Paladin of a Ruined Order - Chapter 141

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Order

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Chapter 141: Mousetrap

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Elbridge returned to the manor and told the group about Miles.

Rombel replied with an indifferent look.

"One headache piled on top of another."

"Why? Is something wrong?"

"The Master of the Central Magic Tower... I can't think of a good way to catch that rat."

There was a high chance that the Master of the Central Magic Tower intended to break the demon seal being kept in the west.

The only ones who knew where that demon seal was stored were the western combat churches.

Most western combat churches had their main temples in the royal capital, Leodel, so it was almost certain that the Master of the Central Magic Tower would appear there.

The problem was that even if the Master of the Central Magic Tower showed up in Leodel, it wouldn't be easy for Elbridge's group to find them. The royal capital was far too large for only four people to keep watch over, a vast city with a double-digit number of seats at stake.

"The Master of the Central Magic Tower will move alone, without attendants. They won't reveal their identity and will operate in secret. Expecting to find them right away is too optimistic."

"Could we ask Murvach or Marquis Hagenlot for help?"

When Elbridge suggested it, Rombel shook his head.

"Marquis Hagenlot said he could send people out to ask around. But I don't think that's a good idea. It has a greater chance of hurting us."

Moving a lot of people also meant that a lot of people could leak information.

The Master of the Central Magic Tower would quickly notice that something was off.

"If our goal was to interfere with the Master of the Central Magic Tower's activities, using a lot of people would be fine. But our goal isn't to interfere with them. It's to approach them quietly and grab them by the scruff of the neck."

"...I thought things would somehow work out once we came to the royal capital, Leodel."

As Elbridge muttered with a sigh, Marcus clapped his hands.

"Then shouldn't we find people who can help us discreetly? Like secret informants working for a noble house."

Sonia made an uncomfortable face at that.

"Marcus, don't you have some strange fantasy about nobles?"

"A small provincial noble family like Viscount Dickens's probably wouldn't have anyone like that, but a great noble house like House Hagenlot might. Agents working in the shadows..."

"Well, maybe they do. But they won't mobilize such elite personnel for guests like us, will they? Besides, Murvach brought us here. Things between Murvach and Marquis Hagenlot seemed a little awkward."

They had come to ask for opinions about Miles, only to find themselves needing to come up with a new solution for the Master of the Central Magic Tower.

Elbridge tapped the table, drawing everyone's attention.

"Let's think about the Master of the Central Magic Tower later. First, let's decide what to do about the fake temples and Miles."

Rombel crossed his short legs and replied carelessly.

"Elbridge. You're not going to cut that guy's head off, are you?"

It was a sharp observation despite his careless attitude.

"That's... right."

Elbridge had seen Miles building shelters and orphanages for people.

He couldn't even decide whether Miles's actions were good or evil, so he couldn't simply take his head.

"Then the answer's obvious. If you're going to feel uneasy after cutting off his head, just let him go. You'll have to close the temple, though."

The observation had been sharp, but the conclusion was exactly what one would expect from Rombel. Elbridge turned to Marcus.

"The Goddess said we should ask the God of Fox Rain for an opinion."

"Does it really have to go through me? Couldn't the Goddess just ask the God of Fox Rain directly...? Well, fine. I'll pass it on."

Marcus bowed his head and muttered a prayer before raising it again.

"Uh, I'll convey the oracle exactly as it was given."

Ahem. Marcus cleared his throat a few times and lowered his voice.

"You're uneasy about punishing Miles, but you can't just leave him alone. That's the problem, isn't it?"

"That's right."

"If someone secretly grew wheat on your land, the wisest response would be to harvest that wheat with confidence. Go to the temple, pour oil over the statue, and turn the fake temple into a real one. You'll gain a temple and believers without spending money or time."

It was certainly a solution two or three levels above Rombel's.

Still, what troubled Elbridge most was not the temple, but what to do with Miles.

"God of Fox Rain. What should we do about Miles?"

"If he's skilled enough to manage three temples at once while hiding his identity, he clearly has uncommon talent. Try to recruit him if you can."

Elbridge replied awkwardly.

"I considered that as well. But I don't know if it's right to let this matter end that way."

"Of course, right and wrong are important. But I care more about whether something benefits me. If you aren't going to use Miles, I will, so don't kill him carelessly."

That was the end of the God of Fox Rain's oracle.

One of Miles's fake temples had belonged to the Order of the God of Fox Rain. Yet rather than getting angry upon hearing about the fake temple, the God of Fox Rain seemed to regard it as an opportunity.

Elbridge offered a quiet prayer.

"What do you think, Goddess?"

- I think having Miles repay his sins through service would be a good way as well.

The Goddess of the Rusted Shield also responded positively.

It wasn't the proper way, but she seemed uncomfortable with the idea of severely punishing Miles when he had acted with good intentions.

Elbridge prayed.

"I'll do that, Goddess."

* * *

Elbridge's group went straight to Miles's house.

Knock, knock.

When they knocked on the door, it soon opened, revealing a man with unkempt blond hair.

Four strangers had arrived at once, so Miles looked slightly flustered.

"Who are you? I don't believe we've met."

"My name is Elbridge."

"Ah."

Miles seemed to understand the entire situation after hearing Elbridge's name alone.

It was the reaction of someone who had known this day would come.

'Now Miles will ask for forgiveness. I'll forgive him to a reasonable degree and accept him into the Order...'

