Finally, the party arrived at Zacky’s hideout in Academy City. The Skulks remained in the basement, checking their inventory and making repairs to their bikes. Zacky, Aideen, Bianchi, and Alex went to Zacky’s apartment, where, after serving some drinks, Zacky had many questions for her guests, starting with the most obvious:
—You’re Alex Sansta, the princess of Light Castle, in the land of the moon. Why are you here?
Bianchi coughed in surprise. Alex looked through the window, appearing worried.
—Don’t try to fool me. I know who you are. And if you’re here, it’s because your country is in trouble. Isn’t it? —asked Zacky.
—As usual, you know everything, Zacky. But I don’t. Do you care to elaborate? —asked Aideen, sipping his tea.
—Listen carefully. She is the princess of the Light Castle, heir to the crown of the land of the moon. I deduced this from her polite words and her claim that “she’s a friend” of the Skulks, who are known for their interest in power. Her mother, Giotto Sansta, hasn’t shown interest in the Sacred Ruins for… what, a few weeks now? —Alex shrugged her shoulders—. Ah, so the queen doesn’t know you’re here.
—You’re correct, Miss Zacky —said Alex, still looking through the window.
—So, if she doesn’t know that you’re here, it’s because you’ve travelled following the tradition of your lineage: if your country is in deep trouble, you’re supposed to seek the help of the Divine Beast. So, you’re interested in what can be found in the ruins —said Zacky.
—I am —said Alex—. But do you know what lies in there, Miss Zacky?
Zacky was about to answer when she saw the look on Aideen’s face. His expression clearly said: “You’re being annoying. You should calm down.” Zacky could hear his words even though he hadn’t spoken.
—I don’t —said Zacky, trying to control herself. Aideen nodded, drinking more tea—. What can you tell us about your secret mission?
—Not much. But you’re right, Miss Zacky, although not in everything. My friend here, Bianchi, is not interested in power. He’s a kind person who is trying to help me personally. We didn’t want to attack the HANADA Group, but their leader is a very stubborn man —said Alex.
—I know —said Zacky, pouring coffee into a cup.
“This girl is not an ordinary princess. She’s clever, confident, and seems like the kind of person who does whatever it takes to achieve her goals. She’s much more than she looks. And I like that,” Zacky thought. “But there’s something… this sense of loss I feel from her… something fishy is happening here. Another secret to be unveiled.”
—Ok, princess. If you can’t tell us more, we’ll accept that. Do you want to do your detective thing, Zacky? —asked Aideen.
—Of course! Let’s recap what we know. The princess of the Light Castle is on a secret, mysterious quest at the sacred ruins with the help of the Skulks —Zacky looked at Bianchi. He seemed like a dog following his owner—, the academics of Academy City have hired us, me and Aideen, to discover the secrets of the Sacred Ruins, preserving the integrity of the ruins as much as possible. And the HANADA Group is trying to destroy the ruins, which makes them our common enemy.
—But they are much more powerful than we expected —said Bianchi—. Not even our strength as Skulk Gang is enough to beat the HANADA Group.
—So, if things continue as they are now, we will all lose —said Aideen.
—Yes, because you don’t have a proper battle plan —said Zacky.
—I am not an expert tactician. I’m sorry —said Alex.
—Luckily, you have one in front of you —said Zacky—. Do you want to know what your best choice is to win the battle for the Sacred Ruins?
Alex nodded, politely motioning for her to continue.
—Make me your tactician. I will lead this, let’s call it, “Coalition” —said Zacky, very proud of herself. The others turned around, unhappy with that decision, but with no other option but to accept it—. Do you have more allies, princess?
—Yes. Although I hoped I wouldn’t have to resort to them. Have you heard about the Makoto Cloth Corps, Miss Zacky? —said Alex.
—I wish I hadn’t —said Zacky.
There is a wasteland near the Sacred Ruins, a neutral zone, a territory not conquered or claimed by any country. There lives a group of monks whose ideology is the survival of the fittest. Only muscle and power, camaraderie, and manliness have a place. They are the Makoto Cloth Corps, and that is where Alex and Bianchi headed long before heading to the Sacred Ruins.
