Howard looked down at the window. He woke up after confirming that Gail's carriage had left the mansion.

When Howard was in crisis, people began to betray him.

In the Kensway family's elders' association, the majority of the opinion was for him to apologize to the imperial family.

'Ungrateful bastards! Who has been taking care of the family? I've devoted my whole life to the family and the church, yet they betrayed me!'

Howard was angry.

Even when everyone betrayed him, only Gail remained loyal to the end.

But even so, I couldn't tell him about Phillip's gift.

It was a secret that was passed on only to the Kensway family's leader.

A gift from Emperor Phillip to his loyal servant Logan Kensway a thousand years ago.

With this, they can get out of the crisis.

He will destroy all the people who betrayed him, that arrogant crown princess, the monstrous prince, the hillbilly Marron, and the emperor who is the main culprit of all this!

Howard had the upper hand from the start. However, he did not make a decision easily even though he knew that he could completely reverse the situation by using it.

Of course, after spreading rumours about Crown Princess and Chang, he decided to use Phillip's gift.

But it was hard to think of using the gift.

So he was happy when he heard that there was an epidemic on the trading ship.

If they use this, they won't have to use the 'gift'. But it was the worst choice.

The people accused Howard of trying to slaughter innocent sailors.

But at the same time, Howard was blaming himself for something else.

'I was too weak. I couldn't do it.'

Because of his compassion as a priest, he hesitated to the end. That's why he's driven to the corner like this.

After the rumors spread as scheduled, or when the emperor appointed Marron as the high priest, he should have used "it."

Howard blamed himself for being too nice, while opening a secret passage hidden in his office.

Passing through the dark and narrow passageway, a small but elegantly decorated room came to view.

Kensway's mansion was a historic mansion built a thousand years ago.

As it had a long history, there were many people coming and going, and some, although very few, knew that there was a secret passage in the office for emergency situations.

However, the fact that another secret space was hidden under the secret hideout was something that only the Kensway family's leaders knew.

Howard took a ring to one of the similar-looking bricks.

Then, the floor moved with a heavy sound and a hidden staircase appeared.

Howard went down the stairs.

On the day of his reign, Howard's father brought him here.

And he told him all the secrets of the Kensway family and "the gift from Phillip."

Howard was terrified to hear his father's story. He also vowed not to use the gift.

It's not just because he was afraid to use it. He was confident.

Howard thought he would be a great high priest who would go down in history.

And he never dreamed that he would be on the verge of being ousted from his family without being able to rise to the position of high priest.

Regretting was useless.

Howard stepped on the stairs for the second time since he became a priest.

It was very dark. He took a step, relying on a small lamp, and being careful not to step on his foot.

At the end of the long stairs, a wall appeared again.

It was the same as then.

Howard was not surprised and put a ring on the wall.

The walls then moved slowly, creating a narrow space for only two people.

There was nothing but darkness.

But Howard knew. The gift is in there.

He gulped without being able to go inside.

Why is he still hesitating in this situation!

He rebuked himself for being weak. After a deep sigh, he finally stepped into the black space.

He once again put the ring to a fixed position. Then the wall moved and a small hidden space appeared.

There was an old box inside.

That is 'Phillip's gift.'

Howard hesitated again. It's not because he hasn't made up his mind yet. He was afraid of the gloomy darkness leaking out of the old box.

If he uses this, everyone in the capital city will die. A great catastrophe will begin.

Just then,

He heard footsteps from behind. Howard looked back in surprise.

"Who is it!"

Who's here? He's sure the door was closed every time he came inside.

Even if they are an intruder who targeted him, they will not be able to come here.

The only people who knew this place were him and his late predecessors.

Oh, there was one more person.

Phillip Geracillion, the first emperor of the Asteric Empire.

He was said to have devised a secret device for hiding gifts.

However, they were all dead.

Right now, he is the only one who knows the 'Phillip's Gift' and this place.

"Who is it? Answer me!"

