Witch hunt (2)
Gossip was indeed like a drug.
Of course, I wasn’t the only one who was intoxicated by it.
As the days would pass, Ito Souta’s reputation would eventually go down the drain. Assuming that the material that made up this content was the same as that of the Earth’s, his reputation would sink until it would reach the Earth’s inner core.
‘What a piece of shit.’
Even before four days had come and passed, he went from being a respectable figure to being a monster who did not hesitate to trade slaves, organs, and the like, the type of cold blooded man who would sacrifice others’ lives in order to maintain his power.
The probability that he tried to assassinate me in order to cover up his operations helped the rumors grow faster.
‘Of course.
A few people did not believe in this fresh gossip, but that didn’t matter. I knew most of them didn’t care enough to inquire if the rumors were really true or not.
‘That’s because it distracts them from their own, boring lives.’
“This already seems like a proper witch hunt. Puhahaha.”
Rather than talking to those who actually held seats of power, I chose to talk to the noble ladies instead. This was because, once they returned to their respective homes, they would talk about Ito Souta’s stories all day long on my behalf.
It was like finding workers without having to worry about their salaries.
Although our enemies were sending out their own people to clarify the rumors, it was too late. No matter how much they defended themselves, the public’s eyes have already gone cold.
If these were modern times, Ito Souta would probably have already held a press conference to prove his innocence. However, since he was still being investigated ‘according to the procedure,’ his actions were still limited, and thus, it would not be possible for him to.
On the contrary, I continued to roam around, enjoying my freedom.
Of course, the Pope’s personnel who were quickly working on removing Ito Souta from their roster also proved to be valuable customers.
“Ahhh. Vice-Diocese Glen, it’s so nice to see you again.”
“Haha. It’s been only a day.”
“Hahaha. I always want to meet you. It is a very beneficial and enjoyable time for me to meet with you in order to talk about God.”
“Lee Kiyoung, you are flattering this insignificant priest.Oh, I have someone to introduce to you today. Have you ever heard of Bishop Jessica…?”
“Of course. I guess today I can get closer to the Benigore’s Goddess.”
“First, you have to get close to Bishop Jessica. She is really looking forward to
it.”
“Ah, I can already feel the pressure…”
“Hahaha.”
Today I was meeting Vice-Diocese Glen, and tomorrow I would meet with Bishop Jessica. After that, I would immediately scout for more people.
“Ah, Kiyoung-ssi is here!”
“I came running because I wanted to see Bishop Jessica.”
“We decided that you would call me Jessica when there’s only the two of us.”
“Ah. We did, right?”
“Yes. Today, let’s go together to meet the Archbishop. I told Archbishop Andrine about Kiyoung-ssi, and she definitely wants to meet you.”
“I feel a little pressured. However, I still have to be brave for our Jessica.”
“Kiyoung-ssi, stop.”
Likewise, after establishing a close relationship with Bishop Jessica, I gained another step to power.
“It’s nice to meet you. Archbishop Andrine.”
“It’s such an honor to see a well-known man these days.”
“I am more honored to see you in person. I heard good things about you from Bishop Jessica, but it seems you are more impressive than I imagined.”
“Ha ha ha ha ha. Our Lee Kiyoung is so funny. Come to think of it, it’s time to eat soon, so how about we eat together? I have a meal scheduled with Cardinal Basel. Bishop Jessica should come too, if you have time.”
“Thank you for your consideration. Archbishop Andrine.”
My steps to meeting the higher-ups just kept getting laid out for me. As continued meeting more and more people, memorizing everyone’s names became difficult.
However, compared to Souta’s predicament, mine was a blessing.
“It’s a little sudden, but I prepared a gift for you, Cardinal Basel.”
“Oh my, what did you prepare Lee Kiyoung? You don’t have to give anything like this. Oh, well…”
“Stop. It’s just a little something. It’s a good drink, so it’ll be helpful when you’re alone. Oh, and this is a donation I’m making directly for your cause.”
“Well, all this…”
“It may be insufficient to be offered to God, but I put in about 50,000 gold. From now on, if there is an opportunity, I will continue to do my best to donate.”
“I think I know by now how much Lee Kiyoung loves God.”
“Hahaha. In fact, this is not the only thing I have prepared. I would like to give a separate donation to Cardinal Basel.”
“Well, what is that…?”
“I believe you will use it for God.”
“Hum…”
Cardinal Basel’s stunned appearance was quite the sight to behold, as he took what I had given him. After all, the Pope’s side was already rotten.
When a religion becomes permanent, it automatically becomes corrupt.
It may be frowned upon by most, but this was the ideal place for me to establish my position.
“We can’t stay like this, how about seeing the Patriarch as well, Lee Kiyoung?”
“Yes, of course, I’ll have to meet him too.”
“Oh, I have someone to introduce you to before that. This is Helena, Director of Inquisition.”
“Helena?”
