The Glorious Evolution Chapter 445: Moving Out!

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Previously on The Glorious Evolution...
Levi entrusts Arthur with the broken SSS Artifact, the Titan's Crown, tasking him with its restoration. Arthur accepts the solemn duty, vowing to become a powerful shield for his brother. Levi contemplates his wish, wanting to avoid a dangerous contract with Bishop Va'ren, while Arthur plans to use his wish for his next evolution.

A couple of hours later...

Following their reunions with family, the girls converged in Levi’s chamber, preparing for their departure. Levi had specifically instructed them to maintain a low profile to circumvent any potential complications.

At this juncture, only Dominic was privy to the complete truth.

"Remember to adhere to the Boundless Rules and maintain constant vigilance," Dominic advised them with a stern tone, leaning against the doorframe. "The Boundless Expanse is intended as a sanctuary of privacy, yet it does not render you immune to consequence... the Noble Houses, the Duskbound Order, and numerous clandestine organizations possess their own stratagems for achieving their desires within that domain."

Having received a multitude of requests for meetings with Levi and Jasmine from these Noble Houses, Dominic recognized that these two had inadvertently stirred up considerable trouble. He had endeavored to evade providing definitive confirmation or refusal, comprehending the precarious position of their planet, which could ill afford to antagonize these powerful entities.

Consequently, his primary objective was to facilitate their swift departure, thereby obviating the need for subterfuge while ensuring their safety.

"We are aware... Levi has already impressed upon us the critical importance of concealing our true identities," Arthur responded, his finger idly exploring his ear.

His elder brother had appruded him that the instant they entered the Boundless Expanse, their original identities would cease to exist. They were required to adopt new personas and rigorously maintain them to evade detection by The Unmaskers.

These individuals were essentially idle operatives whose sole means of sustenance within the Boundless Expanse involved the acquisition of intelligence on designated targets. They were neither assassins nor authorized to apprehend their quarry. However, they possessed the capability to disseminate information and particulars to interested parties, thereby enabling professional agents to execute their missions.

The most troubling aspect? Their ubiquity, their constant state of observation and eavesdropping, much like a Window-Watcher.

"You need not be concerned... I shall ensure their adherence to protocol." Levi offered Dominic a reassuring nod.

Dominic remained silent for a beat before reciprocating the nod, his shoulders visibly relaxing.

"Excellent. I place my trust in you."

He harbored reservations about allowing Earth's most exceptional Daywalkers to navigate the Boundless Expanse without direct supervision; indeed, he had contemplated assigning a Solarbound Daywalker as an escort. Nevertheless, Levi had declined the offer, asserting his complete control over the situation.

Dominic refrained from pressing for further elaboration, having long since learned that deferring to Levi’s judgment was invariably the most prudent course of action.

The young man exhibited a perspicacity that far surpassed his years, a calculated maturity that ensured he never courted peril unless he held a guaranteed advantage.

"Very well, depart now before I forfeit my ability to manage these influential figures," Dominic stated, gesturing them towards the gate with a weary yet affectionate smile. "My capacity to keep the truth concealed is finite."

"Until our next encounter, Sir Dominic."

With a final gesture of thanks, Levi guided his companions into the undulating darkness of the dimensional gateway. He understood that Dominic would face a challenging task in rectifying their subsequent actions. Yet, he placed the same faith in Dominic’s capability to manage the aftermath as Dominic had in Levi’s ability to safeguard his cohort.

Without casting a backward glance, they perceived the air vibrate as the World Tree receded from view. It was instantaneously supplanted by the steadying force of the transit, bridging the expanse to Jasmine’s domain in a mere instant.

Before they could fully register their surroundings, their feet touched down upon a carpet of soft, azure grass, the crisp spring air sending a chill across their skin.

"Heavens above..."

"Has the gate experienced a malfunction?"

