Chapter 52

52. Unwelcome news

Cardinal Orland bit his nails. It was a habit he had when he was nervous or things weren’t going well.

“Bring me the sword.”

It was not an easy task. There was no way the high-minded Pope would allow the tribute to be handed over to the Emperor, and if Duke Tiflis knew, he would not be safe.

But there was no telling what Elkius might do if he failed to fulfill his orders.

‘It would be better not to tell the Holy Father, for it would only increase the trouble.’

The Pope, who had been preparing to retire from public life for some time, had recently been interfering in the affairs of the temples.

He has made himself responsible for everything from allocating budgets for each temple to deciding which priests will lead weekend services, and he has reversed a decision to have Cardinal Orland preside at memorial services.

There was undoubtedly something seriously bothering him. It could be just the whim of an old man, but Orland couldn’t dismiss it easily, as he didn’t know when the mood might change.

As long as he controlled the temple as he did before, it would be easy enough to steal the tribute, but if the Pope got involved, things could get complicated.

‘But he’s just an old man.’

Maybe he wouldn’t notice if it disappeared for a while.

After much deliberation, Cardinal Orland decided to keep it simple.

Although it was a valuable item, it was impossible for the temple staff to monitor it around the clock, and very few people have access to the vault, so few would notice if it disappeared for a while.

Cardinal Orland decided that he should first see if the Pope was in a better mood. Knocking on the Pope’s door, he burst through without waiting for an answer.

“Excuse me, Your Holiness.”

“What’s going on? We’re talking.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

He had thought the Pope was alone.

The Pope, who had been chatting with a stranger, looked up at him with an uncomfortable expression. The man sitting across from him turned his head.

“It’s been a long time, Cardinal.”

“…High Priest Dorfman?”

Why is this man here?

Cardinal Orland’s expression hardened as he recognized Samuel Dorfman.

“High Priest Dorfman, how can……?”

“Why do you look so surprised, as if you’ve seen someone you shouldn’t?”

Samuel smirked.

“What brings you to the capital unannounced?”

“I summoned him.”

The Pope interrupted the answer. Feeling like he’d been stabbed in the back of the head, Cardinal Orland stammered.

“What about the Temple of Therminas…….”

“I’ve left it in the care of the priests there.”

“I’m planning to send down a volunteer soon.”

The Pope replied stiffly, as if the conversation had already ended between them.

Cardinal Orland forced a smile to hide his embarrassment.

“I see. Welcome. You’ve suffered in that remote place for several years, so now you should take a break.”

“If conditions in Tiflis are rough, how can they compare to the capital?”

Samuel’s eyes sharpened. There was venom in the old priest’s eyes.

“Barbaric and rough individuals can be embraced with the teachings of God, but those who are only interested in their own gain are unwilling to listen to the teachings, making preaching even more difficult.”

“…….”

“The Cardinal is busy with the affairs of the temple and is not involved in the secular world, so it is not unreasonable for him not to know.”

Samuel Dorfman pointed out Cardinal Orland’s weakness in that he had never traveled to the world since he became a priest, staying only in the central temple.

Although he wanted to argue back, it was not the right time for a quarrel. Ignoring Samuel, he spoke to the Pope.

“Your Holiness, I have a matter of great concern that I must humbly bring to your attention…”

“Speak.”

“It is…… a message from His Majesty.”

Cardinal Orland glanced at Samuel. The intent was clear, but the Pope ignored his gesture.

“What did His Majesty say?”

With the intention of not letting Samuel leave, he reluctantly opened his mouth.

“I believe His Majesty is greatly concerned about the tribute from the Duke of Tiflis. I assured him that I would look into it, but as it is a very valuable item, there might be someone plotting to steal it…”

“Tell him he need not worry, I will take care of it myself.”

“You mean His Holiness?”

“That’s right. As you say, it is a special offering, and if it were kept in a closet, it would fall into the wrong hands, so I have placed it in a safe place. I will tell His Majesty so.”

“……I understand.”

Cardinal Orland realized he was a step behind. If the Pope had already intervened, there was nothing he could do. Since the Pope wasn’t a collaborator to the Emperor, being honest would only complicate matters further.

Samuel Dorfman, who had been listening to the conversation, stood up.

“I’m afraid I must leave, Your Holiness.”

“Of course. Cardinal Orland, you will escort the High Priest to his room.”

“Ah, yes.”

