Hearing Alice's loud shout, the High Priest's just-relaxed expression instantly turned alarmed. His superior was loudly and directly called by her name in her own territory, even if it wouldn't lead to immediate dismissal, if anything was said to the Pope afterwards, it was very possible that he could be recalled by a papal decree just like his predecessor. Thinking this, the High Priest couldn't help but shiver, standing up alongside the Holy Knight Captain—the most severely bribed Inquisitor had already fainted on the couch—with a facade of toughness but inner timidity.

"Who?!"

No one could answer the High Priest, the people inside the room just looked at each other, and after a moment of silence, the High Priest and Holy Knight Captain, as if competing to flatter, scrambled towards the door. However, Yissy, already knowing the identity of the visitor from the Omniscient Map, waved her hand to stop them.

"Wait, no need to bother, let's continue with our previous conversation."

"Bishop, this is disrespectful to you, we can't let her get away with it."

"If we pretend we didn't hear, these troublemakers will only get more arrogant."

Facing the two's flushed and agitated speeches, Yissy felt a bit helpless. Alice had the backing of being a duke's daughter, so even if she shouted the bishop's name in the temple, at most she would be scolded by the duke, who would then send some gifts as compensation to herself. It was unlikely anything would really be done to Alice unless Duke Wadsworth was a cold and ceremonious person. And if that were the case, Alice's return tonight might involve more than just a scolding.

In any case, for someone who didn't care about reputation, neither outcome was a loss. If anything, it was just regrettable that the favors previously sold were wasted for nothing.

"Miss Alice, you can't enter this room!"

"Why can't I enter, are you trying to cover for Yissy Enya?"

"Alice, you're going a bit too far."

"I know sister, but that person not only threatened me but also had her companion point a staff at my face. If this gets out, it will damage the Wadsworth family's reputation."

"I let you out after hearing the whole story. Father entrusted me with the task of keeping a close eye on you, not letting you run off. When you go back today don't tell father that I brought you to temple."

"Hehe, sister Cynthia is the best."

Is there another person besides Alice?

The female voice from outside the door slightly surprised Yissy. Although she had already noticed this person's presence from the Omniscient Map, she hadn't expected her to be so young—the Omniscient Map showed the person to be level 37, but from the voice just now, she seemed to be only around 25 years old, a considerable talent even among geniuses.

Before Yissy could gather more information, the room's door was violently pushed open from the outside. The "bang" made the High Priest and Holy Knight Captain feel as if the door had hit their faces rather than the wall. However, when they saw the person who entered, their faces turned from flushed to pale.

The High Priest's stern expression gradually softened, but the softened expression wasn't good; it was as if he had eaten something he shouldn't have, his gaze first landing on Alice, then lingering on the girl named Cynthia.

"The... the kingdom's flower... Miss Cynthia..."

As for Alice, she just stared blankly at the High Priest, Holy Knight Captain, and the Inquisitor fainted on the couch in front of her. Anyone could see that the situation was very serious, and Alice, who had been particularly brash just moments before, suddenly looked like she had caused trouble, involuntarily swallowing.

"Uncle Bud, Uncle Bowen... why are you all here?"

As the daughter of a noble family from the Royal Capital, Alice often saw these three men at various events, and every time she was sick or injured, she received personal treatment from the High Priest. On the list of [Absolutely Do Not Ruin Relations] given by Duke Wadsworth, these three men's names were included.

What Alice didn't know was that the High Priest felt the same way. They often received thank-you gifts from the Wadsworth family, nominally for taking care of Alice, but anyone who had seen those jewels and pearls from the far north would not consider these gifts mere thank-yous. The value clearly implied something more, and if these gifts were made public, Evelyn's decree would reach their hands.

In other words, both parties were in an extremely awkward situation.

The room was dead silent.

Sweating, Alice instinctively leaned towards her sister behind her, trying to force a smile.

"Ha, ahaha... sorry, Uncle Bud, Uncle Bowen, I accidentally went the wrong way..."

"Ah, I thought so, little Alice must have made a mistake." The High Priest walked down from the platform, then turned to glare at Cynthia behind Alice, "Cynthia too, running around with Alice, if Duke Wadsworth finds out, Alice will definitely get a beating again."

