Chapter 65

2/8

I took out a booklet. It was a rather old, brownish booklet.

"Wha... That's...!"

However, since most people didn't seem to know what it was, questions about what it was came from all directions.

The ones who changed their expressions were the members of the Daryl sect. Well, it was only natural that they knew about it.

"I believe the members of the Daryl sect are aware of this. This is a roster with the names of those who serve as priests."

Even the Daryl sect is an organization. To put it bluntly, the priests don't live on thin air, so they need salaries, and it's possible that they have something like a roster to manage such personnel... I thought, and this turned out to be a big hit.

The names of the main priests are all listed. Of course, the names of those I dealt with are also there.

"In this booklet, the names of those who signed the sales contract and the names of those I inquired about are all listed. I was surprised... but both of them held quite high positions within the Daryl sect."

"...Why do you have that..."

The fact that I had this supposedly confidential booklet must have been quite a shock. Vilmots muttered in a daze, staring at the booklet.

...Well, even if I brought other evidence, the nobles might lean towards our side, but the church members and Princess Elria would never admit it. They would say there are no such people among the Daryl sect's church officials.

This is the move to silence them.

"...I don't know how you got this, but... it's doubtful whether it's genuine."

Bishop Raphsimons said this as if spitting it out. The one who lit up with obvious excitement was Princess Elria.

"Yes, that's true, Bishop Raphsimons."

"...Then, please verify this, Bishop Raphsimons. And the other bishops as well."

I said this and approached them step by step. No one stopped me. And... I handed it to Bishop Raphsimons.

He flipped through the booklet and stared at the last page.

"......This......"

He stared at a certain point in shock. ...What a skilled actor, I thought to myself.

"Excuse me. ...First, this is undoubtedly a church document."

He whispered this as if hesitantly. Though it was quite a soft voice, it echoed perfectly in the room.

"......What...!"

"......You should all take a look."

Saying this, Bishop Raphsimons handed the booklet to another bishop. The bishops who received it, who had been looking at it with suspicion, began to nod slightly and indicate their agreement in low voices one after another.

"......What is your basis for this...?"

Princess Elria, who must have been quite frustrated, had trembling hands and a face that clearly showed anger.

"The last page of this booklet has the seal of the Pope and two cardinals. These seals, for the purpose of preventing forgery, are only used on documents that are not made public, such as this kind of document."

The cardinals are the five people under the Pope. They are, of course, powerful figures in the church.

"......In other words, it is undoubtedly genuine. Well, the fastest way would be to hear it from the individuals themselves."

At that moment, the door opened again. There were two men led by Ryl. ...They were the priests in question. No, it might be more accurate to call them "former" priests. Using the full name of the ducal family and with considerable help from Tanya, I managed to find these individuals.