The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 144

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

144.

Riedern was annihilated because of me?

So Maribel’s death was because of me…?

When my expression hardened at the unexpected story, Casian quickly wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me close.

“Don’t you dare blame my fiancée with such strange words!”

“Strange words? I merely spoke the absolute truth.”

I armed myself with the firm mask I wore during work to avoid being swayed by her words.

If I showed any wavering now, it seemed like Scaletti would attack me directly.

I calmly searched my mind and revealed a clear fact that I couldn’t have been involved in to her.

“I’m sorry, but there’s a contradiction in Your Highness’s words.”

Just like the demon of the Winter Palace as always.

“When Riedern’s name was erased from the noble registry, I was only 2 years old. Moreover, how could I, who was only in the Salice Barony that no one even knew well, annihilate a ducal house?”

The nobles immediately showed agreement with my words.

Especially the Winter Palace people nodded as if it made sense.

But the temple side was different.

“…Surely, surely not.”

From the Pope to the lower clerics who had entered this place.

They all couldn’t hide their bewildered expressions.

Only Wesley Morel maintained an unchanged attitude.

“Are you saying the one the corrupt clan Riedern has long sought is the Clupea Margrave?”

“That’s right. I too realized that fact very recently and was horrified by it.”

Why is Riedern a corrupt clan in the first place? Shouldn’t that be explained first?

How petty of them to talk about things only they know.

Pea responded to my grumbling.

-It’s not just because dragon blood flowed, probably that cleric you raised would know.

So I immediately asked Wesley.

“Saint, if it’s alright, could you tell us why the temple calls Riedern a corrupt clan?”

“Of course. It’s a story from the ancient scriptures.”

At Wesley’s words, the Pope spoke in a stern tone.

“Your Holiness, you absolutely must not distort the scripture passages.”

“Why would I do such a thing? These are the words of the Lord God.”

I could somehow hear the underlying meaning of “not you people.”

Wesley cleared his throat and spoke.

“It’s content from the Mission chapter.”

Wesley asked for understanding that he would skip the preceding content and only speak of the part where Riedern’s name appears.

“Riedern, clan born splitting the earth. Those who dare embrace all seasons. Having dared to touch the roots of this world, only by finding it will that karma end.”

“…So that makes them a corrupt clan?”

At my question, Wesley calmly nodded while the Pope spoke with an angry expression.

“That’s right, Clupea Margrave. And there’s also this passage afterward.”

Then the Pope didn’t speak immediately but stared directly at me.

No matter how I think about it, that Pope seems to like attention too much.

“…What passage?”

“The one who gives up everything, the one who bears Riedern’s karma, on the day that person appears, this world will finally be fragment-“

Then he stopped speaking again.

Really, what is that expression…

“…What comes next?”

When I asked halfheartedly, finding it too absurd, the Pope smiled again and said.

“Nothing.”

“…Pardon?”

“So long ago, the clerics interpreted it. Based on the two words ‘dare’ and ‘karma,’ Riedern is a corrupt clan that committed great sins-“

The Pope rose to his feet.

As if he had become not the one to be judged, but the one doing the judging.

“The ‘root’ they found is also a person who will destroy this world. What could come after ‘fragment’ other than ‘will be fragmented’?”

It was truly an amazing overinterpretation.

Indeed, some nobles with deep faith were frightened by those words, but the Winter Palace people acted indifferent.

No, not just the Winter Palace, but Wesley also had a fed-up expression.

And the Emperor…

‘He’s had no expression since the moment Riedern was mentioned.’

I had observed the Emperor countless times, but never had I been unable to infer his inner thoughts as much as now.

It was so deep and profound that I couldn’t read at all whether that emotion was anxiety, anger, or truly indifference.

‘…Why is he like that, as if he’s been hurt.’

I’d rather he dump work on me like always, but now he seemed somewhat powerless.

Like a dragon whose reverse scale had been plucked.

-What a chilling thought you’re having.

Pea spoke while trembling her small body.

The moment I let out a deep sigh, Francis Ashwood stepped forward from beside me.

“Your Holiness, that story seems to have far too many contradictions. It seems to be all speculation.”

“Ashwood Aide, as Pope I would recommend that you not speak. Isn’t it a waste to sacrifice yourself for the mere reason of having worked together?”

