At the center of the Wandenreich stood the tallest and most imposing tower.
Seiya and Uryū did not ascend directly to the summit but stopped midway up the tower along the spiraling staircase, following Haschwalth's lead.
"You may not approach His Majesty so casually," Haschwalth said, calmly but firmly. "From here, proceed with due decorum."
A subtle show of authority—perhaps even a test—but the two had anticipated this long before arriving.
As they moved, shapes began emerging from the tower's sides, piquing their attention.
"Yo, Jugram! What's the deal with those two? That spiritual pressure earlier—was that them?"
A high-pitched, brash voice came from a cocky young man with teal eyes and a spiky mohawk dyed reddish-purple. He stood with his hands in his pockets, earrings flashing, gaze aggressive and unfiltered.
"Coming to meet His Majesty? With that ragtag appearance? C'mon, you could've picked better!"
Haschwalth ignored him completely, eyes downcast, maintaining his measured pace behind the guests.
Seiya glanced sideways, calmly noting the man's identity.
Bazz-B. Holder of the Schrift H. Also, Haschwalth's childhood friend—though their bond didn't seem nearly as stable as Ichigo and Uryū's.
Unbothered, Seiya refocused and continued climbing.
That calm disregard only stoked the flames.
"You damn—!"
"Cool it, idiot. You're right under His Majesty's nose."
The new voice was drowsy and bored. A girl barely above child height appeared beside Bazz-B, slouching with her hands hanging limp.
Despite her childish frame, her tone was distinctly mature. "Don't drag us into your antics, Baldy."
Liltotto Lamperd had arrived.
A statuesque woman with long pink hair chimed in, holding a hand over her mouth in theatrical concern. "This will end in a fight, won't it?"
Meninas McAllon, graceful in appearance, but bearer of the power Schrift P, exuded a deceptive strength.
"Whatever! If it comes to blows, I'll blow them all to pieces!"
A booming, brash voice rang out as a black-haired girl stomped forward energetically, striking a pose despite her skirt flying up.
Bambietta Basterbine—flamboyant, loud, and dangerous.
"You're too loud," growled another newcomer, plugging her ear with a scowl.
Tall, stylish, with sharp green hair styled in a side cut, she was the most visibly fashion-conscious of the group.
Candice Catnipp, of course.
From behind her, the last of the group emerged—lithe, feminine, hair tied with tendrils down her face.
"Let's not fight now~ If His Majesty hears, we'll all be in trouble, won't we?"
Giselle Gewelle, holder of Schrift Z—and, notably, a man who looked very much like a woman.
Liltotto sighed. "Ugh, what a bunch of bitches..."
Seiya watched in silence, thoughts churning.
'So the higher-ranked Sternritter are gathered around Yhwach's tower...'
No wonder Quilge had been the only one seen below. His recruitment post was far from the command center.
Refocusing, Seiya pressed onward. Uryū followed, still adapting to this alien environment.
Behind them, tension simmered.
"Who the hell are they supposed to be?" Bambietta shouted. "Some grunts who got promoted?"
"I feel the same," Bazz-B said, fingers flickering with sparks. "They're not from around here, I'd bet."
"True," Liltotto yawned. "If Jugram brought them personally, they're probably important."
"Illegitimate kids of His Majesty?" Giselle guessed with a grin.
"Please don't joke about stuff like that," Candice growled, grinding her teeth. "If I'd known these jerks were showing up, I'd have stayed in my room doing my hair!"
"Why are you always fussing with your hair?" Meninas asked curiously.
"Short hair's a pain! You long-haired freaks wouldn't understand. I work hard to look this good!"
Liltotto side-eyed her. "Bitch."
Seiya and Uryū didn't look back.
As the stairway ascended higher, new figures appeared—ones of an entirely different caliber.
"You brought them this far, Haschwalth? These must be the new guys!"
The booming voice belonged to a massive, shirtless man with a face-obscuring mask.
Gerard Valkyrie, member of the elite Schutzstaffel, laughed heartily.
"Let's have a spar before you meet His Majesty! I'm Gerard Valkyrie, one of His Majesty's personal guards—and strongest Quincy! If you want to harm him, you'll have to go through me!"
No one answered him, yet he roared with laughter anyway.
From strength alone, it was clear—this was no mere bluster. The Schutzstaffel were no joke.
Even more intriguing...
'A body born from the Soul King's heart…' Seiya thought. 'That old man really is made of miracles.'
His thoughts were interrupted by an eerie shift. A new presence—small, hooded, almost puppet-like.
From under the cloak, only glowing eyes showed.
Uryū noticed, startled. "...!!"
How had someone gotten that close without him noticing?
"Amazing. You sensed Pernida's presence right away," came a lazy voice.
Two more figures approached.
The speaker spread his arms open in an overly friendly gesture. "Don't be alarmed—I'm not the fighting type."
Askin Nakk Le Vaar, stylish, relaxed, smiling lazily.
"I'm also one of the Schutzstaffel. But if you underestimate me… well, that'd be quite deadly."
He paused.
"A fatal mistake, in fact."
Then the man beside him, serious and cold, finally spoke.
"Enough talk. You two—intruders—why have you come to His Majesty's inner sanctum?"
Lille Barro, white-haired, black-marked eye closed, looked down at them with absolute contempt.
"I am Lille Barro. The first Quincy given power by His Majesty. His perfect creation."
"Any threat to him will be erased by me."
He raised his long rifle.
"State your purpose before you are judged."
Seiya stepped forward, shielding Uryū behind him.
Haschwalth opened his mouth—but was interrupted.
A calm, echoing voice from above.
"Lille… let them pass."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The guards relaxed. The path cleared.
Seiya reached out, pressing a hand to Uryū's shoulder. A silent reassurance.
Together, they climbed the final stairs, stepping onto the highest platform.
The summit was empty.
Except for the figure seated at its center.
The King of the Quincy.
Yhwach.
He gazed at the two in silence.
Then, lips moving slowly, he spoke.
"I have seen everything."
"Uryū Ishida—my wayward child. To return to my embrace… what fortune."
"And the other one… you…"
"I cannot see anything at all."
"Who are you?"
----------
Powerstones?
For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates