A woman with hair as white as snow and eyes of a piercing white watched the person who had just entered with visible anger.
"Don't you think you went too far?" she interrogated.
"Why? That place didn't deserve to exist, Xuehua."
"We grew up there, ℵ ℵℶℷℸℵℶℷℸ. Didn't you know some women there?" she asked, a hint of disgust in her voice.
"None that I care about. It's just a superior world, Xuehua; it's not that big of a deal."
Xuehua watched him, analyzing his words and the coldness with which he spoke. At some point, it seemed the boy she once knew had changed completely.
"Shouldn't you be practicing instead of telling me this, Xuehua?"
She couldn't answer because another person entered the room. It was a woman with long black hair and a posture that screamed authority; someone evidently mature and vastly experienced. Upon seeing her, the man's expression softened.
"Siyin," he mentioned.
She smiled, stepping much closer to him. She placed one hand on his shoulder while using the other to straighten his clothes.
"It seems you had some fun out there," she said with a doting smile.
"Xuehua doesn't seem to agree," he replied.
Siyin looked at the younger woman with understanding before turning back to him. "You know she isn't entirely wrong… and a superior world doesn't go unnoticed. There will be trouble because of this."
"Those old farts never tire. If it bothers them so much, why don't they go and hunt down every Nix Aeterna or ruthless cultivator out there? I think with everything I do to prevent major conflicts, I should earn a bit of their goodwill; they should remember that the only reason they are alive right now is because of me."
Xuehua then took his hand to catch his attention. He looked at her, his gaze dropping slightly in resignation.
"I know, Xuehua."
He looked back at Siyin, contemplating both women, and his expression softened.
…
There was an awkward silence once we were outside.
Seeing the place that had once been teeming with people now empty brought various expressions to the faces of those around me.
Fortunately for me, Seraphine woke up shortly after.
She opened her eyes, locking them first onto mine as I still held her.
They clearly weren't the same eyes of the helpless but determined girl from before, though she didn't feel entirely like the arrogant cultivator she used to be either.
As if there were a silent understanding between us—one where neither wished to speak of what had happened—I let her go from my arms.
Julius immediately approached his sister upon seeing her awake and began questioning her.
Although he sensed she felt different, he didn't seem to delve too deep into it, though a frown remained etched between his brows.
On the other hand, Victorio looked at the Crown Prince still on the ground, trying to understand why he hadn't awakened if he wasn't dead.
Then I remembered I should undo the spell I had placed on him.
Almost immediately, Leonardo's eyes snapped open.
He sat up with a jolt, looking around as if fearing for his life.
I suppose the dreams I specially designed for him had done their job; though, of course, after what he experienced inside the inheritance, such a reaction wasn't strange.
Victorio approached him with concern and managed to get him to pull himself together a bit, but Leonardo still looked like a frightened puppy, jumping at every sound.
Morgana, sensing it was time to leave, took my arm, pressing herself against me, and began saying her goodbyes to everyone.
Then I ask myself... why? How did it end like this?
I sighed as I looked inside the carriage. The four women were shooting sharp glances at each other in absolute silence.
Valeria seemed to have a doubt she wanted to clear up with me—or perhaps several...
"Were you able to get rid of the 'package,' or did you leave it abandoned?" she asked.
I knew what she was referring to; she had discovered that Astrid was hiding in my room, but asking about it now didn't seem like the best moment.
The other women immediately noticed the strangeness of the question.
Morgana, who boasted of knowing more about me than any other woman there, seemed especially interested.
"Mmm, I already 'disposed' of it," I replied calmly.
"I see..." she murmured, dragging out her words.
Fengyue seemed to ignore the discussion, while Cassane watched her friend, knowing she would interrogate her once they were alone.
On the other hand, in the Sterling carriage, Julius was returning alone.
However, a most interesting conversation was taking place within his mind.
"Do you mean to say my sister is at the peak of the Golden Core?"
"Mmm," an ancient, gravelly voice replied. "It seems you weren't the only one to obtain something extraordinary within my legacy."
"But how can that be?" Julius argued internally. "I barely reached the Golden Core by receiving your inheritance directly, and she reaches the peak without it?"
"She must have received some kind of help. You said your sister was dead; situations like that always attract great fortune if you overcome them."
Julius lowered his head, weighing the words.
"Regardless," the old man added, "now that I am by your side, you will surpass her quickly. Though I must say... this world does not seem friendly to those seeking immortality. The blockage in your soul's essence is obvious; though it shouldn't be too hard to break with external help..."
…
In the capital of Demor, the news was running even before the survivors returned.
The Emperor seemed entirely pleased with what had happened; knowing his firstborn was among the survivors filled him with notable pride.
He looked at his daughter, whom he had summoned before him.
The news didn't seem to affect her, as if Leonardo's achievement held no importance in her eyes.
"Cassandra has asked me to call you," the Emperor said in a stern tone. "I don't know what has gotten into your head lately that you fight against your brother. I think you know what I mean by this; don't you dare try to turn your Ancestor against him."
Elara looked at her father with cold eyes after his words.
They were the same eyes that used to look at him with admiration, but now they could only hold that feeling for one person.
The princess simply nodded and left the room.
Outside, she ran into a familiar face: Caelia Lothe, who watched her with intrigue.
Caelia was not in the dark regarding this woman's movements against her son.
She knew Elara's mother well; that woman had long ago lost all the power she held within the harem.
Now, she was nothing more than a shadow spending her days tending the gardens of the Cold Palace and counting stars at night. A broken and decadent woman not even worth mentioning.
One that Elara herself didn't even want to visit.
Caelia took Elara's hand and adjusted her attire with irritating calmness, before saying with a sharp sting of contempt:
"Don't waste your time."
It sounded like a warning, but also as if continuing to exchange words with her was a waste of time.
Caelia walked away with a firm stride, utterly convinced that her son was the only choice that mattered.
Though her mind, much like that of the woman she had despised, had only been filled with one man lately.