Carl’s thick eyebrows twitched.

Raviel, precisely hitting him with the information he wanted and somehow knowing about it, grinned nonchalantly.

“As expected, you recognized my identity.”

“I have quite a good eye. I immediately notice even the smallest similarities.”

Carl let out a small sigh. Anyway, it was fortunate that Raviel didn’t seem to intend to interfere.

Rather, he had given really good advice.

“Well then, good luck.”

Raviel, reaching out and lightly patting his shoulder, slowly turned around.

“Currently, it would be good for Shailyn too if you reclaim your position.”

With those words, he completely left the tower master’s office.

Carl, staring intently at his tall retreating figure, quietly declared.

“I must go to Lasia Forest.”

Two days later.

Shailyn received a diagnosis that she had recovered and was sent back to the imperial palace prison.

She reunited with the Diart family and told them about meeting Emma, persuading them to hold a heretic trial.

Since there was no other way anyway, the ducal family agreed.

The news that they had requested a heretic trial quickly spread all the way outside the imperial palace.

Precisely to the Celsior ducal family.

‘Ha! They’ve used their heads a bit despite being stuck in an underground corner.’

Howard felt amazed but rushed to the imperial palace to prevent this.

Thus, a court meeting was held regarding the heretic trial. Fierce discussions unfolded over whether to accept the request of the prospective traitors or not.

“I absolutely oppose this! It’s obvious that the traitors are using cunning tricks, so we must never fall for it!”

Howard actively argued while spitting saliva.

Since the intention to hold a heretic trial was very clear, he absolutely couldn’t let things flow according to their wishes.

“Wasn’t this originally forbidden by His Majesty the emperor a hundred years ago? We can’t break that now!”

“Why are you so excited, Duke?”

It was Linus who stopped Howard from monopolizing the speaking rights and going on a rampage alone.

After his conversation with the empress, he had pulled himself together and was no longer swayed by Howard’s threats.

“Rather, isn’t this a good thing? If we hold a heretic trial and it’s confirmed more clearly that they are heretics, we can dispose of them immediately without wasting time.”

Linus smiled leisurely while making an argument completely opposite to Howard’s.

Howard frowned at this and shot back with his eyes glowing coldly.

“Your Highness, are you taking the side of the traitors now?”

“Watch your mouth, Duke Celsior.”

Linus also warned with a cold face, not backing down, and twisted his lips.

“It’s not just you in this place right now, but His Majesty the emperor, Her Majesty the empress, and even me. Yet the duke keeps stepping forward as if he’s the head of the court meeting, trying to lead things his way.”

It was a statement that seemed to say Howard Celsior was the real traitor.

“……!”

Howard’s face hardened instantly.

He couldn’t understand why the crown prince, quiet during the previous court meeting, suddenly changed his attitude.

Clenching his fist tightly, he smiled meaningfully.

“Your Highness, after having such friendly conversations with me, if you speak like this…… I think I’ll be quite disappointed.”

It was an intention to pressure Linus again by reminding him of their past conversation, but it no longer worked.

“This isn’t a place to reveal such personal feelings, so the duke should come to his senses.”

Linus coldly reprimanded and added with a sneer.

“Or get out.”

“……!”

Howard, realizing he had completely escaped from his grasp, bit his lips.

Now that it had come to this, there was only one thing he could rely on.

Howard abruptly stood up from his seat and bowed toward the head seat.

“Your Majesty, please make a wise decision.”

“Ahem.”

The emperor slightly narrowed his brow. He was gauging whether it would be okay to openly take his side.

A priest standing in the back sneakily approached the emperor, trying to lend strength to Celsior.

“Your Majesty……”

“Tsk.”

However, the empress stopped him with sharp, glowing eyes.

“Know where you belong and where you don’t. Return to your place.”

“……Yes, I apologize.”

The priest had no choice but to retreat, and the empress looked around at the attendees and made one suggestion to the emperor.

“Your Majesty, how about deciding through a vote instead?”

