"It's done," said Joshua. "But there's still one more thing I have to fight."
Joshua stood at the point of Supply's kingdom. His uncle, Dante, was definitely not someone who would do something like that. It was true that his job was as a demon hunter, but that was just his profession. There was definitely a level of hierarchy that governed all of that, and the one ruling over that hierarchy was-
"Alucard... none other than my own father."
•.
The day was bright. Sunlight gently bathed the earth as Hibiki strolled leisurely through the forest. At this moment, she had physically become a woman, still draped in a simple white cloth that covered her body. Her face was soft, with flawless white skin, large golden eyes that shimmered, long curled eyelashes, and smooth lips. Her hair, golden blonde, cascaded freely down her back, swaying with her steps.
In her hand, she carried the sword Ibuki, still sheathed to keep its blade from being exposed to the air. Nothing around her seemed particularly interesting—everything was calm and peaceful.
However, that tranquility was shattered when she heard a woman's scream in the distance. The voice was loud enough that Hibiki could clearly make out the word "Help!"
Without hesitation, she immediately rushed toward the source of the cry.
Moving swiftly, Hibiki dashed through the forest, skillfully avoiding bushes and overhanging branches. She leaped over several obstacles before finally emerging from the woods. Her feet now landed on a dirt path used for horse-drawn carriages.
There, she saw a carriage surrounded by several burly men.
They appeared to be bandits attempting to rob the carriage. However, from a distance, Hibiki could tell that this was no ordinary merchant's wagon. The carriage was being guarded by knights clad in full armor. Could someone important be inside? A noble, perhaps?
Regardless, the numbers were clearly against the knights. They were outnumbered, with the bandits having twice their fighting strength.
Hibiki remained still, observing from afar. Sometimes, it was wiser not to get involved.
But the situation quickly worsened.
The bandits relentlessly pressured the knights, giving them no room to breathe. The battle erupted, swords clashing with sharp, ringing impacts. The knights' armor was strong enough to withstand blows, but its weakness was mobility. Their movements were sluggish, making them easy prey for the swifter bandits.
In no time, the knights were utterly defeated. Not a single bandit had been killed or seriously injured—only a few minor scratches that barely mattered.
With their victory secured, the bandits began forcing their way into the carriage. One of them kicked the door open, and immediately, a woman's terrified scream rang out.
Two women were dragged out—one dressed as a maid, while the other wore a bright gown, clearly a noble. They struggled and tried to resist, but the bandits' strength was far beyond theirs.
"Let go! My lady!" the maid cried out, her arms tightly restrained by a bandit.
"Maxcel!" the princess responded in panic. She was held firmly from behind, rendering her unable to move.
Hibiki continued observing from a distance. Truthfully, she didn't want to get involved. But why did her heart feel so restless?
She pressed her chest, as if trying to calm herself.
However, the moment one of the bandits tore the maid's clothing, exposing her body to the air, Hibiki could no longer hold back.
With eyes full of determination, she slowly rose to her feet.
The white cloth covering her body fluttered in the wind.
Hibiki gripped Ibuki, her katana, tightly before bracing herself to lunge forward. Slowly, the world around her seemed to slow down—until everything appeared completely frozen in place. She steadied her feet against the grass, then propelled herself forward at an unfathomable speed. There was no sound of friction from her steps, no visible movement from her legs, yet in an instant, she had already moved before it even seemed to happen.
Ibuki was in her right hand. With a single swift motion, Hibiki slashed diagonally.
"World Cutting Slash."
The world remained frozen in static silence—until time resumed its flow. A deafening sound echoed as the ground beneath Hibiki shattered. The bandits collapsed, fresh blood seeping from their bodies. A powerful gust of wind shook the surrounding trees, while the white cloth draped over Hibiki billowed endlessly. She stood still, unmoving.
The princess and Maxcel were in shock. Everything had happened so quickly, as if it had unfolded in the blink of an eye without any discernible cause. Thick dust filled the air, making them cough.
