Chapter 81

“A whole 100 talents are missing!”8dc92708c6aa50a4

The cry of Marquis Barelotte 8e7c20d371 stirred up the crowd.2921c90f588465a4

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“Did you say 100 talents are gone?”b639fca5664e2eda

“Is there really a thief among us?”488884ac35ad870d

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This wasn’t just about 1 943101182a or 2 talents.f22f277f08443fe4

The disappearance of 100 talents ac17a8385a was not a matter that 4b9a80b6cd could be taken lightly.4283575fddaa122d

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It was the maximum 7c71ca62a1 amount a single household b71489bee3 could exchange.46446baf5cb25806

Moreover, Diana, who had fe2504b541 received 10 talents, had 8a7c872995 healed a total of a9bbbb3627 10 people.5aa9ddcc5f7b1300

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Glancing over at 3e270dc7da Diana, it was 26d2a65174 clear she was 108ae4827a unaware of the 2c79449c5f situation; her face 9ffdfad220 had turned pale.986c431feeb9e048

“We must find the thief immediately! This isn’t just 1 or 2 talents, but a whole 100 talents!”08b095d185947b92

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Marquis Barelotte demanded, ae34044db2 his voice strained 71ad424f6f with urgency, veins 7cb8cba562 standing out on f77d2ea122 his neck.bfcd1a3c6eb54e95

The hall became chaotic 12d76da77c in an instant.75e16e9eda7b1766

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“Everyone, please remain calm!”998c8a9dbd8cf9d6

The high priests overseeing the 71046fa597 Saintess selection event quickly raised 84c357b1e7 their voices.717fdf4e90555724

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Only then did 49643ce288 the crowd start b70ba19fe7 to settle down.e8f045ca90c52258

“There is no need for such a fuss.”fa429efc325293ca

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As the murmuring 02c9d32bd5 quieted, the Pope cd222611ae began to speak.0db72a6378516d9c

“Since no one in attendance today has left their seat, we should be able to find the culprit soon enough.”ed3139478ef6a39e

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With a weary expression, 370cfb99c4 he signaled to a fa81343b8c young priest holding a b9494dde3d censer, clearly exhausted by 14b1df1060 this unexpected commotion.13837d8064b86e83

The young priest 779be2a11f then called out f313a12939 toward the section 179f0ea1a5 where the orphanage 95696499c0 children were seated.c6947c8ff686463b

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“All the booth assistants, please bring forward the ledgers you’ve kept for today!”d1cf6682e8a41508

It was customary for the day’s helpers not only to assist with the children’s sales but also to maintain simple records in the ledgers.95092ac33d831bbc

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Even if it a5bfb33df6 hadn’t been a 7521a8d68a strict rule, it 1f5f83d165 was common sense dc2b182649 to record sales 45dd4bf8d2 to track one’s 04e4d41c32 ranking.1245308a302d4a53

There was little concern about a34a30e559 Grandpa Gordon—he was always diligent d6f24b5d9b in keeping detailed records.23658f559bdac7c6

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However, not all 2f346b133a assistants could be 8aa7a62bed expected to have 5f50c7d364 his meticulous nature.d4dec3530469d72b

Voices of discontent fd2d1c709b began to rise 60d320ae05 among the children.82cbc3803a4c524a

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“What? Does that mean there’s 4aee31c3d7 a thief among us?”a1a3e41e9bee1b75

“Why are they suspecting us first?”f2674dd40ef2fcf5

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“I swear it’s not me! I nearly died from dancing all day…!”c61ca1d1daacac32

It was hard 8a04d2702d not to empathize 0a9a0754c1 with the children’s 49a46df99a frustration.3aacf8d6c833db43

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But, it was 4c21b918cd only natural that be553afb68 the temple wouldn’t 851afd853b suspect the nobles.78627fbf921f2bdf

After all, they had eaabcbbd59 gone through the trouble 81e663eb77 of exchanging gold coins 84b2b9a50a today just to practice 8433acd874 noblesse oblige.96840d70ccac4dd4

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Such people would never 60a6f0b278 commit the dishonorable act a65a712fce of stealing money meant 7ecff5460b for the orphans.fa188d8156207106

Besides, using talents outside the 39686086a3 temple grounds was strictly forbidden, ba301851ad making theft pointless.5c5912456664f997

