Arlan

The inarticulate head of the Herta space station's Security Department.

While scientific research is beyond his understanding, Arlan is willing to risk his life to protect the staff who value research so very much. He is used to pain and wears his scars like badges of honor.

Only when holding Peppy does the boy let down his guard and show a rare smile.

How is Arlan's work in the Security Department?

— Brother Arlan is the beacon that guides the Security Department, the core support for everyone's battles! Without him, the space station would fall to pieces in a day. Without him, people's lives would be ruined in ten days. Without him, the station would be hellish in just one hundred days!

— But he plays holodisc with Peppy during work hours.

— Because he's finished all daily security tasks ahead of schedule! His mere presence is an inspiration to us all.

— But he plays holodisc with Peppy during work hours.

— How do you know that playing holodisc with Peppy isn't actually part of his job description...

"You're not allowed to play with your phone while out on patrol. Give it to me."

"No, brother Arlan! People are talking smack about you in the group chat! Don't you care?"

"Nope. Too busy."

"Huh, have you got an urgent mission? Let me go with you. What happened?"

"I'm getting Peppy to do rehab through playing holodisc."

There are countless strange and valuable things around Miss Asta's house, but it's the dog at death's door that attracts the most attention.

What's more, her forlorn cries only increase in volume as her parents attempt to comfort her — telling her that this dog she picked up won't live for very long, and they are better off buying her another one.

That filthy pup just lies there without the strength to even lift up its head and look around the people surround it. The crying, arguing, and the silence... None of this has anything to do with it.

At one point, he thinks it had already stopped breathing, so he bends down to check its nose. Just then, the dog suddenly licks his fingers — which is about the farthest distance it can stretch.

— Its tongue is wet.

"Wanna play holodisc?"

Its lifeless eyes suddenly light up.

He stops pacing in the corridor and gazes out of the window into the tranquility of deep space, the dark circles around his eyes reflecting back at him.

Another pair of bloodshot eyes appears at the window. Their owner looks more relaxed than she usually does before the researchers, and absentmindedly lets out a huge yawn.

"You're up late. Not going to bed?"

"I'm feeling anxious, so I'm just out for a patrol..."

"I just updated the firmware for the defense shield, and security systems are all operating smoothly."

"Maybe I'm overthinking things, but..."

"I understand. You're the head of security, and I trust your instincts."

The space station remains brightly lit and operates without a stop. They each return to their respective posts.

They both know that regardless of the protection of Madam Herta's fame, the defensive measures around the space station, and the round-the-clock vigilance of the Security Department — if a disaster were to occur...

It would only take seconds.

"Everyone's evacuated. Arlan. Hurry up!"

"There may still be survivors inside."

"No... There aren't any more life signs in there."

He thought he could trust Asta until the moment when countless Antimatter Legion pawns pour towards him like a tsunami. The signal from the watcher zone is faint. Asta won't be able to see this situation.

He is now standing, alone, in the elevator. He has to make a decision, even if he has to disobey Asta's orders — No matter the cost, he has to block access to the elevator to save everyone. He cannot allow these monsters to get to the master control zone.

"Sorry, Miss Asta..."

The Antimatter Legion strikes him down from behind before he can explain himself. He falls, and his remote communications disconnects.

He had never hesitated, whether working in Miss Asta's home or after becoming Herta Space Station's head of Security Department. He had always taken for granted that, since Miss Asta decided to head in one direction, he has to follow her.

Arlan raises his head with great difficulty, and the monsters move closer to him. He had never disobeyed an order from Miss Asta before. This is the first time.

"Hopefully it won't be the last time."

This thought pops up in his head.

Propping himself up with his greatsword, he slowly and firmly stands up.