There is nothing sacred in the sacred relic.
The Sacred Ruins (also called "MSM-03") is the place where the legendary Divine Beast is said to have once appeared.
The Divine Beast was said to be the source of all life: everyone wanted its power, and the existence of such a beast was confirmed in folklore around the world.
However, nowadays, sacred relics and sacred beasts are considered to be only myths—until the Divine Beast truly appeared at the Sacred Ruins. Experts from all over the world gathered at the Sacred Ruins to study the Divine Beast.
Since ancient times, Divine Beasts have been regarded as "the source of all life" and "a huge source of energy," so experts competed in their research and even fought over sacred relics.
However, the Divine Beast did not seem pleased with the presence of those who flocked to it, and it suddenly disappeared along with all the researchers who were in contention.
Now, there is no holy existence at the Sacred Ruins. Only the battle over the Sacred Ruins remains.
The Sacred Ruins, no longer a mere structure of rubble and stone, are surrounded by a swarm of heavy machinery and mechanical weapons.
A crowd of people approaches, trying to break through. Looking closely at the approaching crowd, non-human species are mixed in as well.
These two herds are about to clash, and a great battle is about to take place.
Two people and one animal are heading to the ruins, and "something" unfamiliar: a fairy. They were Lucie, Lyka, Wu Xiaohu and Roz Coda.
—Are you sure this is the right place?! —asked Lyka to the fairy.
—Oh my☆, you doubt about me~?☆☆☆ —said Roz Coda.
Lucie calmed her down. Wu Xiaohu didn't seem to be interested.
Roz Coda was one of the spoils the group had released from Gandennia’s house.
Gandennia had sealed off some things from the world of Utsunes, the research of Helen, and all "foreign objects" she didn't understand. She had also captured fairies like Roz Coda.
It was in search of these unknown existences that Lucie and Lyka had headed for Gandennia's house.
—Well, as far as I remember, this is the way☆☆ —said Roz Coda—. Will you be able to trust me if I look like this☆☆☆?
The fairy transformed into a scholarly figure that looked highly experienced.
This creature seemed able to change its appearance at will.
—Are you a living thing?! Really?! —asked Lucie.
However, it was also true that Roz Coda's knowledge from Gandennia's house was their only recourse to the ruins. None of them knew why this creature knew so much about the ruins, but it seemed they had no choice but to rely on her navigation.
One day, Zacky, an archaeologist, was wandering around the Sacred Ruins, where the Divine Beast had disappeared. Zacky thought she could learn about the Sacred Ruins by examining the surrounding area without venturing into their depths.
—Hey, you'll get in trouble —said Aideen.
Her partner Aideen was crawling on all fours and peering at the ground with a magnifying glass. Zacky didn’t care and continued talking.
—Aideen, shut up and look at this. This is the trace of a waterway. It's leading to the ruins —said Zacky.
Aideen, as a doctor, couldn't fully understand what Zacky was saying, but he knew that the ruins seemed to have had divine power in the past.
However, what Zacky was focused on now was the ground. Suddenly, the earth started to shake slightly.
—Something is coming —said Aideen.
Zacky looked up and saw that they were surrounded by large heavy machinery.
—Attention! This is the HANADA group! We are contracted to maintain the Sacred Ruins! This area is authorized personnel only!"
A mechanical voice echoed from the huge machinery. Its tone was mechanical but carried human-like intonation.
Zacky jumped to her feet.
—What are we going to do?! —asked Aideen.
Zacky frowned at the heavy machinery. Humanoid shadows popped out from behind the machines one after another. Upon closer inspection, they were humanoid but not all of them were "human." They were so-called automatons, like cyborgs.
—If you don’t leave, we, the HANADA Group, will have to use force! —said the voice. The machinery rushed toward Zacky and Aideen, seemingly intent on destroying the ruins. Zacky wasn’t pleased.
—They’re simple-minded, same as ever —she muttered.
Aideen unfolded his mask and put it on, ensuring his arm guards were secure.
—I've finished scanning all the records in this area. I can afford to lose some —said Zacky—. But it doesn't change the fact that I feel bad about losing part of the ruins.
