“Then how will you prove your loyalty?” Jason’s words only deepened the impossibility of the situation.

How could loyalty even be shown?

It simply couldn’t!!!

Not even tearing out your heart would prove it.

At that moment, Jason actually said to Karl:

“If you claim loyalty, then tear out your heart and show everyone—let them see if the Goddess of Light resides within.”

Karl slightly shook his head with a smile.

“Loyalty isn’t proven that way. If we follow your logic, why don’t *you* tear out your heart first? Once I see the Goddess of Light within yours, I’ll gladly offer mine.”

“…”

Jason fell speechless, unable to retort.

Just then, a voice chimed from the side:

“Buy an indulgence, Mr. Karl. If your sincerity is sufficient, the Church will forgive you.”

“Sufficient sincerity” plainly meant: *Is the money paid?*

Pay up, and all would be settled.

Mia, standing nearby, flared up instantly:

“Brother-in-law hasn’t done anything wrong! Why should he buy an indulgence?!”

Karl shook his head lightly, smiling.

“If I bought an indulgence, wouldn’t that admit guilt? I am certain I’ve done nothing wrong. And I *do* have a way to prove my devotion to the Goddess of Light.”

Jason eyed Karl, smug satisfaction gleaming in his gaze.

“Fine. We grant you this chance. Prove your devotion to the Goddess of Light, and the matter ends. Fail—and Church knights will arrest you.”

Jason didn’t believe Karl had any proof.

Even *he*, in Karl’s place, wouldn’t know how to prove loyalty or devotion.

Such things were unprovable.

The Church would call it a blasphemous poem—because indulgences meant profit.

Pay enough, and the Church would look away.

This “once-in-a-century” poem would vanish, never sung again.

*Exactly* the outcome Jason wanted.

As Jason finished speaking, an elderly man in clerical robes stepped slowly from the crowd and addressed Karl:

“Brilliant youth, even if you cannot prove your devotion, sincere repentance will earn the Goddess of Light’s forgiveness.”

This was Father Delor of the Church of the Goddess of Light in Ironward City, invited to Rosalie’s poetry gathering.

Jason’s lips curled into an involuntary smirk.

*He agrees with me—it’s blasphemous!*

Nothing Karl did now could clear his name. The priest’s goal was simple: *your money.*

Karl met Delor’s gaze with a calm smile.

“Respected Father, judge my guilt only after witnessing my loyalty and devotion.”

As he spoke, Karl walked to the piano in the hall’s corner.

He sat slowly, lifted the lid, and lightly tapped a few keys.

Rich, resonant, perfectly in tune—a superb instrument.

In his past life, Karl had learned piano among many skills, thanks to his mother’s relentless lessons.

The crowd watched, utterly bewildered.

“What’s he doing?”

“Playing piano? How does *that* prove devotion?”

Then—the first note softly rang out.

A note brimming with holiness. A note radiating sacred majesty.

It was the fourth movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony—known worldwide as *Ode to Joy*.

Though meant for orchestra, the piano rendition still carried divine weight and pristine grace.

Karl opened his mouth, voice clear and resonant:

“O Goddess of Light, pure and fair, your radiant glow bathes the earth.

With fiery passion in our hearts, we come to your holy sanctuary.”

Father Delor’s eyes widened; his whole body trembled.

Others felt as if washed and wrapped in sacred light.

“Your power erases all strife; beneath your radiance, all unite as brothers.”

Karl repeated the melody, singing the rest.

Silence fell. Sacred echoes lingered. Every body trembled.

“What holy melody! What sacred lyrics!!!”

After a breathless pause, Father Delor exclaimed:

“Brilliant youth! Tell me—what is this composition’s name?!”

Karl rose, bowing slightly.

“Call it *Ode to the Goddess of Light*. Originally a symphony, but today, piano suffices. I’ll transcribe the full score soon—a gift to the Church, proof of my devotion.”

*(He wanted to name Beethoven… but claiming another composer would seal his guilt.)*

Delor clapped vigorously.

“Truly promising! Truly promising!! Your devotion shines unmistakably. I swear—no believer on earth is more devout or loyal than you!”

Karl gave a faint inward chuckle. *How blind you are.*

His face remained serene as he bowed. “Thank you for your recognition, Father.”

No surprise. Delor praised him not from spiritual awe—but calculation.

This hymn’s value dwarfed any indulgence fee.

Once adopted by the Church, Delor—the submitter—would gain favor, rewards, perhaps even a footnote in sacred history.

*Compared to that, indulgence money? Worthless.*

Karl turned to Jason, offering a slight bow.

“Mr. Jason, do not judge noble hearts with a petty mind.”

Whispers rippled through the crowd:

“Jason’s just jealous—he framed Karl!”

“Who knew the capital’s famed scholar had such a narrow soul?”

“I’ll spread word of his shame today.”

Jason’s eye twitched violently. His face twisted uglier than if he’d swallowed a fly.