In less than a day,

he came back looking utterly disheveled, armor still covered in dust.

"Hey, Jinn Carter! Weren't you going out on an adventure?"

"What happened, got scared off by some exotic beauty?"

His companions burst into laughter as they teased him.

The dwarf warrior, Jinn Carter, spat heavily on the ground, face full of disdain.

"Bah! What a damned place that was — thin energy, stifling laws, even the purification array in Dalton's public toilet is better than that dump!"

"Just being there feels suffocating!"

He waved his arms dramatically.

"The wind, the sand, the desolation — that place isn't even fit to polish the stones in our city's outer gardens!"

At first, the others were stunned. Then laughter erupted, even louder than before.

But that laughter also extinguished any remaining desire they had for exploration.

It wasn't that the Sakend Universe was truly worthless — rather, Dalton Town, under Leo's meticulous management and the infusion of countless resources, had already become a realm far beyond imagination.

Not long after, another announcement echoed through the city:

"Friendly races from the Sakend Universe are permitted, upon review, to enter specific zones within Dalton Town for limited visitation and trade."

The moment the message was broadcast, merchants' eyes gleamed with excitement.

This was the sign of infinite opportunity!

They were already rubbing their hands together, eager to welcome these otherworldly visitors with Dalton's unique goods and technologies — or, more accurately, to profit handsomely from them.

Ordinary citizens were also filled with curiosity, eager to finally see those mysterious races they had only heard about through information streams.

Lilith brought Fiona, who had finally recovered to her full strength, to the council hall deep within the World Tree courtyard.

"Mentor Elarielle, Sister Elizabeth, everyone… it's been a long time."

"It's good to see you all again!"

Lilith and Fiona greeted the gathered council warmly.

When Elarielle saw the two return safely, her first expression was joy.

But then her gaze softened — both Lilith and Fiona carried exhaustion in their eyes, the kind that only long struggle could bring.

"Lilith!"

"Fiona!"

Elarielle rushed forward, grasping their hands tightly.

"Lilith, Fiona — you've suffered."

Everyone in the hall looked at them with concern.

For the past hundred years, they had all been working tirelessly — for one purpose: to bring Lilith and Fiona home.

Now that the two stood before them safe and sound, the entire room seemed to breathe out a collective sigh of relief.

Lilith smiled faintly.

"I'm fine… just a little tired."

She didn't say much more. After greeting everyone, she wished to return and rest.

Her fatigue wasn't of the body — it was the deep exhaustion of the soul.

Fiona, on the other hand, looked vigorous; long recovery had brought her inner energy back to full bloom.

Elarielle noticed that something was wrong with Lilith's state and said softly,

"Go rest, Lilith. We'll take care of everything here."

Lilith nodded gently and left the hall.

As soon as the door closed behind her, the atmosphere in the hall shifted completely.

The warmth vanished — replaced by an almost tangible murderous intent.

Elarielle turned sharply to Fiona.

"Fiona, what exactly happened to Lady Lilith in Sakend? Please, tell us everything!"

Elizabeth, Aragis, and the others stepped forward together, eyes burning with fury and determination.

To them, Lilith wasn't merely Leo's daughter or Dalton's starborn.

She was their friend, their sister, their family.

Someone more precious than life itself.

Anyone who dared hurt her would not live to regret it.

Fiona looked at Leo. After receiving his silent approval, she began recounting everything — briefly, but enough to make the blood in everyone's veins boil.

When she finished—

Boom!

A wave of murderous intent exploded from every corner of the room, almost turning into something tangible.

"The starborns!"

Elizabeth growled, her hand already on the hilt of her sword.

Elarielle's aura flared with life mana — yet within it burned the taste of destruction.

"They must pay the price!"

Reize's eyes glinted with frost.

"President, please give the order!"

Everyone present was ready for battle.

After all these centuries, with Dalton's time dilation and near-infinite resources, their strength had soared far beyond the past.

