Well then, Rudeus-sama, first I would like to make the context clear, is that fine?"
"I don't mind. I also want to know what has happened."
Since the Pope worded it like that, they probably only became aware of the circumstances a moment ago.
It's been a few hours since the disturbance.
To gather up the cardinal and the top members of each knight order, the circumstance seems a little too good.
However, although I say 'top', the leaders of the orders are not present.
The people gathered here are probably all the members that could quickly come after the miko's kidnapping.
Nevertheless, for the related Order of the Temple to not be present feels odd.
"Well then, where should we start... at any rate, I've also only just heard the circumstances. I still haven't been able to put it all in order."
After the Pope said that while scratching his brow, one man raised his hand.
Belmondo.
It's Besh-san.[6]
"We're probably the ones with the least information. We simply came here following the cardinal's summons. In order to collect the corpse of the person who killed the miko and caused damage to the country."
Damaged the country.
That is to say, a [Miko] is one of a country's most important possessions, as can be seen from Zanoba's case.
Even if she is managed and appropriated by the Church of Milis, she's an existence that would trouble the country if she were to go missing.
At the very least, she's important enough that they couldn't disregard the summons.
"However, upon coming here we learned that the guards were merely knocked out and the miko kidnapped. On top of that, the kidnapper returned to the scene of the crime while infuriated, and claimed that he was in the right."
Saying that, Besh scowled at the cardinal.
"The summons we received do not match the current situation. As such, we will be adopting a stance of neutrality."
Besh said that and returned to his seat.
While smiling, the Pope directed his vision to the cardinal.
"Cardinal-dono, please detail your reasons for sending such a summons. Not to me, but to Rudeus-sama."
The cardinal stood up expressionlessly.
From that conversation, it seems the attack was the cardinal's doing.
"I received a notice from a member of the Latreia household. That there was someone who made dangerous proclamations about kidnapping the miko while on the roadside..."
Someone from the Latreia house, on the roadside...
Ah, it could be that I was followed while on my way back from my second visit to Claire's house.
I didn't notice at all, but I was causing such an uproar when I left.
They may have sent someone to make sure I didn't do anything.
Even if that's not the case, I had that conversation on the roadside.
It wouldn't be strange for someone to overhear it.
It wouldn't be unlikely for that to have reached the ears of the Latreia house.
The walls have ears, honest Mary.[7]
There are traitorous Mary's everywhere.
"When we investigated who made that remark, we came across Rudeus Greyrat-dono. My subordinates discovered that Rudeus-dono was using his relationship with Therese to skillfully draw close to the miko-sama."
According to the cardinal, it would usually be fine to ignore that kind of remark.
That type of prank is an everyday occurrence, the Order of the Temple doesn't have enough spare time to mobilize based on every insult that is spoken on the streets.
However, he has a close relationships with demons, and is close friends with the grandson of his eminence the Pope, who pushes for the acceptance of the Demon Race.
In addition, he separated from the Latreia house over some issue.
Furthermore, shortly after quarreling with the Latreia house, Rudeus quickly approached the miko.
And to top it off, Rudeus has more than enough power to kidnap the miko behind the backs of her guards, and murder her.
Both motive and ability were present.
"Thus, I forestalled him."
"I see... However, that differs from the testimony of the Order of the Church. There's a large difference between kidnapping and murder."
"Most likely, the people we sent to contact them exaggerated a bit."
The cardinal spoke nonchalantly.
However, looking at the situation, his intentions are obvious.
He wanted to frame me as having attempted to murder the miko, and make it seem as if the Pope was manipulating things in the background.
However, I'm sorry to say that your treasured Temple Knights were defeated.
Let alone the miko, it was plainly shown that I didn't even intend to kill the Temple Knights.
"Now then, as for the Latreia house... before we hear Sir Carlyle's story... let's hear from Rudeus-sama. Is that alright with you?"
"..."
For a moment, I considered rejecting that.
However, thinking it over carefully, there is no need for me to lie.
There's nothing for me to feel guilty for.
"Certainly, I did propose kidnapping the miko, but that was purely because of the blood rushing to my head. I didn't mention it again after that, and didn't put it into practice."
"Then why did you draw close to the miko?"
"In order to resolve the issue with the Latreia house, I was consulting with my aunt Therese. I suppose that looked like drawing close to the miko."
"I see. However, if that is the case then why did you actually kidnap the miko?"
The contents of his speech sounded like a cross-examination, but the pope's voice is just as kind as usual.
As if to say that everything will be fine if I reply honestly.
"I said it earlier, but it was only to ensure my own safety and protect the people important to me. Naturally, I got Miko-sama's permission as well."
"Is that true?"
"Yes. When I looked into his eyes, I could see that Rudeus-sama has done nothing to feel guilty over."