Chapter 32

“You said Hamel, was it? Congratulations.”

After a while, a court noble from the imperial household said sourly.

The bishop standing behind him smiled and added.

“Baron, I suppose.”

“I nearly forgot… Hamel… Baron.”

The noble ground his teeth and casually handed over the emperor’s commission and a sword.

Having completed the succession, Hamel stood and took them.

“Thank you.”

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

“You may rest a bit longer if you like.”

“…No. I’d rather stay at the inn in the neighboring domain than remain here with not a single servant.”

The court noble clicked his tongue, turned, and prepared to leave at once.

Hamel had only offered out of courtesy and did not intend to detain him further.

It was true the mansion’s condition was poor, and there were various affairs in the domain demanding attention.

After sending the noble off, Hamel went straight to his study.

There were more than a few urgent matters to deal with immediately.

First, the exodus of domain residents and the population decline were severe.

The population had been cut to about half compared to ten years ago.

Additionally, all trade routes for the salt mines had been cut off, and no trading ships were coming into the port anymore.

Agriculture and even fishing had declined; catches had fallen so fishing was not functioning properly.

With no tax revenue, funds to run the domain were dried up and it was piled high with debt.

Worse, Viscount Ramsey, lord of the northern domain of Haidern, was coveting Haidern’s lands.

“I don’t even know where to begin.”

Hamel sighed deeply.

A pile of related documents lay stacked.

They were mostly old records, so first he needed to gather accurate information.

“…I’ll need people.”

At this rate, he would be so burdened by managing the domain that revenge would be out of the question and he’d risk working himself to death.

It was then.

Knock knock

Bishop Arcen appeared at the knock.

“Hamel. Do you have a moment?”

“Of course. Please come in, Bishop.”

Hamel rose and pulled out a chair for the bishop to sit.

The bishop smiled awkwardly and took his seat.

“You look busy; sorry to bother you at this moment.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Most of these were matters that would take time to handle.

They couldn’t be solved immediately, so Hamel didn’t make a fuss.

‘Of course there are things that must be handled urgently…’

The bishop looked at Hamel, who was lost in thought, as if understanding, and spoke.

“You must have many worries.”

“…Is it that so obvious?”

Hamel asked in puzzlement, and the bishop chuckled and shook his head.

“No. Actually, while you were away at the salt mines I took a moment to check on the domain… and, to put it mildly, it’s on the verge of ruin.”

“To put it harshly…”

“It’s more of a lawless zone than a domain at this point, isn’t it?”

“….”

Hamel paused to think, then nodded.

The salt mine village had likely fared somewhat better.

Even if coastal exports were blocked, black market merchants probably passed through by land.

‘With Dain, the former knight, as village head, security would have been stable.’

Even those from the salt mines had grown gaunt and depleted.

What the other villages in the domain were like was plain to see.

“They need food. Clean water, clothing, and firewood as well.”

“Indeed.”

The bishop nodded as if in understanding.

“But direct support from the order is difficult.”

“…I suspected as much.”

Hamel creaked in assent and nodded.

“As you know, Hamel is no longer a priest of the order. You are, officially, a noble of the Empire.”

Hamel had become the lord.

He had sworn fealty to the emperor and thus gained rights and obligations.

However, if Hamel continued to receive help from the order after becoming the lord, the imperial court would inevitably question his sincerity.

“Many are watching Hamel even now. The order also doesn’t want further friction with the imperial court.”

“I know.”

What the order had already done represented a considerable sacrifice.

Of course, they helped with the view that it might grow their influence in the long run.

In any case, further aid could become poison for Hamel as well.

“We’ve received enough help. Thank you.”

Hamel bowed his head deeply in thanks.

Then the bishop plunked something down on the desk.

Hamel reflexively looked up to see what it was.

“What’s this…”

He fell silent for a moment, unable to speak.

A leather pouch was full of glittering gold coins.

“This should be enough to put out the immediate fires.”

Clearly this was funds the bishop had put together personally.

Considering his usual frugality, it was practically his entire fortune.

“I can’t accept this.”

When Hamel refused, the bishop shook his head and spoke.

“Think of it as a retirement gratuity.”

“…”

Hamel hesitated a moment, then nodded.

With this money, he could keep the domain’s people alive for a while.

Remembering his duty as the lord, Hamel swallowed his discomfort.

“Thank you.”

“No, thank you for accepting it.”

The bishop smiled kindly and rose.

