Chapter 541: If It Had Been Before

"Palace Noble or Guard Noble?" Sonya raised her eyebrows slightly, hinting at disdain. "Has the dignified second son of Vlozrada really fallen so low as to become a middleman?"

Sacred Realm sorcerers were automatically granted noble titles. However, unless they were born Palace Nobles, they typically chose to become Guard Nobles.

A Sacred Realm sorcerer without Palace Noble heritage could only secure that specific title under one condition. They had to marry into a Palace Noble family, utilizing that connection to acquire the rank.

If a Palace Noble family failed to produce an elite sorcerer for many years, the Noble Council would threaten to revoke or downgrade their title. In that case, their only recourse was to recruit a Sacred Realm sorcerer.

Consequently, when Felix asked about her preferred title, Sonya initially assumed he represented a declining Palace Noble family seeking a marriage alliance.

However, Felix understood her personality. Back when he offered a fake marriage as payment, the village girl had rejected him without hesitation. Now that she had achieved fame and success, how would she possibly agree to a political marriage?

Felix shook his head. "You misunderstood me. I'm not asking you to inherit the name of a declining noble family. You no longer need to marry into a powerful household. You yourself will found a powerful household of your own sooner or later.

"What I'm trying to say is that Sacred Realm sorcerers can directly obtain the title of a Palace Noble. It's just that most simply refuse to do so. If you doubt my words, ask Professor Trosan when you return to the university."

Sonya stared in shock. "Big Sis Trosan is only a Bow Noble. Why would she refuse if she could become a Palace Noble?"

University professors belonged to the Education Institute personnel. Their salaries received joint funding from the universities and the Education Institute, placing them firmly within the political and legal official system.

General Two-Winged professors held the title of Spear Noble, while Three-Winged professors held Bow Noble status. Only vice principals and principals qualified to become Armor Nobles.

Felix's brows lifted slightly at the form of address. Big Sis Trosan...

After a brief pause, he continued. "Aside from the lowest-ranked Sword Nobles, all higher-ranked noble titles require receiving the Blessing of the Stars. I assume you are aware of that."

Sonya nodded.

As the famous saying went, "With great power comes great responsibility."

The Blessing of the Stars ensured that nobles controlling legislative and administrative power could not abuse authority or act for personal gain. They had to devote themselves to the public good and help build the Starry Kingdom's society.

Sonya had previously held a rather average opinion of the noble system, but everything changed once she gained a point of comparison.

After hearing from the Watcher about the current state of the Blood Moon Kingdom, Sonya's impression of the Starry Kingdom's system improved considerably.

The Starry Kingdom featured clear class divisions and severe social barriers, yet society remained stable and harmonious. Ordinary citizens might never achieve great wealth or power, but they could still enjoy peaceful lives.

Consider the narrow-minded townsfolk from her hometown. Even without ever visiting Cailleach in their entire lives, they returned home from work every day, watched the light screens, and lived ordinary lives in blissful ignorance.

Compared to the Blood Moon Kingdom, which was burdened by countless orphans, Blood Moon Tribunals, and the collapse of the family system, the Starry Kingdom's noble system seemed like heaven. Furthermore, the noble system operated efficiently, allowing society to develop steadily.

"Just like noble titles, the Blessing of the Stars comes in different levels," Felix explained. "The stars in the Blessing of the Stars are more than a mere metaphor for nobles acting as national figures. They point directly to the essence of the blessing itself, which requires the stars to continuously maintain its effects.

"For example, Shield Nobles require one star to maintain their blessings, Spear Nobles require two, while Bow and Armor Nobles require three and four, respectively. As noble rank increases, the strength of the Blessing of the Stars grows accordingly. Beyond fostering loyalty to the kingdom, it enhances insight, improves learning ability, delays aging, and provides additional benefits. For Guard Nobles, increasing their title rank remains entirely worthwhile."

Sonya caught the implication behind Felix's words. "Does becoming a Palace Noble have disadvantages?"

