In this endless darkness, time seems to stretch, every second draining Neven's strength rapidly, eventually leaving them torn apart like that horse, by the swarming Night Ghouls.

"What should we do?" Aria shouted, trembling.

"We... wait..." Neven swung his sword weakly. "Be cautious..."

Suddenly, a dark figure leaped from the shadows, pouncing towards Neven, knocking him to the ground. Neven felt the weight of the Night Ghoul pressing down on him like a mountain. The creature's slimy saliva dripped onto his forehead, chilling and repulsive.

Ignoring everything, Aria rushed forward, pulling out her dragonbone dagger, channeling all her strength into a fierce strike. A deafening howl echoed through the night as the Night Ghoul finally collapsed. With the pressure lifted, Neven struggled to push the heavy corpse away and stood up again. Under his cloak, torn clothes revealed bloody wounds on his shoulder, but his gaze remained firm, seemingly undaunted by the darkness.

Time seemed to freeze, the pitch-black night stretching endlessly. As they were engulfed in this seemingly hopeless battle, the distant thunder of iron hooves suddenly rang out, like the roar of charging warhorses.

"Listen, the cavalry's iron hooves! We're saved," Neven's voice was filled with hope as he waved his sword and turned to Aria.

"Are... are there cavalry... here?" Aria's words trailed off as a torrent of silver-clad riders surged in, their horses' hooves pounding the ground with a tempestuous force, charging into the Night Ghoul horde. Their armor gleamed with dazzling silver light, each shield adorned with sparkling gems emitting mysterious glows.

"The insignias on their armor... belong to the Red Scorpion Legion!" Aria exclaimed in surprise, pointing at the silver-clad riders, each sporting a Red Scorpion emblem on their chests.

The cavalry swiftly seized control of the situation, driving the Night Ghouls into a corner. Their swords danced with dazzling flashes of light, each strike carrying destructive force.

Exhausted, Neven lifted his sword, blood dripping from his wounds onto the snow, painting a crimson picture. He couldn't help but curse, prompting Aria to remind him to keep his manners.

As the cavalry surrounded them, a rider dismounted and approached from the crowd. He removed his helmet, revealing curly black hair and a face that exuded arrogance and immaturity.

"I am Damian Blackwood, the executive commander of the Moon Tower Legion," he raised his head, his tone tinged with disdain. "Who are you? And how did you come from the North Forest?"

"We come from beyond the barrier," Aria stepped forward and spoke.

The cavalrymen murmured in astonishment, their discussions buzzing.

"My friend is injured, can you help him?" Aria shouted loudly, her voice drowning out the chaotic clamor.

"Don't talk nonsense, no one can enter here," the commander said angrily, his gaze fixed on Neven like a torch. "Is this sword yours?"

Neven straightened up, his tone displeased. "Of course it's mine."

He scoffed and pointed at the sword. "You're not worthy of owning it, you don't even know how to use it."

At this moment, Aria noticed that Neven's sword was also embedded with a crystal, but unlike the cavalrymen's, it emitted no light.

"I guess you're just a thief who stole our sword," the commander said sternly. "Men, take them back to the Moon Tower and let the tribunal deal with these two thieves."

"No, listen to our explanation, we just arrived," Aria's voice was drowned out by the mockery of the cavalrymen. They were given a horse, Neven's sword and Aria's dagger were confiscated, and Neven's hands were bound with ropes. Neven acted as if he didn't care, even asking the cavalrymen for alcohol. Aria felt frustrated and confused; Neven's behavior now resembled that of a drunkard.

The cavalrymen escorted them back to the Moon Tower.

