Chapter 27

Read on KatReadi​ngCa​f​e

Oswin was the most influential clergyman in the city—and also the most corrupt.

His mansion was located in the heart of the city.

The garden was filled with rare flowers, and in front of the fountain stood a golden statue of an angel.

The mansion, adorned with all kinds of dazzling jewels, could easily be mistaken for a palace.

“All of this is a gift from God.”

He always said this, but in reality, it was the result of exploiting donations to fund his lavish lifestyle.

To justify his extravagance, Oswin visited an orphanage once a week.

He would hand out small gifts to the children, pat their heads, and pretend to bless them.

People called him a merciful clergyman.

But it was all an act.

Oswin’s real goal was to “adopt” beautiful young girls.

Especially the cute daughters of commoner families often became his targets.

“It is God’s guidance. He has led me to take your daughter and raise her in holiness…”

He would say this to persuade poor parents.

What parent would refuse when a bishop himself offered to raise their child?

The parents would weep with gratitude.

But they didn’t know. They didn’t know the horrors their daughters would endure.

And that wasn’t all.

Oswin would eat modest meals in front of his followers, but in his mansion, he indulged in all kinds of rare delicacies.

When he claimed to be praying in the cathedral, he was actually drinking.

A grotesque mass of desires hidden behind the mask of a devout clergyman.

That was Oswin’s true nature.

◈

The Lord of Leyton strolled through the castle with Oswin.

“…This was originally a very peaceful territory. But recently, bandits appeared, and then monsters started showing up, killing knights and soldiers in gruesome ways. Thankfully, my son managed to defeat the monsters… Haha, that boy, only ten years old, is truly fearless. He must take after me, really…”

As the Lord of Leyton continued speaking, Oswin kept wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, his mind elsewhere.

Oswin’s eyes scanned the castle’s lavish decorations, but his thoughts were solely focused on Ellie.

According to rumors, Ellie’s beauty was extraordinary.

Of course, given her status, adopting her as a “daughter” would be difficult, but he could still enjoy the sight of her.

Moreover, he could try something under the guise of giving her a blessing…

‘Hehe.’

The Lord of Leyton continued speaking.

“That’s why I’m so glad you’ve come, Your Excellency. It must be God’s will reaching this place…”

“Ah, yes. Indeed. God will surely provide help.”

Oswin half-heartedly agreed.

“By the way, when will I get to meet your children…?”

“Well, the truth is, the children are a bit sensitive right now. They’re going through a psychologically difficult time, so I’m not sure if they’ll be able to greet you properly…”

Oswin’s eyes flickered momentarily.

He was starting to feel displeased by the unexpected response.

But he quickly smiled and spoke.

“I see. I understand, Lord Leyton. However, the more difficult the time, the more God’s blessing can help. Trust me and leave them to me. I am known as a clergyman who bestows blessings upon children, am I not?”

“Hmm…”

The Lord of Leyton seemed hesitant, and Oswin couldn’t hold back any longer.

“At the very least, I would like to meet your daughter.”

Oswin was boiling with the desire to meet Ellie as soon as possible.

“If you insist… very well.”

The Lord of Leyton turned to a soldier nearby.

“Go and bring the children. If Ellie refuses to come, drag her here if you have to.”

“Understood.”

As the soldier walked away, Oswin chuckled softly.

His small eyes gleamed with desire.

A short while later, three children appeared.

Ed, Ron, and Ellie.

Oswin’s gaze immediately locked onto Ellie.

‘Oh!’

Oswin felt as if his breath had been stolen.

Ellie’s beauty was just as the rumors said. No, it was even better.

A small, pale face, large eyes, and pink lips.

It was perfect beauty. First-class.

Oswin licked his lips and swallowed.

Sweat dripped down his forehead, and his face grew flushed.

“Is… is this Ellie?”

Oswin asked.

His voice trembled with excitement.

But the Lord of Leyton didn’t notice Oswin’s change and simply nodded.

“Yes, this is my youngest daughter, Ellie. She’s a bit sensitive right now…”

Before the Lord of Leyton could finish, Oswin approached Ellie.

“My, what a beautiful child… To see that God has bestowed such a lovely child upon you… It seems you have truly received His blessings, Lord Leyton.”

Oswin reached out to pat Ellie’s head.

But Ellie stepped back, looking at Oswin with wary eyes.

“…Ellie, greet him properly. This is the bishop who has come all the way from the city.”