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‘It would be better to not spend a single coin today and exchange it back before taking it home.’1da6ec8218e9092c

A few of the daily 5ca10d9ea1 helpers hesitated, likely because they 23b60f538c hadn’t kept their ledgers properly.c9dbba6c71ef02b1

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“Here it is! Belze’s booth!”db434e1c34f7890b

Among them, Grandpa Gordon hurriedly f4988333a3 submitted his ledger, being the 9169c52a01 first to do so.d5d9c014b6519c75

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A short while later…5018b7896022d9eb

Once most of the ledgers 9970fcdf61 had been gathered, the Pope 3a1ea6b6dd and the priests gathered together ea4b624cde and quickly began to review e3a3d274d7 them.28cf0e07aa0b2915

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“Panacea and hair mist… sold by Belze.”27ac69e3819fe227

It didn’t take long 9cb98db6b9 before my name was 7636394668 mentioned by the Pope.7c55044e65dc8e5f

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“Come forward for a moment.”73be70534d8176a7

It was something I 1221b58941 had expected.d35b51b218ee7462

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Though there were other children 94b5135de6 who received sponsorships, I was 7f2baccd3f likely the only one who 12383dccce had received 100 talents twice.0e679e02a5df720a

I calmly stood up 5a426a343d and made my way 8e8fd30fb2 to the platform, my 1d9db3bbe0 steps quick and light.a19b5fff783a0910

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“You are…”ee06fe085707a75e

The Pope looked a 5a80180c1e bit surprised to see 066646932c me wobbling up the 1e4c414830 stairs.47b9294068e481c8

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However, he quickly masked his 5b98059254 expression behind his long, white 39a008fee2 beard and asked with a 74bef17c49 solemn tone.4555302a5576908f

“Belze. I am not accusing you, f154e548cf but according to the records, 77733115db you are the only one bf5dcd7350 who received 100 talents twice. Were both amounts earned at 7c0d341bdd your booth?”7a1f9fcb54b390fc

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“Yes!”f11e3135301904da

I nodded, my face showing d3d1dd21cd a hint of nervousness.a0e76eeb6b94c67a

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The Pope examined our booth’s ledger closely before asking further.3d65ce4d167f79b9

“One of them is noted as coming from Duke Kallios, but the other is marked as anonymous. It seems to be from your last customer…”674e0f7e7e8df0a8

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“…”1cfc8374fb5582eb

“Can you explain this?”2641c3ad3cafd208

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As soon as he 7a96cabf50 finished speaking, the hall 3981f54606 buzzed with chatter.d85674bd0733f7ca

“I knew it! I just knew it!”b8490eee1d35e057

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In the midst d14565867e of the commotion, b1bd2f965c Marquis Barelotte pointed 9c9d6bd261 his finger at 499db8ddec me, hurling accusations.5f92ec900f885285

“You call yourself a Saintess candidate, yet you don’t even compete fairly with your healing powers! Instead, you sell dubious potions!”e802ffd95415b437

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“A Saintess candidate?”b516c15202c389d0

“Oh! She’s the one whose abilities are said to be lacking…”15c212e5fd7d66b1

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“I heard she gained the support of the Kallios family…”1f07b8789fe1ca00

The crowd murmured again at 0018e288d2 the mention of my status df0b1fbd19 as a Saintess candidate.d5d0c91b9d50c7a0

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I was used to hearing 3d28d47eb0 such talk about me, even 11a9528c02 in my past life, so bdeaeed8a7 it didn’t bother me.803cc2c60c9b366a

But hearing the Duke’s family da5206fa89 dragged into the discussion weighed 90744fa318 heavily on my heart.f723d036f1366fe4

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‘…The Duke’s family is tied to my every move.’269f53450046280a

Why hadn’t I realized this 853fee9ee7 sooner in my past life?7e14e1ab74f8a354

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Just as regret and dejection began to wash over me…6b174c373f256604

Seeing me like that, the de450aee76 Marquis seemed to think my 4d8f41785e guilt was obvious, and he 46de2419c0 grew even more confident, shouting 3785e7566d louder.accedc179eb8c3ad

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“No matter how much you envy Diana for being more popular, how could you stoop so low as to steal?!”3199a61b8a30b6be