"Princess! Are you alright?" Maxcel cried out in panic. But before she could get a response, she noticed something—the bandit who had restrained her just moments ago now lay motionless on the ground, drenched in blood. Her eyes widened in horror.
"Princess!" she screamed in fear.
"I'm here," the princess answered.
Maxcel immediately turned toward the voice and found her mistress unharmed. "Oh, Princess, you're safe!" She rushed forward and embraced her tightly.
"I'm fine… But what exactly just happened?" the princess asked, her face filled with confusion.
As the dust began to settle, the scene before them became clear—the bandits who had attacked them were now sprawled across the ground, utterly defeated. In the distance, a lone woman stood. She was draped in a white cloth that fluttered gently in the wind, her long golden-blonde hair cascading down her back. In her right hand, she held a sword, its blade completely untainted by blood.
"Uhm, excuse me?" the princess spoke hesitantly.
Maxcel still clung to her, but both of their eyes were fixed on the mysterious woman.
"Who are you?!" Maxcel demanded warily.
Her body remained exposed to the air, with only her undergarments covering her most sensitive areas.
Slowly, Hibiki turned to face them. The aura she exuded was overwhelming—not one of intimidation, but of pure dominance. Her gaze was piercing, like radiant rubies gleaming in the darkness. For some reason, those eyes felt as if they were staring directly into their very souls.
"Who…?" the princess murmured in shock, her gaze locked onto the figure before her, unable to form any further words.
Hibiki remained silent, her sharp eyes fixed on them, making the two even more uneasy.
"Uhm, excuse me?" Maxcel's voice trembled, the fear in her tone unmistakable.
Deep down, Hibiki was just as confused. She had no idea what to say. She felt nervous—what was the proper thing to say after saving someone? She didn't know. Something about the situation felt off, and now the very people she had rescued seemed afraid of her.
"Uh… are you two alright?" she finally asked. Her voice was gentle, yet carried an elegant air.
The princess was taken aback. Her cheeks grew warm for no apparent reason. There was something in this stranger's voice that felt so commanding, yet soothing. Her anxiety slowly faded, replaced by admiration.
"Uhm, yes, we're fine. Were you the one who saved us?" Maxcel asked.
Hibiki gave a small nod and slowly approached them. Though their bodies remained still, their expressions told her everything—they were trembling from head to toe.
"Are you cold?" Hibiki asked.
Without hesitation, she removed the cloth draped over her shoulders and handed it to Maxcel. Now, she was left wearing only the fabric that covered her body from her chest down to her ankles, leaving her shoulders bare.
"This should be enough," she said with a small smile.
Maxcel was taken aback by Hibiki's kindness. "I'm sorry, but we are truly grateful for your help!" she said sincerely.
"Think nothing of it," Hibiki replied. "But what about your journey from here?"
"It's alright. The horses seem fine, and I can drive the carriage."
"Oh..." Hibiki turned away, though she kept her head slightly turned toward them. "Well then—"
"Wait!" the princess suddenly interrupted.
Hibiki stopped in her tracks. "What is it?" she asked, her face filled with curiosity.
"I want to repay you. Is there anything you desire?" the princess asked eagerly.
"That's right," Maxcel added. "You are our savior, so at the very least, please allow us to help you in return."
Hibiki stared at them for a moment before slowly nodding.
"Uh… maybe I could come along with you?" she said hesitantly.
The princess's eyes immediately lit up with excitement.
•.
The three of them were inside the carriage. Maxcel, who was driving the horses, occasionally glanced back at the two people inside. Hibiki sat across from a noble girl, who finally broke the silence.
"My name is Aiz van Dante. You can call me Aiz," she said calmly.
Hibiki nodded with a small smile. "I'm Hibiki." She then lifted her katana slightly. "This is Ibuki."
Aiz's eyes sparkled. "Hibiki… and Ibuki…" she murmured softly.
From outside, Maxcel turned his head toward the carriage. "I'm Maxcel Zogratis," he introduced himself briefly.
Hibiki simply nodded in acknowledgment. However, Aiz kept looking at her, her curiosity growing. There were so many questions she wanted to ask about the person before her.
