Having Arrived in the Future, What Now?

The world teeters on the brink of annihilation. Black clouds shroud the land, homes burn, and dragons prey on humankind. The Giraphia Empire is ravaged by a colossal, demonic entity. Its crimson beams cleave the castle in two. Dragons attack; imperial soldiers flee the battlefield. The king is slain by the demon's assault. Screams pierce the air; people scatter from the dragons. The Dragon Queen laughs, tears streaming down her face. "At last… I have waited for this moment… the time for vengeance against my friend's death."

Amidst this chaos, the gods of the world descend: Raffix, the Phoenix, a colossal bird wielding infinite flames, the "Symbol of Fire"; Nitris, the Water Dragon, a female dragon guardian of seas and oceans, the "Symbol of Water"; Girafin, the Ice Monster, a gargantuan being of pure ice, possessing overwhelming power to shatter all that stands in its path, the "Symbol of Ice," capable of freezing the earth with a single step; and Iragon, the Sky Guardian, a being of powerful wings and radiant hues, capable of assuming human form, moving at supersonic speeds and manipulating air currents, the "Symbol of Wind."

These titanic beings confront the black demon responsible for the empire's destruction. They gather, encircling the demon, exchanging words laced with pity, desperate to avert a war that could annihilate the remaining human population.

I remained hidden within the Emperor's emergency shelter, a secret location high in the mountains, behind the shattered castle. A single small window in the dim chamber offered a sliver of moonlight.

I watched, paralyzed, as events unfolded outside. From my vantage point, I observed the interaction of the five beings. The fate of the world hung upon the next few seconds.

Silence stretched, then my heart pounded, threatening to burst from my chest.

In a breath-taking moment, amidst the destruction and black mist, the colossal beings locked gazes with the black demon—a creature of immense size, with long horns and dark red eyes. The titanic beings gazed upon the demon with a strange mixture of pity and sorrow, tears streaming down the demon's face.

They seemed to operate as one consciousness, one mind, taking turns to complete a single sentence.

Strange as it may seem, this black demon was, mere minutes prior, a boy of fifteen.

How he became this… that story begins two days ago…

My name is Arian, and I am Emperor Zylon's attendant.

Approximately two days ago, a meeting took place between Emperor Zylon of the Giraphia Empire and Emperor Naryus of the Alkanorus Empire—a supposedly mutually beneficial discussion aimed at strengthening amicable relations. Soldiers from both nations lined the throne room, with guards stationed outside.

The meeting was shrouded in secrecy, even excluding influential nobles, fueling their discontent.

An attendant served tea to both emperors. "Now then, Emperor Naryus," Emperor Zylon began, his voice tight, "shall we conclude this transaction?"

"Hmph, that is utterly insufficient, Emperor Zylon."

"What? Half our food supply is not enough? You're being far too greedy!"

"Fu-fu-fu, you say a curious thing, Zylon." Emperor Naryus stroked his long goatee. "What good is half your food supply? You invited us under the pretense of forging amicable relations, but your true intention is to exploit our advanced technology. And your recompense? Food? Do you take us for paupers? This is absurd."

Emperor Naryus's shrewd, almost threatening gaze broke Emperor Zylon's confidence.

After Naryus rejected the offer, a palpable tension settled over Zylon. If this negotiation failed, the Giraphia Empire would face grave danger, lacking the superior weaponry and technology of the Alkanorus Empire. They possessed weapons that generated artificial magic energy, enabling even those without innate magical abilities to forcibly extract magic from their bodies.

In our Empire, only those with magical abilities could become nobles or close advisors to the Emperor, leaving the vast majority of the populace as commoners, with a very small noble class. This meant a severe shortage of magic users.

Emperor Zylon sensed a clear threat from the Alkanorus Empire, predicting an imminent war. He had sought to forge an alliance to avert this looming crisis.

But in the current negotiation, Zylon was cornered.

"Y-yes, what do you want?" His weakness was exposed. Naryus's demands, however, were ludicrously unreasonable.

In a chilling tone, he stated, "Give me Greenhall Village."

Emperor Zylon's eyes widened in shock.

He rose, his voice booming, "W-what are you saying? That is absolutely unacceptable!"

Naryus calmly stood, turning to leave. "Then it seems there's no prospect of reaching an agreement. My apologies."

"Wait!" Zylon called out, acutely aware of the implications beyond those doors—a few short steps from deciding the Empire's fate.

