Reincarnation of a Hunter Chapter 34 - The Diocese of Marseille

 

 

⚔️ 

 

We returned to the inn carrying the [Agreement for the Establishment of the Diocese of Marseille] stamped with the Pope’s signature and seal.

 

The full meeting of the Holy See’s leadership, where the suspects would be present, was scheduled to take place two days later.

 

My task was to wait at the inn until then. 

 

To avoid any unnecessary suspicion, I had to refrain from outside contact as well.

 

“What should we do for two days? Martin, got anything fun planned?”

 

“No.”

 

“…”

 

Asking Martin was my mistake. 

 

I doubt there’s anyone in the world as dull as Martin. At least he’s not completely devoid of social skills, so conversation isn’t impossible.

 

Sighing, I glanced at Pascal.

 

He noticed my gaze and rolled his eyes nervously. I decided not to ask. I had a feeling I wouldn’t get an answer anyway.

 

Furthermore, I don’t understand why the younger ones live such boring lives.

 

Could it be because I’ve been giving them too much work? I reflected on it slightly.

 

In any case, the two dull days passed, and we followed a trainee priest sent by the Holy See to the venue where the full leadership meeting was being held.

 

⚔️ 

 

By the time we arrived, the conference hall was already filled with numerous department heads, committee chairs, and directors and deputy directors of various organizations.

 

They huddled in small groups, exchanging information about why this meeting had been called.

 

“I wonder why His Holiness suddenly convened this meeting. Do you know if any particular agenda is being brought up?”

 

“I only received a one-sided notice myself. Even my acquaintances didn’t know anything.”

 

“Hmm. I hope it’s nothing serious.”

 

Some deliberately spoke loudly, as if hoping someone who knew the reason would speak up. Because of this, even we, seated in the observation area, could hear their conversations clearly.

 

“Though there are quite a few observers today. Since outsiders are present, they probably won’t discuss any dangerous topics, so let’s all set aside our worries.”

 

“That’s hard to say. His Holiness is a rather unique figure, after all.”

 

Someone who speaks like that in front of outsiders must be from the faction opposing the Pope. 

 

Since factions exist in any organization, the atmosphere suggests no one pays it much mind. As the meeting time approaches, they try to sit in random seats, but the novice priests stop them

.

“You must sit in the seat with your nameplate.”

 

The leadership looks bewildered by the unusual procedure.

 

“Were there assigned seats? This is a first.”

 

“Surely this seating arrangement isn’t meant to establish hierarchy, is it?”

 

“Don’t say such unsettling things.”

 

The name-based seating was arranged because of me.

 

When using the 〈Convenient Low-Level Appraisal〉 skill, if the true name and the nameplate don’t match, it helps identify suspects. 

 

I’ve already confirmed that none of the leadership uses aliases.

 

After a brief commotion, Pope Catriel enters the conference room with the Secretary of State.

 

Seeing them, I grow curious about their relationship.

 

‘They’re always together—is the Secretary the Pope’s right hand? Or… no? He seemed a bit scatterbrained. Maybe he’s just a figurehead?’

 

Many leaders dislike having a competent second-in-command.

 

In such cases, someone obedient is often favored.

 

Once everyone is seated, the Pope opens the meeting.

 

“Everyone, Lord Eric Marseille, blessed by God, has requested the establishment of the Marseille Diocese. In response, I intend to appoint Daniel, Vice-Director of the Internal Affairs Office, as Bishop of Marseille. Please extend your congratulations and encouragement.”

 

I glance at Daniel. 

 

The Director of the Internal Affairs Office, seated beside him, grimaces and tightly shuts his eyes.

 

‘The Director seems wary of Daniel. Whatever the history, he’s no longer under your control.’

 

Daniel’s past doesn’t matter to me. As long as he follows my orders from now on, that’s enough.

 

As Daniel rose from his seat and bowed his head, many others in the meeting applauded and offered words of congratulations.

The leadership, too, seemed indifferent to who Daniel was. Their expressions made it clear that as long as it wasn’t their problem, they didn’t care.

