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Chapter 69: You’re Being Watched, I Know Everything
しおりを挟む
With the hordes of possessed guests closing in like zombies, Titania quickly raised an arm high and chanted fast.
“Circle of warding, awaken—none shall breach, none shall harm!”
A white, transparent shield formed around Ryo’s group.
They all exhaled in relief.
The possessed guests were only inches away, their nails scratching and fists slamming against the barrier, desperate to break in. The shield held strong—but their pounding was relentless.
Petyr Pann whistled, tilting his head, kind of impressed. “Bruh, Detective… how’s it feel being untouchable with that plot armor?”
Ryo’s eye twitched, and he snapped back with dripping sarcasm.
“Oh, plot armor? Near-death situations? Being chased by a hundred exorcist-rejects? Yeah—TOTALLY NORMAL TUESDAY FOR ME, KID!”
The group sweat dropped at his delivery.
Petyr Pann burst into hysterical laughter, doubling over.
“HAHAHAHAHA! I love that! You’re cracking jokes in a ‘zombie’ apocalypse—man, you’re killing me!”
Ryo jabbed a finger at him, thoroughly annoyed.
“And just like your character in the original story, you’ve got the worst humor! No wonder that rat refused to give you lyrics in your musical!”
Petyr Pann clutched his chest dramatically, feigning heartbreak.
“OUCH! That hurt, detective! Maybe I’ll appeal for lyrics in the next Broadway show.”
Carabosse snapped her fan shut with a sharp clack. “Silence, foolish little boy.”
Her gaze cut toward Ryo, venom in her voice. “Keeping you alive is a luxury, Mr. so-called Sherlock Holmes. We have orders to kill you—before I take Evendelle as my own.”
“Orders?” Ryo thought. “What is she talking about? Orders from who?”
But this wasn’t the time to dwell.
His thoughts raced. Cinderella’s life was still on the line. If her Frostreaver power erupted, she could die at any moment. He had to reach that floating prison—but right now, they were trapped, with a horde of roaring, zombie-like nobles and commoners hammering at Titania’s barrier.
The shield was strong, but if the possessed guests kept throwing themselves at it with inhuman desperation, Ryo feared their bodies would break first. Bones snapping. Flesh tearing. And that… he didn’t want happening to them.
Ryo’s eyes fell on Edmund’s dead body, bloodied and sprawled across the ballroom floor. He then looked to Petyr Pann and Carabosse — the two seemed unbothered, almost entertained by the chaos. Not once did they spare a glance at Edmund, their own accomplice, who had just been struck down by an unexpected arrow… one that most likely came from someone tied to Snow White — or Snow White herself.
Then his gaze shifted to Prince Vaelric, kneeling before Carabosse. He pleaded with her, begging to stand at her side if only he stayed quiet like a good boy. Pathetic in his desperation, Vaelric looked every bit the simp, groveling for her attention — while Carabosse, utterly indifferent, didn’t spare him a shred of care.
That’s when Ryo realized Carabosse had never intended to marry Prince Vaelric. The prince was nothing more than a pawn in her greater plan to claim the kingdom of Evendelle she had spoken of earlier.
But he shoved that aside. Right now, saving Cinderella mattered more.
His gaze shifted to the shards: the pouch in Petyr Pann’s hand… and the clear evidence bag in Fairy Greatmother’s hand. Two halves of the same nightmare.
An idea sparked.
Ryo quickly asked Titania if she could make the shield glow brighter—blindingly so—until those outside couldn’t see inside. She nodded, and the barrier shimmered before becoming a solid curtain of white light. From the outside, their figures vanished completely.
Petyr Pann and Carabosse both blinked, frowning.
Carabosse leaned toward her partner, whispering sharply. “Be careful, little boy. They’re plotting something.”
Petyr Pann smiled, his eyes glinting with wicked glee. He drew a dagger from his belt, twirling it playfully.
“Yeah… whatever that detective’s cooking up, I’m ready. It’s showtime.”
Inside the barrier…
Ryo told his group that they should split up. One team would head to Cinderella’s captive location, while another stayed back to take care of the possessed guests. Everyone wondered where the detective was going with this idea.
Ryo said he had a plan—risky, but worth the try.
He then asked Titania if she could put the possessed guests to sleep. Titania answered yes. Jaymez Boom immediately caught on to what Ryo had in mind. Loyal to Titania, he vowed to defend her while Titania cast the spell. Gerda, too, chose to stay behind. Meanwhile, Ryo, Fairy Greatmother, Vesmyra, and the rest of the animal agents prepared to head for Cinderella’s floating tower prison.
Fairy Greatmother then asked Ryo to explain his risky plan in detail.
But before he did, Ryo asked if she had an attack spell fast enough that enemies could hardly notice in time.
Fairy Greatmother shook her head and said no—but she did have a spell that could wrap an object in a light orb and destroy the object inside it. It was more of a stealth type of attack.
Ryo thought that was an even better option than what he’d expected.
Then he asked how his team would reach Cinderella’s floating tower prison quickly, since it was 100 kilometers away.
“No worries, Mr. Detective,” Fairy Greatmother said. She flicked her wand and summoned a large sleigh, big enough to carry a large group.
Ryo scratched his head, looking baffled. “Okay… that’s just a sleigh. What’s the point of it?”
Fairy Greatmother chuckled. “Last year, Santa and his wife gave it to me as a gift after our dinner beneath the auroras at the North Pole.”
She continued, reassuringly. “I know what you’re thinking, Mr. Detective, but do not worry. We will definitely fly—and we’ll use this to reach Cinderella’s captive location.”
She then turned to the puppy, Agent Barkface. “It is your time to shine now, Barkface, my dear.”
The puppy blinked, tilting his head in confusion.
Fairy Greatmother flicked her wand toward him. Barkface shimmered, his body expanding, antlers sprouting from his head, hooves forming beneath him. He transformed into a white stag and let out a roar.
Ryo’s eyes widened. He whispered in awe, “Holy moly! My agent just turned into an Arthurian legendary beast!” Then he raised a brow. “Wait a minute, ma’am—I don’t remember you ever mentioning that Barkface was part of the crew who helped Cinderella reach the castle during the first royal ball.”
“Exactly,” Fairy Greatmother replied. “Barkface only accompanied Cinderella on her lap and waited for her at the carriage before the clock struck midnight. I didn’t see the point of transforming all of Cinderella’s animal friends that night—it would have made the carriage feel overloaded for her.”
“However, to reach her captive location now, we need more speed,” she continued. “Barkface alone won’t be able to travel fast enough in the sky, but he will take the leading role.”
She turned to the dog and kitten. “Barkzilla, Whiskers—you will play the supporting role, pulling the sleigh behind Barkface.”
Barkzilla and Whiskers straightened, their expressions serious as they saluted, ready for whatever lay ahead.
Fairy Greatmother flicked her wand at them, and both shimmered, their bodies growing, antlers and hooves forming as they transformed into reindeers.
Barkface was positioned at the very front, while Barkzilla and Whiskers were positioned behind him, strapped to the sleigh.
Ryo stared blankly. “Great… we’re really about to go full-on Santa Claus reindeer mode now.”
Then Gerda asked what the detective’s plan was. Ryo explained everything. It was definitely risky—but it was worth the shot.
From above the staircase, Petyr Pann—still clutching the pouch of black shards—had no idea Fairy Greatmother had already cast her stealth spell. A faint orb of light wrapped itself around the pouch, its glow so subtle that neither Petyr nor Carabosse noticed, their eyes fixed on the possessed guests and the radiant shield instead.
Then suddenly—CRACK! The shards shattered within the pouch, dissolving into black mist before vanishing into the air. The light orb faded at once, leaving nothing behind.
Petyr Pann blinked in shock at the cracking sound and the mist rising to his eye level, then stared down at his hand.
“What the…?” His breath caught as he realized the shards had dissolved into mist.
Carabosse noticed his stunned expression. “What is the matter, little boy?”
Petyr’s face darkened as he turned to her, stammering. “Th… th… the shards…”
Carabosse’s eyes widened. She snatched the pouch from his palm, peered inside, and gasped.
“How could this have happened—” Her voice rose into a furious shriek. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, YOU WORTHLESS MONGREL!”
Petyr Pann raised a defensive hand, panicked. “I… I… I have no idea, your grace! It just shattered and disappeared like that!”
This was bad for Carabosse. The black shards had vanished from Petyr Pann’s grasp without his notice, and the only remaining pieces were now in Fairy Greatmother’s hand. Edmund—struck down by the sudden arrow that pierced through the ballroom window—had been the only one able to create more. With him dead, Carabosse’s only option was to seize the shards from Fairy Greatmother.
But before the two could act…
From inside the shield…
Vesmyra spread her arms and unleashed a violent gust of wind. The magic tore outward in a sudden burst, hurling the hordes of possessed guests back like ragdolls. Bodies hit the marble floor with heavy thuds, groaning.
The shield barrier popped like a soap bubble—gone in an instant.
On the sleigh, Ryo sat in the middle with his backpack—recently returned to him by Vesmyra. Fairy Greatmother took the front with the reins in hand, while Vesmyra and the animal agents—McPecker, McDrama, and Captain Nutso—sat at the back. Fairy Greatmother tucked the clear evidence bag containing the remaining black shards into her robe.
With the shards gone from Petyr Pann and Carabosse’s grasp, the remaining shards now in Fairy Greatmother’s possession became their new target. That was Ryo’s plan: while his sleigh group headed for Cinderella’s captive location, Petyr Pann and Carabosse would chase them, leaving Titania, Gerda, and Jaymez Boom behind in the ballroom to deal with the possessed guests.
Before Carabosse and Petyr could rush them, Fairy Greatmother raised the reins high with a gleeful cry.
“HO, HO, HOOO! Dash away!” She cracked the reins.
Barkface, Barkzilla, and Whiskers roared with bestial fury, their antlers gleaming as they charged straight toward the southeast from the ballroom wall.
Ryo’s eyes widened in horror. “WAIT, WAIT—SHOULDN’T WE USE THE DOOR?!”
Fairy Greatmother only laughed, her voice merry. “No time for proper exits, my dear! We must save Cinderella—even if it means crashing through the walls!”
The wall loomed fast. Vesmyra’s panic spiked. “Mother, listen to him! The door, the DOOR—MOTHER!”
With a thunderous crack, Barkface slammed his antlers forward, smashing through stone and sending rubble scattering onto the grass outside.
Ryo clung desperately to the edge of the sleigh, gasping for air.
“HOW FABULOUS! Your mother loves extreme rides, huh, Vesmyra?! Crashing through walls like this—are we delivering presents or demolishing castles like we’re in a Christmas action movie?!”
Vesmyra, gripping the sleigh, gave a broken laugh.
“Aha… correct! Though I don’t know what an ‘action movie’ is. When I was a child, she once took me sightseeing so high I could see the stratosphere—I cried the entire way back down!”
“IMAGINE BEING LAUNCHED INTO SPACE IN A BANANA!” Ryo shouted, recalling the insane banana carriage ride.
Before they could crash into the lake, Fairy Greatmother yanked the reins, her voice booming with Santa-like cheer. “TO THE SKIES! HO HO HOOO!”
Golden glitter erupted beneath the hooves of Barkface and his reindeer companions. Their gallop lifted into the air, each step sparkling as they ascended. Then—BOOM!—the sleigh shot upward like a comet, streaking across the night sky.
In the Ballroom…
“ARGH!” Carabosse growled, yanking Prince Vaelric by the collar and pulling him close. Her voice dropped to a whisper, sultry and commanding. “Vaelric… you’re my husband, aren’t you?”
Vaelric’s eyes flared with desperate devotion. “YES! YES! You are my lovely, beautiful wife… forever!”
A faint, dangerous smile curved Carabosse’s lips. “Good… you’ll do anything for me, won’t you?”
“Anything! Anything for you, my love! Even if it means destroying a kingdom… even taking a life… I’ll do anything for you! The cruelest acts, even!” Vaelric said desperately.
“You’re such a good slave,” she purred, and Vaelric shivered, a mix of excitement and obsession flooding him.
“Now, prove yourself,” Carabosse whispered into his ear, voice dripping with temptation. “Take that shard from them and bring it to me… and if you succeed… I shall do anything for you… even the most forbidden things.”
Of course… that was a lie. Carabosse had no intention of doing anything forbidden with Prince Vaelric. If he managed to claim the shards, she would kill him afterward and toss him aside as if he had never existed.
Vaelric’s heart thundered. Straightening, he bowed low, eyes ablaze. “I will claim those black shards, my love… even if Cinderella dies by my hand.”
Petyr Pann, watching, muttered under his breath. “Omg... he’s simpin’ so hard I can see it in 4K."
Black miasma and purple sparks erupted from Vaelric and Petyr’s feet as they began to rise into the air. Carabosse’s own shadowy aura surged from her heels, and together the three of them tore into the sky, chasing Ryo’s group with deadly intent.
2,500 meters up in the sky…
The sleigh steadied, slicing through moonlit clouds. The pale silver glow bathed them in ethereal light.
Fairy Greatmother chuckled, exhilarated. “Oh, this reminds me of when Santa and his lovely wife whisked me over Copenhagen at top speed!” She turned with a wide smile. “Mr. Detective, my dear child… how was the spee—”
She stopped short. Ryo and Vesmyra sat pale and limp, eyes rolled back, their souls practically floating away. The animal agents frantically tried to revive them.
Fairy Greatmother pressed a hand to her cheek. “Oh dear…”
“COO! COOOOO!” McDrama shrieked, startling them both awake.
“WAAAH!” Ryo and Vesmyra jolted upright, clutching the sleigh.
