A few hours earlier...
far from the battlefield...
A carriage moved at high speed along a road that led toward the border between the Riverdale Empire and the Aurelia province of the Holy Sun. The wheels rolled steadily across the uneven path, while the horses pulled it forward without slowing down.
Inside the carriage, three individuals sat together.
Maris, Samantha, and Dereck occupied the space, each carrying their own thoughts. Maris had been assigned to make sure they remained alright, though William knew Aunt Samantha would be alright on her own once her curse was removed.
Since the moment they had boarded, Samantha had remained silent. She had not spoken much, and her attention seemed distant, as if she were deeply engaged in her own concerns.
A soft sound broke the quiet atmosphere.
"Sigh."
Dereck, her son, let out another breath of frustration.
It was not the first time. Samantha had already heard him sigh repeatedly during the journey. Each time, the sound carried the same weight, reflecting his inner conflict.
She understood what was troubling him.
From the very beginning, Dereck had insisted on staying behind. He wanted to help the new family reclaim what they had lost. He wanted to stand beside them and take part in what he saw as their rightful fight.
However, Samantha had refused his request.
No one else had opposed her decision. In fact, no one had expected them to become involved in the conflict at all.
Samantha finally spoke, her voice carrying a tired and slightly strained tone.
"Do you resent your mother for choosing to leave?" she asked.
Her eyes reflected a mixture of exhaustion and quiet grief.
Dereck shook his head slowly. He turned his gaze toward the window, looking outside as the scenery passed by.
"I am not thinking about that," he said. "I was remembering Father and my sister."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"If Elizabeth were here, she would have opposed your decision. She would have stayed behind to help Aunt Anastasia and Brother William."
His voice remained calm, but the meaning behind his words was clear.
"Because of my weakness, I am unable to help Aunt when she needs it the most. I have an S-ranked talent, but it feels meaningless when I cannot use it at the right time."
He lowered his gaze slightly.
"The Sage of the Moon allows me to influence emotions and persuade others. In a time like this, I could have been useful."
He spoke without hesitation, explaining his thoughts fully.
"I could have acted as a diplomat. I could have united different factions. The tribes of the Veridian province, the rebels within Aurelia, even the barbarian humans beyond the Sunspire range could have been brought together or at least controlled."
He took a slow breath.
"I could have carried forward Grandpa Elion’s legacy."
Another sigh escaped him.
"Instead, I find myself in the same situation as you, Mother. We both have some abilities, but it’s always the same cursed fate that we cannot use them when they are most needed."
He turned slightly and gave a faint smile.
"I will not blame you. You always act with my best interest in mind. I understand that."
His smile carried a sense of resignation.
As Samantha listened to him, her heartbeat began to change.
A sense of unease spread within her. She felt a light layer of sweat form at the back of her neck. His words had affected her more deeply than she expected.
Doubts began to rise in her mind. Was she holding her son back?
Was she becoming the same kind of obstacle that she herself had once suffered under?
She questioned her own decision.
Was she truly protecting him, or was she limiting his future because of her own fears?
These thoughts continued to grow, becoming more intense with each passing moment. Her mind focused repeatedly on what Dereck had said, forcing her to confront her own reasoning.
Several minutes passed in silence.
Samantha’s posture became stiff. Her hands moved slightly, showing signs of restlessness. Her expression reflected the internal conflict she was experiencing.
Suddenly, she spoke.
"Stop the carriage."
The carriage came to a halt in the middle of a dense forest. The surroundings were filled only with the natural sounds of the environment.
Maris, who had been observing everything, raised her eyebrows slightly. From the corner of her eye, she noticed something subtle.
Dereck’s index finger had trembled slightly.
Samantha did not notice it, but Maris understood clearly that Dereck had used his ability.
He had activated the Sage of the Moon and influenced Samantha’s thoughts.
Maris remained silent as she watched the situation unfold.
Samantha opened the carriage door immediately and stepped out. She then turned back to face Dereck.
"You may do as you wish," she said.
Her tone was firm.
"I have one condition. You must remain under Maris’s protection at all times. You are not allowed to place yourself in danger. If you fail to convince others, you will not force the matter, and you should return to Riverdale once you have tried what you intend to do."
Dereck’s expression changed instantly.
He smiled and nodded with clear enthusiasm.
"Do not worry, Mother. Your son will succeed."
Samantha looked at him and gave a small smile in return.
She then moved into the air, her body rising smoothly above the ground. Her cultivation had reached the godhood stage, allowing her to travel vast distances within moments. She intended to go back and help her sister.
Dereck’s words had struck a nerve. She realised that even though the curse had been removed by William, her heart demons had not. She needed to defy the fate to remove them; she needed to use her powers and protect the people she cared about. Only then would she be able to fully believe in her fate again.
Before leaving, she turned her attention to Maris.
"Protect him."
Maris bowed respectfully.
"Rest assured, my lady, no harm will come to lord Dereck," she replied with confidence.
Her strength had grown significantly. Under William’s guidance and the effects of the Infinity Domain, her cultivation had reached the Divine Authority realm. In addition, she possessed the biomech orb, further increasing her capabilities.
Samantha acknowledged her response with a nod.
Without delay, she launched herself into the sky and moved toward the east at high speed.
As soon as she was gone, Dereck attempted to step out of the carriage. However, his body weakened suddenly, and he nearly fell to the ground.
Maris reacted quickly and supported him. He leaned against the carriage, using it for balance.
Maris looked at him with concern.
"Is this the backlash of your ability?" she asked.
Dereck remained silent for a moment before nodding.
"The difference in strength matters," he said. "Mother is at the godhood stage, while I am still at the Ascension rank."
He let out a small chuckle, though it carried a hint of strain. A thin line of blood began to flow from his ears. He raised his hand and wiped it away.
Maris looked at him with visible shock.
"How old are you?" she asked.
Dereck lifted his head. "I am forty," he replied.
Maris’s expression changed slightly. "You are exceptionally talented," she said.
Dereck smiled faintly, then shook his head.
"Perhaps that would have impressed me twenty years ago," he said. "But now, my understanding of talent has changed completely."
Maris nodded and handed him a potion. "This will stabilize your condition," she said.
Dereck looked at the bottle and raised his eyebrows. "If you had this earlier, you could have given it to me before my ears started bleeding," he said.
Maris laughed. "I wanted to see if you would try to use your ability on me," she replied.
Dereck clicked his tongue in mild annoyance. "Why would I do that?"
Maris shrugged slightly. "It would be better if you did not try," she said. "That would be good for both of us."
Her tone carried a subtle warning.
She remained cautious, considering the possibility that he might attempt to influence her actions in a way that conflicted with William’s plans.
However, unknown to her, that was impossible.