Chapter 203: Rumblings of Return and Recall
There was a giant stretching forest filled with mountain ranges towering high into the skies that divided Brawlmanica and the other Southeastern countries from their Southwestern counterparts. This place was deemed incredibly dangerous for typical outsiders due to its incredibly hard-to-manage natural habitats, powerful essence beasts, terrible terrain, tribal clans, horrible weather, and even rumored cursed areas.
As a whole, this region or rather the entire expanse, was the size of the Southeastern and Southwestern regions combined, only split into partially connected divisions spanning the Southeast, Southwest, Central, and Far Eastern lands. It was even said that Dusk Harrow was once part of this land before a major collapse caused by a battle between Peak Master realm experts thousands of years ago, though little record remained.
These lands were called the Red Desert Forest Mountain Lands. Over a thousand years ago, four elf tribes, including the Fanged Elves, had lived in one of these regions closer to the Far East when a catastrophic war forced them to flee. They were eventually aided by a powerful sect and sent into the Pocket World.
At the peak of a giant mountain filled with towering trees stood a massive glowing, slightly withered tree. That tree was none other than the heart of the new Celebi Forest Kingdom of the Fanged Elves. On three of the slightly shorter surrounding mountains were the three other elf tribes that had moved with them with Giant trees of their own.
The current Fanged Elf King, Ambertonleaf, sat on his throne beside his wife, Queen Elenoraleaf. Also gathered were various royals including Shearleaf, Crowned Prince Amberdawnleaf, Amberleaf, and Lady Aquadaleaf, wife of Amberdawnleaf. In front of them was a holographic projection of Aeloria, with Jewleaf standing nearby.
"Where are you all currently? News has already begun to spread that you, along with the force from both the Aka Boshi no Tengan clan and the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, have neared the dimensional gate area after… various conflicts," Lumbrumleaf, one of the seven Grand Princes of the Fanged Elf royal family, asked with a piercing gaze.
"Eh, Father, no need to make such a face right no—" Jewleaf started, only to be cut off.
"Blah, blah! I don't need to hear your rubbish! Where is my beloved granddaughter?! That crimson-eyed army brought forth by His Excellency Aetherial Master Farraleaf can only be utilized to such an extent by her! Why do I not see her?!" Lumbrumleaf barked fiercely.
"Well, of course my wonderful and amazing beloved daughter is here! And wait, Father… aren't we supposed to be treating this as a top-secret mission?!" Jewleaf argued defiantly, eyes twinkling.
"Bah!!! You're askin' fer a beatin'!" Lumbrumleaf rolled up his sleeves.
A cough cut the tension as King Ambertonleaf gazed at Aeloria.
"Ah, Duchess Aeloria, you may proceed. Sir Jewleaf, Mortal Lord Lumbrumleaf, please show restraint," Prince Amberdawnleaf said with a strained smile, while the rest of the family wore amused, thoughtful, or wry looks.
"Yes, Your Royal Highness. To be clear, we, the Aka Boshi no Tengan clan, and the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect have already reached the dimensional gate where our current eight great sect–clan alliance is based. Currently, our new armies are being inspected and registered. To be honest, it's causing quite the fanfare, and I'm glad reinforcements are coming. To be frank, we are likely to be in quite a precarious position…" Aeloria reported in her measured voice.
The chamber grew solemn.
"…So the 'crimson-eyed' army that followed you is confirmed to be…?" a royal asked cautiously.
"…I can't speak too much on it to avoid possible eavesdropping and fate-entangling abilities, but—" Aeloria paused, her gaze locking onto Amberleaf in a pointed way that made her jump. "'The Fanged World Tree Spirit guides the crimson fangs with the red eyes of the stars on one branch and the star lightning on another. Five races follow behind.' Take this as you will."
With that, the transmission ended.
"Hmm, interesting… She definitely made the right call given the attention centered on them. Amber, why don't you tell Papa what your interpretation of the messa—oh?" Prince Amberdawnleaf nodded as he thought aloud and asked Amberleaf for her thoughts, only to notice the extreme excitement all over her face.
"KuKuKuKu!!! Oh Royal Father, they have finally returned!!! Oh how I missed them! I have to go and make preparations to see them once more. Even that annoying Shay… HMPH!" Amberleaf declared excitedly before dashing out of the grand hall with a cheerful expression.