Zylon might consider killing Naryus, but he knew the Alkanorus Empire wasn't dependent on its emperor; the people governed the nation. The emperor was merely a figurehead. This was precisely why Alkanorus was one of the strongest empires.

Killing him here would be a declaration of war. That left only one solution. "G…Greenhall Village… half of it… I can offer no more."

A cruel smile spread across Naryus's face, his teeth flashing. "Deal."

And so, the Giraphia Empire ceded half of Greenhall Village to the Alkanorus Empire, bringing the negotiations to a close.

Frankly, I was astonished by Emperor Zylon's incompetence and lack of strategy. I can't fathom how such an inept individual governs an empire.

Even if I voiced my opinion, the nobles wouldn't listen, because it would be against their interests. They thrive on the Emperor's incompetence, using it to gain status and rewards. Who would listen to a lowly servant like myself? Still, there's no point dwelling on it. My duty is protection, not meddling in politics.

═══════════════════════════════

The Giraphia Empire's cession of half of Greenhall Village to the Alkanorus Empire concluded the negotiations.
"All hail His Imperial Majesty!" Applauserounded me.
Clap, clap, clap…
Frankly, I have no idea what will happen next. I don't know how the nobles will react to this decision. I can only pray this agreement brings favorable results.
The conference room doors burst open, and a horde of nobles stormed in, unleashing a torrent of savage cries. "Why weren't we summoned to this crucial meeting! Your Imperial Majesty, what were you thinking! Explain yourself!"
Emperor Zylon, tense and sweating profusely, bellowed, "Silence!"
An aged attendant brought a handkerchief to wipe the Emperor's brow.
Exhausted, he declared, "…Return to your quarters. All audiences for today are canceled. I wish to see no one tonight."
"As you command."
Emperor Naryus departed.
"I look forward to the further development of our relations, Emperor Zylon. Hohoho…" Naryus chuckled as he left.
Emperor Zylon, utterly defeated, apparently wished to see no one for the rest of the day. He was undoubtedly plotting his next move.
A natural reaction, considering the intense mental battle he endured. But… a crucial question remained:
(How will he break the news to the nobles that a portion of their territory now falls under another empire's control?)
And what would their reaction be?
I could only pity this aged Emperor.
In my own opinion, the risk was worth taking… The very idea of ceding territory to another nation is certainly madness, but the rewards far outweigh the cost.
This grants us access to Alkanorus's technology.
If I were to give their technology a name, I'd call it, "Ahead-of-its-time technology."
Imagine… individuals born without innate magical abilities suddenly capable of wielding magic, all thanks to a strange device acquired by chance.
Considering that, this deal is remarkably advantageous.
A small sacrifice for immense power… who would refuse it?
If all goes well, this Empire will soon enter a bright future.
…Or so I thought. Events did not unfold as planned.
What?! A colossal demon?! A dragon attack?! What in the world has happened?!
There were infiltrators in the conference room… dragons in human disguise.
How did I know? One was disguised as a guard and I saw him transform into a dragon during the attack, joining his brethren.
Let me explain. The infiltrating dragons relayed the conversation between Emperors Zylon and Naryus to the nobles, who fell into a panic. They gathered before the castle, further enraging them as the guards attempted to prevent their entry.
"Your Imperial Majesty! Show yourself immediately! Who authorized you to sell our territory!"
"Your Imperial Majesty! Explain yourself! Why did you do such a thing!"
The dissenting nobles grew in number, encircling Zylon's palace.
"Enough is enough! We will not tolerate this! We will not allow our territory to be stolen! We will reclaim it ourselves! We will wrest the village from the Alkanorus Empire! We will destroy Greenhall Village! Who's with me?!"
"Let's go! Kill them all!"
They prepared weapons, horses, and fire, assaulting the village with weapons and magic. They slaughtered all—old and young, men, women, and children—burning the wooden houses to ashes. The lake ran red with the blood of the slain.
