Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: A Perfectly Legal Transaction with No Legal Flaws 5
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Santana's assets, which she had believed without a doubt would become hers.
Archbishop Maxim Cafeo simply couldn't accept the fact that they had all been sold off to the Beden Merchant Company in just one week.
'No matter how much backing the Beden Merchant Company has, there's no way they could prepare that much capital in a mere week. From what I know, they only hold about 10% in cash reserves. How in the world...'
However, even after the Church conducted its own investigation and she petitioned the lord directly, the only response she received was that there were no legal issues whatsoever.
Despite Archbishop Maxim's utmost struggles, she ended up with not a single coin of Santana's fortune.
As a result... after days of grueling investigation that bordered on desperation, Archbishop Maxim was finally forced to admit the truth.
No matter what methods they had used—and she still couldn't figure them out—Santana's assets had all fallen into the hands of the Beden Merchant Company.
'You damned bastard... How dare you... How dare you screw me over like this right before leaving? Just you wait. How dare you humiliate me, Maxim Cafeo, disciple of the Lord. I'll get my revenge someday, mark my words!'
Considering all her efforts up to now, it was utterly infuriating and humiliating.
But at this point, even as an archbishop, tracking down Santana who had left the city was next to impossible.
The excommunication was already finalized, and it had been days since he and his group vanished. By now, Santana and Kazeros Sophia had likely fled far beyond her reach.
Even if she tried to pursue them, it was too late. And even if she miraculously located them by some stroke of luck, she had no authority to deal with them in another region.
If it were an area under Church influence, she could pull some strings, but if they had crossed into the eastern heathen lands or the northern heretic territories, she was truly out of options.
And crucially... Santana wasn't a fool. Having been excommunicated and pulled off this stunt before fleeing, there was no way he'd stick around in a place where the Church's influence was strong.
In the end, even if she wanted revenge, she had no real means to achieve it.
Just as the archbishop was stewing in futile, baseless rage...
"Ar... Archbishop! This is bad!"
"Hah... What is it? What's got you causing such a commotion?"
A priest burst through the door in a panic.
The archbishop sighed irritably, her frustration from the stifling situation spilling over in her response.
But right after that...
Her face, filled with annoyance, froze solid at the priest's words.
*
The Holy Knights' residence.
This place, originally purchased by Santana and provided free of charge to the Holy Knights, was now embroiled in an unexpected crisis.
"Wh... What did you just say?"
"Get out? Where the hell are you telling us to go? This is a sacred place for Holy Knights! How dare merchants like you come here and spout such nonsense?!"
Holy Knights Nune Spolia and Tine Glastate fumed with anger.
Behind them stood a crowd of Holy Knights, their faces etched with concern.
But the young branch manager of the Beden Merchant Company, flanked by his guards, stood before them with an air of arrogance and pulled out a document.
"Listen, Holy Knight sirs. That might've been true until recently, but as you can see, things have changed. The legal owner of this building is now our Beden Merchant Company. Dragging this out won't do you any good, so pack your things and leave quietly, alright?"
Unlike ordinary homes, this had been a warehouse converted into living quarters for Holy Knights.
In modern terms, it was like squatting in a barn built on agricultural land.
It didn't seem like Santana had intended it that way, and when he owned it, there were no issues.
But now that the Beden Merchant Company owned it, the situation was different.
Unlike tenants in residential homes, they had the right to evict the Holy Knights immediately—and they were exercising it without delay.
Naturally, the Holy Knights reacted with fierce resistance to this sudden eviction order.
"We can't do that! We don't know what tricks that bastard Santana pulled, but you're seriously telling us to leave over something like this?"
"This isn't just any place—it's a sacred sanctuary for Holy Knights. It's not somewhere scum like you can touch!"
Nune and Tine drew their swords, responding aggressively.
The branch manager let out a disbelieving chuckle as he watched them and the few Holy Knights echoing their sentiments.
"Heh heh... Unbelievable. Even Holy Knights shouldn't be this clueless about the world. Sacred or not, this land and building are ours now. We even have the documents right here. You can't just act like this."
"We don't give a damn about your papers. This is our Holy Knights' residence, so if you take one more step closer, we won't hold back!"
The Holy Knights showed no sign of backing down.
The branch manager instinctively frowned at their unyielding stance.
"What should we do, Branch Manager?"
His guard captain, hand on his sword hilt, voice laced with resolve, asked about the Holy Knights refusing to yield.
The branch manager paused, weighing his options before deciding.
He had anticipated some resistance, but not this level of defiance.
If he pushed them now, it could escalate to bloodshed in the worst case.
Of course, even if it did, the law and justification were on their side, so there'd be minimal repercussions later.
The problem was that the Holy Knights before them were no pushovers.
Even if their numbers favored the merchants' side, the individual combat prowess of the Holy Knights was superior.
They were skilled swordsmen who wielded Aura, the sacred power, making them a tricky opponent to engage lightly.
As the standoff continued with the branch manager holding back...
"Oh dear, oh dear... It looks like quite the sticky situation you've got here."
"! Mi... Miss."
Amalia's voice suddenly rang out.
The branch manager bowed his head and stepped aside slightly, allowing Amalia to stride forward confidently, facing the Holy Knights.
"Tch..."
"Ugh..."
The Holy Knights began to show far more agitation than before.
Nune and Tine shrank back even more than earlier, but it wasn't just because of the woman before them.
The reason for their deepened unease...
Was the group of soldiers who had arrived with the young lady, now surrounding the entire area.
They weren't mere merchant guards—they looked like troops brought from the lord's castle.
With them spread out on all sides, Amalia addressed the Holy Knights in a casual tone.
"I've heard that a crime of illegal occupation is taking place here. With the lord's special cooperation, I've mobilized the army... and it seems these are the culprits in question."
"Cr... Criminals...?"
"Wh... What are you talking about? We're just defending our sanctuary!"
"Are you insulting the Lord's warriors right now? How dare you spout such nonsense..."
The Holy Knights responded with bewilderment to Amalia's words.
But Amalia merely snapped her fingers lightly, without a reply.
-Click!-
The sharp sound of soldiers chambering rounds in their guns echoed.
At the sight, the Holy Knights' bodies stiffened rigidly, and Amalia spoke in a firm tone.
"The lord's orders are to arrest you on the spot by law if you resist or cause further disturbance. We'd appreciate your cooperation."
"Tch..."
Amalia's voice was utterly resolute.
Hearing it, Nune and Tine—who had seemed ready to defend the place with their lives—sensed defeat and sheathed their weapons faster than anyone.
The loudest voices capitulated first.
The other Holy Knights quickly lost their will to fight as well, and in the end, they had no choice but to pack their belongings and leave peacefully.
"Damn it... How did it come to this...?"
"What do we do now? We don't even have a place to sleep tonight..."
"...No choice. For now, we'll have to crash at the cathedral until things settle."
Nune, Tine, and the other Holy Knights had been cast out onto the streets overnight.
As they trudged along with their luggage, Santana's absence loomed larger than ever in their hearts...
And Archbishop Maxim, suddenly saddled with this unexpected burden, began to feel the same way.
Even though...
By now, it was all too late.