Among them, Aragis had reached the rank of Divine Being, while Elizabeth, Walter, and several others were already at True God level.

Chosen One, Divine Envoy, Divine Oracle, Lesser God, True God, Divine Being, God King, High God, Divine Monarch, Supreme God, Sanctuary…

The starborns' strongest known leader was only at the God King peak — though it was possible they had a High God hidden among them.

Even if Dalton's overall power couldn't yet surpass the starborns', they possessed the resources, the unity, and the will to fight — and eventually, they would win.

Leo raised his hand, pressing down the waves of fury.

"The elder Nisos, who issued the bounty, is already suffering eternal torment."

"The starborns' guardian will soon come to Dalton personally. For now, this matter ends here."

Though dissatisfied, everyone bowed their heads. Leo's words were final; his judgment absolute.

Still, the anger simmered beneath the surface, refusing to fade.

Leo's gaze then turned to Fiona.

Fiona stepped forward, her dragon eyes burning with fierce conviction.

"The starborns' actions are despicable," she declared. "By the name of the Astral Ancient Dragon, I swear — from this day forth, the dragons shall sever all ties with such vile beings!"

Leo raised an eyebrow.

"Fiona, can you speak for your entire race in this?"

Fiona took a deep breath and answered solemnly,

"President, I must first return to Dragon Island and meet the Dragon Emperor face-to-face. I will report all that the starborns have done."

"I am certain His Majesty will never stand with a race so blinded by greed and arrogance."

"I request permission to depart."

Her purpose was clear — to push for a complete severance between dragonkind and the starborns, and to forge a true alliance with Dalton.

Not only for the sake of her people, but also to stand up for Lilith — for the pain her friend had endured.

Leo looked at her unwavering eyes and nodded.

"Go, then. But remember, Fiona—"

"Dalton will always be your home. Even if your kin do not stand with you, Dalton will."

"Your safety comes before all else. Lilith is waiting for you — go, and return soon."

Fiona froze for a moment. Seeing the trust and warmth in everyone's eyes, her heart swelled with emotion.

"Fiona understands."

She bowed deeply, then turned into a streak of crimson light, soaring toward Draconis Astralis, the homeland of dragonkind.

As she vanished, Leo raised his hand again.

A vague shadow formed beside him — a young man, aura completely concealed.

"Follow her in secret," Leo ordered calmly. "Ensure her safety. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary."

"Yes, President."

The youth bowed deeply, then dissolved into the shadows and disappeared — his vanishing act so seamless that even the gods in the hall felt a chill.

Everyone now realized that Leo had cultivated yet another hidden force, powerful and terrifying.

"Return to your duties," Leo said quietly. "Keep Dalton running as usual."

"Yes!"

They bowed and left one by one.

When the hall finally emptied, Leo walked alone to Star Whisper Pavilion, gently pushing open the door to Lilith's room.

"Who's there?!"

Lilith shot up from the bed like a startled deer, a faint starry glow gathering instinctively in her palm.

Seeing her terrified reaction, Leo felt his heart ache like it was being pierced by needles.

He softened his voice.

"Lilith, don't be afraid. You're home."

Lilith's tense expression eased.

"Dad…"

Leo sat beside her, gently patting her back in silent comfort.

After a long while, Lilith lifted her head, her azure eyes filled with confusion and a trace of longing.

"Dad… what kind of person was Mom?"

She hated the starborns — yet her blood carried their purest lineage.

She missed her mother — yet knew nothing about her past.

The contradiction tore at her heart.

Leo's gaze drifted into the distance, toward memories buried deep in time —

to the girl who had once stepped into his life like sunlight breaking through a storm.

Her smile had been radiant, her eyes clear and brave.

"Leo, let's get married. We don't need some grand ceremony or witnesses…"

"Don't worry — from now on, I'll be the one protecting you."

The memories surged up like waves — sweet, tender, and full of aching longing.

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