After the preparations for the new players were complete, Cryssa and Ayla made their way to the Stelluna training hall in Selini. The air inside was warm with the scent of sweat and polished wood, the steady rhythm of footsteps echoing beneath the high beams. Most of the Starlace Order was already there, engaged in focused drills under the glow of morning light filtering through the windows.

  At the front, Iori led the formation with precise, sharp movements. She was the first to notice Cryssa and Ayla’s arrival, her keen eyes flicking toward them before she raised her voice.

  “Halt!”

  The clang of wooden swords ceased at once, the girls lowering their weapons as they turned toward the entrance. Iori stepped forward, her expression softening as she called out:

  “Lady Cryssa, Miss Ayla.”

  The others quickly realized who had arrived, their faces brightening as they hurried over.

  “Lady Cryssa is here!”

  “My lady! Miss Frostina!”

  “Lady Cryssa, Miss Ayla!”

  Their voices layered over each other, warm and eager, as if greeting idols rather than commanders. Ayla, floating in her ghostly form at Cryssa’s side, offered an awkward smile under the weight of their sparkling gazes. Cryssa, however, returned their enthusiasm with a gentle, radiant smile.

  “Good work, everyone. It’s rare to see you all gathered like this.”

  Iori straightened her back, answering with a hint of pride.

  “Yes, Lady Cryssa. The towns have been peaceful without the players… Ah, I didn’t mean you, Miss Ayla—”

  Ayla chuckled softly, the sound like the rustle of a breeze.

  “It’s fine. I know better than anyone how much trouble they can be.”

  Iori let out a relieved breath, continuing, “Yes, there were always reports of players arguing with townsfolk and mercenaries. With them gone for now, the girls insisted on training instead of patrolling. I should have reported it, but I made the call myself.”

  Usually, the Starlace Order members rotated between training, patrolling, and assisting with maid duties. Only a few executives, like Iori, Glacia, Yuki, Chika, and Nia, served directly as Stelluna’s bodyguards. Even then, bodyguarding often meant accompanying Cryssa and Ayla during monster sweeps outside the walls, as Cryssa always refused an escort within town.

  Roxy, Lyra’s daughter, was particularly attached to Nia, often playing by her side whenever Lyra and Cryssa were occupied.

  As for Chika, her talent for administration led her to serve more often as Lyra’s secretary than as a knight, or so Cryssa and Ayla believed.

  Cryssa’s expression softened, guilt flickering in her eyes as she looked at the girls.

  “It’s my sister’s and my fault. I’m sorry you’ve had to work day and night because of us, even losing sleep to keep up with the night patrols.”

  Some players, especially on weekends, stayed logged in until dawn, making night patrols unavoidable.

  “No, my lady, not at all!”

  “We’re grateful to work for you, Lady Cryssa!”

  “We’re happy, too! Kicking troublemakers off the street is better than pleasing them on a bed!”

  “We didn’t even have time to sleep before you took us in… ah, but if Lady Cryssa wants us to work without rest, that’s fine too!”

  “As for me, I’m just happy I can eat as much as I want now.”

  Their voices spilled over each other, cheerful and unfiltered, as they hurried to reassure Cryssa. Some girls, noticing her dejected look, quickly cheered, while others nodded in agreement, smiles lighting up tired faces. Cryssa’s throat tightened as she smiled back at them.

  “Thank you, everyone… but I’ll try to recruit more mercenaries and players soon to ease your burdens.”

  Yet a ripple of unease passed through the group, their smiles faltering. Cryssa tilted her head.

  “What’s wrong?”

  It was Iori who stepped forward, her gaze steady but uncertain.

  “Lady Cryssa… we know players can’t die, and they’d be more useful on the frontlines. But… are you planning to replace us?”

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  The question struck Cryssa like a slap of cold water. Her eyes widened.

  “No! It’s true I plan to use players as frontliners, but only because I don’t want any of you to die. I know it might sound like an insult to your honor as knights, but… I don’t want to lose anyone ever again. Please, bear with this selfish request of mine.”

  These girls, once slaves who believed no one would mourn them if they vanished from this world, now stood before someone who saw their worth and cherished them more than their own families ever had. Their eyes shimmered with warmth. For some, tears slipped free, falling onto their training tunics.

  “My lady…”

  “Lady Cryssa…”

  Ayla, unable to endure the swell of raw emotion that filled the hall, let out a long, heavy sigh before slipping back into Cryssa’s body, her faint shimmer vanishing into the quiet, moonlit air.

  Not long after, Glacia and Yuki stepped into the training hall, the doors closing softly behind them.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting, Lady Cryssa.”

  Yuki said with a polite dip of her head.

  Cryssa shook her head, her silver hair shifting softly with the movement. “No need to apologize. We just arrived ourselves. So, how is it? I heard the item I requested this morning is already finished. Is that true?”

  That morning, after Cryssa and Ayla had finalized their recruitment plans, they had submitted a rush commission to the blacksmiths for a specific item. It was remarkable that it had been completed in less than half a day.

  “Yes, my lady.”

  Glacia confirmed with a small nod.

  “But I thought it would be best for the blacksmith herself to explain it directly.”

