Phield took out the pearl, glowing with a soft white radiance, and carefully infused it with mana.

A woman’s voice immediately came from within.

"Baron Phield, we’ve calculated the date for exploring the mausoleum. Please come to the Flooded Ruins three days from now. We’ve prepared a grand banquet."

"If possible, please bring food, merchandise, or even Divine Artifacts. It’ll be a good opportunity for trade."

"After the banquet, we’ll depart for the mausoleum. Don’t worry. Many different factions will be participating, so security is guaranteed."

As soon as she finished speaking, the pearl’s glow gradually faded, and the voice disappeared.

"Not bad. It’s basically a telephone."

Phield curiously examined the pearl in his hand.

Before he could study it any further, a crack slowly spread across its surface. Moments later, it crumbled into a pile of fine powder.

"So it’s disposable. Not as good as a phone."

Phield smiled awkwardly.

"What happened? Did we win the war?"

Rosalia blinked in confusion.

After Phield explained everything that had happened over the past few days...

"I’m coming too."

Rosalia shook her head.

"If they manage to restrain you, they might drain you dry."

"There are still three days left. That’s enough time for me to recover most of my strength. Besides, we won’t be entering the mausoleum immediately after arriving. As long as I remain inside my greatsword, my recovery is very fast."

"I doubt it’ll get that far, but let’s go together anyway."

Phield nodded decisively.

"They have at least a Third Tier Divine Chosen."

He turned to Ashina.

"You’re the only one in Nightfall Domain capable of independently commanding an army. While I’m away, continue transporting the slaves. As for territorial affairs, listen to everyone’s suggestions and make the final decisions yourself."

"Alright..."

Ashina’s wolf ears drooped sadly.

"But I wanted to go too."

"Don’t be upset."

Phield gave her a thumbs-up.

"When it’s time to deal with Night Owl, it’ll be your chance to shine. Rosalia can’t leave the Northern Frontier right now. She’s probably already being watched."

Even hiding inside the greatsword wouldn’t help.

The Greatsword of Gluttony had already been seen by the military, the Shadow World Sect, and the Imperial Guards.

All of them had suffered major losses because of it.

There was no way they would ever forget it.

"Yay!"

Ashina’s gloomy expression immediately disappeared.

Her tail wagged happily.

"Come back quickly!"

"Rosalia, get some more rest while we still have a few days."

Phield bent down.

"Come on, I’ll carry you."

"Ah... No, you can’t."

Rosalia’s eyes widened as she waved both hands frantically.

"My injuries haven’t healed yet. I’ll start bleeding heavily."

"I didn’t mean carrying you like that... Never mind."

Phield sighed helplessly before wrapping an arm around her waist and simply lifting her up.

"Go get some proper rest."

"Can you crawl on all fours and let me ride you back instead? I don’t really like being carried princess-style."

Rosalia struggled slightly before innocently asking the shocking question.

"You’re unbelievable."

Ashina twitched at the corner of her mouth.

"You actually want to ride the lord."

"Master..."

Firomina pitifully shuffled closer, blinking her watery eyes in an obvious attempt to melt Phield’s heart.

"I know..."

Phield could only shake his head helplessly.

He lifted her up as well, carrying one under each arm.

"I’m heading to the Border Fortress to receive another group of slaves. There’s still a huge amount of supplies to transport."

Ashina laughed at the two troublemakers before counting on her fingers.

"Mmm... I need to send Alexia out to receive the refugees, transport all those supplies back, and haul another shipment of ore."

"Thanks for your hard work."

Phield smiled.

"Be careful when screening the slaves. Don’t let any spies slip in. And don’t overwork yourself."

"Leave it to me!"

Ashina immediately set off with renewed energy.

Meanwhile, Phield went to coax Rosalia to sleep, then Firomina as well.

Both of them were incredibly clingy.

The most frustrating part was that he couldn’t do anything improper with either of them.

"What kind of logic is that..."

By the time he finally finished everything, it was already deep into the night.

Yawning, Phield muttered,

"Being a lord is exhausting. No wonder so few kings in ancient times lived long lives. Working all day is bad enough, and at night I still have to take care of everyone. If only I could recruit a Life Divine Chosen to restore my energy."

"Wait..."

"The Tidebind Lattice of the Surging Realms at the fortress is a valuable treasure. Maybe I can even mass-produce Mana Knights."

After pondering it for a while, Phield decided to investigate it on his next visit.

Creak.

The moment he opened the bedroom door, he froze.

Snow-white skin, graceful curves, and an aura of sacred beauty that naturally kept others at a distance.

Who else could it be but Tisiana?

She nervously played with her golden hair.

Her gaze unconsciously drifted toward Phield before she immediately blushed. Looking away only made her even more embarrassed.

Her shy hesitation had its own unique charm.

"Um..."

She spoke softly.

"Let’s continue what we did yesterday."

"After all... it makes the lord happy."

As soon as the words left her mouth, warmth visibly rose to her face.

She sat properly and hurriedly tried to explain herself.

"I don’t really understand what it is... but somehow it felt surprisingly nice."

"My divine power accumulated much faster."

She doesn’t know what it is?

Sure. I totally believe that.

Still, she was the "pure" Holy Light Divine Chosen.

It was probably better not to expose her awkward excuse.

"Heh. Another one I’ve won over."

Phield’s confidence swelled.

Yesterday, Ashina had shared much of the burden, and he had nearly been defeated.

But today, Tisiana wouldn’t be so lucky.

"This time, I’ll make sure you’re the one who loses!"

That night, the noise nearly caused the sleeping Firomina to awaken into her Sunlight Pattern.

Just before dawn, while Phield was sleeping soundly, an intense burst of light jolted him awake.

Streams of mysterious energy surged throughout the territory before flowing into Tisiana’s Divine Mark.

An enormous torrent of divine power poured into her like a whirlpool.

Her aura began rising at astonishing speed.

"Holy..."

Every trace of sleep vanished from Phield.

Sweat immediately formed on his forehead as he sat upright.

"She really advanced?"

"You’re kidding me!"

"Tisiana stayed in the territory all this time without making any progress."

"I helped her a few times..."

Alright, not just a few.

Seven or eight times.

"And now she advanced?"

"Huh..."

Tisiana rubbed her eyes as she slowly sat up.

"I advanced?"

"There wasn’t any warning at all."

She stared in amazement as countless streams of radiant light gathered around her.

They gradually formed the silhouette of the Goddess of Holy Light.

Her aura skyrocketed.

The sacred and majestic divine power of Holy Light completely replaced the weak First Tier power she had possessed before.

Besides the tremendous increase in her attributes, Tisiana also received the Divine Chosen advancement options.

1. New Divine Technique

2. New Military Bonus

3. New Territory Bonus

4. New Trait

5. Existing Skill Evolution

6. Obtain a Divine Guard

7. Randomly absorb one negative status effect and convert it into a minor beneficial effect: Curse Resistance

"Holy..."

Phield jumped to his feet.

"She actually has two more options than everyone else."

"Remove a negative status effect?"

"Obtain a Divine Guard?"

"That’s wonderful..."

Tisiana yawned sleepily.

"Phield, you choose for me."

"I’m so sleepy..."