The ocean looked so calm. In the distance, a large ship sailed majestically. A flag fluttered at the top of the mast—a skull with three slits over its left eye. The ship's bow was shaped like a dragon, adding to its imposing yet intimidating appearance.
From the forecastle, a crew member shouted loudly.
Okashira! Up ahead, there's an island! It looks deserted; perhaps that's what you're looking for!"
Below him, a red-haired figure in a long robe stood gazing out at the ocean. His characteristic friendly smile was both reassuring and authoritative. It was none other than Shanks.
"I see..." he muttered, looking ahead. "It seems we've arrived. Alright, raise the sails! Time to dock."
"Aye aye, Okashira!"
The crew's chorus echoed across the deck.
After the ship docked, a wooden ladder was lowered. Shanks slowly descended, followed by Ben Beckman and the other crew members, who gazed at the island curiously. A gentle sea breeze blew, carrying the scent of adventure.
Shanks stared at the sky above the island and said quietly,
"It looks like... Veldanava's residence is up there."
A crew member looked up, scratching his head in confusion.
"Huh? I don't see anything up there."
Another crew member quickly chimed in,
"Maybe it's covered in magic!"
"Should we fire the cannon?"
Shanks immediately shouted loudly.
"Stop, you idiot! We're here to visit, not fight!"
The crew member carrying the cannon hurriedly put it back down, grinning.
One of the crew members with a stupid face spoke softly,
"But, Okashira... could it be that you came here without knowing how to meet Veldanava?"
Shanks fell silent. He turned around, letting his cape flutter gently. His strong back stood still, but the atmosphere was silent.
The same crew member continued, innocently,
"Okashira, I knew you were stupid... but I didn't think it was this bad."
"Damn it!! I didn't want to hear that from you!" Shanks shouted angrily.
The atmosphere erupted. The crew burst into laughter, even the usually composed Ben Beckman could only shake his head with a small smile.
"So stupid..." he muttered softly.
But the laughter quickly stopped. Beckman suddenly tensed, aiming his gun into the distance.
"There's something..." he said flatly.
Shanks immediately focused, staring in the same direction.
"Enemy?" One of the crew members asked nervously.
The air in the distance trembled, and then space opened. From the crack of light emerged a six-winged being, with a calm face and a majestic aura. He bowed slightly respectfully.
"Let me introduce myself, my name is Feldway," he said flatly. "I am the leader of the seven original angels, a loyal servant of Veldanava-sama. I have come on his orders to retrieve you."
With a gentle movement of his hand, a large portal opened before them—ten meters tall, gleaming blue like a water mirror.
"Please enter. This portal will take you to Veldanava-sama."
Ben Beckman slowly lowered his pistol, wordlessly lighting a cigarette. Shanks responded with a cheerful smile.
"Oh, that's very helpful! Sorry, Semann na~ for the trouble."
"It's okay," Feldway replied curtly, expressionless. "It was a simple matter."
Shanks thought to himself, "This guy is so stiff…"
He raised his hand and called to his crew,
"Prepare the wine!"
Several of his men ran onto the ship and emerged carrying large, human-sized wine barrels. Shanks pulled one of the barrels aside, placing a large tray on top for drinking.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," he said to Feldway. "Let's go."
Shanks stepped into the portal with Ben Beckman, leaving his crew to begin preparing a temporary shelter on the island.
In the World of Veldanava
The light faded, and their vision opened to a starry desert—the sky glistening, the ground seemingly made of silver sand. In the center stood a magnificent palace, gleaming yet empty, as still as the night sky itself.
Inside the palace, a giant, four-winged dragon gazed down at the world from its throne. Its gaze was calm, filled with wisdom. It was Veldanava, the Creator of the World.
Shanks stepped inside, lugging his wine barrel. Ben Beckman leaned against the palace wall, composed, choosing to be an observer. Feldway stood by Veldanava's side, bowing respectfully.
Shanks smiled and greeted,
"Yo... it's been a while, hisashiburi da na."
Veldanava laughed lightly,
"Hahaha, you think it's been a long time, but for me it's only been a moment. But I'm curious, what brings you here this time?"
Shanks set down a large plate, poured some red wine, and then lightly tossed the barrel toward Veldanava.
"Try this, it's a good wine. They say it can heal wounds—though, for you, I suspect it has no effect."
Veldanava took a small sip and smiled.
"Hmm... it's almost impossible for me to get drunk, but it tastes quite good. So... you came just to chat?"
"That's right," Shanks replied. "For you, time is only a moment. But for me, this world is changing."Things have changed. Many powerful beings were born... humans began to realize their potential. I just wanted to talk. Nothing more."
