The night was still young when they left the Silver Gardens, walking along the paved path that led to Kanat.
Blanc, his wives, and younger siblings walked alongside each other, each lost in their own thoughts about the future.
But then the outside world welcomed Blanc's return with a gust of wind trickling down his skin, taking him out of his mind and back fully aware of his body.
It was warm outside, nothing compared to the rainforest or the taiga.
But from what Blanc could tell, it was late spring by now.
Though it felt like a lifetime had passed since they entered the Gardens, it had only been a bit over two weeks.
For two weeks, their progress was tremendous, with him having developed two Bloodshard fragments by now.
Even the twins, Kael and Lune, gathered more strength than he could only dream of at their age.
More strength than he had a few months ago, even.
That was how enormous their strength was now.
However, though nothing to laugh at, even here, between Metamorphs, soldiers, and a very odd Noble Blood, they weren't the strongest.
The strongest present was the Daughter.
Then came Alvin and a few of the older Metamorphs, among whom was Allegra as well.
Only then came Blanc and Celine, and the rest of the Metamorphs following behind, with Miyanna, Kael, and Lune being last in terms of strength.
He did not take the soldiers into consideration, with many of them being just as the soldiers of the Iron Line, commoners dressed in armor-plating while carrying a sword.
He could not respect them, and they couldn't even hope to desire his respect, as they turned their eyes around whenever his sight approached any of them.
The sword gave the commoners power, not a real one, however, but one of the mind.
It gave them the illusion of power, of having the ability to choose for themselves, or in a few cases, take for themselves using that same sword.
But they were weak, powerless in the face of Vita-given powers.
The ability to choose was as much their own as it was their Lord's.
Alvin of Blood Certa could call upon them for a small price and have their life in his grasp.
Was that not themselves selling that ability off for a few silvers?
When his soldiers jumped off the bridge into the gap, when their fall came to a swift end as they met a river so violent it ripped them apart, when the warmth of the Vita overtook their souls, closing their eyes forever, was that their choice?
Were any of them smiling in these last moments?
Were they not worried about what and whom they would leave behind to now fend for themselves?
Their armor and swords were just overpraised ornaments.
Ornaments that only appeared to have a purpose and a chance when they stood together by the millions.
That was why Blanc did not count them in.
He had neither pity nor respect for them. Especially when all they could do and say were the words given to them.
"Here is where we part for now," Alvin turned his horse, facing Blanc and the rest of his family. "The soldiers will take you back to the marauders' campsite, where, as agreed, you will remain until the remaining parts of the deal are completed."
"Lord Alvin," Celine stepped forward, "I have a request that I wish to use the services of the Daughter for, may I request she walks with us part of the way?"
Alvin nodded, helping the Daughter off his saddle, back on the ground.
"The captured marauders are now free, but will only be properly freed once they reach the campsite," Alvin continued. "Now that the location has been discussed, we will meet again in two days. Make sure to have prepared the list of beasts you require by then."
To which Blanc nodded in agreement as the Daughter joined them, "So be it, then."
"Well then," Alvin muttered, turning his horse and riding off into the night, towards Kanat, leaving everyone behind.
"What is it you require the services of my Order for, Celine of Blood Denegis?" asked the Daughter.
"I want you to send word to my Father and tell him that the source of Morality yet stands strong, soon to be rekindled," Celine explained, "How much do I owe you for such a message?"
"As I said when we first met tonight," the Daughter began, "The Order is overjoyed to see Noble Blood Denegis still strong, and such, as a gift for your ongoing pregnancy, the Order sends its congratulations, making the service free of any charges."
"I must properly thank the Order when I get the chance for such gifts," Celine nodded, a beautiful, calculated smile on her lips.
"Before I complete the task you have given me, while we are on the topic of pregnancies," the Daughter turned to face Miyanna, "Does the second wife wish to send word to someone? Although I am not certain we can get the word out if they are a commoner, feel free to take it as a gift for your ongoing pregnancy."
Blanc's eyes shot wide, his face pale as he slowly turned to face Miyanna, who, in her shock, was just as pale.
Kael and Lune gasped at this new information that all of them received as a gift from the Order.
It did not even dawn on the Daughter's mind that this was kept a secret, as she stared at Miyanna, waiting to receive an answer.
"N-no," Miyanna stuttered.
"I see…" the Daughter muttered, "In that case, I will send word to the Daughter of the Domain of Blood Maroux, which will further pass the message to your father's ears."
"Th-thank you, Daughter," Celine bowed lightly, her mind on the chaos she created.
"May the Vita keep on smiling in your direction, Blood Denegis," the Daughter bowed.
And Blanc did the same, leaving the tempest that suddenly attacked his mind, to bid farewell to their benefactor.
"We send our well wishes to both your Order and yourself, Daughter. May we meet again," Blanc bowed.