“Rise and shine, you two,” Fairy Greatmother said sweetly.
Vesmyra stared at her, still woozy. “It’s past midnight, Mother…”
Ryo suddenly froze, eyes narrowing. He pointed behind them. “Ma’am, I think we need to go faster. Now.”
Trailing in pursuit were dark figures—Carabosse, Petyr Pann, and Prince Vaelric—all soaring after them.
Petyr cupped his hands like a mocking officer. “Driver! Pull over to the side of the road!”
Ryo nearly exploded. “AS IF THERE’S A ROAD IN THE SKY, YOU DUMB KID! And you’ve got zero police experience compared to me!”
He drew his gun in a flash, aiming at the villains.
But before he could shoot, Ryo asked Fairy Greatmother and Vesmyra for permission to take down Thalirea. Both flinched—wanting to refuse, their dear daughter and granddaughter were precious to them.
Yet, seeing how Thalirea had turned evil and sought to harm Cinderella further, they had no choice but to allow it. They nodded, knowing Cinderella was moments from being consumed by the Frostreaver’s power, and Thalirea could not be allowed to interfere. Ryo nodded with a smirk and began firing.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Bullets whistled through the air. Carabosse twisted like a serpent of shadow, Petyr Pann spiraled with a laugh, and Vaelric dove, their figures slicing through moonlight as they dodged. The chase ignited across the sky.
Carabosse’s eyes gleamed with malice. With a flick of her black wand, she unleashed a barrage of venomous thorns. Each dart dripped with poison, streaking through the air like deadly comets.
Vesmyra sprang up from her seat, turquoise light surging around her. With both hands raised, she summoned a radiant barrier that shimmered like crystal. The poisonous thorns struck against it, sparks of venom hissing as they dissolved.
But the danger wasn’t over. Petyr Pann and Prince Vaelric surged forward, their speed matching the sleigh. The winds howled as they caught up.
Prince Vaelric swooped beside Fairy Greatmother, drawing his sword as it gleamed with cold steel. He slashed, aiming for her head. But Fairy Greatmother was ready—reins in one hand, wand in the other.
CLANG!
Wand and blade collided, sparks bursting into the sky.
Fairy Greatmother’s eyes narrowed. “I do not have time for swordplay, boy.”
She leaned in, swatting Vaelric’s face with her wand like he was nothing more than a fly. The impact sent him spinning helplessly into the night.
At the same instant, Petyr Pann streaked in from the other side, dagger raised.
He lunged for Ryo’s head.
Ryo’s reflexes snapped. With a flick of his wrist, a tonfa slid from his sleeve into his hand, steel gleaming in the moonlight. He caught Petyr’s strike mid-air, metal clashing against dagger. Sparks burst between their weapons, both locked in a heartbeat of lethal tension.
But Ryo knew—this wasn’t the time. Not for duels. Not for games.
Cinderella’s life was slipping away with every second.
He barked over his shoulder. “FASTER, NOW!”
Fairy Greatmother cracked the reins with both hands. The white stag bellowed, the reindeers roared, and then—BOOM! The sleigh surged forward, wind screaming past them in a blinding rush of speed.
Petyr flailed in the gust, spinning backwards.
Carabosse paused mid-flight, clenched her teeth, and called out. “VAELRIC, AFTER THEM!”
Prince Vaelric was still spinning but quickly steadied himself. He shook his head, smacked his cheeks, and bowed to her.
“Yes, my love!”
Then Prince Vaelric accelerated, black miasma and purple sparkles streaming rapidly from his feet as he shot toward Ryo’s group.
The sleigh rocketed onward. Everyone clung desperately to the side, hair whipped back by the merciless wind. The world below blurred—villages became dots, hills became shadows. They streaked past rivers, forests, nothing more than smears of color beneath their feet.
At last, they slowed as they reached the 99-kilometer mark. Before them, the clouds parted, revealing the floating tower.
Fairy Greatmother’s breath caught—it was exactly as the detective had said in his revelation. Cinderella’s floating prison stood 100 kilometers southeast of Evendelle.
Emotion welled up in Fairy Greatmother’s chest. At last, she had found her dear Cinderella. But her relief twisted into shock. Ryo, Vesmyra, and the animal agents all stared in horror.
The floating tower prison was not just suspended in the sky—it was completely covered in ice.
Cinderella’s Frostreaver power had gone wild. Unless they reached her soon, it might consume her entirely.
They needed to free her, place the glass slipper on her feet, and contain her ice magic.
Fairy Greatmother’s cry tore through the heavens, echoing across the air. “CINDERELLAAAAA!!!”
Back in the ballroom…
The possessed guests quickly rose, roaring at Gerda, Jaymez Boom and Titania, who were still surrounded in the middle of the chaos.
“Get down, Ms. Gerda!” Titania barked.
Gerda ducked. “A-alright!”
Titania turned to Jaymez Boom. “We must not kill them, Sith. We need to put them to sleep.”
Jaymez Boom didn’t hear her. He lightly struck several possessed guests in the stomach and face with his giant Cu Sith paw. Even his light hits were strong enough to knock them out, though fortunately, none were killed.
Titania slowly facepalmed. Jaymez Boom just wouldn’t listen.
Stepping back, he struck a martial arts pose. “I’m going full-on action movie mode like bro said… what was that legendary one again? Oh, that’s right—Jones Wycked!”
He continued. “Be careful, my lady. Don’t let them bite you—or you’ll turn into a zombie, like bro said about that box-office hit. Evendelle of the Dead must never happen!”
Then he struck at more lunging guests, while Titania just stared, unable to even assist him.
Finally, Jaymez Boom beat down the last of the possessed guests. None were dead. He puffed out his chest, proud of his secret agent performance—mission complete.
Just in case, Titania cast a sleeping spell over the people to prevent them from waking and attacking again. Later, they’d figure out how to safely extract the black shards. Forcing them out could risk a Vrakul manifestation, like the Grootslang incident back in Lunaveth.
Inside the floating tower prison…
Cinderella, feeling weak, still slumped while sitting, heard the echo.
She slowly opened her lifeless eyes, blinked, and lifted her head. Her lips parted into a faint whisper.
“Who… is that?”
She had always thought that no one would ever come to rescue her. So she assumed that the echo screaming her name was just a dream, or her imagination playing tricks on her.
Her eyes closed again. Her head sank.
Then—another scream tore through the air.
“CINDERELLAAAAA!!!”
Her eyes flew open. She gasped. There was no mistaking it—this voice was real. It was familiar. Too familiar.
Cinderella tried to pick herself up, but her body resisted. Her hair, her entire right arm, her cheeks, and her right knee were frozen solid, turned to ice from her powers spiraling out of control. The floor beneath her was slick and treacherous. She slipped, stumbled, grunted—yet still, she rose.
Step by step, she forced herself forward, trudging toward the open window of her prison.
At the ledge, she turned her head to the right—nothing.
She turned her head to the left—
And that’s when she saw them.
Fairy Greatmother.
And her loyal animal companions, all gathered on the sleigh.
The moment her animals spotted her, they cried out, calling her name in their voices.
Cinderella’s eyes widened. After more than a month of despair, life flickered back into them.
“Fairy Greatmother? …and my… fuzzy friends?”
A surge of hope swelling in her chest, and a small smile appeared. She had always thought no one would come for her. But now—finally—she was not alone.
Then she noticed someone else. A stranger.
A man in a trench coat.
She squinted at him, puzzled. “Who… is that strange foreign man?”
Ryo grinned from the sleigh, raising a hand in an exaggerated wave.
“HEY THERE, PROTAGONIST! IT’S A PLEASURE TO FINALLY MEET YOU! I’M A BIG FAN OF YOUR ORIGINAL STORYBOOK—AND THE MUSICAL TOO!”
Cinderella blinked.
Her mouth opened. Then closed again.
She had no idea who this bizarre foreigner was—or why he was shouting nonsense about… original storybook and musical.
But the group’s reunion—and Ryo’s first meeting with Cinderella—was cut off in an instant.
From above the tower, Prince Vaelric came plummeting down, slicing through the clouds. His sword gleamed cold in the moonlight as he aimed directly for Cinderella’s skull.
Ryo spotted him. His eyes narrowed.
Without hesitation, he drew his gun, raised it, and aimed straight at the prince.
BANG!
The shot rang out.
The bullet tore into Vaelric’s shoulder. The prince recoiled, clutching the wound, his slash grazing past Cinderella by inches.
Cinderella’s eyes widened. Shock stole her breath.
Why—why was he here?
The same criminal prince who had lied to her, tormented her in the castle, orchestrated her suffering as if she were a disposable pawn, who had locked her in this prison… and now, here he was again, blade in hand.
Vaelric’s roar thundered through the sky.
He pushed past the pain, eyes burning with fury. He surged upward again, sword raised high, his intent clear—this time, he would not miss.
“NO—!” Cinderella gasped.
But before the blade could slice her, two streaks of white broke away from the sleigh.
McPecker. McDrama.
The doves shrieked, wings thrashing like thunder. They collided with Vaelric’s face, knocking him backward through the air before his sword could reach her.
Cinderella stumbled further back across the prison room, shocked, before collapsing onto the floor.
The prince clawed and thrashed, but the doves did not waver. They remembered the cruelty he had inflicted on their Cinderella—the torment, the captivity, the unforgivable evil. Mercy was not in their wings.
Their beaks struck, sharp and merciless.
SQUELCH!
Vaelric screamed. Blood sprayed.
McPecker and McDrama pecked his eyes out, ripping them from their sockets.
His wails split the heavens as he tumbled back, clutching his ruined face. Now blinded—blood pouring down his cheeks—Prince Vaelric spiraled helplessly through the air.
On the sleigh, Ryo’s breath caught. His eyes widened at the gruesome sight.
That moment—it jolted something deep in his memory.
The old tale. The darker one. The Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella. The two doves who punished the stepsisters, blinding them for their cruelty.
And here—before his very eyes—that old punishment had been carried out once again… no, for the first time in this Fairytale World.
But this time, it was not the stepsisters who paid the price.
It was the prince himself.
Then suddenly—BOOM!
A purple explosion rocked the sky, slamming into the rear of the sleigh. The group spun around and saw Carabosse in the distance, flying forward with her black wand raised, smoke still curling from its tip.
Above her, floating with wild glee, was Petyr Pann, laughing like a child who’d just broken a toy.
He spread his hand, and shadowy darts erupted from his palm, streaking toward the sleigh.
Vesmyra snapped up her hands. A turquoise barrier flared into life, blocking the darts before they could tear through the sleigh.
Carabosse wasn’t done. She summoned a massive whip made of black thorns, dripping with poison, and lashed it toward them.
Fairy Greatmother’s wand gleamed, golden beams swirling around the thorns before spearing inward, shattering the whip into dust.
The attacks didn’t stop. Bolts, darts, and blasts rained down from Carabosse and Petyr.
The white stag and reindeers roared, giving it their all. They galloped higher, twisting the sleigh into a wild arc—upside down for a breathless moment before leveling out again. Ryo and the others clung to the edges tightly, barely keeping themselves from being flung into the night.
“This won’t do…” Ryo growled. Every second they were dodging was a second wasted. They’d never reach Cinderella at this rate.
An idea struck him. “We split up.”
He turned to Fairy Greatmother. “Turn McDrama into the golden Pegasus again. I’ll ride him to Cinderella.”
He pointed ahead. “You handle Thalirea. You’re the only one strong enough to stop her.” Then he looked back to Vesmyra. “You take the reins. Lead the sleigh and drag Petyr Pann with you. Keep him off me.”
Both women nodded.
Then Ryo turned to the squirrel. “Captain, you’re coming with me to meet your precious girl.”
Captain Nutso’s eyes sharpened, he saluted and slipped into Ryo’s trench coat inner pocket.
McDrama and McPecker had just swooped back to the sleigh.
Fairy Greatmother flicked her wand, and McDrama shimmered with golden light. His small dove body grew and unfolded into radiant wings and strong legs—the golden Pegasus once more. He soared to the sleigh’s side, and Ryo mounted him without hesitation.
“Go!” Ryo ordered.
They bolted toward the floating prison.
But Carabosse’s sharp eyes caught them. She flicked her wand—not at Ryo, but at the broken prince.
Prince Vaelric, still howling from his ruined eyes, was engulfed in purple light. His body warped, grew, stretched until it was no longer human. In the space of heartbeats, he became a monster—
A Kulshedra.
50 meters long. Seven heads. Its roar shook the heavens.
Ryo froze. He knew that beast. He’d read of it—a dragon of forgotten Albanian folklore.
The Kulshedra turned its seven heads toward Ryo and McDrama, unleashing blazes of purple fire from their mouths.
“MOVE!” Ryo cried.
The Pegasus beat its wings hard, climbing high, darting left and right, dodging. The beast chased relentlessly, its seven heads spitting flame one after another.
McPecker’s small body trembled as he glared fiercely at the Kulshedra. Even though the prince had just transformed into a monster, it still refused to give up, determined to keep Cinderella from being rescued.
He surged toward the creature, wings beating furiously.
Fairy Greatmother noticed McPecker’s determination, but she knew a single dove couldn’t defeat the Kulshedra. Still… that wouldn’t stop her from helping him.
She lifted her wand. “Then fly, brave one.”
McPecker shimmered—then erupted in blazing vermillion fire. His body grew and grew until he became a colossal bird of myth.
A Vermillion Bird, 50 meters tall.
“SKREEEEEEAWWW!!”
His cry split the heavens as he dove at the Kulshedra, colliding with the beast in midair. The impact sent the dragon reeling back, breaking its pursuit of Ryo and the Pegasus.
