Chapter 203: The New Hueco Mundo, The Restructured Espada
Hueco Mundo—within the main hall of the renovated Las Noches—absolute silence pervaded the empty chamber. Not a single sound disturbed the surrounding stillness.
At this moment, beyond the corridor, urgent footsteps approached from the distance.
"I must ask, Menoly—do you have to follow me so closely?"
Within the corridor, Loly Aivirrne—who possessed twin ponytails and whose left eye was concealed by a bone mask fragment—regarded her companion with obvious irritation.
"That simply won't do. Lord Fiander has requested that all former Espada gather today. As his personal attendants, we must complete preparations in advance."
"Sycophant!"
After the aggrieved Loly Aivirrne glared at her counterpart, the two quickened their pace. A dull creaking sound resonated throughout the space. For more than a year, the doors to the throne hall—which had remained sealed tightly—were slowly pushed open by the two attendants.
"Prepare the seating arrangements. Although Lord Fiander is quite approachable, we absolutely must not become presumptuous. Performing our duties properly represents our highest priority."
After Menoly Mallia finished speaking, she proceeded toward the storage area behind the hall to arrange tables and chairs throughout the vacant chamber.
Menoly Mallia and Loly Aivirrne—two Arrancar of moderate strength—had served as attendants to Aizen, the former ruler of Las Noches. Since Aizen's defeat at Kurosaki Ichigo's hands one year prior, the current Las Noches and indeed all of Hueco Mundo had fallen under Fiander's sphere of dominion.
Naturally, Loly Aivirrne had approached Fiander seeking service. Unlike Aizen's expansionist strategy, Fiander had strictly ordered all Arrancar not to depart from Hueco Mundo without explicit permission. Throughout this past year, Las Noches had enjoyed a relatively stable developmental environment.
Because Fiander had entrusted most administrative affairs to Ulquiorra's oversight, he himself remained largely free. Beyond controlling the overarching strategic direction, he fundamentally refrained from intervening in Las Noches' day-to-day management. Ulquiorra had learned tremendously from this year's experience. Most importantly, he'd comprehended the meaning of the heart. His entire demeanor no longer appeared as cold and impersonal as before.
Following Aizen's defeat, Fiander had brought Ichimaru Gin back to Las Noches. Aside from attending to the severely wounded Espada, Fiander seldom appeared within others' sight.
Except for Ichimaru Gin and Ulquiorra, his most trusted subordinate Reinhard typically issued commands on his behalf.
Additionally, Inoue Orihime remained the sole human capable of meeting with Fiander of her own volition. Speaking of Inoue Orihime, the Arrancar of Las Noches had initially displayed resistance and disgust toward her presence. However, they'd gradually accepted her existence. They were compelled to acknowledge her, as she'd been personally arranged by Fiander to reside within Las Noches. Although everyone remained uncertain regarding Fiander's ultimate purpose, in essence, Inoue Orihime had barely managed to adapt to life within Las Noches.
During ordinary days, Nelliel would arrange for personnel to travel to the human world, purchasing various items and foodstuffs to bring back. Consequently, everyone coexisted relatively harmoniously. After all, no one objected to acknowledging someone ranked even higher than Vasto Lorde-class.
Ultimately, Fiander's identity represented Hueco Mundo's only Super Menos Grande of a level surpassing even Vasto Lorde throughout the past ten thousand years—and he'd also achieved complete Arrancarization. No one knew where his limits resided.
Yet his record of defeating the Captain-Commander of Soul Society's Gotei 13 proved sufficient to distinguish him throughout the Three Realms. Although Fiander had deliberately concealed this information—after all, enemies observing from the shadows remained ever watchful.
The Palace of Silence—Fiander's personal residence—had been significantly expanded after he'd assumed control of Las Noches. During ordinary times, Reinhard bore responsibility for guarding the entrance. Other individuals were strictly forbidden from entering unless specifically summoned—not even Nelliel possessed such privilege.
Nelliel, whose damaged soul had been completely restored by Fiander and whose strength had fully recovered, had once attempted forceful entry. However, after being confined by Fiander several times as punishment, she no longer dared behave so recklessly. Nevertheless, her status within the current Las Noches remained rather unique.
Regarding strength, she'd formerly held the position of Espada Number Three. Having been acknowledged by Fiander as something akin to a younger sister, she—already possessing a temperamental disposition—had now become completely unrestrained.
Yet Fiander understood that Nelliel had once been a composed and rational individual. During the period when her memories had been lost and her body reduced in size, her personality had become entirely opposite to her true nature. Although she'd returned to her previous appearance now, those years of hardship remained precious memories for Nelliel.
