"Our family has been devoted followers of the Goddess of Fate for generations, and we firmly believe the Goddess will grant us her protection and guidance. There is no need for such thanks, Miss Priestess."
Leaning on his cane, Count Milford replied to the clergymen.
Hearing herself addressed as Miss Priestess, Hyperion felt an indescribable sense of mission well up inside her.
In her homeland, the Hutton Kingdom, rarely had high-ranking nobles of an older generation respected her so genuinely since childhood.
Yet here in a foreign land, she found herself receiving extraordinarily warm treatment time and again.
Amidst a brief silence, Count Milford took a seat in a vintage sheepskin chair. The curtains behind him had been drawn shut, leaving only faint traces of outdoor light to filter through the dense, dark gauze into the room.
The parlor's lighting was dim and discreet, illuminating the space without being harsh. A brass lamp stood on an intricately carved table, its lampshade painted with fairies symbolizing good fortune, chasing one another as though moving with the play of light and shadow.
"Starting today, Miss Priestess, your identity will be Milian Milford, the illegitimate daughter of my late elder brother. You are currently enrolled in our border territory's Milford Magic Research Society Academy. Once you have grown somewhat accustomed to this role, you will transfer in a week's time to the Protos Royal Magic Academy as a third-year student. A female guard from my estate has been playing this part for quite a while, and the paperwork has long been finalized. All you need to do is step in and take her place."
Count Milford looked at Hyperion as he spoke.
He knew these three formidable Tier 6 clergymen would remain in the Northwestern Province for an extended period.
Meanwhile, Hyperion, as the Ice Snow Witch's disciple, would travel alone to the Imperial Capital of Herrom—an assignment fraught with far greater peril.
Back when he first received the Ice Snow Witch's request, he had personally arranged this cover for Hyperion. Everything had been handled by his own hands, ensuring that not even the Extinction Branch could trace its origins within his territory. Furthermore, because this identity nominally involved a family secret, it provided ample justification for any peculiarities surrounding her background.
For now, however, the Northwestern Province posed no danger to Hyperion whatsoever. The real danger lay solely in the core missions awaiting her once she reached the Imperial Capital of Herrom.
"Understood," Hyperion nodded.
Playing the part of a count's daughter was no great challenge for her. Back in the Kingdom of Asethelan, she had already studied the etiquette of the Protos Empire.
She was confident she could quickly step into and adapt to this tailor-made identity with flawless precision.
Count Milford pondered for a moment before slowly continuing,
"Additionally, my daughter, Michaela Milford—your nominal cousin now—will travel with you to the Imperial Capital of Herrom. She is a first-year student and knows nothing of your true circumstances. She only knows she has an older sister like you, and that I have recently decided to bring you out of the shadows into the family's public fold... She has visited the capital many times and knows Herrom quite well, so she should be able to offer you some assistance. Of course... there is a bit of selfish desire on my part. If the day comes when you cannot return to the Northwestern Province, please take her somewhere safe."
Count Milford's voice carried a trace of regret, as well as an earnest plea.
Under no circumstances would he abandon the land where the ancestors of House Milford had lived for generations. But if the Northwestern Province were ever engulfed in the fiercest flames of war, he hoped his daughter would never return.
The clergy of the Church of the Goddess of Fate were people he could trust to protect her.
"For the duration of your stay in the Milford Territory, just treat me as your uncle. The Milford family will provide you with every aid within our power," Count Nelson Milford assured Hyperion.
"I understand," Hyperion replied.
This amounted to Count Milford entrusting his child to her care. The situation in the empire was clearly dire, teetering on the brink of war at any moment.
Though the count's countenance remained stern throughout, his tone left no doubt that he was a sincere, benevolent dignitary.
Having covered all the essential matters, Count Milford rose and walked over to the window.
He gazed out toward the distant spires of the city with a complex expression.
"That prominent building is the fortress of the Knights of Extinction. Like the Imperial Army, they control much of the city's intelligence and authority... But as long as you do not actively pry into their affairs, you will be fine. There is no need to be overly anxious in the city."
Count Milford turned back around and addressed Hyperion seriously,
"Over the next few days, get used to life in the Protos Empire here in the Milford Territory. Just relax a little. You can go shopping with Michaela—she has been eager to meet this rumored sister of hers for quite some time."
"Mm."
Hyperion understood his meaning.
Words that sounded casual on the surface held profound weight beneath.
Hyperion had long prepared herself: the first, hellishly difficult hurdle upon arriving in the Northwestern Province was evading the elites of the Extinction Branch and the Holy Son of Extinction.
Right now, those minions under the Bishop of Extinction were conducting intensive searches across the Northwestern Province, unwilling to let any opening for hostile nations slip by. They were the most terrifying enemies she had to avoid during this week before departing for Herrom.
According to the Ice Snow Witch, the Holy Son of Extinction was a man like a relentless spirit fox; once he set his sights on someone, escape was virtually impossible unless one could defeat him!
Given Hyperion's current strength, even with the aid of three Tier 6 clergymen, she stood almost no chance against him—not to mention that the entire Northwestern Province was the Extinction Branch's home turf. Engaging him in battle was out of the question.
Just as Count Milford had asked, only by putting on the most natural performance as a count's daughter could she deceive everyone without leaving a trace!
"Rest assured, I will stay at the top of my game at all times and make sure the Holy Son of Extinction never catches wind of me," Hyperion replied, clenching her fist resolutely despite the tension in her heart.
However...
"..."
Count Milford froze for a moment.
He sensed that the priestess seemed to have completely misunderstood him.
"I forgot to tell you... Your luck is remarkably good. A couple of days ago, for reasons unknown, the Holy Son of Extinction took all the main forces in the Northwestern Province and headed straight for the empire's far north... So the Milford Territory is very safe right now."
Count Milford explained somewhat awkwardly,
"You can enjoy yourself without worry. Ease your strained nerves a bit. Surely the Goddess must be watching over you."
Perhaps because he seldom smiled, Hyperion had assumed the atmosphere was grave. It had all been a misunderstanding.
"Huh?"
Hyperion went blank for a moment.
The Holy Son of Extinction had marched off with the entire army? She could actually spend seven days sightseeing in the Milford Territory?
Hadn't they said this journey into the empire was perilous beyond measure? How had the opening stage suddenly dropped down to baby mode?
Chapter 338