Cycle of Destiny

Chapter 52 Returning to the Lionheart

Veronica was not satisfied with Harry's explanation.

Because in the second story, the version that is widely circulated does not include the statement that "Lady Liana was 'deeply missing her deceased husband'"—this sentence was something she made up on the spot yesterday, just to add some story to this scandal.

She never told anyone.

In other versions, it is said that "Lady Liana fell in love at first sight with her handsome cousin."

It's really hard to understand why Harry would tell a story he had adapted himself and never told anyone else.

However, Veronica also has an advantage that most women have: she doesn't dwell too much on things she can't understand.

Although Harry interrupted her conversation, she quickly recovered and started rambling again.

Harry, on the other hand, seemed completely oblivious to the little incident, his chewing never stopping.

Finally, Harry put down his knife and fork, and that animalistic, satisfied smile that came after a full meal returned to his face.

He could eat lunch like this a hundred times and still find it delicious.

Since they didn't want dessert, the waiter brought over two cups of tea.

"By the way, Harry, what do you think of the Church of Light?" Veronica asked casually.

"I don't know more about the church than you do," Harry replied, his response noticeably more humble this time.

Harry knew Veronica was getting down to business. He had already decided that this time he would patiently deal with the goddess and try to obtain more information. So this time, his attitude towards Veronica was much more amiable.

Before meeting the goddess, Harry hoped to learn more about this goddess of the church.

"How much do you know about Her Majesty the Goddess of the Church?"

"Not much. All I know is that she's a very important figure in the church, with power comparable to the Pope." Harry picked up his teacup and gently blew on the steam.

"You know, I owe my inheritance of the title to her help," Veranica said, her voice filled with gratitude.

"I've heard she's very kind," Harry said, taking a small sip of tea and setting down his cup. His voice was steady and earnest. "But I've been away from the capital for too long, and all I've heard are vague rumors."

"If you don't mind, I can explain it to you in detail."

"Of course, I'd love to know too." Harry's gaze fell on Veronica's face, with a listening attitude he hadn't shown before.

Veronica seemed somewhat surprised that Harry would take the initiative to ask such probing questions. Her eyes lit up, and she leaned forward slightly, her eagerness to share her admiration almost like acting.

"Take the spring cold disaster in the Northern Province three years ago," she began, speaking slowly and clearly, "it wasn't an ordinary spring cold, but a cold wave storm with hail and freezing rain. This storm destroyed the newly sown fields and froze to death a large number of livestock. By the time the news reached the capital, the disaster had already spread."

"At that time, the Elder Council was still debating whether to allocate military rations or make emergency purchases, while Her Majesty the Goddess had already summoned all the divine magicians that could be mobilized in the church."

Without waiting for any formal decision, she set off at dawn the next day with the first convoy loaded with warm clothing, medicine, and food. She used the funds she had raised the previous day and a portion of the church's charitable reserves from that year.

What I remember most clearly is a detail recounted by a village chief who had miraculously survived, as he wept during a thanksgiving ceremony. He said that they huddled in the village hall, which was almost collapsed by the weight of snow, feeling cold and desperate, and thinking they were doomed.

Then, in the dead of night, during the fiercest blizzard, a dazzling white light reflected from the sky. Struggling to get outside, they discovered it was the church's relief team. Her Highness the Goddess, along with her accompanying sorcerers, used the church's magic to treat the frostbite and heal the hearts of the huddled victims.

She even personally distributed warm clothing and food to them, and brought them ointments and hot soup. She didn't stop from beginning to end, her hair covered in frost, until dawn when she confirmed that there was no immediate danger in this village, and then hurriedly moved on to the next one.

The village chief said he would never forget her figure as she walked through the snowstorm and disappeared into it again—her face haggard and sorrowful, more like a disaster victim than they were, yet she was the most sacred and beautiful angel in their hearts, truly deserving of respect and gratitude.

Harry listened quietly, nodding slightly at appropriate times to encourage her to continue.

"Your Majesty the Goddess is especially concerned about children who have no parents to rely on."

Her Majesty the Goddess did more than just raise funds to build shelters for these orphans. She believed that what children who have lost their parents lack most is not food and shelter, but connection—a close connection that makes them feel accepted by the world.

