A Few Minutes Later
Still Within the Abandoned Capital Oculi
In Front of the Royal Castle
After everyone entered the castle and reached the secret underground access area, recently created by the Reginae faction, that same energy pulse that had previously expanded began to retract, retreating back to the center of the ruined royal castle where they had all entered.
They descended in what appeared to be an elevator. The Count (40 years old) held the hand of the young Queen Lilian (15 years old) as she chatted with him in an animated manner.
A little behind them, Lilian's middle sister, Urius (23 years old), smiled at the two with a nostalgic and comforting expression.
Further back, ten royal guards accompanied Queen Lilian, as they did daily.
As the pulse successfully retracted to the castle in a subtle manner, it seamlessly restored the illusion of abandonment that covered a two-kilometer radius around the royal castle.
Once again, it appeared to be completely deserted, showing no signs of life since the fall of the capital five years ago.
Then, the focus shifted downward, racing through the earth at high speed. As the elevator descended, the passage it had previously occupied was sealed shut—secured by heavily reinforced doors that protected the main elevator system, which connected to the four levels of the underground base beneath the capital.
As the perspective delved deeper alongside the main descending elevator, it became evident that numerous corridors branched out, populated by soldiers and scientists who either worked diligently or engaged in casual conversations during their breaks.
These corridors were well-constructed, with multiple interconnected pathways extending in various directions on that intermediate level.
Before long, the elevator finally reached the first level of the base—Level 3.
A Few Seconds Later
Underground Base - Level 3
The elevator doors opened, revealing the passengers as they began to step out—except for the royal guards, who remained inside.
Within the base, regardless of the level, all personnel were instructed to protect Queen Lilian. This ensured that the entire base itself functioned as the most secure environment possible for the young queen.
Because of this, she was able to walk freely through all levels of the base, from the highest to the deepest one, where the base's central hub was located.
Here, she did not need a "mini-army" following her every moment, restricting her freedom and preventing her from going where she pleased.
Everyone in the base not only respected her but, above all, admired her for the way she carried herself—always spontaneous and considerate.
She never changed her manner of speaking, regardless of whom she was addressing—whether it was a janitor or a high-ranking general of the Reginae faction.
Her presence within the base was one of the highlights of the week for many, serving as a source of motivation for them to give their best to the one they admired most—the one who honored Luna's legacy while still alive.
The three of them—The Count, Urius, and Lilian—walked through Sector 3, whose main function was technological development aimed at aiding and improving Oculi society as a whole.
As they moved forward, Urius and Lilian spoke with The Count about the technological advancements of the past three years—ever since the fall of the capital five years ago.
This was before the entire underground base and its levels had been built—three years after the capital's downfall—and before the Reginae faction had relocated its headquarters beneath the now-ruined city.
As The Count walked through the many mirrored corridors, he could see the dedicated people working behind the glass.
From the outside, those in the corridors could clearly observe the workers inside—individuals who labored with meticulous care and unwavering hope in their eyes.
Near the End of Level 3
Maximum Security Room
The three of them stopped at what would be the last room. It was the only one with walls that concealed its interior, as it contained the highest-level equipment, to be handled piece by piece.
[Count - Curious & Thoughtful Voice] This is the first room I've seen that is "sealed" within its walls. What... does it work with? -
Its walls were much more reinforced, and its security sensors were more advanced than any other part of the base.
[Urius - Reassuring & Proud Voice] Rather than explaining, it would be more fun to see your reaction upon discovering it, little sister? -
The smiling young Lilian nodded to her sister Urius, then snapped her fingers.
This caused the corridor walls of that section of the room ahead of them to become partially visible to everyone present.
From the corridor, they could now see its interior clearly, though slightly whitened due to the glass that made up all the corridor walls.
The Count did not understand why Lilian was smiling so proudly, her eyes shining beautifully with a sense of achievement.
Meanwhile, Urius smiled, pointing a finger for the Count to look inside the room at that moment.
As he looked into the room without understanding, he saw something beyond incredible and unbelievable, making his eyes widen and his mouth slightly gape open.
[Urius - Happy & Proud Voice] With the help of the faction's personnel in the human reality, who send us monthly reports... -
Before his eyes stood a machine that had been common in the human reality for decades.
[Urius - Happy & Proud Voice] We managed to make this a reality, with the help of a "certain" girl. [Gentle, Proud Laughter] -
But in the Oculi reality, it was something extremely innovative, created only in that place in relation to the rest of the Oculi world.
