Back to the mortal world, specifically at the residence of the Cean family, news spread like wildfire through a dry field. Aris Cean, the eldest son of the family, was accused of betraying the Goddess Aqua. Rumors claimed he had allied himself with foreign powers and no longer showed loyalty to the water faction. Alongside this, word of punishment for the Cean family also began to circulate widely. The most striking of these: Aris would be sentenced to death.
A grand trial was held in the Great Hall of the Kingdom of Thalassos, attended by high-ranking nobles, military generals, and important figures from various factions. The King presided as the chief judge, wearing a sea-blue robe adorned with the emblem of the water god. The room was tense, nearly frozen by the atmosphere.
"Based on evidence of treason against the Goddess Aqua and secret dealings with outside organizations, Aris Cean is hereby sentenced to death," the King declared in a heavy voice. "Furthermore, the Cean family's military strength will be reduced by one-third, and their rights to tax incentives and exclusive trade access will be revoked."
The room suddenly fell silent. Some nobles sat in stunned silence, while others exchanged glances. Suddenly, an immense mana aura erupted from the seat of the Cean family head—Raegar Cean, Aris' father and one of the kingdom's legendary War Saints.
The entire courtroom trembled. The pressure from Raegar's aura made many break into a cold sweat. Guards readied themselves, but none dared to move.
"Your Majesty," Raegar spoke, his voice low yet echoing, "I will not accept the death sentence for my son. I, Raegar Cean, War Saint of this kingdom, commander of its largest fleet, strongly object."
The King stared sharply at Raegar. "Are you defying the kingdom's judgment, Raegar?"
"I reject an excessive decision. Aris has already lost the blessing of the Goddess Aqua. He is now merely a mortal—no supernatural abilities, no magical affinity. His punishment has already been delivered by divine hands. I propose an alternative: permanent exile. Strip him of his noble status and citizenship, and forbid him from ever returning to this land."
One of the nobles stood up. "That's too lenient!"
Raegar turned toward the noble, and in an instant, his mana aura crushed down until the noble collapsed into his seat, trembling.
The King paused for a moment, then sighed deeply. "Very well. Your request is granted. Aris Cean shall be exiled forever. His status is revoked, and he is no longer a subject of this kingdom. However, the reduction of the Cean family's military and revocation of privileges will still stand."
The day of farewell arrived. In the main courtyard of the Cean estate, Aris stood with a large bag on his back, filled with a few sets of clothes, dried food for several weeks, and a silver sword handcrafted by his father.
His mother hugged him tightly. "Take care of yourself, son...."
Raegar stood silently. But as Aris was about to leave, he called out, "Aris."
Aris turned around.
"Don't die."
With heavy yet resolute steps, Aris left his home, heading toward an uncertain journey.
A few hours after crossing the kingdom's borders, Aris sat down to rest and checked the contents of his bag. Among the clothes, he found an old envelope sealed with his father's personal mark. Upon opening it, he discovered a long handwritten letter from Raegar.
"Aris, if you're reading this, then my plan has at least succeeded in getting you away from the wolves' jaws. For years, I've investigated what lies behind the kingdom's and the gods' curtains. What I found wasn't just the truth—it was devastation: the gods and the kingdom's rulers have grown corrupt, power-hungry, and are willing to sacrifice the people for their own ends. The Goddess Aqua is no longer a guardian as she once was—she and her factions crave supremacy.
I know this is hard to believe, but all the evidence lies with my informants in Varethra. Go there, and uncover the truth yourself. I cannot meet you directly, as all my movements are being watched. I'm sorry I couldn't explain everything the last time we met. But know this, son: I trust you. One more thing—Veritas can be trusted."
With a chest tight with mixed emotions, Aris gazed at the horizon. His goal was now clear: Varethra, the neutral land with no gods—often called the forsaken land by worshipers.
Over the next few months, Aris journeyed through small towns, relying on his physical strength and combat instincts. To save food and earn money, he took on various odd jobs—hauling goods, working as a dockhand, even helping out at local shops as an assistant.
His journey finally led him far west to the Kingdom of Varethra—a free land, not under any divine protection. A neutral territory that rejected all forms of divine allegiance. A place where sins of the past held no sway.
But upon arriving, Varethra wasn't what he had expected or what the stigma labeled it as, a "forsaken kingdom." Though its infrastructure was simple and mostly wooden, life within was full of color. Its people looked prosperous, cooperative, and content.
However, that peace was disrupted when Aris saw a faintly carved symbol on one of the western city walls. A symbol he recognized from the night of Lysandra's abduction. His heart sank. Suspicion surged again, and he began to question his father's true intent in sending him here. Still, after a few days in the city, its warm and humble atmosphere slowly put him at ease.
Until one night, while visiting a bar that doubled as the local mercenary guild's base, Aris saw someone who took his breath away—a man, the leader of the ambush group he had fought when rescuing Lysandra. The man sat casually in the corner of the room, chatting with some fellow guild members.
Aris clenched his fists, alert once more. He knew... his journey in Varethra had only just begun.