"After so many years away, no one recognizes me anymore."

Todd walked among the residences of the Skebek family, and the people he met on the way cast polite and friendly eyes at him, a normal reaction of well-mannered people upon seeing a stranger.

Occasionally, certain figures like servants would send him ingratiating looks, while others showed jealousy in their eyes. These subtle details did not escape his notice.

The reason people had so many emotions towards him was mainly because his current status was as a "Guest Elder invited by the Sibek Family Master."

Phrased more simply, it meant someone who lived off the family’s hospitality without much contribution, a freeloader of sorts.

Generally speaking, the Skebek family would give this honorary status to those who once had friendly relations but were currently of no use, meaning the family would provide for the guest’s food and accommodation and maybe some financial tokens, only needing them when there was some use for them.

A very common method for big families to gather connections, nothing to pay much mind to.

But this made Todd even more pensive, reflecting on how of all the people he met in the Skebek family back then, almost none remained except for the family master. Either they lost in family struggles and were killed or exiled, or they had left with one of the Three Great Religions’ armies, leaving the family full of strangers.

An overwhelming sense of change came over him.

Todd’s return wasn’t like a triumphant dragon king’s, so he couldn’t really find any joy in it.

If there was no joy, then there couldn’t be any arrogance in his mindset.

Yesterday he just managed to gain control over the Family Head, and today, in the capacity of a Guest Elder, he obtained the right to walk around freely within the Skebek family estate. In a few more days, he could get the identification to freely come and go from the Upper City District. By then, he’d truly be unimpeded, free to do as he wished in the Upper City.

However, with the teachings of the Mad Fire God, Todd’s mindset was now extremely steady, and he would never act arrogantly again.

"Hmm?"

His gaze suddenly noticed a young man in a Holy Light Church robe walking through the mansion’s main gate, holding in his hands a valuable-looking crystal ball. His demeanor didn’t seem ordinary, making it clear at first glance that he was either wealthy or of high birth.

The man wandered around with the crystal ball as soon as he came in, and those around him took no notice of his arrival, as if he had already blended into the landscape.

What is he doing?

Todd, out of curiosity, followed the young man’s steps.

The young man wandered around the Skebek estate, occasionally raising the crystal ball to take a look, then nodding. He continued this behavior until he had roamed through all the estates except the area where the Family Head resided, only then stopping as the glow of the crystal ball dimmed.

Since the glow on the crystal ball disappeared, it probably meant it was turned off, right?

"Why have you been following me since just now?" The young man suddenly turned and looked at Todd.

Todd feigned surprise, then walked forward and extended his hand, saying: "Todd Speck, I’ve just come from the Yanor Kingdom to seek refuge with the family, got here only yesterday. I hadn’t seen Scameroon life before, was what you were doing some local custom?"

Seeing his innocent demeanor, the young man—Edgar hesitated for a moment, then extended his hand to shake Todd’s, saying:

"Edgar, assistant to the Holy Light Archbishop."

"The Archbishop’s assistant? Then I’m truly honored today!"

Edgar was used to others’ astonishment and didn’t show any sign of familiarity, instead pointing to the crystal ball in his hand and saying:

"Since you’re also a member of the Skebek family, the Family Head will surely explain these things to you later, so I won’t steal his thunder. But remember, don’t disturb those who act like me in the future; we’re at work."

His tone carried the air of ordering subordinates, with a hidden arrogance that made others slightly uncomfortable.

Todd nodded, acting like an eager sycophant, inviting Edgar for lunch, but was "strictly impartial" turned down.

Yet, through his persistent efforts and a small "gesture," Edgar left his card with Todd.

Watching the back of this Holy Light Church staff member as he left, Todd tucked away the card, heading straight to find the Family Head to ask what exactly Edgar was doing.

"That’s a church-specialized magic tool. Although I’m not clear on the specific principle, it seems that thing can detect people’s level of respect for God."

The Family Head explained like an encyclopedia in detail:

"I once saw a person holding a crystal ball roaming around the streets. Based on his indications, the guards arrested many people—some of whom had explicitly spoken against the Three Great Religions."

Detecting people’s levels of respect for God!?

Upon hearing this, Todd’s body trembled.

Isn’t this equivalent to a heretic detector!

An immediate feeling of fear followed, knowing that had he approached before the crystal ball ceased functioning, he likely would have been exposed for disloyalty to the god of the Three Great Religions.

There’s no way adherents of the Mad Fire God Sect could pass the crystal ball’s detection!

"What is the Holy Light Church trying to accomplish with this?" he immediately asked.