77
My Villains Chapter 77
20. City of Chaos (6)
Around the time Ellen, who had been nodding off drowsily, fell soundly asleep leaning against my arm, the gem appraisal was completed.
"They're all genuine."
"Hmm..."
Yes!
I silently cheered, clenching my fist. The middle-aged priest swallowed hard and asked the appraiser.
"So, how much are they worth?"
"All together... They would be worth about 300 gold coins."
What? Only that? That's ridiculously insufficient!
"300 gold coins? But these are all rare gems, and they're artifacts that are easily 700-800 years old..."
When I slightly raised my voice, the appraiser frowned and replied.
"Based on the decorative engravings on the jewelry box and the design of the ornaments, they're definitely items from the ancient empire."
"And yet they're only worth that much?"
"It's not 'and yet' - that's exactly why they're worth so little."
...What did you say?
Hearing the appraiser's words, the priest nodded and said.
"It's 'Magium' style, not 'Nobilis', isn't it?"
"That's correct, Father."
Nobilis? Magium? What are those?
The middle-aged priest leaned back against his chair and clicked his tongue.
"You seem to know nothing. Nobilis is the style of the nobles who led the golden age of the ancient empire, and Magium is the style of the evil mages who brought about the 'End Light'. These must be traces of cursed mages, hence the low value."
Seeing me frozen with my mouth agape, the appraiser added, "As the Father says. If these were Nobilis-style artifacts, they would be worth ten, no, twenty times more."
Come to think of it, I got this jewelry box from the room of the petrified Mages. Are ancient Mages treasures worth less?
The appraiser left after writing up an appraisal certificate in the church's name. Since he left documentation, it probably isn't a scam...
That's when Ellen, who was beside me, spoke up.
"Phoenix, let's just go."
"...What?"
"Let's go. The money is far too insufficient, what can we do? We can't throw a tantrum..."
Since mages weren't exactly on friendly terms with the church, Ellen seemed particularly well-behaved. She didn't get angry like usual, nor did she show signs of sadness or disappointment.
She just... Seemed to have expected this outcome.
"What are you doing? I said let's go?"
"...Alright."
Ugh... This feeling of helplessness is painful. I heavily nodded and gathered up the jewelry scattered across the table. The priest watched this scene, sighed, and spoke up.
"Wait. Hold on a moment."
"Yes?"
"The longer you delay treating an injury-related disability, the harder it becomes to fully recover. Did you know that?"
That sounds somewhat plausible, but... AmI imagining the similarity to a merchant trying to stop departing customers?
"...And?"
"While it may not be as effective as the Bishop's recovery prayer, I have something that might help the sister here."
"What is it?"
"Wait here for a moment."
The priest walked quickly and disappeared beyond the chapel, then soon returned carrying a wooden box about the size of a shoe box.
"These are holy medicines consecrated daily by the priests here, including myself, for six months. They contain divine power comparable to the miracles performed by the Bishop."
Wow, how does every word sound like a snake oil salesman, a conman? That's quite a talent if you can call it that-
"Take a look."
As the priest spoke and opened the box,
Whoosh.
"Oh?"
...Indeed, there were six bottles of potion arranged in two rows that anyone would agree looked miraculous. The potion was dark red like wine, and a devout radiance softly flowed around the rims of the glass bottles.
Wait, his attitude was clearly that of a conman, but how can the goods look so convincing? What should I do about this?
"While it won't instantly reconnect severed meridians, regular consumption should improve her condition. I stake my priesthood on it."
Ellen met my eyes and shrugged. She also seemed a bit confused.
Seeing us like this, the priest drove home his point.
"If you're unsure about the holy medicine's effectiveness, let's do this. First, try one bottle, and if it doesn't work, just pay fifty gold coins and end the deal. If it works, you can take all these holy medicines in exchange for that jewelry box. How about it?"
...Offering samples? This guy, he really doesn't seem like a clergyman at all.
Anyway, fifty gold coins per bottle. That's 250 silver coins.
Since I'm not yet familiar with this world's economy, I can't gauge it precisely, but it's certainly an enormous sum.
Of course, since it's supposed to be a treasure that can cure disabilities, I suppose the price reflects that.
...Hmm, wasn't Grania's weekly wage 5 silver coins? Double that if you include food and lodging costs.
The money for one bottle of this holy medicine could employ Grania for 25 weeks.
At this rate, wouldn't it be cheaper to hire a mercenary as Ellen's caretaker and guard?
No, what am I thinking. This isn't the time to consider cost-effectiveness...
After brief contemplation, I decided to accept the sample first. Let's at least verify if it works.
The holy medicine I collected after deliberation showed immediate effects.
Twitch.
"Huh...?"
"Hey, it just moved, right? It moved, right?"
"Ugh..."
Ellen nodded with a dubious expression while looking at her big toe. She lightly pinched her thigh and muttered in disbelief.