The Vermillion Bird spread its wings wide, flame trailing behind, and unleashed a searing breath of red fire across the Kulshedra’s seven heads.
The sky lit up in a clash between legendary titans.
Ryo’s eyes widened in awe. “The Vermillion Bird… from Chinese mythology…”
McPecker held the Kulshedra in battle, talons and flame locking the monster in place. Ryo’s path was clear.
Fairy Greatmother shimmered in gold, streaking toward Carabosse with her wand ready, prepared to fight her granddaughter.
Vesmyra seized the reins, cracked them hard, and led the sleigh straight into Petyr Pann’s path, firing water spells to drag him away from Ryo.
Now, with every enemy tied down, the moment had come.
Ryo tightened his grip on the Pegasus’s manes. “Cinderella… I’m coming.”
And the Pegasus carried him onward to the tower prison.
Nearing the open window of the prison, Ryo leapt from the Pegasus, landing on the frozen ledge with one hand braced against the wall for balance.
Inside, Cinderella gasped from where she sat on the icy floor.
At last, face-to-face.
Ryo finally saw her properly—stunning despite her condition, like a younger reflection of Aurelia. But his smile faltered when he noticed something: her whole body was nearly covered in ice, the Frostreaver’s power consuming her. Both feet frozen solid, unable to stand anymore like earlier.
Still, he forced another smile. “Hey, protagonist princess. Big fan here.”
Cinderella clutched at her chest with her trembling hand, whispering weakly.
“M-Mr… strange foreign man… who are you? Why were you with Fairy Greatmother?”
Ryo groaned internally with sarcastic despair.
“Oh, great. Even the world’s most famous protagonist is calling me ‘strange foreign man.’ Wonderful. At this point I should just legally rename myself.”
He shook his head and straightened.
“Fairy Greatmother hired me to find you… so here I am.” He chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head, eyes sliding away with a sheepish smile. “But, uh… I’m not exactly the prince you were hoping for.”
“Fairy Greatmother?” Cinderella whispered. “I saw you flying with her…” Her voice cracked as tears welled in her eyes. “Are you really… here to save me? I mean, look at me. I’m filthy, covered in soot and ash. I’m… a very dirty girl. You shouldn’t even touch me.”
Her tears fell harder. “And I’m almost entirely frozen… I’ll die soon. How am I supposed to be saved?”
Ryo stepped inside. His voice softened. “Your mother, Rosalind, is waiting.”
Cinderella stiffened. “SHE IS NOT!” she cried. “My real mother, Aurelia, died—nineteen years ago! And Edmund… my real father—I always thought he was my stepfather—he killed her!”
“Wait… how does she know Edmund was the one who killed Aurelia?” Ryo thought.
He took a step closer.
Cinderella panicked, shaking her head. “No! Don’t come near me!”
He knelt in front of her, his expression gentle. “Listen, Cinderella. I’m not the type who gives great speeches.” He paused, then spoke firmly. “But hear me out. Rosalind—your stepmother—is waiting for you at the manor, your real home. That castle isn’t yours to live in anymore. You can let go of that fake princess title and instead… return to the bakery you loved as a child. Do the things you truly love again.”
He smiled faintly. “I spoke to the owner. She looked like she misses you terribly. They still keep your recipes. I even tried one of your creations. Honestly? Best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
His tone sharpened. “You don’t deserve to rot and freeze to death in this tower prison. You deserve to live. To go home.”
Cinderella’s tears fell harder. “But… Rosalind hated me. Clarisse and Seraphine scowled at me. They used to love me—before Edmund came. Maybe… maybe I shouldn’t return. Maybe I should just die here—”
“They were possessed.” Ryo said, cutting in.
Her eyes widened. “Eh?”
“You may not understand it,” Ryo explained. “But Edmund was the one who twisted it all. Even in your diary, you wrote about it—he was part of the plot to lock you away here.”
He hesitated, then added. “And he’s dead now. Thanks to your… other… stepsister.”
“Schneewittchen?” Cinderella whispered.
Ryo blinked, furrowing his brow. “Wait—you know her?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I met her last yea—”
Ryo cut her off, raising a hand. “We’ll talk later. First, we’re getting you out of here.”
“But… I’m dying,” Cinderella protested. “The ice is consuming me—how could we possibly—”
Ryo’s voice cut through. “Do you want to live? Live the life you always dreamed of? Do the things your heart has always wished for?”
Cinderella’s heart warmed as memories of the bakery came flooding back—the scent of fresh bread, her proud creations, the laughter of customers, and the simple joy of serving them with a smile. Those were the days she had felt truly happy.
Cinderella lowered her gaze, whispering, “Does my stepfamily… the Ravenswood… really want me home?”
“Not just them,” Ryo said firmly. “Your other mother too. Aurelia—she’s waiting for you.”
Cinderella’s voice broke. “But she passed away nineteen years ago! She’s in heaven, probably worrying about me from above…”
“She never said she was in heaven,” Ryo said flatly.
Cinderella tilted her head. “Why… why do you sound like you personally know her?”
“You have two mothers, Cinderella,” Ryo replied. “Rosalind…” Then he grinned mischievously. “And Aurelia? Oh yeah, I’m forcefully bringing her back—with the most hated trope in the world. Let the critics flip their tables for all I care.”
Cinderella looked utterly baffled. “What are you—”
Ryo cut her off again. From his trench coat, he pulled the Arabian dagger, the Khanjar of the Forgotten Oasis. He pressed the back of the blade against her frozen foot.
ZYOUM!
The ice dispelled, shattered and dissolved in an instant, melting away from both her feet.
Cinderella gasped. “How… how could this be possible?”
“Ms. Protagonist,” Ryo said firmly, “no matter how much you deny it, I’ll drag you home if I have to. You are not dying in a place like this.”
Her tears froze in her throat.
Then Ryo unzipped his backpack and pulled out the glass slippers.
Cinderella’s breath caught. “Those are… Mama’s…”
“Yup,” Ryo said. “The mama who taught you to be pious and good, when you were too small to remember. And trust me—she’s proud of you.”
He slipped the slippers onto her feet. They shimmered with a soft amber glow.
And then—miraculously—the ice covering Cinderella’s body began to dissolve. Her powers contained.
Cinderella gasped, touching her face, her arms, even her hair. She knew the slippers had this power… but to feel it when she was at the edge of death—it was overwhelming.
Ryo stood, extending his hand to her. “Come on. Let’s get you out of this darkness.” His gaze sharpened. “I’m breaking this cursed rewrite of your story… and giving you the ending you deserve.”
The moment Ryo said that…
High beyond the clouds…
Beyond even the Fairytale world…
In space…
An ethereal hooded figure floated, shrouded in astral haze. Its face remained hidden beneath the hood, and perched on its shoulder was a cat, tail curling.
In one hand, the figure gripped an ancient book, an old, weathered pen tucked between the pages.
They watched Ryo silently from above.
And then… they smiled.
The cat leaned slightly. “Did that human… with the awful naming skills… really said that? You heard him, right… My Mistress of Threads?”
Mistress of Threads’ voice drifted like wind across the void. “Yes… and you chose him well, Lunaria.”
Lunaria’s ears twitched, displeased. “It’s Lunaria Fawnwhisker Veltharion Moonshadowmist-Nya!”
Her expression softened, worry creeping in, ears drooping.
“I really hope that human can solve the other cases in those hidden worlds without getting himself killed… he almost died in Al-Munira when the Vrakuls were about to be unleashed-nya…”
Mistress of Threads clutched her chest, trembling. Tears formed at the corners of her shadowed eyes.
“Ryo… Kuroda… I’m truly sorry for burdening you with this fate… a fate beyond my control. But please… you are our only hope… the hope for all who dwell within these fractured tales.”
Lunaria shot her a deadpan side glance. “By the way-nya… did we really have to astral project ourselves up here? You’re trembling because you’re afraid of heights, right?”
Mistress of Threads flinched, letting out an awkward chuckle as she hugged the ancient book tightly to her chest.
“Ahahaha, shall we… get back down now?”
Lunaria rolled her eyes, voice flat. “Let’s go-nya.”
They turned to look at Ryo one last time, smiled once more… and then, like mist in the wind, the two vanished.
Back in the floating prison…
Cinderella stared at the detective, speechless, her heart pounding. His words, his eyes—something stirred inside her.
Blushing, she looked away for a moment, then reached forward, placing her hand in his.
Ryo pulled her up, steady and firm.
Then Ryo remembered. “Oh! I almost forgot.” He slid his coat to the side, and Captain Nutso appeared from his pocket, leaping toward Cinderella.
“Ah! Berries!” Cinderella exclaimed, catching the squirrel. Overjoyed to be held by her again, Captain Nutso hugged her tightly. Cinderella’s eyes welled up as she returned the hug, glad to be reunited with one of her animal companions.
Ryo watched the scene and chuckled softly. “Did you really name him Berries?”
“Why yes,” Cinderella replied with a smile. “He fell in love with berries the day I first gave him one, so that’s the name I gave him.”
Despite being fond of the name, the squirrel still preferred the cooler title of ‘Captain Nutso,’ given by commander Ryo. He’d keep quiet about it, though, not wanting to hurt his precious Cinderella’s feelings.
Together, they turned toward the window.
The Pegasus waited loyally outside the prison window, wings flapping as it neighed in delight at the sight of Cinderella alive.
Cinderella blinked in wonder. “That… that flying horse… is he my loud dove, Angel?”
Ryo smiled. “Yup. Though I named him McDrama—his coo is as loud as a T-Rex.”
Cinderella tilted her head, blinking. “Mc…Drama?” she repeated, clearly puzzled. “And… what is a T-Rex?”
Ryo leaned out the window, scanning the skies. Below, Fairy Greatmother clashed with Carabosse in a storm of light and shadow. Further out, Vesmyra battled Petyr Pann while trying to lure him away. Above them all, the Vermillion bird and the monstrous Kulshedra ripped through the skies in a titanic struggle.
“Alright,” Ryo turned to Cinderella, his voice steady, “let’s hop on McDrama. I’ll help you.”
Though fear flickered in her eyes at the dizzying height, she nodded, trusting him. Ryo held her hand as the Pegasus edged closer.
For safety, Ryo told Captain Nutso to slide back into his pocket—he didn’t want Cinderella accidentally dropping him during the flight. The squirrel saluted and slipped back in without hesitation.
But before she could climb on, a purple blaze streaked from Carabosse’s wand.
Ryo’s eyes widened. “LOOK OUT!”
The Pegasus swerved sharply, wings beating frantically, but a blaze struck its wing. It lost balance and glided helplessly through the air. Ryo immediately grabbed Cinderella, pulling her away from the window just before impact, and they tumbled to the floor.
BOOM!
The fireball smashed into the tower wall, stone exploding. Cinderella screamed as the impact rocked the prison.
Carabosse hurled five more blasts even while dueling Fairy Greatmother.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The tower quaked from foundation to spire.
The chaos brought back memories of Ryo’s police days on Earth, when he risked his life to save a baby, covered in soot and ash, from a burning building on the brink of collapse.
A risky idea came to him—but he had the gear to pull it off safely.
He slung off his backpack, yanking out four clear evidence bags: one with a jam sandwich, one with a banana, one with a fried egg, and one filled with orange juice.
He shoved them into Cinderella’s hands.
She panicked. “W-what are these for?!”
Ryo put his backpack on and scooped her up in a princess-style cradle carry.
She blushed. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”
“On the count of three, throw them in the air as we fall from the sky,” Ryo said.
Her eyes darkened. “D-did you just say—‘fall from the sky’?”
The tower groaned. No more time. Ryo sprinted for the window.
Cinderella shrieked, clinging to him. “ARE YOU SERIOUSLY JUMPING?!”
And then he leapt—
Falling.
Wind roared in their ears as they plunged through the clouds. Cinderella screamed.
“Three… two… one! THROW THEM NOW!” Ryo shouted.
Cinderella released the evidence bags. They tumbled upwards on the wind, spinning away. She wrapped her arms around Ryo’s neck, pressing her face to his shoulder, trembling with fear.
Ryo shouted through the sky. “MA’AM! THE BREAKFAST CREW—NOW!”
Amidst the fight with Carabosse, Fairy Greatmother’s breath hitched—memories of the banana carriage moon journey flashing through her mind. She swiftly flicked her wand at the meals in the clear evidence bag.
They all SHIMMERED.
The banana stretched, growing into a gleaming golden banana carriage.
The fried egg blazed, reshaping into a majestic white unicorn.
The jam sandwich transformed into a proud coachman, taking a seat at the front of the banana carriage, reins firmly in hand.
And finally, the orange juice burst with brilliance, becoming the Footman—falling gracefully, one hand to his chest.
“It is a pleasure to see you again, good sir detective,” he declared, plummeting face-first from the sky. “With the deepest honor, we serve you once more!”
“OKAY, GREAT, NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOO—NOW HELP US BEFORE WE DIE!” Ryo yelled, legs flailing midair.
The Footman gave a delighted nod. “But of course!” With a graceful drift, he reached the carriage and swung the door open in a grand flourish.
“HIYAH!” cried the coachman, snapping the reins. The unicorn neighed, hooves blazing silver-blue mist, and the carriage plunged faster toward them.
Still gripping the door, the Footman extended his free hand. “Quickly, Good sir detective!”
The farmland loomed below, only seconds away. At the last instant, Ryo caught the Footman’s hand. With a dramatic pull, the Footman hauled them into the carriage interior.
