LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 101
Chapter 101: The Cardinal’s Panic
“Lord Hawkins and the others have disappeared?”
Carlisle Sainhal’s voice was clearly shaken. Lord Hawkins had been active in Galvate to expand the distribution network of Eald, the substance crucial for funding Carlisle’s ascent to the Papal throne.
“Yes. We investigated the possibility of them being captured by Galvate’s authorities, but the whereabouts of the archbishops remain completely unknown.”
“Could they have been captured by Galvate?”
“It’s highly possible. However, we have received no information from Galvate’s authorities.”
“What about the viscount Lord Hawkins was dealing with?”
Carlisle asked his secretary, but the secretary’s voice remained tense.
“Viscount Karmais has also disappeared. The House of Karmais seems to be frantically searching for him as well.”
“…”
“There’s something else I must inform you of, though it’s difficult to say.”
“What is it?”
Carlisle’s voice grew sharp. The secretary’s hesitant tone had clearly annoyed him.
“It appears that on the day of the transaction, the archbishops had called prostitutes into the church.”
“What did you say?”
“Unfortunately, after cross-checking with the brothel owner, it seems to be true. Those prostitutes have also disappeared.”
“Those… scumbags.”
Carlisle’s anger wasn’t about the moral outrage of clergy paying for prostitutes. It was the sheer disgrace to the Church that prostitutes had been brought into the church and then vanished. Moreover, Lord Hawkins was a known member of Carlisle’s faction. Even if Carlisle denied it, no one would simply accept his word. While few would openly say it, he had to be wary of rival cardinals using this to undermine him.
“Damn it… What the hell has Lord Hawkins done?”
“We’re currently investigating, but there may be an organization unhappy with the expansion of Eald’s distribution network.”
“Are you suggesting Lunochlara? But Lunochlara has had almost no activity in Galvate.”
Carlisle mentioned Lunochlara, a criminal organization known for drug trafficking, human trafficking, murder, robbery, and every other crime imaginable. While they had once been active in Galvate, Lord Giorg had thoroughly crushed them, and their leaders and members in Galvate were no longer in this world.
“Yes. However, Lunochlara is a massive organization. It’s possible they’re trying to extend their influence into Galvate.”
Carlisle pondered the secretary’s words.
(There’s some logic to that. If it were the authorities who captured them, we would have received some information by now. The fact that there’s none suggests… they might have been abducted by a criminal organization like Lunochlara.)
At that moment, Carlisle realized something.
“Hey, was there any sign of a struggle at the church where the transaction took place? You said they disappeared, right?”
The secretary’s face froze at Carlisle’s question. It was careless of him not to have considered that earlier, despite reporting the disappearance.
“No, there were no signs of disturbance at all.”
“None at all… huh?”
“Y-Yes.”
“To capture over ten men without leaving a single trace…”
The secretary shuddered at the abnormality of the situation. If Lord Hawkins and the others had been abducted, it meant the perpetrators had overpowered over ten adult men without any resistance, showcasing terrifying strength. On the other hand, the idea that they simply vanished was equally implausible. Why would they call prostitutes if they were planning to disappear?
“Cardinal… perhaps it would be wise to withdraw from Galvate…”
“What nonsense!!”
In an instant, Carlisle exploded in rage. The secretary’s suggestion to flee from Galvate was unacceptable to Carlisle, who had always been victorious. Accepting defeat was something his pride couldn’t handle, especially when he didn’t even know who had defeated him. The thought of being mocked and looked down upon by an unknown adversary was unbearable.
“I must become the Pope to guide the people of this world to a better future!! If I were to suffer defeat, the salvation of the people would be delayed!!”
The secretary bowed his head slightly at Carlisle’s outburst.
“Find Lord Hawkins’ whereabouts!!”
“Y-Yes.”
The secretary hastily fled from Carlisle’s presence, trembling.
“Every single one of them is useless. All they do is hold me back.”
Carlisle couldn’t hide his frustration. Yet, he also felt an indescribable sense of unease.
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