A trio strolled through the dimly lit streets of Shanhanjing District. In the front of the group was an adult automaton that was wearing a black and white tracksuit. At each of his sides were two students in maid outfits, their presence drawing curious glances from people around them.

The district bustled with life despite the late hour. Street vendors manned food carts emitting tantalizing aromas. Neon signs buzzed above, casting vibrant hues over the crowd. Some people stood in their place eating their food, while others navigated the crowded lanes.

"Subaru, you seem unusually comfortable walking around here," Rem remarked, her soft voice tinged with curiosity as she walked beside him.

Subaru made an invincible grin on his metallic face, his gaze sweeping the lively streets. "You know, Rem, this place reminds me of home. Well, sort of. I don't know exactly where we're going, but seeing all this... it makes me a little happy." His voice softened as he took in his surroundings. Compared to the empty city of the last world he had inhabited, this place felt like a dream. The streets teemed with life, the energy contagious, a stark contrast to the ghost town he had grown accustomed to.

"Did the girls from your home also have those lights above their heads too? I saw how freaked out you were when you saw Emilia with it." Rem asked innocently, gesturing to her maid attire.

"What? No, I meant the architecture!" Subaru exclaimed, waving his hands defensively.

"And now you speak like you're some sort of expert on the area you know nothing about," Ram teased, her lips curving into a small smile.

"Oi, that's just uncalled for!" Subaru retorted, feigning offense. But before he could say anything else his attention changed to something else. "Man, this smells so good I want to eat something."

"Can you even eat anything with a bucket head?" Ram said as she continued to provoke Subaru.

"If only we had any money," Rem said a bit sad as she considered their condition in that new world.

Before they could even think about a way out of their predicament, a voice called out in front of them. "Hey, you! Where do you think you're going?"

A student emerged from the crowd. She had a halo above her black hair, sunglasses obscuring her eyes, and a mask with a white X covering her mouth. Two others, similarly dressed, flanked her as she approached Subaru's group with an air of arrogance.

"I don't recognize any of you, so let me make something clear to you tourists," the girl declared, her voice dripping with smugness. "If you want to keep walking and not get yourself in trouble, you've gotta pay up. And in the name of the Genryoman you will walk without trouble."

Subaru sighed, a mix of irritation and amusement playing inside his mind. "Listen, I've been mugged by groups of three far too many times to just roll over and lea…"

He didn't get to finish. The girl abruptly raised a weapon, leveling it at his face with a sharp, threatening motion. Subaru froze, instinctively raising his hands.

"Do yourself a favor, adult," the girl sneered, her voice muffled by the mask but unmistakably condescending. "Hand over your valuables, and you and your little friends won't get riddled with ho…"

Her threat was cut off by a sudden, brutal punch to her gut. Rem moved with blinding speed, her fist connecting with enough force to send the girl doubling over in pain. The two remaining "Genryoman members" froze for a moment before scrambling to react, but Ram and Rem were faster. Weapons materialized in their hands: a massive minigun for Rem and a sleek rifle for Ram. They might not have much practice with those weapons but they were veterans in combat.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" sputtered the girl on the left, her bravado faltering as she glared at the twins. "We're Genryoman! You're messing with the law of Shanhanjing!"

"Yeah!" added the one on the right, her nervousness masked by a forced smirk. "Just wait until our boss gets back up and we tell the chairwoman of your actions then you'll be sorry!"

The tension crackled in the air as Subaru sighed again, glancing at his companions. "Well, this escalated quickly…"

"You two seriously think you can pull something like this?" a new voice chimed in from behind the two muggers. Before Subaru could even turn around, the owner of the voice moved with what had to be some kind of martial art, swiftly taking down the wannabe muggers.

The girl stood over them, wearing a red qipao with delicate floral patterns, paired with a dark gray jacket with green sleeves and petal designs. She had a black backpack slung over one shoulder, and a glowing pink halo, shaped like six flower petals, floated above her violet hair.

"Fake Genryoman thugs? Now I've seen it all," she scoffed, pulling a pair of sunglasses off one of the unconscious students.

Subaru approached cautiously, scratching the back of his head. "Uh, thanks for the save, but are you sure you're not gonna get in trouble for this?"

"No worries," she replied casually, grabbing the two downed students by their collars and holding them like they weighed nothing. "These idiots are just pretending to be part of Genryoman. Total posers."

Rem stepped forward, her curiosity piqued. "If I may ask, who, or what is this Genryoman?"