The machinery proved too heavy, so they decided to retreat to their hideout in Academy City, not far from the ruins. There, Zacky would transfer the topographical data of the ruins she had scanned to her PC, displaying all the collected data.
—Aideen, at least a twenty-five percent of the ruins are already lost. Even though the scan is complete, this shouldn't be happening —said Zacky.
Aideen wasn't certain about those numbers but agreed anyway.
—The mystery hidden in the ruins must be solved before they are completely destroyed —said Zacky—. The construction company HANADA Group sees the Sacred Ruins as a danger, even without the Divine Beast, and they plan to clear the ruins themselves.
—Even though the ruins no longer have cultural value, destroying them out of fear is just foolish —said Aideen.
—If they're going to do that, they should wait until I solve the mystery —said Zacky. She always prioritized solving mysteries.
However, while the "Divine Beasts" had certainly disappeared, other intriguing things had been discovered. In Academy City, most people, including those who had hired Zacky, opposed the ruins' destruction.
—We have to enter the ruins —said Zacky.
During that week, Zacky and Aideen tried to break into the ruins every day. But as they tried again and again, the HANADA Group security became tighter, making their task impossible.
On the last day, a new intruder appeared with a loud sound. It was a group of Werefoxes, riding motorbikes. They attacked the HANADA Group, ignoring the difference in power and equipment. They succeeded: they broke into the ruins.
Aideen watched them moving at high speed and smiled.
—They are the Skulk gang! They are werefoxes: half-humans, half-beasts —he said.
—It's our opportunity to break into the ruins —Zacky said.
They tried to enter the ruins but were caught in the middle of the battle between the two groups. Zacky and Aideen were cornered just 50 meters from the entrance, caught between the Skulks on one side and the HANADA Group on the other.
Aideen tried to clear a path, ignoring the Skulks, but suddenly the ground cracked, and they heard a strange shout:
—Safety first!! —someone yelled.
A giant robot popped out from the ground, with a person coughing and laughing on the robot’s shoulder. It was a young man with black hair, wearing frameless glasses and a white uniform with a stuffed collar.
—I am the third leader of the HANADA Group, Goliath HANADA! Head of the HANADA clan! Who are you, intruders? Introduce yourselves, hahaha!
Zacky and the Skulks looked at Goliath, surprise evident on their faces. He continued shouting:
—Oh, you are Miss Zacky, aren’t you? The “best detective” from Academy City? Have you finally decided to cooperate with my company? —Goliath asked.
Zacky raised an eyebrow in response.
—We are surrounded —said Aideen in a low voice.
The automatons of the HANADA Group deployed in a circular formation, with Goliath at the centre on his robot. An automaton with an ancient appearance and shadowed glasses stepped forward, speaking directly to Goliath.
—Young master, they are only humans. I can handle them —said the automaton.
—All yours, Robo Maeda! —said Goliath.
The automaton confronted Zacky and Aideen.
—Are you the real leader of the HANADA Group, or is that baby-looking guy the real leader? —asked Zacky, trying to provoke Robo Maeda. But the automaton ignored her words.
Goliath laughed and his robot began shooting at the Skulks' motorbikes.
—Super Blast, now! Hahaha! —he shouted.
The other HANADA automatons joined their leader, launching missiles at the Skulks.
—Why are those machines armed with military technology? —said Zacky.
She threw a punch at Robo Maeda, but the automaton evaded with a small move. Aideen joined the attack in his special combat suit, but Robo Maeda also dodged his fists.
—You should leave immediately! —shouted Robo Maeda.
Zacky and Aideen exchanged glances. They continued battling the robot, confident they could defeat him if they fought together.
After a few minutes, Zacky realized they should bail out. But Aideen wanted to fight to the end, determined to defeat the automaton. Zacky tried to convince her friend, but the battle was interrupted by flying HANADA reinforcements. The last Skulk fell from his motorbike, beaten by Goliath.
Zacky jumped on a motorbike and dragged Aideen with her.
—What are you doing? —someone shouted— That’s mine!
—Who… oh, you were hiding behind the bike?! —said Zacky.
Two figures stood against her. One was a werefox, but the other was a human girl with shining blonde hair.
