After an uncertain amount of time in flight, the Rhodes Island aircraft finally descended smoothly onto a landing pad.
Steven, having temporarily removed his Netherite armor, stood at the exit of the aircraft, squinting as he took in the strange structure beneath him.
Actually… calling it a "structure" didn't feel quite right.
After all, Steven had never seen a building that could move around like a vehicle.
From a certain perspective… maybe this thing was just a super-sized mobile home?
After thinking about it for a while, Steven could only come to this vague conclusion.
Though, if he were to be more precise, this vehicle crammed full of makeshift constructions actually resembled a land-based aircraft carrier more than anything else.
At the very least, in terms of sheer size, it might even surpass a standard aircraft carrier.
How the hell does a world where people still fight like medieval barbarians have the tech to build a massive mobile city and the aircraft they just rode in?
Steven was seriously confused.
How were the tech trees even allocated in this messed-up world?!
"Welcome to the mobile landship—Rhodes Island."
Outcast stretched lazily as she stepped off the aircraft first, introducing the moving fortress she worked and fought for.
Meanwhile, Steven dragged along a still half-asleep Gladiia, who was rubbing her drowsy eyes, as he slowly followed her down.
Strangely enough, despite standing on a massive moving platform, there wasn't even the slightest sense of instability.
It felt just like solid ground, making it hard to believe that the gigantic structure had just been speeding along the terrain moments ago.
Even for someone like Steven, who had seen all kinds of weird things, this technology was pretty impressive.
But what really caught his attention… was Kal'tsit's expression.
That cold, eternally pissed-off woman, who always looked like the world owed her millions in debt, actually had a calm and gentle smile on her face.
And in her eyes?
A look of deep affection.
Wait a damn second.
Was that… doting?
Steven could hardly believe it.
Unfortunately for him, that expression was not meant for him.
From behind the aircraft's open deck, a set of hurried footsteps echoed.
Then, a dark silhouette quickly rushed out, as if wanting to jump into Kal'tsit's arms—but at the last second, the figure stopped abruptly, hesitating for some reason.
"Welcome back, Doctor Kal'tsit."
A sweet and youthful voice rang out.
That was enough to finally pull Steven's gaze away from Kal'tsit's rare smile.
If only he had a phone—he would definitely have taken a picture to commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Instead, he turned his attention to the young girl standing in front of Kal'tsit.
She was petite, almost the same height as Irene, but unlike her, this girl didn't have feathered wings sprouting from her head.
Instead, two tall, fluffy rabbit ears stood upright atop her head.
Thanks to those long ears, even though she was a head shorter than Kal'tsit, she could still appear roughly the same height when standing next to her.
"Mm, I'm back."
Kal'tsit nodded gently at the girl, her soft smile never fading.
Her tone of voice was so warm and affectionate that Steven couldn't help but start questioning reality.
Did Kal'tsit got kidnapped and replaced by some alien while he wasn't looking?
"Is she her daughter?"
Silently shifting to Outcast's side, Steven lowered his voice and asked.
"No, this is the leader of Rhodes Island."
Outcast's gaze toward the girl carried the same kind of affection an elder would have for a younger generation. However, compared to Kal'tsit, her expression was much more restrained.
But that "leader" part… Steven didn't quite understand.
This girl doesn't look older than twelve or thirteen.
Shouldn't she be in middle school at this age?
And yet, she's the leader of this obviously complex organization?
Wait… could it be that she's also some young-looking immortal granny like Kal'tsit?
Steven took another glance at the girl, who was clearly resisting the urge to throw herself into Kal'tsit's arms and act spoiled, and shook his head.
No, she didn't seem like it.
Most importantly, she lacked that subtle but distinct aura—the kind that only comes with time.
The scent of the elderly, so to speak.
"Don't look at her like that," Outcast sighed. "She may be young, but in terms of leadership, she is indeed qualified."
Clearly, she knew exactly what Steven was thinking.
After patting his shoulder, she spoke the truth.
"So Kal'tsit is basically her regent?"
Steven narrowed his eyes.
He had no trouble believing in the existence of prodigies—this was, after all, a world born from a gacha game.
But to say this girl was leading Rhodes Island entirely on her own, without Kal'tsit or anyone else guiding her?
Yeah. Not buying it.
Some things simply require experience, especially when it comes to leading an entire organization.
Outcast didn't respond, but from the way she shrugged, Steven knew he had guessed correctly.
At this moment, the girl who had been chatting with Kal'tsit finally took notice of the two additional passengers from the aircraft.
With a look of curiosity, she stepped toward Steven, tilting her small head up ever so slightly.
At less than 1.4 meters tall, she had no choice but to look up to see Steven's face.
Even so, her expression remained warm and friendly.
"Are you Mr. Steve?"
Her voice was soft and clear.
"Dr. Kal'tsit has already informed me about you on the way here. Rhodes Island welcomes all friendly guests. It's a pleasure to meet you—I'm Amiya."
Her sky-blue eyes curved into a crescent moon, and the petite girl did her best to express her goodwill toward Steven.
Her Rhodes Island uniform looked almost like a trench coat on her small frame, making her already slender body seem even more delicate.
But the most eye-catching detail was the crystal-like ornament hanging from her collar, glowing faintly like a gemstone.
Is that some kind of special accessory?
Steven felt curious, but instead of asking, he simply returned her greeting with a smile.
"Yeah, hello."
He lightly shook the hand Amiya had proactively extended, but as he did, his gaze subconsciously drifted to the title floating above her head.
—[The Prophesied Lord of Fiends: Amiya]—
Steven's mind went blank for a moment.
…This title is kinda wild.