In a decrepit mansion, a small,purple skin imp clad in a black nurse outfit worked with dead bodies, hidden from prying eyes. This necromancer was currently admiring her latest creation. Five more zombies were now stumbling around, ready to follow any order she would give, and joined her ever growing army. Soon, she might end up with enough forces to terrify the closest villages… This manor Chrome found was a golden opportunity. Alone, without any goal and barely any resources, she had wandered for several years. Since their family had been banished by the Monster Lord for practicing necromancy because of her sister, life had become incredibly hard, and she had to go from place to place without a plan, hiding herself rom the more powerful monsters and from human society at large. One day, as she hid in San Ilia, she had heard rumors about a manor that was to be avoided at all costs as it could be possibly haunted. Of course, she considered those hearsays ridiculous, but she eventually decided to check it, just in case.

There, she had found a large place with a graveyard filled to the brim with bodies of people that fell victim to an epidemic. The manor was filled with the smell of death, sadness and decrepitude, making it an ideal place to practice necromancy. Not before long, she managed to create a zombie. Then another. After a while, she extended her research towards ghosts. And she started her pet project, Frederika: It was a huge zombie, made with the girl that was present on most of the paintings around the place (probably the daughter of the lord of the manor). She was way stronger than her average zombies, and could hold several back without issues. Chrome started laughing maniacally, glad that her genius allowed such a ground to find a use and thrive.

She suddenly heard the muffled sound of doors violently slamming. Did someone intrude on her premises? She made her way to the main hall, as fighting sounds started echoing through the hallway. Her eyes widened at the sight of the spectacle in front of her. Four demons had entered the manor and were slaughtering her creations indiscriminately with alarming ease. Two of them were striking with waves of fire. Another one was apparently using a bow, destroying a zombie with each shot. And another was holding a book and invocating a localized firestorm, reducing some of her creations to ashes. Terror seized Chrome's heart, when suddenly the one with the bow pointed a limb in her direction. The small necromancer was frozen in place, before she suddenly started running desperately back to her room when the group was climbing the stairs.

She rushed to the secret room hidden behind her bedroom. The noises kept getting closer and closer as she closed the secret access. She jumped behind a coffin, and slowly exhaled as she finally felt safe for a time. She could hear some voices in the bedroom. Naturally, those slow witted abominations would never find her cleverly hidden secret. Barely a second later, the door opened violently. She looked over the casket and could better see her doom coming. As she could finally see them closer, those figures were terrifying. Liquid and mucus were dripping from those humanoid forms as they stepped into the room. She couldn't identify what kind of monsters they were. Were those the fabled chimeras she heard about, created by a madwoman? In desperation, she pointed at the intruder.

"Kill them!"

Two zombies rose from the coffins she was hiding behind. They got cut down as soon as they reached the group. As the monsters slowly got closer, she jumped and rushed past them. They probably felt surprised, as they failed to exploit the opportunity to catch her. She was in the middle of the hallway, when an arrow hit her from behind in her left leg, making her fall and tumble.

"Ilias! I told you to not shot at her! We'll corner her into the basement anyway."

Did they want to draw out her suffering? What kind of abomination were they? Why did they come here? Had the Monster Lord decided to punish her once and for all for the supposed crimes commited by her family?"

Chrome crawled slowly through a trap that would lead her to the first floor. She tumbled all the way down, but her pursuers would need to go around, leaving her some time to heal up. She pulled the arrow and used a bandage to heal herself, deciding she would take the time to properly magically heal her wound later. She limped down to the basement where her last chance to stop the intruders, Frederika, was waiting. Chrome waited for several minutes, as noise echoed through the whole manor. It was clear the group was taking its time, cleaning the manor, letting terror build in her to further enjoy her terror in front of her imminent death. Silence fell for a moment, before she could recognize the sound of boots on stone, confirming her that the group was now coming for her. They were even more terrifying than before. Luckily, Frederika was ready to defend her. The huge zombies readied herself, charged at the group…

…and was promptly knocked down by a club strike.

"No… No! No! Get away! GET AWAY!"

Chrome started sobbing uncontrollably in terror as she assumed a fetal position. This time, it was clear her time had finally come.

"Hueurg, I think I got some decayed blood in my mouth. That tastes horrible." The club wielding abomination spat on the ground before kneeling closer to the necromancer. She sighed and then got up and looked at the other ones. "Congratulations, us. We traumatized a necromancer. A day for history. Yaaaay…" Sonya's voice was low, dripping with sarcasm.

"Hey! She's a necromancer! That will teach her not to mess with the dead!"

"I don't think it will change her mindset in anyway." Promestein tried cleaning her glasses with her coat. A futile enterprise, as both were covered with viscous substances.

"Mph!" Ilias haughtily turned around. "Then let's not lose time and get to the Forest of Spirits. I want to see that dumb fairy's face in front of us."

