"Geez, I figured a lot of people would come to this… but not this much." Artorian commented as he stood next to the entrance to the medical tent, looking out to the dozens of tourists walking around casually. The Founding Festival had no necessary beginning, but considering the countless booths, shows and guides it was definitely underway.

"Little Garden's a popular attraction, the symbol of human advancement." Miharu responded, finishing up applying antiseptic to a bad scrap on a kid's knee before bandaging it. "Be sure to be more careful next time, okay?"

"Okay, thanks!" The boy cheered running out of the tent to his parents. "By mean looking man!" He said as he passed Artorian, getting an annoyed scoff from him.

"Did you have to fix his knee?"

"Hippocratic Oath Artorian." She reminded, laughing at his slumped shoulders. "You can't blame him can you? You do have a mean face."

"Sorry that my face is meant to broadcast a warrior who's fighting for the literal existence of the human race."

"Admitting it is the first step to fixing the problem."

"…You're lucky I like you; you know that?" The nurse only laughed again, getting an entertained chuckle from the Slayer as he leaned back onto his sword.

The day was long, uneventful, and most importantly quiet outside of the occasional kid who got shoved or unfortunate participant in a drunken brawl. And even though he never imagined seeing the nurse give such a nasty glare to the group of idiots, he was mostly surprised at how well she handled her job in the tent.

Most of the staff for the tents spread out were volunteers, and many preferred to be celebrating rather than working. So the nurse was left to her own devices in this tent for a bulk of the day. They were in a more "discreet" location to compensate, but they've still seen a dozen or more patients every hour. And aside from the inappropriate brawlers, she helped everyone with the same smile she's always had.

"I have to say though, I'm grateful for the company. It would've been a lot quieter without you here." Miharu said, starting to put the supplies she's used over the past couple hours onto a tray.

"Hey, it's no problem." Artorian responded, walking over as the nurse reached for the tray. "Here, I'll take that." The hybrid interrupted, carefully taking the tray from her.

"Thank you." She smiled, the two walking to the sink before Miharu began to clean off her tools. "If we're lucky, I'm certain my replacement will be here soon along with their own security. If you want we can get something to eat before I'm reassigned again."

"That sounds fantastic." He sighed.

The replacements didn't come for another ten minutes, but once they were the two were cleared for roughly an hour before they'd have to go to their next station. So making good on their time, the duo walked into the heart of Central, the nurse grasping the hybrid's arm so they wouldn't be separated in the massive crowd.

'The Bon Festival has nothing on this.' Artorian thought in astonishment, seeing the countless events and stands, the crowd constantly moving and lively. The Bon festival was popular, but he never saw so many people move fluidly in a crowd like this. The fact he felt no hostile tension from any of the crowd was an added bonus, but he barely noticed as he led the way to keep Miharu from bumping into anyone.

"So, what are you feeling?" Miharu asked, the two having reached where all the restaurants were.

"We have a little under an hour, so anywhere with as little people as possible seems best." He responded, the nurse agreeing before they walked down the alley. There were far fewer people, but everywhere seemed packed with everyone eating. They went nearly the whole way without finding an open place.

"Gods, you'd think there'd be somewhere less popular." The hybrid sighed.

"Don't speak too soon, it doesn't look too packed here." Miharu interrupted, the two stopping to look at the small stand outside with the places name. "And look, Slayers even get a discount, looks great for you."

"You know this is a maid café right?" He asked, looking down to the nurse with the corner of his eye. "As in all the servers are young women clad in one of the single most alluring outfits known to man?"

"Note taken aside, I feel confident enough." Miharu said, smiling as she continued to hug his arm. She was wearing the same sweater and jeans she had during their date, her hair however tied back so that it wasn't in her eyes way. "Besides I've never been in one before. So this is a good learning experience."

"Well as long as we're clear it's your idea, I'd love to treat you to lunch." He responded, the two walking in.

"Welcome, Masters!" Two of the employees announced, getting entertained smiles from them as they bowed. "Table for two?"

"Yes please, preferably with one of the windows?" Artorian requested, getting an enthusiastic nod before being brought to the table.

