Consciousness sank into an endless abyss of the deep sea.
There was nothing unnecessary or distracting.
Only Zion remained, along with the intricate circuits being drawn at his fingertips.
‘From here… spreading outward in a circle. Concentric rings. Penetrating the center vertically. Maintaining uniform thickness. The starting point of the Dimensional Circuit.’
The circuit diagram was so familiar to him by now that even after learning it multiple times, repeating it in his mind, and dreaming of it, he could draw it clearly.
Artifact crafting was divided into several steps, but at the core of all those processes was the creation of the core circuit.
Extremely speaking, all other steps aside from the core circuit creation were simple repetitive tasks that even a child could do if placed there.
However, the core circuit creation could only be done by an Awakened known as a “Crafter,” a producer-class Awakened.
The 7th Dimensional Circuit was complete.
Now, the final step…!Â
His mind was as sharp as a blade forged by steel.
The extreme concentration pushed his overworked brain to the brink; he didn’t even realize blood was trickling down from his nose.
But even in such conditions, failure was not impossible.
As the circuit neared completion, everything seemed perfect—yet Zion instinctively sensed failure.
He hadn’t made any mistake.
The goal was simply too difficult.Â
It was like throwing a needle from hundreds of meters away and aiming it precisely through the eye of a needle.
“Huff.”
Zion exhaled a shallow sigh, opened his eyes, and finally noticed the blood running down his face.
He wiped it off with his forearm.Â
The circuit had run wild, causing the materials to degrade and turn into useless junk.
Zion felt no regret.
He simply moved the failed remnants aside and brought the last remaining materials closer.Â
“Zion.” Arcs called to him.Â
Without stopping his movements, Zion looked up at her.
Seeing his eyes, Arcs said nothing.
She swallowed the words she had been about to say—offering to do it for him if it seemed too difficult.
‘Trans. He’s already entered that stage.’
Just as a combat-class Awakened experiences the “Halo” phenomenon when exerting power beyond limits, producer-class Awakened experience a similar state called “Trans.”
In this state, the circuit diagram to be created is vividly projected on the pupil of their eyes.
Arcs had never once seen a Crafter fail the process after entering Trans.
“Arcs?” Zion’s question snapped Arcs back to reality.Â
She realized she had been silent after calling out to him.
“This time it will succeed. I’m not just saying that—I swear on my honor as a Crafter.”
“I hope so. Somehow, I feel like this time it will work too. My mind’s clear.”
With a faint smile, Zion immersed himself back into the process.
Arcs stepped back a little, deploying the backpack on her back to create a quarantine zone so no variables could interfere.
An eternity’s worth of brief moments passed.
Having finished the process, Zion rose lightly from his seat.
Arcs smiled brightly, clearly proud beyond words.
“Do you want your big sister to give you a kiss as a reward?”
“Uh, I think I’ll pass on that… It’s a bit embarrassing.”
Zion smiled shyly and noticed Yuria running from afar.
He waved energetically.
In his other hand was a rough and unrefined but undoubtedly completed artifact.
***
“What exactly… what’s going to happen when Zion arrives?”
“We can release people from Mind Control.”
Yuria’s words were calm, but everyone listening felt as if a bomb had exploded right before their eyes.
The Prince’s eyes widened, and Soares frowned, showing disbelief.
“Doubt is natural. Zion will arrive soon anyway. Then you can see for yourselves if what I say is true.”
Among the group, the one with the sharpest eyes responsible for reconnaissance was the first to notice a sandstorm approaching from afar.
Upon closer look, it was a person.
Someone was running at an absurd speed far faster than words could describe—so fierce it stirred up a sandstorm.
“He’s coming. Just rest until the nosebleed stops.” Yuria said casually.Â
The Prince’s party felt their common sense shatter mercilessly.
“Your Highness! Sorry for being late!”
Zion shouted as he sprinted, lightly landing near the Prince, Soares, and Yuria.
Contrary to the smooth, picture-perfect motion, his expression was full of worry.
