141 – So, even if we’re not on good terms. (15)
The capital of the Empire, Sacrum, was in chaos last night.
When people were enjoying the festival happily, a large-scale battle suddenly broke out in the Red Light District.
However, compared to what followed, that was nothing. It wasn’t common for the organizations in the Red Light District to fight each other, but it was something that could happen.
What people thought was a commotion was due to a rumor circulating in Sacrum.
The Holy Maiden and Lord Lancel paid a visit to the Red Light District together last night!
In reality, it was a clandestine visit to investigate the criminal organizations in the Red Light District, but such a fact wasn’t necessarily important to the public.
In fact, the criminals were detained by the knights and sentenced for various crimes, but… there weren’t many who cared about the lives of insignificant individuals.
What mattered to them was the rumor that their idol, the Holy Maiden, was seen with a man.
In recent days, rumors about the relationship between the Holy Maiden and Lord Lancel have been circulating more widely in Sacrum. No, not just in Sacrum. It spread throughout the entire kingdom.
Since merchants are known to spread rumors, it wasn’t surprising that such rumors were circulating. However, amid these rumors, there began to be whispers that the relationship between the Holy Maiden and Lord Lancel might be more than meets the eye.
From Noble mtl dot com
As the Holy Maiden had never roamed the kingdom openly, suspicions naturally fell upon her.
Why did the Holy Maiden do something she hadn’t done before, especially when accompanied by Lord Lancel, and in a problematic area like the Red Light District?
Because it was a place swirling with desire and temptation.
People began to believe more in the rumor that the Holy Maiden had fallen for Lord Lancel. Perhaps, rumors even started to circulate that the Holy Maiden had lost her purity.
It wasn’t particularly scandalous, as meeting between a man and a woman was common, but the issue was that the subject was the Holy Maiden. Her purity was a significant matter in the kingdom.
And for some, it was a very pleasing story.
***
“I never imagined things would be resolved so well.”
“Well, isn’t that good for us?”
“But is it true? The relationship between the Holy Maiden and Lord Lancel.”
“Whether it’s true or false, the noise people are making is ringing in our ears.”
“hahahaha. That’s true.”
“So far, the status of the Holy Maiden in the kingdom has been excessively high. Her position. Of course, it’s important, a pillar supporting the kingdom. However, the status and authority given to the Holy Maiden were beyond what was necessary. The responsibility of the Holy Maiden is not lighter than ours, the high priests.”
“Indeed. Even though we, the high priests, are the ones truly supporting the kingdom, the kingdom’s citizens seem to overlook that fact, blinded by the radiance of the Holy Maiden.”
“It’s time to rectify that. Isn’t that right, High Priest Andersen?”
“Yes. Until now, the representatives of the kingdom have been only the Pope and the Holy Maiden. However, there has been no mention of the high priests who work diligently below to prosper the kingdom. Although the position of the high priest is respected by the citizens, we believe that more authority should be granted to us.”
“So, what will you do now?”
“We must diminish the authority and status of the Holy Maiden and have the high priests share that position. For now… yes. Shall we start with the Papal Inquisition?”
“The Inquisition…!”
Andersen made a bold suggestion. The Papal Inquisition.
“Isn’t that too risky? Even if there is a moment where the purity of the Holy Maiden is doubted, is it really necessary to bring down such a symbolic figure as the Holy Maiden?”
“No. It is necessary. To diminish the authority and status of the Holy Maiden, it is not a bad idea to eliminate the position of the Holy Maiden.”
“Eliminate the position…?”
“Yes. Isn’t the Holy Maiden ultimately a ‘priest,’ who holds a strong divine power, favored by God? Then, shouldn’t she be given the position of a basic priest, rather than the special position of the Holy Maiden?”
“Hmm…”
“That also makes sense.”
“The position of the Holy Maiden is nothing more than a position created by us humans. Even the first Holy Maiden, Mary, was only dubbed a Holy Maiden by people; she herself said she would remain just a priest.”
The high priests nodded in agreement with Andersen’s words. Indeed. When the kingdom first started, there was no such position as the Holy Maiden.
So, now was the perfect opportunity. A chance to correct the deviation.
“Very well. Let’s propose the Papal Inquisition. However, before that, we must ensure the consent of the kingdom’s citizens… but that shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“Rumors spread easily, making it easy for them to inflate. It’s likely that even scandalous rumors about the saint will start circulating.
