324 Facing the Pope

Facing the Pope

"So this operation of yours was to take the prisoners you captured and sell them off?" In the secret chamber of the cathedral in Dragon Tooth City's outer district, the fairy representing His Holiness the Pope issued the question.

"No!" said Archbishop Dauchi Kalle outside the stone door, sweat covering his face. "That was only bait."

"And where is the bait? Where is the fish?" The Pope's words were full of mockery. At this very moment, Landen, the fish on the chopping block, was inside the stone chamber. As long as He said nothing, Dauchi would see him the instant he entered. By then, the crime of offending His Holiness would be far worse than colluding with heretics. Yet the Pope was acting as though He were teasing monkeys, making sport of His own subordinates.

"Priest Herf is conducting the search. As soon as there is any result, I will report it to Your Holiness." The Temple Priest was doing his utmost to cover up his mistake.

"He's an inland fellow. Not very good at fishing."

"Your Holiness?" Dauchi sounded rather startled. "You have already foreseen it?"

At that moment, Landen even felt as if one pair among the Pope's countless eyes had glanced at him. He was like when he had played outside all afternoon as a child, then gone home and hidden behind his maternal grandfather to avoid being scolded by his parents.

"Does that even need foresight? When you go fishing, do you put a dozen baits on one hook?"

"This..." Dauchi did not know what to say. "Then I will go take a look first." With that, he carefully left.

Landen clearly sensed that the Temple Priest—Archmage level—Dauchi Kalle was retreating gingerly. In his eyes there was only the awe a subordinate held