This was a few days before the Beast Nation was attacked by Uranos.
　Today was another sunny day, here in Anor Feria, Serena, Raven, and Nem were living a happy life.

''Hey!　Hey!　Hey!

　Nem was working hard on his cat fist training that Minerva had taught him. And Serena watches over him from the side. After Minerva left, Serena is Nem's teacher.

''Hey, isn't it time for lunch?''

　The time is past noon, but the sun appears to be directly overhead.

'Right. 'Nem, let's have lunch in moderation with the training, shall we?'

Yes, sir!

　Innocent, that's the beauty of Nem's character. Always smiling and smiling, he makes everyone in town smile.

'Well, let's go to your mother's.

　Today, Raven's mother, Trish, was going to treat them to lunch.
　The three of them lived a short distance from the center of town, and Raven's parents' house was located in the center, but not too far away.

'Nem, you have to have it on properly, don't you?'

　Serena then drapes a necklace of blue glowing ore over Nem. It's the 'Crystal of Anor's Light' that Raven gave to Serena. But now it is entrusted to Nem.
　Nem looks at the ore on her chest and smiles softly. Serena strokes Nem's head.
　The three of them held hands as usual and walked through the town as the happiest family in town, heading for the central market.
----.



　A bit outside the central market, in a residential area lined with ochre-colored houses. That's where Trish's house was. When Raven opened the door while saying "mother", she found Trish there, ready and waiting.

'Oh my goodness, Nem, how nice of you to come.

Tote!

　Then Nem jumped on Trish as soon as he found her. Nem calls Trish 'Tote'. This must be a sign of trust in Nem's own way.
　At this time, Nem has been giving nicknames to people he likes.
　This is everyday. Then Serena, Trish, Raven and Nem work together to bring the food to the table.
　When they finished carrying it, they sat down and thanked God for this day. Nem was happy, loved by everyone and looked after by his family.

　But that happiness comes to an end when the Empire attacks. It had already begun even before Serena's expression clouded over.

''What was that?!''

　At that moment, a loud explosion was heard from outside the house. Then the house shook so loudly that the hands that were eating lunch stopped and the expressions on the faces of Raven, Serena and Trish changed to agitation.
　Then they hear the townspeople shouting from outside the house.
　Then they hear a hard pounding on the door of the house, and Trish hurriedly opens it. There was Trish's neighbor. It was Wanda, a woman of the dog tribe.

'Trish!　Oh!　Nem and Serena and the others were here, so you'd better get out of here!

Calm down, Wanda!　What the hell is going on?

I think something's happened on the south side. I see a big fire. The sooner you guys get out of here, the better. I'll get there first.

　Then a dark cloud appeared on Serena's face. It's because I felt an incredibly large wave of magic power there, on the south side of the town.

''This is........''

What's going on, Serena?

　Raven looks at his wife with concern.

'Come on ... you'd better get out of here fast.

Mother?

　Nem twists his neck and scarfs down some meat with a curious look on his face. I still can't sense the magic in Nem.

''Raven, that's the 'hidden body robe' I was wearing, I think I put it in the cupboard, didn't I?''

　Then Serena suddenly asks such a question with an impatient look on her face, as if she had an idea for something.

'Yeah, I put it away, but?　What does it matter?

So why don't we go back to the house?

'We're going back for the robe?　But we'd better run...

　But the look on Serena's face was serious as she spoke of wanting to return home. It seemed to Raven that it wasn't like a momentary lapse of mind.

''...Okay. Then let's go back to the house.''

You three, let's get out of here!

　Trish hurries up.

'Mother, please take Nem and run away first. Raven and I will be right behind you.

　Then Serena and Raven, Trish checking the expressions on their faces; there was concern in Trish's expression as she stared into their eyes. But she must have sensed the situation between the two of them.

''Okay, but we need to hurry up, okay?''

　Not that he understood the situation in depth. But in this situation where the priority is to escape, Trish accepted Serena's convenience without hesitation. That was something that Trish could understand, as she had lived together for so long and understood Serena's character.

''Yes.''

　Serena nodded to Trish, who was still worried.

'Mom, take care of Nem.'

'Mother?　Father?

　Nem looked anxiously at his mother and father.

'Nem, we'll be right there, can you go with your mother first?

　A deep sense of unease swept through Nem's mind. But Nem could see something in the expressions and voices of the two men, even at such a young age. You should obey and trust this place, even if you can't put it into words, you understand with your emotions.



Yeah, I'll be on my way with Raven.

Are you sure?

Nem, you have to trust me and Serena. I'll be there in a minute, just take care of your mother.

　Raven dares to "ask" or something like that to Nem, who is anxious. She's trying to reassure him by giving him a role.