"Uhm… Brother Hibiki?" Aiz hesitated.
Hibiki turned toward her. "Hmm? What is it?"
Aiz shifted slightly, as if debating whether she should ask or not. "Sorry if this sounds rude to you…"
Hibiki tilted her head. "Just say it."
Aiz took a deep breath. "Why were you in the forest… wearing nothing but a few pieces of white cloth?"
Hibiki fell silent. The question struck her directly. She herself didn't know how to answer. A part of her memory felt as if it was fading—perhaps nothing too important, but still… it felt like something was missing.
"Honestly, I have no idea why. I was just… lost," Hibiki finally replied.
Aiz's expression softened, but there was a hint of disappointment. Not because the answer was unsatisfying, but because she felt pity. It seemed like Hibiki was suffering from amnesia.
Seeing Aiz's sudden change in expression, Hibiki frowned. "What's wrong?"
Aiz shook her head. "It's nothing…"
At that moment, Maxcel's voice rang out from outside. "We've arrived… at the Supply Kingdom."
The carriage gradually slowed to a stop. Hibiki turned to look out the window, seeing a massive gate wide open, with several guards standing watch. The towering walls of the kingdom spoke volumes about its formidable defenses.
Suddenly, Maxcel called out firmly, "Urgent news! We were just attacked by a group of bandits in the forest! Report this to the King immediately!"
"Understood!" one of the guards responded before rushing off.
The massive gate rumbled as it fully opened, allowing the carriage to enter at a steady pace.
Hibiki observed the scenery within the kingdom. People bustled about, the streets filled with various activities. However, her gaze suddenly locked onto a single figure.
Amid the crowd, someone stood completely still. His coat was tattered, his hair a deep navy blue, and his eyes—red and empty.
Their eyes met.
No words were exchanged.
But in that silent gaze, something felt… off.
•.
A few minutes later, the carriage finally came to a stop in front of a grand mansion—the residence of Aiz. This was where she lived with her father and mother. She was an only child, but she had a nephew who was also the ruler of the Supply Kingdom.
"Your Highness, we've arrived," Maxcel announced.
Aiz was the first to step out of the carriage with graceful ease. It was clear she was used to moving elegantly in her luxurious gowns. Maxcel followed closely on her right, while the white cloth Hibiki had given her fluttered in the wind. Lastly, Hibiki stepped down and walked behind them.
The three of them moved calmly along the path leading to the mansion, passing through a vast garden. Flowers bloomed in various corners, while several gardeners tended to them diligently.
After a short walk, they reached the mansion's grand entrance. However, before they could knock or open the door, it suddenly swung open with great force.
"My daughter!"
A deep, powerful voice echoed from within.
Standing in the doorway was a man wearing a thick red leather jacket. Beneath it, he wore only a simple shirt. His hair was long and white, giving him the appearance of someone who had been through many hardships.
The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. The four of them simply stared at each other in silence for a few seconds, with no one saying a word.
Aiz's expression twisted into annoyance. With a spontaneous gesture, she clenched her fist in frustration.
Seriously, how old is he? Nine?
"Father!—"
But before she could finish her words, the man she called "Father" suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Oh, my daughter! You're safe after all!" he exclaimed with deep emotion.
Aiz seemed to struggle for air within his suffocating embrace.
Meanwhile, Maxcel simply bowed politely, maintaining his composed demeanor. It seemed he was already used to situations like this.
After a few moments, the man finally released Aiz and turned his attention to Maxcel. "You're looking well too, Maxcel!" he said enthusiastically.
But then, something else caught his eye. His gaze shifted toward someone—
A woman?
For a brief moment, he fell silent, observing the woman from head to toe. She wasn't wearing proper clothing, just a simple white cloth covering her chest and down to her knees.
His eyes weren't looking at her face… but at her chest.
"What are you looking at?" Hibiki asked, curious.
Without warning, a powerful strike landed right on the man's head.
"Ow!—"
A tall woman with long, flowing red hair stood behind him—Aiz's mother.
