CHAPTER 88: CHAPTER88-COMPETING FOR LILITH’S FAVOR

Dalton Town.

Leo slowly lowered his hand, and the vision before his eyes faded away.

His expression grew a shade heavier.

"I didn’t expect the Clawclash Empire to be even stronger than I imagined," he muttered softly.

Though they were still no more than ants before him, their overall strength far surpassed that of Dalton and the Sakend Plane.

This strike of his—though merely a warning—was meant to buy Sakend a bit more time to develop.

"The entire plane—especially Dalton—must now undergo a qualitative leap," he said to himself.

"Otherwise, when the Clawclash Empire’s legions arrive, unless I intervene personally, the Sakend Plane will be doomed."

But that would go against his very purpose.

He hadn’t founded Dalton just to raise a group of fragile flowers in a greenhouse, always hiding behind his protection.

What would be the point of that?

Just then, a familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind.

[Dear Host, a friendly reminder: now that you possess the ability to traverse across worlds, shouldn’t you go look for your wife?]

Leo fell silent for a long moment.

It was true—he did have that power now.

But if even with this level of strength he still couldn’t find her... wasn’t that wife of his a little too terrifying?

Just how powerful must she be?

And if someone that powerful had once fallen in love with him—

Leo couldn’t help but wonder if there was something deeply suspicious about that!

After another pause, he finally exhaled and said quietly,

"Not yet. When the time is right, we’ll meet again."

He couldn’t explain why, but a trace of unease surfaced within his chest.

It was a complicated emotion—part longing, part fear.

Still, taking things one step at a time didn’t seem so bad.

His yearning for his wife had never faded, but after all these countless years...

Was she still the same as before?

Leo shook his head, brushing away the turmoil.

Focus on the present first.

Inside the Presidential Hall of Dalton.

Elizabeth and the other core members of Dalton were deep in discussion with the Divine Race and Undead Race about the final details of their upcoming expedition.

There were three ruins to explore:

the Human Mage Tower, the Sky Council, and the Church of the Divine Edict.

These relics of the ancient human civilization were little known to Dalton.

They would need to rely on the ancient knowledge of the Divine and Undead Races.

"Chief Felix, are you certain we should move as a single group?" Elizabeth asked.

Felix stroked his beard and replied,

"It is merely a suggestion."

He insisted that they should explore the ruins together.

Though it might reduce efficiency, it would ensure maximum safety.

However, not only did the Dalton representatives disagree—

the Undead Race openly opposed the idea.

The Undead, with their immense vitality and disregard for danger, had always despised the Divine Race.

Were it not for Dalton’s presence, they would never have agreed to cooperate at all.

As for Dalton, Leo’s instructions had been clear:

This mission was less about seizing opportunities and more about tempering themselves.

They had gone too long without a proper trial by fire.

A real challenge was long overdue.

Thus, splitting up suited them perfectly.

Hardiman, the Undead patriarch, spoke firmly:

"I will lead my warriors to the Sky Council ruins. The rest of you, do as you wish."

As he spoke, his gaze swept meaningfully toward the Dalton delegation.

Elizabeth merely smiled and shook her head.

In the end, all three factions agreed to divide their forces into three teams.

Elizabeth and Aragis would accompany the Undead Race to the Sky Council.

Walter would join the Divine Race in exploring the Church of the Divine Edict.

Since Fiona and Elarielle were occupied accompanying Lilith, they could not participate.

That left Reize in charge of exploring the Human Mage Tower.

Elizabeth walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"Reize, be careful out there. But don’t worry—once we’re done, we might come find you at the Mage Tower."

Reize’s mouth twitched slightly.

Just then, a crisp, melodic voice rang out from beyond the hall.

"I want to go too!"

A young girl wearing a finely crafted azure battle dress came running in.

Her breathing was slightly hurried, but her face glowed with radiant excitement.

"I want to join the expedition!"

The entire Dalton contingent immediately bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Miss Lilith!"

The Divine and Undead delegates exchanged confused glances.

"And this young lady is...?"

To their shock, they realized they couldn’t sense her power at all—

as if she were veiled by some inscrutable force.

Elizabeth smiled and introduced her,

"This is the President’s daughter, Miss Lilith."

The President’s daughter?!

At once, every eye in the room lit up.

Hardiman was the first to speak, his voice booming and respectful.

"Miss Lilith, please accompany my Undead Race to explore the Sky Council!

With our endurance and strength, we will ensure your complete safety!"

Felix let out a cold snort.

"Endurance? Is that all you people ever boast about?"

"When real danger comes, all your toughness will do is let you die a little slower. How will you protect her like that?"

He turned toward Lilith, putting on a kindly smile.

"Miss Lilith, it would be far wiser to join us, the Divine Race, in exploring the Church of the Divine Edict.

Our power is vast—far beyond that of these brutish corpses."

Hardiman’s expression darkened instantly.

"Old fool, did you just call the Undead Race brutes?!"

Felix sneered, "My dear old friend, have you truly no sense of self-awareness?"

"You’re asking for it! I’ve tolerated you long enough!"

"Hmph! As if I’d ever fear you!"

In an instant, the hall was filled with killing intent as both sides prepared to strike.

Hummmm—!

An invisible, overwhelming pressure suddenly descended upon the hall, crushing all energy in the air.

"What... what kind of restriction is this?!" both races gasped inwardly.

Terror flickered across their faces.

To suppress them so effortlessly—

this alone proved just how unfathomable the President’s strength truly was.

At that moment, Lilith’s calm voice broke the silence.

"I’m not going to the Church of the Divine Edict, nor the Sky Council.

I’ll go to the Human Mage Tower."

The Human Mage Tower?!

In the corner, Reize—who had been keeping quietly to himself—lit up with joy.

Miss Lilith still cares about me after all!

"Miss!" he exclaimed, stepping forward immediately.

"I was just assigned to explore the Human Mage Tower. I would be honored to accompany you!"

Lilith hesitated for a brief moment, then nodded.

"Very well."

Both she and Reize were human, and they had grown up together in Dalton.

Though Reize was a few years older, the bond between them had always been like that of close kin.

Her only hesitation was whether her presence might interfere with Reize’s trial.

But after a moment’s thought, she decided it might actually help to have a companion she could trust.

Elarielle cleared her throat gently.

"Lilith, Reize is reliable, yes—but with just the two of you, exploring the Mage Tower might be risky. Perhaps we should—"

Before she could finish, a calm, soothing voice drifted in from afar.

"Have you all forgotten about me?"

Elarielle turned to see Elarielle herself entering—her aura unmistakably at Divine Monarch Rank.

The Divine and Undead representatives stiffened in shock.

Just how many powerhouses is Dalton hiding?!

And then—

A soft, proud voice sounded from Lilith’s arm.

A small, crystalline dragon poked its head out from her sleeve, gleaming with divine light.

"Don’t forget about this dragon!

With me here, no one will lay a finger on Lilith!"