In an unknown place within the labyrinth.
Hinazaki Rika (panting): "Zalarosa, did you find that idiot?"
[Hinazaki is actually Yui, Zalarosa's friend. But due to the name similarity with Ryo's friend Yui, she changed her name to avoid confusion.]
Zalarosa: "No, I haven't. What about you?"
Hinazaki Rika: "Same here. Let's keep going, there's not much time left."
One minute left.
59 seconds.
Hinazaki Rika was flying through the entire field, yet she found no trace of the upper being.
"Damn it, where did that guy go?"
---
Somewhere else within the field.
The upper being received a telepathic call.
???: "Master, you must return immediately! There's an emergency!"
Upper Being: "Wait, what?? The game just started!"
???: "But master, it's a critical emergency… it concerns the Dragon Emperor!"
The upper being's expression turned serious, as if it was a matter of life or death. His tone became sharp and grave.
Upper Being: "Understood. I'm coming immediately!"
He emerged from hiding, and Zalarosa saw him.
Zalarosa: "Rika! I found him!"
Rika heard Zalarosa and rushed over.
Hinazaki Rika (clenched her fist): "There's no escape this time!"
Upper Being: "Not now. The game is over. I'll revive Ryo. You win."
Zalarosa (shocked): "Wait, what? What's going on?"
Upper Being (serious): "What, do you wish to die? I've seen the future. You had no chance of defeating me in any round. In the second round, you actually died."
Rika: "That's not the point… we're just surprised."
The upper being ignored their words, canceled the field, and left.
Rika and Zalarosa returned to the labyrinth, only to be greeted by an army of monsters.
Zalarosa: "Seriously? Can't we just get a break?"
Hinazaki Rika began preparing for battle. "Just sit back and watch, Zalarosa. These pests are nothing!"
She tied her hair, and her feet ignited in flames. She launched forward at blinding speed, tearing through enemy ranks.
Rika began chanting her skill: "X… DESTROYER!!!"
BOOM— A massive fiery explosion burst like a blazing hurricane, incinerating all the monsters.
Zalarosa (shouted in worry): "Rika, behind you!!"
A giant monster appeared behind Rika, wielding a massive sword! There was no chance for her to dodge or block it.
Suddenly—
Ryo (blocked the monster's attack and threw it away): "Are you okay?"
Rika (shocked, unable to hide her expression): "Ryo?!"
Ryo (smiled): "Yeah!"
But there was no time for emotional reunions.
A rain of swords and arrows fell from the sky.
In an instant, time froze. A small domain formed around Ryo, about 30 meters wide. He calmly unsheathed his sword and took a single step.
Suddenly, he appeared behind the monsters. Time resumed, and Ryo slowly sheathed his sword.
Ryo: "Sword Technique – Sixth Poem – Zaraka, Death Cutter!"
The monsters were all split in half. The arrows and swords fell to the ground, shattered into pieces.
Zalarosa and Rika were speechless, completely stunned. But they didn't care to question it.
Ryo (amazed at his own technique): "That was incredible!"
System: "Didn't I tell you the sword techniques you acquired were phenomenal?"
Ryo: "You were right! That's definitely going to be my favorite move!"
System: "Can't blame you. It's truly amazing!"
---
In the Grand Ice Kingdom.
Rin (running through the battlefield, searching): "Yui!! Where are you?!"
After a long search, he found Yui collapsed on the ground, with a massive hole in her abdomen.
Rin (worried, voice trembling): "Yui! Yui!! Answer me!!"
She was unconscious.
Three hours before the war began.
Observer (nervous): "Your Majesty! There's a problem—Zalaria is attacking!"
Queen Eleria (shocked): "What?? Tell me you're joking! Have the other kingdoms' armies arrived yet?"
Advisor (hopelessly): "Your Majesty, the allied forces will only arrive in two days."
Yui (entered the throne hall with Rin, both visibly tense): "We've heard the news. Zalaria is launching an attack!"
Eleria: "What are we going to do now?!"
Rin (firmly): "There's no choice. We'll face Zalaria until the reinforcements—and Ryo—arrive!"
Yui: "Rin's right! Advisor, are our troops ready?"
Advisor: "Yes, they are. Your Majesty, will you lead them?"
Yui (sternly): "No. Eleria won't lead. I will."
Advisor: "But Lady Yui, we all know your strength, but the queen must be the one to lead the army!"
