~Chapter 149~
Isaac’s prediction was partly right.
Right now, public opinion was not in Claudius’s favor at all, and people were ready to reject any ordinary rebuttal.
But then that “ordinary rebuttal” appeared—
The very person who first accused Claudius of creating a slush fund: Priest Pedro.
“With a repentant heart, I confess. The doubts I raised about House Claudius were brought up without properly checking the facts.”
This time, his words weren’t printed by a trashy tabloid.
A leading imperial newspaper carried them.
His voice spread like ripples across the Empire.
“While pursuing the accusation, I was careless—I didn’t even verify the so-called proof of a slush fund. But when I rechecked the documents, I found many weak points.
“To make an excuse—those documents came directly from the Temple. I never imagined there could be errors. But I know that is just an excuse.
“I rushed to make the matter public with unconfirmed materials, and as a result, the Claudius Foundation—just taking its first steps—suffered serious damage to its integrity. I sincerely apologize.”
At the same time, House Claudius presented evidence that they had not created any slush fund.
It was notarized by the Imperial family.
There was no room to doubt the documents’ credibility.
“I was truly curious. The Temple said Claudius stole donations as a slush fund, so they couldn’t sufficiently support the orphanages. But Claudius presented proof that there was no slush fund.
“If so, where did that large sum—called the slush fund—actually go?”
Having thrown down that question, Pedro continued passionately:
“Another suspicious point: someone tried to take my life.
“House Claudius saved me, and they investigated and told me who targeted me. He was a mercenary. But who hired him is still unknown.”
Pedro took a deep breath, then asked in a firm voice:
“If I were to die… who would gain the most?”
At that moment, Claudius poured oil on the fire by releasing their own statement:
<It is true that Priest Pedro caused great harm to House Claudius.
However, we will forgive him.
He was merely used and held no malice toward Claudius.
He simply cared sincerely for the children under his charge.
The priest will transfer to our foundation.
As a sign of reflection, he has agreed to volunteer without pay for one year.
We will also support the children of Roman Orphanage through “Children of Claudius.”>
Even if it hadn’t been intentional, they were magnanimously accepting someone who had stabbed them in the back.
Public opinion flipped at once.
“Goodness, Duke Claudius is truly generous.”
“Still, it’s a fact that Priest Pedro attacked them without proper grounds.”
“All the more, it shows how clearly he separates public duty from private feelings, doesn’t it?”
“In many ways… it really invites comparison with the Temple.”
When Pedro first made the accusation, the Temple’s response was lukewarm—
as if they wanted to quickly distance themselves from their own priest.
What had once looked cautious now seemed petty.
“Anyway, if it’s true Claudius didn’t make a slush fund… then where did the money go?”
“Exactly. They say a large amount of donations vanished.”
“Shouldn’t we verify where that sum ended up?”
With opinion flowing in one direction, the Imperial family drew the sword of the Tax Office.
“The Temple is the holy place where the Goddess dwells!”
“How dare you judge the Goddess’s sanctuary by human standards!”
The Temple resisted fiercely.
But that attempt to crush with authority only brought back a colder reaction.
“No matter if it’s the Temple, if there’s suspicion, they should explain.”
“Exactly. Are they planning to just let this slide?”
As things grew too bad, the Temple had no choice but to accept a tax investigation.
And the destination of the donations was revealed:
They had flowed into the hands of Temple priests.
When the luxurious lives of several priests were exposed, the Temple’s honor crashed to the ground.
“…As High Priest, who should lead priests onto the right path, I take full responsibility. I apologize to the citizens of the Empire.”
Unable to withstand public outrage, the High Priest even issued an unprecedented public apology.
But people’s eyes toward the Temple remained harsh.
Even so, anything above the Chief Priest level remained untouched.
Because—
“I suspected from the start they planned to cut off the tail… but—”
The Duke, scanning the newspaper articles closely, let out a hollow laugh.
“I didn’t expect them to be this thorough.”
From the beginning, all practical work had been pushed down to priests of deputy-chief rank and below.
High-ranking priests above Chief Priest had prepared escape holes everywhere.
So only lower priests were dragged out one after another; the head was never caught.
“Honestly, using their brains only in this direction is quite a talent.”
The Duke clicked his tongue, then picked something up from his desk.
He tossed it lightly and caught it again.
A glint.
A brass button flashed in his fingers.
It was taken from the mercenary who tried to kill Priest Pedro.
“That button… it’s from your house, isn’t it?”
“Yes. To be precise, it’s issued to knights of Claudius. It’s genuine.”
The Duke’s eyes narrowed.
“The mercenary testified that the job was to kill Priest Pedro and drop this button by the body.”
“What—so he brought the button on purpose? To frame our house?!”
Lady Eva stamped her feet, unable to contain her anger.
“Where did he even get it?”
“Recently, one knight went out and lost a button.”
The Duke shrugged lightly.
“A single button is nothing; he got a replacement and forgot about it…”
I couldn’t hide my grim face.
If Pedro had been murdered and this button found at the scene—
…I didn’t even want to imagine it.
“So, did you find the client?”
“No. Well… strictly speaking, yes, but it’s awkward.”
It was rare for the Duke to put it that way.
Eva and I both stared with wide, startled eyes.
“The client and the mercenary were connected by a mercenary guild. Of course, the guild had no idea it was a contract to kill someone.”
He sighed and went on:
“But the identity registered for the client at the guild is… odd.”
“Who is it?”
“A subject living in the Evans Marquisate.”
Evans again.
I frowned without meaning to.
