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Chapter 23 - Chapter23-Dalton Town’s Full-Scale Development

The old magus paused, locking his gaze firmly on Leo.

"So leave, unknown one.

Your power may stand at the peak of this realm, but before the mysteries of the Gate, you are still small.

Any attempt to probe or touch it may trigger unpredictable consequences—even be seen as an assault upon the seal! If that happens, I will stop you, at any cost!"

The atmosphere tightened instantly.

The old magus's staff flared with radiance; the stillness of space began to ripple with targeted waves, locking onto Leo and Lilith.

Though he knew the being before him was unfathomable, his duty to guard outweighed his life.

Lilith felt the sharp edge of that pressure and grew tense.

But Leo suddenly smiled.

It was faint, yet carried a serenity that, to the old magus's surprise, calmed his heart.

"Relax, Watcher."

Leo's voice was gentle.

"I came not for the Gate, nor to challenge your duty. I am only… searching for answers."

His eyes fell again upon the Gate of Oblivion, and a flicker of complexity passed through them.

His wife's pendant resonating here… Lilith's strange reaction… everything pointed to the world beyond this door.

System, can you analyze the realm behind the Gate of Oblivion? Leo asked silently.

[Analyzing… The Gate of Oblivion is a supra-dimensional singularity of connectivity. Its energy interaction follows the primal laws of the cosmos: entropy and equilibrium.]

[If opened, energy between the two realms will flow spontaneously—from the higher-density plane (beyond the Gate) to the lower-density plane (this universe). This process is irreversible, continuing until both reach relative balance.]

[Warning: The energy exchange is only the surface phenomenon. The true danger lies in the high-dimensional energy's "overwriting" and "assimilation" of this universe's laws—followed by the forced intrusion of higher-dimensional information, matter, and even life-forms. To this universe, the effect is equivalent to "reformatting."]

A flash of understanding lit Leo's eyes.

It echoed principles of physics he had once studied: water flowing downhill, heat diffusing from hot to cold…

Then a thought struck him.

System, does this mean if we drastically raised this universe's energy density—close to or equal to that of the world beyond—then opening the Gate would not trigger such destructive one-way flooding?

[Theoretically correct.]

[If the densities approach balance, the energy flow effect weakens, rule conflict is minimized. The risk of opening shifts mainly to unknown information impact and potential malicious intrusion.]

"It's possible!"

Leo's gaze deepened.

"All I need is a 'foundation stone'—a stronghold powerful enough to represent the world's rules… a high ground. For example… a city."

In his mind, the plan took shape at once:

A Dalton Town at the center, drawing in, gathering, and elevating the energy of the entire universe.

The thought only sharpened his resolve to accelerate Dalton Town's growth.

Decision made, Leo turned back to the still-tense old magus.

With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a small vial, carved from emerald of life, within which a liquid star-river flowed.

"This is the Fountain of Vitality, from the Primordial God of Nature."

"For your long vigil—you have my respect."

He tossed the vial to the old man.

The moment the elder caught it, impossible vitality surged through him, soaking into his dried body like rain to parched wood. Every cell rejoiced.

Staring at the vial, then at Leo, the old magus was struck dumb.

Such a treasure—enough to tempt the gods themselves—handed over so casually?

What… did this man intend?

"The secrets of the Gate, I now grasp in part."

Leo's tone was calm.

"Continue your duty. Perhaps one day, you and I may pass through it safely—to see the other side's scenery."

Before the old magus could respond, Leo and Lilith vanished from the edge of the universe.

He was left clutching the godly elixir, mind awash with turmoil, staring long at the immense, motionless black hole.

Leo did not return to Dalton Town immediately.

Having resolved to develop it, he used the journey to deliberately seek out capable peoples to strengthen Dalton's lifeblood.

His consciousness swept the starry sea like the finest radar.

They met the Storm Spirits, energy beings dwelling within gas giants, whose kind could efficiently gather lightning.

They found the Molten Dwarves, masters of geothermal forging, whose craft bordered on the divine.

They even rescued a tribe of Forest Faeries—with unique gifts of plant communion and growth—from a planet soon to be consumed by its star.

Leo did not coerce them.

Instead, he offered protection, knowledge exchange, or salvation from crisis. In return, they agreed to join Dalton.

One by one, he transported them to Dalton Town, giving them lands to settle and grow, weaving them into Dalton's fabric.

By the time Leo and Lilith finally turned homeward, Lilith was still glowing with excitement from meeting so many wondrous races.

A shift in space—and familiar Dalton Town appeared below.

Lilith gasped, covering her mouth.

The once-empty ground city was now packed with ordered streets and throngs of people.

Traffic bustled, races in exotic garb mingled in harmony, and the air thrummed with vitality and prosperity.

The Transcendent Spire shone brighter than ever, rainbow stairways of light flashing with ceaseless activity.

"Father… this… we were only gone a month, weren't we?"

She counted on her fingers, her blue eyes wide with disbelief.

"How did Dalton Town grow so big—so many people?"

A knowing glint passed through Leo's eyes.

"The Time Tower atop Aerial City constantly alters Dalton's flow of time.

For us, a month gone. For Dalton Town, three centuries have passed.

And for Aerial City…"

He raised his gaze to the radiant city in the clouds, now even more holy and majestic.

"…there, perhaps three thousand years."

Lilith was struck silent, her mind reeling.

Three hundred years?

Three thousand?

The span was beyond her comprehension.

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