Yui (angrily): "And what about Eleria's condition? Do you think she's fit to lead in this state? She's the queen—if something happens to her, the kingdom will fall into chaos!"
Rin: "Yui's right. There's no better option."
Advisor: "Then let the general command."
Suddenly, the door opened and the general entered.
Advisor: "Amaya!"
General Amaya: "I cannot command the army. This is a kingdom-level war. The law states that only the queen or someone of royal relation can lead."
The advisor reluctantly gave in: "Fine… but what about the soldiers? Will they follow an unfamiliar woman?"
Amaya: "That could be a problem…"
Suddenly, Eleria stood up.
Eleria: "No. I'll lead the army myself. I'll put an end to Zalaria!"
Amaya: "But Your Majesty—"
Eleria (cutting him off, with a regal and firm tone): "Anyone who opposes this will be exiled. Does anyone object?"
Silence filled the hall.
Eleria: "Good. Amaya, is the army ready?"
Amaya (bowed respectfully): "Yes, Your Majesty."
Eleria (resolute): "Then inform them I'm on my way. Prepare for departure."
Amaya: "As you command, Your Majesty!"
The general left, followed by Eleria, Yui, and Rin.
On the way…
Yui: "Eleria, what changed? Just a moment ago, you were trembling and panicked."
Eleria (lowering her eyes, embarrassed): "I still am… but my people need me."
Later, they arrived at the military camp, and Eleria delivered a speech:
"I know some of you are scared. Some wish to go home. But we are stepping into hell and coming out victorious! Never lose hope. As long as a warrior raises their sword, they are not defeated! Ignite the fire of war in your hearts—for your homeland, for your families! We will return victorious! Death and defeat are not options!"
The army cheered her name.
Then they marched toward the battlefield outside the kingdom. Eleria led the charge, with Yui and Rin riding beside her.
Facing them—Zalaria, standing tall with her vast army of shadows behind her.
Zalaria (smiling): "I didn't expect you to come fight this war yourself."
Eleria (coldly): "You've crossed too many lines, Zalaria. I will not forgive you. Not this time."
Zalaria (irritated): "Who do you think you are, little insect, to set limits on me? ATTACK!"
Zalaria's army charged. Eleria gave the same command.
The clash began.
Rin and Yui fought alongside the soldiers, while Eleria and Zalaria faced off alone.
Eleria drew her sword—blue and white, sharp and beautiful.
Zalaria (gazing at the moon): "Isn't the moon bea—"
Before she could finish, Eleria appeared and struck. Zalaria blocked with her own dark, ominous blade and staggered back.
Zalaria (grinning, bloodthirsty): "Good! You're better than I expected, Eleria!"
She dashed forward. Their blades clashed in an intense duel—blades tearing the ground and explosions shaking the battlefield.
Eleria leapt back, swung her sword through the air, and launched a massive attack.
Zalaria deflected it skyward. The attack split the sky in half.
Zalaria (sweating): "Impossible… am I afraid of her?!"
Rain began to fall.
Zalaria (smirking): "I knew it—she can't scare me."
While she was distracted, Eleria had prepared a deadly attack—millions of ice swords launched at Zalaria like a storm.
Zalaria slashed and dodged, cutting them mid-air.
Still, the pressure was clear—Zalaria was growing angry and cornered.
Zalaria (with contempt): "Damn insect… when did she grow so powerful?"
Eleria's attack paused. A massive snowball the size of a mountain formed—but Zalaria cleaved it in half, unleashing a foggy explosion.
Zalaria cut through the fog—only to find Eleria standing above her, majestic against the moon, like a true queen. Above her floated icy meteors.
Eleria: "Farewell, Zalaria!"
Zalaria (cornered): "You've crossed the line, Eleria... But I'll make you regret raising your sword against me!"
The meteors fell—Zalaria cut the first in half, sending massive shockwaves and firestorms across the battlefield, even wiping out a mountain.
Zalaria: "Sword Technique – Tenth Poem – Crimson Blade Dance!"
A massive field formed around her, 100 meters wide. She stood still, eyes closed. In a flash, she swung her blade twenty times and sheathed it.
The meteors shattered into dust—each piece no larger than a grain of sand.
Zalaria (smiling toward the sky): "The moon rises once again."
Zalaria: "It seems it's time to reveal… my true power."
To be continued…