It has been two years since Lilia joined our family. I could say that she adapted well to the mansion. She was a good girl. Although clumsy at times, she was a child with a brilliant mind, much like my wife. Perhaps because of this, Luke and everyone quickly warmed up to her after two months. Yet, it took Rick a bit longer to warm up to Lilia. However, because Iris kept emphasizing that Lilia was like her daughter, Rick began to accept Lilia. It was convincing enough because they shared the same hair color, white. After half a year since we welcomed Lilia, everyone has accepted Lilia as a member of our family. For that, I owed a debt of gratitude to Iris. I've noticed that Lilia and Rick have become very close, which has made Luke jealous at times. Another significant change was that I began to spend more time with Iris due to the scheme orchestrated by Lilia and Rick. I could only express my gratitude to them. We sometimes would visit the castle town together. So, the townspeople gradually got to know Lilia and began to adore her, which made me very happy. To think that gloomy child could laugh like that, I could only be grateful to everyone.

  However, the situation in the capital was worrisome. The power struggle became more intense. It had reached the point where the clergy faction refused to rehabilitate the first prince with their divinity. Last year, the emperor had no choice but to send the first prince to the sanctuary, citing the third passage of the ancient law. Many political maneuvers were made during that time, resulting in some bloodshed in the process.

  Another piece of unfortunate news was that ‘that girl’ turned out to be Black. On the outside, she performed admirably as the saintess candidate. She always took care of those around her. Right after her power fully manifested four years ago, she would work tirelessly to perfect her healing art. Then, for a year, she went to do charity work and provide healing aid around the empire, her little pilgrimage, especially in remote areas. Shortly after her return, she was chosen to be the caretaker for the current saintess, who fell ill around six years ago. She would continue to perform her duty whenever she could. If you only looked at this, you would think she was nothing but the perfect candidate for the saintess; no, she was the saintess.

  However, another page of the report showed a troublesome aspect. After the Lilia case, things calmed down a little. However, after that, other candidates began to manifest their power. That was where the strange things happened, and my doubt was confirmed. She would approach outstanding but powerless candidates, and after a while, those candidates would ‘voluntarily’ depart for charity work with her in remote areas. Many would express their withdrawal from the saintess examination after they returned. The only salvation was that no one seemed to lose their lives or suffer great harm. Additionally, she has been receiving ‘offerings’ since the moment she entered the main church. When I dug deeper, I found out that, during her ‘little pilgrimage,’ she had been keeping the ‘offering’ without fail. I visited the main church several times for the annual prayer ceremony. However, I could not find the opportunity to confront her face-to-face, as she seemed to be always busy. I was unable to confirm it in person.

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  The most disturbing information was in the last report. Using all my power, with the emperor’s permission, I found it. Around ten years ago, there was a commission for a drug. It was listed in the Dark Guild for a year before it vanished. We could not track the commissioner. However, we came to learn that the effect of the drug was said to help calm the mind. It was first used to calm the Mad Emperor five hundred years ago and was thereafter strictly managed by the emperors. If so, why did they commission it to the Dark Guild? Later, we found that the commission instructed the alchemist to increase the proportion of Silver Dew Flow. If they consumed that drug in low quantities and at large intervals, its effect is the same as the original drug. However, if they consumed it regularly in large quantities, it would affect the blood flow and slow down the heartbeat. Their body would become weak over time, ultimately leading to death. The victim would never notice it. The worst part was that no potion or divine art could reverse its effect.

  We took notice of this unusual commission due to the resurfacing of the new order some time ago. It was the same commission. However, it requested the alchemist to increase the proportion of Silver Dew Flow further. That was where we began to notice and track down its origin. I could not help but draw the connection to the clergy faction. Even though the timing was a bit off with the illness of the current saintess, I could not deny the possibility. What if they keep it for years after obtaining it to avoid suspicion? I could not help but admire Duke Ellen. His ambition aside, he was a meticulous and thorough man. He would do that to reduce the suspicion. Another factor supporting this hypothesis was the news of the saintess's recovery half a year ago. Why must the same commission be made, but with higher potency? What if the saintess adapted to the old drug and made a recovery, so they had no choice but to increase the potency of the drug? I could not help but arrive at this conclusion.

  However, one thing was clear. I needed to protect Lilia, for she was my daughter. Those priests said that she could potentially become a saintess. What if it were true? The clergy faction would not stand still. I needed to increase the knights around Lilia.

  Yet, I had a feeling that I was overlooking something important. Something felt off about these developments. I could not put it into words. What was it that I was missing?

  “Master? What makes you lose in thought this long?” My thought was cut short by my escort knight. I thought to myself, I needed to teach them better manners after this.

  “Nothing. What is it that you call me?” I angrily asked him back.

  He flinched and then frantically reported back, “Ugh, forgive my rudeness, my lord, but this morning, the headmaid said she would have a picnic with Lady Lilia this afternoon at the hill behind the mansion. If we return now, we can accidentally run into them. You would be late if you delay any longer.”

  After that, I looked at the clock hanging on the wall. It was true that I would be late if I didn’t go now. I took it back. You did a good job. I would give you a huge bonus this month. Keep up the good work.