Chapter 48: Warcraft

“If you truly want to become stronger, then becoming a believer in the Goddess of Hope is undoubtedly the best choice. To obtain a blessing, the most important thing is to have faith, followed by performing a sacrificial ritual. The offering can be anything, as long as it satisfies the Goddess.”

In front of the dressing table in the bedroom, Miya, who had just finished her bath, was having her hair maintained by Nasha. The words Isaiah had spoken a few days ago still echoed in her mind.

Of the two conditions, she had already satisfied the first.

Having lived in the monastery for many years, she had long been familiar with the deeds of the Goddess. Grandma Maan often taught her to be grateful for every miracle that occurred, as they were the results of the Goddess’s protection. Miya even believed that meeting Roland was due to the help of the Goddess of Hope.

But she didn’t have a single clue about the second condition.

What kind of thing would satisfy the Goddess?

Food? Wealth? Or her only treasures?

Sensing Miya’s restlessness, Nasha asked with concern, “Miss Miya, is something troubling you?”

The notebook on the table rose into the air and floated in front of Nasha. A pen slowly wrote a few words on it: ‘What does the Goddess like?’

“So you’re worried about that. But why? I’ve never heard of the Goddess having specific preferences. If I had to say, it would probably just be world peace.”

Miya puffed out her cheeks, looking like a hamster with its mouth full of nuts. Her sharp gaze stabbed at Nasha like wooden skewers, making her afraid to look directly back.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not lying to you.”

Realizing she was indeed telling the truth, Miya’s spirit deflated.

World peace — something like that was obviously impossible to achieve. How could she do it alone?

Suddenly, Nasha seemed to think of something and said, “Maybe the Goddess likes to see people doing good deeds?”

Doing good deeds.

Miya also thought it was possible, but to what extent would the Goddess like it?

At night, Miya lay on her side in bed with this question. Because she was used to Roland’s company, she would subconsciously try to hug the space beside her, only to find it empty every time.

She had been used to being alone at the monastery; as long as she closed her eyes, the moon would disappear.

But ever since her mother left, Miya felt like the moon moved so slowly, and during the day, she felt like the sun hung in the sky for too long.

‘Why can’t time pass faster…’

‘I want to see Mama soon…’

Snowflakes drifted outside the window. A single tear escaped the corner of the sleeping girl’s eye, trailing down her cheek like a falling star and soaking the soft wool pillow.

By the time the sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, turning into straight lines of light, Miya felt as if a long time had passed.

She felt a bit strange, yet she couldn’t say exactly what was off until she looked at the curtains that hadn’t been drawn open. Then she realized the problem.

Where was Nasha?

This was the first time Miya hadn’t been woken up by Nasha. Although Nasha had been letting her sleep a bit longer lately, she would still come in to clean.

An ominous premonition surged in her heart, just like before when she was at home and suddenly felt that her mother was in danger.

Miya quickly got out of bed to look for her maid. Coming to the stairs, she could see the servants through the railing below. They were all flustered, their faces filled with anxiety. Even the butler, whom she remembered as mature and steady, had his brow furrowed.

Nasha spotted Miya in the crowd and ran over to explain the situation. “Miss Miya, magic beasts have appeared in the village. Graham has already taken the soldiers to fight. We must evacuate to the town first.”

Magic beasts?

Miya remembered the terrifying creatures from her picture books. They had massive bodies and sharp fangs, capable of crushing a human’s head in a single bite.

If there was anyone who could defeat magic beasts, Miya believed only that person was her mother.

But if she could defeat the magic beasts herself, wouldn’t that prove her current strength?

And this was her home. If her mother came back and saw the home destroyed, she would surely be very sad.

With that realization, Miya wrote in the notebook she carried: ‘I want to fight.’

“Fight?! You want to fight magic beasts? No, no, absolutely not! Miss Roland will kill me!”

‘I can use magic. I can help Graham.’

“That’s still a no!” Even so, Nasha couldn’t agree. She had long since regarded Miya as being just as important as Roland. How could she watch her go to her death?

Miya didn’t listen and insisted on fighting the magic beasts. Nasha could only tell Sebas about the situation and let him make the decision.

“Miss Miya, if you told Miss Roland about this request, what do you think her answer would be?”

‘Mama wouldn’t agree.’

“Even if it goes against her wishes, you still want to do this?”

Miya nodded, her eyes determined.

After a moment of silence, Sebas finally relented. “Very well.”

“How can you agree too?!” Nasha had thought she was bringing in reinforcements, but it turned out he was on Miya’s side.

Sebas explained, “With Isaiah and Graham there, Miss Miya’s own strength is enough to protect herself. Even if she can’t kill the magic beasts, she can at least escape alive.”

“How can you be so sure?! What if Miya dies! She’s only 12 years old — why does she have to face these things?”

“Nasha, people have to grow up eventually. We are only servants. Our sole mission is to offer our loyalty to our master, draw a clear line, and understand our own responsibilities. This is something a butler must understand.”

Nasha clenched her fists, her expression full of powerlessness.

Yes, she was just a servant. How could she overstep her bounds and make decisions for her master… even if it meant watching Miya walk toward death?

Complex emotions whirled in her mind. Nasha remembered when Lord Rhodes had saved her when she was starving and gave her her current job, allowing her to serve Miss Roland from a young age.

‘Are you the maid Papa talked about? My name is Roland, Roland like the violet. We’ll be good friends from now on.’

She didn’t want to disappoint that kind Miss Roland, and even more, she didn’t want Miya to attempt something impossible.

But what else could she do?

The only thing she could do was pray to the Goddess of Hope, begging for a miracle and for Miya to be granted the power to eliminate the magic beasts.

“At least… let me go with you.”

—

Roland and her group walked up the long spiral staircase, gradually approaching the third floor.

Since it was a long journey, Roland asked Leonora about the question she hadn’t finished asking the night before. “If we conquer the Anidis Labyrinth, what do you want to do next?”

Leonora said in a flat tone, “I’ll go back and tell my father all of my thoughts. Whether he supports or opposes them, I’ll accept it.”

“Don’t you hate political marriages?”

“The things you can’t escape must be faced in the end. But I will make one request: to go to the magic academy in the capital to study magic. If I can achieve success within a set amount of time, I won’t accept the marriage. If I can’t learn anything, then I’ll accept the arrangement.”

“You’ve grown up,” Roland said with relief.

“If it weren’t for your help, I might still be unwilling to face reality even now.”

“Then call me Mama?”

“No.”

After finally finishing the climb, when the four of them reached the third floor, an arched stone gate large enough for a carriage to pass through stood before them. Beneath their feet was a non-reflective lake surface, ripples spreading with every step they took.

Royce walked to the front and pressed his hand against the door. “I’m opening it.”

With that, he pushed the stone door open with force, and the scene inside was revealed.