Veldanava stared into the distance at the palace ceiling.
"When I created the seven primordial angels and their Ultimate Skills, the world was balanced by the birth of the primordial demons and their own skills. It wasn't my will... but the world itself that demanded balance."
"So this world... has a will?" Shanks asked, looking at the reflection in his wine saucer.
Veldanava laughed.
"That's right. I gave it one wish, and that wish became the voice of the world. But it has no effect on you—the Auralis race, the impure beings."
Shanks stared blankly for a moment, then took a sip of his wine.
"Well... so be it as long as you have no regrets. Also, war and fighting won't disappear even if you eliminate angels, demons, or magic. Fighting is a natural part of the world. But perhaps, with the power of the beings here... someday, a beautiful dream—peace—will be born."
Veldanava chuckled.
"Perhaps. Hahaha... I'd like to see that day come."
As he said that, the air trembled gently.
From behind the throne emerged three majestic figures—each radiating an aura that shook the world.
Velzard, the Ice Dragon, was graceful and deadly.
Velgrynd, the Fire Dragon, passionate and dignified.
And Veldora, still young, full of curiosity.
Lautan tampak begitu tenang. Di kejauhan, sebuah kapal besar berlayar dengan gagahnya. Bendera berkibar di puncak tiang—bergambar tengkorak dengan tiga sayatan di mata kiri. Moncong kapalnya berbentuk naga, menambah kesan megah sekaligus menakutkan.
Dari atas forecastle, seorang awak kapal berteriak lantang.
Okashira! Di depan tampak sebuah pulau! Kelihatannya kosong, mungkin itu yang kau cari!"
Di bawahnya, sosok berambut merah dengan jubah panjang berdiri memandangi lautan. Senyum ramahnya khas, menenangkan sekaligus berwibawa. Sosok itu tak lain adalah Shanks.
"Begitu ya..." gumamnya sambil memandang ke depan. "Nampaknya kita telah sampai. Baiklah, naikkan layar! Saatnya kita berlabuh."
"Aye aye, Okashira!"
Seruan serempak para kru menggema di dek.
Setelah kapal berlabuh, tangga kayu diturunkan. Shanks turun perlahan, diikuti Ben Beckman dan awak kapal lain yang menatap pulau itu penuh rasa ingin tahu. Angin laut berhembus lembut, membawa aroma petualangan.
Shanks menatap langit di atas pulau dan berkata pelan,
"Sepertinya... tempat tinggal Veldanava ada di atas sana."
Seorang kru mendongak, menggaruk kepalanya kebingungan.
"Huh? Aku nggak lihat apa-apa di atas sana."
Kru lain menimpali cepat,
"Mungkin ditutupi sihir!"
"Haruskah kita tembak dengan meriam?"
Seketika Shanks berteriak keras.
"Berhenti, dasar bodoh! Kita ke sini untuk berkunjung, bukan berperang!"
Kru yang membawa meriam buru-buru meletakkannya kembali sambil cengengesan.
Salah satu awak yang berwajah bodoh bersuara pelan,
"Tapi, Okashira... jangan-jangan kau datang ke sini tanpa tahu cara bertemu Veldanava?"
Shanks terdiam. Ia membalikkan badan, membiarkan jubahnya berkibar pelan. Punggungnya yang kokoh berdiri tenang, namun suasananya hening.
Kru yang sama melanjutkan, polos,
"Okashira, aku tahu kau bodoh... tapi aku nggak nyangka separah ini."
"Sialan!! Aku nggak mau dengar itu darimu!" teriak Shanks marah.
Suasana pun pecah. Para kru tertawa keras-keras, bahkan Ben Beckman yang biasanya tenang cuma bisa menggeleng sambil tersenyum kecil.
"Bodoh sekali..." gumamnya lirih.
Namun tawa itu segera terhenti. Beckman tiba-tiba menegangkan tubuhnya, menodongkan pistol ke kejauhan.
"Ada sesuatu..." katanya datar.
Shanks langsung fokus, menatap ke arah yang sama.
"Musuh?" tanya salah satu kru gugup.
Udara di kejauhan bergetar, lalu ruang di sana terbuka. Dari celah cahaya itu muncul makhluk bersayap enam, berwajah tenang dan memancarkan aura agung. Ia menunduk sedikit dengan penuh hormat.
"Perkenalkan, namaku Feldway," ucapnya datar. "Aku pemimpin dari tujuh malaikat asli, pelayan setia Veldanava-sama. Aku datang atas perintah beliau untuk menjemput kalian."
