They are all characters I control.

In the brief flash of light, a rather spacious hall could be seen inside, but no poisonous insects or strange beasts were visible.

After confirming that there was nothing unusual inside, Claire bent down and crawled into the hole.

"Master, wait for me." Anna quickly followed.

The passage was initially narrow and steep, extending downwards for about ten meters.

After descending the stone steps of the cemetery, they arrived at a spacious underground hall, where they could see some blurry murals carved on the walls, roughly depicting some of the early events of the Rost family.

Of course, the part about the first Marquis Rost betraying Claire is not mentioned above; instead, it describes how the Marquis Rost contributed to ending the war between the Empire and the Church.

These were all irrelevant; Claire's gaze fell upon the magic circle engraved beneath the statue of the first Marquis Rost.

In the center of the magic circle is a treasure chest made of magical materials.

“Go ahead and give it a try,” Claire said to Anna.

"It's the master."

Anna didn't hesitate; she stepped into the magic circle.

Instantly, the magic circle emitted a burst of white magical light that swept across Anna's body.

The next moment, a huge fireball flew out of the statue's hand and crashed into Anna, and the previously calm surroundings were suddenly filled with green-glowing arrows.

"Get back!" Claire cast a Gale Mark on Anna, allowing her to dodge the fireball, and then quickly rushed towards the magic circle.

The moment Claire stepped into the magic circle, the mechanisms around her that were about to activate stopped.

The magic circle released another burst of magic that swept across Claire's body.

The next moment, the surrounding mechanisms retracted.

"What... what happened, Master?" Anna was still shaken by the near-death experience.

She looked at Claire, who was now standing in the middle of the magic circle, with great surprise.

Why is the owner alright? All the mechanisms have disappeared?

"It should be the old trick that nobles love the most: testing bloodlines. If someone who is not of their own bloodline tries to force their way in, it will trigger a mechanism."

Claire knew exactly what was going on from the commotion just now, because the royal treasury operated on the same pattern.

No wonder there were no other mechanisms; they probably spent all their money on this magic circle.

Although Claire is not from the Rost family, the body of Leah that Claire is currently controlling undoubtedly has the bloodline of the Rost family.

Having solved the mechanism and passed through the magic circle, Claire walked straight towards the treasure chest in the center.

On this palm-sized treasure chest, you can see three patterned grooves.

One is shaped like a ring, one like a badge, and one like a necklace.

Chapter 25 Why did the young lady steal things from her own home?

[Note: The bond value of the preferred character 'Lia von Rost' has increased by 2 points.]

Current Bond Level: 21/100

[For every 20% increase in Bond Points, the login time increases by 30 minutes.]

[Current daily available login time: 30 minutes → 60 minutes.]

[Note: A first-time recharge of 6 yuan will unlock additional fixed login time. Click for details...]

Claire, in the dungeon, saw a semi-transparent system interface that only he could see.

The bond value increased within minutes of logging off.

Previously, Lia's bond value would occasionally increase by 2-3 points, but this time it finally broke through to 20%.

The bond value has increased steadily this time, probably because her relationship with Anna has improved? Although Claire doesn't care about that maid at all, that maid is very important to Leah.

Of course, that wasn't what Claire cared about at the moment; he was more concerned with the progress in obtaining the [Guardian's Sight].

"The contents of that box should indeed be 'The Keeper's Sight,' but the problem is that it requires three tokens to open it."

Claire had the item that could unlock her seal right in front of her, but she couldn't open it.

This is undeniably frustrating.

Fortunately, they had a clue about the three tokens needed to open the box, and the maid Anna could help a little.

Having worked as a maid in the Rothschild household for almost ten years, she was very familiar with the Rothschild family.

Although the login time has been extended, it would be even better if Anna could get her items.

Anyway, Claire doesn't know where her real body is being held, so even if she gets the [Guardian's Peeping], she can't send it in for the time being.

However, Claire was not unprepared for her true location.

He at least came into contact with a substitute saintess, and perhaps he can find clues from her.

Looking up at the dungeon entrance, Claire murmured to herself.

"Speaking of which, I hope that woman with big breasts won't stand me up."

...The Rost family mansion.

"Anna, are we really going to the study? Is it really okay to do this? Won't Father be angry?" Leah followed behind Anna with some concern.

The two were walking towards the Marquis of Rost's study.

"It's okay, as long as we don't get caught."

Anna glanced at Lia, who was looking lost and uneasy behind her, and felt a headache coming on.

"Lia, you don't have to come along."

The ring among the three tokens on the treasure chest in the catacombs is most likely in the Marquis of Rost's study.

Judging from the pattern, it is the emblem of the Rost family, which means that the token is a family emblem ring.

Although each family's crest ring is very important and is carried with them at all times.

However, the Rothschild family has now declined, and the Marquess of Rothschild is now only a minor financial officer. The reason he is so marginalized is because the Rothschild family's history is not very glorious.

Therefore, the third Marquis of Rost did not always wear the family crest ring.

Since the Marquis wasn't wearing that kind of ring, it's unlikely he'd put it anywhere else.

She dared not search the Marquis of Rost's pockets, but the maid Anna could look in the Marquis of Rost's study; it might be in a drawer or something.

Especially during this period, the Marquis of Rost has been staying in his study because of the tax proposal, so it's quite possible that he might have left the ring used for stamping in his study.

