Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume20 Prologue (section)

===Part 1===

A spirit in the form of a gigantic white whale was flying in the air over Astral Zero's forest.

Dire Whale was a super massive spirit under the Water Elemental Lord's command.

Within the internal dimension of the Dire Whale's stomach&mdash;

The trio of Fianna, Ellis and Rinslet were sitting around a small table.

"Kamito and the others still aren't found yet?"

"No, they fell into the forest in Astral Zero. Locating them will be very difficult."

To Ellis' inquiry, the young girl with hair the color of shimmering water shook her head.

The girl was Iseria Seaward, the avatar of the Water Elemental Lord whom Ren Ashbell had liberated three years earlier. Sensing that Kamito's team had entered Astral Zero, she had come over to aid them.

"Claire should have prepared a Levitation spirit crystal. They will surely be fine."

"Well said, Your Highness."

"Hmm, I hope so..."

With a worried expression, Ellis watched the outside world through a crystal ball on the table.

Seen through the Dire Whale's eyes was a vast forest and the Astral Zero sky that was raining. Also&mdash;

The remains of the shattered floating island of Ragna Ys, slowly falling to the ground.

&mdash;Not too long ago, it was still a sturdy piece of land.

To seal away the Gate to the Otherworld that the Holy Lord had opened, Kamito's team had taken the four Queens together to teleport to the Holy Capital of Alexandria.

But along the way, the ship had crashed due to Cardinal Millennia Sanctus' attack. Kamito and Claire were forced to fight the angel summoned by Millennia whereas Ellis and the others had to contend with another Millennia that was armed with the ultimate flame sword Ragnarok.

Towards the end of the battle, Rubia had to face off against the Fire Elemental Lord after defeating Millennia.

However, in that instant, gigantic blades of light released from the four corners of the Holy Capital had shattered the ground of Ragna Ys.

Kamito and Claire, as well as Rubia with the Fire Elemental Lord, had all fallen to the ground below. Ellis, Fianna, Rinslet and the four Queens had been found by Iseria's Dire Whale while they were falling and rescued without harm.

"...Those blades of light, what were they?"

Fianna wondered quietly.

With just a single strike, that light had shattered the land of Ragna Ys.

To think that such a terrifying power existed in this world&mdash;

"That is the light of Terminus Est, a spirit weapon from the Spirit War era."

Iseria Seaward answered.

"...Miss Sword Spirit?"

Rinslet asked with incredulity on her face.

"The Demon Slayer contracted with Kazehaya Kamito only has one tenth of the original's power. Most likely, the Holy Lord used Sacred Maiden Areishia's body as the vessel and successfully summoned the principal body of Terminus Est."

"I see..."

Holy Lord Alexandros had obtained the most powerful spirit weapon too, huh?

"...We cannot recklessly approach the Holy Capital."

Fianna stared at the Holy Capital shown on the crystal ball.

From the central zone of the Holy Capital, three pillars of light rose, piercing gigantic holes in the sky.

It was most likely the Gate connecting to the Otherworld.

"No matter what, we must find Kamito and the others first."

Saying that, Ellis quietly stood up.

"Captain, where are you going?"

"I will search the forest. If I go alone, the Holy Kingdom will probably not discover me."

"Going alone is dangerous!"

"There are many violent spirits in the forest."

Iseria warned.

"In that case, I must find them sooner."

Ellis looked very determined.

"...Very well. Take care."

"Yes, Your Highness&mdash;"

Fianna nodded lightly and Ellis summoned her demon wind spirit.

The Dire Whale opened its mouth, bringing a strong gust of wind surging inside.

"&mdash;Let us go, Simorgh."

Mounting the giant demon bird's back, she flew into the Astral Zero sky.