I am the heroine's godfather!

Although the ending is somewhat regrettable, it doesn't stop this book from remaining the world's best-selling book, bar none. It's said that only one hundred copies of the collector's edition were produced, and one sold for a staggering five thousand gold coins at auction!

With Messiah's travelogue in hand, Charlotte couldn't help but smile. Loran, sitting beside Charlotte, remarked, "Charlotte really does adore Her Majesty the Saint."

"uh-huh."

Although she was very satisfied with Lorraine's gift, Charlotte still put on a haughty expression to prevent Lorraine from thinking that she was an easy person to please, and Lorraine could only smile indulgently.

Speaking of which, he actually stole this collector's edition back then, only to be mocked by Messiah for a long time before she gave him the completed manuscript. Everyone thought the manuscript was in the Holy City, but it was actually in Loran's hands.

He had three copies of Messiah's travelogue: one was the original, which was Messiah's actual manuscript; one was a collector's edition; and one was a regular edition that he used to read regularly.

Occasionally, he would open the manuscript and gently stroke the slightly yellowed pages, where he could almost see the laughter and adventures he shared with Messiah and the others that year.

There's always a past in life that can never be returned to...

Realizing that she had inadvertently fallen into emo again, Loran shook her head to clear her mind and said, "If I remember correctly, next Sunday is the Goddess of Light Festival, right?"

"Ah."

Serena nodded: "The city lord will also be returning soon."

"Lord of the city... oh, that old fellow."

The city lord of Enshiya was an old man named Kadit, a very upright old man, who did not have a good relationship with Loran.

He had sheltered the Morganfeller family many times in the past, but after Lorraine killed the entire family of his enemies, the old man never came to the Morganfeller's house again.

It's understandable, though. He's a stubborn old man, clinging to his own sense of justice. While Loran wouldn't say he likes this kind of person, he doesn't feel any ill will either. After all, in this Western fantasy world, killing an entire family is rare; most people see revenge as a one-on-one duel.

A guy like Loran, who wipes out an entire enemy faction in revenge, is really not someone a good person would do.

The Thirst for Blood Church stated that we need such promising talents.

Come to think of it, this guy is actually a supporter of Victoria. Perhaps it's because Victoria is more human-like compared to the other candidates.

Chapter 45 Everyone has elders they feel awkward meeting.

Despite being a princess, Victoria didn't live in a particularly luxurious place. Her residence was even slightly less opulent than the Loran family's. This is why, even though she had been living there for several months, not many people had noticed her, and she wasn't even remembered when Loran sent out invitations upon his return.

Looking back now, perhaps it was because the old city lord of Enshiya provided her with some help.

The carriage stopped near Victoria's mansion. Mia opened the carriage door, and Charlotte and Lorraine stepped out hand in hand.

The maids of Victoria House had been waiting for some time and welcomed the two in. They hadn't gone far when they saw a little girl with chestnut hair wearing a white dress walking briskly towards them.

"Charlotte!"

The visitor was Princess Anna. Interestingly, Anna and Victoria's hair color is different, perhaps because their mothers are different. Furthermore, Victoria's hair color is more similar to that of the late Emperor.

Anna and Charlotte's relationship somehow became very good; perhaps it was because they were both book-loving children. However, Anna's personality was a bit more lively than Charlotte's.

"Your Highness Anna."

Charlotte was also very happy. Anna took Charlotte's hand and said, "Oh dear, didn't I tell you not to call me Your Highness? We're friends... Ah! I'm sorry, Earl Morganflore, I was a little rude."

"It's alright, I'm also happy to see Your Highness and Charlotte getting along so well."

Although his relationship with Victoria was merely a business partnership, he was still pleased to see his Charlotte getting along well with a royal princess. Next spring, Charlotte would be going to study at the St. Casta Magic Academy in the Duchy of Rand, and Princess Anna would also be there. With a royal princess as a friend at school, Charlotte would likely avoid the scenes of being looked down upon as in the original story.

In the original story, Charlotte was bullied by her stepmother and sister at home, and she couldn't escape the same fate at the academy. She was always looked down upon and could only swallow her grievances.

It's really pathetic to think about it.

However, this situation is unlikely to occur with their own children now, since Charlotte is Morgan Fowler's darling daughter...

