Non-Administrated World #97, Star Rail Universe…
The study in Peverell Manor was full of life once more.
The goblins, Potters, Greengrasses, and the Astral Express crew had all taken their seats, listening closely to Chaldea's latest report.
In the middle of the table stood a holographic projection of CHALDEAS, marked with various red points across its surface. Beside the projection, multiple holoscreens displayed the faces of Chaldea staff, Marisbury Animusphere, Kirschtaria Wodime, the Flamels, representatives from the United Nations, the Clock Tower, Atlas Institute, the Church, and the International Magic Association.
[…During the last seven hours, we have detected continuous pressure against the dimensional walls,] a Chaldea staff member reported. [These pressure points are active in various locations around the world.]
New labels appeared on the projection, pointing at different parts of the planet. One in America. One in the Mediterranean. Another in Egypt. Another in the Far East. And many more scattered across the globe.
[At first, we assumed these were the usual attacks against the walls,] the Chaldea staff member continued as several graphs appeared beside CHALDEAS. [However, they became far too frequent. The pressure rises, withdraws, then reappears at another location after a short interval.]
The location labels expanded, revealing the details of each point.
[We believe the next seventy-two hours will be crucial for monitoring,] another staff member added. [It will help us determine the current condition of our dimensional walls and whether a large-scale breach is possible.]
The representative from Atlas Institute nodded.
[Atlas's independent calculations reached the same conclusion. While the dimensional walls are still holding against the larger pressure points, we can expect smaller breaches to occur within the next three days.]
A cold silence fell over the room.
The Church representative's expression darkened. [In simpler terms, the enemy is knocking on every door that allows entry from the gaps, then deciding whether to open it or enlarge it.]
[Or he already knows which door to open and merely wants to see how the people inside will react first,] Lorelei Barthomeloi, the Clock Tower representative, said coldly.
[Yes,] the Chaldea staff member answered with a grimace. [Unfortunately, that is our current working theory based on the data we are receiving from CHALDEAS. SHEBA's prediction of the world's end has not changed either.]
[So in the next three days, we can expect a potential invasion of dimensional beings that could destroy our world?] one of the UN representatives asked.
[Based on what we know so far, yes,] Marisbury answered. [Our civilization is about to face its first-ever dimensional invasion. One that will undoubtedly endanger the entire world.]
The expressions of every representative turned grim as a heavy silence descended on them.
At Peverell Manor, Noah and the others could not help but focus their attention on the gateway site in Wales, the one located dangerously close to Meldiana Sanctuary.
The gateway site marker was not the largest red point on CHALDEAS. It was not even the most unstable.
But because of how close it was to them, everyone in the room could feel how dangerous the situation truly was.
"The Dark Lord really got us," Director Ragnok said, eyes narrowed. "No. I should say Dormammu made us feel trapped."
"Seven stones. Circular formation that aligns the stars and an inactive spatial distortion in the surroundings." Gornak tapped the table once with his fingers. "Dormammu must have sensed the spatial bridge at that location."
Rulvek nodded grimly. "And now that same location is part of a global catastrophic event."
"Then this was never a coincidence," Charlus said, his hand tightening around his cane.
"No," Welt replied, studying the projection. "This may have been part of Dormammu's preparation from the beginning."
"And that is not even the worst part for us," Dan Heng said, narrowing his eyes as he stared at the distance between the red marker and the blue-white sanctuary point. "If the pressure causes even a minor breach there, Meldiana's defensive wards will respond automatically."
Chief Bronwen's face paled. "And if the wards respond…"
Headmaster Crowley finished for her, his voice grave. "Then the sanctuary's greatest advantage, being hidden, will be exposed to anyone watching from the outside."
The words hit everyone hard.
Because they understood that Meldiana was no longer just a village.
It was filled with evacuated families. Families who had sought help or been rescued from Death Eater raids. Werewolf children were still learning that the full moon no longer had to be a death sentence.
March's hands curled into fists as Caelus' expression darkened. Himeko's eyes stayed fixed on the projection, lacking their usual warmth.
Noah remained silent. His eyes stayed locked on the small space between the gateway and Meldiana. It was only a few kilometers. A small distance separates the home from an incoming disaster.
Then the study door opened, Hayate entered with Reinforce, wearing the expression of a commander walking onto the field. She went straight to Noah's side while he remained focused on the ongoing report from Chaldea.
"Noah-kun," Hayate whispered as she took the seat at his right.
"Welcome back, Hachan." Noah turned slightly toward her before his focus returned to the report.
"…How is it?" she asked.
Noah's expression remained serious. "As bad as it can be."
"…As expected, huh." Hayate let out a sigh.
Reinforce looked around and noticed Sirin's empty seat. "Noah-san, where is Sirin-san? Should she not be here already?"
