A green portal tore open in front of Jhonathan's party.
The air inside it felt different—older, calmer, like reality itself had shifted into something more rooted and alive.
Sylviana froze.
Her eyes widened.
Then slowly… they softened.
Tears gathered at the edge of her lashes.
"…I'm going to see papa again."
Without waiting, she stepped forward.
The others followed.
The moment they passed through, the world changed.
A massive structure unfolded before them—
the World Tree, so enormous its roots formed continents of living wood.
Entire cities were embedded between the roots like glowing nests carved into divine bark.
Eldeview.
A civilization built inside a living god-shaped forest.
Escorts arrived quickly.
A caravan rolled in.
And from it stepped a man in a strange oversized sweater.
Round.
Unapologetically messy.
Very clearly important.
He stretched his arms dramatically.
"…I missed my daughter."
Sylviana blinked.
Then rushed forward.
"…PAPA!"
The man caught her in a tight, slightly awkward hug.
"…Princess Sylviana Daring III…"
He sniffed.
"…I missed you."
Jhonathan watched quietly.
"…So this is King Alfred…"
The man turned.
Smiling warmly.
"…Alfredew Darter Alledge II, King of Eldeview."
Jhonathan nodded politely.
"…It's a pleasure to meet you, King Alfred."
Alfred immediately leaned in and shouldered him lightly.
A casual, friendly shove that somehow carried royal authority.
"…You look like trouble," Alfred muttered.
"…I like you."
Soon after—
they entered the city.
Eldeview's red-light district shimmered with strange elf culture, glowing lanterns, and performers moving with unnatural elegance.
Everything was vibrant.
Everything was slightly overwhelming.
Jhonathan blinked.
"…This place is…"
Sylviana immediately turned.
THWACK. THWACK.
Jhonathan and King Alfred were both kicked in the head simultaneously.
"WORTHLESS MAGGOTS."
Silence.
Sylviana stood above them, arms crossed.
"…Act normal."
Alfred laughed awkwardly while rubbing his head.
"…She gets that from her mother."
Later, inside the royal castle—
the largest structure in Eldeview, woven directly into the World Tree—
they sat for a formal meal.
The kitchen was enormous.
Alive with movement.
Roots shifted slightly as if the building itself was breathing.
Jhonathan sat across from Sylviana and Alfred.
Still slightly recovering from the earlier kicks.
Then—
a presence entered.
An elf knight slammed his hand into the ground.
The room went silent.
"I CHALLENGE YOU," he declared, eyes locked on Jhonathan.
"…FAIR KNIGHT."
Jhonathan looked up slowly.
Then stood.
"…I accept."
Outside the castle—
the World Tree's roots stirred slightly.
As if it was watching.
Waiting.
Interested.