Cardinal Orland walked out into the hallway with Samuel Dorfman. As they surveyed the halls of the temple, Samuel spoke.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here, and the temple looks decrepit.”

“Ever since His Holiness became ill, the temple’s finances have been tight.”

“The donations from the nobles are not enough?”

“The temple has not regained its former glory, and donations have dwindled.”

“Is that why you ignored my letters?”

Samuel’s question stopped Cardinal Orland in his tracks.

“What do you mean, …… letters?”

“I’ve sent dozens of letters to His Holiness, but he says he’s never received any of them.”

“Is that so? No wonder I was curious since I didn’t hear from the High Priest, but it seems like someone must have missed them in the middle of the delivery.”

Cardinal Orland, who had calculated that even if he had proof, he would not be able to do anything about it, replied shamelessly.

Samuel raised a wry smile.

“Well, I suppose that could be possible.”

Cardinal Orland quickly changed the subject.

“How long will the High Priest be staying in the capital?”

“His Holiness is ill, and I’m here to keep him company.”

Cardinal Orland swallowed dryly at the mention of staying in the capital. Samuel’s presence would undermine the work that had been done.

Cardinal Orland gave him a sidelong glance.

“There are many places throughout the Empire that could use your help, aren’t there?”

“Still, I would only draft.”

He smiled, his eyes harsh.

“Are you uncomfortable with my presence, Cardinal?”

“Of course not. It’s good to have an experienced High Priest like you around.”

Samuel glanced at Cardinal Orland, who held out his hand, and Samuel smiled meaningfully.

“Please continue to assist me in the future.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The first person to know that Samuel Dorfman had arrived in the capital was Adelaide. Adelaide slams Samuel’s telegram down on her desk.

“High Priest Dorfman has arrived in the capital.”

“Sooner than expected.”

“May I donate on behalf of Your Excellency to the temple?”

“Please do.”

Adelaide’s gaze fell to the letter Callion was reading. It was not the only one, but a stack of letters from people who had heard the rumors.

“You seem to be quite popular.”

“They’re asking if the offering is really Regalia.”

“People who didn’t see it are wondering.”

The nobles who weren’t close enough to be invited to the memorial were probably keeping their eyes peeled for someone they could use to their advantage.

They’re not the kind of people who would be helpful to Callion.

“Shall I reply to them?”

“Is it worth the trouble?”

Adelaide’s eyes narrowed at Callion’s answer. It meant that he didn’t need to bother with them, that they would naturally follow the mainstream.

As she skimmed the letter, which was filled with platitudes, there was a knock on the door.

“Your Excellency, it’s Lucid.”

“Come in.”

Lucid, who had traveled to the Duke of Lehpisto’s residence to hear the results of the council meeting, entered the office. When he spotted Adelaide, he gave her an awkward smile.

“The Council has pressured the Emperor to release Regalia to the public.”

“Did they directly say so?”

“Yes. My father insisted, and he was joined in his cause by the Hayward Changeling and the Marquis of Uclaire.”

“I didn’t know that Lord Hayward Changeling was in the capital. So, what was my uncle’s reaction?”

“He said he would think about it and decide.”

“It would be wise to plant people in the temple.”

Adelaide spoke quietly at Callion’s words.

“I’ll contact High Priest Dorfman.”

“Let’s do that.”

“And Lucid, find out if there’s a jeweler near the capital who deals in red spinels.”

“Red spinels?”

“Yes. The same gemstone that is embedded in the Regalia sword.”

If Elkius can’t get the tribute, he might try to pull a fast one on you by making something similar. Red spinel is an extremely rare gem, and blocking the path to it would make it difficult.

“I’ll find out this week, and…….”

Lucid trailed off, looking at Adelaide. Callion motioned for him to speak. Lucid opened his mouth, his face grim.

“Shayla asked when it would be a good time to meet.”

“I don’t see why she wants to meet if we have nothing to talk about.”

“She insisted on setting a date for a meeting on the day of the memorial or the next. If you’re not inclined, I’ll convey the difficulty.”

“Meet her.”

Adelaide interjected cautiously.

“Given your relationship with Duke Lephisto, I think you should meet her.”

Of all the members of the Council, the Duke of Lephisto is the only one who can be reliably said to be on Callion’s side. Since his network of information was needed, the relationship with Shayla couldn’t be ignored.

Adelaide watches Callion hesitate before answering, then rises to her feet.

“I’ll have to respond to High Priest Dorfman’s letter. Please continue the conversation.”