The girl raised an eyebrow as she gave the group a quick once-over. "Judging by your outfits, I'd guess you're not from around here. Let me guess. Millennium or Hyakkiyako, perhaps Trinity? They've got students that use maid uniforms, right?" She didn't wait for an answer, instead pointing to the tallest building in the distance. "Genryoman's the student council of Shanhanjing. Basically, they run the show around here. Oh, by the way, nice punch back there! Rare to meet someone else who's into martial arts."

Rem gave a polite bow. "Thank you, but there's been a misunderstanding. We're not students from another school. Ram and I recently transferred here, and we're still getting settled and Subaru is helping us in whatever way he can." The blue-haired maid as she explained their situation. "But we are having some problems."

"And I'm here as their guide, but I'm not from Kivotos myself either," Subaru chimed in his face expression through lights changed in what resembled a smile.

"Transfer students and an outsider guardian from out of Kivotos? Now that's rare." The girl rested her chin on one hand, looking thoughtful. "Name's Reijo, by the way. If you're new in town, I know a place that could help you out. My boss is always hiring, especially if you can cook."

Subaru's eyes lit up, turning to Rem as an image of a lightbulb appeared on the top of his head. "Hey, Rem, with your cooking skills, we could totally make this work!"

Rem hesitated, glancing between Subaru and Reijo. "I'm not sure my abilities would meet the standards for a job like that. Besides…" She frowned slightly. "I don't know if Ram would be able to get a job alongside me."

"What do you mean, Rem?" Ram cut in, narrowing her eyes.

Subaru grinned inside his mind, cutting off any brewing argument. "Relax, Ram. If this place has problems involving muggers that will surely have room for someone like you to work as a guard or something. We might actually be able to turn things around. Also, we do need the money."

"True…" Rem sighed. "If this doesn't work, we'll have to keep looking." She continued as she thought of any other path they could take.

"I'm not so sure about this…" Ram muttered, clearly less enthusiastic compared to Subaru and Rem.

Reijo shrugged, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. "Well, I'm heading back to the guild. If you wanna check it out, follow me."

Subaru gave a thumbs-up, his electronic eyes glowing with excitement. "Got it! Lead the way! We will be following you."

Reijo smirked, giving a small nod before walking ahead, and the group followed close behind.

The group wandered through the lively streets of the Shanhanjing district, their eyes drawn to the vibrant decorations and glowing lights that adorned every corner. Brightly lit lanterns hung in rows above the bustling streets, their warm glow casting intricate shadows on the cobblestones below. Shops lined both sides of the road, their colorful signs competing for attention, while the hum of chatter and laughter filled the air.

Subaru couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over him. This wasn't his home, not even close, but something about it felt oddly familiar. It reminded him of the simpler moments from a life he'd long since left behind.

Everywhere he looked, people were going about their lives in this modern, bustling city. Vendors shouted to advertise their wares, and couples strolled arm in arm, their faces lit by the glow of storefront displays. At one point, he even spotted what appeared to be a teacher leading a group of preschoolers across the street, their tiny hands clutching one another in an adorable chain as they giggled and stumbled along.

Beside him, Rem's blue eyes sparkled with curiosity as she admired the city. "This place is beautiful," she said, her voice filled with awe as her gaze went from the brightly lit signs to the delicate decorations of the restaurants.

"Subaru, Rem," Ram interrupted the two, differently of them, she observed her surroundings with suspicion. "I'd suggest staying on guard. This whole situation feels a little… off." Her crimson eyes darted from the cheerful crowds to the shadows of alleyways, making sure no danger would take her by surprise.

Subaru glanced at her, tilting his head. "I mean, yeah, it's a bit odd, but I don't think Reijo's got any bad intentions. She's probably just trying to help us while helping herself."

"I agree with Subaru," Rem added with a nod. "Reijo seems genuine, but I'll stay cautious just in case."

Ram sighed, crossing her arms. "Fine. Just don't let your guard down. We're walking in completely unknown territory here, and we can't afford to be careless."

Before they could debate further, Reijo stopped in front of a restaurant. "We're here," Reijo announced, sliding open the door and stepping inside.

The group followed, and Subaru took a moment to soak in the cozy atmosphere. The interior was a mixture of rustic alongside modern aesthetics.

"Hey, Rumi! I'm back!" Reijo called out, her voice echoing softly in the tranquil space.

