Non-Administrated World #97, Star Rail Universe…
The atmosphere inside the private room suddenly felt like a battlefield.
Well, for Noah, at least.
It carried a different kind of pressure from the ballroom they had just left, but it was no less heavy.
Sitting comfortably on the sofa was an elderly man with bright eyes, gentle wrinkles, and the relaxed posture of someone who had nothing left to prove to anyone. Beside him sat an elderly woman whose eyes were sharp enough to make Noah feel like she had already read three versions of his answer before he even spoke.
There were two more guests beside them.
A tall young man with pale hair, elegant features, and the presence of someone born beneath a sky full of expectations stood near the table.
And finally, there was a man with observant eyes, a stoic expression, and an aura that said he held the authority of someone who did not need to raise his voice to own a room.
"Lord Peverell. Lady Hayate. Lady Himeko. Thank you for coming," Jean greeted them.
"Monsieur Delacour," Noah greeted back.
Hayate and Himeko each gave a small smile in response.
Jean turned slightly toward the others. "Allow me to introduce our guests. Nicolas Flamel and his wife, Perenelle Flamel. Lord Marisbury Animusphere of the Clock Tower. And Kirschtaria Wodime, heir of the Wodime family and one of Lord Animusphere's finest students."
Kirschtaria gave a respectful nod. "It is an honor to meet you, Lord Peverell."
Noah felt the familiar sting of the title, but managed not to flinch this time.
Barely.
"The honor is mine." He glanced at Hayate, then Himeko. "This is Hayate Yagami, my wife-to-be and Commander of the Time-Space Administrative Bureau Ground Forces, and Himeko Murata, my fellow Nameless and the navigator of the Astral Express."
"Greetings, everyone. I hope you are all having a good evening," Hayate said warmly.
"On behalf of the Astral Express crew, it is our pleasure to meet all of you," Himeko smoothly added.
Marisbury's eyes moved to her with visible interest. "The Astral Express. This is truly a rare opportunity, meeting people who venture among the stars."
Himeko's smile did not move. "We are followers of the Trailblaze. Visiting various worlds is part of our way of life."
"And let's not forget our good friend trouble, who never misses the chance to greet us even in different worlds," Noah added dryly.
'Huh? Did Hachi possess me? Why did I say something he would say?'
Hayate's lips twitched.
"Travelers who arrive where trouble gathers," Nicolas chuckled. "How romantic."
Perenelle's eyes moved from Noah to Hayate, then to Himeko.
"A young lord, a capable commander, and a woman who watches the room before speaking," she said. "Interesting company, Lord Peverell."
Hayate blinked, then blushed faintly. "Ah… thank you."
Himeko gave a serene smile. "You are very perceptive, Madame Flamel."
Perenelle did not look apologetic. "Age should be useful for something."
Nicolas smiled. "Forgive my wife. She has a blunt way of saying things, especially at inconvenient moments."
"And yet," Perenelle replied without missing a beat, "you married me anyway."
Nicolas' smile warmed. "One of my wiser decisions."
Noah blinked at the exchange, while Hayate hid her smile behind her hand. Even Himeko's serene expression softened with amusement.
Jean gestured toward the seats. "Please. Let us sit first. The serious matters can wait for at least a few breaths."
Noah and Hayate took their seats across from the Flamels, while Himeko sat beside them naturally. Jean returned to his seat at the head of the table.
For a moment, tea was poured. The simple act helped lighten the room.
Noah accepted his cup, but did not drink immediately. His eyes moved from Nicolas to Perenelle, then to Marisbury and Kirschtaria. He could feel them staring at him.
But unlike the others, their gazes felt more familiar. Not hostile. Not curious in the way the ballroom had been curious. More like they were looking at someone they already knew, only changed in ways they had not expected.
"…Is something the matter?" Noah asked once he couldn't take it anymore.
Nicolas, Perenelle, Marisbury, and Kirschtaria all blinked, as if only then realizing they had been staring at Noah for too long.
"Ah, apologies," Nicolas said with an awkward laugh. "That must have felt rather strange."
"Well…" Noah smiled wryly. "A little."
"Just as my husband said, we apologize for our rudeness," Perenelle said. "We cannot help seeing someone else in you."
Noah tilted his head in confusion at her words. Hayate and Himeko wore the same expression.
"What Lord Nicolas and Lady Perenelle mean," Kirschtaria explained, "is that we cannot help but see our young friend in you, Lord Peverell. After all, we are all acquainted with your alternate self in this world."
Noah, Hayate, and Himeko's eyes widened in understanding.
