The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 185

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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‘Why a Temple-affiliated collaborator would help Eivor’ is a secondary issue.

If there was even the slightest possibility, it couldn’t be overlooked.

“…I’ve considered that possibility too. But the priests of Moro Duchy are…”

“No, no. I’m talking about the Empire’s Temple. Remember finding holy water at the gambling den? How do you think they got that?”

As Tesagh listened to my speculation, his expression grew increasingly grim.

“And there might be sacred artifacts that block magical power too, right? Just like there are magical tools that block divine power.”

“So you’re saying that’s why Eivor wasn’t detected.”

“Yes. There would be tools that priests use to counter magical power. In this case, since Rugenote’s divine power is too strong, instead of blocking divine power…”

“Conversely, he would have blocked his own magical power.”

“Exactly! Or perhaps they subtly informed him how to deal with the treasury’s divine power barrier.”

As I thought about it, I frowned.

“But if my speculation is true, we shouldn’t leave the tablet at the Temple. Should I contact Count Airen? Or should I visit soon…”

“Wait, Elisha.”

Tesagh stopped me.

“You should stay away from the Temple.”

“What? Uh, why?”

Just as I was looking up at him in confusion.

A scream-like voice came from behind me.

“No, you can’t!”

Chloe, who had apparently just finished her investigation and was adjusting her sleeves, came running over in shock.

“Elisha can’t go to the Temple. You might be used, exploited!”

It seemed she had wanted to tell me this for a while but had held back because of Grandfather’s situation.

Chloe poured out her words.

“Seeing how easily you shatter mana stones, Elisha can exert the same power on sacred artifacts.”

“The same power?”

“In-infusing sacred artifacts with divine power to make them stronger! The Temple will definitely make Elisha do such things!”

Chloe said that after hearing she needed a ‘divine-grade sacred artifact’ for her treatment, she had investigated the Temple from various angles.

As a result, she had encountered many of the Temple’s shady past deeds.

“They might arbitrarily make Elisha a saint and use you as a propaganda tool, or worse, they might imprison you…!”

Chloe raised her voice as she told stories of saints who were forced to perform consecrations day and night until their power was exhausted, then confined.

“I-I’m not saying this because I’m a mage and hate the Temple.”

Even while stammering, she spoke each word with emphasis.

“I too, though it may be nothing compared to Elisha, have… experienced such things.”

“…”

“Outstanding people attract many who want to target and exploit them. To protect Elisha’s abilities, you must be equally vigilant.”

They say extremes meet.

Just as the Temple had, it seemed there were those at the Magic Tower who had tried to exploit Chloe’s exceptional magical power.

“I agree too.”

Tesagh’s reason for telling me to stay away from the Temple seemed similar to Chloe’s, as he continued.

“Perhaps your becoming a Temple appraiser was also…”

For a moment, his voice turned fierce.

Soon Tesagh continued in a tone that seemed to barely suppress his emotions.

“They might have recognized Elisha’s divine power early on and tried to tie you to the Temple.”

Tesagh seemed to be thinking of Cardinal Crescenziano.

“There’s nothing wrong with being suspicious and cautious. Even of people who seem harmless to you.”

Both of their arguments made sense.

Moreover, I knew they were speaking out of concern for me. I was truly grateful for their feelings.

“Chloe, and Duke. Thank you for worrying about me. I mean that sincerely. However.”

I spoke seriously.

“Haven’t I become too famous to be unilaterally exploited by the Temple…?”

“What?”

“Huh?”

Looking at Chloe and Tesagh, who seemed half-stunned, I smiled slightly.

“I’m not denying what you both said. It’s divine-grade divine power after all, so naturally the Temple would pay attention. Grandfather’s attempts to hide my divine power… I’m starting to think it might have been because of the Temple too.”

“Yes, but knowing that, why…”

“But if the Temple had some plan, wouldn’t it have been better to handle it before I appeared on the front page of newspapers several times? If they had recognized my divine power from the beginning?”

I thought about it coldly.

“And if they thought of me as just a walking sacred artifact charger, would they have consistently commissioned me and paid 500,000 gold per case?”

If they had treated me as a saint, would the Temple, or Crescenziano, have spent money?

“They could have kidnapped and confined me for free. But they didn’t. Or perhaps they couldn’t.”

Someone might think I’m too naive.

After all, Tesagh right in front of me was looking at me with such eyes.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen this look. The eyes I used to see often when he was pretending to be a flower garden.