"No, it's not, it was me who insisted on running out, it has nothing to do with sister Cynthia" because the High Priest and Holy Knight Captain's bulky bodies were blocking the door, Alice hadn't noticed the other people in the room, "Uncle Bud, do you know someone named Yissy Enya came to the temple?"

"Uh, why is Alice asking about this?"

"Just now, someone named Yissy Enya threatened and intimidated me, saying they would come to your temple. I want Cynthia sister to teach her a lesson—Uncle Bud, why are you blinking so much?"

If the atmosphere flowing in the room was merely silent before, now it was awkward enough to drip water. The High Priest and Holy Knight Captain only wished they could immediately become fools, so they could at least use [possessed by a demon at that time] as an excuse to evade punishment from the Ymir Diocese.

"Ho ho ho, I kindly helped you back then, and now you come to bite us back. Humans are always so fickle." Edith, who had no intention of getting up from the couch, sipped her tea while mocking, "Yissy Enya is right in front of you, how does it feel?"

"Vampire?" The girl named Cynthia frowned, "Why would a vampire appear in the temple?"

"Ah, sister! That's the person I was looking for! It was her and the blonde human woman next to her who threatened me."

If I endure any longer, I'll be finished.

With such a mindset, the High Priest painfully closed his eyes and slowly announced.

"That is our newly appointed cardinal, Lady Yissy Enya..."

◇◇◇

"I'm very sorry, Lady Yissy Enya, Alice has caused you trouble."

With flawlessly perfect movements, the girl named Cynthia respectfully bowed to Yissy. After the High Priest explained Yissy's identity to Alice and Cynthia, the Duke of Wadsworth also arrived. In front of Yissy, the Duke of Wadsworth forced the story out of Alice's mouth, scolded Alice mercilessly, and left behind harsh words [I'll deal with her when we get home] as an apology on behalf of Alice.

"I failed in my discipline, I never thought Alice would dare to trouble the bishop. I will definitely teach her a lesson when we get back, so she won't dare to do it again. Please, bishop, don't take it to heart. If you don't mind, please visit our home when you have time. My wife and I will treat you well as a way to express the duke's family's apology."

Seemingly a very protective man, yet he understands etiquette quite well?

Yissy couldn't help feeling a bit surprised. When she saw the Duke of Wadsworth, adorned with medals on his armor, arriving, she thought the Duke of Wadsworth would believe Alice's words and accuse her right away. Instead, he did the opposite and slapped Alice, leaving five red fingerprints on Alice's cute face without showing any mercy.

He really doesn't know how to cherish beauty. Having such a cute daughter, if it were me, I would spoil her so much I'd even want to pluck the moon from the sky for her.

With a smile, Yissy generously replied.

"It's okay, Alice is at the age where being mischievous is natural, and it's very cute."

"But she is my daughter, and I will not allow my daughter to lack manners and shame. Thank you, bishop, for your tolerance." Wadsworth turned to Alice, who had just been trying to smile apologetically, and switched to a fierce look as if he could hit someone at any moment, "Aren't you going to apologize to the bishop? Sneaking off to the outskirts of the city and mixing with the refugees, and then accusing the bishop of threatening you. If you weren't my daughter, I would send you to jail right now."

"Wuu... wuu... so-sorry..."

With her hands covering her reddened face, Alice, hiding in Cynthia's embrace, apologized to Yissy with a crying voice. Her cute cheeks were covered in tears, and the half of her face that was hit was swollen.

Yikes... If I had known the Duke of Wadsworth was going to slap Alice, I would have stopped him. Treating it as a family matter and just watching was a wrong choice.

"And Cynthia too, I told you to watch Alice, and you ended up causing trouble with her. Do you still deserve the title of the kingdom's flower?"

"That's a name others gave me, not something I wanted."

Although she looks like a very gentle big sister on the outside, she's actually quite rebellious, huh?

Yissy sized up Cynthia. Compared to the lively Alice, Cynthia gave off a gentle, girl-next-door big sister vibe. Of course, this was just the appearance. In reality, Cynthia had her own style. Yissy always felt that battle attire suited Cynthia better than long dresses, the current look felt somewhat out of place.

The Duke of Wadsworth hesitated.