So Anna's next task is to steal things, and Anna doesn't really want to take kind-hearted Lydia with her.

"I might be able to help." Although Lia was a little uneasy, she clenched her fists firmly.

Although she didn't know what Anna was going to do in her father's study, she could help Anna if she encountered any trouble.

"Okay, then don't do anything later." Anna just hoped that Leah wouldn't make things worse.

Lia nodded happily and agreed repeatedly.

The two soon arrived at the Marquis of Rost's study. After glancing around and seeing that no one was paying attention, they easily opened the door and went inside.

After entering the study, Anna took a feather duster and a rag and began to "clean".

She first meticulously wiped the surface of the bookshelf and the desk, then her gaze began to wander and observe her surroundings.

Anna found all the desk drawers locked, so she started rummaging through the unlocked ones.

There were many documents and old, opened envelopes, as well as a pen and a letter opener.

Unfortunately, the ring and other items are not here.

Anna's gaze then swept over the fireplace, where portraits of the family's marquesses hung, and below was a display shelf holding medals, old pocket watches, and other items.

Anna grew anxious and began to search more carefully the gaps between the bookshelves, under the cushions of the chairs, and even tried to turn several bronze statues on the bookshelves that looked like decorations to see if there were any hidden mechanisms.

Lia took a book off the shelf and held it in her hand, pretending to read, but her palms were sweating with nervousness.

"No, it's probably in one of those locked drawers." Anna jumped down from the bookshelf and looked at the locked drawers.

"Should we use my imprint magic to open these locks?" Lia asked from the side.

She watched from the sidelines, wanting to help as well.

"No, using magic will leave traces and we'll be discovered..."

Just as Anna and Lia were pondering how to open the drawer, the study door was suddenly pushed open.

Startled, the two looked up and saw Marquise Mara standing at the door with her maids and knights.

Looking at the stunned master and servant, the smug Marquis Mara shouted in a shrill voice, "I knew that you, a lowly maid and a useless young lady, could come up with some kind of indulgence tax! You were secretly reading the master's letters and peeking at his things!"

"Wait, wait a minute! This isn't Anna's fault, and I didn't come up with any indulgences or anything like that!?"

Lia immediately stepped forward and stood in front of Marquis Mara.

However, her explanation was of no help at all; instead, it made the Marquise Marla in front of her show a look of 'I knew it'.

"I knew it! Those so-called taxes weren't your idea at all! Lock them up! Put both of them in a dark room! We'll interrogate them properly when the master comes back!"

"Wait, wait a minute..." Lia wanted to say something, but unfortunately, she had absolutely no status in the Rost family.

The knights didn't hesitate to tie up Lia and Anna as if they were catching thieves.

As the two figures were led away, Marquise Marla's smile was radiant.

Finally, the opportunity has arrived! I must make the most of this chance! I can't waste this opportunity!

Chapter 26 The Marquis of Rost's Desire for Revival

Royal Palace, Audience Hall.

Light streamed through the tall stained-glass windows, casting vibrant colors onto the polished marble floor.

The air was filled with the subtle scents of incense, parchment, and power.

The Marquis Rost wore his best dark green marquis's dress, with slightly worn cuffs, and bowed deeply beneath the steps, almost shrinking himself into the shadows of the ground.

He could clearly feel the gaze emanating from the throne.

The fact that a fallen, almost forgotten marquis is standing at the center of power is itself a suffocating torment.

On the throne, the new emperor, Daryan, was about forty years old and had a rather amiable face.

"Good old man" is how the people of the empire now refer to this emperor.

The reason this 'good-natured' emperor was able to maintain his position was simple: the bishop of the Church of Goddess stood to His Majesty Daryan's right.

The Church of the Goddess once redeemed this empire from the clutches of the evil god emperor, and now the Church of the Goddess is responsible for guiding this empire.

The bishop sent by the Church of the Goddess in the Empire is named Simon, and it is rumored that this bishop will soon be promoted to archbishop.

At this moment, His Majesty Daryan put down the documents in his hand and looked at Rost below the stage, breaking the silence: "Sir Rost, do you know why I summoned you?"

"It's His Majesty!" The Marquis's heart tightened, and he took half a step forward, bowing even deeper.

"The proposed three new tax systems are quite good." The Emperor put down the documents in his hand, looked down at the Marquis of Rost, and smiled kindly.

"Indulgences and burial taxes are both good ideas."

“Bishop Simon and I both agree with your ideas. These taxes can help more people and also increase the revenue of the Empire and the Church.”

“What reward do you desire? Speak freely; a reward is due for someone as loyal as you.”

The Marquis of Rost was incredibly excited; the Rost family had finally got their chance.

But before he could express his gratitude, the bishop spoke up.

"But Marquis Rost, your suggestion a few days ago was quite different. You mentioned charging a step tax for people going to the church, and now you've come up with some kind of healing magic insurance?"

Bishop Simon opened his eyes slightly, his voice not loud but unusually sharp.

The other nobles present burst into laughter.

Even His Majesty Darian, who had just praised Rost, laughed out loud, and the atmosphere instantly became cheerful, leaving only Marquis Rost standing awkwardly in place.

"Well, actually, these taxes weren't my idea, but rather my daughter's."

Upon hearing this, Bishop Simon revealed an expression that said, "I knew it."