I am the heroine's godfather!

Actually, no. Rather than saying she didn't notice, it's more accurate to say that Laura simply didn't think about it deeply.

Kasna rubbed her forehead and shook her head: "Never mind, this is just my assumption. But... speaking of which, isn't the Seven Gods' Birthday about to begin? If I remember correctly, Frederick said that he would execute the Antaya royal family after the Seven Gods' Birthday?"

"correct."

"How about we make a bet?"

Kasna laughed: "Something's bound to go wrong during the execution of royalty."

--------------

The capital of Antaya, the royal palace.

Frederick I, who had recently ascended the throne, sat on the throne and concluded the day's court assembly. Afterward, he led the Knight Commander Elisa to his study.

"Ms. Elisa."

Frederick I pressed his hand to his chest, his expression devout: "Does His Holiness the Pope have any instructions?"

Alyssa did not speak, but like him, she placed her hand on her chest with a devout expression.

Frederick I instantly sensed something, lowered his head, and said respectfully, "Great Pope, your people welcome your arrival."

"Ah."

A cold, weak voice rang out. Frederick I looked up, his eyes filled with terror: "Your Majesty, who injured you like this?"

The one-armed, bloodthirsty pope was clutching his bleeding wound; his left arm was still missing, and something seemed to be preventing him from arriving.

"We ran into someone who shouldn't have come."

The Bloodthirsty Pope's eyes were cold as he swept over the two men: "I didn't expect him to come here in person."

Alyssa lowered her head and remained silent.

The Bloodthirsty Pope didn't linger on this topic for long, but instead brought up another matter: "The royal family of Antaya, should it still be preserved?"

"Yes, I plan to kill them after the birth of the Seven Gods."

"Do not."

The Bloodthirsty Pope shook his head: "Change the execution date to the day of the Seven Gods' birth."

"Your Majesty?"

Frederick was somewhat surprised: "Isn't this... a bit too hasty? I'm afraid things might happen over there..."

"I can't wait any longer."

The Bloodthirsty Pope's eyes were cold: "Now that he has come here, our plan will definitely not be able to proceed. Therefore, I must carry out the execution ceremony at the climax of the Seven Gods' Birthday, and then ask for the Lord's reward to step into the threshold of the eighth rank. Otherwise, our plan will be completely destroyed."

Frederick bowed his head, his expression remaining loyal: "Yes."

"Ah."

The Bloodthirsty Pope nodded, then stood up: "Arrange a place for me to rest."

“It’s a sad feeling.”

After the Bloodthirsty Pope left, Frederick looked towards Elisa.

Alyssa's expression remained indifferent: "Get ready. His Majesty doesn't have much time left for us. If we don't do things well, His Majesty will blame us, and we won't be able to bear the consequences."

"Yes, Ms. Alyssa, I will certainly expedite the preparations for His Majesty's instructions."

"Ah, very good."

Alyssa nodded, then turned and left, leaving Frederick lost in thought.

------------

The atmosphere in the meeting room of the resistance's headquarters was extremely tense.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have received news that Frederick I will execute the royal family on the third day of the Seven Gods' Birthday celebration, which is the day when the atmosphere is at its climax."

Motori's voice rang out, tinged with seriousness. His words immediately sparked an uproar.

"what?"

"How dare he do this!"

"This traitor!"

Some people frowned: "Isn't he afraid of being punished by the Vatican for doing this?"

According to him, he intends to welcome the arrival of the Seven Gods' Birthday in a way that bids farewell to the old year and welcomes the new.

"Would the Vatican believe such an explanation?"

Some people raised doubts, and Motori was also puzzled: "I don't know, but that's the fact. It seems that the Vatican has discussed it internally, and in short, there is no opposition to Frederick's actions."

"Damn it, what exactly is Frederick planning to do! And what is the Vatican thinking?!"

Amidst the commotion, Milia's face grew increasingly pale. Laura, however, frowned, silently asking Kasne in her mind, "Teacher, what do you think is going on?"

"Hmm~ I don't know."

Kasna's unreliable voice rang out: "I can only guess that the Vatican may have some other considerations, but I don't know the specifics. You'll probably have to ask the Vatican's higher-ups."

"How would I know any high-ranking officials in the Vatican?"

Laura rolled her eyes. Her teacher was telling her to ask the higher-ups in the Holy See, but why didn't she just tell her to ask Her Majesty the Holy Maiden directly?

Kasna smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

Motori continued, "Whatever Frederick's plan, we must try to rescue the royal family."

"I'm going."

Milia suddenly spoke up, and everyone exchanged glances. Motorie immediately objected: "No! Her Highness, you must not put yourself in danger!"

Despite Motori's opposition, Milia did not back down. It seemed that witnessing her father's death in front of her had changed her personality. In any case, she did not intend to run away this time.

In the end, Motori had no choice but to compromise and send out two teams. One team, led by several Tier 2 members, would infiltrate the city to rescue the royal family, while the other team would protect Milia.

Laura pondered for a moment, then also applied to go.

