~Chapter 33~
“Ah, this fruit is finally back in stock! Have trade relations with the eastern region resumed? I heard it’s all thanks to the Kinnzello family’s undead?”
There was a woman spreading rumors among the merchants in the commercial district.
While purchasing goods in bulk from merchants who mainly traded with the eastern region, she naturally slipped in stories about the Kinnzello family during the process.
“Could the Kinnzello family be the messenger sent by the Goddess Pluula? I heard they developed their own antibiotics to block the plague and treat its symptoms?”
“Even though it’s not even within their family territory, they are providing full support for the epidemic recovery work… I think they are truly admirable people.”
After finishing her daily purchases.
Jane’s footsteps headed towards the back door of the Kinnzello Duke’s townhouse.
“I’m back, Miss.”
She took off the shawl she was wearing on her head and bowed respectfully to her mistress, who had personally come out to greet her.
“You’ve worked hard, Jane. How was the reaction from the merchants at the market?”
“It seems to get better every day. The merchants seemed to be eagerly telling the stories to the customers visiting their shops as well.”
A smile bloomed at the corner of Ivyn’s lips upon hearing Jane’s report.
Ivyn had been spreading news about the eastern region throughout the capital through Jane, who had recently become her maid.
Because she knew well that the most effective way to purify stagnant water was to pour in clean water.
And the market’s reaction was gradually turning positive, just as she had hoped.
As a little more time passed like that, the rumor that the Kinnzello family was the main culprit behind the eastern region plague completely disappeared.
Instead, the remarkable achievements of the undead working at the site became the new topic.
“They do the job remarkably well, don’t they?”
“I heard among them there are even goblins that can speak human language.”
“How about it, any thoughts of putting them up on the slave market?”
Another topic of conversation was the ‘corpses that disappeared within the Church’s jurisdiction.’
“Have they still not caught that culprit? Is this the Emperor being incompetent, or the Church’s jurisdiction being lax?”
“Well… I don’t know, but it’s clear there’s been a lot of noise surrounding the Holy Church lately.”
“Right, first they arbitrarily arrested the youngest daughter of the Kinnzello family and caused a stir, and then this time it wasn’t the Church jurisdiction in charge of managing the situation that resolved it, but rather the Kinnzello family who was initially pointed to as the culprit, wasn’t it?”
“And what about having all the prepared evidence stolen?”
And so, the numerous stories from the market naturally began to spread to the lower and upper noble classes through the purchasing agents that every noble family had.
Of course, there were also those sweating bullets over the public sentiment that had flipped so abruptly.
“Among the populace, distrust and negative perception of the Kinnzello family did not spread; instead, only interest in the undead increased.”
In a dimly lit meeting room.
The officials dressed in grey robes all had gloomy expressions.
Everything was going off-script.
To the point where they had to play an unplanned move to turn the situation around.
“This, isn’t it like the hunting dog we let loose just for show ended up helping the prey escape from us instead?”
An elderly high priest with completely white hair spoke up.
“It’s a disgrace, a disgrace! This is beyond sullying the Church’s reputation.”
“What face do we have to report this now, huh? Our necks are practically on the chopping block right now.”
“See, I said from the start he wasn’t suitable. What on earth was he thinking, bringing undead to the scene! Tsk, really!”
“They should have entrusted field command to someone else. It’s not like the Church has only one Paladin.”
“But he is a Saint-bearer! And the only Saint-bearer to survive past the Rite of Passage! When there’s another hero the public wants, who are we supposed to promote?”
Tap, tap.
Seeing the meeting room atmosphere heating up, someone knocked on the table.
“Enough, that’s enough. What’s done is done. Blaming each other now is useless.”
The gazes of the priests attending the meeting focused on one spot.
“In times like these, we must divert the eyes and ears of the people elsewhere. Fortunately, the ‘Special Relief Period’ is right around the corner, which is quite timely.”
The Special Relief Period was an important time when events for aiding the poor and protecting orphans were held.
Even those who weren’t believers of the Holy Church participated in various events during this period to help their neighbors in need.
Moreover, this period was a prime opportunity to significantly increase the annual number of believers. Therefore, high-ranking Church officials had to pay special attention and devote considerable effort at this time.
The high priest meeting concluded.
What remained was the final report.
“Huu.”
In front of the Saintess’s office.
