A small orb was taken out by Maris in front of Dereck.
At first, it appeared insignificant, no larger than something that could fit within a person’s palm. However, within a few moments, the orb began to change as Maris pressed a few buttons by the side.
Its structure expanded outward.
Panels unfolded from its surface in a controlled and mechanical manner. What had once been a small object grew larger and larger until it formed the shape of a massive spacecraft.
The scale of the transformation caused Dereck’s eyes to widen.
In front of him, Maris moved calmly.
She took out a dark robe and draped it over her body. The robe covered her completely, hiding her form beneath its folds. After that, she placed a golden mask over her face. The mask reflected light in a way that gave it a commanding presence.
Her appearance had completely changed. She no longer looked like the person Dereck had been traveling with.
Her voice sounded beside him, warning him.
"From now on, I am the emissary of the Eternal Sovereign. Do not call me by my name. You will address me as Golden Raven."
Maris herself would not have revealed such information about Eternal Sovereign under normal circumstances. However, she had been given clear instructions by William not to hesitate if she needed to use her eternal sovereign persona in front of Samantha and her son.
She did not fully understand the reason behind this order.
Only William knew about the Mark of Destiny that had been placed on Samantha and Dereck.
Because of that, he held no concern about betrayal.
In fact, he was considering something more.
He was thinking about bringing Dereck into the fold of the cult and making him a member. Dereck’s talent was not only useful but necessary going forward.
Maris had also reached a similar conclusion on her own.
However, since she did not know about the mark, she remained cautious and alert in her behavior.
Dereck looked at her and asked, "Who is the Eternal Sovereign?"
In response, Maris used her classic description, which did not make sense, but at least let the listener understand the greatness of her lord.
"My Lord Eternal Sovereign is a being beyond understanding. He stands beyond the comprehension of gods themselves. His insight surpasses all known knowledge. We can only serve his purpose and follow the path he sets before us."
Dereck’s face twitched for a moment, but he controlled it and nodded.
By that time, the structure of the spaceship had completed its formation. An opening appeared along its side, revealing the entrance.
Maris turned and began walking toward it without hesitation.
Dereck followed behind her; his curiosity about the spacecraft was evident in his movements.
Once inside, the interior of the ship revealed itself.
The space was large and organized, with various runes etched into its structure. The design reflected advanced craftsmanship, with a clear focus on both function and presence.
Maris turned to Dereck and asked, "Where do you want to go first?"
Dereck paused for a moment, thinking carefully before responding.
"The Veridian province is currently under invasion by the Elves," he began. "Dawnhold is under attack by a long dragon and a celestial army."
He continued speaking in a steady and analytical tone.
"That leaves us with Aurelia province, Solmere, and Luminor provinces. The church maintains a headquarters and a cathedral in each of these regions."
He shifted his posture slightly as he continued.
"Luminor is a harsh and cold region. Beyond the Sunspire mountain range, barbarian tribes reside. While they could potentially be used to weaken the church’s hold in luminor, they are not reliable."
He explained further without rushing.
"If we approach them and they agree to assist, they will not limit their actions to that. They will kill civilians, enslave women and children, and eventually attempt to occupy the whole Luminor for themselves."
He rubbed his chin as he thought through the situation.
Maris looked at him with visible interest.
"You are very well informed," she said.
Dereck nodded.
"Ever since I awakened a talent related to diplomacy, I aimed to take on roles that required such skills. I have studied the political and social landscape across most of the African continent."
He returned to the previous topic immediately after that.
"Even if we choose not to approach the barbarians, they will still act. They will learn about the instability in the empire eventually and take advantage of this chance to invade Luminor."
"They have held ambitions toward this province for centuries. Their leader seeks to establish an independent nation. That outcome is unacceptable for us."
Maris’s expression became more serious. "So what should we do?" she asked.
Dereck responded immediately.
"The terrain of Luminor is difficult to navigate. The church controls the high grounds and strategic positions, which gives them a defensive advantage."
He explained each point clearly.
"Although the main deacon is currently occupied in the capital, the vice deacon must be present there. He should be capable of defending the province for a limited time."
"With winter ending and summer approaching, it is certain that the barbarians will attempt to cross the Sunspire range once the ice melts and the shortage of rations is not a problem for them."
He then reached his conclusion.
"The best course of action is to leave Luminor alone for now. We should secure the other provinces first and eliminate immediate threats. After that, William can lead a direct campaign with stronger individuals and crush the barbarian leader."
"The barbarian chief is at the peak of the Divinity stage. His strength is supported by an ancient weapon that allows him to challenge those at the Godhood stage. Without it, he would have already been defeated by the church."
Dereck then shifted the topic.
"For now, we should focus on Solmere and Aurelia. Let’s meet the fallen nobles from these two provinces. I am sure they would want to regain their past glory."
Maris listened carefully. Her eyes showed a clear sign of approval.
She realized that Dereck was not only capable as a diplomat but also possessed strong strategic thinking. His abilities could prove valuable to her lord.
Outwardly, she gave a simple nod.
"Since we are already in Aurelia, we will begin with its capital," she said. With that decision made, both of them proceeded further into the ship’s cockpit.
The spacecraft began its journey under Maris’s command.
Of course, they needed this massive intimidating ship to better radiate dominance and control, which would only help with negotiations.
While these two had found their focus, the situation at the colosseum continued to escalate.
William stood on top of Sunchaser at a distance from where Aunt Samantha was facing Primarch Elavnil.
He saw the two fighting in the air but knew that the stalemate maintained was only due to the armour worn by Samantha.
Elavnil’s superior cultivation and her control over her blood flame would eventually give her an advantage.
And unless William did something to tip the battle, it would become troublesome.
William’s thoughts moved quickly as he assessed the situation.
At the same time, his attention shifted toward another area of the colosseum.
He observed the deacons of the church and members of the clergy attempting to escape from the right of the pulvinar. Their movements were hurried now that they had come out of the mental pain inflicted by Rah’s attack.
He then turned his gaze toward the opposite side of the pulvinar, where he saw Andrea engaged in a confrontation with the Pope, presenting him the head of another one of his cardinals that was stationed in the abyss.
The situation presented multiple points of concern.
William considered his options.
His own subordinates were not strong enough to deal with the deacons directly. Using them would not change the outcome.
The Dawn Legion was already deployed on separate missions. Even if they were present, they would not be capable of influencing this battle significantly.
But then, suddenly, a memory flashed in his mind—a memory from a year ago when he had visited his mom in prison.
He appeared beside Anastasia in an instant.
Through voice transmission, he spoke to her, sharing something that could change the course of the situation.