“A vote?”

“Yes, having the people in this place vote for or against.”

“Not bad.”

No matter how the results turned out, the responsibility would be shared among those who voted, so the emperor’s burden was also reduced.

“Then let’s decide by vote.”

The 10 nobles and imperial family members attending the court meeting conducted an anonymous vote for or against.

The result.

6 votes against, 7 votes for.

The heretic trial of the Diart ducal family and Shailyn would be held.

The Trial is Too Much

On the day of the heretic trial.

A group of knights brought us to the courtroom while we were bound.

Coming outside after a long time and receiving bright sunlight was very dazzling. Not just me, but everyone seemed to be the same as they squinted their eyes.

Inside the courtroom, observers were bustling about. It seemed people had flocked there regardless of status.

‘That’s fortunate, the more eyes watching, the more advantageous it is for us.’

That way we would receive a judgment that we’re not heretics, and that fact would spread quickly.

Although we looked shabby from not washing for several days, we stood side by side with our backs straight, not losing spirit.

On the opposite head seat sat the emperor, empress, and crown prince.

The crown prince, having avoided my gaze before, sent me an eye greeting first this time.

“……?”

What’s this, he didn’t help during the court meeting though.

The seats close to the imperial family were filled with court nobles.

I found Duke Celsior among them and quietly hardened my expression.

“Greetings, I am Head PriestMargaret from the Central Temple who will preside over today’s heretic trial.”

An elderly priest of considerable age came out and greeted. Unlike regular trials, heretic trials were handled by the temple.

Therefore, instead of having judges, high priests and assistant priests took on the roles.

“I am Head Priest Raviel from the Central Temple who will assist Head PriestMargaret.”

A familiar face smiled brightly from behind the elderly priest. He subtly made eye contact with me and nodded his head slightly.

It seemed like he was letting me know he was here, so I felt a little relieved.

“First, I will briefly explain the heretic trial. It’s a method of pouring holy water into the sacred relic ‘Chalice of the Sun,’ then dropping blood on top to check. If the holy water turns red, they are heretics, and if it turns blue, they are not heretics.”

The elderly priest glanced at the imperial family to check their understanding and called for people.

Then the courtroom’s side door opened and priests came in carrying a large chalice.

It was the sacred relic ‘Chalice of the Sun.’

It was several times larger than a regular chalice, making it feel exactly like a cauldron.

“Then we will now begin the heretic trial. Who would like to be verified first?”

“Me.”

I willingly raised my hand and stepped forward. The elderly priest nodded and had me wait for a moment.

The priests who brought the sacred relic poured holy water into it with a splash.

“Shailyn, will you be alright?”

“Of course, don’t worry.”

Duke Diart looked at me with drooping eyebrows, seeming quite concerned that I was going first.

Looking at faces all filled with worry, I smiled confidently.

“Count Sharofe, please come forward to the sacred relic.”

The elderly priest who finished preparations called me out. Deborah squeezed my hand once tightly and then let go.

I slowly approached the sacred relic. Raviel, holding a sharp dagger, was waiting for me beside the chalice.

“Please extend your hand.”

“Yes.”

“It will hurt a little.”

He gently warned and pressed the blade against my palm.

A crack-like gap formed and red blood slowly flowed out.

“Please drop your blood into the Chalice of the Sun.”

“Yes.”

I curled my fingers and squeezed out blood to drop it onto the holy water.

Drip, drop.

The blood droplets that flowed along my hand created ripples on the calm surface.

People stretched their necks out, trying to see how the holy water would change.

“It’s still just red so far?”

“As expected, isn’t she a heretic?”

“She’s bled quite a lot but there’s no particular reaction.”

It was when the murmuring grew louder as they watched the inside of the chalice become increasingly red.

“Wait, something seems a bit strange?”

“L-look over there! The color of the holy water is changing……!?”

As the red rippling settled, the holy water turned bright blue.

Looking down at that scene from close up, I smiled triumphantly.