  Standing beside them was another girl, her frame compact and muscular, with skin sun-warmed to a soft bronze that hinted at a life of hard labor near hot forges rather than gentle lineage. Her black hair was cut short, practical and clean, framing a face currently flushed with visible tension.

  She snapped to attention, trying to compose herself as she addressed Cryssa.

  “H-Hello, Your Highness. M-My name is Twillyw—”

  She bit her tongue on the last syllable, her eyes widening in mortification as her face turned a deep shade of red.

  Cryssa blinked, tilting her head in gentle confusion. “Twillyw?”

  “A-Ah! N-No. I-I mean, Tilly. My name is Tilly.”

  She stammered as she bowed into the introduction.

  A snort escaped Yuki, who quickly turned away, shoulders shaking as she tried to contain her laughter.

  Tilly shot her a glare, her embarrassment palpable.

  Cryssa let out a soft laugh, smiling warmly.

  “It’s alright, Tilly. You can speak comfortably with me.”

  “Y-Yes, Your Highness.”

  Tilly managed, though her posture remained stiff.

  Seeing this, Yuki decided to interject, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

  “Lady Cryssa, she’s been obsessed with the heroic tales of the Stelluna family since we were kids. She’s just a little starstruck right now.”

  “Y-Yuki!”

  Tilly spluttered, mortification returning in full force.

  Cryssa’s eyes widened in surprise before softening, a hand rising gently to her chest.

  “Oh my, I’m honored to hear that. But unlike my ancestors, I’ve done very little to deserve such admiration.”

  “That’s not true at all!”

  Tilly exclaimed, her voice ringing with sincerity.

  “Everyone knows how bravely you led the defense against the monsters a few weeks ago!”

  Cryssa’s lips curved into a gentle chuckle.

  “Thank you, if you truly think so.”

  Her eyes shifted curiously to Yuki.

  “You seem to know each other well. Did you two meet before?”

  Yuki’s smile faded into something softer, her eyes distant for a moment.

  “Yes. Tilly and I are childhood friends. We lost touch after my parents sold me off to a slave merchant.”

  A brief shadow crossed Cryssa’s expression.

  “Ah, I’m sorry to bring up such memories.”

  Yuki waved a hand, a wry smile on her lips.

  “No need to apologize. If anything, I’m grateful I was able to reunite with her, thanks to you.”

  Tilly nodded eagerly, leaning forward.

  “T-That’s right! If it wasn’t for Stelluna’s support of blacksmiths, I might’ve ended up as a monster food in our old village.”

  Many blacksmiths had come to Selini and Stellar under Stelluna’s protection before the catastrophe, seeking stability and better conditions. Tilly had been one of them.

  “I see.”

  Cryssa nodded, her expression brightening as she clapped her hands together softly.

  “Alright, that’s enough for now. Let’s talk about the item.”

  “Ah, yes! Please give me a moment.”

  Tilly rummaged through her bag, pulling out a crystal-clear tablet that glinted faintly under the lantern lights.

  “Your Highness, this is what you requested. Mercenary guilds use a similar tool to detect mana and aura during registration, but I’ve modified its function so it can measure how much mana or aura is poured into it.”

  Gone was her earlier nervousness, replaced by the clear, confident voice of a craftsman explaining her work.

  “So I simply need to pour my aura into it?”

  Cryssa asked, inspecting the tablet.

  “Yes, please place your hand on the surface and release your aura into it.”

  Cryssa pressed her palm lightly against the smooth surface and closed her eyes. A soft glow pulsed within the crystal as a number appeared on its upper edge, slowly climbing from zero, ticking upward as Cryssa continued to pour her aura into it.

  After several moments, Cryssa withdrew her hand, and the numbers stopped before slowly resetting to zero. The glow faded, leaving the crystal clear once more.

  Cryssa nodded.

  “It seems easy to use.”

  Tilly’s face lit up, pride softening her previously rigid posture.

  “T-Thank you, Your Highness!”

  Cryssa smiled.

  “Good work, Tilly. Let’s discuss additional features while we’re here.”

  She glanced over at the girls still waiting nearby.

  “You may continue your training.”

  ““Yes, Lady Cryssa!””

  They chorused before returning to their drills, the rhythmic clack of wooden swords soon filling the hall once more.

  Cryssa settled onto a nearby bench with Tilly, discussing enhancements to the tablet as they sketched ideas onto parchment.

  The device would soon become part of Stelluna’s recruitment process, a tool to separate the truly diligent from the casual players.

  Only those who had practiced mana or aura control with dedication would pass this test.

  And Cryssa would ensure they were ready for the world that awaited beyond Stelluna’s protective walls, even if they failed to pass the test.

  All that remained was to give the players a hint.

  When Cryssa had gained read-only access to the player forums, Ayla had received something even more valuable: an exclusive account granted by the Administrator himself. An account whose location could never be tracked. Not that it mattered, since the access didn’t use the internet but connected directly through the system’s architecture, beyond the reach of any hacker.

  Ayla had never used it before. Like Cryssa, she preferred to observe in silence, reading rather than posting.

  But now… If using it could save even one more life in this world, if it would give players the knowledge to protect those Ayla could not otherwise reach… then she would use it.