After all, only through experiencing painful existence could one's future ascend higher still.
Later, when the Arrancar of Las Noches encountered Nelliel, they frequently observed two miniature Arrancar statues suspended from her waist. Those familiar with her history recognized them as representations of her former subordinates—Dondochakka Birstanne and Pesche Guatiche.
To avenge Nelliel, they'd utilized the power Fiander had bestowed upon them—called "Dragon's Mark"—sacrificing their own souls to defeat Nnoitra Gilga, who had ranked fifth among the Espada.
As though commemorating their sacrifice, Nelliel had commissioned Fiander to craft statues honoring them both. Consequently, whenever anyone encountered Nelliel, they witnessed her wearing these tributes upon her person.
At this moment, outside the Palace of Silence, Reinhard knocked lightly upon Fiander's door and called softly: "It's nearly time, my lord."
"Ulquiorra and Lady Nelliel have returned from the human world, and... accompanying them are Kurosaki Ichigo and his younger sister, Kurosaki Karin."
After prolonged silence, a voice finally emerged from the deep, shadowed Palace of Silence. "Really? Time passes so swiftly."
Following brief quiet, a figure slowly emerged from the darkness. Fiander—bare-chested and wearing a nightgown, his long hair disheveled—walked forth from the Palace of Silence as though he'd only just awakened.
"Where are they presently?"
Fiander rubbed his drowsy eyes and addressed Reinhard standing beside him.
"They've just departed from the Garganta. Currently, they're positioned at Las Noches' periphery, advancing toward the throne hall."
Witnessing Fiander's appearance, Reinhard bowed respectfully before speaking with deference.
"I see. The surviving Espada have all received notifications, correct?"
"Yes. Lady Lilynette arrived first. Upon learning you hadn't yet awakened, Lady Lilynette has been waiting alone within the side chamber."
The Lilynette referenced by Reinhard represented the original consciousness that had once been Starrk.
After both souls had been restored and subsequently separated, the soul consciousness belonging to Coyote Starrk had been erased entirely. The current Primera Espada existed as the adult-form Lilynette—which represented her original appearance before she'd split to become Coyote Starrk's companion.
"Lilynette?"
"Hah..."
After releasing a prolonged sigh, Fiander gazed toward the ceiling above and smiled with bitter resignation. "That girl has been persistently entreating me to restore Starrk's consciousness. She wants me to split her soul once more to revive him."
"However... such circumstances make that genuinely difficult to accomplish!"
"Forget it! Inform all Espada currently present to assemble within the throne hall's main chamber. We shall welcome our guest—the arrival of Kurosaki Ichigo!"
After shaking his head, Fiander immediately provided Reinhard with instructions, then prepared to return to his chambers to change attire once more.
"Yes, Lord Fiander!"
Thirty minutes later, the previously vacant throne hall had become considerably more animated. Thus far, all surviving Espada had congregated within this space. Although Fiander had not redefined the Espada rankings officially, these individuals remained keenly aware of their relative positions.
Each understood approximately where their strength ranked and refrained from provoking others without authorization.
"This is taking far too long. Ulquiorra—that guy required this much time merely to retrieve that Kurosaki kid?"
Grimmjow, seated upon a bench, yawned and spoke with obvious boredom. "And that woman Nelliel as well. Though she was clearly released from service by Fiander, she lords her strength over me, claiming she's the former Number Three while I'm merely Number Six. She insists I should obey her commands."
"It's... absolutely infuriating!" As Grimmjow spoke, a dangerous gleam flashed within his eyes.
"Please exercise caution, Lord Grimmjow. We cannot afford to provoke the current Lady Nelliel. Moreover, she genuinely possesses greater strength than ourselves."
At this moment, Shawlong Koufang—seated beside Grimmjow—addressed him with a wry smile.
"What? Are you frightened, Shawlong? Don't forget that you emerged from my Fracción. Although you've also become Espada now, you cannot diminish the prestige of my Grimmjow faction."
Hearing what Grimmjow declared, the newly appointed Espada Shawlong Koufang carefully scanned the other Espada surrounding them. He waved his hands defensively and whispered urgently: "Please spare me. Charlotte, Avirama, and the others..."
"You're not unaware of the circumstances back then. With several Espada positions vacant, I had no choice but to accept promotion despite my reluctance. Among these individuals present, any one of them could crush me effortlessly."
While Shawlong and Grimmjow conversed, two figures entered through the main gates. At that instant, the entire chamber fell silent. The previous commotion returned instantly to perfect calm.
Fiander Moros arrives, accompanied by Reinhard Cavendish.
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