Meanwhile, Astoria was more concerned about Vaan’s reveal of power.
“As I thought, the blue flames are created by you, Teacher Raphna. Don’t you think this will attract too much attention?” Astoria asked.
She did not need to ask how Vaan could control the blue flames, believing they were most likely related to the Fire Dragon God’s inheritance.
On the other hand, Aeliana did not care how or why Vaan could control such powerful blue flames. She only needed to know that he could.
As for the others, they were all curious, like Astoria. However, they felt asking and intruding on Vaan’s secret was rude.
“I’ve already attracted all the attention there was to attract in Sunpeak Town when I decimated the Assembly of Silent Night’s forces,” Vaan casually said.
“Revealing any more power won’t change anything. News will eventually spread about me once the people in Sunpeak Town are permitted to leave. But that isn’t to say there was no purpose or benefit in revealing too much power.”
“It can act as a deterrent and make others think twice before crossing me,” Vaan stated.
However, this so-called deterrent wasn’t for him to avoid troublesome matters. Instead, it was to protect the people on his side.
He possessed the power to bring the whole kingdom to ruin. Still, he couldn’t protect everyone unless his opponents were completely aware of his power.
Although Astoria understood Vaan’s intent, she could not help but worry for the future of the kingdom.
The Kingdom of Black Rose spearheaded humanity’s defense against Gehenna’s invasion. If it destabilized due to in-fighting, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Sometimes, Astoria felt like the burden of protecting humanity was too much for her.
Gehenna was obviously much more powerful and dangerous than all of humanity. The demons of Gehenna would not hesitate to kill, plunder, and enslave humans if given a chance.
And yet, humans remained divided, governed by self-interests, instead of unifying their efforts to overcome the worldwide threat.
Humanity had so much potential, but they were unable to make full use of it.
Astoria recalled her talk with Vaan on Ninth Peak and wondered if it was better to throw away her responsibilities and think for herself.
After all, if the various human countries couldn’t think about the bigger picture, why should she care?
Alas, it wasn’t easy for her to change due to her upbringing.
‘I wonder if the choices I’ve made throughout life had been the correct ones,’ Astoria silently wondered, questioning herself.
Meanwhile, Vaan was not privy to Astoria’s complicated thoughts.
“It’s getting late. You all had a tough battle earlier and must be exhausted. So get some rest for tonight; Sunpeak Town’s development can wait for the morning,” Vaan said to Solana’s group after seeing their tired expressions.
Only Cyrena was in good condition due to her multiple advancements. Solana, Dahlia, and Silvaria were all exhausted from maintaining the water barrier in their battle.
Although Dahlia received Vaan’s blood and recovery potions, it wasn’t enough. The human body still needed rest.
The mind could only perform certain maintenance on the body when it was in a rested state.
“Alright,” Solana’s group readily agreed.
With Vaan’s presence and the overwhelming sense of security he provided, they finally got the chance to sleep well.
“You don’t plan to go back, right? I will arrange a room for you, Lord Silvaria.”
“That would be most appreciated, Lady Solana.”
“Let us clean up a bit,” Vaan suggested, glancing at the mess inside the lord’s estate and outside.
Aeliana and Astoria didn’t have any complaints about Vaan’s suggestion. With their light and wood magic, the cleaning process was swift and simple.
Just as they completed tidying up the lord’s estate’s ground floor and patching up the surface outside, they received their first batch of visitors.
“Oh? It looks like we have guests tonight after all,” Vaan mentioned as he was beginning to think they wouldn’t come until the morning. “You’re the town’s lord, Aeliana. You deal with them.”
“Yes, of course, Lord Vahn,” Aeliana replied with the sweetest smile before turning to the two approaching witches with a vicious and menacing glare. “What the fuck do you two want, coming here in the dark of the night?!”
“State your names and businesses quickly before I wring your heads and make your flesh and blood fertilizers for the forest!” Aeliana threatened impatiently.
Vaan almost staggered as he made his way back to the lord’s estate. At the same time, the corners of Astoria’s lips twitched.
Still, Vaan didn’t intend to intervene.
“Lord Aeliana… So it’s true that you’ve recovered…”
High Witch Beth and the Lord of Eastcliff retreated a step simultaneously, startled and surprised by Aeliana’s heavy killing intent that was borderline demonic.
At the same time, they felt the mana pressure of her Early-stage High Witch’s power, which was shockingly much more intense than theirs and could be compared to the Mid-stage High Witch rank.
“I am High Witch Beth, and this is the Lord of Eastcliff City, Annette Borges. We came to pay our respects to Lady Solana and also see you. However, since we have confirmed the rumors of your recovery and you don’t seem to welcome us, we’ll take our leave now,” High Witch Beth stated.
However, just as Beth and Annette turned around to leave in a hurry, Aeliana stomped the ground, causing countless tendrils and vines to grow out and obstruct their path.
“Beth and Annette, was it? I want you both to kneel and apologize to my mother!” Aeliana shouted, exerting greater pressure on the two witches.
“Don’t go too far, Lord Aeliana. We are both lords,” Annette turned around and said with a frown. “You should treat me with proper respect.”
“Respect? Did you respect my mother? How dare you ask her to come out and meet you with a letter! You had no respect for the local authority. Why the hell should I give you my respect?” Aeliana replied coldly.
Beth was about to speak up for Annette, but then she realized she had no right. She had indeed sent a letter like Annette.
Nevertheless, she feared they would be in big trouble if she couldn’t resolve the problem peacefully.
“Lord Aelianna, we also have our own difficulties in this matter…”