Chapter 09: Serval (+Omake)

The group moved through the alleys of the Upper City, staying in the shadows to avoid detection. The streets were cleaner and more orderly than in the Underworld, but the oppressive feeling of surveillance was suffocating.

Sampo had led them to an apparently abandoned warehouse before disappearing without a trace.

March 7th crossed her arms with an annoyed expression.

"Where did that swindler run off to now?"

Dan Heng sighed.

"It was obvious he wouldn't stick around longer than necessary."

Seele clicked her tongue.

"Well, at least he kept his word and got us here. Now let's see what happens."

Before they could say more, a side door opened, and three figures emerged from inside.

Two of them were dressed in long coats and gloves. One, a middle-aged man with glasses and a scar on his cheek, adjusted his lenses and observed them calmly.

"So, you're the ones Sampo asked us to help."

The other, a short-haired woman with sharp eyes, inspected the group with interest.

And Sampo, grinning widely.

"My dear friends, did you really think Sampo would abandon you just like that?"

"Huh, you all look more decent than I expected. I thought you'd be some wild Underworld strays."

Seele frowned, but Dan Heng spoke before she could respond.

"We came for what you promised. Do you have the clothes?"

The man nodded and gestured toward the warehouse interior.

"Follow me."

Inside, they found several crates filled with clothing and other supplies. Among them were various outfits suitable for moving through the Upper City without drawing too much attention.

March 7th pulled out a white coat with golden accents and smiled.

"Ooh, this one looks cute!"

Stelle was already trying on a sleeveless jacket.

"Functional."

Aleph picked up a black jacket with blue details and examined it.

"Huh, it feels oddly light."

Seele crossed her arms.

"It's better than what we've been wearing."

Dan Heng had already changed without a word, adjusting his new dark coat.

The man with glasses spoke again.

"With these, you should be able to move around without attracting too much attention. But be careful—the Belobog Guards patrol constantly."

The woman pulled out a map of the Upper City and spread it out on a table.

"This is the patrol schedule. There aren't many blind spots, but there are routes you can use to move without being detected."

It was time to plan their next move.

"So, where do we go first?" Stelle asked, crossing her arms.

Seele was the one to answer.

"From what you all said, Gepard is unlikely to listen to us. He might even turn us in. I don't have much confidence that Serval would act differently. But we should try—we can always run if things go south."

The group nodded. With their new gear and some information, it was time to move.

However… when they turned around, Sampo was already gone.

March 7th puffed up her cheeks.

"Wait! Where did he go?! Did he sneak off again?!"

Aleph sighed.

"Seriously, this guy is like a ghost when it comes to avoiding trouble."

Dan Heng looked at Sampo's contacts.

"Do you know anything about him?"

The man shrugged.

"He just asked us to give you this and make sure you don't get caught on the way. Whatever he does next is his business."

March 7th put a hand to her forehead.

"...I don't know why I keep expecting anything different from him."

Dan Heng tucked the map into his coat and looked at the group.

"We should get moving before someone spots us here."

With their new outfits and the information in hand, the group left the warehouse and headed toward Serval's workshop.

************

The road to the Neverwinter Workshop was short but incredibly tense.

The Upper City was too quiet—eerily so. There was barely anyone walking the streets, except for the guards.

The Belobog Guards were patrolling more frequently and in larger numbers. While their new outfits helped them blend in, they couldn't afford to lower their guard.

"If we get caught, we'll have problems," Dan Heng whispered as the group moved along one of the routes marked on the map.

Aleph adjusted his new black jacket.

"Just make sure you don't say something stupid if we get stopped. Especially you, March 7th."

"Hey!" she protested, puffing up her cheeks. "I know how to lie if I have to!"

Stelle patted her on the back without a word.

Seele, leading the group, raised her hand, signaling them to stop.

"We're almost there."

In the distance, Serval's workshop was illuminated with a warm light, in contrast to the cold and rigid design of the rest of the city.

March 7th smiled upon seeing the entrance.

"Well, at least we know she'll welcome us with open arms."