"We'll have your server be here in a moment. Please, take your time in deciding what to have." The greeter said, bowing to the two before walking away.

"So… you got a thing for maids?" Miharu asked playfully, having noted his restrained stare as the woman walked away.

"They're almost as great as nurses." He winked, looking back to the menu. "Unfortunately, I can't deny maids have the superior getup, it's also nice not having someone jab my side to prove a point."

"Says the man who lost a hand and fought a Dragonfly Savage while bleeding out."

"Touché."

"Welcome, have you decided what you'd like to drink?" Their server said, Artorian's ear twitching as he recognized the voice.

"I'll just have some coffee please." Miharu answered.

"And you sir… sir…" The server's sentence became distant as Artorian lowered his menu, the smug smirk on his face as he looked over to her sending a nervous chill down her back.

"My, my vice-president, I didn't take you for a cosplayer." The hybrid teased, Erica's face slowly turning red as she fully registered the situation now.

"I-It's not like that!" She argued. "I was on break and the café was understaffed. Since they're Slayers volunteering for extra work it seemed best to offer my help."

"Well that's nice of you." Miharu said.

"Hey Erica, everything okay?" The three then looked over to see Touka, the bright redhead standing in the center of the café balancing two trays on her hands.

'I love today.' Artorian thought with a grin, capturing the image of the two in maid uniforms by taking a picture with his PDA.

The flash registered on the brunette; who's shoulders locked up as her head slowly turned to look back.

"A-Artorian, y-you… you didn't do anything did you?"

"Just captured a memory I'll take to the grave." He chuckled before holding his device up and held his free arm out, stopping Erica by her head as she desperately reached for the incriminating evidence.

"D-Delete that now!"

"Not happening Four-Eyes!"

"Don't make me pull rank on you!"

"Maid isn't a rank!"

"I mean it, delete that at once!"

"I wonder if Claire would like to see this." The hybrid's words cause the Slayer to freeze, her eyes widening in terror before her efforts tripled.

"P-Please, anything but that! Claire can't see me like this!"

"But she'd love to see you so supportive of local business!"

"Please Artorian, I'm begging you!"

'You're such a bully Artorian.' Miharu thought as she laughed, enjoying the childish struggle the two were in. Meanwhile Touka watched in confusion, blinking as she didn't understand what the big deal was with the uniforms.

"Heeeeeeh…"

"Wow, fifty sighs in the past two hours. Must be a new record." Reitia commented, sitting next to Matthew as they sat on the roof of a building to eat their lunch in peace. "Tired?"

"No."

"Annoyed?"

"Not exactly."

"Too loud?"

"Not loud enough." The hybrid answered, scratching his head in annoyance as he looked down to the streets below them. "I've been having one of my tingles for the past week now. And I can't put my finger on it."

Reitia understood immediately what was going on. Ever since they were little, Matthew had a sort of six sense to him that warned him something was wrong. This warning was a tingle in the back of his neck, and it always seemed to be uncomfortable based on how he used to always rub it.

"Any idea why it started?"

"I got it awhile after the shipments for the festival came in. But we didn't find anything suspicious in the crates." He stated, crossing his arms as he did. He personally helped security check every shipment they received. There wasn't a single thing there that wasn't in the manifold Claire gave him, normally that's a job well done but he couldn't tell why it was bothering him so much.

"You know… I want to say everything will be okay, but I also know when you get your tingle, something usually happens." Reitia said, groaning as she laid back and placed her sandwich to the side. "Are you okay with a pity it'll be alright?"

"Knock yourself out." He responded, joining her in laying back and crossing his arms behind his head.

"It'll be alright."

"If not, we have multiple highly skilled Slayers on deck in a moment's notice." He said, closing his eyes as he sighed again. "I have an order for you Reitia, for if something does happen."

"What is it?"

"Stay by my side." He answered. "I don't want you out of my sight. Got it?"

"I… sure." Reitia smiled, looking to the side as a tint of red grazed her cheeks. "Just don't go Rambo on me, okay? I gotta be able to keep up with you."

