<Chapter 94>

“What were you two talking about so happily that you didn’t realize someone was approaching?”

“Oh, we were talking about how delicious the food is. As expected, the imperial palace chef’s skills are on another level.”

“Hoho, some of the chocolate was supplied by the Kotis Trading Company. If there’s anything you particularly liked, let me know. I’ll have it sent to your residence.”

“Wow, really? The whiskey-filled chocolate was amazing. And also…”

I clung to the Marchioness and started listing all the desserts I found the most delicious, one by one. She listened with a gentle smile, nodding as if watching her granddaughter chatter excitedly.

“I’ll send everything available from the Kotis Trading Company.”

“Oh, everything? Everything I mentioned?”

“Of course. There’s nothing the Kotis Trading Company can’t procure.”

As if it were the simplest thing in the world, she nodded without hesitation. Then, after making sure no one else was within earshot, she lowered her voice and asked cautiously, “That child… is he doing well?”

The decision for Alvin to become the son-in-law of the Khodchen family had been made after long discussions between both families.

While Fiona being their only daughter was an important factor, the priority was ensuring that both Fiona and Alvin stayed away from the capital for their own safety.

Even though it was the best choice logically, letting go of the child she had raised couldn’t have been easy.

Noticing the worry on the Marchioness’s face, I offered her a reassuring smile and spoke warmly, “Of course. The commander is taking good care of him. Once I receive a letter, I’ll call for the trading company.”

“Thank you.”

The Marchioness let out a deep breath, pressing a hand to her chest as if relieved. The marquis, too, seemed to relax as he gently patted his wife’s shoulder.

“Oh, by the way, about that request you made to me before.”

“Ah! Have you found anything?”

As a token of gratitude for saving their son, the marquis and Marchioness had told me to ask for anything I wanted.

Money, land, jewels… I wanted them so, so badly! Having assets in my name rather than just the duchy’s allowance sounded like a dream!

‘But none of that means anything unless the world is at peace.’

So, instead, I asked the head of one of the empire’s three great trading companies to investigate the holy relics.

“Holy relics? What are those?”

“I assume they’re treasures imbued with divine power… though I can’t be certain. What I do know is that only three exist in this world. Have you ever heard of them, Marchioness?”

“No, I haven’t. But now I’m intrigued. Leave it to me. With the intelligence network spread across the entire empire, I will find these relics and present them to you as a gift.”

“Ah, that’s wonderful, but please, don’t inquire with the Great Temple or any clergy associated with it.”

“Why not? If they truly contain divine power, wouldn’t the bishops or archbishops know something?”

“Well… I used to be part of the Great Temple, remember? But no one there had ever heard of them. So, I think asking them would be a waste of time.”

“I see. Understood. Then I’ll exclude the temple from my investigation.”

Had I not said that, the Marchioness would have undoubtedly marched straight to the Great Temple and asked about the relics outright.

And then word would have reached the Pope that someone was searching for them.

‘No matter how I look at it, these relics are connected to God. Yet, even the high-ranking clergy have no idea they exist?’

That is highly suspicious. Perhaps the Pope has deliberately erased all knowledge of their existence.

If they discovered that I was looking for the relics, there is no telling what the Pope might do to silence me.

“Regrettably… as much as it pains my pride to admit this, despite pushing my network of informants across the empire to their limits, I couldn’t find a single piece of information on ‘holy relics.’”

“Is that so?”

Just as I let out a sigh of disappointment, the Marchioness spoke up, as if to reassure me, “This is just my speculation, but if what you said about the relics is true, then there are two places where they might be hidden.”

“Really? Where?”

“First and foremost, the Great Temple.”

“The Great Temple? But even the bishops there don’t know what the holy relic is.”

“They might not realize it’s a holy relic. Besides, there are areas within the Great Temple that even bishops cannot freely enter.”

“Ah… You mean the Pillar of the Continent?”

I let out a small exclamation.

‘Wow… I was already suspicious of that place.’

