Halochassis

Lireina reminisced about a memory from a very, very long time ago, a memory buried so deeply in the past that it almost felt like a story from another lifetime. Yet, whenever she remembered it, she could still feel the heat against her skin and smell the smoke that had filled the air. 

She remembered the sky glowing orange, the ground trembling beneath her feet, and the distant roar of flames that never seemed to stop. It was the memory of the day when the Celestial Wardens first arrived on the faraway continent of Pyraethis, the Land of the Eternal Flame.

Pyraethis was unlike any other continent in the world. According to the ancient records, it had originally been a gigantic supervolcano. It erupted over and over again for centuries, perhaps even for thousands of years, until the tremendous amounts of hardened magma and volcanic rock slowly formed an entire continent. Even after Pyraethis had taken shape, the volcano never truly became dormant. It remained alive beneath the land, its enormous heart still burning deep underground. At the center of the continent was a gigantic crater, a vast hole that stretched deep into the earth. Far below, searing flames could be seen through the darkness, illuminating the rocky walls with an ominous red-orange glow. The heat rising from the crater was so intense that simply standing near its edge could make a person’s skin sting and their clothes grow damp with sweat.

The island was said to be inhabited by a mythical creature known as the Undying Phoenix. The phoenix was not merely an ordinary immortal beast. According to the legends of Pyraethis, it had existed since ancient times and possessed a body that could never truly perish. Whenever its flesh was destroyed, it would rise again from the flames, reborn from its own ashes. The oldest legends claimed that the phoenix eventually descended into the heart of the volcano itself. It fused its immortal body with the mountain, becoming one with the raging fire beneath the earth. From that union, the continent of Pyraethis was born. The people of the land believed that the flames beneath their feet were not merely volcanic fire, but the remnants of the phoenix’s eternal life.

The natives of this continent were known as the Phoenix Clan. They were humans, but they possessed extraordinary powers that separated them from ordinary people. Their bodies were said to have been blessed by the phoenix itself, granting them a form of immortality. Wounds that should have killed a normal person could eventually heal. Even when their bodies were destroyed, their souls could supposedly return to the world once more. To the people of Pyraethis, this blessing was not simply a power. It was a sacred inheritance passed down through generations, something they believed connected them directly to the mythical phoenix sleeping beneath their homeland.

But the Demon King took notice of the Phoenix Clan.

He became fascinated by their immortality and saw their blessing not as something sacred, but as a resource to be exploited. The Demon King eventually sent one of his Flame Demon Generals to conquer Pyraethis. The arrival of the demon army transformed the eternal flames of the continent into a battlefield. Villages were burned, forests were reduced to ash, and the ground shook beneath the footsteps of demons. The Phoenix Clan fought desperately to protect their homeland, but even their immortality could not protect them forever against an enemy that possessed overwhelming numbers and power.

Eventually, Pyraethis fell.

The surviving members of the Phoenix Clan were captured and imprisoned by the demons. What followed was far worse than the conquest itself. The prisoners were subjected to horrific experiments as the demons attempted to understand the source of their immortality. Their bodies were examined, their blood was studied, and their mysterious blessing was repeatedly tested. The demons wanted to reproduce the Phoenix Clan’s immortality and create creatures that could continue fighting no matter how many times their bodies were destroyed.

They eventually succeeded.

The demons began breeding monsters with a form of phoenix-like immortality. These creatures could survive wounds that should have been fatal and return from death again and again. They were unleashed across the surface world, spreading destruction wherever they went. Villages that managed to defeat them would soon discover that their victory meant nothing, because the demons would simply rise again from the ashes. Their enemies became nightmares that could not be killed by ordinary weapons.

When the Celestial Wardens were finally assembled, they were forced to confront this terrifying problem.

Ordinary strength was useless against creatures that could not remain dead.

Alexander Goldheart developed an existence-erasing sword capable of completely removing these immortal demons from the world. Lireina created anti-reincarnation bullets, ammunition specifically designed to prevent the souls of these creatures from returning after death. Zerova, meanwhile, possessed something even more terrifying. Through her Goddess’ Blessing of Autonomous Death, she could inflict the very concept of death upon creatures that had previously been beyond its reach. Their immortality could no longer protect them from her power.

With these abilities, the Celestial Wardens eventually launched their raid on Pyraethis.

Lireina could still remember the oppressive heat as they entered the continent. The air tasted of ash, and every breath felt hot against her throat. Rivers of glowing lava flowed between the blackened rocks while smoke covered portions of the sky. The sounds of battle echoed across the volcanic landscape as the Celestial Wardens fought their way through the demon forces. One by one, the immortal demons finally fell. Some were erased by Alexander’s sword. Others were stopped by Lireina’s bullets, their souls prevented from returning. The rest were forced to face the absolute finality of death through Zerova’s divine blessing.

