Through the use of Void Concealment, Yse and I infiltrated the Invasive World.
Well, infiltrating it was an understatement. We forced an entry and I threatened the World's Will before it could actually do something, showing it my Energy Control as well as the appearance of the Chaotic Will's incarnation.
With that, it was quickly silenced to submission. Nonetheless, that didn't mean that it would hand over its authority to me. It emphasized that as long as I don't do anything destructive, it would treat our existence as visitors and let us pass to arrive at the surface of its world without alerting anyone.
Watching all that from my side, I heard Yse sighing in amazement while saying, "Truly, the gap between us has already grown so wide that it might be even better to leave us on Earth."
"Don't be. Your Eye of Destiny will be important later on and I will be relying on it."
"I see. To find the location of the Source Energy Core."
"Correct. And not just that, the farther we traveled from Earth, the need for your eye increases. For now, I'll deliver on my words."
Yse nodded and looked forward to what I was going to show her.
Through observing and peeking over the denizens while remaining undetected. We found out that the reddish world was called by its denizens as the World of Inferno.
Everywhere, there were ever-burning forests, sea of fires, eternally-active volcanoes, and other such natural disasters happening all year-round.
The denizens were living on floating islands that were supported by some mechanism like the one Sofiel and the Luxians used on Aves.
Well, not all denizens, at least, those who were privileged enough to buy passage to those floating islands away from the natural disasters.
It's like a paradise for powerful, influential people that marginalized the rest of their population.
After looking around, more than 90% of the world's denizens were still living on the surface that could be comparable to hell in some religious depictions.
Can you dive in a sea of fire? Make your way through the ever-burning forest? Or encounter lava flooding your house every once in a while?
Yep. That's how the denizens were living in this world.
"How can someone live here?"
As I expected, Yse found it ridiculous that the denizens could still live freely despite the harsh conditions.
Although the intelligent race that dominated this world also looked like humans, their skins were actually red. Most likely, their genes evolved and developed to that point to adapt to the hellish condition of the world. Or they're already born that way.
"It's a matter of perspective, Yse. They're born in this world. They have no other choice but to live in its harsh condition. And as you can see, there's no discomfort in their eyes."
"You're right… I seem to have compared them to the worlds we've been to."
Yse looked away from the denizens who had no clue that they were being watched and set her sights on the floating islands.
I told her I would show her proof of what I uttered but really, this was just a showcase of the inevitability of every Source Energy being's eventual fate.
And through her unique eyes, she'd be able to see that.
"That's fine. You're just like most Source Energy beings. Discovering the other aspects of the universe we're living in."
"Pfft. You really sounded like an old man there, Daisuke. I still prefer the innocent you back when I first met you."
"I recovered my memories. Unfortunately, I found myself cringing at how I was acting back then. I tried running away from Jayna and Yumiko instead of just facing them properly."
"You did face them eventually. That's the most important."
"Right." I wryly smiled, accepting her view of that situation.
A while later, we arrived above the largest floating island in the world. Compared to what we've seen below, it's definitely the difference between heaven and earth.
There's a palace in the middle of it, the kind you wouldn't expect in this kind of world.
There, the ones that dominated this world resided. And obviously, they're not native denizens but Transcendents sent by the Invasive World organization; the Overworld Serpent.
Still hidden by my Void Concealment, Yse and I walked along the unpopulated streets of the world.
"What is this? I thought they're part of the organization?" Yse muttered when she saw the red-skinned Mortal Rank denizens being transported while restrained by a bunch of Rank 2 Transcendents to a large warehouse facility.
Obviously, what was inside it was similar devices like the Cauldron the Dark Soldiers used in the World of System.
They're about to be turned into a Source Energy ball.
"No. Only the ones living in these floating islands are part of the organization; especially the Transcendents and those related to them. The rest are resources they can exploit." I answered as we moved to another place.
We entered a huge structure that resembled a dojo. Inside there, we found young denizens being trained in bizarre ways that didn't need one to go out to adventure and see the world by themselves while letting their resting chambers flood with Source Energy.
It's easy to call the place a Warrior Training Facility.
I had no idea how they were selected but it's easy to ascertain what kind of future was waiting for them.
Transcendent Soldiers to be sent on Natural Source Energy Worlds or anything that would further the goals of the organization.
"I said that every world is heading in the same direction, right?"
After touring the whole world, taking in everything it has to offer, Yse and I soared to the sky and looked down from above there.
"You did… It's destruction."
"That's right. And it's only a matter of which one will be destroyed first, regardless of the innocents living there. You can say that this world hasn't done anything to harm us. However, they've already brought down other Natural Worlds. And if left alone, it will eventually evolve into a Transcendent World. By then, leaving this region to directly invade worlds will be their next step."
"I understand. I get what you mean. It is a simple logic of whether it will be us who will be destroyed first or them."
"Correct. If you still have doubts after seeing all of this… Miss Yse can sit out. I also won't ask for you to pinpoint the Source Energy Core."
Well, I also finished gauging the strength of those Transcendents that weren't originally from here.
Even until now, Space Vessels come and go, delivering resources mined and produced in this world to who knows where. Of course, those resources consisted of the Source Energy balls as well as other minerals that could be used for something.
Furthermore, this is just one of the many Invasive Worlds connected to the Overworld Serpent. They had already set their sights on Earth. Whether we held back on this or not, they would definitely arrive to take us down.
"No. I will participate. We joined you not to hinder your goals. That's why…"
Yse declared with apt determination. She then floated forward and activated her Eye of Destiny.
Source Energy swirled around her, undoing the Void Concealment and revealing herself to the world.
Once that happened, every Transcendent below us jumped on their feet and looked up. The World's Will that was silent was triggered as thunderous roars echoed.
Upon seeing it, I also made a move. I spread out my Transcendent Aura and encased Yse to protect her from the World's Will's authority.
At the same time, system notifications informed me of the World's Will's futile attempt.
[The World's Will is trying to suppress your Source Energy]
[A part of your Energy Control has fully neutralized the suppression]
"I found it! The Source Energy Core is located there!" Yse pointed in a certain direction. Right below the largest floating island.
That's nice. We don't need to go out of our way to search for it beneath the surface.
"Great! Well then… Let's call our reinforcements." I looked up and sent a message to my Companions at the Kingfisher.
A few seconds later, the large Space Vessel could be seen from outside the atmosphere, piercing through the Source Energy protection made by the World's Will.
It burned like a meteor, painting the sky in a bright burning glow.
By the time they broke through the atmosphere and landed on the surface of one of the floating islands, numerous Transcendents ranging from Rank 1 to 3 and combat Space Vessels soared to the skies, weapons in hand.
That's a great welcoming party.
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