Candlelight shone inside the church that night, while knights in full plate armor stood guard outside.
In the church hall, lit by the nearby candelabrum, the silver-haired Count Carter said to Daphne, "The Thirteen Great Thieves have been far too brazen lately. I will write to the king at once and convene the noble council to take action against them. This time, I will accompany Your Highness to Red Maple City."
After exchanging pleasantries for some time, Count Carter judged that it was about time to leave. He rose gracefully and bowed to Daphne. "Then I shall leave Your Highness to rest."
"Please, Count Carter."
Daphne nodded, her lovely face perfectly calm.
Once Count Carter had left, however, a thoughtful look appeared in her eyes.
This was Count Carter's sphere of influence. His control over the surrounding region far exceeded that of the Red Maple Kingdom's royal family. The vassals and lords here all pledged their allegiance directly to him.
If those Thirteen Great Thieves were impostors, then the count, who possessed Epic-level strength himself, was highly suspicious.
But although Daphne was an idealist, her upbringing had taught her not to act rashly. Naturally, she would not confront someone over mere guesses and deductions.
Without actual evidence, it would be meaningless-
"Even within the Red Maple Kingdom alone, everything is already hopelessly intertwined. Between royalty and nobles, between different nobles, between the various factions and the thieves, and with the Inquisition involved as well, there are complicated relationships and competing interests everywhere..."
Daphne sighed softly, feeling a helplessness that even her teacher's immense power could not overcome.
"Your Highness, your hot water is ready."
A nun in a religious habit approached and bowed to Daphne.
"Thank you."
Thinking of the conflict and contradictions between her longstanding ideals and reality, Daphne