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Because of that, Luke and I were treated as distinguished guests. Unlike the previous assembly thirty years ago—which had almost resembled a witch trial—we were now able to face the Sage Council on equal footing.

“Then, with all due respect, we shall now move on to questioning His Holiness Pope Theodoros and Shrine Maiden…Princess Julia,”

Said Cardinal Lawrence, deliberately pretending to get the name wrong.
When I had met him before, he seemed like a fresh, pleasant young man, but perhaps the years had changed him. I studied him carefully as he approached right in front of me.

At first glance, he wore a gentle smile as he extended a holy scripture.

“Do you swear that the words you are about to speak in the name of the Saint are truthful? If there is no falsehood, place your right hand on this scripture and speak your oath aloud.”
“I swear.”
“I swear.”

With our hands placed on the holy seals, Pope Theodoros and I took our oaths.
At once, an unpleasant, static-like shock coursed through my body, centered in my right hand.

Ah, yes, I remember this sensation…

“‘Not Guilty.’—In the name of the Saintess, I hereby confirm that there is no falsehood in their statement.”
“Hmph. A “Fathom” spell to see through lies, is it? Still an unpleasant art,”

Grunted Pope Theodoros, and I understood immediately.
Well, in short, it just means we have to tell the truth. No problem at all.

“—Then, in the name of the Saintess, I ask: You are His Holiness Pope Theodoros, and you have completed the ten thousand-day pilgrimage, correct?”
“That is correct.”
“Not Guilty—In the name of the Saintess, I hereby confirm that there is no falsehood in this statement. Now, Princess Julia, you are Shrine Maiden Princess Clara, correct?”
“No. Clara has passed away. I am Jill—Julia Fortuna,”

I answered confidently. Cardinal Lawrence’s eyes widened in shock, then he furrowed his brow and fell silent.
The entire chamber grew still and eerily quiet

“…………” After a full turn of the clock’s second hand had passed, “Not Guilty—In the name of the Saintess, I hereby confirm that there is no falsehood in this statement,”

Cardinal Lawrence declared, his expression as if enduring pain, confirming that I had not lied.

“ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “!!!!!!!!!!!????????” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ”

The room, about the size of a small concert hall, trembled with the murmurs of the gathered clergy.

“Impossible…”

The stunned words of Cardinal Lawrence likely reflected the unanimous sentiment of everyone present.

But this is reality. “Clara” is no longer me. Right now, I am just “Jill.”

“Then why do you resemble Lady Clara so perfectly?! There must be a reason! I demand an explanation!!”

Cardinal Lawrence pressed desperately. I wondered how to answer, but before I could, Pope Theodoros rose gracefully and spoke in a resonant voice:

“You want the reason? It is simple. The previous Clara, and Julia—Jill—both share my blood!”

For a moment, I was dumbstruck, but

“Not Guilty—In-in the name of the Saintess, I hereby confirm that… there is no falsehood in this statement…”

Cardinal Lawrence, on the verge of collapsing, made his declaration, and the hall was struck by a shock twice as intense as before.

“Your Holiness…”

Yes, there’s a blood relation between me and me. That’s not a lie. Eliza is Pope Theodoros’ biological daughter, and I am Clara’s biological daughter.
Yet I had never told Pope Theodoros about my relationship with my biological mother.
Even so, he realized it. And now, he has extended a helping hand.

“…You noticed that and still tried to grope me, didn’t you?”
“W-What are you talking about!?”

Immediately, Pope Theodoros flustered and averted his gaze in some completely random direction.
Several clergy members pressed in around him, bombarding him with questions all at once.

From what I could hear, it seems they misunderstood me as the Pope’s illegitimate child—well, I suppose his vague wording encouraged that impression—but rather than accusing him of infidelity, these high-ranking clergy, accustomed to treating procreation like a game of Davi○ta or Pokémon, were not concerned about the sudden appearance of a hidden child. Instead, their curiosity focused on how the “Clara” line had been reproduced, and that seemed to be the real topic of interest.

“Well, my bloodline is exceptional, after all.”

Pope Theodoros leaned back arrogantly, confusing those around us even further.

And so, officially, I was recognized as a blood relative of Pope Theodoros and, at the same time, as a separate individual from the previous Clara.

“My Jill is even more exceptional than the previous Clara! Not only does she excel in Sorcery, Healing, and Purification, but she can also wield Spirit Arts—a true prodigy!”

Pope Theodoros boasted unnecessarily, while the crowd cheered like it were a festival.

“Ooohh!! Truly impressive. She must be officially recognized as the ‘Second Coming of the Shrine Maiden Princess Clara’ by the Church!”
“For the Church to have a Shrine Maiden Princess engaged to the Imperial heir of the Graviol Empire—that’s marvelous news!”
“Exactly!!”
“Indeed, indeed!”
“Mm. I hereby recognize it in the name of the Pope.”

“ “ “—Huh…?” ” ”

Hearing those utterly bizarre words from the wildly celebrating crowd, Luke, Cestlavie, and I couldn’t help but let out startled, nonsensical cries.

“…Um, hellooo?”

“Congratulations, congratulations!”
“Long live the Eunice Theocracy!”
“Long live the Saintess Church!!”
“Let us toast!!”
“Hip-hip!”
“Hooray!!”

The rampaging crowd showed no sign of stopping.

“…W-well, I suppose with time, this brief frenzy will die down.”
“Will it, though?”
“Who knows…”

While my optimistic outlook was met with concern from Cestlavie and Luke, surely such nonsense couldn’t last. That’s what I thought…

The next day, somehow, I was half-forcibly given the title of the second “Shrine Maiden Princess” and, likewise, the baptismal name “Clärchen (Clara),”

“…Why…?”

In a daze, I bade farewell to the people of the Holy City who lingered with nostalgic sorrow, and a week later, I set off on the journey back to the familiar Cilento Central Capital.