Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 378 - Papa’s Home

Atlas stood last, watching as hundreds of his soldiers entered the portal that would take them back to Gacha Haven. Only his elite subordinates remained behind him as he finally stepped into the teleportation portal himself.

In that brief moment between spaces, one thought crossed his mind. Who would he want to see first once he arrived on the island?

When he opened his eyes again, he could already smell the familiar air of Gacha Haven, feeling its warmth stirring both his senses and his soul.

A satisfied smile spread across his face. Yet almost immediately, he noticed something. His soldiers before him were stepping aside, opening a path for someone.

Atlas paused for a second, looking ahead.

Then his expression softened, and he broke into a wide smile, even letting out a small laugh. Someone was there waiting for him. No, not someone. A child.

A little girl with braided hair tied neatly behind her head, looking about five years old, wearing a fitted outfit with a light protective outer layer.

"Papa!" her voice called out brightly.

Atlas began walking forward as the girl ran toward him with all her strength. He quickened his pace, lowering himself just as she leapt into his arms. With a laugh full of relief, he lifted her high into the air.

"Papa! You’re back, Papa! I missed you so much! You were gone for so long, Papa... Papa..." she said, her voice trembling with pure joy.

"Vienne..." Atlas whispered her name, his voice trembling as tears welled up in his eyes.

He had never felt a joy this complete, this overwhelming, at seeing someone again.

He pulled the little girl into his arms and held her tightly against his chest.

"Papa, look at me! I’ve grown! I’m stronger now! Mama taught me how to fight with a sword..." her voice trailed off as Atlas closed his eyes, drowning in the warmth of a happiness so deep it left him breathless.

He hugged the girl even tighter, as if trying to merge her small heartbeat with his own. At that moment, Atlas could feel it... love. A love so pure and so powerful that it filled every part of his being. Only when holding his little girl, his Vienne, could he feel something this real.

"You’ve grown so much... you look like you’re already five," he said softly.

Then he set her down and knelt in front of her so that their eyes met at the same level.

"Papa! I want to show you how I fight with a sword! Uncle Baldric made me a really cool and strong armor! I can jump really high now! And I can’t wait to take down my first enemy with my sword!"

Atlas frowned slightly, his heart tightening. Morganna...

She’s only a little kid... he thought, tears silently filling his eyes as he looked at his daughter. His child who was already dreaming of battle.

Atlas nodded slowly, realizing that Vienne’s presence gave him an even stronger reason to keep fighting. His gaze hardened with quiet resolve.

He lifted the little girl into his left arm, and she wrapped her small arms around his neck, resting her head against his shoulder.

A moment later, Mira came running up to them, stopping right in front of Atlas.

"My lord... I missed you so much..." she said softly, hugging his right arm and brushing her cheek gently against it.

"Hi, Mira," Atlas replied with a warm smile. "You look like you’ve been doing really well."

They began walking together at a slow, steady pace.

With a bright, innocent tone, Mira started speaking. "My lord, I took care of the island really well! I regrew the plants, the carrots, the fruits, the flowers, the trees, and all the grass in every corner of the island! I made sure nothing was left untouched. Everything’s perfectly taken care of!"

Atlas smiled quietly at her cheerful report, but then he paused and turned his head toward her.

"Lyrassa? Has she woken up yet?"

Mira giggled softly. "Lyrassa is still asleep. It seems she’s enjoying her long rest this time."

It’s already been over a month, Atlas thought. But she should be fine. Maybe she just needed more time.

He wasn’t too worried. Even though Lyrassa was the main support of Gacha Haven, Elyndra could still step in and handle the role when needed.

After that, Atlas spent the next several hours doing a quick check with everyone in Gacha Haven. He reviewed the progress on the Soulbound Armor project, the maintenance of the spider spirit beasts, and the preparations for the next war.

He did all of this while still carrying Vienne in his arms. The little girl kept playing with his hair, occasionally tugging at it or, at times, nibbling at his ear playfully, making Atlas chuckle more than once despite his busy schedule.

By the time evening arrived, Atlas made his way to Morganna’s residence. He entered the grand hall where the vampire queen stood, holding a glass filled with a deep red liquid.

"Mama! Look! Papa’s back! Mama!" Vienne called out excitedly.

Morganna turned around at her daughter’s voice, her crimson eyes softening the moment they landed on Vienne. Of course... Atlas had already expected that reaction.

He watched quietly as Morganna stepped closer, her movements elegant and unhurried, until she stood face to face with him.

"Since when did your level reach two hundred?" Atlas murmured, noticing it only now.

Morganna smirked at his words. "So, you haven’t even checked Vienne’s level yet after being away from her for so long?"

Atlas blinked in surprise. She was right. He hadn’t checked Vienne’s level at all. Not even once since he returned. Until...

[Name: Morravienne]

[Level: 116]

[Strength: 378 | Agility: 433 | Intelligence: 168 | Constitution: 215 | Stamina: 353]

[Balanced Vitality (SS) - Predator’s Instinct (S) - Blood-Mana Conduit (A)]

"What?!" Atlas almost shouted in disbelief.

"Papa, look at my level! Cool, right? I’m level 116!" Vienne said proudly.

Vienne’s Agility was an incredible 433. That number was astonishingly high. With that kind of speed, she could already hold her own in battle. And her Strength...

Atlas swallowed hard as he read the numbers, his chest tightening with both awe and unease.

Morganna smirked again. "Don’t you dare compare her to your fragile, weak race."

Atlas shook his head slowly. Of course, it had to be the effect of the soul-link that connected him, Morganna, and Vienne. His own rapid level-ups during his recent hunts must have influenced Vienne’s growth as well.

At this rate, in just a few more months, Vienne could actually be ready to join them on the battlefield. But even the thought of seeing her fight, of seeing her bleed, twisted something deep inside him.

No matter how strong she became, Atlas couldn’t bring himself to accept the idea of his own daughter facing that kind of danger.

"Mama said I’ll join the war too, Papa! I’ve been training! Fighting with a sword and magic! I love running fast and using my sword fast!" Vienne said, her voice bubbling with joy.

Atlas’s heart ached. He hugged her tightly, holding her small body close against his chest. A soft smile touched his lips, followed by a quiet, tired laugh.

"Thank you... for taking care of her while I was gone."

Morganna’s expression didn’t change. "She is my daughter. You have no right to thank me for that."

Atlas fell silent, then reached out and gently took her hand.

In that moment, without another word, Morganna stepped closer until she leaned against him.

For now, Atlas let the quiet linger. Let this small, fragile peace fill the space between them. Just for a while. Before the real battle began.