Chapter 26
“……Do you know what the ‘Scales of Judgnt’ are when you say that?”
“Of course. I would not ask to borrow sothing I do not understand.”
Ianpel tilted his head slightly, as if he found it difficult to believe.
“I am curious how you even learned of the Scales of Judgnt, but that artifact is—”
“I know. That it was used long ago for solemn oaths, and that now it is used to interrogate unspoken contracts or criminals who have committed grave sins.”
At Aquila’s continued explanation, Ianpel hesitated for a mont.
It was exactly as he said.
The Scales of Judgnt, an artifact possessed by the Temple of the Sun.
Because the word ‘judgnt’ was part of its na, it was easy to misunderstand, but it was not a relic ant to judge soone.
Rather, it was used to guarantee mutual vows or contracts, or to discern the truth.
It would be easier to understand if one thought of it as the Temple of the Sun’s version of a lie detector.
“Hm, you seem quite well-versed in information about the Temple of the Sun? Using the artifact is not a secret, but even so, it is not sothing widely known.”
“As I said, I am rather intelligent in many areas.”
“Is that because you are of House Reschenhardt?”
“No. It has nothing to do with the family. I simply read a lot of books.”
Behind him, Shen nodded repeatedly, as if to prove the cleverness of the young master he served.
Ianpel raised the end of his eyebrow slightly, then soon put on a formal smile.
“That saves ti on explanations. So, may I ask what you intend to do by borrowing it?”
“You are asking sothing obvious. It exists to be used.”
“To create justification using the Scales of Judgnt borrowed from the temple……”
Ianpel tapped the table lightly and rhythmically with his index finger, then clasped his hands together.
A peculiar atmosphere settled over his face.
“In words, it is a simple composition that even a three-year-old could write. But is it truly that easy?”
“I consider it a cheap price compared to what I have done so far. Did you not say first that you would pay proper compensation?”
Are you not contradicting yourself?
It was as though Aquila were saying exactly that.
Yet despite that gaze, Ianpel showed no change in expression, rely lifting the corners of his mouth.
“I acknowledge that it is insufficient—no, as you say, slightly lacking compensation. But that is not what I wish to discuss.”
“Yes, well. I know. You cannot trust how I would create justification with the Scales of Judgnt…… that is what you want to say, correct?”
Ianpel did not even offer polite words such as saying that he trusted him.
Because he truly did not.
“Yes, that is right. It might be different if it were soone else, but the fact that soone of House Reschenhardt would draw the Temple Knights into Igrail makes it a different matter.”
If soone with no status were to draw the Temple Knights into Igrail, a simple charge might suffice.
But the problem was that Aquila was of House Reschenhardt.
Allowing another power to set foot in a closed-off place like Igrail was an issue of an entirely different scale.
It could even spark another conflict.
That was what Ianpel was wary of.
The Temple of the Sun had finally gained a chance to vindicate the humiliation it had suffered after learning the Curse Removal thod for the Curse of Deadly Poison.
If rumors spread that the Temple Knights had invaded Igrail without just cause, the temple’s reputation would once again fall to the ground.
‘I am grateful for what soone of House Reschenhardt has done, but that does not an I can act entirely out of goodwill.’
As befitting soone who bore the title of saint, that was Ianpel’s true thinking.
He moved solely for the benefit of the Temple of the Sun, and he could not allow even the slightest blemish.
And Aquila knew Ianpel’s thoughts to a tireso degree.
He had suffered far too much because of them.
Aquila nodded slightly.
“So if I earn your trust, you will lend it to …… that is how it sounds to . Am I correct?”
“Considering that transactions are fundantally built on trust, that would not be an incorrect statent.”
Ianpel wore a kindly-looking smile.
Naturally, even at that benevolent smile, Aquila rely maintained an indifferent expression.
He casually brushed his hair back again and replied.
“Then why not confirm it directly with the Scales of Judgnt?”
“……Pardon?”
“Excuse ?”
The puzzled responses did not co from Ianpel alone.
Not only Shen’s group behind Aquila, but even Priest Chelsey stared at Aquila on the sofa with a flustered expression.
Yet the one who had spoken remained completely unshaken.
“Would it not be faster to determine whether I am acting on nothing but bravado, or whether I truly have a plan?”
“……Oh. This is quite sothing. You certainly make many interesting proposals.”
Interest imdiately lit up in Ianpel’s eyes.
“It is worth trying. Honestly, I rather want to open your head and take a look inside right now.”
Though he spoke jokingly, Ianpel stared intently at Aquila with an expression full of sincerity.
After pausing as if to think it over, he stood up.
It seed he intended to act personally.
“Then, would you wait a mont? I will obtain the temple’s permission and arrange a place at once—”
“There is no need for that. Let us simply go together.”
Aquila flicked the end of his eyebrow.
Leaning arrogantly with one arm draped over the back of the sofa, he gestured toward Ianpel with his chin.
“You already have it, without needing the temple’s permission.”
“What?”
“The Scales of Judgnt. I saw them when I went to your room last ti. The triangular ornant on the table.”
Most people who hear the na ‘Scales of Judgnt’ expect the artifact to resemble an actual scale.
However, contrary to expectations, the Scales of Judgnt looked like a triangular ornant.
About the size of an adult’s palm, there was no tilting balance beam or trays on either side to asure weight, no matter how closely one searched.
