It was weird to say I’ve stepped foot on an entirely different region than the one I was born in. I never thought I would see the day where unfamiliar faces would be out and about in a city other than my own. It took Velma and I a couple of hours to arrive at the closest city of the Alkai region, and now we stood in the center of a bustling shopping street.

Snow was now all but a thin sheet that covered every surface of the town. For the first time in my life, I’ve stood outside without feeling any numbness in my face or fingers. While I could still see my breath, it wasn’t accompanied by the recurring sharp sensation in my lungs I’d experience every single day outside.

However, instead of the calming sounds of wind and snow trickling down, the constant chatter of voices filled my ears leaving no space for a break. The streets stretched wide, yet the people packing said streets made them feel tight. Foreign buildings stood tall, banners filled the walls, lamp posts were connected by long straight metal into the ground, vegetation, while present, were hard to come by.

“Wow… This is Alkai? It’s almost suffocating to even stand here.” I stood close to Velma, afraid I might get lost in all of the traffic, “Everyone is dressed just like you.”

“Home, sweet home. Just as I had last remembered.” Velma gazed around just as much as I did.

What she said yesterday about the influence of music in Alkai was true. The sound of music in the background surpassed even the already dominant chatters. Though the instrument being played didn’t sound like the piano from before, having more of a ‘stringy’ feel to it. She said it was called the ‘pipa’, which stemmed from the southern countryside of the region, though she doesn’t know how to play it.

But as nice as all that glamour might seem, it all just left a bad taste in my mouth. Half of my thoughts were instead occupied by what had happened in the morning. Even a cultural shock couldn’t have distracted me from that emotional ride by that man’s actions against those people at the inn. It made me stiffen at the thought of someone having control over one’s most personal belonging: their memories.

“Though, looks like I won’t be overstaying my welcome here.” Velma’s comment caused me to reel back into the present. It was a humble-sounding statement, but it didn’t feel appropriate for the context we were in.

“That’s a weird thing for a person to say about their own home.”

“It’s not like we have the luxury to go sightseeing now, now that a wackjob is hunting for the same treasure we’re aiming for. Guess it’s kinda my fault for picking a fight with him. Actually no, it's his fault for picking a fight with ME.” She lifted her elbow and clenched her hand as it shook.

“Miss, I don’t think it was anyone’s fault. It just ‘happened’ because there’s two of us and one treasure.”

Even though it seemed like I was trying to justify his actions and that I didn’t hate him for what he did to those people, I wanted to take the old man’s words to heart. Adults told stories of those who are desperate enough that they’re willing to sacrifice anything to reach their goals. Those that have nothing to lose are the most feared. Of course… that was exactly why it felt that way.

“Well, if you were to ask me why it ‘just happened’, it’s that people are greedy and are driven by their wants. And what we want is to complete our own objective, whether it overlaps with his or not.”

Honestly, Velma’s sudden motivation scared me. Looked like she was dead set on fighting him and finishing this to the end. And it also looked like I was going to have to take this seriously in order to live up to her expectations as she swatted me on my back.

“Follow me, I know a place that can get us across the whole region in just a couple of hours.”

・

“—A beast.”

A beast the size of an entire house that spanned as far as Sappora itself rested itself right in front of me. It blared a howl, emitted its white breath that formed an entire cloud that rose into the air. Its territory was the railroad, consisting of iron slabs chained together to form a path for its eventual hunt.

“Ah, yes. A steam locomotive. This is a train, Junior.”

“Oh right.”

We stepped on top of a long, flat platform that nestled the train. The station we stood in was adorned in browns and reds, exuding a sense of modernism unparallel to anything I had ever seen. No less the platform currently held a large amount of passengers at this current hour—louder than even the shopping street from before.

But despite the grandeur of the station, it reeked of confusion among said passengers. People passed glances at each other and exchanged murmurs without anyone being the wiser. The main street was so peaceful and beautiful, one would be hard pressed to believe just a block away would its citizens be so on edge.