Eventually, the demons were cleared from Pyraethis.

But their victory did not feel like a victory.

As the Celestial Wardens explored the conquered continent, they discovered the horrible fate of the Phoenix Clan. The people they had come to save were no longer the proud inhabitants of the legendary land. Their villages had been destroyed, their families torn apart, and countless members of the clan had been taken away for experimentation. The surviving evidence was enough to reveal the cruelty that had taken place there, leaving the Wardens with a bitter silence even after the final demon had been defeated.

For so many years afterward, Lireina believed that the people of Pyraethis were long dead.

The Phoenix Clan had become nothing more than another tragic memory buried beneath the countless battles she had fought throughout her long life. Whenever she thought about Pyraethis, she remembered the burning crater, the endless smoke, and the people whose names she would never know. She had eventually accepted that there was nothing left of them.

Until she met Risha.

Or rather...

Rika.

“I thought the phoenix clan was extinct,” Lireina muttered.

The lively noise of the clothing market seemed to fade into the background for a moment. Around them, customers continued browsing through racks of colorful clothes, while merchants called out prices and fabric rustled whenever someone pulled a dress from its hanger. Yet Risha barely seemed to notice any of it. Her expression became distant, and she lowered her head, crossing her arms over her chest as though the sudden attention made her uncomfortable.

“My mother…” Risha muttered quietly. “My mother told me that she came from the continent of the Eternal Flames.”

Lireina’s green eyes widened with curiosity. The name alone carried an almost mythical weight. The distant continent was said to be a place where rivers of fire flowed through blackened valleys and where the sky itself glowed red from the constant volcanic activity.

“Oh, so you’re not the only one alive,” Lireina said with a small smile.

“No, I’m the only one… I think,” Risha replied.

Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her clothes. For a few seconds, she remained silent before continuing.

“My mother fell ill, and her immortality made her suffer. So she decided to let go of her blessing and died in peace when I was eight.”

Lireina’s smile disappeared. Her ears drooped slightly as her expression softened, and she lowered her voice.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“No, it’s fine. I made peace with it a long time ago,” Risha said.

She tried to sound casual, but there was still a faint heaviness in her voice. It was the kind of sadness that no longer hurt sharply because it had been carried for so many years.

Lireina watched her for a moment before asking, “Does Shin know?”

Risha looked at her. “Does he need to know?”

Lireina stared back at her, then gave a small shake of her head.

“Never mind that. I’ll tell you more about it later. But for now, we have to change your clothes.”

“Ah!”

Risha suddenly yelped as Lireina grabbed several pieces of clothing and began preparing them. Before Risha could protest, Lireina had already pushed the garments toward her with an excited grin.

“You have to try these!”

A few minutes later, the curtain opened slightly, and the sound of clothes shifting inside the changing room could be heard. Lireina had picked out a white dress for Risha, paired with a short purple skirt that gave her an entirely different appearance from her usual assassin-like clothes. The soft fabric moved lightly around her legs whenever she shifted her weight, and the bright colors made her look much more like an ordinary young woman shopping at the market.

Lireina had changed too. She wore a peach-colored sweatshirt that extended all the way down to her thighs, making her look cozy and casual compared to her usual adventurer attire. The warm color made her golden hair stand out even more beneath the bright market lights.

Once they were ready, Lireina dramatically grabbed the curtain and pulled it open.

“Ta-da!”

She immediately wrapped her arms around Risha and hugged her tightly, pressing their cheeks together as they posed in front of Shin. Risha’s face instantly turned red from embarrassment, and she stiffened in Lireina’s embrace.

“How about this, huh? Cute, right?” Lireina asked brightly.

Shin stood outside the changing room with several bags already hanging from his hands. The moment he saw them, his face flushed.

“Y-Yeah. You two look cute.”

Lireina narrowed her eyes playfully.

“Sheesh, now I don’t know if you’re blushing for me or for Rika.”

She released Risha and placed both hands on her hips, puffing her cheeks.

“Of course I’m fawning all over you!” Shin cried.

Lireina’s pout instantly turned into a smug smile.

“Oh? How about Rika? Cute, right?”

“Y-Yeah, I guess.”

Shin immediately looked away.

Risha’s cheeks became warm. For a brief moment, something fluttered inside her chest. She had spent so much time trying to get Shin’s attention, only for him to remain distant and difficult to read. Even when she stood beside him, fought alongside him, or worried about him, Shin often acted as though nothing could shake his composure.

