Carissa remained silent, her eyes filled with a trace of regret.


    Every martial artist, at some point, likely harbored a dream-a dream of roaming the world with a sword, stepping in to right the wrongs they encountered, and having people call them "heroes" wherever they went.


    Carissa had often dreamed of such things as a young girl, especially when she had first started her martial arts training and seen a glimpse of her own potential. In those days, she had been proud and certain that she was destined for greatness.


    In her dreams, she was a peerless warrior, ying countless evildoers. Even when they begged for mercy beneath her de, she would still say, "This is for the sake of justice in the world."


    As she grew older, she realized that it wasn''t that simple. Being a hero, dispensing justice on one''s terms, was actually against thew. A heroine had no authority to enforce thew. She wasn''t a member of the official courts or government.


    Also, to kill someone, there must be solid evidence. Even if one had personally witnessed a criminalmitting a crime, one still needed to provide proof to the authorities. After the authorities reviewed the case, if the sentence was death by beheading, it still had to be confirmed by the Supreme Court before execution.


    It was a tedious process, with investigations and checks designed to prevent wrongful convictions. However, it also allowed those with power and influence to manipte the system to their advantage.


    Carissa remembered how Winona had once talked to her about it. Even if the crime was proven beyond a doubt, if the criminal''s family had enough money, they could suppress evidence or discredit witness testimony. Whether the sentence was reduced orpletely overturned depended entirely on the amount of money offered.


    The realization had shattered Carissa''s ideals. How could the world be this way?


    She hadn''t believed it at first, and argued with Winona for a long time. Thew, Carissa insisted, existed to punish the wicked. How could it be twisted by money?


    Officials were paid by the government, and the government''s money came from the people''s taxes. They were public servants, supported by the people, and should act on behalf of the people.


    She had even gone to ask Adrian.


    He had gently patted her head and said, "Winona is right. But in truth, the current system is as good as it gets."


    Carissa had been confused. "This is as good as it gets? That''s a sad thing to hear."


    Adrian had sighed and said, "There''s no such thing as an absolutely good world, because the world is made up of human hearts. There is good, there is evil, there is selfishness, and there is hypocrisy. Everyone mes the state of the world, but few consider how they themselves contribute to it. The world has be this way because everyone has a part in it."


    She then asked Adrian, "If this is the best world we can have, then what does a bad world look like?"


    Adrian had thought for a moment before answering, "A bad world is one filled with endless war, with internal strife and external threats There will be natural disasters and man-made cmities, where people are scattered and disced. The dead will pile up in the streets, and even the living are forced to eat the flesh of the dead."


    Carissa had been shocked. "Is that what war causes? But my dad still goes to war..."


    Adrian had smiled gently. "Your dad goes to war not for rebellion, not fornd, and not for conquest. He fights to protect his homnd and to reim what is rightfully the kingdom''s. Sometimes, war is fought to prevent further war." Carissa hadn''t understood then, but now, she did.


    At Edgeview Estate, Yuvan''s injuries were severe.


    His head and face were swollen, though the damage was only superficial. However, his ribs were broken and his leg was fractured. Though the wound on his abdomen was shallow and merely bled a little, it left him particrly weak. Ultimately, the injuries were treatable.


    Yet, after several physicians had examined him, including the one who had apanied him on the trip, they agreed that his condition was grave. They all believed that he would never be the same again.


    The physician Rafael brought in


    exined that, based on the details of the incident, the injury urred because Xuvan had been attempting to assault the woman. At that time, hisher region was already engorged. When the unknown hero intervened to save her and kicked Yavan, the injury was exacerbated, making it more likely to cause serious damage or further


    The physicians were all regretful, saying that this particr injury was beyond repair. However, they remained oddly optimistic. One of them told Fiona and Wayne that the other basic function of that part-urination-should not be greatly affected.


    Even then, the physicians couldn''t guarantee anything. They said there was a possibility that it wouldn''t be affected. If it was, the result might be difficulty or difort while urinating. However, this could be managed by adjusting positions-like squatting to urinate, which might help.