At the port city of Carmu, Arlen rented a large ship and stocked it with ample food and fresh water. Without delay, he set sail toward the coordinates given by the now-erased cult captain.
—
In the coastal waters near Carmu, on a remote island—
A towering structure stood at its center.
It resembled a colossal, ice-blue tree, both magnificent and ominous.
The R-System.
But beneath its beauty—
Was hell.
Curses, screams, and cries echoed across the island.
Men, women, the elderly—even children as young as seven or eight—labored under crushing burdens, hauling stone and materials.
Their clothes were tattered.
Their bodies—covered in wounds.
Some scars had healed.
Others still bled.
If they slowed down—
Whips lashed across their backs without mercy.
There was no light in their eyes.
Only despair.
For them, this place was not a construction site.
It was hell itself.
—
Beside the towering structure stood a luxurious castle.
At its highest platform, an old man cloaked in black, wearing an eyepatch, gazed down with authority.
"Hurry the next shipment of slaves."
"Do not delay progress."
"We must accelerate the completion of the R-System."
"Understood, Lord Hades," a middle-aged man replied respectfully, bowing his head.
"We've increased efficiency, but the Magic Council and guilds are searching everywhere. Deliveries may be delayed."
Hades' voice turned cold.
"The moment they arrive, put them to work immediately."
"This is for the resurrection of the great Zeref."
"A vital step toward the new age of magic."
"Do not fail."
"Yes, my lord."
When the man looked up again—
Hades was gone.
He exhaled deeply.
"…Every time I see him, it feels like I'm staring at death."
His name was Canris—the overseer of this R-System.
—
Meanwhile—
Arlen's ship cut across the sea.
Soon, an island appeared on the horizon.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Found it."
—
At the island's perimeter—
Guards spotted the approaching ship.
Alarm flashed across their faces.
They reached for signal flares—
Too late.
Three golden wind blades tore through the air.
They didn't even have time to scream.
—
BOOM!
The blades slammed into the cliffside, triggering a massive explosion.
The entire island trembled.
—
Arlen stopped the ship just before impact using gravity magic.
Originally, he planned to infiltrate quietly.
But after seeing the outer patrol—
He changed his mind.
"Stealth is pointless."
"Then I'll just… make it loud."
—
And loud it was.
The explosion served as a far better signal than any flare.
From across the island—
Forces gathered.
—
Inside the castle—
Canris shot to his feet as the explosion echoed.
His expression darkened.
"…A mage."
"And a strong one."
Killing intent surged within him.
Hades had just warned him—
And now this happened?
Unacceptable.
"砰砰砰!"
The door burst open.
"Lord Canris! An intruder has breached the island! Outer guards are wiped out! All stationed personnel have mobilized!"
"…Good."
Canris' voice was cold.
"Let's go."
"I'll deal with this fool myself."
A violent wind surged—
The roof exploded outward—
And the two shot toward the beach like a storm.
—
On the island—
The enslaved workers paused.
They looked toward the explosion.
For the first time—
A faint light flickered in their empty eyes.
Hope.
—
"Don't slack off!"
CRACK!
A whip struck the ground.
The guards didn't yet understand what was coming.
—
On the beach—
Arlen stood alone.
Before him—
Over a hundred enemies gathered.
His eyes turned cold.
"…So this is all of them."
—
"Target confirmed."
"Eliminate him."
"Do not let him enter the island."
The guard captain sneered.
"One against a hundred?"
"Idiot."
—
At his command—
Magic erupted.
Weapons activated.
The sky was filled with spells—
All aimed at Arlen.
—
He stepped forward.
Then—
He vanished.
—
Dodging left.
Sliding right.
Advancing through the storm of magic like a phantom.
Then—
He leapt.
And plunged straight into the center of the enemy formation.
—
What followed—
Was slaughter.
—
His blade danced.
Elegant.
Precise.
Deadly.
Each movement flowed into the next—
A perfect fusion of swordsmanship and combat instinct.
Silver hair swayed.
His cloak billowed.
Blood scattered like petals.
—
Like a blooming crimson rose—
He carved through the battlefield.
—
No one could stop him.
Weapons shattered.
Bodies split.
Even defenses meant nothing—
They were cut down along with their wielders.
—
Where Arlen passed—
Only death remained.