As Aria stood in front of the obsidian gates of Sovereign Bastion, her heart was filled with excitement. After over two hundred years of long years, she had finally returned to Sovereign Bastion. However, the city was vastly different from the royal city in her memories. In the center of the city stood a bright black stone tower, its spire shining even as they exited the North Forest. Many of Sovereign Bastion's buildings had been damaged, but they had been repaired into even sturdier, exotic-style smooth structures. The largest square tower within the walls was still the strongest building in Sovereign Bastion, with four tall towers standing in front of the royal city, followed by the bright Moon Tower, and then the majestic King's Hall, built on the half-mountain rock, also the most magnificent building in Sovereign Bastion.

Taking advantage of the cavalrymen's momentary removal of their armor, Aria quietly asked Neven, "Did you steal that sword?"

Neven gave her a disdainful look; he seemed quite angry. "He's spouting nonsense, and you actually believe him? This is my sword."

"But the commander seemed quite certain..."

"Do you believe him?" Neven asked sternly.

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"No, I believe you."

Neven raised an eyebrow in surprise at Aria's unexpected response. "There's one more thing you need to know, never mention the demigod at the Moon Tower." He reminded her in a low voice. "If they find out you're associated with the demigod, you'll be seen as a criminal and imprisoned forever."

"Why?" Aria was shocked.

Neven touched his nose and suddenly fell silent. Just then, the cavalrymen suddenly retreated to the sides of the road, making clattering noises. Aria looked towards the sound and saw a detachment opening the gates, led by an elder riding a horse. The back of the man's hand emitted a faint light, surprising Aria. This man had embedded the crystal from his weapon into the back of his hand.

"Did you see his hand?" Aria turned to ask Neven.

"Yeah, I saw..." Neven replied vaguely. He was staring at the wound on his clothes caused by the Night Ghoul, and under the bloodstains, the white bones could faintly be seen.

"Oh my, you need treatment as soon as possible," Aria said softly. Regardless of whether Neven had stolen the sword, she needed to get the commander to treat Neven first.

After seeing off the group, a middle-aged man with a goat beard walked over from the crowd, walking towards Neven and Aria with Damian Blackwood, the curly-haired executive commander. The middle-aged man wore a intricately crafted dark red robe, tall and proud, even more so than the executive commander beside him. There was also a red scorpion embroidered on his clothes, while Damian Blackwood affectionately called him... Grand Mentor.

The Grand Mentor impatiently listened to the commander's explanation, his icy gaze sweeping around until it finally stopped on Neven. A faintly sinister smile appeared on his stiff face, and he slowly approached them.

Neven hesitated visibly for a moment, bowing his head to avoid those eyes, as if avoiding the plague.

"Who is he?" Aria asked Neven strangely.

"Grand Mentor Alpha," Neven replied, his voice tinged with a hint of unease.

Aria furrowed her brow slightly and asked in a soft tone, "Do you know them? Why haven't I heard you mention them before?"

"Come on, we've only met twice. The second time, I was bringing you here. I didn't have time to explain everything," Neven blinked, gesturing for Aria to hold her tongue.

Suddenly, their conversation was interrupted by a voice. Alpha, with a tone laced with sarcasm, exclaimed loudly, "Well, look who's back, the one who barely escaped death... poor soul."

Both of them turned to see Alpha, his gaze provoking. Aria's heart sank; she knew this wasn't a good sign.

Damian Blackwood, the curly-haired executive, stuttered as he followed Alpha, "Y-you said he is..."

Alpha's gaze swept coldly over Neven, filled with mockery. "Of course, Damian. He's Neven Everhart, the former esteemed commander of the Starguard Legion. The one who got three thousand riders killed."

Neven's expression changed, but he tried to maintain composure. "I'll explain that to the Lunar King. Besides, I'm not under your command. You have no right to accuse me."

Alpha sneered, "Do you think the Lunar King will listen to your explanation? You, an undisciplined former commander who took off with three thousand riders."

"Please, release us. I need to report to my mentor about the situation with the riders," Neven said impatiently, gesturing to untie the rope around his hands. "And please inform your new executive here that I haven't stolen anything. The sword truly belongs to me."

