Chapter 42 (1)

Chapter 42 (1)

Monopolizing Goods #2(3)

The two sat facing each other across a shabby desk.

The bishop smiled as he mentioned that he had a good proposal.

"Speaking of your grandfather, he was indeed a great man."

The conversation began with praise for his late grandfather.

He, too, was of considerable age and had not forgotten David Rothsmedici, who had made many donations to the church in the past.

"Although he did not possess sacred healing magic like the holy priests who could wield magic, he saved countless lives with emergency treatments and folk remedies learned on various battlefields. At the time, I was a young and inexperienced priest, but I always had the impression that your grandfather had a great talent when I saw him from afar. I thought that people could be saved even without magic."

The priest's smile remained.

"Since you had such a great grandfather, there is no need to mention the descendants. So, you said you have a good proposal?"

As the priest began to approach the main point after talking about his grandfather, Rockefeller reciprocated with a smile that was no less than the priest's.

"Yes, I heard that my younger brother, who wanted to become a priest, was rejected here, so I briefly listened to the reason for the rejection and heard that the financial situation of this diocese is not good. That's why I took the liberty of coming here to see if there was anything I could do to help, even if it's small."

"Ah, was the child recommended by Priest Lucian your brother?"

"Yes, that child is Leo Rothsmedici, the fourth in our Rothsmedici family. I am the eldest."

"I see."

The priest showed a gentle smile with his hands naturally resting on the desk, wearing his ring.

The large gold ring on one of his fingers caught Rockefeller's eye, with the ruby embedded in it unknowingly attracting his gaze.

'Even though the diocese's finances are difficult, the ring on his finger is made of gold and even has a ruby?'

Of course, his gaze on the ring was only for a brief moment.

As Rockefeller's gaze quickly returned, the priest showed a slightly more serious expression than before.

"The higher-ups don't pay attention to such insignificant border areas. If there was a holy place in this area, it might be different. Or if there was something to attract the interest of the higher-ups, that would be nice. But since there is nothing like that, we have no choice but to be neglected."

"I see. But I heard that a small vineyard is being operated in a monastery located in the neighboring territory. I heard that their wine is quite good."

As if to tell him to listen, the priest let out a deep sigh.

"Sigh... If you're talking about the winery business in the monastery you mentioned, we have something to say about that, too. It also requires money."

"Can't you just borrow the money for a while?"

At that, the priest showed a stern expression.

"Who would we borrow the money from? A bank dealer?"

"Yes, if you have a good relationship with Mr. Carter, you could have gotten a loan on good terms."

The priest shook his head as if to disagree.

"No way. We utterly detest interest. Interest is, needless to say, a blasphemy against the sacred. It's something that should only happen in hell."

That's why they had been running the diocese on donations alone until now.

From Rockefeller's point of view, it was almost nauseating to see their duality, loving money but trying to distance themselves from it.

'Listening to this, it's really an amazing place. They don't want to borrow money to do business, but they want to make a lot of money.'

The priest finished speaking and looked at Rockefeller with sparkling eyes.

After the priest finished speaking, his eyes sparkled as he asked Rockefeller, "So what's this great proposal you have? If it's a good idea, I'm certainly open to it."

Would it really be right to extend a helping hand to these stubborn people?

'Even if they don't like it, they have no choice but to get on board.'

The church's hypocrisy regarding money was nauseating, but there was no doubt that the church was a unique place that could completely avoid the scrutiny of lord and tax issues.

'And for our Leo's sake as well.'

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