TVSP 27🍂

Chapter 27

The moment Wendy insisted that it must have been my doing, I was at a loss for words.

“Wendy, didn’t I just explain why I came here?”

When I asked, utterly dumbfounded, she made a flustered face, then quickly bowed her head. With a small nod, she gestured for me to go ahead and speak.

“Our lady came to look at ships,” Wendy said smoothly.

“Ships?”

“It’s her hobby, you see—spending money. The young lady delights in buying rare and extravagant items, finding pleasure and satisfaction in the act itself.”

But that answer only infuriated Mila further.

“So you came here to indulge in luxury? At a time like this? You—! And when you said you were sending word home, was it just to announce you were going to spend money?!”

Clearly, talking with Mila was going nowhere. I turned instead to Leandros, silently demanding an explanation.

“After seeking aid from Cardinal Zenom, Lady Mila suddenly rushed to Lize’s house,” he explained. “But Lize was not there. Her father, alone, told us that someone had dragged her off toward the harbor.”

“Ah, I see,” I replied calmly.

“‘Ah, I see’? Is that really the answer you have? Just how wicked can you be—!”

“Mila, you’re far too agitated. Perhaps it would be wise to calm yourself and attempt a proper conversation?” Leandros restrained her before she could lunge at me.

“You agree with me, don’t you, Sir Leandros? That’s why you followed us here, isn’t it?”

“We came here to find Lady Lize,” he said firmly. “Excessive emotion will only blind us to that purpose.”

“…”

“And besides, we haven’t heard Grace’s side of the story yet, have we?”

“It’s obvious! Even without hearing it, it’s obvious! Someone is in danger, and she chooses this—!”

Round and round, the same refrain. Mila clearly had plenty more to say, but since Leandros kept checking her, she ended up glaring at me instead, her lips pressed shut.

“Well, isn’t this convenient?” I said. “Since our goal is the same, why don’t you two help me choose a ship?”

“Wait—what did you just say…?”

Before Mila could demand clarification, the merchant—who had stepped away briefly—returned, drawn by our commotion.

Leandros gave a subtle shake of his head toward Mila, silently warning her not to speak.

“Ah, I see you have companions, my lady,” the middle-aged man said, smiling amiably. “Have you found anything to your liking?”

“They’re all rather disappointing,” I replied coolly. “It makes choosing difficult.”

The merchant pointed toward one of the vessels before us.

“How about this one? Unlike the older secondhand vessels, this is newly finished. Though it holds twenty, it uses only a few mana stones to generate great power. Faster and farther than the rest.”

“Hmm.”

“Or perhaps that ivory-colored boat? Perfect for leisurely outings by distinguished guests. A fine way to enjoy a tranquil voyage.”

“I’m not sure.”

I strolled slowly along the docks, eyes sweeping over the line of moored ships, until I stopped before a dark, weathered one.

“This ship looks particularly worn.”

“Ah, yes, yes,” the merchant said quickly. “Large, but over thirty years old. Its mana stone mechanism is failing, repairs neglected. It’s nearly impossible to operate. The owner hardly knows what to do with it, so he left it here to rot.”

“Yes, it’s truly a wreck. Selling something like this shows a lack of conscience.”

“Doesn’t it, though?” he chuckled nervously, pandering to me.

“I’d like to go aboard.”

“Pardon?”

“Is that not allowed?”

“Ah—well…”

I smiled with calculated innocence, as though it were nothing more than idle curiosity.

“If it’s only for a short while, I suppose. But as I said, it’s dangerous. Stay too long and there could be an accident.”

“Good. Ah, you two should come with me,” I added.

“What are you—” Mila began angrily, still oblivious. But again, Leandros stopped her.

“I’ll escort you,” he said, and climbed up first, extending his hand to help me aboard. I ascended the ladder, followed reluctantly by Mila and Wendy.

“Oh! The deck is more spacious than I thought,” Wendy remarked. “It could easily hold thirty.”

“It only looks sturdy,” the merchant insisted. “In truth, it’s nothing but an empty shell.”

Feigning amusement, I smiled.

“I want this one.”

“…Excuse me?”

His face stiffened. Then, thinking it a joke, he waved his hands.

“Ah, my lady, surely you jest!”

“A joke?”

The chill in my tone wiped the smile from his face. Silence fell over everyone—Leandros, Mila, Wendy—all eyes fixed on me.

“I don’t make jokes with the likes of you.”

“Ah… right. But, my lady, as I said—it isn’t for sale. No matter the price, it cannot be sold.”

He fumbled for words, clearly flustered, but my persistence left him cornered.

“The owner doesn’t wish to sell, so there’s nothing I can do.”

“Then bring the owner here. I’ll persuade him myself.”

“I-I didn’t mention it because it seemed unimportant, but the owner is away traveling. A world tour, you see. He won’t return for months.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.” Relief flickered in his face. But it froze the instant I spoke again.

“I hadn’t heard Cardinal Zenom was abroad on a world tour.”

“…What?”

“Sir Leandros and Lady Mila only just saw him not long ago. That same Cardinal Zenom.”

“T-this vessel doesn’t belong to Cardinal Zenom! It’s the property of a young merchant—”

“Yes. A young merchant, who just so happens to be the Cardinal’s nephew. The true owner, however, is Zenom himself. Which means he bears the responsibility.”

Perhaps it was the sea breeze, but the wind bit colder than before.

The merchant’s lips moved soundlessly. He could neither deny nor confirm.

“Really, my lady, why trouble an innocent merchant?”

The voice came from the dock behind us. I turned, and there he was—Cardinal Zenom himself, his long gray hair neatly braided.

“No matter your reasons, this vessel is not for sale. Give up this foolish notion.”

I smiled thinly.

“What a pity. You see, I’m the sort of person who takes what she wants. I’ll pay handsomely. Sell it to me.”

His grin didn’t falter, though it looked painted on, brittle.

“Ha ha… no. Even if I sold it, I’d sell only to the faithful. A registered member of the Church.”

He was deliberately striking at my old wound. Once, I had been rejected at the test of faith, deemed devoid of holy power, unable to even rise to the rank of lay believer.

But his words were poorly chosen.

“That works out perfectly,” I replied, smiling wider. “I was recently received in audience with His Holiness the Pope. As of that day, my name was formally added to the rolls of the faithful.”

“…What?”

“Which means there’s no reason I can’t have it. So—sell it.”

“I told you, I will not!” His voice rose, cracking with anger.

“For a holy man, you seem awfully stubborn about this. Tell me, is there some reason you cannot sell it?”

“N-no, it’s not that—”

“Or is it because of the people hidden below deck?”

At that, every eye turned to me. Mila’s in particular went wide in horror.

I didn’t care. I pressed on.

“You claim I only wanted to buy this ship. Yet here you are, refusing. What does that say about your conscience, Cardinal?”

The instant I finished, Leandros leapt forward. A gleam of steel flashed—he had seized a concealed dagger before it could strike.

“It wasn’t you, was it?” Mila whispered, her voice shaking.

But her hope was crushed when Cardinal Zenom revealed his true face at last.

“Kill them all.”

At his command, figures emerged from every shadow of the ship, armed and ready.