“Yes. Cardinal Basel.”
“He is a precious guest. Shouldn’t you introduce yourself?”
“Nice to meet you, Lee Kiyoung. I’m Helena, the Director of the Inquisition.”
“Oh, I’ve heard about you. You are doing an honored job of cutting down the throats of dirty heretics… It might seem rude, but I never imagined that you would be so beautiful.”
“Ah…”
“Thank you for the hard work, doing what everyone doesn’t want to.”
Of course, I didn’t forget to cozy up to the lower groups. In fact, it wasn’t all that easy to manage social networks.
It was because there were so many things we needed to take care of.
If someone were to say that making the first contact and giving small gifts during important events were not a big deal, then I would have nothing to say. However, there was a reason as to why most people were not good at this sort of thing.
That was because most ended up getting tired of such a task. Their time was more precious for them, and it was more important for them to protect their own space and territory.
Rather than talking with others, they got stressed about self-development and contacting useless people. I respected their value for their lives, but these people tended to be at a disadvantage in most of their relationships.
‘Because the world is such a rotten place.
Making sure you’re known and having small talk was a way of setting your own insurance. The shirt was always nearer than the coat, and in turn, one would get fonder of people they’ve already seen and heard about compared to those that they haven’t.
With one small mistake, everything a person had worked for could instantly unravel.
It was my own opinion, but I felt like society’s system was specially built for people like me.
I hadn’t been here for a long time, but my schedule was already bursting at the seams. Of course, it wasn’t just me who was busy.
Cha Hee-ra was also busy meeting with business higher-ups.
She wouldn’t be happy about it with her personality, but showing her face once a day, even briefly, was a necessity for her, an individualist.
In truth, however, Yuno Kasugano was actually the busiest.
It was natural for her to be busy because she was in charge of all the potions’ distribution and management. In particular, it seemed that she was not adapting well to the fact that she had to manipulate the masses within the Free City of Celia.
Jung Hayan seemed to have some spare time, but she used it to deal with her stress about not getting to spend too much time with me. Fortunately, the last incident seemed to shock her, so she chose to stay in her own room, immersing herself in magic training.
Among them, Lee Jihye had also been forced into a grueling schedule much like mine. She looked very tired on her way back after finishing her schedule.
“What did you do last night?”
“I was with Bishop Jessica and Helena, the Director of Inquisition.”
“You’ve got talents.”
“I just finished attending a prayer meeting.”
“It lasted all night?”
“Yes.”
“Who will believe that? I don’t care about that, so just take care of it.”
“It’s up to you to believe it or not.”
“They are useful people, right? Oppa?”
“They are, for now.”
“That’s all that matters. Did you get anything?”
“What I’m doing personally doesn’t seem to be bad… I didn’t bother talking about Ito Souta. The donations overjoyed them. What about you?”
“I have some hot news. If you listen, you’ll be a little surprised…”
“What is it?”
“He got a trial schedule.”
“Surely… That’s surprising news.”
I thought it might not be easy to get to trial in the first place. That really was unexpected.
Although Lee Jihye and I had been talking with many people, considering the guy’s position, it was better late than never to stand on trial.
‘Because I’m being suspected, too.’
As I said before, the relationship between Ito Souta and I was like the relationship between Lindel and Celia just before the explosion happened. If Souta were to get an unfair trial, Celia would get upset.
From the Holy Empire’s standpoint, it would be better to smooth things over with everyone, even if it meant walking on eggshells.
‘However, Ito Souta is not that stupid.’
If he found out that Lee Jihye and I have reduced his influence little by little, then there would be no reason for him to choose an unfavorable battlefield.
sensitive to external gazes, was in a difficult situation to take care of him.
“What about the judges’ bribe?”
“I’m not sure yet. Some people have met me, and I think I saw people from their side too… But there is something unusual about this whole thing.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“Ito Souta himself asked for a trial.”
“Ahhhhhh…”
“I thought he might want to finish things on his own before things could get worse…but It doesn’t seem like that as well. When I see that he has worked hard in his own way, I think that he may have information that we have to worry about.”
“Ahhh.”
“It’s because you are not clean, either. Of course, I don’t know if the information he holds will have any influence or not, but once you see him trying to lead this to the court, then it’s likely not made up. Perhaps its quality is so good that nobody will think it’s weird.”
“Really?”
“The reaction seems to be lukewarm… Have you ever thought about what to do in this case?”
“Pff… Hhhh. Well, it’s similar. Remember when I said I had a little bit of insurance?”
“Yeah?”
“I’ve thought of dozens of options to prepare for whatever happens. Of course, one of them was to deal with Ito Souta asking himself for a trial and trying to attack us…”
“Hmm…”
“I can assure you that he has chosen the worst option among the list. If he moves according to my plan… Pfft. You’ll know for sure what it’s like to be backstabbed. You can look forward to it, Jihye.”