With a glance from Alpha, Damian Blackwood immediately untied the rope.

"Mr. Everhart, you might have noticed something earlier. You saw Sage Solon here. Can you guess why he's here at the Moon Tower?" Alpha continued to play games, relishing Neven's bewildered gaze even more. "It's the Lunar King who sent for Sage Solon, hoping he'll take over as the Starguard Legion's Grand Mentor."

"What are you saying?" Neven stared, disbelieving. "What happened to the Grand Mentor?"

"Apparently, you're unaware. In the three years since you left, there have been some unfortunate events. Your Grand Mentor has passed away, my dearest old friend," Alpha said, feigning compassion, with a hint of insincerity in his tone.

"That's impossible," Neven's emotions grew increasingly agitated. Aria tried to grab his clothes, hoping to calm him down, but Neven shrugged her off. Stepping forward, he locked eyes with Alpha, filled with fury. "I don't want to hear any more of your nonsense. You've asked enough questions. You have no right to meddle in the affairs of other legions."

"Mr. Everhart, mind your words. I'll suggest to the Lunar King to kick you out of the Moon Tower. We don't welcome deserters here," Alpha said lightly, casting a glance at Aria. "And your exotic friend too."

"She's a very rare... mortal girl," Neven interjected, pulling Aria between himself and Alpha. "Aria comes from outside the barrier, the Lunar King would surely be interested in such a background.I will ensure she stays here; you don't need to worry about that."

Aria held her breath, trying to evade the scrutiny of everyone's eyes. With the mention of "mortal," hundreds of eyes turned towards her. In Neven's words, she could feel the intense attention everyone paid to her identity.

"Please, make way," Neven addressed the esteemed Grand Master, "I need to arrange some rest for my mortal friend, it's been quite a journey through the magical barrier." With that, Neven swiftly escorted Aria away. As they passed by the curly-haired commander, he retrieved their weapons, leaving Aria with a sense that Neven's status concealed more than met the eye.

Moonlight bathed the cobblestones of the Moon Tower, casting a silver glow over the ancient and solemn architecture. The stones bore ancient runes, speaking of a long and storied history. Neven strode briskly through the ranks of cavalry, with Aria trailing behind him. As they hurried through the royal city, Aria excitedly took in the sights. Despite much of it having been rebuilt, many buildings of Sovereign Bastion remained intact. The contrast between new and old was stark, with new structures made of black stone and old ones exuding a rich historical charm.

"You're from the Moon Tower, why didn't you tell me?" Aria caught up with Neven, questioning him.

"There are many things you wouldn't know," he replied coolly, not even glancing at her. "We were forgotten, utterly abandoned within the barrier. It was your demigod friends who trapped us here..."

"Demigods aren't my friends, only Lucius is," Aria retorted angrily. "You left too, didn't you? You could've escaped."

"None of us can leave. I left because of... forget it," he said, his tone chilling once again. "If you regret coming in, then I can't help you. Aria, once you're in, you can never leave."

"I didn't plan on leaving," Aria asserted. "Don't you want to know who saved you? You were bitten by a beast, someone must have saved you and brought you out of the barrier."

"I was unconscious, how could a person in that state know?" he suddenly stopped, seeming to realize something. "I think Lucius might know about it. He's the one who sent you to find me. I never mentioned my identity in Longhorn Town, so how did Lucius know I could bring you in? He knew who I was from the start, and he might even know that everyone inside the barrier is still alive."

"Yeah, Lucius has been keeping a lot of things hidden."

"Then you should know best. Didn't he tell you?"

Aria shook her head.

"You don't know?"

"We're not that familiar, Lucius seems reluctant to say..." Aria shrugged.

Suddenly, a massive figure appeared on the path, followed by a loud sobbing sound. Aria glanced toward the source of the noise, seeing a burly figure walking slowly toward them, tears shimmering in his little eyes under the moonlight.