Therefore, after the first "Dawn House" was completed in the capital, she set a rule: every child admitted to the hospital must have a volunteer serve as their designated "witness".

This "witness" is not the adoptive parent, but more like... a second parent who promises to continue to support their growth.

Her Highness the Goddess herself was among the first "witnesses." She remembered the name and preferences of the little girl she was in charge of. She visited her regularly, kept her company, brought her a book that might interest her, or planted something together in the garden.

She requires all "witnesses" to remain for at least ten years, unless their children reach adulthood or they leave voluntarily.

She said, "These children need to know that their growth is important to someone, that their existence is genuinely cared for, and that they are not just drowning in a crowd."

"For anyone who wants to connect with the church, it's very difficult to get an invitation without becoming a witness." She paused, then added a tangible result: "Later, church statistics showed that children who came out of 'House of Dawn' had a much higher rate of joining the army or becoming knights as adults, and their mental health was also much better than those from other traditional shelters. Now this model has been promoted to several provinces."

Harry knew that the church had a great deal of influence in the capital, and it was difficult to enter high society without being religious.

Once these wealthy merchants and nobles who wanted to connect with the church became witnesses, they would certainly use their influence to help their children choose a respectable path in order to demonstrate their piety to the church.

After all, if word got out that the children he witnessed were drinking and stealing, he, as the witness, would certainly be questioned about his own moral character.

But regardless, Harry still felt it was a good thing. These orphaned children had a brighter future, and as their witness, he gained a good reputation.

"I always felt that one day you would be a witness," Harry said.

"How did you know?" Veronica couldn't help but smile. "You know, nowadays, to become a witness, you still need to undergo an evaluation. My application has been approved, and soon there will be a little boy or girl who needs my continued attention."

Harry smiled kindly but didn't say anything.

"And there's the afternoon tea she organizes."

Her Majesty the Goddess dislikes ostentatious auctions and empty speeches. Few would not feel incredibly honored to receive her invitation to "come over for a bite to eat and a cup of tea the day after tomorrow."

Guests are carefully selected; receiving an invitation is not merely a compliment, but more like a rite of passage. Every guest who has attended her afternoon tea raves about it.

Everyone who left the restaurant was filled with admiration for Her Majesty's wisdom and gained a brighter hope for humanity.

"Not to mention the auctions and charity balls she organizes specifically for impoverished civilians and disaster victims, the identities of the guests can give you a real shock."

You may be just a viscountess, but when you arrive at the event, you might find that the person sitting next to you could be the duke's daughter.

Each donation raised was enough to comfort people's hearts. What's even more remarkable is that Her Majesty also requires that the destination of every donation be made public, clearly stating that it is used to fund a specific project, such as "equipping border outposts with winter medicine kits" or "purchasing ten mobile medical wagons".

For every large donation, the donor will receive a simple but clearly itemized report six months later regarding its final use, and may even include a thank-you letter personally written by Her Majesty the Goddess—if the recipient is literate.

After Veronica finished speaking, she looked at Harry, as if observing his reaction. "These are just a small part. In reality, she did far more than I've mentioned; her influence permeated many unseen details, genuinely changing the circumstances of many people. Her kindness and compassion allowed us ordinary people to truly feel the radiance of a goddess. She was truly a great woman!"

"She is truly great."

Hearing Harry's response, Veronica felt reassured, and she opportunely added her next sentence:

"Many of us consider it an honor to have met her."

"Hearing you say that, she certainly deserves to be thought that way."

"If you had the chance to meet her, what would you think?" Veronica straightened her back, her smile radiant, her eyes full of anticipation.

"Of course I'd love to," Harry replied with a smile.

Hearing this answer, Veronica breathed a long sigh of relief. Through her own efforts, she had finally completed the task assigned by the goddess.

She was initially worried that Harry would refuse to meet the goddess because of the estrangement between wizards and the church, but fortunately, the outcome was satisfactory.

Inviting Harry to lunch here would be too much for even a noblewoman like herself—Harry has quite the appetite. Luckily, it was Goddess's gold coins that were used.

Although I didn't get to taste the "berry tart" I'd been longing for—I'd heard it was absolutely delicious—and I had to pretend to be enthusiastic towards this chubby little boy who was learning magic, it was all worth it.

Veronica then invited Harry to the party the following evening, and their conversation ended in a pleasant atmosphere.