"How long has it been floating there?"

  "A full day now. The only time it showed signs of faltering was when the forest giants needed to switch."

  "……Interesting, are we ready to proceed without the chains?"

  Athena, Vanya, and Angela were currently at the entrance of the 10th Realm, along with many other different races and forest giants that have volunteered to test out the Leaf. It had been a week now, and they were trying to speed up the process so that they could clear the Portals that have once again been appearing outside the scope of Yggdrasil.

  There were currently 10 colossal sets of chains floating through the edges of Yggdrasil, and at its end, were different sized wooden infrastructures, seemingly crafted from bits and pieces of Yggdrasil that the people were now calling a Leaf.

  It needed the unique abilities of Forest Giants to be sustainable, requiring a minimum of two of them to always be on one Leaf so that they could take turns in making sure that it doesn't wither.

  They have already tried what would happen if a normal forest giant created a Leaf, but alas, it would seem that something about its creation was too diluted. It needed to be created by Vanya—— a major flaw that they would surely encounter in the far future.

  "Taking off the chains!"

  A heavy clanging then whistles and hummed through the air as the chains were detached from the 10 Leaves that were floating aimlessly in the expanse of space. The chains were swinging wildly, and if not for Angela controlling them with her abilities, the gigantic chains would have surely torn off bits from Yggdrasil.

  "Ms. Angela, please keep them safe."

  "You don't have to worry, girl. I'll pull them back as soon as I notice anything wrong," Angela quickly waved her hand nonchalantly, signaling to Vanya that she should relax. The Leaves had another major flaw—— manpower.

  It needed to be manned all the time, else it would either wither…… or forever be lost in space.

  Athena had already told them that she was from a universe that had the technology that was the same before the Portal Calamity happened in this universe—— modern.

  She had wanted to use the same technology as what the humans had used in their spacecraft there, but alas, with the separation of the Realms, the topology and the materials contained within each of them were drastically different… with no oil or gas in sight. And if there was, there probably wouldn't be enough.

  They could perhaps use the Crystals that could be uniquely mined from each Realm like what the people in this universe did before the explosion, but there was no longer any technology for her to reverse engineer.

  And so, they had to do this the old way—— using magic. It was a good thing that they had an abundance of that, and most of the races were capable of using fire magic, or any other similar abilities that would be able to propel them.

  "It's… working."

  Vanya's whispers were quiet. For all the people that were watching what was happening now, it was almost as if her words were piercing. For thousands of years, they have been stuck in their own Realms; with only the Branch as their way out. But now, with the new King that suddenly proclaimed himself to all the Realms, not only was the creation of Yggdrasil made it possible for them to move from Realm to Realm anytime they wished, they now could also venture through the expanse of space like the Aesir.

  Times… the times were changing too fast.

  "Is… Ms. Sarah ready?" Vanya then said as she looked at the eyes of the people watching; all filled with the fire of adventure and exploration, "It would seem father has once again pushed a huge responsibility to one of us."

  "I'm afraid your father has always been like that, girl," Angela then said as she let out a long and deep sigh, "It's always someone else's responsibility for him. He starts things, but then just casually moves along. Did you know he led a revolution back in the Old World? But once all the fighting stopped, he passed the responsibility of being the leader to someone else."

  "Ah, yes," Athena then hummed, "His favorite motto—— if others can do it, then let them do it. If I recall correctly…
……he learned that from you, Angela?"

  "……As his partner and lover, you should be the one guiding him now," Angela quickly said as she looked to the side, trying her best not to stutter in her words, "Maybe another child would finally settle the kid here."

  "Come to think of it, why aren't the two of you having a child, aunt Athena?" Vanya then blinked her eyes a couple of times as she looked Athena straight in the eyes, "If it's in consideration of me or your relationship with mother, then I assure you—— if there was someone that would be building a family again with father, she would have loved it to be you."

  Hearing Vanya's words, a smile slowly crawled on Athena's face. However, after a few seconds, there were no longer any traces of it.

  "I…I don't think I can bear any children," Athena then breathed out, the tone of her voice completely weak, "It's probably punishment for all the things that I have done."

  "Aunt Athena…" Vanya could only place her hand on Athena's shoulder, "……I am sure it will come when the time is right. And speaking of which, I think father is missing again after absorbing all the souls in prison."

  "The kid is obviously in distress with what that spider-lady said," Angela let out another sigh, "Although I don't know if it's true; if the kid did have another parent out there… I am sure he is searching for him or her."

  "……Did the Seraph ever tell you about something like that?" Athena then curiously asked.

  "No. But I am certain she would have mentioned it. The spider-lady did say that it was Hermes who stole this… egg or whatever weird things are out there."

  "Do… you think father would be able to find anything out there?"

  "It is possible," Athena said, her breaths slightly exasperated, "With his speed, he could more than surpass the areas of the universe I have observed. The universe, even this one…
……is far bigger than you think, Vanya."

  ***

  In the almost infinite expanse of darkness, Van was currently running through different Fragmented Worlds that were close to each other, and from afar, it was as if there was a crawling trail of light moving through the space, a golden serpent.

  "……" The light then abruptly disappeared with a flash, as an echoing ripple landed on a small fragmented world. It was then followed by a rumble of thunder as Van looked towards where he came.

  "……I'm sure they won't mind me leaving again," Van then whispered as he looked towards the brightest sets of stars littered far away across the expanse of space. He had already thoroughly searched the fragmented worlds he passed through from his previous exploration so he didn't need to stop each time; and because of this—— just a few more worlds, then he would have already passed through the world where he previously decided to return to his kingdom.

  He knew what he was doing was stupid; he had always wished for a home to finally have a normal life in. But just a year of staying there, there was something inside of him that wanted to go out and explore as soon as he learned how to survive in space.

  He thought that after a year of exploring, his craving to venture out would just wither away—— but as soon as he got back, he was once again welcomed by another revelation.

  There was another one out there—— another parent that refuses to face him, only watching from the shadows.

  It was out here somewhere… and with the looming threat of the World Eaters, Van needs everything he can to face them. This hidden god had strength way beyond than any of them was capable of—— this universe needs its help… and Van would make sure they will get it.

  "I'll come back," Van then said as he took in a long and deep breath, his eyes hesitating to leave the stars that were supposed to be his home.

  He might just be trying to find a silly excuse for his behavior, but he was doing this for his kingdom. And if ever he doesn't find this hidden god; then surely, there were others out there.

  Worlds that were so far away from what had happened to his earth; others who had no idea that an enemy so great was going to rain on them sooner or later. They weren't safe, and they should know it.

  He needed……

  to send a message to everyone in the universe.