"Let's hope not with a hammer in hand," Aleph muttered, still remembering the time he had angered his best friend so much that she had greeted him that way just to scare him.

Seele wasted no time and knocked on the door firmly.

After a few seconds, the door opened, revealing a woman with long blonde hair, the tips dyed.

Serval looked at them in surprise but quickly broke into a smile.

"Well, well! Look who we have here. What are you waiting for? Come in, outlaws!"

March 7th grinned.

"Serval! We're happy to see you."

Serval gave the group a curious look before opening the door wider.

"Get in quickly before someone sees you."

The group stepped into the workshop, and the door shut behind them.

"Chaos" was a mild way to describe the state of the place. Aleph couldn't help but stare in awe.

Tools, metal pieces, and mechanical schematics were scattered everywhere, yet everything had its place.

Serval leaned against a table and raised an eyebrow at them.

"Let me guess. You need help with something dangerous, right?"

Dan Heng gave her a serious look.

"Bronya said we could trust you."

"Does that mean you don't trust me? Well, that's actually pretty smart! But I don't think you need to worry. Cocolia and I don't even talk. She was the one who kicked me out of the Architects, so there's no way I'd take her side."

Seele nodded.

"We're here because of the Stellaron. We need to find it and seal it before it's too late."

Serval sighed.

"So that's what this is about?" Serval nodded as if she finally understood something.

"Bronya returned last night after being away for quite a while. No one knows what happened, but she hasn't been seen since. Meanwhile, the guards have returned from the Fragmentum under the Supreme Guardian's orders to deal with some supposed enemies trying to destroy Belobog. They were talking about you, weren't they?"

March 7th looked outraged.

"Destroy Belobog?! We'd never do something like that!"

Serval shook her head.

"I haven't known you for long, and even I can tell that. Also, this wouldn't be the first time something like this happened. I just had it a little easier than you guys. Cocolia had me fired after concluding that I was poking around where I shouldn't. You know what that was?"

Dan Heng crossed his arms.

"What was it?"

"The Stellaron. I wanted to figure out if it was somehow related to the state of the planet and the Fragmentum."

Seele gave Serval a serious look.

"Will you help us?"

The woman smirked.

"I've always had a soft spot for lost causes. But if I'm going to take this risk, I want to see that Stellaron with my own eyes. I need to know just how dangerous it really is."

Aleph nodded.

"That seems fair."

Just when it seemed like everything was under control…

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The sound of firm knocks on the door froze everyone in place.

Serval turned, looking tense.

"…It can't be."

"Who is it?" March 7th whispered.

Before Serval could answer, a firm voice came from the other side.

"Serval. It's me."

A chill ran through the group.

It was Gepard Landau.

The commander of the Silvermane Guards.

And Serval's younger brother.

"I came to visit. I just remembered I left my limited-edition thermos here. Open up."

Serval's eyes widened in alarm as she quickly turned to the group.

"Hide!"

Without hesitation, everyone scrambled for a hiding spot.

Seele and March 7th dove behind a stack of crates.

Dan Heng moved into a dark corner of the workshop.

Stelle simply dropped behind a table, her bat in hand.

Aleph, however, wasn't so lucky.

Before he could react, Serval grabbed his arm and shoved him onto the couch, forcing him to sit.

"You stay here and keep quiet!"

Aleph blinked, confused.

"What—?"

But before he could ask, the door opened, and Gepard stepped inside.

His armor gleamed under the workshop's light, and his expression was as severe as ever.

His eyes swept over the place before finally landing on Serval and Aleph, both frozen in a somewhat... compromising position.

The two exchanged silent looks.

Gepard frowned.

"…Who is he?"

Serval felt her heart stop for a second.

In a desperate attempt to avoid suspicion, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"He's… my boyfriend."

The workshop fell into complete silence.

The group, hidden in their respective spots, stared in shock.

Dan Heng covered his face with one hand.

Seele and March 7th exchanged looks of utter confusion.

Stelle watched the scene with a slight smirk, enjoying the chaos.

