"A task from His Highness?" Elena’s face eased up upon hearing this.

"Yes." Mathilda nodded. "His Highness trusts you the most so I believe you are the perfect person for this task." She added.

Elena’s face broke into a smile. "Fine. Let’s hear it."

Mathilda looked to her left and right, making sure that no one was around, before she handed the book to Elena. "His Highness wants you to transcribe a few copies of this book."

Elena took the book and glanced at the front page.

Mana Heart Transformation

"Did His Highness specify how many copies he wanted?" She asked as she casually flipped through the first page.

Mathilda shook her head and responded. "His Highness didn’t mention any number, but he said that he would disseminate the transcribed copies to our Transcendent Knights so probably around twenty or so. He also said that this must be completed as soon as possible."

Elena closed the book and rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Transcribing twenty copies is doable, but it cannot be done quickly if I were to work on it alone. If it’s all right, I can ask someone for help and send the transcribed copies to His Highness within five days."

"This..." Mathilda hesitated. She couldn’t make the decision herself.

"I will ask His Highness’s permission first. If he allows it, then it should be fine..."

With a curious look, she asked. "If you don’t mind me asking, who are you planning to ask for help?"

Elena smiled faintly. "Miss Hershey and Miss Yvanna."

Hearing the names, Mathilda’s face twitched. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

No servant would dare to ask Hershey and Yvanna for a favor. Only Elena was bold enough to do this.

"If it’s the two misses, then it should be alright, but just to make sure, I will inform His Highness and let you know his decision." Mathilda couldn’t afford to be careless.

"Alright. I will wait for you here."

...

Several days later, Sam’s entourage finally arrived in Gilmatan. With the empress’s seal, they were allowed entry into the city without having their carriage inspected.

Riding on his horse beside Sam’s carriage, Warrick exclaimed. "So this is Gilmatan! It’s more prosperous than I imagined!"

The streets were surprisingly clean and the residential houses were also symmetrically built. Whoever designed the city’s layout was a great architect.

Einar who was riding next to Warrick nodded in agreement.

Based on its architecture alone, Gilmatan was arguably the second-best city in all of Veronica.

Sam peeked through the carriage window and let out a chuckle. "You guys might not know this. Gilmatan is the territory of the Carefree Duke."

"Under his rule, Gilmatan steadily grew to become one of the most prosperous cities in the nation." There was a hint of admiration in his voice.

Warrick and Einar might not be locals, but they have also heard of the renowned Carefree Duke. He was one of the first people to follow the empress in bringing peace to Veronica.

The name Namgung Ilsun might have been forgotten in recent years, but he was once known as one of the most powerful Venerables in the surrounding nations.

"Don’t tell me our next destination is the Carefree Duke’s estate?" Warrick sent Sam a skeptical look.

They had visited a few households before coming here and demanded an exorbitant amount of donation from them. Most of these houses refused at first, but when they were presented with the empress’s seal, they reluctantly agreed to the outrageous demands.

"Yes." Sam nodded with a chuckle. "You don’t have to be nervous, Sir Warrick. The Carefree Duke is a loyal vassal of Her Majesty. As long as we present Her Majesty’s seal, I’m sure the Lord Duke would readily accept our request."

Warrick furrowed his eyebrows and sent the former bishop a deep look. "Director Sam, haven’t you noticed that all the households we visited have one thing in common?"

"Of course I know what you mean." Sam shook his head and waved his hand. "All the households we’ve been to are those who didn’t send military support during the recent battle against the heretic cult."

"Then why do you think House Namgung is included in the list?" Warrick asked with a doubtful smile.

Sam’s face stiffened upon hearing this.

Now that Warrick mentioned it, he found it odd.

During the battle against the heretic cult, he learned that House Namgung had sent only a few thousand warriors and some military rations. Considering the household’s military power, it was indeed a bit questionable.

Sam’s laidback appearance abruptly changed. He looked at the Warrick and said. "Sir Warrick, can you enter the carriage and speak with me in private?"

Looking at his serious expression, Warrick nodded. He raised his fist halfway to signal the entourage to halt. He then dismounted from his horse and entered the carriage.

Sam was starting to get nervous. It never occurred to him that something was wrong with House Namgung. After all, they were one of the most loyal vassals of the empress.

However, with Warrick’s earlier reminder, he felt that there was something suspicious about House Namgung’s behavior.

"Sir Warrick, are you telling me that House Namgung is starting to show signs of disloyalty to the throne?"

Warrick sneered at the bishop’s naive words. "Director, you are a bishop of the church so you might not be exposed to the cruelty of the human heart."

With a grim look, he continued. "Even the most loyal vassals could turn against their leader if they harbor greed in their hearts. Take the Carefree Duke as an example. The people praise him as the hero of Veronica, but who knows if he truly harbors no thoughts about the gilded throne?"

Sam widened his eyes in disbelief.

Warrick’s words made him feel even more anxious.

"Then if you’re right, shouldn’t we postpone our trip and return to Sorl?" He asked hesitantly.

Warrick thought for a moment and replied. "We will proceed as planned."

Sam frowned, seemingly hesitant.

"The Carefree Duke has no legitimate reasons to attack us. We are under Her Majesty’s orders, if he takes action against us, it is no different from provoking Her Majesty. I don’t think the Carefree Duke is stupid enough to attack us in broad daylight." Warrick said with a snort.