Chapter 201.2
Viscount Schlnz said, I think the first thing we should look into is the office and bedroom of the High Priestess Malavova, and the footprints around the church.
Viscount Schlnz, too, seemed to think that High Priestess Malavova had escaped.
After that, Baron Drezeke continued, It will also be necessary to check the churchs financial situation.
I nodded in agreement, but as far as I was concerned, as long as the church didnt mess with Mazell, it was fine with me.
On the other hand, I understood that the state might want a reason to mount a charge against the church to keep it in check. So, I couldnt act lax.
I will investigate the bedrooms and living quarters. I would like Viscount Zeavert to check the office and Baron Drezeke to check the area around the church. After that, we will all examine the churchs finances together.
Yes, sir.
Yes.
Viscount, over here.
The High Priest Leppe stood up after saying that. I thought it was a bit of a surprise that the High Priest went out of his way to show me around, but maybe it was because he didnt want me to go into the other rooms. I thanked him and went with him. The legal representative who had accompanied us in the carriage also went along with us.
I had initially planned to have Lily wait here for me, but with the church in such a state of confusion, I thought it would be better to have her accompany me. It seemed that Lily was happy to come along, and she might be more reliable than Neurath and the others when it came to checking the documents.
I understand. Please do.
There were many people in the church, but not so many as to be called a crowd. Anyway, we headed for the office building at the back of the church, being careful not to be seen. The priests we passed by bowed to us, not to me, but to the Head Priest, I guess.
I suddenly realized something and asked Annette-san.
Well, Annette-san, are you good at organizing paperwork?
I can do it as well as anyone.
It was a foolish question for an elite female knight. Rather, it might be better to train Neurath and Schunzel a little more. With these thoughts in mind, we were led to the second floor of the office building.
This is the office of High Priestess Malavova.
When High Priest Leppe unlocked the door, we saw a room that was surprisingly tidy inside.
Books lined the walls, reminding me of the office of the university president in my previous life. There were some papers on a desk, as well as neatly aligned shelves and boxes, but it was somehow far from the image I was expecting for the room of a High Priestess.
By the way, Viscount Zeavert. I beg your pardon, but may I have a word with you?
With me?
Yes, I have something important to say to the Viscount.
I wondered what a person who had the position of a high priest would want to talk about to me in private. I nodded in agreement for now.
Neurath, Schunzel, Ill leave you to investigate this room. I will return as soon as I have finished my talk with the High Priest.
Understood.
Ill leave it to you, guys.
There were people from the legal department who would be with them, so they should be able to manage the rest of the investigation. I then left, following High Priest Leppes lead as we went up to the third floor, where we entered what seemed to be the current church heads office where two guards were standing guard outside the door.
(T/N: In our understanding, previously, there was no one appointed as church head of the royal capital church, so Malavova was doing the job as representative. However, they have now made Leppe church head likely because of corruption cases against Malavova and to look into this matter carefully.)
Id be lying if I said I wasnt nervous, as it was a room I wouldnt normally be allowed to enter in my current position.
Oh! (Welner)
Its quite magnificent, isnt it? (High Priest)
I gasped unintentionally, and the High Priest laughed at my reaction. It was indeed magnificent, with a small conference table, gold and silver work, crystals, and jewel-like ornaments. If the High Priestesss office looked like a university presidents office, this one would look like the office of a countrys president. The windows were made of glass, and the curtains hanging on them looked expensive.
The trouble is that many young priests have made this place their goal.
I can kind of understand that.
For what it was worth, the church was also quite secular. He offered me a seat, and I accepted it without hesitation. I politely declined the drink.
Im sorry to have bothered you.
No, if the High Priest wants to see me, there is no problem. What is it that you wish to discuss?
I have heard from Prime Minister Falkenstein. I understand that you are looking into the past.
Yes, well
I responded somewhat cautiously. I was unsure of the extent to which the other party knew. I wondered if this was an unexpectedly heavy subject.
Do you know why this royal capital church was built here?
No.
Why was it built here? I never thought about it. This was certainly a prime location, but it was a bit far from the aristocratic district. I thought it was built here to be accessible to the public.
I was thinking about that in my mind, but I inadvertently failed to put on a poker face at the next words that came out of High Priest Leppes mouth.
This royal capital church is built on the site of the birthplace of the first saint, Juliane-sama, you see.
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