“…”616f278497713ff3

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“You little brat, running wild and learning nothing but bad habits…!”1bd96c59299139e9

That was when it happened.640254056fcdbd5b

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Boom!ec29613b163a5117

A deafening noise erupted b3f8274d97 not far from where b527fea340 the Marquis stood.ce3d38f28f1f74a6

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Everyone turned, startled, to the 131b59c070 source of the sound.ab423f23a3158ba7

And then they gasped 5ce890fb7b in shock.e35c675a6312d48b

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“Gasp. Th-That…!”b4de735a7bc6673c

“T-The Duke… The table…!”586607879699a743

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A thick cloud of dust a37883a749 rose into the air.c16d84f437b9a20f

Through the haze, a table f1d0f67a86 split cleanly in two came 86f7164d7b into view.25e1a4ac586fb003

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It was where Duke Kallios 23165c2c7a and his son were seated.22b8ba39741457e4

Thanks to the commotion, it 8b4134a011 was easy to spot both 50df48051b the Duke and Edwin, whose 6560e5219d location I hadn’t known before.9dff7c71f038b1c6

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‘Did he just… break the table with a single punch…?’6c71bde5255d15b2

I was astonished by 1bb7c1efd0 the Duke’s immense strength.09b9e1a553fe7d16

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However, he casually retracted his 324f543f69 fist from the air and ad5384d29d elegantly rested it on his 52a5b4d6c3 crossed leg.9c6d4d76e692a07f

As if he ffb2205a80 hadn’t just shattered 0de115ec21 a table.bc3bf609aea1be11

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Surprisingly, Edwin, seated beside him, 015c2beb93 remained just as calm.f1943d73fe97fe73

Even though his father 95325a184f had caused such a 2ccf50200f scene, he didn’t so e660286c78 much as blink.102a869f60493a8a

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Instead, his eyes, sharp 5ce839d1c1 and icy, turned toward fdc79a6fee Marquis Barelotte, glaring at f4aa7f0615 him.8fd90eae3d2363da

“Gulp…!”e581e204e1217c9f

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“Ugh!”d482289e2e8a4782

The nobles who d570e10304 met the fierce 4da5b9e1d7 gazes of the 2e8413a2dd father and son b7e5c15401 hurriedly averted their d7418894e0 eyes in fear.cd65e96a31f54289

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The Duke surveyed the hall 4ab32c9398 with his piercing golden eyes, 28237472f0 before locking his gaze on ca0ef72482 the Marquis.142876cc8108ac35

“Watch your mouth.”3f7160da995837f9

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“…”d83e8b0ca29273df

“Be careful, Marquis.”f08798da66628f7d

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“H-Heek!”7576675606b985aa

Overwhelmed by the Duke’s chillingly 56556248e2 ominous aura, Marquis Barelotte flinched 8a2e800841 and staggered backward.538a9e716654b571

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“Do you have any evidence?”2fb49eb87cc29509

The Duke spoke e98847ef10 heavily, asking again.2283fc61bf0203ee

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“Any proof that our Belze stole?”404a217d1a05eb91

“W-Well…”db75b99d4bac80d5

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“If you have no proof, you shouldn’t go around accusing people of being thieves.”29440e68517b3598

“But there’s that anonymous 100 talents that were given, isn’t there?!”db4a245a780b7c68

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The Marquis stammered, 0e2c33b4fc sweat dripping from 58ecc6441d his face as 7489de53b7 he tried to af51d9ea7d defend himself.326b3a8821fea45c

Yet the Duke remained unfazed.fa4ea24da6aced60

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“And so?”10de5b3acbae929b

“P-Pardon?”1a85683d0cc99f1b

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“What does that even mean?”ed5ff264bc18effc

“What do you…?”6c4cde8e1c6bcafb

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“All we know is that an unknown noble, much like myself, came and purchased goods worth 100 talents… Why accuse our child of theft based on that?”9ab474b49b87c34e

“…”c85aeec6c6a20956

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“It’s almost as if you want Belze to be the thief, doesn’t it?”026724c6eca00a8e

The Duke’s voice was calm d02cfa4175 as he questioned, his gaze 68b3740d45 unwavering.22931b3abdaf2f2e

