Chapter 44
As soon as the news came that Theodore had found Jamil, Klagen was immediately summoned. Those who hurried over were shocked to learn that the theft case had actually been an embezzlement that had continued for over a year.
It was astonishing that even the senior priests, who assisted the High Priest in running the temple, hadn’t noticed that the temple’s budget was being siphoned off!
Some looked around nervously, wondering if their positions were in jeopardy; others were burning with anger at the one who committed the embezzlement; and only a few realized that the High Priest had been aware of the situation all along.
“Embezzlement! Why didn’t you report such a serious matter immediately?”
“There was no other choice. If Klagen, including yourself, found out, the matter would have escalated, and rumors would spread in an instant. What could we do?”
Among the few present, Duchess Linda was offended that such a major incident hadn’t been reported to her immediately. Of course, the High Priest didn’t need to notify everyone personally. Still, what irritated her most was the presence of Marquis Blanche.
When they had gathered to discuss the theft, Marquis Blanche hadn’t been there. But now he was seated as if he were a close aide to the High Priest. It meant that he had been the first to be informed as soon as the truth was known. Moreover, the one who had captured the priest Jamil—the perpetrator of the incident—was Theodore, who had a close friendship with Marquis Blanche.
In other words, they had sought help not from the head of Klagen but from a retired holy knight commander.
But this was purely a matter of pride, so it couldn’t be argued further. The arrow of anger then turned toward Priest Von, who had been standing by. Lettran wanted to intervene, but Duchess Linda spoke first.
“Come to think of it, didn’t you notice Jamil’s escape first?”
When Duchess Linda narrowed her eyes, Von’s shoulders flinched. He realized that the reason a young priest had been given the authority to pursue Jamil was to reduce the responsibility of the theft incident. This made him feel extremely uneasy. Clearly, Linda was conscious of him.
“Priest Von, if you had received the pursuit order, you should have immediately sent out knights to chase him, even if he ran. Coming back to the High Priest’s office to report basically gave him time to escape!”
“That’s not it, I….”
Even if a pursuit order was issued, how could a rookie priest release knights? Von wanted to protest, but he kept his mouth shut. He knew that no matter what he said, it would be futile. For Linda, Von was the only outlet for her anger.
Seeing the situation, Marquis Blanche added a word.
“In the end, he was caught, wasn’t he? The priest is still learning his duties. Let’s not push him too hard.”
Von barely managed to hold back his desire to snap back: “So, you take out your frustrations on a child?”
“…By the way, Marquis Blanche, I’m curious why you’re here.”
“I came to observe the knight training. Since the High Priest personally requested it, how could I refuse?”
It was a lie. Theodore was already overseeing the training. But Linda was likely to nitpick, so arrangements had already been made with the knights in advance.
“You could leave it to Sir Arbelche, but he’s only recently come here from another region. Moreover, proper rest is also necessary for a knight. This is advice from a former Holy Knight Commander.”
He found overseeing the training difficult, yet going after the embezzler was fine? There were many things he wanted to argue, but he couldn’t. This was exactly how the relationship between Duchess Linda and Marquis Blanche worked.
Although Linda outranked the Marquis, there was no way she could beat him in any aspect. Rank was the only thing she could boast of, but even that couldn’t harm Marquis Blanche.
What use was rank against a Marquis supported by both the royal family and the temple? When Blanche retired, he had even been asked by Silbert to become the head of Klagen—a serious request from a High Priest, not just a friend.
But the Marquis had refused. Had he accepted, he would now be the head of Klagen, not Duchess Linda.
Even if Linda’s family had high rank and produced many priests, they could not compare to the Blanche family, who had sacrificed for the empire for generations.
Duchess Linda was a man who discriminated freely against commoners and lower ranks, but could not openly discriminate against someone superior to her externally.
“Theodore, well done. You did a great job.”
“No, I didn’t do anything.”
“Being quick to report the escape is commendable.”
“Keep quiet when you don’t know. Even so, you handled the situation well for your age. I admit, I may have spoken harshly due to concern over the unfortunate incident. Please understand.”
‘Flipping attitudes like a hand,’ thought Von.
“But what was Priest Lettran doing while this young priest handled the situation?”
Lettran had a look that said, “Now it’s my turn.” But he was more experienced than Von. At times like this, the right move was to immediately admit mistakes and show remorse.
“I apologize. I will ensure such an incident does not occur again.”
Duchess Linda clicked her tongue, clearly displeased. Just as Marquis Blanche’s patience was nearing its limit, Theodore appeared at the High Priest’s office with knights in tow.
Behind him, Jamil was being dragged along, struggling violently with his hands bound and his neck held.
“High Priest. As instructed, we have captured the criminal, Jamil Kennis.”
At Theodore’s signal, Marc mercilessly grabbed Jamil by the arms, then pressed down on his skull in front of Silbert, Marquis Blanche, and the Klagen members. When Jamil’s knees weren’t fully bent, Marc kicked his shins to force them to touch the floor. His shinbones were probably broken. Marc was the type of person who could take down a small monster with his bare hands.
“Argh!”
“Quiet. Do you think shouting here will help? No need for formalities. Just answer the High Priest’s questions properly.”
Violence in the High Priest’s office? Yet no one stopped it. Jamil was receiving everyone’s unspoken condemnation.
“Jamil Kennis.”
“!”
“I won’t go into what you’ve done. You know the weight of the sins you committed yourself.”
Jamil swallowed hard. The High Priest’s voice had always been warm and kind, full of comforting energy. Now, hearing it with that lethal edge, Jamil felt his face grow pale. The voice cut like a sword, chilling his spine.
“Tell me directly. When did you start embezzling?”
“Th-That is…!”
“Don’t think of claiming innocence. The investigation is complete; every lie will only add to your sentence. Your family too.”
Jamil couldn’t speak easily. Having access to the ledgers, he fully understood the severity and scale of the crime.
It wasn’t just any budget—it was donations for orphanages and aid for the poor. Even in collusion with another, the funds he had embezzled could have fed and treated hundreds.
If the High Priest wished, he could hold Jamil responsible for those who died in the orphanages. His body froze. Pain from his broken shins shot through him. His mouth went dry.
Should he tell the truth or lie? He calculated rationally how to survive. His head lifted involuntarily as he leaned toward lying.
“Argh!”
“Even after the High Priest showed mercy, you kick against it.”
Theodore grabbed Jamil’s hair, forcing his head back. Having spent nights in areas ravaged by monsters, Theodore’s gaze alone was enough to terrify. He tossed Jamil’s head as if it were filthy.
“High Priest. The Kennis couple confessed all their crimes after severe interrogation.”
“!”
“You know their nature. They cannot be rehabilitated. Shall we allow divine punishment?”
Silbert’s eyes widened slightly. Jamil, pressing against the marble floor in pain, swallowed hard and stared blankly at Theodore.
‘Wh-Whom did he torture?’
Jamil almost screamed, shocked by the mention of torture, though his brother and sister-in-law hadn’t even been caught.
Everyone else realized Theodore was lying. Yet seeing Jamil terrified, they began to play along, exchanging glances.
Silbert spoke first, adding credibility to make the lie seem true.
“I tried to give them a chance, but it was useless.”
“Give me half a day. I will make them confess all their sins so far.”
It meant Jamil would be tortured. Unable to doubt Theodore’s words, Jamil scrambled to rise, dragging his broken shins and banging his head against the floor.
“I-I’ll talk! I’ll tell everything!”
Watching Jamil cry out desperately, Theodore smiled faintly.
