At that enormous city, towering with endless pillars, in the middle of a radiant spring — the very opposite of the battlefield we left behind —
the carriage slid toward the encampment, carrying with it three figures who had helped decide the outcome of this war.
Nier, who had laid his head on Libby's lap, was traveling through a world of dreams, while Libby herself spread her wings over his small body to shield him from the cold breeze of Arkanthia's capital.
Across from them sat that white-coated destroyer, caught between wakefulness and slumber.
The hero's eyelashes fluttered more frequently as he drifted back into reality.
"…So, hero — may I ask what you were doing just now?"
The pounding in my head forced my hand to my hair. "I was using one of my abilities — it's called Insight."
"Insight? Is it like seeing the future?"
"No one can truly see the future, but this ability allows me to gather all the information I know and construct possible future scenarios."
"What's the difference then?"
"These scenarios carry countless variables. In my current condition, there's a 20% margin of error."
"What about when you're at your best — in your own world?"
"It doesn't depend on my power, but on my information. If I knew everything about the enemy, the margin would drop to one percent — only accounting for natural disasters."
As our carriage neared the camp, Libby stretched out her hand, pulling Nier out of his dream world as she listened to our talk.
"But when I'm at full power, gathering all that data only takes a few seconds."
"Alright, let's focus on what matters. What did you see?"
"Solarin will awaken — sooner or later."
Before us stood three soldiers waiting eagerly for our arrival. "Khaled!"
I jumped toward the man leading them, and he brightened at the sight of me.
"How are you, hero?" Our hands met in a firm shake, followed by an embrace with the other.
"What about us, didn't you miss us?"
Libby stepped forward and wrapped her wings around Lucy. "Don't mind this fool."
Lucy chuckled. "Thank you, Libby. You're the best."
From afar, Ronald called out, "…Nier, my favorite little one, didn't you miss your big brother Ronald?"
Nier stepped back to hide behind me, and I replied teasingly, "Ronald, you're a commander — shouldn't you be more serious?"
"Shouldn't you be glad to see your commander and friend as well?"
Laughter rose among us. "Of course I am."
"Hero!"
I turned behind Ronald toward a man I never expected to meet here. "Raphael! What a surprise!"
"Wait… where's Reinhard?" Ronald interrupted, freezing Lucy and Khaled with that single question — but the truth was kinder than their fears.
"He's out of danger now, but he'll need time to recover."
"What happened to him?"
"Didn't Khaled tell you he was between life and death?" Ronald's gaze turned toward Khaled, who only shrugged.
"Sorry… I just can't deliver bad news."
Before Raphael could respond, a voice echoed:
"The attack has begun. Prepare for the counteroffensive!"
At once, the army surged forward like a tide of ants, and we followed along with everyone at our side.
Around us, media drones soared proudly, recording every moment of the grand battle.
Raphael alone headed for the command tent to oversee the operation,
while we quickly joined the vanguard and its fierce warriors.
And our enemies? Despite their despair and hopeless fate, the soldiers of Arkanthia gathered in numbers exceeding a billion, without a king to guide them or a commander to lead.
"Their numbers are massive," I muttered, but Ronald found that amusing.
"Those are normal numbers for an army here."
…Of course. How could I forget? A world of such vast scale would naturally host populations like this.
From within the enemy ranks, colossal war machines rose, tanks breaking through the formations to serve as both shield and spear.
I charged ahead, lightning coursing through me, a river of thunder among hundreds of soldiers.
Our bolts struck the heads of those titanic weapons as the ground beneath us burned with sparks and flame.
The dazzling powers of the players filled sky and earth with colors —
a painting born of carnage and brilliance.
The battle quickly turned in our favor.
That army of billions — mere novices and young knights — fell before our million-strong legion of veterans and elites… and a thousand players.
But then, the moment of the expected surprise arrived.
Deep beneath the capital, inside a secret laboratory — a button was pressed.
"Awaken, Solarin… and show them the true meaning of The Sun Calamity."
That majestic human form — with golden hair and a thick beard — opened lifeless blue eyes.
With that awakening, heat burst forth for a fraction of a second — scorching the scientists, evaporating the water, and withering the crops —
before it all drew back toward its source.
The ground above Solarin melted as if it were opening itself to let him ascend — to let the world once more see his light.
But could it truly be called life again?
For the radiant being standing before us was merely a replica of the true Sun Calamity.
"…" His gaze wandered across the army before him, dividing his attention among countless faces.
"Good morning… Solarin." My steps carried me toward that human sun whose light could overshadow entire worlds.
"Who are you? Aren't you afraid of me?"
That rough voice froze every breath around us — yet I kept walking until I saw the emptiness in his eyes, the blankness of amnesia.
"I'm the nameless human hero… though I am not human myself."
A flicker of memory stirred within Solarin — a vision buried deep in his cells.
"I remember the hero being someone else… What happened to him while I slept?"
"That was ten thousand years ago. He's long dead."
"Ten thousand years… What happened to me? And where is my brother?"
"Your memories are stored within your cells. You just need a push — a scene to awaken them.
But unfortunately… you won't live to see tomorrow."
A smile crept onto Solarin's lips, followed by a faint laugh.
"You dare threaten me, little one? I am Solarin — the might that ruled the past and the present, a legend carved into history itself."
"This 'little one' will build his legend upon the ruins of yours — and give it the respect it deserves."
I snapped my fingers.
Behind me, green flames flared, revealing a charming trickster with copper hair.
"Loki? What brings you to the Land of the Sun?"
Solarin's surprise grew as fragments of his memory returned — and with each recollection, the light in his eyes brightened.
"It was the Land of the Sun," Loki replied, "but now it belongs to the human kingdoms."
"So your arrogance has grown enough to stand against me? None who bore the name Loki before you ever challenged my power — not even in Asgard. What makes you different?"
"Who said I'd be the one fighting you? I'm merely preparing the arena —
so this world doesn't shatter from your battle."
Loki's flames coiled around Solarin, transporting his body away —
without resistance, as if Solarin himself wished to test us.
The place he arrived in was nothing but dead land —
the barren remains of the once-great Kingdom of Argaya.
That was Solarin's third surprise of the day — and who could blame him?
He had only just regained consciousness after millennia of death.
"It seems as if Oum or Ryoma unleashed their wrath upon Terran…
But weren't the three of them companions?"
"Unfortunately, Solarin, your assumption is wrong."
The Sun Calamity turned toward the voice and found Alexander standing there.
"Then who caused this devastation? Has another power risen since my death?"
"No… it was Sikaero, the Sky Calamity."
"What?! That child defeated the Earth Calamity?!"
"That doesn't matter now. It's all in the past…"
Alexander cleared his throat and deepened his voice.
"Greetings, Solarin. I am Alexander, descendant of Altherion— the strongest of humanity.
And my mission today… is to bring down The Sun Calamity."
The time had come.
The battle between the Sun of the Present and the Sun of the Past was about to begin.