Meanwhile, at the edge of the village, a boy gathered firewood in the nearby forest. He embraced the gathered wood, his light footsteps quick, his face a joyful smile as he hurried home. Then, a horrifying sight met his eyes.
His house was engulfed in flames.
He dropped the wood and plunged into the inferno. The flames seared him, leaving a scar upon his forehead.
Despite the agonizing pain, he pressed on, pushing through the blaze. There, he saw his father, mother, and two-year-old brother.
His mother held his brother close; his father embraced his mother.
The boy witnessed the charred skeletons of his family.
He tried to gather the remaining, blackened bones, but they crumbled to dust, vanishing before his eyes.
Tears streamed down his face.
His expression was a complex mixture of grief, rage, hatred, disgust, and a burning desire for vengeance.
Within the flames, a glowing black orb materialized, speaking in the language of this world:
"Chosen one, I have found you."
The boy saw a reflection within the orb: himself, with a fiery heart of burning red eyes.
A voice emanated from the orb: "Do you desire power? Power of vengeance? Power of destruction? Power of protection? Or all of them?"
"I want revenge! I'll make them suffer! I'll kill them all!" the boy screamed, consumed by rage.
In a dark void, countless demons knelt before a demonic sovereign upon his throne.
The sovereign's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Indeed."
He clapped his hands, the orb exploding, merging with the boy's body.
Amidst excruciating pain and earth-shattering screams, the small body transformed into a gigantic demon.
Vengeance remained etched in his consciousness, and the demon set forth on its purpose.
The returning nobles cheered, boasting of their accomplishment.
One noble heard a strange sound and turned; in an instant, he and his horse were ripped apart.
From the ashes of destruction, a demon was born.
The demon raised its hand, generating violet blades that sliced through anything in its path.
The nobles' screams echoed to the Emperor's palace.
Emperor Zylon, witnessing the carnage of blood and dismembered bodies from his chamber window, was struck with horror.
The sky turned black, and earth-shaking thunder roared.
"A calamity has arrived…" the Emperor trembled in terror.
The demon spread its wings, soaring towards the palace.
Its crimson beams cleaved the palace in two, and the Emperor was crushed beneath the collapsing structure.
Meanwhile, one of the infiltrating dragons returned to its lair, a massive cavern within a verdant forest.
The dragon knelt in reverence. "Your Majesty, the time has come."
A cruel smile stretched across the beautiful queen's face, her sharp teeth gleaming. "Excellent. Waste no time… gather your forces, and follow me immediately."
She transformed into a dragon, ascending into the sky and heading towards the Giraphia Empire. "Time for vengeance! Hahaha…"
Upon reaching Giraphia, she slaughtered the remaining soldiers, her face a mixture of triumphant joy and tears of vengeance.
Then, she witnessed the colossal demon, devastating the land, slaying nobles, and destroying the palace.
Within the demon, she saw a human form.
She recalled her final conversation with the Demon Lord Kamoi, during her previous visit to his lair seeking power.
"Power of vengeance? ...Power of protection? Or all of them?"
"Hmph, I have no intention of staining my sacred blood with that of a demon." She turned her back on Kamoi.
"Fu-fu-fu, I never said I would give you my blood. I know the value of your dragon blood."
"What? Then what about gaining power?" the Dragon Queen asked.
"A hundred years hence, a human child will appear, bringing ruin to the Giraphia Empire."
"What?! No…." The Dragon Queen's eyes widened.
The Demon Lord's lips curled into a smile. "Ah… that is my successor."
"How can that child be the successor to Demon Lord Kamoi, the Symbol of Darkness?"
"Humans are fragile creatures. Even the most benevolent human will reveal their true nature when those they love are harmed. They'll be driven by the intense desire for vengeance. And to achieve it, they will do anything, however insane."
"Are you willing to derail the fate of humanity just to find a single successor?"

