Chapter 66

3/8

"…Well, both of you. Could you please introduce yourselves?"

I spoke to them as kindly as possible.

"…My name is Danan. I worked as a clerk at the cathedral in the capital."

The cathedral in the capital… There is only one cathedral that this refers to. The cathedral of the Daryl Church, which occupies the northern part of the capital, a city with a grid-like structure. When people hear 'the cathedral in the capital,' this is the one that comes to mind.

"I worked as the Pope's right hand… Ah, regarding the sale of the Armenian Duke's territory, I obtained the Pope's permission and signed off on the sale. Yet, I was suddenly excommunicated from the church…"

"I am Rein. I also worked at the cathedral in the capital. Regarding the church in the Armenian Duke's territory, I provided answers after cross-referencing the records. However, a few days ago, I was suddenly excommunicated… They said it was because of false statements… But I only acted according to instructions. I have brought copies of the documents I submitted to the Armenian Duke's family and the church records. If there are any doubts about my statements, you can refer to these to prove my innocence."

The room became even more restless with their words. I could feel that the tide had completely turned in our favor from the whispers.

"There should be some of you who know them, right, among the followers of the Daryl Church?"

The words I spoke, phrased as a question, were no longer a question but a statement of fact.

The followers of the Daryl Church widened their eyes in surprise… and then awkwardly averted their gaze.

"There is physical evidence and witnesses. I believe this proves my innocence… What do you think?"

In response to my question, Empress Elria bit her lip. She was probably trying to come up with a rebuttal, but it was not allowed in this situation.

Similarly, Pope Vermotz's face was red with anger, but he did not say a word.

"Yes. I don't think she is at fault. I believe everyone here would come to the same conclusion. …Isn't that right?"

The Dowager Empress spoke for the first time. Her words, like mine earlier, were phrased as a question but did not seek anyone's opinion. It was more of a statement.

"Airis Larna Armenia. The royal family hereby declares that you have done nothing to disgrace the name of the Armenia Duke's family, the foremost noble family in our country."

…With the Dowager Empress's declaration, the decision was made.

"…Thank you, Dowager Empress. May I continue to speak, if I may?"

"Is there something else?"

"Yes. …About the responsibility for this incident."

At my words, Empress Elria frowned.

"The decision has been made that you are not at fault. I think it's also clear that the Armenia Duke's family bears no responsibility…?"

"Yes. What I'm saying is about the responsibility for 'causing this commotion.'"

I raised my head, which had been lowered, and looked straight ahead. The person in my line of sight was Pope Vermotz.

"Our family, the Armenia Dukes, has served the royal family for generations. We take pride in our long history and significant influence. For someone from our family to be suspected in such a way… As you all said, it should not happen, whether it is true or not."

A few people averted their eyes. They were seeing their own words come back to them like a boomerang.

"Given that my innocence has been proven, I think it is unacceptable for the country to let those who caused this go unpunished…?"

I didn't say it out loud, but I directed my gaze at Pope Vermotz.

"…Indeed. Elria, what do you think?"

The Dowager Empress asked Empress Elria, but she remained silent.

"Then, what do the followers of the Daryl Church think?"

The Dowager Empress, with a deep sigh, turned her attention to the followers of the Daryl Church. They tried to speak but ultimately closed their mouths again and again.

"Silence won't help. Listening to Airis, I thought… No, everyone here understands, right? By excommunicating those involved and hiding evidence… You, the followers of the Daryl Church, 'intentionally' tried to bring down Airis and, by extension, the foremost noble family in our country, the Armenia Dukes. How will you take responsibility for this?"

"…With all due respect, Dowager Empress."

In the eerily silent space, Bishop Lafsimons spoke. Everyone focused on him.

"Regarding this incident, it is entirely our church's fault. We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who was involved and impose strict punishment."

"Of course, that is necessary. However, the church is always shrouded in mystery… We might not be able to prevent it from being swept under the rug, given that we cannot fully grasp what is happening inside."

The Dowager Empress's icy gaze pierced through the church members. The same intense pressure that my father had exerted earlier enveloped the room.

As the Dowager Empress said… The church, despite being deeply embedded in the heart of the country, is an inviolable domain. Even powerful nobles cannot enter its inner sanctum. Moreover, the Daryl Church, the only religion in the country and the spiritual pillar of all citizens, is an inviolable domain even for the royal family in normal times. If we recklessly disrupt it, we might stir up suspicion among the people and give the nobles a chance to exploit the situation.

…However, I will not allow them to hide behind God this time. I must use this opportunity to divide the Second Prince's faction and the church. If I don't, they might try to obstruct me again. Especially the Pope… Since Van is close to Ed, I must sever this connection.

"…Of course, I will not allow that. As a priest serving God and a resident of the Tasmere Kingdom… Regardless of the position of those involved in the church, I am prepared to take decisive action."

"…That's reassuring. Even if it's yourself?"

"Of course. In this matter, we will report everything the church has stored to the royal family and the nobles. Based on this, we will accept strict punishment from the royal family."

"…What…! Lafsimons, how can you speak so rashly…!!"

At his declaration, Pope Vermotz, who had been in a daze, regained his composure and shouted. However, Bishop Lafsimons looked at him with a cold gaze.

"I have overstepped. But this is the only way. It is impossible to make the accusations against the Armenia Duke's daughter disappear. …Your Holiness, you understand this, don't you?"

"……"

"Look at the eyes of those around us. Our sanctuary is now a place of suspicion for the people of this country. This should not happen. To regain their trust, we must be severely punished for this incident."

"…That's right. If you say so, Bishop Lafsimons, will you take charge of the investigation and reporting?"

"…I accept."

In response to the Dowager Empress's decision, Bishop Lafsimons bowed again.

"Such…!"

Pope Vermotz hastily raised his voice.

"…Why are you so flustered?"

The Dowager Empress asked with a cold gaze.

"Please reconsider. This person may also be one of those who should be punished. Naturally, there is a possibility that he will try to cover up something unfavorable to himself. I will carefully select the personnel for the investigation and report back to the Dowager Empress later."

"…I'm sorry, Pope Vermotz. As Bishop Lafsimons said, there is no one among the Daryl Church followers who can be trusted right now. To me, everyone is the same. Therefore, I want to entrust this task to him, who has shown such resolve."

"…That's…"

"…There will be no further debate on this matter. Bishop Lafsimons, I count on you."

"…I swear by God."