And Aleph…

Aleph felt his soul leave his body.

"…What?"

Gepard narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms.

"…Your what?"

Serval forced a smile.

"My boyfriend. Didn't I tell you?"

Aleph opened his mouth to protest, but Serval jabbed her elbow into his ribs before he could speak.

Gepard eyed Aleph from head to toe with suspicion.

"And exactly how long have you been together?"

Aleph swallowed hard.

Why did he feel like he was about to be sent to the guillotine?

Time seemed to slow as Gepard scrutinized him with a piercing gaze.

Dan Heng, from his hiding spot, massaged his temples in resignation.

March 7th struggled to hold back laughter, while Seele frowned. They were wasting valuable time, no matter how funny Aleph's expression was.

"Since…" Aleph tried to stall, but Serval discreetly squeezed his arm.

"Since a few months ago," she quickly answered with a forced smile. "I just hadn't had the chance to tell you."

Gepard didn't look very convinced.

"Months? Funny how you never mentioned anything like this before."

"Well, you never ask about my personal life!" Serval shot back with feigned indignation.

"I can't believe it, little Geppy! How adorable! Are you jealous of your big sister?"

Gepard exhaled in frustration.

"It's not that. I just worry that he might not be trustworthy."

Aleph cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure.

"I'm a completely decent and respectable person, I promise."

Gepard crossed his arms.

"What do you do for work?"

Aleph froze mid-thought.

"I can't say I'm a university student without my old papers. Gamer? Someone like him would definitely look down on that. Demon summoner? Not a chance… Think, think! What's the most believable option?"

"Uh… I'm… a mechanic."

Serval nearly choked.

"A mechanic?"

Aleph forced a smile.

"Yeah, that's why I'm here in Serval's workshop. We met talking about… gears."

Gepard raised an eyebrow at him.

"Gears?"

"Yes… big ones, small ones, round ones, square ones…"

March 7th had to bite her fist to keep from bursting into laughter. Seele was trying with all her might to keep a serious face, but it was incredibly difficult.

Gepard still didn't look convinced, but in the end, he sighed.

"Alright. I trust my sister's judgment, but I want to make one thing clear."

He leaned slightly toward Aleph and whispered just low enough that Serval wouldn't hear. His eyes were ice-cold.

"If you break her heart…"

He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"I'll break your legs."

A cold sweat ran down Aleph's back.

"I won't! I swear!"

Gepard stared at him for another moment before nodding in approval.

"You better not."

Seele whispered from her hiding spot.

"This is glorious."

After a few minutes, Serval managed to steer the conversation to a less dangerous topic.

Finally, Gepard said his goodbyes.

"I'll come back another day, Serval. Take care."

He looked at Aleph one last time.

"And you… behave."

Aleph swallowed hard and nodded quickly.

When the door finally closed, there was a moment of absolute silence.

Then—

"Hahahahahahahaha!"

March 7th and Stelle burst into laughter.

Seele smiled in amusement, while Dan Heng let out a resigned sigh.

Aleph collapsed onto the couch, covering his face with his hands.

"I want to die. I should have never left the Underworld."

Serval, her cheeks slightly red, looked at him with a mix of guilt and amusement.

"Well… at least it worked."

Aleph turned to her in disbelief.

"It worked?! Your brother now thinks we're dating!"

"Hey, you could've played along better," Serval said with a teasing smirk.

Seele walked over, still entertained.

"Pfft, don't worry, Aleph. If you ever get your legs broken, Natasha can probably fix you up. Or we could ask Clara to negotiate with Svarog for some robotic ones."

March 7th patted his back.

"You should be happy! Now you have a brother-in-law in the Guard."

Stelle simply walked up to Aleph and whispered, her tone smug within her usual standards.

"You could always make it real."

Aleph was left speechless… Well, Serval was very beautiful.

No, no, that wasn't the point.

Serval clicked her tongue.

"Alright, enough joking around. Let's get back to business."

She crossed her arms, looking at them seriously.

"I'll help you, but on one condition."

The group straightened up and focused on her.