"For several decades, I have worked with Zelretch and completed various projects with him," Nicolas said. "Through him, I had the pleasure of meeting his grandson and heir, Noah Schweinorg. A promising young man who will surely carry the next generation with pride."
Although Noah and Hayate had already heard about Noah's counterpart from Nekane, hearing someone else speak about him still surprised them. Even Himeko did not hide her interest.
Kirschtaria's expression warmed. "He is a friend of mine as well. A good one. Troubled by responsibility, prone to overworking, and far too willing to apologize for problems caused by other people."
Hayate and Himeko glanced at Noah.
Noah wisely ignored them by taking a sip of his tea.
"I am also glad for your counterpart," Marisbury added after silently listening for a while. "My daughter, Olga Marie, may not be the easiest child, but she found a better place for herself beside him."
He looked up and stared at Noah before adding dryly, "Even if they are far too close for my peace of mind."
"I… s-see," Noah said, his cheek twitching much to the amusement of Hayate and Himeko.
Kirschtaria chuckled lightly. "My teacher's words may sound severe, but he does approve of young Noah and Olga's relationship direction. Even if both of them still do not understand it, or refuse to be honest about it."
"My, as Noah-kun's wife-to-be, hearing someone appreciate his counterpart is quite interesting," Hayate said with amusement. "Still, if young Noah is like my Noah, then Ms. Olga Marie must have suffered from his spontaneous affection attacks, even though he never meant them that way."
"…Hachan?"
Kirschtaria's eyes widened at her words. "…That is indeed what is happening."
He looked at Noah with newfound understanding.
"It seems that even when born in different worlds, Noah is still Noah."
Noah felt like he had been stabbed in the heart. Not only Kirschtaria, but even Nicolas, Perenelle, Marisbury, and Himeko nodded in agreement. Even Jean looked amused on his behalf.
'Can I cry? I seriously feel like crying…' Noah thought.
"By the way, Lady Hayate," Kirschtaria carefully asked, "you are Lord Peverell's wife-to-be, correct?"
Hayate tilted her head at his sudden politeness but answered nevertheless. "Yes, that is right."
"Then pardon me for asking this. You may choose not to answer, of course." Kirschtaria paused, choosing his words carefully. "Since we are talking about the similarities between Lord Peverell and our young friend, I could not help but wonder. Is Lord Peverell also… 'surrounded' by charming ladies?"
"Ah, I see." Hayate's expression lit up with understanding. She even nodded a few times. "I understand why you would ask that."
She looked straight at Kirschtaria and answered, "Yes, my Noah-kun is surrounded. After all, aside from me, there are thirteen more women who will marry Noah-kun."
A deafening silence descended into the room.
Aside from Himeko and Hayate, who remained perfectly serene despite dropping a nuke and watching it explode, Kirschtaria, Jean, and Nicolas stared in open shock. Even Perenelle's mouth opened slightly in surprise.
But what frightened Noah the most was Marisbury. It was small, almost indistinguishable, but Noah felt a mana fluctuation from the man. He only noticed it because of the Force.
'Good luck, other me… You will really need it.'
Kirschtaria was the first to recover, though he still had to swallow before speaking. "So aside from Olga, there are Gray, Reines, Rin, and Luvia. That is already five."
"Six," Perenelle said. "Young Noah is also close to Ms. Springfield. Nekane Springfield."
"Nekane Springfield? The niece of the Thousand Master? Wow," Jean said.
Another fluctuation happened.
"E-ehm," Noah gave a fake cough. "W-well, I have been told that Lord Flamel would like to speak with me regarding the future, leyline disruption, and the thinning of the world's boundary."
Everyone looked at him, immediately noticing the blatant and forceful change of subject. Hayate rolled her eyes, and Himeko did her best to stop laughing, but the way her shoulders shook betrayed her. A cold sweat slid down Noah's temple as the silence continued.
Luckily for him, Nicolas gave him the mercy he needed.
"Ahem. Well, as I was saying," Nicolas continued. "Because of my close relationship with Zelretch and the number of projects we have worked on together, I was invited by him to assist with a new and much larger project. One supported by the Clock Tower, the United Nations, Holy Church, and the International Magic Association."
Noah noticed the humor and warmth in Nicolas' expression slowly fade.
"It is a project called Finis Chaldea, headed by Lord Animusphere," Nicolas added.
Hayate's eyes narrowed slightly. "Finis Chaldea…"
Marisbury nodded. "An organization founded to observe, protect, and preserve humanity's future."
His words finally made Himeko's expression change. Her smile faded, replaced by something sharper.
"A future observation project."
Marisbury looked at her. "Among other things."
Noah noticed the wording.
Among other things.