Arthur and the girls drew in sharp breaths of astonishment, entirely unprepared for the sheer immensity of Jasmine’s territory. It sprawled for thousands of kilometers, a colossal landscape that seemed to stretch into infinity.

In the distance, roseate mountains pierced a vibrant sky, their flanks adorned with trees resembling cherry blossoms. With each gust of wind, ethereal clouds of delicate petals cascaded down the slopes, akin to a gentle snowfall of pink.

Then there were the rivers, ubiquitous across the panorama.

Some mirrored the familiar blue hue of Earth, meandering serenely through the valleys. Others, however, were peculiar, viscous streams of glowing liquid, shimmering in silver and green hues as they wove across the terrain.

Even the expanses between these waterways presented a mosaic of colors. Violet grasses, golden shrubs, and peculiar azure blossoms carpeted the ground.

While the majority of these flora might not constitute rare magical artifacts, their collective presentation imbued the environment with an otherworldly aura.

"Wow... have I stumbled into someone's fantasy?" Jojo murmured, entranced, feeling as though she had entered a realm of pure bliss, a fragment of paradise meticulously excised and placed upon this world.

And the most astonishing revelation? Every solitary inch of this domain belonged to Jasmine!

’Do you find it to your liking?’

Jasmine tilted her head slightly, observing her companions as they marveled at her home. She had spent considerable time here and had long since grown accustomed to the breathtaking vista.

'You like it?' Arthur bellowed with laughter, galloping across the vibrant green fields as if released from a pen. 'You were keeping this hidden from us, Jasmine! This place is absolutely stunning!!'

'This is truly unbelievable...'

Nurah's eyes, narrowed to thin slits, darted in every direction. When Jasmine had mentioned owning a territory, Nurah had envisioned something as small as an island, akin to her own family's property. Such an acquisition was a monumental feat for lineages on Earth, meriting significant reverence. Now, she found herself within an empire-sized territory, a veritable province, a luxury only the most affluent empires could afford – certainly not something a teenager from Earth would possess.

Shia's astonishment mirrored Nurah's, stemming from a similar background.

Levi, observing their reactions, felt no particular surprise.

'I understand you have inquiries, but not at this moment,' Levi stated, a slight smile gracing his lips. 'Let us establish a camp first.'

At his words, the women snapped out of their stupor, nodding in comprehension. They perceived that Jasmine still held secrets regarding her origins, yet they had no intention of pressing the issue. For the present, their overwhelming emotion was sheer elation at possessing both a sanctuary and a paradise. For the first time in a considerable period, they felt a sense of security, no longer needing to constantly look over their shoulders. After all, within Jasmine’s domain, Nocturn himself held the highest authority.

'Please describe how you envision your rooms,' Jasmine requested, her voice soft, holding a brush and several scrolls. 'My Omnipotence level is still nascent, limiting my creative scope, but I shall endeavor my best.'

'We appreciate the sentiment, but I do not believe it is necessary,' Levi replied, shaking his head. 'Keep it straightforward... your current Omnipotence level is quite constrained.'

Levi was aware that the first level of Omnipotence offered minimal capacity, scarcely enough to construct a basic dwelling. This was why he had opted for simple huts during his own training within his territory. If Arthur and the girls were to make too many elaborate requests, it would place undue burden on Jasmine.

Sharing this perspective, Arthur and the other girls granted Jasmine complete discretion over their housing arrangements.

'As you wish.'

Without delay, Jasmine conjured a dimensional interface and began manipulating the territory's management system. A few moments later, she confirmed the changes.

A subtle tremor ran through the ground beneath their feet. Gradually, six modest wooden structures began to emerge from the vibrantly colored soil.

