Reincarnation of a Hunter Chapter 24.1 - Each One’s Interest (2)

 

I received word from the Holy See that a guest had arrived and headed to the reception room of the lord’s residence.

 

Inside the reception room stood a middle-aged man dressed in shabby clothes and a robe.

 

Despite his disheveled appearance, his face was pale and clean, almost aristocratic. 

 

Even his fingers were slender, without a single callus. His shoes were expensive-looking leather dress shoes.

 

‘Appraisal.’

 

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Daniel Salamanca (36 years old)
           ➺Second son of Viscount Salamanca.

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‘So, he is from nobility. And here he is, pretending to be a devout clergyman.’

 

I’ve seen plenty of religious figures who were nothing more than petty political players.

Daniel seemed exactly like that type. I wondered what desire had driven him to come all the way here.

 

He bowed his head and greeted me.

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Viscount Marcel. I am Daniel, the deputy director of the Holy See’s Internal Affairs Bureau. I’ve come as the judge you requested, my lord.”

 

“Welcome. Take a seat.”

 

Normally, mutual respect is the rule between clergy and nobility.

 

But I deliberately spoke down to him. I wanted to provoke him, to make him reveal his desires more easily.

 

The more ambitious a clergyman is, the easier they are to handle. If I fulfilled even a fraction of their desires, they’d consider me an ally.

 

Yet, Daniel didn’t even blink and kept his smile intact.

 

‘Not bad. Even if his motives aren’t political, there’s no way he’d show me goodwill. After all, I’m a Blessed.’

 

For a religious figure, a non-clergy receiving divine blessings is an uncomfortable matter.

 

Because I, the Blessed, have become the most revered figure among the faithful in Marseille’s domain.

 

So while the clergy and the Blessed may respect each other, they can never be close.

Daniel spoke again.

 

“There’s another reason for my visit.”

 

“I assume you’re also here as a Blessing investigator.”

 

When rumors spread of someone receiving the Blessing of the God of Abundance, the Holy See’s Internal Affairs Bureau sends a clergyman to verify the truth.

 

After all, this world has no shortage of frauds.

 

“Yes. Originally, a much lower-ranking priest would have come, but it’s been so long since the lord received a divine blessing. And with the trial happening, I decided to come personally.”

 

“So you came here right away to investigate me?”

 

Daniel had gone straight to the lord’s manor without stopping by the church. He had already been briefed about it by a servant.

 

“No. A few testimonies were enough to confirm the truth.”

 

“I suppose there’s some kind of formula for that?”

 

“Yes. While it’s difficult to prove someone is a fraud, it’s surprisingly easy to tell if they’re genuine.”

 

“Aren’t those the same thing? Why is one harder?”

 

“Some people genuinely believe they’ve been blessed. And a fraudster won’t willingly admit to their deceit, will they? Without a confession, it’s hard to prove.”

 

“Then why come here instead of the church? If you already think I’m genuine.”

 

Daniel, who had been staring at me, continued speaking.

 

“You’ve even received prayers from the faithful.”

 

Those blessed by the gods are idolized by the faithful.

 

Moreover, when that idol is a nobleman ruling over a territory, the believers hold even greater reverence.

 

Unsurprisingly, the moment they saw me, they clasped their hands and began praying.

 

The Church of the God of Plenty must be uneasy about a non-believer like me being worshipped.

 

But that’s the church’s concern. The deputy director of the investigative bureau shouldn’t have anything to worry about, right? He’s got an ironclad position.

 

At that moment, I realized something.

 

I had figured out Daniel’s dirty desire.

 

I smirked and spoke, “You’re looking for a way out of the Curia, aren’t you?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Sounds like an attractive opportunity. Convert a divinely blessed lord, use that as an excuse to establish a diocese in his territory, then become its bishop and aim for cardinal. After that, even the papal election. Am I right?”

 

“You’re going too far. I merely wish for the lord’s conversion—”

 

“Don’t make me laugh, you greedy old man.”

 

“…”

 

Daniel clamped his mouth shut. He must have felt completely exposed, stripped bare to his core.

Time to give him a real surprise.

 

“I’ll accept it.”

“…What?”

Daniel looked genuinely shocked.

Even knowing his greed, I was willing to take him in—no wonder he was stunned.

 

“But there are conditions.”

“…What are they?”

I raised my fingers one by one as I listed them.

 

“First, no conversion. But if the Holy See asks, you’ll say you believe in the God of Abundance. Second, establish a diocese covering Marseille—Rhône-Alpes—Ferrand—Dijon. Third, you, Daniel, must be the bishop and reside in the Marseille lord’s castle. Fourth, build a church in the pioneer village called Comansville.”

 

He seemed visibly shaken by my words.

“What kind of… The other terms are possible. But the Dijon territory is held by the Sun God faith, and Rhône-Alpes and Ferrand are mixed with various religions.”

 

“Who said anything about preaching there? Just set up the diocese that way.”

“Ah!”

 

“I’ll write letters to each territory. Asking for their formal approval to establish the diocese.”

“Forgive me, but you haven’t been here long. Do you have connections with the neighboring lords?”

 

The Rhône-Alpes territory was in a reconciliatory mood, so Countess Karin would likely agree if I wrote to her.

Plus, Ferrand was Countess Karin’s homeland. Since her marriage was recent, her influence over her family would still hold.

 

As for the Dijon family, they were in-laws with the Westphalia family. Minor Lord Noah’s wife was the daughter of Count Dijon.

If I emphasized the ties between Westphalia and Marseille, they’d reluctantly agree to a nominal diocese. 

 

They wouldn’t care, since Dijon’s ambitions toward Westphalia were a separate issue.

 

“That’s not your concern. Once I get positive responses, I’ll immediately propose the diocese to the Holy See.”

“May I ask… why you’re going this far?”

 

“Let’s just say it’s for the territory’s development.”

 

“So it’s a secret. Understood. I’ll pretend I know nothing.”

 

The truth was, that it was genuinely for the development of the territory.

Religious ventures are profitable.

If someone controllable willingly steps into our territory to reinvest that money, of course, we should take them in.

 

Daniel is the type to abandon immediate financial gain for the sake of honor and social advancement. If he succeeds in becoming a bishop, he’d give me his liver and gallbladder without hesitation. He might even aim for the positions of cardinal and pope.

 

And while there are other reasons I want to establish a diocese, now is not the time to dwell on them.

 

“I trust the trial will deliver a verdict that does not shame God. And proceed immediately with setting up the church in Comansville.”

 

At those words, Daniel sprang up from his seat.

“Don’t worry about the trial. As for that Coman… whatever church, I’ll build it right away, even if I have to empty my own pockets.”

 

Daniel grinned and reached out his hand.

I grasped his smooth, pale hand and shook it vigorously.