The battlefield fell silent.
Moonlight faded.
Dust drifted slowly through the air.
Leo's grandfather stood unmoving for a breath… then his strength finally gave out.
His spiritual energy was completely depleted.
The great swordmaster dropped to one knee.
Then both.
His sword struck the ground with a dull clang as he supported himself with one hand, blood dripping from his sleeve. His breathing grew heavy, uneven.
But he was alive.
Behind him, his army still stood.
Wounded.
Shaken.
Yet victorious.
Or so it seemed.
A low, twisted laugh echoed across the battlefield.
From the shattered ground, the injured mad blade cultivator staggered to his feet. His chest was caved in, crimson spiritual energy leaking uncontrollably from his body.
His eyes burned with madness.
"So… this is how it ends?" he snarled.
He raised his blade.
One final strike.
Toward the kneeling swordmaster.
"GENERAL!" someone screamed.
Too late.
Then—
TWANG.
The sky exploded.
A brilliant streak of light tore through the heavens like a firework, illuminating the entire battlefield.
An arrow.
No—
A judgment.
The mad blade cultivator froze mid-step.
His eyes widened.
The arrow pierced straight through his chest, obliterating his heart and carrying him backward before pinning his body to the ground.
Dead.
Completely.
The battlefield trembled.
Silence followed.
Then panic.
The remaining enemies—those lurking at the edges of the battlefield—felt it.
That terrifying pressure.
That absolute killing intent.
"The Great Archer—!"
"They're here!"
Fear spread instantly.
The outsiders didn't wait.
They turned and fled in chaos, retreating hurriedly from the borderlands, abandoning weapons and wounded comrades alike.
The battle was over.
Wilson descended from the sky.
His feet touched the ground lightly, bow still in hand.
His gaze locked onto the kneeling figure before him.
"Father."
The old man lifted his head slowly.
For a moment, disbelief crossed his eyes.
Then relief.
"…You're late," he muttered weakly.
Wilson knelt beside him without a word, supporting him gently.
"I'm here," he said quietly.
The wind carried away the scent of blood.
Victory had been claimed.
By imperial decree—
A new general was dispatched from the Empire to temporarily take command of the border.
The order was swift.
Decisive.
Until the swordmaster recovered, the border would remain under imperial supervision.
But everyone who stood on that battlefield knew the truth.
This victory—
Belonged to the Ren family.
Far away, in a quiet village—
A child stirred in his sleep.
Time pulsed once.
Then returned to normal.
The return journey was quiet.
Wilson rode at the front, his father supported carefully behind him. The army moved slower now, carrying the wounded, the tension of battle finally loosening its grip.
The border was safe.
For now.
Far away, in a small village untouched by war—
Leo slept peacefully.
The faint glow of a candle flickered beside the bed as his mother sat quietly, gently rocking him in her arms. Her voice was soft as she began to sing.
A lullaby.
Slow.
Calm.
Warm.
The melody flowed like water, simple and gentle to the ear. Yet with every note, the air around the room grew strangely serene.
Time slowed.
Not unnaturally.
Comfortably.
Leo stirred in his sleep.
Though unconscious, he felt it.
The song wasn't ordinary.
Each note carried rhythm. Each pause held intent. The melody followed a precise pattern—like a cultivation technique, woven into sound itself.
His breathing grew steadier.
His soul felt… soothed.
Protected.
A realization brushed his awareness.
Mother… is not simple.
Not a mere housewife.
Not weak.
Her presence felt deep.
Vast.
Hidden.
Far stronger than even the Seventh Realm.
And yet—
No one in the family knew.
The village knew nothing.
The empire knew nothing.
She continued singing, her expression gentle, unaware—or perhaps pretending to be.
Leo's lips curved slightly in his sleep.
If Mother is on my side…
Then there is no power that can harm me.
Not my home.
Not my family.
At least… not in this empire.
The song ended.
Time resumed its natural flow.
And the night remained peaceful.