“Not bad at all. Judging by the scandal. And if we lower her position to that of a suitable priestess, we can harness her power strategically… allowing the clergy to take over the power vacuum created by her. Since the saint herself isn’t interested in power, this might actually be beneficial for her.”
At Andersen’s words, the clergy immediately burst into laughter, as if the plan had already succeeded.
***
I was reading the information I received from Dantallion. Of course, Asti was by my side.
“The rumors must have spread widely, huh?”
“Well, that was the plan from the start. The clergy must be itching with excitement, right? They probably can’t wait to start the scandal trial. But… the clergy, they’re no joke.”
Embezzlement from the orphanage fund was just the tip of the iceberg, alongside tax evasion, exploitation of priests, and even drug trafficking. There were truly no shortage of lunatics.
The exploitation of priests involved various aspects. It was to the extent where they used their positions to lust after even the nuns. And such… clergy?
No, considering how corrupt religious figures in the world could become, given the various reports from all sorts of sources, this might just be a drop in the bucket.
The real issue was the drug trafficking. The lunatics…
The drug they distributed under the guise of heavenly joy was said to be a secret method that the clergy used to expand their followers. If they found priests or knights worth using, they would intoxicate them with the drug to make them part of their followers.
As long as they took the drug, there were no side effects in daily life, and it was said that people only went crazy when they didn’t have the drug… unknowingly, they had spread it everywhere, resulting in so many knights under the clergy’s influence.
“Wow…”
Asti had a disgusted expression. She probably never imagined that high-ranking priests like the clergy would be involved in drug trafficking.
“Is that the drug?”
“Yeah. Dantallion played a big role in it. He’s quite capable in many ways.”
Upon praising Dantallion, Asti looked at me with a somewhat sullen expression.
“You’ve never praised me like that.”
“…Me?”
“Yeah.”
“What are you talking about? Every time you do something, I say thank you and even call you amazing.”
“But recently, you haven’t.”
“…Because there hasn’t been a reason to. Wait, are you jealous because of that?”
“Oh, come on. A person who even kisses lips elsewhere goes to the red light district with someone else, praises someone other than me…”
Unknowingly, it seemed she was upset because I hadn’t been paying attention to her lately.
I put down the documents and pulled Asti into my arms.
“Okay, okay. I’ll pay more attention from now on.”
“hehehe~”
With a satisfied look, Asti nestled into my arms. I rested my chin on her forehead and continued reading the documents.
“The evidence is sufficient, and the actions of the clergy are extraordinary… at this point, we should proceed with a scandal trial against the clergy. We need to cut out all the rotten parts.”
“By the way, is the list of those involved all there?”
“Of course. It’s all sorted out, from which knight was under which clergyman to who was bought off. Just showing this to Adrian should pretty much wrap up my part.”
“Thank goodness. It resolved without much trouble.”
“Well, we’ll have to wait and see about that. Anyway, now I can finally take a break.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Asti raised her head slightly, gently stroking my cheek as if to say, “You did well.”
“Reward?”
“It’s not particularly a reward… Why, do you want a reward for working hard?”
“Yeah.”
“Then… I guess this is for the best.”
Saying so, she slightly pulled away from my embrace, looked into my eyes, and kissed me.
It was a gentle kiss, melting away weariness.
“But, can a saint’s lover act like this?”
“He and I don’t have that kind of relationship. Besides, going to the Red Light District together was part of a plan.”
“But the saint probably wouldn’t see it that way.”
“…Probably not.”
I could tell Adrian liked me from spending a day with her. Her demeanor towards a man she’s interested in kept showing.
It wasn’t just an act.
“Maybe… you should consider it too. How to handle people who have feelings for you and keep you in their hearts.”
“I guess so.”
“Well, I don’t really care if you end up liking someone other than me.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s obvious you put me first.”
“Is that so.”
“Yeah. So it’s fine. Do as you please. Prahu. Heroes are meant to have multiple women around them. Just make sure to keep what I said in mind.”
“I don’t even like anyone else besides you yet. Maybe it’s just infatuation.”
“Who knows? hahahaha. Maybe after this is over, Adrian will look at you with a heavy heart?”
“…There’s a lot to think about in many ways. I thought I could just relax.”
“It’s the fate of popular men. Accept it, Prahu.”
Asti laughed playfully.
