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Maria gazed at the dark skies of Umbralheim with her emerald eyes, taking in this strange, alien world of eternal shadow. Just days ago, their great god Sanguaroth had slumbered beneath the Abyssal Blood Sea—the only ocean here, a vast expanse of miasma-like blood unfit for vampire consumption yet teeming with aquatic Blood Beasts.

Large sections of her Soul Realm continued to detach and merge into Umbralheim, slowly repairing a once-lost continent and several others, though never quite restoring them to their former state. Maria also recreated one of the moons from fragments of both, shaping a red-and-green orb with an eye-like pattern to eternally watch over the vampires and deter any suspicious behavior.

"How long until it’s done? You’ve been at this for a week now," a tall, muscular vampire with long white hair and piercing red eyes asked from directly behind her.

"Crimson Emperor, have patience," Maria sighed. "We made a deal, remember? I promised to restore your world. But rebuilding an entire planet from tiny fragments I must peel away from the Heavenly Realm I absorbed is no simple task. I’m even sacrificing pieces of my own Soul Realm to make up the difference, so please be quiet."

"Hmph..." The Crimson Emperor crossed his arms and looked down with a heavy sigh. At Maria’s insistence, he no longer wore his helmet, revealing a surprisingly handsome face—though markedly different from other vampires. A third eye sat in the center of his forehead, and long, white-furred ears framed his features.

"Is your appearance the reason you hide beneath that heavy armor?" Maria asked casually while she continued her leisurely work of reconstruction.

"...Partially," he grunted. "The stronger the bloodline, the more we resemble bats. This isn’t even my truest form. I can channel it and show you—I look much like my father."

"Oh?" Maria’s curiosity piqued. "Partner—I mean, Scarlet—used to transform into a giant bat too, but after her rebirth she lost that ability. Now she becomes something like a cosmic angel of blood and starlight."

"What even is she?" The Crimson Emperor’s interest sharpened. Scarlet remained the strangest "vampire" he had ever encountered.

"I’m not entirely sure myself. She’s just Scarlet," Maria giggled. "Ah, is that your true form?"

The Crimson Emperor completed his transformation. A twenty-meter-tall figure emerged, radiating an overwhelming aura of blood and darkness—resembling a gigantic bat like his father, though far smaller in scale.

"Over the years I’ve kept growing larger," he sighed. "I realize now that my father meant for me to inherit his throne one day. His sacrifice simply hastened the process. Perhaps in a few thousand years I’ll finally reach his size."

"That sounds exciting. I’ll be happy to see your new form when the time comes," Maria replied lightly, never pausing her work. "Hm, the more I repair this world, the more insight I gain into how worlds are created. How fascinating."

"How much time do we have?" the Crimson Emperor asked, his serious gaze locking onto her as he reverted to his vampire form.

"For what?" Maria asked.

"You know exactly what I mean," he muttered.

"Hm, right." Maria nodded. "I originally considered heading there immediately after defeating Odin, but I changed my mind. Charging in without a proper plan or preparations would be far too reckless."

"So what are you planning?" The Crimson Emperor pressed, irritation creeping into his voice. "I agreed to help you destroy the tower in exchange for protecting my world, but what exactly is your plan? Tell me already—I’m growing annoyed!"

"I’m still planning, geez," Maria sighed. "But there’s no immediate threat. I expected the Administrators to come after me at some point, yet nothing has happened. It’s already been a week since Odin’s death."

"Hmm..." The Crimson Emperor nodded slowly. "Even an event like that meant nothing to them. That alone shows how far above us they truly stand."

"Yes..." Maria closed her eyes and offered a small, determined smile. "That’s exactly why I plan to work harder than ever. I’ll use the artifact given to me to decipher the future and calculate how much time remains before they finally decide to act."

"Huh, an artifact that can see the future?" The Crimson Emperor’s interest deepened.

"I’ll tell you what I saw later. First, I intend to hold a special meeting with every ruler and important figure from the worlds I’ve visited and recruited," Maria explained. "Then we’ll discuss our plans together."

"I see... Well, I’ll be patient," the Crimson Emperor conceded with a nod. "Also, you promised to return my vampires."

