Kah Yunn tutted.

"The struggle was too loud. It will be only a matter of time before they find us."

From her pocket she dug out three chains.

"Wrap this Myst Chain around the Carbonara Rings. It will hide their presence. However, it also seals their power."

Christine scowled.

"Oy, you hold it right there, woman! You attacked us out of the blue, and now you expect us to do whatever you say? Besides, how do you know about the Carbonara Rings? Who are you?"

Kah Yunn ignored this.

"We should depart quickly."

"Wait!"

Kah Yunn turned to glare at Yiernoshi, who had spoken.

"We came over from the past! We've been in shock until just now, and we don't understand what in the world is going on!"

Kah Yunn pointed the gun-like appendage on her arm at Yiernoshi.

"Don't talk back."

"You've got to be kidding me! Why do we have to follow your orders?!" Christine roared.

"Because," Kah Yunn hissed, "those who can't follow are better left to die than saved. And I don't have the time."

She turned back around.

"At least wait until we reach out destination before you start asking stupid questions."

"Eh? Destination?"

"Your secret base of operations."
-----
They had walked for ages, it seemed to Yiernoshi, before Kah Yunn finally stopped by a river.

Christine's eyes lit up.

"It's a river! We can drink water, boss!"

After the both of them had finished rehydrating themselves, Christine turned to Kah Yunn with a scowl on her face.

"How much longer are we going to keep walking? It's almost dark, and we haven't reached the base yet?"

"We're camping out here tonight."
-----
Later, the three of them sat around a roaring fire, eating fish Kah Yunn had caught.

Kah Yunn sighed.

"Since we have time now, I'll tell you what I know."

"Re..really?"

"Yes. I belong to the Carbonara's organization of CEDEF."

Christine gasped.

"CEDEF? Isn't that the force under the outside advisor?"

"Yes, it is."

"Then you're on our side!"

"Yes. The whole of Carbonara is in a state of emergency. I agreed to investigate the situation and check out the condition of the Fourteenth's family."

"Eh? State of emergency?"

"Two days ago, the Carbonara headquarters in Italy fell and was destroyed. Currently, there are no survivors from headquarters, and the Thirteenth is unaccounted for. The CEDEF team hurried to the rescue, but we lost contact..."

Christine interrupted.

"I knew it! She's spouting nonsense! How can the great Carbonara be defeated?"

Kah Yunn sighed.

"Maybe not ten years ago...but in this era, there are families that could do it. For example, the Irritato Tomato family. The boss' name is Mistan."

"The keys to dominating this era's war are the Rings. Without rings, you all are helpless. That is why the mafia rings must be protected, for they contain a power beyond human understanding."

"For example, see that balloon up there?"

She pointed at a mini hot-air-balloon, dancing with indigo flames, descending gently towards them.

"That's a scout I sent out just now to check for enemies-"

She stopped abruptly, eyes wide. She stood up, pulling her cloak around her, and put out the fire.

"Wha...what are you doing?!"

"Enemies. These guys are strong! If they find us, it's all over!"

They began to creep through the undergrowth, leaving their campsite behind.

"This one's a scout. In that case, the stealth ring will get us past."

The trip hid behind a tree, as a huge robot came crashing through the bushes.

"That's..."

"Strau Mosca."

Christine gasped.

"He's turning this way!"

"It's internal sensor is searching for the power of the rings. But we have sealed our rings with the Myst Chain. It won't find us."

"But...he's coming!"

Kah Yunn blinked.

"Impossible! We've sealed off our Rings!"

"Actually..."Yiernoshi spoke up.

"I'm still trying to over here..."

Kah Yunn whipped around to see Yiernoshi wrestling with the Myst Chain.

"It refuses to wrap nicely around my finger..."

Kah Yunn swore under her breath.

"This isn't good. Even with three people, we'll be annihilated."

The Strau Mosca lifted its fingers. Installed on each one was a gun.

Yiernoshi winced, and braced herself for impact.

It never came.

A dark figure leapt out from the trees, slicing the giant robot's head off.

"You guys okay?"

Yiernoshi gasped.

"That...that voice...!"

Standing there, in front of them, was a figure in a suit very much like future Christine's. She held a thin sword in her right hand.

Victoria.