"I want to see the Stellaron with my own eyes."

Aleph nodded.

"Deal."

Dan Heng spoke up.

"Then how do we move around without being detected?"

Serval smirked.

"I have a plan."

Leaning on her workbench, she assessed the group with a thoughtful expression.

"Alright. If you want to move unnoticed, the first thing is to avoid the Belobog Guards. Gepard shouldn't be a problem since it'll take him some time to return to the front lines."

Seele crossed her arms.

"Easier said than done."

Dan Heng nodded.

"With what Cocolia said about us, the Guards must be on high alert."

Serval's eyes gleamed mischievously.

"That's why we won't sneak in… We'll do it with style."

March 7th tilted her head.

"What do you mean with style?"

Aleph felt a chill run down his spine.

"I don't like where this is going…"

Serval stepped away for a moment and returned with a handful of industrial uniforms.

"We're going to pose as maintenance technicians. The Upper City always has people fixing its systems, and with the right connections, no one will ask questions."

Dan Heng examined the uniforms.

"This… could work."

Seele eyed the outfit with suspicion.

"I hope you're not expecting me to wear this."

Serval tossed her a uniform.

"Oh, I definitely am, because there's no other option."

March 7th took hers and held it up excitedly.

"Wow, this actually has style!"

Aleph looked at his uniform with resignation.

"At least it's not a dress."

Stelle was already putting hers on without a single complaint.

Serval adjusted her own outfit and put on a pair of protective goggles.

"Alright. The key to this plan is walking with confidence. If we act like we belong, no one will question us."

Aleph sighed.

"Right. Because that always works."

March 7th nudged him with a grin.

"Come on, newbie. Enjoy the show."

With the plan in motion, the group prepared to infiltrate the restricted area.

*******************

Now dressed as maintenance technicians, the group made their way toward the restricted zone, their confidence somewhat forced.

Serval led the way, walking with the relaxed attitude of someone who had every right to be there. Aleph walked beside her, still feeling the annoyed glare from Seele over the whole fake boyfriend situation and how it had wasted her precious time.

Dan Heng and Stelle remained composed, while March 7th was clearly enjoying the disguise way too much.

"Wow! This really feels official! I'm going to start using technical jargon to make it sound more convincing!"

Aleph groaned.

"Please don't."

As they approached the checkpoint, the Upper City Guards were carefully inspecting everyone trying to cross.

Seele tensed.

"If we get caught, it'll be a disaster."

Serval remained confident.

"Relax. Trust your team leader."

They reached a checkpoint where a guard examined their fake IDs.

"Reason for entry?"

Serval gave him a friendly smile.

"Routine inspection of the energy grid. We detected some unusual fluctuations near the Creation Engine."

The guard checked a terminal.

"…I don't have any record of a scheduled inspection."

March 7th leaned toward Aleph.

"See? This is where we start throwing in technical terms and—"

Aleph clamped a hand over her mouth before she could say another word.

"Not now, Pinkie Pie."

Serval shrugged.

"Well, if you'd rather wait for official approval, go ahead. But if there's a sudden blackout later, don't come crying to me."

The guard hesitated.

Energy problems had been frequent lately…

Finally, he sighed and waved them through.

"Alright, but don't cause any trouble."

Serval winked.

"I always behave."

The group successfully crossed the checkpoint.

Once they were far enough away, March 7th pulled away from Aleph.

"Hey! Why'd you shut me up?"

Aleph gave her a tired look.

"Because it would've been a disaster."

Dan Heng sighed.

"Save the argument for later. We're in."

Seele looked ahead with a serious expression.

"Alright… Now the real mission begins."

Now that they had infiltrated the restricted area, their next objective was clear:

Reaching the Stellaron.

**************************************************************************

The Epic of Aleph and March 7th: The Origin of the Feud

"A tale of glory and ruin, of cunning and vengeance, of chaos and justice."

In a time of peace and relative harmony aboard the Astral Express, a conflict arose that would shake the very foundations of the cosmos. It was not the work of a fallen god nor the wrath of a galactic emperor. No. Its origin was much smaller, and yet, infinitely more dangerous: the birth of a rivalry.