‘Anyway, that aside.’

And most importantly…

‘Hmm, if I say this, it won’t help with persuasion, so let me hold off for now.’

There was one more thing that came to mind, but I swallowed my words and nodded.

“To summarize, the Temple won’t be able to easily handle me.”

“Hmm…”

“Of course, there’s a quick way to find out if they have sinister intentions. So please don’t worry too much.”

“Ah, if it’s not exploitation but a fair deal, it might be okay… Ah, oh.”

Chloe was nodding blankly, then glanced at Tesagh.

“And if I ever get dragged to the Temple, there are people who would rush to help me, right? There’s Chloe, and Lina and Count Airen, Emma and the Duke of Alchemiya too.”

“…”

“Someone who would come running with sword in hand, ready to turn the Temple upside down…”

Chloe might not have known, but I did.

Tesagh’s stubborn expression had softened just a little.

Even if he couldn’t completely agree with my words, he seemed somewhat convinced.

I smiled and added.

“And there’s Captain of the Royal Knights Belastard too.”

“Yes… what?”

“He really likes me a lot. Anyway, I’m going to go check where Rugenote was!”

“Good grief.”

Leaving behind Tesagh, who was chuckling in disbelief, I headed to the Ruggenot Exhibition Hall.

I could hear the two people’s voices intermittently.

“…Come to think of it, Elisha isn’t someone who would just, be taken advantage of by the Temple… Hearing the story puts me a little, at ease.”

“No. …There’s something Elisha doesn’t know yet.”

“What? What kind…?”

“Never mind. I’ll tell her when Elisha comes back. For now, what were your results? Did you see anything?”

“No, I couldn’t see anything…”

“Right. I never expected we’d be able to find anything additional.”

“No, no. It’s too clean. Like the petals that were at the pawnshop. It’s not that I can’t see because there’s too much or it’s too difficult, but it feels erased as if there was nothing there from the beginning…”

“Petals that were at the pawnshop?”

Setting aside the conversation I could hear, I focused on the black light.

‘When I touched the tablet, I heard Grandfather’s past, and when I touched the light that bound Tesagh, I saw my past.’

Perhaps this time too, I might be able to glimpse someone’s past.

‘I hope it’s Eivor’s past.’

Then I could get a clue.

Taking a deep breath, I carefully reached my hand toward the black light.

The moment my hand touched the slowly swirling black light.

Crack—

An eternal-like moment of flickering light passed.

‘Huh?’

I saw something again this time too.

It was just as I thought. I saw the past.

And it was Eivor’s past!

But….

‘Huh, why is this person in Eivor’s past? No, more than that….’

As soon as I could move my body after mulling over what I had seen, I ran toward the two men.

‘Right, if it’s this!’

“Your Grace!”

Tesagh, who was about to say something upon seeing me, frowned sharply at my words.

“I need to go to the Imperial Temple right now. Will you come with me?”

“Why? I can tell your resolve is firm, but what about what you said about possibly being used….”

“Ah, that. It’s not that I’ll be used.”

I smiled brightly.

“I’m thinking of using the temple once myself.”

*

Crescens, who came out to the street late at night, was in a very good mood for the first time in a long while.

Was it because he could momentarily forget the busy daily routine with no time to pray or sleep, and the chaotic environment with knights coming and going for investigations and interrogations?

No. By Crescens’ standards, the temple was always busy and always chaotic.

So the reason for his good mood was,

‘What could our sister want to tell ‘Crescens’?’

Solely because of Elisha’s message that arrived late in the afternoon.

Hello, Crescenziano.

Could you perhaps relay a message to Crescens?

I know it’s rude, but I don’t have Crescens’ contact information.

When he asked why, she said she had something to discuss.

She even sent back the time and place in her reply, so he immediately agreed.

‘Have I finally risen to the ranks of our sister’s friends? How delightful.’

Crescens, who had been smiling like a boy, pushed open the door of the empty cafe.

He could see Elisha’s pink hair, two cups of coffee, and an orange cake.

‘Carrot cake? Didn’t our sister say she hates carrots?’

Was that the only cake this cafe had?

Crescens, who had been approaching with delight despite his puzzlement, was startled.

“Crescens.”

“Manager? …Why does your voice sound so lifeless?”

“….”

“What, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Crescens, who hurriedly sat down, jumped at the words that followed.

“I’m thinking of retiring.”

“Whaaaat—?!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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