With another Wave looming in a week, Naofumi Iwatani and his squad cannot afford delays right now. Yet when bat familiars assault Lurolona Village and the Wave timer stops, the Four Cardinal Heroes regroup with Queen Mirelia Q Melromarc for a briefing to clarify the next steps. The queen assumes that the strange events are connected to the Spirit Tortoise—a dangerous beast awakened from its dormant slumber, poised once more to unleash havoc across the realm. She believes it has returned after centuries of sleep, intent on destabilizing the fragile peace that had settled over the land to challenge all its protectors with ferocity. A strategy is formulated to subdue the Spirit Tortoise and restore balance, among the four heroes, only the condemned Shield Hero consents to undertake this mission. The others—each bound by their own obligations and doubts—remain hesitant, unwilling to risk the fragile stability of their realm. The Shield Hero, burdened by a curse and driven by duty, steps forward, pledging to confront the ancient beast. His resolve is tempered by uncertainty, but his commitment marks a pivotal shift in their collective fate.
