“Our family has been devout followers of the Goddess of Destiny for generations, and we firmly believe that the Goddess of Destiny will grant us protection and guidance. There's no need for the Divine Official to thank us so profusely."

Count Milford replied to the several clergy members, leaning on his cane.

Hearing herself addressed as Divine Official, Hyperia felt an inexplicable sense of mission well up within her.

In her homeland, the Kingdom of Hutton, she rarely received such heartfelt respect from senior nobles.

It was in this foreign land that she was repeatedly treated with extreme kindness.

During a brief silence, Count Milford sat in a retro-style leather chair. The curtains behind him were drawn, and the light from outside filtered into the room through the fine, dark gauze.

The drawing-room was dimly and discreetly lit, illuminating the space without being harsh. A bronze table lamp stood on a carved table, its shade painted with fairies symbolizing good fortune, chasing each other as if moving with the light and shadows.

"From today onwards, Divine Official, your identity will be Mirian Milford, the illegitimate daughter of my deceased elder brother. You are currently studying at the Milford Academy of Magical Research in our border territory. After you've adapted to this identity, you will transfer to the Royal Protos Academy of Magic as a third-year student in a week. A female guard in the manor has been rehearsing this role for a long time, and the procedures have already been completed for you. You only need to take her place," Count Milford said to Hyperia, watching her intently.

He knew that these three powerful sixth-tier clergy members would remain in the Northwest Province for quite some time.

Hyperia, as a disciple of the Ice Witch, would travel alone to the Imperial City of Helrom, where the mission would be even more dangerous.

As early as when he received the Ice Witch's request, he had prepared this identity for Hyperia. He personally handled everything, so that even the Nihilation Branch could not trace her origins in his territory. Moreover, this identity nominally involved their family secrets, providing sufficient legitimate reasons to manipulate it in various ways.

However, as it stood, the Northwest Province was no longer dangerous for Hyperia. The danger lay solely in the series of core missions after arriving in the Imperial City of Helrom.

"No problem."

Hyperia nodded.

Playing the part of a count's daughter was not difficult for her. She had learned various Protos Imperial etiquette when she was in the Kingdom of Athelstan.

She was confident that she could quickly and perfectly take over and adapt to this identity that had been tailored for her.

Count Milford pondered for a moment, then slowly continued, "In addition, my daughter, Mishura Milford, who is now nominally your cousin, will travel with you to the Imperial City of Helrom. She is a first-year student and does not know your specific situation. She only knows that she has such a sister, and also knows that I have recently intended to move you from behind the scenes to the forefront of the family... She has been to the Imperial City many times before and is very familiar with it, so she should be able to provide you with some help. Of course... there may be a bit of selfishness on my part. If you cannot return to the Northwest Province in the future, please take her to a safe place."

Count Milford's voice carried a trace of regret, as well as a request.

In any case, he would not betray this land where the Milford family's ancestors had lived for generations, but in the event that the Northwest Province became the most war-torn area, he hoped that his daughter would not return.

The clergy of the Goddess of Destiny Church were trustworthy and could protect his daughter.

"During the time you stay in Milford Territory, just treat me as your uncle. The Milford family will give you all the help we can."

Count Nelson Milford assured Hyperia.

"I understand," Hyperia replied.

This could also be regarded as Count Milford entrusting her with his orphaned daughter, indicating that the imperial situation was quite bad, on the verge of war at any moment.

Although the count's expression was always rather stern, his tone only convinced people that he was a sincere and friendly person.

After explaining all the important matters, Count Milford stood up and walked to the window.

He looked at the spires in the distance with a complex expression.

"That most conspicuous building is the fortress of the Nihilation Knights. Like the Imperial Army, they control a lot of information and authority in the city-states... but for now, as long as you don't actively investigate them, it doesn't matter. There's no need to be overly nervous in the city."

Count Milford turned around and said to Hyperia seriously, "These days, adapt to the Protos Imperial life in Milford Territory and relax a little. You can go shopping with Mishura. She has been looking forward to meeting this rumored sister."

"Okay."

Hyperia understood Count Milford's meaning.

The seemingly relaxed words actually contained deep meaning.

Hyperia had long been prepared that the most dangerous first stage of hell difficulty after arriving in the Northwest Province was to evade the elite of the Nihilation Branch and the Nihilation Saint in the Northwest Province.

Now, these lackeys of the Nihilation Bishops were conducting high-intensity searches in the Northwest Province and would not let go of any spies from enemy countries. They were the most terrible enemies she needed to avoid in the week before heading to the Imperial City of Helrom.

According to the Ice Witch, the Nihilation Saint was a man like a fox chasing after its prey. Once he set his sights on someone, there was almost no possibility of escape unless they could defeat him!

With Hyperia's current strength, even with the help of three sixth-tier clergy members, she could hardly deal with the Nihilation Saint, let alone the entire Northwest Province being the Nihilation Branch's home ground, so she must never confront him.

As Count Milford requested, only by naturally playing the part of the count's daughter could she flawlessly deceive everyone!

"Don't worry, I will always be in the best condition and not let the Nihilation Saint set his sights on me."

Hyperia was nervous inside, but she clenched her fist firmly and replied.

However.

"..."

Count Milford was slightly stunned.

He felt that the Divine Official had misunderstood his meaning.

"I forgot to tell you... your luck is very good. For some reason, the Nihilation Saint took all the main forces of the Northwest Province to the north of the empire two days ago... so Milford Territory is very safe now."

Count Milford explained awkwardly, "You can play with peace of mind, relax your tense nerves a little. It must be the Goddess blessing you."

Perhaps it was because he usually didn't like to smile that Hyperia thought the atmosphere was very solemn. This was a misunderstanding.

"Ah?"

Hyperia was stunned.

The Nihilation Saint had left with the main force? She could even travel in Milford Territory for seven days?

Wasn't it said that the trip to the empire was extremely dangerous? How did it become baby difficulty at the beginning?

(End of this chapter)