Unlike the sandy beaches of the Western Continent, the Central continent bordered the Cloud Sea with massive overarching cliffs. The waves of the sea crashed against these cliffs and created spiraling patterns on its surface.
Landing on flat land, Damien and the girls took a moment to appreciate the air they were now surrounded with. It was odd that there wasn't a gradient that led to the change in atmosphere, but they didn't focus on this point.
Instead, they focused on the cleanliness and elevating feeling the mana contained. It still contained that underlying message that the entire Cloud Plane followed, but its vibe was much loftier.
"It's crazy to see how different the feeling of mana is in different places," Elena commented.
Rose nodded. "Yeah, it's more obvious here since there are multiple continents unlike Apeiron, but it really makes you wonder if mana is just a random energy that simply exists."
"Are you trying to say that mana might contain some sentience?" Damien asked, intrigued by the concept.
"Hmm, I'm not sure exactly, but doesn't the records have at least a basic level of sentience to accurately manage every being in existence and cater to their individuality?"
"Yeah, that makes sense. Still, I don't think any of us are qualified to ask such questions. There's that old saying about the truth being too dangerous for a reason."
The other two nodded in agreement. Sometimes, knowing things could hurt more than it helped. It could deflate one's confidence and drive, and also drive them into despair depending on the truth they learned.
"Well, let's not focus on such an ethereal concept at the moment. We need to figure out the direction we want to take from here."
At the mention of the future, Rose's expression became slightly pained. Although she was supportive of Damien, it didn't mean she didn't want to stay with him. She had much more fun adventuring together with him than when she was alone.
Turning to Elena, she smiled lightly. "Hmph, since you're going off on your own, I'll just have to settle with little Elena over here."
"Who are you calling little?" Elena challenged as she puffed out her chest. She was slightly taller than Rose, so with this move, she was able to slightly look down on her.
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"Just because you're taller doesn't mean I can't call you little!" Rose responded with her gaze focused on a certain area.
"Hey!"
As the two squabbled, Damien ended up looking in the other direction. Why did they have to bring up that kind of thing around him? If he inserted himself into the conversation, he would probably be labeled a pervert, but he felt that interrupting them would make him a buzz kill.
'Sigh, we probably should've asked for a map or something before we left the western continent.'
They were in too much of a hurry to leave that they had disregarded some small conveniences like directions.
'Well, I guess I'll just let fate lead me or something.'
Damien already had a goal in mind once he heard about the power structure of the central continent. Rather than the Jade Heavenly Palace, he was more interested in the Celestial Star Palace. After all, just from its name alone, he felt it was more suited to him.
"Are you guys planning to join a sect?" He suddenly asked, curious about the girls' decision.
Elena was the one to speak up first. "Mhm, we talked about it and decided we will head to the Supreme Fairy Paradise."
"That's right," Rose continued, "the sect only accepts females, so we won't have to worry about any annoying young master tropes that'll cause us more trouble in the long run."
Damien raised his brow. It turns out Rose had graduated from strictly watching anime and had read some novels in her time on earth as well.
"You should still be careful, though. Even if you can evade the young masters, you'll still be subject to plenty of jealousy with your talents. Both of you need to stay cautious even within the sect."
"Yeah, don't worry. We can take care of ourselves, I thought we already proved that."
Damien smiled wryly. Even if he knew their strength, he was allowed to worry, right? Still, he was glad they had confidence in themselves.
"If this world is anything like what we've read, arrogance is a good quality to have as long as we don't try to challenge the heavens as ants. Keep your heads high and bow to nobody unless they have earned your respect."
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There was definitely something mysterious about earth. If it was just some fantasy novels, he could accept the coincidence, but the various genres and various theologies around the world were resemblant to real worlds that existed in the observable universe.
But earth wasn't in contact with mana before a decade ago, so it should've been impossible for this to occur. But from Damien's experience in Apeiron, the fiction on earth was generally accurate in its tellings of other worlds, at least when it came to power structure.
But even as someone who bound the earth's world core, he didn't have the answers.
'Whatever, it's not important right now.'
Looking at the girls, Damien felt slightly unwilling to part. He was surprised by his own feelings, but he disregarded them. He wouldn't go back on his decisions now, and he didn't want the girls to forgo the plans they had made just because he changed his mind.
"Just be careful out there," Damien said lightly.
Rose smiled at his change in demeanor. 'This big idiot really hates being honest with himself.'
Disregarding Elena who was standing next to her, Rose embraced Damien tightly and stole a kiss. Unlike the chaste kisses they'd shared before, Rose made sure she got some tongue this time.
Damien's eyes were wide as they darted between Rose and Elena, but in the end, he just closed them and enjoyed the kiss. He wouldn't see her for a while, so he would relish this small moment they could share.
After a full minute, Rose decided it was enough and pulled back with a slightly red face. "If you forget about me before we meet again, I'll make sure to beat you up until you remember again."
Elena had been looking in the other direction, obviously not interested in watching their show of affection, but when she heard Rose talk again, she turned back around and took her chance to say farewells as well.
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Unlike Rose, she simply gave Damien a tight hug. Well, the hug wasn't too simple with how tight she was squeezing him.
Damien was trying his best to ignore the feeling of her chest pressing into his when he heard her mouse-like voice. His hearing had advanced to the point where he could hear her clearly, even if Rose couldn't.
"We aren't the only ones who need to be safe, dummy. Don't do dangerous things as you did with the sea dragon. I don't want to lose you again."
Damien smiled lightly and replied in a voice only she could hear. "I'm glad you feel that way and don't worry. I won't put you through that again."
They hadn't really talked about their feelings when he initially fell, and he didn't know whether to be happy or sad that she had been affected so deeply. He was glad she cared for him that much, but he felt that he burdened her for the 4 years it took him to return.
He really owed her a lot more than he let on, but he realized he had been neglecting her for a while. There was a reason for this, he just didn't want to admit it.
He didn't know how to feel about her. He liked her before his fall, and his feelings for her increased after the legacy tomb trial, but he felt that those increased feelings were fake.
Regardless of how accurate the representation was, that wasn't the real Elena. He didn't want his feelings for her to be based on an illusion.
So, he had been subconsciously avoiding her to somehow rid himself of those false feelings. He didn't know how he'd treat her when everything was over, but he persisted.
Still, he didn't admit this. He just comforted her slightly before they broke off their hug. With the farewells finished, the group slowly split up.
Damien watched as Elena and Rose's figures faded into the distance with a slightly forlorn gaze before turning to Zara.
"I guess it's just us again." He said.
"Mhm!" Zara responded. "Let's go, let's go!"
She was also saddened by the separation, but she was excited to spend more time with Damien. Even if she really liked the girls, she still missed the days when it was just them.
Smiling at her excitement, Damien climbed on Zara's back. 'Maybe I haven't been giving her enough attention recently.'
"Then let's go. We have a whole new world awaiting us."