Chapter 135 - 130: Farewell to the Hidden Realm (Part 2)
The portal shimmered softly beneath the branches of the World Tree.
Unlike the unstable rift that had brought them into the Hidden Realm, this one radiated a calm, golden light. Ancient runes circled its edges, each glowing in harmony with the heartbeat of the True Heart beneath the sanctuary.
John stood before it without moving.
Something tugged at his instincts.
Not danger.
A feeling that if he left now...
This Chapter of his journey would truly come to an end.
He looked back one last time.
The World Tree towered proudly over the valley, its crown stretching into the heavens. Countless spirits danced among its branches, their laughter carried by the wind. The crystal rivers reflected the morning sun, and flowers had already begun blooming where corruption had once spread.
The Hidden Realm was alive again.
Not perfect.
But alive.
---
Caelis slowly walked beside him.
"You’ll miss it."
John smiled.
"I think I will."
The old mage rested both hands atop his staff.
"Good."
John glanced at him.
"...Good?"
"If a place leaves an impression on your heart..."
"...it means you’ve truly lived there."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Finally, John asked the question that had been on his mind.
"What will you do now?"
Caelis looked toward the distant mountains.
"For the first time in several thousand years..."
"I have no obligations."
His smile became almost boyish.
"I think I’ll travel."
Lythriel immediately laughed.
"You?"
"Traveling?"
"I thought old men liked staying in one place."
Caelis raised an eyebrow.
"Young lady..."
"I explored this world long before your ancestors were born."
Aerion coughed into his fist, clearly hiding a smile.
"I believe him."
---
Sylvara folded her arms.
"If you’re traveling..."
"Where will you go first?"
Caelis thought for several seconds.
"...The Sea of Glass."
John looked curious.
"What’s there?"
"A library."
Lythriel blinked.
"...A library?"
The old mage nodded enthusiastically.
"The oldest one still standing."
John couldn’t help smiling.
"Somehow..."
"That answer fits you perfectly."
---
The Soul Raven spread its restored wings and took flight.
Its silver and gold feathers gleamed beneath the sunlight as it circled the World Tree once.
Twice.
Three times.
Not as a guardian patrolling its territory.
But as an old friend saying goodbye.
When it finally landed, it gently lowered its head until its beak touched the tree’s trunk.
"...Thank you."
The leaves rustled softly.
A single golden leaf drifted downward, landing upon the guardian’s head.
Its answer needed no words.
---
John quietly watched.
He wondered...
How many farewells had this ancient tree witnessed?
How many heroes had departed beneath these same branches?
How many promises had been made?
Some fulfilled.
Some broken.
Yet the World Tree remained.
Watching.
Waiting.
Remembering.
---
A familiar chime interrupted his thoughts.
---
**"SYSTEM NOTICE"**
**New World Information Registered**
The Hidden Realm has been added to the Host’s World Map.
Fast Travel: **Unavailable**
Reason: Ancient Sanctuaries cannot be entered without permission.
---
John smiled.
"That makes sense."
The World Tree immediately answered.
"Doors exist for a reason."
John looked up.
"I suppose they do."
---
The ancient guardians gathered near the portal.
Unlike earlier...
They wore peaceful expressions.
An elderly dragonkin stepped forward carrying a long wooden chest.
It was carved from white wood unlike anything John had seen before.
The craftsmanship was extraordinary.
Every inch depicted dragons flying beside countless races beneath the World Tree.
The old guardian knelt.
"A gift."
John looked surprised.
"For me?"
"It belongs to the next generation."
John carefully opened the chest.
Inside rested...
Nothing.
Lythriel blinked.
"...It’s empty."
The elderly guardian smiled.
"It was meant to be."
Everyone looked confused.
He continued.
"This chest once carried the keepsakes of every Dragon King."
"When each completed their journey..."
"They removed everything."
John frowned.
"...Why?"
"So that the next generation could fill it with memories of their own."
Silence settled over the group.
John gently closed the lid.
Unlike weapons...
Unlike armor...
This gift carried no combat value.
Yet somehow...
It felt more precious than any treasure he had ever received.
"I’ll take good care of it."
The elderly guardian nodded with satisfaction.
"We know."
---
Another guardian approached.
This one was an elderly elf with silver hair tied behind his back.
He carried a simple seed no larger than a marble.
It glowed faintly with emerald mana.
John accepted it carefully.
"What is it?"
"A child of the World Tree."
John nearly dropped it.
"...Seriously?"
The elf laughed.
"Not the World Tree."
"A descendant."
"It will never grow as large."
"But if planted where life flourishes..."
"...it will become a sanctuary."
John stared at the tiny seed.
"So one day..."
"It could protect people?"
The elf nodded.
"As the World Tree once protected us."
John carefully stored it inside a small crystal container provided by Sylvara.
"I’ll find the right place."
The World Tree’s leaves rustled approvingly.
---
Before anyone could speak again—
The ground trembled.
Very lightly.
Aerion’s hand immediately moved toward his sword.
Lythriel spun her spear.
Sylvara raised a barrier almost instinctively.
John activated **Dragon King’s Instinct**.
Golden mana spread through his senses.
Nothing.
No hostility.
No corruption.
The trembling lasted only a heartbeat before fading.
The Soul Raven tilted its head.
"...Interesting."
"What was that?"
John asked.
The guardian looked toward the sky.
"Not an attack."
"The world."
Everyone stared.
"The world?"
The guardian nodded.
"It has begun adjusting."
Caelis’ expression became thoughtful.
"The Hidden Realm has reconnected."
John frowned.
"I don’t understand."
The old mage pointed toward the horizon.
"For thousands of years..."
"This sanctuary existed almost completely separated from the world."
"Now..."
"...it has returned."
Sylvara slowly realized the implication.
"The world’s mana..."
"...just increased."
Caelis nodded.
"A little."
"Not enough for ordinary people to notice."
"But ancient creatures will."
John immediately remembered Aurelius’ warning.
The sleeping Catastrophe-Class monsters.
Ancient Beasts.
Powerful beings hidden throughout the continent.
Lythriel looked between everyone.
"...That’s bad, isn’t it?"
Caelis smiled wryly.
"Not necessarily."
"Some will awaken."
"Some will merely stretch and go back to sleep."
Aerion folded his arms.
"And the unlucky few?"
The old mage sighed.
"They may decide to see why the world suddenly feels different."
John looked toward the distant horizon beyond the portal.
"So..."
"Our peaceful days won’t last forever."
"No."
Caelis answered honestly.
"But they don’t have to end today."
John smiled.
He appreciated that answer.
There would be future battles.
Future dangers.
Stronger enemies than he had ever imagined.
But none of them were standing in front of him now.
For once...
He could simply enjoy the victory they had earned.
He looked at his companions.
"Let’s head back."
Lythriel grinned.
"And after that?"
John laughed.
"I believe someone promised me a proper meal."
Sylvara smiled.
"And a bath."
Aerion nodded.
"I refuse to sleep on stone for another night."
The Soul Raven looked thoughtfully toward the clouds.
"I wish to experience rain again."
John chuckled.
"Then we’ll do all of it."
Together, they stepped toward the golden portal.
None of them noticed that, far above the clouds, an enormous shadow briefly crossed the sky.
It was too distant to be seen clearly.
Too high for ordinary eyes.
A pair of ancient golden eyes opened for the first time in centuries before quietly closing again.
Not in hostility.
In curiosity.
The age of silence was ending.
And somewhere beyond the horizon...
The first of the world’s sleeping legends had begun to stir.
---
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