Chapter 5
The next day, as planned from the day before, Clael decided to head to a certain location.
He felt uneasy about leaving Reina behind... but perhaps due to her difficult past, she was much more mature than the average child. She should be able to manage staying home alone.
"Listen carefully, you absolutely must not leave the shrine! Even if someone comes, do not unlock the door! Absolutely not!"
"Yes, I understand."
Reina nodded firmly.
There was a reason Clael was being so firm. The cause was Reina's appearance.
Reina was no longer wearing the ragged clothes from yesterday. She was now dressed in a shirt Clael had lent her.
A girl wearing only a shirt. Age: ten.
If someone saw a girl dressed like that being kept inside the shrine, it could cause a terrible misunderstanding.
(It can't be helped... There's no way the shrine would have girls' clothes for children!)
This was a shrine, after all, so there were clothes for priests and sisters.
However, there was nothing in Reina's size, so Clael had no choice but to lend her his own clothes.
"Well then, I'll leave the house in your care."
"Yes, I'll make sure to clean thoroughly."
Reina gripped the broom tightly and saw him off.
He had told her to take it easy and not worry about doing anything... but she insisted on helping with something, so he asked her to clean the shrine.
(She probably thinks she'll be kicked out if she doesn't make herself useful...)
Children are supposed to be innocent... but Reina likely never had the time or environment to be so.
Hopefully, by living with Clael from now on, she'll be able to reclaim the 'childhood time' she never had.
After leaving the shrine, Clael walked through the town he had recently moved to and arrived at his destination on the main street.
"...So this is it."
Clael had come to one of the trading companies in town... the Auster Trading Company.
It was run by Reina's adoptive parents, the very people who had abused her—a den of corruption.
On the surface, it appeared to be a respectable company selling daily goods, but behind the scenes, they were involved in all sorts of shady dealings.
"Phew..."
Letting out a sigh, Clael stepped into the company's storefront.
"Excuse me."
"Huh? Who're you?"
When he addressed a nearby person, a clerk who was working glared at him in annoyance.
"I've been assigned to the shrine in this town as of this month. My name is Priest Clael Byrne. I apologize for the delay, but I've come to greet you. Is the company president in?"
"Ah, uh... Yes—yes, he is. He's upstairs. I'll go get him right away, so please wait a moment!"
The clerk quickly adjusted his attitude and headed up the stairs at the back.
He probably recognized the name 'Byrne.'
It was one of the most prestigious noble families in the country, holding considerable influence at court.
Even without that, earning a priest's disfavor could damage the company's reputation. That likely prompted the sudden shift in demeanor.
"Well, well, Priest Byrne! What an honor it is to have you visit us!"
Coming down the stairs was a plump man who looked unmistakably wealthy.
He had a nervous expression and a bald head that stood out.
(So this is Reina's adoptive father... He looks even more punchable than he did in the game's illustration.)
"I've heard the rumors. I was planning to come greet you when I had time... but to think you'd come here yourself, I'm truly humbled."
"Pleased to meet you, President Auster. I'm sorry for taking up your time."
"No, no, not at all! Please, come in. I'll have some tea prepared!"
"I appreciate it."
Guided by Auster, Clael was shown into the company's reception room.
The room was filled with luxurious furniture, and a painting depicting what seemed to be a scene from some war hung on the wall.
Everything was extravagant. It was clearly the room of a nouveau riche old man.
As soon as he sat on the plush sofa, a female clerk came in with tea and sweets.
"............"
Being born into a marquis family, he could tell.
The tea leaves and sweets were both high-end products. Things commoners could never afford.
(So he had the money to buy this kind of stuff... yet he let Reina starve?)
Though it was meant to be hospitality... all Clael felt was disgust.
He struggled to suppress the urge to punch the nouveau riche man in front of him.
"Ahem... President Auster, the reason I came today is..."
"No need to say a word. Please, accept this."
Auster, his belly jiggling, handed over a finely embroidered pouch.
"It's a donation. Please, accept it."
"............"
Auster smiled cheerfully, but for a merchant, giving offerings to the shrine was nothing unusual.
Of course, it wasn't a tax or obligation. It was purely a donation.
However, if the shrine was neglected and rumors spread among the believers, it could directly damage the company's credibility.
