The bishop nodded."Yes, Honorary Holy Knight. I understand the struggles you face in the real world, just as the Mother Goddess knows all the hardships of this world. As an Honorary Holy Knight, the Church will provide you with a house of your own—you may settle in Marlen Imperial City with peace of mind. Furthermore, this title does not restrict your personal freedom. You may come and go as you please, and the Church will always welcome you whenever you seek guidance or education. After all, you are a child who carries the bloodline of a hero."

  Kenley's mind reeled. So that was why the bishop was willing to grant him this prestigious class—because of his heroic lineage.

  But… wasn't he just a common farmer's son? How could he possibly have the blood of a hero?

  Then, a realization struck him.

  His title—the one tied to his reincarnation.

  That's right. He had nearly forgotten—he was the reincarnation of the Reverse Scale Sword Saint, Wilk. That was a hero's bloodline.

  Before Wilk's reincarnation, he had been a Paladin—not just that, but a Dragon Knight.

  Was this fate? Or the arrangement of the Mother Goddess? Kenley didn't know. But it seemed that destiny was like an intricate web—threads that appeared to be entirely unrelated would always find a way to intertwine.

  A Paladin?

  It seemed, in the end, everything had come full circle.

  Kenley let out a soft sigh, pretending to act as though he were making a selfless decision.

  "Bishop, let me be honest with you." He kept his expression composed, his tone steady."I do not fear the darkness, nor do I desire a peaceful life. It is because my parents warned me never to involve myself in worldly conflicts. They wished for me to live as an ordinary person.

  When I saw Tia, I knew she was just like me. I could not bear to watch her suffer through pain that was never meant to be hers.

  Tia has already endured more than enough pain, Bishop. Can you understand the weight of my words?"

  For a moment, the bishop was speechless.

  Yes… the Era of Dark Corruption had claimed countless heroes, drowning the world in their bitter blood and sorrow.

  How many warriors had perished in foreign lands, never to return?

  Kenley and Tia—both of them were clearly children of heroes. And surely, their parents would not have wanted them to walk the same tragic path.

  To protect one's child—that was the most primal, instinctual drive of a parent.

  Who would ever willingly send their children into war?

  Who would ask them to face overwhelming enemies, when even parents themselves could not guarantee victory?

  Tia's heart skipped a beat.

  Her eyes grew moist.

  So… so Master had been thinking about me all along.

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  He had known her identity from the very beginning.

  How could she have been so foolish?

  She had been so obsessed with finding her parents and siblings, she had never once stopped to consider Master's feelings.

  Yes… Master carried the blood of a hero, just as he had told her before—he, too, had lost his parents.

  At least she had once known the warmth of a family.

  But Master… Master had lived alone all his life.

  By the Mother Goddess…

  Tia, how could you be so selfish?

  How could she, driven by her own personal desires, push Master into unnecessary pain?

  If even he thought of her well-being, then shouldn't she do the same for him?

  Tia clenched her fists, a resolve forming deep within her heart.

  She stood up and faced the bishop.

  "Bishop, I believe Master is right." Her voice was firm.

  "Tia wishes to see her parents again, and she wishes to help the Church purify the darkness.

  But I know that my parents… they would never want me to experience those horrors again."

  Tia's eyes brimmed with tears, her voice filled with sincerity.

  "Tia?" Sylph looked at her in disbelief. She couldn't fathom that Tia would say such words. After all, Tia was a princess of the Gaifei Kingdom, and Sylph was well aware of the deep bond she shared with her family. Even after all these years, Sylph knew that Tia was still Tia.

  "Don't worry, Sylph. I've thought this through carefully."

  Tia's voice was soft, yet unwavering. Though tears welled in her eyes, she smiled sweetly at Sylph, as if there wasn't even a trace of sorrow in her heart.

  The bishop furrowed his brows.

  He had believed his words would surely convince the descendants of two heroes, yet instead, they had reached a unanimous decision against him.

  Even if he wanted to persuade them further, he feared it would be a futile effort.

  Looking into Tia's tear-filled eyes, the bishop let out a sigh in his heart.

  "So be it. I shall not force you further," he said solemnly.

  "My children, the Mother Goddess has always seen your suffering. She understands, and her boundless compassion will forever shelter you."

  With those words, the bishop let out a deep sigh and extended his hand, pressing it against the Honorary Knight Contract, preparing to withdraw it.

  But at that very moment—

  "Wait!"

  Kenley suddenly reached out and placed his hand on the contract.

  Everyone turned their gazes toward him.

  Feeling the weight of their stares, Kenley let out a slow breath and spoke:

  "Bishop, I will accept this task. When the time is right, I will bring Tia to the Church myself. However, until then, I ask that the Church refrain from interfering with our personal freedom."

  As soon as he said this, Tia's expression became a storm of emotions—shock, joy, and deep gratitude all swirled in her eyes.

  The bishop's lips curved into an involuntary smile.

  As expected—a child with the bloodline of a hero.

  He had known all along that they would come to understand the Church's goodwill.

  Even Sylph was taken aback.

  This shameless bastard—he had suddenly changed his stance at the last moment!

  Up until now, his attitude had made Sylph believe he was nothing more than a street rat, a man who clung to an ordinary life and refused to step out of the mire of mediocrity.

  And yet, at the crucial moment, he had seen the bigger picture.

  The bishop, Michael, nodded approvingly.

  "Descendants of the Golden Bloodline, the Church accepts all of your conditions. If you have further requests, you may write to me at any time."

  Kenley exhaled in relief.

  Negotiating with the Church is no different from doing business.

  Only by applying the right amount of pressure could he gain the upper hand, allowing him to voice his demands and secure his own interests.

  Because Kenley knew one thing for certain—

  Once he accepted the title of Honorary Paladin, he would be branded as part of the Church's faction.

  And in the grand conflict between royal authority and divine power, the two sides had always been at odds.

  His ultimate goal was to become a noble.

  If he allowed himself to fall too deeply under the Church's influence, he risked losing the freedom necessary to climb the aristocratic ladder.

  That could very well become his greatest obstacle in the future.

  Kenley had to make things clear with the bishop now—before it was too late.

  He had to negotiate the terms to protect his own position.

  He had no intention of getting caught between two warring factions, forced to navigate the ever-shifting power struggle between nobility and the Church.

  Tia might be na?ve about the ways of the world, which was understandable—she had lived in the Fourth Era.

  But Kenley knew better.

  The Fifth Era Expansion was all about the war between royal authority and divine power.

  And in conflicts like these…

  There was no light—only shadows.