Back at the clearing where Kael's people were, Darian, Evethra, and Alenia got ready to move with the elves in the lead.

The moment they crossed the threshold of the portal, the world changed.

Warmth vanished.

They found themselves inside a vast chamber formed entirely of roots and living vines, braided together into pillars and arches that pulsed faintly with emerald light.

The walls breathed—slow, patient, alive. Mana flowed here, not like energy, but like blood.

Elves filled the chamber.

Dozens of them—working at crystalline platforms grown from bark, maintaining portals, weaving spells into roots, engraving runes that crawled like living things.

They were all focused on many other portals in the room.

There seemed to be elves coming in and out of those portals.

But as soon as Evethra, Darian, and Alenia walked through the portal, every single one of them turned.

For half a heartbeat, the chamber was silent.

Then killing intent erupted.

Auras flared—clean, sharp, and terrifyingly refined. Bows half-formed of light snapped into existence. Blades grown from wood and moonsteel angled toward the three intruders.

The three of them, on the other hand, tensed, breaking a cold sweat.

'Every single one of them… is stronger than us.'

This was the only thought in their head.

But before anyone could move, intending to subdue or harm Evethra, Darian, and Alenia—

"Enough."

The male elf stepped forward, voice calm yet absolute. The female elf joined him, her presence blooming outward like a quiet command.

"This is Mother's will," she said.

As soon as those words were spoken, the pressure vanished.

Weapons dissolved. Auras withdrew.

The elves, who were ready to attack, realizing who the lead elves were, quickly bowed, showing respect.

The tension, however, did not vanish.

Sure, they accepted that Alenia, Evethra, and Darian weren't intruders, but to them, they were equally repulsive.

Before anything else happened, the male elf turned toward the three of them, his voice calm as he said, "Follow me."

They did just that.

Evethra walked with rigid grace, crimson eyes alert. Alenia held her notebook tight, as if that was her only weapon, her every sense screaming.

Darian moved with quiet certainty, gaze drifting—not to the elves, but forward, as if something unseen was calling him.

Within seconds, they emerged from the chamber, and the moment they did, a sharp exhale left their lips.

They stood at the intersection of massive branches and the trunk of a tree, high above the ground. Entire homes were grown into the trees, some small and intimate, others vast and elegant.

Bridges of vine and bark connected living districts. Light filtered through endless leaves, painting the city gold and green.

Life was everywhere.

Elves laughed softly. Children ran along branches. Birds of mana perched without fear. Everything felt… ancient. Complete.

And far, far away—

At the center—

Rose something vast beyond comprehension.

It was the World Tree.

It was so large that its roots vanished into forests upon forests. Its crown pierced the clouds. Its presence pressed gently against their souls.

Alenia whispered, "How… How can something like that exist?"

The female elf smiled. "Because Mother is supposed to be like that."

After a few seconds, they descended.

Spiral stairways grew from bark beneath their feet, winding down the colossal trunks until they reached the ground—a natural path worn into grass by centuries of passage.

Only then did they notice.

There were weaker elves here compared to the ones they saw in the teleportation hall.

Still, even the elders and young ones had sharp auras.

Evethra's breath hitched.

'Even the weakest among them… is my equal.'

Yes, there were exceptions. The children here, like any other, were not strong enough to pose a threat to Evethra or Alenia, but the problem was that they were kids.

In this place, Evethra, who was supposed to be the strongest one in Kael's town after him, was only stronger than the children.

That thought made her fingers tighten.

'Is this the world I had never known about? Is this what I need to prepare for?' Alenia thought.

Because, despite being the one who knew most about the world and the power system of the world, she never knew about the power levels above S-rank.

Today, she had learned many things, and in just one day, everything had changed.

As if sensing Evethra and Alenia's thoughts, the female elf glanced back.

"Do not be depressed seeing the people in this area," she smiled, though pride was clear in her voice as she continued.

"This is the heart of the Mystic Domain. Only elites and their children dwell close to Mother."

What she was telling them was that they shouldn't compare themselves to the elite force of race, especially when the race in question was the elf race.

But before any of them could reply—

The scenery changed.

Other beings appeared.

Elementals—walking freely, laughing like children made of flame and wind.