'Meaning this organization is more than what it publicly claims. How interesting.'
Kirschtaria glanced at Marisbury, then back at Noah's group. "The project is now online. It is still in its early stages, but its foundation requires cooperation between many sides that usually prefer not to sit in the same room."
"Clock Tower magi, wizarding alchemists, international groups, and Zelretch," Hayate said softly. "That sounds less like cooperation and more like a miracle held together by stubbornness."
Nicolas laughed. "An excellent description."
Noah rubbed his temple. "The moment Zelretch is involved, stubbornness becomes the safest explanation."
Perenelle looked at him with clear interest. "Oh? You speak as if you know the Wizard Marshal."
Noah's expression turned complicated. "We may have never met personally, but… I often receive his care. According to him, I'm his favorite Trailblazer."
Hayate's cheek twitched. She remembered the Zelretch letter from when the task force to search for the Infinity Stones was formed. "That is one way to describe it."
"Although my letter mentioned future, leyline disruption, and the unnatural thinning of the world's boundary, I can summarize the matter in far fewer words." Nicolas gave a humorless smile. "Our world, by the end of this year, will be destroyed."
A cold, heavy silence filled the room. Noah, Hayate, and Himeko stared at him in shock.
They had not expected that at all.
—------
"What did you just say?!" Noah stood from his seat and slammed his hand on the table.
The cups rattled sharply.
After that, no other sound disturbed the room.
Hayate's surprised expression slowly turned serious. It was the expression of one of the TSAB's finest mages and commanders. Himeko's smile vanished completely, replaced by the sharp look of a woman who had heard too many impossible reports become real.
Nicolas and Perenelle did not flinch at Noah's outburst. Their expressions remained plain, almost painfully calm, as if they had already accepted this conclusion long before tonight.
Marisbury watched Noah closely, clearly more interested in his reaction than anything else. Kirschtaria's expression was grave, but accepting.
Jean Delacour's hand clenched tightly. He had read the report. He already knew the conclusion firsthand. But hearing again that their world was about to be destroyed was still difficult to bear.
Nicolas slowly raised his head and looked straight into Noah's eyes.
"I said this world will be destroyed by the end of this year, Lord Peverell."
Noah's breath hitched. For a moment, his body and spirit went cold.
Hayate raised her hand and placed it gently over Noah's on the table, offering as much comfort as she could.
Noah closed his eyes. He held Hayate's hand and intertwined their fingers as he took several breaths, forcing his mind and heart to calm down.
When he opened his eyes again, the fire was still there.
But now, it had direction.
"Can you please tell us more details?"
"Of course." Nicolas nodded once, then turned to Marisbury.
Marisbury took out a small, heavy case and placed it on the table. He carefully opened it and activated the apparatus inside.
After a few seconds, a small projection formed above the table. It was an image of the planet in pale blue light, surrounded by thin rings of formulas and rotating symbols.
"This is…?" Himeko leaned forward slightly.
"CHALDEAS," Marisbury said. "Or rather, the portable version of it. It functions as a simulated model of the planet and humanity's future. One of Finis Chaldea's central systems."
Next, he activated another apparatus. A second lens-shaped image appeared above it, floating like an eye made of light and numbers.
"And that," Kirschtaria added, "is SHEBA, the Near-Future Observation Lens. It allows Chaldea to observe changes that ordinary astrology, scrying, and magical monitoring would miss."
Noah narrowed his eyes. "So that is how you were able to detect the thinning of the dimensional walls, even when our Sirin couldn't."
"So, using this technology, Chaldea was able to predict the destruction of the world?" Himeko asked.
"Not predict, Lady Himeko," Marisbury answered, looking at her. "It was measured. An inevitable collapse confirmed by this world's finest observation systems."
Himeko's eyes narrowed. "What kind of collapse?"
Perenelle answered this time.
"The world's foundation is weakening spiritually, magically, and existentially."
Noah's jaw tightened.
Nicolas pointed at the projection. Thin streams of light began leaking from the planet's surface, flowing outward into the black space surrounding it.
"A few months ago, Chaldea detected an impossible loss of planetary life force."
Hayate's face paled. "Life force…"
Himeko looked at the others. "Into where?"
"To the Imaginary Numbers," Marisbury answered plainly.
Noah's expression darkened. Marisbury's answer was exactly what he had feared.
"At first, the readings were too small to interpret," Nicolas continued. "A leak in the world's boundary. A rare but natural abnormality, or so some wished to believe."
Perenelle scoffed, frowning. "I certainly did not."
Nicolas gave her a faint smile. "No, my dear. You very loudly did not."