“Something is going on.” I commented and having heard it, Velma went up to a random bystander who was nervously tapping their foot.

“Hey, what’s with the commotion?”

“Seems like we got a blockage. Just look down the rails and you’ll know it.” the man said as he pointed down the lines.

A pile of metal rubble spanning the height of a nearby building rested on top of the railway. Even a machine of this scale couldn’t possibly plow through such an obstacle.

Velma slumped her shoulders. “Gimme a break…”

“No kidding. Got an appointment with a doc and just so happened my carriage broke down the same day. Life can bite you in the ass sometimes.”

“You have my condolences.”

“Could it be Takeshi?” I asked as she returned back from her inquiry, “This is his doing, isn’t it?”

“Probably... but most likely not. He couldn’t have been able to knock down entire towers like that with just that dinky little sword of his, even with that red power buffing thing. I trust me, I took the full brunt of it myself so I know what I’m saying.”

“So then what?”

“Don’t know, don’t care. All I want is for them to fix this mess so we can hurry up and kick that bastard’s ass.” She gestured to the people that stood in a circle. People dressed in uniform huddled around a map who seemed just about confused as everyone else.

“—This point here as well.” One man said as he pointed to a particular spot. “Another watchtower had fallen over the rails around Reine prefect and is blocking any trains from passing.”

“Tch. What a pain in the ass…” An older one took off their cap and rubbed the back of their head. “Right when it’s the busiest time in the year where citizens need transportation the most... How’s the servicemen? Any luck?”

“No sir, they expect that part will also take a whole week of manpower to clear the obstacle.”

“Grrr. How the hell does shit like this even happen?! No storm nor a slight breeze touched this part of the land!”

“Well, sir… If I had to guess—”

The older one gave his cap a sharp squeeze before retracting it. “Don’t. Do you not know the meaning of a rhetorical question?”

“I’m... afraid I don’t want to patronize my position.”

There was a blockage? That’s why the train can’t pass?

“How convenient…” Velma muttered, “This is seriously the worst-case scenario. There’s no way we’re just gonna trek across an entire region with our two legs.”

“I’m guessing the train was your only plan?”

“Usually this stuff is reliable, just... not today apparently.”

I kept my stare on her which made her press in her lips.

“Hey. At least it’s not like they’re demons infiltrating the transportation infrastructure. But honestly, you’re right. I prooobably should’ve thought ahead in case of setbacks like these.”

That meant we’re definitely going to have to use our own feet if this blockage didn’t clear itself. Ugh… Was the only thing we could do was to watch the men scratch their heads?

—That was when footsteps emanated behind us, growing closer by the second. We all turned. Just then, the prettiest woman I had ever laid my eyes upon walked into the scene, wielding a sheathed blade so intricately accessorized on her left side. She had white hair just like mine—no, it was more of a silvery shade, that touched her shoulders. Underneath a true hat of a captain’s were emerald eyes as sharp as her well dressed uniform. Her gaze kept forward without breaking away. I got the feeling she was someone whom I shouldn’t get on her bad side or she would cut me down without question.

As the men took note of her sudden appearance, they all scrambled to line up and face her, taking up an incredibly stiff body posture. “Ah—?! Admiral Enma…! W-What brings someone such as yourself h-here?” the older man slurred on his words.

“W-Woah, that’s her? I’ve never seen her in perso—” an elbow to his side interrupted the young man’s statement. Though, none of their comments caused a reaction from the woman as she maintained her pace without a response.

“Executing Aoi.” Her voice was cold and monotone, yet filled with a sense of authority unmatched of anyone I have ever heard before. The men glanced at each other before the woman jumped down onto the rails, landing with ease. While holding the blade’s sheath, she made her way along the lines to the source of the commotion: the fallen watchtower.

Is she going to…?

She took one look at the pile of rubble and placed her hand on the grip. It was an instant. She unsheathed her blade, and the scrap heap that covered the track blew apart in just a single stroke—no, without even completely unsheathing her blade. Did I just see that right? Only the glint of part of the metal illuminated, and then the entire mess was obliterated in less than a second. The rumble following the blast caused shouts from the station, but once it settled, the panic was replaced with cheers as the way forward was cleared.

