Kaelus leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "And when Alistair finds the discrepancies, because he always finds them, and I will personally oversee your trial for grand treason against the Crown."
The High Priest stared at the Archduke.
He looked at the pathetic, flickering blue crystal on the pillow.
He weighed the academic curiosity of a slightly heavy magic reading against the complete financial ruin of the Holy Church.
It was the easiest decision he had ever made in his life.
"A flawless Water Core!" the High Priest declared loudly, his voice practically cracking with frantic enthusiasm.
He yanked the pillow back. "Absolutely textbook! A beautiful, pristine, completely harmless Tier-1 Water affinity! The reading is concluded! The paperwork will be stamped immediately, Your Grace! Please, do not trouble yourself with an audit! We are very transparent!"