Dengan satu gerakan lembut tangannya, sebuah portal besar terbuka di hadapan mereka — tinggi sepuluh meter, berkilau biru seperti cermin air.
"Silakan masuk. Portal ini akan mengantarkan kalian ke tempat Veldanava-sama."
Ben Beckman menurunkan pistolnya perlahan, menyalakan rokok tanpa berkata apa-apa. Sementara Shanks menanggapinya dengan senyum riang.
"Ohh, itu sangat membantu! Maaf ya, semann na~ merepotkan."
"Tidak apa-apa," jawab Feldway singkat tanpa ekspresi. "Itu hal mudah."
Shanks berpikir dalam hati, "Orang ini kaku sekali..."
Ia mengangkat tangan dan berseru ke arah krunya,
"Siapkan anggurnya!"
Beberapa anak buahnya berlari masuk ke kapal, lalu keluar sambil membawa tong anggur besar seukuran manusia. Shanks menarik salah satu tong itu, dan di atasnya diletakkan nampan besar sebagai wadah minum.
"Maaf membuatmu menunggu," katanya pada Feldway. "Ayo pergi."
Shanks pun melangkah ke dalam portal bersama Ben Beckman, meninggalkan krunya yang mulai menyiapkan tempat singgah sementara di pulau itu.
Di Dunia Veldanava
Cahaya memudar, dan pandangan mereka terbuka pada hamparan gurun bintang — langitnya berkilau, tanahnya seolah terbuat dari pasir perak. Di tengahnya berdiri istana megah yang berkilau namun kosong, hening seperti langit malam itu sendiri.
Di dalam istana, seekor naga raksasa bersayap empat tengah memandangi dunia dari singgasananya. Tatapannya tenang, penuh kebijaksanaan. Dialah Veldanava, sang Pencipta Dunia.
Shanks melangkah masuk, menyeret tong anggurnya. Ben Beckman bersandar di dinding istana, tenang, memilih menjadi pengamat. Feldway berdiri di sisi Veldanava, menunduk hormat.
Shanks tersenyum dan menyapa,
"Yo... sudah lama ya, hisashiburi da na."
Veldanava tertawa ringan,
"Hahaha, menurutmu sudah lama, tapi bagiku itu cuma sesaat. Tapi aku penasaran, apa yang membuatmu datang kali ini?"
Shanks meletakkan piring besar, menuangkan anggur merah, lalu melempar tong itu dengan ringan ke arah Veldanava.
"Cobalah ini, anggur enak. Katanya bisa menyembuhkan luka—meski, untukmu, kurasa efeknya nihil."
Veldanava meneguk sedikit dan tersenyum.
"Hmm... hampir mustahil aku mabuk, tapi rasanya cukup nikmat. Jadi... kau datang hanya untuk berbincang?"
"Benar," jawab Shanks. "Bagimu waktu hanya sesaat. Tapi bagiku, dunia ini sedang berubah. Banyak makhluk kuat lahir... manusia mulai menyadari potensi mereka. Aku cuma ingin bicara. Tak lebih."
Veldanava menatap jauh ke langit-langit istana.
"Saat aku menciptakan tujuh malaikat primordial dan Ultimate Skill mereka, dunia seimbang dengan lahirnya para iblis primordial dan skill mereka sendiri. Bukan kehendakku... tapi dunia sendiri yang menuntut keseimbangan."
"Jadi dunia ini... punya keinginan?" Shanks bertanya sambil melihat pantulan di piring anggurnya
Veldanava tertawa.
"Benar. Aku memberinya satu keinginan, dan keinginan itu menjelma menjadi suara dunia. Tapi itu tak berpengaruh pada kalian—ras Auralis, makhluk yang tidak bersihir."
Shanks menatap kosong sejenak, lalu meneguk anggurnya.
"Yah... biarlah selama kau tidak menyesal. Dan juga, peperangan dan pertarungan tidak akan hilang meski kau hapus malaikat, iblis, atau sihir. Pertempuran adalah bagian alami dari dunia. Tapi mungkin, dengan kekuatan makhluk-makhluk di sini... suatu hari nanti, akan lahir mimpi yang indah — kedamaian."
Veldanava tertawa kecil.
"Mungkin saja. Hahaha... aku ingin melihat saat itu tiba."
Saat ia berkata begitu, udara bergetar lembut.
Dari belakang singgasana muncul tiga sosok agung — masing-masing memancarkan aura yang mengguncang dunia.
Velzard, Naga Es, anggun dan mematikan.
Velgrynd, Naga Api, bersemangat dan berwibawa.
Dan Veldora, yang masih muda, penuh rasa ingin tahu.