Starting from primitive world, building the strongest divine kingdom

Norma?

Upon hearing Erdos's words, Enzo's excitement surged as he asked, "Erdos, are you saying that Norma has returned?"

Erdos quickly responded, "Indeed, Lord Enzo, Lady Norma did return. It was Leiden who recognized her identity. However, her visit was brief, and after establishing this conduit—before even activating it—she left in a rush."

"Left…" Enzo murmured, sensing something awry.

His expression grew grave as he inquired, "Did Norma leave any message?"

"Yes!" Erdos nodded, then retrieved a piece of parchment wrapped in a leather pouch, handing it to Enzo. "Lord Enzo, Lady Norma wrote a few things for you."

Enzo accepted it, unwrapping the leather pouch.

The folded paper contained scant words, the handwriting somewhat chaotic, suggesting that Norma's emotions were unsettled while writing. This heightened Enzo's concern.

After reading the brief note, his anxiety deepened.

It bore only a few lines:

[Leave this world at once!]

[Beware of calamity!]

[On the other side of the ocean, in a place known as the City of the Setting Sun, there lies a teleportation array leading to the Starry Sky!]

[Steer clear of the totem's power!]

The passage did not mention Norma's whereabouts, but rather served as a reminder concerning Enzo, which felt vague and unclear, as if something was preventing Norma from revealing the truth.

Enzo was convinced that Norma had encountered trouble.

He turned to Erdos and inquired, "Did Norma say anything upon her arrival at Crimson Lake?"

Erdos shook his head and pointed towards the spatial portal, saying, "Lady Norma was eager to leave after constructing the portal. I intended to ask her where she was headed and inform you upon your return, but she did not disclose her destination and did not speak a word upon her return."

Upon hearing this, Enzo fell into silence.

Clearly, at this moment, Norma's location remained elusive.

As he gazed at the third reminder on the paper—regarding the teleportation array leading to Starry Sky—an unsettling suspicion arose within him. Could it be that Norma had already departed from the Disaster World through the mentioned array?

Yet, this was merely conjecture…

Reluctantly, Enzo set the matter aside for the time being.

He then offered Erdos a few instructions to ensure the proper management of Crimson Lake before activating the spatial portal and crossing over to the Crimson Star Tribe with Eve.

...

At the Crimson Star Tribe.

Following Amy's journey to Snow Fox Territory and Enzo's departure, the myriad affairs of the tribe fell largely upon Ward's shoulders. However, prior to Enzo's exit, he had specifically restructured the tribe's management framework, thereby increasing Ward's responsibilities.

Yet, with the tribe's continuous growth—especially as the members embarked on journeys to exceedingly distant lands—Ward felt the weight of considerable pressure.

Consequently, during his idle moments, he found solace in visiting the ritual square.

One purpose was to inform the ancestors who had departed in the past of the formidable strength that now characterized the Crimson Star Tribe.

The second was a prayer, a hopeful plea for Enzo's swift return.

"Lord Enzo, when shall you return?"

Ward murmured, only to suddenly realize something was amiss.

Before him, a vast spatial portal materialized, and from it emerged Enzo.

A mere illusion?

Instinctively, Ward questioned his own senses.

Yet, in the next moment, he heard Enzo's voice ring out. "Ward, what brings you to the ritual square?"

That familiar voice—

There could be no mistake. It was undoubtedly Lord Enzo!

With uncontainable joy, Ward exclaimed, "Lord Enzo, you have finally returned! I missed you dearly!"

At the sound of his call, the other tribesmen turned to look, and upon recognizing Enzo, they erupted into cheers, racing to share the news and convey their elation.

Observing this scene, Eve covered her mouth with a smile and remarked, "It seems your standing within the tribe is quite high."

Enzo had always found it challenging to withstand the enthusiasm of the tribespeople.

He instructed Ward to disperse the gathered crowd before inquiring about Norma's situation.

The other end of the spatial portal was anchored at the ritual square of the Crimson Star Tribe, indicating that Norma had indeed visited.

However, there was also another possibility.

The members of the tribe had failed to notice her presence. After all, with Norma's prowess, she could easily have overwhelmed the entire tribe.

Yet, Enzo felt a surge of delight as Ward provided clarity, saying, "Lord Enzo, the lady Norma merely visited the tribe, glanced at the ritual square, and constructed the spatial portal. She then went to your residence but left no message. The only information we possess is that she is someone close to you and that the establishment of the portal was your intent."

Upon hearing this, Enzo's brow furrowed tightly.