“Ah, please wait a moment.”

Then Hamel, as if remembering something, took something from inside his coat.

A silver insignia shone.

It was the emblem signifying an Exorcist priest.

He also removed the talisman he had worn—his sword in this case—and handed them to the bishop.

“I’m no longer a priest of the order, so I cannot keep these.”

Hamel’s expression was utterly calm as he spoke.

The bishop stared at him for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.

“… ?”

Hamel looked puzzled and waited for the bishop to calm down.

After a moment, the bishop waved his hand and said.

“Keep them. Did you truly intend to leave the order, Hamel?”

“…Was I mistaken?”

To Hamel’s question, the bishop replied with a pleased, almost sheepish expression.

“If the order had truly planned to cast you out, they wouldn’t have risked offending the imperial court to help you.”

“…”

Thinking on it, that made sense.

Hamel nodded, and the bishop smiled and said.

“If you agree, the order will soon negotiate with the imperial court. In exchange for restoring you to priestly status, they will affiliate this domain with the order for one generation, and you will serve as acting lord.”

“…”

He hadn’t considered that option.

After a moment’s thought, Hamel nodded at the unexpected proposal.

“Do that, please.”

Although they’d retreated for now, the imperial court might continue to scheme to unseat him.

Hamel’s goal remained revenge above all.

He could not be tied down indefinitely by the lordship.

The bishop who had been watching Hamel smiled contentedly and rose.

“Very well. I shall be on my way. It would be troublesome to leave this place empty for too long.”

“Why not rest here for a day?”

Unlike with the court noble, Hamel sincerely held him back.

The bishop looked surprised for a moment, then chuckled.

“So even Hamel does sometimes hold someone back.”

Hamel was always sparing with words and reluctant to form deep ties.

The bishop found this unfamiliar side of him curious.

For a moment he smiled fondly and patted Hamel’s shoulder.

“Then let’s have a drink together next time.”

“I’ll visit once things are settled.”

“I look forward to it. I’ll have a good liquor ready.”

The bishop left the study in good spirits.

A little later, the outside was noisy with preparations for departure.

Night travel always required caution, so preparations were never enough.

The pilgrim knights were also busy making ready to depart.

“I’m glad you’re safe, Lord Hamel.”

At that moment, Antonio, carrying luggage and leaning on a staff, came to Hamel.

“…You’re leaving?”

Hamel said with a wry tone as he looked at his appearance.

Antonio answered brightly in return.

“Yes. I’m going back with the bishop.”

“I see.”

Saint Joseph’s Temple, where Bishop Arcen resides and where Hamel had stayed as an Exorcist priest.

It was the largest temple in eastern Lettria of the Empire.

If he went there, there would be a place for Antonio.

But what Antonio said next was not what Hamel had expected.

“I intend to finish the priestly examination there.”

“…The exam?”

“I couldn’t complete the Path of Exorcism this time… but maybe someday I will.”

Hamel paused for a moment.

The Path of Exorcism was the final stage of the priestly exam.

Antonio had not given up.

“You might die.”

“I don’t mind.”

Antonio smiled.

“Isn’t it kind of noble? A blind Exorcist priest. Like a saint from scripture.”

There are no such saints.

But Hamel understood the sentiment enough to snort a laugh.

“Huh? You just scoffed, didn’t you?”

Hamel straightened his face and feigned innocence.

“You must have misheard.”

“No… I’m pretty sure I heard laughter.”

Antonio tilted his head.

Hamel handed him a letter stamped with his signet in that hand.

He had prepared it some time ago to give when the time was right.

“What’s this?”

“It’s your transcript. Take it back and submit it to the temple.”

“…What?”

Antonio looked puzzled, unable to understand.

“What are you talking about? I didn’t finish the exam.”

Whether one passes the Path of Exorcism is up to the examiner, but there are minimum conditions.

The minimum requirement is to exorcise at least ten demons.

Antonio had not yet met that requirement.

Hamel answered calmly.

“You’ve completed it. That’s my judgment.”

“But the minimum condition…”

“There are exceptional cases.”

Hamel continued toward the stunned Antonio.

“If the examiner bears the name of a Saint, it’s possible.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“I used to think it useless, but within the order there are certain privileges: discretion in judgment, for one.”

“…!”

Only then did Antonio grasp Hamel’s meaning.

Hamel put his hand on Antonio’s shoulder.

“Antonio. You completed the Path of Exorcism admirably on this journey.”

