"Even if I say this… Mortal Worlds can be as dangerous as well. Among the latest news about those, I heard that there were at least three Mortal Worlds which managed to close the Portal Great One Rhellor and Onimbus painstakingly opened three years ago. Great One Rhellor's descendant is currently trapped in there and will be without additional help. If he's strong enough, he will conquer that world with his strength but considering it was closed while he's there, the denizens of that High-risk World are stronger than expected."
Alwyn followed up after taking her gaze off the sky. It's easy to guess that she's talking about the Worlds we managed to close. And that descendant... My girls will take care of him. My Avatar will make sure they do so. I will merge with that memory after this.
"I'm not sure if this is true because I'm not part of the operation concerning Mortal Worlds, but from what I heard, the worlds the Great Ones chose to invade three years ago are being backed by another higher world which sent people to help them resist our forces..."
When Alwyn reached this point, her eyes went back to me. By telling me all of this information about the Mortal Worlds, she's definitely curious about me, alright. However, because of her loyalty to Illiana, she will not just throw any questions towards me.
"You can ask me questions, you know? I will be helped by you and from what I observed from you, you might not be able to get some sleep if what you're curious about weren't answered."
It's not like it will hurt me if she asked me about where I came from.
"N-no. It's better if I don't know. All I know is you're special enough that the Great One made a risky move for your sake." Alwyn hurriedly rejected while being flustered. She's flustered that I saw through her curiosity despite her being an Exalted.
And 'special enough', huh? Perhaps she's also curious why Illiana made a move for my sake. What kind of fantasy will she be thinking to explain my connection with Illiana?
"Alright just remember that you can ask me anytime. I will answer those I can. Also, I will remember your help and your loyalty to her. I'm glad she has a loyal subordinate like you." I smiled and before I knew it, I referred to Illiana a bit impolitely considering her status.
"She? Her? Please refer to the Great One with respect!"
And as I expected, that did not escape Alwyn's ears. Perhaps if not for her command to treat me with the utmost respect, this woman would've drawn her weapon and attacked me at this moment. Instead of that, her Transcendent Aura instantly leaked out and put me under intense pressure. Judging from just that, there's no way I will be able to fight an Exalted like her. Alwyn and Remilia are on a whole different level. And Illiana even more so.
Guessing about her identity probably put a certain idea in my subconscious but I shouldn't be complacent just because we have a certain connection.
True. Her identity as a possible previous Companion is high, but I shouldn't take that for granted. I will reach her level and learn about everything about this world, alongside her.
"I didn't mean any disrespect. I apologize. I was truly out of line. Still, It's reassuring that the Great One has someone like you."
I bowed before repeating my words, changing the way I called Illiana.
"Likewise, I apologize for my behavior."
Alwyn sighed and released me from the pressure of her Transcendent Aura.
To clear up the tension which unnecessarily built up, Alwyn continued to tell me about the last parts of the history of this world.
The redistribution of tribes ended with Zaraya becoming the one with the highest number of tribes under him. Soon after that, 20 years of peace followed.
That period of peace ended when Zaraya, backed by the other two Great Ones who came back with him from a higher world, announced their planned invasion of the Mortal Worlds. The records stated that he found the method to strengthen the world by having the World's Will to assimilate a Mortal World's Source Energy.
Whether it was with the World's Will's consent or not, it was not stated.
That announcement was the start of Dark World transforming from a Created World which hadn't seen its Creator for a long time to an Invasive World. And it happened around 600 years ago.
At first, the denizens were confused as to what that means since they all lived their life only knowing about the Dark World. The trip of the three to a higher world was only known to those closest to the current power ceiling at that time. Only recently did that information was added to history.
With every Mortal World they assimilated, the world's Dark Energy grew denser and stronger add, those worlds were slowly being merged to the Dark World, resulting in the landmass' growth as well as new denizens whose Source Energy changed.
Of course, not every original denizen accepted those Mortal World denizens, thinking they're not true Dark World borne. Some shunned and some enslaved them at first.
However, at some point in time, Illiana who came out after a long silence along with another Great One named Halion changed that. Allowing those who became a Dark World denizen through the assimilation of their worlds to create their own tribes if they want to or join existing tribes and integrate themselves to their new world.
Just like that white-robes tribe we encountered inside one of the Dark World Zones.
Although that happened, the discrimination towards them didn't change. Rhellor and Onimbus decreed that those absorbed denizens whether they created their own tribe or not will be the ones to become their vanguard on new Mortal Worlds they will invade in the future all in the guise of Authorization Rights.
If they manage to conquer a Mortal World, then they will not be discriminated against anymore and will be treated as a true Dark World denizen.
It's not as if they have a choice. Illiana already spoke for them before. She would surely be questioned if she objected again. Not letting them become slaves was already admirable enough. If it was me, I would not stick my neck out for anyone else. I'm not a Hero. I'm as selfish as I can get.
"Did that mean that the ones sent to the Mortal Worlds you're invading this time were all absorbed denizens of Mortal Worlds you assimilated?"
I thought those Dark Soldiers, Beastmasters and Elves were all original denizens, am I wrong?
"Not everyone. We, original denizens, can also benefit from the experience. To tell you the truth, I was also once sent in a Mortal World invasion when I was still a Mortal Rank. It was an experience that helped me progress to reach this point. Since we're invading other worlds, dying is normal and losing is also common."
There's a bit of hesitation that could be felt through her words. She's being careful not to slight me.
"I see. This is truly insightful."
So they also experienced losses before, huh? It must be because they couldn't send their Transcendents early on. Some Mortal Worlds even have the possibility of having Transcendents in them. Although some would Ascend to a higher world if they're connected to a Converging World, there's a lot who would choose to stay in a world where they're one of the strongest. Encountering a world like that, they have to possess the means to beat those or better yet, think of a way to not become hostile against them. Just like the World of Meta or World of Elements.
"The Portals the Great Ones opened three years ago were actually unusually high in numbers. Also, the distance is too far which resulted in a slower widening of the Portals. During my time, the Portal can allow a Transcendent to descend in just a year but this time, it took three years. It was even estimated to be longer than that." Alwyn added.
A lot of the piled-up questions in my mind are finally being answered. In a way, it's now not bad to be trapped in here. This is a great deal of information and answered most of my questions about our enemies.
"I'm grateful for all of this. However, is it fine to tell me about this kind of information?"
"Like I told you, the Mortal Worlds isn't the one with the highest priority so it's fine. It's not classified information anyway. Anyone can access it if they want to know."
"I see. Then if it's low in priority, what is considered high?"
Upon hearing my question, Alwyn sighed once more and like earlier looked out of the window.
"Defending our world against other worlds who think us evil for invading and assimilating Mortal Worlds..."
"That…"
"You also think that, right? Our denizens are invading your world after all."
Alwyn smirked. The gloom on her face couldn't be hidden despite her curved lips.
"I'd be lying if I say no. Then those attacking this world, are they also…?"
"Yes, they are from Transcendent Worlds like us except, they're not an Invasive World like our world."
Her hands slowly clasped tightly into a fist which indicated her current feelings.
This is what she meant by she's looking at a bigger picture. They're also fighting to defend their world.
It makes sense. After learning about the World Categories through Sofiel, it also passed my mind that the Dark World is possibly being hunted down by other Transcendent Worlds.
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