"I know you will regardless."

'It looks like everything's going well.' Claire thought, standing in the forward headquarters of Little Garden to oversee security. She had on a set of earpieces on, energy flashing between them as a holographic visor gave her view of every security camera and radio channel with the right eye movement.

Obviously watching over the entire ship would be impossible for the blonde alone, which is why several highly skilled agents from Warslran were among the stations of the communication center going through entire sections. Next to her was Chris, the boy holding onto a tablet along with his own holo-visor. With the child genius working just as diligently as ever she felt confident that surveillance was going to run smoothly.

"Anything of note seen Chris?" Claire asked, the boy shaking his head in response.

"Nothing outside of surprising alcohol tolerance and lack thereof."

"Anything on the Hunters?"

"They're all sitting together watching the festival on TV with Mei Mei. They seem to be well relaxed."

"You've been talking to them for the past couple weeks, have you figured anything about them?"

"They haven't been very… they've only just started to talk to me in a casual manner." Chris explained, looking down to his tablet. "Krovanh seems to be the De facto leader of them though, although Nesat seems to keep him more on track."

"And the third? Nakri?"

"She seems a bit more numb to everything… no that isn't the right word." The boy shook his head. "Maybe embryonic, it's not the best but it feels about right. She doesn't seem to be what most Hunters that attack Slayers are like. Actually, aside from Krovanh her and Nesat don't seem like Hunters at all."

"They don't have their Hundreds, perhaps they are playing it safe." Claire responded. Her experience with the Hunters made it hard to assume otherwise, especially with how many Slayers they had attacked back in Qin.

"Maybe… but I don't think so." Chris admitted. "I had played video games with Nakri a few days ago. She was so on guard but eventually she seemed so… normal." He then lowered his device as he looked to the command center's main screen, seeing the distance surveillance with little reaction outside of the usual sonar signals of fish. "According to Artorian's report they had suffered through a lot at the hands of Slayers. They just… they don't understand that not every Slayer is like that. Vitaly's taken their agony and twisted it to rage."

"Do you believe in them that much?"

"You believe in Artorian, right?" Chris asked in return. "Half the world rejects his existence, even then he still fights and protects people. If they could just see that the bad are outnumbered by the good, maybe they'd see that Vitaly isn't right. And maybe we can get the answers we need."

"I'm not certain if I trust them, but I see your point." Claire sighed, turning her holo-visor off for a few seconds to rub her eyes. She knew Chris had his reasons for trusting their enemies, the information she had gotten from Artorian put the trio's fate into parallel with his own. But she also couldn't trust those that targeted people who did their job faithfully and protected civilians by fighting Savage. They chose to villainize the entirety of Slayers; anger that uncontrolled was dangerous. And powerful.

Her thoughts went away when she looked to the sonar sensors, seeing a blip that was remaining in place. "What's on sonar?"

"Likely a shark ma'am. A few species around this part of the world can grow to three meters and remain in place for several hours." One of the staff answered, looking to the sonar before seeing the blip begin to move. "Looks like he's on the move now."

"A shark…" The blonde muttered to herself, sitting down in her chair as she tried to relax. Truthfully she would love to be celebrating with everyone else, but she knew her duty. Her Slayers were all active on patrol and security and she had to do her part. Although her early sighting on the cameras of Artorian with Miharu soured her mood a bit, huffing as her stomach growled.

'I should've ordered food earlier…' She thought, ignoring the cleaning drone buzzing past her as it sucked up dirt and dust from the floor.

"So, how does this one feel?" Charlotte asked, stepping away from Karen to let her move her limbs.

The young girl was now in a more specialized variable suit, closer to Sakura's as it covered her whole body. It was less meant for combat like the initial suit they had given to determine her energy potential. It possessed the same colors though, the dark purple and light lavender blending excellently and bringing focus to Karen's eyes.

"It feels great!" Karen responded, smiling as she looked up to the scientist from her wheelchair. "Thank you so much Charlotte! It fits even better than the last one!"

