Subtle body languages often betray a persons true emotions.

Someone who was feeling happy would naturally relax their muscles whereas someone who was upset was prone to turning cold. These were natural reflexive responses that were hard for humans to control.

The difficulty of controlling these reflexive responses was further heightened for transcendents due to the additional element of mana, which happened to be a strong conductor of emotions.

That was also why Charlotte woke up at this precise moment.

In her groggy state, she had sensed a mana pulsation that she had never felt from Roel. It was overflowing with extreme anger and rage, but it was also mixed with hints of indignance and desolation. If she had to draw an analogy, it felt like an incredibly melancholic sigh.

It was as if a warm spring had suddenly turned cold and turbulent. Such a jarring change couldnt have possibly escaped Charlottes notice, even if she had been asleep a moment ago.

She opened her eyes and looked at Roel.

What she was on his face was neither burning rage nor tearful sorrow, but confused exhaustion. He seemed to be pondering upon a complex question that he simply couldnt find an answer to. He hadnt noticed her awakening yet, which was why she was able to see his true feelings.

He had never liked to worry others. The moment he realized that she was awake, he would immediately put on a smiling face, but that only made her even more anxious and perplexed.

What could have made him so distracted that he would reveal such an expression and not even realize that I am awake?

After a moment of hesitation, she decided to call him out.

Whats wrong, darling?

!

Roel jolted. He immediately put on a smilejust as she had expectedbefore lowering his gaze to look at her.

Youre awake? It hasnt been an hour yet. Why dont you sleep a while more and resume work in the afternoon?

Charlotte spent a moment staring at Roels uncracking smile before she finally answered.

Ill postpone todays work.

Charlotte?

Its all right. Ive already dealt with the urgent documents and I believe that theres something more important here that I have to settle.

Roel was taken aback. Charlotte raised her hand and gently caressed his cheek.

Darling, what happened?

Roels smile fizzled out when he realized that he had failed to convince Charlotte with his act. Through their exchange of gazes, he sensed her determination to get to the bottom of the matter. In the end, he heaved a sigh of resignation before handing the two documents to her.

This is

Charlotte took the documents with a quizzical look on her face. She sat upright and began solemnly browsing through the two documents. Her face remained mostly stoic, but the subtle movements in her facial expressions hinted that she wasnt as calm as she appeared to be.

When she finally put down the two documents, she turned to look at Roel but found herself at a loss for words.

Even she was repulsed when she learned that the Saints Convocation had been hoarding the Ardes remains, let alone Roel who carried deep respect for his ancestors.

Darling, I

Charlotte kept raising and lowering her head as she struggled to find the right words. She wanted to comfort him, but words seemed to fizzle out at the tip of her tongue.

In the end, she straddled on his thighs and hugged him tightly. She stroked his hair comfortingly and gently whispered into his ears.

Darling, you can cry too if its too much for you to bear.

I dont think that I will. They might be my ancestors, but I dont personally know them.

Still, it must have been upsetting to learn about their plights.

Rather than upset, I feel more indignant on their behalf, Roel replied as hisexhaustion resurfaced.

Those words left Charlotte pondering about the circumstances surrounding the Ardes, and she couldnt help but feel melancholic about everything they had been put through. She lowered her head and sighed deeply.

Indeed, it must have felt indignant, she thought to herself.

Since the Second Epoch, the Kingmaker Bloodline had been defending the peace of the human civilization from the shadows. While they had risen to a prominent position for their sacrifices, it was hardly comparable to the blood they had shed in the process.

It was no exaggeration to say that the rise of the human civilization was built on the blood of the Kingmaker Clan.

To protect the human civilization, the Kingmaker Clan maintained a tight grasp on the Mother Goddess and the Savior, but they suffered a terrible backlash as a result. The Ardes crumbled, and its scattered members had to live in constant fear of the evil cultists after their lives.

A thousand years had passed since then, and the once glorious clan had shrunk till it was only two people strong. In fact, before Roel awakened his bloodline, most noble houses believed that the Ascarts had already run its course.

Yet, how did humankind reciprocate the Kingmaker Clans sacrifices?

The Saints Convocation exploited their flesh and blood in order to acquire greater power.

Powerful transcendents who had descended into depravity directed their blades at them.

Their once stalwart ally, the Ackermanns, turned their backs on them when they were in dire need of help.

The Kingmaker Clan had been brought down by the very same people they had protected.

In Charlottes embrace, Roel looked at the scenery outside with eyes flickering with uncertainty reminiscent of a lost child.

Charlotte, do you think that kindness begets kindness?

Charlotte was unable to answer Roels question.

She could disguise the truth with flowery words, but kindness didnt always beget kindness. Tragedies always accompanied those who walked the path of a protectorthe history of the Ardes had shown as much.

But those werent the words that she wanted to tell him. Neither did she think that he had posed that question out of cynicism of humankind. She pressed her lips on his forehead and pondered about it before finally offering her answer to that question.

