazy minds. Even Feuer’s team told the king of their blackouts.

Harald nodded with closed eyes. “Indeed. The others told me similarly. Perhaps the enemy found out we knew too much. Whatever it is would be the real question.”

“And I shall answer with pleasure, your majesty….”

All got startled by the voice behind them. It sounded nothing of an ally—more like a cold yet mischievous remark. Then, they felt a magical pressure. Their minds got bombarded by earthly shows. Feuer kept hearing the laughs of a cartoon sponge.

They panted in place. Soon after, they prepared battle stances. Even Yukino was ready to attack, and her mother pulled out her rapier via runes. Hokori cracked his knuckles. “Who da fuck are ya, dipshit? And what’s with the similar drip?”

The aloha shirt man walked closer. “Some folks ride the same stroke, that’s all. With that out of the way, I’m Dominus Ficta. Nice to meet—”

Hokori flash-stepped and threw a straight punch. The shockwave galed around the room. However, the enemy turned into water and reappeared elsewhere.

“Feuer, look out!” exclaimed Danielle.

The mentioned lashed a magma whip in time. Dominus became a liquid again. However, a flurry of thrusts had greeted his back. Red splattered everywhere.

He backed away into a corner and smiled faintly. “I expect no less from archmages.” He snapped his fingers. “But I must save the best for last.”

Everyone struggled in place. No matter what, they could not move an inch. Then, the impossible occurred. Hokori walked at a snail’s pace with clenched teeth. The floor splintered from his steps.

Dominus clapped. “Amazing… It seems my imagination isn’t on par with the MC.” He swished his hand, which made him fly into a wall. This time, it worked.

He turned to the others. “Now that I’ve said it, you will see such a world.” He pointed at Tokino. “You’ll be crucial for the first act.”

She grunted in place. “What do you mean, dipshit!? Let my brother go!”

Dominus tsked. “What impatience. Alright, I’ll set it straight. As Willy Wonka had said: come with me, and you’ll be—in a world of pure imagination.” He snapped his fingers again. Without warning, the throne room turned into a sprawling green plain. They could see a spiraling white “tree” far away.

Hokori fully remembered everything about the mission. Yet, he failed to move. “Listen y’all! We gotta—” He saw the bright flash once more. All of them disappeared.

Dominus sighed in relief. “View the paradise all you want, fellas. I’ll wait at the top.” He teleported.

From afar, an army of sylphs flew. They had no clue of the sudden world before them. Queen Titania ordered a full search. One only knew what happened to the king and archmages. She worried internally for the man who saved her.

Haruto did not awoke first this time. As his eyes slowly opened, Yukino hugged him in tears. He had been asleep for hours. His siblings went on a lookout atop a hill. He sighed in relief, but his face turned the opposite all too quickly. It dawned on him why his daughter cried. Soul-crushing would do it no justice.

He ran to Hokori in sweat. “Where is she…? My Tokino. Tell me!” He grabbed his clothing.

He pried open the hands. “Sit down, boy. It’s a long-ass story.”

Haruto listened closely for ten minutes. He not only heard about the mission but also about the new world they stood in now. Memories from Earth made him cringe. It was like fate had a field day with comedy.

He covered his face in shame. “Oh, my God…” his hands lowered. “So, we really are in—”

“Nope,” Hokori shook his head. “We’re not in Aincrad, but Alfheim. Though, it did merge in the end.”

Haruto wondered why he knew such a fact. He revealed he had watched an entire series merely to post a 1/10 review online. Said word made him cringe again. He let out a long sigh. “Are you saying Tokino is…”

“Yup. Locked in an oversized birdcage. Good thing I told y’all to wear these beforehand.” He showed the Pocket Hub on his neck. He had kept in touch with her just a while ago. She was safe but confused.

“As for pretty boy and pals, no idea.” He shrugged. “But everyone from Coelestis is now right there.” He pointed behind with a thumb.