I had sensed divine power there. But for the Marchioness to pinpoint it so precisely without any prior information—she was impressive.

“As you know, Duchess, the scriptures of the Great Temple were completely burned in the Holy War 300 years ago and rewritten from scratch. Perhaps that’s when the information about the holy relic was lost.”

“Gasp… Oh, right, that did happen. Hohoho.”

Wait a second. This is news to me!

‘All the scriptures burned down 300 years ago? And they were rewritten?’

If someone back then had intentionally forged the scriptures…

Wouldn’t that have been the perfect time to erase all records of the holy relics and manipulate divine knowledge?

No, wait. What if that was the very reason the Holy War happened? Was it orchestrated by the Pope of that time?

“Then, um, well… w-what’s the second location?”

I wanted to ask more about the rewritten scriptures from 300 years ago, but as a former saintess candidate, asking such a question would be too unnatural.

‘I’ll have to look into it later.’

For now, I decided to focus on the possible locations of the holy relic.

“The second location is the Imperial Treasury.”

“The Imperial Treasury?”

“Yes. Ever since the Holy War, the Great Temple and the Imperial Family have maintained a strong alliance. As proof, they’ve exchanged gifts on commemorative occasions.”

“Ah… Then, perhaps the Pope of that time gifted it to the Imperial Family.”

“Exactly. Or, conversely, it could have been placed in the Imperial Treasury without anyone realizing it was a holy relic. After all, the greatest treasures in this empire would naturally be offered to His Majesty.”

“That makes sense. This has been incredibly helpful. Thank you, Marchioness.”

“I wouldn’t say I’ve repaid my debt to you, Duchess, with just some uncertain speculation. I will continue my search.”

“No, this is more than enough. I’ll look into it myself…”

“Ahem.”

Just then, a cough echoed from a short distance away.

It was Temenos.

As I turned to look in his direction, he deliberately lowered his head in a formal bow.

“Greetings to His Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Startled by his words, I quickly turned around. Sure enough, the Crown Prince was approaching us. I hurriedly straightened myself and lowered my head in a bow.

“Greetings to Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

“This is a banquet. Formalities aren’t necessary.”

The Crown Prince waved his hand dismissively as he stepped closer. I straightened up with a polite smile and exchanged a discreet glance with the Marchioness.

‘We were far enough away… He couldn’t have heard us, right?’

If he had, Temenos would have warned us sooner. His cough was likely the moment the situation became risky.

“The Duchess and the Marchioness seem quite close. Have you been acquainted for long?”

What is this? Is he probing for information?

Before I could respond, the Marchioness smoothly answered in my stead.

“Yes, the Duchess recently became a VIP client of our trading company. I was personally expressing my gratitude.”

“Oh? A VIP?”

“Your Highness may have heard the rumors. There was talk of a red diamond being auctioned at the last secret auction.”

“Yes, I did hear about it. A diamond of unprecedented size, mined from the Stellian Mines, causing quite the stir. I also heard that since it was sold at a secret auction, the buyer’s identity remained unknown…”

The Crown Prince’s gaze shifted to my neck. More precisely, to the extravagant red diamond necklace adorning it.

“I never would have guessed the buyer was you, Duchess.”

“Technically, my husband was the one who made the purchase. He gifted it to me in celebration of my debut in high society.”

I carefully put on a shy expression and moved closer to Temenos, slipping my arm through his.

‘Whew, that should help. A little bit, at least.’

As I subtly relaxed next to Temenos, the Marchioness chuckled and continued her banter with the Crown Prince, “The Duke’s deep affection for his wife became quite evident this time. Honestly, I feel like begging him to stay in the capital a little longer.”

“Oh? Did the Duke spend that much money? It may be his wife’s first banquet, but isn’t that a bit excessive?”

“Excessive?” Temenos replied calmly, without exaggeration or humility.

“If I don’t even have the means to buy jewels befitting my wife’s beauty, why would I get married in the first place?”
 

<To be continued>

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