Fertile City, Upper City Courtyard.
“Come on, Godfather, open your mouth wide.”
Cradling a bowl of steaming hot thick soup, Alice carefully lifted the spoon and brought it to Green’s lips.
“Alice, it’s fine, I can do it myself…”
Lying on the big bed, Green glanced at his already healed wounds and reached out to take the bowl of hot soup.
“Hmph, didn’t the Archbishop say? Although your wounds have healed, Godfather, you still need to rest quietly for a while.”
Alice put down the bowl, hands on her hips, her tone sharp and unyielding: “Besides, you’re not that young anymore. You wouldn’t still be so concerned about saving face and trying to tough it out, would you?”
I’m just trying to make sure you get proper rest…
Green shook his head, both annoyed and amused.
During these past days, Alice had practically taken on the role of housekeeper, handling all matters big and small in this little cottage.
From the Temple of Light and the Condolence group sent by the city officials, to the Judicatory Subordinate who came to report the case, to neighborhood interactions — all these things, big and small, were almost entirely managed by Alice.
Unexpectedly, though it was her first time handling such affairs, Alice showed an astonishing talent.
In just one week, she had undergone a complete transformation.
Before, despite her exceptional talent and bright prospects, her lack of experience meant that in daily life with Green, she still seemed like a child in need of parental protection.
But ever since he was injured and bedridden, overnight, Alice had taken on the responsibility of this little home and truly grown up.
“Ahem!” Just as Green was trying to find an excuse to make Alice take a break from her work, a sharp pain suddenly assaulted his nerves.
Caught off guard, he couldn’t help but cough up a spray of blood.
“Godfather?!”
Seeing this, Alice immediately jumped up. “I’m going to fetch Lord Lawrence!”
Bang bang.
The door was pushed open, and a graceful figure rushed inside.
“Lord Green?” Julia’s delicate face was full of concern.
Her anxious eyes darted everywhere as she quickly sat beside Alice and reached out to touch Green.
Smack!
Alice coldly blocked her.
“Sorry, Miss Julia, this is my Godfather’s home. If it’s not work-related, could you please not come near us?”
Alice despised Julia.
Not only because Julia was suspected to be the mastermind behind the cultists’ explosion that injured Godfather, but also because she seemed to have noticed the secret about Godfather “losing the Blessing of Light.”
Though she didn’t fully understand the inner workings of the Church’s high command, Alice judged from what she knew that “losing the Blessing of Light” was catastrophic news for a Paladin.
It wasn’t just losing power or position—it could even invite the Judicatory Subordinate’s attention, like Julia’s.
“…” Seemingly sensing Alice’s wary gaze, Julia looked gently at Green, who was wheezing on the bed, then tenderly placed a towel soaked in hot water on his forehead.
“When I was new, it was Lord Green who took me under his wing,” Julia’s tone suddenly softened. “In fact, Green should be considered my mentor. Back then, I was clueless but arrogant, thinking I was some top graduate from the Central Academy of the City of the Holy Light…”
“But on my first mission, I almost couldn’t even defeat a Goblin. If it weren’t for Lord Green saving me, I…”
At this, Julia shyly lowered her head.
“So rest assured, Alice, I won’t betray Lord Green. Like you, I put his safety above all else!”
Julia suddenly looked up and spoke solemnly.
However, Julia’s words did not win Alice’s understanding.
In fact, Alice’s hostility only grew stronger.
If her original gaze toward Julia was cautious, now, seeing Julia act all meek and gentle in front of Green, Alice’s hostility was almost nakedly malicious.
“Go away.”
Alice pushed Julia away from Green with some force.
“Godfather, you should drink your soup and get some nutrition. And be careful not to hang around with women of unknown origins outside. You might catch something from them.”
Alice’s words carried a pointed meaning.
Julia, bewildered, looked at Alice’s worried gaze toward Green and suddenly understood everything with a bang in her mind.
