“Bishop, what is the meaning of this?”
As the host of the evening banquet, Moria was naturally the first to receive news of these uninvited guests’ arrival in Dolun City.
She did not have much of a reaction, but when these people entered the hall, she chose to voice her displeasure in a dissatisfied tone, addressing their nominal leader, Bishop Sherman.
Then, her gaze turned to the true commander of these Church troops, the most distinguished guest at this banquet—the long-silent Imperial Princess, Lisette.
“Miss Delan, an outstanding Healer deserves more honor and reward. True talent should be respected and praised at the highest level. Of this truth, I think no one understands it better than you, the host of this very banquet.”
Sherman paid no heed to Moria’s angry reaction.
His eyes were already fixed on Flora, who stood below the stage.
Without a word from him, the priests of the Clergy who had not yet left, along with the newly arrived Church soldiers, took it upon themselves to gather around her, isolating Flora from Elka and the others nearby.
“Miss Flora emerald, the Empire’s newest Baron, please take the stage once again. His Majesty has sent me to present you with a gift.”
As he finished speaking, this group of people, as if they were puppets, gestured with a uniform invitation of “please”.
Upon witnessing this, Moria’s expression turned ashen.
She looked at Sherman, then at Lisette.
Such an unexpected development greatly displeased her, a person who valued planning and overall control.
Meanwhile, Elka, who sat with Flora, had never once glanced at the crowd.
She simply held Flora’s hand and calmly nibbled on her tea snacks.
If Moria were to give the order, Elka would not hesitate to cause an uproar and turn this place upside down.
There were already murmurs throughout the hall; such a sudden situation was clearly beyond the expectations of any other attendee present.
For the vast majority, the only thing worth their attention tonight was Flora—the star of the banquet who was about to be conferred the title of Baron.
Everything else was trivial by comparison.
To engage in socializing at a banquet with other guests?
In a city troubled by demons, such a thing was obviously unwise.
Even if it risked damaging their relationship with Moria, most nobles were already searching for excuses to leave early.
But now, because of this abrupt turn of events, everyone tacitly chose to stay behind and see how things would unfold.
And with such an opportunity delivered right to her doorstep, how could Flora possibly let it slip by?
She ignored the crowd, her gaze never once falling on the Bishop or the Princess.
Instead, she gently freed her hand from Elka’s grip, stood up, looked to Moria, and called out in a voice loud enough for all to hear, anxiety tinging her words:”Moria?”
A bishop’s invitation, an order in the Emperor’s name—so what?
Flora Emerald belonged to the Emerald Heart, belonged to Moria…
Since a certain someone was so eager for her resistance, she would gladly use that logic to place Moria right on the spot.
At the sound of her own name, Moria’s expression softened somewhat.
She scanned the room, then turned back to Flora, her gaze still gentle, absent of any anger.
“Since it is His Majesty’s grace, you should accept it with gratitude. There’s no need for your captain to instruct you. Go on up.”
With that, she spared not a glance at Flora, whose expectations had been dashed, and walked straight toward the Princess seated at the other end of the hall.
Seeing her approach, Lisette also rose from her chair.
She had no intention of having a face-to-face conversation with Moria while seated.
Smiling to her attendant at her side, she said: “Liz, let’s go on stage with Flora as well. Since both Father and the Bishop have prepared a gift for her, I can’t be left behind.”
Saying this, she moved toward Flora.
“Your Highness, you flatter me with such words,” said Moria, her tone slightly uneasy.
Nor did Moria intend to give Lisette a chance to avoid her.
By striking up conversation first, she left the Princess no choice but to pause and meet her gaze, compelled by noble etiquette.
Lisette did not answer aloud, but instead sent her reply using a mind-link spell.
“Don’t worry. The royal gift matches your expectations.”
“I don’t need it,” Moria replied coldly in her heart, making her rejection and displeasure clear. Lisette just grinned.
“It’s not up to you.”
She responded triumphantly.
With that, their conversation—meaningless to all others—ended.
Lisette, walking with a slight spring in her step, brushed past Moria and came to Flora, who was feigning nervous hesitation.