Miles lowered his gaze slightly and replied carefully.

"Um... I know why you've come."

Yet Miles's expression was somewhat different from what Elbridge had expected.

It wasn't the look of someone who had given up, but one strangely full of lingering attachment.

"But could you give me just a little more time? I don't ask for more than that. Even just until this winter would be enough."

"Winter? Is there a reason?"

Miles gave an embarrassed smile.

"I feel a little uncomfortable saying this, but... I haven't recovered my initial investment yet."

"...Your initial investment?"

"As you know, the temple building and the priests' wages aren't free. I can consider my own labor unpaid, but... I'll stop as soon as I make back what I put in. Surely you don't expect me to sit under a mountain of debt?"

No one had expected that response. Elbridge and the rest of the group all wore uncomfortable expressions.

Perhaps sensing their reaction, Miles spoke eagerly.

"Of course! I don't mean that I'll drag this out. Once this year ends, I'll give the temple to the Order of the Rusted Shield. Isn't that good for both of us? Sir Elbridge will be able to gather believers without any trouble, gain a temple, and establish a base in the west. I'll finish handing everything over by then."

Judging by his expression, he was completely sincere. There wasn't a trace of a joke in it.

It had been a mistake to think that good intentions meant a good person, and that things would naturally end warmly.

A thought suddenly crossed Elbridge's mind.

Maybe his claim that he was looking into other regions and preparing for future dangers was simply an excuse for business.

Besides, now that Elbridge looked closely, Miles seemed to be living quite comfortably.

Fine clothes, a pale complexion, and subtly expensive furniture visible behind him.

Elbridge narrowed his eyes.

"Even if you step away from the Order of the Rusted Shield's temple, you still have two other temples."

Miles froze for a moment.

"Ah, if you knew that much, you should've told me earlier..."

Miles rolled his eyes, then spoke as though being generous.

"Fine! I'll step away immediately. I'll take a bit of a loss, but... trying to be greedy and recover my investment here would really be the mindset of a thief. I have just one request in return. It isn't difficult."

"Let's hear it first."

"Even if you return to the east later, please don't tell the Order of the God of Fox Rain or the Order of the Laurel Wreath about this. Just act as though you never saw anything. Of course, I'll keep my mouth shut as well. Even if a sword is held to my throat, I won't reveal what happened today. I can assure you of that."

With things having turned out this way, Marcus was the one who looked uncomfortable.

"Excuse me, did you say your name was Miles?"

"Ah, yes. I'm Miles."

"The God of Fox Rain is watching right now. Is it really wise to say that?"

"What does that even..."

Before Miles could finish, a low voice sounded from the air.

- Hey, you.

A god's voice was distinctly different from an ordinary person's, so Miles immediately recognized it as a public oracle.

Miles instinctively lowered his head.

"Uh... yes."

- What percentage of the offerings were you keeping?

"Three percent... No. Actually, five percent."

- Good. I will guarantee you seven percent of the income generated in the royal capital, Leodel. Join the Order properly.

The God of Fox Rain was a strange god in many ways.

Rather than simply resolving the problem by making a threat, they offered terms for negotiation.

Still, in the long run, it might have been the wise choice.

After all, people could devote themselves fully only when their own interests and the interests of the group pointed in the same direction.

- If you operate the Order of the Rusted Shield's temple as well, I'll give you five percent. The Goddess of the Rusted Shield will probably guarantee you five percent too. Choose. Manage two temples and receive five percent from each, or manage one temple and receive seven percent.

The God of Fox Rain offered negotiation terms on behalf of the Goddess of the Rusted Shield.

Five percent and seven percent might not sound like much, but the amount going into Miles's pocket would not be small. It wouldn't be as much as he made now, but he would still become a high earner beyond the dreams of an ordinary freelance priest.

He also wouldn't have to live in fear of divine wrath or worry about being found out.

Realizing that he and the God of Fox Rain understood each other to some extent, Miles subtly tried to renegotiate.

"God of Fox Rain. Might there perhaps be a third option? For example..."

But the God of Fox Rain wasn't so easygoing.

- How did you know there was an option where lightning strikes your head?

"...I'll manage two temples and take five percent from each."

- Good choice. I'll keep an eye on you from time to time, so it would be better for your health if you don't make a secret slush fund.

"Then how would you like me to handle the Order of the Laurel Wreath's temple?"

- It would be better for your health if you step away from it as soon as possible. The Laurel Wreath won't negotiate like I do. They'll put lightning through your head first.

With that oracle, the wage negotiation came to an end.

The Goddess of the Rusted Shield whispered to Elbridge.

- You've suddenly gained a Head of the Western Diocese, Elbridge.

The Goddess of the Rusted Shield seemed fairly satisfied with the wage negotiation the God of Fox Rain had conducted on her behalf.

If things went well in the west, the Order could greatly expand its influence. Using the western diocese as a foothold, it might even recover its former influence.

It was a fairly good flow, considering they had gained results without putting in much effort.

Rombel, who had remained silent until then, spoke up.

"Elbridge. I just had a good idea."

What nonsense was he going to say now? Elbridge thought inwardly, but he still asked Rombel.

"What idea?"

"I think we can catch the Master of the Central Magic Tower."

"How?"

"What did you say the Master of the Central Magic Tower's divine name was?"

Sonia answered.

"The God of Cycles and Flow."

"Right. The God of Cycles and Flow..."

Rombel muttered that, then spoke to Elbridge.