The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 37

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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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“The stolen… holy relic?”

“Yes. If you’d like, you can appraise it. Oh, but not with the usual methods. I actually have something to tell you about holy relics…”

“No, that’s not it.”

The priestess looked at me once, then at the snow globe once.

She seemed very surprised.

Could she not believe that this old snow globe was a holy relic?

“The snow globe is indeed a holy relic that the temple possessed.”

Then if she knows it’s a holy relic, why?

I became puzzled.

“But why do you have this, sister? This was definitely today…”

Today?

Don’t tell me the temple didn’t even know this had gone missing?

‘Just how good are that bastard Crescens’s thieving skills?’

I should have locked him up in the guild prison before coming.

I was about to open my mouth to explain the whole situation to the shocked priestess.

The priestess suddenly stood up.

“Guards!”

Excuse me?

“Don’t let this person escape!”

What?

“And oh… goodness, Your Eminence the Cardinal?!”

Then she looked as if she’d seen someone risen from the dead and ran out in a panic.

I tried to turn around, but the guards who approached in an instant blocked my view.

They were in a threatening stance as if they’d drag me away any moment.

Let me see, this situation is probably…

‘They think I stole this snow globe, right now? And they suspect I’m shamelessly pretending to return it?’

Goodness, they’re quite hasty.

I was dumbfounded but not particularly angry.

Well, it’s a misunderstanding that would be quickly resolved once I bring Crescens, who’s probably rolling around at the pawnshop right now.

Compared to the mistreatment I received in my past life, this level doesn’t even count as mistreatment.

The real problem is…

‘With them not listening like this, I wonder if I should even tell them that the crystal craft is a fake holy relic.’

What if, by any chance, they knew it was fake but displayed it anyway?

That would actually be more convincing than the temple being unable to distinguish authenticity and displaying a fake.

In the worst case, they might even try to silence me.

While I was lost in thought, I sensed a presence.

‘Hmm?’

Someone wearing a pure white robe pulled up over their head was walking over.

Judging by the height and build, it was a man, and when he gestured, the guards parted like water.

Who is this? What’s going on? More importantly, can you see ahead?

As I was thinking, that mysterious someone sat in the priestess’s seat.

I caught a whiff of lilac scent from him.

“Hello.”

When I greeted him first, the corners of his lips, which were all I could see, curved up slightly.

Is he someone important? Seeing how he doesn’t return my greeting, he seems quite high-ranking.

As I was wondering, a piece of paper was held out before my eyes.

[Yes. Nice to meet you, sister. It’s even more pleasant to meet like this.]

‘Oh my, I almost misunderstood.’

He must be observing a vow of silence or have some reason for not speaking.

[First, let me apologize for the earlier rudeness. You came to return a holy relic?]

“Yes, this snow globe here. Some thief had it…”

At those words, the man before me burst into laughter.

He has quite a unique sense of humor. A priest finding it amusing that a holy relic was stolen – is this really okay…?

Anyway, instead of questioning someone else’s twisted sense of humor, I continued speaking.

“I thought it would be best to return it. Since it’s a holy relic, after all.”

[I see. How did you know this was a holy relic? Did that person you call a thief reveal it was a holy relic?]

“No, he insisted he didn’t know it was a holy relic, and anyway, he never revealed it. I work at a pawnshop, so I know a bit about appraisal.”

The man listening to me hesitated, then slowly wrote.

[Interesting. How were you able to accurately appraise the holy relic?]

I pondered for a moment.

I could tell by looking at the color of the light? But doesn’t everyone know that?

‘I just have slightly better intuition.’

What allowed me to notice was the subtle coloring and aura, and experience distinguishing it from other objects.

But saying “I have good intuition and observation skills” seemed too much like bragging.

“When appraising, one must always be careful. However, sometimes you must trust your instincts.”

My answer was already decided.

“My grandfather taught me a lot.”

It was also an answer that captured who I am as a person.

I learned everything from Grandfather.