The door slammed shut, and the Footman swung himself with elegance onto the front beside the coachman, both men sitting tall and proud. The footman gave the coachman a dignified thumbs-up, signaling him to rise.
“HIYAH!” The coachman cracked the reins again. The unicorn arced upward, pulling the carriage away from the ground—just ten meters above disaster.
Inside, Cinderella clung to Ryo, tears streaming as she sobbed into his chest. “WAAAAAAH! I thought I was going to DIE!”
Ryo’s face flushed red. “H-hey! Not so tight, Ms. Protagonist!”
Captain Nutso scrambled out of Ryo’s pocket, squeaking in panic as he tried—somehow—to calm Cinderella down.
The golden banana carriage soared skyward under the moonlight, banana peel wheels glowing as it soared high above the fields below.
Meanwhile…
Fairy Greatmother and Carabosse remained locked in battle.
Fairy Greatmother shouted. “THALIREA! MY GRANDDAUGHTER! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? YOU COULD HAVE KILLED CINDERELLA AND MR. DETECTIVE!”
Carabosse’s eyes narrowed. She whispered, “Don’t you dare call me your granddaughter, old woman.”
“B-B-but…” Fairy Greatmother stammered. “Vesmyra adopted you when she found you near death in Aureverna… I came to love you as well. I saw you as my granddaughter.”
Carabosse raised her black wand and aimed it. “You were never my grandmother. Not even my step-grandmother. You’re just a fake. I already have a grandmother. With her guidance, I will fulfill my ambition to rule many kingdoms. Evendelle will be next—and for that, I need those black shards you carry.”
She gestured with her hand, demanding. “Now hand them over, old woman, and I’ll grant you a painless death.”
Fairy Greatmother’s eyes widened, heartbroken. This was not the Thalirea she knew—the sweet child who once clung to her with hugs, begged her for snacks with an adorable smile, and insisted on long walks and playtime with her and Vesmyra. That precious little girl was gone.
Now Thalirea called herself Carabosse. She claimed to already have a grandmother.
What had truly happened to Thalirea in the Vrakul’s void 15 years ago?
Fairy Greatmother knew how cursed the black shards were. They corrupted hearts, twisted kindness into cruelty, and forced those possessed to obey—just as Cinderella’s stepfamily had been turned against her.
Closing her eyes, she lowered her head.
Carabosse snapped her wand forward, summoning a prison of black bars laced with miasma around Fairy Greatmother. “Hand over the shards. I will make your death swift.”
But then Fairy Greatmother’s body began to shimmer in gold. The light flared wildly.
Carabosse’s breath caught. “What are you doing!”
Fairy Greatmother lifted her head, eyes glowing white. Her wand vanished from her hand.
Carabosse flinched, unsettled, but smirked. Without her wand, Fairy Greatmother was defenseless. Killing her would be easy.
“I’ll ask one last time, old woman,” Carabosse hissed. “Hand over the shards.”
Fairy Greatmother drew the pouch of shards from her robe. Carabosse’s lips curled in a whisper.
“That’s it… such a humble, obedient old lady.”
But then Fairy Greatmother did the unthinkable. From her palms, golden fire blazed. The pouch ignited, and the shards disintegrated into nothingness.
“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!” Carabosse shouted. Without the shards, she could never rule Evendelle through possession.
Snarling, she tightened the prison, its bars constricting to crush Fairy Greatmother painfully.
But Fairy Greatmother raised her glowing hand and swept it through the bars. CRACK! The prison shattered into fragments of black mist.
Carabosse gasped. “Impossible—!”
In a blur of speed, Fairy Greatmother lunged forward.
Her fist glowed like molten gold. She whispered. “Who do you think taught you magic?”
Before Carabosse could react, Fairy Greatmother’s glowing fist slammed into her stomach. Carabosse choked out a grunt.
Fairy Greatmother’s eyes narrowed. She whispered again. “As of today… I shall temporarily disown you. The rest will be up to Vesmyra.”
Her fist struck Carabosse’s face. BOOM! Carabosse’s body rocketed downward, breaking through the clouds. She crashed into the farmland with a deafening impact, a small crater exploding beneath her. Her body lay limp, mouth open, eyes rolled white.
Fairy Greatmother dusted her hands. “You should have learned magical hand-to-hand combat from me, my dear Thalirea… but you always skipped it.”
At the same time…
Vesmyra cracked the reins. The white stag and the reindeers roared, galloping faster through the sky as Petyr Pann chased them.
“Hey, old lady!” Petyr Pann called out.
Vesmyra’s brow twitched. “WHO ARE YOU CALLING AN OLD LADY!” She pointed at him with dramatic force. “I may be in my forties, but I still look younger and more beautiful than most so-called ‘youthful’ women today!”
Petyr Pann burst out laughing. “HAHAHAHA! You’re like that classic anime character who denies being old, looks gorgeous anyway, and then smashes something over the protagonist’s face in anger!”
That only made Vesmyra angrier, even though she had no idea what ‘anime’ meant. She shaped her hand into a pistol, aimed, and fired bursts of water. Petyr Pann twisted and flipped through the air, dodging each jet by mere inches.
Grinning, he pulled a deck of cards from his tuxedo. “Hey lady! Wanna play poker?!”
One card flared with purple sparkles as he hurled it like a shuriken. More followed, whistling through the air. They grazed Vesmyra’s cheeks, arms, and shoulders—each near-miss threatening to cripple her if they struck true.
“YEEEEEEHAAAW!” Petyr Pann cheered. “I feel just like that cool card-slinger Gamebutt from EX-Tra Men!”
A rain of cards sliced through the sleigh, shredding it to splinters. Debris tumbled down from the sky.
Vesmyra’s jaw tightened, her voice a furious roar. “HEY, YOU STUPID CHILD! THAT SLEIGH WAS A GIFT FROM SANTA CLAUS TO MY MOTHER!”
Her wings spread wide. She summoned massive spheres of water and hurled them one after another. Petyr Pann weaved through them, cackling at her poor aim—until one finally slammed into him.
“OUCH! THAT HURTS, LADY!” he yelped, spinning out of control.
Vesmyra snapped her command like a general. “Barkface! Barkzilla! Whiskers! KICK HIM IN THE FACE!”
The white stag roared and charged. Petyr Pann barely had time to dodge before the antlers crashed into him, sending him spinning violently.
The reindeers thundered past. Barkzilla struck his face with its hooves, sending him spinning even more wildly. Then, with perfect timing, Whiskers drove his hooves into his torso. Petyr Pann shrieked as he plummeted like a meteor, tearing through the clouds before crashing into the farmland beside the unconscious Carabosse. A small crater split open beneath him.
Vesmyra looked down at his broken form, flipped her hair with pride, and declared.
“HMPH! Never underestimate teamwork… and that’s what you get for calling me an old lady.”
At the same time again…
High above…
In the thin air of the upper troposphere, the Vermillion Bird—Agent McPecker—clashed against the Kulshedra, Prince Vaelric himself.
The Vermillion Bird had drawn the monster higher and higher, 6,000 meters up, away from the carriage carrying Cinderella and Commander Ryo. Every beat of his wings was to protect them, to keep the battle far from the humans.
The Kulshedra roared, its seven heads spitting fireballs in endless fury. McPecker spun and dove through the barrage, flames grazing past his feathers. Then, with a powerful flap, he answered—unleashing massive fireballs of his own, meteors of flame that hammered into the beast.
The Kulshedra shrieked, enraged. Its eyes glowed with purple light. Two of its heads spewed a choking black mist that swallowed the sky, a sphere of darkness, 1,500 meters wide.
Blinded, the Vermillion Bird circled, wings slicing through the haze as he searched for his foe.
Then—suddenly—the Kulshedra burst from below. Three of its jaws clamped down, seizing him. It shook him savagely, teeth tearing into his body.
The Vermillion Bird squawked in agony, blood spraying.
But through the pain, McPecker remembered. He remembered the moment Commander Ryo had read the last page of Cinderella’s diary during his revelation. It told of how Prince Vaelric had treated her with cruelty far worse in the castle—days upon days of torment, harsher even than the suffering in the manor.
To Vaelric and his family, Cinderella had never been family at all… only property. McPecker had been there outside the ballroom door, listening. He had trembled with anger, feathers quivering, his tiny body nearly bursting with fury, wanting nothing more than to beat the prince to death—despite being only a dove.
And rage consumed him.
Because Prince Vaelric wasn’t just a monster now—he had always been one, even as a human.
Agent McPecker’s blood boiled. A vow thundered in his heart: this evil, this demon… would end, here and now.
He shrieked. A cry so fierce that the heavens themselves trembled. His body ignited, burning brighter, hotter, until his flames devoured even the black mist around him.
The Kulshedra’s multiple eyes widened. Its jaws snapped open in fear. Too late—
KRAKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!
A blazing explosion ripped through the sky. The Vermillion Bird’s detonation tore a sphere 1,500 meters wide. The firestorm engulfed the Kulshedra. The dragon howled as its form dissolved into dust, scattered by the winds. Prince Vaelric was gone—erased from existence.
When the smoke cleared, the Vermillion Bird tumbled downward, wings limp. His body shimmered, then shrank—until only a soot-streaked dove fell helplessly through the air.
Fairy Greatmother, having just defeated Carabosse, flew upward and caught him gently in her hands. She lifted her wand and cast a healing spell over the brave agent. The soot vanished, the wounds closed.
McPecker’s eyes fluttered open. He stood on her palm, shaking himself back to life.
Fairy Greatmother smiled softly and whispered. “Thank you, McPecker. You did a wonderful job protecting Cinderella, and every one of us.”
The dove stood tall in her palm. He flapped his wings, proud and resolute. Then, with military sharpness, he gave her a tiny salute.
He was no longer just a bird.
He was a hero who had slain a monster.
He had avenged Cinderella.
Fairy Greatmother and Vesmyra soared toward the banana carriage, the animal agents flying close behind. As they reached it, Ryo swung the carriage door open. Fairy Greatmother and Vesmyra slipped inside first.
Then, one by one, the agents shimmered with a soft glow, returning to their original animal forms before landing inside. Once all were aboard, Ryo pulled the door shut.
Ryo slid across to the opposite seat, while Vesmyra lowered herself beside him.
Fairy Greatmother took the space next to Cinderella, her eyes filling with tears.
She cried out. “CINDERELLA!”
Cinderella trembled, her lips quivering as she whispered. “Fairy Greatmother…”
The two immediately fell into each other’s arms. Cinderella buried her face in Fairy Greatmother’s chest, sobbing.
“OH, MY DEAR CINDERELLA!” Fairy Greatmother sniffled, clutching her tightly. “I’m so glad… so glad we found you alive and well!”
“It’s been a little over a month!” Cinderella cried through tears. “I’m so happy to see you again, Fairy Greatmother!”
The animal agents couldn’t hold back either. They leapt onto Cinderella, crying out in their voices as they embraced her. Cinderella hugged them all back, tears still streaming down her cheeks, overwhelmed with joy.
At last, none of them held back their emotions. They wept together, clinging to the girl they thought was lost forever. After what felt like an eternity, the missing princess had been found… and saved.
Ryo and Vesmyra sat quietly, watching the scene unfold, soft smiles resting on their faces.
Then Fairy Greatmother, her face heavy with worry, urged.
“We must return to the kingdom of Evendelle, to the Ravenswood Manor at once. Cinderella must be fed with warm, delicious meals. Look at her—she looks as though she hasn’t eaten properly in weeks!”
“She thing, ma’am,” Ryo replied. “But before we head back to the manor, let’s make a short stop at a certain place first.”
Fairy Greatmother frowned. “Which is…?”
Ryo’s gaze sharpened. “To the grove. Aurelia’s grave.”
Both Cinderella and Fairy Greatmother gasped.
“Mama’s… grave?” Cinderella whispered, confused. “But why?”
Ryo’s grin turned mischievous. “You’ll see why.”
He then took out two wrapped onigiri’s from his bag, unwrapping both and handing them to Cinderella.
“Eat this before you have a big meal back home at the manor,” he said. “You’ll need some energy for a big surprise.”
Cinderella stared at the foreign-looking food, puzzled. She took a hesitant bite—her eyes widened at the rich taste.
A hand flew to her cheek. “This… this is delicious.”
Ryo smiled. “Glad you love it. It’s from the Rodent’s Cheddar Kingdom—the Japanese branch.”
He then leaned out the window and called to his breakfast crew. “Alright, boys—” he pointed ahead, “we’re headed back to Evendelle, but our first pit stop will be the grove!”
The coachman and footman straightened with pride, giving a proud nod to their master.
The footman looked back over his shoulder with noble poise. “Why of course, Good Sir Detective. As mentioned before… your will is our path.”
The coachman cracked the reins and—BOOM!
The unicorn surged forward, galloping with impossible speed, pulling the banana carriage toward the grove… where the ghostly Aurelia lingered.
Meanwhile…
In the smoking crater of the farmland…
Carabosse and Petyr Pann groaned in pain as they struggled to sit up from the wreckage.
Carabosse gritted her teeth, a guttural growl tearing out of her throat.
“How dare that fake grandmother of mine strike me across the face, sending me crashing into this wretched farmland!”
“And that worthless prince… dead. And after all his groveling, he still couldn’t be of any use to me!!”
Petyr rubbed his head, wincing. “Ouch… my head… can’t believe I got kicked by deers…”
Carabosse’s eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with venom as she barked. “LITTLE BOY!”
Petyr Pann instantly straightened, snapping into a salute. “YES, YOUR GRACE!”
Carabosse whispering with contempt. “As the Gatekeeper of the void… go unleash the Vrakuls upon Evendelle.”