Creatures of bark and stone.

Beasts that radiated intelligence and peace.

Darian stared openly. "I've… never heard of elementals outside fairy tales."

"This domain is not ours alone," the male elf explained. "All who live for Mother may dwell here."

"No killing exists here," the female elf added softly.

Alenia frowned. "Then why does everyone look at us like enemies?"

After all, no matter where they went, everyone they came across was giving them the worst stink eye they could.

If their gazes could kill, Evethra, Alenia, and Darian would've died hundreds of times already.

Her words, however, made the elves chuckle.

"Because harmony," the male elf said, "is reserved for those who belong to the mystic domain."

The female elf inclined her head. "Outsiders are… treated differently. Killed most of the time."

Those words paused the three, only for the elves to laugh again.

"What? Did that scare you?" the male elf asked.

"Don't worry," the female elf giggled. "As long as we are here with you, no one can touch you."

As she said that, her gaze surveyed the surroundings, causing every creature to look the other way.

Only then did the three truly realize—

Every step they took, every breath they drew—

They were safe only because of the two elves leading them.

Everyone bowed as they passed.

Authority radiated from them.

Power unquestioned.

However, Evethra, Alenia, and Darian weren't awed by this.

After all, they had a goal, so they walked forward.

Soon, they reached it.

The base of the World Tree.

Roots thicker than fortresses rose from the earth, glowing softly, humming with life older than history. Mana here was overwhelming—gentle, infinite, undeniable.

The trunk of the tree was so thick that while standing before it, they couldn't see its ends.

As for its height, they weren't even sure if it ever ended because they could see it piercing through the sky, its tip somewhere between the clouds.

However, their purpose wasn't the world tree, so they turned toward the elves.

"I still don't see Lord Kael," Evethra said, her brows furrowing.

At those words, the elves turned around.

"That's because he is in Mother's embrace," said the female elf.

"What?" Alenia tilted her head.

But before the elves could explain anything, the trunk of the world tree parted just enough for the three of them to enter right before them.

The next second, a voice was heard, so gentle and comforting that all of their worries vanished into thin air.

"Come in, children."

Those words didn't echo in their ears but in their heads.

It was as if someone spoke inside their heads.

The moment the voice faded, the world softened.

Evethra, Alenia, and Darian stepped forward without resistance, as if guided by a gentle tide. The air itself seemed to cradle them, thoughts blurring, fear dissolving into a warm, dreamlike calm.

Behind them, the elves stopped.

Though the opening remained, none crossed it because they weren't called.

Instead, they bowed deeply, walking away from there, and the World Tree closed behind them.

However, unlike what one would expect when walking inside a tree's trunk, grass brushes their feet.

Sunlight—golden and mild—washed over them as they emerged into a vast field of living green, stretching endlessly beneath a tranquil sky. Wildflowers swayed in a wind that carried peace rather than sound.

At the center stood a single tree.

Not massive. Not towering.

Simply perfect.

It was as if it were a shed made by nature itself to shield the beings under its shed.

Beneath its shade sat a woman.

Her hair flowed like woven sunlight and leaves, her presence so gentle that it made the heart ache. She sat upon the grass as if it were a throne made for her alone.

And resting on her lap—

Kael.

Asleep.

Breathing slow. Steady.

Whole.

And the moment Evethra, Alenia, and Darian's eyes fell on Kael, their trance shattered.

"Lord Kael—!"

Evethra lurched forward, her voice breaking. Alenia gasped, heart slamming in her chest. Darian took a step, tears already burning his eyes.

But before Evethra could even complete her words—

"Shh."

The woman lifted a single finger, smiling softly.

"He is sleeping," she said, her voice no louder than a breeze. "You must be quiet."

They froze.

Every sound died in their throats.

Up close, Kael looked… peaceful.

His expression was calm in a way they had never seen before, his presence no longer heavy with restrained power or burdened vigilance.

The woman's hand rested gently in his hair, fingers stroking slowly, carefully, and lovingly.

"You have worried for him," she said, her eyes warm as dawn as she looked at them. "Come. Sit. You are safe here."

And in that moment—

For the first time since everything began—

They believed it.

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