“Is anyone hurt? Surely I’m not too late…!”
“Don’t worry. No one’s dead yet.”
The dazed Prince soon regained composure and answered calmly.
With so many events defying logic happening in a row, he had somehow become more composed.
Hearing this, Zion breathed a heavy sigh of relief and patted his chest.
“Then I’ll use the artifact immediately!”
“What? Wait, you need to explain how all this works first…”
Ignoring the Prince’s words, Zion threw the artifact over the heads of the 150 people who were gradually moving away.
The artifact was simple to use.
If you pressed the switch and threw it like a grenade, it would detonate with a time delay, releasing a powerful MP Storm in an instant.
If you likened it to modern weaponry, it was similar to an EMP.
This storm would disrupt specific types of mental interference within its range, completely breaking Mind Control.
[Perfect! As expected of our Zion!]Â Arcs clapped her hands and cheered from Earth, watching the situation unfold.Â
Though the artifact had no visual effects because it contained only minimal functions, there was no doubt it worked perfectly.
Those affected by the MP Storm collapsed like puppets with cut strings.
They had lost consciousness temporarily as the Mind Control was lifted, but they would soon awaken.
“It worked…! Hahhh. I was so nervous, wondering if something would go wrong.”
[I told you it’d be fine, didn’t I? I personally guarantee it, didn’t I?]
“Well, Arcs… um, it’s nothing.”
[Huh? Me? What? That’s strange. You must’ve misheard, right? Surely even our Zion wouldn’t call me a reckless and unreliable brat. It’s hard enough getting scolded by Frey, you know? Right?]Â
[W-What?! No, that’s not it! I just feel like Arcs praises me whether I do well or poorly…]Â
[Ah, ah~] Arcs gave a vague sigh, not exactly wrong to say so.Â
As a Crafter, she was typically cold and objective, but to balance out Frey’s harsh words, she deliberately took on a somewhat kinder role.
“Success… really? Is that true? Soares, am I dreaming right now?”
“No, Your Highness. They’re awake and well.”
Soares, watching the two with suspicion, finally sighed in relief.
Whether Zion’s words were true or some grand deception would soon be revealed when the people woke up.
If what he said was all true…
“Wait! This person is injured! Their arm looks broken… This one too? Ah! This person’s leg…! Does anyone have first aid supplies? Bandages, splints, herbs, anything! Or someone who knows Divine Art?!”
Soares watched Zion and Yuria fuss over the fallen people, suddenly struck by how pointless her own worries had been.
She recalled him once saying it was her “occupational hazard.”
“Your Highness, may I go assist Sir Alkoth for a moment?”
“Hm? Oh, hahaha. By all means. No need to ask permission for such things.”
“I serve Your Highness as part of the Royal Guard Division. Then I’ll be off.”
Soares held back a retort to the Prince’s knowing smile and gathered her medical bag before heading toward Zion.
“Sir Alkoth, I will assist you. I’m trained in basic emergency treatment.”
Her habit of distrusting others thoroughly was truly an occupational hazard.
Yet she did not close her heart entirely.
The Prince Klavis and his companions made that clear.
She hadn’t fully accepted Zion yet, but without realizing it, her attitude toward him was gradually changing.
“The people…”
Someone muttered softly.
The fallen were beginning to wake, their voices faint but growing stronger.
Their faces were free, as if released from long-held shackles.
The tragedy of Bold had ended.
***
Only the crackling sound of sparks from the campfire pierced the silent night.
Prince Klavis, volunteering for watch duty, stared into the flames with an expression as if being sucked in.
‘Did Zion say I seem changed?’
He couldn’t respond at the time because he had unconsciously accepted that thought.
But as he counted the darkness and the trace of starlight, he pondered alone.
Was it something to feel insulted by or to oppose?
No, it didn’t seem so.Â
Time brings change.
People continuously change, whether for better or worse.
‘Yeah, maybe… I’ve been a bit restless.’
Five years of exhausting, unwinnable struggle had perhaps worn him down.
He hadn’t wasted the time entirely.
