Chapter 30 - The Shrew's Choice (2)

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I sincerely answered his questions with my thoughts, but for some reason, the Archbishop seemed to be dissatisfied with something and suddenly started talking at a rapid pace. Judging by his speech, it seemed like there was a lot pent up within him.

Considering the information I had about that person, it was odd to claim that there was nothing piled up. Looking at the sudden outburst, perhaps there was more behind the scenes than I imagined. I never anticipated my father's name coming up in this conversation, especially from the lips of the Archbishop.

Maybe my father's connections are far broader than I had imagined.

"This is too much. You won't even listen to what I'm going to offer or ask for?"

"I've said it. I have nothing I want from you, and I have nothing to offer. It's been that way for the past 20 years, and it will continue to be so."

The Archbishop cut off my words as if he didn't need to hear them. Suddenly, curiosity brushed through my mind. Will he continue to display this attitude even after hearing what I intend to donate?

"Even if what I'm offering is a Relic that the Holy Kingdom is eagerly looking for?"

"...What...?" 

At the words that came out of my mouth, the archbishop's office was instantly enveloped in silence.

* * * * *

"You, what did you just say?"

"I said that the item I'm going to donate is a Relic."

"Edwin Reed. Do you understand what you're saying right now?"

The Archbishop glared in my direction with a face full of anger and began his speech. 

"Since the fall of the Great Demon, no one has been able to find the missing Relics. Devout priests, Paladins, the Imperial Guard, adventurers, guilds, bounty hunters, and even those rogue bands resembling swarms of locusts—all have spent countless years chasing after leads, but not a single trace or hint has been discovered!

Although history attests to this, could it be that you, a mere drop of blood, claim to possess these Relics now? Albert's son. I shall grant you a final chance, so it is in your best interest to contemplate your response carefully. Depending on your answer, it may be deemed an act of blasphemy."

"Why don't you check it yourself?"

"What?" 

"I told you to check it out for yourself. If I am deceiving Your Grace with lies, then you can accuse me of blasphemy as you said." As I continued to be confident despite his questioning, Archbishop Timothy seemed momentarily at a loss for words, "As far as I know, I have heard that the archbishops of the holy kingdom always carry the means of verification in order to verify the Relics in case of emergency. If you use it, it will be easy to check." 

After I finished speaking, I set the box I had been carrying all along onto the table, opened its lid, and presented its contents for the archbishop to inspect.

"This... This..." 

"These are the robes and rosary used by the revered Saintess Cynthia."

"Could it be... is this truly...? Unbelievable..."

Archbishop Timothy struggled to find words as he gazed upon the Relics inside the box. Although he had not yet verified them, the objects in the box were radiating a very reverent and sacred aura that anyone could see. Even an outsider like me could see the holiness, so it goes without saying that the archbishop, who is an expert in this area, would see it.

Now, there was only confusion left on his face, which had been filled with anger just a moment ago.

"I have said all I have to say. Therefore, I implore you, Your Grace, please use what you have to verify for sure whether that is a Relic."

I seized the opportunity and asked the archbishop to confirm again. The archbishop, who was still in shock, was now deep in thought. Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he took out a small glass bottle from his bosom; the glass bottle had a thick cork stopper in the mouth, and inside was a single strand of bright silver hair.

But that bright silver hair...why does it feel like I've seen it somewhere before?

"...This is a strand of hair that Cynthia-sama cut off the day before the final battle, before she went out to defeat the Great Demon. It is an item that has been handed down from generation to generation to the archbishops of our country, with dozens of strands divided into bottles each, sealed with a preservation spell. 

This strand of hair has a purity verification spell cast on it. If an object is suspected of being a sacred item of the Saintess, it can be touched with this strand of hair and then infused with holy power to determine its authenticity.

However, if the item is found to be a fake even after using the strand of hair, the person who reported it will be punished with the highest possible punishment that the Holy Kingdom can impose for deceiving the church and insulting the Saintess; regardless of the status and position. 