At the Pope’s seemingly caring words, Francis tilted his head with a puzzled expression.

“Hmm, it seems the temple is a rigid space where constructive discussion is impossible and predetermined things must be followed unconditionally.”

“Wow, how did you know?”

At Francis’s insightful words, Wesley raised his hand as if he wanted to applaud right away.

Then the clerics shot sharp glances at Wesley as if telling him to read the room.

“Ashwood Aide’s words seem correct. Seeing how they can’t even handle words that should naturally come up.”

Wilhelmina also spoke up afterward.

Then the Pope sighed.

“Duke Lopez’s daughter, aren’t you sorry to your father who is present here? Giving him another thing to worry about.”

“I’m sorry, Your Holiness. Could you also call me Lopez Aide? And if he’s someone who would worry and be disappointed by this much, he’s not qualified to be my father.”

At Wilhelmina’s bold words, this time applause could be heard from the noble seats near the Emperor’s throne.

Without checking, it was definitely Duke Lopez who had recently been walking the path of a doting father.

The Pope seemed momentarily speechless, but as if this was an opportunity, he rather raised his voice.

“Look at this, the one Riedern seeks is such a dangerous person. Those who should lead the Empire’s nobility have even had their personalities influenced by her and are not faithful to the Lord God!”

And at that triumphant voice, Wilhelmina and Francis surprisingly spoke simultaneously.

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“What, what did you say…?”

The Pope looked at them as if dumbfounded.

Then Wilma clicked her tongue as if finding that sight amusing and spoke.

“I think Father, whom Pope probably likes, would also agree? That becoming like Salice Aide is a good thing.”

From behind came a voice mixed with doting saying “Of course, of course!”

It seemed the recommendations I had sent to Wilma were bearing fruit.

Seeing how he had definitely become a daughter-fool.

He used to be completely daughter-genius before.

Then Francis Ashwood also spoke as if he couldn’t fall behind.

“Our grandfather would be the same. If he thought my speaking here was inappropriate, he would have shouted immediately.”

At Francis’s words, a clearing cough of “Ahem” could be heard from somewhere.

At that sound, Francis showed a gentle smile.

“So please don’t think of binding our First Aide in such ways. And please sincerely accept our questions too.”

“…Are you saying you will challenge this Pope’s interpretation and raise objections to scriptural interpretation?”

Listening to the Pope’s incredulous words, Casian opened his mouth with a sneer.

“Since when have you been the Lord God, Your Holiness?”

“…What, what did you say?”

“The words of the gods are only what’s left in the scriptures, but who decided that human interpretation is absolutely correct?”

The smile completely disappeared from Casian’s face.

“So you should answer faithfully. Your Holiness the Pope, and Your Highness the Fourth Consort.”

He glanced once at the Emperor sitting on the throne, then turned back to the two people with sharp eyes and spoke.

“If you impersonated human interpretation as the will of the gods to pressure my father over twenty years ago, and used that as pretext to drive my mother to death and tarnish her honor, then all the more so.”

“Impersonation! How outrageous!”

The Temple side protested, but Casian simply raised his hand.

At that gesture, the Imperial Guard blocked the front of the Audience Chamber.

As if no one could leave.

“So let’s properly determine who was cruel, right here. Your Highness the Fourth Consort.”

At his words, the Fourth Consort’s confidently smiling face wavered.

However, she never let her smile crumble, as if it were her last pride.

*

“Then from now on, I will ask questions for the honor of myself and Prince Casian, Emperor and Empress, and furthermore Riedern.”

Really, who’s trying to tear this world apart?

I was busy struggling to protect it, seriously.

To prevent me from mixing with other worlds, you know?

Not acknowledging a person’s efforts.

Nevertheless, the first question had to start with this.

“Is there evidence that I’m the root, Your Highness the Fourth Consort? Isn’t the evidence too weak with just the fact that I prepared well?”

I do have something very~ suspicious about me.

But that’s something I know, not something you would know, right?

“If you don’t explain properly, I’ll have no choice but to think you’ve always been framing people with such groundless speculation. Your Highness the Fourth Consort.”

With that, I smiled sweetly and returned the Fourth Consort’s method right back to her.

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