Chapter 141 – Mousetrap

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Translated by Pratt

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Returning to the mansion, Elbridge told the companions the story of Miles.

Rombel replied with a lukewarm expression.

“In a troublesome situation, yet another troublesome thing is added.”

“Why, is something wrong?”

“The Central Mage Tower Lord… Because there is no proper way to catch that rat.”

The Central Mage Tower Lord was highly likely to try to break the demon’s seal kept in the West.

And the ones who knew the location where the demon’s seal was stored were the combat orders of the West.

Since most Western combat orders had their headquarters in the Royal Capital Leodel, it was almost certain that the Central Mage Tower Lord would appear in the Royal Capital Leodel.

The problem was that even if the Central Mage Tower Lord appeared in the Royal Capital Leodel, it would not be easy for Elbridge’s group to find the Central Mage Tower Lord.

For a mere four people to monitor, the Royal Capital Leodel was too large a city. A massive city with a double-digit number of seats at stake.

“The Central Mage Tower Lord will probably move alone without any attendants. He will operate secretly without revealing his identity. Quickly finding the Central Mage Tower Lord is too optimistic an attitude.”

“Could we not receive the help of Mr. Murbach or Marquis Hagenroth?”

When Elbridge voiced his opinion, Rombel shook his head.

“Marquis Hagenroth said he could release people to ask around. But in my opinion, that is not a good way. It is highly likely to become a loss instead.”

Moving many people also meant, conversely, that many people would leak information.

The Central Mage Tower Lord would quickly notice that something was amiss.

“If the goal is to hinder the activities of the Central Mage Tower Lord, it does not matter if many people are used. However, our purpose is not to hinder the Central Mage Tower Lord, but to approach secretly and grab him by the scruff of his neck.”

“…I thought that once we came to the Royal Capital Leodel, things would somehow work out.”

As Elbridge murmured like a sigh, Marcus clapped his hands and spoke.

“Then, can we not just find people who will help us secretly? Like secret informants belonging to noble families.”

Hearing that remark, Sonya wore a displeased expression.

“Marcus. Do you have some strange fantasy about nobles?”

“Although minor fringe nobles like the Dickens Viscountcy would not have such things, great nobles like the Hagenroth Marquisate might. Henchmen acting in the shadows…”

“Well, they might. But they would not move such high-level personnel for guests like us, would they? Besides, the one who brought us is Mr. Murbach. The atmosphere between Mr. Murbach and Marquis Hagenroth seemed a bit awkward.”

While trying to seek opinions about Miles, they were in a situation where they had to present a new solution for the Central Mage Tower Lord case instead.

Elbridge tapped the table with his hand to gather their attention.

“Let us think about the Central Mage Tower Lord story a bit more slowly, and figure out how to deal with the fake temples and Miles first.”

Rombel crossed his short legs, then replied insincerely.

“Elbridge. You are not going to chop off that guy’s neck, right?”

A sharp point despite the insincere attitude.

“That is… true.”

Elbridge had seen Miles making shelter and an orphanage for people.

In a situation where he had not even judged whether Miles’s actions were a good deed or an evil deed, he could not abruptly chop off Miles’s neck.

“Then, the answer is clear. If you are not going to chop off his neck and feel uncomfortable, just overlook it and move on. Instead, the temple must be closed.”

The point was sharp, but the conclusion was exactly at Rombel’s level. Elbridge spoke to Marcus.

“The Goddess said, why not seek the opinion of the God of the Sunshower?”

“For that, could the Goddess not just ask the God of the Sunshower directly without needing to go through me… Well, I get it for now. I will convey it as is.”

Marcus bowed his head and murmured a prayer, then soon raised his head.

“Uh, I will convey the oracle as is.”

*Ahem.* Marcus cleared his throat twice and lowered his voice.

“Is it not a matter of punishing Miles being uncomfortable, yet being unable to leave him alone?”

“That is correct.”

