"Welcome to the Star of the Life Goddess's Blessing—Kaemomiar."
Standing before Hoshigaki Sora and Robin was a girl who looked no older than eleven or twelve.
Though the planet itself was now a bleak and crumbling wasteland, her eyes remained clear and bright, untouched by the deathly stillness. She wore slightly tattered clothes, and despite her small frame, she exuded a quiet, mature presence.
"I am Anna Bergalo," she said, "the last member of Camille's royal bloodline. I offer my sincerest welcome to the two of you."
"Ah? Oh, our names are…"
"I know," Anna said with a gentle smile toward Sora. "Mr. Hoshigaki Sora and the galactic songstress Robin. I've already heard of your heroic deeds from Ouja."
Her gaze shifted to Sora, thoughtful and mildly surprised.
"Still, your strength is far beyond what I expected."
"Ouja is a Pathstrider on the Preservation Path. That she was subdued so easily by you speaks volumes. Your capabilities far exceed those of ordinary people."
Sora blinked. That cloth-wrapped weirdo he'd smacked into the ground… was a Pathstrider?
He hadn't seen her use any particularly unique abilities. Most Pathstriders had extraordinary martial skills or the power to summon divine constructs…
Even if those constructs tended to crash half the time, they still counted as legit Path manifestations!
Ouja, by contrast, hadn't shown anything special—aside from being absurdly durable.
"Maybe she's a newly awakened Pathstrider," Robin whispered to him. "The Aeon's gaze doesn't manifest all at once. For us Preservation Path followers, it grows gradually as we walk our fated path."
She knew this well. As someone chosen by the Aeons, she understood that their gifts didn't pour in overnight—they trickled down, strengthening with time and conviction.
Still, Robin's expression grew even more stunned as she looked at Sora.
Because unlike Ouja, she hadn't sensed any Path energy from him.
Except for that flicker of unusual power when he donned the armor, Sora came across as… just a regular person.
Which made the fact that he had overpowered a Preservation Pathstrider all the more outrageous.
There was a world of difference between subduing a civilian and defeating a chosen of the Aeons. And no, the armor didn't explain it away.
If anyone thought a simple combat suit could take down a Pathstrider, then the IPC would've ruled the galaxy ages ago.
In any fight between a Pathstrider and a standard armored unit, no one would bet on the latter.
But Sora had flipped that assumption on its head with his own hands.
Just a "normal person," yet he'd forced down a Preservation Pathstrider with brute strength and tactics. If word got out, people would laugh it off as a joke.
What, a Pathstrider defeated by a guy in armor? And not just any Path—Preservation?
Bro, are you trying to create new punchlines for the galaxy's comedy circuit?
The blessings of the Preservation Aeon weren't trivial. If you caught their gaze, you didn't get a pat on the back—you got a divine gift.
No wonder it was so hard to restrain her when I tried using my Harmony powers, Robin thought, realization dawning. So she was from the Preservation Path.
She'd assumed something was interfering with her abilities on this dying planet. Sora had asked her to suppress Ouja, but she'd nearly lost control several times.
Up until now, she'd thought the problem was her.
But maybe, just maybe… it was because Sora was simply too strong in his own way.
Robin's inner turmoil was lost on Sora, who remained focused on Anna.
The young girl met Robin's eyes with a smile, as if she'd seen straight through her.
Robin stiffened, startled by the eerie sense of exposure, and instinctively shifted half her body behind Sora.
This "First Seat" was clearly not ordinary. She might even be able to read minds.
"Don't worry," Anna said warmly. "Though the two of you are powerful, we won't involve honored guests in our conflicts lightly."
"If the Antimatter Legion's presence on the planet's surface weakens, we'll arrange your departure right away. Until then, please rest easy."
"That said, our supplies are limited… I hope you won't mind some temporary inconvenience."
Honestly, Sora's guard was still up. All this praise about his strength had him thinking they'd ask him to do unpaid labor or something.