“Circle of warding, awaken—none shall breach, none shall harm!”
A white, transparent shield formed around Ryo’s group.
They all exhaled in relief.
The possessed guests were only inches away, their nails scratching and fists slamming against the barrier, desperate to break in. The shield held strong—but their pounding was relentless.
Petyr Pann whistled, tilting his head, kind of impressed. “Bruh, Detective… how’s it feel being untouchable with that plot armor?”
Ryo’s eye twitched, and he snapped back with dripping sarcasm.
“Oh, plot armor? Near-death situations? Being chased by a hundred exorcist-rejects? Yeah—TOTALLY NORMAL TUESDAY FOR ME, KID!”
The group sweat dropped at his delivery.
Petyr Pann burst into hysterical laughter, doubling over.
“HAHAHAHAHA! I love that! You’re cracking jokes in a ‘zombie’ apocalypse—man, you’re killing me!”
Ryo jabbed a finger at him, thoroughly annoyed.
“And just like your character in the original story, you’ve got the worst humor! No wonder that rat refused to give you lyrics in your musical!”
Petyr Pann clutched his chest dramatically, feigning heartbreak.
“OUCH! That hurt, detective! Maybe I’ll appeal for lyrics in the next Broadway show.”
Carabosse snapped her fan shut with a sharp clack. “Silence, foolish little boy.”
Her gaze cut toward Ryo, venom in her voice. “Keeping you alive is a luxury, Mr. so-called Sherlock Holmes. We have orders to kill you—before I take Evendelle as my own.”
“Orders?” Ryo thought. “What is she talking about? Orders from who?”
But this wasn’t the time to dwell.
His thoughts raced. Cinderella’s life was still on the line. If her Frostreaver power erupted, she could die at any moment. He had to reach that floating prison—but right now, they were trapped, with a horde of roaring, zombie-like nobles and commoners hammering at Titania’s barrier.
The shield was strong, but if the possessed guests kept throwing themselves at it with inhuman desperation, Ryo feared their bodies would break first. Bones snapping. Flesh tearing. And that… he didn’t want happening to them.
Ryo’s eyes fell on Edmund’s dead body, bloodied and sprawled across the ballroom floor. He then looked to Petyr Pann and Carabosse — the two seemed unbothered, almost entertained by the chaos. Not once did they spare a glance at Edmund, their own accomplice, who had just been struck down by an unexpected arrow… one that most likely came from someone tied to Snow White — or Snow White herself.
Then his gaze shifted to Prince Vaelric, kneeling before Carabosse. He pleaded with her, begging to stand at her side if only he stayed quiet like a good boy. Pathetic in his desperation, Vaelric looked every bit the simp, groveling for her attention — while Carabosse, utterly indifferent, didn’t spare him a shred of care.
That’s when Ryo realized Carabosse had never intended to marry Prince Vaelric. The prince was nothing more than a pawn in her greater plan to claim the kingdom of Evendelle she had spoken of earlier.
But he shoved that aside. Right now, saving Cinderella mattered more.
His gaze shifted to the shards: the pouch in Petyr Pann’s hand… and the clear evidence bag in Fairy Greatmother’s hand. Two halves of the same nightmare.
An idea sparked.
Ryo quickly asked Titania if she could make the shield glow brighter—blindingly so—until those outside couldn’t see inside. She nodded, and the barrier shimmered before becoming a solid curtain of white light. From the outside, their figures vanished completely.
Petyr Pann and Carabosse both blinked, frowning.
Carabosse leaned toward her partner, whispering sharply. “Be careful, little boy. They’re plotting something.”
Petyr Pann smiled, his eyes glinting with wicked glee. He drew a dagger from his belt, twirling it playfully.
“Yeah… whatever that detective’s cooking up, I’m ready. It’s showtime.”
Inside the barrier…
Ryo told his group that they should split up. One team would head to Cinderella’s captive location, while another stayed back to take care of the possessed guests. Everyone wondered where the detective was going with this idea.
Ryo said he had a plan—risky, but worth the try.
He then asked Titania if she could put the possessed guests to sleep. Titania answered yes. Jaymez Boom immediately caught on to what Ryo had in mind. Loyal to Titania, he vowed to defend her while Titania cast the spell. Gerda, too, chose to stay behind. Meanwhile, Ryo, Fairy Greatmother, Vesmyra, and the rest of the animal agents prepared to head for Cinderella’s floating tower prison.
Fairy Greatmother then asked Ryo to explain his risky plan in detail.
But before he did, Ryo asked if she had an attack spell fast enough that enemies could hardly notice in time.
Fairy Greatmother shook her head and said no—but she did have a spell that could wrap an object in a light orb and destroy the object inside it. It was more of a stealth type of attack.
Ryo thought that was an even better option than what he’d expected.
Then he asked how his team would reach Cinderella’s floating tower prison quickly, since it was 100 kilometers away.
“No worries, Mr. Detective,” Fairy Greatmother said. She flicked her wand and summoned a large sleigh, big enough to carry a large group.
Ryo scratched his head, looking baffled. “Okay… that’s just a sleigh. What’s the point of it?”
Fairy Greatmother chuckled. “Last year, Santa and his wife gave it to me as a gift after our dinner beneath the auroras at the North Pole.”
She continued, reassuringly. “I know what you’re thinking, Mr. Detective, but do not worry. We will definitely fly—and we’ll use this to reach Cinderella’s captive location.”
She then turned to the puppy, Agent Barkface. “It is your time to shine now, Barkface, my dear.”
The puppy blinked, tilting his head in confusion.
Fairy Greatmother flicked her wand toward him. Barkface shimmered, his body expanding, antlers sprouting from his head, hooves forming beneath him. He transformed into a white stag and let out a roar.
Ryo’s eyes widened. He whispered in awe, “Holy moly! My agent just turned into an Arthurian legendary beast!” Then he raised a brow. “Wait a minute, ma’am—I don’t remember you ever mentioning that Barkface was part of the crew who helped Cinderella reach the castle during the first royal ball.”
“Exactly,” Fairy Greatmother replied. “Barkface only accompanied Cinderella on her lap and waited for her at the carriage before the clock struck midnight. I didn’t see the point of transforming all of Cinderella’s animal friends that night—it would have made the carriage feel overloaded for her.”
“However, to reach her captive location now, we need more speed,” she continued. “Barkface alone won’t be able to travel fast enough in the sky, but he will take the leading role.”
She turned to the dog and kitten. “Barkzilla, Whiskers—you will play the supporting role, pulling the sleigh behind Barkface.”
Barkzilla and Whiskers straightened, their expressions serious as they saluted, ready for whatever lay ahead.
Fairy Greatmother flicked her wand at them, and both shimmered, their bodies growing, antlers and hooves forming as they transformed into reindeers.
Barkface was positioned at the very front, while Barkzilla and Whiskers were positioned behind him, strapped to the sleigh.
Ryo stared blankly. “Great… we’re really about to go full-on Santa Claus reindeer mode now.”
Then Gerda asked what the detective’s plan was. Ryo explained everything. It was definitely risky—but it was worth the shot.
From above the staircase, Petyr Pann—still clutching the pouch of black shards—had no idea Fairy Greatmother had already cast her stealth spell. A faint orb of light wrapped itself around the pouch, its glow so subtle that neither Petyr nor Carabosse noticed, their eyes fixed on the possessed guests and the radiant shield instead.
Then suddenly—CRACK! The shards shattered within the pouch, dissolving into black mist before vanishing into the air. The light orb faded at once, leaving nothing behind.
Petyr Pann blinked in shock at the cracking sound and the mist rising to his eye level, then stared down at his hand.
“What the…?” His breath caught as he realized the shards had dissolved into mist.
Carabosse noticed his stunned expression. “What is the matter, little boy?”
Petyr’s face darkened as he turned to her, stammering. “Th… th… the shards…”
Carabosse’s eyes widened. She snatched the pouch from his palm, peered inside, and gasped.
“How could this have happened—” Her voice rose into a furious shriek. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, YOU WORTHLESS MONGREL!”
Petyr Pann raised a defensive hand, panicked. “I… I… I have no idea, your grace! It just shattered and disappeared like that!”
This was bad for Carabosse. The black shards had vanished from Petyr Pann’s grasp without his notice, and the only remaining pieces were now in Fairy Greatmother’s hand. Edmund—struck down by the sudden arrow that pierced through the ballroom window—had been the only one able to create more. With him dead, Carabosse’s only option was to seize the shards from Fairy Greatmother.
But before the two could act…
From inside the shield…
Vesmyra spread her arms and unleashed a violent gust of wind. The magic tore outward in a sudden burst, hurling the hordes of possessed guests back like ragdolls. Bodies hit the marble floor with heavy thuds, groaning.
The shield barrier popped like a soap bubble—gone in an instant.
On the sleigh, Ryo sat in the middle with his backpack—recently returned to him by Vesmyra. Fairy Greatmother took the front with the reins in hand, while Vesmyra and the animal agents—McPecker, McDrama, and Captain Nutso—sat at the back. Fairy Greatmother tucked the clear evidence bag containing the remaining black shards into her robe.
With the shards gone from Petyr Pann and Carabosse’s grasp, the remaining shards now in Fairy Greatmother’s possession became their new target. That was Ryo’s plan: while his sleigh group headed for Cinderella’s captive location, Petyr Pann and Carabosse would chase them, leaving Titania, Gerda, and Jaymez Boom behind in the ballroom to deal with the possessed guests.
Before Carabosse and Petyr could rush them, Fairy Greatmother raised the reins high with a gleeful cry.
“HO, HO, HOOO! Dash away!” She cracked the reins.
Barkface, Barkzilla, and Whiskers roared with bestial fury, their antlers gleaming as they charged straight toward the southeast from the ballroom wall.
Ryo’s eyes widened in horror. “WAIT, WAIT—SHOULDN’T WE USE THE DOOR?!”
Fairy Greatmother only laughed, her voice merry. “No time for proper exits, my dear! We must save Cinderella—even if it means crashing through the walls!”
The wall loomed fast. Vesmyra’s panic spiked. “Mother, listen to him! The door, the DOOR—MOTHER!”
With a thunderous crack, Barkface slammed his antlers forward, smashing through stone and sending rubble scattering onto the grass outside.
Ryo clung desperately to the edge of the sleigh, gasping for air.
“HOW FABULOUS! Your mother loves extreme rides, huh, Vesmyra?! Crashing through walls like this—are we delivering presents or demolishing castles like we’re in a Christmas action movie?!”
Vesmyra, gripping the sleigh, gave a broken laugh.
“Aha… correct! Though I don’t know what an ‘action movie’ is. When I was a child, she once took me sightseeing so high I could see the stratosphere—I cried the entire way back down!”
“IMAGINE BEING LAUNCHED INTO SPACE IN A BANANA!” Ryo shouted, recalling the insane banana carriage ride.
Before they could crash into the lake, Fairy Greatmother yanked the reins, her voice booming with Santa-like cheer. “TO THE SKIES! HO HO HOOO!”
Golden glitter erupted beneath the hooves of Barkface and his reindeer companions. Their gallop lifted into the air, each step sparkling as they ascended. Then—BOOM!—the sleigh shot upward like a comet, streaking across the night sky.
In the Ballroom…
“ARGH!” Carabosse growled, yanking Prince Vaelric by the collar and pulling him close. Her voice dropped to a whisper, sultry and commanding. “Vaelric… you’re my husband, aren’t you?”
Vaelric’s eyes flared with desperate devotion. “YES! YES! You are my lovely, beautiful wife… forever!”
A faint, dangerous smile curved Carabosse’s lips. “Good… you’ll do anything for me, won’t you?”
“Anything! Anything for you, my love! Even if it means destroying a kingdom… even taking a life… I’ll do anything for you! The cruelest acts, even!” Vaelric said desperately.
“You’re such a good slave,” she purred, and Vaelric shivered, a mix of excitement and obsession flooding him.
“Now, prove yourself,” Carabosse whispered into his ear, voice dripping with temptation. “Take that shard from them and bring it to me… and if you succeed… I shall do anything for you… even the most forbidden things.”
Of course… that was a lie. Carabosse had no intention of doing anything forbidden with Prince Vaelric. If he managed to claim the shards, she would kill him afterward and toss him aside as if he had never existed.
Vaelric’s heart thundered. Straightening, he bowed low, eyes ablaze. “I will claim those black shards, my love… even if Cinderella dies by my hand.”
Petyr Pann, watching, muttered under his breath. “Omg... he’s simpin’ so hard I can see it in 4K."
Black miasma and purple sparks erupted from Vaelric and Petyr’s feet as they began to rise into the air. Carabosse’s own shadowy aura surged from her heels, and together the three of them tore into the sky, chasing Ryo’s group with deadly intent.
2,500 meters up in the sky…
The sleigh steadied, slicing through moonlit clouds. The pale silver glow bathed them in ethereal light.
Fairy Greatmother chuckled, exhilarated. “Oh, this reminds me of when Santa and his lovely wife whisked me over Copenhagen at top speed!” She turned with a wide smile. “Mr. Detective, my dear child… how was the spee—”
She stopped short. Ryo and Vesmyra sat pale and limp, eyes rolled back, their souls practically floating away. The animal agents frantically tried to revive them.
Fairy Greatmother pressed a hand to her cheek. “Oh dear…”
“COO! COOOOO!” McDrama shrieked, startling them both awake.
“WAAAH!” Ryo and Vesmyra jolted upright, clutching the sleigh.
“Rise and shine, you two,” Fairy Greatmother said sweetly.