Howard shouted, hugging the old wooden box tightly.

But the person didn't say anything. It was just the sound of footsteps ringing in the hallway getting closer.

Who is it?

Are they from the Kensway family? Are they trying to oust me or an assassin? Is it the imperial family?

Howard looked at the man who was getting closer and closer, even holding his breath.

The light of the lamp reflected the man's face. He was a figure Howard never expected.

"Richard Cassil...!"

Howard's face was filled with astonishment.

Richard was a criminal who tried to poison the Crown Prince and assassinate Marquis Westin, but failed and was wanted across the empire.

Rumours have it that he eventually drowned in the river, but isn't it true?

"How can a lowly Roum be here...!?"

Richard laughed instead of answering.

"Logan messed up the education of his descendants."

"What! How dare you say that!"

It was a dangerous situation. However, Howard forgot his fear and got angry.

Logan was the first leader of the Kensway family and still a person respected by all.

Yet this lowly Roum dared to insult him.

Even though he was despised as a Roum, Richard's smile remained on his mouth.

"You're a lowly merchant blood, how noisy."

Howard was surprised.

Logan Kensway was known to have come from a family of historic priest family that had descended since the Zelcan Empire.

But it was a complete lie.

Logan was actually a lowly mercenary and had nothing to do with the church.

And this was a secret that only Kensway's leader knew.

"You, you...how did you..."

Richard knew the secret of Logan Kensway that no one knew. He also knew where Phillip's gift was hidden.

Emperor Phillip was the only one who knew how to get in here without the key only they have.

'No way, that's Emperor Phillip's...'

That's absurd. It can't be. As soon as he tried to erase his thoughts, Richard said,

"I'm here to get back the gift that I gave to Logan a thousand years ago."

***

"Your Highness is our benefactor."

"That's right. If it weren't for you, everyone would be dead."

Captain Barley and the crew thanked me.

They had been treated on board the ship all this time, but today they were all completely cured.

Even if the treatment was just eating fruit.

"The sailors will bear the grace of Your Highness in our hearts and offer our loyalty for the rest of our lives."

"Yes, we'll give you our loyalty."

When Barley said that, the other sailors bowed their heads in unison.

"I just did what I had to do. Get up now."

I hurriedly raised them up. I was so proud to see everyone recovering their complexion after being completely healthy.

"Be sure to prepare fruits when you make a long voyage in the future. Fruits have a lot of healthy ingredients, so make sure to eat them normally."

"I'll keep that in mind."

After repeatedly saying this to the sailors, I left the harbor.

"Hooray, Your Highness!"

"As expected of the blessed girl."

"She's the one who was chosen by the goddess. She has the power of light like His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Your Highness!!!"

On the way to the carriage, there was a tremendous cheer from the people who gathered at the harbor.

Originally, I was going to announce my ability after catching Richard.

It was because I didn't know what kind of scheme he would plan. So I tried not to reveal all of my cards until I punished him. But I think it was the right timing.

As soon as it was revealed that I had the power of light, the rumours spread by the priest subsided in an instant.

Besides, Richard might be really dead.

However, Blake's expression was dark even as everyone cheered.

He's been like that lately. I have no idea why.

"Blake, I'm sorry."

I apologized.

"Did you know that you were wrong?"

"Yes."

I nodded my head.

I made a bet with the priest without consulting with Blake.

I was sure the crew didn't get tancinol, but Blake would have been worried.

I knew that he couldn't sleep well because he was worried about me.

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't do that from now on."

"Yes, I won't."

Blake didn't blame me anymore, and he smiled broadly as he hugged me. I held his hand, and suddenly I felt a cold gaze.

'Richard...?'

I was startled and looked at the side where I could feel the gaze.

I thought I saw Richard for a second, but when I looked closely, he was a completely different man, just his hair color is the same.

"What's wrong?"

"No. Nothing."

I guess I was mistaken.

I shook my head and climbed into the carriage with Blake.