After greeting Lorraine, Charlotte and Anna continued their conversation: "Daisy is here today too, and she even brought a copy of 'The Chronicles of the Heroes of Cardia'!"

"Ah, I've read that book before, it's so interesting!"

Charlotte's eyes lit up, then she smiled faintly: "I brought a good book with me today too!"

"What, what is it?"

Anna was very curious, but Charlotte mysteriously said, "I won't tell you!"

"Hmm, Charlotte's got a bad heart!"

"Hehe, I'll tell you all about it when I see Daisy."

Listening to the two girls' conversation, Lorraine smiled. Speaking of which, the girl named Daisy seemed to be Baron Mithridates' child; she was rather quiet and didn't hold a central position in social circles. It was unexpected that she would get along so well with Charlotte and Anna.

This is a good thing, and it could even be a chance for Baron Mitried to rise to the top overnight.

I just hope the child's parents are sensible and don't have any ulterior motives.

Loran squinted.

"Oh dear, I'm late. I've kept Mr. Loran and Miss Charlotte waiting."

An elegant voice rang out, and a woman with light blonde hair, dressed casually, approached.

"Your Highness is too kind."

Lorraine made a casual, polite remark. Victoria knew Lorraine didn't like these things, so she didn't say much, but simply looked at the two children: "Anna, why don't you go play with Charlotte first?"

"Okay, then, I'll be going now!"

Anna, holding Charlotte's hand, quickly left. Victoria smiled and shook her head: "You must be laughing at me." But the doting affection in her tone was undeniable.

Loran squinted. Although this person wore several masks, at least the doting was genuine.

What a deep sisterly bond!

"Kids are kids, it's normal for them to be lively."

"Hehe... Let's go, Mr. Loran. Mr. Cardit and the nobles have been waiting for a long time."

"It's me who's late."

"Not at all, Mr. Loran is a distinguished guest, how could a distinguished guest arrive first?"

The guy teased with a sly smile. Loran rolled her eyes. Victoria became serious and led Loran into the study.

In the study, some of Enshia's senior officials were waiting for the two. Count Neil and another elderly man were sitting on the sofa. When the old man saw Loran enter, he quickly stood up and said, "Count Morganflore."

"Viscount Bergen."

Loran nodded slightly: "I heard you were unwell. How have you been lately?"

"I'm much better now, thank you for your concern, Earl Morgan Fleur."

Viscount Bergen nodded hastily: "I was unable to attend your banquet earlier, please do not blame me, Earl Morganfleur."

Heaven knows where this guy's mind went wrong. He looked like he was afraid Loran would blame him, which made Loran a little embarrassed.

The old man, standing at the window with his hands behind his back, snorted coldly, looking quite dissatisfied.

Hey, what's that old guy doing here?

Lorraine thought to herself, "Viscount Bergen, you've really put me in a terrible situation. This old man is right here, and you're still giving me that look, making me feel like some heinous villain."

Yes, this man is none other than Kadit, the old lord of Enshiya.

As a close friend of Lorraine's father, and the only one who came to his aid when Grand Duke Antins targeted Lorraine's family, Lorraine held the old man in high regard.

Lorraine's parents were able to die of illness, rather than from assassination, thanks to this old man. And without his protection, Serena would likely have survived until Lorraine's return. Lorraine was very grateful for this.

However, the old man refused to see him after that.

Since it was a rare opportunity to meet, Loran thought she should just go along with the old man, otherwise her sister would be angry when she got home.

“Mr. Cardit, it’s been a long time.”

Loran spoke first, but Cardit scoffed, "See you? I have no right to see Count Morganflore, who dared to kill the Grand Duke."

The old man was like a gunpowder-fueled beast, speaking with a sharp edge that made Count Neil and Viscount Bergen afraid to even breathe, lest Lorraine's anger affect them.

Victoria, on the other hand, watched all of this with a smile.

This is what fun people are like.

"Oh, Mr. Carditt, what brings you here?"

Contrary to what Count Neil and Viscount Bergen had expected, Lorraine remained smiling and said, "Morganflore's doors are always open to Mr. Cardit. Please come visit us when you have time. Serena misses you very much."

When Serena was mentioned, Cardit's expression softened slightly—after all, who could dislike the gentle Miss Serena?

Seeing that the two hadn't started fighting, Victoria stopped watching the spectacle and instead acted as a mediator, inviting them to sit down: "Speaking of which, you two are both pillars of Enshi City. If there's any misunderstanding, it's best to talk it out."