"Oh, I wouldn't do anything like that," he said, waving his hands dismissively.

"In a hundred years, humanity will bring about its own destruction, and the sealed gates of hell will open. Their insatiable desires will lead them to ruin. I will merely observe and enjoy the spectacle."

"I'll simply use that child, a victim of human greed, to bring about the destruction they crave. I'll just help stage the play."

"What?! Kamoi, are you mad?!"

"I'd rather not hear such a thing from a child consumed by hatred for humanity."

═══════════════════════════════

"So, that boy… he was the one Kamoi chose! Unbelievable… Kamoi's words were all true. Human greed transformed an innocent child into a demon consumed by vengeance."
She returned to her human form, kneeling before the rubble of the destroyed palace, bowing her head humbly. "I… I don't know who you are, but thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. If I survive, I will give you my complete and unwavering support in the future."
She gathered her forces and returned to the cavern.
Shortly afterward, the gods of the world appeared.
They spoke in unison: "Again… humanity never learns."
"No matter how much they evolve, human nature remains unchanged… it's deeply ingrained in their hearts, shaping their very existence."
"Greed, hatred, jealousy, war… these are the values etched into the human soul."
"It breeds sacrifice, corruption, and despair."
"We have given them a thousand chances in the past, yet nothing has changed."
Meanwhile, at the edge of the village, a boy gathered firewood in the nearby forest. He embraced the gathered wood, his light footsteps quick, his face a joyful smile as he hurried home. Then, a horrifying sight met his eyes.
His house was engulfed in flames.
He dropped the wood and plunged into the inferno. The flames seared him, leaving a scar upon his forehead.
Despite the agonizing pain, he pressed on, pushing through the blaze. There, he saw his father, mother, and two-year-old brother.
His mother held his brother close; his father embraced his mother.
The boy witnessed the charred skeletons of his family.
He tried to gather the remaining, blackened bones, but they crumbled to dust, vanishing before his eyes.
Tears streamed down his face.
His expression was a complex mixture of grief, rage, hatred, disgust, and a burning desire for vengeance.
Within the flames, a glowing black orb materialized, speaking in the language of this world:
"Chosen one, I have found you."
The boy saw a reflection within the orb: himself, with a fiery heart of burning red eyes.
A voice emanated from the orb: "Do you desire power? Power of vengeance? Power of destruction? Power of protection? Or all of them?"
"I want revenge! I'll make them suffer! I'll kill them all!" the boy screamed, consumed by rage.
In a dark void, countless demons knelt before a demonic sovereign upon his throne.
The sovereign's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Indeed."
He clapped his hands; the orb exploded, merging with the boy's body.
Amidst excruciating pain and earth-shattering screams, the small body transformed into a gigantic demon.
Vengeance remained etched in his consciousness, and the demon set forth on its purpose.
The returning nobles cheered, boasting of their accomplishment.
One noble heard a strange sound and turned; in an instant, he and his horse were ripped apart.
From the ashes of destruction, a demon was born.
The demon raised its hand, generating violet blades that sliced through anything in its path.
The nobles' screams echoed to the Emperor's palace.
Emperor Zylon, witnessing the carnage of blood and dismembered bodies from his chamber window, was struck with horror.
The sky turned black, and earth-shaking thunder roared.
"A calamity has arrived…" the Emperor trembled in terror.

The demon spread its wings and flew towards the palace. Its crimson beams cleaved the palace in two, and the Emperor was crushed beneath the collapsing structure.

Meanwhile, one of the infiltrating dragons returned to its lair, a massive cavern within a verdant forest.

The dragon knelt in reverence. "Your Majesty, the time has come."

A cruel smile stretched across the beautiful queen's face, her sharp teeth gleaming. "Excellent. Waste no time… gather your forces, and follow me immediately."

She transformed into a dragon, ascending into the sky and heading towards the Giraphia Empire. "Time for vengeance! Hahaha…"

Upon reaching the Giraphia Empire, she slaughtered the remaining soldiers, her face a mixture of triumphant joy and tears of vengeance.

Then, she witnessed the colossal demon, devastating the land, slaying nobles, and destroying the palace. Within the demon, she saw a human form.

She recalled her final conversation with the Demon Lord Kamoi, during her previous visit to his lair seeking power.

"Power of vengeance? ...Power of protection? Or all of them?"

"Hmph, I have no intention of staining my sacred blood with that of a demon." She turned her back on Kamoi.

"Fu-fu-fu, I never said I would give you my blood. I know the value of your dragon blood."

"What? Then what about gaining power?" the Dragon Queen asked.

"A hundred years hence, a human child will appear, bringing ruin to the Giraphia Empire."

"What?! No…." The Dragon Queen's eyes widened.

The Demon Lord's lips curled into a smile. "Ah… that is my successor."

"How can that child be the successor to Demon Lord Kamoi, the Symbol of Darkness?"

"Humans are fragile creatures. Even the most benevolent human will reveal their true nature when those they love are harmed. They'll be driven by the intense desire for vengeance. And to achieve it, they will do anything, however insane."

"Are you willing to derail the fate of humanity just to find a single successor?"

"Oh, I wouldn't do anything like that," he said, waving his hands dismissively. "In a hundred years, humanity will bring about its own destruction, and the sealed gates of hell will open. Their insatiable desires will lead them to ruin. I will merely observe and enjoy the spectacle."

"I'll simply use that child, a victim of human greed, to bring about the destruction they crave. I'll just help stage the play."