So, son of Albert, this is your very last chance. If you tell the truth now, I swear on my name that I will make everything go away."

"I will stake my life on it. These items are undoubtedly the Relics of the Saintess Cynthia."

Archbishop Timothy, who saw me still standing firm in my answer, sighed deeply and then spoke as if he had made up his mind, "...Now, there is no turning back. Everything is a consequence of your choices. Regardless of the outcome, accept it wholeheartedly."

After concluding his words, the archbishop placed the glass vial containing the strands of hair on the robes and rosary. Muttering something under his breath, he recited the sermon. As he completed the incantation, the glass vial began to tremble and, unexpectedly, a dazzling light filled the room.

Startled by the sudden brightness, I instinctively averted my eyes. It took a moment after the light subsided for me to finally turn my gaze back to its original direction. The glass vial remained on the box that had held the garments.

But the hair inside had disappeared somewhere, and Archbishop Timothy stared at the empty vial with a bewildered expression. Why was the archbishop reacting this way? Wasn't the verification supposed to be successful? Anxious thoughts raced through my mind as I awaited an explanation.

—Thud!

"Oh... Oh oh... !" 

"...?" 

As I was about to speak to the archbishop, he suddenly knelt in the direction of the box, bowing his head and clasping his hands together; tears streamed down his eyes.

"Oh... Ohh... I never thought this day would come...! To witness the Angel's Holy Robe and the Benedetta's Rosary...! Oh, Goddess! Ohh...!"

Archbishop Timothy was now almost wailing passionately, and only then did I realize, with certainty, that he had received the authentication of the genuine Relics. Though my heart had momentarily sunk, it seemed the situation had resolved favorably.

I approached the Archbishop, who was engrossed in prayer, and spoke to him. I still had a lot of work left to do today, and I couldn't leave him to perform this testimonial act indefinitely.

"How, now that you believe me."

As I spoke, the archbishop looked up in surprise, as if he had forgotten my presence. The faith of religious individuals could, at times, be unnerving.

"...I believe. No, I have no choice but to believe. The robes and rosary you brought are undoubtedly Relics of Saintess Cynthia." Archbishop Timothy, who had managed to control his emotions, cleared his throat a couple of times and then bombarded me with questions at an astonishing speed, "However, I can't help but ask. How on earth did you come by these Relics? Or, was it your father who obtained them?

And why did you choose me to deliver these items? The Angel's Holy Robe and the Benedetta's Rosary are among the three Relics that the Empire is fervently seeking. If you had brought even one of them back to the Holy Kingdom and dedicated it to the Archbishop there, you could have gained unprecedented wealth and honor. 

But I lack such influence. The office of Archbishop of Westford is but a semblance of a facade. And there's no way you, a noble of the empire, wouldn't know that. So I'll ask again. What was the reason for giving me these Relics?"

"Well, you see..."

"'Well, you see' won't do! I'm not trying to cultivate fields now..."

"Firstly, my father is unaware of the existence of these Relics. These Relics were acquired solely through my efforts. 

Also, I am sorry but I cannot disclose the exact means of acquisition. It is a matter beyond the comprehension of someone in your position as an archbishop. 

Also, I have no need for wealth and honor. I am already affluent, and as for honor, it is nothing more than a bothersome and cumbersome possession. Therefore, I have absolutely no reason to dedicate these relics to the Holy Kingdom."

"Then why..." 

The archbishop was looking at me with a puzzled expression, but the face staring at me no longer held the same frustration and anger as before. Having confirmed that I sought no personal gain and that the Relics were indeed authentic, there seemed to be no grounds for him to harbor hostility. With that settled, it was perhaps time to get to the main point.

"I have been searching for someone all this time. Someone who can bear the Cross in my stead and traverse the thorny path of penance. And today, it seems, I have finally found that person."

"...What?"

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