“If someone secretly farmed wheat on your land, harvesting that wheat proudly is the wisest response. Go to the temple, pour fragrant oil on the statue, and transform the fake temple into a genuine temple. For you will be able to obtain the temple and the believers without spending money or time.”

Indeed, it was a solution a couple of levels higher than Rombel’s.

However, what perplexed Elbridge the most was the disposal of Miles, not the temple.

“God of the Sunshower. What is the best thing to do with Miles?”

“To manage three temples simultaneously while hiding his identity means his skill is no ordinary feat. If you can win him over, do so.”

Elbridge replied, feeling troubled.

“I thought of that too. But I do not know if it is right to let this matter pass like that.”

“Of course right and wrong are also important issues. However, I value whether it is beneficial to me or not more. If you are not going to use Miles, I will put him to work, so do not kill him rashly.”

The oracle of the Sunshower ended like that.

Among the fake temples created by Miles, there was also a temple of the Order of the Sunshower. However, far from being angry upon hearing about the fake temple, the God of the Sunshower seemed to regard it as a kind of opportunity.

Elbridge offered a quiet prayer.

“Goddess, what do you think?”

– It seems like a good method to have Miles pay for his sins through labor.

The Goddess of the Rusty Shield also showed a positive reaction.

Although it was not a righteous way, she seemed uncomfortable with severely disciplining Miles who had acted with good intentions.

Elbridge offered a prayer.

“I shall do so, Goddess.”

*

Elbridge’s group headed to Miles’s house right then.

Knock, knock.

When they knocked on the door, it soon opened, and a man with crumbly blond hair appeared.

Perhaps because four strangers had flocked over, Miles looked a bit bewildered.

“Who are you? I am seeing you for the first time.”

“I am Elbridge.”

“Ah.”

Just by hearing Elbridge’s name, Miles seemed to understand the entire situation.

A reaction that, to some extent, what had to come had come.

‘Now Miles will beg for forgiveness. And I will have to accept Miles into the order while forgiving him moderately…’

Miles, slightly casting his eyes down, replied cautiously.

“I… know why you have come.”

However, Miles’s expression was slightly different from Elbridge’s expectation.

It was not a look of despair, but strangely one full of lingering regrets.

“But, could you give me just a bit more time? I do not ask for more. Even just until this winter is fine.”

“Winter. Is there some reason?”

Miles wore an awkward smile.

“It is a bit uncomfortable to say this… but actually, I have not recovered my principal yet.”

“…Principal?”

“As you know, that temple building and the labor costs of the priests are not free. Even if we consider my labor wages as nothing… I will wash my hands of it once I recover just the principal. I cannot sit on a pile of debt either, can I?”

They had not expected this kind of reaction. The expressions of the entire group, including Elbridge, became displeased.

How he took that reaction, Miles spoke actively.

“Of course! I do not mean to drag it out. Once this year ends, I will offer the temple to the Order of the Rusty Shield. Is it not good for both of us? Sir Elbridge can gather believers without trouble, gain a temple, and even secure a foundation in the West. I will complete the handover by then.”

By the looks of it, it was pure sincerity without a hint of a joke.

Since the purpose was good, the person would also be good, and thinking it would naturally lead to a heartwarming conclusion was a misjudgment.

Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind.

A thought that preparing for the upcoming danger after seeing other regions might just be a justification for a business.

Moreover, looking now, Miles seemed to be enjoying a fairly affluent life.

Quality clothes and a fair complexion. Slightly luxurious furniture visible behind Miles.

Elbridge narrowed his eyes.

“Even if you wash your hands of the temple of the Order of the Rusty Shield, do you not have two other temples?”

Miles froze for a moment.

“Ah, if you knew that far, you should have told me beforehand…”

Miles rolled his eyes, then spoke with feigned generosity.

“Alright! I will wash my hands of it immediately. Though I will suffer some loss… Actually, wishing to recover the principal here would be a thief’s mindset. Instead, I ask for just one thing. It is not a difficult request.”

“Let us hear it first.”