"Yes, I already released them into this world. They’re rebuilding their family house territories. Your entire Crimson Order is back—though under our agreement, they are now forbidden from invading, conquering, or abusing other worlds. Blood and materials can be obtained peacefully through trade and transactions, not through barbaric plundering and slaughter."

"Hmph..." The Crimson Emperor looked visibly angered but held his tongue, instead turning his gaze to the eye-shaped moon. "That damned moon... You really made it your eye?"

"Ohoho, you noticed?" Maria giggled mischievously. "Yes, that moon is part of me. I created and refined it completely—it even has a core and a fragment of my soul. This world already contains several of my soul fragments scattered throughout."

"What?!" The Crimson Emperor gasped. "W-What are you planning?!"

"I intend to leave a ’piece of myself’ in every world," Maria said calmly. "It’s part of the plan to ensure their safety once the tower is destroyed."

"You mean... You plan to turn every world into a part of yourself?!" The Crimson Emperor stared in shock.

"Haha, no, that would be foolish," Maria laughed. "I have something a little different in mind. You’ll see when the time comes. Alright then, let’s continue."

In the blink of an eye, another week passed. Maria finally completed the restoration of Umbralheim.

At the same time, she performed the ritual with the sand hourglass gifted by the granite people.

She glimpsed threads of the future and focused on the moment when the Administrators would descend to end everything.

Thus, three days after Umbralheim’s recovery, a grand meeting convened within Yggdrasil—the first-time gods, divine avatars, and other powerful beings had ever set foot there.

Yggdrasil remained partially sealed, granting access only to those Maria personally invited. As its new supreme ruler, she controlled who could enter.

In the heart of the Palace of Light within the Empire of Light, dozens of diverse entities gathered around a massive table. Maria greeted them all with a gentle, welcoming smile.

Among them was Susanoo representing Zipangu, accompanied by two floating spheres—one red linked to Amaterasu, the other blue to Tsukuyomi—allowing the siblings to project themselves at his side.

The Legendary Farmer God attended via a second body he had created: a small, adorable scarecrow carrying farming tools and a bag of fruits and vegetables, which he cheerfully shared.

A Moon Elf Apostle arrived, her consciousness temporarily possessed by Seleneum, who observed everything in silence.

The Heavenly Demon of Murim came with Wu Lieng and several disciples, remaining quiet while offering respectful greetings.

The lion-like Plushie King of Minimundi appeared with two teddy bear bodyguards—his presence among the most unusual.

Newer recruits were also present: a giant of pulsating flesh and bone from Corpusum, an old, mad-looking doctor with saws for hands from Sancturectum, a beautiful digital anime girl in skimpy neon clothing with cat ears and a large golden crown from Codeveil, representatives from Faunaterra (a lion, an elephant, and a giraffe), an old warrior king from Valhalla, and a shy, nervous-looking clown from Carnavalis who glanced around anxiously.

These were rulers or their chosen representatives, arriving via second bodies or clones.

"Wow, she even brought a clown?" Scarlet murmured, standing behind Maria’s throne alongside the rest of the family, all serving as overseers and bodyguards to maintain order.

"I helped Mama befriend him!" Nyx chirped proudly. "As long as we invite him during the day, he agreed to come!"

Many familiar faces filled the room: the Family of Divine Sea Spirits from Atlantis (minus the King, who stayed behind to guard their world while his wife attended), a small white spirit projecting Shuten Douji via a red orb, and even Quick Hare, Vyperion, and Gallotron.

"Ahem, this is the first time I’ve ever visited another world! Yggdrasil is sure beautiful! Don’t you guys think?" Quick Hare tried to break the heavy silence.

Most simply glared at her with a range of expressions, saying nothing.

They formed perhaps the strangest assembly of misfits ever united under a single cause.

"Ah... Hahah..." Quick Hare laughed awkwardly and fell silent, realizing no one was in the mood for small talk.

She also sensed clashing intents—Susanoo, for example, kept glaring menacingly at Shuten Douji while stroking the hilt of his blade.

"Shuten Douji, eh? I thought you died, old demon," Susanoo said, finally breaking the quiet.

