Work Prophet
Chapter 166 - 14 Prove Yourself (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival everyone~)

Chapter 166: Chapter 14 Prove Yourself (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival everyone~)

"So, my father’s affair is just going to be let go?" Miss Rabbit said, her eyes reddening.

"This might be somewhat unfair to Ruse, but for the Arias family, doing nothing might indeed be the better choice," Ona said.

"Is that so? Then why did you suddenly change your mind and tell me about this?"

"I admit I underestimated you before, or perhaps it was the people around you whom I misjudged... But that’s not important. What matters is that you won. You didn’t just win the election, but you also defeated your stepmother and your brother to become the ruler of this land.

"I’ve been watching your actions this entire time. I think I must retract my previous assessments of you. Although you still show some naivety in certain matters, you have become a competent, no... a remarkable Lord.

"I’m telling you about your father’s issue not to encourage you to seek vengeance for him but to hope that you can discern friends from foes, be vigilant, and not repeat his oversights," the old woman slowly said.

"I would rather hear you say that it’s because I’m your great-granddaughter and you’re worried about me that you shared this secret. But I guess you don’t care about your descendants; we’re just pawns in your hands, to be moved at will to fulfill your purposes," the girl said coldly.

"Of course I care about you. Why else would I have tried to control that previous election? Anyway, whether it’s you or Blanco, you both carry the blood of the Arias family. To me, it makes no difference who becomes the Family Head," Ona shook her head.

"That’s exactly the problem. You always talk of the family, saying that the interest of the family is above all else, loving only some intangible, grand concept rather than the living, breathing individuals beneath it."

"If you live to my age..."

The girl interrupted her great-grandmother, "I don’t need to live to your age to always remember that I am my father’s daughter, your great-granddaughter. If I have children in the future, I will be their mother. No matter what other identities I acquire afterward, I will never forget this.

"So I would never choose silence when my grandson has been murdered. No matter how astonishing the identity of the mastermind, I will continue to investigate and thoroughly clarify the matter, ensuring the real culprit pays the appropriate price."

The old woman was silent upon hearing this, then spoke after a moment, "You’re the current Family Head of the Arias family. How to handle the affairs left by the previous Family Head is your right. I only conjecture from my past life experiences and some whispers I’ve heard, that the danger behind this matter might far exceed all our imaginations.

"The Arias family might still be a force to reckon with in the western lands, but compared to those truly powerful families in the Royal Capital, we’re hardly stronger than a colony of ants.

"And it’s not just us—you’ve also sheltered some Refugees from the East recently. The Weiting Family used to be one of the Twelve Great Families of the Empire, among the top nobility of the Bratis Continent. However, after falling in the game of power, less than a tenth of them survived.

"Now these people have been exiled to the west, becoming the lowest-class citizens, reliant on hard labor for food. If you insist on investigating the death of Ruse, please do proceed with caution. Don’t act rashly until you have sufficient power and evidence, or else the fate of the Weiting Family today could become the Arias family’s tomorrow."

Ona paused, then continued, "What worries me most, though, is that Prophet Merlin and his Double Rest Sect—I still can’t discern his intentions..."

"Merlin? Merlin’s intentions are quite simple; he wants the entire Bratis Continent to worship Saturday—that’s what he told me himself," Ireya said.

The old woman seemed to want to say something more but ultimately just sighed, "Ah... theocracy."

"What’s wrong with theocracy? The Silver Moon Church has existed in the western lands for thousands of years. Most people here, including our Arias family, are their followers. Haven’t we all grown accustomed to it?" the girl said, unconcerned.

"The Double Rest Sect and the Silver Moon Church aren’t the same," the elder said, "If Merlin were content with continuing the Silver Moon Church’s way of life in the west, then it wouldn’t matter much if the Double Rest Sect actually replaced the Silver Moon Church. Everyone would simply pray to a different god. But I suspect he’s not satisfied with just that."

"Are you afraid that an increase in the number of Double Rest Sect followers in the territory will impact the family’s tax revenue? You actually don’t need to worry about this. Merlin has assured me that next year’s harvest in the fields will be more plentiful than this year’s, and if it falls short, he will personally compensate for the deficit."

Ireya said, "Merlin always keeps his word; whatever he pledges to do, he’ll accomplish."

Ona looked again at her great-granddaughter, a rare smile appearing on that aged face, "Well, that’s good. Actually, in a little while, I’m planning to move out of Teacup Castle."

"Move out of Teacup Castle... What do you mean?"

"As I’ve said, I’m too old now, and you are now fully capable of shouldering the future of the Arias family. You don’t need me pointing and instructing from the sidelines anymore.

"Our ways of doing things are different. Staying together will only deepen our differences."

"Then you don’t have to leave the castle."

"With my prestige within the Arias family, as long as I don’t leave Teacup Castle, you won’t be able to truly wield the family’s full power and have them wholeheartedly serve you," the elder said.

"So, consider this as compensation for my interference with the previous election. Besides, you were right about one thing; I am that kind of person who always puts the interests of the family above the individual, including my own."

"Is there really no other way?"

Ona shook her head, "I’ve made up my mind. Once the troubles in the swamp are resolved, I’ll set out for Rock Snow City."

"Rock Snow City, so you don’t even want to stay in Green Field anymore?"

"Of course not. Aren’t you looking to investigate your father’s death? Conveniently, I still have some friends in the west, and in Rock Snow City, I can also help you."

The girl was visibly moved upon hearing this, and after a moment, she continued, "I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have doubted your affection for us descendants."

"You don’t need to apologize. I still don’t support your action of seeking vengeance for your father, but since you’ve decided to do this, as a member of the family, I will naturally do everything in my power to help you. As for repayment... one day, I hope to see the Arias family rise under your leadership.

"To thoroughly convince me and prove that the path you’ve chosen is the right one, that would be the best way."