‘I have no choice now but to protect you.’

Biare needed to know everything about Dension, even if he didn’t want it.

She could endure anything, no matter what misfortune it might bring.

Biare bit her pale lips, then lifted her head to look towards the door.

Footsteps echoing from the corridor had stopped in front of Biare’s room.

She didn’t know who it was, but their lingering without knocking felt quite unpleasant.

As she slowly approached to open the door, she heard two knocks, and only then did Biare let out a shallow sigh.

Only Gaizen and the Duke could knock twice on her door in the Ruschef household.

“Sister, it’s me. May I come in?”

“Yes, come in.”

Gaizen hesitated before opening the door, and seemed surprised to find his sister standing at the entrance.

Following her instructions, he sat on the sofa without a word. After a long silence, Biare was the first to break it.

“What brings you here?”

“I heard from Father at dinner. He said there will be a charity event soon.”

Seeing Gaizen’s disgruntled attitude, it seemed he had a big argument with the Duke over this at the dinner table.

Though she had been completely unaware of it, she quickly hid her expression and replied calmly.

“Yes, don’t worry about that.”

Surely if it had been Biare herself, she would have made some preparations for this event by now.

The charity event, held twice a year, was a kind of service for believers and commoners.

It was by no means a simple affair, but thanks to it, the reputation of the Ruschef family was being reassessed.

Knowing Gaizen’s dislike for such events, she had planned to handle it alone.

As it was a task she had been managing for years, it wouldn’t be a great burden for Biare.

Yet he pouted, scratched his head vigorously, and blurted out unexpected words.

“That’s not it… Sister, is something wrong?”

“What do you mean?”

Biare slightly raised her eyebrows in puzzlement, waiting for Gaizen’s answer.

“You’ve looked upset all day. You even forgot to mention the event.”

“It’s not like that, Gaizen.”

“If you don’t want to do it either, I’ll talk to Father.”

Sensing he had seriously misunderstood something, Biare shook her head and stopped his action.

“You don’t need to do that. I’m really fine.”

Thinking her young brother had been watching her throughout dinner, she felt unnecessarily sorry.

“Since Mother passed away, you’ve been obeying Father’s words without question.”

“Well, that’s…”

Biare was at a loss for words at Gaizen’s frank statement.

She thought it was only natural. At least if she could protect them from the sorrow of losing their mother.

Biare gave a slight smile and gently placed her hand on his head, stroking it.

“If it seems too much to handle, I’ll speak to Father myself.”

Though he didn’t seem entirely convinced, Gaizen briefly replied that he understood and returned to his room.

For her, today would remain the most difficult day to endure and a time to remember for the rest of her life.

Realizing something is precious only after it’s gone isn’t because one doesn’t know its value.

It’s because ordinary days seemed so natural that one believed they would last forever.

* * *

After returning to the past, before getting used to her current life, the place Biare visited was the Grand Temple of Tanasha.

This place, worshipping Ekarto, the only god of the Marta Empire, exuded a truly spiritual atmosphere.

The Grand Temple was renowned as the Empire’s premier attraction, a must-visit for foreign guests.

Meticulously crafted beveled glass shone brilliantly, and elaborately carved statues of Ekarto displayed their majesty.

The Ruschef family’s donations likely played the largest role in the lavish reconstruction of the temple.

Biare’s visit today was simply to deliver a donation on behalf of her father, nothing more.

The Archbishop, informed that the Duke’s daughter would visit in place of the busy Duke, ordered the priests to treat her with utmost hospitality.

Biare found it quite ridiculous to see them wagging their tails at her, smelling of money in this sacred place dedicated to god.

Then, a seemingly inexperienced priest asked her clumsily:

“Lady Ruschef. Since you’ve come to the Grand Temple, how about visiting the prayer hall?”

His intention was purely to suggest that she attend the Archbishop’s mass while she was here.

However, seeing the pale faces of the other priests trying to stop him, he could only show a puzzled reaction.

In public, the Ruschef family was firmly perceived as devoutly religious.