With grace in her step, she turned around and began her stride back as if nothing had happened. As she returned onto the station platform, the workers let out an intense sigh of relief. “Ah! We’re so glad to have you stationed here, Admiral Enma! We would have been a goner if you hadn’t made quick work of that mess!”

Without turning to acknowledge the older man or the crew itself, she merely continued her walk past them. “I will proceed to Reine. Notify the locomotive operators to expect me no later than 10 minutes.”

The men paused for a second before stiffening their bodies even more. “Y-Yes ma’am!” After which, they all scramble into different directions to continue operations of the train now that the way forward has been cleared.

“Azure…” I heard Velma whisper, “Even a…”

I looked up at her, but she shook her head.

“...Nevermind. Looks like the problem’s been cleared. Time we should get ready when the train starts operating again.”

“Is she Alkain too?” I had to ask.

“She certainly is.”

“She’s so pretty.”

Velma’s eyebrow twitched. “You didn’t say that the first time we met.”

“Maybe because you were trying to kill me.”

“...” she sighed. “You got a point.”

In any case, I was glad I didn’t have to break my legs anymore thanks to that pretty woman. And speaking of which, our small talk allowed time for her to cover the majority of the platform. As she passed by, that pretty woman passed a glance at us and held it far longer than I felt comfortable with. The pair of magnificent, beautiful eyes peered into me. During which, her lips moved and whispered something I couldn’t understand.

“もしかして。。。”

The shouts of the servicemen calling for passengers to board the train soon followed. People poured to the train without a moment’s notice. With the sudden influx of people heading for the entrance, the flow of traffic drowned her out until she completely disappeared into the noise.

What was that just now? Why did she—

“Oi Junior, get over here or you’re gonna be left behind!” Velma had already gone for the train and stopped by its entrance to call me over.

“Ah! Coming!” I looked back, hoping for the off chance that woman would still be there somewhere, but she was already long gone.

・・・・・

The rumble of the seat beneath made my eyelids all the more heavy. As time passed inside that train, my head began to nod off and eventually, slumped onto the glass window. If not for the view, I would have fallen asleep right then and there. The flat plains of Alkai stretched across into the horizon. The green and beige that painted the landscape was reminiscent of a story where a monk and their three companies go on a quest to obtain sacred texts. The countryside of Alkai, huh? Even from the rumbling of the train, it felt like I was back home and sitting by the fire, listening and imagining the grand stories adults would recount. But this time, I was living in the scene.

Eventually, through the window, the world became a place I didn’t recognize. Traces of snow became rarer and rarer until no white laid on the ground. I never thought I would ever see such a sight unmarked by snow. No less this had completely flipped my perception of the world upside down.

“Junior, do you…” Velma’s voice brought back my attention to the train.

“Do I…?”

“...This is too late to ask at this point, but do you still want to continue the expedition?”

Was she worried too? With her forearm supporting her head, Velma kept her gaze out of the window as she spoke. This appeared to me that she wasn’t, but the tone of her voice proved otherwise.

“That bastard, Takeshi. There was something about the way he handled his weapon, like he simply wanted the results and using people is a means to an end. All this time, I was so focused on him and his lack of concern for others that I didn’t have a shred of my own concern for your safety.” she finally turned to look at me, “The very thing that happened to those people at the inn can undoubtedly happen to us.”

She was right. I could very well end up forgetting everything that happened up until now and lose the one gift I had been granted by Velma. It was a miracle we even kept our memories of what had transpired that morning.

But my greediness knew no bounds. “We made a promise to hunt for the treasure together.”

“I know that but—”

“Miss, I don’t want you to see me as weak and helpless.” That made her fall silent. “Everyone does. To us. That’s why they think we’re so undeserving to go out of the town. I just wish they didn’t think we’re so… unprepared.”

