Chapter 28
“Noah, well done. We’re going to report to the bureau director now. You’re coming too.”
Chris announced this, his voice slightly higher than usual, then set off down the covered walkway with a spring in his step.
We entered the Relief Bureau building and climbed another flight of stairs.
We made our way along the corridor, passing holy knights on patrol.
At last, Chris stopped in front of a heavy door.
When the holy knight before it pushed the door open, Chris entered without hesitation.
I followed silently.
“Please inform Archbishop Bernardo that we’re here. It’s about Count Delmonte.”
At Chris’s words, the chief clerk nodded and disappeared into the office beyond.
Before long, the chief clerk opened an ornate door at the back and quietly ushered us inside.
The moment we stepped in, the rich scent of frankincense struck me—far stronger than anything in Chris’s office.
Frescoes of apostles performing sacred healing covered the high ceiling, their gold leaf reflecting the afternoon light streaming through the windows. A thick, deep-red carpet said to have come from the East covered the floor.
At the far end of the room, in front of a window overlooking the courtyard, a man stood with his back to us.
A man standing beside him looked our way and grinned.
“...Archbishop Bernardo. Count Delmonte’s treatment has been completed without a hitch.”
There was a slight eagerness in Chris’s voice.
The bureau director slowly turned around.
“Saverio. This is quite different from your assessment. You said we’d need to prepare ritual magic, and that Chris had acted too hastily—wasn’t that it?”
He spoke in a deep voice. After glancing at the man beside him, the director turned to Chris.
“Well done. ...And is the count able to speak?”
“Yes. He should be able to walk by tomorrow.”
“Wha... That can’t be...”
Saverio’s eyes widened, and he stepped backward.
“You’re still here? Saverio, you may leave now.”
At the director’s low, cold command, Saverio left the office as though he’d been shoved out.
“There’s one more thing to report—”
Chris continued.
“I extracted the poison from the count’s body. I’ve given it to his second son.”
The director’s eyes widened for an instant.
“The poison... You extracted it...? Then—”
Chris replied.
“That’s right. The eldest son won’t inherit the count’s title. And the count’s family now owes us a considerable debt.”
“The best possible outcome for the Church. ...Noah, was it? Your skill lives up to the rumors.”
As he spoke, the director slowly turned his gaze toward me.
“Everything is as the Lord wills.”
I bowed, hands clasped before my chest.
“Don’t be so humble. I’ll grant you a reward. Is there anything you’d like?”
The director smiled at me.
“...In that case, would you grant me permission to hold a study group? I’d like to continue improving alongside my companions from my training days.”
I broached the subject hesitantly.
“Your piety exceeds even the rumors. But if that’s all you want, it’ll be easy enough. Chris, choose some suitable people to gather.”
The director turned to me and added,
“You may use the small chapel of Saint Volo. I’ll speak to the Office of Liturgical Records on your behalf.”
—This had gone much better than I’d expected.
I’d never imagined I’d secure a base so quickly.
I could choose the members myself and have Chris gather them.
First, those who had graduated from the Cocoon of Light before me.
I’d recruit my peers and juniors as they graduated.
The healers I’d taught the tricks of magic to.
They should have made names for themselves in various places by now.
If I brought together the ones scattered among different departments, I might eventually take control of the Church.
I wouldn’t resort to the blatant tactics of the fundamentalists.
Outwardly, I’d remain humble and modest, while quietly spreading my roots throughout the Church, that vast organization.
—Quietly, steadily.
After leaving the director’s office, we returned to Chris’s office.
Chris sat down in his chair and fixed me with a sharp gaze.
“Noah, what are you planning?”
I straightened my back and answered, keeping my hands clasped.
“I’ve already brought the healers of my generation under my control.”
Chris frowned, leaned back in his chair, and folded his arms.
“...Under your control?”
“That’s right.”
I smiled faintly, lowered my gaze to the floor for a moment, then added,
“I did them favors during our training, so they’d owe me.”
“...You really are shrewd.”
Chris let out a quiet sigh and laughed, his shoulders shaking.
“That means the stronger they become, the stronger we become.”
Chris narrowed his eyes and gave a slight nod.
“Our power, huh? Very well. You can decide whom to gather. Let me know once you’ve settled on them.”