The internet erupted with outrage. What had begun as a human trafficking case had now escalated into something far more sinister. Why were there Krowonian memorial headstones in a Farshyan church?"Have all our prayers gone to them?""I don't trust the church's innocence in this!""They had better take this seriously! Are the higher-ups just going to ignore it?"Angry comments flooded in, one after another. Aria observed the stark decline of faith in the community, but it was still not enough.Queenie appeared in another vlogger's live stream as she pondered the situation. "Miss, are you broadcasting right now? Do you have a lot of fans?"The vlogger, Ellie Portman, was nearly in tears from her fury. "Yes, I have a lot. We need to expose what the church is hiding.""It's not just about that. Could you tell your fans that I witnessed many young soldiers bravely protecting us, only to be ruthlessly bullied by the Krowonians?"Queenie's hands fidgeted with her clothes as she point
Faith had the power to fuel spirits, and this was especially true for the Farshyans. When their country faced a crisis, they always rose to defend it.Their unwavering loyalty revealed their extraordinary nature. The Farshyans had never forgotten the humiliation they endured when their nation was at its weakest.History had taught them a painful truth—no one would come to the aid of a weak country. A great philosopher once said, "There is a vast difference between not having a sword and possessing one but choosing not to use it."The Farshyans remembered this well. Their soldiers were wholly devoted to their homeland. While some foreign sympathizers once mocked them, claiming they spent more time on their phones than reading like foreigners, these critics didn't understand the Farshyans.The truth was that the Farshyans remained quiet during times of peace. But if their country called, countless citizens would rise without hesitation.No other people loved their country as fiercel
Aria smiled faintly. "Don't worry if it's too boring. This is just one of the many things you'll experience. After all, you know how long you've been suppressing our heroes. "I hear you guys like nails. Enjoy them. And let me tell you something else—no one in our country wants you invaders walking free."Our citizens are different. We appreciate our soldiers as we wouldn't be here without them. That's why countless people pray for our heroic spirits in Farshya. Trash like you? You belong exactly where you are." Others couldn't hear Aria's words, but the spirits—Terry and Devon included—could. They had heard many prayers while stuck in the Netherrealm, most of them asking for forgiveness and to move on.Some people, with saintly hearts, always preached forgiveness and letting go of the past. This left the heroic spirits disappointed.They had paid with their blood, so why did people nowadays forgive those Krowonian soldiers so easily?Terry didn't understand, and his breathing w
It was really her! When Terry was about to make his way forward, he spotted Landon standing beside Aria.He paused. "You're here too, sir?"Nothing on Landon's face let slip that he knew Terry. "You seem to have mistaken me for someone else."Terry laughed. "I'd never. I'd never mistake the two of you for someone else." He said, "I'm glad that both of you have reincarnated as mortals."Terry wanted to touch the top of Aria's head, but he was a spirit after all, and he was worried that he'd negatively affect them. Sensing what was on Terry's mind, Aria pushed Queenie forward. "Look at her. Does she look familiar to you?""She's the daughter of that new recruit in the army—" Spirits could see one's soul, which lay beneath their appearance. Terry's eyes reddened. "This is great—she's old enough to go to school now!"Aria bent down with a smile, saying to Queenie, "Tell him about your grades, Queenie.""I'm an excellent student, Grandpa. Governmental funding is now covering where
Stephen tended to micromanage Sam, but he also spoiled him, and Sam could basically eat whatever he wanted. Sam's honesty made the heroic spirits laugh. Despite knowing those people couldn't see them, the spirits stood single file and saluted the people who'd rescued them. Sunlight fell on them, as if covering them with a thin layer of gold. Queenie watched as the spirits slowly became transparent under the sunlight. They differed from what she'd once witnessed; they were all smiling, surrounded by golden light.One of the smaller statues beside their memorial fell. No one knew what had happened, but at that moment, they felt something. A breeze blew past them, and it'd never felt so good. Some felt like they'd heard someone else's words of gratitude. Some said they saw silhouettes in military uniforms under the sunlight. Queenie looked up, asking Aria, "Have they all disappeared, Aria?""No. They went where they should've gone." Aria caressed her head, meeting Ellie's gaze
The simpler the words, the more they touched people's hearts. Ellie froze while recording everything. She'd been observing Queenie and Aria's interactions, and she'd managed to obtain some information from listening between the lines. It seemed that Queenie's past incarnation was related to those heroic spirits and that her people's ancestors from previous generations were now back. Why would someone say that they wanted to protect the people if not for that?Ellie had seen someone on the Internet talk about how people had lost their dreams and aspirations in an age of consumerism. Doctors and teachers alike didn't carry out their responsibilities well—there were many recorded occurrences of teachers hitting their students in the face. Also, more and more people started to opt for higher-salary positions. It was hard to say if this was right or wrong when the economy was worsening because both survival and earning money were vital.However, many hoped for the emergence of a g
