The top trainers from various nations around the world were waiting anxiously for their country's own trainers to come out, even though many of them were well aware that not many would make it out alive.
But there was always hope that those who did come out would be from their own side.
"Elder Willow, Champion Walker just called. He said he's coming this afternoon."
Elder Willow—Rowan's great-grandfather, Edward Willow—was a late-stage pseudo-Champion-level trainer.
"Little John, he's coming again?"
Given Edward's seniority, calling John "little John" was perfectly natural. After all, John had owed him favors in his youth.
"If I had a grandson as outstanding as Champion Walker's, I'd visit often too," another Elite-level trainer joked.
Everyone in Drakoria knew that John cherished his grandson above all else. Offending John himself might be forgiven, but crossing his grandson? That was a death sentence.
Edward had never met Julian in person, but he had heard the name—countless times.
"There's movement at the secret realm's portal!!"
No one knew which country's trainer shouted, but instantly all the waiting trainers from every nation rushed toward the portal of the secret realm. However, they all maintained a cautious distance from one another. Proximity to the portal reflected the nation's strength.
So, naturally, Edward and his group stood at the very front of the portal and right next to them were three peak Elite-level trainers from Celestria.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the portal.
At this moment, the glow around the portal flickered slightly, indicating that someone was coming out.
After more than half a year, finally, someone had emerged.
Though it hadn't been that long objectively, those who entered were each nation's finest young trainers, so it was natural for everyone to be nervous.
"I wonder which country's team it'll be," whispered one trainer.
"Only six months and they're already coming out? The portal must've been easy to locate," remarked another.
A few neighboring trainers nodded. Judging by the time alone, it did seem that this portal wasn't that hard to find.
In a Top-tier secret realm, once trainers entered, they would be randomly transported to any location within. So, to find the exit, apart from strength, a lot depended on luck.
Then—under everyone's expectant gaze, five figures materialized at the portal's edge.
"Ah—finally! Screw that place!"
Rowan struck a dramatic pose, spreading his arms wide as if embracing the sun. As a modern person, months in a secret realm without even flush toilets had truly been unbearable.
Edward's face darkened instantly.
'Damn it. He's embarrassing us internationally.'
"Hey. Look ahead," Asher whispered, tugging Rowan's sleeve and nodding forward.
Rowan took one look—'holy crap, so many people'—and then—
"Great-Grandfather!!"
Seeing his great-grandfather's darkened expression, his face immediately fell. He inwardly groaned. 'Of all people, why did it have to be him waiting outside?'
Worst of all, he'd definitely heard his earlier outburst.
His great-grandfather was someone who cared a lot about how the younger generation behaved.
"Good, good. You've all made it out. That alone means we've already won."
A Drakorian Elite smiled warmly at Julian and the others.
These five represented the nation's most outstanding young trainers—each a potential future Champion. Losing even one would've been devastating.
And now, here they were, all five of them, unharmed—there wasn't even a scratch on them.
If one looked carefully, they would notice that their clothes were pristine, immaculate without a single tear.
And if you 'really' scrutinized Ember—'wait, is she wearing makeup?!'
Celestria and its allies (plus a few other nations) were all stunned. 'Did the plan fail? How could the Drakorian trainers come out alive—unharmed and without a single one missing?'
"How was the harvest?"
A military-affiliated Elite trainer asked.
Pierce nodded. "Not bad."
He didn't elaborate on what exactly they had gained, especially with so many foreign ears around.
"Only six months inside? What could you possibly have gained? Looks like Drakorian trainers are all cowards—nothing like our brave Babath warriors!"
The next second, a mocking voice with a sneer rang out.
Every other nation's trainers thought: 'Who's bold (or stupid) enough to say that to Drakoria's face?'
Then, upon hearing the latter part, they all realized, 'Oh, it's Babath. Makes sense.
The speaker was a peak Elite-level trainer from Babath.
The man's courage stemmed entirely from his "godfather" (Celestria's delegation) standing beside him.
However, his words weren't entirely unreasonable.
After all, this was a Top-tier secret realm, filled with countless resources and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Since they had already found the exit, why not stay longer and reap more rewards?
Finding the exit meant they had no worries about getting stuck, yet they chose to come out.
From an outsider's perspective, it seemed likely they got scared and didn't want to risk it any further.
The Drakorian military Elite was instantly enraged upon hearing this. "Noda, think before you speak! Don't assume your… "patrons" will be able to stop me from beating you senseless."
This military general was infamous for his brutality. His killing intent unintentionally leaked out, sharp enough to make Noda instinctively step back.
"General Sam, Trainer Noda merely spoke the truth. Must you react so harshly? Others might mistake Drakoria for lacking… magnanimity."
When the godson got bullied, Celestria—as the godfather—naturally stepped in.
"Elite Jason, Drakoria only lashed out because I seemed to have struck a nerve!"
With his "godfather" backing him, Noda regained his confidence, and continued with his mocking tirade.
Julian slowly walked up to Noda and said, "Tell me something—those three 'elite' trainers of yours. Were they supposed to be strong?"
Noda immediately puffed up with pride. "Our nation's Ishida, Eguchi, and Aso are among the finest trainers! Especially Aso—so young, yet already at the late-stage of Elite. I believe after this secret realm expedition, he'll return as a pseudo-champion!"
"Oh~?"
Julian dragged out the syllable, then pulled out three Poké Balls from his bag. "Funny. They didn't feel that strong when I killed them."
Each ball bore Babath's insignia—and the crests of three noble families.
"And hey, I've got more."
Julian said, pulling out over a dozen more Poké Balls from his bag. He used his psychic powers to suspend them in front of him.
Seeing these Poké Balls, Noda's expression shifted from initial arrogance to disbelief, then to shock and horror.
His nation's three prodigies' Poké Balls—all in Julian's hands—there was no need to guess what had happened to them.
'Dead. They're all dead!!'
Trainers from other countries openly sneered at Noda, relishing in his despair.
"Hahaha! Drakoria slaughtering Babath's mutts like stray dogs! I hope our trainers have also bagged a few Celestrian trophies!"
Volkaria's Elite-level trainer stepped forward roaring with laughter, first at Babath, then with a pointed glare at Celestria's delegation.
*****
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