It has been a month since Aria left to continue her pilgrimage. My recovery was progressing steadily. During that time, the emperor sent many people to supervise my recovery. However, many of them were moles. The situation around me was not good. Nevertheless, because the emperor was closely watching the situation, they did not make any drastic moves. It seemed Aria’s prediction was spot on. Because of this, I could receive news from outside and contact the emperor. I learned about Aria’s pilgrimage. It seemed she downplayed her achievement when she informed me about it. It was really like her. The emperor told me that he has been receiving indirect help from Aria. Apparently, several of his people have received her help. She was preparing for the famine and plague in the near future. He inquired about the truth of famine and plague. To my embarrassment, I could neither confirm nor deny it. For that, I could only trust Aria. At that time, I had a feeling that the emperor would become Aria’s strong supporter. However, at that time, I still could not trust him. After all, he was the emperor, and Aria was Duke Ellon’s daughter. It was well known that the emperor and Duke Ellon had a lot of black blood together.

  Shortly after I received the letter from the emperor, Duke Ellon paid me a visit.

  “It has been a while, Your Holiness.”

  I received his visit while resting on my bed.

  “I pray to the goddess for your glory.”

  “I am delighted to see you in good health.”

  “I am also delighted to see you. However, as you can see, I cannot say that I am in good health. I am still recovering.”

  “Indeed, I pray for your speedy recovery.” Yet, he still maintained his appearance as a devout believer.

  “Thank you. So, what is the purpose of your visit today? You are not here to exchange some pleasant conversation, right?” Thinking back to that time, I was a bit impatient. I asked him about his purpose.

  “It is indeed one of my purposes.” He sternly looked at me.

  “Oh, I am grateful for that. So, what are your other purposes?”

  “It is about Aria. I believe you are informed that she will be one of your new caretakers.” Eyes that could see through the truth, that was how I felt about his eyes when I saw them.

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  I hesitantly answered him. “Yes.”

  “I believe you have already met her.”

  “Yes, I met her. She came to me asking for advice after all.” I subconsciously gave him the truth

  Then he stood up from his chair. “I hoped she did not cause you trouble.”

  Then he sat on the edge of my bed. His eyes did not move from mine.

  “How could she? I find her company very pleasing. I was very happy when I received the news that she would be my caretaker. She is a lovely child.” That was the truth.

  Perhaps he sensed my sincerity in my words; yes, everything was the truth—it truly came from the depths of my heart. After all, he smiled at me. Yet, his smile was genuinely terrifying. I could feel my body begin to sweat.

  “As a father, I am gleeful to hear that.”

  “It seems I will continue to be in your care again. The debt to you is accumulating.” Yes, it was also the truth. Both good and bad debts were accumulating.

  “Ah, no, it is not. Please do not speak like that. It is my duty to support the saintess.” His smile began to deepen.

  “Still, if you need anything, please do not hesitate. With my little power, I will try my best to support you.” My survival instinct told me to please him to survive.

  “You do not have to go that far. Just your thought is enough.” And he sensed my lie as his smile vanished without a trace.

  “……” I looked at him in horror.

  “However, if I may ask, please look after Aria. I wish you could find it in your heart to forgive her for any of her shortcomings.” Then he smiled at me again when he said that. His face was the face of a father. His smile did not scare me. At that time, I felt relieved. I sensed that we passed his test. We survive. We avoid his suspicion.

  “You do not have to be humble. I found that Aria is not lacking. It is the opposite. It seems she had already surpassed me when I was the saintess candidate. You should be proud of her.”

  “I am honored.” He lowered his head to me.

  “I am really grateful that you agreed to send her to me.” I tried to reestablish our conversation.

  “…..” He left his head.

  “It seems that even at the deathbed, I still manage to fulfill my last duty as a saintess.” I tried to meet his eyes.

  “…………….” I could see confusion in his eyes.

  “I was given the opportunity to train my successor after all. It is all thanks to you, Duke Ellon, for sending Aria to me.” It was my sincere thought.

  “…I see. I am honored. Please guide her well.” After a while, he replied. His eyes returned to normal.

  “I will.”

  “I seem to take up too much of your time. Please rest well. We will prepare you a better medicine.” He stood up and walked out.

  “Thank you,” he did not turn back or reply to me.

  The moment he left the room, many deacons and priests came in and stood by inside my room. As I watched them walking around my room, I slowly lost consciousness.

  After our conversation, I noticed that the potency of Silver Daw Flow was reduced. It seemed I managed to buy us more time. It is the little thing I could do to help Aria. That was what I ignorantly thought.