The country of Wuhan, nestled deep within the sprawling Soul Continent, was home to a man whose name carried weight across every kingdom.
Musashi Miyamoto — the legendary Golden Katana.
Wielding the blade Gladius, his reputation as a master swordsman was matched only by his cunning as leader of the Shinras, the continent's one of the most powerful intelligence and security force.
It was Musashi who had ordered the creation of a desperate measure — an emergency summoning tool for the Special Darkside Knights of every kingdom. The mages labored for months, embedding these tools inside the badges carried by each special darkside Knight, their activation linked directly to the Shinra capital.
And from that idea… a new force was born.
Musashi had appointed five of the capital's strong warriors to form an elite strike unit — an organization known simply as The Reinforcement.
Its mission was simple yet crucial: to prevent kingdom-to-kingdom conflicts before they spiraled into war.
For years, the system had worked flawlessly. No disputes had reached the point where the Reinforcement needed to intervene.
Until today.
The First Summoning in History
Inside his grand hall, Special Darkside Knight Exca stared down at the shattered remains of his badge.
The shards glittered faintly on the polished floor.
This was it — the first activation of the emergency summoning system. The first call for Reinforcement in the country's history.
He waited.
…and waited.
Nothing.
Exca's teeth ground together. His breathing grew heavy.
"Damn it… damn it!" He kicked a chair aside, the sound echoing off the high walls. "What's the use of this piece of shit anyway? I had too much hope in that damn Golden Katana!"
With a frustrated growl, he dropped heavily onto the floor, leaning against the leg of his massive chair. His thoughts swirled with irritation.
If they don't come now, it'll be too late.
The Knock
BANG. BANG. BANG.
The pounding on the meeting room door broke through his spiraling thoughts.
Exca stood up instantly, a sly smile curving his lips.
"Here they come," he murmured.
Drawing the mind control spell back until it compressed beneath his feet, he called out sharply:
"Come in, you morons! Stop banging like idiots!"
He began walking toward his chair — a massive, black-carved chair in the center of the room. Around it, equally grand seats were arranged in a circle for his Pro Darkside Knights. The walls were lined with intricate foreign furniture, relics from far-off lands, and the air smelled faintly of incense.
Just as he was about to sit, the heavy door creaked open.
Not Who He Expected
A Shinra in brown cape stepped inside.
Exca slammed his palm onto the long table, making the wood groan.
"What the hell are you doing here? Did you get any message saying I summoned you?!"
The Shinra flinched, hands raised.
"No, no sir! I came to inform you — the Pro Darkside Knights are here to see you. All Shinras across the kingdoms are in panic. They're preparing for battle! This is the second time an overwhelming Renshical pressure was detected in such a short span!"
Exca's glare hardened.
"So? What's your business telling me this? Get the hell out, and tell the Pro Darkside Knights to wait for my orders!"
The Shinra bowed quickly and retreated.
As the door shut, Exca's temper snapped.
"DAMN ALL OF YOU!" he roared, grabbing the giant table with both hands and hurling it toward the door.
The table froze midair.
"Hey, hey… Don't go breaking your own furniture," a voice said casually from behind it. "You'll only make a mess."
Two men appeared on either side of Exca, both clad in pristine white uniforms. The weight of their presence was… nonexistent.
No Renshical pressure. No warning.
Exca's thoughts sharpened instantly.
I didn't sense them at all… The only surge I felt earlier was when i activated the summoning tool. These people… they really are strong. The name 'Reinforcement' isn't just for show.
The table lowered gently to the floor.
A third man stepped forward from behind it — towering at seven feet, his muscles straining against the white fabric of his uniform.
"A Shinra under you ran in saying the kingdom's in chaos from a Renshical surge," the man said. "Not just once, but twice. And yet here you are, ignoring your own people. Tell me, Special Darkside Knight… what's more important to you than those you rule?"
Exca leaned back into his chair with a weary look.
"I don't have time for chit-chat. There's a threat to this country I need to eliminate."
"You're too naïve, brat," the man on Exca's left said suddenly, vanishing in a blur before reappearing in one of the seats — Switch Mode.
"The people you think are in danger? They feel the same about you. Why hide from your Pro Darkside Knights?"
The other two men took seats the same way, their movements a mirror of each other.
Their calm, steady gazes pinned Exca in place.
At the border between Eminence and Sunflower, Lucy landed gracefully, her wings catching the dim light.
Across from her stood Sasaki, healed completely from the wound she had given him earlier. His giant sword rested easily in his right hand, his deadly grin never faltering.
Lucy's eyes hardened.
"We're far enough from my student now. No need to hold back."
Her wings shimmered as she descended to the ground. She didn't fold them away.
"Don't blame me when I cut those chicken wings off!" Sasaki shouted mockingly. His body flickered — Switch Mode — appearing just behind her.
The air howled as he swung with full force at her wings.