311. One of The Twelve Blessings

“I knew that praying during the funeral rites would work, especially since the condition required an Apostle to be in the immediate vicinity,” Ravenna answered, a genuine smile finally pushing the day’s sorrowful thoughts back into the depths of her heart. “So… that means your ability to heal yourself doesn't actually stem from Solious, but from Herptian?”Marie nodded aggressively, her excitement palpable. “Yes, Master!” She stood up abruptly, her pleated combat mini-skirt fluttering with the movement. “It is the Blessing of Perfect Beauty!”

“That makes sense,” Ravenna noted, resting her chin thoughtfully in her hand. “If it were a self-healing ability, your wounds would knit together instantly through life force by Solious. But this is an aesthetic preservation; it ensures your form remains in its 'perfect' state. Since Herptian’s domain isn't life itself, the process is steady rather than instantaneous.”

Marie did a little jump, her eyes sparkling. “With this, one of the twelve blessings is finally uncovered! Only eleven more to go!”

Ravenna smiled at the display of pure enthusiasm, reaching out to pat the girl’s head. “Alright, alright, calm your excitement and get into the carriage. We need to return to the castle; it’s getting late.”

Lord’s Castle, Kim City, Kim Island, Kim Dukedom, Ancorna Empire

The moon was already beginning its ascent, casting long, silvery streaks through the corridor windows as they returned. Ravenna began walking toward her study, but Alice stepped into her path, cutting her off.

“What are you doing? It’s late,” Alice said, her arms folded. “You should turn in for the night.”

Ravenna offered a small, tired smile, recognizing the maternal worry in her ‘elder sister’s eyes. “I’m sure word has arrived from the Capital by now. I just want to check the funeral invitation for the Emperor and draft a reply before I sleep.”

“Hmm.” Alice gave her a long, skeptical look before letting out a weary sigh. “Fine. But don’t you dare start working on anything else. You’re already exhausted, and I don’t want you collapsing right when things are becoming so crucial.” With a final, lingering pat on Ravenna’s back, Alice turned to leave, though her face remained etched with concern.

“She should focus more on her own daughter at this point… does she still take me for a child?” Ravenna muttered under her breath.

She entered the study, and sure enough, an Imperial letter, sent via high-level displacement spell, lay waiting on her desk. She broke the seal and read through the contents, the formal script confirming the public narrative of her father’s passing. With a heavy sigh, she pulled out a fresh sheet of parchment. “I should write back immediately to confirm my arrival.”

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By the time the moon hung high and clear in the midnight sky, Ravenna had finished her reply. She gathered a handful of dried ritual flowers, placing them in a small brazier along with the letter. As the flames consumed the paper, the smoke carried the encoded message directly toward the Capital’s reception letter keep.

Ravenna watched the last of the embers die out, the weight of the coming weeks finally settling onto her shoulders.

User: Ravenna Solarius / Joy Cha Kim

Reputation Level: 90 — (800,244 / 1,000,900 EXP)↑

Current Reputation Points: 9060 RP↑

Titles Unlocked: Raven of the Sun Palace, Unruly Princess, Beast Slayer

{ View Reputation Log } { Spend Reputation Points }

{ Exchange Items } { Enter Origin Domain }

“Let’s check the magic library before going to bed,” Ravenna muttered. She noted the significant jump in her points and quickly pulled up the spending interface, Her eyes scanning the familiar blue interface.

Access to the Internet: 100 Points per Hour

Access to Magic Spell Library: 100 Points per Hour

Geographical Scans: 5 Points per 1 Kilometer

Nullify Minor Poison Damage (Self): 250 Points

Nullify Minor Poison Damage (Others): 350 Points per Entity

Major Heal: 1,500 Points per Entity

Lie Detector: 2,000 Points per Use

Copy Skill – Locked

Enter Celestial Realm – Locked

“Now that I have control over Otto City’s trade route, acquiring the flowers needed to incorporate magic into daily life here will finally be possible,” Ravenna whispered. She selected the Magic Spell Library and began a targeted search.

“First, I need to find the recipe for the mind-control spell the Cultists are using for research,” she said, tapping her fingers rhythmically on the desk. “And then… the formula Eugene developed to breed genetically distant flowers without accidentally spawning dungeons. Thanks to the system, he can’t keep his future secrets from me.” A predatory smirk played on her lips as the data began to scroll before her eyes. She was so deep in her schemes that she didn't even hear the sharp rhythmic clicking of heels approaching her door from the hallway.

“RAVENNA!”

A sharp shout erupted from the hallway. As soon as Ravenna recognized the voice, she bolted upright, closing the system interface in a panic. Alice barged into the study, her expression thunderous and her spectacles notably missing: a sign she had already been headed for bed herself.

“Just as I thought! What did I say?!” Alice demanded, her hands on her hips.

“Not to work on anything else… but I was just—” Ravenna began, reaching for an excuse, but Alice shut her down with a single pointed look.

“You need rest. No excuses unless an actual emergency presents itself,” Alice stated firmly. She didn't wait for a rebuttal, crossing the room to grab Ravenna’s hand and drag her toward the door. Ravenna let out a defeated sigh, following Alice like a scolded child as they walked through the quiet, moonlit corridors toward her private quarters.

“Laila is already waiting inside,” Alice added as they reached the bedroom door. “I’ve already instructed her to make sure you don't stay up a second later than necessary. Now… get to sleep!”

With a final, affectionate shove, Ravenna was pushed into the room, and the door clicked shut behind her, leaving her in the dark with a very attentive Laila.