“Alright, I was just kidding,” Neven chuckled. “As long as you’re comfortable here, Lyra won’t mind if you haven’t tidied up your room.”

“So should I be thanking you or Lyra?” Aria asked, relieved.

“No need to thank anyone,” Neven said.

“Can your keys open every door?” Aria asked curiously.

“Yes, every commander has one. Except for the Grand Master and the Lunar King’s rooms, we can open any door.” He pushed the window shut and locked it. “Keep it locked; it’s not as safe here as outside.”

“I forgot to check,” Aria admitted, having never touched that window, assuming it was locked. “Don’t you need to lead the search?”

“Sable knows the North Tower too,” Neven replied. “Quinn is a meticulous Grand Master, and the search is just to ensure safety. Besides, with all that noise, whoever it was must have escaped long ago.”

Neven’s gaze fell on the table, where a coin lay beside a clay pot. He slid it to the edge with his finger and asked, “Is this the coin from Longhorn Town?”

“Yes, the one you helped me retrieve.”

“I thought it was a common currency, but you have a demi-god’s coin.” He looked at Aria in surprise. “Who exactly is Lucius Argent, and how did he know I was in Longhorn Town?”

“How should I know?” Aria shrugged. “In hindsight, I should have asked Lucius, but I may never find out. I can’t leave anymore.”

“You’re not close to him?”

“He’s my guardian. I committed a serious crime in Celestial Sanctum.” Seeing Neven’s serious expression, she admitted, “Alright, it’s a long story.”

Feeling cornered, Aria decided not to hide anything from Neven. She recounted her experiences in Celestial Sanctum but left out the part about living for over two hundred years. No one would believe she could live for that long, not even Neven.

“You don’t remember the demi-god’s accusations? And you don’t know why Lucius Argent saved you?” Neven asked seriously.

“I don’t know,” Aria replied honestly.

“Then how could you admit to destroying the Celestial Eye? You’re a mortal; you couldn’t possibly have done it.”

“The Oracle can read minds. She saw what I did.” Aria shivered, the memory of the splitting headache still vivid. “So many demi-gods, I couldn’t defend myself. I lost my memory; even if I didn’t do it, I don’t remember.”

“How did they say you did it?”

Aria suddenly thought of something important. She drew a dagger from her waist. “With this dagger, forged from a shard of the Godslayer Sword.”

Neven took the dagger, examining it closely. “This is a rare dagger. How did you get it?”

“I forgot,” Aria said with a bitter smile. “Do you really believe I didn’t kill a demi-god?”

“I believe you. They must have mistaken you,” Neven said sincerely. “You’re a good person; you couldn’t have killed anyone. I believe you completely.”

Aria’s eyes welled with tears, feeling vindicated.

“This search is also related to the demi-gods. Although Quinn didn’t say it directly, I think he suspects a demi-god infiltrated the royal palace.” Neven continued, “If the secret meeting at Moon Tower was true, who would remember breaking into the barrier after two hundred years? Hearing your story, I’m worried they’re here because of you.”

Aria became anxious, terrified of the Oracle.

Sable suddenly knocked on the door, shouting, “Neven, what about your room?”

“I’ll check the rest,” Neven called back, then turned to Aria. “Let’s go, we still have tasks to complete.”

He opened the door and took the keys dangling from Sable’s finger.

When Neven opened the room, the interior far exceeded Aria’s expectations. She thought it would be a small space, but the vast, luxurious bedroom left her stunned.

A delicately carved bed embedded with a shimmering icy crystal, thick wolf pelts draped over the soft bed. Numerous ancient books neatly arranged on the table, armor and weapons on dedicated wooden racks. A fire smoldered in the hearth next to a beautifully crafted purplewood armchair, both warm and inviting.

“This isn’t fair, why is your room so big…” Aria leaned on the glass window, noting a balcony with a distant view. Compared to the cramped quarters for four or five soldiers, this was opulent. Her room was just a tiny nook for sleeping.

“I used to be the commander,” Neven explained.

“Isn’t Lyra the commander now?”

“She doesn’t want to switch rooms.”

“She doesn’t want to live here?” Aria shouted.