"Misunderstanding? This old man has no misunderstanding with me."

Kadit snorted coldly. However, despite her unpleasant tone, Kadit did not deny that Loran was also a pillar of Enshia.

Lorraine and Victoria exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

That old man is really something...

In Chapter 46, during the celebration period, the NPCs that spawn regularly include staff members and followers of the evil god.

After chatting with the old man for a while, the group started to get down to business.

Victoria's expression turned serious: "Gentlemen, Mr. Cardit has received a letter from a follower of the evil god."

"what?!"

Count Neil was taken aback: "Cultists of an evil god! What are they going to do?"

"They threatened me, demanding that I immediately halt the preparations for the Goddess of Light Festival."

Cardit's face was extremely grim: "These rats really underestimated us."

"That's not the point."

Victoria picked up the thread: "The key point is that the cultists have set up magical explosive devices in the city, and if we don't do as they say, they will detonate them immediately."

A soft rustling sound came from outside the door. Count Neil asked, somewhat puzzled, "What was that sound?"

"Perhaps it's a rat."

Lorraine chuckled and spoke up. Victoria glanced at him and, seeing his indifferent expression, followed up, "Perhaps the servants were a little negligent in their cleaning... Let's continue."

Do you know which side it is?

Viscount Bergen spoke haltingly, and Victoria shook her head. Cardit frowned and said, "Even among the followers of the evil gods, the factions are incredibly complex. The followers of the seven evil gods each act independently; even during the siege of the Holy City, they didn't seem to work together..."

"I guess it's either a Fallen Servant or an Abyss Walker."

Loran spoke calmly: "Of the seven evil gods, the Sleeper and His followers are rarely seen. The followers of the Bell of Zero are at odds with the dragons and mostly stay in the Western Continent, rarely appearing here in the Eastern Continent. The Bloodthirsty Servants, those fanatics, always prefer to be straightforward and are unlikely to do such things. The Withering Apostles have always only been targeting the elves. As for the Gluttons? Ha, those Devourers' followers only eat the living; the dead are not on their menu."

Loran's final, hellish joke elicited a cold snort from Cardit, clearly displeased. Count Neil and Viscount Bergen wiped their sweat and chuckled ingratiatingly. Victoria chuckled, then continued, "I understand the servants of the fallen, but what about the Abyss Walkers? Aren't they busy fighting the demons?"

"On my way back, I discovered traces of the Abyss Walkers in neighboring countries."

Loran told the others about the Abyss Walker he had killed who was lurking beneath the Church of Bloodthirst. Victoria frowned: "Why would an Abyss Walker be here...?"

"Perhaps there's some kind of plan."

Loran said softly, "It might be related to what happened today."

"In any case, the Fallen Servant and the Abyss Walker are the most likely suspects."

Victoria nodded and continued, "So what we need to discuss next is how to resolve this matter."

"It's a good opportunity."

Loran spoke up: "If the mastermind is captured, Princess Victoria's reputation will be enhanced."

Although Cardit wasn't entirely satisfied with this show of using a crisis, he knew that Victoria wanted to compete for the crown prince position, so this was necessary and he didn't raise any objections. Viscount Bergen nodded: "I'll inform the patrol department to keep an eye on this when I get back."

Yes, Viscount Bergen controls the patrol office, and his eldest son is currently its director. Otherwise, how could he be qualified to be here? Although Enschia only has two counts, he is not the only viscount.

The patrol offices of the Isnar Empire are not like the patrol offices of the capital city of the Antaya Kingdom, which are largely ineffective. As the third largest city, Enshia's patrol offices are responsible for the security of the entire city, and their power is considerable.

"Then I'll leave it to Viscount Bergen."

Victoria nodded slightly: "And Mr. Loran, please keep a close eye on things as well."

"Oh, I see."

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

"Daisy, you're here! Come quick! Charlotte said she brought a very interesting book!"

The girl with dark purple hair pushed open Anna's door and was about to say something when Anna pulled her into the room.

Charlotte looked at Daisy and noticed that her expression seemed a little off, so she asked, "What's wrong, Daisy?"

Daisy paused for a moment, then recounted what she had overheard while passing by the study. Charlotte and Anna were both startled: "You mean, there are followers of an evil god trying to disrupt the festival?"