So he already knew.
The strange feeling Elysia had gotten when he started reciting her movements earlier had finally revealed its true nature.
But asking why she had gone to see Tristan Loch? In front of the other clergy members observing the truth verification ritual?
The question he had asked in an official setting was clearly driven by personal motives.
‘Why is he suddenly asking something like this? Is it because he can tell whether I’m telling the truth or lying?’
Elysia looked anxiously at the ‘Mirror of Truth’ reflecting her face.
Right. There was no point in lying in front of the Mirror of Truth. She would be exposed immediately.
But answering him head-on was….
Elysia imagined herself honestly answering the question in order to resolve his suspicion.
“Sir Loch got sulky and refused treatment. I had no choice but to chase him all the way to the bathhouse. I’m sorry!”
…How the hell was she supposed to say that?
Valentin was one thing, but the other clergy members listening would probably faint from shock.
“Feel free to answer, Sister Elysia.”
Valentin urged her to respond. Even after dropping a bomb on her, he was smiling gently as though he were completely innocent.
Meanwhile, her head hurt so badly she felt like she was going to die.
Are you having fun?
She couldn’t help feeling resentful at the sight of him.
Naturally, Elysia’s thoughts turned to the one lifeline that might save her.
‘Madam Rosalie? Madam Rosalie! Help me!’
She desperately sent strong telepathic signals toward her mentor, but for some reason, there was no response.
‘Teacher! Where are you? Please save me. Please!’
Even begging did no good.
Apparently, with a bunch of clergy gathered together doing some boring ritual, Rosalie had gotten bored and wasn’t watching.
Now that ‘Suspicion Mode’ had been activated, Elysia couldn’t simply ignore it and move on.
If she left the suspicion unresolved, she would have to pay the corresponding price.
[System]
Resolve the suspicion within the time limit.
[Time Remaining Until ‘Suspicion Deepens’ - 00:00:30]
-You are currently undergoing the ‘Truth Verification Ritual’.
The clergy are watching. A quick response is required.
Time continued to pass even as she agonized over what to do.
‘Right. I can’t rely on Madam Rosalie forever.’
Elysia recalled the quest she was currently undertaking.
[System]
Sub Quest: The Weight of Truth
Pass the ‘Truth Verification Ritual’ in order to join the sacred relic investigation team.
-Failure: Suspected of heresy
If she failed, she would be suspected of heresy, so she couldn’t lie. The Mirror of Truth would know the truth.
Then there was only one way.
“Yes. I do.”
The moment Elysia answered, the mirror reflected her face with perfect clarity.
[Truth]
The tip of the recording priest’s pen faltered.
She heard someone quietly clear their throat.
She had passed the mirror’s test, but the atmosphere around her instantly turned as cold as if someone had poured ice water over the room.
“However… High Priest. May I share my thoughts on the matter?”
“Go ahead.”
There was no discernible expression on Valentin’s face as he gave her permission to speak.
That made him seem even more chilling, but now that she had made her decision, there was no turning back.
So don’t be scared. Be confident.
Confident.
“I believe everyone has secrets. I can’t tell other people everything about myself either.”
She spoke as clearly as possible, clenching her trembling hands tightly to conceal her nervousness.
[Truth]
Scratch, scratch.
Only the sound of the priests recording the mirror’s confirmation of the truth echoed through the silent room.
“If only people without any secrets are allowed to participate in the sacred relic investigation… then perhaps I’m not qualified.”
Elysia looked at herself in the mirror.
At a glance, it was obvious how frightened she was.
But she did not look away.
As though steeling herself, she took a breath and delivered her final words.
“But I believe acknowledging that fact and refusing to speak falsely before the Goddess is the faith and truth I must uphold. Even so, there is one thing I can promise you with absolute certainty. Whatever secrets I may have, they will never negatively affect this sacred relic investigation.”
And the mirror gave its final answer regarding Elysia.
[Truth]
Every member of the clergy in the room was looking at Elysia.
Valentin said nothing.
When the scratching of pens ceased, the only sound left in the room was the faint crackle of candlewicks burning.
The silence lasted longer than she had expected.
Just as Elysia’s mouth was beginning to go dry from anxiety, Valentin silently set down the pen in his hand.
His gaze swept once over the observing priests before returning to her.
“You both did well. Let’s conclude the truth verification ritual here.”