“What do you think being a commander means? The Moon Tower has only five legions, so only five commanders. Should we be like everyone else? We work hard, we have experience. And often, commanders face greater challenges,” Neven said with a smug smile.

“Damian Blackwood isn’t. He climbed up because of Alpha,” Aria retorted. “You have this room because Lyra doesn’t want it…”

“Alright, I admit Lyra admires me,” Neven said. “I’ve suggested switching rooms many times, but she always refuses.”

“Blind admiration.”

“She admires me because I saved her life.”

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“You always have a reason. Now she’s repaying you…” Aria muttered.

“Why don’t you move in? I’d be happy to share this room with you,” he teased.

Aria crossed her arms, saying seriously, “I don’t want to.”

Neven smiled softly, “Alright, suit yourself. But if you need anything, come find me anytime.”

Aria felt grateful. She knew how important it was to have someone trustworthy in this dangerous and unpredictable world.

Just then, Sable’s voice came from outside, “Neven, urgent matter!”

Neven immediately opened the door. Sable’s face looked grave. “Just got news, a suspect was found injured in the South Tower… he specifically asked to see you.”

“Me?”

Sable nodded emphatically.

“Sable, continue the search with your team. I’ll check the South Tower.” Neven turned to Aria, “Stay here, don’t go out.”

Aria nodded, but felt a deep unease. She sensed that these sudden events were part of a larger conspiracy.

After Neven and Sable left, Aria was restless. She paced the room and her eyes fell on a letter on the table. She didn’t intend to snoop, but the name Sage Solon caught her eye.

Carefully, Aria walked over and read the letter:

Dear Neven,

I hope this letter reaches you in time. The situation in the Voidmarsh is becoming increasingly dire. We face threats more severe than ever before. The enemy is advancing, and corruption is spreading through the marsh, with toxic mists making our original defenses perilously weak.

At this critical moment, I thought of you. Your calmness, decisiveness, and exceptional strategic insight have always made me proud. Watching you grow into the remarkable leader you are today fills me with immense pride. Therefore, I hope you can take on the role of Supreme Commander, to lead us through this unprecedented challenge.

I know this will be extremely difficult for you, but I believe that under your leadership, we can find a solution and rebuild our homeland. No matter how hard it may be, your wisdom and courage will guide us out of this crisis. Please trust that your decision will change the future of the Voidmarsh.

May light and wisdom always guide you,

Sage Solon

Aria stood in Neven’s room, clutching the letter, her heart racing. This letter not only revealed the dire situation in the Voidmarsh but also made her realize the heavy burden Neven carried. She had never seen Sage Solon express such direct expectation and trust in Neven.

Gently placing the letter back, Aria felt a mix of panic and resolve. She knew the corruption in the Voidmarsh was worsening, destroying the land and the remaining life on it.

Just then, as Aria stood lost in thought, a faint but distinct sound broke the quiet ambiance of the hallway. It was a soft shuffle, followed by hurried footsteps that seemed to come closer and then retreat.

She turned her head, her ears straining to catch more details. The murmur of voices drifted through the corridor, carrying a mix of curiosity and concern. Then, without warning, a piercing scream echoed down the hall, cutting through the air and sending a chill down her spine.

Aria quickly rushed out, and one by one, the doors along the hallway began to open. The corridor instantly became noisy as people emerged from their rooms, trying to figure out what had happened. When she reached the staircase, she found a woman slumped on the floor, her expression terrified, eyes wide open as if she had seen something utterly horrifying. Others began to gather around her, anxiously asking what had occurred.

“What happened?” Aria asked urgently, trying to keep her voice steady despite the slight tremor.

The woman raised a trembling finger, pointing downstairs, her voice quivering uncontrollably. “There’s a demigod... I saw a demigod…”

Aria’s heart raced. She immediately recognized the gravity of the situation. Without hesitation, she dashed down the stairs, hoping to find Neven or anyone who could help. But when she reached the lower floor, she saw only a few patrolling soldiers. There was no sign of any disturbance, no trace of a demigod.

She paused, anxiety gripping her as she replayed the recent events in her mind. Was it a hallucination? Or had something really been there and disappeared? She didn’t know, but she couldn’t rule out any possibilities.

