How to Catch a Big Fish (4)

"Now, I'd like to say we should all just rest, since things with the kid are going smoothly, but… there's something else that needs to be done, and I want you all to listen."

I sat down with Vittorio and Leonardo, ready to explain my plan.

"In the next few days, I'm going to reel in—I mean, bring in—some real guests."

"Didn't you just say reel in?" 

"Well, we always have guests, don't we?"

I shook my head at Leonardo's remark, raising my finger and launching into my argument.

"Think about all the guests we've had in this inn. Can you even tell if this place is an inn, a restaurant, or a bar? We haven't had any proper guests! It's always people here for food or to drink."

"Is that really a problem?"

"Of course it is! As the innkeeper, my pride is at stake here. I'm supposed to offer a comfortable bed after a long journey, but I've been neglecting that sacred duty all this time!"

I dramatically responded, and Leonardo muttered, "Is the inn really your main job?" while Vittorio, looking puzzled, questioned, "Sacred, really?"

The reactions were a bit lackluster, but I didn't back down. I clapped my hands.

"Well, something like that. In the next few days, I'll bring in guests, so I'll need you to get the rooms ready, young master. And, can I ask the kid to run a small errand for me? Nothing too difficult."

"Mm."

"So, for the rooms… how many should we set up?"

"Let's see… just prepare enough for about five adult men, I'd say. Maybe three or four rooms?"

Leonardo's face immediately showed a flash of understanding. Of course, he couldn't help but know what I was implying—after all, we had talked about this just recently.

I mentally replayed the conversation I had with the Baron.

[So, you're saying that once you secure the body, the Count will send his subordinates disguised as merchants with the cart?]

At that time, the Viscount said:

[Yes. There is a group under his command that handles such tasks. All the dirty work that happens beneath the surface is their responsibility. At first, I thought that since the task was taking too long, my brother sent you to urge me… ahem, anyway, all I know is that they consist of five people. It's also their responsibility to disguise themselves as merchants and transport the body to the castle. My role ends after handing over the corpse. This is all I know.]

[Really? Well, I'll handle this one from here.]

[Y-You're going to handle it personally…?]

At the time, I had caused a small misunderstanding with the nobleman.

It wasn't my intention to kill, though.

On the contrary, he's a very valuable resource. If Viscount Lopez acts as the speaker connecting the Count of Bermont and me, those five people will serve as amplifiers for that speaker.

The grave robber handed the token to Viscount Lopez, and in turn, Lopez will send a letter to the Count, informing him of the successful recovery of the body. In a few days, the Count's subordinates will enter the city of Sinistra.

To move forward with the plan smoothly, there's quite a bit to prepare. I asked Vittorio to run an errand, and handed him the note with the instructions. Recently, he had been learning to read a little, so he stumbled through the letters and numbers on the note before asking, confused:

"Do we need this much?"

"Yeah. It'll be heavy, so don't move it yourself. Could you ask someone at the port to move it for you? Oh, I've written down the exact location. It's a warehouse at the port—I rented it for a few days. Do you know where it is?"

"Yeah… I know. I used to work at the port."

"For the payment, just use this. Well, it probably won't come up, but if anyone asks why you're buying this, just say it's for winter preparations. This is for overtime… the errand fee, so use the extra for something nice with your friends. And when you finish, just let me know."

Vittorio nodded. Leonardo, sitting next to me, glanced at the note Vittorio held, looking just as confused. I'd have to explain it later.

Vittorio gathered his things and got ready to leave, while Leonardo, now comfortably holding the mop, seemed like he had grown used to it. I stood up as well.

"I'll be out for a bit."

"Where are you going?"

"Oh, I'm just heading to the church for a quick visit."

I felt Leonardo's gaze shift sharply toward me. His eyes, piercing the side of my face, felt almost too obvious. After hesitating, he asked:

"Are you going to meet Orlie…?" 

"Yeah, roughly."