The regular charity events and massive donations were likely the reason.

But the reality was different. The Ruschef children were so far from being pious that they even avoided visiting the Grand Temple.

Anyone who had long served in the temple knew this well, but they never openly mentioned it.

The Grand Temple’s prosperity was all thanks to Duke Ruschef’s protection.

Yet, as they worried about facing reprimand from a high-ranking cleric for failing to properly accommodate the Duke’s daughter, she spoke:

“Very well, I shall visit there.”

Seeing the Duke’s daughter unexpectedly accept the suggestion, the priests let out sighs of relief.

As they reached the splendid doors of the prayer hall, they showed an even more refined attitude as they opened the doors for Biare.

The high windows and beveled glass spread across the ceiling vividly revealed the glory of God’s message to them.

The light reflected off the intricately crafted glass was enough to make her eyes naturally squint.

The Archbishop’s mass seemed to have already begun, and Biare found an empty seat.

She simply sat with her hands folded and eyes closed, like the other believers.

Biare found it as difficult to understand how they found peace of mind as her brother did.

However, she wasn’t expressing her discomfort as directly as Gaizen.

Just a short while ago, she had earnestly prayed to God Ekarto, but no one had taken her hand.

What saved Dension was solely her own ability, and this was the path to prove his new life.

“Today, we shall pray to Lord Ekarto who has gifted us with new life. May we always receive Lord Ekarto’s protection.”

While Biare was lost in thought, the Archbishop’s prepared mass had ended, and the believers were leaving the prayer hall after a light bow.

She too rose from her seat, smoothed her crumpled skirt, and slowly approached the pulpit where the Archbishop stood.

“I greet the prophet of Lord Ekarto.”

“If it isn’t Lady Ruschef. It’s been a very long time.”

She found it absurd to see the Archbishop feigning surprise at her arrival when he must have already heard from the Duke.

‘Is this how one sits in the Archbishop’s seat?’

Seeing him unchanged from before to now, Biare lost her words and resolved to quickly make the donation and return to the Duke’s residence.

“Please use this to guide those believers who have not yet reached God’s side.”

Though her words suggested so, she guessed that this donation too would pile up in their coffers like the offerings of other believers.

“Of course. We will ensure that the poor believers who have not yet received God’s grace can stay by His side.”

The Archbishop gently fingered the thick envelope he hadn’t even opened, unable to hide the rising corners of his mouth.

Thinking she could finally return to the mansion, she wore a brief, gentle smile.

Just as she was about to instruct her escort knight to prepare for departure, it happened.

“Archbishop, how about giving a blessing to Lady Ruschef?”

The voice of the naive priest echoed through the Grand Temple, reaching the ears of other believers.

As word spread that the Archbishop would bless the Duke’s daughter, attention focused from all around.

To think she’d have to receive a blessing on top of visiting the prayer hall.

She clicked her tongue, thinking that priest would need to be re-educated.

Biare smoothed her slightly furrowed brow and looked at the Archbishop. He too looked visibly flustered.

As their eyes met, the Archbishop cleared his throat a couple of times, and a waiting priest took the donation and scripture from him.

With his arms free, the Archbishop once again put on a kind smile and politely bowed to Biare.

“May I offer you a blessing, my lady?”

“With the Archbishop’s protection, it would be an unparalleled honor.”

Saying so, Biare followed the Archbishop’s instructions and raised her open palms over her chest.

“I pray in God’s name that blessings and prosperity be with you.”

After the blessing, the Archbishop transmitted a warm, shapeless energy onto her palms.

It was the holy power she had heard about.

However, the holy power lingered briefly around Biare before being repelled and disappearing.

Though invisible to others, Biare also noticed this unusual occurrence.

The Archbishop, his face momentarily hardened, tried to infuse the holy power several times.

But his repeated attempts continued to fail, and he finally swallowed dryly and muttered.

“May this young and pitiful believer be freed from the shackles of bondage.”

Then, as if nothing had happened, he gave a light bow and abruptly left the prayer hall.

Resolving not to interfere in anything.