A staff member peeked out from the back, her face lighting up when she saw Reijo. She wore a red traditional-style top with floral embroidery on the sleeves and shoulder area and a pan tied on her back. "Oh, welcome back! I'll go get the boss." She said as she ran off to the back of the restaurant.

"Reijo, did you bring us customers? Just a second, I'll get this ready for you." Another worker rushed over, quickly setting up a table with such speed Subaru couldn't believe.

Subaru panicked, raising his hands in alarm. "Wait, wait! We don't have any money to…"

Reijo waved him off, already plopping down in a chair and stretching her arms. "Relax, just sit and wait. Rumi will be out in a second."

Subaru hesitated but eventually sighed and took a seat, glancing around at the intricate details of the restaurant. "This place is amazing. I've never seen anything quite like it," he said, his eyes focusing on the delicately carved wooden beams and the intricate floral patterns painted on the walls.

"Thanks," Reijo said with a small smile. "Here at the Black Tortoise Promenade, we go all out to make it the best in the district. It's not easy, though. We run into trouble more often than I'd like."

"What kind of food do you serve here?" Subaru asked, eager to keep the conversation going as he admired the lanterns and decorations.

"Honestly? Whatever Rumi feels like experimenting with," Reijo replied with a chuckle. "She loves trying new recipes, especially stuff from outside the district."

As if on cue, a new voice joined the conversation. "Are you talking about me, Reijo?"

The group turned to see a woman step into the room. She had long brown hair on the outside and white on the inside, purple eyes, and a pair of long pointy ears that resembled a fox. Above her head floated a red flower-shaped halo, glowing softly and casting faint shadows on her shoulders.

"Hey, Rumi. Got some news for you," Reijo said, standing to face her.

"I'm guessing it has something to do with these folks you brought along?" Rumi asked, her gaze shifting to the group. Her voice was calm but carried an air of authority. "Where are my manners? Welcome to the Black Tortoise Promenade. I'm Akeshiro Rumi, the owner of this establishment." Rumi presented herself as she smiled at the group.

Subaru stood up, raising his hands in an exaggerated gesture of enthusiasm. "Nice to meet you! I'm Natsuki Subaru!"

"My name is Rem," the blue-haired maid said with a polite bow.

"And I'm Ram," her sister added, less enthusiastically, her expression remained neutral but her tone was courteous.

"What brings you to my humble establishment?" Remu asked as she closed the gap between herself and the group.

"We need work," Subaru said bluntly.

Rem followed suit on Subaru's affirmation. "Yes, we're new to this district, and we're in desperate need of money."

"Transfer students, huh? Judging by your clothes, my guess is you're from Millennium or Trinity," Rumi mused, crossing her arms and tapping her chin thoughtfully.

"Actually, they're from outside Kivotos," Reijo interjected casually as got up from her seat.

Rumi's eyes widened in surprise as she turned to face Reijo. "Outside Kivotos? Now that's a rare case."

Reijo laughed because of Rumi's words. "Got the same reaction as me."

Rem stepped forward, her face filled with determination. "We've fallen on hard times, but I can work. I have experience cooking for a mansion's household. I'm not sure if my skills are up to the standards of this restaurant, but I'll do my best, for my sister and Subaru."

"Go, Rem! You've got this!" Subaru cheered for Rem, earning a small smile from her.

Rumi looked thoughtful as she rested her head on one hand. "A cook from outside Kivotos… The possibilities are endless!" She let out an awkward cough as she felt embarrassed. "Sorry, thinking out loud there. Let's do a little test. If it goes well, you're hired. Also if you need any food you can pick up some here too. There are always some remains that are left behind."

Rem gave a deep bow. "Thank you. But what about Subaru and Ram?"

"Do they cook too?" Rumi asked as she looked at the twin and the adult.

"Not exactly," Rem admitted. "But they're both capable of manual labor."

Rumi nodded. "We can definitely find something for them to do. Don't worry about it."

"Oi miss, thank you so much," Subaru said sincerely, bowing to the owner of the restaurant.

"Don't mention it. Now, let's get to work. Reijo, can you check where we're short on labor?"

"On it," Reijo replied with a salute, heading off to the back of the restaurant.

Rumi turned back to the trio, with a bright and welcoming smile. "Welcome to the Black Tortoise Promenade. Let's make this work!"