Leonardo's expression subtly dropped. It seemed to say, "I warned you about this last time, so why now?" I couldn't quite understand why he was concerned. Whether the other person had been reckless in the past or not, I wasn't about to get caught up in it. No matter who my past partners were, there was no way I'd willingly get involved again.

Besides, I hadn't really ever thought about being with someone of the same gender.

"Then I'll quickly finish preparing the rooms, so maybe we can go together—"

"Preparing three or four rooms isn't something that can be done in the morning, is it? You need to change the bedding, and on top of that, today's the day we get the food delivery. There's already a lot to do."

"Well, that's…"

"Anyway, I'll be back!"

I didn't want to handle today's business with Vittorio or Leonardo tagging along. Even if Leonardo tried to stop me, I had things I needed to check.

I still hadn't fully cleared up my suspicions or doubts about Orlie.

***

Under the pretense of being a benefactor of the church, I raised my head, and the priest who had greeted me last time welcomed me warmly. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, I casually asked:

"By any chance, is Sir Orlie busy today?"

"Ah, Sir Orlie…?"

The priest's eyes widened in surprise, and then he smiled. His gaze was warm, like a spring day. The subtle indifference in that look gave me an idea of what it meant, and I felt a bit awkward. I wanted to say it was a misunderstanding, but I figured it would be easier to get more information if I kept quiet.

"Unfortunately, Sir Orlie has been quite busy lately. Due to some internal matters within the church, he's quite occupied."

"Oh, I see."

There were a few things I wanted to confirm with Orlie, and now it's become a bit tricky.

After all, Orlie was a knight who had made a great name for himself 10 years ago. His standing within the church in Sinistra seemed quite high, so it was naive to expect to meet him easily.

The last time we met was truly a coincidence, or perhaps he had approached me first. It must have been one of those two.

"It's been a while since you visited, so perhaps a reading of the scriptures…? Though it's not time for the scripture study, if it's for a benefactor like you, I'd be happy to prepare it."

"I would of course be happy, but I wouldn't want to take up too much of the busy priest's time. It's enough for me that I've come here; just being in the church brings me peace, and it feels like a kind of spiritual training."

"Oh, I'm glad to hear that you liked the atmosphere. If you go further inside, there's a plaza. Have you seen it? It's quiet and peaceful, a good place for reflection."

For now, meeting Orlie would be put on hold.

I was also curious about the main figure of the church, Archbishop Butier, but since he's in poor health, it doesn't seem likely he'll make an appearance soon.

Still, I had come all this way, so it would be a shame to leave without any gain. I decided to head toward the place the priest had recommended. Although the plaza inside the church wasn't named the "Plaza of Encounters" or anything special.

The plaza still had the fountain where Leonardo had his cheap iron sword blessed last time, and the air was peaceful. As I wandered around, pretending to gather my thoughts, I made sure to use the innkeeper's insight whenever I bumped into anyone.

I wondered if anyone had noticed the theft of Leovald's body from the underground sanctuary. If someone had realized it, the church would have been in an uproar, but it was always possible that no one had. I kept my eyes moving, scanning the surroundings with an acute awareness, trying to stay alert to any potential hints or overheard conversations.

"Brother."

"Mm?"

It was a small, young priest. His bangs had been pushed back, revealing a shiny forehead, as if he had been running around. He looked even younger than Vittorio, perhaps only a bit older. I crouched down to meet his gaze.

"Yes, priest?"

"There's someone who would like to meet you. Would you come with me?"

"…Me?"

There shouldn't be anyone in this world who knows about me. 

I froze for a moment, my feet rooted to the ground. The young priest blinked up at me with wide, round eyes, waiting silently. I took a moment to assess the situation. It was broad daylight, and there were plenty of people around the church. Although my most reliable ally, Leonardo, wasn't within my immediate vicinity, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

"Who is it that's looking for me? Can you give me just a hint?"

The child stood on tiptoe and whispered.

"His Excellency, the Archbishop."

The title given to high-ranking clergy, particularly the Archbishop.

There was no choice but to respond to the summons.