Now, however, he had actually called her cute.

It should have made her happy.

Instead, Risha found herself feeling strangely guilty about enjoying the compliment. Shin already had a lover. Lireina was standing right beside her, smiling innocently, and that made Risha’s little spark of affection feel even more improper. She quickly looked away and pretended to be interested in the clothes around them.

Before anyone could say anything else, a sudden commotion swept through the market.

Footsteps echoed across the stone floor as people began moving toward the main exit. Several customers abandoned the clothes they had been looking through and hurried away, while merchants leaned over their stalls to see what was happening. It did not sound like an emergency. There were no screams of panic or cries for help. Instead, there was an unmistakable air of curiosity.

A crowd was gathering somewhere.

Lireina tilted her head.

Her long elven ears twitched as she focused on the distant voices, filtering through the layers of chatter around them.

“It seems that the Celestial Wardens have an announcement in the cathedral!” someone shouted.

“Is it about the Iron Bandits? The Halochassis!?” another person asked.

“I heard that the Chosen One captured their leader yesterday! Let’s go take a look!”

Shin and Risha both heard that last statement clearly.

Risha’s expression immediately changed.

Her hands slowly tightened into fists, and the cheerful mood from moments ago vanished. Adzeel’s capture was something she had been trying not to think about, but hearing strangers casually discuss it made the situation feel painfully real.

Lireina, however, was troubled for an entirely different reason.

Alexander.

Why was he making an announcement without telling her?

“Let’s go to the cathedral!” Lireina suddenly declared.

She reached into her clothes and pulled out her wallet.

“Let’s take these dresses home. This can also serve as my disguise in the crowd.”

“Got it, Miss Lireina,” Risha said with a nod.

Lireina turned toward her and smiled.

“Just call me Big Sis Lena.”

For a moment, Risha stared at her before returning the smile.

“Okay, Big Sis Lena.”

They quickly paid for the clothes they had chosen. Once the purchase was finished, the three of them left the store and followed the stream of people heading toward the cathedral.

Because Shin was the only one carrying the bags filled with the women’s newly purchased clothes, he was forced to weave through the growing crowd while Lireina and Risha moved ahead. By the time he finally reached the cathedral, he was already several steps behind them.

“Wait up!”

But the moment Shin entered the cathedral grounds, he stopped.

Lireina and Risha had also frozen. None of them spoke.

The sight before them was impossible to mistake.

At the entrance of the towering cathedral stood a wooden stake. Someone had been tied to it.

It was Adzeel Schwarzer, the muscular leader of the Iron Bandits and former Divine Knight.

His body was covered with bruises and fresh scratches. Dark marks spread across his skin, and several injuries still appeared raw beneath the morning light. His arms were stretched behind him against the wooden post, his head hanging forward as his battered body remained exposed before the enormous crowd.

He was completely naked.

People surrounded the entrance, whispering among themselves. Some stared openly. Others looked away in discomfort. Children were pulled closer by their parents while adventurers exchanged uneasy glances. The cathedral’s bells towered above them, but there was no sense of holiness in the scene. The entire entrance felt more like a public execution ground.

Beside Adzeel stood the Chosen One.

Alexander Goldheart.

His golden hair and immaculate armor stood in stark contrast to Adzeel’s battered condition. He faced the crowd with his enormous sword at his side, looking completely composed as the gathered citizens stared up at him.

Then Alexander raised one hand.

“Behold, for this is the face of the sinner!”

His voice echoed across the cathedral plaza, carrying over the murmuring crowd.

“I am presenting to you the leader of the Iron Bandits, and the wielder of the Halochassis, Sir Adzeel Schwarzer! He was a former Divine Knight who succumbed to corrupt practices!”

The crowd grew louder.

Alexander pointed toward the bound man.

“Let this display of shame be the punishment for all of those who threaten the Celestial Wardens and the whole world!”

Risha’s teeth clenched.

Her breathing became heavier, and her hands curled so tightly that her fingernails dug into her palms. Rage burned across her face as she stared at Adzeel tied helplessly against the stake.

She took one step forward. Then another. She was about to charge.

But Shin suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Risha turned sharply toward him, her purple eyes burning with anger.

Shin said nothing. He simply shook his head.

Risha stared at him, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to control herself. Around them, the crowd continued cheering and murmuring while Alexander stood proudly before Adzeel.

Shin’s grip on her wrist tightened slightly. His expression made it clear.

Not here.

Not yet.