Chapter 260: Enthralled by Manliness

“What is he talking about?” Claudia looked up at Gerhardt with that expression on her face.

“Why does seeing today’s worship service bring that kind of impression to mind? Even if I say ‘please sell it honestly,’ he won’t yield.” 

“You won’t know until you try.” 

“But sometimes, trying can make the situation worse.”

“Argh, then what should we do?”

“First, listen to what they have to say, build rapport, and then think about a solution.”

Claudia understood what Gerhardt was saying, even though she didn’t quite agree with it.

“It’s a hassle…”

“In the world, sometimes the longest way around is the shortest way there.”

“I want to go straight to the point!”

“I thought old folks were supposed to be more patient…”

“It varies from person to person. There are so many things I want to do, but with a lifespan and time constraints, impatience sets in.”

“Things you want to do, huh?”

Claudia, looking puzzled, received a smile from Gerhardt, a mix of enjoyment and mischief.

“I had intended to enter my grave with the honor of having crafted a five-character sword, but someone, somewhere, made it impossible for me to die peacefully by bringing out enhanced magic equipment.” 

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry… that would be my husband…”

Gerhardt wasn’t angry. Claudia knew that, but she couldn’t argue back.

“Well, for now, can you leave this to me? I can’t promise a straight path, but I’ll find a shortcut.” 

Claudia smiled mischievously as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small leather bag.

I knocked on the priest’s private room, and after a short pause,

“Please, come in.”

When Claudia and the others entered, they found a soft-faced old man in addition to the priest. They must have asked him during the earlier part of the day if they could welcome a new guest.

The priest and the old man looked suspiciously at Claudia and the others. They knew there were some unfamiliar people in the chapel, but they had no idea what they were there for.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Claudia, wife of Lutz, employed by Count Zander’s family.”

Claudia straightened her back and bowed politely. She thought it would be easier to say that she was related to the sword than to say that she was a merchant.

“I am Arjan, the priest of this village.”

“I am the village chief, Muster.”

“Gerhardt, Count Zander’s personal magician.”

“I am Josel, a high ranking knight of Count Zander’s territory.”

Each of them had finished their introductions, but still the look of disbelief had not disappeared from the eyes of the priest and the village chief. When offered a chair, Claudia sat down softly as if her feathers had fallen out, and with a bright smile that did not fit the occasion, she took a small bag from her pocket and placed it on the table.

With a heavy metallic sound, Claudia’s action tensed up the priest and the village chief. Perhaps they were thinking just that. Yes, that’s right, that very thing.

“As a token of greeting, please accept this.” 

Claudia said nonchalantly.

The priest swallowed nervously and reached out to take the leather bag. Opening the mouth of the bag, the village chief peered inside.

“Hmm…”

The two froze, making strange noises. Claudia explained as if it were nothing.

“It’s twenty gold coins.”

When a stranger hands over a large sum of money, it’s only natural to be cautious. At the same time, human curiosity is aroused beyond suspicion. Even more so, gold coins symbolize desire. With money, one can buy food, medicine, hire people from other villages to help rebuild houses. Money is a magic seed that can make some worries disappear.

…Now then, how will they react?

For Claudia, this financial assistance was not just about getting into the other party’s good graces; it was also a test of how the priest, Arjan, would respond.

A former elite from a major monastery, now sent to the countryside and completely demoralized, a decadent man who complains that he shouldn’t be in such a place. That was the reputation of Arjan that Claudia had heard beforehand.

Arjan’s eyes flickered from side to side; he seemed to be hesitating. Eventually, he smiled faintly, reached into the bag, and took out only two gold coins.

“Muster-san, please use two of them for the church’s operations. How about allocating the remaining eighteen for the village’s support?”

“Huh?”

It was straightforward, indeed. Claudia maintained her outwardly cheerful smile, but inside, numerous question marks floated in her mind. If the priest was the man rumored to be, he would have said, “I’ll take care of it,” and put everything in his pocket. Then, with the authority of the church as his shield, the village chief wouldn’t be able to object.

I don’t understand. And why is even the village chief surprised?

“Ah, uh, yes. Then I shall accept it…” 

The village chief quickly pocketed the leather bag, as if he couldn’t stand Arjan changing his mind.

“Thank you for your generous donation. With this, many villagers will be saved. May God bless your soul…” 

Arjan expressed his gratitude with a hand over his chest, but he noticed Claudia looking at him with a strange expression and cocked his head.

“Um, is there something on my face…?”

“Oh, no, nothing in particular… It’s just that what I heard in rumors and what I see are completely different.”

Arjan then averted his gaze as if ashamed. 

“Am I just an incorrigible scoundrel?”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant. It’s just… well, not particularly diligent in your duties…”

Claudia slipped up. She tried to follow up with something, but Arjan shook his head as if he understood.

“It’s fine. I know full well that I’ve been insincere in my duties. All I ever talk about is wanting to go back to the capital, and I haven’t worked for this village. It’s truly foolish of me.”

“Why the sudden change, then? I attended today’s worship service, and I felt a strong will in your preaching to encourage the villagers and move forward. It doesn’t seem like something a very apathetic person could do.”

“Hmm,” Arjan pondered. He seemed to be struggling with how to articulate his thoughts.

“…Perhaps it’s because I’ve become infatuated with a man’s courage.”

“… huh?”

“I can’t forget the sight of Leonard-sama facing the orcs. It’s burned into my eyes and won’t leave! I realized that it’s my mission to honor his great deeds and spread them to the world! To make people listen, I must first straighten my own collar. That’s why I’ve changed my ways and worked diligently in my duties! The people of this village must become the tellers of legends. Therefore, I must survive!”

Arjan had the same ecstatic expression as during the worship service. It seemed even the village chief, who had heard about Leonard’s battle, was taken aback, wearing a face like, ‘What’s with this guy…?’ 

Claudia looked down, apologizing for the merchants who had told her about this.

…I’m sorry for doubting you; it turns out this person is just weirder than expected.

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