Despite the Lord of Leyton’s words, Ellie remained silent.

Oswin awkwardly withdrew his hand, and Ed quickly stepped forward.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Excellency. I am Ed, the heir of the Leyton family.”

Ed greeted him politely.

Oswin nodded half-heartedly.

“Nice to meet you.”

He showed no interest in Ed.

Ron also greeted him.

“Hello.”

Ron didn’t even look up from his book.

Unlike Ed, his attitude was rude.

The Lord of Leyton frowned at this, but Oswin didn’t care.

“Ah, yes.”

His interest wasn’t in Ron anyway.

Oswin looked at Ellie again with his sticky gaze.

Now it was Ellie’s turn to greet him.

‘Just how cute will she be…’

The greeting of a noble lady was a set motion.

Holding the hem of her dress, stepping one foot back, and bending her knees slightly in an elegant gesture.

Oswin imagined Ellie greeting him like this and licked his lips.

But Ellie didn’t greet Oswin.

Instead of greeting him, she hid behind Ed.

“…”

Oswin’s face twitched momentarily.

But he quickly regained his fake smile.

“Shy, aren’t we…”

It was a shame he didn’t get to see Ellie’s greeting, but her current demeanor wasn’t bad either.

Ellie was now looking at Oswin with a disgusted expression, but Oswin enjoyed such gazes.

He especially enjoyed the process of correcting such gazes.

The Lord of Leyton spoke up.

“…As I mentioned, the child has been through a lot recently and is mentally exhausted. She’s usually very polite…”

“Ah, that’s why I have a wonderful idea.”

Oswin cut off the Lord of Leyton.

“If the child is in such a sensitive state, how about she stays at our cathedral for a few days? She can pray in a holy place and regain her peace of mind.”

At Oswin’s words, Ellie flinched.

Her small hand tightly gripped Ed’s sleeve.

At Ellie’s reaction, Oswin inwardly smirked.

That gaze filled with disgust and wariness.

The discomfort and fear of a young girl always stirred Oswin’s ugly nature.

“That might be a bit…”

As the Lord of Leyton hesitated, Oswin quickly continued.

“Moreover, in times like these when monsters are appearing, a safe place like the cathedral…”

“I’ve already taken care of the monsters.”

Ed interjected.

“Ellie isn’t going anywhere. I’ll keep her safe here.”

Oswin’s face visibly twisted.

Now he was genuinely annoyed.

‘What a cheeky little brat.’

Oswin’s gaze turned to Ed.

His small eyes glinted as he spoke.

“Hmm, it seems you’re still too young to understand…”

“Your Excellency.”

At that moment, Ron, who had been reading, spoke up.

“Why did you come to the estate? Surely you didn’t come all the way from the city just for Ellie.”

“…”

Oswin’s face stiffened.

Now that he thought about it, his official reason for being here wasn’t Ellie.

Of course, his real purpose was Ellie, but outwardly, he had come because of matters concerning the territory.

Even the Lord of Leyton was starting to be suspicious of him.

It was strange that Oswin hadn’t mentioned anything about the territory and was only focused on Ellie.

“Haha… Well, I was just concerned, hearing that the children of such a distinguished lord were going through difficulties…”

Oswin tried to explain, but the situation didn’t improve.

The Lord of Leyton frowned, clearly displeased.

“My children are fine. They’re just going through a sensitive phase, but they’ll be fine soon. It’s not something Your Excellency needs to worry about.”

At the Lord of Leyton’s cold tone, Oswin grew nervous.

The Lord of Leyton wasn’t someone Oswin, a bishop from the city, could treat lightly.

He owned his own territory and was known to have a formidable military force.

“I-I meant no harm, Lord Leyton…”

Oswin put on a servile expression as he spoke.

“I was just concerned that the children might need God’s blessing. I thought it would be helpful to you as well…”

“My children will grow up just fine without Your Excellency’s blessings.”

“…”

Oswin clenched his teeth.

If interpreted a certain way, those words could be seen as denying God.

If this were the cathedral in the city, he would have asserted his authority, calling it “blasphemy”, but this was the Leyton family’s castle.

Picking a fight with the Lord of Leyton here would be suicidal.

“I would appreciate it if you refrained from interfering with my children in the future.”

The Lord of Leyton spoke in a firm voice.

Oswin hid his displeased expression and bowed his head.

“…Understood.”

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
You gotta give it to him, he is so big that he could cause an earthquake by just walking yet he runs around somehow uncaught until now, heh.