Haruto saw a green city from afar. Now, it all became clear. It had been so long since he saw its spires and bridges. It was the one arc that made him quit the show.

Hokori stretched and yawned. “I killed off your incest-loving cousin S*g*ha while you slept. Just a quick neck snap, though. I don’t deal with bland characters.”

He grunted with clenched teeth. “I told you. I’m not K*r**o!”

“Well, ya could’ve fooled me, White Swordsman.” He gave off a booming laugh and turned. “Anyway, I got an idea, boy. Your girlfriend doesn’t need us.” He pulled up The Every Hub.

Haruto’s eyes squinted over his words. A day without his wife would feel like an eternity. Luckily, he understood the intention.

Far away lay a spiraling white “tree” that towered over the heavens. Like the show it came from, a depraved man sat on top. However, he had no access to innocents or even admin rights. Dominus had standards over his imagination.

In the massive cage, Tokino killed time by playing Olden Brace on her screen. She answered a video call. “Brother?” she said softly.

“Hey, kid.” Hokori walked back and forth. “Change of plan. You’re gettin’ yourself outta there.”

“I already planned to. Why do you ask?”

He chuckled. “Just a bizarro morale booster for ya. Wanna know about this fake ‘Oberon’ guy keepin’ ya inside? Well, um…”

He explained every detail of her captor. As it went on, Tokino’s pulse matched a rabbit’s. Her eyes lit up as she sweated bullets. She had learned something that would fit a terrorist case. Most of all, she breathed heavily at the last part. Her body shook like someone kept touching her.

“And that’s what N*bu**ki did to A**na.” He ended the call and turned to Haruto. “Now, comes the real magic, boy.”

Tokino’s breathing worsened with clenched teeth. She clawed the floor until it cracked. Her fingernails had torn off. In her soul, she felt neverending fire. Then, the vicious Bear took over.

The blonde “fairy” king came in to check her cage. “How are you feeling, As**a? Doing well?”

She paused for a moment and turned. “N*b*y*ki…” she cocked her head with closed eyes and a smile. “My throat’s quite dry. Do you have any here?”

He smiled back. “Hehehehe… Of course.” He pulled up a unique interface she did not have and walked to the cage. He held a cup. “If you need anything else, just—”

Tokino grabbed both arms and placed a foot on his chest. In a split second, she severed them with ease. He got thrown far away as red showered like a fountain. The screams were endless, yet she relished it.

She slowly walked to the end of the cage. Her eyes had glared. “Hmph… You don’t know the first thing about metal, do you?” She cast runes over the bars; they rusted in seconds. She grabbed a makeshift spear and stabbed it on the ground.

N*bu**ki’s ear-piercing agony continued as he rolled to and fro. Before long, he felt more agony on his face. However, his eyes did not suffer stabs. Tokino’s iron grip crushed his cheeks and jaw to dust. He got carried up and saw the metal pike behind her.

Hours later, airships landed from afar. King Harald worried about his subject and did not bother to inform Hokori.

The brigade mage escort stood terrified at the scene. As many stomachs turned, gastric contents had mixed with the red puddle on the floor. Most could not even bear to look at the pike.

Tokino smiled throughout and went inside a ship with no complaints. She hummed with closed eyes and pulled up The Every Hub; she had missed her daughter.

“Hi, honey…” she waved. “Are you safe with them?”

“Of course, Mama!” She smiled back. “Uncle’s fighting more of the phony fairies coming for us. I’ll be joining soon with the real ones.”

She giggled. “Best of luck to you.” She moved closer to the screen. “By the way, once we’re home, how does kebab sound?”

Yukino gasped in excitement. “Oh, I’d love some! Never tasted them before. Bye, Mama!” The video ended.

Tokino sighed as her heart calmed. She reminisced what she had done to the false king. Thanks to her knowledge of earthly history, she made sure to start with the other end and let gravity take its course.

“Rot in piss, motherfucker.” Her eyes narrowed as she slept.