Felix smiled slightly. "The lowest-ranked Palace Noble, a Viscount, receives blessings that provide an extended lifespan, eternal youth, endless vitality, extraordinary memory, keen insight, and enhanced analytical abilities. If an Armor Noble receives the blessing of five stars, a Viscount receives at least a hundred."

"Isn't that good news?" Sonya asked. "Unless... could being a Palace Noble require more than just loyalty to the kingdom?"

Felix shook his head. "Negative. Similar to Guard Nobles, the Blessing of the Stars influences their will by demanding absolute loyalty. Their highest priority remains contributing to the Starry Kingdom."

"Then why—"

Halfway through her question, it dawned on Sonya.

"You understand now, correct?" Felix smiled. "Guard Nobles bear responsibility only for executing orders. In other words, absolute loyalty simply prevents them from making mistakes, slacking off, or pursuing personal gain.

"As for Palace Nobles... they bear the responsibility of proposing legislation in parliament, steering the kingdom's direction, and leading the populace.

"Picture this scenario. A Palace Noble serving in parliament possesses endless energy, extraordinary memory, and enhanced analytical abilities. When tasked with proposing a reasonable bill, what do you expect them to do?"

Sonya murmured, "Conduct field investigations, analyze data, and conduct research..."

Felix explained calmly, "The renowned Starforger Duke Vlozrada spends more than half the year traveling across the Starry Kingdom alongside his advisors. Among Palace Nobles, parliament members of different ranks propose bills of varying importance.

"A Viscount parliament member backed by a personal team can typically complete their duties within three months each year. For Counts, Marquises, and Dukes, the difficulty increases with each rank. If a family declines and lacks the funds to hire advisors, it is entirely normal for a parliament member to spend an entire year on a single matter.

"Now, do you understand why most Sacred Realm sorcerers decline Palace Noble status?"

Naturally, Sonya understood what Felix was implying. Sacred Realm sorcerers needed to dedicate themselves to exploring the Virtual World. If anything, they wanted to spend all their available time refining their techniques and had zero interest in spending their days researching legislation.

By this point, the village girl had abandoned her dreams of becoming a Palace Noble. She had once hoped to obtain a hereditary Viscount title before the end of her life, yet she had no interest in becoming a parliament member. If the Watcher heard about the responsibilities of a parliament member, he would definitely drag her away overnight.

Sensing that he had frightened the village girl, Felix added, "That being said, Palace Nobles offer more than just responsibilities and obligations. Proximity to power and enhanced intelligence allow Palace Nobles to profit effortlessly from the kingdom's development. Even when competing against ordinary merchants, merchant guilds operated by Palace Nobles gain an advantage over time. Every Palace Noble family is a hereditary powerhouse.

"Strict requirements dictate the number of sorcerers Palace Nobles must cultivate for this very reason. If they occupy resources without putting them to use, they should obediently choose the path of the Guard Nobles instead."

"Regardless of the benefits Palace Nobles offer, I cannot choose that path," Sonya stated. "My journey as a sorcerer does not end here."

Felix nodded. "I know. That is why I came here as a representative of my organization, and our bargaining chip is... to grant you immunity to the mental influence of the Blessing of the Stars."

Sonya froze. "Your organization... the sorcerer mutual aid group?"

Felix spread his hands. "Exactly. No contract and no coercion. As long as you are willing to join us, we can help you become immune to the mental influence of the Blessing of the Stars.

"In short, you enjoy the benefits of the Blessing of the Stars without being bound by obligations demanding loyalty.

"Choosing to become a Palace Noble will not hinder your path as a sorcerer. At the same time, you get to instantly integrate into a powerful noble household.

"How does the title Viscount Selby sound to you?"

Sonya remained silent for a moment before saying, "If you truly possess this ability, then the people you should be recruiting shouldn't be me—"

"You're right. You're not the first person we have approached with this offer." Felix replied.

In that instant, countless thoughts flashed through Sonya's mind.

