“Fighting fiercely will only cause you pain if you get hurt.” Mirecia, standing nearby, folded her arms over her ample chest, her voice as indifferent as ever.

    “If I tell you that I’m not trying to be fierce, but that many times I just have no other choice, would you believe me, Your Highness?” Winnie didn’t try to explain further, just stating the facts.

    If she believes it, good; if not, then so be it. Once a certain impression is formed, explaining more wouldn’t help.

    Winnie was well aware of how he was perceived in the capital, and given his usual behavior, it was completely understandable that Mirecia held a prejudice against him. It wasn’t even just a prejudice.

    “I understand.” After a brief pause, Mirecia looked over at the two Angry Dragon Knights standing in the distance and said softly.

    Winnie was taken aback. Mirecia actually chose to believe him?

    He had thought that, given how much Mirecia knew and disliked him, anything he said would be dismissed as nothing more than self-serving excuses.

    “Thank you, Your Highness. I’m sorry for the trouble,” Winnie said, with respect and politeness.

    Seeing Winnie, so polite and respectful, Aeciphysis was even more surprised.

    “If I hadn’t received word and arrived just in time, Winnie, what would you have done? Let your injuries worsen?” Mirecia didn’t acknowledge Winnie’s thanks. Her eyes, calm like the sea, met his.

    “There would always be a way,” Winnie said with a smile.

    “Back then, I told you to take responsibility for yourself. That wasn’t just about your emotions but everything—your life too,” Mirecia said.

    “Yes, Your Highness, you’re right,” Winnie replied, not wanting to argue. He was no longer the fool he once was. He wouldn’t openly oppose Mirecia. He agreed to her words, though inwardly, he couldn’t help but appreciate that, despite her dislike, Mirecia still chose to help him.

    This was not about who the person was, but pure kindness.

    At this thought, Winnie felt some affection for Mirecia.

    Mirecia’s eyes widened slightly. The quick and decisive way Winnie acknowledged his mistakes made her uncomfortable.

    Was this really the same Winnie she knew?

    These past few days, his behavior had been so out of character, as though he were a completely different person.

    Pulling her thoughts back, Mirecia turned her gaze toward the apprentice and the two Angry Dragon Knights. Her pretty eyes narrowed slightly.

    “Um, Your Highness?” The young knight, realizing his mistake, felt a pang of dread.

    Clearly, he was much smarter than his irritable companion, who was still confused about why he’d helped the princess vent her frustrations but was not pleased about it.

    “You two knights,” Mirecia’s voice was steady and measured. “Did you deliberately let my maid overhear the news of this duel?”

    "Uh, well..." the knight stammered.

    “You’re facing the royal family, and I expect to hear the truth from you,” Mirecia’s voice remained firm.

    The two knights fell silent.

    “As Angry Dragon Knights, you provoke other nobles, engage in private duels, violate duel rules, and even openly incited the apprentice to use lethal force, nearly causing someone’s death.” Mirecia listed every rule the knights had broken.

    “This is what you understand by knightly honor and rules?”

    “You seem to know less about knightly spirit than I do. I will explain every detail to my father. Both the Angry Dragon Knights and their apprentice division do not need people who have talent but lack virtue.” Mirecia finished coldly, turning to thank Priest Vaughn again. After bidding him farewell, she turned and left with her maid, leaving the three knights in stunned silence.

    “Sorry, Aeciphysis, for delaying our tea time,” she said.

    “It’s fine, I’ve enjoyed a good show as well,” Aeciphysis playfully stuck out her tongue, her steps light as she followed behind.

    Seeing the silver-haired “plague” goddess not saying a word to him, Winnie finally relaxed. The tension in his body melted away.

    Though he knew she couldn’t act against him in front of Mirecia, just the thought of her getting closer made him break out in cold sweat.

    When he turned around, he saw Aeciphysis glance at him again, giving him a look before deliberately moving a bit closer to Mirecia.

    Aeciphysis gave a soft laugh, her eyes hinting at something mischievous.

    This demon—what kind of game was he playing this time? She would figure it out soon.

    As long as he was still the same villain, he would reveal his true nature sooner or later. Time would tell, and she wasn’t in a hurry.

    Moreover, her actions seemed tinged with some competitive and provoking intent.

    Winnie didn’t care much about her provocation; he was more concerned about his own life.

    He was thankful for the help, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off with this priest, especially the way he looked at him.

    Could it be? Was this priest...

    It couldn’t be, right?

    Seeing that Winnie was pulling away, Vaughn didn’t press further, giving him a hearty smile and bidding him farewell before leaving with his staff.

    Once everyone had left, leaving only the three of them standing there, Winnie continued with his plan. He reached for the pendant around his neck, grateful that he’d worn it today. The minor fire resistance it offered had truly proven useful.

    He weighed the coin pouch in his hand, tucked it away, and, with his long spear in hand, left the palace content.

    After all, he was very busy. If it wasn’t for the money, he wouldn’t have agreed to the duel.

    And now...

    Winnie grinned, glancing at the remaining points on his panel: 79.

    The moment of the miracle was about to arrive.

    As usual, he completed his daily tasks, bumped his points to 84, and excitedly returned home.

    Just in case, he locked the yard gate, then locked the house door after entering.

    “Whew!” Winnie eagerly looked at the only remaining item in the Virtue panel.

    Awaken Bloodline and Unlock Virtue Tree

    Required Virtue Points: 30

    Hoo hoo hoo!

    This was what he had been waiting for!

    What changes would occur after awakening his bloodline??

    Would he gain the source Soul Art and Divine Favor??

    These were the two crucial things that could launch him to success!

    "Here it comes, the destined moment!" Winnie rubbed his hands together, raised one hand high

    , and pressed the ‘Buy’ button.

    “Awaken, slumbering bloodline, heed my call!” he dramatically held the button, accompanied by the sound of Virtue being deducted.

    Three seconds passed.

    Ten seconds passed.

    One minute passed.

    “What’s going on?” Winnie mumbled, suddenly feeling that something was off with the scene in front of him.

    When he closed the panel, he was stunned.

    The colorful sunlight filtering through the stained-glass windows reflected on the holy statue in the church, casting a golden glow. It was an atmosphere that felt strangely unreal.

    “Ha? Where the hell am I?” Winnie was confused, looking around.

    Was he still in the Camela Kingdom?

    “You finally arrived, my child,” a soft, healing voice called from behind, filled with endless warmth and tenderness.

    Hmm??

    Winnie felt a sense of de?ja? vu, but he couldn’t pinpoint where he had heard that voice before.

    Turning around to look, he was stunned, almost dropping his jaw.

    Pure white six wings, peach-colored hair like cherry blossoms swaying in the wind, flawless skin, and a snow-white dress that looked like a lotus. The angelic girl in front of him, radiating a holy aura, seemed to be a perfect match with the image in his mind.

    Winnie’s pupils contracted as he recognized her.

    Goddess Aeciphysis.