The Imperial Capital
Bai Xiao stood by the window, gazing down at the bustling streets below.
The turmoil surrounding the S-rank dungeon seemed to have left the capital’s prosperity untouched, with everyone still rushing about their daily lives.
Yet, those lost souls would forever slumber within that dungeon, never again to witness the capital’s vibrancy.
“Guild Leader, the memorial service is about to begin,” a secretary softly murmured, then silently positioned themselves behind Bai Xiao.
“Let us go,” Bai Xiao finally said, her gaze fixed on the window, unable to tear herself away. “Let us see them off on their final journey.”
Though the capital maintained its outward composure, every guild, both large and small, and indeed every single person in the Imperial Capital, was preparing for today’s memorial service.
All united by a singular desire: to bid a glorious farewell to their heroes.
****
At the memorial site, a sea of people gathered, clutching fresh flowers, their eyes brimming with sorrow and reverence.
Before the Monument of Heroes, countless white bouquets lay arranged, swaying gently in the subtle breeze.
Dozens of warriors, bearing their emblems of honor, slowly entered the solemn grounds.
Within the hallowed silence of the ceremony, the sounds of weeping stood out starkly, yet no one present found it jarring; only profound sympathy resonated through the crowd.
The coffins, draped in the national flag, held no bodies, only the names etched to them.
Dungeons, unlike wars, were far more merciless.
Once fallen within a dungeon, a body became a burden to their comrades, and despite overwhelming reluctance, they could only abandon it with tear-filled eyes.
The chances of recovery thereafter were virtually nonexistent.
Bai Xiao slowly approached the monument, her expression solemn.
She gently traced the familiar yet foreign names etched upon the stone, as if she could feel the vibrant lives they once held.
Her lips moved, softly reciting: “Bai Xilin, Chen Xinling…”
These were all her former subordinates.
And today, she would once again engrave new names onto this very stone, with her own hands.
As the solemn music began to play, everyone bowed their heads in silent mourning.
Bai Xiao closed her eyes, and in her mind’s eye, vivid images of the fallen heroes fighting bravely within the dungeon materialized.
“They are the nation’s heroes,” she declared, her voice ringing with conviction. “Their sacrifice will forever be etched into our hearts.
We will carry their will forward, ensuring our nation grows ever more prosperous and strong!”
Bai Xiao’s eyes snapped open, a fierce glint flashing within them, as her snow-white fur instantly bristled and fanned out over her shoulders.
Amidst a resounding tiger’s roar, several new names were inscribed upon the Monument of Heroes.
They were all heroes!
Heroes never die!
They live forever in the hearts of the people!
“And now, what follows…”
Simultaneously, across the entire nation, a mournful wail resonated.
From office workers to students and teachers in their classrooms, all bowed their heads.
To bid farewell to a General!
****
Yan’an City.
Hearing the distant hum beyond his window, a trace of melancholy inevitably arose in Aya Tone’s heart.
This was the reality of S-rank dungeons.
Even S-rank adventurers could perish within them.
Perhaps, one day, he too would meet his end in an S-rank dungeon.
Aya Tone chuckled derisively.
The moment he accepted Fire Finch’s invitation, the hands of fate had begun to turn.
There was no longer any possibility of stopping them.
‘I only hope I can last until Xiao Jiu grows up,’ he thought.
Big White, sensing the shift in atmosphere with uncanny sensitivity, abruptly interrupted his reverie. “Master, are you getting cold feet?”
“Am I getting cold feet?”
Aya Tone murmured, uncertain whether he was questioning Big White or himself.
“Yes, I am,” he admitted, his voice gaining strength. “I’m getting cold feet, because I’m no longer the solitary Aya Tone.
I’m afraid, because I have family now; I cannot die yet!”
By the end, Aya Tone let out a hoarse roar.
The confusion in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by an even more resolute conviction.
As if in response to the conviction in his heart, a brilliant light emanated from within him, swiftly enveloping his entire being.