Vesmyra stared at her, still woozy. “It’s past midnight, Mother…”
Ryo suddenly froze, eyes narrowing. He pointed behind them. “Ma’am, I think we need to go faster. Now.”
Trailing in pursuit were dark figures—Carabosse, Petyr Pann, and Prince Vaelric—all soaring after them.
Petyr cupped his hands like a mocking officer. “Driver! Pull over to the side of the road!”
Ryo nearly exploded. “AS IF THERE’S A ROAD IN THE SKY, YOU DUMB KID! And you’ve got zero police experience compared to me!”
He drew his gun in a flash, aiming at the villains.
But before he could shoot, Ryo asked Fairy Greatmother and Vesmyra for permission to take down Thalirea. Both flinched—wanting to refuse, their dear daughter and granddaughter were precious to them.
Yet, seeing how Thalirea had turned evil and sought to harm Cinderella further, they had no choice but to allow it. They nodded, knowing Cinderella was moments from being consumed by the Frostreaver’s power, and Thalirea could not be allowed to interfere. Ryo nodded with a smirk and began firing.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Bullets whistled through the air. Carabosse twisted like a serpent of shadow, Petyr Pann spiraled with a laugh, and Vaelric dove, their figures slicing through moonlight as they dodged. The chase ignited across the sky.
Carabosse’s eyes gleamed with malice. With a flick of her black wand, she unleashed a barrage of venomous thorns. Each dart dripped with poison, streaking through the air like deadly comets.
Vesmyra sprang up from her seat, turquoise light surging around her. With both hands raised, she summoned a radiant barrier that shimmered like crystal. The poisonous thorns struck against it, sparks of venom hissing as they dissolved.
But the danger wasn’t over. Petyr Pann and Prince Vaelric surged forward, their speed matching the sleigh. The winds howled as they caught up.
Prince Vaelric swooped beside Fairy Greatmother, drawing his sword as it gleamed with cold steel. He slashed, aiming for her head. But Fairy Greatmother was ready—reins in one hand, wand in the other.
CLANG!
Wand and blade collided, sparks bursting into the sky.
Fairy Greatmother’s eyes narrowed. “I do not have time for swordplay, boy.”
She leaned in, swatting Vaelric’s face with her wand like he was nothing more than a fly. The impact sent him spinning helplessly into the night.
At the same instant, Petyr Pann streaked in from the other side, dagger raised.
He lunged for Ryo’s head.
Ryo’s reflexes snapped. With a flick of his wrist, a tonfa slid from his sleeve into his hand, steel gleaming in the moonlight. He caught Petyr’s strike mid-air, metal clashing against dagger. Sparks burst between their weapons, both locked in a heartbeat of lethal tension.
But Ryo knew—this wasn’t the time. Not for duels. Not for games.
Cinderella’s life was slipping away with every second.
He barked over his shoulder. “FASTER, NOW!”
Fairy Greatmother cracked the reins with both hands. The white stag bellowed, the reindeers roared, and then—BOOM! The sleigh surged forward, wind screaming past them in a blinding rush of speed.
Petyr flailed in the gust, spinning backwards.
Carabosse paused mid-flight, clenched her teeth, and called out. “VAELRIC, AFTER THEM!”
Prince Vaelric was still spinning but quickly steadied himself. He shook his head, smacked his cheeks, and bowed to her.
“Yes, my love!”
Then Prince Vaelric accelerated, black miasma and purple sparkles streaming rapidly from his feet as he shot toward Ryo’s group.
The sleigh rocketed onward. Everyone clung desperately to the side, hair whipped back by the merciless wind. The world below blurred—villages became dots, hills became shadows. They streaked past rivers, forests, nothing more than smears of color beneath their feet.
At last, they slowed as they reached the 99-kilometer mark. Before them, the clouds parted, revealing the floating tower.
Fairy Greatmother’s breath caught—it was exactly as the detective had said in his revelation. Cinderella’s floating prison stood 100 kilometers southeast of Evendelle.
Emotion welled up in Fairy Greatmother’s chest. At last, she had found her dear Cinderella. But her relief twisted into shock. Ryo, Vesmyra, and the animal agents all stared in horror.
The floating tower prison was not just suspended in the sky—it was completely covered in ice.
Cinderella’s Frostreaver power had gone wild. Unless they reached her soon, it might consume her entirely.
They needed to free her, place the glass slipper on her feet, and contain her ice magic.
Fairy Greatmother’s cry tore through the heavens, echoing across the air. “CINDERELLAAAAA!!!”
Back in the ballroom…
The possessed guests quickly rose, roaring at Gerda, Jaymez Boom and Titania, who were still surrounded in the middle of the chaos.
“Get down, Ms. Gerda!” Titania barked.
Gerda ducked. “A-alright!”
Titania turned to Jaymez Boom. “We must not kill them, Sith. We need to put them to sleep.”
Jaymez Boom didn’t hear her. He lightly struck several possessed guests in the stomach and face with his giant Cu Sith paw. Even his light hits were strong enough to knock them out, though fortunately, none were killed.
Titania slowly facepalmed. Jaymez Boom just wouldn’t listen.
Stepping back, he struck a martial arts pose. “I’m going full-on action movie mode like bro said… what was that legendary one again? Oh, that’s right—Jones Wycked!”
He continued. “Be careful, my lady. Don’t let them bite you—or you’ll turn into a zombie, like bro said about that box-office hit. Evendelle of the Dead must never happen!”
Then he struck at more lunging guests, while Titania just stared, unable to even assist him.
Finally, Jaymez Boom beat down the last of the possessed guests. None were dead. He puffed out his chest, proud of his secret agent performance—mission complete.
Just in case, Titania cast a sleeping spell over the people to prevent them from waking and attacking again. Later, they’d figure out how to safely extract the black shards. Forcing them out could risk a Vrakul manifestation, like the Grootslang incident back in Lunaveth.
Inside the floating tower prison…
Cinderella, feeling weak, still slumped while sitting, heard the echo.
She slowly opened her lifeless eyes, blinked, and lifted her head. Her lips parted into a faint whisper.
“Who… is that?”
She had always thought that no one would ever come to rescue her. So she assumed that the echo screaming her name was just a dream, or her imagination playing tricks on her.
Her eyes closed again. Her head sank.
Then—another scream tore through the air.
“CINDERELLAAAAA!!!”
Her eyes flew open. She gasped. There was no mistaking it—this voice was real. It was familiar. Too familiar.
Cinderella tried to pick herself up, but her body resisted. Her hair, her entire right arm, her cheeks, and her right knee were frozen solid, turned to ice from her powers spiraling out of control. The floor beneath her was slick and treacherous. She slipped, stumbled, grunted—yet still, she rose.
Step by step, she forced herself forward, trudging toward the open window of her prison.
At the ledge, she turned her head to the right—nothing.
She turned her head to the left—
And that’s when she saw them.
Fairy Greatmother.
And her loyal animal companions, all gathered on the sleigh.
The moment her animals spotted her, they cried out, calling her name in their voices.
Cinderella’s eyes widened. After more than a month of despair, life flickered back into them.
“Fairy Greatmother? …and my… fuzzy friends?”
A surge of hope swelling in her chest, and a small smile appeared. She had always thought no one would come for her. But now—finally—she was not alone.
Then she noticed someone else. A stranger.
A man in a trench coat.
She squinted at him, puzzled. “Who… is that strange foreign man?”
Ryo grinned from the sleigh, raising a hand in an exaggerated wave.
“HEY THERE, PROTAGONIST! IT’S A PLEASURE TO FINALLY MEET YOU! I’M A BIG FAN OF YOUR ORIGINAL STORYBOOK—AND THE MUSICAL TOO!”
Cinderella blinked.
Her mouth opened. Then closed again.
She had no idea who this bizarre foreigner was—or why he was shouting nonsense about… original storybook and musical.
But the group’s reunion—and Ryo’s first meeting with Cinderella—was cut off in an instant.
From above the tower, Prince Vaelric came plummeting down, slicing through the clouds. His sword gleamed cold in the moonlight as he aimed directly for Cinderella’s skull.
Ryo spotted him. His eyes narrowed.
Without hesitation, he drew his gun, raised it, and aimed straight at the prince.
BANG!
The shot rang out.
The bullet tore into Vaelric’s shoulder. The prince recoiled, clutching the wound, his slash grazing past Cinderella by inches.
Cinderella’s eyes widened. Shock stole her breath.
Why—why was he here?
The same criminal prince who had lied to her, tormented her in the castle, orchestrated her suffering as if she were a disposable pawn, who had locked her in this prison… and now, here he was again, blade in hand.
Vaelric’s roar thundered through the sky.
He pushed past the pain, eyes burning with fury. He surged upward again, sword raised high, his intent clear—this time, he would not miss.
“NO—!” Cinderella gasped.
But before the blade could slice her, two streaks of white broke away from the sleigh.
McPecker. McDrama.
The doves shrieked, wings thrashing like thunder. They collided with Vaelric’s face, knocking him backward through the air before his sword could reach her.
Cinderella stumbled further back across the prison room, shocked, before collapsing onto the floor.
The prince clawed and thrashed, but the doves did not waver. They remembered the cruelty he had inflicted on their Cinderella—the torment, the captivity, the unforgivable evil. Mercy was not in their wings.
Their beaks struck, sharp and merciless.
SQUELCH!
Vaelric screamed. Blood sprayed.
McPecker and McDrama pecked his eyes out, ripping them from their sockets.
His wails split the heavens as he tumbled back, clutching his ruined face. Now blinded—blood pouring down his cheeks—Prince Vaelric spiraled helplessly through the air.
On the sleigh, Ryo’s breath caught. His eyes widened at the gruesome sight.
That moment—it jolted something deep in his memory.
The old tale. The darker one. The Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella. The two doves who punished the stepsisters, blinding them for their cruelty.
And here—before his very eyes—that old punishment had been carried out once again… no, for the first time in this Fairytale World.
But this time, it was not the stepsisters who paid the price.
It was the prince himself.
Then suddenly—BOOM!
A purple explosion rocked the sky, slamming into the rear of the sleigh. The group spun around and saw Carabosse in the distance, flying forward with her black wand raised, smoke still curling from its tip.
Above her, floating with wild glee, was Petyr Pann, laughing like a child who’d just broken a toy.
He spread his hand, and shadowy darts erupted from his palm, streaking toward the sleigh.
Vesmyra snapped up her hands. A turquoise barrier flared into life, blocking the darts before they could tear through the sleigh.
Carabosse wasn’t done. She summoned a massive whip made of black thorns, dripping with poison, and lashed it toward them.
Fairy Greatmother’s wand gleamed, golden beams swirling around the thorns before spearing inward, shattering the whip into dust.
The attacks didn’t stop. Bolts, darts, and blasts rained down from Carabosse and Petyr.
The white stag and reindeers roared, giving it their all. They galloped higher, twisting the sleigh into a wild arc—upside down for a breathless moment before leveling out again. Ryo and the others clung to the edges tightly, barely keeping themselves from being flung into the night.
“This won’t do…” Ryo growled. Every second they were dodging was a second wasted. They’d never reach Cinderella at this rate.
An idea struck him. “We split up.”
He turned to Fairy Greatmother. “Turn McDrama into the golden Pegasus again. I’ll ride him to Cinderella.”
He pointed ahead. “You handle Thalirea. You’re the only one strong enough to stop her.” Then he looked back to Vesmyra. “You take the reins. Lead the sleigh and drag Petyr Pann with you. Keep him off me.”
Both women nodded.
Then Ryo turned to the squirrel. “Captain, you’re coming with me to meet your precious girl.”
Captain Nutso’s eyes sharpened, he saluted and slipped into Ryo’s trench coat inner pocket.
McDrama and McPecker had just swooped back to the sleigh.
Fairy Greatmother flicked her wand, and McDrama shimmered with golden light. His small dove body grew and unfolded into radiant wings and strong legs—the golden Pegasus once more. He soared to the sleigh’s side, and Ryo mounted him without hesitation.
“Go!” Ryo ordered.
They bolted toward the floating prison.
But Carabosse’s sharp eyes caught them. She flicked her wand—not at Ryo, but at the broken prince.
Prince Vaelric, still howling from his ruined eyes, was engulfed in purple light. His body warped, grew, stretched until it was no longer human. In the space of heartbeats, he became a monster—
A Kulshedra.
50 meters long. Seven heads. Its roar shook the heavens.
Ryo froze. He knew that beast. He’d read of it—a dragon of forgotten Albanian folklore.
The Kulshedra turned its seven heads toward Ryo and McDrama, unleashing blazes of purple fire from their mouths.
“MOVE!” Ryo cried.
The Pegasus beat its wings hard, climbing high, darting left and right, dodging. The beast chased relentlessly, its seven heads spitting flame one after another.
McPecker’s small body trembled as he glared fiercely at the Kulshedra. Even though the prince had just transformed into a monster, it still refused to give up, determined to keep Cinderella from being rescued.
He surged toward the creature, wings beating furiously.
Fairy Greatmother noticed McPecker’s determination, but she knew a single dove couldn’t defeat the Kulshedra. Still… that wouldn’t stop her from helping him.
She lifted her wand. “Then fly, brave one.”
McPecker shimmered—then erupted in blazing vermillion fire. His body grew and grew until he became a colossal bird of myth.
A Vermillion Bird, 50 meters tall.
“SKREEEEEEAWWW!!”
His cry split the heavens as he dove at the Kulshedra, colliding with the beast in midair. The impact sent the dragon reeling back, breaking its pursuit of Ryo and the Pegasus.
The Vermillion Bird spread its wings wide, flame trailing behind, and unleashed a searing breath of red fire across the Kulshedra’s seven heads.