Elder Mateo, his face stiff, took a deep breath; cold sweat was already beading on his forehead.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
She was standing in the middle of the room, wearing a dark blue gown with trailing sleeves.
Her voluminous blonde hair was tightly tied with a dark blue silk scarf that matched the gown’s color.
“How did it go?”
The Saintess’s frosty voice came.
“We have discreetly found a suitable person, Your Holiness.”
“What about the personal details cleanup?”
“They have been cleanly excised from the orphanage records. It seems they were apprenticed under a tanner in the next neighborhood; fortunately, the tanner left no separate records. We sealed their lips and returned, so you need not worry.”
“Then, the manhunt should be over now.”
“Yes, indeed.”
“Ha, to have this matter dragged out so messily like this… It’s all because of those filthy heretics who deserve to be torn apart…”
Mateo, glancing at the Saintess who was muttering curses under her breath, lowered his already cast-down gaze even further.
“What about the event preparations?”
“No particular problems. They are proceeding steadily, as in previous years.”
“The Werner Orphanage is being taken care of properly, right?”
It was an orphanage located in the old town district where the poorest and sickest in the Empire gathered.
Originally a private facility within the Empire, its operational rights had been transferred to the Church since the regency of Gregory.
“Yes, it is scheduled to proceed from next Sunday for one night and two days, Your Holiness.”
“Hmm…”
A thoughtful hum escaped from the Saintess’s delicately closed lips.
Seeing this, Elder Mateo quickly began to rack his brains.
Because when the Saintess fell into thought like that and made a sound, it was mostly when something displeased her or went against her wishes.
“And once this charity event is over, the funds for establishing the academy should be just about sufficient.”
“I see.”
Seeing a slight smile form at the corner of the Saintess’s mouth, the Elder finally felt relieved.
It meant what he had uttered was the ‘correct answer.’
“This time, I’d like a slightly more special event added at the end of the event. As you are aware, Elder, the Church’s authority has been considerably damaged recently.”
The quick-witted Elder bowed his head immediately, without needing to be told twice.
“Understood, Your Holiness. I will prepare without any mishap.”
***
Meanwhile.
Upon returning to the ducal castle, Ivyn spent several days holed up in her study.
To devise a plan to lure out Emperor Roshignol during the Relief Period.
Especially on the day of the charity event, since the Saintess would have a schedule at the orphanage all day, it was even more crucial to draw out the Emperor.
It takes two hands to clap.
Even if you can’t make a clapping sound right away, you at least need to make them collide.
‘…I absolutely cannot miss this opportunity.’
Ivyn poured her sincerity into the parchment as she wrote a letter to send to the Emperor.
— To His Majesty Emperor Roshignol, the Sun of the Hugh Empire, whom I respect.
First, I sincerely thank you for taking your precious time to read this letter.
I, Ivyn of the Kinnzello family, would like to humbly request Your Majesty’s personal participation in volunteer work at the Werner Orphanage in light of the ‘Special Relief Period.’
As Your Majesty is well aware, the unfortunate disease incident that recently occurred in the eastern region of the Empire resulted in many victims, and subsequently, the livelihoods of merchants in the capital have become precarious (omitted)… During such a time, if Your Majesty personally visits the orphanage to extend a warm hand and words of encouragement to the children (omitted)… I am convinced it will be a great source of strength for the Empire’s citizens suffering hardships (omitted).
— Your Majesty’s loyal servant, Ivyn Kinnzello.
However, as expected, no reply came from the Emperor.
‘I expected this much, it’s fine.’
Having already been ignored by Emperor Roshignol several times before, Ivyn was not easily discouraged.
She had a Plan B, after all.
***
Tap, tap.
“Who is it?”
“Yes, My Lord, it’s me. It’s regarding Miss Ivyn…”
The head butler who hastily stumbled in after opening the door.
“What about Bin?”
“She left this note in her room…”
Swish.
Dillan snatched the note from the head butler’s hand and quickly scanned through it.
— To my beloved father, I plan to go watch the annual deer hunting competition held in the Rogen County territory. I’m taking John, Hon, and Dun as escorts, so please don’t worry about me… (omitted).
“Huuuuuh…”
Dillan, dropping the note, staggered with his massive frame.
His steadfast eyes, which hadn’t wavered even when dealing with the old foxes in the Senate or when the false rumor circulated that the Kinnzello family was behind the plague, were now perilously shaking.
“M-My Lord!”
