The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 94

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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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But when Crescens heard my words, he looked puzzled instead.

 

“Huh? No, I didn’t see you? I really wanted to go see it too, but that was prayer time. So I couldn’t go.”

 

“Really?”

 

Did I see wrong?

 

‘He was wearing white robes too, and Crescens has such distinctive light green eyes that I recognized him by his eye color.’

 

Was it a mistake?

 

Anyway, I thought he was just a believer in name only, but he actually prays too?

 

I was looking at him with satisfaction, thinking he was living his second life earnestly, when Crescens winked.

 

“My handsome charm worked.”

 

“What?”

 

“Manager, did you miss me so much that you saw my illusion?”

 

Satisfaction canceled.

 

“Crescens.”

 

“Yes, Manager.”

 

“If you don’t want to get acquainted with my fist, drink your tea and wait for the appraisal results.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

My expression must have been quite menacing.

 

Crescens obediently picked up his teacup.

 

A moment later.

 

“Among the items you brought, only these two are sacred objects. The topaz ring and the cameo pendant. The rest are all forgeries.”

 

I endured the throbbing in my head and completed the appraisal.

 

Perhaps because there were multiple items to appraise, my eyes stung from looking through the loupe for so long.

 

As I rubbed my eyes, Crescens casually asked.

 

“Is there no more information you can tell me?”

 

More information?

 

‘Right, now that I’ve become an advisor, I should give more detailed appraisal results, right? And write official appraisal certificates too.’

 

I took out an appraisal certificate and answered while writing.

 

“Both are sacred objects, but looking at just the gems themselves, neither is of particularly excellent grade. The topaz has discolored and the cameo has some wear from poor storage conditions.”

 

“The gem evaluation is good, but I’m a bit more curious about an evaluation focused on the sacred objects.”

 

“An evaluation of the sacred objects… you mean.”

 

I remembered that the sacred object ring borrowed from the Temple was the lowest grade.

 

Do I need to give them grades?

 

“Are you talking about grades?”

 

“Yes. The grades divided into 5 levels according to sacred power amount. Lowest grade, low grade, intermediate grade, high grade, and special grade.”

 

“Ah.”

 

I compared the light of the sacred objects displayed in the Temple with the sacred objects I’d seen so far and came to a conclusion.

 

“The cameo is low grade, the topaz is intermediate grade.”

 

Perhaps because my eyes were tired today, I could see the characteristic light of sacred objects even more clearly.

 

Both the cameo and topaz were sacred objects, but there was a difference in the amount and intensity of light.

 

Crescens’ eyes sparkled.

 

“From what I heard when I picked these up, they were supposedly lowest grade and low grade level respectively. But after Manager touched them… no, after seeing them, you feel they’re one grade higher than that?”

 

“Yes.”

 

At my firm answer, Crescens smiled broadly.

 

“Well, Manager would be right.”

 

Crescens, who received the sacred objects and appraisal certificate and put them back in his bag, began chatting as usual.

 

His words about wanting to see the festival seemed sincere as he pestered me about what happened at the seminar, and he laughed loudly when I got to the part about Malcolm being arrested.

 

“Really? That’s great! People like that should be punished. Then Manager can sleep peacefully for a while, right?”

 

His gleeful reaction as if it were his own business was quite amusing.

 

Well, Crescens was right that I could sleep peacefully since I’d prevented the New Pawnshop from causing trouble.

 

‘Though my dreams have been unsettled for some reason.’

 

As I nodded, Crescens pointed to one spot.

 

“But I’ve been curious since earlier. Isn’t that a shopping bag from a boutique downtown?”

 

I’d fallen asleep yesterday without having time to organize the dress, and he seemed to have noticed the shopping bag I’d left in the corner. Good eyes too.

 

“How do you even know that, Crescens?”

 

“What don’t I know? Manager, are you going somewhere fun? Or maybe to a party?”

 

“Oh, well…”

 

‘It should be fine to tell him, right? The Imperial Palace is open to everyone during the Founding Festival anyway.’

 

During the Founding Festival charity event, the Imperial Palace Courtyard is open to everyone.

 

Because it’s a fundraising event for the poor.

 

But only people like me who were invited could watch the event up close and attend the eve party.

 

The fact that I received the invitation from Lina was secret, but I thought it would be okay to mention that I was invited.

 

“One of my customers gave me an invitation as a gift, so I decided to go see the Founding Festival.”

