Chapter 253: Shock by the Changes

[: 3rd POV :]

As Daniel returned to Mika’s World, the moment his figure appeared inside the Grand Hall, every single conversation came to an abrupt stop.

Silence filled the entire hall.

Every pair of eyes immediately landed on him.

Then, almost simultaneously, everyone reacted.

"My dear, what happened to you!?"

Melira was the first to move.

The Human Empress hurried toward him with obvious concern written across her face. Without caring about the eyes watching them, she immediately cupped his face with both hands, carefully examining every part of him.

She looked at his longer hair.

His glowing golden eyes.

Even the faint ancient aura surrounding him.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Daniel..."

"What happened while you were gone?"

"You look completely different."

Her voice trembled slightly with worry.

She gently turned his face from one side to the other as though searching for injuries.

"Did you get hurt?"

"Are you hiding something from me?"

Daniel could not help smiling bitterly.

"I’m fine, Mom."

"Nothing happened to me."

"See?"

He lightly spread his arms.

"There is not a single injury."

Melira continued staring at him for several more seconds before finally letting out a relieved sigh.

"...Thank goodness."

She gently patted his shoulder before smiling warmly.

"You nearly scared me."

"No matter how strong you become, you are still my son."

Daniel chuckled softly.

"I know."

Only after hearing those words did Melira finally return to her seat.

However, the others were still staring at him.

Even they could tell something about him had fundamentally changed.

Dragon Empress Sylthara narrowed her eyes.

"You truly look different."

"It is not merely your appearance."

"It feels as though your very existence has evolved."

Void King Noctyrr silently observed Daniel for a long moment before speaking.

"Even space bends slightly around you."

"I have never witnessed such a phenomenon before."

Spirit Empress Sylvene tilted her head thoughtfully.

"Your soul also feels...strange."

"I cannot even describe what I am sensing."

Daniel simply smiled.

"It is a long story."

"And one that I will explain another day."

The rulers exchanged curious glances but chose not to press the matter further.

If Daniel said it could wait, then there was probably a reason.

Eventually, Demon King Xereth leaned back in his chair with a grin.

"Well then."

"What is this good news you mentioned?"

Daniel sat down in the chair prepared for him before looking around the hall.

A small smile appeared on his face.

"The good news is..."

"We successfully conquered the planet."

For a brief moment...

The hall became silent again.

Then the room erupted into smiles.

"Hahaha!"

"I knew it!"

Xereth laughed loudly as he slammed his hand against the table.

"As expected of you."

Beast King Kaelgor crossed his muscular arms proudly.

"I never doubted it for a second."

Golden King Aurelius smiled elegantly.

"Congratulations."

"This is a remarkable achievement."

Phoenix Force Ignivara let out a relieved sigh.

"So the operation truly succeeded."

Summoner Emperor Eldric nodded in satisfaction.

"Our preparations were not in vain after all."

The atmosphere inside the hall immediately became much lighter.

Everyone looked genuinely pleased by the news.

However...

Kaelgor suddenly noticed something.

He frowned slightly before looking directly at Daniel.

"...But."

Daniel looked at him.

Kaelgor scratched his chin thoughtfully.

"I have known you long enough."

"And whenever you start with only the good news..."

He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"It usually means there is something else."

Several rulers immediately nodded.

They understood Daniel’s personality well enough.

Xereth laughed.

"That is true."

"You always leave the important part until the end."

"So..."

He leaned forward with an amused grin.

"What is it this time?"

"It sounds like you have another piece of news."

Daniel rubbed the back of his head helplessly before letting out a small sigh.

"Well..."

"It is not exactly bad news."

He paused briefly.

"But..."

"It is going to surprise all of you."

Half an hour later, after Daniel had finished explaining everything he could reveal, the Grand Hall fell into complete silence.

During those thirty minutes, he had spoken about the true hierarchy of existence beyond planets.

He explained how worlds possessed rankings and how they could evolve by conquering and integrating with other worlds.

He revealed that the Universe itself was far larger than anyone had ever imagined, filled with countless factions, Pantheons, Sovereigns, Clans, Sects, and other unimaginable powers.

He also told them about the endless war raging across the Universe.

A war fought not merely for territory or pride, but for resources.

Resources capable of strengthening worlds, creating gods, and determining whether an entire civilization would survive or perish.

Finally, he revealed his true objective.

To continue conquering worlds.

To strengthen Mika’s World until it reached the Divine High Tier Rank.

