Learning about Philosophy does stuff to the mind. Both Western and Eastern Philosophy.

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Back at Myrn's...

"GRAAAANNYYYYY!!! WHEEERREEE AARRREEE YOOOUUU!!!???"

Dita ran around the area looking for Myrn.

"Hey there, little Dita. What's up?" a neighboring woman asked.

"Ma'am, have you seen Granny?"

"Myrn? I haven't, sad to say. She isn't at home?"

"Nuh-uh, she disappeared when I woke up."

Seconds later, an old woman was approaching Dita. It was Myrn.

"Dita! Were you looking for me?"

"Granny! Where did you go?"

"Goodness, Myrn. What happened to you?"

The neighboring woman looked at Myrn's current state to find her sweating as though she ran through town.

"I just came from the clinic on the other side of Lavinia. I don't know why, but I'm fit as a fiddle!"

Indeed, you would think that a woman as old as Myrn would stay at home resting most of the time. But for Myrn, she became able to walk long distances without rest.

"Granny, breakfast is ready. Let's eat."

"Alright, alright. Let's go home, Dita. See you, Julie."

"Bye, Myrn."

Myrn then picked Dita up and placed her on her shoulder, and left Julie baffled at the sight.

Whatever medicine Cavaron gave her was too effective.

---

Outside the city.

A carriage was being prepared for departure. Within were Ritna and Cavaron, along with the Minister of Diplomatic Affairs, Iliuha, and a maid servant. Outside the carriage are the escorts of 50 elite knights and ten magi that will accompany them on the way to the meeting place.

The place where the treaty will be signed is called the Verdant Cliff where the edge of the forest and the foot of the mountains meet. That place was chosen because a significant number of non-humans live nearby; fairies, beasts, draconians, and demons.

"General Rowena, are we ready?" Ritna asked the general leading the escort.

"Your Majesty," Rowena saluted. "we are ready to depart. Just give the order."

"Sir Cavaron," Ritna turned to speak to him. "are you certain you no longer have anything left to do?"

"Yeah, I'm good to go." Cavaron replied.

"Very well. Let us depart!" Ritna commanded.

"Alright! Ten squads of five knights and one magus each! Box formation with the magus at the center! Three squads up front, two on either side, and three at the rear! Double time people, move it!" Rowena threw out a command one after the other. "We've got a treaty to sign!"

*whistle* Cavaron whistled at what he saw. 'Nice...'

"She's newly promoted." Ritna spoke. "I had her take over the spot Ferngar vacated."

"Newly promoted, yet commands enough respect, and displays skills needed to lead." Cavaron smiled.

With that, the convoy proceeded as planned.

---

Along the route...

"Is that accurate?"

"Yes, sir. The traitor queen will be going through here to reach the Verdant Cliff."

A group of hooded figures were discussing among themselves.

"Anything else?"

"Sir, she has an escort of fifty knights and ten magi being led by former Colonel Rowena."

"Former?"

"Yes, sir. She was newly promoted to be a general."

"Hrm... she's still green if she believes she could lead such a mission. Alright, prepare the ambush. We kill the traitors today."

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"Sir!"

The hooded group then hid within their traps to kill Ritna.

---

Somewhere on the road, in the carriage...

Ritna was asking Cavaron about his past adventures to prevent themselves from getting bored.

"So, sir Cavaron. Since have been summoned on multiple occasions, I assume that you have been very powerful since the beginning?"

"No. The first time I was summoned, I was weak. Very weak."

"Really? How did you survive for so long?"

"Honestly, I won't tell you grand strategies nor stories about my rise in power. In truth, like all the rest, I had to work hard even when I breathed out blood.

So many times that I nearly died, so many times that I've lost so much. So many companions that I've made and left behind. So many enemies killed. So many civilizations saved or forsaken.

I've encountered so many that it became too much. I tend to ask myself, 'Why do I persist?', that question resounded in my mind that I nearly went crazy. Even when I inherited the power to form <>, I haven't found the answer.

That is until I met someone who showed me what it is 'to live', 'to exist'. That person showed me what was beyond the pain and evils of living. Rather than refusing the pain, that someone taught me how to accept the pain that comes with life.

That someone taught me one thing, and I will share it to all of you just as I did with my companions...

'Nothing is worth dying for, everything is worth living for.'

When you die, that's it. You're dead, your life is finished with no continuation, no resets.

I may be strong now, but I have always been weak. So very weak. Truth be told, I still am. Even after over 800 years of pseudo-immortality due to all those rituals, summonings, magic, and the like being poured into me, I still have no idea when I will die.

So, I live.

I live so I may continue.

I live so others will continue.

I live to show this damned universe that it can't put me down.

I live to be alive."

Silence permeated the carriage after Cavaron spoke his piece. It lasted until they arrived at a village where everybody can rest.

Cavaron left the carriage, went to a nearby river, and sat there.

Ritna remained in the carriage to ponder on what Cavaron told them.

'To live... to exist... nothing is worth dying for... everything is worth living for..." these words kept occupying Ritna's mind.

An hour passed, and Rowena went to gather everybody back to continue the journey. When she arrived at the river to find Cavaron, she found him with a basket of fish.

"Are we leaving now?" Cavaron asked Rowena.

"Yes, sir. Those fish?"

"Ah, I went fishing to calm myself. Here, distribute it to the others to cook and eat."

Cavaron handed Rowena two baskets filled to the brim with fish.

'Where and how did he catch so many?' Rowena thought as she looked inside the basket.

Cavaron rejoined the convoy, and re-entered the carriage.

Ritna was still silent for the rest of the journey.

"Everybody, move out!" Rowena's voice was heard outside.

The convoy to the Verdant Cliff resumed.

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Ageless Mortal.