He didn't know anyone here, didn't have allies, and wasn't exactly in a position of power.
But to his surprise, Anna had no such demands. She even offered them shelter.
Now this is what I call a real leader! Sora thought, thoroughly impressed.
If this planet makes it through this crisis, she's going places—mark my words.
"Then we'll gladly accept your hospitality," he said with a grin.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable. If you'd like to explore, just find Ouja. I've other matters to attend to."
Robin was equally surprised by Anna's poise. Her attention lingered on the girl even as they turned to leave.
Just before the door shut, she felt something—an odd ripple of energy from the room.
And then the door closed, cutting off everything inside.
Sora and Robin took a short tour of the survivor enclave. Roughly a hundred people were gathered here.
Many were armed, their gear surprisingly well-maintained. Children played nearby under watchful supervision, their laughter a rare spark of life.
But that joy didn't extend to the adults.
In contrast to the cheerful children who could still dream of a future they hadn't seen, the adults carried only exhaustion and uncertainty. This dying planet offered no promises.
Robin observed quietly, her hand curling into a fist.
Anna had arranged their accommodations. Initially, she gave them a single room—clearly assuming they were an intimate pair.
That turned Robin beet red, and Sora had to march back to clarify their relationship.
Anna had looked mildly surprised, but it was no trouble for her to arrange an extra room.
Afterward, Sora chuckled, "Does this count as PR crisis management for your next scandal?"
"Galactic superstar Robin shares a room with a strange man on a desolate planet"—imagine the headlines.
If the fangirls didn't send him enough razor blades to live off for the rest of his life, it'd be a miracle.
Robin's face flushed again, but she still thanked him quietly.
"No big deal," Sora replied. "But calling me so formally… that kinda stings."
"Then… what should I call you?" she asked, sneaking a glance.
"Just Sora's fine. We're friends now, yeah? No need to be so stiff. It makes me uncomfortable."
"…Sora?"
"There you go! That's perfect!"
With that sorted, Sora returned to his room.
It was plain—just a bed, a table, and a chair—but in this world, that counted as luxury. It was far better than any shelter he'd found on his own.
Once inside, his expression changed completely. Expectation sparkled in his eyes.
The system's refresh timer had dropped to its final seconds.
He was about to receive his second power.
What will it be this time? He was brimming with anticipation.
5… 4… 3… 2… 1—
[Countdown complete. Initiating retrieval…]
From Sora's perspective:
The still-repairing G3X armor halted mid-process, then broke into shimmering light particles and vanished from the system space.
At the same time, a badge appeared—G3X's insignia.
But Sora noticed something strange.
Even though the armor disappeared, all the knowledge and usage instructions for it remained in his mind.
Wait… does that mean I get to keep what I learned?
[Retrieval complete. Please begin your next power draw.]
Once again, familiar Kamen Rider icons appeared before him. But Sora didn't rush.
His eyes scanned them calmly.
The fact that his memory hadn't been wiped—only the armor reclaimed—meant the powers he acquired could be retained.
A sudden thrill bloomed in his chest.
If the system lets me keep prior knowledge, and I draw someone like Ohma Zi-O next… I'm basically invincible!
…Though, I wonder—will I inherit the full powers, or just a portion?
Even if it were only a fraction of Ohma Zi-O's strength, it'd still be terrifying.
After all, that form inherited every Rider's power up to the year 2068.
Even one percent would make him absurdly powerful.
As long as it's not Grand Zi-O…
Getting forcefully de-transformed by ambient energy is just too embarrassing.
System, start the draw!
With heart pounding, Sora gave the command.
[As you wish, Host.]
The Rider icons dimmed, transforming into capsule toys that spun and shuffled before him.
A familiar red button appeared.
Without hesitation, Sora slammed it.
Come on—bring me my new Rider power!
The capsules whirred, then gradually slowed.
One dropped before him and clicked open.
The image of his new power emerged—and immediately merged into his body.
A belt materialized at his waist.
"This is…"