"See, I told you it'd get better." Sakura smiled, wearing her pink variable suit. The trio had been hard at work preparing for today, the able-bodied pair working tirelessly to aid Karen's development with the variable suit. She had yet to use it yet, but was determined to be proficiently in synch with her energy, enough to handle activating her Hundred with little strain.

"It's still a little tight, but it feels a lot better from the first time." She admitted, pinching the fabric on her shoulder before releasing it. She winced at the snap back, but simply rubbed it off as she looked up to Sakura. "This is going to be it… isn't it?"

"Feeling nervous?" The idol asked.

"Extremely." Karen puffed out, her shoulders dropping as she did. "There's going to be so many people, maybe this isn't the right idea."

"Hey, don't go putting yourself down like that now." Sakura responded, sitting on the bench next to Sakura before placing a supportive hand on her shoulder. "It's honestly not as bad as some people make it out to be. There's a lot of people, but all you have to do is focus on each word you're speaking. If you do, it feels like there's nothing around you but the noise and yourself."

"B-But what if I mess up, or I'm not that good at singing?"

"As if anyone could think you're bad. The amount of heart you put into your voice is simply breathtaking." Sakura stated. "And keeping your flow going isn't that hard. For me what I do is put all my mind into thinking about one thought, or focus on the one person in my head when I made the song."

"The one person…" Karen muttered, looking down to the variable stone in her hands. A ping of guilt hit her, thinking to what had transpired not too many days ago. And the resulting silence she's received from Artorian since.

"It's all for him, so keep him in your heart." Sakura smiled, placing her finger over Karen's heart in support. "Let those feelings fuel you, and show the whole world that Karen Kisaragi is here to inspire and bring hope in her spectacular debut."

"…" Karen remained silent for a moment, still feeling uneasy both from the impending concert and her fight with Artorian. But looking to Sakura's supportive smile, her words lifting her spirit to the point she couldn't help but smile brightly. "Right!"

"That's the spirit!" Sakura cheered, the two girls laughing while Charlotte watched with a smile.

"Looks like you can still lift anyone's spirit. Don't even need a song to." The scientist said, putting her hands in her lab coat's pockets as she did. "I should be on standby, so unless anything happens that requires my immediate attention I will be here. Just incase your energy may cause minor effects to your body."

"Thank you Charlotte. I… this wouldn't be possible without you." Karen thanked her, getting an encouraging smile in return.

"Oh, there's no need to credit me that much. This is all thanks to your own efforts. All I did was what was asked of me."

"And it's more than almost anyone's done for me." Karen responded, wheeling over to Charlotte before gently embracing her hands with her own. "I seriously can't thank you enough. You've done so much for me, and with it I can finally try my hardest." Karen then looked down, still smiling as she held Charlotte's hands. "This… it does more than help me. If I can prove that I'm doing better, then Artorian won't have to… he'll have at least one worry taken away. So please, let me say thank you, for both me and for helping Artorian through so much."

The last part of Karen's appreciation surprised Charlotte, the woman almost freezing at the statement before collecting herself. She returned Karen's embrace softly, smiling down to the girl with a grateful expression.

"Of course, I'm glad I've been able to help you with this. And I'll be sure to let Artorian know you're grateful for him too." She said. "You just promise me that you'll make this all count. And stop doubting yourself, because I already know you're going to do amazing."

"I will, I promise!" Karen replied, her smile getting even brighter.

"It looks like they're getting ready for us Karen." Sakura called out, the girl turning to the idol as she waved her over. "Let's go make this show an amazing spectacle!"

"Right, coming!" Karen then turned and wheeled herself over to Sakura, the two looking back to Charlotte before they left. "Be sure to cheer us on!"

"I'll be your second most vocal fan." The scientist laughed, her smile dropping the moment the two left. Her eyes would look down, Karen's words echoing in her mind as she took her glasses off.

'I don't deserve those words Karen, I never helped him when he needed it.' She thought, seeing her somber stare in the reflection. 'You got him this far, and nothing will change that.'

"Huh, who would've guessed that even a maid café would get packed like this." Touka hummed, taking a sip of her water as she looked around to see the whole café full of patrons.