Chapter 269 The Opening of the Seven Gods' Birthday and the Conversation Between "Father and Daughter"

The Seven Nativity is the grandest and most important festival under the Papacy. Believers pray to their respective gods for happiness, and the gods will bestow blessings upon them at the end of the year, ensuring a smooth and prosperous year for the most devout. However, in recent years, believers often add the phrase "Praise be to you, holy Messiah" at the end.

This was a celebration across the entire continent. Bards sang songs in the streets, merchants' cries attracted children, churches across the land put on floats, and the grand festival continued until nightfall.

This year's Antaya is not much different from previous years.

The flames of war still raged on the front lines, but for most people, it was hardly a big deal. Who was king was of little concern to the people of this small country bordering Isnar. Regardless of who was in power, the Papacy continued to protect its followers, and as a result, acts of burning, killing, looting, or massacring had not occurred on this land for centuries.

That is something the Vatican does not allow; it is an act that would be condemned as the behavior of a follower of an evil god and would be subject to a coalition of forces.

However, compared to previous years, a lingering sense of unease still remains in the hearts of the people.

The new king, Frederick I, will execute the former members of the Antaya royal family on the second day, the climax of the celebrations.

This is the Birth of the Seven Gods! Doing these things during the Birth of the Seven Gods? How can this be allowed?

But the Vatican did allow it.

This inevitably caused some confusion among the public, but even so, the festive atmosphere continued.

Since the Vatican has given it permission, it must have its reasons.

Meanwhile, in another room, Lorraine and Charlotte were having a long-awaited conversation.

"Loran".

Miss Charlotte sat on the bed, raised her face, puffed out her slightly heaving chest, crossed her arms, and tried to make herself appear more imposing.

If I ask you that question, will you answer me?

Loran scratched his head. He knew this was a serious conversation between the "father" and "daughter," but even so, seeing Charlotte trying to act mature and act like an adult, yet looking rather cute, he still couldn't help but laugh.

No, no, I can't laugh. It would be so inappropriate to laugh at a time like this.

You shouldn't laugh, and your voice shouldn't tremble when you speak.

"Hmm...hmm! Go ahead and ask, I promise you..."

Still couldn't help it.

Miss Charlotte's face darkened. She ground her teeth, revealing sharp canines, and threatened the unruly fellow menacingly. But her expression only made Lorraine laugh even harder.

Loran's face twitched slightly, almost unnaturally.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp as a knife, and finally could only sigh and whisper, "Okay, okay... I know that even if I pretend like this, I won't look like an adult."

"It's okay, Charlotte is cute even like this."

Lorraine patted Charlotte's head, and Charlotte instinctively rubbed against him before realizing what she had done and quickly slapped Lorraine's hand away: "No! I'm questioning you now!"

Lorraine smiled helplessly: "Alright, go ahead and ask."

"……who are you?"

Charlotte cleared her throat, as if asking a very important question.

“Me? I am Loran Morganfleur, your father’s friend, and your adoptive father.”

"You know I didn't ask that..."

"Besides that, I used to be a somewhat famous adventurer."

Loran interrupted Charlotte and said softly, "He met three very good friends, did some things that could be considered somewhat famous, and has now retired. While living off his family's wealth, he is also working for the Papacy."

"So, you really are..."

Charlotte bit her lip.

No wonder, no wonder he spoke so warmly to his father when he mentioned Her Majesty the Saint, no wonder he always seemed to have so many things to do, no wonder he acted so strangely when I brought up Her Majesty the Saint.

Ten years ago, the Saintess Squad returned from their campaign against the Demon King. In the same year, Loran Morganfleur, a saint, killed his enemy, a duke, but the Isnar royal family did not react at all.

Furthermore, Loran has a half-dragon friend, who is said to also have an elf friend.

How could there be so many coincidences in the world?

"Yes, I used to use another name."

Lorraine smiled and said, "You should have guessed that name by now."

"..."

Charlotte was momentarily at a loss for words. This was Lorian! She was her idol, second only to Her Majesty the Saint, and Charlotte had always believed that Lorian should be with Her Majesty the Saint forever.

But now Lorian is Loran, which leaves Charlotte with mixed feelings.

Loran seemed to see the struggle in Charlotte's eyes. He felt that Charlotte was unsure how to deal with him because of his sudden change in identity, so he patted Charlotte's head and said, "But all that is in the past. At least in front of you, I am just Loran."

"Well……"

Charlotte pouted. That wasn't what she was worried about... No, it seems like this was what she was worried about.

Oops, it’s so annoying!

Miss Charlotte was somewhat upset.

Oh, Your Holiness, your most devout follower seems to be facing a difficult and somewhat blasphemous problem.

No, no, no, Charlotte, if Her Majesty the Saint finds out about this, there will definitely be trouble!

Ugh……

Charlotte cleared her mind of these distracting thoughts and asked, "Then, what is this 'mark' that Father spoke of?"

"Ah, that."

Loran waved his hand: "It is one of the holy relics left by the Church. Those who can activate the imprint can become the next saintess... but it is not really necessary. After all, Messiah did not become a saintess by virtue of this."

After all, she is Messiah.

Charlotte pouted. What kind of answer was that? She pressed on, "And what about the 'Daughter of Destiny'? What is that?"

"do not know."

Loran shrugged.

"what?"

"I don't know, that's all."