It all began with a simple act.

Aleph, in his infinite wisdom (or lack thereof), decided that playing a small prank on March 7th would be a brilliant idea.

"What's the worst that could happen?" he thought with a smug grin as he adjusted the temperature control of the young photographer's shower.

The stage was set.

When March 7th entered the bathroom that morning, she expected a warm, relaxing shower.

What she received was an icy assault that defied all known laws of mercy.

"ALEEEEEEEPH!"

The scream of outrage echoed throughout the Astral Express, shaking the windows and disturbing the peace of unsuspecting travelers.

Dan Heng, who was peacefully reading in his room at the time, felt a chill run down his spine.

"I have a bad feeling about this…" he muttered, voice laced with unease.

March 7th emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, with an expression that could make even Nanook tremble.

"I'm going to kill him."

Aleph, already anticipating retaliation, had strategically entrenched himself behind the common room sofa.

"It was a social experiment! Think of the science, March 7th!"

"Think of the freezing water on my body!"

"…Not a bad idea."

And so, with that declaration of war, the battle began.

It was the first of many.

The gears of fate had turned. The Infinite Cycle of Vengeance had been set into motion.

The Astral Express would never be the same again.

**********

Act 2 – The First Great Offensive

"War had been declared. There would be no mercy, only ingenuity and chaos."

"And thus, the peace of the Astral Express was shattered by the spark of an all-out battle. Like the epics of old, the warriors did not fight for kingdoms or treasures, but for honor… and the sheer satisfaction of seeing the other suffer in ridicule."

March 7th was not someone to be humiliated without consequences.

She was an artist, a master of creativity. And if Aleph thought he could attack her with a simple cold shower and escape unscathed, he was gravely mistaken.

The counterattack was orchestrated with the pinpoint precision of a legendary general.

First, the battlefield had to be prepared.

Aleph, confident in his victory, had relaxed too much. After an entire day without retaliation, he let his guard down.

A grave mistake.

March 7th's attack came in the dead of night, when the enemy warrior was at his most vulnerable—in the domain of sleep.

As Aleph slumbered peacefully, oblivious to the storm looming over him, March 7th executed her offensive with a mastery that would make Sun Tzu weep with pride.

With the stealth of a shadow in the night, she redesigned his room.

Every object had been subtly replaced with meticulously sculpted ice replicas.

The pillow.

The sheets.

The very clothes on his chair.

And to top it all off—a life-sized ice sculpture of Welt Yang, semi-nude, striking a sultry pose on a couch.

The result was a death trap of freezing proportions, just waiting for its victim to awaken.

Morning came, and Aleph, still groggy with sleep, attempted to move…

A shiver ran through his body.

A cold, inescapable, inhuman chill that did not belong to this world.

Aleph slowly opened his eyes.

"…Why does it feel so…?"

His brain lagged in processing the scene before him.

His room.

Entirely made of ice.

The shock paralyzed him for several seconds.

Then, the fatal sound arrived.

"Good morning, Aleph!"

March 7th appeared in the doorway, an angelic smile on her face, camera in hand.

FLASH.

The photo was taken at the exact moment Aleph realized his defeat.

And so, history recorded March 7th's First Great Offensive.

But the war was far from over.

Because deep inside, Aleph made a silent vow.

"N-No way I'm going down alone, damn it. I'm dragging that fool with me."

The conflict had only just begun.

*********

Act 3 – Collateral

"In every war, there is collateral damage… and he never imagined he'd be the first."

"In every war, there are innocents who, without seeking it, are dragged into the conflict. Not by their own will, but by the cruel design of fate. And so, the scholar of the lance, the guardian of knowledge and patience—Dan Heng—became the first collateral victim."

Dan Heng had developed a special talent for ignoring the problems of others.

After all, he lived surrounded by chaotic personalities.

He had learned to detect danger before it affected him.

But this time, his instincts failed him.

He did not see the attack coming.

He did not feel the shift in the atmosphere.