So that was it…
But she—she was Green’s goddaughter.
No, that wasn’t the point.
Seeing the two in front of her so perfectly in sync and full of warmth, Julia felt a surge of competitive spirit rise within her.
A mere little girl of ten-something dared to compete with me?
You’ve only been under Lord Green’s care for a few years.
When I was training under my mentor, you probably weren’t even born!
With that thought, Julia didn’t hesitate to step forward again.
“Oh, it’s good for the patient to have soup for nutrition, but I remember the priest saying that when someone just recovers, it’s best to start with light food to nurture the body…”
She pushed the thick soup aside and introduced the gift she had brought.
“Look, mentor, what’s this?” Julia proudly took out a sparkling pocket watch from her waist. “This is crafted by a Dwarven Craftsman Master—one of only ten in the entire kingdom!”
“Didn’t you say before you wanted a good pocket watch?”
Julia carefully fastened the watch to Green’s chest, then examined it up and down with satisfaction.
Though it was just a pocket watch, hanging on his chest, Green’s entire demeanor changed—at least to Julia’s starry eyes, he seemed steadier, more dignified, and… even more charming.
Really, if the mentor dressed up a bit, he was actually quite good-looking…
Julia gazed at Green quietly, a little dazed.
“Ahem, thank you, Julia. But since you hurried here so much, it’s surely not just about this, right?”
Green coughed hard, then his expression turned serious.
“Yes.” Julia nodded slightly. “Archbishop Lawrence already knows about the attack on you. According to the Royal Capital headquarters’ assessment, the Withering Cult is very likely preparing a large-scale sacrificial ritual. The impact range… includes the entire Fertile City.”
“The Archbishop has already set out, planning to personally take command in Fertile City to wipe out the cultists citywide. According to headquarters, there may already be infiltrators among the city’s upper echelons.”
After saying this, Julia glanced meaningfully at her mentor.
She fully trusted this fool she knew so well, who was wholeheartedly devoted to the Way of the Holy Light.
But… Green had lost the Blessing of Light.
Plus, he had served as an inspector for years and made many powerful enemies in the city.
If someone seized on that…
“Lord Green,” Julia switched back to addressing him formally, “maybe you should temporarily step down…”
“No.” Green refused decisively. “I understand your concerns, Julia. But if we abandon protecting the people because of personal worries, how can that be worthy of our Paladin’s oath?”
Looking at Green’s unwavering and fearless determination, Julia fell silent.
Her mentor was always like this.
She slowly stood and bowed solemnly. “Understood, Lord. Then I will return to duty at the temple.”
Watching Julia’s departing figure, Green’s emotions were complicated.
He could feel the body of this simulated life gradually falling apart.
His days were numbered.
Since that was the case…
Green looked quietly at Alice, whose mood was heavy beside him, his gaze full of pride.
Though this simulation was unfortunate and he didn’t make full use of his special identity to gather more secrets and intel, at least, he had nurtured an outstanding Paladin.
So then, to gain a higher reward, let me pave your path to the Holy Light, Alice.
“This pocket watch, actually, was the gift I planned to give you.” Green unhooked the watch from his chest. “I should’ve made it clear with Julia earlier. Alice, happy birthday.”
“Dummy Godfather.” Alice’s nose suddenly tingled as she blankly took up the exquisite pocket watch, listening to the ticking hands.
“But my birthday isn’t for several months yet?”
Cough cough cough!
Another violent coughing fit.
“You just heard, didn’t you?” Green yawned. “Archbishop Lawrence is personally leading us to wipe out the Withering Cult. I’m definitely going to be busy these next few months.”
Looking at the frail Green, Alice wanted desperately to advise him not to get involved in such a dangerously risky mission.
But faced with Green’s resolute gaze, Alice couldn’t say a word.
Finally, the thousand words she wanted to say dissolved into a whisper: “Then Godfather, I—I want to join this operation too!”
Alice suddenly looked up.