Read Novel Full Vol 13 Chapter 15
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(20/24)
Chapter 15 – Splendid Banquet
When I visited the orphanage, I was relieved to see that the children, who had been gloomy at first, were now energetic enough to play pranks… but the Church had given us a difficult problem, and when I was at a loss as to how to solve it, Ines came up with a brute force solution.
And so it became a bit of a big deal.
Why is a cardinal or someone of very high status sitting in front of me?
After I heard Ines’ idea, I went to consult with Elmo, and then he said that we should consult with a priest of the Church, and I guess I shouldn’t have gotten carried away there.
I heard from the priest that there are many orphans on the continent and that there are many orphans who have been deeply hurt, so I said, “Well, then, why don’t we consult with Mage-sama?”
I thought it would be a good thing to help them because if I helped them a lot, I could spend the money on charity, and more children would be saved.
Besides, I have plans to spend the money on land development in the Aquamarine Kingdom, but I don’t think I’ll be able to spend it all, so I can’t miss this opportunity, can I?
Besides, the priest was a very kind old man, and I wanted to help him if I could.
So I went back to the Castle and pretended to consult with the mage, and we discussed various ways he could help us.
In the end, it was decided that it would be a good thing for the children, and if I was going to do it, I might as well do it to the best of my ability.
Just to be sure, I consulted the God of Commerce-sama, and he gave me permission to build a mental care facility for orphans with the help of the Church through a contract with the God of Commerce-sama, although donations are not allowed.
After pretending to consult with the mage, I even created a cover story in which the mage, who had heard my story and was deeply moved by it, agreed to release his assets to us, and convinced that it was a perfect plan, I visited the priest again and promised to give him a big hand.
The priest was so pleased with such a generous offer that he insisted I meet with the church leaders, and the conversation went in a different direction than planned.
I told him that I was too busy to meet the important man, but… it just so happened that the important man was staying at the Castle, and the meeting with the Cardinal was to take place.
I said, “Don’t be silly, a church official vacationing on a luxury liner.”
“So, Wataru-dono, are you really willing to help the Church under these conditions?”
The Cardinal, who looked at me sharply, asked me a question while I was escaping from reality.
This Cardinal is an old man in his fifties, but he is strangely glowing from head to toe as if he had enjoyed a full course of beauty treatments at the Castle.
I suppose looks are important for a great man, but what about an old clergyman who polishes himself to this level? His nails are shiny, you know?
For me, the priest who sits next to the Cardinal is more likable. He’s not polished, but he’s clean, and he’s relaxed, calm, and smiling, which puts me at ease.
Well, I guess you can’t be relaxed and calm to hold a position that looks so great with a name like Cardinal.
“No, it’s not me helping you; it’s Mage-sama helping you. I’m just an intermediary.”
It’s going to be annoying, so that’s the one thing I can’t give in to. I want to live my life just for my own pleasure and put the burden of good and evil on the imaginary magician.
“Is that so? But even for the sake of the orphans, 50 platinum is needed for the construction and maintenance of the facilities to be built in each country. And 100 platinum for the work and living expenses of the orphans… Mage-dono is a very generous man, isn’t he?”
“Well, Mage-sama is a kind man.”
It’s not bold; it’s the result of cutting corners.
In fact, I wanted to double the construction and maintenance costs and spend the charity money, but I was disappointed when I was told that 150 platinum coins would be more than enough for the total.
In a world where you can build a small village with a few platinum, how many facilities will you build with even 50 platinum?
Well, churches are all over the continent, and even though the big people have their own agendas, they will build facilities that can provide spiritual care all over the continent in a balanced way.
It’s a contract with the church itself through the God of Commerce-sama, so there’s no misuse of the aid money, and it’s safe. And since prices and labor costs are low in this world, the funds probably won’t run out in a hundred years.
The circulation of platinum coins will return to the world, and I, too, will have a reduced quota of spending on platinum coins. Carpenters will earn money from building contracts, and more orphans will be saved through increased employment in care facilities.
Ines’ idea has turned out to be very grandiose, but I think it’s a great plan. Especially the fact that once the money is deposited, I don’t have to worry about it anymore.
All that’s left is to make a deal through the God of Commerce-sama.
“Hmm… is it possible for us to meet with Mage-dono? As a church, we would like to meet someone who has a heart of compassion for orphans.”
I thought we were just going to sign a contract, but the Cardinal seemed to want to continue the conversation.
Why do I feel like I’m under so much pressure just to have a normal conversation with a great man? I feel more pressure than I usually feel from Creator God-sama.
“Mage-sama is a kind person, but at the same time, he is not very good at interacting with people, so it is a little difficult for you to meet with him. If you meet with him, there is a possibility that the offer of help will be forfeited.”
Since the Cardinal had come out, I was inclined to pretend the whole thing never happened and go home.
