Ch.137Report on the Downfall of Diligence (2)

For several days, Kain kept himself busy. He became reasonably friendly with the group of vagrants he had been in conflict with, joining them for work when available, and afterward enjoying gambling, cheap alcohol, and smelly bread scraps.

Just as larger tables collect more crumbs, larger cities naturally have bigger slums. The City of Lombardt wasn’t the wealthiest or most prosperous, but it was an important city in the eastern Empire. This was because it served as the central trade route with the Eastern Alliance.

Cargo gathered through the Empire’s land routes flowed to the Eastern Alliance via a great river that was “as wide and deep as the sea, yet as gentle as the plains.”

Of course, the people of the “real” maritime nation, the Eastern Alliance, found this expression ridiculous, but if one were to see the river waters rippling to the horizon, they might shrug and think, “I suppose that could be true.”

Because of this, daily employment was common in this city. On days when large shipments arrived, many workers were hired; on days with fewer shipments, fewer were employed. Sometimes there would be three consecutive days with minimal cargo, while other times shipments would continue non-stop for a week.

But even on days without work, food wasn’t a concern. People from the city committee provided free rations. Though the meals consisted only of watery porridge made from hard bread soaked in water, nobody complained.

There were many taverns that served suspicious alcohol and food for small change, where one could supplement their diet with liquor, meat, and vegetables.

Perhaps because there was plenty of work at night, the curfew here was implemented in a peculiar way. The city was divided into several sections, each with its own curfew time.

The riverbank area, home to vagrants, dock workers, cheap taverns, and brothels, had no curfew. Instead, movement from this area to other parts of the city was strictly prohibited late at night.

Kain worked diligently and earned more money than others. He spent all his earnings that same day. There was no reason to return to the back alleys with cash. What would happen but being robbed and killed?

But he didn’t waste his money. When he saw locals, he bought them drinks first, and when he spotted someone who looked somewhat decent, he bankrolled their gambling games.

Security Bureau training included lessons on gambling, most of which focused on how to lose appropriately, win occasionally, and somehow keep the conversation going.

Tonight again, Kain entered the riverbank area with others. But today, he went to neither tavern nor gambling den.

“Where are you… Ah, right. You need some fun too. Go deeper in, not near the entrance. The entrance area is the worst.”

Even in places like this, there were brothels. And next to brothels, there were always poorhouses and confession booths similar to confessionals.

They served as first aid stations for abused prostitutes, but their main purpose was salvation. The logic was that those who had fallen into sinful ways would remain in limbo, neither heaven nor hell, for a long time unless they atoned for their sins while alive.

When their current lives were already terrible, the thought of waiting without comfort or punishment was frightening to imagine. They dropped their sin payments into the donation box with a clink, and the priest would recite like a song, “Go, and sin no more.”

Occasionally, those seeking entertainment would make donations. “Since I’ve paid in advance, it’s alright to commit one sin, isn’t it?” The priest affirmed with silence. He knew it was better than quarreling with them, as the collected offerings could buy medicine and good food for the sick.

So when Kain entered the confessional, the priest tilted his head curiously. Judging by his appearance, he wasn’t a nouveau riche showing off his money, and with his strong physique and clear eyes, he didn’t seem like someone steeped in back-alley vices.

“What brings you here?”

Of course, Kain put money in first.

“I’d like to pray. Is there a quiet place?”

“Go up the stairs in the back.”

The first floor of the confessional was set up like a chapel, but the second floor was divided into small rooms. It served as both an infirmary for the sick and a place where sobbing souls could find momentary comfort while crying out to God.

This place was a kind of “sanctuary,” so even the most difficult pimps wouldn’t intrude here. Even pimps knew to fear God and the knightly orders.

As he climbed the stairs, the smell of pus and blood hit him. Following that came sobbing cries and the sound of laughter from someone banging their head against the wall. Through an open doorway, he could see a bound prostitute laughing hysterically. They said that’s what happens when a terrible disease climbs up to the head.

But all the other doors were closed. Instead, signs and symbols saying “In Use,” “Empty,” or “Patient Inside” were written on the doors. Kain stood in front of a room where a red cloth peeked through the door crack. It was marked “In Use,” but he ignored it and knocked.

Lightly three times. Then twice more. Click, the lock was released. But Kain waited a moment.

“Come in.”

“Put away the knife.”

A small laugh was heard. Kain entered the room. Maria locked the door behind him. But she still had her knife drawn.

“How’s your body?”

“You know, a person shouldn’t just lie down when they’re sick,” Maria said, sheathing her knife and crossing her arms. “It makes you weak. Why are you so thin? Lily would be upset.”

“From eating, drinking, and playing. So, did you find anything?”

* * * * *

Kain shared what he had heard at the docks and back alleys, while Maria shared what she had learned while doing odd jobs at the city hall. They compared notes. To cut to the conclusion, Hans the Diligence was a big shot. A big shot who could manipulate city policies at will.

