Chapter 65

Duke Daughter 65: The Last Piece

Editor’s Note: FYI Priest Christopher is also Priest Ralph, in case this confuses you .

I produced a book browned and worn with age .

“—No… That is…!!!!” (Pope)

Most people were unaware of the significance of the book I just took out and began to ask about what it was that I was holding… All but two people, of course .

They were Priest Christopher and the Pope, since it is expected that they’re familiar with this document .

“All the priests of the Church know what this book is; it is a book that contains the names and signatures of all of the servants of the Lord . ” (Iris)

Even if it is the Church, they are still an organization . Priests do not live on holiness alone and need money to support themselves and their families . As such, their transactions must be recorded . This book is a book of accounts and contains the names of all who serve the Church .

All of the priests’ names are recorded here, including the one I corresponded with regarding the chapel I demolished .

“This book also contains the names of those who signed the contract, those who I made inquiries to, and those who I questioned regarding the matter of the chapel . I was surprised to find them in this book and to discover that they were such high-ranking members of the Church . ” (Iris)

“… . Why?! You… Are… You…!” (Pope)

The Pope stared wide-eyed at the book, and his eyes seemed as though they would explode from their sockets .

This was my decisive piece of evidence . No matter what other evidence I could bring or even if I could convince the entire nobility to side with me, this was the most crucial . The Pope and Lady Ellia would not admit defeat if the evidence were not this conclusive .

Thus, this evidence will silence them all .

“I have no idea how you obtained that, but, as Her Majesty indicated earlier, this may have been falsified unless you can show something that proves it to be a genuine article of the Church . If not, then continuing this discussion is pointless . ” (Priest Ralph Christopher)

Priest Ralph Christopher said this even though he was the one who provided me with this book . It seems he feels this will be my victory . Lady Ellia took the bait Priest Ralph Christopher set out almost immediately .

“Priest Ralph’s words are right . We must determine whether this document is real . ” (Ellia)

“If it needs to be proven as genuine, then may I ask Priest Ralph to determine its legitimacy?” (Iris)

As I said that, I approached Priest Ralph with measured steps . No one attempted to stop me as I handed the document over to Priest Ralph .

He quickly leafed through the pages and looked intensely at the last page .

“… This is…” (Priest Ralph or Christopher)

Then, as if surprised, he returned the book… I must say that this person is an excellent actor . I wonder why he became a priest instead of a politician…

“Yes… This is without a doubt a document of the Church . ” (Ralph)

He muttered and trembled as he spoke . His voice carried throughout the room and every priest began to gather around him… Really… Even I do not have this level of acting ability .

“Why can you…?!” (Priest A)

“Here . You may verify it as well . ” (Ralph)

At his words, he passed the book to another priest . This passing of the book continued for a while until it finally reached the hands of an elderly sister .

“Quickly tell us if this document is real or not . ” (Ellia)

Her hands began to quiver and her face contorted in anger . Now SHE is a horrible actor .

“Yes, your Majesty… This book contains on the last page the seal of the Cardinal and the Pope . These are both special seals that cannot be made without special materials known only by the Church in order to prevent forgery of important documents like this one . This document is indeed genuine . ” (Elderly Sister)

The Cardinals’ and Pope’s seals . There are five cardinals and one pope that make up the highest-ranking members of the Church .

“It is as she said, Lady Ellia . This document is real . Furthermore, I believe all will be solved after hearing the testimony of these two individuals . ” (Iris)

At my last word, the door swung open and two men were led in by Ryle . They were the two priests… or should I say, “former priests”? We used the full extent of the Duke of Armelia’s power and found them by exhausting Tanya and her vast network of connections .