Preparations for the Niflheim operation were done mostly in secret. The only large meeting was the first one where those participating were split into their respective squadrons.
After that, at most only individual squadrons met. There was no need for further discussion as a large group since everything was being coordinated by the leaders.
After one more week passed, it was time for the Moon Squadron to set off.
Damien stood in front of Rose and Ruyue. The air between the three was filled with sorrow for parting.
Due to the nature of their job, the Sun and Moon Squadrons would arrive in Niflheim first. Only after the 6 month period given to the Moon Squadron to secure themselves would the Star and Celestial Squadrons arrive in the new world.
It was a ploy to not attract too much attention, as well as a move for efficiency.
Sadly, this meant Damien would have to spend another 6 months away from his wives.
"It seems like every time we get together, we're separated immediately after." Damien sighed sadly.
But there was nothing he could do about it.
Rose shook her head. "Don't talk nonsense. Separations like these are only so that we can build a future where we will never part, right?"
She looked at Damien endearingly as she spoke, and he understood her hidden meaning. Returning her smile, Damien echoed her last word. "Right."
He turned to look at Ruyue, who immediately turned her head away.
"Are you angry?" He asked softly. Ruyue shook her head furiously.
"I-How could I be angry?" Ruyue muttered. "It's just that you're so crazy when you're alone, how can I trust you to keep yourself safe?"
Rose nodded her head in agreement. "You're right. My only worry is that he'll do something masochistic again for the sake of his goal."
Ruyue's back straightened as she received Rose's support. She became bolder with her words. "B-besides, who knows how you'll go around chasing flowers and spring scenery when we are not with you? Even when we are together with you, you still manage to attract more women!"
Rose's nodding became vehement. "I know, right?! He's even seducing beauties without doing anything recently. It's really troublesome."
Rose's words brought back memories the trio had of a certain Empress in Apeiron. The way she would pester Damien in the time before they left the world, both Rose and Ruyue were irked by the fact that she was too strong for them to handle alone.
If Elena was still here, they'd stand a chance, but…
Rose shook her head. There was no need to be sad over Elena's departure since they'd inevitably meet again in the future.
Since Elena was leaving to get stronger, Rose needed to focus as well. If there was one person she refused to lose to, it was Elena.
The trio of husband and wives continued their conversation deep into the night, along with satisfying some of their physical cravings for each other.
But Damien still wasn't able to take the final step with Ruyue. When he tried, she put her finger over his mouth and whispered into his ear.
"Come back safe this time as well, and I'll let you do whatever you want to me."
It went without saying that Damien's lust was piqued by her words. The night the three shared after that was especially exciting.
But the sun and moon had to interchange at some point. The continuation of natural order wouldn't pause for the missing sentiments of three people.
And when the sun rose across the horizon of the Cloud Plane, Damien found himself standing atop a large flight-type artifact that could house the 650 members of the Moon Squadron.
'This artifact is surprisingly modern. The design is similar to an aircraft carrier, except it's a spade vessel. How curious.' Damien commented to himself.
The atmosphere inside the ship was completely different from the Cloud Plane. If Damien had to explain it, he'd say that the genre changed from Eastern Fantasy to Sci-fi.
'This bodes well for the coming trip. Taking the advanced equipment those scientists on Earth had, I'm assuming this Niflheim dabbled into mana engineering and science far more than those of the Cloud Plane did.'
Was it a difference in cultures? Were they influenced somehow? It all made Damien curious.
Especially when he remembered an old question he harbored. After spending so much time in the Cloud Plane, it'd completely slipped his mind.
'Mana Circuits of Apeiron, In-borne Meridians of the Cloud Plane, Earth seems to be developing a system of Mana Circles and Veins…will Niflheim show me something different as well?'
Worlds were so curious. Damien remembered the reason his spark of adventure shone so brightly. He utterly loved discovering all these small things.
Although the mana utilization methods of each place being different didn't affect their battle prowess much, it told to how their civilization developed.
The way they utilized mana would change based on their environment. In a world of heavy technological advents like Niflheim, how did they develop?
Besides curiosity, there was also desire. The Ananta Matrix was built with situations like these in mind.
If the Niflheim method of mana utilization was useful and could be incorporated into the ever-changing Ananta Matrix…
Damien would become far more powerful without the need to face his Baptism early.
'Consolidate, consolidate, consolidate. It sounds so lame, it sounds like an excuse to run away from my tribulation. But…' Damien grinned to himself.
There's no way he'd be afraid of his Universe Baptism. He'd already gone through something similar already.
The reason for his sudden change in focus to consolidating his current power was different. Actually, the cause lay in Yun.
[4th-class is a power level that heavily relies on comprehension. The weight of one's Legend becomes increasingly important as well. If the Master wishes to firm his foundation for Godhood, it is best to reach the peak of your current power before attempting to attain the Universe's acknowledgement.]
It came suddenly one day after he received his Partial Baptism. At that point, he felt extreme confidence to break through immediately.
But before he could ride his high and make a decision he'd regret in the future, Yun spoke up.
But…there was much that Damien didn't understand about Yun's words. But he understood the gist.
"Focus on raising comprehension instead of leveling."
Damien smiled. 'It's not bad. It's actually quite fun to suppress myself and improve myself at the same time. The challenge is truly motivating.'
His current location was within the small room he was given as accommodation. His gaze was directed outside the glass-like window that decorated the side of the room.
He watched as the flight artifact slowly rose from the ground, the mana around it raging and allowing it to hover in the air.
On the ground below, he saw two dots of pink and white standing and watching the ship's departure.
He waved them goodbye, even though he knew they couldn't see him.
And his sights were set on the future, clearing his mind of anything other than it.
A new adventure was finally starting, and the war that had been looming over the horizon for so long was finally within reach.
Damien's entire body tingled in excitement as he thought about it.
***
Sector 3 was located near the observable universe's periphery. In fact, it was possible for one to enter the Abyss through Sector 3.
But it was still bordered on two sides by other Sectors. Sector 4 of the Giants and Sector 2 of the Demons.
Currently, in the center of Demon Territory, a commotion was taking place.
"Lord! An Angel has visited the palace!" An alarmed voice cried out as it entered the throne room.
Lucifer, the current Monarch of Demon Territory, indifferently gazed upon the messenger.
But since he didn't speak any words, the messenger knew he was being told to continue.
"Lord, the High Angel Parsiel is requesting an audience with you. He doesn't seem to be visiting with hostile intentions."
Lucifer's eyes left the attendant and switched to the throne room doors. However, it was clear that his eyes easily pierced through such a flimsy physical barrier.
It didn't take long to find his target. The High Angel Parsiel, the very same angel who participated in the emergency meeting only a few months ago, was pacing impatiently in the reception hall.
Lucifer's placid gaze watched Parsiel for a few moments before he tiredly opened his mouth.
"Let him in. I wish to see him as well."