Was this really a place to vent out? Right before I end up forgetting everything?

“I’m well aware that you are not old enough to bear the brunt of the world’s problems. They just have no use for those with a guilty conscience. And as a result, they don’t even let the tiniest seed of knowledge take root in you guys.”

“It sounds like you still see me as a child.”

“That’s right. But there’s something that differs me from your folks in Scandia—and that’s me giving you a choice in the matter.”

“A choice?”

“We’re already so close to crossing the border to Sozuraka. Soon enough, the last remaining stop drops us off right on the ‘cat’s chin’ if you will. Once we hop off the train there, there’s no turning back. But if we have to, we can call it off here and leave while we can. So I’ll just ask this now, do you want to keep that promise?”

Sure, Velma had called it a choice, but it didn’t seem like I had any options in this decision. The one thing I couldn’t budge on was my silly childish curiosity. “I’m seeing this to the end.”

She smirked. “When you come back from the wastelands, be sure to come show me how much you’ve grown.” But then soon after, she closed her mouth, mustering her strength for what she was about to say, “...’Course, it doesn’t change the fact that bastard would be vying for that treasure too. On top of that, his ability is utterly broken. I don’t see any way we can get past that memory erasing Aoi.”

Right, Takeshi was still the main obstacle we had to overcome to complete this adventure. Him—and his inhumane approach to his goals.

“I mean, he managed to dodge a freakin’ bullet from a rifle. How does that even work? Is there any way we can beat something that does that? Is it just invincible?”

People share their opinions, pool their thoughts, and work together to achieve a common goal. His ability strips all of that away. To rob someone of such an experience, why would one go to such lengths? It creates a very unsettling and disturbing thought. What if I experienced something special, something very important that I would want to protect at all costs, but I just completely lost all memory of it? And with no way to know about it or recover it?

・

Was it just my vision? No. Color drained not from my vision, but from the outside itself. There was an apparent lack of a color by the time I opened my eyes from a nap I had dozed off into. It wasn’t merely from me just being groggy either as I began to take note of something stranger. The farmlands began to appear trashed, roads became more rugged, the area in general became a whole lot messier.

Weird for something like this is just left to be. But judging by the culture, it didn’t seem right for the people to leave the land messy like this. Unless… No, it couldn’t. Would it spread that far? Can the damage from Sozuraka’s mountain partially spread into southern Alkai?

“It can’t be… It had spread out even from here...?”

“Yeah. It’s really a stuff of nightmares. That Mother Nature. ‘Course this only means it’s time. We’re finally about to take the plunge into the Sozuraka region.”

‘The unending land of a pruned world’, that was what it was described to be in the atlas. I could not argue against that statement as...

“Let’s keep moving, Junior. If we’re going to finish this adventure, we’re going to have to find out Takeshi’s true intentions.”

...the world itself slowly lost its color until it reached a bleached white. We’re finally here. In a world devoid of life.

・・・・・

“You seem displeased, Admiral Enma.” a man sat crossed leg at a chabudai, helping himself to a cup of green tea, “it’s quite rare to see you so lost in thought.”

Walking through these sliding doors was a task she has done many, many times over the course of her career. The chamber of the Daimyo was adorned with an assortment of banners, lightened by the light of the view of the courtyard to their side.

“...Quite the contrary, Lord Yagyu. Those two watchtowers relieved some stress for me that had been garnering since last night.”

The Admiral sat opposed to him as the Lord poured another cup of tea and scooted it across the table. “Surely you jest. It’s written all over your face. Something occurred during the job.”

As she took a sip, she allowed the refreshing feeling of the beverage to wash over her before speaking. “A girl traveling with her guardian, I suspect something off about them.”

“Ho? And what makes such a pair so deserving of suspicion?”

“Hair as white as the snow that falls on these lands. No less an unnatural hair color for the likes of the youth of today. Surely this isn’t some fashion fad. This girl originates outside of Alkai.”