Levi and the others anticipated conventional houses, but Jasmine infused them with her unique style. Each dwelling was a compact, square unit crafted from dark, polished wood that appeared to have been hewn directly from an ancient, colossal tree. Instead of ordinary roofing materials, the roofs were adorned with overlapping layers of thick, vividly purple leaves. Slender, pliable branches entwined the exterior walls like natural tendrils, serving as both embellishment and structural reinforcement. Miniature luminous blossoms sprouted from the window ledges, and the doorframes were fashioned from gnarled roots that seemed to have naturally assumed their shape over centuries.

The abodes harmonized perfectly with their surroundings—cozy, enchanting, and seamlessly integrated with the natural landscape.

This was not the extent of her creation. Jasmine connected all the houses with pathways that converged at the center, where a spacious, circular stone fire pit awaited.

With a flick of her fingers, a gentle flame ignited within the pit, casting a soft luminescence upon the wooden walls of their new homes.

'It's so adorable!'

Nurah exclaimed with pure joy upon entering her house. The interior was as warm and inviting as the exterior. Though devoid of modern appliances, it featured a small kitchen, a bed, and a toilet ingeniously connected to an subterranean river.

'I can see myself settling in here for quite some time,' Arthur declared with a wide grin. 'All I require is a gym, and I'll be perfectly content.'

'I wish that were plausible,' Jojo retorted mockingly as she walked past him towards her own dwelling.

'Tch, couldn't you have chosen a spot further away? I know I saved your life during the incident and all, but this level of constant proximity is becoming rather unsettling...' Arthur clicked his tongue in annoyance, noticing Jojo had become his neighbor.

Unperturbed, Jojo entered her house, opened the window, and offered him a single middle finger, causing Arthur's eyelids to twitch involuntarily. She then promptly shut the window and returned to Jasmine, bestowing upon her a brief embrace.

'I adore it.'

'I am delighted you find them pleasing.'

Jasmine smiled gently, content to see her friends satisfied with her creation.

...

Some time later, everyone had settled in and unpacked their belongings. They then gathered around the bonfire, situated beneath the picturesque, kaleidoscopic void.

Conversation turned to Jasmine's territory, and she recounted the truth in a concise manner: she had inherited the domain from an unspecified source. Naturally, she omitted any mention of her connection to the ancient Inkrith race, as that knowledge remained exclusive to Levi and Arthur.

Nevertheless, as Levi and Jasmine were seated with their companions, sharing laughter, lighthearted banter, and reminiscing about their past adventures, the thought that perhaps it was time to reveal the truth to them did indeed cross their minds.

After all, Nurah, Jojo, and Shia had all bravely put their lives on the line for each other during the last trial, doing so without the slightest hesitation. The act of sacrificing one's life for another represents the ultimate expression of love and trust.

If Jasmine and Levi continued to withhold the truth from them, their cherished circle of trust would undoubtedly be compromised. The very reason they had sought refuge in Jasmine's domain was because their special abilities were being sought after. Yet, Nurah, Shia, and Jojo had followed them without a second thought.

Jasmine even cast a glance toward Levi, sharing a look of understanding. However, Levi remained notably silent.

He still harbored reservations about fully immersing them into the chaotic universe he inhabited. He understood that once they were brought into his world, there would be no possibility of retreat for any of them.

Three Origin Seeds, the clandestine knowledge of the Celestial, a formidable Tier 8 Bishop relentlessly pursuing him, and the operatives of both the Radians and the Oblivars were just some of the threats he faced.

Now, he was also becoming a target for powerful Noble Houses and vast organizations merely for having summoned the Soulleech Maw.

Upon reviewing the perilous list, Levi acknowledged that his existence had become a complete catastrophe. If given the chance, he himself would have fled from his own circumstances. There was absolutely nothing appealing or joyous about the future that lay before him.

He recognized it was a futile hope, yet he genuinely wished they could remain in the light for a little longer before his encroaching darkness consumed them entirely.

'Not at this time... perhaps after the Grand Campaign concludes,' Levi conveyed through a telepathic message. 'I have yet to ascertain if they possess the fortitude to withstand the tempests that await us...'