This was a simple question.
Every soldier stationed at the border of the Saint Luo Empire could answer it.
Via had merely asked something obvious — whether beyond this checkpoint lay the Yamar River.
Yet in this moment, not a single person responded.
A strange silence fell over the area.
The situation felt… off.
Although Via didn’t have a great reputation in the human world, she was still a Saintess Candidate of the Holy Land. None of the soldiers dared to act rashly, fearing they might invite trouble upon themselves.
“Miss Via, please wait a moment. I’ll call our commander.”
The veteran quickly headed inside the checkpoint.
Not long after, a man in a higher-ranking military uniform stepped out — clearly the officer in charge.
“You must be Miss Via, correct?”
The imperial officer stood straight, adjusting his cap.
“Daughter of the Perfect Saintess Sylvia, Saintess Candidate of the Holy Land, student of Avalon Academy—”
“That’s me,” Via replied without hesitation.
“May I ask, what brings you to the Yamar Border checkpoint?”
“I intend to pass through.”
“Heh.”
The officer let out a cold laugh, as if he had just heard a joke. A mocking glint appeared in his eyes, though he continued the formalities.
“Miss Via, crossing the Yamar Border requires special authorization from the Empire. Do you possess such documentation?”
“No.”
“As expected,” the officer said after a pause. “From what I’ve heard, you abandoned the suffering citizens and fled from Kado City. You disobeyed the Holy Land’s orders, refused to return with the Holy Knights, and have trespassed through multiple city checkpoints without permission.”
“Miss Via, why would you do such things?” the veteran asked, genuinely confused.
In everyone’s understanding, even if Via lacked talent and failed to inherit Sylvia’s gifts, she was still a well-behaved and timid girl.
Could such actions really come from someone like her?
“My apologies,” the officer said coldly. “Perhaps other soldiers might hesitate because of your status, but we are different. We follow the Emperor’s command to guard the border. Anyone who attempts to cross without authorization will be executed — even you, Saintess Candidate or not.”
“We will not entertain further discussion. Your request is denied.”
If this had been before, Via might have hesitated.
After all, she had to maintain the image of a timid and reserved Saintess Candidate.
But now… things were different.
She was leaving the human world. There was no need to keep pretending.
“This isn’t a request,” Via said calmly. “It’s a notice. I’m going to the Yamar River.”
“A notice? Hahahaha!!”
The officer burst into laughter.
The other soldiers followed suit, unable to hold back their amusement.
Her tone was absurd — as if she were some great authority.
Even a true Saintess would still have to obey imperial law!
“Miss Via, do you really think you’re someone important?” the officer sneered. “I’ll give you one last warning. Your actions already violate the laws of the Saint Luo Empire. Attempting to cross the Yamar Border is considered serious treason. Surrender now and accept your punishment — show the proper attitude, and you might still have a chance to live.”
His hand moved to the weapon at his waist, slowly drawing it.
Capturing Via and sending her back to the Holy Land would surely earn him great merit.
It was like a reward falling from the sky.
“I’m not like those useless people sitting around in the cities.”
As if she hadn’t heard his warning at all, Via spoke calmly to the small cat on her head.
“Little Ha.”
“Meow!”
“Get down first.”
“Meow!”
Little Ha obediently jumped off Via’s head and ran behind her, keeping some distance.
Via took out her staff.
She pointed it toward the officer — and the soldiers behind him.
“If you can stop me… then go ahead and try.”
“W-What’s going on? This isn’t right! Didn’t you all say Via was completely talentless? Why is her magic this strong?! I must be dreaming!”
The soldiers’ perception of Via changed completely.
From disdain… to fear.
And it took less than three minutes.
Before her stood a group of well-trained soldiers, yet under the officer’s command, they collapsed almost instantly — utterly unable to resist.
Boom!
The officer fell to the ground, unconscious, his weapon shattered.
Expressionless, Via stepped over him and continued forward, casting spells as she went, blasting apart the interception magic arrays at the checkpoint.
Many soldiers had already been defeated just like their commander.
The scene was shocking — a cleric unleashing overwhelming destructive magic.
“Meow~”
The Little Yellow Cat followed happily behind her.
“Wouldn’t it have been easier to just step aside? You forced me to use magic. All this damage… is your own doing,” Via muttered.
She walked down the mountain path, descending step by step toward the Yamar River.
After causing chaos at the checkpoint, she had finally made it through.
This place was no longer part of the Saint Luo Empire.
She lifted her gaze.
Ahead, a broken bridge stretched across the river.
Beyond the fractured span lay a gray, desolate land.
Crossing that bridge meant leaving the human world behind — and returning to the Desolate Fallen Continent.
Via stood before the broken bridge, pausing for several seconds.
Memories surfaced in her mind.
After a moment of hesitation, she stepped forward.
Her face was filled with determination as she walked, getting closer and closer to the broken section of the bridge.
Just then—
A faint sound came from her pocket.
“Hm?”
Via reached inside and pulled out a slightly warm silver object.
This was—
The cross necklace.
The one Sophie Shirleyford had given her.
It was glowing faintly.
At the same time, her heartbeat suddenly quickened, as if sensing something.
Her pink eyes trembled slightly.
It was coming.
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