Chapter 29

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: The Princess Only Deals in the Real Thing 36

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Deep in thought, Cresens's face soon broke into a mischievous smile.

"Anyway, I got the result I wanted. Well, it didn't go exactly as planned, but this outcome isn't half bad."

Glancing down at the cords wrapped tightly around his body, Cresens shrugged.

"I said I wouldn't untie them in front of the boss, but I never promised to stay put once she left."

He had been a little tense, worried she might spray him with that stuff, but it was a relief she hadn't.

If he'd been forced to unleash his hidden holy power, his true identity—immune to the spray—would have been exposed.

The holy artifact recovery operation for the temple was supposed to be a secret.

And the fact that he, a cardinal, was handling it personally? Even more so.

Of course, the disguise is part of it... but honestly, I'm just enjoying the situation right now.

"A cardinal getting treated like a thief—bet I'm the first."

Flashing a grin, Cresens closed his eyes.

And with that, he unleashed his concealed holy power.

Pop—

Staring at the now-limp magical restraints, Cresens rose to his feet.

"Should I tail her and keep an eye on things?"

After all, he'd gone ahead and appraised it twice for her.

"Whoa..."

The World Tree Temple came into view, drawing an involuntary gasp of awe.

It's way bigger than I imagined.

This was her first time at the temple.

She'd never really heard much about it either.

Her grandfather wasn't a believer in the World Tree faith.

"Grandpa, you never go to places like the temple?"

"Not my style to believe in things I can't see. Gotta go with what's right in front of you, right?"

Classic grandpa answer.

He's got that stubborn streak—always calls it like he sees it.

Perched atop the mountain, the temple was reached by a grueling flight of stairs.

Her legs were trembling by the time she finally made it to the entrance.

A quick glance revealed crowds of people milling about—devotees here for baptisms or blessings, no doubt.

Deciding to wait until it thinned out, she took in her surroundings.

Something caught her eye.

Oh, a special exhibition. Might as well check it out.

The exhibit hall was surprisingly full of children—little devotees on a group field trip, it seemed.

She was smiling at their high-pitched chatter when the voice of their young priestess escort rang out.

"The painting you're looking at now is a holy image. It's based on a dream had by His Holiness the First Pope."

She sidled up behind the kids to peek at the holy painting herself.

"Can you see all the fruits on the World Tree?"

"Yes!"

"Fruits symbolize blessings. It means the World Tree has bestowed so many upon us. So we must always live gratefully for those blessings. Got it?"

"Yes!"

"Alright, let's move on to the next one."

I always pictured the World Tree as some ancient stump, but it bears fruit, huh.

Tilting her head at the jewels of crimson fruit glowing in the painting, she noticed something.

A painting the priestess had skipped over.

Hmm, this one's based on the Fifteenth Pope's dream... but the fruits look fewer.

Unlike the First Pope's image, overflowing with countless fruits, this one seemed sparser.

Different artistic style, maybe? Or perhaps they omitted some to emphasize the tree itself.

Next up was the holy artifacts section.

Listening with half an ear to the priestess's ongoing explanation, she snuck a glance at the snow globe tucked in her bag.

I hope that Cresens guy stays put.

She'd headed straight to the temple instead of dragging him back to the pavilion because of what Helena had said.

About all those merchants gathered, drowning in worry.

She didn't want to pile on more stress when they were already upset—and besides...

With tempers running hot, they might hand down overly harsh punishment regardless of the crime. Better to grab him late at night when fewer people are around.

Did he even appreciate her thoughtfulness?

Recalling his nonsense about whether she was considerate or just creepy, she grumbled under her breath—just as the priestess spoke up again.

"And finally, the last item: a holy artifact just verified and unveiled today for the first time. It's a crystal sculpture modeled after a bird said to have been cherished by the World Tree itself."

"It's so pretty, Priestess!"

"It really is beautiful."

...Huh?

Something was off.

That doesn't feel like a holy artifact.

No, couldn't be.

The temple wouldn't make a mistake like that. She must be seeing wrong.

But drawing closer only confirmed it.

Holy artifacts have that distinctive glow...

If you examined one closely, you'd notice something unique.

The core shimmered with light.

The color varied, but it always carried that warm, vivid energy—unmistakable.

This crystal bird sculpture? Just empty sparkles.

No color. No inherent power.

How is this possible? They said it was verified.

Staring at it in bewilderment, she waited until the priestess returned after seeing off the children and grabbed her.

"Um, Priestess? I have a question."

"Ask away, sister."

There was only one conclusion she could draw.

Oh no, they've been scammed...!

The appraiser must've been a total newbie. Or some shameless crook bold enough to fool the temple itself.

But she couldn't just blurt out that they'd been duped.

Temple pride and all that.

Leaning in, she whispered,

"Seeing that crystal bird holy artifact got me curious—how do you tell a real one from a fake?"

"Haha, yes. That's what you wanted to know. I'm no expert on the procedures myself, but I'll tell you what I've heard."

Wait, she hadn't meant the ritual stuff...

She'd hoped for something like "We outsource it" or "Handled by an internal committee."

But the priestess was explaining so kindly that she missed her chance to pivot.

"Sometimes irreverent forgers try to counterfeit them. Unlike artifacts directly blessed by the World Tree, these fakes infuse concentrated holy water to mimic holy power. It could be called sacred in its own way, but..."

"It still needs to be distinguished from the real thing."

So the crystal bird must've been made with holy water.

That explained the lack of that signature hue.

"Exactly, sister. I've heard they conduct lengthy appraisals to tell them apart. Beyond that, I'm afraid I can't say much."

"Ah, got it. Thank you."

"Of course. Blessings upon you, sister."

Fair enough. No way they'd spill internal temple secrets to an outsider like her.

Bowing politely, she sank into thought.

So they verify beyond just the visual glow?

She could tell at a glance thanks to her experience appraising all sorts of things and her sensitivity to color.

But a proper temple couldn't base it on "It just feels right."

Even if I told them, would they listen? It's already on display—admitting a mistake like that?

Still, leaving a fake holy artifact out in the open wasn't right.

Mulling it over, she peeked outside.

Night had fallen, and the crowds had dwindled—the temple now quiet.

"Hello."

"Yes, welcome, sister. What brings you?"

"Could you guide me through the holy artifact rental process?"

Ahem.

The priest coughed at her abrupt request.

He answered with a deeply puzzled look.

"Are you perhaps an envoy sent by a bishop from another diocese?"

"No, nothing like that."

"Then... a child of a canonized saint?"

"W-Well, probably not?"

Her grandfather wasn't even a believer to begin with.

And if they'd canonized someone like him? The faith itself would have issues.

A guy who'd swung his cane like a weapon in his youth, nicknamed Hell's Pigeon as a saint? Come on.

How would they even rebrand that image...?

As she thought of her grandfather, the priest's expression grew odd.

"In that case, I'm afraid holy artifact rental is not possible."

"Wait, I heard there's one more qualification."

She rummaged in her bag.

"For those who've rendered great service to the World Tree Temple."

Pulling out the snow globe, she shrugged.

"Would returning a stolen holy artifact fall short?"