AKIHIRO ATLAS
I slowly turned my head toward him and blinked. His pink hair has always captivated me. My red hair looks so ordinary next to his… He is Logos, who serves as the guide for Team 1. Since the team buildings are massive—and, moreover, spread across several buildings—visitors need a guide.
I have to shake off the creepy, rather insincere reaction sparked by my earlier thoughts—this man is Team 1's main guide, Logos himself.
"Logos, it's been a long time since we last met… hasn't it?" I forced myself to smile.
No lie, I'm jealous of this guy. With his glasses, his coat reminiscent of nobility, and his bourgeois jacket, he looks incredibly charismatic.
His short, bright pink hair fell softly around his face. Behind his thin-framed glasses were golden eyes that stared with an oddly intense focus. His face was calm and somewhat expressionless; as if he were silently analyzing everything around him.
He wore a long-sleeved, slim-fitting coat in shades of purple; over it, he had a light-colored piece that left his shoulders exposed. He was slender, and there was a peculiar grace in his posture. As I looked at him, I couldn't help but think he carried a calmness that was somewhat different from that of ordinary people.
"It is an honor to see you, General Akihiro. The Grand General has been waiting to hear from you for a long time. I've heard something about you from him almost every day. I know a great deal about your life… You are truly someone to admire!"
He couldn't hide the excitement in his voice as he spoke of me.
Perhaps those words should have pleased me… but they didn't.
He was too excited while talking about me. I suppose I should be happy, but I don't particularly enjoy being praised by others. When I was young, my ego used to make me feel defeated by almost everything. These days, I'm trying to overcome that. Emotions are one of the things that weaken people—and me, above all. When emotion mixes with the mind, that mind is no longer a mind but a machine—a machine that operates with a heart that has erased the brain's files.
Once emotion mixes with the mind, it ceases to be a pure mind.
It doesn't make decisions… it reacts.
It doesn't think… it feels.
And a mind that feels…
is not actually a thinking being, but merely a machine guided by the heart.
Hehehe… I'll be honest with myself. What I'm saying here sounds a lot like what I've been doing.
Aurelia, I can hear your laughter in my head… Damn woman!
"Thank you, Logos. It's very heartening to hear this. But since I'm in a hurry right now, I'd like to save the conversation for later. Could you accompany me to General Yayati's side?"
I think I changed the subject a bit too quickly. The universe is playing games with me; I wish I could control my mouth as well as I control my spear…
Logos looked at me and smiled, then gestured to the other side with his hand and began walking ahead of me. As I followed him, he asked me some questions.
"How was your mission in the Sacred Domain we call World-0891, General?"
Of course, I couldn't tell him everything.
"It was exhausting, Logos. I encountered all sorts of creatures, but the part about finding some of the kings or queens—our main objective—hasn't been successful so far. I suppose the reason is that none of them were present in the areas I explored. I suspect there are other Spirit Users besides me. The kings or queens expected to appear there must have fled before I even began my search."
Logos chuckled, tilting his head. "Those who know your power would naturally have fled, General."
I suppose this man only knows about the Team Headquarters…
Does he know about the Kings' power?
…
The Kings.
Every time I think of that word, two opposing things awaken within me at the same time:
an inescapable admiration… and a hatred that suffocates and corrodes it.
Because I cannot deny it.
They… are the embodiment of power.
Beings who have transcended every limit a human, an army, or even a nation could reach.
Among them are those who bend time…
Those who rewrite reality according to their own will…
Those who bring cities to their knees merely by their presence…
Their power… is immeasurable. Unparalleled. Impossible for most minds to even comprehend.
Kings… do not fight.
Kings… create war.
The wars created by those as repulsive as them are always waged against the powerless. Their battles among themselves never last long—I hate that.
That is precisely why… I hate them.
Because such power… destroys balance.
It renders justice meaningless. I seek justice for my own race.
Their curses,
reduce humanity… to nothing more than something meant to be crushed.
When they walk, everyone else is merely the backdrop.
When they speak, all other voices fall silent.
And worst of all… they act as if this were their natural right.
It's not like that, haha… They just think it is.
They act like gods.
But they aren't even gods. I know this very well, from everything that's happened in the past three years and everything I've read and learned from the past.
I'm a king, after all. I hate admitting it, and it's not like I've ever accepted it. I don't know what I'm supposed to think. I've seen too much of them, and knowing that I'm one of those disgusting things makes me hate this body, too.
Because they…
Are simply… beings who found power and refuse to let it go.
