Floating Island - Triple S Talent-Chapter 571: Root of the Realm
"I do not know much about them myself," Mesofus finally admitted, his voice heavy yet honest. "What I’ve told you was not from my own knowledge. Elder Yefta ordered me to deliver this message. So... if you wish to give thanks, direct it to him."
Laras inclined her head slightly. Something in Mesofus’s tone made her realize—even someone as strong as him had limits. There were truths even he could not touch. Behind his dignified presence, a faint sense of helplessness lingered.
Lein stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the spatial rift still hanging open in the air. "Lord Mesofus... will Elder Yefta be inside for long?" he asked cautiously.
Mesofus shook his head slowly. "I do not know," he answered. "But one thing is certain—it will not end until the full inspection is complete." His words were calm, but his eyes reflected the unease he tried to conceal. In his heart, he longed to follow inside, yet his duty bound him to the outer lines, ensuring no enemy could slip past.
For a moment, silence hung between them. Then Mesofus looked back at them.
"You may leave now, Lord Lein. Do not worry about what lies within. That matter is ours to handle."
Lein hesitated briefly. Part of him wanted to wait, to be certain. But he knew—the longer they lingered in this city, the greater the danger that could ensnare them. He drew a deep breath and gave a small nod.
"Very well, Lord Mesofus," he said firmly. "We shall take our leave. I hope your investigation yields the best results."
Mesofus raised his hand, giving a brief salute. Simple, yet carried with authority. "May your journey be safe."
Lein, Laras, and Efan turned away. With brisk steps they boarded the waiting vessel, their figures bathed in the glow of its engines. Dragnar, though still wounded, insisted on following, his eyes never leaving the trembling rift in the sky.
Slowly, their ship lifted, gliding along the air routes toward the teleportation portal. From afar, the rift still shone like an open wound carved into the cosmos.
They had to return to Skete Invictus at once. A meeting with Luxador awaited. And when all was done... they would return to Earth—back to the Divine Sky Realm.
***
The colossal tree towered amidst the endless void, standing as though it were the axis of the world. Its leaves spread wide, forming a canopy like a vast green ocean, faintly aglow with the reflection of cosmic light. Each branch extended like the arms of a god, embracing every direction with indescribable grace. Its trunk was so massive and unyielding it seemed impossible to topple—even should the heavens themselves collapse.
From the four cardinal directions, colossal bridges stretched outward, each as wide as a continent. They connected to the great tree at the center like arteries linking the heart of the world. So vast were they that even the largest warships or the grandest fleets could pass without filling their breadth.
At times, the great tree shivered, and the tremor rippled through the bridges. A rustle of leaves followed, then clusters fell, drifting silently into the abyss below. The darkness beneath resembled a bottomless sea, still and eternal, devouring anything that descended into its depths.
Above the bridges, traffic never ceased. Sleek futuristic vehicles zipped past, their transparent hulls revealing the silhouettes of passengers inside, while a soft blue glow beneath propelled them forward soundlessly. Each left behind thin trails of light, adding beauty to the panoramic scene.
But it wasn’t only vehicles. Many people crossed on foot—some in groups, others alone. Some hurried toward their destinations, others strolled leisurely, turning the bridges into more than mere passages. They had become places of recreation, suspended between the heavens and the void.
Amidst the bustle, a striking figure strode with steady steps. A luxurious brown cloak flowed from his shoulders, swaying with his every movement. At his waist hung a crystalline blue sword, its blade flickering faintly, as though pulsing with a heartbeat of its own. Behind him followed a group of people in perfect formation, moving like subordinates long accustomed to obedience.
After several steps, the man halted. He drew in a deep breath, then flicked away the dying stub of a cigarette.
Ches...
The cloaked man pressed the stub beneath his boot. The ember died with a sharp hiss, leaving a black scar on the bridge’s surface. He moved toward the transparent iron railing, his eyes locked on the endless dark below.
"Eren," he said evenly, his gaze never shifting. "Check. Is this the location?"
A young man in a red cap stepped forward. In his hands, a metal box the size of his arm projected a hovering holographic screen. Green lines flickered across it, and a red dot pulsed not far from their position.
"Confirmed, Captain," Eren replied quickly, eyes fixed on the display. "Estimated... Voidspawn, Class C."
Other team members began to murmur.
"Only Class C? That’s nothing."
"With the Captain’s Rare-grade sword, the creature won’t even have time to roar."
Their voices rose with confidence, like waves rolling one after another. Yet the cloaked man remained silent, his gaze still fixed on the abyss—as though only the silence itself was worthy of his response.
Finally, he spoke. "Yuan," he said, his tone calm but carrying absolute authority. "Open a portal point."
His eyes swept briefly over the rest. "The others—prepare yourselves."
The woman called Yuan stepped forward. Her black hair was tied neatly, her expression sharp with focus. From her pack she produced several small metallic cubes, arranging them into a perfect circle upon the bridge. Then she lifted a glowing crystal high.
A blue holographic screen shimmered before her. Her fingers danced swiftly, pressing a sequence of flashing symbols. The moment the command locked in, the crystal flared brightly.
WUUUM!
The cubes vibrated, releasing white light that connected in intricate patterns, forming the foundation of a glowing circle.
Within seconds, a vertical column of light surged upward, brilliant and sharp, as though piercing the heavens.
