The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 149

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 149

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Isaac’s prediction was partially correct.

Currently, the atmosphere was not at all favorable toward Claudius, and the public was prepared not to be convinced by any ordinary rebuttal materials.

However, that ‘ordinary rebuttal material’ appeared.

Specifically, the very person who had first raised suspicions of slush fund creation against Claudius.

Father Pedro himself.

“I confess with a repentant heart. The doubts I raised against the House of Claudius were made without properly confirming the facts.”

However, this time the place that recorded Father Pedro’s voice was not the trashy tabloid media that only published gossip.

It was one of the Empire’s leading news agencies.

His voice spread far and wide.

“While proceeding with the accusation, I showed complacency by not properly verifying even the materials that supposedly proved slush fund creation. However, after cross-verifying the materials later, I discovered several flawed parts.”

“If I may dare make an excuse, those materials were received directly from the Imperial Curia. I never even thought there could be errors. But I know well that this too is just an excuse.”

“For hastily proceeding with public discourse based on unverified materials, and thus dealing a severe blow to the morality of Claudius’s foundation that was just taking its first steps, I sincerely apologize.”

At the same time, the House of Claudius presented evidence proving they had not created slush funds.

It was material officially certified by the Imperial Court.

The reliability of the materials was beyond reproach.

“I was truly curious. The Imperial Curia said that because Claudius had diverted donations under the pretext of slush funds, they couldn’t provide sufficient support to frontline orphanages. But Claudius presented evidence that they didn’t create slush funds.”

“Then where did that large sum of money that was labeled as slush funds disappear to?”

After throwing out that topic.

Father Pedro continued with a passionate voice.

“Also suspicious is the fact that someone tried to target my life.”

“The House of Claudius saved my life and investigated and informed me of the identity of the one who targeted me. He was a mercenary. However, who hired him has not yet been revealed.”

Father Pedro, taking a deep breath, asked again in a firm tone.

“…If I were to die, who would gain the greatest benefit?”

In that situation, Claudius added fuel to the fire by announcing their position.

<It is true that Father Pedro caused significant damage to the House of Claudius.

However, we will forgive him.

Father Pedro was merely being used, and had no malice toward Claudius.

He simply truly cared for the children under his care.

The priest will transfer his position to our foundation.

As a reflection on this incident, we have agreed that he will serve at the foundation without pay for one year.

Also, the children of Roman Orphanage will be supported by ‘Claudius’s Children.’>

Even if it wasn’t intentional, to magnanimously accept an enemy who had stabbed the ducal house in the back like that.

Public opinion was instantly reversed.

“My goodness, the House of Claudius is truly magnanimous.”

“Even so, it’s true that Father Pedro attacked the ducal house without grounds.”

“They must be clear about distinguishing between public and private matters, right?”

“How should I put it, compared to the Imperial Curia in many ways…”

When Father Pedro first proceeded with his accusation, the Imperial Curia had shown a lukewarm response.

As if trying to quickly distance themselves from the priest’s accusation.

What was accepted as a cautious attitude at the time now looked cowardly.

“That aside, if it’s true that Claudius didn’t create slush funds… where did that money go?”

“That’s right. A large amount of donations vanished.”

“Shouldn’t we check where that money went?”

Public opinion flowed in one direction, and eventually the Imperial Court drew the sword called the Tax Office.

“The Imperial Curia is a sacred place where the Goddess resides!”

“How dare you try to judge the Goddess’s temple by human standards…!”

The Imperial Curia strongly resisted.

But to their attempt to suppress with authority, only cold reactions returned.

“No matter how sacred the Imperial Curia is, if there are suspicions, they should be clarified.”

“That’s right. Are they planning to just bury this and move on?”

As the situation became too bad, the Imperial Curia finally reluctantly accepted the tax investigation.

Thus the whereabouts of the donations were revealed.

The donations had flowed to the priests of the Imperial Curia.

When the luxurious lifestyles of several priests were spotlighted, the Imperial Curia’s honor fell to the ground.

“…As the High Priest who should lead the priests on the right path, I deeply feel responsible for this incident. I apologize to the people of the Empire.”

Unable to overcome the people’s backlash, an unprecedented situation occurred where the High Priest even made a public apology to the nation.

But the gaze toward the Imperial Curia was still not kind.

Separately from that, they couldn’t touch the main body above the Senior Priest level.

Because.

“I thought they would embezzle with cutting off tails in mind from the beginning, but…”

Lord Claudius, who had been carefully examining the newspaper articles, soon let out a hollow laugh.

“I didn’t know they would be this thorough.”

That was because from the beginning, all practical work had been pushed onto the Deputy High Priest and below.

Senior Priests and above had created escape routes everywhere.

Thus, only relatively lower-ranking priests were implicated one after another, and ultimately the disaster of not being able to catch the head occurred.

“Really, it’s also a talent to use one’s head only in this direction.”

Lord Claudius, clicking his tongue briefly, picked up something that had been placed on the desk.

He threw it lightly and caught it again.

Glint.

A brass button reflected light and sparkled at Lord Claudius’s fingertips.

And that button was an item confiscated from the mercenary who tried to kill Father Pedro.

“That button… it’s from the ducal house, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Precisely, it’s a button issued to the Claudius Knights. It’s genuine.”

Lord Claudius’s eyes narrowed.

“That mercenary testified that the request was to kill Father Pedro and drop this next to his corpse.”

“So he deliberately brought that button with him? To frame our family?!”

Lady Claudius couldn’t contain her anger and stamped her feet.

“Where on earth did they get that button?”

“Recently one of the knights went out and said he lost a button.”

Lord Claudius shrugged lightly.

“Honestly, one button isn’t much, so he received a new one and had forgotten about it…”

I couldn’t hide my serious expression.

What if Father Pedro had been killed and this button was found at the scene?

…I didn’t even want to imagine it.

“So, did you find the client?”

“No. Um… precisely, we did find them, but it’s somewhat ambiguous.”

It’s rare for Lord Claudius to speak like that.

Lady Claudius and I both became surprised rabbits in unison.

“The client and mercenary were connected through the mercenary guild. Naturally, the guild didn’t know it was a client asking to kill someone.”

Lord Claudius continued with a sigh mixed in.

“But the identity of the client registered with that mercenary guild is strange.”

“Who is it?”

“A villager residing in Viscount Evans’ domain.”

Viscount Evans again.

I unconsciously frowned.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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