***

The people in the workshop looked at us in surprise.

I confidently entered the workshop and placed the gleaming golden libra on the table, causing it to produce a resounding thud. It was only then that Ermetsch snapped out of his frozen state and began to stammer.

"Is that....? No, more than that, Little Marquis, what brings you here?"

He seemed on the verge of saying, "Are you here to persuade me to engage in business once again? I apologize, but I am currently unable to do so."

I shrugged my shoulders, indicating that wasn't my purpose, and stepped aside to give Reynos and Rublet, who stood behind me, a clear view.

"The crown prince has arrived. Prepare to pay your respects."

Upon hearing this, Ermetsch dropped to his knees in silence, his expression a mixture of shock and annoyance. The two apparent chaperones followed suit, bringing their children down with them.

"Greetings, Crown Prince!"

"Greetings, little sun of the Empire!"

Meanwhile, the senior priest bowed his head in deference to the doctrine that "only God can bring priests to their knees." He introduced himself with a hint of embarrassment.

"I am Gilliot, a devoted servant of the Sun God."

Gilliot. His name had crossed my ears before, but not in a favorable manner.

'I hear he's the link between the Queen and the Pope.'

With that knowledge in mind, I simply introduced myself and shifted my focus to Ermetsch, the craftsman who had become preoccupied with the arrival of the influential figures.

"I've been informed that this workshop owner is seeking to determine the identity of their biological grandson, and coincidentally, I possess a tool capable of establishing paternity."

"...!"

"By the way, this tool was obtained directly from the Magic Tower."

"Ohhh..."

Ermetsch let out a faint exclamation.

The pact between Reynos and the Magic Tower was so renowned that it was common knowledge among both nobles and commoners.

Ermetsch presumed that Reynos must have acquired the magic tool through his association with them.

'I received it directly from Apple, but we need not discuss the details.'

I said, ignoring the mixed looks of awe and surprise.

"It's very easy to operate. All you need is a lock of hair from each of the two people you want to test. What do you say, do you want to try it?"

Ermetsch gulped dryly at the flirtatious tone, as if tempting his prey, and then Gilliot, who had remained silent until then, spoke up.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Two proofs are better than one, priest."

I was well aware that the Temple had a bad taste in its mouth.

The amount of bribes I had paid in the name of religious donations to distribute scrolls and healing potions throughout the capital was staggering.

Well, I'd gotten pretty close to some of the higher-ups in the Temple, and had succeeded in changing their view of my tools.

Anyway, I cut Gilliot off before he could complain again.

"There's a saying that goes, 'You should knock on a stone bridge before crossing it,' which means one should approach things with caution. After all, we're dealing with a child's life here. It's only prudent to proceed carefully, don't you think?"

"But how do you intend to replace the judgment of God with such a trivial magical tool-"

"Did you just belittle my magical tools in front of me?"

Reynos, who had been silently listening, interjected.

Given his known association with the Magic Tower, considering their significance as trivial was akin to insulting him.

'I knew this would happen, that's why I brought him here.'

"No... No."

Gilliot shrank under the pressure of power.

"Ah, the taste of power is so satisfying."

"Do you wish to give it a try?"

I posed the question to Ermetsch once again, observing Gilliot's reaction. Ermetsch, his gaze fixated on the golden tool, swallowed hard and nodded cautiously.

"However, business with the Luminous..."

"I won't compel you to do anything against your will. Just provide me with a lock of your hair."

Nothing comes without a price in this world. I'll prod his conscience so intensely that he'll have no choice but to comply.

With a smirk, I gestured with my chin towards the Libra, indicating that he should place his hair on one side. Then, I turned to Gilliot, who was studying the Libra with an impassive expression, and inquired.

"Which child did God proclaim as yours?"

Gilliot pointed to a child, causing the unselected child and their guardian to flinch. Seeking permission from Gilliot's chosen child, I carefully plucked a lock of their hair and placed it on the opposite side of the Libra.

After a brief moment of anticipation, the two hairs fused together, causing the gem in the center of the Libra to change its color.

It turned blue.

Ermetsch, who was nervously awaiting the results, asked.

"What does this mean?"

"It means that the child is not your biological grandchild."

"...!"

Upon hearing my response, everyone's expression changed dramatically. Ermetsch's jaw dropped in disbelief.

The guardian of the child who had used the tool wore a look of utter shock on their face.

Similarly, the guardian of the child who was believed to be their grandson appeared dumbfounded.

As the room descended into silence, Gilliot, visibly outraged, turned towards me with a piercing gaze.

"Are you defying the word of God?"

"Absolutely not. I am merely interpreting the results of the enchantment. Would you like me to examine the other child as well?"

I gestured for Gilliot to approach the unselected child. The child timidly made their way over, and after seeking permission, I plucked a lock of their hair and placed it on the Libra, just as I had done before.

Unbeknownst to me, Godori had been observing the process with wide eyes.

- Hair...! The lady must be in need of hair!

As I muttered to myself, he slowly moved towards Gilliot, who I didn't even notice because I was only looking at Libra's jewelry.

After what felt like an eternity, but was actually just a minute, the result became apparent.

It displayed a beautiful shade of red.

"..."

"..."

Even a fool could see it. That this child was indeed Ermetsch's grandson.

A heavy silence descended on the workshop, broken only by Gilliot, who glared at me fiercely.

"God... You insult Him in so many ways. First, by utilizing the tools of the Devil, and now you dare to deny the will of God!"

"Hmm, well, it is possible that there has been a misunderstanding of the divine message, isn't it?"

"What?"

Gilliot responded, seething with outrage. Aigoo.

Based on what I've gathered from the high-ranking priests I've bribed, Gilliot has ascended to a high position among the priesthood under the Queen's patronage but is despised by his peers.

'If you fight me like this, you'll be the one at a disadvantage.'

I muttered in a tone of genuine pity.

"I never expected you would require a hearing aid so soon... Luminous also sells hearing aids."

"How dare you say that!"

I taunted Gilliot slightly, and in response, he let out a scream that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. That was it.

- Hoitjjat, hoitjjat

Suddenly, Godori appeared, clambering onto Gilliot's back, using his hair as a makeshift rope while maintaining an oddly polite demeanor.

'When did he even get there?'

I asked, forgetting about the fight with Gilliot and staring blankly at Godori.

Fortunately, I had warned Godori not to reveal himself in public, so only I had noticed his presence, much like during the Queen's tea party.

Unaware of the invisible presence hovering above his head, Gilliot, in his heightened excitement, launched a vehement reproach at me.

"Ever since I learned that you are so consumed by commerce that you dabble in magical artifacts, I knew you would invoke the wrath of God by challenging their domain with such a cheap object!"

"I never expected a priest to hold such a view of me. I shall keep that in mind."

"No, Your Highness, I wasn't referring to you-"

Gilliot, overwhelmed by the authority of the crown prince, quickly retracted his statement. Meanwhile, Godori, who had successfully positioned himself on top of Gilliot's head, called out to me.

- You don't need this hair, do you?!

After a few futile attempts, when the hair wouldn't budge, he paused for a moment before going to the edge and literally "lifting" the clump of hair.

- This is fake hair!

"...!"

I stared in disbelief at the wig, now completely detached from Gilliot's head, exposing his massive circular bald spot.

Excitedly, Godori, who had been playfully toying with Gilliot's wig, exclaimed.

- Funny!

It was then.

"Priest."

Rublet, who had been watching the situation with a look of annoyance on his face, spoke up.

All eyes in the workshop turned to him.

Rublet pointed calmly at the Godori, or more precisely, the wig Godori was holding.

"The wig is flying in the air."