The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 78

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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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My heart pounded as I waited for an answer, and the Cardinal quickly scribbled something down.

 

[Well, theoretically it’s possible for ordinary people too. But why would normal people bother doing such a thing? Oh, why do you look disappointed?]

 

“…Because I am disappointed…”

 

So it wasn’t anything special after all.

 

The Cardinal laughed again, apparently able to see my dejected expression even through my hood.

 

Feeling both embarrassed and awkward, I kept my eyes fixed on the writing when one word caught my attention.

 

“Wait, what do you mean by ‘theoretically possible,’ Crescenziano?”

 

[Ah. I mentioned earlier that divine power can draw in mana and purify it, right?]

 

“Yes. Then wouldn’t it be impossible for ordinary people without divine power?”

 

[But people who frequently handle sacred objects or holy water would have divine power rubbed off on them, wouldn’t they? Even if they’re ordinary people.]

 

“Ah, then…”

 

[Yes, they could purify mana using that residual divine power. Of course, it’s just theory, and since non-priestesses have no need to take such risks, there are no actual cases yet.]

 

‘Wait, this is…’

 

Isn’t this exactly my situation?

 

The puzzle pieces are coming together.

 

‘Then Ailren doesn’t need to stop by the Temple! I can just take his mana instead!’

 

I don’t have divine power.

 

So even if I’m affected by mana, like the mana stone mine workers, I should recover completely after resting for about a day.

 

‘This isn’t just because of simple compassion. Even calculating the pros and cons, it’s profitable.’

 

If I can prevent Ailren’s death with just my condition getting a bit worse?

 

Isn’t this too good an opportunity?

 

I swallowed nervously and was about to carefully ask more when—

 

[Now, it’s my turn, right? I have something I want to ask too.]

 

The Cardinal’s lips were curved upward.

 

Don’t tell me…

 

‘Is he going to ask who’s suffering from mana poisoning? Or maybe he wants to know about the sacred object appraisal method?’

 

I bit my lip.

 

Well, it was too easy for him to just tell me everything.

 

I didn’t particularly want to blame the Cardinal. After all, if you receive something, you should give something in return.

 

But I couldn’t readily talk about Ailren’s situation.

 

‘Do I have to tell him about the sacred object appraisal method… But it’s really nothing special. Am I going to get scolded for keeping such a trivial thing secret?’

 

I was waiting anxiously for the Cardinal’s next words when—

 

[Why aren’t you drinking your tea or eating the cake? They’ve all gone cold.]

 

Huh?

 

I couldn’t help but laugh at the unexpected comment.

 

“The conversation was so interesting that I forgot about them. But I don’t think I can eat the cake.”

 

The Cardinal tilted his head curiously.

 

I said somewhat sheepishly,

 

“I don’t really like blueberry-flavored foods, and I don’t eat blueberries either. I’m sorry you prepared it for me.”

 

[Ah… So that’s why?]

 

The Cardinal made a gesture as if hitting the table in realization.

 

I’m not sure what he means by “that’s why.”

 

Since it’s not polite to show displeasure in front of someone who prepared something for you, I tried my best to hide my dislike, didn’t I?

 

Anyway, I quickly gulped down some tea.

 

[Alright, that’s settled. Now then, picky eater sister, second question.]

 

‘Hey, calling me a picky eater just for not eating blueberries! Well, I don’t eat carrots either, but the Cardinal doesn’t know that!’

 

More importantly, there was another question…?

 

Thinking this time he’d surely probe about the sacred object appraisal method, I watched his expression over my teacup.

 

But his response was even more unimaginable than the question about why I wasn’t eating cake.

 

[The Temple’s sacred object appraiser position is currently vacant. Are you interested in working here?]

 

“Cough, cough. Excuse me-?”

 

I almost spat out my tea.

 

Why are you saying something so important as casually as ‘Would you like another cup of tea?’

 

The Cardinal chuckled at my flustered reaction.

 

[You said the sacred object appraisal method is a secret, right? If I can’t extract secrets from someone with such enviable talent, I thought I should at least hire them to keep them close.]

 

“You’re very honest.”

 

[Is it a bit creepy how honest I am?]

 

I finished the rest of my tea and smiled slightly.

 

“No, I think it’s a reasonable negotiation.”

 

After seeing Rosaline’s horrific actions of extracting memories and implanting them in others because she coveted talent, this much was nothing.

 

Besides, it’s not some shady exploitation but a formal offer.

 

Though a bit surprising, there was no reason to feel bad about it.