"Some sensation has returned too...?"
"Really?"
Man, I think I understand why the Church of Light rules this world.
The greedy priest, the church that's like a pawnshop, the terrible church laws... One miracle makes it all disappear from your mind. Even I, who came from another world, feel faith sprouting - how much more so for the natives of this Middle World?
Right, in this messed-up world, who else can you believe in but the church? Surely their God wouldn't grant divine power to a con artist?
"We'll take it. Please give us the rest of the holy medicine too."
Ellen, who had been kneading her thigh, looked up at me in surprise.
"Phoenix, this is way too expensive..."
"Hey, it's fine. Money, we can always earn it back."
I handed over the jewelry box and received the box containing the holy medicine with a hearty response.
The priest stroked the gold decorations on the jewelry box and showed a warm smile.
"An excellent choice. However, don't take more than one bottle per day."
"Yes, yes. Understood, Father."
Just as we were finishing the transaction, the prince's military priest appeared with a young man.
The young man was wearing a pitch-black robe with a short cape, and like the elderly nun we saw earlier, he wore a white armband.
He looked me over with glass-like eyes and spoke.
"Are you Brother Phoenix?"
"Ah, yes."
"Pleased to meet you. I am Louis de Goodman of the Norik Order."
...'Goodman', huh. With that cold impression, he doesn't seem like a particularly good person.
The monk named Louis began asking me questions about Luke.
Appearance, manner of speaking, spells used, undead he controlled, and other facts I knew... He persistently interrogated me with a gentle tone that contrasted with his appearance.
"A necromancer who controls dozens of corpses, and even a headless knight... So you haven't seen him since the earthquake?"
"That's correct."
"Then there's a possibility he was buried underground?"
I shrugged and answered.
"That would be nice."
"Hmm."
Louis fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
"I'll report this to the Order and the Church for now. If that person is alive somewhere and truly is a necromancer, you will receive a reward, Brother."
With this, Luke, that bastard, has become no different from a wanted criminal.
No, he's worse off than a wanted criminal.
Because it won't be money-hungry riffraff chasing him, but terrifying church knights. I should pray he dies by the sword before he dies of old age.
After finishing our conversation, Ellen and I left the church.
Now that our business is mostly wrapped up, we should head to the Ship's Horn Inn quickly. I wanted to see Daria's face, wash in cool water, and get some good rest.
As I was walking with these thoughts, I ran into a familiar face.
"Phoenix?"
"Oh, Sister!"
Black tunic, leather pants, a cross necklace, and a two-handed sword resting on her shoulder. The woman in her late twenties with distinctive attire had clear eyes and a kind face.
It was Sister Olga, the clergywoman from Grania's group.
After brief greetings and explaining recent events, I asked Olga.
"Where are you headed, Sister?"
"I'm going to the church to rest. I've been at Salt Castle since last night."
"...Salt Castle?"
"Yes. Someone in the lord's family is sick... Another sister and I are taking turns caring for them."
I heard the lord's family was trapped in Salt Castle, but it seems some people can come and go? Wait, then?
"Oh? Then, did you meet Grania? And Farel and Gillius too?"
"Of course. That's why I volunteered for this job."
"I heard from Arnal that all contact was cut off, but I guess that's not the case."
"What? You know where Arnal is?"
After I told her about meeting Arnal near the gallows, the Sister let out a relieved sigh.
"I'm glad to know at least that much now. We really can't tell what's going on on that side."
"What do you mean you can't tell? The square isn't exactly close, but it's not that far either."
"The Bishop here doesn't really like Prince Ulkar... No, no. Forget you heard that."
...What's this? Are the Bishop and Prince not getting along? But more importantly.
"Then are you going back to Salt Castle tonight? To nurse?"
"Yes, I have to. Why?"
"Well... Just a moment,"
I pulled the Sister into the church, bought paper and pen, and wrote a letter.
"Please deliver this to Grania."
"...What is this?"
"It's a letter with many lives at stake. Don't show it to anyone else, and make sure to deliver it only to Grania. Understood?"
Sister Olga nodded with a dubious expression.
I was about to hand her the letter when I hesitated momentarily. I remembered what happened when I left Ellen in her care.
Was it two weeks ago? This Sister, even though I gave her money and asked her to take care of Ellen, she pawned the job off to Gillius.
Can I trust her this time?
"Please swear before the Lord."
"What?"
"Swear before the Lord that you won't show it to anyone else and will deliver it directly to Grania."
At my insistence, Sister Olga slightly furrowed her brow.
"...What's this all about? You haven't even properly explained..."
"That's how important this is. Many lives are at stake, including Grania's, Farel's, and Gillius's lives. So please swear."
When I stared at her almost threateningly, Sister Olga nodded reluctantly.
Good. One worry taken care of. Now let's really go get some rest.