The Duke had no intention of telling the Cardinal what had happened. What he had been doing with the Chimera was forbidden by law since the temple did not like creating life in a way that went against nature.

If he was caught, the temple would cause an uproar and try to get him to give up all his rights as the Duke. It would also put a spell on him that would bind his power and other things. The Duke refused to fall into such a trap.

"Hmm, you are mistaken. The person I was talking about was like 'a son' to me, so I called him my son. I was also thinking of adopting that kid as my successor, so that is where the misunderstanding erupted.

I apologize if my words made you question my intentions for my kid. But I was unaware that the temple liked to interfere in such matters."

The Duke asked and probed at the same time.

He wanted to make Cardinal Bishop feel tired and flinch by asking him uncomfortable questions. But the Cardinal did not even have the audacity to look uncomfortable when he was asked such a question.

The Cardinal only laughed as he waved off the Duke's words.

"For me, everyone I meet is like a kin. We were all created by the Supreme One to live in this world and face its challenges. There is no need for you to say such a thing to me. Ah, but since I have so many 'kids,' I can resonate with your desire to find the kid with whom you formed a special bond.

If you tell me more about that kid and what he is like, I will also have the temple search for him. How about it, Duke Lockhart?"

Cardinal Bishop asked, and the Duke instantly pulled back and did not speak a word more. He was aware that he was digging his grave at this point.

The temple's Cardinal was making things difficult for him on purpose, and the man also likely wanted the Duke to confess about the kid being a Chimera.

'Tsk, what an unpleasant man. I knew he was in trouble ever since I first saw this man. He always had an aura around him that made me feel uncomfortable.'

Even though the Duke felt like snapping at the Cardinal, he held his desire back and remained calm.

"There is no need for the esteemed Cardinal to get involved. I will take care of my situation on my own. I hope you have a good time and nothing major happens."

Before he left, the Duke gave his blessings (more like a curse). He had come here to see this place burn, but unfortunately, the time had already passed to make it happen.

He could only head back home with a disappointed look on his face.

The Cardinal watched the Duke leave with a smile that did not falter, no matter what. As soon as the Duke was gone, the man turned to look at the door with a smile on his face, and he decided to call out to the person hiding behind it.

"You can come out now, kid. That person is gone. I am sure you have many questions, but it can all wait. First, take a deep breath and stabilize yourself."

The Cardinal spoke, and the door swung open, only to see Henry on the other side.

The young adult's back was to the door, and his legs seemed to have no power left in them. He slid down the door as he tried to remain calm.

"W-What the hell-! Since when did the Duke get close to someone? I don't understand…what will happen to all of us now?"

Henry asked in a panicked voice. When he spoke these words, he was talking about himself and the orphanage. He was panicking about the other kids in the orphanage and how they were still too young to be left alone.

The cardinal noticed this, and his heart softened as he saw the plight of this young adult.

In many ways, this kid was trying his best to provide others with a good life while sacrificing his own. It was an admirable effort on his part but still foolish.

"I see that you have a good heart, and our Lord will take that into account when he rewards you. As for the current situation, why don't you rely on the temple for some time? Our temple has more than enough funds to support you and take care of your needs.

In return, you only need to do some work we assign to you. What do you say?"

Cardinal asked in an easy-going voice. His face was not judgmental, and he looked quite happy to help this man out.

The young adult looked at the Cardinal with hollow eyes. It was clear that the young man desired help, but he was hesitant to agree to the request.

"You can take your time. I will not blame you for any decision you make. But do hurry up. I don't have much time on my hands, and other kids also need my help."

The Cardinal warned, and Henry heard the warning for what it truly was - for him to decide and stick to it.

Henry had already decided - he would get the temple's help since he had no choice but to leave. He had no funds, and the kids started noticing something wrong with the money and food they regularly ate.

"I…just give me a few days to adjust to this new reality of mine, and then I can tell you my answer. Is that possible, or would you not be able to give me that much time either?"

The man asked, and the Cardinal made a thinking face before he spoke.

"Fine. You can give me three days to make your decision. Please contract me through a carrier pigeon at the temple, and I will send you instructions about what to do next. I am sure you will be able to look after things from this point on."