Chrome was now swaying slowly back an forth, still rolled over herself, blabbering a lullaby.

"First, shower time. I think some of the gunk is starting to dry up, and I've never felt as dirty during my whole life. And I think Sylph won't show up if we arrive like that. Also, I want to make sure our plan for the armored berserk is ready."

"Not as planned! NOT AS PLANNED!"

"ANGEL! ANGEL! KILL ANGEL! KILLKILLKILL!"

Luka was running around the forest, followed closely by the Armored Berserk. Looking from the sky were Victoria and Cupi, two angels that were very close. The white haired valkyrie was facepalming, while the small cupid was trying to encourage Luka by shouting from afar. On the side, Mephisto and Lucia were looking thoroughly unimpressed with the situation at hand, while Lucretia, the queen harpy, was laughing maniacally, rolling on the floor and Laura, the mermaid queen, was failing to suppress a grin.

The issue was simple. Promestein wanted to take a sample from the armored berserk to analyze it and maybe find out more about the circumstances behind its creation and maybe his identity. Luka remembered that he would show up soon after he himself made his pact with Sylph to attack him, as he hated anybody having angel blood. He also somehow knew that the strange being would disappear in sparkles as soon as he gets beaten down. Fighting him would make taking a sample difficult, as the method used by Promestein would require him to stay immobile for several minutes.

As he could be resistant to time magic, using spells to freeze him was considered too risky as is. It was decided that two angels were to lure him and fight him successively. Since he was stuck to the ground, they could take turn by having the one fighting him rise and the other land a bit further, forcing him to move around and further lose time while spells were cast.

Also, the queen harpy and mermaids were also summoned for support should anything go wrong. Their buffing and healing skills were second to none, and any help they could provide would be appreciated. Last, Ilias and Promestein left to get sure that no other angel could risk attracting the strange being's wrath, leaving Lucia to do the sampling. Mephisto joined to keep an eye on the situation and just because she could.

At first, the plan went well. Luka easily acquired the Wind Spirit's power, and the armored being appeared soon after. As he was focused on attacking angels, he went for valkyrie who started exchanging a few blows with him before she lifted off to the sky. Except that, when valkyrie took to the sky, rather than going for the second angel, the berserk rushed straight at Luka. In surprise, the hero started running in circle, trying to not get caught by the crazed creature. Of course, that wouldn't have been a problem if time magic had been effective on the monster. Except it was very clear it wasn't. At all. Even the most powerful stopping spells did nothing, not even slow him down in the slightest.

The green haired, half naked alchemist was gauging the situation: The berserk could clearly not be immobilized with the tools they had at hand. Maybe several monsters could dogpile him to incapacitate him, but the sheer damages they would sustain just to maybe get a sample of this strange thing was not worth the gain. Furthermore, what was there to say? He was the result of the reaction of holy energy likely freed during the Great Disaster thirty years ago, and was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Nothing could help them learn out more about him except if he found back his sanity, which seemed unlikely to say the least. Eventually, she threw her hands in the air as she gave up.

"Just… Slay him already… I don't think we'll get anything more that way."

"You're sure?" Luka was still running around, followed by the berserk.

"KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILL!"

Lucia nodded. Right afterward, Victoria charged back at the monster while Cupi started shooting arrows upon arrows at their target. Lucretia supported the group with her dance skills, while Laura healed any wound that appeared on the war angel. Even if his sword skills were a challenge for his opponent, the armored berserk fell apart soon enough, allowing Luka to stop and catch his breath.

"Did you get something interesting?"

"He's the result of holy energy corroding someone, and that someone hates angels."

Luka tried screaming, but he was still out of breath. "I mean… Something new or useful…"

"That he is a good swordsman?"

Luka sighed. "Ok, so we just lost time and I just spent a few minutes looking ridiculous. Could someone tell Promestein that she can go visit the original monster's home?"

Mephisto shrugged. "You'll be able to tell her soon enough, unless you want her out of your group, that is…"

Luka deflated and crumpled on the ground. "No, that's fine, I'll… get to Monte Carlo I guess… With Sonya and Promestein… Should I bring Lazarus? No that's fine…"

With difficulties, the group managed to get back on the road. Monte Carlo was merely a small stop that involved getting acquainted with the mafia, and supporting a girl who acted as a hero of justice. Said girl had saved a boy from a certain poor wandering succubus, but couldn't chase after her as running around in her costume made her overheat. Luka almost felt sorry for Eva, the succubus, as she was clearly just trying to find a way to live, and it was clear most of her victims had enjoyed her presence when they were left alive. He then remembered the numerous nights when she had entered in a shouting contest with the mayor from Succubus Village, and then that the whole reason she was in that mess in the first place is just because she was more or less responsible for a domestic terrorist attack, all that because she wanted to laze around. After fighting her, He sent her in an depression-like state by promising that they had enough potatoes to prevent her from going hungry.

