The Libertas troops had withdrawn from Astalia a few days ago, returning to the capital of Harthland, Sira. Captain Ryou and the entire Astalia unit had returned with them.
Now, for the first time in a long while, all Libertas groups scattered across Anima were gathered together.
Unfortunately, the squad stationed in the Atlas region had been completely wiped out, and all contact with Captain Gide—ranked number three in the Aegir—had been lost.
Rumor had it that the Governor of Atlas had spies everywhere, and nothing that happened in her territory escaped her notice.
Hitoshi had finally recovered from the poison, saved just in time by Mercure's quick action. However, he still needed plenty of rest.
Proud of his team's accomplishments, Ryou had been waiting eagerly for the chance to introduce his champions to the elite squads from Harthland and Esios.
As soon as they were discharged from the infirmary several days later, he wasted no time and summoned them to his chambers—to finally bring them face-to-face.
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Yuu, Keiji, Mira, Toru, and Shinya stood in front of Captain Ryou's quarters.
"Hey, lice," a voice called out from behind them.
Yuu didn't need to turn to recognize it. "I see you came out of that last battle without a scratch," he replied.
"Of course. Nothing can penetrate my ability."
From the moment they'd begun fighting side by side, a strange rivalry had sparked between Yuu and Geist. Yet, in that clash of egos, a kind of friendship had quietly taken root. Somehow, Yuu had managed to ignite a flame inside Geist's body—a body ruined by the Kingdom's experiments.
"Oh, Mira! I'm so glad you're okay," said Erich, suddenly popping out from behind a wall, interrupting their banter. The ninja girl responded with a teasing smile and ignored him completely.
As the remaining members of the Esios team arrived, they knocked on the door.
"How's Misuto?" Shinya asked Kaito.
"No serious injuries," Kaito replied, "but he's shaken. I fear Kana may have messed with his mind."
Yuu clenched his fists. He hated Kana. Just as he had hated Raxis. No—Kana was even worse!
Still, Ryou hadn't answered the door. They knocked again.
A moment later, the door finally creaked open. "Ah, sorry," said Ryou. "I was just preparing something to eat. Please, come in."
He led them into a cozy room, with soft yellow armchairs that looked well-used but inviting. This had once been Yara's room—one of Raxis's Lightstorm.
Three figures stood waiting inside: two young men and a woman.
"These three are my pride," Ryou said with a smile. "Trained personally by me."
"With your permission, Captain," said the sturdier of the three, stepping forward.
Yuu instantly recognized him—the one who'd called him a kid during the mission in Astalia.
He was taller than Yuu by a good margin, dressed in the standard Libertas battle uniform, but what truly stood out was his hair. The front portion was tied up to resemble a horn.
"I'm Marius Ralph, second-in-command of Libertas Astalian division," he said, extending a hand. "You're standing before a real man—seasoned in the art of battle!"
Everyone burst out laughing but Ralph didn't seem bothered in the slightest.
"Do you always have to make us look ridiculous?" sighed the girl behind him.
She looked to be around twenty, with long red hair tied back in a ponytail. A shiny black leather vest hugged her figure, paired with striking red boots.
"My name is Riko. Nice to meet you. I'm a Fire Esper," she said with a warm smile.
"Tell me, tell me—are you seeing anyone?" Toru jumped in instantly.
"With all due respect, miss, my name is Erich, and I am here to serve you!"
Toru and Erich locked eyes, tension crackling between them.
If Geist was Yuu's rival, then Erich was undoubtedly Toru's.
Another round of laughter erupted in the room. Then Riko replied, teasingly: "Not seeing anyone yet, but you'd better hurry—I'm only taking one!"
Toru made a strange noise. Yuu could tell he was over the moon.
Ryou turned to the third member. "This is Kido, an Esper of unknown type—and our explosives expert."
Kido gave a nonchalant grimace and stepped forward. He, too, wore a military uniform. He looked to be about Yuu's age, but his face was noticeably thinner, and his hair was stark white—just like Geist's. In fact, now that Yuu looked closer, the resemblance was uncanny. Most likely, he had also forgotten his real name.
"Hey, brother," Geist said to him with a smirk.
Kido looked at him, then gave a cold smile. "So I'm not the only one who won the Kingdom's grand tour of their lovely research labs."
"You know, I don't like you," Geist replied flatly.
"The feeling's mutual," Kido shot back.
"That's enough," Ryou interrupted. "You'll have to get along. You'll be fighting together."
"I'd do better on my own," Kido muttered.
"You'll do as ordered."
Kido fell silent for a moment, then answered quietly, "Yes, sir."
He returned to his spot by the wall, leaning against it wordlessly.
"Were you experimented on too?" Yuu asked Ryou—then quickly remembered he was speaking to a Captain.
"No. I'm a natural albino. I've been suffering from a chronic illness for a long time now. But don't worry—I won't die until I've seen the Kingdom fall."
The youngest of the Captains… burdened with a cruel fate.
"But our Kido wasn't as lucky," Riko added in a low voice.
Silence fell for a few moments before Gilbert spoke up. "I think it's time we head out. I've heard the next mission's a big one. We'd better be ready."
Ralph and Riko escorted them out, while Kido stayed behind to receive a lecture from Ryou.
"Don't mind him. He's not exactly what you'd call masculine mature," Ralph said.
Yuu chuckled. "Why are you so obsessed with this 'real man' thing?"
"That's what my grandfather taught me. He was part of Libertas too—a real man. He died years ago, killed by Governor's men. He was the only family I had… until the Captain took me in."
