The tension in the air was thick enough to be cut with a knife.

What Layla had asked for might not seem like much. It might seem positive, and the temple should have no reason to block her.

But that was only on the outside.

The temple did not want anyone to grow its influence or diminish its authority. It was afraid to lose its hold on people.

Cardinal Bishop was not concerned about fame or influence but was a member of the temple's higher authority.

He might not have been interested in what others around him did, but he was not blind to what was happening.

The Cardinal was well aware of the corruption around him; he was just too busy (uncaring and lazy) to care.

"Hmm, if you offer me something, I can get you the necessary permissions. But it cannot be a bribe, or it will be against my morals. If you surprise me enough, I will make this decision quickly."

The cardinal proposed with a smile. Despite his words, he did not look bothered.

"Cardinal, can you not speak about betraying the temple out loud? I know you have no loyalist to this place, but still-!"

Priestess Cana rubbed her forehead in pain.

She was a loyalist, but her loyalty belonged to the Cardinal first and the temple second. Still, she did not want to see a rift in the two places she had chosen as her home.

"Don't worry, Cardinal. I have some products for you to try once they hit the market. We can call them 'quality testers,' and I can hand them over. That way, they won't be a bribe, right?"

Layla asked, and Priestess Cana looked stunned before she threw her hand in the air. At the same time, the Cardinal let out a joyous laugh like he had never done before.

"Hahaha, you are quite hilarious when you put your mind to it, kid. Fine! I look forward to what you bring me. In the meantime, I will get started on your paperwork."

The Cardinal promised, and that lifted one burden from Layla's mind.

Once she noticed the bad flavor, she sipped her tea and put it away. Some small talk followed it until it was time for Layla to leave. The sun was setting down in the sky, and she needed to work on much more paperwork.

"I should take my leave now. Raziel, follow me as well. It is time we take you home."

"Hey, wait! His training is not-"

Priestess Cana spoke hesitantly and reached out, almost as if she wanted to stop Raziel from leaving.

But Raziel was the one who blocked her path, and he looked her right in the eyes as he did so. Mary also turned around with a blank look on her smiling face.

"Oh my! Are you trying to poach our member from us? I did not realize that the temple had such a habit. Maybe you should avoid this place in the future, Raziel. It seems these people have 'weird' intentions toward you."

Mary's voice was suggestive enough for Priestess Cana to become flushed.

"I-It is nothing like that. I think Raziel would be much better staying here and finishing his training. He still has no handle on his divine energy and needs training to control it."

The priestess quickly defended herself, but a clash would have broken out if Layla had not stepped forward to clarify the situation.

"Raziel can decide where he wants to go and live his life. Neither you nor I have the right to force him. Raziel, if you want to come with us, follow me. If not, then stay here."

Layla did not turn to look at Raziel when she walked out.

It took all but one second for Raziel to decide that he wanted to leave.

Before leaving, he turned toward the Priestess and the Cardinal to give them a small bow.

"Ah, the Ducal house always takes away the best talents we somehow manage to find. But one day, I will get that last laugh."

Priestess Cana spoke with gritted teeth. She could not accept the truth in front of her eyes.

She could only clench her fists and wait for her opportunity, which would not be here for some time.

...

Days passed in a flash.

Once Layla reached home, she was so busy that she had no time to rest or look at anything besides her business report.

The production of the potions started once she taught the elves how to brew them, and as expected, they were masters.

The herbs they had planted would not bloom for about a month, but Layla had brought enough stock to last a month…for now.

'I am quite broke after all this, but the result is what I wanted. My whole shop has been stocked with cheap-priced things that are good and have no side effects. Now, I just need to wait for the grand opening.'

Layla felt satisfied, but it was too early to start celebrating. She still needed to sway public opinion and have her name spread far and wide.

"This lack of technology is killing me. It would have been so much easier for me to promote my stuff if I had social media or some way to advertise my shop. Should I invest in modern technology and such?"

Of course, things would not be the same. Layla was unsure if her world's devices would work in this magic-laid, backward world.

She did not even have satellites or electricity to power these things up.

'This world might not have all that, but it has magic. It may be possible if I bent the rules a little or developed a new concept.

But the more Layla thought about it, the more daunting the task seemed. Ultimately, she had to put it away for later because she had no time for anything but her shop.

It was about to open tomorrow, and the excitement kept Layla up.