Chapter 523

The Northern District of the Holy City Alhebron was an area designed to provide a satisfactory residence for visiting nobles and royalty.

Mansions with gardens replaced cheap inns, and restaurants and taverns only served the highest quality items, fit for banquets.

“There’s no silver coin in the Northern District.”

When the residents of the Holy City spoke of the Northern District, they often did so with envy. No matter which shop you entered or what item you bought, there was nothing you could pay for with silver coins. It was an extravagantly wealthy street.

On the day of the secret meeting with Cardinal Karnius Gustav, Lacey had reserved an entire high-end restaurant in the Northern District and waited for Karnius to arrive. She was accompanied by Damien, Bels, and Richard.

Hashal-leur had not yet awakened, and Nigel and Leonor, whose severed limbs had not fully regained sensation, remained in the cathedral guarding Hashal-leur’s chamber.

The last one, Milia, was stationed on a distant hill, keeping watch over the entire restaurant. In case of any conflict, she was ready to snipe Karnius’ head off.

At six in the evening.

The time when the sun lazily sank and perched on the horizon. As the fading sunset light cast its glow, Cardinal Karnius Gustav finally arrived.

—

“Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Cardinal Karnius Gustav. I imagine you must be quite busy with the affairs of Arvil. I hope you’ve been getting enough sleep.”

Lacey greeted Karnius with a smileless face. There was no reason to extend hospitality to the culprit of the Arvil tragedy, nor did she want to.

“Hmm… I do sleep, but it’s hard to rest as soundly as your hero over there.”

Karnius responded nonchalantly, subtly pointing out that Lacey’s sarcastic remark about sleep was ironic, given that her strongest ally was currently incapacitated.

Lacey raised an eyebrow slightly and guided Karnius to the meeting table inside the restaurant.

Following Karnius as he entered, his escort knights filed in behind him.

Bels and Richard, standing behind Lacey, assessed the strength of the knights Karnius had brought.

Four paladins clad in full armor. Three were high-ranking paladins of the Shaulite Church Order, whom they recognized, but the fourth was a new face.

‘Who is that…?’

‘Never seen him before. His aura is unusual… Did the Shaulite Church have someone like that?’

He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, with unruly red hair and golden eyes.

Dressed in the paladin armor of the Shaulite Church, he wore a cloak adorned with a sun emblem and carried a lavishly decorated sword at his waist.

A golden hilt. In the center of the blade was a diamond-shaped sapphire, and the hilt was adorned with a crystal ornament. It was a one-handed sword.

Though it looked more like a decorative piece for show than a practical weapon, the aura it emitted even while sheathed suggested it was no ordinary noble’s trinket but a legendary sword.

‘…This might be dangerous.’

Damien suppressed the urge to draw his newly forged greatsword. The aura of a strong opponent could be felt even without crossing blades. Though not on the level of Hashal-leur or Seilon, this opponent was beyond his current capabilities.

“This gentleman is new to me. Your Eminence, if it’s not too much trouble, could you introduce him?”

Sensing the tension in the room, Lacey asked Karnius to reveal the man’s identity.

Karnius nodded readily. It was a reasonable request. After all, key figures from both church orders were about to engage in secret talks, and having someone of unknown status present was unthinkable.

“Of course. This is Sir Perrien, the Sun Knight of our order. He hails from the western border, so this is his first meeting with Archbishop Elmain.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Archbishop Elmain. I am Perrien de Genes.”

The red-haired man, Perrien, bowed his head respectfully to Lacey. His noble lineage was evident from his surname, but his etiquette was slightly awkward for someone of his status.

“…Pleasure to meet you.”

Lacey responded with a calm greeting. Of course, she didn’t trust Karnius’ words. If there had been such a powerful figure on the western border, she would have known.

The claim of being from the western border was likely a cover. In reality, he was probably a secret asset trained by Cardinal Karnius, much like her own Special Operations Unit.