"…"
"…"
"I think I completely understand what that coded message from Duchess Aeloria was about…" Shearleaf muttered with a wry smile. Beside her, Aquadaleaf simply looked over with a gentle smile.
"Huh??? I don't get it? Fukukuku… Please be so kind as to tell my royal self what it is that my extremely intelligent daughter has found out…" Amberdawnleaf said with fake confidence, puffing up his chest. The tension dissolved as laughter rolled through the chamber.
Across different regions—within the Pocket World, the Desert Star Red continent on the Southeastern, Far East, and the Southern Central regions, and even those who infiltrated the Purple Starmist continent—one thing echoed clearly: a massive recall had been issued for the Aka Boshi no Tengan clansmen.
This sudden gathering disrupted countless areas where their aid had been crucial. For most, the exact reason remained hidden. They only knew they were to assemble in designated places in enormous numbers under direct orders from above.
But for those who did know, opinions split sharply. Whispers of conflict between great sects and clans spread. The trigger? The growing rumor of the Kokon Tengan's awakening. The one who had awakened it remained in shadow, but for those with deeper insight, suspicion narrowed quickly.
Inside the Aka Boshi clan itself, excitement stirred from low bloodlines talents to supreme. Yet their methods and secrecy caused unease. Among the few with real knowledge, one name surged louder than the rest: Christy Hucklebare. Not simply a supreme bloodline talent, but one who might surpass even that.
Some within the clan whispered of cutting ties with her long-established bond to her childhood sweetheart, should she truly awaken the Kokon Tengan. Others considered it inevitable. But two weeks ago, everything changed. A staggering rumor spread from who knows where: a high-tier engagement contract had already been formed. The groom's identity was cloaked, hidden beneath a fog of lightning no foresight, divination, or fate-reading could pierce.
What began as a modest recall suddenly became something far larger—an operation with an entirely different objective.
…
The Soloman Clan found themselves in similar waters. Though their recall was smaller in scale—they had been less involved in Purple Starmist continent conflicts—the storm found them nonetheless. Trouble struck after a rash of proud experts challenged the Dragon Spear Hero, Ramiro León… only to lose.
Worse still, a visible rift began to emerge within the clan itself. At its center stood Erica Soloman. To some elders, she was merely a figurehead, yet her merit and achievements silenced opposition. Others whispered that she was gaining dangerous influence. Many desired to marry her into a powerful bloodline branch, but pressing her risked backlash.
Ronold Soloman quietly sided with her, granting Erica free rein. And as the clan watched the Aka Boshi clan's movements, they realized their troubles aligned: the one Erica seemed to be chasing was likely moving nearby the very person the Aka Boshi clan was also circling around. A large Soloman clan force soon marched toward the Dimensional Gate.
…
Meanwhile, Ramiro's situation was spiraling in a different kind of chaos.
"Boss Ramiro!! We are willing to aid you in your conquest by the Dimensional Gate!"
"Master Ramiro, I will not cower! I will fight by your side until death!"
"Papi Ramiro! I will prove myself to you in battle… and make heroic children with you someday!"
"Guahaha!!! The León family will never falter!"
"Hmph! To think those fools dare touch my divine hero—and harass Sister Christy! My handsome Dragon Hero, Uncle Prince Hunter has allowed me to summon the legion of special imperial guards for this!" Princess Helga declared with arrogant eyes burning with deathly gleam.
Ramiro stood atop a massive magical aircraft, his lips twitching as he endured the chorus. Around him, Seralily, Princess Helga, Sophia, Willowna, and Sakurana flanked him like an elite guard. Four more women hovered close by, their gazes burning with a mix of reverence, loyalty… and something dangerously close to obsession. Ramiro decided it was safer not to acknowledge it.
Looking out at the sprawling mass of forces rallying under his banner, Ramiro's heart sank. He spotted allies, opportunists, and even rivals blending in with the crowd. A detachment of Black Reaper Corps trailed quietly, their suppressed killing intent chilling the air.
Ramiro could only pray that things didn't spiral as wildly as they already looked.
…
At the Dimensional Gate, a blinding light erupted as the combined forces of the three allied factions began their emergence.
That was the moment the next storm began.