It's so hard being a hero!

Before she could figure it out, the spatial rift behind her reappeared.

Frey emerged from the crack.

She was wearing a dark blue bathrobe, her long golden hair cascading over her shoulders, looking as if she had just taken a shower.

"teacher?"

Sophia blinked, looking completely innocent.

What brings you here?

Frey did not answer her.

She looked Sophia up and down, her gaze lingering on her clothes for a few seconds before slowly frowning.

"Out doing good deeds again?"

Sophia gave an awkward smile.

"Huh? Um, me."

Frey took two steps closer and reached out to pinch the cuff of Sofia's coat.

There was a trace of magic on it.

"The aura of dark magic?"

Sophia glanced at it and cursed herself a hundred times in her heart.

Frey smelled it again carefully, her brows furrowing even more.

"Is this the power of Lilith, the goddess of desire?"

Sophia opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but found herself at a loss for words.

Frey loosened her sleeve and looked directly into her eyes.

In those amber eyes, there was worry, and a complex emotion that was hard to describe.

"You got involved in the disappearance of girls in Kyle City?"

Sophia was silent for two seconds, then nodded.

"Where is the murderer?"

"died."

"You killed him?"

"Ah."

Frey took a deep breath and closed her eyes, as if trying to suppress some emotion.

A few seconds later, she opened her eyes again.

"Sofia."

"I'm here."

You're only twelve years old.

Sofia did not speak.

"Do you know that with your current strength, you are no match for Lilith?"

"I... I didn't confront Lilith directly, I just encountered one of her fanatical followers."

Sophia lowered her head and said weakly.

Frey glared at her.

"What if she finds you through the believers?"

Sophia lowered her head and remained silent.

Frey looked at her and sighed.

I'm not blaming you.

Her tone softened.

"I know you did the right thing, I just..."

She paused.

"I just don't want anything to happen to you."

Sofia looked up at Frey.

That mature and beautiful face was filled with worry.

Chapter 15 Lyra's investiture ceremony

Looking into Frey's worried eyes, Sophia felt a surge of warmth in her heart, but also a little guilty.

"Um, teacher, I promise I'll be more careful next time."

She spoke with utmost sincerity, but a sly glint flashed in her blue eyes.

Frey stared at her for three seconds, her lips twitching slightly.

"You're just giving me the runaround."

No, absolutely not.

Sofia quickly shook her head and raised her right hand in a gesture of swearing.

"I'm serious. I will never fight if I can avoid it, and I will never run if I can run away."

Frey sighed.

She knew Sophia's personality.

That kind of stubbornness in one's bones, that impulse to take action when encountering injustice, that obstinacy to rush into things even when one could stay out of them—these cannot be changed by preaching.

"Hey, be careful next time."

Frey only said these four words in the end.

His tone carried a sense of helplessness and compromise.

Sophia grinned and nodded.

Then she suddenly remembered something, tilted her head and asked, "By the way, teacher, is there something you need in Kyle City so late?"

Frey was reminded of the purpose of her trip.

She sat down on the bed in Sophia's room and gathered her long, golden hair that fell over her shoulders.

"It's about Leila."

Sophia perked up immediately when she heard it was her daughter's name.

"What's wrong with Sister Layla?"

“She recently completed the Imperial Warrior Trial and the Holy Light Trial of the Holy See,” Frey said calmly.

She said this seemingly casually, but Sophia noticed a slight upturn at the corners of her mouth.

"She killed a veteran Gold-level vampire with the strength of a Silver-level Holy Swordsman."

Sophia was taken aback.

Silver-level player kills Gold-level player?

Or is it a dark monster with extremely strong regenerative abilities, like a vampire?

This is not a simple challenge beyond one's level; it's something only a true genius could do.

"That's impressive."

Sophia gave a heartfelt exclamation of praise.

But I couldn't help thinking to myself: She's truly my daughter.

"She's just so-so, nowhere near as good as her father."

Frey looked at Sofia and said something meaningful.

Sophia immediately felt guilty, but she was still secretly pleased.

Although she hadn't been a part of Leila's upbringing, hearing about her daughter's achievements still filled her with a sense of pride as a father.

"so what?"

Sophia pressed for an answer.

"Therefore, the Empire and the Papacy are preparing a investiture ceremony for her."

Frey explained her purpose.

"You know Laila's identity. She is the daughter of the previous hero, the Holy Son of the Church, and the Grand Duke of the Empire. In addition, her performance this time was indeed outstanding. Those old men up there feel it is necessary to formally give her a title."

Sofia nodded in understanding.

The descendants of heroes naturally bear certain expectations and responsibilities.

The Empire and the Papacy should certainly commend Leila for achieving such success at such a young age.

This is both an honor and a constraint.

"Layla hopes you can come."

Frey looked at Sophia and got to the point.

"She said she wouldn't go on stage if you didn't come."

Sophia was taken aback for a moment when she heard this, and then she couldn't help but laugh.

"This girl."

"That's why I've come to ask what you mean."

Frey leaned back in her chair, arms crossed over her chest.

“If you don’t want to go, I’ll go back and tell her that although that girl is troublesome, she’s not really going to disobey orders.”