News of the Spartan squad's mission to Planet Morgulon eventually reached the ears of Marina, Alice, and Iris. They were curious and began to wonder—especially Marina, since her friend Valencia, who had now become a captain, was part of it.
The Science Division wasn't as crowded as the other divisions, allowing the three of them to spend a lot of time together. This time, they planned to hang out in Nexus City.
"Hey, want to go out for a bit?"
"I know a great place in the Zodiacus district!"
Alice wrapped her arm around Marina, causing her glasses to slide as she jumped in surprise.
"Go out? B-but I..."
"Hmm, I'm not used to crowds."
Marina adjusted her glasses. Her red eyes shimmered, though she slightly turned her face away.
"Oh, come on, Marina! You've been nervous all day!"
"It sounds like you need something refreshing in Zodiacus."
Iris stood behind them, still busy tidying her clothes.
After Alice and Iris spent a great deal of effort persuading the blue-haired elf, Marina finally agreed to join them. The three walked out of the headquarters; it was already 6 p.m. local time. The sunlight hit their skin, bringing a sense of warmth and togetherness.
"Hmm, the train arrives in one minute!"
"Lucky our schedule isn't too packed today."
Alice leaned back while waiting for the subway along with Marina, who was busy reading her tablet, and Iris, who was observing the station's atmosphere. Finally, the train arrived, and they stepped inside.
"Take a seat, friends."
"Zodiacus is quite far from our Haast district!"
"I think I'll take a nap first."
The cold air brushed against the three of them as they looked toward the empty seats on the right. They sat down, but Alice chose to lie across the seats, while Marina and Iris sat normally.
"Next stop, Pisces Station. Passengers, please prepare in your respective seats. The train will depart shortly. Please ensure your belongings are secure."
The train operator's voice echoed. Alice was busy napping, Iris looked outside, and Marina was focused on something on her tablet. After a few moments, the doors closed to keep the cold air in, and the train departed, leaving Haastion Station behind.
The subway moved swiftly, yet the atmosphere inside was calm with almost no vibration. While the three were occupied with their own thoughts, two soldiers from the Spartan division boarded the train, seemingly enjoying some free time.
"Hey, did you hear? Rumor has it Captain Valencia is going to be the third-ranked High Sentinel, filling the position that's been vacant all this time!"
A female soldier nearby whispered, but Marina, with her sharp hearing, caught every word.
"Hmm, Valen's getting promoted so fast."
"I might just fall behind her!!"
Marina closed her eyes and shook her head slightly, which caught the curious gaze of Iris. However, Iris didn't intend to ask as she was still busy watching the scenery outside the train.
"They say they've already arrived at Planet Morgulon. From what I've heard, that planet is almost 95% infested with vicious Abyssium monsters!"
"There's even a type of monster that only targets women—ugh, that's disgusting if you ask me!"
The two soldiers continued their conversation, unaware that their talk was heard by the blue-haired elf nearby. The train finally emerged from the tunnel and entered the elevated tracks. Below, Iris saw countless vehicles passing by. Meanwhile, Alice looked comfortable curled up. The train continued to speed along; they sat and relaxed for about ten minutes.
"Attention passengers, we will arrive at Pisces Station in one minute. Please check your belongings so nothing is left behind."
The operator's voice woke Alice up. Her eyes felt heavy as she stretched her body. Marina was still occupied with her tablet, and Iris tidied her hair with her hands.
The train arrived, and the doors slowly opened, letting the cold air mix with the warmth of the station lights. Alice immediately stood up, followed by Iris and Marina. They stepped out and looked at the station clock; it was 7 p.m.
"Hey, let's go! We're here!!"
"I want us to go to a famous bar that isn't too crowded!"
Alice stretched her arms. Iris only sighed while Marina, hearing they were going to a bar, immediately changed her expression.
"A b-bar... umm, I can't handle alcohol very well."
"I-I... might just order something else."
Marina's cheeks flushed red, and she hid it by turning her face away. However, Alice and Iris noticed and immediately dragged Marina along as they stepped up, exiting the station.
"Here it is, the Zodiacus entertainment district!!"
"Let's have some fun, friends!"
Alice threw her hands up at the grandeur of the district, which was filled with colorful neon lights, billboards, and citizens of various races passing by. Iris then pulled Marina's hand because Alice was walking so fast.
"Come on, we have to catch up!"
"Hey Alice, wait!!"
The atmosphere was very crowded as people were just finishing work. Cleaning robots were seen vacuuming dust and picking up fallen trash, and billboards for drinks with giant bottles attached lined the streets. And, of course, there was a general information board located right at the street intersection.
After walking through the crowds and activity for a while, they finally reached the bar Alice meant. The bar was named "Vortex Hollow."
"This is it....!"
"Let's go inside!!"
The three opened the doors, and relaxing music played. There were only a few people inside, even though it was already 7:30 p.m. local time. They sat near a window showing the view of the city streets. Alice raised her hand to order, while Marina suddenly remembered something—a moment with someone from the past.
"Hehe, the sky is beautiful. Just like your hair."
The image of a handsome young man with purple eyes appeared in her mind.
"You're too kind. By the way, you love traveling, don't you?"
"What is your actual goal in doing all that? Don't you already have everything?!"
Marina sat beside him, bowing her head and mustering the courage to ask.
"I love looking at the stars in the sky, just like my father. Even though our relationship isn't smooth because of his work."
"Besides, I'm tired of hearing people call me strange and a misfit. I want to be free, like the birds and the stars in the sky."