When she returned upstairs, the frightened woman had already been helped back to her room by her companions. Filled with doubt and unease, Aria began to pace the hallway. The flickering shadows cast by the lights made the corridor appear even more eerie. She needed to understand who Quinn had captured. If the woman wasn’t mistaken, then Quinn had the wrong person, and this error could spell greater danger, sending chills down her spine.

She walked towards the stairwell, hoping to find some clues or at least figure out what had happened. However, when she reached the stairwell, it was deserted, with only a cold breeze blowing in from the window.

As time passed, Neven returned, looking weary but determined.

“How’s the situation?” Aria asked with concern.

“There was just a misunderstanding in the south tower,” Neven sighed, a hint of frustration in his eyes. “But we have more important matters to deal with now.” He explained to Aria, “Quinn is very worried. He thinks this misunderstanding might cause bigger problems. In fact, it has already alerted the Lunar King, who has asked us to increase patrols, especially with the upcoming Warrior’s Day.”

Aria quickly recounted what had just happened. Neven frowned, pondering for a moment.

“This is very strange. If a demigod really appeared, why didn’t our soldiers see it?” Neven’s voice was full of doubt.

Aria was equally puzzled. She frowned and said, “Maybe the demigod has some kind of invisibility ability? Or can choose to appear only to certain people?”

“That possibility does exist,” Neven said hesitantly, “but we can’t rule out another possibility, which is that the woman might have been affected by some sort of hallucination or panic, causing her to see something that isn’t there. We need more evidence to confirm this.”

Aria took a deep breath, knowing Neven was right. They needed more evidence to determine what had truly happened. She looked into the darkness at the end of the corridor, feeling a chill. The commotion gradually subsided, but the alarm bells in Aria’s mind continued to ring.

After the search incident, life in the Moon Tower resumed as if nothing had happened. The patrolling soldiers continued their routines, and the night's tranquility remained undisturbed. However, this calm did not last long.

On this particular day, the Executive Commander of the Venom Legion returned from Voidmarsh. The news spread quickly, causing a stir throughout the entire Venom Legion. Soldiers eagerly abandoned their tasks and hurried toward the city gate to welcome their long-absent leader.

Aria was in the training ground, engaged in her daily exercises, when she heard the news. Excitement surged within her. She immediately set down her sword and sprinted to the armory, hastily removing her heavy armor. Without taking the time to compose herself, she dashed toward the city gate, her heart full of anticipation.

However, when she arrived, breathless, the welcoming party had already dispersed. Soldiers milled around in small groups, animatedly discussing the Executive Commander's return, their faces alight with excitement and reverence.

Aria halted, her eyes scanning the crowded throng, hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary figure. But ultimately, she bowed her head in disappointment. She sighed, feeling a pang of regret.

"You're late, Aria," a familiar voice called from behind her.

She turned to see Neven approaching, a teasing smile on his face.

"Yeah," Aria shrugged helplessly, "I heard the Executive Commander was back and wanted to see he, but I missed he."

"You know, he’s very elusive and rarely makes public appearances," Neven consoled her. "But that’s part of he allure. You won’t miss out forever."

"Isn't Voidmarsh Sage Solon's territory? Why would the Venom Legion's Executive Commander go there?" Aria asked, puzzled.

"Because the serpents have excellent night vision, and Voidmarsh has many nighttime missions. They sent the Venom Legion to assist Sage Solon," Neven explained.

"Then why did he come back? Did something happen?" Aria pressed.

"It's Warrior’s Day, our most important celebration. He came back to participate in the competition."

Aria asked anxiously, "The competition? Do we have to compete too?"

Neven shook his head, replying, "No, we just need to sit in the stands and watch. You don’t expect us to compete, do you? I don’t have Essence, and you don’t either..."

Hearing this, Aria let out a deep breath of relief. She had no desire to compete. Though she feigned excitement outwardly, a sense of unease gnawed at her. Participating in such competitions always meant endless training, intense preparation, and facing seasoned, powerful opponents. Especially this Warrior’s Day, which would gather elite warriors from everywhere, making the competition exceptionally fierce.