Chapter 7: -tax and inspection cannot be avoided

Mateo had something on his mind these days.

For him, who was born the eldest son of a count’s family and lived his entire life as an elite, the position of cardinal was a symbol of glory.

He was 60 years old.

His choice to become a clergyman, despite being considered a candidate for the next count, was solely due to his devout faith.

After witnessing the creation myth of Elhaim, one of the two creator gods, Asradan and Elhaim, who were said to have created the world, and specifically the one recognized as the main deity of the Elserada Order, everything Mateo had became subservient to the Order.

For him, a man who had lived his entire life following God’s word, the existence of one particular person was a thorn in his side.

‘Theo Esteron.’

He appeared like a comet, was called a saint by everyone, accumulated many achievements, and now even held the title of the youngest cardinal.

An unprecedented promotion speed in history.

From then on, Mateo began to be conscious of Theo’s existence.

Coincidentally, their names were similar.

Perhaps that’s why it bothered him even more.

What Mateo particularly doubted was Theo’s faith.

It was only natural to doubt Theo’s faith, as he, despite receiving the title of saint, constantly missed morning prayers.

He lacked the basics as a priest.

While one might say ‘these young people nowadays,’ there were still many devout young priests.

Mateo thought that Theo, a needle that stood out so much, was someone who absolutely needed to be verified.

‘It’s also strange that the title of saint was bestowed upon someone like him.’

Rumor had it that Theo was an ordinary person who didn’t even possess faint divine power.

Therefore, Mateo focused on his background.

One of only two ducal families in the empire.

He wondered if Theo, the youngest son of the Esteron family, known for having the strongest political power, had used his influence.

An ordinary priest with no divine power repeatedly solved virulent curses that couldn’t even be cured by divine magic?

And he did it alone, without anyone’s help, a terrible curse that swallowed an entire village?

Unbelievable.

Perhaps he was someone who was deceiving everyone and mocking God.

‘I will personally confirm it. Theo Esteron.’

Mateo vowed to thoroughly uncover the truth.

****

“Suddenly an audit? What is the meaning of this?”

Immediately after receiving the letter, I stormed into Mateo’s office.

“It’s exactly as it sounds. It’s an annual regular audit, so prepare in advance.”

“I’ve never heard of such a thing…?”

“It seems the previous head of the management office didn’t tell you, did he? It’s clearly a schedule that was pre-notified half a year ago.”

The bishop who was in charge of the Holy Relic Management Office before I took the position had long since fled to some rural village.

Rumor had it he became the head priest of a famous tourist destination with hot springs nearby.

It was clear he’d seized the opportunity to escape for the purpose of recuperation.

Given his age, I couldn’t say I didn’t understand his feelings, but.

‘Still, shouldn’t he have at least done a minimal handover??’

It was too late to resent him.

Thanks to that, the handover wasn’t done properly, and only I was suffering.

“Anyway, now is not a good time. I recently went through an incident where I was kidnapped, so I can’t even properly perform my duties yet.”

I pulled out my trump card.

“Regrettably, that’s your situation. Shouldn’t you do what needs to be done?”

But it didn’t work at all.

This inflexible stickler for rules!

“And if it had been managed properly in the first place, there wouldn’t be any problems.”

I shut my mouth at Mateo’s cowardly, righteous words.

Work without any flaws normally?

I knew that was why they notified in advance, because it was impossible.

But for him to be so rigid about it, it made me suspect there might be another reason.

‘Does this person perhaps dislike me?’

How desperate must I be to even have such an absurd thought?

Just then, as I sighed.

‘…Wait a minute.’

A brilliant idea suddenly flashed through my mind.

‘Is this perhaps the perfect opportunity?’

The plan to ruin my reputation, which I had only vaguely considered.

Isn’t now the optimal time for that?

If the audit starts without any countermeasures, there’s bound to be at least one flaw caught.

Even the most competent person is bound to make mistakes.

The bigger the flaw, the better for me.

Unless it’s corruption or illegal activity, legal punishment can’t be imposed.

At most, my reputation would be somewhat tarnished or I’d receive a disciplinary action.

And if such incidents kept accumulating.

‘They wouldn’t think of picking me in the provisional Pope election, would they?’

It’s too ideal.

Moreover, if my reputation were to fall further from there, it would finally be the picture I wanted.

Once granted, the title of cardinal lasts until death.

