Chapter 2948: Consequences
Date: Unspecified
Time: Unspecified
Location: Myriad Realms, Card World, Southern Region, Blossom District, Sky Blossom City
"Let’s get out of here," Seraphine said the moment she saw that Veerott’s mental state had stabilized.
Now that he was no longer being troubled by his demons, she saw no reason to remain. Their original objective had already succeeded. Continuing to stay would only increase their troubles.
More importantly, now that Southern Hope was gone, Seraphine had no intention of claiming the city and portion of territory conquered by him. Right now she planned to retreat to regroup, gather her forces, and restore order on her own terms.
Once back with the Southern Royal Family, she could begin putting things back in place. Perhaps she would launch a decisive campaign against the empire. She might even seek support from the Western Royal Family. If necessary, she was even willing to share influence and territory to secure more than just a victory, a conquest that their predecessors failed to achieve.
Besides, they had already remained here for far too long. The longer they stayed more trouble for them. In fact, Seraphine would not have been surprised if Southern Hope’s extraordinary collection of powerful demigods had already surrounded the battlefield. The thought alone made her uneasy.
She trusted her own strength, Aqualas, and she certainly trusted Veerott. However, strength alone wasn’t the issue. The real problem was who their opponents were. Many of the powerful demigods serving the Southern Hope weren’t outsiders. They were assets of the Southern Region itself.
People like City Lord Tess Malvin and countless others. Experienced leaders, talented administrators, and powerful combatants. Individuals who contributed directly to the prosperity and stability of the region.
From Seraphine’s perspective, what they had done was unquestionably treason. They had chosen to side against the Southern Royal Family. Ordinarily, such actions would warrant execution. The problem was that there were simply too many of them.
Executing one traitor was easy. Executing hundreds of capable officials, commanders, city lords, and influential figures was another matter entirely.
At some point, practicality became more important than principle. After all, a kingdom couldn’t function by constantly removing its most capable people. Especially, with the central government breathing down their neck.
As the old saying goes: when one person breaks a rule, it’s a crime. When enough people break the same rule, the rule itself becomes a crime.
That was to say, when a single person breaks a law, society labels them a criminal. But when the vast majority of citizens collectively defy that same law, it signals that the law itself is outdated, unjust, or fundamentally detached from human nature. At that point, the system trying to enforce it becomes the oppressor.
Seraphine disliked the logic. But as a ruler, she understood it. Which was precisely why she wanted to leave. The battlefield was no longer merely a fight. It had become a political disaster waiting to happen. And every additional minute spent here only made that disaster larger.
Listening to her friend, Aqualas nodded. Then she dismissed the Ocean World. The endless ocean vanished. The crushing pressure around them disappeared. Reality returned to normal.
The moment the domain collapsed, they found Petra standing nearby. Her hands were empty. It seemed she had already disposed of the petrified Sky Supreme Aero in the Void as she said. She glanced around the battlefield once and again. Her expression gradually changed, as she asked, "Where’s Wyatt?"
The question hung heavily in the air. Petra had been present when Southern Hope retracted his one thousand curse fields. She had intended to rejoin with him immediately, only for Aqualas to suddenly deploy her celestial rule domain and trap him inside.
Petra had tried to intervene. Unfortunately, Aqualas’s Ocean World wasn’t something she could casually break into. No matter what she tried, the domain’s boundary remained intact. Unable to help, she could only wait outside while her self-proclaimed best friend of her friend fought for his life within.
Petra had confidence in Southern Hope’s strength. After everything she had witnessed, she genuinely believed he could overcome almost anything. Which was why the sight before her felt so wrong.
Only three people had emerged from the Ocean World: Aqualas, Seraphina, and Veerott. The Southern Hope wasn’t among them. Deep down, Petra already knew what that likely meant. She simply refused to accept it. After all, Southern Hope was the strongest card apprentice she had ever encountered.
A monster capable of subduing two supreme beings by himself. Someone like that couldn’t possibly die so easily, right?
Aqualas looked at Petra. Then her gaze shifted beyond her, toward the basement where Bloodette was crying. Even from a distance, they could hear faint sobs echoing from within.
The silence that followed was ominous, then Aqualas spoke with a calm voice, "You two go ahead. I’ll catch up after I finish things here."
The moment those words left her mouth, Seraphina and Veerott immediately understood what she meant. She wanted to kill Petra and Bloodette. Neither of them were surprised. After everything that had happened, the possibility had always existed.
More importantly, they knew Aqualas well. She could be generous. She could be compassionate. She could be fiercely loyal. But she could also be extraordinarily petty. Especially when grieving and angry. And at the moment, she was both grieving for Veerott and angry at herself.
"No need, we can wait," Seraphina replied immediately.
"Yeah," Veerott nodded. Neither moved. Although their reasons were completely different.
Veerott remained because he was worried about Aqualas. As powerful as she was, he wasn’t entirely convinced that fighting Petra and the remaining card demigods would end well for her. After everything that had happened today, he wasn’t eager to watch another friend get hurt.
Seraphina, meanwhile, was worried for everyone else. She knew exactly how dangerous Aqualas could become when emotional. The death of Southern Hope had already placed her in a volatile state.
If Bloodette, Petra, or Southern Hope’s remaining demigods tried to resist, there was a very real chance the situation would escalate into a massacre.
And unlike Veerott, Seraphina had no confidence whatsoever that Aqualas would stop once she started. The last thing she wanted was for Southern Hope’s death to trigger another bloodbath.
Meanwhile, Petra continued staring at them, waiting. Hoping someone would answer her question. But the longer the silence stretched, the paler her face became. Because silence itself was becoming an answer.