''........I understand. Nem is not afraid.

　It was Nem's strength, I said it to not worry the two of them. And Serena and Raven hugging their own child.
　After that, Nem had Trish leave the house first and flee in a great hurry in the opposite direction of the explosion.

　Serena and Raven then headed home to get what they needed. They run in the opposite direction to the people passing by. They ran in the opposite direction to the people passing by, but a little farther from the hypocenter.

Serena, what the hell is wrong with you?

The robe of concealment, I need it.

What about it?　What do you mean?

'That's the same one that Minerva gave her when Anna left the country, that robe has two effects, 'recognition inhibition' and 'magic inhibition'. It can hide Nem in case of an emergency.

Can you hide it? ...What does that mean?　What the hell was that?

"...strong, I can feel the magic, and it's not the magic of some half-breed that's around.

You mean, he's attacking the town?

I don't know, but...

　Serena couldn't help but have a bad feeling about it. It had to do with the words Minerva had uttered in parting.
　The documents from the Empire that kept being sent to the Beast Country had ceased to be sent, and months had passed since then. But recently, another document from the Empire has arrived. Why would the Empire, which hadn't moved much at all since its founding, ask the Beast Country to contact them again?　Minerva didn't say anything clearly, but Serena remembered the expression on her sister's face as she spoke.

''No way...''

　Raven stares anxiously at Serena next to her. But Serena's doubts only deepened.
　Uranos, who became king and then banished all but one of them. Can common sense really be accepted by such an abnormal king?　There was speculation in Serena's mind that stemmed from a vague sense of unease.

'At any rate, let's get our robes and get back to Nem and your mother as soon as possible.





o





　A part of the town away from the center. The area is lined with houses and various shops in a chaotic row. A large number of refugees have gathered there.
　Serena and Raven appeared there, robes in hand, and it seemed that the two of them were able to get what they wanted safely.

''Mother!''

　Serena appears in front of Nem with a big smile and a big wave. When Serena found Nem, she happily hugged him and immediately put on his robe.

''What is this?''

　Serena smiles at Nem, who gives her a question mark.

'It will protect you, keep this on your skin.

I understand.

　Nem didn't know what he was talking about, but he listened to what he said honestly anyway.
But that was when it happened.

''........''

　Serena stilled with her mouth open. It was because she felt a powerful magical power behind her.

'Third Princess Serena, I've been looking for you.

　A low, pressured voice spoke to Serena. Then Serena slowly turned back.

'.........Uranos.

　The Durmscales Empire is a mysterious country that has not moved. But the face of the emperor is not unknown to anyone. Because even before he became the emperor, Uranos was a great mage and hero, a great mage who was well known.
　Serena surreptitiously hides Nem, whose entire body is hidden by her robe and hood, with her body. Uranos doesn't notice the movement.

The first thing to do is to get a letter from him in person, but he hasn't responded. What is happening to the king of your country?　It's Princess Serena?

　At the emperor's words, the surrounding townspeople who had taken refuge and gathered around began to buzz. Apparently, many of the townspeople don't know that Serena is a former princess of the Beast Country.

''Hm?　What is it?　Don't you know?　So, before you kill me, let me tell you, adventure is sometimes a matter of haste and, basically, laziness. For people like me?　It's the same as killing.

　Then Uranos did not smile, but only turned his gaze to the townspeople and spoke.

''The beast nation of Neitzschert-Katarlia. This is the second princess of that country. She hates the customs of her country and has fled to this city to hide her true identity.

　The townspeople begin to buzz even more. Raven and Trish were giving the Emperor a hostile look.
　Nem, by their side, has no idea what they are talking about. Nem hasn't been told that his mother is a princess. Hence, he doesn't even know that he is a royal.

''That doesn't matter anymore, and for that matter, why did you come to this town?　Why did you attack the town?　This town ... the people of this town just want to live a natural life ... "just to pass the time--

　Then Uranos replies with a bored expression, as if he was bored with Serena's preaching.

'Passing the time?'

Yes, it's not particularly surprising, is it?　I have my share of stress. But let's cut to the chase, shall we?　I am assembling warriors who will be an asset to the Empire's prosperity. I do not wish to be specific about race, but beastmen in particular have a high level of vitality and can exert more power than the average human in times of war. What do you think, Serena?　Will you come with me to the Empire?　I won't spend the rest of my life in a boring town like this.

"No.

　Serena refuses Uranos' solicitation with an immediate response. Then Uranos let out an exaggerated sigh and deliberately pretended to hold his head in his hands. Apparently, he knew he was going to be refused.

