Glynn is Dead!

“Phil!?”

Ted and Helen exchanged a glance. Ted said, “We still need to clarify whether this Madam Philia is indeed our benefactor, or if it’s merely a coincidence that she bears an identical resemblance. It’s difficult to ascertain at this moment…”

Helen knitted her brows, her eyes darting, then apologized, “Father, though that lady refused to reveal her name when she rescued us two years ago, she did help me heal within that small cabin. I, I thoroughly investigated that cabin while she was out…”

Ted’s expression changed to one of fury. “You dared investigate our savior?! Unconscionable!”

Helen stubbornly countered, “Father, at the time, I couldn’t be certain if she genuinely intended to save us, or if it was a trap set by Bonis for the treasures I carried! ‘Beware of others’ intentions’ — isn’t that how we’ve survived until today after Mother’s passing?” She glanced at the crowd, lowering her voice further. “Discussing this now is pointless. Your daughter has already completed her investigation! Father! Among that lady’s personal belongings, there were two items that seemed unremarkable at the time, but now they might be crucial clues…”

Helen gestured for Sulan to lean closer, continuing, “One item was a divine statue, depicting an elderly person with a strikingly similar appearance to that lady, a spirited face. It could be her father or an elder! The other was a Spirit Tablet, with the name written upon it… Glynn!”

Sulan asked, bewildered, “Mistress, how are these clues?”

“Sulan, these are indeed clues!” Helen cast a sidelong glance at Phil’s statue. “The divine statue proves our benefactor’s ancestors were divine! And the Spirit Tablet confirms she has a deceased relative or confidant named Glynn—though there are far too many people named Glynn. However, if this Philia of the Saint Sigurd Cain family possesses both a divine ancestor and a deceased confidant named Glynn, combined with her appearance, that would be sufficient proof that she is our benefactor!”

“Understood, Mistress Sulan!” She turned and immediately went to investigate.

Ted and Helen waited in a corner. Sulan’s intelligence-gathering capabilities were formidable; in mere moments, she returned with a look of suspicion.

“Master, Mistress! I dispatched a few ‘little ones’ to research the Saint Sigurd Cain family’s genealogy and biographies. They recorded that Madam Philia’s ancestors were merely minor nobles, and her father, Byron-Gale, was only a Baron who passed away over thirty years ago! However… Philia’s attendant at the Battle God Academy back then was indeed named Glynn! But this Glynn has been missing for a long time. The biographies state his last appearance was before Francis’s birth!”

Helen’s brows furrowed even deeper as she slowly paced with light, measured steps.

Without the crucial prerequisite of “divine ancestors,” and with Glynn merely “missing” rather than deceased, it was still impossible to fully confirm that Philia was their family’s great benefactor!

Sulan added, “Oh, Mistress, I also overheard some Household Guards at the Saint Sigurd Cain Estate discussing how their eldest Young Master has gotten into trouble…” She recounted Steve’s situation. “The Household Guards also mentioned that Francis rushed back to Saint John City overnight, using his Holy Church authority to pressure King Lanning. It’s clear he’s here to save his elder brother. Perhaps, he and Arges, that father and son with such deep-seated animosity, might even cooperate!”

“Francis!?” Helen instantly felt the intelligence at hand was incredibly muddled. She slowly began to unravel it…

Firstly, Philia might be their family’s savior!

Secondly, the real Francis was an idiot. The Francis capable of pressuring Bargnar in such a manner must be that mysterious Master!

But why would that mysterious Master save Steve, who had no relation to him whatsoever?!

That question wasn’t important; what was important was… the conclusion!

Helen stated her assessment to Ted, “Father, what are your thoughts!?”

Ted waved his hand. “What’s there to hesitate about? For two years we’ve been safe and sound, and the treasures you carry remain untouched. This proves that the lady who saved us back then was indeed our benefactor, not a spy for Bonis! And if the divine entity impersonating Francis now wishes to save Steve, we should assist him! Although, given His Eminence’s astonishing power, he requires no aid, we must offer whatever help is within our capabilities!”

This was precisely Helen’s own conclusion!

Sulan hesitated, “But Bonis’s vanguard army is currently hunting us, and those Outsiders, Tendon-Severing and Corpse Dissolution, are relentlessly pursuing us. It seems we shouldn’t invite more trouble for ourselves. Do we have sufficient strength…?”

Helen shook her head gravely. “Sulan! We must not easily trust anyone! But we must always be clear about favors and grievances! Since ‘Francis’ resorted to intimidation, it proves he doesn’t intend to forcibly break Steve out of prison, but rather seeks a way to clear Steve’s name… You are to immediately monitor all major government departments in Lanning, tracking all news concerning Steve!”