"Sii went to the Quantum Realm to triangulate Dormammu's location," Noah answered. "She said she wants to take advantage of his large-scale movements to find his exact position."
"I see." Reinforce nodded in understanding.
But Hayate bit her lip, worry entering her eyes. "How long has she been there?"
"…" Noah's expression tightened.
That reaction made Hayate even more worried. "Noah-kun?"
"…She has been there ever since we got the alert," he finally answered.
Hayate's face paled. "…Just how much time has passed for her?"
Noah did not answer, but the way his jaw clenched said enough.
"The flow of time inside the Quantum Realm does not always match our own," Himeko said with a sigh. "Depending on how deep she goes, a few hours outside may become months… or even years for her."
"So while we're here, Sirin might have been searching alone for years?" March looked down.
Noah's fingers tightened against the table.
"She chose the deepest part because Dormammu is hiding beyond normal dimensional observation," he said.
"That idiot…" Hayate bit her lips.
Her voice trembled with worry, but there was warmth in it too. The kind reserved for someone loved enough to be scolded even when they were not in the room.
Reinforce's small hands tightened.
"Sirin-san…"
[…After everything that has been said, our next move should be clear. We need to deploy our own forces for a defensive battle,] one of the representatives of the International Magic Association said. [Whether it is Voldemort or Dormammu, we cannot let those monsters devour our world for their own satisfaction.]
That pulled everyone out of their dark thoughts. What the representative said was correct. If they wanted to save their world, they had to fight for it.
[Thanks to the information provided by Lord Peverell and the Astral Express, we were able to gather data on the enemies we are facing,] the Chaldea staff member said.
Every representative turned toward Noah and the crew through their screens. Each one gave them recognition and gratitude in their own way.
[First, the monsters leaking out from the tears in the walls are called Quantum Shadows.]
The staff pressed something, and various images appeared. Each one had been taken during the incidents where Quantum Shadows emerged from the tears.
[These creatures originate from the Sea of Quanta, or what our local models classify under Imaginary Numbers,] the staff explained. [Based on the data shared with us, defeating a Quantum Shadow requires bypassing its Superposed State, the initial form in which each Quantum Shadow appears. In that state, its body has a black-to-violet gradient from top to bottom.]
Images of various Quantum Shadows appeared on the screen: Ducal Shades, Shadow of Ruin, Void Taurus, Void Hellion, and common types such as Void Erinyes, Void Gorgon, Void Chela, and Opaque Shadow.
[Once all of their Quantum Layers have been broken, their bodies take on a ghostly white hue. This is called the Collapsed State. In this state, a Shadow's combat mode becomes weakened and vulnerable. However, if left unchecked for too long, a Shadow will recover its Superposed State.]
Everyone on the screen listened carefully as the Chaldea staff explained.
[So these are the monsters Heir Schweinorg faced in Uminari City, according to his report,] Lorelei whispered.
Her whisper did not go unheard. Noah, Hayate, and the crew all heard it, but since now was not the proper time, none of them asked.
[Next is the Dark Lord Voldemort and his forces, the Death Eaters,] another staff member continued. [These forces are mostly composed of human magi, but there are also werewolves, Death Apostles, giants, Inferi, Dementors, and many others.]
Images of known Death Eaters and creatures appeared on the projection, along with Voldemort himself.
[Hmph! So these are the local traitors who sold our world to that monster,] the Church representative said with a glare, etching each image into his mind so he could make them pay for their actions.
[And finally, the main source of this disaster: the primordial dimensional being and Devourer of Worlds, Dormammu.]
The Chaldea staff member visibly paled as he displayed Dormammu's image on the projection for everyone to see.
The representatives and those inside the Peverell study who saw Dormammu's image for the first time could not help but pale.
Even though it was only a projection, the presence he gave off made them feel small.
[…Such immense power,] Nicolas Flamel muttered.
[So this is the being that caused all of this…]
[…This is not merely a monster,] the Atlas representative said, his voice unusually stiff. [This is an entity whose existence itself distorts the boundary model.]
[No wonder the walls are responding so violently,] one of the Clock Tower representatives muttered. [If something of that scale is applying pressure from the other side, even minor contact would be enough to poison the structure.]
The UN representative swallowed hard. [And you are telling us this being wants to enter our world?]
[Not enter,] Nicolas Flamel said, his expression pale but firm. [Consume.]
"…So this is your true enemy, Noah?" Dorea Potter asked, pale as she looked at Noah staring at Dormammu's image.
"Yes," Noah answered plainly. "The being is the one we, Hayate, Sirin, Reinforce, and I are chasing across the multiverse."
Hayate and Reinforce nodded beside him.