 

‘The Pope must be having a headache. Opposition factions against complacency, political maneuvering…’

His head shook on its own in disbelief.

 

‘Now, I need to identify the imposters.’

I began using〈Convenient Low-Level Appraisal〉 on the leadership.

Starting with the Head of Internal Affairs.

 

---

🔸Manuel (52 years old)
➺ Son of Fernando, a delinquent from the back alleys of Burgos. 

➺ Head of Internal Affairs for the Papacy of the God of Abundance. 

➺ Serves Annapurna.

---

 

‘Safe. Being the son of a local thug isn’t a crime.’

I appraised the other leaders one by one, but nothing seemed particularly suspicious.

 

But then—

 

---

🔸Haides (60 years old)
➺Son of Deltis, a farmer from Royan. 

➺Foreign Minister of the Papacy of the God of Prosperity. 

➺Serves Hela.

---

 

‘Found you!’

Hela is the goddess of the dead.

In this world, serving various gods was common, so worshipping the goddess of the dead wasn’t inherently condemned.

The problem was simply that this person worked for the Papacy of the God of Abundance.

Why a follower of Hela had infiltrated the Church of the God of Prosperity was beyond me—and frankly, I didn’t care.

Just because I believed in the existence of gods didn’t mean I believed in their religions.

Religion was merely a tool.

 

Since the meeting seemed far from over, I used [Convenient Low-Level Appraisal] on the rest of the leadership.

 

‘What the…? There’s more?’

The Pope had said there was only one dissident, but that wasn’t the case. I found two more.

Both the Vice Minister of Doctrine and the Deputy Chief Justice were marked as ‘serving Hela.’ I had intended to relay this verbally, but now it seemed I’d have to write it down.

 

After writing three names and ‘Devotee of Hela’ on a piece of paper, he called an apprentice priest from his seat.

“Take this paper to His Holiness the Pope. It is a matter of great importance.”

The apprentice priest took the paper and delivered it to the Pope.

No one paid it any attention, but it was a scrap of paper that would soon bring a storm of blood to the Vatican.

 

⚔️ 

 

—Knock, knock, knock

The sound of knocking interrupted his thoughts.

Our party was waiting for the Pope in the reception room, but surprisingly, she arrived quickly.

The Pope, with a tired expression, handed me a bundle as soon as she entered. When I took it, it was quite heavy.

“Count Marseille, I truly appreciate your efforts. And this isn’t anything particularly special—please use it as travel funds.”

Ah, money. Thanks.

“And if there’s anything else you’d like, please let me know.”

The Pope seemed impatient, eager to leave quickly. 

 

Time was precious if he wanted to interrogate the captured individuals and root out any potential accomplices hiding among the lower ranks.

I stated my request immediately, “Our territory lacks people.”

The Pope looked puzzled.

“Do you mean a shortage of talent?”

“I mean a literal shortage of population. I’d like Your Holiness to facilitate the migration of people to Marseille.”

If we were to take people from other territories, it could potentially spark territorial disputes, so I wanted the Pope to mediate.

Seeming to understand my meaning, the Pope nodded.

“Understood. I will discuss this carefully with the Iberian royal family. If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave now.”

“If the opportunity arises, let’s have a meal together next time, Your Holiness.”

“The Marseille territory and the Vatican are now friends. Feel free to visit anytime without hesitation.”

She was smiling, but her hand, shaking mine in farewell, hung limp and lifeless.

 

⚔️ 

 

As a lord, I also had to tend to my territory, so I quickly packed my belongings and set off on the road.

Perhaps unhappy about having to return without sightseeing, Pascal expressed his disappointment.

“There seem to be so many places to see. Couldn’t we stay a day or two longer?”

“No. You can travel for fun after you retire.”

“When can I retire?”

“In about 40 years?”

“…I’m not sure I’ll even be alive by then.”

Seeing him sigh like that, it seemed I’d have to give him a break once we returned to the territory. If I kept overworking him, he’d burn out before long—better to let him rest beforehand.

 

As I rode past the slums, I heard someone calling my name.

“Count Eric Marseille!”