Once the light receded.
Magical Girl Aya Tone—Solar Form, made a dazzling entrance.
“Huh?”
Big White: (●—●)
‘Master was perfectly fine, so why the sudden transformation?’ it wondered.
‘Is there a fight?’
‘Who’s the opponent? It can’t be me, can it?’
Not only was Big White baffled, but the person who had transformed was equally bewildered.
“Don’t just stare!” Aya Tone exclaimed, desperately trying to revert to his original form. “I can’t undo the transformation!”
Yet, no matter what method she tried, the Solar Gown clung immovably to her body.
‘What in the world is going on, man?’ she mused.
“Don’t worry, Master,” Big White reassured her, scampering back to its little nest to plug into the internet. “I’ll go ask the all-knowing netizens.”
[White Demon: Bros, what do I do if my gear won’t come off?]
‘[A transformation should count as gear, right?]’
[I’m a Lolicon: Is it a loli?]
Big White considered its Master’s current appearance for a moment, then silently typed: [Yes.]
[I’m a Lolicon: Simple, give me the address, Uncle will come help you take it off.]
[Ghost-Possessed: Hello, is this 911? There’s a pervert here!]
[Where’s My Head: FBI! FBI!]
[White-Haired Witch Fan Leader: You perverted scum, you’re dead. I’ve already pinpointed your location.]
After the fan leader’s message, the Lolicon’s avatar instantly went offline.
‘It seems he was dealt with in real life,’ Big White surmised.
[White Demon: Bros, stop messing around, this is genuinely urgent.]
[Ghost-Possessed: I wouldn’t know, my armor hasn’t grown to that extent yet.]
****
Seeing that the netizens’ advice offered no substantial help, Big White felt a profound sense of helplessness.
Just then, the White-Haired Witch Fan Leader, having reappeared online, offered the most valuable advice.
[White-Haired Witch Fan Leader: Normally, the reason you can’t take it off is low proficiency, preventing free control.
However, there’s another possibility: the operator’s internal energy is too powerful, causing the armor to be compressed, making it impossible to remove naturally.]
“!”
[White Demon: I’ll go have my Master try it.]
As White Demon’s avatar darkened, the chat group instantly erupted into waves of commotion.
[Ghost-Possessed: Damn, playing such wild games? Master-servant play?]
[Mai Senpai is My Wife: What, what?]
[I’m a Lolicon: Holy crap! The Master is a loli, so envious, I really want a loli to step on my face with her little feet…]
[Ghost-Possessed: …]
[Mai Senpai is My Wife: …]
[Hello, is this 911?]
****
“Master, Master!” Big White exclaimed, eagerly relaying the group members’ speculations to Aya Tone.
“Proficiency? Excessive internal energy?” Aya Tone mused, reclining on the sofa.
The former could be entirely dismissed; she had been playing this account for three years, accumulating hundreds of matches’ worth of proficiency.
If that wasn’t enough, there would truly be nothing left to say.
‘So, it’s due to an excess of internal energy?’ she considered.
Suddenly, Aya Tone recalled possessing an ability called ‘Heart Power’.
The stronger her conviction and the greater her emotional fluctuations, the more powerful she became.
If she wasn’t mistaken, she had just perfectly met all the prerequisites for activating this passive skill.
‘So her sudden transformation was because her magical energy had exceeded its limits?’ she pondered.
Aya Tone: “…”
Knowing the cause made the solution clear.
However, Fire Finch had told her not to stir up trouble or visit the guild recently…
‘Then… how was she supposed to release this excess magical energy?’
→_→ (●—●)
“Master, your gaze is rather peculiar,” Big White observed, immediately growing wary after its recent meritorious service.
“It’s nothing,” she purred, a strange glint in her eye. “Master will be quick, and very gentle, alright?”
“No, no, Master, what are you doing? Oh, oh, oh, not there~”
“Ah~ I’m full, no more pouring~”
That day, Big White felt itself grow powerful beyond measure.
It had grown!