I've seen what they are.
I've seen what lies at the pinnacle of power.
And I can tell this to my foolish body…
Kings inspire awe, yes. But at the same time… they are the greatest mistake that must be eradicated.
Still, I must turn to Logos, who speaks of the power of kings, and give him an answer. He must have thought I'd ghosted him or something since I've been silent for so long.
"I suppose so."
He was continuing on our path and remained silent for a while.
Of course, I wasn't serious when I said that; if he knew how devastating my battles with some of those I've faced have been, he couldn't have said that…
"Has anything else happened worth mentioning in your valuable account? Three years is a serious amount of time, after all," he added.
I thought for a few seconds, because I hadn't planned on telling him everything. In fact, I hadn't even planned on telling the Grand General everything.
Even though I was under Cistern's command, I hadn't gone on this mission just to carry out the orders given to me.
I had my own goals as well.
"In the end, I spent three years doing everything in my power. Every single day was spent observing people, searching for clues, surveilling suspects without getting caught, and even confronting them when necessary. Naturally, many things happened that would be worth sharing. However, General, we can't be sure if he'd allow me to tell anyone else about them before him… So I'd prefer to remain silent for a while."
Logos remained silent for a moment, then continued walking ahead of me, glancing back over his shoulder and smiling.
"You're right. Please forgive my rudeness."
Strange.
We kept walking. We went to the most central building among the First Squad's facilities. The Grand Captain is stationed there. As I entered, I went through a series of checks. They carefully inspected my belongings, my ID, my name, my abilities—everything. Then I entered the building. It was just as I remembered; the Grand General hadn't made any changes to his own building.
The moment I stepped inside, the chaotic breath of the outside world seemed to cut off behind me. Here, everything… was as it should be. Flawless. Calculated. Almost eerily orderly.
The floor was covered in polished stone that reflected the light; every step I took echoed back like a measured rhythm in the void. There wasn't even a speck of dust—as if this place had been built not for people, but for perfection.
Come to think of it, we're talking about a team where the General is from a race I don't know and the Lieutenant is a demon. It wasn't built for humans, was it?
We moved toward the corridors.
Massive quartz columns rose to the ceiling, forming the backbone of the structure. The faint light filtering through them gave the impression that an energy was coursing through the columns' veins; as if the building were alive, and these columns were its veins. The quartz's pure, almost sacred brilliance… stood in sharp contrast to the basalt's dark, hard, and unyielding nature.
The basalt carvings stretching along the walls were not merely decoration; they were narratives. Every line, every indentation… seemed like silent witnesses to past wars, destructions, and victories. When the light filtered through the quartz and struck these dark surfaces, it was as if the memories within the stones were breathing for a moment.
The corridors stretched on and on.
They were wide enough to swallow one's sense of direction, long enough to make one forget time. Walking here felt less like moving through a space… and more like moving into the very essence of a will.
Finally, we reached the stairs.
This was far more than just a staircase.
The steps stretching upward vanished into a line longer than the eye could perceive. Each step was carved with the same precision, the same flawlessness; not a single sign of wear, not a single crack… as if they had never been used. Yet at the same time, they carried an atmosphere as heavy as if they had borne the weight of countless footsteps.
I began to climb.
With every step, the air grew a little heavier.
It felt as though this staircase was not merely a physical ascent… but a test. I felt as though I were being torn away from everything left behind, from every shred of humanity.
And finally…
We reached the door.
A massive, single-piece carved door. The markings, symbols, and reliefs on it were incomprehensible to a first-time observer… but they spoke to my instincts. Each held deep significance in Cistern's history. They told of many things, from the ancient Generals to the old wars. One caught my eye.
"The war Magnus mentioned…"
Logos stopped on the staircase in front of me, and even though I'd heard him, I was so focused on the symbolic image depicting the war that I bumped into him, and we both fell. At the last moment, I grabbed a stair step to keep from slipping.
"I'm sorry! I was completely lost in thought!"
As usual, I'm lost in my memories.
Logos got up before me; after shaking the dust off his clothes, he smiled and held out his hand to me. I took his hand, and he helped me to my feet.
"No problem, General. You must be surprised by that picture you're looking at—it's from a battle that took place while you were away. We've reached the door, so I don't have time to explain now, but you'll probably find out once we get to your team's building.
He started smiling even more broadly; I'm getting nervous.
I ran my hand through my hair and gave a forced smile.
"Ehehehe… You must be right. Anyway, I'll be going now. Thanks for the guidance."
