The base was far larger than Hiro initially thought.
From the outside,the Central City's Imperial Division Headquarters looked like a fortified estate — layered rooftops curved in traditional Japanese style, dark tiles edged in crimson trim. But inside, it was a fusion of ancient elegance and modern military precision.
Hallways were lined with polished cedar panels reinforced subtly with Aether-threaded steel. Paper-paneled sliding doors concealed biometric locks.
Lantern-style lights floated inches below the ceiling, powered by faintly humming Aether cores. The floors were spotless — so reflective that Hiro could see his own awkward expression staring back at him.
This place smells expensive.
And powerful.
"This way," Daisy said flatly, walking ahead with brisk, efficient steps.
Marian strolled beside Hiro instead, hands clasped behind her head, posture relaxed and loose — like she was touring a friend rather than escorting a newly registered beast slave.
They turned a corner.
Daisy slid open a wide wooden door.
Warm mist rolled out.
"So this is one of the baths we have."
Hiro froze.
Before him was a massive indoor Japanese bath — stone-lined, sunken into the floor, with gently steaming water reflecting soft overhead lights.
The walls were crafted from smooth dark wood, and small bamboo fountains trickled water continuously into the pool. There were separate washing stations along one side with mounted showerheads and polished stools.
It wasn't just a bath.
It was a luxury spa.
This thing could fit several people at once…
Hiro swallowed.
So this is where those bombshell bodies get cleaned.
His imagination betrayed him instantly.
Marian's tanned skin glistening with water droplets… Daisy's small but undeniably dangerous figure stepping into the steam… Bailey's ethereal frame half-submerged—
"You're thinking about something perverted, aren't you?" Marian suddenly asked, leaning slightly to peek at his face.
"Haha! Of course not!" Hiro laughed stiffly, hands waving defensively.
Bloody idiot, control your face.
Daisy shot him a look.
"This is where we refresh after missions," she said bluntly. "The upstairs bath is larger, but that one's reserved for the Captain and Vice Captain."
Of course it is.
Hiro stared at the bath again.
Only the Imperial Army could afford something like this. Back in school during trips, the boys barely got buckets of lukewarm water.
So this is what I've been missing out on my entire life…
He stepped closer, mesmerized by the steam curling upward.
Suddenly—
A soft pressure pressed against his back.
Two arms wrapped around his waist.
Hiro's brain short-circuited.
He looked over his shoulder.
Marian.
Her body was warm against him. Close. Very close.
"We could also come here to have fun, Hiro ," she whispered teasingly into his ear.
His face went crimson instantly.
His imagination exploded again — Marian's toned body dripping wet, water sliding down defined shoulders, clinging fabric outlining every curve—
Blood rushed south.
"U-Um, I don't think that's—"
"Hahaha! I'm just kidding!" Marian pulled away, doubling over in laughter.
Fuck. She was teasing me again.
Hiro clenched his fists in frustration.
Daisy slapped her own forehead.
"Why do I have to share a unit with such a vixen…" she muttered.
Marian had a reputation. She teased any male on sight — even the beast slaves of other divisions. It had nearly caused inter-unit fights before.
"You didn't honestly think we were going to do it, right?" Marian grinned mischievously
.
"H-Ha… of course not," Hiro said quickly.
Unfortunately—
His body betrayed him.
Both girls' eyes dropped.
Silence.
"You really are a pervert," Daisy said flatly, staring at him with open disgust.
"Haha! You're really cute, Hiro," Marian giggled, covering her mouth. "Sadly, in my family, we only choose strong men."
That comment hit harder than expected.
But I am strong… right?
His thoughts slowed.
Back then… I was running on adrenaline.
If I fought someone intelligent… would I win?
He pictured the giant spider again.
Luckily my first opponent was just an overgrown bug.
His confidence dimmed slightly.
"Can we finish this tour?" Daisy said sharply.
"I have other things to do."
They exited the bath.
Next stop—
"These are the training grounds."
They stepped into a massive indoor arena. Reinforced floors lined with combat grids. Target dummies embedded with impact sensors.
Wall-mounted weapon racks filled with practice blades, spears, and Aether-channeling firearms.
The ceiling was high, crisscrossed with suspended platforms for aerial drills.
Scorch marks stained parts of the walls.
Marian punched one of the dummies casually as they passed.
The impact sensor flared red.
Yeah… she'd crush me.
"The kitchen."
Unlike the rest of the base, the kitchen felt almost domestic. Stainless counters. Multiple refrigerators. Large rice cookers. Shelves stocked neatly.
"So who cooks?" Hiro asked carefully.
"Whoever loses rock-paper-scissors," Marian answered cheerfully.
Daisy scowled.
"The toilets."
Clean. Immaculate. Smelled like lemon disinfectant.
"The laundry room."
Industrial washers reinforced to handle combat uniforms and blood-soaked fabrics.
Finally, they descended to the bedroom corridor.
The hallway lighting was softer here. Each door had a distinct personality.
Marian's door was covered in colorful pop stickers, glitter decals, and hand-drawn doodles.
Elira's door…
Was wrapped in medical bandages.
"…Why?" Hiro asked quietly.
"She says it's aesthetic," Daisy replied.
Daisy's own door was simple. Plain wood. Just a small engraved nameplate.
Bailey and Yurei's rooms were upstairs — off-limits.
"But where's my room?" Hiro asked.
"That's undecided. You'll use the spare room until Captain returns."
"My room is always open for you, Hiro," Marian winked.
Definitely not falling for that again.
"But mine definitely isn't," Daisy added. "Try entering and you're getting a lightning bolt to the face."
She crossed her arms.
Hiro's eyes traitorously dropped for half a second.
Why does crossing arms make that worse—
He quickly looked away.
Then something clicked.
"Mari … where are your beast slaves?"
He had assumed they were around somewhere.
Other divisions had multiple slaves.
"Where are they?"
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Marian's smile disappeared.
Daisy's expression hardened.
Even the air felt heavier.
Shit.
Did I step on a landmine?
"Sorry, I didn't mean—"
"We don't have any," Marian said flatly.
No teasing.
No cheer.
Just statement.
Daisy exhaled quietly.
"I guess part of the tour includes basic Army structure," she said.
"Let's head back to the living room."
They walked in silence, the cheerful energy from earlier was gone. The polished floors felt colder now.
Hiro's thoughts spiraled.
Did they lose them?
Were they killed?
Or—
Shit. I really hope I didn't say something offensive.
The tension followed them all the way back.