I never thought I’d be so happy to see a character from the game.

♡Saintess Letitia: May peace find its way to your life……

In the game, saints had halos floating behind their heads, so I had slightly expected that, but reality was less glamorous.

“It is an honor to meet you, Saintess.”

Unlike me, who was amazed at finding a familiar character—no, person—in a familiar space, Cromwell bowed respectfully, as if showing me what posture I should take.

‘The game is the game.’

And reality is reality.

No matter how much Saintess Letitia was like a mother figure to the lady in the game, that hadn’t happened here.

Making a quick judgment, I followed Cromwell’s example and showed proper respect.

“May God’s blessing be with you. You must have had a difficult journey, Duke.”

Saintess Letitia answered mechanically. I could see she wanted to leave work early.

Viewing Level: 8

Due to the high level, the profile window was private, but her special notes probably said [Wants to enjoy a leisurely retirement life after quickly training a successor].

♡Saintess Letitia: I wish the lady would be appointed as a saintess soon.

She openly told people she became close with how little interest she had in the position of Saintess.

“This is……”

She said, looking at Anastasia.

Perhaps Anastasia could feel the comfort the Saintess’s presence provided, as she stared blankly at Letitia instead of crying at the stranger’s presence.

“Priest Mateo will perform the blood collection, and Saintess Letitia will do the healing.”

Priest Philippa said.

“This is the sacred blade of Elizabeta.”

Priest Mateo, standing next to the Saintess, was holding a cushion. The sword placed on it reflected the sunlight. It looked sharp enough to cut just by looking at it.

Only wounds made by sacred objects can be healed with holy power.

I recalled the common knowledge I had learned in the game.

Priest Mateo’s movements with the sword were smooth, as if drawing an elegant line. With his kind appearance, he cut Anastasia’s chubby arm without a moment’s hesitation.

“Waah! Waah—!”

Blood gushed from her small body. Anastasia cried sharply in pain.

“……”

I was taken aback by what happened so suddenly.

When they said blood collection, I thought they would just prick her slightly to get a few drops of blood.

But this……

The priests watched with indifferent eyes as blood filled the basin. They seemed completely unfazed, as if this was something they did regularly.

In a way, it made sense that there would be no personal emotions in a procedure, but it was still somewhat upsetting.

The only consolation was Cromwell, who momentarily flinched, seemingly wanting to stop them.

Reminding himself this was necessary, he clenched his fist and composed himself.

“Waah!”

The healing only proceeded after the blood in the basin turned golden. When the Saintess held the wounded area, a warm light shone and the wound disappeared without a trace.

“Waah—!”

But just because the wound was gone didn’t mean the fact that she had been hurt was erased.

Although I received Anastasia back from Priest Philippa, she struggled and tried to break free from me.

It was as if she was asking how I could just stand and watch while something like that was done to her.

“That must have hurt a lot, I’m sorry.”

I comforted Anastasia while patting her back. Even as I spoke, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was deceptive.

“Waah! Waah!”

When I tried to comfort her, Anastasia, feeling betrayed, cried even more.

Since I could see the priests still had things to tell us, letting her continue crying here would delay matters.

“Duke, may I go outside to comfort her?”

“Do so.”

Just as I was about to leave with Cromwell’s permission, Saintess Letitia suddenly spoke.

“May I see her?”

Apparently knowing I would hand Anastasia over to her, she extended her hands.

Unfairly, my body handed Anastasia over before my mind could make a judgment on that natural movement. It was too late to say no anyway.

I don’t know where this belief that she would help Anastasia came from.

After receiving the baby, Saintess Letitia placed her hand on her small back. A light different from the healing light shone.

It was holy power.

How comfortable must Anastasia be, directly receiving that light which seemed comforting just to look at?

Her crying turned to sniffling, and the sniffling changed to the sound of regular breathing.

Forgetting that the person had just hurt her, Anastasia fell asleep, oblivious to the ways of the world.

‘Every household needs a Saintess.’

I thought seriously. While I was having these frivolous thoughts, Priest Philippa, judging that now was a good time to continue the conversation since the crying had stopped, began the explanation he couldn’t give earlier.