However, it’s not uncommon for a cardinal who can’t even do his job properly to be exiled to a remote church.

To be branded as incompetent and expelled from the Vatican like this?

Then my long-desired peaceful country life would be complete.

‘Sweet, right?’

I put on a very serious expression and spoke as if resigned.

“……It can’t be helped.”

“Hmm?”

At my sudden change in attitude, Mateo’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

He stared at me silently for a few seconds.

His gaze was mixed with suspicion and caution.

“I will accept the audit. It is right for me to fulfill my duty as the head of the Holy Relic Management Office.”

“…Alright. You’ve thought well. I’ll do my best too.”

He nodded with a somewhat uneasy expression.

He seemed to suspect I was plotting something.

But Mateo didn’t bother to question it further.

“I look forward to your cooperation.”

I earnestly prayed that he would thoroughly cut me down.

****

A week passed, and finally, the audit began.

But.

“Hmm…. The report is perfect. The overall structure and the method of classifying holy relics are systematic.”

Mateo flipped through the stack of documents, nodding seriously.

I had wasted a whole week without any countermeasures, but the results weren’t going my way.

I had considered planting an error or two in the report, but the work I usually did was so thorough that there was no room to tamper with it.

A system running so smoothly there was no room for modification.

I fumed at my past self, who had automated everything without my knowledge.

“This holy relic, in particular, was also handled well. Considering it was originally damaged, the emergency treatment can almost be called art.”

Mateo said, as if impressed.

‘That, I intentionally left it unfixed, didn’t I?’

Who? Who restored it, and when?

“Cardinal Theo meticulously organized the detailed information, which made the work much easier.”

“Considering the original state of the holy relics, he even took preliminary measures, so everyone found it easy to respond.”

“That manual was really good. I think we can just follow it next time too.”

My brow furrowed automatically at the sight of the priests smiling proudly.

I couldn’t praise them.

No, I shouldn’t have.

This was the time to tarnish my reputation!

But the situation was unfolding in the exact opposite direction.

The audit was proceeding smoothly… no, too successfully.

Even Mateo looked at me, dumbfounded, and said.

“If it’s like this, I don’t need to argue any further.”

“……That can’t be.”

I hid my frustration and forced a smile.

“How about you examine it a bit more carefully? There might be an unforeseen mistake, might there not?”

The atmosphere was turning strange.

This wasn’t what I wanted.

“No.”

But even at my earnest words, Mateo shook his head.

“I’ve misunderstood you all this time. I’ve always thought you, Theo, were incompetent and lazy.”

I forced a smile and nodded.

“Your Eminence is right….”

“But now I understand. You’ve been working more diligently and responsibly than anyone else.”

“…Huh?”

When I asked again, truly surprised, Mateo nodded, his face becoming even more moved.

“You must have had reasons for missing morning prayers every time until now. You must have had a lot of work. Otherwise, results of this caliber wouldn’t be possible.”

I squeezed my eyes shut.

When in reality, during those prayer times, I was either oversleeping or secretly drinking tea in the Holy Relic Vault.

I don’t know why he’s arbitrarily raising my evaluation.

“Indeed, the Lord God had discerning eyes. It was all God’s will that the Order didn’t overlook such a talent!”

Cardinal Mateo, who was excitedly chattering to himself, now had moist eyes.

“To doubt you…. All this time, I must have been jealous of such a capable young junior. Ah, how shameful.”

Mateo, who had even confessed himself, now had almost the face of a penitent.

The priests all around nodded, going along with the mood.

I hid my crumbling insides and forced the corners of my mouth upwards.

“The audit ends here. Please continue to work diligently for the Order in the future.”

Mateo, who patted my shoulder with a warm gaze, returned with a satisfied expression.

The Holy Relic Management Office, quiet after a storm had passed.

All the priests in the management office wore happy expressions at the fact that the audit had successfully concluded.

…Except for me.

“Your Eminence. How about we have a celebratory dinner now that the audit is over?”

My plan had gone completely awry, so what kind of celebratory dinner?

“Shut your mouth and eat your bread.”

“That’s too much….”

I stuffed the grumbling secretary, Sister Lucia’s mouth with hard bread.

Having successfully quelled the complaints, I took a bite of the Vatican’s ration bread.

‘Ugh, it’s terrible.’

It still wasn’t to my taste.