Then Kirschtaria took over the explanation. "But then the pattern changed. The leak did not stop. It began flowing continuously in one direction, which led us to conclude that something, or someone, is receiving it."
Hayate looked at the projection, watching the pale streams vanish into the darkness beyond the world.
"Dormammu…"
Perenelle looked at Hayate. "You know who this being is?"
"Yes," Noah answered before Hayate could. "We fought him before. Sirin, Hayate, and I injured him badly, but he escaped. We have been chasing him world by world. Universe by universe. Trying to find any trace of where he hid."
He looked at the flowing trails of light vanishing into nowhere. "He is the reason we came to this world in the first place."
Noah's eyes grew colder.
"He must have been hiding in the dimensional gap all this time, biding his time to recover."
Nicolas nodded grimly.
"We may not know who or what this being truly is, but we knew something outside the world was using the planet's life force as nourishment."
"And from our projections, that being is mostly recovered by now," Marisbury said as he touched the projection again.
This time, the image changed. Several points around the planet glowed red.
"Several days ago, SHEBA detected repeated pressure against the dimensional wall. Not leakage like before, but deliberate contact against the walls themselves."
Himeko's voice became serious. "So he is trying to enter the world now."
Hayate's eyes narrowed. "And by force."
"Yes," Marisbury said. "Thankfully, the barrier is still strong enough to stop him from forcefully entering our world. However, the attempts have remained constant. He is probing for weak places in the barrier."
Noah remembered the Welsh road report from Ragnok. The suspicious ritual site where seven stones and an unfinished Dark Mark had been found.
"So that's what he needs. Voldemort."
Nicolas and the others turned toward him.
"Dormammu shouldn't be able to steal the planet's life force alone," Hayate said, her expression turning grim. "Voldemort is likely the one actively feeding the planet's life force to Dormammu while he hides in the dimensional gap."
Perenelle's eyes moved toward Hayate. "Do you have an idea what exactly this being is doing?"
Hayate nodded. "Dormammu cannot enter directly yet. The planet's Will and Ultimate One would never allow him to appear in the reality plane so easily. So he needs a native hand. Someone from this world to open doors for him."
Jean Delacour's face darkened. "Then the Dark Lord is nothing more than Dormammu's puppet?"
Noah nodded. "That is what we believe."
Perenelle crossed her arms. "As expected, Voldemort's recent increase in power…"
"Does not match any known branch of Witchcraft, Magecraft, or any other native magic system," Kirschtaria finished with a nod. "Clock Tower observers noticed it as well. His magical output changed too abruptly. It became too violent, and it carried a foreign signature."
"He made a contract with Dormammu," Noah said with confidence.
Marisbury raised a brow as he turned to him. "That was our suspicion as well, but you sound very certain."
Noah sat back in his seat before replying.
"Voldemort wants power. Dormammu wants entry. One offers strength, and the other offers the world." He gave them a dry smile. "Sounds fair, right?"
Hayate's hand tightened over Noah's.
Nicolas' eyes became older and more burdened.
"That is why we wished to speak with you. Voldemort and his Death Eaters are not merely attacking families anymore. Their violence may be part of a larger mechanism. Fear, death, ritual sites, roads, weakened boundaries…"
"All of it may be preparing the world for something to come through," Perenelle finished.
Himeko let out one heavy sigh. "So the war in Britain is not the main crisis."
Noah stared at the projection of the planet.
"No," he said. "Definitely not."
Kirschtaria gathered his resolve and asked the question lingering in everyone's mind.
"Then what is the true danger?"
Noah's eyes remained on the dark space surrounding CHALDEAS.
"Dormammu is trying to turn this world into his meal."
The words were colder and grimmer than anyone expected.
Nicolas closed his eyes. Perenelle's grip tightened around her cup. Jean leaned back in his seat, breathless. Kirschtaria's hands clenched until his knuckles turned white.
Marisbury looked at the projection. "If Chaldea's projections are correct, we do not have much time to waste."
Noah looked at him.
"How long?"
Marisbury's answer came without hesitation.
"If the current rate continues, the boundary will suffer irreversible collapse before the end of the year, even by our most conservative calculation."
The words fell like a knife pointed at the throat.
Noah's fingers tightened around Hayate's hand.
"Then we move," Noah said. "We take action now. We don't wait for them to finish whatever they are preparing."
Nicolas' eyes sharpened. "It will not be simple."
"Nothing worth protecting ever is," Noah replied.
His answer brought a faint smile back to the room.
"Well said," Nicolas said with a grin.
And so, that night, Noah and his allies found a new clue and new allies against Voldemort and Dormammu.
It would be a race against time.
But hope was still there, giving them the strength to keep moving forward.
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