“Sulan will go immediately, but Mistress, shouldn’t we first contact His Eminence ‘Francis’?” Before waiting for an answer, she playfully stuck out her tongue. “Oh, that fellow did say he didn’t want to see us again!”

Helen smiled faintly. “One is to act as a subordinate, offering assistance. The other is for us to complete the entire matter ourselves! Which do you think holds greater importance?” Bidding Sulan farewell, she further emphasized:

“Remember, simultaneously keep an eye out for any intelligence regarding Philia. It’s best to ascertain if that Glynn, who disappeared before Francis’s birth, is truly dead! If he is, then our benefactor’s Spirit Tablet might have been erected for him, and our benefactor would very likely be Madam Philia! Especially since His Eminence also showed great interest in Madam Philia’s affairs—don’t you recall?!”

Having said this, Helen, seizing the surrounding tranquility, gently tore off the mask on her face, revealing the countenance of a young woman in her late twenties. That ethereal beauty, one that shouldn’t belong to the mortal realm, flashed into existence, then vanished instantly…

After observing half a day of the ceremony in Sigurd Square, Du Chen returned to the Grand Cathedral. On the way, Ferdinand went ahead, while Du Chen and his family rode in the carriage. However, he sent Deboning to walk – to expand the influence of Du Chen’s Divine Cult in the Imperial Capital!

Wherever Deboning appeared, people were sure to gather and surround him. Watching Deboning’s terrifying, yet deliberately “approachable” smile, Du Chen secretly remarked to Porter from inside the carriage, “Let Brook also experience my suffering! It’s no pleasure to be stopped and greeted and gawked at everywhere you go—but what can I do? Who asked me to be so popular in the Imperial Capital?!”

Porter rolled his eyes disdainfully at Du Chen. “Go ahead and bask in your vanity, ‘Glory of Saint John City’!” He then covered his mouth, stifling a chuckle. “However, I imagine Mr. Brook is quite pleased with himself right now. Isn’t this respected prominence exactly what he’s sought his entire life?”

Du Chen rolled his eyes back at Porter. “It’s a pity Flaying is nowhere to be found…” He playfully punched Porter’s shoulder. “By the way, Flaying and Aunt Sherine disappeared together, don’t you think…” He gave an ambiguous smirk. “Could they have gone out together…? Hehe, Deboning said their relationship is quite ambiguous!”

“Can’t you ever think of anything serious? What, are you finally relaxed after having Dus save Steve’s life?” Porter sharply poked Du Chen’s forehead with his index finger. “Mr. Glynn and Teacher Sherine are over twenty years apart in age!”

Du Chen curled his lips into a smile. “Love, you see, age is not an issue, and race isn’t important! Flaying, when he went by the alias Glynn, was quite handsome back then. I’ve seen the Portraits.”

Porter suddenly removed his glasses, gently biting the temple.

“What are you thinking about?” Du Chen asked, surprised.

“I was thinking… never mind, it’s nothing!” It was impossible for Porter to know one particular thing, but Hillmerya suddenly recalled: Why did Flaying often tell Teacher Sherine that Glynn was dead?

Flaying was clearly alive and well, so why would he needlessly curse himself as dead?!

However, “Porter” shouldn’t know this detail, so he didn’t mention it to Du Chen.

As Porter was deep in thought, Du Chen suddenly clapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, brother, can you please stop biting your glasses’ temples? You look like a maiden doing that!”

“You’re the maiden!”

The two bickered inside the carriage. Harry, seated nearby, was long accustomed to their antics. However, little Beibei, cradled in Aliza’s arms, blinked her wide eyes, laughing adorably.

Upon returning to the Grand Cathedral, Du Chen was surprised to find Imperial Prime Minister Antoine awaiting him. He initially didn’t wish to see Avril’s grandfather, but the old man, flaunting the demeanor of Lanning’s Prime Minister, directly presented diplomatic documents, demanding a meeting with White-Robed Archbishop Francis!

Reluctantly, he granted a meeting. To his surprise, Antoine brought good news: Du Chen was to be promoted in rank and title! But immediately, Du Chen understood Bargnar’s true intentions!

While conversing with Antoine, Aliza suddenly burst through the doors with a “clang,” beaming with joy and excitedly shouting, “Young Master, Uncle Foye is here! Stop chatting with this old geezer, let’s go!” He then pulled Du Chen and ran outside.

Antoine’s face immediately turned ashen—Du Chen had truly left the Empire’s First Prime Minister high and dry.

What’s an Imperial Prime Minister anyway!? Can he compare to the adoptive father who raised Francis, the body I inhabit?!

But shouldn’t Uncle Foye be enjoying his retirement in a leisure estate in the Southern Sea? Why has he suddenly come to Saint John City!?