 

‘Becoming the Temple’s sacred object appraiser, what a great opportunity! It would be the highest honor for an appraiser.’

 

But honor is honor, and reality is reality.

 

Personal honor is certainly important, but Grandfather’s pawnshop came first for me.

 

As I pondered, the Cardinal readily spoke up first.

 

[Of course, I know our sister is busy running the pawnshop. So I was hoping you’d work as a consultant rather than a full-time appraiser.]

 

“Oh, would that really be okay?”

 

[When you appraise much faster and more accurately than existing appraisers, what’s the problem? I saw your results with my own eyes, didn’t I?]

 

That’s true, since the crystal bird sacred object that had been appraised and even displayed turned out to be fake. They’d need someone more thoroughly verified.

 

As I was thinking, I suddenly became curious.

 

“Then what happened to the original appraiser?”

 

[They were fired.]

 

“You weren’t fired from life, were you?”

 

[Haha, I would have liked to do that if I could.]

 

I asked half-jokingly, but getting this kind of answer back made me uncertain.

 

Surely, he’s joking, right?

 

[That person has good connections. I heard there are items he appraised even in the Imperial Palace vault? If it were me, I wouldn’t trust a man with a goatee like that – his aesthetic sense is questionable, don’t you think?]

 

‘Goatee?’

 

There’s only one appraiser with a goatee that I know of.

 

That appraiser running Rosaline’s counterfeit pawnshop!

 

‘So he used to work at the Temple too? …Then, could it be that Rosaline has even gotten her hands on forging holy relics?’

 

What if authenticating fake holy relics as real wasn’t a mistake but intentional?

 

A few days ago when I went to the Duke of Alchemiya’s residence, I had shown Nicholas a photo of the appraiser.

 

He immediately recognized him as someone who had worked with Rosaline.

 

Moreover, he had said it seemed like they were working together on something other than the replica painting business.

 

‘I need to ask William to look into more detailed information.’

 

The Cardinal, who had been smiling picturesquely while pretending to be calm, yawned softly.

 

[So you’re accepting my proposal? Sorry, I’m getting a bit sleepy now. Can we postpone the story about dark magic addiction for next time? It seems like it’ll be a long story.]

 

I wanted to probe further, but given what the Priestess had earnestly asked of me, I had no choice but to nod.

 

The Cardinal pushed over the materials saying I could take them, and even handed me several bottles of holy water. Service, apparently.

 

I was about to greet him and turn to leave when.

 

[Crescens isn’t bothering you, is he?]

 

At the tapping sound, I turned to see the Cardinal pointing at the board.

 

Was he curious about how Crescens, his errand boy, was working?

 

Or perhaps, while he had mercifully employed him, he still didn’t trust him?

 

After thinking it over, I smiled softly and answered.

 

“Actually, he is a bit of a bustling person.”

 

Seeing the Cardinal who somehow looked sulky at those words, I continued.

 

“But still, he seems like a quite sincere and good person. Until now he must have wandered around with nowhere to place his heart… but now he has the Temple, he has you as a reliable support, so I think he’ll gradually become an even better person.”

 

I said this thinking that maybe Crescens kept talking about being friends because he was lonely.

 

Being a thief, he must have lived constantly on the run, so he wouldn’t have had anywhere to attach his heart all this time.

 

I nodded slightly to the Cardinal who was staring at me blankly.

 

“I don’t know if I dare say such things, but you won’t regret giving Crescens a second chance. Please trust him and watch over him.”

 

I was someone who believed that people should be given second chances.

 

Just like Chloe, just like Nicholas, and just like myself.

 

There was no reason Crescens couldn’t also reflect and become a better person.

 

‘Of course, Rosaline’s group is excluded. They’re the type who knowingly commit wrongs repeatedly.’

 

“Well then, I’ll be going. Thank you for today.”

 

As I bowed and turned to leave, the Cardinal quietly watched me.

 

*

 

After Elisha left.

 

Crescens pulled back his hood.

 

“Really… she always exceeds expectations.”

 

It had been a casual question, asked almost like a joke.

 

But he hadn’t expected such a sincere and kind answer.

 

“If you say things like that, it makes me too embarrassed.”

 

Postponing the dark magic story wasn’t because he was sleepy.

 

It was just an excuse to have one more long conversation.

 

No, was it really just an excuse?

 

‘Maybe it was a slightly mischievous feeling.’

 

Crescens narrowed his eyes, recalling the Captain of the Royal Knights he had encountered at the pawnshop.

 

“So it was magic addiction, that person…”

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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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