Sowhere in the dense forest, on the outskirts of Porand’s border…
Towering pine trees blocked most of the sunlight from reaching the moss-covered ground. The chorus of birds echoed into the distance in a perfect harmony of tranquillity. A stream flowed, clashing into white boulders as it humd gently in the background.
Near the river, two figures huddled close by the campfire. Smoke rose high into the air, visible from kilotres away.
“Ugh! Why did you have to make a fire? My hair’s going to reek after this!” Ziyue whined, scooting away from the rising smoke and shielding her two-tone hair. She wasn’t dressed for camping or trekking. Instead, she wore a stylish black corset and leather pants that scread gothic aesthetic.
Her corset was overly tight for her busty figure, paired with a side-split skirt that looked more suffocating than practical. Her thigh-hugging pants were riddled with too many belts to count. For weapons, she carried a set of throwing kunai sheathed on her utility belt, as well as an arc blade.
All in all, Ziyue clearly prioritised fashion over comfort or common sense.
“Because we need breakfast,” Jovian mumbled, quietly transmitting encrypted codes through the arc comm. He was relaying guidance and directions to the Minister of Defence, regarding the aftermath of the border war in his kingdom — Russha.
After finishing up with politics and wars on the far side of the world, he looked and felt thoroughly exhausted.
“I’ll have to wash my hair again after this…” Ziyue's whining trailed off into the background.
Jovian used a stick to stir the hot coals. The fishsticks shimred, exuding a mouth-watering aroma — at least to him. anwhile, Ziyue lifted her black mask to cover her nose and mouth.
The Celestius of Sagittarius wore a dark tunic layered with a ragged cloak wrapped around his neck. A sigil of a smiling sun was pinned to his left collar, holding the cloak in place. The cloak’s jagged ends swayed rhythmically, even in the absence of wind. He wore loose trousers and venti-black arc boots.
At a glance, Jovian appeared unard and unprepared. That was his best trick. Disguise was both his forte and his deadliest weapon.
As the fish finished cooking, Jovian plucked a stick from the coals and offered it to his niece.
She scowled and threw her hands up. “Why did you bring camping? I thought we were going to explore the city centre. There’s a concert there!”
She whined through her breath, her purple eyes shifting into a magenta hue beneath the sunlight.
Jovian chuckled, taking a bite of fish. “If I told you, you wouldn’t have co. Ziyue, we’ve got work to do,” he said bluntly.
“Ugh! The other Celestius mages are all useless. Just yap, yap, yap!” Ziyue complained, crossing her legs as she sat on a white stone. Then she added, “Except my best gal — Vivian, of course. I just wanna go back to my room and redo my nails… maybe I should do Vivian’s too!”
Jovian watched as she inspected her sharp black nails, dark red lipstick, and heavy black eyeshadow. “She really thought we were headed to a gothic concert...” he mused internally.
She pouted as she watched Jovian eat, hot steam escaping from his mouth.
“I’m peckish now, Uncle!” she eventually caved, outstretched her palm. Still, her gaze lingered on the distant forest.
With a faint smile, he handed her another fishstick. “This one’s bigger. Bon appétit.”
“Thanks!” she said, taking a small bite and humming in delight.
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Ziyue was rebellious, no doubt. But she listened to him — albeit with a few complaints along the way. After all, they’d been through hell and high water together. They always worked in tandem.
For a while, the two simply enjoyed the serenity of their surroundings. The gentle stream, the birdsong, and the quiet companionship.
After they’d finished eating, Ziyue finally broke the silence.
“By the way, this eastern forest seems haunted. No one’s around. Remind again. Why are we here?”
“Listen…” Jovian murmured, his eyes drifting closed.
“What?”
“Listen.”
Reluctantly, she followed his instruction. Once she truly focused, she could hear it — a low humming, steadily growing louder from deep within the forest.
Ziyue’s eyes snapped open. “Enemy Armatus!”
Jovian slowly rose to his feet, stretching his neck and rolling his shoulders. “We’re gathering intel. Coincidentally, it turns out the Dunkelheit forces set up a camp nearby. I want to know why.”
“Not a coincidence, Uncle — you led us here on purpose!” Ziyue accused, crossing her arms beneath her voluptuous chest.
Jovian kept his thoughts to himself. “And the most important question — how did they know Princess Aurelia was crossing the border?”
Looking at her fierce eyes, he smiled gently. “You’re the bait, okay?”
“No~Ughhh!” Ziyue began to protest, but Jovian’s cloak turned into mist and vanished.
The ground trembled as a ten-tre-tall Armatus erged from the treeline, clearly drawn in by the smoke.
Spotting Ziyue in her gothic get-up, the scout cocked his head in confusion.
“Lady! This is a combat zone! You’re not permitted here!” His voice bood from his external speaker.
Ziyue turned towards the Armatus, raising both hands. “I didn’t know that, Sir Knight! I thought this spot was perfect for camping!” she shouted, loud enough for him to hear.
“Any weapons!?” he barked, clearly suspicious.
Shaking her head, Ziyue began walking towards the mobile suit. “No, Sir Knight. I only have a stick and a stone—”
“Stop right there! Do not co any closer!” he snapped, cannon aid at her. His eyes scanned the area. “Anyone else with you?”
“Nope! It’s just ~ and you!” she sang sweetly. Then, under her breath, she muttered, “Uncle, what took you so long?”
“Stay right there! I’m going to check—What the?!”
A shadow appeared beside him. Jovian struck with a swift elbow to the helt.
The hit landed flush on the scout’s temple, flinging him aside. His vision blurred, pain numbing his senses.
Before he could react, Jovian had opened the hatch and thrown him out of his Armatus. The man crashed eight tres to the ground with a heavy clank.
“Ahhhhh!” The air rushed from his lungs as he rolled, groaning. His integrated dpack auto-injected a stimulant, dilating his pupils and forcing him awake.
Two figures lood above him. Their shadows eclipsed his vision.
“Please~please... don’t kill ,” the knight begged as his helt retracted, revealing his bloodied face.
“Don’t try anything,” Jovian said coldly, stepping on the plasma armguard and disarming him.
“My, my! He’s kinda cute,” Ziyue chid in, crouching next to him. Her wide smile and unblinking stare gave off unsettling sociopathic energy.
“Wh~who are you!?” the bronze soldier stamred, panicked eyes darting between Jovian and Ziyue.
“Oh, baby, we’re the ones asking the questions,” Ziyue said sweetly, drawing a dagger. “So, tell — which finger is your least favourite?”
“Sir! I think your wife is a psycho!” the knight blurted, sweat pouring down his face.
Slap!
Ziyue backhanded him, snapping his head to the side.
“Awww, why would you think that?! He’s my uncle, you dumb prick!” she shouted, bouncing to her feet in outrage. “He’s so ugly! Look at his hair!”
“I~I didn’t know what I was thinking! Sorry—!” the knight stamred, wincing as she stomped away.
Ziyue stepped out, still whining. “His body slls like an old man, his beard’s all ssy—ugh, he’s so ewwwww!”
“She’s really draggin’ it…” Jovian muttered grimly. The bronze scout gave him a side glance, almost pitying him.
“Holy Gaia, do I look like so mistress who courts old n?! Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl~ewwwww!” Ziyue continued, practically gagging.
Jovian exhaled and turned back to the scout, dead serious. “Now tell us everything. What’s your mission? And more importantly, who gave the order?”
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