Whether at Crimson Lake or the camp of the Crimson Star Tribe, Norma had left no indication of her whereabouts, clearly wishing to evade him.

What could possibly be the reason behind this?

Enzo's mind was clouded with uncertainty when Ward hesitantly spoke up, "Lord Enzo, there is yet another matter that requires your attention."

"What is it?" Enzo inquired.

Ward sighed and replied, "Shortly after Lady Norma departed, individuals from the Snow Fox Territory arrived. Commander Andrew reported that Amy has vanished from their domain. They have searched extensively but found no trace of her, suspecting that she may have returned to the Crimson Star Tribe. However, since her departure, Miss Amy has yet to return."

The news only deepened Enzo's agitation.

How could Amy also be embroiled in this turmoil!

Suppressing his rage, he pressed, "What of the people from the Snow Fox Territory?"

Ward gestured towards a nearby building, saying, "Commander Andrew remains in the camp, refusing to leave, as he intends to await Miss Amy's return at the Crimson Star Tribe."

Without hesitation, Enzo teleported to the designated location.

Meanwhile.

Within the building Ward had indicated, Andrew wore a troubled expression, his demeanor seeming markedly aged.

Accompanying him were several other members of the Snow Fox Territory.

At that moment, one of them spoke up, "Commander Andrew, could it be that the people of the Crimson Star Tribe are deceiving us? Princess Amy might have returned here, but they are concealing it."

Andrew shook his head slightly, saying, "There is no trace of the princess here. She is indeed missing."

Suddenly, a furious voice interrupted their conversation.

"Andrew, come out here this instant!"

Enzo bellowed from outside.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Andrew promptly emerged, only to be struck with astonishment as he sensed Enzo's formidable aura, nearly equal to his own.

How could it be that, after such a brief separation, Enzo had grown to this extent?

How had he achieved such remarkable progress?

Andrew found it hard to believe, and as he observed Enzo's grim countenance, a premonition of impending trouble washed over him.

Meanwhile, the other members remained oblivious to Enzo's true identity.

Seeing Enzo audaciously confronting Andrew, they erupted in indignation, accusing, "Who do you think you are, daring to speak to Lord Andrew in such a manner?"

Just as Andrew was about to intervene, Enzo moved with swiftness.

A torrent of lightning struck down upon the Snow Fox Territory members, rendering them incapable of even a scream. Their forms were charred black, leaving only the faintest remnants of life.

Relief washed over Andrew, gratitude swelling within him.

In the end, Enzo had allowed these individuals to retain a flicker of life, yet this only deepened Andrew's sense of guilt. He turned to Enzo, explaining, "Enzo, this entire debacle is my fault. Upon returning to Snow Fox Territory, I confessed my transgressions to Princess Amy, and in her fury, she left to seek you.

Realizing this, I set out with the members of Snow Fox Territory to find her, but we have been unable to locate her."

"Moreover, Princess Amy's bloodline essence has vanished."

Andrew lowered his gaze, his tone heavy with sorrow.

As the stronghold of the fox kin, Snow Fox Territory possesses unique abilities to sense the bloodline of its members, capable of pinpointing their location even in the most remote places.

Yet, the essence of Amy has simply dissipated.

This could mean either that Amy has departed from this world or that she has met her end.

Both of these outcomes are utterly unacceptable to Snow Fox Territory.

Enzo found this equally intolerable.

He raised his voice, directing his fury at Andrew. "Andrew, I distinctly remember you promising to ensure Amy's safety when you were bringing her back to Snow Fox Territory!"

"And now?"

"Where is Amy?"

Andrew fell into silence, unable to respond to this pressing question.

With a swift motion, Enzo slammed Andrew against the wall and summoned several vines to weave a cage, confining Andrew and his companions.

He then hastened toward the ritual square.

Upon arriving at the ritual square, Enzo immediately wielded the Ring of the World Ritual. During his absence, a tremendous amount of energy had accumulated within it.

In this moment, that energy surged forth.

Enzo harnessed his mental prowess to guide this vast energy in an effort to locate the mark he had left on Amy when they journeyed toward Snow Fox Territory.

Yet, he sensed nothing.

Just as Andrew had stated, Amy had vanished.

"It cannot be!"

"There must be some oversight!"

Unwilling to accept this outcome, Enzo pressed on, intensifying the flow of energy.

As the Ring of the World Ritual trembled violently, a faint ripple finally emerged. Enzo's consciousness immediately sought it out, only to discover a shadowy realm devoid of light.

At the same time, he heard a voice.