A silver triangular pyramid.
At its center was an engraved symbol of Raspalara, but it was slightly different from the widely known emblem.
Originally, it should have been a semicircular sun rising from the horizon, but in its center, an eye-shaped symbol had been drawn instead.
“……You have quite a sharp eye. Even so, most people cannot recognize it. It seems you have seen it before?”
“No. I have not seen it in person, but I have read in books that it looks like that.”
Suspicion imdiately filled Ianpel’s eyes.
“Wow, books again. I am becoming more and more curious about what kind of books you have been reading.”
“It was a book by the theologian Neril.”
“Ah…… theologian Neril. If it was his work, then yes, that makes sense.”
Ianpel’s gaze sank at once, then swept over Aquila with an expression of renewed curiosity.
That was only natural, as the works of theologian Neril were enough to fill an entire bookshelf.
With that much volu, it would not be an exaggeration to say that most information about Sun God Raspalara and the temple was recorded there.
‘As expected, having one theology-obsessed madman around makes things convenient.’
Naturally, that was a lie.
The reason Aquila knew about the Scales of Judgnt was because he had actually seen and used them in a previous run.
Thinking that there was no place safer than his own room, it made sense why Ianpel had kept them there.
He was likely using them to purge personnel within the temple.
“I will give you three opportunities to ask questions. All of them.”
“……Are you serious?”
“Yes. Even accounting for a certain amount of loss, it will be worth it.”
If he could gain Ianpel’s trust, it was more than worth trying.
The most efficient leverage for capturing Celsia and the Guild of Darkness was the Temple of the Sun and Ianpel.
To clear the scenario quickly and easily, this level of loss was nothing to him.
If there was a drawback, it was only that Aquila’s words had made Ianpel realize his own value.
Well, even so, in the end, he would be the one biting the bait.
Aquila rose from his seat without complaint.
“Anyway, let us go. Disliking wasted ti seems to be the only thing you and I truly have in common.”
“Haha. Of everything I have heard today, that is my favorite line.”
When Ianpel signaled to Chelsey behind him, she nodded and went outside first.
Ianpel followed her out the door, and when Aquila started walking, Shen, Cahena, and Yujelia followed behind.
“……Is this really all right?”
“It is not that dangerous an object, Shen.”
“The young master is right. That is, if you speak the truth.”
“I have a certain confidence when it cos to the truth.”
When Aquila spoke lightly, Shen and Yujelia wore subtle expressions.
Only Cahena followed behind them with a confused look.
Across the vast Delvion Continent, there were only three artifacts known as the Scales of Judgnt.
One of them was now in Ianpel’s hand.
“There is a rule that at least one priest must accompany its use, but since I am here, it will be fine.”
He placed the Scales of Judgnt on the table and gestured for Chelsey to step back.
“Dialogues are usually conducted one-on-one, but observers may be present. Would you like to add any?”
“There is no reason not to let them hear.”
Aquila called Shen, Yujelia, and Cahena back in as they were about to step outside the room.
Cahena scratched his head with a flustered expression.
“Uh, is it really fine for to be here? Is this such an important occasion?”
“I called you because it seems like sothing important will co up.”
Cahena’s combat power was essential to Aquila’s plans.
From the start, they were practically already on the sa boat, so it was better for him to know whatever he could.
“Participants: Aquila Reschenhardt, Ianpel. Observers: Shen, Yujelia, Cahena. Question opportunities: three.”
As Aquila stepped forward, Shen, Yujelia, and Cahena moved closer behind him, glancing at one another.
Ianpel, watching their familiar coordination with interest, simply smiled.
“Hm…… Now that I am actually limited to three, it feels a bit regretful.”
“You are the only one asking. You have already been given more than enough. Do not overthink it.”
“This feels strange. Why does it feel like I am being dragged along?”
“Then let us begin. All three of you, co here and place your hands on top of this.”
“……Do we just place them on it? Even overlapping?”
“Yes. You may hold on.”
Ignoring Ianpel’s words, Aquila placed his hand on the Scales of Judgnt first. The three who had been hesitating then placed their hands as if clasping one another’s.
“During the dialogue, no one may leave, no one may enter, and no one outside can hear this conversation. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Before the Scales of Judgnt, only the truth may be spoken. If you attempt to deceive the eye of the god with lies, severe punishnt will be delivered. Do you understand this as well?”
“Of course.”
“Good. Then we shall begin.”
Ianpel placed both hands on the Scales of Judgnt.
As he channeled Divine Power into it, the emblem of Raspalara engraved at the center of the pyramid soon began to glow with a golden light.
Before long, the space changed completely.
The bleak room collapsed in an instant.
And then—
In the blink of an eye, they were standing in a pure white space.
Ding!
【Entering the space of ‘Truth or Truth’!】
【Participants: Aquila Reschenhardt, Ianpel
Observers: Shen, Yujelia, Cahena】
【Here, only truth has value. Attempting to evade with lies will result in penalties!】
【We wish the player a careful experience!】
It was the notification that always appeared whenever he ca to this map.
Just as Aquila was about to close the window out of habit—
Ding!
Another notification sounded, and a new window appeared before his eyes.
【Sun God Raspalara shows interest in this dialogue!】
【Raspalara wishes to participate as a ‘participant’!】
【A secret participant cannot join without the player’s consent!】
【Do you accept?】
【Yes No】
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