Turning toward the voice, I saw the head investigator waving his hand and running toward me. I dismounted and approached him.

“Chief Investigator Manuel, what brings you to me?”

“Oh, you remember my name.”

I only knew it because of Daniel. Besides, if I forgot, I could just use 〈Convenient Low-Level Appraisal〉

 

I couldn’t say that, though, so I gave him a polite response.

“You have a very dependable presence, so I remembered.”

“Haha! That’s flattering. I’m the son of a farmer, so I’m a bit broad.”

He did look strong. It was a slight exaggeration, but I let it slide.

“But what brings you to me?”

“I wanted to talk to you about Deputy Chief Investigator Daniel.”

I stared into his eyes for a moment before speaking.

“He’s someone who will accomplish great things in the future. Just leave him be.”

Chief Investigator Manuel looked slightly surprised.

“You already know what I’m concerned about.”

“Yes. I know very well. But what you should be focusing on isn’t Daniel, is it? There are three apostates, aren’t there?”

“…You know about that too? We’ve been handling it in strict secrecy.”

I grabbed the reins, preparing to mount my horse again, and said, “Compared to those heretics, isn’t Daniel at least a devout believer? A man who doesn’t chase money or women, pouring all his energy into making a name for himself. Compared to anyone in leadership, isn’t he a decent figure?”

He shut his mouth. He couldn’t deny that point himself.

 

“Chief Inspector General, leave Daniel to me now. I’ll take good care of him so he doesn’t stray.”

“…He’s already quite twisted. And with his noble background, he’s dangerous.”

A dry laugh escaped. He had tried to let it go, but now came unnecessary meddling.

 

“Inquisitor Manuel. You said he was a farmer’s son, correct?”

“Yes. That’s right, but—”

“Do you know Fernando, the delinquent from the back alleys of Burgos?”

Inquisitor Manuel startled as if he might faint.

“H-how do you know that?”

 

“Others may not, but I have my ways of finding things out. Of course, I don’t believe you lied out of malice, Chief Inquisitor. But the fact remains—you hid his origins.”

“…”

“Look at yourself. Lineage doesn’t matter. Besides, Daniel, at the very least, hasn’t deceived anyone. He just keeps his true feelings hidden.”

 

“…Very well. I won’t interfere further, so please keep my secret.”

At this point, exposing an old secret would only humiliate the Chief Inquisitor without achieving anything.

No—truthfully, there was no intent to humiliate or harm him at all.

But simply telling the Chief Inquisitor that his secret was safe wouldn’t be enough to earn his trust.

To instill trust, there had to be a sense of mutual debt.

 

“Chief Investigator, who do you think captured the heretics arrested today?”

“Don’t tell me it was you, Count?”

“Yes. Now, keep my secret as well. Now we both have something on each other.”

Even though the Devotee of Hela could terrorize me for it, I revealed that secret.

 

Of course, I said that because I knew my chief investigator wouldn’t dare utter a word. My chief investigator, realizing my intent, wore a relieved expression.

Just as we were about to wrap up the conversation and say our goodbyes—At that moment, the sound of children from the slums singing and playing reached us.

 

“Bishop Daniel is so kind, so sweet~ He cares for the poor children, feeds them too~Bishop Daniel is so gentle, so warm~ He looks after the pitiful people, feeds them too~.”

 

So Enrique had been spreading this song around, huh? He even made a nursery rhyme out of it.

‘How efficient.’

 

When I turned my head, Chief Investigator Manuel was glaring at me. He’s sharp when it comes to things like this. No wonder he’s the chief investigator.

 

An awkward cough escaped me.

Ahem, ahem—

 

 “Chief Investigator, don’t pay any attention to that sort of thing.”

“…I’m not paying attention. E.-RIC-MAR-SEILLE. YOU-FAKE-BISHOP!”

 

He’s sulking.

 

“Haha! Let’s go grab a meal somewhere. Pascal! Find us a good restaurant right now!”

“Yes~ My Lord~.”

 

Pascal giggled and urged the horses forward.

‘That guy’s vacation is canceled.’