Layla woke up feeling like a fast-moving carriage had hit her. Her eyes blinked open as she tried to move her body around but without success.

She could not name a part of her body that did not hurt. And that was after her whole body had been numbed using magic.

It was tough to say how she would have felt if the divine power had not been used on her.

"Don't try to get up. Your body and core are not yet in a condition where you can move around. Give yourself a day or two to adapt to your new circumstances."

Cardinal Bishop told Layla with a stern face. He kept fueling more and more divine magic into Layla's body, and it was beginning to overwhelm her.

She was almost afraid that the over-saturation of magic inside her would make her feel bloated, but Layla's body was like a greedy sponge - absorbing all the divine power it was given.

Layla endured it all for a while before the Cardinal backed away and declared that Layla would be fine now.

Her core had been sealed for now, and magic would be tough for her to be able to cast.

'Well, this is a big problem. But I think I can work around it. I will need to look for more ways to gain power and influence to allow me to succeed as the head of the family.'

Luckily for Layla, she did not need her power and influence to be considered influential. Everyone under her counted as her people and power as well.

Now that her magic is restricted due to her core injury, she will need talented people under her and a new way to fight against intruders.

"Young Miss, what are you thinking about? Is there anything I can help you with?"

Mary asked in a smiling voice. She showed no emotions other than the usual ones on her face. But there was a dark air around the maid, which Layla did not want to touch.

"I am fine. I was just thinking about the changes I will have to make now that I am faced with this condition. I will have to adjust a lot according to it."

Layla sighed, and as expected, Mary made a face that told her she understood.

The resistance to her plans came from the other person Layla did not expect.

Raziel had not said anything, but his face told Layla that he disapproved of her current decision to work.

Layla pretended she did not see that as she proceeded to turn toward the Cardinal and ask her questions.

"So, how soon can I get up and start walking around? And what is the verdict on my core and magic? Can I not use it, or is there a limit?"

Layla asked the Cardinal, who frowned at her.

"Ideally, I would prefer it if you do not use magic. But small spells should be fine if you don't push yourself. Just don't do anything grand that will strain your core; if you are lucky, your core will heal on its own."

Cardinal informed Layla, but he did not look sure.

He might have saved Layla, but the temple and the people with divine powers were not experts in magic and core.

They could only make an educated guess based on the patient's condition, and Layla's current condition told her what was going on with her.

"I see! I will ensure I don't do anything too heavy for my core. Mary, stop me if it looks like I am about to go overboard."

Layla asked her maid, and the demon nodded with a smile.

"Of course, miss! I will tell you as soon as I notice something wrong."

The Cardinal and Saintess Cana (since when had she been there?) left the room soon after. They had too many duties to look after and could not stay around Layla much longer.

Layla waited for a few minutes before she turned toward Mary.

"Mary, I need you to train me physically once I am proven to move around. I also need you to find out information about some weapons. I did not think I would need them so soon, but it seems I do not have a choice."

Layla had been fully devoted to pitching in, but now that she was handicapped, she would need a way to make the people around her more powerful.

She would need powerful allies and weapons to give her party an edge.

"I understand, miss! I will head out and start looking into these matters right away."

The maid quickly left Layla alone, but she did not head out to gather information.

Instead, she quickly went to the Duke's room, which was situated in the Lockhart lands, and reported to him first. He had asked for this a long time ago.

"Master, did you call for me? I am here to answer your summons."

Mary almost scoffed as she kneeled in front of the Duke. She might be stronger than the Duke, but she did this because it made the Duke feel superior in front of her.

As expected, the Duke made a pleased face before he wiped off that smirk. He pulled a neutral face when he looked at Mary.

"So, what is the verdict? Is that child useless now that she cannot use her magic anymore? If so, then it is time to get rid of her. You can kill her off if you want to know."

The Duke offered Mary, knowing fully about her habit of killing off her contractors.

He was lucky that Mary had decided to take her chance with him and not kill him. That gave him a reputation in these circles and made his ascension easier.

And now, it was time for the Duke to cut off any rotten parts clinging to him. What better way to do that than to give his loyal servant a chance to do whatever she wanted around the mansion?