Omoke - Red Winter

Viktoriya Ivanovna Serebryakov, Second Lieutenant of the Imperial 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion, or simply Visha, was not having the best of times. Separated from her Major, she had been deployed to a region that felt unnervingly familiar and yet so different. 'Why? Why does this place have to resemble the Federation so much?' She thought, her body pressed low in the makeshift trench she had dug. Gunfire echoed all around her, forcing her to flinch as dirt and debris rained down. 'No… this feels more like an absurd parody of the Federation than anything like it.'

"Visha, are you alright? I think Grantz is in trouble!" Weiss's voice cut through the chaos. Visha turned her head in his direction, spotting him huddled inside a manhole much like herself. However, unlike her, Weiss was no longer human. Ever since their arrival in this strange city, he and the other members of the battalion had been inexplicably transformed into penguins, leaving only Tanya and Visha unaffected by the bizarre phenomenon.

"Is he… remembering his trauma again?" Visha asked, glancing nervously over the top of her hole to assess the chaos surrounding them. The sight was grim: gunfire raked across the landscape, and the enemy soldiers were advancing.

"Yes. It's bad this time. He is foaming a lot." Weiss replied, as he held the unconscious Grantz.

"What a time for the Major to be away," Visha muttered with a sigh. She crouched lower in her hole as a fresh barrage of bullets whizzed overhead, narrowly missing her.

"These people never get tired of civil wars, do they?" Neumann chimed in, his voice strained as he ducked back into cover. "It's the third one this week!" A stray bullet tore through the air mere inches from his head, prompting him to lower his profile further.

"Second Lieutenant, we need a way out of this position. Immediately!" Rerugen barked from a nearby hole, his tone commanding despite the tension in his voice. He was crouched alongside Koenig, the two of them covered in dust and clearly out of options.

"I'll do my best, sir," Visha replied, gripping her weapon tightly. She raised her weapon and scanned the battlefield. Her ironsight locked on one of the attacking soldiers, but she couldn't press the trigger. Everysingle of the attackers were heartbreakingly young, little more than children. 'I don't want to hurt them,' she thought. 'I just need a distraction, something big enough to give us a chance to escape.' But devising a plan amidst the chaos was easier said than done.

"Hey, over here!" A high-pitched voice rang out, cutting through the thunderous explosion and gunfire of the battle. Visha turned toward the source of the sound and froze. Standing a short distance away were two girls.

The first girl was smaller than Visha but not by much. She had a large backpack strapped to her shoulders, and atop it sat an oversized telescope. She gripped a smoke grenade in her tiny hand, her determined expression contrasting with her petite frame.

The second girl stood taller, with mint-colored hair cascading down her back. Animal-like ears twitched atop her head, and a fluffy tail swished behind her.

"I'll clear the path!" the smaller girl shouted, her voice filled with surprising confidence as she pulled the pin on the smoke grenade.

"Use this chance and run!" the taller girl added, motioning urgently for the Imperial soldiers to follow.

Visha didn't hesitate. "Everyone, move! Follow them!" she commanded, leaping out of her trench. She darted across the battlefield, adrenaline pumping as bullets zipped past her, some even hit her but were completely incapable of causing any real damage outside of messing her clothes.

Weiss, struggling with the unconscious Grantz, stumbled forward. "Visha, I…"

"I've got him!" Visha interrupted, scooping the unconscious penguin soldier onto her back in one swift motion. With a grunt, she adjusted his weight and sprinted after the two mysterious girls, her heart pounding in her chest. The smoke grenade detonated with a hiss, blanketing the area in thick, blinding fog. The sound of gunfire began to fade as the smoke obscured the battlefield. Visha glanced back briefly, ensuring the rest of the battalion was following. "Keep moving!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the haze.

As they pushed forward, the silhouettes of the two girls guided them through the chaos like beacons. Visha couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope, something she hadn't felt since this nightmare began. Whoever these girls were, they had just given her and her comrades a chance to get out of that mess.

"Everyone, to the forest!" The younger girl barked as she pointed to a route between the trees.

Rerugen huffed and shared a knowing look with Visha. "Guess we don't have much of a choice."

"No, we don't."

Author's Notes

Hello again, everyone! Sorry for being late once more. I passed all my exams but ended up getting sick twice between the last chapter and this one, haha! Thankfully, I'm feeling better now and managed to get these two chapters ready.

As always, feel free to share any criticism or ideas, and let me know if I made any mistakes.

This chapter is mostly focused on setting up Subaru and Visha's group, as well as establishing the paths each of them will follow.

Next chapter, we'll return to Tanya and Emilia back in Trinity.