Several days later, Antarctic Circle.
The howl of propellers tore through the blizzard as a military-green Longbow Apache descended and landed steadily on the helipad atop a white circular building.
Then, as machinery whirred into motion, the rooftop helipad carrying the Longbow Apache lowered into the building, transferring it into a more spacious and brightly lit interior.
Invisible waves of light meticulously scanned the entire Longbow Apache, and crisp synthesized electronic voices rang out around it.
"Beep. Identity verification complete. Far East investigator Harry Sizer Anderson, Master Candidate No. 3, Master Candidate No. 48...
Access authorization granted. Welcome to Phinis Chaldea, the Human Order Continuation Security Organization."
The indicator lights at the passageway changed from red to green, and the security valves opened simultaneously.
"Phew, we finally made it. This damned weather... Achoo! Achoo!"
A thirty-two-year-old white man bundled up tightly trembled as he stepped down from the Longbow Apache helicopter. He had wanted to mutter a few complaints about the Antarctic Circle's terrible weather, but before he could finish, a string of sneezes interrupted him.
"Friendly reminder: Please do not linger in the cabin. Complete decontamination as soon as possible and proceed to the main hall for assembly."
Urged on by the electronic voice, the white man rubbed his nose, reddened from the cold, and quickly waved toward the cabin.
"Ritsuka-bro, Miss Hinako, we're here. Hurry and get down."
At his call, a young man with short black hair and blue eyes, along with a literary-looking girl with black hair and eyes, glasses resting on her nose, and a high ponytail, stepped down from the Longbow Apache one after another. They habitually looked around at their surroundings.
Faint vertical slits appeared in the young man's eyes, while a flash of blood-red light flowed through the girl's gaze.
Clearly, these