“Interesting. A white-haired girl, I see.” The Lord took a sip of his tea and exhaled a deep breath, “When was the last time I’ve seen such a phenomena… Oh, decades ago when we attempted to expand our territory north. We learned nothing but the fact that we have no benefit from those rolling hills of the Alps. So many tactical errors have been made in that week.”

Hindsight couldn’t have been more of a crude curse. He scratched between his eyebrows at the memory of the barren winters. “It’s clear she is part of the indigenous tribes we have yet come into contact with in Scandia. But is that all? It is strange for a mere child to be in this city, but that shouldn’t be a cause for concern.”

“Stranger is her guardian’s ethnicity. An Alkain. If you consider the geography of the lands, that part of the region is closest to Scandia.”

After putting two and two together, the suspicion made sense. There were far too many red flags to ignore. “...So you are implying we should undergo some investigations?”

“I’d hate to break up forces that are already digging into the case of the fallen towers. It’s too soon to say but if we must, then it’s only necessary. Perhaps allocating the Lieutenant and his men should suffice for a small investigation into the Scandia region.” The Admiral reached for a pocket and brought out a maple leaf. “Lieutenant Nishimura.”

A voice emerged from the air. “Yes ma’am.”

“Make your way to Headquarters. If possible, bring Fukuda with you. I would like you to undergo an assignment.”

“As you wish.”

As the voice faded out, she returned the leaf back into her pocket. “Ah… We stay put all this time, and our reward are some mysterious terrorists in an era of peace? The Director is going to have a good laugh at the current state of this case when he sees the report.”

“I’m very well sure the Director can let this one slide. Your intuition always rewards us. After all, this move may as well be a preemptive strike.”

“At this rate, I don’t see the end to these.”

The fallen watchtowers being a recent example, the demonstrations of vandalism has been getting tiresome to say the least. It only made the Lord wonder if the Organization has methods of addressing these types of threats.

“Admiral Enma, do you believe he will be capable of the job? As the new Director, of course.”

“Giovanni… huh. The work he has done for the management department landed him the position as the Director after all. Since he is planning to assign an elite team for the sole purpose of the protection of humanity, I very well believe he has other plans in mind to require such individuals.”

“He seems to be a man who operates on his own terms.”

“I can’t argue with that. He never disclosed what the criteria is for the team, however. Rumor has it that anyone can be selected, even outsiders of Azure. Even us Admirals may as well have much of a chance as the pedestrian down the street.”

“Is that so? A person of the highest rank of the strongest organization in the world? Hell, one of the strongest members in all of society? Hah. That’s quite absurd. Now I’m really itching for a nice discussion with this Giovanni fellow.”

He paused to stare out at the courtyard through the shoji. When was the last time he had a deep, personal discussion with an individual with such a reputation?

“He’s quite the laidback man as one would be his age.” she remarked, “He may as well invite one with no background battlefield experience to Azure.” After taking another sip from her tea, she finally stood back up. “I don’t necessarily find interest in the position. Though, I wouldn’t be surprised if I am to be asked to write a letter of recommendation.”

The Lord shook his head, “Well now. It would appear my suspicions about Azure were warranted. For a foundation to be in such a fragile state and still be in perfect operation, even I can’t fathom how that is.”

“Welcome to the future of humankind. This is the organization for Humanity’s balance, Azure.” The line she spoke was said as if she was a mechanical tour guide presenting to visitors. She couldn’t help but crack a smirk, “Thank you for the help as always, Lord Yagyu.”

“No, the honor is mine, I could never thank you personally enough.”

After finishing her report, the Admiral closed the dividers between the two.

Finally with peace and quiet, the Lord exited from the dusty old room and into his courtyard. It had gotten chillier these days, but the sun still felt as warm on his skin as always in his little pond area. As he basked in the warmth, he couldn’t help but to watch as the koi in the pond circle around the rocks. “The world is slowly losing its order. The peace this land now enjoys was paid for with the blood of many who will never be granted a grave. This will decide if you are best fit for the job, Giovanni. You balance the fate of the world on a tightrope. One misstep could destroy it all.”