Valentin straightened in his chair and declared the ritual over.
…Did I win?
Or did he let me off?
She couldn’t tell at all.
There was only one thing she knew for certain.
The reason he hadn’t pressed her any further wasn’t because her answer had satisfied him. In a room with this many witnesses, the more he questioned her, the more he would be the one exposing his private motives.
Valentin had been the one to use an official setting as a weapon.
Yet in the end, Valentin himself had become constrained by that very weapon.
[System]
You failed to resolve the given suspicion.
The suspicion deepens.
-Strategy Target ‘Valentin de Arcane’ has begun harboring another suspicion about you.
But since she had failed to resolve his suspicion, it wasn’t a complete success.
It was only half a victory.
[System]
Displaying currently formed suspicions.
─
[‘Valentin de Arcane’s’ Suspicion]
-Suspicion Deepened → What kind of relationship does Elysia Gray have with Tristan Loch that she feels the need to keep it secret?
In the end, his suspicion had become even more blatant.
Since she hadn’t directly explained anything about Tristan, perhaps that was only natural.
I don’t know if I handled that well, but….
She had no regrets. It had been the best response she could possibly give in front of the other clergy and the Mirror of Truth.
“Sister Clara. Sister Elysia. You have both passed the truth verification ritual. Welcome to the sacred relic investigation team as of today.”
[System]
Sub Quest: The Weight of Truth
-Quest completed successfully!
At least she had avoided being suspected of heresy, so her lifespan had been extended a little.
Now that the difficult part was over, she wanted to enjoy even a brief moment of freedom.
***
Elysia was waiting in the prayer room with Sister Clara.
Apparently, the priests still had matters to discuss, because they had yet to emerge from the Room of Truth.
Elysia had made an effort to get along with everyone in order to survive at the convent, but this was the first time she had ever been alone with Sister Clara.
As a senior nun, Clara had far more experience than Elysia, who was merely an ordinary nun, and she was entrusted with important responsibilities such as managing the library, so the two of them had never had much reason to interact. According to the novice nuns who had worked under Sister Clara, she was quiet and rather strict.
Elysia glanced sideways at her.
Even though no one was watching, Sister Clara was sitting perfectly upright.
Since we’ll be working together, I should probably at least introduce myself properly.
“Um… Sister Clara. I’m glad I’ll have the opportunity to work with you. I look forward to working together.”
“Yes.”
“…….”
“…….”
Maybe she’s shy around people.
Well, everyone has a different personality. We’ll probably get closer as we work together.
It was awkward, but Elysia decided not to let it bother her.
An uncomfortable silence lingered in the waiting room.
Sister Clara was the first to break it.
“But is there really any reason to assign an infirmary nun to this kind of work?”
“Excuse me?”
“For a sacred relic investigation, I would normally expect them to select someone responsible for the library or doctrinal work. To be frank, I don’t understand why you were selected for the investigation team, Sister Elysia.”
Now that she mentioned it, she had a point.
Elysia slowly nodded.
“You’re right. I don’t really understand the selection criteria either.”
“Ahem.”
Sister Clara cleared her throat.
I was just answering honestly. Did I say something wrong?
Still, since they were going to be working together, Elysia wanted them to get along.
It seemed best to flatter her a little and smooth over the atmosphere.
“Ah, well… I can understand why they chose you, Sister Clara, since you’re so accomplished. But I don’t know why they chose me either. Maybe they picked me to handle all the miscellaneous chores? And they’ll leave the important work to you, Sister Clara.”
“Well. I suppose so. The High Priest must have his reasons. Someone might be injured during the investigation and require treatment, after all.”
“Ah, yes. That could be it.”
After Elysia enthusiastically flattered her, Sister Clara visibly softened a little.
She wasn’t exactly easy to deal with, but Elysia was beginning to get a sense of how to handle her.
They were on the same team now, and since Sister Clara outranked her, there was a good chance she would become Elysia’s immediate superior.
If she wanted a comfortable working relationship for the foreseeable future, staying on Clara’s good side seemed like the best idea.
Just then, the door opened and Valentin entered.
Elysia, who had been momentarily lost in thought, immediately straightened in her seat.
“Sister Elysia.”
After looking between the two nuns for a moment, Valentin called Elysia’s name.
“Come with me. Starting today, Sister Elysia, you’ll be serving as my aide.”