Chapter 62

I am posting consecutively. I have posted six parts, so please be aware.

...Propaganda.

The act of promoting to guide public opinion, consciousness, and actions in a desired direction.

My speech was precisely that. I used the testimonies that Mina had run around to gather as preparation, making people believe that they would benefit by siding with me, and tied moral words together using the textbook.

The famous Adolf Hitler once said, "The effect of propaganda is almost entirely dependent on appealing to people's emotions," and "To make propaganda effective, it is necessary to focus on key points and repeat the slogans until the last person in the crowd understands their meaning." ...I wonder if I did it well? After all, I had never given a speech before. I will believe that I did. I received a lot of applause.

By the way, the reason I held the liberation ceremony at twilight and in a dimly lit room was all to make it more effective.

Now, with this, the side is secured. I can leave the territory for a while... and head to the capital. ...I must go and confront the root cause.

Still, I keep thinking about the question that keeps nagging at me.

The peaceful ceremony and speech at the scene were possible thanks to Dean. The two letters I now carry with me. Thanks to these letters, I was able to gain the cooperation of the priests. The final piece I sought was these letters.

How could I obtain them... I was considering asking for the help of my mother or the Queen Dowager. How did Dean... could he have...?

"...Miss, are you alright?"

While I was lost in thought, Lyle called out to me with a worried tone.

"I'm... fine..."

"We'll take a break soon. Please bear with it until then."

Currently, I am heading to the capital. And not using a carriage for the sake of speed. ...What I mean is, I am not in a carriage but on a horse. ...Of course, since I have no riding skills, Lyle is holding the reins for me.

I thought I could endure it since I managed to survive the last forced march... but it's completely different. I was too naive. Horses shake so much... I miss the ground so much.

Those accompanying me are Dida, Tanya, and our household guards. Dean had some business to attend to and parted ways with us. He will join us later once he is done. Everyone is riding horses skillfully, and I am the only one who is a burden here.

...But thanks to this effort, we managed to save a lot of time.

When we arrived at the capital, I somehow managed to move my wobbly legs to the annex.

"Welcome back."

Just like when I left, I was greeted by all the servants as I entered.

"I... have returned. Father, Mother, Bern... I am very sorry for the trouble I have caused this time."

At the entrance of the house, my family welcomed me. My greeting to them was rather weak... My sense of balance had not returned, and my vision was slightly spinning.

"...You arrived much earlier than expected... Are you alright?"

Father, sensing my condition, asked me with concern.

"Yes, somehow..."

"Rest a bit."

"Yes... sir..."

From there, I took advantage of Father's kindness and rested in my room for a while before being led to the room by Rime.

This room is usually used for tea and such, but of course, today's atmosphere is not so pleasant. The whole family was already seated, and I took the empty seat.

"Once again... I am very sorry for the trouble I have caused this time."

I apologized to everyone again.

"No, I didn't expect the Daryl Church to take such actions. Don't worry about it."

"But..."

"That's enough. It's just a baseless accusation."

Father and Mother's warm words made my chest tighten.

"The preparations for the meeting are ready. The Queen Dowager is very enthusiastic. They have provoked us into a fight... we don't need to hold back. Go all out."

"Yes. ...By the way, Mother. I have a letter from Dean for you..."

"Oh, from him? Let me see it."

Mother, showing great interest, took the letter from me and immediately started reading it. By the time she finished, she had a delighted smile on her face.

"...What did he say?"

"No, he said he was sorry for using his name without permission... It seems he used my name to obtain the letter from the church."

"Using your name... it must have been very effective. I heard that after you announced your absence from the charity party you were planning to attend, many others followed, and the church is now complaining about the lack of attendees."

I nodded at Bern's words. The decrease in attendees... means a decrease in the money collected. This is indeed a painful blow to the church. ...But.

"Is it alright? The church might attack you as well, taking advantage of this?"

"It's fine. I have fulfilled my obligations. Besides, the charity party is voluntary. I wrote in the letter that 'Attending the church's party as the mother of a girl who has been excommunicated would create a bad atmosphere, so I am declining.'"

The straightforward content made me laugh.

"Once this matter is resolved, I will attend properly. After all, it was one of the conditions for obtaining the letter from the church."

"What do you mean?"

"They anticipated my actions and used it as leverage in negotiations with the church. I am glad that my name could be of use to Iris."

...Dean. You took quite a bold action. Not only using Mother's name without permission but also using it as a bargaining chip. And reporting it after the fact. It's good that Mother forgave you, but it still gives me a headache.

"Sister, I have one report to make."

While I was lost in thought, Bern spoke up.

"Oh, what is it?"

"The instigator of this incident is not Van."

"So, you're asking for forgiveness...?"

When I glared slightly, Bern immediately shook his head.

"No. ...The instigator is likely the Pope himself. And recently, the merchants who are close to the Earl of Monroe have been seen around him."

"You think these merchants are pulling the strings?"

"Most likely. ...I had doubts about the Pope, no matter how powerful, attacking a duke's family, so I asked Van. Of course, I couldn't ask directly, so I had various conversations... and the merchant caught my attention. This merchant had several meetings with the Pope just before the incident, especially before your excommunication. It seems too coincidental."

"I see. ...Father, what about this merchant?"

"Of course, I am having him investigated."

That's good. Still, I am a bit impressed by Bern's actions. Like a spy, I didn't expect him to gather information from the other side.

"I also suspect Lord Edward's involvement?"

That's why I asked. I thought he might answer now.

"No, he is not involved in the church's actions..."

"Is there something else?"

"He finds it unpleasant that you have the support of the Queen Dowager. It seems he is looking for a way to get back at you. He has been complaining a lot about you in various places. And when he heard about this incident, he started to act, taking advantage of the situation. The employees he poached from the chamber of commerce were his actions."

"...What... How..."

He is a small man. Still, the chamber of commerce's sales have indeed dropped, so I cannot underestimate him.

"...I will deal with the chamber of commerce after this matter is resolved. Thank you for the information."

"You're welcome."

"Come, Iris. Let's have dinner and get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day. Get a good rest and go for the win."

"Yes, Mother."

Now, tomorrow is the main event. The last party I attended felt like I was going to war... but this time, it's even more so.

Tomorrow, my fate will be decided. I cannot afford to lose. This is a decisive battle.

Starting from the next chapter, it's the young lady's turn.