The castle being invisible was the most likely explanation — they didn't seem like they were ignoring it, but rather had no clue of its existence at all. Eiden decided to observe the strange travellers for a while, locking on to them from above like a drone through the crystal. He observed for hours, but nothing significant happened. They didn't talk or communicate with each other; they just kept walking, aimless in their destination.
Curious, Eiden scrolled the crystal's view ahead — several kilometers in the direction they were headed — but there was nothing. He came back to the group, frowning.
"Where are they going? There's nothing out there... are they lost?"
Just then, he noticed a dark figure ahead.
Curious, he zoomed closer to inspect. To his surprise, he saw a creature that looked like it came straight from hell — with sharp fangs, six limbs, and blades at the ends of each limb instead of claws or paws.
"What the fk is that? A monster?!"**
His inner otaku lit up with excitement, but something felt off.
"Normally I'd be afraid... but I'm calm. Not even a sliver of fear. Is this the influence of the body I possessed?"
He thought deeply, then focused his gaze again on the monster.
"Wait. The girls! Isn't this bad news for them?" he exclaimed.
"Or… maybe they're super strong? Maybe they're the ones hunting it. I mean, they're from this world. If they weren't strong, they wouldn't be wandering around in a place like this—thick mist, powerful winds—this whole area screams 'bad news.'"
And yet… why was there no wind in the castle's area?
Why did it seem brighter there, as though the moon itself was blessing it in this forsaken land?
Back on the group, Eiden counted again: 26 girls, all slowly moving closer to the monster. Then, the one in front — seemingly the leader — stopped and signaled the others.
"Oh? Did she notice it?"
The monster suddenly turned too — locking eyes with them.
"Hehe… am I finally gonna see some action?"
The leader called out,
"RUNNN!!!"
The group broke into a sprint.
"Wait—what?! You're not fighting it?!"
They ran as fast as they could, but it was obvious the creature would catch up soon. The leader seemed to realize this. She suddenly turned and ran toward the monster, opposite the others.
"Is she sacrificing herself?"
But the others stopped as well and ran back with her.
"Don't be selfish!" one of them cried.
"We die together or live together!"
The leader smiled as they embraced. It looked like… they had given up.
Eiden's chest tightened.
"What are they doing?! It's coming! It's coming!"
Frustration boiled inside him.
"Is there anything I can do? Anything?! Maybe I can distract it with the drone—no, it's invisible. Dammit!"
As he racked his brain, the monster drew closer.
"GODDAMN IT—"
He gripped the crystal tightly, pouring energy into it without even realizing.
Suddenly—FWOOSH!
From the drone's viewpoint, a bright reddish slash tore across the screen—
The monster was sliced in half.
Eiden's jaw dropped.
"Did… I do that?!"
The girls stared in shock.
"What was that?!" one of them cried.
They cautiously approached the creature's remains, searching the surroundings for their savior—
But there was no one in sight.
Back on his throne, Eiden leaned back, stunned.
"This is ridiculous. I could do that all along? Am I… powerful? Or is it the owner of this body who's strong?"
He paused.
"Yeah… that might be it. I just got lucky."
But then he focused.
"If I could do that, maybe I can do more."
He concentrated, trying to feel that same energy again. Thanks to his adaptability, the memory of it came to him quickly.
"So that's it… I transferred energy into the crystal. It projected it into the beast as a slash. This crystal… is it some kind of device? Does it convert the wielder's energy into something physical?"
He grinned.
"Then maybe… just maybe—"
He then poured his energy into the crystal and thought of transferring his voice into it ,he then felt the changes in the crystal as if confirming his desire or orders,Eiden then took a deep breath and ..
"GREETINGS."
A mysterious, deep voice echoed across the mist.
The girls gasped and looked around, startled.
The leader dropped to her knees.
"Are you… the great one who saved us?"
Seeing her, the others bowed as well.
"Well… yes," replied the mysterious voice.
"We are very grateful for your help," said the leader.
"But we have nothing valuable… we are not capable of repaying such a divine act."
The voice responded:
"There is one thing you can do."
Suddenly, a door-shaped mist appeared before them. The voice echoed once more—
"Enter this door… and serve me."
The girls, after hearing that, became even more perplexed and confused. The leader began thinking rapidly, trying to figure out the purpose of his offer. She fell into dead silence, lost in thought.
Is he telling us to offer our body or soul to repay? Or is it something else?
Looking at her deep in thought, I mused, Hmm, this girl is quick and sharp.
After hearing the voice I generated, she suddenly prostrated herself and spoke, not wanting to offend the being who had saved her.
Very nice... maybe I can use her.
Anyway, I'm very happy that the slash voice transmission and Doraemon's door worked. Of course, I had already tested the mist door before making it appear there. When I conjured it and went in, I was teleported to the same room where I found the crystal.
Now, let's see what her answer is.
After some more thinking, she finally spoke up.
"Can I be the only one?"
The mysterious voice responded again, this time in a dominant tone,
"I will not force any of you."
Her eyes widened, and she glanced back at the other girls. All of them nodded in unison.
At this, she smiled, and with a serious face declared,
"It will be our greatest honour to serve you."
She stood up and stepped into the door, the other girls following her closely.
The scene in front of them shifted from the harsh wind and swirling mist to a majestic, yet mysterious place. There, they saw a dark throne—looming and regal.
On it sat the figure of a person dressed in dark clothes, hooded, his hands resting leisurely against the throne's arms. He looked like some kind of ruler, gazing at his subjects with a condescending, indifferent, yet powerful aura.
The overwhelming presence made sweat drip down their faces.
They immediately bowed down.
The mysterious being then spoke:
"Welcome to Azerith."
To be continued...