He had steadily gathered talent and resources, and kept sharing information with spies settled throughout the Empire.
Though nowhere near enough to overthrow the nation, enough forces had gathered to attempt overturning the Imperial Palace.
Yet, having grown up in the palace and witnessed everything that happened within, the Prince had no confidence that such forces could restore that madhouse to order.
Nadja’s attitude of ignoring them, daring them to try and interfere, only fueled his unease.
In that context, Zion’s words about acting separately to find a way to save the people had been a decisive trigger.
That was why they had launched a reckless plan to rescue the citizens of Bold.
‘Zion’s right. I have been weak.’
A potentially irreparable failure had been avoided, and the Prince was able to reflect on himself.
They were not in a position to pick and choose who to rely on.
Despite funding their efforts through piracy—a despicable method—they had been foolish to reject anyone offering help for odd reasons.
‘Was I feeling sorry for dragging that innocent boy into this mud fight? Ha, pathetic. I swore to fix the Empire by any means, no matter how ruthless.’
Suddenly, footsteps approaching from afar broke the Prince’s thoughts.
Zion was returning from scouting, sent to check for monsters in the area.
The Prince straightened his posture and waited for him to arrive.
“Your Highness, you were on watch?”Â
Zion’s question came as he approached, and the Prince nodded solemnly, “Hmm.”Â
“How was the reconnaissance?”
“The same as usual. I smelled monsters, but didn’t see any.”
“Come to think of it, you said you detect monsters by smell? That’s a fascinating ability. Well then, if you don’t mind, would you keep me company for a while?”
The Prince’s invitation made Zion sit cautiously opposite him.
Silence hung between them across the campfire for tens of seconds.
“Your Highness,” Zion finally spoke first.Â
“I’m sorry.”
“…?” The unexpected apology left the Prince dumbfounded.Â
“I can’t begin to imagine how heavy the burden of my words from two weeks ago must have been for you. But please, allow me to say this even if you do not wish to hear it: you were not wrong then. You made the most rational and correct choice you could. I was rude to belittle your resolve with my narrow-minded and dogmatic views. I apologize, Your Highness.”Â
“Hmm… huh… uh…?”
Squinting and stroking his chin, the Prince slowly came to understand Zion’s words.
Now, Zion had swiftly solved a problem the Prince’s group hadn’t been able to for two weeks and was basically saying, “You were right; sorry for acting on my own.”
“Huh… hahahaha. Hahaha!”
The Prince leaned back and burst into a hearty laugh.
“Zion, do you know what people would call what you just said?”
“Um… no?”
“That’s called deception, you little brat.”
The Prince’s tone, which had maintained dignity until moments ago, suddenly collapsed uncontrollably.
“Ha, damn it. I was the fool all along, worrying alone.”
“Your Highness, your tone… that’s quite… free-spirited.”
“To be honest, I prefer this tone. You two are outsiders, so I kept formal for you. Damn it, I’m done with all that now.”
With a much lighter expression, Prince Klavis looked straight at Zion.
“Zion, I have one favor to ask. Not as Klavis Dain Gaigaus Yung Haden-Frien, the Prince, but just as Klavis, a man as equally naïve as you, Zion Alkoth.”
He bowed deeply.
Discarding all formality, the sincerity was stronger than ever.
“Help us. With the power that freed people from Mind Control, help us drive out Nadja and set the Empire right.”
“Of course.”
His answer was so swift it was as if he had heard a hallucination.
The Prince hesitated a moment, then cautiously raised his head.
Zion smiled brightly, as if he had been waiting for this request all along.
“I intended that from the start. Didn’t I keep saying so? I’m just a hopelessly kind sucker, just like you said.”
“I don’t think you said it quite like that.”
“Oh, was that my uncle? Whatever. Your Highness, I look forward to working with you.”
Rising from his seat, Zion held out his hand over the campfire.
The Prince regarded the extended hand like a precious treasure, then stood abruptly and gripped it firmly.
“I will never forget this favor. Truly… thank you, Zion.”