Chapter 85 - Eighty-Five ... A Ledger of Offenses

Chapter 85: Chapter Eighty-Five ... A Ledger of Offenses

Chapter Eighty-Five ... A Ledger of Offenses

"This way, my lord."

Jan looked at the official, puzzled.

At first, he had assumed that, like the other nobles, he would pass through the city gates and wait in a reception room in the inner palace until his audience was scheduled.

But suddenly an official called him aside and handed over an entire detached palace.

"What’s all this, so suddenly?"

"It’s by order of Cardinal Stanislav, my lord."

"Cardinal Stanislav?"

"Yes, my lord. He instructed that you be received in a manner befitting your faith. If anything is ever inconvenient, please call on us at any time."

"Huh..."

Jan was taken aback as the official bowed and left. Cardinal Stanislav was the real power who all but ruled the Papal See. Why would a man like that show him such favor? Usually, if something was given, something was expected in return. Agphiel clicked his tongue as if frustrated.

"You’re so careful, but in another sense, you’re far too cautious."

"Ahem. Wouldn’t anyone be suspicious if they were suddenly treated this well?"

"Since when have nobles not been treated according to their reputation? Considering the deeds you’ve built up, this is only proper custom."

"Hm..."

As he listened, it seemed to make sense, and Jan made a sour face. Taken all together, the misunderstandings that had piled up really had given him an absurd reputation.

"But even so, what madman would believe all of that..."

"My lord!"

Bishop Graham, who had been listening quietly beside them, cried out.

"Who would dare not believe it, my lord! If anyone doubts it, I, Graham, will testify myself! Praise the worker of miracles!"

At his almost fanatical words, Jan broke into a sweat and calmed him down.

"Y-yes, I understand, Bishop Graham."

Bishop Graham had tasted a great deal of money by selling his lord’s name. His lord’s fame was as good as his own money.

Besides, hadn’t he witnessed so many "miracles" with his own eyes?

Bishop Graham’s faith in his lord could not have been higher.

"So just trust in Graham! I’ll make you the most famous man in Rhomara, my lord! No one knows Rhomara as well as I do."

"What a truly reassuring thing to hear, Bishop Graham."

"Heh heh heh."

Jan had said it a little sarcastically, but fortunately the bishop didn’t seem to notice. He was laughing happily.

"Soon the powerful men of the city will come to see you, my lord! Don’t receive just anyone!"

"Hm? Is that so?"

They had only just entered Rhomara. Who would know of him and already be seeking him out?

Even if someone had quick information, for military strength there was Franklin, who had come with them. For money, there were the other southern nobles who held ports.

If anything, Jan would have to go around negotiating himself.

But this time, the bishop was right.

"My lord! Gold-rank lord. I’ve come to see you, whom I have long admired. If you would only..."

"My house is holding a great banquet. We would be grateful if you would attend."

"I know of something truly remarkable, my lord. This information..."

All of a sudden, crowds of people began arriving at Jan’s detached palace.

"Oh!"

"Well, everyone’s good for something, they say! Rhomara really is where the bishop was born and raised."

"Heh heh."

That made Bishop Graham very pleased with himself.

"Good. Then, Bishop Graham, sort through these people for me. So many have come that I don’t know what to do."

"Very easy. Just wait, my lord!"

Bishop Graham called over one of the servants attached to the detached palace, whispered with him, and began tossing invitations into the wastebasket one after another.

His hands moved without the slightest hesitation. Impressed by the sight, Jan quietly asked.

"By what standard are you choosing? The house’s lineage? Or newly rising houses? I’m amazed you know all these houses so well, Bishop Graham."

"Hm?"

Bishop Graham snorted, as if Jan had said something strange.

"My lord, it’s this, of course."

"This...?"

"Yes! This."

Tapping the table in frustration at the question, the bishop raised his hand.

At his fingertips, he had cleverly made a circle with his fingers.

It meant money.

"I asked the servant, and those people gave too little money! Being stingy with money in Rhomara! That’s lacking the most basic courtesy!"

"..."

He had forgotten.

When it came to money, this bishop was a clear-eyed madman.

But when he thought about it carefully, Bishop Graham had a point.

Rhomara, the seat of the Papal See, was a great city a thousand years old.

In a place teeming with houses that had survived since the days of the old empire, having no wealth was, conversely, proof that one was of no account.

Besides, as Jan remembered it, Rhomara had always been a city of luxury and pleasure.

It was a city where spending vast sums for the sake of appearances was only natural.

That didn’t mean Jan fully understood Bishop Graham’s behavior, of course.

"Here. Take this, my lord."

Jan looked at him.

After sorting for a long time, Bishop Graham suddenly handed him a sheet of paper. At a glance, it was a list densely packed with the names of various houses.

"Oh! So you’ve written down the houses and merchants worth keeping in mind? Excellent. This will be a great help, Bishop Graham."

"Sigh."

Bishop Graham let out a sigh, as if all the strength had drained out of him.

The trouble with his lord was that he was far too faithful!

On this journey to the Papal See, Bishop Graham realized that his duty was very heavy indeed.

"With your fame, my lord, why bother with every little underling? The problem is that you try to treat everyone too carefully!"

"I-is that so? Then what is this?"

Bishop Graham lifted his chin proudly.

"It’s a list of those who showed a paltry amount of goodwill! You must remember it well, my lord!"

"...? Why would I remember that?"

"How dare they offer less than the usual gifts! That’s an insult to our faithful lord! Later, when they come begging with their arms full of goods, you mustn’t accept. You have to squeeze at least three times as much out of them!"

"..."

It was enough to make his head spin just listening to it. So this paper was a kind of ledger.

A ledger of offenses.

’He really is a man possessed by money.’

Surely he hadn’t been writing everything down like this all along? Seeing the bishop’s utter obsession with money, Jan looked at him, appalled.

"Hm? Why are you looking at me like that, my lord?"

"Because you seem truly remarkable."

"Heh heh heh. Oh, don’t praise me for such a thing. How embarrassing."