"What?! Kamoi, are you mad?!"

"I'd rather not hear such a thing from a child consumed by hatred for humanity."

═══════════════════════════════

"So, that boy… he was the one Kamoi chose! Unbelievable… Kamoi's words were all true. Human greed transformed an innocent child into a demon consumed by vengeance."

She returned to her human form, kneeling before the rubble of the destroyed palace, bowing her head humbly. "I… I don't know who you are, but thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. If I survive, I will give you my complete and unwavering support in the future."

She gathered her forces and returned to the cavern.

Shortly afterward, the gods of the world appeared.

They spoke in unison: "Again… humanity never learns."

"No matter how much they evolve, human nature remains unchanged… it's deeply ingrained in their hearts, shaping their very existence."

"Greed, hatred, jealousy, war… these are the values etched into the human soul."

"It breeds sacrifice, corruption, and despair."

"We have given them a thousand chances in the past, yet nothing has changed."

"But this time, we will intervene. We will change the world ourselves."

"This power… Kamoi's involvement is undeniable…" They had witnessed the demon that destroyed the empire.

"It wasn't Kamoi. The laws of the world permitted his intervention."

"That's right. According to the world's laws, when human corruption spreads, the powers of darkness have the right to intervene to bring about divine retribution."

"The world established its own laws. And we, as the gods of this world, must abide by them. Therefore, we have a duty to rectify events and restore order to the world."

"Mortal, you were a victim of sin. Kamoi chose you as the successor to the Dark King. Therefore, we have no right to intervene in the world's laws. I am sorry… so very sorry."

"Under the circumstances, there is only one thing we can do by way of atonement."

The gods exchanged glances, nodding in agreement.

"There is a possibility of cosmic disruption, but we will deal with that when the time comes."

"Prepare for reincarnation."

They surrounded the human transformed into a demon and chanted an incomprehensible incantation.

An earthquake-like tremor shook the ground, a blinding white light enveloping the demon, releasing a dazzling white beam.

"This is humanity's last chance. If they squander it, humanity will be utterly annihilated."

"The System of Magical Marks. It's a system that eliminates discrimination and bestows magical power upon all humans. This will prevent such tragedies from ever happening again."

No matter how dark the fate that awaits… hope for restoration still remains. "Child of the Dark King."

"May you find the chosen one. In his hands, the end of this tragedy shall be entrusted."

What in the world just happened? Suddenly, four gods appeared, a colossal light erupted, and the human who transformed into a demon vanished. I have absolutely no idea what just transpired.

After a while, survivors of the calamity emerged. Are there really humans left?

Wait a minute, what's happening in the village? The corpses are moving… no, that's wrong. The villagers, who should have been incinerated, are reviving!

This must be the gods' doing. I'm truly overjoyed for them.

But none of the nobles have been resurrected. What is going on?

Did they choose only specific individuals? As if selecting those deemed "worthy of revival, the chosen ones."

Well, that's only natural. After all, the nobles were the ones who set off this catastrophe.

"A fitting retribution."

As the situation calmed somewhat, various questions flooded my mind. (What exactly was the technology that Alkanorus boasted about… a technology that suddenly appeared, enabling ordinary humans to use magic. No matter how much I think about it, it's impossible.) And the next question: who invented that device? No one would believe it was a serendipitous discovery.

Driven by curiosity, I decided to see the device with my own eyes. I've never seen anything like it. And using wind magic, I headed towards the Alkanorus Empire. My specialty is speed. With wind magic, I can manipulate the wind, create storms, increase my speed using wind currents, and sometimes even fly, though flying is still a work in progress.

You might ask why I didn't participate in that battle.

Of course. Participating in a battle I was certain to lose would be insane.

Who would risk their life against a gigantic demon and a legion of dragons?

If it were a battle between humans, I might have a chance.

While pondering this, I arrived at the borders of the Alkanorus Empire.

What in the world?! All the humans are dead. And that's not all.

Their deaths… are horrifically brutal. Some have their heads blown off; others are torn to shreds.

Walking amidst the corpses, I feel nauseous. The sight and stench are unbearable.

At the end of the line of corpses stood Emperor Naryus's castle.

I opened the castle gates. A creaking sound echoed through the air.

Dark and silent.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

…

No reply. Only my voice reverberated in the silence.

Entering the throne room, I found Emperor Naryus's corpse seated on the throne. At least, his body remained. But his soul seems to have departed. A lifeless face with vacant white eyes. His mouth hung open, as he sat upon the throne…

Emperor Naryus was dead.