[Urius - Happy & Proud Voice] She led the project alongside our best engineers, with so much dedication... [Deep Breath] -
Thus bringing to the Oculi reality, through nothing less than the efforts of this young girl, the machine that would enable the saving of sick lives.
This machine was more protected than even the queen herself, as it was responsible for creating edible medicines.
[Lilian - Sweet & Proud Voice] ...Ah. Mom would be so happy to see this scene with her own eyes. [Subtle Tremor in Voice]
It would cure diseases that, for two and a half years, had had no cure in the Oculi reality. Many of them were similar to diseases found in human reality.
[Urius - Assertive & Happy Voice] Yes, little sister. She would be so happy that her joy would easily spread to the entire world, with... that beautiful smile of hers. [Slight Tremor in Voice] -
In the Oculi reality, these diseases were common and often fatal—illnesses such as multiple types of cancer, severe respiratory syndromes, mental disorders, and many others.
[Luna's Echoing Voice from the Past] ...My greatest dream in life is to never see kind people suffer on a bed until they pass away. [Deep Breath] -
Now, many of them had become treatable, and several were curable with the right treatment and weekly patient follow-ups.
[Luna's Echoing Voice from the Past] It's such a simple thing to solve, but... impossible for me to achieve in my present... [Gentle Tremor in Voice] -
For the Count, watching that machine in operation felt like a brutal reality shock.
[Count - Whispering in Disbelief & Faltering] This "certain" girl leading this project is truly incredible, I... [Soft, Emotional Sigh] -
The efficiency of such an innovative piece of equipment for the good of the entire Oculi race and the future generations yet to be born overwhelmed him.
[Count - Whispering Emotionally & Happily] I wish to meet her someday. She must have such a beautiful essence, never giving up even for a single day. [Subtle Tremor in Voice] -
Lilian looked at the Count while still holding his hand, realizing that, despite being so young, she had followed one of her mother's most "impossible" dreams.
Given the limited knowledge of Oculi society at that time, when Luna was still alive over ten years ago and without contact with human reality's knowledge, Lilian had made the one she admired most so impressed.
Lilian thought about telling him that she had spent the last two years arduously studying various books and data collected by Oculi working in human reality.
However, she felt a tightness in her heart that made her smile and shift her gaze toward the glass in front of her.
Her expression revealed a slightly trembling smile—she was simultaneously embarrassed and struggling with what seemed to be the pain of only the Count being there to look so amazed at the machines.
Deep down, Lilian wished that her own mother was also standing beside her at that exact moment, smiling just as brightly as the Count.
Urius, even standing on the other side of the Count, noticed how Lilian's initially shy expression reflected in the glass transformed into a heavy gaze, combined with a sorrowful smile.
The Count remained completely unaware of this subtle change, too mesmerized by the scene inside the room.
This lasted only a few seconds before Lilian saw her own reflection and quickly tried to hide what she was feeling at that moment.
Urius, upon seeing her little sister's attempt to change her expression—so as not to make the Count worry about her—successfully deduced exactly the reason for Lilian's earlier change in demeanor.
However, just as she decided to look at the Count beside her, she was caught off guard by his smile as he looked at her.
It was such a beautiful and happy smile that it disarmed her as swiftly as a lightning strike.
In that simple look, she saw something he was saying to her, yet she couldn't hear it, as her mind went blank and her world became muffled.
Still, instinctively, she lowered her head in agreement with him, a sweet and affectionate smile forming on her lips.
[Urius' Heartbeat Subtly Skipping a Beat]
Urius instinctively diverted her gaze, which had been fixed on him, bringing up another topic regarding the next level of the base.
She and her sister, Lilian, would take the Count to see the facilities, and he was visibly excited about what awaited him.
At the same time, Urius started walking toward the main elevator, affirming that they should return to descend to the next level.
Still holding the Count's hand, Lilian pulled him along, smiling playfully, encouraging him to race with her to the elevator.
Simultaneously, as the Count passed Urius while running and playing with Lilian, she also passed by her sister, Urius.
It became evident that Lilian had noticed the unusual look Urius had given the Count, who was completely unaware of Urius' glances.
Despite being a young queen of only fifteen years old, Lilian subconsciously understood, at least in part, what that look from Urius might mean.