If she was not the first, then that meant there were already many nobles in this kingdom whose highest priority was no longer loyalty to the Starry Kingdom.

What exactly are these people trying to do...

"Don't misunderstand. We are not trying to overthrow the Starry Kingdom. We are merely a group of sorcerers who share the same goal and seek greater power. The reason we wish to escape the restraints of the Blessing of the Stars is simply that we hope our paths as sorcerers will face fewer obstacles.

"Besides, there aren't many of us. Forget overthrowing the kingdom. We cannot even shake its foundations."

Sonya thought it a little strange. "If you want to escape the restraints completely, then couldn't you simply choose not to become nobles?"

"The Starry Miracle Catalog you've seen so far is incomplete," Felix said. "Only nobles can read the complete catalog, and only they have access to the exchange privileges of the Imperial Spirit Treasury. If you do not become a noble and do not accept the Blessing of the Stars, the Starry Kingdom's true high-level resources will never be opened to you.

"I remember asking you before. After learning the secret behind the Blessing of the Stars, would you still be willing to become a noble?" Felix looked at her. "Back then, your answer was yes.

"Now that you are a Three-Winged sorcerer, has your answer changed?"

Seeing Sonya remain silent, Felix knew that she was tempted.

Sonya's answer back then had been sincere, and her hesitation now was equally genuine.

Two-Winged sorcerers and Sacred Realm sorcerers belonged to completely different leagues. The former were still cogs within society, while the latter had already gained the ability to control their own destinies.

Personal will was something that could easily be sold away when you were nothing more than a cog in a machine. But once you had touched true freedom, you would instinctively become reluctant to give away your loyalty.

There's no need to force her into making a decision now. Once she returns and asks Trosan, she'll learn more about the noble system and naturally arrive at the right answer.

With that, Felix stood up. "I won't disturb you any longer. If you're interested, you can come find me—"

"When you mentioned nobles just now..." Sonya suddenly asked. "Were you excluding Sword Nobles?"

Felix was startled. Then he nodded. "Sword Nobles are merely noble candidates. They have not yet obtained the Blessing of the Stars. Because of that, Sword Nobles possess almost no actual noble authority. Their positions can only be ordinary guards, officers, or staff members. They cannot wield power."

"Then that's fine."

"That's fine?"

"I'll just remain a Sword Noble," Sonya said casually. "Everyone calls me the Swordswoman. Isn't the title of Sword Noble quite fitting for me? I appreciate your kindness, but I don't need your help."

Felix immediately sat back down. "Why!? Do you even know what you're saying? Even if you don't become a Palace Noble, you can't possibly remain at the level of a Sword Noble forever!"

"Why not?"

"If you want to become a professor, you will inevitably need to be promoted to the rank of a Bow Noble. At that point, you will still have to accept the Blessing of the Stars!"

Sonya smiled. "Then I simply won't become a professor. I never wanted to teach anyway. My career is as a songstress and a film star."

"Songstresses and film stars are under the jurisdiction of the Culture Institute. They have noble ranks as well," Felix said. "Ordinary resources are one thing, but nationwide-level entertainment resources, such as important films, nationally popular albums, and major productions with key investments, all prioritize artists who possess noble titles!

"If you remain only a Sword Noble, then the intercollegiate league will be the only stage where you can appear before the entire kingdom!"

Sonya blinked. "That is indeed a little unfortunate."

"Besides that, have you considered your mother?" Felix asked. "A Sword Noble can only extend a family member's temporary residence in Cailleach to one hundred days. They still cannot gain permanent residence, because the Noble Council never intended for anyone to remain a Sword Noble forever.

"Any ordinary officer who works hard can become a Shield Noble within five years and gain permanent family residence rights. But if you remain a Sword Noble, you won't be able to bring your mother to Cailleach!"

Sonya smiled. "Thank you for your concern. But I already discussed this with my mother a few days ago. She actually doesn't want to come."

"Ah?"