After he nodded in agreement, we hurried down the final corridor leading to the door and eventually found ourselves in front of the Grand General's office door.
This door didn't just open to a single room.
Logos knocked on the door and, in response to the voice from inside, said, "Sir, Akihiro Atlas has come to report to you."
Then he opened the door, and we stepped inside.
"Welcome, Young Akihiro."
Grand General Yayati hadn't deviated from his usual manner of speaking. I suppose being 8,000 years old requires it.
I stood before him. He was seated in a chair elevated off the ground. Though I might have been expected to kneel out of respect, I wouldn't do such a thing. As I said, no one can be someone I obey like a god or serve absolutely. He is simply someone I trust 100% because of our shared goals and because he provided me with a life and a home alongside my siblings.
"Sir, I have a report to present to you. I've brought very important information."
General Yayati extended his hand forward, opened it, and smiled with his wrinkled mouth as if granting me permission to speak.
I hesitated for a few seconds before speaking, and he immediately understood the reason behind it. He made a gesture with his eyes signaling Logos to leave, and Logos said, "With your permission," and left the room.
After nodding my thanks, I began:
"General, just as we've been searching for all these years… there really are kings on World-0891. As you told me, sending Magnus there must have worked. If you'd like, ask me whatever you're curious about, and I'll explain the process to you accordingly."
He brought his hand to his chin and played with his sparse beard.
"I see, young Akihiro. You've witnessed a great deal there. But what I need to know is your perspective—how did you first confirm the existence of the kings?"
He asked the question I'd been expecting. He asked why such mysterious beings were here when they had their own Sacred Domains.
"I learned during my first year there that Magnus had been sent to World-0891 during the disaster three years ago. However, the first two years were pretty uneventful for the mission you gave me. While conducting research on humans and pursuing my training, I was constantly on patrol. Even though I was supposed to be investigating evidence regarding the kings or queens you asked for, the first two years were uneventful. Until he arrived in the third year… I learned that you had exiled the Shadow King there. That's when that Sacred Domain changed. I could gradually sense different life forms. I examined the remains they left behind and followed their tracks. I searched the places they passed through every day, thinking I might find fragments from some of them. But what's even more interesting is… For the next three years, Magnus was never caught by them. It was as if he knew I was chasing them and was constantly creating opportunities for me."
The moment I finished speaking, I exhaled a breath as strong as a 21-kilometer-per-hour wind. Speaking in one breath is really hard. How am I supposed to explain three years…
"I see. Young Akihiro, you know Magnus is truly an incredibly talented person. Even if I had years to go, I still couldn't match everything he possesses."
During this conversation, I realized I actually knew very little about him.
"Let me also talk about what happened beyond that.
My very existence… was a direct obstacle to their plans. I can say that with certainty.
I opposed their goal of materializing people—or, to put it more accurately, taking them over—every single time. They left traces around the chosen ones… invisible marks, like a circle slowly closing in. At first, no one noticed. Then… it was already too late.
But I noticed.
Every single time. Even if the first six months passed quietly, every time afterward.
I'd follow those traces, find the targeted people, and pull them away from there. To safe zones… places they couldn't reach, places they couldn't touch—at least for a while.
Sometimes I raced against the clock. Sometimes… I barely made it in time.
And sometimes… I didn't make it.
There were kings and queens who stood directly before me.
Their presence… was heavy enough to be felt even from a distance. It wasn't just power. It was a pressure… a sense of domination. As if the very place they occupied had to submit to their will.
I faced them.
I fought.
I resisted.
But…"
As the final word slipped from my lips, I slowly closed my eyes.
That familiar feeling building inside me… made itself known once more.
Disappointment.
There's no point in running from the truth.
I'm not the kind of person to lie to myself.
These past three years… weren't entirely a success story.
I did save some. Yes.
But I also had my losses.
"And sometimes… everything I'd gained lost its meaning under the weight of what I'd lost. There were also kings and queens who appeared right before me and spoke to me, but…"
As I said that last part, I closed my eyes in sorrow; I was feeling disappointed. I have to be honest with myself. It wasn't a completely successful three years… That's why I couldn't continue; my eyes welled up, and I turned my head away, trying to hide them.
Look at what a 21-year-old man has done.
Grand General Yayati waited a moment to see if I would speak. Since I didn't continue, he must have sensed the doubt within me; then he said something like this to me: "I see there are things you don't want to say, Young Akihiro." He was right; rather than not wanting to say them, the matters that concerned me should have stayed with me.
