"Do not fret, Miura. Your bloodline never disappoints. Let it into your heart—become one with the sword." Crest says with a firm look.
Anyachi continues walking toward Miura. She suddenly picks up the pace, and before he can even react, she pierces the barrier keeping him caged and drives the blade straight into his chest. As the sword fully unsheathes, it reveals a colorless weapon.
"W-, why!" Miura mutters as his vision slowly fades. His eyes drift toward Anyachi, who now has a worried look on her face.
His body slumps to the ground, blood spreading across the floor.
Anyachi steps back, leaving the sword lodged in his chest.
"Are you sure it's gonna work out this time, Crest? I don't want it to end up like last time." Heloica says, his expression stern.
"Trust me, Heloica. This is finally the one. This is our saviour." Crest replies confidently.
Miura's body remains on the floor, bleeding.
"Uh…" Miura mutters as he slowly opens his eyes.
He realizes he is no longer in the castle. Instead, he is surrounded by endless white space.
He quickly touches his chest and finds a stab mark. There is no blade—only a gaping wound.
"Oh dear, another one is here." A female voice says from behind him.
"Who!" Miura snaps, violently turning his head toward the voice.
"Don't hurt your neck, alright." the woman says calmly.
Miura's eyes sparkle when he sees her.
Before him stands a woman with snow-white hair marked with black patches. She wears a long white robe, her pale skin almost glowing. Two sets of horns protrude from her forehead, and tribal markings run down from her sparkling crimson eyes.
"Who are you?" Miura mutters in awe.
"Who am I, huh?" she says, stepping down from the white chair she had been seated on and walking toward him.
"I've been called many things… mother, betrothed, saviour—"
She circles around Miura slowly.
"Devil."
She stops abruptly and stares at him. Her eyes suddenly turn soulless.
"Uh…" Miura mutters as a wave of fear floods his body.
"Not like it matters, to be honest. Names and identity aren't as deep to me as they are to you. So with that said, you can call me ESTALCIA." She says before returning to her seat.
"Estalcia? But that's the name of the—"
"Country, yeah I know. That's because I'm the founder." she says with a smile.
"Huh? But you look so sma—"
Miura stops mid-sentence when he notices the expression on her face.
"Say it." Estalcia says with a frustrated look.
"Uh… actually, I've forgotten what I was going to say." Miura replies awkwardly, glancing to the side.
---
"Isn't he taking an unusual amount of time, Crest?" Wistoria says while staring at Miura's still bleeding body.
"Have faith, Wistoria." Crest replies calmly.
"The crest of the bond hasn't even appeared and he's still bleeding! This is also the longest it has ever taken for one to form a bond." Heloica says.
"The sword hasn't even changed its colour. I just knew this couldn't be the next worthy." Veldoria says with a grin.
"What a shame… and he was so cute too." Esdolte says as her breasts bounce slightly.
"As I said before, have faith, all of you. He bears the name—the name of kings." Crest says.
---
Back in the white space.
"What's your deal, lady!!" Miura shouts, holding his head with one hand while pointing at her with the other.
"Don't call me small!!" Estalcia shouts back, pointing at him as well.
"Jeez, you pack one hell of a throw." Miura says.
Estalcia suddenly bursts into laughter.
Miura soon joins in, and the two begin laughing together as the atmosphere lightens.
"I can't remember when last I had a good laugh, Miura." Estalcia says warmly.
"Wait… I never told you my name. How did you know it?" Miura asks.
"Trademark secret." Estalcia replies.
"You're running out of time, Miura." she adds.
"Yeah, I can tell. With the hole in my chest, I'm probably already dead, aren't I? And to be honest, this place isn't all bad… kinda like heaven." Miura says.
"Sorry, but I'm not sharing my space. You're definitely not in heaven—that's for sure. But you are dying, and I can stop that." Estalcia says.
"What do you mean?" Miura asks.
"You're here to bond with me. That means our souls become tied together, which would allow me to heal you." Estalcia explains.
"Oh, you can do that then—"
"No. I'm not going to bond with you." Estalcia says with a blank expression.
"Why!!" Miura shouts.
"Because I haven't seen enough to do so. Only a few people have ever bonded with me out of the many who tried. They all showed me the right things. You haven't." she says.
"What do I have to do?!!" Miura shouts.
"That you'll have to figure out yourself." Estalcia replies, slowly closing her eyes.
"So you're just gonna leave me here to die!!" Miura yells.
Estalcia's eyes suddenly open.
"Answer this question." she says.
"Huh?"
"And I'll help you. Not by bonding—but I'll bring you back." Estalcia says.
"What is it?" Miura asks, determination filling his face.
"What's life?" Estalcia asks, staring directly into his eyes.
Miura closes his eyes.
The first image that appears in his mind is his sister smiling at him.
He smiles softly.
"Life is love. To live is to love, and to love is unconditional."
Estalcia smiles.
"That's a good enough answer."
She rises from her chair and walks toward him. Placing her hand over his chest, his wound begins to close.
A hole opens in the ceiling of the white space, and Miura begins to float upward.
"W-, will I ever see you again!!" Miura shouts as he's lifted away.
"Prove it to me. Prove to me you're worthy, MIURA REDBORNE. I'll be waiting for you." she says.
Miura smiles as he disappears.
Estalcia watches quietly.
"Vante… this boy might just be the one. The one you spoke about. My heart tells me so. He reminds me so much of you."
She grips her robe tightly.
"But I need to confirm my thoughts. I need to confirm his resolve."
Her smile grows faint.
"Prove that to me, Miura."