 

“That sounds fun. Who are you going with?”

 

His tone naturally assumed I’d be going with someone, so I was puzzled.

 

“I’m going alone…?”

 

“Huh? Why are you going there alone?”

 

A question mark appeared on Crescens’ face too.

 

Don’t tell me I have to go with a friend?

 

But my only friend is at the Imperial Palace?

 

Crescens, who was looking at my bewildered state, said while wiping away tears from laughing.

 

“Of course you have to go with someone to escort you! Don’t you have any awareness that you’re a lady?”

 

I’m… a lady…?

 

I reflexively got goosebumps and rubbed my arms while falling into thought.

 

‘Right. If receiving an escort when going to boutiques is part of nobles’ daily life, then being alone at an event venue would stand out too much.’

 

Then who should I ask to escort me?

 

The most suitable person would be Ailren, but he won’t do. The Captain of the Royal Knights has to protect Lina.

 

‘Actually, it would be best to ask Alter for help, but…’

 

Considering what I had to do at the Imperial Palace, Alter was actually the first person who came to mind.

 

He’s sharp and insightful, plus as someone from the Information Guild, he’d have good information networks too.

 

‘But precisely because he’s affiliated with the Information Guild, he might be uncomfortable having his face exposed in a public setting.’

 

Besides, I haven’t even seen his face lately.

 

Is something going on?

 

I stared at the sheep doll for a moment, then turned my gaze to Crescens.

 

‘Crescens is pretty quick-witted too. Would he help if I asked?’

 

“Crescens, by any chance.”

 

“If you’re asking whether I’m free that day.”

 

He is quick-witted.

 

But?

 

Crescens’ eyes drooped.

 

“I can’t…”

 

“What, I thought you were saying that because you were available. I understand.”

 

Since he was a former sacred object thief, he might have robbed nobles’ manors too.

 

Maybe he’s uncomfortable because he might run into people who know his face?

 

That could be it, I thought as I let it go, but Crescens made a sulky expression.

 

“You’re giving up that easily? Ask me just one more time.”

 

“But you said you’re not available?”

 

“Yeah, I’m not available, but now that you accept it so easily, I feel a bit…”

 

I was dumbfounded, but Crescens rubbed his face with his hands.

 

“Actually, I was secretly hoping you’d ask me! It’s a golden opportunity to get closer, so I really want to go with Manager!”

 

“But?”

 

“…My social position makes that impossible….”

 

“Alright, I understand.”

 

His social position is a bit complicated, after all.

 

Seeing him like this, even if he’s reformed now, he must have really robbed nobles’ manors in the past.

 

“Really, I’m not refusing because I don’t want to. I have other things to do….”

 

“Oh, come on. I said I understand.”

 

But how does Crescens know about this kind of thing?

 

“You seem to know noble culture well? How did you know that an escort is needed for the Founding Festival?”

 

“…That’s also due to my social position….”

 

“I see….”

 

I suppose being a thief requires being well-informed about many things.

 

I concluded my understanding of Crescens, who was clutching his head at that point.

 

“Well, I’ll be going now…. Oh, and this. It’s the appraisal fee.”

 

Crescens, who had gotten up unsteadily, handed me an envelope along with the holy water.

 

Why is this so thick?

 

I was shocked when I opened the envelope.

 

“This is too much?! This is a million gold!”

 

“That’s the correct amount, you’re a proper appraiser now….”

 

“Crescens? Crescens?!”

 

“It’s fine, the church has plenty of money…. Anyway, see you next time….”

 

The envelope contained a whopping million gold.

 

My goodness, a job worth 500,000 gold per case!

 

It felt like my headache was completely gone. Of course, that was just how it felt.

 

‘Thank you, World Tree. No, Cardinal.’

 

There was a reason the priestess who had been guiding me kept praising the Cardinal whenever she spoke.

 

He spoke straightforwardly and had quite the presence.

 

Just as I was bowing toward the temple, the telegraph rang with an incoming call.

 

Hi, it’s William. I got that list of Founding Festival attendees you requested?

 

But it’s too long to send by telegraph, so could you drop by the guild today to pick it up directly?

 

I have other things to discuss too.

 

Finally!

 

As I read the telegraph, I looked at the sheep doll placed on the counter.

 

‘Right, if I go to the Information Guild, Alter will be there.’

 

If Alter won’t come to me, couldn’t I just go to him directly?

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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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