Next, Chaoxiang turned his attention to the agricultural needs discussed in the meeting. The southern fields had been identified as potential farmland, but they needed to be prepared for planting. He detailed plans for clearing the land, establishing irrigation systems, and setting up protective barriers to guard against potential demon attacks. The success of this endeavor was vital; without a stable food supply, their situation would quickly become untenable.

The most pressing issue, however, was the lack of drinking water. Chaoxiang reviewed the locations of existing wells and identified areas where new ones could be drilled. This required careful consideration; the wells needed to be deep enough to access clean water, yet close enough to the city to ensure they were easily defensible. He also proposed the construction of rainwater collection systems to supplement their water supply, a task that would require coordination with the city’s engineers and mages.

As he finished writing the proposal for the rainwater collection systems, the door opened, and a woman in her early thirties with striking red hair walked in. It was Edina. Chaoxiang was quite surprised by this, as she usually didn't give him the time of day unless he was trying his best to flirt or propose a night in his room.

Edina looked at him with a straight face and said, “Chaoxiang, I have something to tell you.” Chaoxiang stopped and looked at her with a flustered face, anticipation building at what she was about to say.

30 minutes earlier in the classroom for children who lost their parents,

Edina’s main responsibility as one of the leaders of the Final Frontier was managing the accounting and conflict resolution for the citizens. She was walking towards the classroom for children who had lost their parents to tally the number of orphans in the city.

The corridor was dimly lit, the soft glow of lanterns casting long shadows on the stone walls. The sound of children’s laughter and chatter grew louder as she approached the classroom, a bittersweet reminder of the innocence that still lingered despite their dire circumstances. Edina’s mind was heavy with the burden of their survival, but the sight of the children always brought her a sense of purpose.

As Edina walked, her cane tapped rhythmically against the floor. Memories of her past, her family, and the fall of the Celestial Palace of the Leon Empire played in her mind. She recalled her ex-husband, Gu Tianlong, touching the whip scars on her back. Despite him being a monster and a useless cheater, the only thing she ever wanted from him was children of her own.

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She never got that before he was executed alongside Aunt Li Mei, Uncle Han, Uncle Mingfei, Aunt Qin, Brother Shun, Grandfather Liang Feng, and everyone involved with the Blazing Dawn Sect when the first prince became the emperor of the central plains.

Edina shook her head, pushing thoughts of that idiot out of her mind. She knew Chaoxiang was different, but she couldn't let herself enter another relationship after her experience with Gu, especially when the world was on the brink of collapse.

She remembered the question from the meeting: could she kill the demon king? Edina was certain she could because the demon king was also made of mana, and any kind of lifeforce got insulated due to her unique body constitution. This was a fact she had never told anyone since the fall of the Leon Empire. She felt guilty for keeping such a powerful weapon a secret, but it was what her grandfather, Andrew, had made her promise before he died.

He feared that Edina would become a blood farm to create lifeforce-blocking weapons if the truth ever got out, and Edina believed he was right. As such, she never told anyone about it. She looked at her cane, made of strong hazel wood and infused with some of her blood, making it the perfect weapon and a great walking stick.

As Edina reached the classroom, she noticed a young boy sitting on top of a table, listening attentively to the stories the other children were telling. The sight brought a faint smile to her face, a small reminder of the innocence that still existed in this chaotic world. She approached the teacher to discuss the current needs of the children, her mind momentarily at ease in the presence of their youthful exuberance.

Edina couldn't help but notice that the young boy on the table was doing nothing but listening, nodding along to the stories. Yet, it seemed all the kids admired him, even the known troublemakers were looking up to him. Intrigued, she decided to approach him.

“Hi, I’m Edina. What’s your name?” she asked in Leonese.

The boy looked up at her and replied, “Kevin.” He nodded and added with a smile, “You’re so tall!”

Edina chuckled at his comment. “Thank you, Kevin. What are you up to?”

“I’m just listening to their stories. It’s fun to hear about everyone’s adventures,” Kevin replied, his eyes sparkling with curiosity and interest.

As Edina watched Kevin and the other children, a lesson she had learned long ago at the Blazing Dawn Sect came back to her. Humans are powerful not because of their physical strength, but because of their understanding of life. A true leader is someone who knows the most about their people and can run the kingdom with wisdom and empathy. Sharing one’s life and experiences is what makes us human. This realization struck her deeply, and she decided it was time to share her secret with Chaoxiang.

Now in Chaoxiang’s room,

Edina looked at him with a straight face and said, “Chaoxiang, I have something to tell you.” Chaoxiang stopped and looked at her with a flustered face, anticipation building at what she was about to say.

Chaoxiang set aside his work and focused on her. “What is it?”

Edina hesitated, then spoke with determination. “The reason I can kill demons so effectively is because of my unique disease. My body insulates and blocks any kind of lifeforce, rendering me immune to their attacks. This is something my grandfather, Andrew, made me promise never to reveal, fearing I would become a target to be used as a weapon. But now, with the stakes so high, I believe it’s time you knew.”