Deep within Pangaea Castle, in the Flower Room.
Before the Empty Throne, four figures-Saint Saturn, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, Saint Warcury, and Saint Nusjuro-knelt so low they were almost prostrate, their heads deeply bowed. Even their breathing was deliberately slow and light, as though the slightest heavier breath would profane the stillness and disturb the being upon the throne.
The air was solid as iron. The faint sound of energy flowing, seemingly connected to the planet's veins, echoed almost imperceptibly through the vast yet enclosed space like the heartbeat of the earth.
Upon the throne, the exquisite face that had belonged to Queen Nefertari Lilith eight hundred years ago was utterly expressionless.
Long blue hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and a sumptuous gown covered a slender body. But deep within those eyes looking down from above lay neither Lilith's wisdom nor her benevolence, only a bottomless void that seemed capable of swallowing all light and emotion, occasionally flickering with inhuman coldness and utter indifference.
The being named Imu seemed to still be savoring that brief yet harrowing confrontation, and the prying gaze that had pierced layer upon layer of protection to "see" Their very essence.
At last, those perfect yet icy lips parted. The voice was not loud, yet it seemed to resound directly in the deepest reaches of the kneeling figures' souls:
"That... what was that thing? I have never seen it before."
No name was given, but all four instantly understood. Their gazes silently converged on Saint Saturn, whose duties included scientific defense.
Saint Saturn's heart tightened, and cold sweat nearly broke out at his temples. Keeping his head bowed, he spoke with absolute reverence and a barely perceptible tension:
"Your Supreme Excellency, that was... a being named Aaron Ball. He is the current awakened user of