Noah checked the door one last time to make sure it was completely sealed, then turned to the others and said:
"Let's go back up first, Your Majesty. I'll recover all of the remaining equipment within a month."
"Very well, let's return to the surface."
King Thomas agreed. Layla and the blonde woman had no objections, so everyone made their way back to the palace above.
After greeting Jude and Princess Emerald, who were still waiting in the living room, the four of them continued on to the observation deck.
Once everyone had settled their thoughts, the blonde woman was the first to speak.
"My name is Anna. Anna Heartfilia."
"I'm Layla. Layla Heartfilia. But this is incredible… that door truly allows travel through time and space."
Her tone carried genuine astonishment. It was only natural after all, witnessing someone journey across four centuries was beyond imagination.
"Thank you for opening the door."
Anna spoke with heartfelt sincerity.
"'To the descendants born in an age of abundant magic, when the sun and moon meet, use the twelve keys to open the gate.'
I never knew if those words were real, but this book has been passed down in my family for generations. My grandmother and my mother both entrusted it to me."
Layla took out the old tome she had brought from her home. Its pages were filled with bookmarks and notes, proof that it had been studied carefully by those before her.
"I was the one who wrote that book."
Anna's quiet words made Layla freeze, and King Thomas immediately blurted out:
"Wait what are you saying? I don't understand at all!"
Anna patiently explained to him:
"In order to travel from the past to the present, someone from this era had to open the gate. My descendants preserved the book I wrote, passing it down through the generations. In the end, Layla was the one who opened the door by following its instructions."
"You mean… you came from four hundred years ago?"
King Thomas looked stunned, but Anna replied calmly:
"That's correct."
"Then why did you come to this time? The book never explained that."
Ever since learning that Anna had truly crossed four centuries, Layla had held that question in her heart. Time travel was an unbelievable feat surely, it could not be done without a compelling reason.
"I can't tell you that right now. When the time comes, I promise you'll know."
Anna's expression softened with a hint of apology. Layla could see she wouldn't get more out of her, so she simply nodded.
"All right."
"Miss Layla was able to open the gate. Does that mean magic power is abundant in this era?"
King Thomas asked after hearing their exchange, his face thoughtful.
"Well… I can't say for certain. There's no way to measure the exact level of magic energy. But one day, Noah suddenly told me this was the age, so I decided to try."
Layla's face softened with a maternal glow as she spoke.
"There was another reason I chose to attempt this. It was for my daughter, Lucy.
I don't want to burden her with this mission. I want her to live her own life freely.
That's why I resolved to see it through myself."
"It truly must be an era rich in magic power if the gate could be opened.
I'm sorry for the hardships you've endured. Your mother and grandmother also carried this burden before you.
You descendants have suffered greatly across these four centuries."
Anna clasped Layla's hand in gratitude. Layla flushed a little, embarrassed.
"It wasn't so hard…"
"To see that human civilization has survived another four hundred years… it fills me with happiness. The world still thrives."
Anna gazed out from the observation deck at the royal capital below, the streets alive with rows of homes and bustling life. Her voice carried warmth and gratitude.
But when she lowered her head, her thoughts grew heavier.
Still… what if all my actions amount to nothing?
No… no matter what, I will see this plan through.
Anna turned back, ready to speak, when her eyes landed on Noah. He had been silent from the start, eyes closed, lost in thought. Curious, she asked Layla:
"This is the Noah you spoke of earlier? Why does he look so young ?"
At this point, Noah had not yet grown taller. He appeared to be no older than twelve or thirteen. At such an age, he seemed far too young to be involved in something of this scale.
"Don't be fooled by his age. Noah is very strong."
Layla immediately understood Anna's doubt and explained with a gentle smile. Noah, hearing himself being spoken about, slowly opened his eyes. A subtle aura he had kept hidden surged forth.
A crushing pressure swept over the observation deck, making the others' hearts pound. Anna and Layla both froze, sensing the vast depth of Noah's magic power. Though warm in nature, it was as boundless and unfathomable as the sea.
In the next moment, the aura vanished as quickly as it came. Anna, realizing her mistake, offered an apology.
"I'm sorry. You seemed so young, I…"
Noah lifted his hand to stop her.
"I kept it hidden on purpose. It's only natural you didn't notice."
"Then tell me how did you know about opening the gate? From what Layla said, you didn't know each other beforehand. You shouldn't have had any connection to the Heartfilia family."
Anna's curiosity was genuine. Layla was her descendant. King Thomas was of royal lineage. But Noah had no ties to either of them. How had he known?
"It was coincidence that I learned of it. I can't reveal the exact source, but it's connected to our guild's first master. That's why I sought out Sister Layla directly."
As Noah spoke, something occurred to him. He quickly cast a spell, veiling Layla and King Thomas so they could no longer perceive the conversation. Then he said to Anna in a quiet, serious voice:
"Miss Anna, you must never tell anyone who your partner is. Not a single word.
Do not search for information about him. If you do, you'll bring calamity upon yourself, and everything you're trying to accomplish will become nearly impossible."
"Why? Why won't you let me speak of my partner? Do you know something about him?"
Anna's brows furrowed, confusion in her eyes. Noah met her gaze steadily.
"I do. But there's no need for you to know right now. When you return, just study the great events that unfolded in the centuries after your time you'll understand. Even if I explained it now, you might not believe me.
What I can tell you is this: his fate may have been twisted by the flow of time itself.
I only know he was once a good man. But he was forced into an immortality plan that didn't suit his nature. After centuries of torment, his mind broke."