“Even if you return to the East later, please do not convey this story to the Order of the Sunshower and the Order of the Laurel Wreath. Just act as if you saw nothing. Of course, I will also keep my mouth shut. I state clearly that I will not leak today’s matter even if a blade is held to my throat.”

When the situation turned out like this, the one who became displeased was Marcus.

“Excuse me, did you say you are Mr. Miles?”

“Ah, yes. I am Miles.”

“The God of the Sunshower is watching right now. Is it alright for you to say such things?”

“What on earth is that…”

Before Miles could finish his words, a low voice echoed from the empty air.

– Hey, you.

Because a deity’s voice is distinctly different from an ordinary person’s voice, Miles could immediately tell that it was a public oracle.

Miles bowed his head almost instinctively.

“Y… Yes.”

– What percentage of the offerings were you pocketing?

“Three percent… No. Actually, it is five percent.”

– Good. I will guarantee you seven percent of the income generated in the Royal Capital Leodel. Join the order formally.

The God of the Sunshower was a strange deity in many ways.

In terms of offering negotiation terms instead of easily solving the problem by making threats.

However, in the long run, that might be the wise choice.

Since, naturally, a person can only dedicate their passion and sincerity when their own benefit and the group’s benefit lie in the same direction.

– If you operate the temple of the Order of the Rusty Shield simultaneously, I will give you five percent. Probably the Goddess of the Rusty Shield will also guarantee five percent. Choose. Manage two temples while receiving five percent each, or manage only one temple while receiving seven percent.

The God of the Sunshower proposed the negotiation terms on behalf of the Goddess of the Rusty Shield.

In fact, though it was five percent and seven percent, the amount entering Miles’s pocket would not be small. While not as much as now, he would become a high-income earner that ordinary freelance priests could hardly dream of.

He would not even need to be on pins and needles, fearing the wrath of the gods or being caught.

Realizing that he subtly communicated well with the God of the Sunshower, Miles casually attempted renegotiation.

“Deity. By any chance, is there no third option? For instance…”

However, the God of the Sunshower was not that easy-going.

– How did you know that there is an option where lightning strikes your head?

“…I will manage the two temples and receive five percent each.”

– You chose well. I will watch over you from time to time, so it would be better for your well-being not to make a side pocket.

“Then how do you wish for the temple of the Order of the Laurel Wreath to be handled?”

– Washing your hands of it as quickly as possible would be good for your well-being. Laurel Wreath will not do any negotiations like me. He will strike your head with lightning first.

With that oracle as the last, the wage negotiation ended.

The Goddess of the Rusty Shield whispered to Elbridge.

– Out of nowhere, we have a Western parish head, Elbridge.

The Goddess of the Rusty Shield seemed reasonably satisfied with the wage negotiation the God of the Sunshower had carried out on her behalf.

Indeed, if things went well in the West, they would be able to expand the order’s influence greatly. Using the Western parish as a stepping stone, they might be able to regain their past influence.

In terms of reaping fruits without much effort, it was a fairly decent flow.

Rombel, who had been quiet all along, opened his mouth.

“Elbridge. A good idea came to me.”

Wondering what nonsense he was going to say again, Elbridge asked Rombel anyway.

“What kind of idea?”

“I think we can catch the Central Mage Tower Lord.”

“How?”

“What did you say the divine name of the Central Mage Tower Lord was?”

The answer came from Sonya.

“The God of Circulation and Flow.”

“Right. The God of Circulation and Flow…”

Rombel muttered that, then spoke to Elbridge.

“Elbridge. When you saw the temple of the Order of the Rusty Shield, you sought it out as if possessed, didn’t you?”

“I could not help it.”

“I am not trying to tease you.”

“Then?”

“Because I think we can use that method on the Central Mage Tower Lord too.”

Rombel looked at Miles.

“Hey. You have to tidy up the temple of the Order of the Laurel Wreath, right?”

“Yes. Most likely.”

“Postpone the clean-up a little, and change the sign first.”

Rombel’s eyes shone.

“From tomorrow, that temple is the Temple of the God of Circulation and Flow.”

Rombel laid a mousetrap.