“Examination?” The Pontiff chuckled at the unexpected request. “It’s just speculation, but it seems like there’s some substance on my arrowhead. As I mentioned, I am a novice who recently learned archery. Even if I luckily hit the monster’s heart with an arrow, I don’t have the power to destroy it.”

“Are you saying there was a problem with the bow?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. My arrows were acting unusually, as if there was some other force involved.”

As Cloé cautiously opened the package handed by the knight, an arrow stained with blood came into view. She held it under the cloth with both hands and then handed it back to the knight, who, in turn, presented it to the Pontiff.

Inspecting the arrowhead from different angles, the Pontiff closed his eyes, then slowly lowered his face. His chest rose and fell at a slow pace. Before long, the Pontiff lifted his face. His sharply focused irises shone brightly like the color of the sun.

“Lady’s words are correct. There is a scent of a substance on the arrowhead. It may have faded over time, but it is evident from this lingering odor.”

Having completed the examination, the Pontiff handed the arrow back with an expression of disappointment. It was an attitude of not wanting to keep something dubious nearby.

Having received the item, she called the paladins standing around. She instructed them to take it to the temple for later use as evidence.
“So, if Lady’s claim is correct, did you shoot an arrow enhanced with this substance, and the monster fell from being hit by it?”

“Yes.”

“Then, Lady, for what reason did you use this substance?”

“It seems that the substance was on Duke Argen’s sword. I speculate that it seeped onto my arrowhead when it accidentally touched my bowstring.”

Despite Cloé’s confident response, the Pontiff still wore a skeptical expression. He observed Cloé with the same look he had just given Calis.

As if he couldn’t believe her words.

“A series of coincidences… It seems like a hasty excuse concocted to avoid being caught using the substance.”

Distorting Cloé’s truthful words to fit Calis’s implications was a consequence of Calis’s aftermath.

Though the unexpectedly aimed arrow towards her side was disconcerting, Cloé remained composed with a calm expression.

“I understand what you are concerned about. This is already a position tainted once with dishonor, and I comprehend the need for more cautious behavior. It is your duty, Your Holiness.”

Due to Calis’s previous false statement, the prestigious ceremony had become tumultuous, making the situation more delicate.

Cloé continued, feigning respect for the Pontiff’s feelings.

“But, Your Holiness, now is the time when you should trust me.”
Originally, the Pontiff did not completely distrust her. Due to Calis’s incident, he became extremely sensitive, perhaps viewing Cloé with a sense of caution.

There is no need for her to go into detail here. If her words become lengthy, there is a risk of making a mistake, which could shatter the trust she has built up until now.

She just needs to act simply. A straightforward statement that conclusively dispels his suspicions will suffice.

“I am willingly relinquishing the prestigious position of a Knight of Honor to speak the truth, am I not? Please do not think that my sincerity has been compromised. Merciful Pontiff.”

For example, contrasting her with Calis, who chose falsehood to obtain an honorable position, she reveals that she is exposing the truth even at the cost of forgoing rewards.

As Cloé finished speaking, the Pontiff immediately coughed twice in succession.

One of the habits the Pontiff had observed during his days as the daughter of King Valont, and a common behavior that others often displayed. It was an action seen when realizing one’s mistake and trying to cover up embarrassment.

It signaled that Cloé’s strategy was somewhat successful.

“Lady’s words are correct. I will examine your arrow.”

“Yes, and there is one more thing I would like to mention. It seems Duke Argen did not only apply the substance to his sword.”

Observing the noticeably relaxed attitude of the Pontiff, Cloé subtly displayed a triumphant smile.
On that day when Calis attempted to harm me, he scattered something on the floor of the mansion. Soon after, a monster appeared and charged towards Calis. Around that time, Calis threw something, diverting the monster’s attention and attacking Cloé.

“It was the jacket he was wearing.”

A jacket.

What he threw was a jacket, the same one that had contained the vial just a few minutes ago.

If that vial contained a lure for the monster, the situation fits perfectly. Since he took the substance from the jacket, there’s a high possibility that the jacket was contaminated with the substance. Subsequently, the monster, reacting to the substance spread in the mansion, rushed over. Similarly, it attacked both Calis and Cloé consecutively, stimulated by the substance on the jacket.