"What do you think you're doing?" she asked, her voice cold and threatening.
"Ugh..."
The woman then turned her gaze toward Hibiki.
"You must have something to do with this, don't you?" she said in a gentle tone, but Hibiki could sense an unusual aura lurking behind her warm smile.
•.
Back in the crowd, Joshua remained standing firmly in place, deep in thought.
The woman in that carriage… there was something strange about her. The aura surrounding her was abnormal. Could she be one of the Anomalies?
Joshua also knew that the carriage wasn't just any carriage—it belonged to his uncle, Von Bishop Dante. If his suspicions were correct, then that woman was most likely his daughter.
Slowly, Joshua began to move, walking through the crowd with a calm and steady pace.
In this world, certain individuals or groups were given the title of Anomaly. They were called so because the very laws of reality around them would shift on their own. Anomalies existed within a different system of causality from other beings, and they were known as the greatest sorcerers.
Each Anomaly possessed their own unique power system, as well as an absolute defensive mechanism known as
His uncle, Dante, had the power to return everything around him to zero. However, it wasn't
Dante's offensive ability was simple—it relied solely on his pistol. Yet, that alone was more than enough.
As for Joshua, his defensive mechanism wasn't particularly outstanding. His existence was
However, there was one thing that set him apart—he could manipulate his roots. It was an extremely rare case, perhaps even the first occurrence in history.
And then there was his father… Alucard.
Alucard possessed the most troublesome defensive mechanism. He was completely untouchable.
This defense was absolute. Even if time were stopped, the effect would still persist—anything approaching him would continue shrinking until it ceased to exist.
And as for his offense?
Alucard could send someone directly into
Simple, yet terrifying.
However, what made Alucard even more fearsome wasn't just his power—it was his unparalleled genius.
Joshua lifted his gaze. In the distance, he could already see the grand castle—the residence of his father, Alucard.
•.
At Aiz's Residence.
Hibiki was in one of the dressing rooms, now wearing an elegant gown. Unlike typical luxurious dresses, this one was surprisingly comfortable and didn't restrict her movements. The fabric was light, allowing her to move freely. In addition, she had also received a new pair of gloves for Ibuki.
"This is truly your best day, Ibuki!" she exclaimed excitedly.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"Excuse me," a familiar voice called out.
"Yes?"
"Hibiki, are you finished? The master wishes to speak with you."
"Alright, I'll be there soon."
A few minutes later, Hibiki walked down a long corridor alongside Maxcel. Eventually, they arrived at the main dining hall.
"Please…" Maxcel gestured for Hibiki to enter first.
Hibiki stepped inside and immediately froze.
Before her stretched a long dining table, with neatly arranged chairs lining both sides. She hesitated for a moment—should she sit near them or find a seat for herself?
"Y-yeah…" Hibiki finally chose a seat a fair distance away from the three people already seated.
However, they didn't seem to mind her decision.
Dante was the first to speak. "My name is Von Bishop Dante, and this is my wife," he said, gesturing toward the woman beside him.
"I am Von Bishop Lorainne," the woman introduced herself.
Hibiki studied them for a moment before responding, "I'm Hibiki Yasuho. Nice to meet you…"
Dante continued, "We've heard everything from our daughter. You truly are a savior. I extend my deepest gratitude."
"I am also very grateful for your help," Lorainne added.
Hibiki nodded. "Yeah, you're welcome. I just happened to be lost and ran into your daughter by chance."
Dante gazed at her intently, as if trying to understand something. "I heard you defeated the bandits with a single slash. Is that true?"
"A single slash, huh? You could say that," Hibiki replied casually.
Dante smirked. "So, it was more than just that, wasn't it?"
Lorainne chimed in, "It seems you don't know much about yourself either, do you, Hibiki?"
Hibiki let out a quiet sigh. "Yeah… I woke up and found myself in the middle of a forest. The power I received was immense, like a blessing."
Dante's interest grew. "Hmm… So, you're one of the
After that, Dante explained in detail what an
Hibiki understood most of it, but one question still lingered in her mind—Why was I the one chosen?
~