[So we have three main enemies to confront,] Kirschtaria Wodime said, narrowing his eyes. [Dimensional monster invaders, local collaborators, and a great being that devours worlds like ours.]
He sat straighter as he stared at the images on his screen.
[This will not be an easy fight. But if we truly want to protect our world, then we have to fight for it.]
His words made everyone connected to the meeting feel their resolve sharpen. Because Kirschtaria was right. The incoming battle would not be easy or clean, but for the world they all lived in, they had to fight.
[For the defense, the UN's Magic-Science hybrid Peacekeeping force will deploy to the largest projected threats. We will have the advantage of numbers and equipment when fighting the Quantum Shadows,] the UN representative said.
[The Church will send Executors to the minor projected breaches to handle smaller enemies.]
[The Clock Tower will assist by sending Enforcers and combat-capable magi,] Lorelei said. [This is not the time to dwell on old grudges or our strained relationships when the safety of our world is at stake.]
[We agree as well,] the representative from the International Magic Association said. [Our faction will provide healing and medical assistance on deployed battlefields, along with our best Enforcers to join the war effort.]
[Atlas Institute shall assist by leasing our latest magical weaponry and providing tools for information gathering.]
"Leave Dormammu to us," Hayate said, gathering everyone's attention. "We came to this world to settle things with him, so our group shall handle him."
No one contradicted her words.
They simply accepted them.
[Then the next issue is Voldemort and his band of thugs,] Perenelle said casually.
Despite the tense atmosphere and difficult situation, the way she called Voldemort and his followers made several people break into faint smiles.
[Voldemort aside, his followers are the easiest to deal with. We can send a group of Enforcers and perhaps some Church Executors. Those people will not survive the next day,] she continued. [The real problem is Voldemort himself.]
She crossed her arms. [That child touched forbidden magic, splitting his soul and creating Horcruxes, making himself quasi-immortal, but the real threat is...]
"... The power he gained from his contract with Dormammu," Noah finished for her.
Perenelle nodded. [His Horcruxes can be dealt with by us, though it will take some effort. But the power he gained has placed him outside our world's usual power scale.]
"Then leave him to us," Welt said as he adjusted his glasses. "If Voldemort makes a move, we will deal with him."
"Just as Welt said, the Astral Express crew will handle Voldemort himself," Himeko added confidently. "He has already caused too much trouble for everyone. It is time for him to learn the consequences of his actions."
March 7th, Caelus and Dan Heng did not say anything, but their determined expressions said more than enough.
Everyone in the call and those inside the study did not know why, but the moment Welt and Himeko spoke with such confidence, they immediately felt relieved.
For the first time, they thought Voldemort might not be a problem anymore.
After a few more deployment details were added and the strategy was finalized, the meeting finally ended.
The holoscreen calls faded one by one. The projection of CHALDEAS slowly disappeared, and everyone in the study of Peverell Manor let out the breath they had been holding.
"Then, Hachan, I'll leave it to you to break the news to the young Aces trio that they won't join the defense of Meldiana Sanctuary," Noah said after a deep exhale. "They'll be repositioned to Far East Defense instead."
"Yeah, it is better for me to say it than you." Hayate nodded. "That way, I can explain it properly and tug on the emotional points enough to make them agree."
"Yeah…" Noah smiled wryly. "Thanks, Hachan."
"No problem." Hayate smiled at him. "But in exchange, you have to join Chrono-kun and Lindy-san at TSAB HQ to explain the situation."
"Ugghh…" Noah quickly made a face, much to Hayate's amusement and the bewilderment of everyone else in the room.
"Would there be a problem if Noah went there?" Damien asked.
"No, of course not," Himeko replied, finally able to let out a smile. "It is just like here. Noah's status in the TSAB is also highly regarded, so they might become a little too enthusiastic when providing help."
That earned another curious look from everyone.
"Noah's status as a Jedi, or more accurately, the last known living Jedi after the fall of the Order thousands of years ago, makes the TSAB regard him as a living legend," Dan Heng explained.
Despite Dan Heng's usual straight expression, Noah could clearly see the amusement in his eyes.
"Uncle Dan Heng…!"
Without anyone noticing, the usual banter and Noah's habit of complaining whenever his position was used against him made everyone laugh. It made the heavy, tense meeting from earlier feel a little more bearable.
"There, there, Noah-san." Reinforce floated down and patted his cheek.
"Rein!!!!!!!!!! You are really precious!!!" Noah dramatically hugged the tiny Reinforce.
Hayate shook her head in amusement. The tension in the study lightened just enough to remind everyone that they were not only soldiers preparing for war.
They were people, families, and friends. Allies who could still laugh, even when the world was starting to crack.
Charlus watched Noah hugging Reinforce with a faint smile.
