Chapter 2596: Identity Though they had turned the tide and saved the stronghold from certain annihilation, Emery and the rest of the new arrivals were given no celebration. Upon landing, they were immediately herded into the outer courtyard, where a shimmering ward dome had been erected to keep them isolated. Protective runes crackled in the air, creating a dense spiritual field. "Protocol," Feil muttered. Several spirit-readers stood waiting at the perimeter. Each new arrival was scanned thoroughly for the insidious parasitic infection. Eventually, a small delegation approached. At their head walked a man Emery wouldn’t have pegged as a military leader. Thin, bespectacled, and dressed more like an administrator than a fighter. Despite his mild appearance, his aura was unmistakably strong—Peak Cosmic Realm. "Feil!" the man called, "By the gods, you made it!" The man was Jhett, the North Star stronghold commander. He and Feil were clearly old allies—his expression lit up at the sight of her. But despite the warm greeting, Emery noticed the tension in the air. The cosmic experts behind Jhett stood rigid, their eyes focused on the elderly man among the newcomers. Rosin Karat. The Supreme’s quiet presence stirred unease, even without a word. Jhett’s gaze swept over the group, and recognition sparked in his eyes. "Gelael, Ivaris... and the new rising star alchemist, Emery" His ability to identify them confirmed it—Rosin Karat’s identity as the fugitive Supreme Magus was no secret here. Understanding the weight of the moment, Feil stepped forward and introduced the supreme figure carefully. "He’s someone I met on the way. He helped rescue the survivors of Central Stronghold." Jhett turned to Rosin with a guarded tone. "I’m grateful for your help... But I unfortunately... I cannot allow you to enter or remain here." Emery turned his gaze toward Commander Feil, silently hoping she might speak on the Supreme’s behalf. But the female commander remained still. Her silence was her answer—she would not vouch for the Supreme Magus. Instead, it was the young elf, Lord Ariel, who stepped forward. "Supreme Magus Karat saved my life. Without him, I would not have survived the fall of Central Stronghold." Commander Jhett didn’t waver. "Lord Ariel, with all due respect... I cannot risk the safety of this stronghold." He straightened, his voice gaining steel. "The only way I can allow him to remain here is under strict restraint." The meaning was unmistakable—he intended to place the Supreme Magus back into captivity. Ariel’s expression darkened, but he did not yield. He stepped forward again, continuing to plead the Supreme’s case. "You’ve seen the sky. The enemy is closing in from every side; we need all the help we can get." But Jhett remained unmoved. His expression grew colder before he revealed his thought. "Supreme Magus Karat... You are a fugitive traveler. There is no reason for you to help us. Hence, I suspect you are here for the stargate. Which means you have no intention of staying to help us." Then, Jhett shifted his focus to Emery. His tone softened slightly, but suspicion lingered behind his glasses. "Master Emery, your alchemical contribution was critical to our survival. But... I’ve reviewed your records. Before nine months ago, there’s nothing. No affiliation. No origin He narrowed his gaze. "I highly suspect you are one of them as well—a traveler. And you are here for the same reason." The entire courtyard fell into a brittle silence. Emery didn’t deny it. There was no point; many had seen Emery’s close relationship with the supreme during their travel. "Yes... commander. You are correct. But... we mean no harm. We simply seek permission to use the Stargate—to return home." Jhett’s voice grew colder. "That cannot happen... even if we allowed you access... the Stargate has become increasingly unstable these last few days. We believe the enemy has anchored themselves to it. If we open it again... they will come through." Not giving up, Emery reasoned once again, but the commander stayed firm. He then turned to the elderly supreme and said, "I can only ask that you remain within our holdings—under watch—until I receive proper authorization." At last, the Supreme Magus spoke. "I have no plans to be your prisoner again." His voice was calm, but unyielding. And that single sentence changed everything. All around them, the atmosphere snapped taut. Dozens of cosmic experts on Jhett’s side immediately reached for their weapons, their auras flaring as they moved into defensive stances. Spells hovered at the edge of activation, tension rising like a lightning storm about to break. Before anything could erupt, a person burst into the courtyard, one of the defender scouts. "Enemy reinforcements detected—closing in fast!" The commander didn’t flinch. His eyes, however, never left the Supreme. "How many?" "Five peak cosmic signatures... and three godly level beasts." A murmur rippled through the defenders. "They must be the ones who attacked Central Stronghold," said Lord Ariel gravely, stepping up. "It seems they followed us here." Even before the warning finished echoing through the yard, the sound of a distant war horn pierced the air. The signal was unmistakable. Tens of thousands of barbaric forces who had once been in retreat now surged back into formation. "Only five extra cosmic experts... we can handle them," one of Jhett’s captains muttered. But Ariel shook his head grimly. "Unfortunately, I’ve always suspected that one of their dark magus is hiding their true power... a Supreme Being. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be bold enough to pursue us." A glowing rune shimmered on his forehead as he enhanced his divine senses to scan the approaching reinforcements. Veyarel, once part of the enemy ranks, confirmed it with a solemn nod. A single Supreme Being was enough to shift the entire tide of battle. Emery let out a short breath and gave a dry, ironic chuckle. He wasn’t sure whether their timely arrival was a blessing or a curse. One thing, however, became instantly clear: Commander Jhett’s hard stance could no longer hold. The man turned slowly toward the Supreme Magus and said,. "Elder... defend this stronghold. Help us repel this attack—and I will grant you access to the stargate."