The sky lit up in a clash between legendary titans.
Ryo’s eyes widened in awe. “The Vermillion Bird… from Chinese mythology…”
McPecker held the Kulshedra in battle, talons and flame locking the monster in place. Ryo’s path was clear.
Fairy Greatmother shimmered in gold, streaking toward Carabosse with her wand ready, prepared to fight her granddaughter.
Vesmyra seized the reins, cracked them hard, and led the sleigh straight into Petyr Pann’s path, firing water spells to drag him away from Ryo.
Now, with every enemy tied down, the moment had come.
Ryo tightened his grip on the Pegasus’s manes. “Cinderella… I’m coming.”
And the Pegasus carried him onward to the tower prison.
Nearing the open window of the prison, Ryo leapt from the Pegasus, landing on the frozen ledge with one hand braced against the wall for balance.
Inside, Cinderella gasped from where she sat on the icy floor.
At last, face-to-face.
Ryo finally saw her properly—stunning despite her condition, like a younger reflection of Aurelia. But his smile faltered when he noticed something: her whole body was nearly covered in ice, the Frostreaver’s power consuming her. Both feet frozen solid, unable to stand anymore like earlier.
Still, he forced another smile. “Hey, protagonist princess. Big fan here.”
Cinderella clutched at her chest with her trembling hand, whispering weakly.
“M-Mr… strange foreign man… who are you? Why were you with Fairy Greatmother?”
Ryo groaned internally with sarcastic despair.
“Oh, great. Even the world’s most famous protagonist is calling me ‘strange foreign man.’ Wonderful. At this point I should just legally rename myself.”
He shook his head and straightened.
“Fairy Greatmother hired me to find you… so here I am.” He chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head, eyes sliding away with a sheepish smile. “But, uh… I’m not exactly the prince you were hoping for.”
“Fairy Greatmother?” Cinderella whispered. “I saw you flying with her…” Her voice cracked as tears welled in her eyes. “Are you really… here to save me? I mean, look at me. I’m filthy, covered in soot and ash. I’m… a very dirty girl. You shouldn’t even touch me.”
Her tears fell harder. “And I’m almost entirely frozen… I’ll die soon. How am I supposed to be saved?”
Ryo stepped inside. His voice softened. “Your mother, Rosalind, is waiting.”
Cinderella stiffened. “SHE IS NOT!” she cried. “My real mother, Aurelia, died—nineteen years ago! And Edmund… my real father—I always thought he was my stepfather—he killed her!”
“Wait… how does she know Edmund was the one who killed Aurelia?” Ryo thought.
He took a step closer.
Cinderella panicked, shaking her head. “No! Don’t come near me!”
He knelt in front of her, his expression gentle. “Listen, Cinderella. I’m not the type who gives great speeches.” He paused, then spoke firmly. “But hear me out. Rosalind—your stepmother—is waiting for you at the manor, your real home. That castle isn’t yours to live in anymore. You can let go of that fake princess title and instead… return to the bakery you loved as a child. Do the things you truly love again.”
He smiled faintly. “I spoke to the owner. She looked like she misses you terribly. They still keep your recipes. I even tried one of your creations. Honestly? Best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
His tone sharpened. “You don’t deserve to rot and freeze to death in this tower prison. You deserve to live. To go home.”
Cinderella’s tears fell harder. “But… Rosalind hated me. Clarisse and Seraphine scowled at me. They used to love me—before Edmund came. Maybe… maybe I shouldn’t return. Maybe I should just die here—”
“They were possessed.” Ryo said, cutting in.
Her eyes widened. “Eh?”
“You may not understand it,” Ryo explained. “But Edmund was the one who twisted it all. Even in your diary, you wrote about it—he was part of the plot to lock you away here.”
He hesitated, then added. “And he’s dead now. Thanks to your… other… stepsister.”
“Schneewittchen?” Cinderella whispered.
Ryo blinked, furrowing his brow. “Wait—you know her?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I met her last yea—”
Ryo cut her off, raising a hand. “We’ll talk later. First, we’re getting you out of here.”
“But… I’m dying,” Cinderella protested. “The ice is consuming me—how could we possibly—”
Ryo’s voice cut through. “Do you want to live? Live the life you always dreamed of? Do the things your heart has always wished for?”
Cinderella’s heart warmed as memories of the bakery came flooding back—the scent of fresh bread, her proud creations, the laughter of customers, and the simple joy of serving them with a smile. Those were the days she had felt truly happy.
Cinderella lowered her gaze, whispering, “Does my stepfamily… the Ravenswood… really want me home?”
“Not just them,” Ryo said firmly. “Your other mother too. Aurelia—she’s waiting for you.”
Cinderella’s voice broke. “But she passed away nineteen years ago! She’s in heaven, probably worrying about me from above…”
“She never said she was in heaven,” Ryo said flatly.
Cinderella tilted her head. “Why… why do you sound like you personally know her?”
“You have two mothers, Cinderella,” Ryo replied. “Rosalind…” Then he grinned mischievously. “And Aurelia? Oh yeah, I’m forcefully bringing her back—with the most hated trope in the world. Let the critics flip their tables for all I care.”
Cinderella looked utterly baffled. “What are you—”
Ryo cut her off again. From his trench coat, he pulled the Arabian dagger, the Khanjar of the Forgotten Oasis. He pressed the back of the blade against her frozen foot.
ZYOUM!
The ice dispelled, shattered and dissolved in an instant, melting away from both her feet.
Cinderella gasped. “How… how could this be possible?”
“Ms. Protagonist,” Ryo said firmly, “no matter how much you deny it, I’ll drag you home if I have to. You are not dying in a place like this.”
Her tears froze in her throat.
Then Ryo unzipped his backpack and pulled out the glass slippers.
Cinderella’s breath caught. “Those are… Mama’s…”
“Yup,” Ryo said. “The mama who taught you to be pious and good, when you were too small to remember. And trust me—she’s proud of you.”
He slipped the slippers onto her feet. They shimmered with a soft amber glow.
And then—miraculously—the ice covering Cinderella’s body began to dissolve. Her powers contained.
Cinderella gasped, touching her face, her arms, even her hair. She knew the slippers had this power… but to feel it when she was at the edge of death—it was overwhelming.
Ryo stood, extending his hand to her. “Come on. Let’s get you out of this darkness.” His gaze sharpened. “I’m breaking this cursed rewrite of your story… and giving you the ending you deserve.”
The moment Ryo said that…
High beyond the clouds…
Beyond even the Fairytale world…
In space…
An ethereal hooded figure floated, shrouded in astral haze. Its face remained hidden beneath the hood, and perched on its shoulder was a cat, tail curling.
In one hand, the figure gripped an ancient book, an old, weathered pen tucked between the pages.
They watched Ryo silently from above.
And then… they smiled.
The cat leaned slightly. “Did that human… with the awful naming skills… really said that? You heard him, right… My Mistress of Threads?”
Mistress of Threads’ voice drifted like wind across the void. “Yes… and you chose him well, Lunaria.”
Lunaria’s ears twitched, displeased. “It’s Lunaria Fawnwhisker Veltharion Moonshadowmist-Nya!”
Her expression softened, worry creeping in, ears drooping.
“I really hope that human can solve the other cases in those hidden worlds without getting himself killed… he almost died in Al-Munira when the Vrakuls were about to be unleashed-nya…”
Mistress of Threads clutched her chest, trembling. Tears formed at the corners of her shadowed eyes.
“Ryo… Kuroda… I’m truly sorry for burdening you with this fate… a fate beyond my control. But please… you are our only hope… the hope for all who dwell within these fractured tales.”
Lunaria shot her a deadpan side glance. “By the way-nya… did we really have to astral project ourselves up here? You’re trembling because you’re afraid of heights, right?”
Mistress of Threads flinched, letting out an awkward chuckle as she hugged the ancient book tightly to her chest.
“Ahahaha, shall we… get back down now?”
Lunaria rolled her eyes, voice flat. “Let’s go-nya.”
They turned to look at Ryo one last time, smiled once more… and then, like mist in the wind, the two vanished.
Back in the floating prison…
Cinderella stared at the detective, speechless, her heart pounding. His words, his eyes—something stirred inside her.
Blushing, she looked away for a moment, then reached forward, placing her hand in his.
Ryo pulled her up, steady and firm.
Then Ryo remembered. “Oh! I almost forgot.” He slid his coat to the side, and Captain Nutso appeared from his pocket, leaping toward Cinderella.
“Ah! Berries!” Cinderella exclaimed, catching the squirrel. Overjoyed to be held by her again, Captain Nutso hugged her tightly. Cinderella’s eyes welled up as she returned the hug, glad to be reunited with one of her animal companions.
Ryo watched the scene and chuckled softly. “Did you really name him Berries?”
“Why yes,” Cinderella replied with a smile. “He fell in love with berries the day I first gave him one, so that’s the name I gave him.”
Despite being fond of the name, the squirrel still preferred the cooler title of ‘Captain Nutso,’ given by commander Ryo. He’d keep quiet about it, though, not wanting to hurt his precious Cinderella’s feelings.
Together, they turned toward the window.
The Pegasus waited loyally outside the prison window, wings flapping as it neighed in delight at the sight of Cinderella alive.
Cinderella blinked in wonder. “That… that flying horse… is he my loud dove, Angel?”
Ryo smiled. “Yup. Though I named him McDrama—his coo is as loud as a T-Rex.”
Cinderella tilted her head, blinking. “Mc…Drama?” she repeated, clearly puzzled. “And… what is a T-Rex?”
Ryo leaned out the window, scanning the skies. Below, Fairy Greatmother clashed with Carabosse in a storm of light and shadow. Further out, Vesmyra battled Petyr Pann while trying to lure him away. Above them all, the Vermillion bird and the monstrous Kulshedra ripped through the skies in a titanic struggle.
“Alright,” Ryo turned to Cinderella, his voice steady, “let’s hop on McDrama. I’ll help you.”
Though fear flickered in her eyes at the dizzying height, she nodded, trusting him. Ryo held her hand as the Pegasus edged closer.
For safety, Ryo told Captain Nutso to slide back into his pocket—he didn’t want Cinderella accidentally dropping him during the flight. The squirrel saluted and slipped back in without hesitation.
But before she could climb on, a purple blaze streaked from Carabosse’s wand.
Ryo’s eyes widened. “LOOK OUT!”
The Pegasus swerved sharply, wings beating frantically, but a blaze struck its wing. It lost balance and glided helplessly through the air. Ryo immediately grabbed Cinderella, pulling her away from the window just before impact, and they tumbled to the floor.
BOOM!
The fireball smashed into the tower wall, stone exploding. Cinderella screamed as the impact rocked the prison.
Carabosse hurled five more blasts even while dueling Fairy Greatmother.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The tower quaked from foundation to spire.
The chaos brought back memories of Ryo’s police days on Earth, when he risked his life to save a baby, covered in soot and ash, from a burning building on the brink of collapse.
A risky idea came to him—but he had the gear to pull it off safely.
He slung off his backpack, yanking out four clear evidence bags: one with a jam sandwich, one with a banana, one with a fried egg, and one filled with orange juice.
He shoved them into Cinderella’s hands.
She panicked. “W-what are these for?!”
Ryo put his backpack on and scooped her up in a princess-style cradle carry.
She blushed. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”
“On the count of three, throw them in the air as we fall from the sky,” Ryo said.
Her eyes darkened. “D-did you just say—‘fall from the sky’?”
The tower groaned. No more time. Ryo sprinted for the window.
Cinderella shrieked, clinging to him. “ARE YOU SERIOUSLY JUMPING?!”
And then he leapt—
Falling.
Wind roared in their ears as they plunged through the clouds. Cinderella screamed.
“Three… two… one! THROW THEM NOW!” Ryo shouted.
Cinderella released the evidence bags. They tumbled upwards on the wind, spinning away. She wrapped her arms around Ryo’s neck, pressing her face to his shoulder, trembling with fear.
Ryo shouted through the sky. “MA’AM! THE BREAKFAST CREW—NOW!”
Amidst the fight with Carabosse, Fairy Greatmother’s breath hitched—memories of the banana carriage moon journey flashing through her mind. She swiftly flicked her wand at the meals in the clear evidence bag.
They all SHIMMERED.
The banana stretched, growing into a gleaming golden banana carriage.
The fried egg blazed, reshaping into a majestic white unicorn.
The jam sandwich transformed into a proud coachman, taking a seat at the front of the banana carriage, reins firmly in hand.
And finally, the orange juice burst with brilliance, becoming the Footman—falling gracefully, one hand to his chest.
“It is a pleasure to see you again, good sir detective,” he declared, plummeting face-first from the sky. “With the deepest honor, we serve you once more!”
“OKAY, GREAT, NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOO—NOW HELP US BEFORE WE DIE!” Ryo yelled, legs flailing midair.
The Footman gave a delighted nod. “But of course!” With a graceful drift, he reached the carriage and swung the door open in a grand flourish.
“HIYAH!” cried the coachman, snapping the reins. The unicorn neighed, hooves blazing silver-blue mist, and the carriage plunged faster toward them.
Still gripping the door, the Footman extended his free hand. “Quickly, Good sir detective!”
The farmland loomed below, only seconds away. At the last instant, Ryo caught the Footman’s hand. With a dramatic pull, the Footman hauled them into the carriage interior.
The door slammed shut, and the Footman swung himself with elegance onto the front beside the coachman, both men sitting tall and proud. The footman gave the coachman a dignified thumbs-up, signaling him to rise.
