Chapter 24: Chapter24-Three Thousand Years Have Passed

When Leo and Lilith appeared in the central plaza of Aerial City, the core members—already informed of their return—had gathered to welcome them.

At the front stood Elarielle.

Three thousand years had left not a mark upon her; instead, the time had refined her, sharpening her once-weary aura into crystalline clarity and depth.

A faint golden radiance glowed around her, gentle and sacred, and her cultivation had advanced to the level of Star Core Archmage.

Behind her stood figures brimming with power.

Reize, once the blacksmith’s son, now donned enchanted armor wreathed in crackling arcs of blue lightning, his gaze sharp as an eagle’s. His aura had reached the rank of Legendary Magus.

The old butler Magnar looked, if anything, younger, vigorous and spirited.

Little Hans, Miss Morris, the pastry chef Yanna—once ordinary residents of Dalton Town—now each radiated steady, profound power. The weakest among them stood at the level of Magus Lord.

Three thousand years of growth, aided by Aerial City’s unique environment, Elarielle’s careful guidance, and the vast resources Leo had left behind, had utterly transformed the populace.

From powerless commoners with no talent to their present heights—they all knew who had made this possible.

And as their strength and vision grew, they understood more deeply the unimaginable might Leo had displayed in creating a city such as this.

“Welcome home, Lord Leo and Lady Lilith!”

“Wonderful—Mayor Leo and Lilith are finally back!”

“Mayor Leo, where did you go? You said it would just be a short trip, but it’s been three thousand years… or was it three hundred?”

The townsfolk were well aware of the Time Tower’s existence.

When they had personally experienced a hundred years passing above for every year below, they had cried miracle after miracle.

Some had even found that their grandchildren were older than themselves.

The crowd erupted in cheers, voices brimming with heartfelt reverence and joy.

After three millennia of waiting and building, they had longed for Leo and Lilith’s return.

“Mayor Leo, I brewed several casks of wine just for you—they’ve aged for three thousand years! You must try them!”

“Little Lilith, while you were away, I invented thousands of new pastries—even ones infused with special magical energies!”

At Miss Timan’s words, Lilith’s eyes lit up instantly.

“All right, everyone,” Leo spoke, interrupting the surge of enthusiasm.

“I’m overjoyed to see you all again, and prouder still to witness your growth and Dalton’s prosperity.

There will be time enough for reunion—but now, we must discuss a matter of great importance. Please, to the Dalton Council Hall.”

…

At the heart of Aerial City, beside the World Tree and the Stellar Fountain, stood the most majestic of Dalton Town’s buildings:

The Grand Hall of the Dalton High Council.

Its design blended Gothic verticality, elven elegance, and the monumental, futuristic majesty of astral architecture.

Its base was carved from a single slab of star-marrow crystal, tiny lights flowing within, casting a soft, mysterious glow that made the structure seem suspended upon starlight itself.

The most awe-inspiring feature was its immense dome.

Fashioned entirely of Echo Crystal of the Void, its arrays did not conceal but instead magnified perception of the cosmos.

Looking up, one could gaze directly into the boundless heavens, stars within arm’s reach.

Inside, the seats fanned out in concentric rings, petal-shaped, numbering in the thousands.

And today, this epic hall hosted a gathering destined for history.

Crowds filled the chamber; the atmosphere was solemn yet fervent.

Representatives from all quarters of Dalton Town and even distant galaxies had assembled.

Molten dwarves, with granite skin and flame-beards, argued loudly with slender forest faeries whose bark-like skin and hair-borne blossoms radiated quiet grace.

Elsewhere, luminescent energy-beings—the Starlings—conversed via telepathy with shadowy emissaries from dark nebulae, discussing the stability of power flows.

The astral human clan, once saved by Leo from Zerg annihilation, now clad in azure ceremonial garb, eagerly debated starship engines with goblin engineers.

Lilith, seated just behind Leo in her special seat, watched wide-eyed, whispering excitedly:

“Father, look! That stone-man is glowing… and that flower-sister is so pretty!”

Leo sat at the central high seat, serene.

At his left, Elarielle presided with elegance; at his right, Magnar took meticulous notes.

Aragis, Elizabeth, Reize, and the leaders of the major races filled the inner circle.

Despite differences of race, tongue, and custom, in this hall—all born of Leo’s power and vision—there reigned harmony and order.

Elarielle rose gracefully, tapping once upon a gavel carved from a branch of the World Tree.

Its clear tone carried like the voice of nature itself, echoing through the chamber and commanding silence.

“Residents of Dalton, honored delegates of all peoples,” she began.

Her voice, airy yet resonant, was magnified through magic and translated into every tongue.

“Welcome to the Dalton Council Hall. Today we convene to deliberate the foundational clauses of the Charter of the City-State…”

All fell quiet.

Every gaze turned toward the central seat—toward the man who had wrought all these miracles. Their eyes shone with expectation, reverence, and shared conviction.

Leo sat unmoving, listening as Elarielle summarized the developments of the past three millennia.

Dalton had flourished: its population boomed, magic and technology leapt forward, countless races integrated. It had become inclusive, powerful, and prosperous.

He was pleased, yet his gaze remained calm and profound.

“Three thousand years of accumulation have forged today’s prosperity. You have done well.”

He affirmed them—then his tone sharpened, a weight in his words.

“But this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. Do not lose yourselves in comfort or pride.

Soon, Dalton Town will open itself to the continent—and beyond, to challenges and opportunities from other worlds.”

“Our enemies may surpass your imagination. The strength we need must be far greater than this.”

His words rang like a bell, shattering any complacency, igniting fresh urgency and resolve.

“We pledge our lives for Dalton Town!”

The hall thundered as one, voices blazing with spirit.

Leo inclined his head slightly.

Then he began the concrete arrangements.

The first order of business: building an iron wall to defend Dalton Town.

“First proposal: the establishment of Dalton’s permanent armed forces!”

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