He could not avoid his unfortunate fate.

The morning after the Frozen Offensive, Dan Heng stepped out of his room as usual, ready for his morning routine.

But the battlefield had already been prepared.

And he, unknowingly, had walked into the warzone.

Aleph, in his thirst for revenge, had orchestrated a masterful trap.

The plan was simple.

March 7th always had hot tea in the morning.

So Aleph, with the patience of a hunter, had switched her cup with a special one.

A cup that contained liquid terror in its purest form.

An indescribable concoction, closer to divine punishment than a drink.

It was…

Salted coffee with laxatives.

An abominable experiment that defied all morality.

The decisive moment arrived.

March 7th took the cup with delight, unaware of the switch.

She took a sip.

And then…

"…"

Her expression cycled through every phase of human suffering.

Confusion.

Denial.

Pain.

Betrayal.

It was the perfect victory.

But…

The cup wasn't hers.

By a cruel twist of fate…

Dan Heng had taken the cursed drink.

And as the universe mocked him, the scholar of the lance tasted the flavor of despair.

Absolute silence.

The entire Astral Express held its breath.

Aleph and March 7th, witnesses to the horror, awaited his reaction.

Dan Heng slowly lowered the cup, his expression empty.

He stared at the dark liquid within, as if contemplating the meaninglessness of existence itself.

"…Why?"

His voice was a whisper, heavy with resignation.

Aleph took a step back, feeling a shiver run down his spine.

He had made a mistake.

Because Dan Heng…

Would not forget this.

Never.

And so, the guardian of knowledge became a wandering soul, his spirit shattered by the unexpected attack.

And the worst was yet to come.

Because on the horizon…

The navigator was about to discover true horror.

"I'm going out to buy a few things for Pom-Pom."

Perhaps sensing the approaching danger, Welt Yang searched for any excuse to leave the Astral Express.

*********

Act 4 – The Wrath of the Lady of Coffee

"When a warrior's most treasured possession is destroyed, only fury remains."

"In every war, there are unforgivable acts. And among all possible calamities, there exists a limit that must not be crossed. A point of no return. A sin so heinous that it unleashes the wrath of the gods and dooms mortals.

In this war… that sin was committed."

The Astral Express pulsed with an unsettling energy.

Dan Heng, still in a trance, contemplated his existence.

March 7th glared at Aleph, her mind plotting revenge.

And then…

Fate wove its next tragedy.

Aleph, unafraid of the consequences, made the boldest move of all.

In his thirst for vengeance, his next target was not March 7th.

No.

It was something much greater.

Himeko's coffee.

More specifically, he planned to blame her for it.

The only reason the Astral Express's navigator hadn't lost her sanity during so many crises.

The sacred elixir that maintained cosmic order.

But Aleph, in his audacity, had decided to play with fire.

The previous night, under the cover of secrecy, he had swapped Himeko's coffee supply with decaf beans—ensuring that there was barely enough left for a single cup and nothing more.

Such a heartless act that, had it been discovered at that moment, it could have been considered a crime worthy of the death penalty.

But no one knew.

Not until that fateful morning…

When Himeko, cup in hand, took the first sip of her beloved coffee.

And her world stopped.

"…"

She fell silent.

The universe trembled.

The cosmos held its breath.

The entire Astral Express was consumed by an eerie void.

Then, with unnatural calm, Himeko slowly lowered the cup.

She stared at the liquid inside, as if her mind refused to accept reality.

She took another sip.

Nothing.

No coffee.

No energy.

No life.

Only a decaffeinated void that consumed her soul.

And thus, the legend became reality.

It happened…

The Roar of the Lady of Coffee.

"WHO DID THIS?!"

Her voice thundered like a storm shaking the entire train.

The cars trembled.

The lights flickered.

Somewhere in the universe, a lesser god felt fear for no apparent reason.

On the bridge of the Express, Pom-Pom covered his ears and hid behind a chair.

They say that her roar of fury and anguish froze the blood of even the bravest. That her lament echoed through the cosmos, shattering the barriers between worlds.