“HIYAH!” The coachman cracked the reins again. The unicorn arced upward, pulling the carriage away from the ground—just ten meters above disaster.
Inside, Cinderella clung to Ryo, tears streaming as she sobbed into his chest. “WAAAAAAH! I thought I was going to DIE!”
Ryo’s face flushed red. “H-hey! Not so tight, Ms. Protagonist!”
Captain Nutso scrambled out of Ryo’s pocket, squeaking in panic as he tried—somehow—to calm Cinderella down.
The golden banana carriage soared skyward under the moonlight, banana peel wheels glowing as it soared high above the fields below.
Meanwhile…
Fairy Greatmother and Carabosse remained locked in battle.
Fairy Greatmother shouted. “THALIREA! MY GRANDDAUGHTER! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? YOU COULD HAVE KILLED CINDERELLA AND MR. DETECTIVE!”
Carabosse’s eyes narrowed. She whispered, “Don’t you dare call me your granddaughter, old woman.”
“B-B-but…” Fairy Greatmother stammered. “Vesmyra adopted you when she found you near death in Aureverna… I came to love you as well. I saw you as my granddaughter.”
Carabosse raised her black wand and aimed it. “You were never my grandmother. Not even my step-grandmother. You’re just a fake. I already have a grandmother. With her guidance, I will fulfill my ambition to rule many kingdoms. Evendelle will be next—and for that, I need those black shards you carry.”
She gestured with her hand, demanding. “Now hand them over, old woman, and I’ll grant you a painless death.”
Fairy Greatmother’s eyes widened, heartbroken. This was not the Thalirea she knew—the sweet child who once clung to her with hugs, begged her for snacks with an adorable smile, and insisted on long walks and playtime with her and Vesmyra. That precious little girl was gone.
Now Thalirea called herself Carabosse. She claimed to already have a grandmother.
What had truly happened to Thalirea in the Vrakul’s void 15 years ago?
Fairy Greatmother knew how cursed the black shards were. They corrupted hearts, twisted kindness into cruelty, and forced those possessed to obey—just as Cinderella’s stepfamily had been turned against her.
Closing her eyes, she lowered her head.
Carabosse snapped her wand forward, summoning a prison of black bars laced with miasma around Fairy Greatmother. “Hand over the shards. I will make your death swift.”
But then Fairy Greatmother’s body began to shimmer in gold. The light flared wildly.
Carabosse’s breath caught. “What are you doing!”
Fairy Greatmother lifted her head, eyes glowing white. Her wand vanished from her hand.
Carabosse flinched, unsettled, but smirked. Without her wand, Fairy Greatmother was defenseless. Killing her would be easy.
“I’ll ask one last time, old woman,” Carabosse hissed. “Hand over the shards.”
Fairy Greatmother drew the pouch of shards from her robe. Carabosse’s lips curled in a whisper.
“That’s it… such a humble, obedient old lady.”
But then Fairy Greatmother did the unthinkable. From her palms, golden fire blazed. The pouch ignited, and the shards disintegrated into nothingness.
“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!” Carabosse shouted. Without the shards, she could never rule Evendelle through possession.
Snarling, she tightened the prison, its bars constricting to crush Fairy Greatmother painfully.
But Fairy Greatmother raised her glowing hand and swept it through the bars. CRACK! The prison shattered into fragments of black mist.
Carabosse gasped. “Impossible—!”
In a blur of speed, Fairy Greatmother lunged forward.
Her fist glowed like molten gold. She whispered. “Who do you think taught you magic?”
Before Carabosse could react, Fairy Greatmother’s glowing fist slammed into her stomach. Carabosse choked out a grunt.
Fairy Greatmother’s eyes narrowed. She whispered again. “As of today… I shall temporarily disown you. The rest will be up to Vesmyra.”
Her fist struck Carabosse’s face. BOOM! Carabosse’s body rocketed downward, breaking through the clouds. She crashed into the farmland with a deafening impact, a small crater exploding beneath her. Her body lay limp, mouth open, eyes rolled white.
Fairy Greatmother dusted her hands. “You should have learned magical hand-to-hand combat from me, my dear Thalirea… but you always skipped it.”
At the same time…
Vesmyra cracked the reins. The white stag and the reindeers roared, galloping faster through the sky as Petyr Pann chased them.
“Hey, old lady!” Petyr Pann called out.
Vesmyra’s brow twitched. “WHO ARE YOU CALLING AN OLD LADY!” She pointed at him with dramatic force. “I may be in my forties, but I still look younger and more beautiful than most so-called ‘youthful’ women today!”
Petyr Pann burst out laughing. “HAHAHAHA! You’re like that classic anime character who denies being old, looks gorgeous anyway, and then smashes something over the protagonist’s face in anger!”
That only made Vesmyra angrier, even though she had no idea what ‘anime’ meant. She shaped her hand into a pistol, aimed, and fired bursts of water. Petyr Pann twisted and flipped through the air, dodging each jet by mere inches.
Grinning, he pulled a deck of cards from his tuxedo. “Hey lady! Wanna play poker?!”
One card flared with purple sparkles as he hurled it like a shuriken. More followed, whistling through the air. They grazed Vesmyra’s cheeks, arms, and shoulders—each near-miss threatening to cripple her if they struck true.
“YEEEEEEHAAAW!” Petyr Pann cheered. “I feel just like that cool card-slinger Gamebutt from EX-Tra Men!”
A rain of cards sliced through the sleigh, shredding it to splinters. Debris tumbled down from the sky.
Vesmyra’s jaw tightened, her voice a furious roar. “HEY, YOU STUPID CHILD! THAT SLEIGH WAS A GIFT FROM SANTA CLAUS TO MY MOTHER!”
Her wings spread wide. She summoned massive spheres of water and hurled them one after another. Petyr Pann weaved through them, cackling at her poor aim—until one finally slammed into him.
“OUCH! THAT HURTS, LADY!” he yelped, spinning out of control.
Vesmyra snapped her command like a general. “Barkface! Barkzilla! Whiskers! KICK HIM IN THE FACE!”
The white stag roared and charged. Petyr Pann barely had time to dodge before the antlers crashed into him, sending him spinning violently.
The reindeers thundered past. Barkzilla struck his face with its hooves, sending him spinning even more wildly. Then, with perfect timing, Whiskers drove his hooves into his torso. Petyr Pann shrieked as he plummeted like a meteor, tearing through the clouds before crashing into the farmland beside the unconscious Carabosse. A small crater split open beneath him.
Vesmyra looked down at his broken form, flipped her hair with pride, and declared.
“HMPH! Never underestimate teamwork… and that’s what you get for calling me an old lady.”
At the same time again…
High above…
In the thin air of the upper troposphere, the Vermillion Bird—Agent McPecker—clashed against the Kulshedra, Prince Vaelric himself.
The Vermillion Bird had drawn the monster higher and higher, 6,000 meters up, away from the carriage carrying Cinderella and Commander Ryo. Every beat of his wings was to protect them, to keep the battle far from the humans.
The Kulshedra roared, its seven heads spitting fireballs in endless fury. McPecker spun and dove through the barrage, flames grazing past his feathers. Then, with a powerful flap, he answered—unleashing massive fireballs of his own, meteors of flame that hammered into the beast.
The Kulshedra shrieked, enraged. Its eyes glowed with purple light. Two of its heads spewed a choking black mist that swallowed the sky, a sphere of darkness, 1,500 meters wide.
Blinded, the Vermillion Bird circled, wings slicing through the haze as he searched for his foe.
Then—suddenly—the Kulshedra burst from below. Three of its jaws clamped down, seizing him. It shook him savagely, teeth tearing into his body.
The Vermillion Bird squawked in agony, blood spraying.
But through the pain, McPecker remembered. He remembered the moment Commander Ryo had read the last page of Cinderella’s diary during his revelation. It told of how Prince Vaelric had treated her with cruelty far worse in the castle—days upon days of torment, harsher even than the suffering in the manor.
To Vaelric and his family, Cinderella had never been family at all… only property. McPecker had been there outside the ballroom door, listening. He had trembled with anger, feathers quivering, his tiny body nearly bursting with fury, wanting nothing more than to beat the prince to death—despite being only a dove.
And rage consumed him.
Because Prince Vaelric wasn’t just a monster now—he had always been one, even as a human.
Agent McPecker’s blood boiled. A vow thundered in his heart: this evil, this demon… would end, here and now.
He shrieked. A cry so fierce that the heavens themselves trembled. His body ignited, burning brighter, hotter, until his flames devoured even the black mist around him.
The Kulshedra’s multiple eyes widened. Its jaws snapped open in fear. Too late—
KRAKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!
A blazing explosion ripped through the sky. The Vermillion Bird’s detonation tore a sphere 1,500 meters wide. The firestorm engulfed the Kulshedra. The dragon howled as its form dissolved into dust, scattered by the winds. Prince Vaelric was gone—erased from existence.
When the smoke cleared, the Vermillion Bird tumbled downward, wings limp. His body shimmered, then shrank—until only a soot-streaked dove fell helplessly through the air.
Fairy Greatmother, having just defeated Carabosse, flew upward and caught him gently in her hands. She lifted her wand and cast a healing spell over the brave agent. The soot vanished, the wounds closed.
McPecker’s eyes fluttered open. He stood on her palm, shaking himself back to life.
Fairy Greatmother smiled softly and whispered. “Thank you, McPecker. You did a wonderful job protecting Cinderella, and every one of us.”
The dove stood tall in her palm. He flapped his wings, proud and resolute. Then, with military sharpness, he gave her a tiny salute.
He was no longer just a bird.
He was a hero who had slain a monster.
He had avenged Cinderella.
Fairy Greatmother and Vesmyra soared toward the banana carriage, the animal agents flying close behind. As they reached it, Ryo swung the carriage door open. Fairy Greatmother and Vesmyra slipped inside first.
Then, one by one, the agents shimmered with a soft glow, returning to their original animal forms before landing inside. Once all were aboard, Ryo pulled the door shut.
Ryo slid across to the opposite seat, while Vesmyra lowered herself beside him.
Fairy Greatmother took the space next to Cinderella, her eyes filling with tears.
She cried out. “CINDERELLA!”
Cinderella trembled, her lips quivering as she whispered. “Fairy Greatmother…”
The two immediately fell into each other’s arms. Cinderella buried her face in Fairy Greatmother’s chest, sobbing.
“OH, MY DEAR CINDERELLA!” Fairy Greatmother sniffled, clutching her tightly. “I’m so glad… so glad we found you alive and well!”
“It’s been a little over a month!” Cinderella cried through tears. “I’m so happy to see you again, Fairy Greatmother!”
The animal agents couldn’t hold back either. They leapt onto Cinderella, crying out in their voices as they embraced her. Cinderella hugged them all back, tears still streaming down her cheeks, overwhelmed with joy.
At last, none of them held back their emotions. They wept together, clinging to the girl they thought was lost forever. After what felt like an eternity, the missing princess had been found… and saved.
Ryo and Vesmyra sat quietly, watching the scene unfold, soft smiles resting on their faces.
Then Fairy Greatmother, her face heavy with worry, urged.
“We must return to the kingdom of Evendelle, to the Ravenswood Manor at once. Cinderella must be fed with warm, delicious meals. Look at her—she looks as though she hasn’t eaten properly in weeks!”
“She thing, ma’am,” Ryo replied. “But before we head back to the manor, let’s make a short stop at a certain place first.”
Fairy Greatmother frowned. “Which is…?”
Ryo’s gaze sharpened. “To the grove. Aurelia’s grave.”
Both Cinderella and Fairy Greatmother gasped.
“Mama’s… grave?” Cinderella whispered, confused. “But why?”
Ryo’s grin turned mischievous. “You’ll see why.”
He then took out two wrapped onigiri’s from his bag, unwrapping both and handing them to Cinderella.
“Eat this before you have a big meal back home at the manor,” he said. “You’ll need some energy for a big surprise.”
Cinderella stared at the foreign-looking food, puzzled. She took a hesitant bite—her eyes widened at the rich taste.
A hand flew to her cheek. “This… this is delicious.”
Ryo smiled. “Glad you love it. It’s from the Rodent’s Cheddar Kingdom—the Japanese branch.”
He then leaned out the window and called to his breakfast crew. “Alright, boys—” he pointed ahead, “we’re headed back to Evendelle, but our first pit stop will be the grove!”
The coachman and footman straightened with pride, giving a proud nod to their master.
The footman looked back over his shoulder with noble poise. “Why of course, Good Sir Detective. As mentioned before… your will is our path.”
The coachman cracked the reins and—BOOM!
The unicorn surged forward, galloping with impossible speed, pulling the banana carriage toward the grove… where the ghostly Aurelia lingered.
Meanwhile…
In the smoking crater of the farmland…
Carabosse and Petyr Pann groaned in pain as they struggled to sit up from the wreckage.
Carabosse gritted her teeth, a guttural growl tearing out of her throat.
“How dare that fake grandmother of mine strike me across the face, sending me crashing into this wretched farmland!”
“And that worthless prince… dead. And after all his groveling, he still couldn’t be of any use to me!!”
Petyr rubbed his head, wincing. “Ouch… my head… can’t believe I got kicked by deers…”
Carabosse’s eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with venom as she barked. “LITTLE BOY!”
Petyr Pann instantly straightened, snapping into a salute. “YES, YOUR GRACE!”
Carabosse whispering with contempt. “As the Gatekeeper of the void… go unleash the Vrakuls upon Evendelle.”
0
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しかし、そのようなことが現実にあったかもしれません。
何故ならどんな人間も、悪魔や邪神や悪神に憑依された偽善者なのですから。
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この物語はフィクションです。
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