"SO it was the woman named Katherna, huh." I say as Keny looked at me, realization of what she just spoke dawning on her, "Why couldn’t you have told this when we... asked you earlier?"
"Or was it that you’re intentionally saying that in front of the Father to shift the blame?"
"Now that isn’t quite friendly of you... giving out your comrade for freedom. Yet, I can’t blame you for giving her up at this point, especially with the advantage you are presented."
"No... no... tha- that wasn’t what I am tryin-"
"Enough, that would be the end of you." I give a stare to the guards behind her as they move ahead.
"N- NO! Thi- This isn’t how it should have gone! YoOU should have died! DIED, I SAY!" Before she could continue any longer, the guards wrapped her mouth, effectively muting her. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NoveI-Fire.ɴet
I look at the Bishop, he looked shaken. His face, an array of disbelief, sadness and pity. But he also had a reflection of understanding.
"Father" I gesture outside as we got out and the guards close the door, showing an extremely panicked look of Keny, begging for the plea of help.
"I’m sorry you had to witness that, father." I say as we go to another room and sit in its cold steel stairs, "Yet that is the kind of rogues I’ve been facing."
"Yes... yes..." The Bishop said in spaces, "I couldn’t believe that inside that cold, horrifying room would be someone from the village... and that too, Keny."
"Bring the father a glass of water." I gesture to one of the men who quickly gives it to him.
"Bless you." The Bishop’s calm words were in deep thought. He drank the glass of water and was silent for some time before looking up.
"Oh my! I’m sorry. I- I seemed to forget that I was still in your company, Lord Henry."
"Do you want some time alone? Should I leave?" I say and pretend to get up as the guy immediately sat me down.
"No no, I- I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry if it came out like that."
Seeing the Bishop so flustered I could only smile inwardly as I do the opposite outside, "Don’t, Father. Even though you are old enough to have prepared yourself for incidents , it’s not like they come giving us warning, yeh."
"That is true." The Bishop said and got up, bowing slightly, "Thank you for granting my inquiry, I have reasons to believe in your statement now."
"Oh, that I never had doubt. But I hope you’re not willing to leave so soon, father."
"But I am, son." He nods, "I still have a lot of work to do and The Goddess’s words needs to be spread further among the masses."
"Please, father. A holy man of your station has stepped into my domain for the first time, I cannot let you go just like that. At least stay for supper, let me at least give you a worthy feast."
"Th- That would be fine..." The Bishop’s face stretched, "I’m afraid with what I’m about to ask, it would be imprudent of me to take further."
I raise a brow in fake confusion, but inside, I knew what this guy is about to ask.
"May I take Keny along so that the Church of the Goddess can investigate this matter?"
What this guy said was completely normal to ask. The Village belonged under the supervision of the church, so if any incidents were to happen, it’ll be the church that should inspects it.
But the current situation... was a bit iffy.
The attack was done to my domain, by the village men. So in some ways, I had the right to take this matter and put an end to it however I may... legally.
But in the eyes of the church, I was only one man. They couldn’t trust just the words from one side, they needed to be blind and hear both sides first before deciding.
A single man’s words cannot be trusted, especially because I am a man of power.
It was evident that many lords and powerful people did iffy things inside and outside their domain. The Royal family knew, the church knows, everybody knows but can’t do anything because those people have power, money and connections stretched wide enough to root out most opposition towards them.
Even more so when that person is said to be connected to the underworld and his now dead father was once a prominent member of that side.
Oh, that sounds familiar?
Of course it would, it’s me I’m talking about.
To the father, who I’ve shown some evidence, it would be him saying that, I trust you... but not completely, so can you give her to me so I can hear her blabber about you?
And it would be completely right of me to deny his request and end this matter here...
The Bishop saw Henry’s quiet look and knew he asked to far, but it was his job. If he was going to be denied, at least he would guilt free to know that he had done his dut-
"Absolutely, father!"
...Did he hear right?
"Huh? What did you say?" The Bishop asked as I give him a big smile.
"I said, you can take her father. In fact, please take her, you would be doing me a favor if the church also took an interest in this mess and helped me."
The Bishop’s face lit up brightly, "OF COURSE!... Cough Cough, I meant, Of course, the church would be delighted to help you. Haha, I thought you would refuse, how silly of me."
"Hm? Why would I do that, father?"
"Did you think that I was hiding something from you?"
The Bishop’s face drains of all color, "I- I didn’t mea-"
"Haha" I laugh, confusing him, "Relax, Father. I was only kidding."
"O- Oh!... Haha. It was a good joke." The Bishop said as he wiped the sweat.
"You can’t do this, Lord Henry. This is too much."
"Of course, I can. I must do this, for your safety, father." I say and with a gesture, four guards brought out the wrapped Keny with them, "She is a dangerous person, I can’t let you take her alone."
I look at his coach, "And I don’t think that guy is combat ready to help you if something happened, so I very much insist."
Seeing my persistence, the Bishop finally nodded with a smile, "Since you insist, I will listen. But no more, you have done too much already."
"Alright, father. I hope you will come here again."
"I will try my child." The Bishop said as he gave a small prayer before leaving with Keny and the guards.
As I watch them leave, Anna came beside me, "Was it wise to let her go, Henry?"
I raise a brow. So she does know something about this.
"Not at all, in fact she might bring me more trouble. But I had to, to maintain a good relationship with the church."
"Even at the cost of trouble she would bring?"
"Probably not." I put a hand around her shoulder and turn us around, "But she’s not going to be doing much anyway... and the Bishop’s bound to return soon."