The city of Anor Feria is infested with a wide variety of weak people. When I learned that you had left the beast country and were in this town, I expected that answer. But just in case, I thought about it and asked. But after all, it doesn't work.

　At that moment, I saw a faint flicker in Uranos' magic.

''Then let's let him die, shall we?　To pass the time--

　At that moment, Uranos' magic power bloated and a faint light appeared in his palm.

''Raven, please!''

　Immediately after, Serena leaves Nem in charge of Raven.
　Uranos unleashed his magic without mercy. Uranos releases countless huge fireballs from the palm of his hand into the sky.

''【Lightning Sol (Lightning Sol)!

　In contrast, Serena chants magic. Then a magic circle appears at her feet, and luminescent lightning wraps around Serena's legs.
　And then focus on the approaching flames and determine the timing of the exchange. But that was the time.

'You'll have to wait. It's too much trouble to be scattered around, isn't it?'

　The flames released by Uranos changed direction just before they made contact with Serena and went straight to the townspeople who were fleeing behind them.

''Everyone!''

　Serena realized what Uranos was aiming for, but by that point it was too late.
　Countless screams could be heard, followed by explosions. There was a shockwave that drowned out those screams in the area.
　It was fire, wreckage and smoke that ignited and rose up from all the buildings in the town. Those directly exposed to the heat were burned to death, and there was no trace of them left. And those engulfed by the shock wave were dismembered and scattered throughout the town.
　Already screams were a thing of the past, and Uranos watched the scene with a straight face. Bored.
　Serena pushed down her anger and sadness, and the guilt she felt for coming to this town. But it had to be done. There was no time left for regret.

'I thought you wanted to see me!　Why!　Even innocent people?

'Isn't it innocent, but nothing?　It's only a beastman, a dwarf, and a man. What are you angry about?

　Serena can't understand everything that Uranos says. No, there is no way she can understand. The emperor is already mad. He is no longer a person who can understand words.

''You!　I'll kill you!

　For Nem. Serena uttered that and held up her arms. But the overwhelming difference in power. Serena already knew that.

o

　Meanwhile, Raven takes advantage of the blast and hides Nem and his mother Trish in a relatively lightly damaged house in the vicinity.

'Nem, I want you to stay here and stay put. All right?

　Nem saw the anxious look in Raven's eyes. And he could feel Raven's heart.

'Where is your mother?'

It's okay. My dad can help you. I have some magic in my hands too. You won't have to worry about it. Nem...

　Then Raven chokes on her words. Nem raises a question mark.

'Don't take care of your grandmother?'

　Then Raven fixed Nem's hood and put it on deeper. Sending eye contact to her mother, "Please Nem," Raven leaves the house.

o

　Serena attacks Uranos with her electric-clad hands. However, Uranos easily avoids it with an ungainly expression.

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do that, but I'm going to say that I'm not going to be able to do that. But it's not a decisive strike, though it can be an asset. It's not suitable for killing dragons.

　Serena's words bring up a question mark in her mind, but she has no time to think about it.

'Serena!'

　Then she sees Raven behind her. For a moment, Serena was confused as to why she had come back. But when she looked into Raven's eyes, she sensed the thought.
　Serena distances herself from Uranos once and joins Raven.

''Raven I'm sorry.''

I know, I know. But it's okay.

　They communicate with each other and speak to each other in slurred speech.

"What about Nem?

I hid it in a house nearby. I'll be fine.

　Then Uranos slowly approached us.

There are demons and elves among them, but they are weak, too weak. I can only feel one more magic than you two," he said.　I will kill you and then I will kill the rest of you and then I will end this town. This is the retribution for your continued disregard for me. I will kill all those who defy me.

　"I can only feel one magic power.......whose magic power is it?　Of course, it's Trish's.
　In other words, Emperor Uranos doesn't count Nem as one of them. He is unaware of the existence of Nem, who is clothed in the robe of recognition inhibition and magic power inhibition. At those words, Serena and Raven were relieved in their hearts, and then looked at each other and prepared themselves once more.

''Raven?　Can we go?

Yeah, we'll cover you.

　Raven's strength was inferior to Serena's. Considering that, Raven decided that it would be more beneficial to take cover rather than step forward.

''Raven?''

　Then Serena asks Raven.

'I love you I love you...'

　-- this is the last time, Serena knows. Once this is over, she won't be able to tell Raven she's in love with her anymore.

'Yeah, I know. I love you, too....

　That goes for Raven as well, they already know.

　--that they would not be able to see Nem anymore.

　Then the two turned their blades on Emperor Uranos and galloped across the land.
　Uranos still didn't change his expression, and he didn't care about the resolve of such two people, but directed a relentless wave of energy at them.