—It is said that the Sacred Ruins can create life, but after deep research, I think the ruins absorb life rather than create it. This theory is supported by the fact that the centre of the ruins seems to be filled with vegetation and nature, while everything around the ruins a wasteland, like this land —said Zacky.
The group had left the safety of Zacky’s hideout and were headed to a specific area of the wasteland, a place where the group called the "Makoto Cloth Corps" resided, in a giant commune made of interconnected tents.
—So, we’re asking them to join our “coalition”? —asked Aideen.
—We need more muscle —said Zacky.
—That’s what they are: just muscle. Is this our best option? —said Aideen.
—No —Zacky replied—. They’re our only option.
When they reached the tents, a muscular man with golden hair came out to greet them. His presence was imposing, as he was all muscle and of considerable size.
—Be welcome, Miss Zacky —said the man. Then, he bowed to Alex—. Princess, I’m glad to see you again.
A large group of people gathered behind the man. They were all dressed similarly, in comfortable combat clothing. And they were all muscular, with statuesque bodies. And they were all men.
The atmosphere became tense, as it always did when someone interacted with the Makoto Cloth Corps.
—It’s clear that they are a cult —Bianchi said in a low voice.
—Princess, can you make your pet shut up? —said Zacky.
—Please excuse the rudeness of my companion, Mr. Mi Sung —said the princess.
—Thanks, your highness. We’re used to those comments —said the man, whose name was Mi Sung. He smiled in a somewhat menacing and somewhat sinister way—. Please join me in my tent. Let’s drink some tea.
The tent was clean, big, and spacious. It was ominously decorated with lots of fabrics and rugs. There were endless pillows. They sat in a circle in a comfortable area, and a muscular but very feminine-looking man served them drinks in an ornate and elegantly carved set of cups. The tea was also of high quality. Bianchi frowned, for the air was heavy with a fragrance so strong it disturbed him.
—There may be something mixed in with the fragrance. Stay alert —said Aideen to Bianchi.
Zacky, on the other hand, was drinking tea without paying attention.
—So, tell me, Miss Zacky, Princess: why are you here today? —said Mi Sung.
—You’re the best warrior of this land —Mi Sung smiled while looking at Aideen, feeling superior—. We have a proposition for the Makoto Cloth Corps: let’s face destiny together.
—And why would we join forces with you? —said Mi Sung.
—We will give you an independent place to live in Academy City or in my kingdom, whichever you prefer —said Alex.
Zacky looked at the princess, surprised: Alex had no authority to offer that in Academy City, but now was not the time to question her authority. She nodded and waited for Mi Sung’s response.
—That’s… interesting. But we don’t care about where we live. As monks, that’s one of our mantras —said Mi Sung—. And our mantras, our “beliefs,” are absolute for us. They are our way of life, our rules, our religion. They are everything.
—Aren’t you tired of wandering around the wasteland? —asked Zacky.
—This is not wandering, Miss Zacky: we are on a pilgrimage —said Mi Sung.
—From where to where? —asked Bianchi.
Mi Sung continued to smile, but it was a tight smile. He didn’t seem to like the subject of the conversation. But the princess intervened, once again demonstrating her talent for politics and leadership.
—We need your help, Mi Sung —she said—. My kingdom needs your help. I need an army to confront the HANADA Group. There are many of us at the moment, but not enough. If it is not a special place to live that you seek, I can offer to make you citizens of my kingdom officially. I will allow you to preach your word in the lands of the Light Castle, and no one will ever look down on you or treat you with contempt again. Nor will they call you a "cult." —said Alex, looking at Bianchi.
Mi Sung nodded, pleased.
—Your offer is generous. But I'm afraid I'll have to decline. We do not fight anyone who has not previously harmed us, except in self-defence. And we love to fight. But those are our beliefs, and they are sacred —he said.
A monk entered the tent at that moment. Mi Sung looked at him, visibly annoyed. But the monk bowed and pointed outside without saying a word.
—Seems we have more guests today —said Mi Sung. He stood up and walked toward the exit of the tent. The whole group followed him outside.
There they found a gigantic army of automatons. There was a lot of construction machinery, but equipped with weapons and missiles. A humanoid-looking automaton shouted from the top of one of the vehicles:
—We are the HANADA Group! This area is being illegally occupied! Please leave the area immediately! —the automaton shouted.
