I let out a short laugh before continuing.

“I was just lucky. What could I possibly do against demons?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. It feels like you did something, but I can’t figure out what it could’ve been.”

Why is this kid so sharp…

I gave him a slightly annoyed look. At the same time, Meteor seemed to decide he wouldn’t dwell on it any longer and spoke up.

“Yeah, it was probably just luck. Things went too smoothly, so I wanted to check.”

“Yeah, that’s fair.”

I forced a bright smile, and he shook his head slightly.

“Well, get ready and come down. Everyone’s been waiting.”

“Okay, I’ll change and head out.”

Meteor nodded once before turning away.

The reason he had been waiting was because today was the day we were heading to the Holy Palace to confirm whether or not I truly had Divine Power.

Taking a deep breath, I headed to my room. Somehow, it felt like I’d just dodged a small crisis.

‘…The Holy Palace. I’m finally going to the Holy Palace.’

My heart was pounding in my chest.

The moment I had been anticipating—becoming a Holy Knight—was almost here.

The Holy Palace was an awe-inspiring fortress centered around a grand castle. Its tall, snow-white buildings were capped with pale blue roofs, each one adorned with intricate golden decorations that amplified their divine majesty.

Could any castle in a painting be more dazzling and beautiful than this?

“Wow… it’s truly incredible.”

I couldn’t close my gaping mouth, and Rearwin chuckled at my reaction.

“It’s beautiful on the outside, isn’t it? But, Centi…”

“Yes?”

“No matter the result today, it doesn’t matter to me. Of course, if you do have Divine Power, it will be something to celebrate. But even if you don’t, you’re already special to me. You were special to me even before you tried to save me.”

“Marchioness…”

Why does everything she says sound so wonderful and heartwarming?

I was so moved that I momentarily forgot to thank her. At the same time, guilt crept up within me. If she ever found out I was the Demon King’s daughter, her disappointment would be indescribable.

That’s why I had to become a Holy Knight and save as many people as possible.

Soon, we passed through the walls of the Holy Palace. The crystalline walls shimmered like wings, their brilliance almost blinding.

What lay beyond was an even more breathtaking sight.

Count Heylroth’s perfect garden suddenly felt like a mere village vegetable patch in comparison. The Holy Palace resembled a paradise, even from the entrance.

The pure white statues, carved from alabaster, seemed ready to spring to life at any moment.

A fountain, so vast its edges were impossible to gauge, reflected the sky with perfect clarity, while its centerpiece shot crystal-clear water endlessly into the heavens.

The people of the Holy Palace, dressed in their signature white robes adorned with golden embellishments, moved gracefully around us. Like Meteor, they wore long sky-blue sashes draped over their shoulders, the gold-threaded edges glinting with every movement.

‘This place is insane.’

Even someone without faith would find themselves awestruck and converted in an instant.

I silently congratulated myself for wearing a formal dress befitting the occasion. I didn’t want to stand out negatively, especially when I was so close to becoming a Holy Knight.

“You’ve arrived. Please follow me.”

“Yes.”

The priests who had been waiting for us began to guide us inside.

As we walked, I leaned toward Meteor and whispered.

“What do you think?”

“About what?”

“Do you think I really have Divine Power?”

To be honest, it didn’t seem like anyone truly expected me to have Divine Power. Even Marquis Miles had said this test was merely a formality.

But I was curious about Meteor’s opinion.

“There’s no reason you couldn’t. I saw it with my own eyes.”

“Really?”

Huh, he’s surprisingly open-minded… It didn’t seem like he was outright dismissing the possibility.

But just as I started feeling hopeful, Meteor added, “But there’s no reason you should, either. There was no oracle this time. When Divine Power appeared 150 years ago, there was an oracle.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

It made sense. If it had been 150 years since a woman last inherited Divine Power, there should’ve been an oracle. If a god existed, they would’ve sent a clear message.

The lack of an oracle this time was likely because I had obtained Divine Power through an unconventional route.

Eventually, we arrived at a circular, expansive hall.

The space resembled a council chamber, with rows of chairs and tables arranged in tiers around the room. Beyond them, the transparent stained glass overhead created a stunning spectacle.

I was guided to the center of the room. Standing alone under the scrutiny of so many people was an overwhelming experience.

On one side, I spotted Duke Reuben Pluto, the cardinal of the Holy Palace.

As the hall quieted, someone spoke up.

“If this girl turns out to be a liar in these tumultuous times, she will not be forgiven. Surely, she’s a fraud aiming to disgrace the Holy Palace amidst this chaos!”

“!”

Excuse me? That’s way out of line!

<‘Dragon Slayer Sylvester’ wishes he could smack that guy upside the head.>

‘Ahem. If Sylvester-sama hit him, there’d be nothing left of him but bones…’

I glanced at the man who had just spoken. Judging by his attire, he appeared to be a bishop like Marquis Miles.

When I stared at him, his gaze turned sharp, but I remained calm as I spoke.

“The truth of my claim hasn’t been determined yet. But if I do have Divine Power, I ask that you apologize for your words.”

“!”

“Hah!”

Gasps and murmurs of disbelief spread through the room.

I maintained my steady gaze on the bishop. It was understandable if he didn’t believe I had Divine Power.

But I couldn’t let him insult me. Not when I thought of my dad, who had raised me with love.

Bang!

The bishop slammed the table and stood up.

“How dare you, you insolent orphan! Do you seek divine punishment for mocking a bishop?!”

“I am not an orphan—I am a child of the divine!”

“…!”

The murmurs grew louder, a mix of awe and shock rippling through the hall.

Some clicked their tongues at me, while others seemed impressed.

If there truly was a god, then weren’t all children of this world their children?

At that moment, Marquis Miles raised his hand.

“Both of you, enough. Bishop Baldwin, this test was witnessed by Meteor and personally requested by me. Even His Holiness the Pope has approved it. Let us not waste time and begin the Divine Power examination.”

“Humph!”

Baldwin huffed angrily as he sat back down, his gaze seething with frustration. He wasn’t the only one with such sentiments, I was sure.

Shortly after, the priests carefully brought forth a precious object. Judging by the reverence with which it was handled, it was no ordinary item.

I already knew what it was.

‘The stone that measures Divine Power.’

It was a rare mineral known as the Divine Stone.

The priests placed the stone in front of me, forming a circle around it as if guarding its sanctity.

When the cloth covering it was removed, I nearly shut my eyes. The stone emitted a dense, pale blue light that radiated an aura of holiness.

Just looking at it made me feel as though all my sins were being laid bare.

Once I started staring at the stone, I couldn’t look away.

It felt as though I was being drawn into its very essence.

As my consciousness began to blur, the stone spoke to me.

‘You are hiding something.’

“Yes.”

I answered involuntarily.

Wait, is this how it works?

So this is the power of the Divine Stone.

My subconscious responded faster than I could think, my lips moving on their own.

‘Can you bear the burden of your lies?’

“I must.”

‘The world will reject you.’

The world will reject me?

Even if that were true, it wouldn’t change anything for me.

“My family is more important to me than the world.”

Because my world is my family.

Being rejected by my family would hurt far more than being rejected by the world.

For someone like me, who had already lost her only family, the world meant nothing.