"You—forget it, I'll find you a husband in a few days. After you're married, you won't be so unruly."

"I'll only marry someone who can defeat me."

"Didn't you learn your lesson after breaking His Majesty's bones last time!"

"He's still following me around like a dog, so annoying."

It seems this kingdom's flower is more difficult to deal with than I imagined. If possible, it's best not to get involved with her.

Letting this father and daughter continue would be endless, so Yissy proactively changed the subject.

"Duke of Wadsworth, may we talk for a moment?"

The Duke of Wadsworth stopped lecturing Cynthia, turned around, cleared his throat, and asked.

"Hmm? What does the bishop want to talk about?"

"It's something I'd rather not too many people know about. High Priest, please take your people and leave."

"Onee-sama, I'll also take Mary and the others to tidy up the rooms. The continuous month of rain will make the guest rooms damp. If we don't take care of it beforehand, the smell will be terrible."

"Okay, thank you, Camilla."

Camilla probably realized that if there were too many people present, the duke might find it difficult to speak. Such a considerate sister.

When only Yissy, Laxy, and the three from the Duke of Wadsworth's family were left in the room, the stagnant air began to flow again.

Sitting face to face with Yissy, the Duke of Wadsworth smiled, his face full of admiration.

"Long before I met you, I heard rumors among the people that the new cardinal of the Ymir Church is not only young but also very friendly. Today, upon meeting you, it is indeed the case. Bishop, you look even younger than my fourth daughter, Cynthia, yet you have already become a cardinal. The Ymir territory is truly a land full of talents."

With an assessing gaze, Duke Wadsworth straightened his body and scrutinized Yissy.

"I can feel an undeniable power emanating from you, bishop. It might be a bit presumptuous to ask, but what is your current strength..."

"The strength of our Lord is something even I cannot fathom."

"Well, my strength is probably about the same as Laxy's. In terms of combat skills and swordsmanship, I'm not as good as Laxy."

Of course, I couldn't possibly tell Wadsworth that I'm level 427. It's not that I don't want to disclose it, but Wadsworth wouldn't believe it anyway. It's easier to just throw out a number and save a lot of trouble.

"Is this... an angel?"

For some reason, upon seeing the wings behind Laxy, Wadsworth's expression became extremely complicated, as if he was struggling to make a decision.

"God-made angel Trino model number 10043, Laxysphania."

"So it really is a genuine angel."

Wadsworth's expression gradually turned bitter. The kingdom's nobility had believed that angels would not appear within the kingdom's borders, which is why they agreed to the deal with the divine church. Yet, here he was, having just finished meeting with them, and now he sees an angel, as if it was fated by God to hand the angel over to the divine church.

And it's in the hands of the Ymir Church, no less.

Just like the kingdom and the empire are at odds, the Ymir Church and the divine church are incompatible, even more fiercely so. If the kingdom openly took the angel from the Ymir bishop's hands, it would be siding with the divine church. With the kingdom's current power, it would be akin to seeking death.

This matter must be reported to His Majesty upon his return.

"Duke Wadsworth, Duke Wadsworth?"

"Ah" Yissy's voice brought Duke Wadsworth back to reality, "Sorry, I was lost in thought. What did you say just now, bishop?"

"When I entered the city, I saw many refugees living near the city walls. With that scale, if dissatisfaction accumulates to a certain extent, something the kingdom does not want to see will happen, right? I don't mean to interfere in internal affairs, but I just wanted to inform the duke in advance. The church hopes to provide aid to these refugees. Of course, the church will fund it, and it's fine for the kingdom to distribute the aid on our behalf, as long as those in need are helped—however, the price is to inform me why His Majesty is not using the power of the King's Tower to stop the rain."

Has someone who is not a kingdom noble finally raised this question?

Duke Wadsworth's inner bitterness deepened. As long as the conditions allow, he could tell Yissy the reason, but saying it out loud feels like airing one's dirty laundry, in other words, embarrassing.

"Sigh... This matter has already spread among the nobility. You, bishop, could easily find out with a little inquiry, but please do not spread this information."

"Of course."

Taking a deep breath, Duke Wadsworth said solemnly.

"Due to an unknown disease, His Majesty has been bedridden and unconscious since half a month ago. It has been almost half a month since His Majesty last awoke."