"I can understand, but I'm still very disappointed. You clearly know that wallowing in a mire of emotions is meaningless, yet you are still willing to sink into your negative emotions and refuse to use cultivation as a substitute for self-pity."

"I've said before, love only slows down my sword speed, and my attitude hasn't changed. Is love really so important to you that you would give up so much of yourself?"

Ingrid said all this in one breath, then sighed deeply: "This isn't the proud and stubborn Sword Maiden I knew."

Sonia stared blankly at Ingrid, feeling both bitter and self-reproachful, along with grievances she couldn't voice.

"I'm in trouble," she said pitifully.

All of Sonia's negative emotions ultimately could be traced back to a decree: The "Dazzling Star National Security Emergency Order No. 51."

This was an emergency decree issued the second day after the Technique Spirit outbreak at the Sky Gate in the Kingdom of Stars.

Simply put, it stipulated two things: All mages are prohibited from using the Technique Spirit to create unknown Void Realm passages, violators would face criminal charges, with a sentence of at least three years of mage imprisonment; increased monitoring and sweeping of 'invaders,' any invader sneaking into the Kingdom of Stars will immediately trigger Star Cluster surveillance and be relentlessly pursued by the Mage Corps."

No mages were allowed to create Sky Gates, nor were outsiders allowed to enter the Kingdom of Stars.

That was what drove Sonia to despair: she originally thought with the new Concept of Sky Gate, the Observer could soon come to the Kingdom of Stars to be with her. But Order No. 51 completely erased that possibility—unless she was willing for him to resume his role as a fugitive, and have their dates amidst the sewers watching rats wrestle.

Nothing could be worse; the village girl had just gotten a glimpse of hope, but it immediately turned into despair, even worse than before: although outsiders were previously also opposed, the typical resolution was often 'imprisonment' or 'detention', leaving room to negotiate if the Observer was found.

But Order No. 51 made it clear that all invaders must die, the Mage Corps need not hold back, unleashing total annihilation on anything that endangered the Kingdom of Stars. Meaning once the Observer was exposed, his only path was to become a universal enemy... his usual route.

If they met in the Kingdom of Stars, it would undoubtedly cause immense trouble.

So, Sonia obviously could only choose another route: to leave the Kingdom of Stars through the Sky Gate.

This didn't sound easy, as it meant Sonia would have to abandon her career, her status, and all her connections in the Kingdom of Stars.

But most importantly, how could she arrange for her mother?

Take her mother along? But her mother wasn't even willing to come to Jiale City, let alone move abroad. If not for the money Sonia provided, it was already enough for her mother to enjoy her old age in her hometown, yet she couldn't stop fussing over their little farm. How could such a nostalgic person possibly leave their hometown in their old age?

Leave her mother behind? Leave her mother in the Kingdom of Stars while she left to be with the Observer, unable to return in the foreseeable future, unable to invite her mother to the wedding, unable to inform her when having children, and unable to find her mother when thinking of her...

She was her only family.

Sonia had thought she could decisively resolve all problems, and she had always been proud of that, but in truth, she never needed to decide on things truly precious to her. When what mattered most is placed on the balance, she hesitated like those despicable villagers she knew, unable to pick it up and unable to put it down.

Her expectations for the future and responsibilities to the past were woven into a rope that suffocated her. Sometimes she'd resolve to pursue happiness, but guilt would bring her to tears; other times she'd want to delay, hoping the future would change, but she was too unwilling, and her strong desire for control left her frustrated and angry.

This was also why she had been so moody this month—she was simply suffocating.

"Trouble?" Ingrid thought for a moment: "Is there anything we can do to help?"

"If there was, I wouldn't hesitate," Sonia exhaled a breath: "Thanks."

Yet Ingrid's sincere words made the Sword Saint, who was stretching out her paws, feel ashamed, while also birthing strange thoughts in her heart.

Ingrid's core idea was actually very simple: I know you're bothered, so why don't you just use your sword to cut through the troubles? What, you can't cut through? Then go cultivate your swordsmanship until you can!

Sonia understood clearly that her enemy wasn't her mother or the Observer, but Order No. 51—even needing to resist against Order No. 51, just as long as the decree showed leniency towards the Observer, she'd be able to keep him forever.

If one had sufficient power, could they achieve this?

Just how much power was needed to achieve this?

But in any case, as Ingrid said, learning is never wrong, and cultivation is certainly correct. If one day fate comes, a prepared Sword Maiden is always better than a love-struck village girl who hasn't done anything.

Slap!

Sonia slapped her cheeks hard, pulled a hair tie from her pocket, and tied her long hair into a ponytail.

After playing the tragic heroine for a month, it was time to get back on the path of the Sword Saint!

Ingrid watched this scene and chuckled: "I didn't expect that drinking would actually be useful."

"Hee hee," Sonia laughed, hugging Ingrid, "What can I do? I just spoil you too much, Ingrid."

"I actually thought there would be more twists and turns; I was even ready to console you while cleaning your ears tonight," Ingrid said. "I've never given anyone a lap pillow before."

"Oh." Sonia nodded and, meeting the Sword Girl's expectant gaze, turned and walked into the room. "Then I have to go back and drink."

At this moment, Adelle and Lois were also tired from fighting, sitting in their respective seats catching their breaths, occasionally glaring at each other. But apart from slightly messy hair and clothes, there was no sign they'd been fighting.

Sonia opened four bottles of cocktails, handed them to them, and raised her bottle: "Cheers."

They were surprised to see the so courteous and proactive village girl, felt the familiar Sword Maiden had returned, the terrifying Sword Demon had disappeared, and they all breathed a sigh of relief, raising their bottles to clink.

"Cheers!"

At that moment, everyone's Miracle Bracelets suddenly vibrated and rang.

Sonia looked down to find it was an emergency bulletin:

"The Dazzling Star Police Department reminds you: Three suspected Holy Domain invaders have appeared in Jiale City's District 37 'Narrow Abyss.' Please stay away from the vicinity of the 'Narrow Abyss' area as soon as possible! Please stay away from the vicinity of the 'Narrow Abyss' area as soon as possible! Griffin Meteorologist troops are about to take over the site, and unrelated personnel, please stay away from the vicinity of the 'Narrow Abyss' area as soon as possible!"

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