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“Indeed, it seems that way.”0fb13d03367f4f0c

A few nobles 56523c5978 started to nod 13c72b4426 in agreement with 06c6e239db his words.a6771163e0e25263

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Marquis Barelotte, looking around with 7bd4167de3 a flustered expression, eventually responded 96b5d7d68d with a face full of 7a10a0f8be frustration.2687fd715077b61b

“I just thought… that based on the circumstances, it’s highly likely that child is the culprit…”f73bf85d19edc226

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“Circumstances? How could there be be406de9fe suspicious circumstances when she’s 4edcd81fe3 done nothing wrong?”5dab1bedbbcfd313

“Your Grace! There’s a limit to how much you can protect her…!”c0ec374412c1da5d

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“I find it more suspicious that the Marquis is so quick to make baseless accusations.”b254a195c8d73998

The Marquis’s temper flared, 8e315f194c and he raised his 51b986fc59 head indignantly.94d1f228427e30b3

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“W-What makes me suspicious?!”b0d857cd51c1b791

The Duke shrugged.a00d81e9a06a683f

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“Who’s to say you didn’t embezzle those 100 talents yourself and stage this whole scene?”c21db3d3f1c9406e

“W-What nonsense…!”90b8072c14b618fa

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The Marquis’s eyes widened 1250c68d65 in disbelief.85b2abb17776d5bf

It was an 1c449b7b07 insult severe enough 768ace1a19 to potentially spark 313bf532dd a feud between 0c4c308cf1 their families.be0b362f7c978075

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Seeing the escalating tension, the 94c9af5478 nobles around them quickly began 5572735a9b to assess which side they 8e10bea153 should align with.f13d3496a36b3fb8

Yet the Duke, 913d687367 unconcerned, continued with 278b57f16d an even bolder cfcbcaf7f5 accusation.319b48dbb222b192

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“Isn’t it odd? The missing amount just so a4773573ef happens to match the maximum d318588664 exchange limit for each household.”45e390b611966b8e

“Your Grace!”8a3f7fd640cec307

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“I’ve also heard that the Marquis’s finances have been in trouble lately… Perhaps it’s not that you’re supporting a Saintess candidate, but that you did this out of desperation?”91c3ba9dfba47f7b

“T-That’s absurd…!”3566d3359425a4af

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“You’d walk away with 100 gold coins if you could brush this off as a theft.”72f28ae67a0c10ca

Naturally, nobles could 325f4228f9 exchange unused talents 706981d7e0 back into gold 065d7f38df coins.3a010055c44c037f

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If they claimed not to 64fedfef65 have spent any, they could af33795a7f take 100 gold coins back 1e8bd3e029 home.e582345d9cebcb16

Several nobles nodded 9f3e1e5229 quickly, finding the 818d391da3 Duke’s theory quite 18fc9afbfe plausible.b78f216770252c10

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“That makes sense!”4a8359d47fb9d563

“Yes, I’ve heard rumors that Barelotte’s arms business has been struggling lately…”399e9e0e082e028e

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100 gold coins was no small sum.bf165ab916f8c7ac

‘That’s about 10 million won in Korean currency.’aae0d737d2e41b8e

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For a noble in financial 93bfbe4019 difficulty, it was enough to 0e566aa3fa keep them afloat for a 596b50b54e month or two.051a48551b24651a

However, everyone in f03e556a11 the room knew 68e0ec8700 that, for the e6e9fa61f8 Duke, this sum 39b4540bcd was insignificant—something he a287805f0f could easily gift ceed215ffd to a child 6620ac240e he supported.153e1dcf4f14e226

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“That’s probably why he’s so agitated, over a mere 100 talents.”d3dfc059762fffe7

“…”208de5156e35f803

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“Wouldn’t you all agree?”2fb5059c5d327be7

The Duke looked around lazily, 400c553428 seeking support, with a rare 0a5d02f8ed smirk curling up one corner 79c105a5be of his mouth.2f8c8bb2f463045b

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It was a side of 23d5abe63a him I had never seen 225d3455bd before—he looked utterly villainous.a1e7837f92ea40e8

As I watched him, 538bf5ca65 I was filled with bd278335e9 shock.2d51af4019d7654d

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‘He looks… just like a villain!’9419dcb11bae6aec