Karnius had brought the strongest paladin in the church’s arsenal, prepared in case Lacey attempted to detain him by force.

‘A trump card in case the talks break down…’

Lacey’s gaze brushed past Perrien’s left side. The sword with the golden hilt and crystal ornament. The ancient texts of the Elpinel Church Order mentioned a sword of such design.

Without confirming the blade, she couldn’t be certain, but if this sword bore the name she recalled, Perrien was undoubtedly a trump card.

—

Lacey and Karnius sat across from each other at the meeting table, where tea and scones were neatly arranged, and stared at each other intently. Both found the sight of the other’s face utterly displeasing.

To Lacey, Karnius was someone who deserved to be burned at the stake immediately, and Karnius felt not an ounce of goodwill toward Lacey either.

After the escort knights moved to one side, the two exchanged a few perfunctory words, masking their true intentions as they sipped their tea.

They discussed the events of the hearing, recent rumors, the well-being of Cardinal Drexler, who had been “retired” by Lacey’s hand, and the aftermath of the Arvil incident.

“It must be quite a burden. Caring for the victims and supporting their recovery will require an immense expenditure, even for the Shaulite Church. Since the city cannot be restored, you’ll need to secure separate accommodations for them. Unless you plan to cast them out into the winter streets, that is.”

“…Of course, that’s the least we can do. Showing compassion to those in distress is the very essence of the Sun Church. We will devote ourselves wholeheartedly to their physical and mental well-being until they can stand again.”

Lacey chuckled softly.

“I see. Thanks to the Shaulite Church’s dedication, the people of Arvil may overcome the memories of the tragedy, and the entire Holy Kingdom will sing praises of the Sun’s mercy. As winter passes, spring will come, as is the way of the world. If you weather this cold spell, the Shaulite Church will welcome a warmer spring than ever before.”

As Lacey said, if the Shaulite Church provided unlimited support and care for the survivors of Arvil, the church’s reputation would soar higher than ever.

Most citizens of the Holy Kingdom were unaware that the Shaulite Church was responsible for the Arvil tragedy.

Instead, the Shaulite Church would be remembered not as the instigator of a horrific disaster but as a benevolent order that willingly bore immense losses to save the victims. That was the implication of her words.

“…Archbishop Elmain, you judge matters too secularly. Are you suggesting that our church supports them for the sake of reputation?”

Karnius’ voice lowered slightly, betraying his irritation. To Lacey, who knew the truth, his words were brazen beyond measure.

“Of course not. The Shaulite Church of the Sun and Life would never be concerned with worldly fame. That’s unthinkable and unacceptable.”

Lacey shook her head and set down her teacup, staring straight at Karnius.

“…Unlike someone like you.”

“What did you just say…?”

The blatant insult caused Karnius to furrow his brow. Before he could respond, Lacey presented the evidence she had gathered—or rather, what her Special Operations Unit had uncovered.

Proof of Cardinal Karnius’ massive investments in Arvil’s entertainment district.

Documents tracing the flow of funds, reports from those involved, and even correspondence from the cardinal himself. The mountain of paperwork laid bare Karnius’ guilt.

This was information obtained at the cost of three Special Operations Unit members’ lives, and if made public, it could shake the Shaulite Church to its core.

“This is…!”

“The mastermind behind the Arvil tragedy, the Reverse Ascension Society, operated an entertainment district that you poured vast sums of money into. You could almost be called an enthusiastic worshipper of evil. Even if you were unaware of their true nature, you deserve excommunication. And if you knew and still supported them, you should be burned at the stake for heresy.”

Lacey’s voice was colder than winter as she berated Karnius. Her eyes, filled with contempt, regarded him as if he were filth.

‘Of all people, to be caught by this woman…!’

Karnius’ expression twisted. His eyelids twitched. He had received reports that someone was investigating his misdeeds, but to have it be Elmain Staldorf… The unease he felt when the secret meeting was proposed had proven justified.