Chapter 211: Chapter 211 - Next Stop: Pangaea Nova
"Actually..." Atlas continued, his gaze fixed on the slowly shifting markers on the map, "for a Lord, especially one without a major alliance behind them, crossing into another battlefield is no small move. New territory means unfamiliar unions, hidden power structures, and an entirely different scale of threats."
Atlas let out a slow breath, "I’ve got a few things to consider," he admitted. "I plan to talk it over with Luna and the others before locking anything in."
His eyes drifted back to the map, fingers tapping lightly on the edge.
"But if we leave the island on its current course... we’ll be crossing the ocean in just a few weeks. And once that happens, we’ll enter the waters surrounding the Middle Kingdom." He paused, and the smirk returned, slightly more genuine this time. "And honestly? I’m a little tempted. I’m getting tired of this endless desert. Saharasia is massive, yes... but sand gets old fast."
Edrik gave a thoughtful nod. "Considering the strength of the enemies here, and your ability to handle them. I believe a relocation could offer serious advantages. Especially since we’re still largely unknown on that side. Being underestimated could be our greatest weapon. We’re still Rank-1. That gives us the perfect moment to move. Before too many eyes turn our way."
Then, with more certainty in his tone, he added, "But wherever we go, the challenge will remain. Different enemies. Same war."
Edrik met Atlas’s gaze, calm and resolute. "So whatever your decision is. We’ll follow it. Together."
**
That very day, Luna, Ember, Celestia, and Brigid were set to arrive at Shattered Ember. And Atlas had already decided—this was when he would bring the subject to the table.
Hopefully, they’d approach it with open minds.
To his quiet surprise, the conversation that followed turned out to be far less challenging than he had anticipated.
Because the moment Luna, Ember, Celestia, and Brigid stepped through the arrival gate—each accompanied by a small contingent of their own elite troops—they didn’t waste any time with formalities.
They got straight to the point.
"Changing regions isn’t a bad idea," Luna replied thoughtfully. "It will shift our overall strategy, of course, but honestly? I don’t think we’ll grow without the right kind of challenges, don’t you agree?"
She glanced toward Atlas. "In fact, I’ve already gathered some information on powerful alliances active in the other continents."
"I completely agree. Completely!" Ember added with a cheerful laugh. "I love anything new, and as long as you keep this journey interesting, I say we go all in. I’ll always be in the front row for whatever cunning plans you cook up next, Atlas. Hahaha!"
Atlas raised an eyebrow. "Since when did I earn that title, huh?"
Ember just laughed in response, offering no explanation.
Celestia, with her signature warm smile, chimed in softly. "Honestly? I miss greener lands... this desert has been wearing on me. So yes, I’m in."
Brigid, as usual, didn’t speak. She simply nodded once, as silent and solid as ever.
Still... could it really be this easy?
Not one of them raised concerns about the dangers waiting in the new territory. No questions about the unfamiliar alliances, or the risk of attracting the attention of high-ranking Lords.
But maybe... that was just how things worked in this world.
The danger was always there.
And in a place like this, hesitation meant nothing. Progress demanded bold moves.
There were thousands of Lords, maybe even millions. New ones awakened every single day, and just as many advanced to higher ranks. The war never paused. The battlefield was never empty.
And with every Lord having access to summon their forces from countless worlds through their Summoning Gates, gathering an army wasn’t the challenge anymore.
The real challenge... was surviving. And building something that would last.
**
They continued exploring the vast, rugged terrain of Shattered Ember, while the troops and workers brought along by Luna, Celestia, and Brigid had already begun spreading out across the island, surveying the land and setting up temporary outposts.
Several teams were already marking resource-rich zones, identifying potential locations for mining and gathering. There were still many materials needed for their individual war efforts. Especially those crucial for upgrades and gear crafting.
Atlas, however, had given them full access to the island’s natural resources.
"Take what you need," he’d said. "As long as I get what I need to finish crafting the Soulbinding Armor, the rest is yours."
With the general plan settled and their direction clear, the allied Lords began aligning their floating islands with Gacha Haven’s trajectory. It was easy, just a few system commands, and the massive structures began adjusting course.
They would now all head east, together. Toward Pangaea Nova!
With that, he left them to roam freely.
Because Atlas had another priority waiting. Something more personal. He still had one last quest to complete for his Class Advancement. A quest he couldn’t finish here on the island.
But he wasn’t heading out alone.
There was someone he had in mind, someone who might be able to help him clear it more efficiently.
And he knew exactly where to find them.
Just as Atlas turned down a side path of scorched stone, a sudden crash struck the ground directly in front of him. Loud enough to shake the ash from nearby ledges.
Someone had just slammed into the earth.
A woman stood at the heart of the impact, her long, flowing red hair trailing like fire in the wind. Crimson-tinted armor clung to her figure, catching the harsh sunlight with every curve.
Behind her, a pair of mechanical wings slowly folded inward, their sleek, metal frames hissing softly as they locked into place.
Serenith.
She looked up at him with a radiant smile,"Hi~ You were looking for me, weren’t you, my Lord?" she giggled, one hand resting on her hip.
Atlas blinked, then smiled.
"Yes, Sera. I was."
Truthfully, he hadn’t yet spent much time with Serenith. Ever since she arrived through the exclusive banner summon, she’d been... energetic, bold, but a little hard to catch. And Atlas had been too busy to really sit down with her, until now.
But this moment mattered.
Sera was the second exclusive character he had ever pulled from Gacha, right after Morganna. And if Morganna was an unstoppable force of precision and lethality, then Serenith...
She was raw power, wild and bright like a jet streaking through a storm.
Atlas hadn’t seen her fight yet. Not really.
But he could feel it. The immense pressure beneath her light-hearted energy, the spark of something seriously dangerous. Maybe as strong as Morganna. Maybe even stronger.
And soon, he would pull her signature weapon, too. The Crimson Skyblaster.
He still had enough exclusive tickets, and he knew exactly what he was saving them for.
Sera giggled, her crimson hair bouncing as she leaned forward slightly.
"My Lord... I’ve been wanting to talk to you too! And I know the perfect place to do it."
She stepped back, her wings beginning to hum faintly with energy.
"You can jump high, right?" she added with a teasing grin. "Come on then... chase me through the sky!"
Before Atlas could reply, her wings flared open, a radiant blend of natural feathers and intricate mechanical plating.
With a single powerful beat, she launched into the air, soaring upward with dazzling speed, her laughter echoing as she disappeared into the sky.