Chapter 16: The Merchant of Benetsa 6

Cazeros’s unexpected words automatically filled me with bewilderment, prompting me to ask her:

“What do you mean… Are you suggesting that you, Cazeros, will serve as Lord Shaylok’s defense counsel?”

“Yes… although I cannot claim full confidence, if we are unable to secure legal representation, I shall endeavor to do so. Despite appearances, I am still a member of the clergy with the necessary qualifications to defend someone in court.”

Indeed, as she said, her status as a holy knight and clergy member meant she faced no legal impediments to serving as defense counsel.

Moreover, the primary reason for Shaylok’s prosecution was essentially rooted in religious matters, so this trial would inevitably involve Church officials. In that regard, Cazeros’s involvement as a clergy member could potentially lend more weight to the defense’s voice.

However, separate from those considerations, I initially shook my head at Cazeros.

“Even so… it’s too dangerous.”

“But…”

“This is an issue I must resolve within my own means. I cannot allow an uninvolved party like you to come to harm.”

Although Cazeros had the authority to act as counsel, the fact that her client would be the Jewish Shaylok made this a decision that could not be made lightly.

Not only for ordinary Church believers but especially for a clergy member like Cazeros, defending a pagan like Shaylok would entail significant risk.

For a clergy member, whose role is to lead the exclusion of pagans, to instead defend and support one in court…

If this fact became known to the Papal State or even higher-ranking clergy overseeing this region, it would undoubtedly face fierce backlash and could very likely result in Cazeros’s excommunication.

In other words, whether successful or not, the moment she took on this case, Cazeros could face permanent expulsion from the Church’s world, just as I had.

Cazeros herself was undoubtedly aware of this, yet she spoke to me in a clear voice, with no hint of hesitation.

“I am well aware. The moment I participate in this, I will likely become someone who can never return to the clergy’s path.”

With those words, Cazeros slowly approached me.

Standing directly before me, she cautiously looked up, meeting my gaze as she continued speaking.

“However, as I have mentioned before, I am someone who has already placed my trust in Lord Santana and abandoned everything. From that moment, I have effectively forsaken my status as a clergy member. If this mere remnant of a title can be used to alleviate an innocent’s suffering, would that not be for the best?”

“Tch…”

Unable to counter Cazeros’s resolute words, I fell silent.

Certainly, as she had stated, from the moment she had departed Milan alongside me, Cazeros could be considered to have effectively renounced her status as a holy knight.

Abandoning her assigned territory and accompanying an excommunicated individual would be sufficient grounds for punishment.

While I could not refute the facts Cazeros had plainly stated, I at least wanted to express the sentiments I felt at that moment.

“Even so… I would not wish for you, Cazeros, to suffer any further harm on my account. Even if it is a mere remnant of a title, depending on the circumstances, it could serve as your final shield.”

“No… that is not the case.”

“Pardon?”

Cazeros spoke cautiously in response to my words.

Momentarily perplexed, I watched as she slightly turned her head, her voice taking on a somewhat faltering tone.

“Did you not… tell me before? That you would protect me… So please, trust me.”

“!…”

Cazeros’s unexpectedly intimate words caused a flush to rise in my own face as well.

Seeing my reaction, she spoke in a voice tinged with a strange tension.

“Although I may lose my clergy status… I still have… Lord Santana as my shield. Since I believe in your promise… you need not worry on that account.”

“…Cazeros…”

Gazing at me with a flushed face, her voice sincere, I was seized by the urge to embrace this adorable woman who had placed her complete trust in me, if only I could.

However… now was hardly the appropriate moment, especially with the butlers present, their expressions slightly ill at ease as they observed us.

Thus, I mustered all my willpower to suppress my emotions before regarding Cazeros with a composed tone.

“…Understood. If that is the case, then I have a request.”

“Yes, I will do my utmost, Lord Santana.”

Thus, with Cazeros as the defense counsel, I decided to proceed with this matter.

I then requested that the butlers bring the contract document at the heart of this case, along with any other relevant materials.

‘Although the charges brought forth appear to be attempted murder… the underlying root is a deep-seated hatred and discriminatory mindset toward Jews, which Anton and the Holy Imperium have actively exploited.’

However, it was naturally impossible for me to completely eradicate such ingrained anti-Semitic sentiments in this situation.

This resentment toward Jews, perpetuated throughout the Church’s history over days and years, could not be easily dispelled in an instant.

‘In that case, I must ultimately abandon any attempt to fundamentally change their perceptions. Of course, I can guide them to some extent, but that can only happen after the trial, when they have crossed that threshold of life…’

Temporarily setting aside the issue of basic perceptions, I contemplated how to resolve this problem and began carefully examining the contract document that Anton had brought with him.

‘Indeed… at a glance, there seems to be no issue. Only this phrase at the end… the statement about Anton offering his heart to Shaylok is the problem…’

The very sentence that had precipitated this entire incident.

Focusing on that, I meticulously reviewed the materials we had gathered, devising the best possible plan within my current means.

While it could be seen as a matter of personal honor between friends, in truth, much was at stake in this case.

Not only was Cazeros’s status as a holy knight, which could be considered halfway to excommunication from the outset, but…

If we failed here and Shaylok remained imprisoned, it would place us in an extremely precarious position, as we desperately needed to secure transportation and information from him.

With our future prospects hinging on the outcome, I had no choice but to ponder a solution diligently.

And shortly after… a glimmer of light began to shine through the depths of my contemplation.

In a small yet luxurious building located in the heart of Benetsa, at this very moment…

A woman in clerical attire and a young man faced each other, exchanging deep smiles.

“This should ensure we can definitively bring down that Shaylok.”

“Of course. No matter how formidable Shaylok may be, what can he do? Not a soul is willing to defend that Jewish wretch, and even if he tries to act directly, no judge would ever listen to his words.”

With those words, the woman took a pleased sip of her tea.

Observing her, the man…

Anton, the owner of this building and the ‘victim’ in the upcoming trial, spoke with a smile.

“Moreover, you have taken on the role of prosecutor, in preparation for any contingencies. This case is undoubtedly our victory, is it not, Prosecutor Portia?”

At Anton’s words, the woman let out a small laugh.

The young female bishop, Portia Nerissa, the prosecutor in this trial, slowly set down her teacup, a deep smile on her lips.

“Certainly. The day when we definitively dispose of that wicked Jew and claim all his possessions for the Holy Imperium is not far off.”

Thus, the two anticipated a clear victory in this case, which they considered all but concluded.

Exchanging smiles, the man and woman began to envision the rosy future that would unfold after Shaylok’s downfall.