Seeing her approach, Elka relaxed her guard, deliberately moving away from Flora and over to Tatasimi’s side.
Since Moria made no move to stop her, Elka had no intention of interfering.
Lisette was quite satisfied with the Elven lady’s tact.
She stepped up to Flora and graciously took both her hands in her own.
“Baron Flora.”
Her voice was intentionally intimate.
Her stance was now unmistakably one of rivalry with Moria.
The sharper-witted among the other guests immediately realized: the latter half of this banquet had become a battle of wits and influence between the head of the Imperial nobility and the second most powerful noble.
They all took the hint, and their anticipation for this unfolding drama grew.
Such an atmosphere was exactly what Lisette desired.
Seeing Flora still putting on a nervous facade, her eyes grew more amused.
“Don’t be afraid. Following the rules can see you safely through certain challenges, but those who dare to embrace change often find greater opportunities. Besides, as Bishop Sherman said, this reward was prepared for you by Father himself.”
The Princess had already reached a clear conclusion about Flora’s true identity in her heart.
But as the heir apparent, she naturally did not appreciate Flora using the royal family to put Moria on the spot.
Even so, that slight resentment was nothing compared to the admiration and interest she felt for Flora.
“Before Father’s reward is announced, let me first tell you what gift I’ve prepared. Maybe it’ll help you relax a bit.”
“Your Highness, my respect and devotion to you and His Majesty, my loyalty to the Empire, and the honor I place on this barony—none of this requires any further bestowal…”
Flora was unsure whether such developments were a blessing or a curse, but she was fluent enough in polite words.
Lisette, however, was in no mood for such hollow pleasantries.
“Modesty is good, but you shouldn’t refuse your reward. Or… are you dissatisfied with me?”
That was enough to silence Flora.
But she still stubbornly cast another anxious glance at Moria, trying her hardest to present herself as someone fiercely loyal to the Duchess’s daughter, yet slightly lacking in deference toward the royal family.
Only then did she softly reply: “I wouldn’t dare.”
“No—you would.”
That line, sent through the mind-link spell, made Flora’s hard-won, triumphant smile slip past her defenses, letting Lisette see it clear as day.
The Princess’s eyes sparkled with delight.
She really did dislike that wretched woman.
Flora was exactly to her taste.
She wondered if there were any other qualities about her that might pique her interest.
“I grant you permission to enter the Imperial Magic Academy as a student for further study…”
“Ah?”
Flora blinked in confusion.
She did want to grow closer to other nobles, including the Princess, to open up more opportunities for herself.
But she had not imagined she’d be sent off to study at the Imperial Academy.
Wasn’t this development a little odd?
“Of course, this isn’t really much of a reward. But as a member of the nobility, a Baron should mingle more with her peers at the Academy.”
Lisette paused.
This was a condition she had worked out with Moria, originally meant to be proposed as part of the reward.
But now, she had more in mind.
“And the true reward I have for you is the privilege of free access to the royal palace.”
An uproar swept through the guests.
This was not a right possessed by ordinary nobles.
It could hardly be called a “reward”—it meant that Flora was now truly regarded by the royal family as a talent recommended under the sponsorship system.
In other words, if Moria wanted Flora to become a real Baron, Lisette would ensure that her status was genuine beyond all doubt, elevating her directly to the status of a royal beneficiary.
It wasn’t just Moria and her two companions— even Liz, the palace guard walking with them, nearly stumbled in shock.
“Your Highness, isn’t this…”
She wanted to advise against such rashness.
But seeing Lisette’s utterly unruffled expression, she understood at once: this was the Princess’s firm decision.
So she held her tongue.
As the central figure of this event, Flora was at a loss.
“This…”
She felt more and more as if events were spiraling completely out of control.
“With this privilege, I would like to invite you to be my study companion and instructor. Don’t underestimate yourself; as a Healer and mentor, you are more than qualified. And I’ll just happen to be studying at the Academy as well…”
Lisette glanced at the assembled crowd.
“Why are you all so surprised? Do you doubt that Baron Flora is worthy of this responsibility?”
She raised her voice on purpose, hoping to catch a glimpse of Moria’s now “wonderful” expression.