"They're likely all here to watch Sakura's concert." Erica said, an almost defeated look on her face as she and Touka sat with the hybrid and nurse. They were back in their usual attire, the Slayer having tea while the redhead was drinking water.

"I guess it shouldn't be surprising, the Oriental Wizard making an appearance alone get's everyone going." Miharu commented, sitting next to Artorian as the hybrid held a hot cup of coffee. After his teasing of Erica he had been actively participating in their conversation. However a few minutes ago when the channel on the T.V. changed to the stadium Sakura's concert was in he became uncharacteristically quiet.

The hybrid has done nothing but look up to the television with a neutral stare. He seemed to be measuring the stadium itself, hardly even blinking as the announcements were being made. Any glance at him would make someone think he was waiting to be disappointed in something, anything for that matter.

His fingers tapping around his cup told a different story though.

He took in a deep breath as the stage in the center of the stadium separate and a platform slowly elevated. Sakura stood on the platform, smiling confidently as it came to a subtle stop, leveled out with the stage.

"I hope you're all ready today!" Sakura announced, getting a loud round of cheers in response as she gripped her variable stone. "Alright! Then let's get started! Hundred On!" Tossing her stone up, her energy flared before engulfing her, her suit transforming into her shrine maiden robes. Her wings then formed and she took off into the air, the idol beginning to bring a serious light show with her energy as she sung.

"Wow, I don't remember her using those kinds of tricks." Miharu commented, seeing the idol hold spheres of energy to her sides, leaving multiple trails before sending them in random directions.

"Ms. Kirishima's been using one of the training arena's for personal use. I assume this was the purpose." Erica answered, smiling as she watched the light show.

"Wow, I've never seen energy used like this." Touka said in amazement, seeing the trails of light glow even when overlapping the sun.

"Sakura's energy control is beyond anything recorded before. She can't use an Armament, but her capabilities could still be on par with Claire and Matthew."

"Yep, she's something else." Artorian agreed, sighing as he rested his cheek on his hand. His stare was still neutral, but his foot was beginning to tap in anxiousness.

The idol continued with her signing, preforming for three songs straight before she gracefully landed back onto the stage. The crowd both in the stadium and the café took a few minutes to calm down, the idol standing patiently as she waved to everyone.

"I hope today's shows been amazing so far!" Sakura spoke, getting a roar of cheers before continuing. "Well expect it to become even better, because for the Founding Festival we have a special reveal for you."

The statement caused an excited murmur amongst everyone, Artorian's nervous tapping stopping as he looked directly up. The nurse saw him grow more concerned, his grip on his cup risking to crack it. She placed her hand on top of his robotic limb, the hybrid noticing it a few seconds later and sighing in appreciation for the concern.

"Today is the debut of an upcoming idol! One who's cuteness is rivaled only by yours truly!" The pink idol winked playfully, floating into the air before motioning to the rising platform, Karen becoming visible while sitting in her wheelchair. "Everyone, give a warm welcome to Karen Kisaragi!"

Everyone's attention went to the small girl, and although they cheered it was obvious that there was an uncomfortable air around the ship. Karen shifted uncomfortably as she became the center of attention, adjusting her variable suit's collar and earpiece before speaking up.

"H-Hello, it's… it's an honor to be here." Karen stuttered out, her nervousness growing. She had to take a quick breath to prevent herself from panicking, trying to contain herself in front of everyone.

'Let my feelings fuel me.' She thought to herself, steeling herself as she looked up.

"I know it's confusing that I'm here, but I made a promise. A promise to someone important to me, and I have been given this opportunity because of him." She then smiled as she looked down to her variable stone, clenching it in her hands as she spoke. "Eight years ago, I was diagnosed with Severance. And ever since I have been seeing myself grow weaker by the day. My best friend... he did everything he could to help me. And now, my Severance is down enough that I'm nearly cured. It's thanks to him that I'm here now. I owe this to him, and I aim to make the most of what he's given me."

