York and Lux sat at opposite ends of the sofa, wide-eyed, feeling time slip by. After a long while, Lux tentatively whispered, "York, what do you think about that thing?"

"What do you mean?"

"What else could it be? The Great Secret Treasure, of course."

"... "

York sighed, his expression growing graver.

"If I said I didn’t want it, that’d be a lie. But... I also wish the Zerah Family had never gotten this cursed artifact. Then we wouldn’t have lived in fear for centuries, and this incident wouldn’t have happened."

"... Honestly, I feel the same."

"Right? If we survive this crisis, I hope..."

"Hope?"

"Only top-tier groups can hold the Great Secret Treasure. The Zerah Family lacks that strength. I hope... we can give it to Arlen Kingdom’s royal family."

"Passing this hot potato? Not a bad idea. As the saying goes, ‘Innocence offers no shield when you hold a treasure.’"

"Hm? That phrase..." York frowned, thinking. "Is it from the ‘Earth World’? Or the ‘Cultivation World’?"

"I’m not sure. Heard it from outsiders during business. It’s a proverb from another world."

"Hah, the Transworld Gate, the Border Battlefield... I’d love to see them someday."

"Let’s handle this crisis first."

Their chat eased the tension slightly. The two gathered their spirits and continued the first half of the night watch.

The so-called Transworld Gate is a divine miracle. It appeared sixteen years ago above Stellar Ruins, one of this world’s ancient sacred sites. It holds incredible power—connecting other human worlds and leading to higher-dimensional realms. Its arrival shook the entire multiverse, all 666 worlds included. Previously isolated human worlds, like scattered fragments, were suddenly linked. Only then did people learn of other worlds and realize they weren’t alone.

As history often repeats, clashing civilizations brought not peace but savage conflict. Especially after discovering the Gate led to a higher world—the so-called "Demon Realm"—tensions exploded. The Transworld Gate did more than connect worlds; it opened a new one: the Border Battlefield. This zone borders the Demon Realm, acting as a buffer between it and lower worlds. Here, lower-world humans can move relatively safely. Though called a "border," its confirmed area exceeds dozens of human worlds combined.

For lower-worlders, the Border Battlefield is a massive treasure trove. Demon Realm power differs entirely from human worlds. Dubbed "True Demon Power" by someone, it’s murkier yet stronger—so potent it solidifies into minerals. A fist-sized piece of True Demon Crystal, or Demon Marrow, holds enough energy to sustain a world’s humans for a year. Beyond resources, the Battlefield offers countless rare specialties and hidden treasures.

Faced with such a prize, everyone wanted a bigger slice. Top fighters from each world launched a fierce land grab. Frictions escalated rapidly. Less than a year after the Gate’s appearance, a super war involving all worlds nearly erupted.

Then a major figure intervened, halting full-scale war. They claimed direct involvement in building the Transworld Gate, calling themselves a root cause and rightful authority. Such arrogance drew global disdain. Their solution was simple: overwhelming force. Displaying unmatched power, they terrified all leaders. Rumor says they declared at negotiations, "You’re all just high-level trash," before crushing opposition ruthlessly.

Combined with peacemakers’ efforts, this led to the Border Council’s creation. Worlds still clash privately but maintain surface peace. Each sends top talents to expand influence in the Border Battlefield, chasing bigger shares of the spoils. That major figure now leads the largest faction there and is widely seen as the strongest leader across worlds. By the way, names like "True Demon Power," "Demon Marrow," "Demon Realm," and "Border Battlefield" were all coined by them.

Time crawled on. By late night, four woke the other four for shift change. Even Ellen, fueled by grief and hatred, couldn’t hold out. After snapping, "Wake me if that bastard shows up—I’ll kill him slowly," she collapsed into sleep. Chloe, utterly exhausted, fell instantly into deep slumber.

Brief rest didn’t calm Molly; she grew more tense. Liliana and Nia looked reluctant too, though relieved they could sleep safely now. York and Lux gave careful instructions to Nerlis—the most reliable—then leaned against the sofa to sleep. Both activated portable magic scrolls: York’s was a small metal tube holding a spell-inscribed micro-scroll; Lux’s resembled thin metal sheets. Simple but long-lasting shields enveloped them.

Long ago, magic scrolls were thick paper rolls tied with ribbons. Now, they’re compact and varied, yet the name sticks. Nerlis shifted comfortably in her chair, releasing scout insects to circle the room. With the elders asleep, guard duty fell to her.

Tick. Tock. Tick.

The clock’s hands crept forward. Its dull rhythm made time drag, the night endless. Dim light from the hall’s refined magic crystal cast hazy glows on everyone, blurring expressions.

"... "

Liliana grew increasingly restless. Since York revealed the Great Secret Treasure, she often seemed about to speak but held back. Her hand still hovered near her stomach. Nia sometimes asked if she was unwell, only to be snapped at.

"... "

Molly looked haggard. Fear and anxiety nearly broke her. She desperately needed to talk, to pour her heart out—or she’d go mad.

"U-um... Liliana...?"

After hesitation, she finally spoke to Liliana.

"...Hm? What?" Liliana sounded impatient.

"Uh... uh..."

She’d blurted it out without planning. Thinking hard, she found words.

"Um, Liliana, you’ve been holding your stomach..."

"--!!??"

"...Do you... need to go to the bathroom?"

"Y-you mind your—huh? What?"

"I said... do you need to pick a flower?"

"That’s what you meant! N-nothing... I don’t need to."

"Good, but..."

Color finally returned to Molly’s pale face—a blush.

"But... I... kind of do."

""...""

Liliana and Nia were speechless.

Nerlis reacted.

"Molly."

"Nerlis?"

"Is it the small one? Can’t hold it?"

"............S-small one! And... if I wait longer..."

"Then it’s fine."

Nerlis stood up.

Molly’s face lit with hope. "Nerlis, are you... coming with me?"

"Impossible."

Firm and decisive.

"Th-then what..."

Nerlis didn’t answer. She dragged empty benches to a corner, forming a small barrier.

"Handle it here."

"N-no, I can’t!"

"Leaving the hall is dangerous. You’re the most at risk. Please endure it—for yourself and everyone."

Her face showed perfect guilt, apology, and helplessness. Molly hesitated, blushing, then gave in.

"But, Nia! Don’t look this way! Cover your ears too!"

"Y-yes, I understand!"

Before Molly finished, Nia covered his ears, faced the floor, and curled up, ears red. Annoyed, Liliana pinched him hard.

Molly dashed behind the benches. Seconds later, trickling water sounded—lasting quite long.

After a while, she ran back, covering her face, muttering, "I’ll never get married, never get married."

Liliana hesitated. "How do you feel?"

"............I’ll never get married."

"I mean... there, the small... pee—picking flowers. Can you get used to it?"

"Getting used to it would be troublesome... sob... but in emergencies, I have no choice!"

"I see... no choice..."

Liliana bit her lip, then suddenly stood.

"You all! Close your eyes and cover your ears! Anyone who dares approach... I’ll kill them!"

She fled to the makeshift toilet. Seconds later, trickling water sounded again.

"So she couldn’t hold it either..."

Molly blinked awkwardly, trying to ease the mood. She turned to Nerlis.

"Um, Nerlis... are you okay?"

"Do you mean the urge?"

"Ugh... what else! You seem to have no... need... so I’m worried."

"No need to worry. My breeding tank has insects that feed on other creatures’ excrement—"

"--Wah wah wah! Stop! I don’t want to hear!"