---

The two figures stood at the entrance of the Exhibition Hall, exchanging meaningful smiles as they gazed into the building.

They revealed their emotions, a rarity for them.

From their smiles emanated a sense of cruelty, and they chatted while admiring the scene unfolding before them.

“The results are quite satisfying. Bringing the followers was truly a brilliant choice,” the man muttered in admiration. The woman nodded in agreement.

“Right? I didn’t expect those foolish folks would be so blinded by a mere gem that they wouldn’t recognize the true objective. What a relief.”

The woman scoffed. To humans, the relic they referred to as the Heart of Sunset was merely a shallow gem distorted by Ether. It was akin to a monkey rejoicing over a bone.

“How about being generous? They’re truly blind to the true value.”

The two beings laughed. Humans, even given a century, fail to realize that they are merely shallow beings fixated on trivial objects cast out from dimensions. Such pitiful creatures, blinded by greed, unable to grasp the essence of things.

“So they truly cannot discern the genuine value. A small Miracle Box? What a dreadful name to exist in this world.”

The woman whispered with contempt.

“A small miracle! The real power lies right before them, yet they don’t recognize it or know how to wield it. They’re like blind idiots.”

“Exactly, to think they can only use it to make snacks or food. How low can one get?” The man snorted. During the Great War of Humans, no one could have predicted that a great fragment would end up being used as a child’s toy.

“Truly hopeless. To think they’d use His power in such a way.”

“Well, we should be thankful. Had they known the essence of the box, they would have found a true method to control Ether, and our plans would have been significantly delayed.”

Now, they approached the Convention Center, gradually enveloped in the light’s barrier.

“By the way, what are you planning to do now? Originally, the goal was to quietly retrieve that box. And—”

“I was thinking of conducting sabotage against those Restraid folks, but suddenly, I had this thought. Do you remember the Sacred Heart Monastery?”

At the woman’s remark, the man recalled the various religious organizations he had formed through experimentation. And the image of an old man cleaning alone inside an empty temple.

“Are you talking about that suggestion you made? I remember. The thought that faith based on rules, more fundamental and specific, might draw out potential rather than one-dimensional rewards like the Unity Cult or One Heart Society.”

The woman said.

“That’s right. And I shared a bit of our power to turn them into followers.”

The man nodded and smiled.

“Not bad at all. I didn’t expect the space within dimensions to pop out, but I didn’t foresee awakening the true potential of power. So, shall we head inside now?”

Just then, a blue light burst forth from the Exhibition Hall, consuming the surroundings and forming a gigantic hemispherical screen. A bizarre spectacle that seemed to twist reality unfolded within the barrier. The barrier continued to grow.

The two figures walked confidently into the barrier, intrigued.

It was a familiar world for them: the Erosion Zone filled with Ether.

Here, they would be able to use their powers freely.

“It feels like I’ve returned home,” the woman murmured, taking a deep breath.

The two walked through the Erosion Zone, carefully observing their surroundings. Streets lined with antiquated architecture, religious facilities nestled in between, and the towering spires and cathedrals far away. They couldn’t help but marvel as if they had stepped into the medieval era.

In particular, three overlapping circles atop the cathedral caught their attention.

“Interesting, this seems like a human place. It feels like a location that has just appeared in reality. Is it new?” the woman muttered to herself.

“Indeed, this is a newly appeared place. Ah, look at that.”

Nodding in agreement, the man suddenly widened his eyes with interest upon seeing the symbol attached to the cathedral.

“It’s the symbol of the Sacred Heart Monastery. Come to think of it, I did destroy several of those foolish facilities in the previous war, but why is this here?”

The woman’s eyes grew wide with surprise.

“Why did this place appear, especially with the erosion? This is quite intriguing.”

“I suppose we should call that person here.”

The man, filled with curiosity, snapped his fingers as if to conduct an experiment.

Before long, an old man appeared in the air. The priest from earlier, now bearing a face full of madness. The old man gazed at the two with eyes filled with awe before immediately kneeling and bowing down.

“Oh, Apostle of the divine! What a glorious occurrence it is for this sinner to meet you directly!”

The two exchanged glances and smiled. It felt like the puzzle pieces were falling into place.

“The experiment was a success. In an unexpected manner, too.”

They marveled. The faith of the fallen old religion’s believers had combined with miracles to bring forth this space swallowed within dimensions.

“Humans are quite fascinating. This is unexpected.”

The woman’s expression subtly changed. She marveled internally.

“How remarkable. I didn’t think the fanatical faith of those ignorant folks could call forth miracles that manipulate space.”

A satisfied smile appeared on the man’s face.

