While Arthur was still kneeling in his place, contemplating something, and others thought tension was building in the atmosphere, a sudden change took place inside the dead god's insides.

The veins pulsated faster, as if excited after noticing something. A deathly chill permeated the Sanctum, making even the older, powerful figures frown.

Arthur's whole body stiffened as he lowered his head further, trying his best to hide the emotional turmoil inside his heart. He knew this might happen, that he would face the remnants of his past, painful as they were, yet he still came here.

Deep down, he knew he deserved all of this. Perhaps he subconsciously wanted to punish himself, which was why he came here in the first place.

Unlike others, he knew this feeling far too well. After all, he had spent years with this woman, the closest person to him.

Slowly, with the steady clicking of heels echoing throughout the Sanctum, a woman stepped inside. Her long snow-white hair fell behind her like a waterfall of moonlit rain. Her crimson eyes, devoid of any emotion, didn't even shift, as if completely uninterested in everything around her.

Wearing a simple, long deep-black gown, she looked as if death itself had taken the form of an angel. Her beauty captivated many young men at first glance, but none harboured thoughts about her for long.

The deathly air around her scared them to the core.

The woman stopped right beside Arthur, giving his kneeling figure a long look before turning toward the highest platform.

Samuel's expression finally cracked, his calm demeanour splintering as surprise registered openly on his face. But no one was looking at him as every gaze in the Sanctum was fixed on the woman known famously as the "Red Lily."

She gave a gentle bow to Samuel and said, her voice just like her eyes, showing no emotions at all, "I, Liliana Songsword, greet Your Majesty."

She was the only person in the entire Human Domain given the right to stand equal to the Emperor. The woman who had dragged humanity out of despair against the demons and carried them to their current era of strength.

Liliana Songsword, the Heavenly Genius of an Era.

Not a single soul didn't know her. Had she not given everything for humanity, the current Empire likely wouldn't exist.

This was her prestige.

Yet this woman had vanished sixteen years ago, never seen again, as if the heavens had taken her back after her work was complete.

Everyone thought she couldn't handle the depression after that night… and died quietly.

That was why they were so shocked to see her here.

"I'm glad to see you again," Samuel said, smiling from his heart. "I hope you've been well."

"I suppose I was," Liliana nodded.

"Are you back or…" Samuel asked hopefully.

"My apologies, Your Majesty, but my answer is still the same. I don't think I can continue that work," Liliana said, her voice monotonous as ever. "I only came back because someone tried to assassinate my child."

"What?" Samuel was shocked, just like everyone else in the Sanctum.

Everyone forgot they had come for the Supremacy Games, even the students did. This was far more important or rather more interesting to watch.

"Which child are you talking about?" Samuel asked, his voice taking a dangerous tone.

"My youngest one," Liliana spoke calmly. "My children are my life, so I couldn't sit back."

Samuel's head snapped toward Arnold, who was still looking at Liliana with complex emotions swirling in his eyes.

"Arnold Augustus! I think we need to have a private chat later," Samuel growled, as his temperature suddenly rose within the Sanctum.

"As you wish. But all I'll say to calm you is that everything was under control," Arnold said. Then he turned toward Liliana. "You can be at peace."

"I suppose. But I think I need to make sure the world doesn't forget me," Liliana said, turning toward the nobles. "If any of you dare to lay your filthy hands on my children, any of them, then death shall await you in the form of a Red Lily."

Those who remembered what she had done sixteen years ago trembled in fear.

"Last time my child was attacked, it was humans who colluded with the attackers. Please… don't make me lose faith in humanity," Liliana said, her eyes finally showing a hint of emotion. Except all anyone could see in them was death.

What no one noticed was how Arthur trembled upon hearing her words. Blood ran cold in his veins as he thought about how close he had been to losing the child he hadn't even been allowed to see.

The thought scared him to his very core.

At that moment, he swore something in his heart...something that would shake the entire continent in the future.

"That's all I have to say," Liliana said, before turning toward Samuel. "I won't freeload, Your Majesty. I'll give some of my designs to the Research Department. They'll like them."

While others got excited hearing that, Samuel just sighed and muttered, "How much more will I owe them?"

Then he smiled at Liliana and said, "I really don't know how to thank you for all this."

"Your Majesty bears the biggest burden among us, so please don't think you owe me anything," Liliana said straightforwardly. "All I want is the safety of my children. That's all."

"Then… do you want to talk to him?" Samuel asked.

Liliana didn't answer immediately. Instead, she turned toward Arnold and asked, her voice finally softening slightly, "Can I?"

"You brought him into this world, and I have no right to separate a mother from her child," Arnold said, sighing softly. "I have never stopped you, and I never will."

"Thank you," Liliana said, lowering her head.

It was clear to anyone how much she respected Arnold, despite the coldness and lack of emotion in her voice.

Her head then slowly turned toward the central platform, her crimson eyes sending shivers to all those who met her gaze as it finally settled upon the face she had only seen once.

Her lips felt stiff as they slowly tugged upward into a beautiful, loving smile. Even her eyes suddenly glistened with overflowing affection that couldn't be concealed in any way.

Everyone was taken aback by her sudden change, but those who knew her from before could only feel relief knowing that she hadn't lost her emotions.

They were simply reserved for the few important people in her life.

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