“Phoebus’s water is infinite. We will use this for the paternity test. If they are blood relatives, the water turns golden; if not, it rots. This process is also called the Trial of Phoebus.”

He spoke about information I already knew.

“The water will go to temples across the continent. If there is someone who reacts, the temple will separately proceed with notification and……”

“Then do we have to immediately return the lady to her biological parents?”

“No. There are several more procedures that follow.”

Priest Philippa said that something more might be needed in that process.

“What is that something?”

“It varies depending on the situation. It could be more blood, or it could be flesh.”

……What kind of procedure is this?

Can’t they just do a normal test?

Anastasia’s adoption doesn’t seem to be entirely beneficial for her.

The assurance that Saintess Letitia would treat Anastasia like she did now gave me no comfort at all.

✧ʚ .·:¨༺♡༻¨:·. ɞ✧

After greeting the temple that would handle these complicated matters for us, we walked through the temple hall.

I was prepared for the process of making Cromwell and Anastasia a family to be arduous, but I didn’t know it would be this difficult.

“Duke Cromwell!”

As I was walking, matching pace with Cromwell, someone called out to him from ahead.

Judging by the expensive fabric and the abundance of jewels hanging from it, the person appeared to be a noble.

Behind the man approaching cheerfully with quickened steps, a woman followed with a slower gait, her hands resting on her belly.

“Marquis Dyners.”

Just as I was trying to deduce who they might be, Cromwell revealed their identity.

Marquis Dyners opened his arms to embrace him, like meeting an old friend.

Perhaps because of this, the black leather gloves he wore despite the summer heat caught my eye.

When Cromwell avoided him, the Marquis withdrew his hands as if he had expected it.

‘Ah, this person.’

So this is Marquis Christopher Dyners, whom the central nobles are pushing as the next Emperor.

I recalled what Veros had once mentioned.

“So this is the child from the rumors!”

While others might have felt awkward in this situation, Marquis Dyners quickly shifted his interest.

“Being here with the child… that means the adoption is proceeding well, huh? Congratulations. The donation must have been substantial.”

“What brings you here?”

Though it would have been polite to say thank you, Cromwell cut straight to the point.

“Ah, we also visited because of good news. Karin!”

Marquis Dyners, who had rushed to Cromwell in excitement, now hurried back to the Marchioness behind him.

With her husband’s support, Marchioness Dyners approached us.

“Karin, Duke Cromwell asked why we came to the temple. Tell him yourself.”

When Marquis Dyners spoke in a honeyed voice, she replied in a shy voice with her gentle impression.

“Ah…… a blessing has come to us. The temple has agreed to pray for the child’s well-being.”

I discreetly checked Marchioness Dyners’s belly. Judging by how the pregnancy wasn’t visibly showing, it seemed to be a recent conception.

‘How much did they donate here?’

Now that I know about the temple’s slow processing, all expedited services seemed to be about money.

Cromwell had paid the equivalent of a castle in one lump sum.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Duke. Oh, the prayer should finish soon, so why not come to the Dyners territory? It’s close to Lernia, so it won’t be too strenuous for the child to travel. You can also catch up with Christopher……”

Marchioness Dyners invited the Duke in a clear voice.

But Cromwell……

‘He seems to desperately want to go home.’

It’s a shame to dampen her enthusiasm, but Cromwell didn’t appear interested at all.

Though he didn’t refuse immediately, his expression and eyes, which seemed to have suddenly lost all energy, spoke for him.

“As it happens, a relative from the Kingdom of Fran is visiting. She’s a lady from the Lefko family, about your age, Duke.”

That seems to be the real purpose. Introducing Cromwell to the lady.

I’m tired from rushing all the way to Lernia, but the opportunity for Cromwell to have a lover is a completely different matter.

There’s nothing to lose by going. It might even be good.

Thank you, Marchioness Dyners.

However, Cromwell didn’t answer immediately. Instead, his gaze, which had been directed at Marchioness Dyners out of courtesy, turned to me.

“……”

“……”

Is that not it? Is he looking at Anastasia?

“I’m afraid not. We must return to the territory now.”

Cromwell politely declined. I wasn’t surprised.