March 7th felt a shiver run down her spine and turned to Aleph, her face pale and eyes filled with desperation.

"What did you do?"

Aleph smiled proudly.

"A work of art."

Then, the café door burst open.

Himeko appeared.

Her expression was that of a predator deprived of its prey.

Her eyes burned with unfathomable fury.

A fiery aura screaming death surrounded her.

In her hand, the empty cup trembled with rage.

"Who was responsible?"

No one answered.

The silence was absolute.

March 7th and Aleph pointed at each other.

But then…

Dan Heng, still in a trance after three hours in the bathroom, slowly raised his finger and pointed at Aleph.

"…Him."

Aleph turned with a look of absolute betrayal.

"You too, Dan Heng?!"

But there was no time for words.

Because at that moment, Aleph understood what it meant to fear for his life.

Because Himeko…

Had already drawn her weapon.

And on the Astral Express, the hunt began.

*************

Act 5 – The Jester's Exile

"Every great war has a victor and a defeated. And when a kingdom falls… its king must flee before facing his fate."

"In the history of great wars, there always comes a moment when a general is forced to flee.

When his allies abandon him.

When his castle is besieged.

When victory turns to defeat.

In this war of pranks, Aleph realized this truth… too late."

"Aleph, you can't run forever!"

Himeko's roar shook the Astral Express.

The entire train became a hunting ground.

Corridors, rooms, the command deck… no place was safe.

Aleph ran for his life, dodging cups launched with pinpoint precision and bursts of energy that turned the floor into a blazing inferno.

Pom-Pom, peeking from a corner, watched Aleph dash past like a lightning bolt and murmured in horror:

"This is terrible… the Express has never suffered such a catastrophe."

Behind Aleph, chaos reigned.

March 7th, acting purely on instinct for survival, had switched sides and was now cheering for Himeko.

"Go, Himeko! Make him pay!"

Stelle, still holding her bat, simply watched the scene as if enjoying a good show.

Dan Heng, still in an existential trance, observed with a vacant expression.

"…He deserves it."

Even the Impassive Dragon could feel resentment.

And so, Aleph understood true loneliness.

He had no allies.

No refuge.

Only one option left.

"TIME-OUT!!!"

He screamed desperately, raising his hands in surrender.

Himeko stopped, though her gaze still burned with fury.

"You have ten seconds to convince me not to throw you out a window."

Aleph panted, resting his hands on his knees.

"It was… a social experiment…"

The temperature in the room rose ten degrees.

Aleph raised his hands again.

"Wait, wait! I'll fix it! I'll pay for all the coffee I ruined!"

Himeko narrowed her eyes.

"Do you have enough credits?"

Aleph paled.

"…Can I pay with my body?"

A second of silence.

Then, Himeko's fury reignited.

"DIE!!!"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

And so, Aleph fled once again.

Toward an uncertain fate.

Toward inevitable punishment.

Toward the legend of The Exiled Jester.

THE END.

**********

Bonus Act: The Return of Welt Yang

"What happened here?" Welt wondered as he saw the state of the Express. It seemed that his decision to find an excuse to leave had been the right one.

"Have you seen Aleph? I need to kill him."

Welt blinked twice in confusion as he saw a completely furious, armed Himeko looking at him with an extremely forced smile.

"…No."

He placed the bag he had brought on a nearby table and fled back to his room as fast as possible.

Perhaps when he woke up tomorrow, all of this would have been a dream.

…

Himeko gazed in surprise at the bag Welt Yang had left behind.

Inside, she saw Pom-Pom's favorite sweets and…

"Coffee?"

For a moment, her eyes turned to Welt Yang's rapidly retreating figure.

It seemed that heroes still existed in this cruel world.

**********************************************************************************************

Surprisingly, this chapter was much easier to write than I initially thought. It flowed quite well, and I was able to complete it faster than expected (I thought I'd still be working on it around this time, but tomorrow, considering several things).

As for the Omake… well, it was another idea that had been floating around in my head since I started writing this. I hope I executed it well.