"As much as I have always dreamed of building my own career in Cailleach and bringing my mother here to enjoy a better life, that is my own wish, not what my mother wants," the village girl shrugged. "She's different from me. She doesn't long for the prosperity of Cailleach, nor does she hate that boring, remote little town. Just like how I view that town as a familiar prison, she sees Cailleach as a strange cage.

"Besides, ever since news of me spread back home, those relatives who always picked on people they could push around have treated her better and better. She is satisfied with her current life. All she wants is to guard our family's land."

Felix could not understand how someone could willingly remain in an agricultural town instead of coming to Cailleach. He shook his head. "Forgive me for saying this, but your mother's way of thinking is too short-sighted. But you—"

Sonya spread her hands. "My mother is a village girl, and I am the daughter of a village girl. My mother wants to guard our family's land, while I want to protect the things I truly value, rather than risk everything chasing resources that were never meant for me."

"What about your career?" Felix asked. "All it takes is just one more step, and you can shine brilliantly. Are you truly willing to stop here?"

Sonya blinked. "If this had happened before, I probably would have agreed immediately."

She paused for a moment, then added, "That's right. I truly did wish to stand on the stage and become an idol like Didarose. I wanted to become someone others admired, someone who became part of someone else's childhood memories.

"To be watched by millions. To become famous throughout the Starry Kingdom. But my life isn't only about my career."

Sonya closed the book and stood up. "Felix, your feeling just now was actually correct."

Felix asked in a daze, "What?"

"If this had happened before, I would have been intoxicated by the glory brought by becoming a Sacred Realm sorcerer. I would have attended extravagant banquets and enjoyed the praise of others.

"If this had happened before, I would have gladly accepted your invitation, become an irresponsible noble, and enjoyed the resources that only nobles could possess.

"If this had happened before, then everything I'm saying right now would just be fake humility hiding my pride...

Sonya placed the book into her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and waved goodbye. "But that was all on the basis that... if this had happened before."

***

At 11 p.m., inside the meditation room.

With her soul energy fully recovered, Sonya readied herself to enter the Virtual World.

Don't be nervous, she thought. There's nothing to be nervous about. If the Watcher could deliver the potion to my desk five days ago, that means he has already escaped danger. I just need to stay calm later. Unless the Watcher checks on me first, perhaps I can pretend to be a little concerned about him in return. Don't be nervous... don't be nervous...

As that familiar sensation spread through her body, her soul connected to the Virtual World, and her consciousness sank into the Distant Sky Domain.

Opening her eyes, Sonya found herself standing on a crowded street filled with countless people. She confirmed that she was inside a dream within the Distant Sky Domain.

When she looked around, her heart instantly sank into an icy abyss.

There was no Watcher. No Witch. And the surrounding pedestrians were all strangers.

Her hand instinctively gripped the hilt of her sword. Suppressing the urge to destroy everything around her, she quickly walked through the streets, looking everywhere.

Nothing. Nothing. Again, nothing.

The more she searched, the heavier the frustration in her chest became, as if something was blocking her throat.

After turning another corner and seeing only unfamiliar faces filling the street, Sonya could no longer continue. Her lips trembled as she finally released all the suppressed emotions inside her. "Watcher!"

"Here!"

The Swordswoman turned around and looked toward the street behind her.

She saw the Watcher standing there foolishly with his hand raised, also looking around in confusion.

When their eyes met, they immediately moved toward each other.

At first, Sonya was only walking. Then it became a fast stride. Finally, she began running, shoving aside all the pedestrians in her path.

The people she pushed aside seemed ready to complain, but seeing the sword hilt in her hand already partially drawn from its sheath made them watch her leave in silence.

As the distance between them grew shorter and shorter, the heavy stone pressing against Sonya's heart quietly disappeared. In its place rose an uncontrollable excitement, making her almost want to throw herself at him, until—

"Watcher!"

The Swordswoman suddenly stopped in her tracks.

She watched as the Witch threw herself onto the Watcher.