Chapter 221 Cardinal
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”My lord… we have come to petition. The taxes in the parish have grown unbearably heavy…”
That day, a group of refugees who had once fled from Lord Doll’s lands came forward to complain.
Apparently, Priest Ellie had imposed tithe after tithe, piling them until they reached a crushing seventy percent—nearly equal to the eighty percent tax they had once endured under Doll.
”This is no different from before! We were promised better! Please, let us move and live in Keldan!”
Ayumu frowned. A seventy-percent levy, in practice, was indeed excessive. Yet the last thing he wanted was to pick a fight with the Church.
”Hmm… I suppose you have a point. But—ah, speaking of which. I’ve heard that soon Cardinal Elfatishia, a high elf from the Lukurusa Theocracy, will be visiting Priest Ellie’s parish here in Keldan. She’ll be accompanied by the theologian Lukshana, who studies the Goddess Aria. Perhaps, when they arrive, I can… gently suggest to Priest Ellie that she reconsider.”
But the representative of the people clung on desperately.
”W-wait, my lord! That is too long! We cannot stay in the parish any longer!”
The soldiers stepped in, pushing them back.
”Enough! His Excellency the Honorary Count has already promised to address the matter!”
”Silence! To think you lowborn rabble dare speak so much before a high noble! You should be grateful enough to have been taken into this town at all, you thankless curs!”
Ayumu nearly wept with joy. “Ah, my capable infantry… how I love you!”
Yes—now was the time to prepare schemes to curry favor with Elfatishia, the Cardinal widely regarded as the foremost candidate for the next Pope.
”Good day, Your Eminence♪ It brings me great joy to welcome the famous and pure Cardinal Elfatishia to our humble parish of Keldan♪ I am Lord Sanai. May I humbly ask you to remember me, Your Eminence♪”
He put on his most radiant smile as he bowed before the Cardinal in her white robes. To his relief, Elfatishia returned his greeting with a warm smile and accepted his invitation to dine.
She was, after all, three hundred and eighty years old—yet her outward form was that of a seventeen-year-old maiden with pale green hair and sapphire eyes.
Behind her stood Ms. Lukshana, the theologian. She was one hundred and eighty years old, and yet likewise looked no older than seventeen. Truly, elves were baffling creatures.
Still, the introductions had gone smoothly. The tour of the parish would be handled by Priest Ellie. Ayumu decided to let his cook Vanya display her full talent at the banquet.
That evening, the Cardinal was served beef stew simmered in red wine, rich meat pies, soft white bread baked from the finest flour, and Rostic’s finest grape wine—all crafted by Vanya.
After saying grace, Elfatishia tasted the beef. Her eyes widened in wonder at how tender it was, melting apart on her tongue.
The secret was the newly introduced pressure cooker. Even Vanya admitted, “This… this is an incredible invention~.” Truly, Ayumu thought, what a blessing that some man named Alfred Vischer in 1938 America had invented it in the first place (T/N: historically, the modern home pressure cooker was indeed devised by Alfred Vischer in Switzerland in 1938).
Seizing the moment, Ayumu turned to Priest Ellie, who was enjoying the meal.
”Ah—speaking of the faithful, the refugees have raised complaints about the donations. Could you perhaps… ease the burden a little?”
Ellie placed down her spoon with a sigh.
”Count of Keldan… truthfully, I too dislike asking the parishioners for so much charity. Yet as a priest, I must uphold the dignity of both myself and the Church. That requires… significant expense.”
Ayumu blinked. Was she… was she subtly asking him for more contributions instead?
By her side sat a luxury handbag and pouch set, clearly of Keldan make—items overseen by Takanashi Ami, once one of Takuya Kiritani’s entourage of girls. The sight made Ayumu’s suspicions grow ever sharper.
Could it be… she bought that bag and pouch with the “donations” squeezed from the parishioners?!
…Well, thank you very much for your purchase, Priest Ellie!
While Ayumu was silently fuming, the Cardinal and Lukshana began a quiet debate over dinner, and he leaned closer to listen.
”Indeed, all humans are born burdened with original sin. Yet it saddens me to see how many rulers twist the Lord’s teachings for their own power.”
”Yes, Your Eminence Elfatishia, I agree. The Goddess herself declared that while mankind bears sin, it must never be used as an excuse to warp fairness or justice.”
”How lamentable… then at least, let us pray that all people will be embraced by the Lord’s love.”
Ayumu smirked to himself. Did you hear that, Priest Ellie? That is how a true servant of the faith should speak!
After the meal, he took the chance to present Cardinal Elfatishia with a gift.
”It may be unnecessary for one as pure as Your Eminence… but please accept this. To help maintain your dignity.”
It was not some gaudy trinket, but a refined Keldan brand bag and pouch, crafted of the finest tanned leather and quilted cloth. Its nostalgic, elegant design gave it a quiet charm befitting even a holy woman.
As an added courtesy, Ayumu also sent aboard her ship crates of ramune soda and mayonnaise—simple items the Cardinal had a surprising fondness for.
Priest Ellie, of course, nearly melted when she saw the bag.
”Oh my♪ How utterly adorable♪” she gushed.
But her eyes betrayed her true heart.
(I want it… I want it… I want it sooo badly!!)
For the rest of the evening, Ayumu could feel her silent pressure boring into him.
(This priest… so full of worldly desire!)
At last, he gave in. If she would agree to lower the parish tax rate, he promised to “donate” a new brand item to her every month.
The compromise worked. The levy fell to sixty percent, the common rate in this world. That way, Ayumu could face his settlers with a clean conscience.
And upon auditing the church’s ledgers, he discovered Ellie was not completely selfish after all. Much of the high rate had indeed gone to feeding, clothing, and sheltering the poor and the refugees.
”…In that case,” Ayumu thought, “I can somewhat understand her side. She’s hardly the only priest who claims poverty while secretly eating wheat bread over rye.”
Later, when some villagers still complained, Ayumu simply said,
”Well then… perhaps you’d prefer to enter the workhouse instead?”
They turned pale and scattered like spiders.
”Th-that’s enough! We’re satisfied!”
Thus, a mutual agreement was reached. Happy ending for all.
—
T/N: A workhouse was a welfare institution in Britain, especially during the Victorian Era (1837–1901 under Queen Victoria). They housed the destitute, offering only the barest space to sleep, thin meals, and compulsory menial labor. Though called “charity,” their main purpose was social control—keeping the poor off the streets and reducing crime. The phrase “so harsh even criminals fled barefoot” reflects their notorious cruelty.
Notes:
• Doll – Margrave-Marquis of Yugan’s Eastern District, lord of Elzurk, ex-master of Yoluminette. Pro-War Faction, commands strong northeast border force. Known for grudges, blunders, and lechery—spread rumors after princesses spurned him, ranted over taxes, demanded duels. Humiliated when Ayumu beat him with sand tricks and revolver. Reminder: arrogant warlord, dangerous but absurd.
• Vanya – Half-Yugan half-Caesar cook, deep-blue hair and scarlet eyes with a voluptuous figure | First in Ch.138 | Former Imperial Court chef, now Keldan’s head cook | No family mentioned | Hired through Emperor Rai’s recommendation, now indispensable to Ayumu | Known for miraculous flavor and calm mellow tone | Unique note: walked in with fresh cream puffs right after the party room was blown apart
• Kiritani – The class president who takes leadership and questions their situation. A smooth operator, laid-back and calm. The handsome one.
• Takuya – The class president who takes leadership and questions their situation. A smooth operator, laid-back and calm. The handsome one.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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