[(Lilian - Curious & Intrigued Thought) It can't be... Could Urius be... (Soft, Sweet & Playful Laughter)]
A Few Minutes Later
Base Sublevel - Level 2
Together, the three advanced through the main elevator to Level 2, which currently served as the junction between Levels 1 and 2, encompassing this entire section of the base.
Precisely four kilometers in, at the beginning of Level 2, and extending nearly six kilometers deep, this level was entirely administered by Urius. It was at the farthest point of Level 2 that the new defense and attack systems for the Reginae faction forces were tested.
Many members of the Inanis faction did not utilize technology to improve their equipment and armor, as they placed unwavering trust in the "superior" capabilities of their own Oculi abilities in combat.
In addition, they mastered the manipulation of their own essences, shaping them into energy blades—so sharp and incandescent at the edges—that extended directly from their hands.
One of the absolute orders to be followed within the Reginae faction's combat forces was never to kill using essence blades.
If, during combat, such a blade were to pierce an enemy at a specific point, it would not only destroy their physical body but also, if struck directly through the heart, penetrate the very core of their essence—beyond their physical existence.
An Oculi individual subjected to this fate would experience the most agonizing death known in Oculi reality, with their essence shattered from the inside out.
The sensation would be as if their body were burning from within on a "metaphysical" level, until nothing remained but an empty, essence-drained corpse lying on the ground.
In some cases, if the wound were not fatal and treatment were possible, the individual might still be breathing—though these occurrences were rare.
However, anyone who lost their essence in this manner would never awaken, even if their body survived.
With all of this in mind, Urius, alongside his allies, friends, and the finest scientists within Level 1, not only enhanced the existing technology in that base but also developed simpler and more advanced variations of the same equipment—whether designed for defense or attack.
A Few Minutes Later
Still Within Level 2
After walking through several corridors, observing the rooms and their equipment being tested by the scientists, the young Lilian chose to fall a bit behind, walking with the two of them, staying closer to each other and chatting in a relaxed manner.
They talked about the things the Count had been able to see in operation in the past few minutes inside level two.
Evidently, that was the best thing Lilian could have done at that moment, seeing them not only talking so happily and attentively to each other but also in such a humorous and playful way, joking and saying things Lilian didn't fully understand but that made her feel restless.
Not because of the subject being discussed between them, as they walked ahead, talking about the rooms they were passing by, looking into their interiors. Inside those rooms, various people were testing equipment, often adjusting it on the table before testing it again.
Gradually, as they continued walking through the corridors, Lilian understood that at that moment, Urius was no longer her beloved middle sister. She had become a woman now, no longer showing the same admiring glances toward the Count, but something more beautiful and special.
The young Lilian immediately recognized that this look was the same one her mother, Luna, had when she would rest her head on their father's lap during the beautiful and magical sunset above the capital, when the two of them were still alive almost ten years ago.
Lilian slowed her pace, walking a bit more calmly, admiring that sweet and cute expression that Urius only displayed when looking into the Count's eyes.
(Lilian - Thoughtful & Happy) Mom would be so happy, and at the same time, she would argue with you, sister…
When he wasn't looking at her, it seemed like a natural reaction from Urius to watch him, as he spoke, glancing around, taking note of the rooms.
(Lilian - Thoughtful & Happy) That look of yours is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. (Deep Breath)
Even though Urius was 23 years old and the Count was 40 at that very moment, there were times during the conversation when the two of them would pull Lilian into the discussion in a playful way, smiling together about something funny that happened during the equipment tests.
Lilian wore a comforting and happy expression, seeing that after so many months, when Urius seemed to have been holding back something that was silently bothering her, now, it appeared that she was finally opening up.
(Lilian - Thoughtful & Happy) Seeing you like this, so beautiful, warms my heart, big sis. (Lighthearted, Amused Laughter)
She finally seemed to unconsciously wear an expression of ease and genuine happiness for having the Count by her side in such a comforting way.
(Lilian - Caring & Attentive Thought) Mom, Urius is going to steal your best friend from you, I… (Slight Tremor in Voice)
After five years away from the Oculi reality, where she had been serving alongside her older sister, Miss Nox, who alone led the entire Reginae faction, secretly embedded within human society, knowing that the Inanis faction of the Oculi was on Earth, testing their things and harming humans in the process.
(Lilian - Caring & Attentive Thought) …I wouldn't let it go for her, mom! (Lighthearted, Cheerful Laughter)
---------------------------------------
- (Act 2 - Three Hearts) -