Chapter 10 - A Walk, A Secret Realm, and a Watchful Mother

Chapter 10 - A Walk, A Secret Realm, and a Watchful Mother

The middle-aged butler, after informing Jade about the twins' desire to go for a walk, immediately nodded and said, "You can take them. Just make sure they wear the family emblem to avoid trouble."

Jade wasn't worried at all. He had absolute control over the entire domain in the 18th Heaven. If he wished, he could eliminate anyone using the domain's laws, even crushing a god at the Horizon Realm. With such authority, allowing his daughters a simple walk was of no concern to him.

Just as he finished speaking, Yula's voice interjected, her tone carrying a hint of displeasure. "Jade, right now isn't a good time, is it?" She frowned, her piercing gaze questioning whether he truly cared for their daughters.

Jade sighed at her reaction and replied calmly, "I know what you're worried about. I'm aware of the secret realm's opening. Many geniuses will compete to raise their rankings in the Primordial Youth Ranking, but it doesn't concern our daughters." His voice carried confidence, unwavering in his belief that no danger would touch them.

Yula relaxed slightly at his words, but a trace of worry remained in her expression. "We can't be sure. We need to assign more guards to them. If you don't agree, I won't let them go at all." Her tone turned firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

The middle-aged butler shuddered at the tension between the two. Their mere presence carried such immense power that even lower-realm gods would be unable to move if they unleashed their full strength. Jade glanced at the butler and sensed his unease. With a sigh, he gave in, knowing his wife's stubbornness. "Alright, alright. You're scaring the butler," he said in a composed tone, though deep inside, he was wary.

Despite being in the same realm, he knew he couldn't defeat Yula. Her advantage wasn't just her position as a domain master, which granted her control over its laws and an endless supply of power—it was something else. Deep down, he suspected that she had already surpassed the Horizon Realm. If my hunch is correct… he mused but shook his head, pushing the thought aside.

Yula smiled faintly, her earlier tension melting away. Though she remained calm on the surface, deep down, she was already planning. I should sneak out too. I want to observe them and ensure their safety. Her thoughts raced with excitement, though she kept her expression neutral.

Jade noticed her change in demeanor and felt relieved. He gestured to the butler, signaling him to make the preparations. The butler, grateful to have survived the immense pressure of their presence, bowed and quickly left.

Minutes passed. Olivia and Ella sat waiting while the guards fanned them, ensuring their comfort. A small bench had been prepared for Olivia, who was feeling sleepy. At Ella's command, the guards ensured their rest remained undisturbed.

The middle-aged butler soon returned. The moment he arrived, Ella immediately resumed her innocent facade. "Did Father and Mother agree?" she asked, feigning nervousness.

The butler nodded. "Yes, Young Miss. Your father, the Domain Head, agreed immediately. The preparations are complete—let's go."

With that, the butler extended his arm, tapping a bracelet on his wrist. A small, ornate boat materialized in his hand. He tossed it to the ground, and in an instant, it expanded, its aura shifting as a strange blue energy radiated from its surface.

Ella widened her eyes in mock surprise. "What is that?" she asked, pretending to be clueless, though she had already guessed the answer.

"It's an artifact, Young Miss," the butler said with a hint of mystery, sensing Ella's curiosity. He enjoyed the chance to broaden her knowledge.

"Artifact?" Ella repeated, tilting her head in feigned confusion.

The butler chuckled. "There's no need to be surprised, Young Miss. This is a common item here. It's just a low-level artifact. Considering that your father is the Domain Head, acquiring one shouldn't be an issue." His tone carried pride, as if reassuring her that she would have access to far greater treasures in the future.

Ella nodded. "Hmm… I want to ride it. Can we?" Her tone was filled with curiosity, though in reality, she was eager to compare it to an airplane from Earth.

"Absolutely, Young Miss!" The butler's enthusiasm was evident. At his command, the guards carefully lifted the bench to avoid disturbing Olivia. Ella allowed them to do so, showing no resistance.

Once aboard, her excitement quickly faded. The flying boat was nothing like a plane. Unlike an airplane's cramped, back-to-back seating, this vessel had a clean, open space. The lack of resemblance left her somewhat disinterested. She simply patted Olivia's head, watching as her sister instinctively sucked on her finger in her sleep, like a baby.

The butler, however, was in awe. Geniuses truly see the world differently… Even a flying boat doesn't impress her. He marveled at Ella's reaction, his respect for her deepening.

Ella, unaware of his thoughts—or perhaps not caring—remained lost in her own contemplation. She had already envisioned far greater wonders in this fantasy world.

The flying boat ascended into the sky, moving at a steady pace. However, Ella instructed the butler to slow down so she could take in the beautiful landscapes below.

Not long after they departed, a spatial crack formed in the air where the twins had been resting. The crack widened, and from within, a woman emerged—none other than Yula.

She gazed toward the sky where her daughters had disappeared, murmuring, "They've already left… Too bad. I was planning to follow them more closely." A trace of frustration flickered in her eyes. "Damn paperwork… It hinders me far too much."

Though her expression remained calm, the air around her trembled under the force of her suppressed emotions. Without another word, she lifted her hand and, with a single finger, tore open space itself before stepping through the rift as if it were nothing.

Back on the flying boat, an hour passed. Olivia remained asleep, her head resting on Ella's lap. Ella gently caressed her face as they traveled.

They passed through various towns, but Ella had no interest in stopping at ordinary settlements. She had already instructed the butler to take them to a bustling city, a place where she and Olivia could truly enjoy themselves. Their destination? The capital—where the opening of the secret realm was about to take place.

Curious, Ella turned to the butler. "Butler, what exactly is a secret realm?" she asked, ensuring she was well-informed before stepping into an unfamiliar environment.

The butler answered with a reassuring smile. "Young Miss, don't worry. The secret realm is a place of both opportunity and danger, but it won't affect us as spectators. Only those participating in the Primordial Youth Ranking will face its trials."

Ella nodded but remained thoughtful. "Primordial Youth Ranking… Interesting." A smile tugged at her lips. She already had a good idea of what kind of place the secret realm was, but she wanted confirmation.

"If so many people are gathered there, can we see them inside the secret realm?" she asked, making sure her assumption was correct.

The butler nodded. "It's not a problem, Young Miss. Even though domain masters cannot control a secret realm, there is a solution. A high-ranking merchant from the 70th Heaven has descended to this domain to make a profit. Through him, there's a possibility to observe what happens inside."

Ella's eyes gleamed with interest.

"The 70th Heaven… A place of legend." She had heard whispers of it before. Gods spoke of it with reverence, and in that realm, even the Horizon Realm was considered ordinary.

The butler continued, "As long as we pay the price, we'll have the opportunity to witness the events unfolding inside the secret realm. Of course, offending that merchant would be unwise…"

As he spoke, Ella nodded in understanding. Her knowledge of the 18th Domain deepened, and her assumptions about the secret realm proved accurate.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips. "This is going to be interesting."

Excitement stirred in her heart as she looked ahead, eager to see what lay beyond.