Not before long, the group was exploring Rubiana. The small fishing village's population had entirely disappeared. Crossing the different elements he discovered on the road, Luka had the confirmation it was the result of angels taking in the inhabitants to save them, as those were loyal to Ilias to a fault, and a few angel's feathers were found in several pots. While the saviors' intentions were more than worthy of praise, it had a strong negative impact on those that remained behind alone and confused. Furthermore, it was a part of the numerous events that increased the spread of chaosization at large.

Between their fights and their own actions, all those invaders do more harm than good on this world. It's like not a single one of the really know what they should really do… Or they do, but don't care, they think they've got a more important enemy to deal with. Why can't they all unite against Black Alice? If everybody keep sinking their resources in those pointless fights, the world and its inhabitants will just fall a bit faster. The only good side is that those inhabitants are now safe. Next destination is… the Puppeteer's tower.

Luka turned toward the remainder of the group. "I think we should get some reinforcement."

In the Puppeteer's tower, Kagetsumugi had the greatest difficulty focusing on her work. Unusually, her hands were trembling, as she was trying to hold back the sheer rage that was boiling inside of her. After several tries, she stopped her current repairs and took a good look at the doll she was working on, and groaned in frustration. Alice the 6th had taken a lot of damages after being "misplaced" over the sea between Sentora and the Ilias continent. One of the doll's mechanical arms was limp, her dress was torn in several places, and several of the strings used had been destroyed. Luckily, she managed to activate the recall spell before the doll was destroyed, and most of the damages sustained looked repairable with the resources she had at hand. But even then, simply looking at her vandalized work angered her endlessly.

A part of her wanted to wreck those responsible. But Black Alice was way too powerful, her lieutenants were nowhere to be seen and the hero's party was still too great a threat, whatever her patron said. She only had her dolls to support her, and she certainly didn't want them to be damaged any further.

She heard someone knock at the tower's door. Her magical sensors informed her that the hero was there, and he wasn't alone. There were several queen class monsters hanging around, and a few angels as well. As she took time to further analyze it, she realized the force outside was looking like a true army. She could rush out and smash them all with her dolls, but doubt was seeping in her mind. Even with her skills in puppetry, victory was not given in that situation. Since her tower was heavily reinforced, there was no way those assailants could come in. They apparently started to force the door, if the intensifying banging noise was any indication. But she personally crafted the enchantments, and only a god could actually break them. And Black Alice was the only one that was walking the world, and she confirmed it by managing to teleport a doll half a continent away without being noticed.

A loud noise echoed as someone apparently rammed the door. She sat down and started waiting patiently, meditating and waiting for the situation to pass over. Maybe she could actually go exercise a bit later. However, Rubiana was a bit empty and Monte Carlo was so pathetic it wouldn't even make a good target for her playtime. San Ilia and Sabasa were too fortified, Port Natalia was filled with mermaids, and Luddite Village… She smiled. Some Ilias fanatics that would probably be too pathetic in a fight, more busy praying their goddess than anything else… Yes, that would make a good place for a break.

A final loud sound resounded through her fortress, then, finally, silence. Feeling relieved ever so slightly, she returned at her work, her hands now steady once more.

"Are you serious? When I told you to use your head, I didn't think you would do that!"

Demon Cow Queen was unconscious in front of the door, the giant minotaur having a huge bump on her head after her latest attempt to force the door open. When Luka called for help to break down a tower, she stepped up and repeatedly charged into the structure, before alternating to punches and other kicks. In one last attempt, she took momentum and charged straight at the door headfirst, putting every bit of effort and power into her assault, but the tower was still standing, barely scratched, and she was now unconscious.

"Well, leave it to bulls to use their head for ramming and not for thinking. All the brain beast monsters has ended in kitsunes, and that's saying much…" Ilias was looking a little too happy to Luka's taste.

"Hey!"

Promestein and Mephisto were discussing in a corner, worrying the goddess when she saw them. She decided to step in. "And what are you two plotting?"

"We were talking about the wards used to protect the tower. What else?" Mephisto smirked. Ilias glared at her with doubt in her eyes. "No really, we were talking about the spells weaved to shield the tower. Don't tell me you can't feel them."

Ilias looked at the tower. She could feel the spell's presence. It was almost as if, instead of a tower with a door and windows, there was a huge flawless opaque obsidian block. It was beyond tough, and she knew she would need to be in her prime to actually break it.

"You're right, they are even more powerful than what protected the Gate of Heaven. Black Alice must have spent a lot of effort making them."

"Based on the rich style, I would rather say it's Kagetsumugi herself."

"It doesn't matter." Mephisto clapped her hands twice. "Alright everyone, we're done and we're leaving. The last one back pays for the first round."

Luka regrouped with his party members, frustrated by his helplessness in front of a door.

"Alright, let's go to Sabasa. We've got a lot of work there."