But all she saw was the same grim look as before—quickly smoothing into an infuriatingly knowing smile, as if everything was proceeding exactly as she had planned.
Lisette frowned.
Did Moria truly just want to make Flora the center of attention—was her goal really that simple?
“But I’m an adventurer…” Flora tried to object.
Her instincts told her that being so close to the royal family was no good thing.
Moria was like a dragon’s lair—a dangerous presence that made her deeply uncomfortable.
If the royal family was anything, it was surely a tiger’s den.
Her dislike for Moria and her urge to escape did not mean she wanted to leap from the frying pan into the fire, flinging herself into another, deeper quagmire.
That would be the worst possible outcome.
Besides, she understood very clearly that, no matter how these nobles schemed and competed at the banquet, they were, in the end, all members of the Empire’s ruling class, and their interests were fundamentally aligned.
That meant they would never be in true, irreconcilable conflict.
Lisette’s earlier words had already revealed as much.
Though she called Moria “that wretched woman” at every turn, she would still choose to cooperate.
Most unsettling of all, at this moment, was Moria’s expression—one that clearly showed she was not only unbothered by this development, but even slightly pleased.
Which could only mean that if Flora accepted Lisette’s proposal without resistance, she would be walking further and further along Moria’s path.
That was not the outcome she wanted.
“It’s alright, you don’t need to worry.The royal family also intends to form an adventurer party, and I’ll probably be the leader. When the time comes, I’ll need the help of you and Lady Ya’er.And as an adventurer, your freedom of action will remain. I’m only granting you this right—I never said you must stay in the palace at all times.”
Lisette finished speaking and paused.
They had already reached the stage together.
Flora now had no way to refuse.
“Bishop Sherman, you said that His Majesty and the Church had prepared a reward for Baron Flora. Let’s reveal it now.”
Once Lisette seized control of the proceedings, the banquet—regardless of who had organized it—became her domain.
Flora understood this now.
Receiving Lisette’s order, Bishop Sherman looked to the crowd and announced in a clear, resonant voice: “The Clergy worships the Goddess, spreads Her message of compassion, and shares Her healing light.”
For thousands of years, we have all basked in Her divine radiance.
“Only those who believe in the Goddess may wield the holy light, to heal broken bodies and protect themselves.”
Bishop Sherman, like a pious devotee, spread his arms wide, proclaiming the Church’s doctrine.
The priests and Church soldiers all stood solemnly.
Others present who shared belief in the Goddess wore equally serious expressions.
Soon, the Bishop turned his gaze to Flora.
His calm, slightly expectant eyes made her deeply uncomfortable.
“Miss Flora emerald, the healing you performed—I can state plainly, before everyone here—that was a spark of the Goddess’s own divine light.”
This pronouncement was so shocking that not a sound could be heard in the entire hall.
Such was the power of religion.
Flora had never imagined she would be caught up in such troublesome matters.
To explain her healing techniques with Church doctrine?
No, this turn of events was terrifying.
Compared to the Church, the privileges of nobility were gentle indeed.
She had no wish to be burned at the stake, and even less for others to invoke her name in the persecution of “heretics”.
But she found herself unable to speak.
Moria did not want her to say a word at this moment.
Her worst fears had come true—this was all still within that woman’s calculations.
She closed her eyes.
She waited silently for Bishop Sherman’s “reward”—a verdict passed down like a sentence.
“His Majesty believes you deserve greater reward and higher honor, and that you should shoulder greater responsibilities.A Baron’s title affirms your ability, but such an affirmation is far too modest.”
Bishop Sherman spoke as the leader of the Church troops stepped forward, holding a finely crafted wooden box and walking toward the stage.
“Therefore, I came here today with a purpose: to conduct an evaluation of Miss Flora Emerald. The results need no further explanation.I hereby announce to all present that she shall become the Church’s Saintess—my successor.”
Sherman opened the wooden box, revealing within a platinum laurel crown—the symbol of the Church’s supreme authority.
Without hesitation, he placed it on Flora’s head.
Only then did the hall begin to stir again.
It was the sound of the guests, stunned beyond belief by this incredible announcement, whispering in disbelief.