I recoiled slightly, a wave of unease and fear washing over me.

I left the throne room, bewildered by what had transpired. Who could have done this?

Retracing my steps past the line of corpses, I found more bodies lying near a small hut beside the castle.

A faint light emanated from the corpses—red, blue, white, green… a spectrum of colors.

Cautiously, I approached, examining the light. As I drew near one body, I sensed magic emanating from the light… no, the light was magic. But it wasn't pure magic; it was far weaker than natural magic.

"I understand… this is artificial magic. It must be the work of those who used that strange device.

But why are they dead?"

Regardless, I should move on…

The hut's door was ajar, so I peered inside.

A delicious aroma filled the air—the scent of food.

Slowly, I navigated the darkness towards the source of the smell, bumping into the corner of a table. "Ouch!"

A meat dish sat on the table, the source of the enticing aroma. My stomach rumbled. "Oh, I forgot to eat." I looked around but found no one. "W-well, it would be a waste to let good food go to waste… I'll dig in."

"Delicious."

With my hunger sated, I returned to my investigation. As I wandered through the dimly lit room, my hand brushed against a metal plate on a bookshelf.

A shifting sound of stone echoed, and looking down, I saw a door opening.

No way… a secret passage had opened at my feet.

"Bad luck…"

And in the next instant, I lost all sensation in my body.

"You've got to be kidding me…!"

I had fallen into the secret passage beneath the hut, plummeting into a gaping hole with a resounding thud. "Ouch…"

Upon regaining consciousness, a horrifying sight—unthinkable for this era—unfolded before me.

A white space. Enormous machinery hummed with strange, unearthly sounds.

It seemed to be a research facility, yet unlike any scientific laboratory I'd ever known. Far more advanced technology was at play. Such a place shouldn't exist. It was utterly alien, as if plucked from the future.

I wandered, disoriented. Giant machines whirred incessantly, green liquids flowed, and steam hissed from other apparatuses.

In the depths of the lab, a man stood before a peculiar machine, a chamber large enough to accommodate an adult.

I hid behind a nearby machine.

Wait? Something's wrong? I sense no magic from the man. Could he be someone incapable of using magic?

The man said cheerfully, "After countless failures, the repairs are finally complete! I've also improved the magic potion! Now, let's return to Okinawa and begin preparations for the destruction operation!"

What is he talking about? He pressed several buttons beside the strange chamber, finally pushing a green button.

The machine emitted a strange noise, and the chamber began to glow green.

The man laughed maniacally. "Hahaha… I've done it! I've actually done it!"

He entered the chamber, and our eyes met. "…Who are you? How did you get here?"

"Damn it…"

In the next instant, a blinding light erupted, and the man vanished before my eyes—as if he had evaporated.

I approached the strange machine, various questions flooding my mind. "Just who was that man? What is Okinawa?"

I ran a hand through my hair. "Damn it! What in the world is happening today? I haven't the slightest clue."

I approached the strange machine and examined the buttons the man had pressed.

"Hmm… I've never seen anything like this. This must be the technology the Alkanorus Empire boasted about."

As I touched the machine, it began to glow. Looking at the buttons, curiosity prompted me to press them.

"If I recall, the man pressed buttons 2, 4, 9, and then 5."

The previously sealed chamber opened.

I entered the room. And…

"…What do I do next?"

In the next instant, the chamber sealed, and a blinding light erupted. The light consumed my vision.

When the white light faded, I awoke.

"Wha…?!" I gasped in astonishment.

Green grass, a clear blue sky, a gentle breeze, and the sweet scent of flowers.

I seemed to be in a park.

What in the world just happened? A moment ago I was inside that strange machine, and now… am I dead? Or am I dreaming?

There's a way to find out.

"Ouch…" I felt pain. That means I'm alive. But… where am I?

A sigh.

At any rate, I should ask someone.

But this place seems far more advanced than where I came from.

Machines move about, with humans inside them.

Strange images are displayed on buildings, and people are talking through square machines attached to building walls.

People in peculiar clothing wander the streets, whispering and looking at me.

People riding moving machines like the ones I saw earlier are scattering papers around the city.

One paper caught the wind and landed on my face.

I picked it up and examined the contents:

[Prince Regan's Coronation Ceremony]

[Date: 2000 Years Post-Great Catastrophe]