Auraria Capital, Imperial Palace.
Root paced around the garden of his quarters with a sullen expression. Having heard the news that Sir Raymond had left the capital, he felt uneasy.
It bothered him that after giving a holy relic as a token of gratitude, he had taken it back.
'Did he perhaps leave in a hurry because he was angry about that?'
At that thought, regret washed over him.
But he had no choice as it was Princess Juriana's request.
'Still, to just leave like that without saying anything...'
He thought they had built a deep friendship, so he was disappointed.
He had wanted to stay together for a long time and build a friendship to live like sworn brothers.
In truth, Root didn't have many close friends.
So when he saw Romeo and his friends, he sometimes felt envious.
Sir Raymond was also close with them, but Root believed he was closer.
That was why his disappointment and upset feelings were significant.
While he was deep in various thoughts, a servant suddenly approached.
"Um, Sir Root. Princess Juriana is looking for you."
"...I understand."
Root adjusted his attire in front of the mirror and headed to Princess Juriana's quarters with a pounding heart.
Recently, he and Princess Juriana had been on very good terms.
After retrieving the holy relic from Sir Raymond and giving it to Princess Juriana, things had gotten even better.
Juriana now smiled brightly whenever she saw him, and the two were discussing telling the princes about their relationship first.
Root imagined Princess Juriana's face smiling brightly as usual and went inside.
However, what greeted Root was Princess Juriana's face filled with anger.
"Sir Root! This holy relic is fake!"
"Pardon?"
At the sudden words, Root could only blink.
Princess Juriana explained as if dumbfounded.
"Today, a priest came to see His Majesty the Emperor in the neutral zone, so I went to ask. But that priest said this is fake!"
"Th-that can't be..."
Root hurriedly received the holy relic from Juriana and examined it closely.
It was exactly the same as the holy relic he had possessed. It was certain.
"The priest also said he's never seen such an elaborate replica before. He said at this level, it's proof that there's an alchemist of truly outstanding skill."
"But this is what I've always carried with me! It even granted my wish when I was young. There's no way it can be fake..."
"Don't you think Sir Raymond might have switched it?"
"......!!!"
"This is an item of tremendous value, Sir Root! There would have been plenty of people wanting to buy it for a large sum."
"B-but..."
"Sir Root, you also said that to him. That it was a truly important item."
"...."
"This won't do. Let's report him together!"
"Report him?"
"If he replicated it during the short period you gave it to him, there might be an alchemist of outstanding skill within this capital. We need to investigate."
"But, Your Highness..."
"This is a matter concerning the safety of the empire. An alchemist of such outstanding skill could be a threat!"
"...."
Juriana's words were not wrong.
If this was truly a fake, it meant that there really was an alchemist of that caliber close by.
After the war ended, the Temple had been devoted to finding alchemists again.
The priest's visit today was also to request cooperation from the Empire.
'What's the probability it was a fake to begin with?'
Root agonized over it, but that couldn't be.
The holy relic definitely emitted a sacred light and granted his wish.
Moreover, since then, he had never once let it leave his body.
No one knew that Root had this, so there couldn't have been anyone who could have stolen it.
If it had been switched with a fake, it was definitely Sir Raymond.
Root couldn't believe that fact.
"Sir Raymond wouldn't do that. He wouldn't betray me..."
"Sir Root. Get a hold of yourself! I've told you over and over. He's a shameless man wearing the mask of a gentleman and a sodomite!"
"...."
"The priest said he would thoroughly investigate Auraria Capital because of this holy relic. My father was not pleased."
At those words, Root's expression darkened. He was already in a position where he needed to gain the Emperor's favor, and now he was going to incur his dislike.
"On top of that, the Temple might pin all the blame on Sir Root."
"But I..."
"I'm sorry. If I had known it was fake, I wouldn't have done that... I just thought that if it was confirmed to be a holy relic, I would go to the neutral zone with Root personally to donate it."
"...."
"If the Temple becomes greatly grateful to Sir Root, then my father would come to like Sir Root too... That's why I did that."
Juriana made a crying face, seeming upset that things had turned out this way. Root comforted her.
Yes, Princess Juriana's words were right.
Before being falsely accused, it was better to report Sir Raymond who had betrayed him.
However, he still couldn't believe it.
That Sir Raymond, who had so actively helped him, would do such a thing.
'Could it be... did he know about the existence of the holy relic from the beginning and treat me well on purpose?'
That thought gave him chills.
"Also, he left the imperial capital in a hurry, right? Maybe he did that because he was afraid the replica would be discovered!"
At Juriana's speculation, Root squeezed his eyes shut.
Right. That was certain. Otherwise, there was no reason to leave so hastily...
"Also, Prince Romeo and his friends also left the imperial capital today."
"Those people too?!"
"They might be accomplices. Isn't it too suspicious? There's no other reason to suddenly leave."
Juriana's words were right. Root made up his mind.
"...As Your Highness says, I will report him immediately."