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Chapter – 50
“What kind of bizarre hobby is that supposed to be?”
Contie stared at Carlos with cold, unimpressed eyes.
At his father, who was hunching his broad, muscular back while knitting with his large, calloused hands.
To make matters even stranger, the yarn he was using was bright yellow.
“Have you finally lost your mind?”
“It wuz in Gwandma’s letter.”
At the cheerful little mumble, Melony quietly whispered.
“That… was written in Mother’s letter?”
Nod, nod.
“Gwandma told Gwandpa to knit.”
…Mother?
Contie tilted his head in confusion.
He, too, knew about the letters.
<To my beloved child, Contie>
His own letter, beginning with those words, had already been delivered, and he had read it.
He had also carefully put away Siena’s letter.
He planned to give it to her someday when she finally woke up.
But… that letter really said something like that?
Still puzzled, Contie looked back at Carlos.
“Ugh… my back…”
Carlos, who had been concentrating on his knitting, patted his aching lower back.
Tsk.
Clicking his tongue, Contie frowned.
“It’s horrifying to watch. Why would Mother leave instructions like that?”
“She said Gwandpa’s voice is way too loud, so he should knit and calm his temper a little.”
Ah.
“I see. So that’s what she meant.”
Only then did that bizarre scene begin to make sense.
The corner of his mouth curled upward in amusement.
“Well… if it was Mother, she’d absolutely write something like that.”
She had passed away when he was still young, so he didn’t have many memories of her.
Even so, in his mind, his mother had always been someone extraordinary.
A woman who wore the smile of an angel while saying exactly what was on her mind.
Her husband and children were never exceptions.
“I understand you’ve been to war so many times that your voice naturally became loud, but honestly, you’re far too noisy. Should I start talking this loudly toooo?!”
“…I’m sorry, dear.”
“Good. As long as you understand. It’s not good for the children’s upbringing, so from now on, try speaking a little more softly, all right, dear?”
How many retainers and branch-family members had left her room in tears after speaking with her?
What made it even sadder was that everything she said was completely true, leaving them with nothing to argue against.
After all, wasn’t the most devastating kind of violence the violence of cold, undeniable facts?
As Contie smiled faintly, his gaze settled on the round little back of Melony’s head.
Suddenly, he found himself thinking that Mother would have adored this child if she had ever met him.
“Where did you find such an irresistibly sweet-looking child?”
She would have said that with a bright smile.
Just as he was imagining it—
“Aaaagh! Damn this stupid yarn! Going off to war would be easier than this! Why do the stitches keep slipping off?!”
Sigh.
Letting out a deep sigh, Contie gently covered Melony’s ears with both hands.
“Huh?”
The child turned around with wide, curious eyes.
Seeing that innocent expression, Contie smiled softly.
“…Honestly, what a hopeless old man.”
Chapter – 08
It was a clear afternoon beneath a bright blue sky.
Warm sunlight poured through the large windows.
The light filtering through the stained-glass windows shimmered in brilliant, colorful hues.
But—
“Damn it.”
Antis, the priest in charge of the Pantheibe Territory Temple, was in anything but a beautiful mood.
In his hands was last month’s financial ledger.
It contained records of donations offered by worshippers, along with the maintenance funds sent from the Central Temple.
Because of where the temple was located, it had very few followers.
After all, everyone knew that the Pantheibe family and the temple did not get along.
A lord’s beliefs naturally influenced the people living in his territory.
As a result, the people of Pantheibe Territory were far from friendly toward the temple.
That meant the donations were always pitifully small.
With few worshippers and even fewer offerings, the maintenance funds sent from the Central Temple were equally insignificant.
Damn it.
“Those damned Pantheibes!”
After cursing under his breath, Antis irritably tossed the ledger aside.
Matthew, a subordinate priest who had been quietly watching him, cautiously spoke.
“Is there really nothing left that we can skim off?”
“No. Donations dropped even lower than they were the month before. Forget embezzling anything—we don’t even have enough left to buy a drink!”
“…This is a serious problem. The payment deadline for the mine is getting close.”
Bang!
Consumed by frustration, Antis slammed his fist onto the desk.
The mention of the mine only made his already turbulent thoughts even more agitated.
Recently, investing in mines had become a trend throughout the Empire.
After hearing how profitable it was, Antis had purchased a mine himself last month.
An honest-to-goodness silver mine.
It had cost an enormous 300 million shillings, but he had never regretted the purchase.
He was convinced the mine was worth even more than that.
There was only one problem.
Money.
He had managed to gather the first 100 million shillings by embezzling temple donations over the years.
Even so, he was still short 200 million.
So Antis bribed the other priests stationed at the Pantheibe Territory Temple.
He promised that if they invested in the mine, he would return far more than their initial investment.
This temple was extremely small.
Including Antis himself, there were only five priests in total.
Every one of them invested in his mine, allowing him to collect another 100 million shillings.
But…
“I’m still short another hundred million. Where in the world am I supposed to find that kind of money?”
“It would be nice if some sickly noble showed up. People like that open their wallets surprisingly easily.”
“Exactly. Instead of wealthy nobles, though, all we’ve gotten are useless mouths to feed…”
Two faces came to mind.
One belonged to the useless trainee priest he’d recruited after believing the boy possessed divine power—only to discover he also had magical power.
And the other…
“Matthew, what do you think?”
“About what, sir?”
“That priest named Manette who arrived from the capital last month. Do you think he’s really an inspector sent by the Central Temple?”
Manette had arrived exactly one month earlier.
He had originally served at the Central Temple before suddenly being reassigned here.
It was an extremely suspicious transfer.
The temple wasn’t short on manpower.
So why send another priest to such a remote place?
Antis had reached only one conclusion.
A spy sent by the Central Temple.
Perhaps they had discovered that he had been embezzling donations and dispatched someone to watch him.
Whatever the reason, it’s irritating.
It was already bad enough that there was barely any donation money left to steal.
Now he also had to worry about being watched by someone from the Central Temple.
Just as he pressed a hand against his throbbing forehead—
“L-Lord Antis!”
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
An urgent shout was followed by even more frantic pounding on the door.
Antis frowned deeply.
I’m already irritated enough as it is…
“What is it? What could possibly be so urgent that you’re making this much noise?!”
“A-a-a visitor has arrived!”
“A visitor?”
What kind of important guest could possibly—
Before he could finish the thought—
“I-it’s Duke Pantheibe! Duke Pantheibe has come—with his daughter!”
Thud!
Startled, Antis shot to his feet.
Matthew’s eyes widened in shock as he looked at him.
This is our chance!
Yes… our chance!
Whatever reason had brought Duke Pantheibe here personally, his visit was undoubtedly an opportunity.
An opportunity to make a fortune.
Without another word, the two men hurriedly rushed out of the room.