“But I…”

“I, who served as the examiner, guarantee it. There is no one more fit to be a priest than you.”

Antonio’s trembling passed through Hamel’s hand.

Hamel did not stop speaking.

“You faced overwhelming evil and did not hesitate to sacrifice. You overcame fear and acted as God instructed.”

“Lord Hamel…”

Antonio’s voice trembled slightly.

There was a glint of moisture—clearly tears of joy.

Hamel smiled gently and said to Antonio.

“You passed the exam.”

“Thank… you.”

Antonio finally sobbed.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he smiled brightly and exchanged greetings with Hamel.

“I’ll return someday, no matter when.”

“I’ll wait.”

Hamel and Antonio bowed to each other with utmost courtesy.

A little later, Antonio left with Bishop Arcen.

Because the darkness was deep, the convoy, unable to mount their horses, proceeded slowly along the road.

Clop clop

The leisurely hoofbeats of riderless horses broke the silence.

A line of lanterns moving through the darkness stretched long.

Where there is meeting, parting is also inevitable.

But now he knew.

That not all farewells are sad.

Some farewells are joyful because you look forward to meeting again.

Hamel watched the procession recede into the darkness for a long time.

---

The next day.

Early in the morning, Hamel gathered the remaining people in the mansion.

He had requests to make of them.

“Everyone’s here.”

Hamel looked at those assembled and placed pouches of money divided on the desk.

As they looked at him in surprise, Hamel continued calmly.

“Autumn is coming. At this rate, our estate won’t survive the winter.”

“…”

No one objected.

Hamel’s words were too plainly true.

“So I have tasks to entrust to you. First, Sir Daniel.”

Hamel handed a pouch of money to him and said.

“Go to the Rengbaster domain and buy ample firewood and timber. We need construction lumber like softwood and hardwood, but prioritize firewood for now.”

“I have no issue, but… what about your plans, Hamel?”

Daniel asked, somewhat surprised.

Hamel replied in a resolute tone as if prepared.

“I’ll depart in the spring. If I leave now, it would be tantamount to abandoning the estate.”

“Well, if you’re fine with it, I don’t mind.”

Daniel shrugged and took the pouch.

Hamel thanked him and looked to the next person.

“I also have a request for Dain.”

“Just give the order.”

When his name was called, sparks flashed in Dain’s eyes.

Hamel flinched briefly at the strong reaction but spoke calmly soon after.

“We need soldiers to maintain security in the domain. Hire and train about twenty able-bodied, unemployed locals as mercenaries.”

“You entrust such a weighty task to me… I accept.”

Dain, moved, knelt and received the pouch Hamel offered.

When Daniel looked at him oddly, Hamel cleared his throat and turned his gaze to the next person.

“But Ono… why are you here?”

“…I was punished.”

“…Yes?”

When Hamel repeated the question, Ono nervously ruffled his hair and answered.

“Because I went to the mansion ahead without others, the bishop disciplined me. He told me to serve here for a while.”

“…Hmm.”

Hamel hesitated for a moment, and Ono sighed deeply and said.

“Don’t bother with idle comfort—give me work. I have nothing else to do anyway.”

“If you say that… I’d be grateful.”

Surprised by Ono’s unexpected response, Hamel continued.

“Then, Ono, go to the harbor. There seems to be trouble there as well.”

“…Not another demon, surely?”

“Yes, likely.”

Ono muttered a curse under his breath and nodded.

“Some curse must be tightly clinging to this estate. Damn it. Fine. I’ll do it.”

“Thank you.”

As Hamel expressed his gratitude, it happened.

“Um… what about me?”

Everyone’s attention turned to the unexpected voice.

Den, brought by Dain, looked up at Hamel with an anxious expression.

“Ah.”

After a moment of thought, Hamel asked Den.

“What do you want to do, Den?”

“I… want to learn the sword.”

Den glanced at Dain as he said it, and Hamel nodded lightly.

“Very well. Den, accompany Dain and learn the sword. Also, while shadowing Dain, find hired hands to work at the mansion—people who are diligent.”

“…Yes!”

Den nodded spiritedly.

Dain simply bowed to Hamel with a look of admiration.

Hamel was briefly lost in a strange sentiment.

There were only five people so far, but he now had people he could trust and ask favors of.

As each prepared for their assigned duties, the once desolate mansion took on life again.

A fresh breeze was blowing through the Haidern domain.