To gather enough power so that one day they would possess the freedom to decide their own fate.

There was only one thing he deliberately left out.

The existence of the Unravelers.

That truth was simply too dangerous to reveal at their current level.

After all...even knowing certain truths could invite unwanted attention.

Once Daniel finished speaking, nobody immediately responded.

The hall became eerily quiet.

Every ruler lowered their gaze, silently processing everything they had just heard.

None of them had expected the reality beyond their world to be so vast.

So cruel.

They had once believed themselves to be rulers standing at the peak of existence.

Kings.

Queens.

Emperors.

The strongest beings on their planet.

Yet now...

They realized they were merely tiny figures standing before an endless ocean.

Compared to the true scale of the Universe...

They were almost insignificant.

The realization was overwhelming.

Even shocking.

Yet strangely...

Not a single one of them looked defeated.

Instead...their eyes gradually began changing.

One after another.

The initial disbelief slowly transformed into determination.

Then...ito burning ambition.

The first to break the silence was Dwarf King Thrain.

He suddenly burst into loud laughter.

"Hahaha!"

His booming voice echoed throughout the hall.

"So that is the truth."

He slammed his fist against the armrest of his chair with excitement.

"Freedom."

"I like the sound of that."

"If strength is what grants freedom..."

"Then let us become stronger."

His eyes burned with determination.

"I have forged countless weapons throughout my life."

"It seems I will have to forge many more."

Dragon Empress Sylthara smiled elegantly as she crossed her legs.

"My..."

"I never imagined such a concept existed."

She gently rested her chin on one hand.

"So that explains it."

"The spirits surrounding the world have been unusually restless lately."

"They must have sensed the changes occurring beyond our understanding."

She looked toward Daniel with a faint smile.

"Perhaps..."

"They have been waiting for this moment longer than we realized."

Spirit Empress Sylvene nodded slowly.

"Freedom..."

She quietly repeated the word as though savoring its meaning.

"I think I understand."

"The spirits have always desired a world where they are not bound by fear."

"If this path leads us there..."

"Then I will gladly walk it."

Elf Empress Caelira smiled warmly.

Her gaze toward Daniel was filled with affection, almost like that of a mother watching her child pursue an impossible dream.

"I do not know what awaits us."

"I also do not know how difficult this journey will become."

"But..."

She smiled gently.

"I hope that when we finally reach the end..."

"We will all obtain the future we truly desire."

Golden King Aurelius nodded proudly.

"A ruler who only protects what he already possesses will eventually lose everything."

"Only those who continue moving forward deserve to stand at the summit."

Void King Noctyrr folded his arms.

"The Universe wishes to test us."

"Then we shall answer."

Phoenix Force Ignivara smiled confidently.

"We have already overcome impossible odds before."

"One more impossible challenge will not stop us."

Summoner Emperor Eldric laughed lightly.

"I suppose I will need many more summons in the future."

"I quite look forward to seeing what exists beyond our world."

Beast King Kaelgor grinned broadly.

"Hah."

"So there are stronger enemies waiting for us."

"That is exactly what I wanted to hear."

"I was beginning to think this world had become too peaceful."

Even Demon King Xereth laughed loudly.

"Hahaha!"

"I knew following you would never be boring."

"If the Universe itself wishes to stand in our way..."

"Then we will simply conquer that as well."

The other rulers voiced their agreement one after another.

Not one of them backed away.

Not one of them regretted following Daniel.

Finally...

Melira quietly walked toward Daniel.

She placed one hand on his shoulder before smiling gently.

"I cannot pretend that I am not worried."

"You are still my son."

"No matter how powerful you become, I will always worry."

Her smile became softer.

"But..."

"I am also proud of you."

"If this is the path you have chosen..."

"Then I will walk beside you until the very end."

Daniel looked around the hall.

Every single person present was looking back at him.

There was no fear in their eyes.

No hesitation.

Only unwavering trust.

At that moment...

Daniel felt something warm settle within his heart.

Gratitude.

This journey would undoubtedly be long.

The enemies waiting beyond their world were countless.

The road ahead was filled with dangers they could not yet imagine.

There would be sacrifices.

There would be hardships.

There would be battles that would shake worlds.

But as he looked at the people standing beside him...

Daniel smiled.

He knew one thing with absolute certainty.

No matter how impossible the road ahead seemed...

It would be a journey worth taking.

Because this time...

He would not walk it alone.