Seduce The Villainess (GL)-Chapter 22 The Fallen Saintess (18)
Despite Claire's best efforts to seal off the Governor's Mansion, word still leaked out about the investigation.
It could have been a servant or perhaps one of the priests who was dissatisfied with her orders, but the end result was the same.
Someone had spread the word to the outside world.
From the rowdiest taverns to the halls of the merchant organizations everyone was discussing the shocking news.
Lord Cain was not a particularly well-liked governor due to his policies of increasing taxes year after year.
Dark elf slaves and traces of black magic were enough to condemn Lord Cain in the eyes of the commoners but for the nobles there was a different reaction.
Lord Cain's death sent ripples through the region and the other noble families could not believe the news at first.
House Cain were staunch allies to several powerful noble clans in the capitol, but he was still killed despite his connections.
Was this a display of strength by the Varion Church?
The Varion Church was still the strongest force on the continent despite the best efforts of the royal family to restrict their power.
By killing Lord Cain, an unspoken message had been sent to the nobles.
The City of Relanter was quite some distance away from the capitol city so the news of Claire's investigation had not reached the ears of the pope.
Father Amos on the other hand was about to lose his mind as he received some unwelcome visitors into the congregation hall.
He was currently standing in front of the paladin who killed Lord Cain while plastering a gentle smile on his face.
The former saintess Elisa remained by Claire's side while several knights stood at attention at the back of the room.
With so many eyes watching him it was impossible for Father Amos to say the thoughts that were running through his mind.
Did this stupid bitch know what she had done?!
He was ruined… RUINED!
Father Amos clutched his heart and had to fight off the urge to curse loudly.
It was only a matter of time before a team of confessors would be dispatched from the capitol city.
That was of course under the assumption that he would live that long.
Many noble families knew of his involvement in the dark elf slave trade which was disastrous for all parties involved.
Claire walked up to the elderly priest and bowed respectfully. She cleared her throat and then opened her mouth to discuss the pressing issue.
She had been lost on what to do with the rescued dark elf slaves but fortunately Elisa had an excellent suggestion.
The pair had spent several hours last night discussing the logistics of the plan and what was the best course of action to take.
Father Amos' help would be indispensable in this matter. fr𝚎e𝙬𝚎𝚋𝚗૦ν𝚎𝒍.c૦m
"The dark elf slaves are innocent and hence we should have the obligation to return them to their homeland," Claire explained in a calm tone.
"High priestess Elisa and I are travelling to the outer region so we will be able to provide addition protection and oversight."
"The best solution would be to hire a caravan from a merchant company and employ a mercenary organization for safety reasons…"
Claire logically outlined the steps for her plan to transport the former slaves to the outer region while quoting certain verses from the holy book to strengthen her argument.
Lord Varion's teachings included an obligation to the protect the innocent and it was one of the many vows that the original Claire had taken when she first became a paladin.
Father Amos' smile did not falter as Claire explained the details of her plan, but it became noticeably strained the longer she talked.
Hiring a merchant company? A mercenary organisation?
Where was she going to get all that money?
Father Amos did not believe that he had the ability to see the future but suddenly he was struck by an ominous premonition.
And sure enough… he was proven correct.
"Of course, for this mission we will require funds. I believe that the church received a considerable number of donations after High Priestess Elisa's miracles," Claire coldly spoke.
"It our responsibility as worshippers who follow the teachings of the Lord of Light to help the innocent and I know that as a responsible head priest…"
"Your financial contributions to our cause will bless you with grace and divinity from Lord Varion himself."
These were all high-sounding words but to Father Amos this entire speech could be summed up in one sentence…
She wanted his money!
He opened his mouth to immediately protest but the harsh glint in Claire's eyes made his words die down in his throat.
Although the paladin standing before him was a 'beacon of righteousness', he would have to be blind not to notice that her hand was slowly inching towards the hilt of her sword.
What if this madwoman chopped him up on the spot?!
All it would take was one casual swing from her sword and his head would separate from his body.
A shiver ran down Father Amos' back and the elderly priest trembled in fear. Claire's violent reputation cast a long shadow on his heart.
Holy paladin? This woman was more like a bandit!
"Of… of course… it… would be my honour," Father Amos gritted his teeth and pledged his support.
Claire moved her hand away from the hilt of her sword and the elderly priest subconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
He picked up his wooden cane with trembling hands and led the paladin and her companions to the storage room.
Claire followed closely behind Father Amos as he walked through a maze of corridors and side passageways.
Father Amos hid his emotions well, but Claire could tell that the elderly priest was feeling conflicted.
She had her suspicions that perhaps he knew about Lord Cain's dark hobbies and turned a blind eye but there wasn't any proof.
Hopefully when the confessors arrived, they would be able to discover the truth of the matter.
Time passed slowly as Father Amos reluctantly led Claire and the rest to a plain wooden door at the end of a long corridor.
The elderly priest furrowed his brows and turned the doorknob. The door swung open with a rusty creak to reveal a large room with stone walls.
In the middle of the room was a long table where bags upon bags filled with coins lay untouched and undisturbed.
It was with a heavy heart that Father Amos raised his hand and gestured towards the coins with an expression as if he had just lost something precious.
Claire was not polite and immediately opened each bag and searched for any gold or silver coins.
Despite Father Amos' fears, she did not plan on cleaning out the local temple and just planned on taking exactly how much she needed for the journey.
While Claire was sorting out the funds, Elisa approached the sorrowful priest and spoke to him in a soft tone.
"Father are you alright?" the former saintess asked with concern.
"I heard that you collapsed after hearing the news of Lord Cain's misdeeds. It came as truly a surprise to all of us."
"Please allow me to give you a blessing to help your body recover."
Elisa closed her eyes and muttered a silent prayer as she channeled the will of the Lord of Light through her body.
A warm glow of holy light burst out of her fingertips, and she pressed her palm against the elderly priest's back.
Father Amos could feel a surge of vitality flow through his body and his low mood seemed to disappear he felt the grace of Lord Varion.
He basked in the blessing and didn't notice that a thin thread of black magic was mixed in the holy light.
Claire may not have taken direct action against the corrupt head priest, but Elisa was not a person who would forgive.
