The battleship docked on the marine base in South Neva where five carriages had been prepared for Rasmus and the others. Their destination was the headquarters of the South Neva Union since it would be the safest place for them to stay. Rasmus didn’t want his arrival to be noticed by the cultists, especially the angels that had been summoned.

Javi and the Blackhands immediately went to gather information related to the cult and the angels. However, Rasmus warned them about the cult because he knew that the Zevrathi would see him and his people as a threat. He knew that the cult had regained its power that made him capable of challenging him directly if they wanted to.

The journey only lasted for two hours since the marine base was not too far from headquarters. Based on what Arka had informed, the South Neva continent was still surviving from the war. There were too many unoccupied lands and currently the surviving nations wanted those lands and had caused a headache for the South Neva Union.

When they arrived, they were surprised to see the Magic Tower blimp floating right above the headquarters. Since their arrival wasn’t announced, Rasmus and Anastasha’s arrival caused quite a scene because when those two came walking side by side, there was only bad news for everyone.

Inside the parlor, Thalior was having a private conversation with Lenin when they heard about Rasmus looking for Thalior. The room that was already tense and heavy, it became gloomy all of a sudden.

"Count Blackheart, Princess Asghar. I wasn’t expecting you two to be here in South Neva," Thalior said as soon as Rasmus and Anastasha entered the room.

"Hmm, neither of us," Anastasha answered as she looked at Lenin, whose hair had turned gray since she didn’t need to dye them black anymore.

"Neither of you? That doesn’t sound good to hear," Lenin said as she stood up and gestured to Anastasha to sit on the couch with her. "But I suppose we have heard, or should we say that we saw something terrifying not too long ago. The world is still trembling in fear by the sighting of a dragon," she added and watched Anastasha sat on the couch before she sat down beside her, giving a big gap between them.

The room went silent when Rasmus sat beside Thalior because they noticed changes in his eyes and his hair. They all had the same thought as Anastasha about Rasmus that he looked different every time they met him again after a long time. However, what Lenin saw from Rasmus made her anxious because she couldn’t identify the Mana around him.

"West Neva is gone, Satan and her force have taken the whole continent by using Ermaine as their savior," Rasmus revealed with a serious expression and uncertainty in his eyes.

Lenin could be said to be the one who understood Rasmus more than anyone in this world. She had never seen any uncertainty in his eyes, and that made her realize that what had happened in West Neva, Rasmus was powerless.

"Would you enlighten us about what happened over there?" Lenin asked, her back straightened and her hands clenched on her knees.

After Rasmus told his story and what had happened in West Neva, both Thalior and Lenin were shocked. They didn’t know such corruption was the reason behind the existence of Demonic Beasts. The same energy that turned millions of lives into demons and countless casualties from it. They realized if that happened in South Neva and Centriva, the damage would be similar even with religious figures on their side.

"Ermaine, if only we were strong enough back then, all this wouldn’t happen. We would have killed those demons, Ermaine, and even Satan," Thalior muttered to himself as he sighed.

"No, I don’t think that we could defeat them even if we were in our primes. The land behind the Blackcliffs was inhabitable, Mana has been corrupted there, and we are creatures that require Mana to live," Lenin shook her head as she crossed her legs. "But that’s not something we should be thinking about. We should think of what would happen if West Neva decided to invade us. They believe they are superior to us, that they’re the pure human breed that are blessed by Orthias. War might break at any time," she hummed as she rubbed her chin.

Rasmus already thought about that as well, but he wasn’t worried because after all, it was none of his business.

"What about the cult, Lord Thalior? You must have heard a rumor or two about them," Rasmus asked, trying to get the information he needed.

"The cult..." Thalior crossed his arms, his eyes focused on the table in front of him. "Yes, I have heard a few rumors about them. The numbers of missing people have increased exponentially in the past months. The sacrifice, they really did sacrifice people to call their so-called Lord," he answered with a grim expression all over his face.

Everyone had agreed to allow the cult to take people’s lives for their rituals because Aurelia’s life was worth more than anything. However, there was one problem with this agreement, and that was the fact that the cult might betray the agreement and would take Aurelia’s life once they held enough power.

"The cult’s enemy isn’t you, their current enemy has shifted to Satan and her force. Satan won’t let the cult regain their full power when the answer lies in Aurelia’s existence while on the other hand, the cult won’t let Satan and her army grow stronger either. As long as you don’t get involved with any of them, you’ll be safe," Rasmus assured, and this time around his he showed nothing but confidence.

"What makes you so sure about that, Count Blackheart?" Lenin asked.

"Because the angels won’t harm humans while at the same time I made a deal with Satan. For my own sake but at the same time it will put all of you in a better situation as well," Rasmus answered without hesitation and without hiding a single detail. "I just let the cult enter this board we are in while at the same time I have made the board interesting for Satan," he revealed.

Lenin sighed with her eyes closed, speechless by how Rasmus could easily decide the fate of the world like a board game. She was surprised that Rasmus could pull this stunt while at the same time not surprised that he would do something like this.

"So we will be just watching from the sides? But the casualty will be us humans," Thalior looked at Rasmus.

"You should know that you did the same thing to your people. But this one’s scale is just a lot larger, that’s the only difference," Rasmus answered nonchalantly. "When the options’ difference is just the scale of causality, the choice becomes obvious."

Anastasha just casually sat there without saying a word, enjoying the scene quietly. She also had zero desire to uphold morality, especially to human life except her own family. Hypocrisy and contradiction had always been the problems that appeared when ideals and beliefs didn’t fit in the reality that appeared.

"Are we in danger, Count? You said that this would put us in a better situation, but how better is it?" Lenin asked with a serious expression, wanting to understand his view and would think of a precaution to his claim.

"If you can turn a blind eye, you’re safe," Rasmus answered without thinking twice.

Lenin and Thalior looked at each other, having the same look in their faces. They had become sheep in the board ever since Rasmus’ existence grew dangerously significant. Not only did they not have the power to even matter in this war, their existence had become fodder for those factions.

"For how long?" Thalior asked with a cold gaze, his expression already showing restraint.

"I wouldn’t know. The choice is yours, as well as the consequences," Rasmus shook his head. "But if I have to choose for myself, that’s when both sides have decided to use Centriva as their leverage," he pointed out and looked at both of them.

Lenin and Thalior nodded with understanding, and they couldn’t agree more because at the moment, Centriva would become the last bastion of humankind.

"And what about you, Princess Asghar? You were in Centrical the last time I saw you a few weeks ago," Lenin turned her head to look at Anastasha.

"Me? I’m just looking for a hideout, and this place appears to be the best one to hide in. Well, at least until Rasmus decides to continue his journey to East Neva, I will follow him and I will be his responsibility by then," Anastasha answered with an empty smile.

Lenin and Thalior were surprised to hear that Rasmus was going to East Neva. East Neva had so much conflict and bloodbath that Rasmus’ presence was only like one extra noise.

"And the purpose of your visit there, Count? I’m assuming you want to make the Eastern continent be under your influence, but that would take forever," Lenin narrowed her eyes with curiosity.

"I know, but that’s not an issue if I have the Princess on my side. After all, her family holds dozens of leashes that wrap around nations," Rasmus answered and stared at Anastasha. "I’ll give her what she need, and she will help me get what I need," he added.

"That’s right, a mutually beneficial relationship, just like any other nobles and nations, but in a bigger scale as what Rasmus said earlier," Anastasha smiled mischievously as she stared back at Rasmus.