—Stay away, or I’ll beat you up, puppy! —said Zacky, taunting the Skulk.
—What? Say that again! —the werefox retorted.
—Are you finally leaving, Miss Zacky? That’s the best choice —Robo Maeda approached them, his right arm transformed into several weapons.
—Do you need help? —asked the Skulk.
Zacky felt uncomfortable with the question, but the intent was pure and honest. She looked into the Skulk’s eyes and saw that he was a good person. Animal. Person. Whatever.
—From you? —said Zacky.
—Don’t be cocky. It’s better to be saved than to die for nothing —said the Skulk.
—Ok, puppy, let’s retreat to my hideout in Academy City —said Zacky, eyeing Robo Maeda’s arm.
—Our hideout —said Aideen.
—The name is Bianchi. Don’t forget that —said the werefox, firing a torch bullet into the sky, signalling the Skulks' retreat—. You and your friend can use that motorbike! Alex, jump in! We’re leaving!
—That’s me —said the human girl.
—Lead us, Miss Zacky! —said Bianchi to Zacky.
Zacky and Aideen rode another motorbike and positioned themselves close to Bianchi’s. The Skulk led the other bikes, initiating the retreat. Another werefox, a voluptuous girl with a baseball bat, looked disappointed but joined the formation near Bianchi.
—Hey, jerks! Retreat! —she shouted.
Zacky led the way, with Bianchi leading the Skulk army right beside her.
When they were almost in Academy City, Zacky grunted. She had a wound. Not deep, but annoying.
—Are you ok? I can heal you —asked Aideen. But Zacky ignored him and her wound.
She was intrigued. She had questions and she wanted answers.
—I heard that Skulks only work for money. Have you hired them? Or are you their pet? —shouted Zacky, speaking to the girl named Alex.
—That’s so rude —said Aideen.
—Alex, you don’t have to answer —said Bianchi.
—Thanks, Bianchi, but we… I mean, I, I would like to answer. The Skulks and I are allies, Miss Zacky. I would never be a pet, or anything of the likes of that —answered Alex.
The girl’s choice of words was specific. Zacky quickly analysed the situation and understood who she was and why she had such strange vocabulary.
—So, princess, before we arrive, anything else you want to tell us? —said Zacky, looking Alex directly in the eyes.
She held her gaze. That confirmed Zacky’s suspicions.
—We have company! —said Aideen, jumping from the bike. The doctor redirected a missile with a punch and destroyed an automaton with another punch.
—Battle formation, Skulks! —shouted Bianchi— Kimihe, lead the second group!
—Ok, don’t die, you punk! —said the werefox girl with the baseball bat— Ok, jerks, follow me!
—HANADA! Time to BUILD! —Goliath shouted, giving orders to his crew. His robot blocked the way to Academy City, alongside massive drill trucks— Are you, Student Detective League's Star, still interested in the Sacred Ruins?
Zacky ignored the question. She was busy attacking one of the drill trucks.
—They are my best technology, hahaha! —said Goliath.
The truck shooted Zacky, but she was faster and brave. Driving in zigzag, Zacky managed to arrive to one of the drill trucks, and with a few hits, make it explode, causing Goliath to fall from his robot. Robo Maeda caught his master mid-air.
—Nice! What I expected from you, Miss Zacky! Hahaha! —said Goliath.
—What else do you have for me? Something better? —answered Zacky, smiling.
—We should leave, Master Goliath. They were retreating, and we already control the ruins. We should reinforce the security and prepare more countermeasures —said the automaton.
—If you say so, ok! Let’s focus on the destruction of the ruins, hahaha! —answered Goliath— We’ll meet again, Miss Zacky-Student-Detective-League's-Star, hahaha! HANADA! Time to DEMOLISH!
The forces of the HANADA Group left the road. With the HANADA Group retreating, Bianchi led the Skulk back to Academy City. Zacky picked up Aideen and drove to their hideout, not fully understanding what was happening.
—Skulks, HANADA, and a princess, all here, in the Sacred Ruins? —she said to herself—. It’s a more complex mystery than what I thought. I’ll get to the bottom of this.
Speeding up, they headed into Academy City.