Warren took the phone. He was furious, close to losing his composure. "I heard about what happened in the church, Aria. To think that this memorial was there—how preposterous! "You must look deeper into it, Aria. Who on earth would sell out our country like that? What motives do they have?"You need not worry. Even if this happened in Nymeria, the Carver family would still have your back as long as there was a reason behind it. If we really can't do anything, Fiona's brothers can be of help too!"They'll surely take your side if they hear about this." Warren's voice deepened. "This isn't just a matter of who was hurt. We must be wary of this happening while also making sure that the perpetrators receive the punishment they deserve, regardless of who they may be or how complicated the situation in Nymeria is!"Warren saw through everything. For this to have happened in a church, a mere priest's efforts weren't enough. He was surely supported by donors and bolstered by his connectio
"This is great! Our child is back again, honey!" The prospective father hugged his wife, his eyes reddening. He'd been most worried about how his wife would be sad after the results of her pregnancy check-up were revealed. She had suffered a lot during her pregnancy, including frequent bouts of sickness. Her physical condition caused him to seriously consider the doctor's suggestions despite his reluctance to say goodbye to this new soul who had come to exist after various tribulations and difficulties. It was the product of their lovemaking, after all. Everything was headed in a better direction now. "Do you think it's related to the comment I left today?" The woman quickly pulled out her phone and added a comment under her original one, informing everyone about this. As if fated, the heroic spirits were able to return to where they were supposed to go. The relevant authorities in Nymeria were held accountable, but this wasn't the point. On the same afternoon, a few sets o
Aliya had never heard of the Special Missions Unit until today. But after seeing Pedro's panicked reaction, it didn't take long for her to realize that this was a group with more authority than even her father.Still, some people lived so long in privilege that they convinced themselves they were untouchable. Logic no longer applied to them.Aria was done entertaining Aliya's ignorance. With a flick of her wrist, she signaled someone to silence her. Then, she turned to Aliya with icy disdain."Don't worry," Aria said. "I'll take you with me when I pay your father a visit. Then we can ask him together what his name truly means in this state."Her voice was calm but sharp."You seem to have forgotten that his power—any power—comes from the people. And now, you're using that power to treat their lives like currency. To buy yourself a life of superiority."She stepped closer. "Organ trafficking is illegal here. That's the crime we've confirmed so far. But don't worry. We'll find the
When Pedro heard that it was the Special Missions Unit, his forehead was covered in sweat immediately. Even his mind had gone blank. At that moment, all he could think about was how doomed they were!Others might not have heard of the unit before. However, as a state official, there was no way Pedro wouldn't know them. In fact, the Special Missions Unit was something they had no control over.Technically, the Special Missions Unit had way more clearance than they did. After all, they were in charge of big cases. Sometimes, they would even work with the special troops.The Special Missions Unit belonged to the country, and they were extremely mysterious. Even people with high clearance wouldn't know who they were in real life.Pedro only managed to find his voice after a long time. As he wiped the sweat off his forehead, he chuckled awkwardly."Oh, this is all a misunderstanding. May I know who I am speaking to? I never expected the Special Missions Unit to be carrying out a missio
Aliya had never met Aria before, but this was the first time she'd seen a young woman more poised—and far more arrogant—than herself. That only fueled her rage. And the fact that Aria was stunningly beautiful didn't help either.Scoffing, she snapped, "Do you dare let us make our calls? Let's see if you still look so smug after that."The other wealthy attendees stiffened. None of them moved. With Aria in the room, they had the sinking feeling that calling in favors wouldn't end well.Aria merely tilted her head and smiled. "Of course," she said, then turned to her team. "Please hand this lady her phone. Let her make her call."The members of the Special Missions Unit didn't question her. They knew Aria well enough to understand what she was doing—she wanted the bigger fish. The call would be recorded, and with any luck, it would lead them straight to someone higher up the chain.Aliya was momentarily thrown off by Aria's easy agreement. But she quickly chalked it up to ignorance.