As she stood up Karen's smile flashed into a grin, the flash of her variable stone bursting to life as she tossed it into the air nearly drowning out the lights in the stadium.

"Hundred On!" In an even greater flare, Karen's body was encased in a violet aura. She was hidden as her variable suit altered and transformed, the energy eventually breaking apart before revealing the smiling girl's new attire.

Several cards then slowly formed from the remaining energy in the air, surrounding her with a faint glow. Taking a few deep breaths, Karen's vibrant violet glow was drawing everyone's astonished stare, the awe feeling as if a star had just been born in front of them.

Karen then placed a single hand on her chest, feeling her own hear beat faster then it had in eight years. That sparked the pure joy from her, and the young girl slowly began to sing, a soft melody gracing everyone's ears as she did. Her doubts were now cast aside, and she was able to let each word come out as natural as breathing.

As she began to woo the audience with her harmonic voice, Sakura once again started to send multiple spheres of energy into the air. This time though, she moved her hands and caused them to go around in a fast race around the entire stadium, grazing across the upper shield as her energy shimmered off it.

One of the cards around Karen then floated to her back, dissipating into pure energy before reconstructing onto her. A beautiful pair of energy wings then formed on her back and she began to fly, her voice never wavering as her song slowly picked up.

"Amazing, Kisaragi's singing is even better then I was expecting." Erica admitted, looking in amazement at the latest show of energy and talent.

"It's so calming, like a spring breeze." Touka added, closing her eyes as she simply let the soft melody whisk her away in bliss.

"She looks like she's doing okay, that must be a relief for you Arto-" Miharu began to say, turning and pausing as she saw the hybrid stare at the screen in astonishment.

His eyes were wide in pure amazement, unable to look away as she sang her heart out. She was acting without any worry, her body appearing to be relaxed without any strain. And seeing her smile as her song turned into the form of pop she's always loved brought a tear to his eyes.

'You did it… you really did it.' He thought, wiping his eyes with his arm before continuing to watch. The hybrid's undivided attention brought a smile to Miharu's lips, turning back to watch the concert in support of her patient's recovery.

'You needed this; you both did.' The nurse thought, feeling Artorian's metal hand slowly turn to intertwine his fingers with hers in a gentle grip.

"Miharu… I don't know where to… I don't know how to..."

"You don't have to." She responded, resting her head on his shoulder as they watched Karen fulfill her dream.

"Thank you."

"I'm impressed." Liddy commented, looking to a single screen with the concert going on as she and Emilia patrolled Little Garden's outer perimeter. They were both in their variable suits, set as active in case an immediate response is needed. "Karen's control over energy is astonishing."

"Her singing is amazing too." Emilia added, smiling before the two continued to walk. "Guess she's been practicing with Sakura all this time."

"Looks like she has both hard work and natural talent. She'd certainly make an exemplary Slayer."

"Yeah, it's too bad Artorian would never let that happen." Emilia sighed. "Even then, I doubt she'd actually want to fight anyone. She doesn't have a violent bone in her body."

"You've been talking with her?"

"More of woman's intuition, she hates seeing anyone hurt. Can't imagine her throwing a punch for any reason."

"I suppose." Liddy nodded, looking down to her partner with her lips thinned out. "Speaking on that part… how exactly-?"

"Bandage wrapping tightened unbelievably."

"Ah, I see."

"I got used to it after a while, but honestly I'm glad to be breathing freely again." She admitted, stretching her arms up. "Plus now that I don't have to hide my identity, Artorian and I can go on dates without everyone looking at us funny."

"What even was the point?"

"Hmm?"

"Your disguise, why pose as a boy?" Liddy asked, getting a confused blink from the girl.

"Well the goal was to get in the same room as him. Worked until the Trenta."

"But why continue after? Seems like an unnecessary step to…" The Slayer was going to continue, but slowed down her walk as she looked out to the horizon, staring intently as she picked up motion.

"Liddy?"

"Emilia, how good can you see?"

"Better than most people. Why?"

"I need you to look out and tell me if you see anything." Liddy stated, Emilia looking out to the horizon at their side.

