CHAPTER 339: CHAPTER 339 - A WORLD WITHOUT LORDS

The reason Atlas was so deeply intrigued by Elyndra’s background. And by the world she came from, was because it seemed completely different from anything he had ever known.

Yes, there were countless worlds out there, countless realms where even a single Lord could rule over an entire planet, waging wars against other Lords across dimensions. That concept alone was already beyond what Atlas could fully grasp or imagine for now.

But Elyndra came from a world where there were no Lords, no floating islands, nothing like the structure of existence he was familiar with.

It was also about how she managed to arrive here from her own world. If Elyndra could be brought into this realm somehow, then logically, she might also be able to return to her original world, right?

And if that was truly possible. If Atlas could somehow gain access to that kind of ability. Then perhaps he could visit the worlds his own elite subordinates came from. He imagined what it would be like to see where Mira was born, or Milo, or Edrik, and the others.

Though he wasn’t sure about Lyrassa and Morganna. Lyrassa had once said her world was destroyed by a high-grade creature, while Morganna’s defeat in her own realm likely meant her world had fallen as well.

Atlas wasn’t new to the idea of other worlds. He had already recruited both combatants and workers from different realms through the Gateway Altar structure. A powerful device he had used many times before.

But he could never do the opposite. Those who had chosen to join him could no longer return to their home worlds once the bond was sealed.

So then... How did people from other worlds get recruited and pledge their loyalty to a Lord, even when they came from entirely different dimensions?

The explanation existed, of course, it was the work of the System. That omnipotent, godlike mechanism capable of linking multiple worlds together, weaving them into this endless battle for survival.

Still, Atlas wanted to find the answer for himself. He wanted to discover a way to access this ability through his own means. To create something, a structure or method that would let him travel between worlds by his own will.

If he could achieve that, even before the System itself granted such access to the Lords of this realm, it would be a monumental breakthrough.

That was his true goal. His main reason for pursuing all of this.

Elyndra began explaining in broad strokes, and Atlas found himself genuinely intrigued by everything she said.

"The world I came from..." the girl paused for a moment, as if searching for the right words. "My lord, I can only describe it by pointing out the differences. After learning about the lower lands, I can say that, in terms of magic, the lower lands are still far less advanced than my world."

"Understandable," Atlas replied with a thoughtful nod. "The lower lands have only seen about two thousand years of major development since the awakening era began. When awakeners first appeared, and fragments of other worlds started merging into this one."

The girl nodded softly. "As for Yunatea, the world I came from, it has been that way for as long as I can remember... two hundred and fifty years, at least, that I have lived. But according to what I’ve heard from my elders, the history of that world stretches back millions of years."

Two hundred and fifty years? Not as long as Lyrassa, but still far beyond the lifespan of most Elite Subordinates in Gacha Haven.

"One thing that was truly advanced in my world, something far beyond imagination, were the Lords who lived on floating islands," Elyndra continued. "On my world, floating islands existed too. But they weren’t common. Only a few races possessed them, and even then, their numbers were very limited."

"They weren’t something you could easily find, and their inhabitants didn’t constantly wage wars for dominance like what happens here."

She glanced out the window of the flying carriage. "And what you, my lord, are capable of in this world. Those are feats only people of immense power could achieve back home. For example, this flying carriage. In all my life, I’ve never seen anything like it, though I believe such things could exist."

Atlas nodded slightly. "I can confirm that something like this isn’t particularly rare here. Even Luna owns a similar vessel. There’s also a Lord in our alliance who can command all her forces and units to take flight under her will."

Elyndra smiled warmly. "That is truly remarkable. Even for me, a Fae. It is not something I often see."

Atlas paused for a moment, his gaze shifting toward Edrik and the others, who had been listening intently without offering any comment.

"So, if I may sum it up," he said, addressing his elite subordinates, "the world Elyndra came from is just another realm with awakeners and a wider variety of races, but one that hasn’t yet been invaded by the Lord System. And if that’s the case, it’s possible that, in the future, that world will also begin to produce Lords who rule over floating islands, right?"

No one answered at first, until Edrik gave a respectful bow and spoke. "From what I know and have studied, the Lord System can manifest in any world, under any condition. The same thing happened to the world Lyrassa came from. It shares many similarities with Yunatea, the place Elyndra hails from."

"I see," Atlas replied with a slight nod. "That does make sense."

He then turned his attention back to Elyndra.

"Now, Elyndra, I want to know how you were brought into this world. By whom, and by what means," Atlas said directly. Maybe it sounded a bit blunt, but he had made it clear from the start that he intended to dig deep into her story.

The fae girl bowed slightly before replying. "There was a great curse that fell upon our tribe... a small group of fae," she paused, hesitating. "I can explain the details later if you wish, my lord, but I don’t think it’s important enough to mention right now."

"Got it. Just tell me if there’s anything about it that matters," Atlas said calmly.

The girl nodded. "A great war broke out, one that hunted down our kind. My clan leader was targeted and killed, and the rest of us were scattered. I lost my family and wandered without finding a place to hide. Our race is a minority, and rarely accepted."

She lowered her gaze slightly, her voice quiet.

"Until one day," she continued, "I met someone, a dwarf. He was a blacksmith, on a mission to find his son who was lost in another world."

Atlas tilted his head. A blacksmith, searching for a son lost in another world? That was something worth listening to.

"I helped him gather everything he needed," Elyndra said, "until he finally managed to create a portal gate to reach his son."

"You helped him?" Atlas leaned forward, interest clear in his tone. "Does that mean you knew how to do it, or at least understood the process?" he asked, his voice growing more eager with every word.