I cant say that good people will be rewarded for their kindness but its my personal belief that evildoers will suffer retribution.

Retribution?

Evildoers ought to be punished for their sins. Ill take it upon myself to ensure that happens.

Charlotte?

Surprised by the forceful declaration, Roel turned his head over to look at Charlotte. Sensing his movements, she also turned to look at him, revealing the unwavering conviction in her eyes.

Charlotte, you

Darling, leave the Saints Convocation to us. You shouldnt get involved in this matter, all right?

Charlotte caressed Roels cheeks as she gently persuaded him with a smile. Even so, Roel looked hesitant about accepting the offer.

This is our Ascarts problem. It doesnt seem right to leave it all to

Are you going to continue using that excuse with me after everything we have been through? Charlotte asked with a dissatisfied frown.

Thats not what I mean. Theres no way I would regard you as an outsider, but

You are regarding me as an outsider. I am your fiance. Shouldnt we overcome difficult times together?

While Roel was unable to refute those words, he was still reluctant to concede on this matter. Charlotte let out a sigh before continuing on.

You seem to be mistaken about something. The Saints Convocation is already on Rosas black list after they brazenly bared their fangs at us. Im going to ensure that every single one of them is weeded out Besides, its about time for Rosa to change its own position in the world.

Position?

Roel narrowed his eyes questioningly. Charlotte continued sharing her thoughts.

The Rosa Merchant Confederacy had always taken a pacifist stance in international politics, opting to maintain good ties whenever possible to facilitate trade. This had allowed the Sorofyas to expand its business all over the world.

However, with the peaceful era slowly receding, Rosa would have to adapt to the changing circumstances in order to remain relevant.

Having a say on international matters was of utmost importance in a chaotic era.

Rosa couldnt allow itself to be seen as nothing more than the money bag of humankind. Eradicating the Saints Convocation was not just a matter of vengeance anymore. More than that, it was an opportunity for Rosa to showcase its might.

Roel expressed his approval for Charlottes thoughts.

Rosas influence was sorely lacking in comparison to the Saint Mesit Theocracy and the Austine Empire. If they wanted to become one of the decision-makers of humankind, they would have to prove their strength and build up merit by accomplishing something substantial.

In that case, Roel ought to fully entrust the Saints Convocation to them. His involvement in the matter would only undermine Rosas accomplishments.

Other than that, you seem to have forgotten the most important thing here.

I did? What did I forget?

Our child is going to be a member of the Ascart House too, Charlotte pinched Roels cheeks as she spoke with a pout. If our child awakens to the Ascart Bloodline, the Saints Convocation would likely go after him too. Im not going to sit still when someone endangers my child.

Roel widened his eyes.

Youre right. But its not just the Saints Convocation thats dangerous here. The same goes for the Fallens too.

Roel finally snapped out of the melancholic mood he was in. His golden eyes regained their usual sharpness. Charlotte quietly exhaled at that sight, relieved at the success of her strategy.

The plight of the Ardes was a tragedy for the descendants of the Kingmaker Bloodline to grief for. She was indeed an outsider here, in the sense that she couldnt share Roels sorrow and comfort him. Anything she said would have been shallow.

However, it was a different story when it came to the topic of their children.

The tragic fate of the Ardes despite their sacrifices had extinguished Roels fighting will, but she believed that he would be able to pull himself together if he turned his focus toward their future child. She was right about that.

Another question quickly surfaced in her mind.

Darling, how do you intend to deal with your ancestors blood and remains?

Id have to discuss the matter with my father, but I wish to bring them back to the Ascart Fiefdom.

I see Ill have Grandpa Andrew deliver it lest the evil cultists try to steal it.

Roel thought that Charlottes words made sense. He could see the evil cultists attempting that.

Now that he had matured, it was getting increasingly difficult for the Saints Convocation to acquire a fresh sample of the Kingmaker Bloodline from him. The only way for them to retain their control over the Six Calamities was for them to steal back their stockpile.

It was also possible that the Saints Convocation had more samples of the Kingmaker Bloodline, but that wasnt something Roel could do anything about at the moment.

So, he accepted Charlottes goodwill.

Charlottes lips inched upward triumphantly.

She knew that from the locations of the Saints Convocations base and the Ascart Fiefdom that the shortest delivery route would pass through Rosa City. It wouldnt be right for her not to do anything at all when her fiancs ancestors was passing through her homeland.

Thus, she turned to her lover and made a proposal.

Darling, why dont we pay respects to your ancestor together?

Oh?

In Rosa, we hold rituals for the bodies of family members who have died on the battlefield to garner blessings for them. I believe that the Ascart Fiefdom has a similar custom, right?

Indeed, but

Thats settled then. Well hold a grand ritual for your ancestors here in Rosa. Youll be the one officiating the ritual and Ill be beside you as your wife.

Charlotte clasped her hand over Roels mouth and single-handedly made a call on this matter. Despite her domineering attitude, she was blushing furiously.