I closed my eyes.
"Sir, I've encountered kings and queens from other Sacred Domains. They've killed the people I was trying to protect many times… There have been times when I've clashed with them directly or exchanged information. However, rest assured that I will share with you whatever you expect from me. As for the matters that concern me… you can be certain I won't hesitate to share them when Cistern needs them. For now, however, I intend to keep to myself any information that might interfere with my life."
Then I opened my eyes and met the Grand General's gaze. I tried not to waver in my resolve.
"So, young Akihiro Atlas? You can't save everything you want, perfectly, every time."
It was clear from the involuntary twitches of my lips and face that I was sad. I felt like I was going to cry. Still, I held myself together and tried not to think about the past for now, and I shook my head at the Grand General.
"If I can't save everyone, there will be plenty of people who won't call me a savior."
If I can't save a child's mother… should I think that saving his aunt will make him happy? That's not it; that's not the salvation I want.
That child didn't love me that way.
The Great General looked at my face for a few seconds, gave a tolerant smile, and spoke again.
"You're judging yourself based on the results. But this world… isn't shaped by results, but by choices."
He fell silent for a moment, then spoke his final words:
"You can't save everyone, Young Akihiro.
But that… doesn't negate the value of those you did save."
He looked deep into my eyes.
"And don't forget…
what makes a hero isn't how many people they save…
it's that they never stop fighting, even when they know they can't save everyone."
Even as he finished speaking, I was crying with my wrist pressed against my eyes, as images of the people I'd saved flashed before me—along with the children, adults, middle-aged people, and professionals I couldn't save, and those whose deaths I'd caused with my own hands or through my mistakes.
Magnus… I wish, sometimes, that help had come sooner.
"But I see you've done a wonderful job."
I lifted my head; no one was there. This man was short—now I understood why. I lowered my head and looked at him; he was smiling.
He had pulled me out of my family, which was filled with darkness, and given me a home, a purpose, and a life in Cistern. Spiritually, he was like a grandfather to me—yes, a bit too much like one. Even though I didn't like some of his ideas and ideals, I had endless respect for him. That's why I couldn't help but get emotional… My eyes, oh… Damn my teary eyes…
I could barely wipe away my flowing tears; just look at the state a simple compliment has put me in.
"Sir, take this."
I opened my palm, and the lightning bolts forming in my hand slowly transformed into a notebook.
"I made this using the notes I took while on Earth. It contains the information I gathered about the tasks you assigned me."
It might not have contained everything, but it held enough information to be considered nearly complete.
In the back of my mind, there were also many memories that would tear me apart again once I explained them to my master.
But none of them compared to the truths I'd learned and the truths I knew were waiting for me in the future.
The battle for Cistern was very near. Kings and Queens might be at our doorstep, because this was a wonderful Sacred Domain for them to seize and use.
But I'm not inclined to give up my home. I will tear apart all those who look down on humanity and consider themselves part of the upper echelons.
King, queen, god, and whatever other tier exists in the hierarchy… I will shatter them all.
That member of the demonic race who has appeared before me and threatened me… If what he says is true, there is much in store for me.
I don't care; I am humanity's protector.
Isn't that right, Master Shu?
I've been lost in thought… I need to learn to control my emotions.
After all, a warrior's greatest advantage and disadvantage are their emotions.
I managed to pull myself out of my thoughts with General Yayati's words.
"Young Akihiro, that's enough of a report for today. There will be a generals' meeting this afternoon. Everyone will have questions for you. For now, knowing your purpose—one no king has ever attained—is enough for me."
After wiping my eyes and blowing my nose, I nodded in agreement, then bowed slightly before him and said, "With your permission," before leaving the room.
Once I stepped out of the room, I saw Logos again ahead of me. He looked at me and waved.
I suppose I have only one option.
"De Caelo."
I transformed into a bolt of lightning and shot through the window beside me. Yes, it was a bit underhanded. But we're not exactly close anyway.
Now I suppose I'll head to where I really need to go. I'm also certain there are things I need to learn.
There are two places I need to go before the generals' meeting. I'll decide the order.
There are two people I need to speak with directly and privately. I'll decide the order.
I will chart my own destiny. As Cistern's Outlaw, I will protect my people. After all, that's why I became a general.
Cistern hasn't been without Akihiro for just three years. Akihiro hasn't been without Cistern for three years either.
I'm coming. First, I'll meet with Master Shu.
At our usual spot.
END OF CHAPTER