"This is the outside world…"
Nahida's heart was deeply shaken.
She felt profoundly moved by this world, which was countless times broader than the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
At that moment, she was like someone who had lived in the darkness of an eternal night, only to suddenly encounter the light of morning.
The breeze, the blue sky, the white clouds, the grass, and the towering trees behind her made Nahida—who had long been accustomed to the unchanging Sanctuary of Surasthana—feel dizzy.
For the first time, she truly felt what the world was like.
Not knowledge gleaned from books, not fantasies woven solely from words, but witnessing it with her own eyes.
"So this world… is so beautiful."
"Yes, this world is beautiful," Leon replied.
It's just that many hearts are not, Leon thought.
Leon walked over to Nahida, raised his arms, and lifted the white-haired girl, placing her on his shoulders.
Nahida's face flushed red, but in the very next second, she looked astonished.
"This is amazing!"
Simply by changing her viewing height, the world revealed entirely different scenery. Nahida gazed at the surroundings in fascination, her heart pounding rapidly.
As for Leon, who had initially planned to immediately ask about the World Tree, he changed his mind. After all, there was still plenty of time—there was no need to rush.
So he released this caged bird and let her fully take in the beautiful, magnificent nature before her.
"Nahida, do you want to see more?"
"Huh? Is that okay?"
"Just tell me whether you want to or not."
"…Yes, I really do! I want to see the world with my own eyes."
Nahida clenched her hands, thinking to herself that she was being far too greedy. Leon had already freed her from the cage and brought her outside.
If she asked for more, she truly didn't know how she could ever repay him.
But even so… even so! Like a young bird that had finally left its cage, the girl wanted to see how high and how far she could fly, and to see more of this vast world.
"Haha, alright! I'll grant your wish."
The corners of Leon's lips lifted.
In the next second, a spatial gate opened.
And Dvalin appeared in an elegant posture, landing before Leon.
Dvalin: "Who called for the Draconic Express service? Is the customer with number xxxx you?"
Nahida: "A dragon…? You have a dragon!"
Leon: "Next up is a trip around the world today! So let's head for the skies!"
Dvalin: "ROAAAAR!"
Then the two of them sat on the dragon's back.
More precisely, Leon sat behind her, with Nahida held in his arms.
After all, the girl's small stature made Leon worry that she might be thrown off by Dvalin's acceleration.
"Leon, where are we going?" Nahida asked.
"We'll fly straight ahead. Since the world is round, we'll inevitably come back to the same point again."
Then Dvalin beat his wings, shot straight into the sky, surged toward the distant horizon, and left behind a trail like a meteor's tail.
Dvalin was also in high spirits. Although flying was his instinct and talent, for some reason, whenever Leon rode on his back, he always managed to fly faster and higher.
It felt as though, as long as that young man was on his back, he could fly forever.
"Wow, this is incredible! So this is what flying feels like? The scenery on the ground looks so small. It's unbelievable."
Nahida looked around excitedly. This was the most thrilling and happiest day of her life.
The girl felt the powerful airflow in front of her, lowered her head, and gazed down at the world. The mountains, lakes, and towering trees she once thought so immense now appeared incredibly small.
Nahida knew this was because she was sitting on a dragon's back, changing the height of her perspective. She understood the theory behind it, yet she still found it astonishing.
[I… I'm not dreaming.]
Nahida thought in a daze. She looked at Leon behind her, her four-leaf-clover-shaped eyes slightly blurred.
This black-haired boy had suddenly barged into her life, shattered her cage, and brought her outside. He was like a fairy-tale prince who could save every tragedy.
[No, this isn't a dream!]
Nahida thought firmly. Because not even a dream could be this beautiful. This was the reality Leon had brought her—more beautiful than the loveliest dream in the world.
[I hope this time it lasts longer.]
Nahida looked at the sun on the horizon, hoping it wouldn't set too quickly that day.
At the same time, she relaxed her body and allowed herself to lean fully into the boy's arms behind her.
Her cheeks were faintly flushed. Although there wasn't a soft cushion like the one she remembered from her sister, this was warmer and steadier.
After that, Leon took Nahida around the world, and Dvalin's speed surpassed that of any supersonic aircraft from Leon's previous life.
Although the scenery continued to rush past before their eyes, both Leon and Nahida were wielders of magic and could enhance their vision with magic to capture the beautiful landscapes below.
Nahida was ecstatic.
Blue seas, crystalline forests, rugged mountains, and countless human kingdoms.
She had never seen so many landscapes. She had never been to so many places.
The girl's hands unconsciously clenched the hem of Leon's clothes as she looked at him with longing and admiration.
"What is it? Why are you suddenly looking at me like that?"
"Well… I just think it's amazing. Leon, you're so free. You can go wherever you want, and no one can block your path."
Nahida said enviously.
Everyone in this world, to a greater or lesser extent, is bound by various chains—responsibilities, missions, duties, pressure, life itself, and more. All of these things bind people. Regardless of social status, rich or poor, as long as one lives within human society, such constraints inevitably exist.
But Leon was simply the embodiment of freedom.
Nahida couldn't see any chains on him, as if nothing could restrain him. He was free and unburdened, "living like the sun in the sky, shining so brightly that people couldn't look at him directly."
"Haha! Isn't that only natural? As long as I know where I want to go, the entire world will open a path for me!"
Leon said proudly, hands on his hips.
Ordinary people live for the sake of living.
He, however, lived for his own ideals.
It was no surprise, then, that he was free.
"That's truly amazing…"
Nahida looked at him with admiration. Leon smiled, lowered his head, and gently touched his forehead to hers.
"Don't be envious. I'll break your shackles. Nahida, is there anywhere you want to go? Just tell me, and from now on, I'll take you there."
(End of Chapter)