“It’s actually better this way. If we had approached as originally planned, we might have been caught. It wasn’t intentional, but sneaking in like this was the better option.”

Maria nodded in agreement with Kain’s assessment.

The City of Lombardt, despite being under direct imperial rule, had no mayor. Instead, a city council handled mayoral duties, and Hans the Diligence had established himself as one of the seven council executives.

The reason for having a city council instead of a mayor in an imperial territory was due to Lombardt’s unique position. Trade with foreign countries had to be conducted under the Emperor’s supervision. The nation’s wealth couldn’t be imported and exported at the whim of nobles.

The problem was that the City of Lombardt was located within the Kingdom of Taranto, ruled by Bohemond I. In other words, Lombardt was imperial territory surrounded by an electorate.

In the poor Kingdom of Taranto, the City of Lombardt was a tantalizing jewel. For generations, the electors of Taranto had raised various objections to the Emperor, always concluding with, “Therefore, please cede the City of Lombardt to us.”

Naturally, the Emperor never approved, and in response, the electors would sabotage bridges, damage roads, or hire thugs to delay cargo transportation.

They never touched the cargo itself. That would be treason. Instead, they did everything possible to delay cargo transportation.

As a result, a compromise was reached between the Emperor and the elector. A committee was established in the city to handle mayoral duties.

Since this was the method used by their main trading partner, the Eastern Alliance, the people of Lombardt adapted relatively easily. The composition of the committee—three imperial appointees, three elector nominees, and one church nominee—also quickly took root.

It was a system beneficial to all: representing the elector’s position while allowing the Emperor to maintain his stubbornness, with the church getting its share as well.

Naturally, policy decisions depended on who lobbied the church more effectively, and generally, the elector had an advantage over the Emperor. No amount of lobbying could overcome the deep-rooted antagonism between the Emperor and the Pope.

But the elector’s side didn’t make excessive demands either. The agreement between the Emperor and the elector was a compromise, not a law or regulation.

If things became too excessive, the Emperor would immediately appoint a mayor. With a mayor appointed, the city committee would be reduced to an advisory body. So far, the elector’s side had been careful to maintain that delicate balance.

This was why imperial political scientists and legal scholars referred to the City of Lombardt as “a testing ground for advanced political systems.”

Given this situation, the church also sent exceptional individuals. People with political acumen, material sense, and skilled at self-defense.

The church’s clergy also coveted positions on the committee. It was a position that allowed them to befriend the Eastern Alliance, the Empire, the elector, and noble factions, not to mention the funds that came through lobbying.

When a clergyman they supported rose to a high position in the church, it ultimately benefited everyone. Until now, there had been a virtuous cycle of wealth.

However, after the Fifth Crusade, that flow was interrupted. The Pope, disliking how some clergymen had accumulated excessive wealth that threatened his position, recommended “Hans the Diligence,” one of the Seven Heroes, as his nominee.

* * * * *

Hans the Diligence was a con man. He entertained people with his troupe of jesters, dazzled villagers by detonating small amounts of gunpowder, and then sold ointments made from crushed and boiled wild herbs.

The ointment itself was effective for muscle pain and bruises due to the mint content, but not enough to justify charging five times the price of ordinary medicine.

Hans had a reason for his elaborate cons. He himself was in debt, pursued by creditors after falling victim to gambling scams. One day, some particularly nasty fellows took away his jester troupe, gunpowder, and ointments.

Hans, fleeing with only his pants on, immediately volunteered for the Crusades. Most accounts suggest he volunteered without knowing what it was, but surprisingly, Hans fought well. Well enough to become one of the Seven Heroes who sealed away the Demon King.

Hans repented his sins with tears and expressed his desire to become a new person. Numerous imperial nobles and professors flocked to this prodigal son’s self-reflection. Hans learned various virtues and management methods from them.

After some time, Hans requested “to return the love I’ve received from everyone,” and the moved Pope placed him on the Lombardt city committee.

“His reputation is incredible. He’s not only diligent in self-management but also makes every effort to handle all matters fairly and transparently.”

“I heard that because he asks questions until he understands, the tutoring fees spent on him exceed the lobbying funds. Still, he doesn’t waste the money that comes to him and invests in charity work and facilities for raising poor children.”

“Looking at his lifestyle, he’s completely like a cloistered monk. He only goes between the committee, home, and chapel. Doesn’t go anywhere else. I heard he rarely leaves the ‘upper-class district.’ Even when he does, it’s for official business, always with other people.”

Kain fell into deep thought. If he had come without knowing anything about Hans, he wouldn’t have been suspicious of Hans the Diligence.

But how could a man who was always in the public eye establish himself as the “master” of a heretical order trying to bring down the Empire?

“Wait a minute.” Maria clapped her hands lightly as if remembering something. “Come to think of it…”