(He's smiling like a kind man, but inside he's probably clicking his tongue...)
"Thank you. I appreciate your faith, President Auster."
"No, no, not at all."
"However... I must return this. This isn't why I came today."
"Huh...?"
Auster looked puzzled.
He probably couldn't think of any reason a priest would visit a company other than to ask for donations.
"Then... what brings you here? Don't tell me it really was just to say hello...?"
"Actually... yesterday, your daughter came to the shrine. Miss Reina."
"............!"
Auster's face contorted with a squelch.
The kind-looking merchant's face twisted into something vile for a moment.
Auster quickly composed himself and returned to a smile.
"I see... My daughter. I hope she didn't cause you any trouble?"
Auster rubbed his hands together, looking slightly wary.
"That girl is the child of a mistress, and she's not well-disciplined. She causes all sorts of problems at the mansion. Indeed, poor upbringing is a real issue."
"I see. That must be quite difficult for you."
"Yes, indeed. I've been strict with her, but she still hasn't learned proper manners."
(So he's trying to justify the bruises on her body... What a scumbag.)
Clael clenched his molars in frustration, but kept a smile on his face.
"When your daughter came to the shrine to pray, I discovered something... It appears she has an aptitude for Holy Magic."
"Holy Magic...? That failure— I mean, Reina does?"
"Yes. She will likely grow to become a fine priest. That's why I'd like to take her into our shrine."
"Hmm... So that's what this is about..."
Auster grimaced.
He had been abusing Reina like a slave and planned to sell her once she grew up.
In this country, aside from punishment for criminals, slavery was not permitted. But some people still sold children as second wives, mistresses, or servants.
"The girl is... well, not particularly capable, and if she became a priest, she'd only bring shame to our house, so..."
Auster tried to find some excuse to refuse.
Clael handed Auster a package he had taken from his bag.
"This is a preparation fund. Please accept it."
"This is...!"
Auster gasped as he opened the package.
Inside was a large sum of gold coins—more than ten times the amount Auster had just offered.
"Such a huge amount... Are you sure about this?"
Auster eyed him warily.
No doubt, calculations were already racing through the man's mind.
(This should seal the deal.)
"Yes, it's not a problem. I may be a powerless priest, but my family is quite wealthy."
"......So, it's the Byrne Marquis family. I see, I see. So you still have strong ties with your family."
Auster made that assumption on his own.
In reality, he had received money when he left home, and that was the end of their relationship.
It wasn't hostile, and he still got along well with his older brother, the current head of the family... but he was merely permitted to use the family name and no longer had any strong connection to the Byrne family.
However, it seemed Auster didn't see it that way.
He believed he was building a favor with a young priest who had connections to a powerful noble family in the royal capital—and even received a large preparation fund.
Delighted by these favorable conditions, he nodded enthusiastically.
"If my daughter is acceptable, I would be happy to have her serve at the shrine. Please use her as you see fit."
"That's good to hear... In that case, could I ask you to sign this document?"
"And this is...?"
When Clael pulled out a document from his bag and offered it, Auster looked puzzled.
It was a written oath that completely transferred guardianship of Reina to Clael and declared that Auster would no longer assert any parental rights.
"Completely relinquishing guardianship—that's quite a serious move. Why go that far?"
"I want Miss Reina to focus on learning the Holy Arts without worrying about her family. That's all—no hidden motives."
"Ah... I see. So that's how it is."
Auster gave a lewd grin.
"......You're quite the eccentric one, Priest. To fancy a girl as scrawny as a bird's bone. With that kind of money, you could find plenty of prettier girls."
With a vulgar smirk, Auster clearly believed Clael intended to force a sexual relationship on Reina.
In fact, once guardianship was fully transferred, Auster would have no right to interfere no matter what Clael did to Reina.
(There are perverted priests who take in girls under the guise of training and then force themselves on them... It disgusts me to be lumped in with them...)
"Very well, I'll go ahead and sign it."
Auster signed the document and stamped it.
With that, Reina was officially severed from this man.
Even if Auster later demanded her return, Clael had no obligation to comply.
"Thank you. I will raise her into a fine priest, I promise you."
(By then, you might be behind bars...)
Clael concluded the discussion without ever losing his smile, secretly smirking to himself.