“Soul foundation... right? I’m guessing what you want is an artificial soul foundation, not one obtained through sacrifice.”

“That’s right, the Empire currently hasn’t mastered this kind of technology at all, perhaps only a reclusive mage like you would possess it, by the way, are you a half-elf?”

Many people believed Xidis was a half-elf, after all aside from her pointed ears and shorter stature, she possessed nearly all the advantages of elves, delicate and cute features, fair skin full of vitality and almost no concept of aging.

But Xidis was not a half-elf, nor was she human, strictly speaking she was a sacrificial construct of the demon race, but to conceal her identity, she preferred to call herself a half-elf in public.

“That’s right.”

“Then that’s perfect! Within the great heritage of the elf race, there should exist the key to artificial soul foundations, Lady Xidis, can I entrust this matter to you? As for compensation, you definitely won’t be treated unfairly!”

‘It wasn’t really about the reward, it was just that soul foundations were…’

Xidis’ lips twitched as her right hand instinctively moved behind her back, lightly touching her back where three complex patterns were hidden beneath black fabric.

That was her soul foundation.

“Do you even know what a soul foundation is?”

“I do, it is a miracle that allows holy spirits to descend, the vessel through which gods walk the mortal world, a sacred object that in common understanding can only be created through sacrifice!”

Xidis nodded repeatedly, thinking this kid had clearly been misled, his understanding was only half correct.

A soul foundation was indeed a vessel for great beings to descend into the mortal world, but it could not be used for holy spirits, rather it was precisely because of the protection of the Nine Holy Spirits that abyss demons, Imperial Gods and Elemental Gods could not descend freely into the mortal world, while the Nine Holy Spirits themselves were not bound by this rule.

Therefore, anything descending through a soul foundation could only be something with great malice toward humanity, these beings could release the soul foundation and gain terrifying power beyond human imagination for a short time.

Back then, wasn’t it because the demon race was tricked by Yusilius into sacrificing generations of Demon Kings and the souls of an entire city of humans that they summoned her, such a powerful demon?

There was a traitor inside the Empire.

However, Xidis had no intention of exposing this, because she preferred the Church to be tied up with more trouble so their attention wouldn’t fall on Lisea.

If they really summoned an Elemental God or a throne-level demon in the Central Continent and killed hundreds of thousands, then Lisea wouldn’t leave her to join the Church...

In that case, why not?

At that moment, the girl’s smile turned eerie and terrifying as she conjured a notebook out of thin air and began writing rapidly, quickly listing all the materials required to create a soul foundation, then handed it over with a smile.

“Making a soul foundation isn’t a big problem, I can help you, but you’ll have to provide all the materials yourself, everything you need is clearly written here.”

To extort more money, Xidis directly wrote triple the required materials, for nouveau riche nobles like this, you take as much as you can.

She had also hidden a material in the list that was more important to her than her own life.

After taking the list, Fal let out a sigh of admiration, he did not look troubled as Xidis expected, instead he seemed relieved.

“As expected of Lady Xidis, to think you only need this much material to complete a soul foundation, many magical research institutions in the Empire spend tens of thousands of gold coins on a single project, you’re truly amazing.”

‘Or maybe your magic standards are just too low…’

Xidis did not mock him, instead enjoying the praise, but that good mood quickly vanished.

Fal had been smiling, until he noticed one material on the list and looked up awkwardly.

“Lady Xidis, I cannot provide the material ‘Heaven Realm Fragment’, this is a resource monopolized by the Church, only high-ranking members and Saints can access it, it’s not something that can be bought with money.”

“I see, then I’ll find a substitute.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

To show his apology, Fal personally stood and bowed to Xidis, but she impatiently waved him down, outwardly calm but inwardly restless.

There was only one reason, the Heaven Realm Fragment was something she had always sought... it was the only cure for Lisea’s blood-coughing curse.

Right now Lisea’s life was sustained by medication, without it his condition would deteriorate within a week and he would die within a month.

To find the Heaven Realm Fragment, Xidis had infiltrated many ancient dungeons but never found even a piece, and to obtain one from the Empire would likely require a Cardinal or higher.

Even a Duke couldn’t obtain it...

Frustration and anxiety made Xidis bite her lower lip, the pain drawing blood that trickled down her soft red lips.

To stop Lisea’s condition from worsening, she had to find a way to obtain a Heaven Realm Fragment no matter the cost.

* * *

Rong’an could never understand one thing, before the Church knights arrived, the Adventurers’ Guild desperately prevented Lisea from taking commissions, but after they left, they suddenly changed attitude, pushing high-reward, low-difficulty tasks onto him.

On his first day, Lisea even got a mission to capture Golden Slimes, weak monsters mixed with gold dust that had high recovery value, something many beginners fought over.

The maid could only conclude it was luck.

Still, watching the young master work hard filled her with genuine happiness, after all he was already handsome and looked even better when serious.

Lisea was currently sealing hunted slimes into bottles, most of which would be sent to alchemy facilities in the Empire and processed into high-purity gold.

Once he finished, he looked toward Rong’an, who was still wearing her short maid outfit even while adventuring, sitting atop a massive dragon beast corpse, her pale legs dangling naturally, quite eye-catching.

Of course, Lisea was used to it and simply complained.

“Rong’an, I’ve been working for ages, why haven’t you processed the dragon beast materials yet?”

While hunting slimes, a dragon beast suddenly appeared and was soloed by Rong’an, Lisea had to admit watching her smash its skull open with a steel climbing pick was terrifying.

‘No wonder people called her a monster.’

“Young master, I am a True Gold rank adventurer, I can have the guild handle cleanup afterward, the service fee is cheap.”

“Ah... then I need to reach True Gold rank soon, anyway let’s finish up and go buy gifts, there’s a dessert shop in the neighboring town, Lady Xidis will love it!”

As Lisea spoke excitedly, his face suddenly darkened, dizziness struck, his head throbbed and his stomach burned.

“Ugh!”

He vomited a mouthful of blood.

Rong’an immediately supported him and forced a bottle of medicine into his mouth.

He had always suffered from this condition, requiring immediate medication, doctors all agreed it was incurable.

‘Without Xidis’ medicine, he would have…’

“Young master, are you alright?”

She gently patted his back, but when she saw his face, she froze in shock, his right eye was bloodshot, tears of blood flowing uncontrollably.

Lisea wiped it away, blinking repeatedly, eventually the effect faded thanks to the medicine.

He scratched his head, smiling gently.

“I’m fine! Just asthma acting up, it’ll pass, don’t worry! And please don’t tell teacher, she might do something bad.”

“Do you really believe it’s just asthma?”

Rong’an knew better, this was clearly something worse.

After a moment, Lisea smiled bitterly but remained gentle.

“How could I believe it, but if teacher says so, she must have her reasons... so please don’t tell her, I want her to enjoy Holy Spirit Day without worry, and soon I’ll go to Migendorf, maybe there’ll be a cure there.”

“Please!”

Unable to refuse, Rong’an reluctantly agreed.

“Fine, but if it worsens after the festival, I will tell Lady Xidis.”

“Thank you!”

This gave him yet another reason he had to go to Migendorf.