Mi Sung raised both hands in surrender.
—Don’t worry. We will leave this place immediately —he said, without stopping smiling.
—Are you just going to leave? —said Zacky.
—As I’ve said, we don’t fight anyone that hasn’t attacked us first —said Mi Sung.
Zacky understood what Mi Sung meant. He nodded and moved forward until he was in full view of the automaton leading the group.
—Hey! Do you know who I am? I'm Zacky! The one who always tries to get into the Sacred Ruins! Hasn't your boss given you orders to capture me if you find me? —Zacky made an obscene and provocative gesture— Sure he does.
The automaton scanned her body. A second later, he raised his fist and the entire HANADA group attacked, with weapons ready.
—Would you consider this an attack, Mi Sung? —asked Zacky.
—We hate conflict, Miss Zacky. But since we're being attacked... —said Mi Sung.
The big man performed a kata, a series of special martial arts movements. The monks watching joined Mi Sung in the dance, shouting and beating their chests and legs in chorus. Suddenly, Mi Sung clenched a fist and punched forward toward the automatons.
The energy released destroyed everything in a single blast. It was a super powerful movement, but it was controlled, functional, and agile, but overall, not violent. Zacky cleared her throat and indicated to the princess that it was her time to speak. She placed her hand, small in comparison, on Mi Sung's arm. The man looked at her, still smiling.
—This is the enemy we cannot defeat. Will you help us, Mi Sung? —asked Alex once again.
—You have our support, your highness —said Mi Sung.
A few hours later, still on the territory of the Makoto Cloth Corps, Zacky knew that the princess was concerned about the future. She knew that she needed an army, not only to successfully conquer the ruins but to help her own country afterward.
They had no time for doubt.
—You made the right decision, princess —Zacky said.
—Sorry for interrupting the negotiations —said Alex.
—You did what you had to do. But if you're going to offer something from Academy City, my city, you should first consult with your tactician. Understood?
—I'm not used to having to answer to anyone, Miss Zacky —said the princess.
—«Noblesse Oblige» —said Zacky.
—What does that mean? —said Bianchi.
—That if you’re from royalty, you have to act like royalty —said Alex.
The ground began to shake. Zacky facepalmed in anguish. She knew what was coming next. Or rather, who would appear next. He was prone to that kind of spectacular entrance.
—Saaaaafety fiiiirst!!! —someone shouted.
The ground broke, and a huge drill truck appeared from below. Goliath HANADA appeared in the middle of the tents, with a few more drill trucks with him.
—A drill, again? You’re getting old, Goliath —said Zacky.
—Ah, but this is a special one, hahaha! HANADA! Time to DEMOLISH! —shouted Goliath.
The truck transformed into a giant robot with arms and a lot of weapons. Each monk in the surroundings began to dance, but Goliath raised a hand and said “no” with his finger.
—Wait a second! I am here to negotiate, not to battle, hahaha! —he said.
—Really? —Mi Sung asked.
—Are you finally giving up on destroying the ruins? —Zacky asked.
—What nonsense! No! You’re the ones who will give up on the ruins, because —Goliath adjusted his glasses, trying to get the sun to reflect off them, but to no avail. Frustrated, he continued talking— we have a friend of yours as a hostage!
Zacky crossed her arms. Had Goliath gone to the hideout in her absence to capture the Skulk members they had left there, or had Goliath captured any of the students or teachers from Academy City?
—How low have you fallen, Goliath. Who have you taken as a hostage? —asked Zacky. She felt defeated.
—This little gentle…man? Whatever, hahaha! —said Goliath, pulling what appeared to be a humanoid cat out of a metal box—. This is one of your Skulk gang members, hahaha!
Zacky looked at Bianchi's expression. But she didn't see what she expected to see.
“He doesn’t know who that werebeast is,” Zacky thought.
Zacky didn't smile, but she no longer felt defeated. If the werebeast wasn't one of the Skulks, she could play along with Goliath and see what he would do.
Then, the werebeast spoke.
—Hey! Let me go! Woman! Do something! —he said, with a loud voice.
—Your cat is too talkative! What are you going to do, Miss Zacky? —asked Goliath.
—I'm not a cat! —the cat shouted.
It was Wu Xiaohu.