"I think I'm the only one without a tragic backstory," said Riko, almost cheerfully. "My family actually fights for the Kingdom. My father was one of the General's soldiers during the Great War, and now he's one of his most trusted commanders. My sister also holds a key position in the General's army. They're both stationed in Atlas." She paused, then added with a bitter smile. "But I couldn't stand the Kingdom's cruelty. I ran away and joined Libertas at the first chance I got."
"That poor devil Kido had it the worst, though," said Ralph, his tone sobering.
"What happened to him?" Keiji asked quietly.
"He and a friend of his were kidnapped by Atlas, along with a bunch of other children, and taken to the Esios labs. He watched someone die there every single day. When he and his friend finally tried to escape, the Governor herself caught them."
Ralph paused, jaw tight. He seemed unwilling to say more.
"She was already a witch, even as a kid," Riko continued. "Kido was separated from his friend and never saw her again. They turned him into an Esper, implanted weapons and explosives into his body… the worst kind."
Yuu thought of Khala. They had also been separated for several months, but had found their way back to each other. He silently hoped Kido's friend was still alive—and that they would reunite, just like he and Khala had.
Geist was uncharacteristically quiet for a while. "I didn't think anyone could've suffered more than me…"
"That's enough," Ralph said, shifting his expression. "There's a Captain's meeting soon. They'll decide our next move." He cracked his knuckles. "I just hope they send us to Esios… so I can wrap my hands around that witch's neck myself."
With that, they said their goodbyes and returned to their rooms—each waiting for the next summons.
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Yuu remembered when Kyorano had once been forced to punish him for eavesdropping on a Captains' meeting and acting on his own. Now, as a member of one of the main operative teams, he'd been summoned officially.
When he stepped into the room that had once been Raxis's reception hall, a large table dominated the center. Every Captain was already seated—except Hitoshi, of course; he wouldn't be attending the meeting.
Ralph was the first to greet him. "Welcome, young man!"
Yuu returned the smile. Riko nodded as well; Kido ignored him, still idly flicking a pocketknife.
Once everyone was present, Kyorano stood and began. "Good. Of Anima's six regions, we've liberated Harthland and Astalia," he announced. "But victory is far from assured. As you all know, the remaining Governors aren't imprepared like the ones we've faced so far. They'll be taking precautions after our recent successes. The Governor of Atlas is a master of espionage—she has eyes everywhere; we can't hope to surprise her. The Governor of Era is one of the General's most loyal commanders; she'll drive her army to fight to the last man. We know little about the Governor of Elbion—only that he's a reclusive type. And as for the beloved Governor of Esios… well, everyone here knows who she is; no need to waste words."
"We liberated your regions—how about returning the favor and going to liberate Esios?" Geist cut in.
Silence settled as everyone considered the options. Atlas and Elbion lay on the other side of the Kingdom, while they bordered Esios to the northwest and Era to the southwest.
Ryou took the floor. "If we take Era, we won't only secure the capital of Anima, Soulis, but also the Grand Stair—the path leading up to the Cathedral of Cordis on Mount Gray. Ryser's there. If we capture or eliminate him, the war could end."
"Assign the Cathedral's only access route to Hina—the one who's been trailing him since the Great War," Arien suggested.
"What do you think?" Lucas asked the teams.
"I won't oppose any decision," Geist began. "But I think everyone already knows what I want." Kido glanced at him but said nothing. He only offered a thin smile and watched.
"I'd like to request permission to bring Misuto with us, should we decide to take Esios," Kaito interjected.
"We'll address that later," Mercure answered.
"Era or Esios? Please reach a unanimous decision," Kyorano urged again.
One by one they offered their reasons—some strategic, some personal.
Yuu didn't know what to choose. Take Era and put the General within reach—and risk a decisive strike—or go after Esios to stop Kana from mutilating and experimenting on innocent children. Worse, Kana was already creating an army of monsters she'd secretly infiltrated into Astalia. She'd earned the title of most-hated Governor—more so than even Raxis.
The General had given no sign either way. Rumor said he stayed holed up in the Cathedral of Cordis day and night, planning his moves for the war. Others swore he sometimes slipped away to search for something, then returned to the Cathedral.
Yuu remembered the dream: the Cathedral, then that strange place—the Heart of the World. He'd never told anyone about it. He couldn't shake the feeling that the dream was connected to the General and whatever he was seeking.
"Yuu, you with us?" Shinya's voice pulled him back.
"Sorry," Yuu said. "I was just… thinking."
"We noticed," Geist replied.
"So what's the final call?" Katia asked.
"Both reasons are urgent," Kyorano said. "Capturing the General could end the war—but stopping that madwoman from toying with human lives is equally pressing."
A communicator suddenly buzzed. Kyorano excused himself and answered. Everyone fell silent.
"What?" Kyorano barked, then flung the communicator against the wall and activated a hologram in the center of the room.
"Kyorano—what is it?" Keiji began, but his question died when the image filled the space. It was a prerecorded transmission, sent to Libertas only now.
Onstage stood Governor Kana, addressing the camera. "This is the fate of traitors. Anyone who is part of Libertas—or aids them in any way—will be punished with long tortures, and ultimately death."
She gestured behind her. The camera swung to reveal five skinned corpses hanging from the stage; their flayed skins lay in a heap nearby. Among them was a child.
Nausea rose in Yuu's throat.
Kyorano's face was stone. He cut the transmission short. "The meeting is over," he said. "We go to Esios."