The young man stood up, straightening his black cloak while continuing to gaze at the sky. He then glanced at Marina and extended his hand, like a prince to a princess.
"Come on, Marina Florence. Before I return to the kingdom and get busy again."
"Let's spend our time together in this place."
Marina flushed, nervous, and turned her face away. Her glasses nearly fell, but the man caught them with swift grace. Marina then stood up, and the man did something else.
"Here, let me put them back on. You get nervous so easily. That was close!"
Slowly, the glasses were put back in place, parting Marina's long hair under the starlight that reflected in her red eyes.
"Mo—Montlucis....!"
Marina's eyes welled up with tears, staring at the man with intense emotion. His smile left Marina completely mesmerized.
"Don't call me by my last name. Just call me by my first name next time, okay!"
Slowly, the man's face faded and was replaced by familiar voices. Marina snapped back and saw Alice and Iris, who had already ordered drinks for the three of them.
"Hey, what's with you?!"
"You've been spacing out and smiling to yourself this whole time!"
"Thinking about someone, eh? Hihihi!"
Iris giggled, while Alice drank while turning her face away, having watched Marina earlier.
"I-it's nothing, really. I just... remembered an old friend!"
Marina raised her hand. The bar waiter, who was of the Centaur race, approached, the sound of his footsteps echoing loudly to her long ears.
"What would you like to order, miss?!"
Marina pointed to a milk soda. After confirming it, the waiter went to the bartender's counter. Alice and Iris had apparently already begun to drift off to another place; Marina was shocked at how quickly they were affected by their drinks.
"I... I....!!"
Alice downed her drink, while Iris seemed able to hold on, though her face was starting to turn red.
"Ma... rina, you haven't ordered yet!"
Iris's vision began to spin; her eyes felt heavy. Meanwhile, Marina waited for her drink to arrive. After a few moments, the waiter returned with her order. Marina took a slow sip. Since Alice had already started falling asleep again, she asked Iris about the drink the white-haired demon had ordered.
"She ordered a drink with the highest alcohol content. It's only natural, even if she's a demon!"
Slowly, Iris regained some clarity; her angel body seemed able to neutralize the effects of the drink. They spent about three hours at the bar, ordering snacks along with their drinks. Gradually, Marina stopped worrying about Valencia because she believed her friend was strong enough to handle difficult situations.
As she ate, the image of the young man slowly reappeared in Marina's mind.
"Hehe, you look exactly like my mother, both in appearance and in what you like!"
"Here, let me carry you. You must be tired after walking for so long!"
With a swift motion, the young man's hands lifted Marina, who had started to lose her balance while walking. The man's left hand was covered in bandages, yet its warmth reached straight to Marina's heart.
"Mo—Montlucis....!!"
"Ehh, this is embarrassing!"
Marina lowered her reddened face, not daring to look at the man. But the wind blew, revealing his handsome face, like a god descended to earth.
Quickly, the man ran while carrying Marina toward a nearby hill. Marina felt frightened because the man carried her while leaping over rocks, diving and running in a rhythm that never broke. Finally, after being carried by her hero, they reached the top of the hill. They sat down and looked at the wilderness stretching beyond the horizon.
"Moo, I was scared just now!"
"You're way too fast!!"
Marina leaned her head on the man's shoulder; he was slightly taller than her. The sun slowly set, and the sky on that planet began to change colors.
"You know... my father is busy being an Archon. Only my mother used to accompany and strengthen me."
"Even though I have loyal servants in the kingdom and two younger siblings who constantly cheer me up... still, being labeled as strange and a misfit has left a deep mark in my soul."
Suddenly, the man coughed, startling the leaning Marina. Moreover, that cough brought blood from his mouth, and his breathing slowly became irregular. Marina quickly calmed him down, and once successful, she hugged him tightly.
"Moo, why are you pushing yourself....!"
"I know your time is limited. But at least don't make others worry!!"
Tears fell, her voice grew small, and her hug grew tighter. Marina held her prince for a long time, so long that the sun had set before Marina released her grip. Once she had calmed down, she let go and intended to give him something.
"I might... not be by your side all the time."
"But I want you to remember that I and your mother still accept you, even if people label you as strange!"
From her pocket, Marina pulled out a flower that looked familiar to the prince's eyes.
"I—is that... an Edelweiss flower....?!"
"My mother's favorite flower!!"
"So you like it too, do you?"
But before the prince could take it from Marina's hand, she cast a special spell on the flower.
"Here, take it!"
"I've placed a special spell on it; you'll find out what kind of spell it is in time."
"And promise me, we will live together in the future. No matter what happens!"
The prince took the flower with his right hand and tucked it inside his cloak.
"Thank you. You truly fill the hole they've made in me all this time!"
Spontaneously, the prince held Marina's face, which was starting to turn red. Slowly, the prince's face drew closer. Marina closed her eyes and resigned herself as their lips were about to meet, but suddenly a hand appeared and slapped her.
"Hey, Marina!"
"Wake up! Are you daydreaming again!?"
Alice, now fully awake, stared at Marina with a look of annoyance. Snapping back from her thoughts, Marina's face flushed red again, and this time she couldn't hide it.
"I-I'm not, I just....!"
Iris could only laugh, while Alice cornered Marina even more, knowing she was lying.
"Yeah, yeah, keep making excuses like that!"
"Hmph!!!"
Alice pouted, closed her eyes, and turned her face away from the two of them. Iris could only watch her two friends in bewilderment. Meanwhile, Marina's blush didn't fade—in fact, it grew even deeper.