It was simply not possible for mortals to survive in the North.
The very air brimd with volatile energy—concentrated Prana and raw Aura that churned constantly like an unseen storm. Even breathing for a few minutes could cause a mortal to collapse, afflicted by Prana Exhaustion or overwheld by Aura Fever. Their bodies just weren’t built to handle such density.
Because of this, even newborns in the Northern Territories were at least at the Novice Level from birth. The environnt itself tempered them, forcing early evolution or death.
Now, under the faint, cold sun, lines of survivors moved slowly through the ruined port of Verga City. These were not common mortals— they were Immortal Practitioners, warriors, mages and their children. And yet, in this mont, they walked like defeated mortals: hunched, weary, and burdened by sorrow.
Their eyes were dull. Their robes were tattered. Their spirits— normally blazing with pride— hung low.
The pirate raid had broken sothing in them.
At the heart of the shattered port, near the largest collapsed tower, a group clad in white and blue uniforms stood near crates of supplies. Their emblems glead faintly —a stylized pearl enshrined within waves. They were mbers of the White Pearl, belonging to the White rchant Group.
And they were offering food. Potions. Blankets. Even spare weapons.
It wasn’t just a token gesture.
It was real charity. The kind that reached the heart.
The order had co from Lily Gos, Vice-Captain of the White Pearl.
After hearing about the devastation Verga City had suffered, she didn’t hesitate to act.
She had simply said: "If you girls want to, we can help them."
And so, the supplies were distributed freely —an uncommon gesture in a sea where help was often bought with favors and Lydias.
Among the crowd of grateful survivors, a towering figure with one broken horn approached. He wore rusted armor that still carried traces of dried blood. He bowed deeply, both arms clenched at his side.
"Thank you so much," the Bull-Horned Guardian said sincerely. "We are deeply grateful for your benevolence."
Lily stood calmly, a brown cloak draped over her shoulders, swaying in the ocean breeze. She acknowledged his gratitude with a slight nod, her expression unreadable.
Then, her eyes shifted to the side— toward Mathilda.
Mathilda was ’assisting’ the young girls, allowing one or two to rest their heads against her shoulders. But Lily’s eye twitched slightly when she noticed the overly familiar placent of Mathilda’s hands, which were... wandering in ways that could hardly be described as charitable.
Lily cleared her throat, loudly.
Mathilda imdiately stiffened and smiled sheepishly.
"Looks like we should continue your story in a warm bath later. " Mathilda said.
Turning back to the Guardian, Lily responded with a composed smile, "Don’t worry about it. Let’s just call it... good karma."
The Bull-Horned Guardian nodded, still bowing slightly out of respect.
"I must apologize," he said solemnly. "Our City Lord is recuperating from grave wounds. He was unable to co here in person."
"No need to apologize," Lily said, waving her hand. "We’ll be leaving in a few days anyway. If your city needs anything else, feel free to ask. We’ll help however we can— within reason."
The guardian smiled in relief and turned to help the White Pearl crew distribute supplies. His heavy armor clinked with every step, but he moved with purpose now—grateful and motivated.
Lily watched him go, then muttered under her breath, just loud enough for him to hear:
"Well... it’s not like we’re losing anything. And I’m pretty sure you’ll let us invest in this land later... without going through all those annoying procedures."
The Bull-Horned Guardian paused for a second. Then, he let out a long breath— a sigh of relief.
In this world, there was one truth every leader knew:
Nothing is more expensive than sothing free.
He had been suspicious at first. No rchant group gave out food and dicine without strings attached— not in these tis. He had feared there was so hidden trap or sche. But this... this was comforting.
They did have motives. Honest ones.
Investnt. Trade. Partnership.
And that was perfectly acceptable.
Because it ant Verga City still had value. Still had hope.
In truth, most rchants wouldn’t touch a pirate-raided island for years. The risks were too high, the returns too uncertain. But this woman— this Lily Gos— and her crew were offering sothing rare: a second chance.
And for that, the Bull-Horned Guardian felt genuinely grateful.
As for Lily, she didn’t care about spending money. They can just replicate anything with Copper Pot. Even the supplies they are giving out are all copies made by Mana.
anwhile, Darla was helping an elderly couple— offering them a high-grade healing potion and even personally applying it to the man’s burned arm. She smiled gently, her presence like sunshine on an otherwise overcast day.
Darla is most gentle person along with Taka and Astrid in the crew.
Mathilda, now keeping her hands more or less appropriate, had gathered a group of orphaned girls and was entertaining them with adventures stories of her.
"Yeah... After that we stole Dragon Blood in the Abyss."
Nearby, Taka handed out steaming bowls of stew. His many tentacles worked like a conveyor belt, expertly filling bowls while keeping a close eye on the spice levels.
"This one’s extra spicy for those with strong cores," he said cheerfully, passing it to a warrior with bandaged arms. "It will heal the broken Bones."
Despite the wreckage and ruins all around, the port began to feel... alive again.
Children laughed. The wounded were tended to. Survivors found comfort.
And hope flickered back into the eyes of the people.
---
Standing quietly at the edge of the dock, Su Fei observed the scene unfolding before her, arms crossed and expression unreadable. Her eyes swept over the ravaged city—the broken spires, the scorched walls, the shattered streets—and the resilient people who still clung to hope.
"Boring," she muttered under her breath. "Are these people truly good or bad... or just hypocrites playing at righteousness?"
Behind her, a soft ripple in the air shimred into form—Mana, her ever-present companion, flickered into being with a faint pulse of energy.
"More like... satisfaction," Mana said, her voice detached and whimsical. "Mana also believes this is a waste of ti. But if we think practically... we can recruit plenty of people from this island. And for the investnt we’re about to make, it wouldn’t hurt to leave a few of our own behind to manage things."
Su Fei’s three fox tails twitched slightly as she exhaled.
"If we kill the Guardian and the City Lord," she said casually, "we could take control of this island with minimal effort."
Mana tilted her head, puzzled. "But why?"
Su Fei fell silent, staring at the waves.
"Why... huh?" she murmured. Then she shook her head. "Never mind. It’s too late anyways"
The wind brushed against her pale cheek as her tails swayed slowly behind her. She turned her gaze to the horizon.
Mana followed her line of sight.
Far across the ocean’s shimring expanse, a fleet of sleek ships appeared— swift, organized, and unmistakably marked with the emblem of a blue kingfisher.
Mana’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"...The Federation ships," she said.
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