Narrowing her eyes, Emilia's eyes turned gold as she activated her Variant mode to enhance her vision further. Initially she didn't see anything except the ocean, but after a few seconds a black blur came into view.

"You see that too?"

"I feel it, along with… something below us." Liddy answered, looking down at their feet.

"Such a lovely voice, truly the tone of a siren." Vitaly said to herself, listening and smiling to Karen's gentle song. "A properly raised girl, well done Artorian."

"Ma'am, sonar's picking up another signal." An officer informed Claire, the blonde looking down to him.

"The shape's the same as the shark before." She commented.

"Well it's moving fast, really fast."

"Radar's picking up something over long range." Another officer stated, getting her attention. "Energy sources are being picked up, multiple of high concentration."

"How far away is it?"

"Less than sixty seconds, and it's getting faster."

"High energy reading detected below us!"

"Multiple signals on the vessel, something's building up!"

"Get me locations!"

"They're all over the place, even-!" The officer's eyes widened as he saw a signal in the deck. "In here!"

"What!?"

"Looks like her song's a hit." Erica commented, smiling as Karen's song ended.

"Let's hear it again for Karen!" Sakura announced, a resounding cheer from everyone echoing the appreciation for her song. "And don't think it's over just yet! Up next is a grand beginning! Our very first duet!"

"Oh my, looks like this show's only just getting started." Miharu smiled.

Artorian was about to comment, but him and Touka both froze in silence, a deep malice being felt deep underneath them. Both could see a set of vibrant green eyes piercing into their minds, the Slayer then feeling a build up of energy close by.

'What the hell!?'

'The Abyss?' Matthew thought as he shot up onto his feet, surprising Reitia with the action.

"Whoa! Everything alright?"

'Beneath us… but then what's the-!' Matthew's eyes widened as he looked to the streets below, seeing several of the cleaning drones stop and begin to vibrate, a bright light breaking from the metal.

"It's coming in fast!" Emilia shouted, now fully able to visualize the rapidly approaching aircraft, detecting several sources of energy onboard.

"Claire, come in! We have a rouge aircraft incoming! Activate the anti-air turrets!" Liddy's communication was met with static, getting a nervous grunt from her. "Claire? Claire!"

"It's too late!" Emilia screamed, Liddy looking up in time to see the aircraft nearing the ship, the energy barrier forming in response to the rapid energy approaching.

"Everyone-!"

"Get down!" Artorian shouted, grabbing Miharu and pulling her close while Touka stood and kicked the drone as far from the crowd as possible, the drone exploding shortly after and engulfing the café in a powerful blast.

At the same time every drone began to detonate, the aircraft crashed against the shield, exploding in a fiery shower. The shockwave went through and sent everyone on the side of Little Garden flying back, landing painfully before a second shockwave caused the water beneath to push the vessel up at the aft.

"Time to face the music Little Garden." Vitaly said, grinning as her eyes glowed red in excitement. "Let the hunt begin!"

(A/N): Yes, got this out! And now the long awaited action will be coming next! This is a moment I've been waiting to write for awhile, and after much thought I got the idea fully set and ready to write. Everything's really getting set into stone for this arc and it's been a long time coming.

A lot has been being thought up as of recently, and this is in part responsible for my slower updating process. As it was pretty obvious initially, Abysswalker followed a lot of canon Hundred without too many deviations. I usually keep close to the original material early on as to avoid anything too difficult for me to write. However there always comes a point where I'll reach a type of crossroad, where I slowly separate from the familiar in a series. That crossroad was when the Nameless King appeared.

Everything in the future will be different from what is known in the series. A potion of the arcs will be the same, but the execution will be vastly different. I wanted to say this now because this because I take these changes seriously, an additional reason behind the slower updates. The Light Novel will now be used more as a rough sketch rather than a guide, thankfully I know enough of what I have planned to avoid rethinking entire arcs. I hope that all of you will continue to enjoy this series, that this chapter was worth the wait, and that I can further entertain you while trying to make this series reach the potential I wish for it to be.

See ya in the next chapter! Peace!