Aliya squinted at the unmasked man beside Aria. Now that his face was fully visible, something about him sparked a flicker of recognition. She lowered her gaze, trying to recall where she'd seen him before.Then a sharp gasp cut through the air."He's from the York family… Janovin's York family! Wait—was he Mr. Crow? Were they working together the whole time?"Even though they were all wealthy people, they weren't in the same ranks. No one dared to mess with the York family at all.If the circumstances were different, the arrogant, wealthy people from earlier would've tried to exchange contacts with Landon. That way, they could've partnered up in the future. However, with what had happened that day, those people were in a daze.Meanwhile, Aria knew those people still had no idea what was going on. So, she just removed her disguise and showed them who she really was.Aliya was stunned by what Aria had done. When she saw who the latter truly was, her gaze was filled with jealousy.
The wealthy clients that were left behind at the auction had connections to powerful people, and Dave didn't think Aria was capable enough to deal with every one of them. Although Farshya was well-developed, it had always been a country that focused on connections.Power meant everything, and Dave wanted to see how Aria and her team would deal with his guests. If he remembered correctly, Aliya was the daughter of a great leader in the state. She wanted a womb from a young lady because she wanted to have children.Before the clients got what they wanted, Aria had offended a lot of big shots. Dave thought about it for a second and hoped Aria would suffer as much as he did.Dave was right about one thing. Aliya wasn't anxious at all when someone infiltrated the auction and took control of the event. She was only stunned for a moment at first. Once everything had settled down, she calmed down and even looked a little proud."I suggest you talk to your leader first before deciding to cu
Dave had escaped, but just barely.He'd saved his life, nothing more. The documents he needed to destroy were still intact. Everything had gone completely off script.Every exit had been sealed. If he hadn't killed a villager and disguised himself with a spell, he would've died at the auction. He didn't receive any news about the ambush and was caught entirely off guard.He wasn't in Janovin, and security was that tight there. With his connections, he could've found out what was going to happen in advance. However, that wasn't the case at all.Slipping into a grimy back alley, Dave cursed his luck. Most of his men had been rounded up in the village. He could only hope a few had managed to slip through. But with sirens wailing in the distance, he knew hope was thin."Who the hell was that?" he muttered, wiping dirt off his face with a shaking hand. Normally a stickler for cleanliness, Dave was too rattled to care. "And where's the real Eden?"His mind snapped into action. The scho
Landon's sudden appearance wasn't just a coincidence. With Aria's intelligence, she would figure something out soon—he knew that. He hadn't planned on revealing himself like this. But something that belonged to him was here, and the demonic energy in this place… Aria couldn't face it alone.She studied him from head to toe, her hand still in his. His grip was firm, protective."There's a lot of mist ahead," he said quietly. "We'll need to tread carefully."Aria tilted her head. "You speak like you know this place well.""I do," Landon replied with a calm honesty. "I was deathly ill once. My soul wandered into a place just like this. Homer pulled me back."His voice made it sound like a distant memory, and Aria gave a soft laugh, tightening her hold on his hand. "You really are full of surprises. I guess it's true—handsome men are the most dangerous."But Aria's thoughts were racing. Why had he come after her like this, knowing it would reveal parts of himself he'd tried to keep h
Landon was still handling the stragglers behind Aria when he paused, his gaze flicking upward. Cameras were mounted in every corner—too many eyes. Vanishing without a trace wasn't an option.He glanced in Aria's direction, then lowered his head. His lips moved in a whisper, but the sounds were incomprehensible—something rhythmic, otherworldly. It was less like a speech and more like a chant—an exorcism.Meanwhile, Dave descended into the underground, calm and unrushed. That place reeked of foul energy, dense and suffocating. His master had cast a spell over it—one designed to kill anyone who dared to enter, no matter their strength. Dave wasn't afraid. He had more pressing priorities—destroying documents, erasing traces, minimizing damage.His bodyguard stayed close, watching for anyone who might try to stop them.Aria, moving swiftly, reached the lower floor—only to halt. Mist curled along the ground, thickening with every step. The air turned icy. And the corridor behind her…
"Why would there be people outside?" asked Dave. He had been disguising himself as a doctor for years, and that was the first time he looked so anxious. After all, if someone did approach their building, the villagers would have informed them about it. However, they received no news this time.Dave wondered what was going on."Dr. Dave, what should we do now? I think we're surrounded!"He was still in his coat as he slightly clenched his fists. "Let's move out. Bring the girls in the basement with us.""T-They're not in the basement."When Dave heard that, he looked furious. "What do you mean they're not in the basement?""Someone took them away, and I'm guessing it was her fault!" The bodyguard pointed at Aria, who was standing on the highest point, showing off her skills. With swift, lethal kicks and a taser turned weapon, no one dared get close.Whoever touched Aria would die, and no one dared to approach her at all.As for Landon, he still had his mask on as he stood behind