I think I should also tell you about the aftermath.

  After that accident, everything we built in the North was reduced to ash. As everyone's attention was drawn to the North, we had to withdraw everything from there. Everything that was connected to us, the guild, the welfare facility, the new crop experiment, the sellsword company, and many more, was either utterly destroyed or abandoned. The only saving grace was the previous investment made by Marquise Larose. Only at that point did we realize that our last blunder in communication was a blessing in disguise, a gift from the goddess to us.

  However, the research facility was moved to the East. We halted the supply of Holy Water to the North. Fortunately, we finished distributing the food and medicine supply to the North.

  However, according to Aria, we were running behind schedule. I, too, felt that we were late. We had to rush our preparation.

  The East, under the closed grip of Marquise Larose, was fortified more than enough for the resurrection of the demon king. For the Central, albeit lagging behind, preparations were on schedule. The imperial family, although weakening, had solidified its power base. They became unshakable. About the domains that fell prey to Duke Ellon, we could leave them to their own fate. After all, from the very beginning, we could not help them.

  Regarding the South, we have decided to re-prioritize it. We could not sit idle anyway. For the time being, we choose to move the sellsword to the South. Under Paul’s direction, they would go around and tine out the monster in the South. So, when the demon king’s resurrection arrived, the monster rampage would be manageable. The damage there would be minimized. We also sent some of them to the West for a similar purpose. Count Issac took it upon himself to oversee it. He even contributed some of his assets to the cause.

  We were also informed that Duke Willlow also caught wind of our movement. He has been preparing for the future in his own way. That development alleviated a significant portion of Aria's mental burden. And it was also because of this development that I decided to try to bring him into our group. As for the result… You should have already known. That was also my biggest blunder. I am nothing but a failure. I always fail both of you.

  Yet, the North, which would bear the full might of the demon king army and Duke Ellon’s, was left exposed, unattained. That was our primary concern. We knew that the moment the North fell, hell would be unleashed everywhere. We would lose this war. Because of this, we had no choice but to allow Aria to take that extreme measure.

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  As for Aria, she shut herself in her room again after that incident. She stayed up late for nearly two months. Although we tried our best to stop her, she did not listen to us. She held herself in her room in the Saintess Candidate Hall for several days multiple times. Paul and I tried to stop her numerous times. However, I could not enter her quarter, as my movement was restricted, and Paul was unable to enter the Saintess Candidate Hall due to the new rule. Your brother also could not stop her, as he was kicked out after sunset.

  Maria, who was the closest to Aria at that time, was the one who told us about her activities after sunset. She and Anna took turns assisting Aria every day. She also made many attempts to stop Aria. But it was no use. Do you know, Lucy? At that time, I did not know the real reason as they refused to speak. However, Maria and Anna came to me while crying.

  Apparently, they tried to reassure Aria about the recent development, but it was them who were reassured. And they learned about Aria's attempt to use her own blood in the detoxification of monster blood and the refinement of monster materials.

  At that time, Aria did not tell us. Thinking of that point, I really hate myself. Only after she finished her research did she inform us about it. Apparently, Aria came close to killing herself due to excessive blood loss. It was my own incompetence.

  As you may know, the result of her experience was a great success. We had to rely on her sacrifice even now. I genuinely wish we could find the alternative. We should have stopped her, yet we know it was necessary, and we could not turn back. It has become our trump card, our backbone, our means to resist Duke Ellon and the demon king. We can only blame myself for my incompetence.

  Your mother also took time to make Holy Water. I almost forgot to mention. Because of his son’s behavior, the main church took it as an insult. They felt that Duke Melbon was making light of them. So, all the support from the main church was terminated indefinitely. They even ensured that the Holy Water on the black market would not flow into the North. We became the sole source of Holy Water for the North. That too faced many challenges as they closely monitored our distribution route. As they tighten the supply route, we judge that we only have a month or so to prepare for them. That was why Aria and I worked our best to make the marbled Holy Water. Only Aria and I could do it at that time. It was much later that Anna confessed to me that Aria depleted her divinity pool almost every day.

  We had to suffer that enormous setback, and your mother had to harm herself because of that mad beast. So, Lucy, you should not go easy on Duke Melbon and his son.

  And you know, Lucy? Because of this, Paul and I ignorantly decided to recall some of my trusted people back in secret. We tried to increase our hand.

  That rash decision also triggered another misfortune.

  We received the news of the assassination of your granduncle, High Priest Leon.