Sol observed Camelia in silence. Camelia had once been one of the strongest Supreme Daughters to ever exist. The sole fact that she was able to enact the Goddess Descent ritual was proof of her nigh unparalleled strength.

At present, however, she was hardly stronger than an average mortal. She had lost all of her powers, her realms broken, her mana veins destroyed, and her road to supremacy all but shattered. It would be impossible for her ever to become a powerful warrior.

In the first place, it was a miracle that she was still alive. A miracle that Sol knew would be impossible without his exponential power boost.

“Back then, I managed to save you but the wounds you received are simply too deep. You also consumed much of your life essence and went beyond your limits to maintain the goddess descent.”

There was obvious guilt in his voice. With how strong Camelia was and with Castitas being as careful as she always was with her favorite Supreme Daughter, the Goddess Descent should not have posed Camelia any danger… given it had not lasted as long as it did.

But to make sure his ritual would not be disturbed, Camelia went above and beyond all of her limitations, even going as far as to stake her life.

Even though she looked like the picture of health, her lifespan was all but exhausted. A few years, that was the time she had left in this world.

“Oh don’t give me that look. Even now, I do not regret my decision.” Camelia smiled in Sol's direction. “Fate was at work; I should have died on that day. But you still saved me. Being here, with you, it is already incredible.”

She would be lying if she said she did not mind living as a mere mortal. Not to mention, she had lost most of her influence in the church, and only the staunchest loyalists were willing to just listen to her.

Camelia did not feel sad. She was no longer a blessed. Everything was up to Aurora now. However, by a twist of fate, Aurora left and nominated Camelia as the regent and bearer of her authority.

But… Even so… If she was given the choice, she would choose to do it once again without the slightest hesitation.

“I know.” Sol nodded his head. He did not need to be reminded of the devotion his lovers had for him. Nor did he need to remind them of his own devotion and love for them.

“Still, you cannot stay like this.” His voice was resolute.

Sol did not look down on the mortals or weak people in general. However, the matter of lifespan was not something he could take lightly.

With him being part dragon, Sol’s lifespan was already in the tens of thousands. With him ascending to the demigod realm and further, his lifespan would only be a string of numbers until… he would achieve complete immortality.

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Sol had no imagination of living all eternity by his lonesome. He did not want to stand alone on the lonely top with no one he loved at his side.

That thought was one of the fundamental reasons why he made sure to constantly strengthen his lovers. He would, at the very least, bring all of them to the demigod realm. Gifting them eternal life was his first agenda.

“I am fighting so hard to reach that happy ending for all of us, not one where you aren’t there by my side. ” It might be incredibly greedy of him but he planned to keep them all by his side forever no matter the cost.

To accomplish this, he would fight even the goddesses if that was necessary. This was his path, the determination that filled his heart and supported him to tread on his treacherous path.

Camelia nodded but then shook her head, “I know you mean well, and trust me. I am not like Lilith was. I have no wish to die. But there is nothing we can do. Not now.”

“Camelia…” Sol started but Camelia raised her hand.

“I know you have your ideas but listen to me please.” A begging note entered her tone, prompting Sol to become silent. Once he closed his mouth she continued, “I should be dead. But I am alive. Do you think the goddesses aren’t suspicious?”

A sigh escaped her lips. “Still, even if they are suspicious that is all. My chances of surviving weren’t zero. So, let’s say by some fluke I survived and got healed. Then I should be a cripple forever. What do you think will happen if I make a miraculous recovery? Even if you can manage to hide it like you did time and time again, I believe by now the goddesses are also reaching the limit of their patience and tolerance.”

Camelia knew very well how the goddesses’ minds worked. “Right now, all they lack is an excuse. Simply one and we will lose Luxuria’s protection for good. Meanwhile, what YOU lack, is time.”

She looked at Sol, though all she could see was a blurry outline, her empty eyes seemingly throwing an intense glare at him.

“I will not! Let you heal me! Not now when you need to rest and accumulate.” Her voice rose an octave, but she leaked out a lethargic sigh in the end.

“Sol…” Her voice was softer now, more vulnerable. “You are the most incredible genius I have ever witnessed. No, in terms of talent alone, you are a monster of the likes that has never been seen in all the realms. In less than one year you went from nothing to the King Realm. A King who can fight the demigods. No words can describe that feat.”

She praised Sol, “Now is the time when your growth will accelerate even more. Since you are a Dimensional Mage, there is no bottleneck between you and the demigod realm. 3 months? 6? A year? No matter what, soon you will become an exalted demigod. But you still need that time.”

“You need time to grow stronger. Time to conquer all the mortal kingdoms. Time to build alliances. Time to better understand your skills and power.” She spoke with an earnestness that Sol had never heard from her before.

“Please. Do not squander that time. Look at the larger picture. Think ahead. Prepare not for the present only but for the future as well.”

Time was the greatest currency. One that could never be taken back.

“Once you become a demigod. You can do whatever you want. But for now, please, listen to me, okay?”

Camelia could have simply refused to be healed. Sol could not force her after all. But she had learned her lessons after what happened in Lustburg with the whole Gerald debacle.

There was no need for her to hide her reasons. All she had to do was sincerely explain what she had in her heart and converse with Sol about them.

Only sincerity and open discussion could keep a couple alive after all.