"Damn madman, you’re sharpening your blade just by looking at me?" Shuten Douji groaned. "I’m in my own world—you can’t threaten me here!"

"Hmph..." Susanoo clicked his tongue. "If Maria hadn’t insisted, I would have already paid your world a visit."

"What?!" Shuten Douji roared. "Are you threatening me?!"

"Please, everyone," the Heavenly Demon interjected calmly. "I advise we maintain a peaceful atmosphere."

"Yeah! Did you guys come from another world that got destroyed?" the Scarecrow Farmer asked brightly. "Nice to meet you! It’s great to meet fellow refugees!"

"Ah yeah, but we don’t come from the Spirit World," Susanoo replied.

"We come from Zipangu," Amaterasu added through her projection.

"What was your Spirit World’s name?" Tsukuyomi asked curiously. "If you don’t mind me asking."

"It had no true name that we remember," the Queen of Atlantis said.

"Yes, I don’t quite recall myself..." a Spirit Clone of the Spirit Queen of the Lake agreed.

"Yeah, sorry, we didn’t have a name. Damn, now that I think about it, that’s really lame, huh?" The Scarecrow laughed heartily. "Anyway, who are you guys? You look like me! Are you scarecrows too?" he asked the toys.

"S-Scarecrow?!" The Lion Plushie King bristled. "What sort of insolence is this? Mind your words when addressing me!"

"Eeeh, why are you so serious, bud?" the Scarecrow wondered innocently.

"Although we may be made of inanimate objects, we are certainly not quite what you imagine," the King of Brickoria said politely, a tall giant composed of colorful building blocks. "Nonetheless, in the name of our alliance, I greet you all respectfully."

"Hmph...! Yeah, whatever," the Lion Plushie King grumbled, clearly grumpy.

"Hehehe, everyone say hi! I’m streaming this live to everyone on Codeveil! Hello guys! It’s your cutest Internet Queen~!" The holographic anime girl waved enthusiastically at a floating camera bot overhead, flashing peace signs and blowing kisses.

A live chat with millions of viewers scrolled beside her, filled with comments.

"Are you kidding me?! Why are you filming something so important?!" the Lion President of Faunaterra roared. "Shouldn’t that be illegal?! Someone do something right now!"

"Please calm down, Mister President..." the Elephant said gently.

"If you get too agitated you might suffer another cardiac arrest..." the Giraffe added.

"Nnngh...! Shut up!" The Lion bellowed—then suddenly paled. "Ugh... Eugh... Haaa..." He struggled to catch his breath for a moment.

"Hmmm, so many strange beings here, hehehehe...! When I created my haunted hospital, I never imagined I’d one day visit other worlds! So many specimens to experiment on!" The mad doctor cackled as his saw-like hands whirred and sharpened against each other.

"Is this old man threatening us?" Susanoo muttered. "Hey, should I cut him? He’s giving me bad vibes. Isn’t he a villain like that demon over there?"

"I AM NOT A VILLAIN! I RETIRED FROM THAT!" Shuten Douji barked. "I’m just running a damn onsen, Susanoo! Stop with your grudge already!"

"Yeah, that’s what YOU say! Maria is a kindhearted woman—you might have tricked her or something!" Susanoo snapped. "I swore to protect her, so I won’t let anyone take advantage of her kindness!"

"Ugh, you’re such an idiot..." Shuten Douji sighed, taking a long drink of sake from within his own world.

"..." The giant of flesh and bone simply stared at everyone with empty, hollow eyes.

"Hmm, so this is the world Odin and Frigga fled to, huh?" The old Viking King surveyed the surroundings with tired yet sharp eyes. "I can see through the windows—it’s a beautiful world worth conquering, heh..."

"Those two are dead, though, old man," a young Chinese man said with a confident smirk, casually resting a glowing gold-and-red pole on his shoulder. "I heard from Maria that Odin and Frigga died together. Whatever you’re planning won’t work."

"Hoho, these youngsters... always stepping out of line and raising their voices against their elders..." The old Viking King glared at him. "What is your name anyway? Who are you?"

"Me? I’m Cheng Xie! Vessel of the Myth of the Sage Equal to Heaven, from Azure Star, land of dreams, haha!" Cheng Xie laughed boldly.

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