[By the time you read this letter, it means you've already discovered the truth.
I built Green Shade Territory with my own two hands. Of the countless future outcomes I witnessed, all of them inevitably ended in its destruction.
Until a variable appeared—and you are that one and only variable.
Therefore, you are the one I have chosen. You are the only one who can save Green Shade Territory.
For this, I have paid a heavy enough price.
I know you are not my real child.
You also don't have to worry about the side effects of the 'Eye of the Future' affecting you.]
Reading this, Lian's pupils contracted.
'Moria knew all along that I wasn't his real son!'
Lian felt a sense of dread, as if his deepest secrets had been laid bare.
[I took the 'Eye of the Future' with me because I didn't want you to become like me—a lonely, helpless person.
Anyone who comes into contact with the 'Eye of the Future' can't resist using it, relying on it. It is a Divine Gift, but it is also a Curse Object.
My wife and children left this world because of it. This fills me with immense regret, yet I am powerless to do anything.
If Green Shade Territory was doomed to perish from the very beginning, why did I build it up step by step?
I thought about it for a long time, and I finally realized.
It wasn't that I was lucky and happened to stumble upon the Sequence Six, the Eye of the Future.
Rather, the Sequence Six, the 'Eye of the Future,' chose me.
I was its chosen plaything.
It derives pleasure from my suffering.
So, no matter what you intend to do, never, ever touch the Divine Gifts. They are all curses.
Now, I will tell you everything I know, hoping it will help you in the future.]
[You're reading this letter alone, aren't you?]
Lian glanced back. Anna, Annie, and Sophie were all staring intently at the letter.
Although he wanted to tell Moria that no, he wasn't reading it alone, Lian figured the man couldn't hear him anyway and decided to keep reading.
[If Sophie is the only one with you, she can be trusted. She is of noble character, and though a woman of few words, she is an excellent Guardian. Please remember to treat her well.]
'Do you even need to tell me that? Of course I'll treat an outstanding bodyguard like Sophie well.'
[If Anna and Annie are also with you, it proves you've already conquered them. You truly are the man I chose, possessing the same captivating charm as me. I'm sorry, I deceived you. They weren't chosen by your mother. They are spies. You probably know that already, right?]
The corner of Lian's mouth twitched. He felt the frustrating urge to retort but couldn't find the words.
[If the three ministers are also with you, it proves you're far too trusting. Although they are talented individuals I personally trained, they are not yet worthy of your complete trust.]
'I wasn't planning on trusting them completely either. After all, they don't have an "Absolute Loyalty" entry floating above their heads.'
Lian thought to himself as he continued reading.
[I was originally an Illegitimate Child abandoned by the Moria Clan, which is one of the Seven Great Creed Families of the Empire.
Your grandfather, my father, Lane Moria, is a noble Duke. He is also the Prime Minister of the Empire.
But my relationship with him is not good. Even after I became the Lord of Green Shade Territory, I was still a disgrace in his eyes. We cut ties long ago and are now like fire and water.
Despite this, if you ever find yourself in a desperate situation, I ask you to swallow your pride, go to him, kneel before him, and acknowledge that you are his grandson. Get him to help you through the crisis.
The price is that he will likely try to control your life, such as by arranging a fiancée for you who is of high birth but hideous in appearance.
His Majesty the King has planted quite a few spies in Green Shade Territory. I suspect they are hidden among the nobility. I hope you can root them out; otherwise, they will sooner or later become obstacles on your path to success.
It is said that the long-lost Divine Gift, Sequence Seven, has appeared in the Azure Dragon Court.
Sequence Seven Azure Dragon Whip grants its wielder a powerful reproductive ability, and all offspring will possess Sub-dragon blood, forming an invincible army of Dragon Descendants. The price is that the wielder develops an incessant desire to reproduce.
I hope you will not think of obtaining it, even if it would allow the Moria Clan to flourish.]
'So the Azure Dragon Court has Sequence Seven. No wonder the King is sending troops to attack them. It's almost certainly for the Divine Gift.'
'The King would definitely not want an overseas power to gradually build an army of Dragon Descendants that could threaten the Empire's rule.'
'As for the other reason, it's most likely to weaken the power of the Lords. Killing two birds with one stone.'
'If that's the case, then the King should also be wary of Mary, who holds the Sequence Five Ripper. After all, she can also use her Gift to create an army of the Heartless.'
[If you were to ask me whether I agree with His Majesty the King sending troops to the Azure Dragon Court, my answer would be no.
Otherwise, why would I have racked up so many debts?
I hope you can pay off the debts slowly. Even if you have the ability, do not pay them all off at once.
Well, from the looks of it, you probably don't have that ability anyway.
After all, Green Shade Territory doesn't exactly have a Gold Vein.]
'I wasn't planning on paying it all off at once either.'
Lian grumbled internally as he continued reading.
[The three aides I left for you each have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Minister of Finance Omari Hani is a very professionally competent fat man. When you encounter economic problems, you can have him figure things out as much as possible.
But never rely on him completely, or he'll get an inflated ego, just like his physique.
His weakness is his daughter; he's a dyed-in-the-wool Daughter Slave.
His daughter is indeed very beautiful, but you must not be enchanted by her. I suspect his daughter must have acquired the [Husband Killer] entry; every one of her husbands dies by accident.
Minister of Internal Affairs Karel Dennis genuinely likes men, so please keep your distance from him.
He is meticulous and serious in his work, and you can entrust many tasks to him, but never trust his judgment. He can always find the single wrong answer among a pile of correct options.
His weakness is his secret lover, Casse Sute.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Alex Pool is very talented but has a tragic background. Having been born a commoner, he can better understand the feelings of the common people. You should communicate with him more often when you have time.
His mother remains paralyzed in bed to this day. His weakness is his mother.
There is also the matter of the old butler, Denis. He is my loyal servant.
I've sent him to do something very important. You don't need to look for him; he will return.
I hope you haven't publicly declared him a spy, otherwise his journey back might be a bit rough.]
'Sorry, I already publicly declared him a spy.'
Lian wiped the sweat from his forehead.
[Finally, making you the Lord doesn't come without its rewards.
For every full year you serve in office, I will send you a gift that is guaranteed to satisfy you. I promise, you will be absolutely satisfied.
I will bless you from afar and find the High Tower Witch for you.
In Green Shade Territory, do whatever you want. I will always be your strong support.]
'The High Tower Witch?'
Lian's eyes lit up.
Of course, it wasn't because he was coveting the High Tower Witch. It was because this sentence meant that although Moria knew he could save Green Shade Territory, he didn't know about his ability to use Cleaning Entry.
'My trump card hasn't been exposed!'