At the B5 Research Institute, Hel had already been back for some time.
During her trip to the City of Biology, she had gathered a large haul of basalt bricks.
So lately, she had devoted herself entirely to one task — paving the underground passage from the B5 Research Institute to Heim Castle with those basalt bricks.
As for the cave near the mining town, Hel had long since sealed it.
Now, the only remaining route into the B5 Institute was through the underground tunnel beneath Heim Castle.
The passage already lay a hundred meters underground, and with the addition of basalt brick lining, it had become impenetrable to anyone short of a saint-tier powerhouse.
"Niv, do you think it'd be too flashy if I rebuilt Heim's city walls out of basalt bricks?"
Hel asked as she laid down another row.
"Master could always cover the basalt bricks with a layer of ordinary stone," Niv replied gently.
"Of course, that work can be handled by the mechanical spiders.
All you need to do is shape the basalt bricks themselves."
"Hmm, that makes sense," Hel nodded.
"But the city walls are still too low. If they were as tall as the Watchwall Fortress, that would be ideal."
Niv sighed helplessly.
"Master, that would indeed be too conspicuous.
But if you raise the walls to around thirty meters,
that alone will be enough to stop most lower-tier transcendents."
"Good point. And if I add a few gravity-enhancing alchemy arrays outside the city, even fifth- or sixth-tier powerhouses will find it difficult to approach.
Oh right — we should also reinforce Heim Castle's underground.
Ideally, surround the whole thing with basalt bricks.
We could even take the chance to develop the city's underground space."
As Hel went on excitedly, Niv couldn't help but feel worried for her master's finances.
That freshly obtained batch of basalt bricks hadn't even had time to cool, and she was already planning to use them all up.
"We'll work out the full construction plan later," Hel said.
"Let's just finish this tunnel first."
She waved a hand and returned to work.
At that moment, a communication signal came through — it was from Witt.
"Young master, I've just received some news."
"What is it?"
Hel stepped into the blank space and sat across from him.
"A reward delegation from the Church has arrived from the Imperial Capital."
"A reward?"
"Yes," Witt said, grinning from ear to ear — as though he were the one about to receive the honor.
"A Church reward?" Hel frowned slightly.
On the surface, her only real connection to the Church was her close relationship with Vivian.
All her efforts to protect Vivian had been done in secret.
Surely they wouldn't publicly reward her just because she rescued Vivian from execution?
Wouldn't that be a loss of face for the Church?
"Young master, perhaps you haven't heard," Witt said with excitement.
"The Church is preparing to canonize Lady Vivian as the Saint of the Nait Empire's Church.
To build up her reputation, a poem called 'The Angel's Return' has been circulating throughout the Imperial Capital.
It vividly recounts the trials and tribulations Lady Vivian faced on her journey from the Heim Territory back to the capital.
"The poem lists seven great tribulations and fourteen minor trials.
The awakening ritual on the execution stage in Heim is recorded as the first tribulation.
Naturally, the one who saved the angel — you, Lord Hel — was credited with a great deed.
"Do you remember Sister Pamela, the one who escorted Lady Vivian back to the capital?
She's a Knight King-tier powerhouse.
According to the records, her contributions covered one great tribulation and two minor ones.
She was directly rewarded with a Four-Winged Angel Medal and the title of Imperial Honorary Duke.
"Given your contribution, even if your current strength doesn't match a Knight King's,
your reward shouldn't fall much lower than hers."
"Four-Winged Angel Medal?" Hel raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, young master," Witt said respectfully.
"The Four-Winged Angel Medal is the sixth-highest rank among the Church's honors.
Only those who've made outstanding contributions to the Church's cause can receive it.
Aside from the posthumous Six-Winged Medal, it's among the most valuable.
"It's not only a mark of honor — it's also a symbol of identity.
Only those officially recognized by the Church can bear it.
If you were to receive such a medal, it would be a great boon for your future."
"You just said it yourself," Hel replied flatly.
"The Four-Winged Medal carries a lot of weight. Given my 'official' strength,
the Church probably wouldn't give me something of that level."
"Perhaps not the Four-Winged, but at least a Two-Winged Medal," Witt said firmly.
"Even the knights who escorted the angel received Golden Feather Medals at minimum.
You helped awaken the angel and saved her from execution.
Such a great deed can't possibly rank below theirs."
"Let's hope so."
Hel shrugged indifferently.
In truth, she wasn't particularly interested in the Church's medals.
She didn't need them anyway — she already had a very long leg firmly planted inside the Church.
All she had to do was cling tightly to Vivian's leg; she had no need for empty titles.
If the Church really wanted to thank her, she'd prefer a few high-quality elemental crystals over any medal.
"Young master," Witt continued,
"the award delegation will soon arrive in Selphis City.
They should reach Heim Territory within a few days.
But… there's something I must warn you about."
Hel looked at him calmly. "Go ahead."
"The Church isn't unified. There are Conservative, Reformist, and Saint Factions, and there's constant friction among them.
Vivian's return benefits the Saint Faction, but the other two may not see it that way.
"So it's likely that some clergy from other factions will resent you.
And these aren't weaklings like Gerhard — most are fifth-tier at least, and their leader might even be a Knight King-tier powerhouse.
If they try to make things difficult for you, please endure it for now.
"Your talent is unlike anything I've ever seen.
Given time, you could very well reach sainthood yourself.
There's no need to fight for temporary pride.
Once you reach the Saint tier, many powerful figures will be eager to avenge you."
Hel listened quietly, though Witt's concern made her expression twitch slightly.
"Witt," she said finally, her lips curling into a faint, confident smile,
"I know you mean well.
But tell me — who said I can't beat a sixth-tier?"