Historically, certain factions within the Church Court had accused it of "heretical" tendencies even earlier than the Northern Shepherd Chief District. It just never completely split off like the Shepherd Headquarter District, instead maintaining a high degree of autonomy under a veneer of obedience.

"Why would they go to the trouble of sending someone all this way to deliver a letter from the Tower of Secret Silver addressed to you?" Aurora frowned slightly as she analyzed the situation. "The Empire borders the Castile Kingdom. With monsters now running rampant within Castile, the Empire’s border must be under immense pressure."

Murphy took a sip of his tea. "The Empire probably doesn’t want to deal with the Tower of Secret Silver directly, to avoid getting too deeply involved. Or... they have their own internal disagreements on how to handle the mess in Castile. Using me as a third party—especially a newly-promoted Legendary Knight with close ties to the Church Court and the Kingdom, who has also had indirect conflicts with the Tower of Secret Silver—to pass a message or test the waters gives them much more room to maneuver."

"Indirect conflict?" Aurora keenly caught the phrase.

"The ambush in the Deep Red Wilderness was likely backed by the Tower of Secret Silver, or some other Wizard Organization using their name," Murphy’s voice turned cold. "The Ironspine Duke once mentioned they attacked the passage seals to create a disaster, forcing the Church Court to fight on two fronts. Now that the situation in Castile has spiraled out of control, it has likely exceeded their initial expectations and backfired on them."

Aurora pondered for a moment. "So, this letter could be a request for help? Or a feeler for some kind of negotiation? The Tower of Secret Silver doesn’t want to clean up the ever-growing monster nests within its borders alone. And while the Empire is powerful, their conventional army would suffer immense losses against a disaster on this Extraordinary level, and even their top fighters would likely have their hands tied. They need someone with enough strength to deal with an Extraordinary threat, who also holds a neutral or flexible status."

"A Legendary Holy Protector with illustrious military achievements, who holds the title ’Thunder Sword,’ has close ties to the Church Court but isn’t directly under its command, and at the same time has a feud with the Tower of Secret Silver," Murphy added, a faint smile touching his lips. "I really do look like a good pawn. I can be used to display power and, when necessary, engage in some not-so-aboveboard dealings or transactions with the Wizard Organization. If it’s a success, the threat to the Empire’s border is eliminated. If it fails or brings about undesirable consequences, the blame can be shifted onto me, an outsider."

A flash of understanding crossed Aurora’s eyes, quickly followed by worry. "That’s very likely. Brother, you were right to refuse. These waters are too murky. Castile is a monster’s nest now, the internal situation of the Tower of Secret Silver is unclear, the Empire’s motives are hard to guess, and the Church Court’s stance is ambiguous. Rushing in would not be worth the risk."

"There’s more," Murphy said, setting down his teacup, his gaze growing distant. "I suspect the shadow of the Balance Keeper might be behind this. The decay of Castile, the formation of this monster ecosystem... it could all be part of some evolution toward equilibrium."

Aurora stood up, walked behind Murphy, and gently massaged his temples. Her voice was gentle yet firm. "Regardless, our foundation is here in the Northern Territory, in the Monte Territory. Let Castile’s troubles stay in Castile. The Empire’s problems are for them to worry about."

Murphy relaxed, feeling the comforting pressure on his temples, and slowly closed his eyes.

"Yes... when you reply to the Iron Wall Imperial Guard Commander, you can express concern for the situation on the Imperial border and reiterate the limitations of my position as a vassal of Vilt, but don’t be too definitive. You can hint that if the situation changes, or when certain conditions are met, there might be a possibility for further discussion. Leaving the door a little open might be useful in the future."

Aurora replied, "Okay. I will draft it in your name and choose my words carefully."

...

「Several more months flew by.」

The scent of early spring quietly filled the air as the ice and snow melted across the Monte Territory, with tender green shoots dotting the fields.

Traffic between the Monte Territory and Blackstone Fortress didn’t cease with the end of the hostilities; instead, it grew even closer thanks to trade privileges and their new alliance.

Murphy and Aurora often traveled back and forth between the two places, handling territorial affairs, inspecting trade routes, or negotiating collaborations with the Peric Clan.

The two locations were hundreds of kilometers apart, a long journey for any ordinary person, but for Murphy, it was hardly a challenge.

He would often wrap his arm around Aurora’s waist, and his deep blue figure would streak forward like a gale skimming the ground, sweeping across mountains and plains to arrive in no more than half a day.

Aurora had long grown accustomed to it, leaning peacefully in his embrace, enjoying the breakneck speed and the intimacy that was theirs alone.

One afternoon, the sunlight was warm and gentle inside Monte Castle.

The open-air balcony outside the study had been converted into a comfortable lounge area, furnished with a thick wool carpet and several wicker tables and chairs.

Kaiden sat stiffly, brow furrowed, poring over a scroll of the territory’s tax reports spread out before him. He occasionally scratched his head, clearly struggling.

A girl with fiery red hair and bright, lively eyes sat beside him, pointing out a detail on the report.

It was Miss Anne of the Peric Clan, who had come to Monte Castle at Aurora’s invitation for a visit and a scholarly exchange.

"Kaiden, look here," Annie said, her voice crisp as she tapped a number on the parchment with her fingertip. "The meal subsidies for the border patrol and arrow attrition are accounted for separately, but in the summary, you missed the batch of training arrows that resupplied the Black Wood Forest Outpost last month. The amount isn’t large, but my father always said that ledgers are like the foundation stones of a fortress wall—every single one must fit perfectly."