Chapter 32: Rest assured, his rank is certainly not as high as mine.

After Cohen and his companion departed, Isabella closed her book and spoke.

"Find out which warehouse 'Insight' is kept in, and have them deliver it within the next two days."

Mr. Modo looked surprised but nodded in reply.

"Uh... very well, Miss."

Modo hesitated for a moment before asking, "Miss, you had so much you wanted to say to him earlier, why didn't you speak?"

Isabella did not answer. A flash of golden light flickered, and she vanished from the private box.

...

Nephthys watched the man walking ahead of her, her gaze attempting to pierce through his mask to see the face beneath.

After a moment of hesitation, she whispered, "Sir, don't you think Miss Winze is angry with you?"

Cohen paused slightly and asked, "I felt it too, but why? Is it because I asked for 'Insight' on your behalf? But I already told her I could exchange something for it."

Nephthys sighed softly. "Perhaps it is precisely because of that offer that she is even angrier."

Cohen pursed his lips slightly, shook his head, and said, "Let's not talk about that. Where are you taking me?"

Nephthys’s brows curved, looking much more cheerful. "To an estate just outside the city. Sir, let's take a carriage."

"Very well."

...

The dark alleyway reeked of decay and cold.

A swarthy-faced coachman walked cautiously into the alley and spoke in a low voice toward a dilapidated courtyard gate, "Sir, I have news about the person you wanted us to keep an eye on. One of my associates just took him out to the countryside."

A man in black robes wearing a silver mask stepped out slowly, causing the coachman’s breathing to hitch.

"Was he alone?"

The coachman replied obsequiously, "Not quite. There was a young lady with him."

The silver-masked man tossed a few gold coins toward him. "Give me the address, and you may leave."

...

The estate was surrounded by a lush forest, with sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves, casting patches of golden light.

Cohen pushed open the heavy log gate, and a winding cobblestone path led into the depths of the estate. The main building was an old Western-style villa, its white walls slightly yellowed by the passage of time.

The two entered the living room and sat on the sofa.

Warm light spilled from the tall floor-to-ceiling windows. Nephthys fully removed her veil, her slightly youthful yet exquisite face reflecting a holy and moving golden glow.

The living room was spotless, clearly kept by someone who cleaned it regularly.

Nephthys skillfully poured a cup of black tea for Cohen and said softly, "Sir, this is where I have lived since I was a child."

Cohen leaned back into the soft sofa, holding the teacup. The warmth brought a touch of fatigue to his senses, and he smiled. "It seems you have a story to tell me."

Nephthys nodded slowly. Where to begin?

She would start three hundred years ago, with the war that had swept through almost the entire southern region of Effin.

Three hundred years ago, in the southern region of Effin, the Goblin Alliance rose in rebellion. A shrewd merchant exhausted his wealth to procure military supplies for the king and sent his eldest son to serve in the army. The merchant's son served as the marshal's secretary, following him closely. After the war, when rewards were handed out for meritorious service, the merchant was enfeoffed as a hereditary viscount. From then on, people no longer called him a "cunning profiteer" or a "greedy opportunist," but instead addressed him respectfully as Viscount Dupont.

That was the origin of the Dupont family.

About fifty years ago, the then-Viscount Dupont was a playboy who left his affections everywhere, and his reputation was quite poor. He had once fathered an illegitimate daughter, but in his youth, he was too busy indulging in pleasure to pay her any mind. Later, as he grew old, perhaps out of a prick of conscience, the Viscount thought of his illegitimate daughter and wanted to bring her back by his side.

The daughter, of course, would not agree; she held only hatred for her philandering father. After a long, drawn-out tug-of-war, the two reached a compromise: the Viscount gifted her an estate and several real estate properties. In return, the daughter promised to fulfill her duties as a child before the Viscount passed away.

After being brought into the Dupont family, the old Viscount spared no effort to cultivate her, sending her to a prestigious academy for the transcendent. There, the daughter encountered her own version of love. However, perhaps due to her hatred for her father, she felt a natural aversion and repulsion toward men. Thus, the object of her affection was her roommate—a beautiful and mysterious woman.

Unfortunately, it was destined to be an unrequited love. The roommate bore heavy responsibilities and a mission; she could not respond to a love that the world would not tolerate. When they graduated, after spending one wonderful night together, the two went their separate ways.

From then on, the daughter buried that love deep in her heart and lived alone in the estate her father had left her. Until one day, her roommate arrived, covered in grave wounds and carrying a four- or five-year-old girl, hoping she would look after her. It was then that the roommate revealed her family history and the mission she carried to the daughter. The daughter was shocked at first, but ultimately could not bear to refuse her beloved's earnest plea.

The roommate soon died from her injuries, and the little girl became the daughter’s adopted child.

In truth, after the old Viscount passed away, the daughter had a lukewarm relationship with the new Viscount and rarely kept in touch with the Dupont family. However, to provide her lover's daughter with a good environment to grow up in, she re-established contact. And the little girl was tested and found to have one-in-a-million talent as a sorceress. For the investment-savvy Dupont family, this was a very profitable deal.

Thus, the relationship between the two families grew close again.

Until a few years ago, perhaps due to the blow of her lover's death or perhaps due to pining away, the daughter also passed away. The little girl grew up, revealing an astonishing charm. The heir to the Dupont family set his sights on her, and coupled with her outstanding talent, he begged the Viscountess to forcibly betroth the girl to him. The girl, naturally, was unwilling in every way, but being alone, she had no way to resist the massive power of the Dupont family and had just been dragging it out ever since.

The story reached its end here.

Nephthys sighed deeply and said, "I suppose you have already guessed, Sir. The little girl in the story is me, the illegitimate daughter was Aunt Morton who raised me, and her roommate was my biological mother."

Cohen looked surprised; he had not expected Nephthys's background to be entangled with such a moving and tragic love story. He stared at Nephthys with a strange expression, thinking to himself, *Surely you weren't "turned" by your foster mother as well? That would be quite a loss.*

Nephthys felt awkward under Cohen's gaze and asked, "Is there a problem, Sir?"

Cohen blurted out, "You aren't refusing Bogus Dupont because you share the same psychology as your foster mother, are you?"

Nephthys froze for a moment, then her cheeks turned bright red, both shy and angry. "Sir, you... what are you thinking? How could I possibly..."

Cohen chuckled sheepishly. "Sorry, please continue. What help do you need from me?"

Nephthys gave Cohen a charming, sidelong glance and said softly, "Before Aunt Morton passed away, some of her belongings remained with the Dupont family. They contain memories of... of her and my mother. I want to get those things back.

"Furthermore, now that I have explicitly denied the engagement, they surely won't give up. They might even use unconventional methods to coerce me... I joined the [Temple of Battle] previously just to protect myself. It was fine before, but recently things have changed. The younger brother of the Dupont family head—Bogus's uncle—has latched onto a high-ranking official in Emerald City. Even the [Temple of Battle] is unwilling to cross them; after all, I am only a prospective saintess.

"I have seen that you, Sir, have dealings with many important figures. I was hoping you could use your influence to help me settle this engagement and retrieve Aunt Morton's belongings."

Cohen smiled lightly. "I thought it was something serious. This is easy to handle. Once I finish up with current matters, I will go to the Dupont family myself and demand justice for you!"

Nephthys said hurriedly, "There is no need for that much trouble, as long as you keep them from going too far. I heard that the official Bogus's uncle has latched onto is a very, very high-ranking one."

Nephthys's voice grew quieter.

Cohen smiled gently. "My beautiful lady, I assure you, you may rest easy. His official position will certainly not be higher than mine!"