"That boy really does carry too many titles for someone who sulks like that."
Damien let out a small chuckle. "Perhaps that is why people follow him. A leader who can still complain honestly is far less frightening than one who pretends to be untouchable."
Himeko smiled at that, looking both proud and smug.
Noah, still holding Reinforce gently in both hands, looked at them with betrayed eyes.
"I feel like I'm being judged."
"You are," Dan Heng replied.
"Uncle Dan Heng!"
March finally laughed, and Caelus grinned beside her.
For a few precious seconds, the study remained warm.
—--------------
Deep within the Quantum Realm, Sirin Schariac-Kaslana continued her deep scan of the Dimensional Gap, searching for Dormammu's hiding place.
"How about here, VA? Did you detect anything?"
She asked the golden cube beside her: Void Archives, Noah's trusted, sarcastic, and extremely smug AI partner and Divine Key.
"Negative, Miss Sirin. Although traces of him were found here, he did not remain for long. He merely tested part of the barrier before moving to another location," Void Archives answered.
Sirin gritted her teeth and glared into the empty void.
"Damn you, Dormammu! Seven years… For seven entire years, you managed to slip through my detection!"
"…Shall we return to Captain and the others? I believe you need to rest, my lady," Void Archives said. "You have been working since the moment we entered the Quantum Realm. Seven years have passed since we began searching for Dormammu without rest. Even Herrschers have limits."
Sirin did not look at him, nor did she answer either.
Around her, the Quantum Realm stretched endlessly. It was not darkness in the simple sense. It was an ocean of infinite possibilities and paths that led nowhere unless one knew how to force meaning into them. Colors changed constantly without reason. Fragments of distant worlds floated like broken pieces above the sea.
For seven years, Sirin had searched through that impossible depth. Seven years of following traces that vanished the moment she touched them.
Seven years of finding burned paths, false gaps, and scraps of dimensional residue that Dormammu had left behind like ash after a fire.
Seven years of anger.
Seven years of silence.
Seven years away from Noah, Hayate, Reinforce, and everyone else.
"If I return now without finding him, then those seven years mean nothing."
Her fingers curled.
Void Archives was silent for a moment before speaking.
"Correction. It would mean you survived seven years of impossible dimensional tracking while narrowing the search range enough for Chaldea and Atlas to avoid complete embarrassment."
"Are you trying to comfort me or insult them?" Sirin's eye twitched.
"Yes."
Despite herself, Sirin almost smiled.
Then the faintest distortion brushed against her senses.
Her expression changed at once.
"That…!"
"Have you detected something?" Void Archives rotated beside her.
Sirin raised her hand.
Purple light spread from her palm, and countless geometric lines flowed outward. The surrounding void bent, parts of it peeling apart one by one as she forced her authority deeper.
"There."
A thin mark appeared far ahead. It was not large. Under normal conditions, it would not have been noticeable at all.
But Sirin knew this was not normal.
"VA."
"Already tracing."
Golden scripts moved around the Void Archives' cube body.
"Dimensional residue confirmed. It matches the previous pressure signatures, but the density is higher than before."
Sirin immediately moved.
The Quantum Realm stretched around her as she followed the trace, stepping through folds of space as if opening curtains. She continued deeper and deeper, following the trail without hesitation.
After who knew how long, she finally saw the silhouette of the being she had been searching for.
Dormammu.
His form remained as monstrous as the first time they had faced him. A towering presence of burning force and jagged shadow, shaped like a giant figure crowned by a head of living flame. Violet and black power rolled from him like smoke from a dying star, while the space around him twisted under the pressure of his existence.
He was standing right in front of the barrier of the world, one massive hand pressed against reality itself.
The dimensional wall bent beneath the pressure of his touch.
"There you are…" Sirin muttered.
Dormammu suddenly stopped moving and turned his head. Across an impossible distance, through the expanse of void and broken direction, their eyes met.
For one second, neither of them moved.
Then Dormammu roared. The sound did not travel through the air. It tore through space itself, a furious vibration that made the surrounding void tremble.
He swung his massive arm. The attack did not reach Sirin directly, but the force shattered the vision, destroying the path she had opened.
"Connection destabilizing!" Void Archives reported.
"Hurry! Get the coordinates!" Sirin gritted her teeth and tried to maintain the connection for as long as possible.
"Recording."
After a few more seconds, the image shattered as the tunnel snapped back into space. Silence returned to the Quantum Realm. But Sirin, who spent seven years inside the realm, let out a smile.
It was tired and cold. But it was also victorious.
"Coordinates recorded," Void Archives said. "Congratulations, Miss Sirin. You have found Dormammu."
"And this time…" Sirin slowly said between her heavy breaths, "I won't let him get away like before."
====== Chapter 217 END ======