“I see. It’s unfortunate, but I can’t say anything unreasonable. By the way, Wataru-dono. I would like to ask you, who is close to Mage-dono, to help the Church.”
How happy would I be if I could say that it is impossible? I wonder if I could ask Creator God-sama for an oracle telling them not to mess with Wataru-kun?
I think that would be troublesome. It would be very dangerous, especially to owe Creator God-sama.
“I can’t do much, and I spend most of my time on the ship, so I doubt I can be of much help, but if I have the opportunity to help, I hope I can help in some small way. Well, I am not sure I can be of much help, but I hope you will forgive me.
This thought was delivered to him!
“Oh, thank you very much. If Wataru-dono is willing to help us, Creator God-sama will be very pleased.”
As expected from an elite who has won the race for success. I am sure he understood my reluctance to get involved and chewed up the convenient parts of the story. He seems to have very thick skin.
But, well, I said what I had to say, and since my home base is a ship, I’d hardly have a chance to get near a church, so I guess it’s all right.
“So, let’s get right to the point. How is it that such a fine ship does not have a church?”
I don’t like the greedy attitude of important people.
＊＊＊
The Cardinal’s request to build a Church on this ship was rejected, saying that everything about the ship was in Camille-san’s hands, and he decided to leave the city of Cagliari immediately.
When we parted, Camille-san gave me an angry look, but I hoped she would forgive me because I had just done my best to negotiate a spiritual home for orphans.
The contract was completed, and I prepared a letter of rejection from the mage, so Camille-san should be able to handle it. I wish her the best of luck.
“Wataru. It hasn’t been that long since we were last in our hometown, and you don’t mind if we stop by Lucca, do you?”
While I was giving Camille-san a boost in my mind, Alessia-san spoke to me.
When I told her that we were going to stop in Lucca, she said that frequent trips home were a bit… out of character for a high-ranking adventurer, so maybe there is something incompatible with her ideal adventurer image.
“No, I was actually going to stop in Lucca on the way back, and Alessia-san and the others should go relax and show their faces at your parents’ house. Oh, but please don’t let the Marquis find out.”
Since we left Cagliari early due to the Cardinal’s influence, we had plenty of time to return to our hometown. It would be pointless to return to the Southern City quickly if the materials were not prepared, and I would very much like them to reassure their families.
If you leave the younger brother, Saverio, unattended, he will probably send a search request to the Adventurers’ Guild, so please make sure to communicate with him.
“Well, I don’t think it’s possible that the Marquis doesn’t know about this. Perhaps when we return to Lucca, the Marquis will be informed from the gate.”
Girasole is very popular in Lucca because of the war.
It is impossible to keep the Marquis from noticing.
“If that’s the case, will there be an invitation for me?”
I have a delicate relationship with the Marquis of Lucca, so I can’t rule out the possibility of being invited to dinner or something.
“Since he knows that we are working with Wataru, he will probably try to invite Wataru unless there is an emergency. The castle’s influence is extraordinary.”
That’s right. I’m tired of meeting with the Cardinal, but I don’t want to see a big shot in a row.
“Then, after we drop off Alessia and the others, we will relax in the open sea.”
I wanted to do some sightseeing in Lucca this time, but I would rather relax in the open sea than meet big people and be bothered by them.
I don’t feel like I’ve been communicating with Rimu enough lately, and it would be nice to have plenty of time to play with Rimu.
But you know what? I’ve been to Lucca several times, but I always end up not going into the city. Is that what you call a lack of connection?
“Then you don’t have to force yourself to stop in Lucca, do you? I mean, I think it’s cunning of Wataru to just run away. We don’t want to go to dinner either.”
“Alessia and the others are local heroes, so go for it. If you neglect your family, you might end up like Ines.”
Ines looked unhappy as her family gave her the cold shoulder.
“That is rude. We will never end up like Ines’ family.”
“It’s Alessia and Master who are being rude. I don’t want you to set a bad example for my family. Even if it’s little brother, my little brother is better than you.”
Ines, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, came in a little indignant at the mention of her own family.
Dario is a good boy, isn’t he? Even for me, he is much more sympathetic than Saverio.
“That’s rude. Even Saverio is… Wataru. What should I do if Saverio wants to come with me?”
“From now on, I’ll be doing most of my work on the Dark Elf Island, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t.”
“I agree. The fewer people who know about this place, the better.”
I’m sorry if you seem a little disappointed, but Saverio-kun seems to think of me as an enemy, so I can’t take him to the island.
Well, it helps that I simply don’t like Saverio-kun, and I have an easy reason to refuse.
Now, if we drop off Alessia-san and the others in Lucca, all we have to do is pick up the materials in the Southern City and go to the Dark Elf Island.
Building an underwater mermaid village sounds like fun, so let’s relax and think about what interesting things we can do on Dark Elf Island. Oh, I should invite the dark elves to the Chris.
I should also invite Creator God-sama and the other gods, and I could be busy with many things when I go to the Dark Elf Island.