“Constructing a religion for our next plan isn’t a bad method. We should report this to the higher-ups.”

The believer still had his forehead buried in the ground, trembling and whispering.

“Oh, purest of beings, please show mercy upon this lowly servant.”

Ignoring the priest, the two began discussing their next plan.

This bizarre space, summoned through the blind faith of humans, truly was the perfect stage granted to them.

“Now, let’s get started with something fun. Come on, priest. Hand over that item.”

“Here it is…!”

In a trance, the priest handed over the Miracle Box to them.

As the two laughed, their shadows warped in a strange manner.

**

Violet Number 325 opened her eyes in the darkness, surrounded by oppressive debris.

“Where am I?”

Fortunately, the Violet Network was still functioning perfectly amidst this phenomenon. Immediately, a flood of information poured into her mind.

“We’re here!”

“Where are the others? Older Sister Sophie El? Right, Lucian and Levi?”

“Lucian is here! I don’t know about the other two. By the way, weren’t you in the Convention Center?”

“Convention Center?”

When 325 asked, the other Violets responded.

“Yeah! We’re inside the building. The power went out again, but it’s a bit chaotic. Wait, hold on.”

The Violet, who had been speaking, tilted her head. She was experiencing a slightly prickling yet exhilarating sensation coursing through her body.

“The density of Ether is high. Is this a dungeon?”

“I don’t know.”

325 attempted to escape from the debris. The things surrounding her were mere temporary walls.

Violet simply brushed them aside and stood up.

Feeling a bit of pride in her own strength, the girl surveyed her surroundings.

And she confirmed she was in a strange place.

“Where is this?”

She couldn’t figure out where she was.

“Guys, where are you?”

In the silence, Violet looked around. Turning her head, a breathtaking view unfolded before her.

“This is…”

Violet surveyed her surroundings in a daze.

She wouldn’t know. Nor, unless she struggled to find out, would she in the future.

The gray swirling vortex cutting through the sky that appeared before her resembled tears from a god.

Amidst the endless cycle of tears, the Alives Grand Monastery lay silent, consumed by pain.

Once, it was a place where countless believers gathered in search of peace and comfort, where the goddesses of order, mercy, and peace smiled.

But now, that place had long since vanished into the cries of fear and death.

The First Dimensional Invasion War, swept away by the attack of the monsters, had pulled the Grand Monastery and its holy site of Astelia into the depths of dimensions.

Amidst the devastation of the grand war, countless souls sought salvation here, but all that monsters left behind was a mockery of hollow faith.

And now, the ones wandering this land of death are souls who have lost their god.

In the landscape where debris and bones are intertwined, an eerie silence flows, as if time has stopped.

Wherever footsteps land, old military uniforms, rusted weapons, and the remnants of death are strewn about.

Those who have become ghouls—soldiers and clergy—are cursed beings drifting through this land of oblivion, with soulless eyes.

Their sighs ride the wind, disappearing towards the far-off battlefield of forgotten memories.

While the land soaked in Ether is brushed by a gentle breeze and dust swirls, the warmth of life has long since faded away.

What remains in Astelia is nothing but a tranquil silence on the brink of shattering and fragments of fleeting memories.

Amongst the giant buildings and debris floating in defiance of gravity, bizarre-shaped creatures swim between them.

This is a world of chaos, where physical laws are violated by Ether, far detached from reality.

When one gazes into the distance, the silhouette of a gigantic structure emerges beyond the ruins.

Once hailed as the greatest temple, the Alives Grand Monastery now remains a symbol of fallen faith, forgotten beyond dimensions, keeping its silence.

Atop the spire of the Monastery, the three overlapping circles symbolizing the Sacred Heart Monastery faintly shimmer.

This is Astelia, a monument to defeated faith and courage.

The proof of a fallen religion and the tomb of a forgotten god.

**

While Violet wandered through the scenery she had never seen before, a girl with twin braided hair regained her senses amidst the ruins.

“W-where is this?”

Levi looked around. All that greeted her was the grayish ruins.

‘There was a strange light surrounding me. And…’

Coming to her senses, she found herself in a peculiar place.

Levi suddenly felt a surge of fear. It wasn’t just because she had suddenly fallen into an unfamiliar location.

Her keen eyes caught sight of the monsters dwelling nearby.

“V-Violet. W-where are you?”

Gradually trembling hands gripped the Ballista. The solid, cold grip brought her senses back.

“Right, I have power. There’s nothing to fear!”

She decided to find Violet first.

“Violet is invincible, so…”

Swallowing her fear with effort, Levi walked into the ruins of Astelia.

 

---