The man before me seemed to think for a moment after hearing my answer.

[I see. You wanted to borrow holy relics? Since you returned the stolen, well, holy relic, we can lend them to you for a certain period in recognition of that.]

“Really? Thank you!”

[However, isn’t there something you haven’t mentioned yet? I heard you had something to say about holy relics.]

It was the point I’d been pondering all along.

However, I came to a refreshing conclusion.

“That bird-shaped crystal holy relic in the exhibition hall. I think you should have it appraised again. In my opinion, it doesn’t seem to be a holy relic.”

If they try to silence me?

Then I’ll deal with it when that happens.

I might not know other things, but having noticed it, I must reveal the truth. That was my principle.

As I waited for an answer with some tension, the priest’s head nodded very slowly.

[You’re right. Thank you for the advice.]

He’s a priest with an open mind.

What a relief. I bowed politely.

When he gestured, the priestess who had run out earlier returned.

I was about to follow him to write the sacred relic rental documents while apologizing for the misunderstanding.

[I might personally need some help. I’ll send someone to where you work soon, sister.]

Anyway, if they were a customer, there was no reason to refuse.

Besides, if it’s a priestess, that’s even better. If I go through her, maybe I could get holy water at a cheaper price?

I was answering that she could come anytime when the priestess added more writing.

[Please welcome them. But this time, keep it ordinary.]

This time, keep it ordinary?

Hmm. Could she mean that?

‘I guess there were people who tried to be overly ceremonious or acted uncomfortably around priestesses?’

I thought it wouldn’t be much of a problem since I wasn’t even a believer.

“Well, that’s not difficult. Then I’ll be going now!”

There’s satisfaction in doing good deeds.

I followed the priestess in good spirits.

***

After Elisha disappeared.

The guard bowed his head deeply to Crescens, who had pulled back his hood.

“I apologize, Your Eminence Cardinal. I made you uncomfortable with my rash suspicions.”

“It’s fine. Why are you apologizing to me?”

“Then I should apologize to that sister…”

“Yes, actually she’s the one who should receive the apology. But our sister is naturally composed. Rather, a belated apology would make her more uncomfortable.”

Crescens smiled and took off his robe.

Then his cardinal vestments were revealed. He gestured.

“Now then, what you all need to do is decided, isn’t it?”

Crescens grinned at the guards who looked confused.

“The bird-shaped crystal craft. Let’s confiscate it, quickly.”

“Ah, yes!”

“And the appraiser who inspected that craft.”

The guards flinched when they saw Crescens’s expressionless face.

“Bring him to me.”

“Yes! Understood!”

Crescens watched the guards hurrying away and muttered.

“This should count as paying the appraisal fee, right?”

Why was it?

Even though he hadn’t obtained the information he wanted, he was pleased.

Crescens added in a whisper.

“So we’ll meet again, won’t we.”

His pale green eyes sparkled.

***

After filling out documents densely, what I received was a small ring.

The light was weak, but a sacred relic was still a sacred relic.

Well, they couldn’t lend out precious sacred relics to believers.

Even this was satisfying enough.

‘So that’s the sanctuary.’

On the way out.

A pleasant fragrance came from somewhere, and I saw there was a sanctuary for prayer.

Somehow, even though it was my first time here, it didn’t feel unfamiliar. Was it because of the calm atmosphere?

Standing before the empty sanctuary where lilacs bloomed abundantly, I clasped my hands together.

“Thank you, World Tree.”

I also didn’t believe in gods due to Grandfather’s influence.

But I had received a second life.

I didn’t know why, but if it was the World Tree’s mercy…

“I’ll live doing many good deeds. Really.”

It’s really shameless, but please let me ask for just one more thing.

It’s a very, very small wish.

You can give me any trial. So please.

“…Grandfather…”

My throat choked up.

I muttered so quietly it couldn’t be heard.

“Please don’t let him forget me.”

Drip. Drip.

When I opened my eyes at the sound, I was crying without realizing it.

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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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