Chapter 250: Son of the Grand Inquisitor
“Mr. Fenrir, an urgent letter was delivered from the residence!”
Leon had just arrived at the stable inside the stronghold when a subordinate acting as a messenger hurried over.
“What?” Leon was somewhat surprised to hear this.
He had only just returned and was preparing to ride back to the Viscount's residence to inspect Adele's management of the territory, yet a letter had already arrived from the Viscount's residence?
Neither Adele nor the people he had stationed beside her knew his itinerary. Had something simply come up, so she sent someone to confirm whether he had returned yet?
Leon took the letter from the man, opened it, and quickly skimmed through it.
Adele had written to inform him that just an hour ago, a guest had arrived with several attendants, claiming to be the son of the Marquis of Isenburg, Inquisitor Edward Stuart, and had presented the Church's insignia, saying that he had an important matter to discuss with the Viscount of Allende.
After Adele responded according to the excuse Leon had left before departing, saying that Leon had gone out because of business concerning the territory, the other party still hadn't left and stated that he was willing to wait until dusk.
With that, Adele could only have the servants entertain the guest first, then attempt to write Leon a letter. Leon estimated that since Adele couldn't be certain whether he had already returned, she had probably sent one letter here and another to the Inquisition Office.
As Leon read the letter, his brows immediately knitted tightly.
Stuart……Stuart!
Wasn't the Marquis of Isenburg none other than the Grand Inquisitor who currently led the entire Church Tribunal, Cardinal Albert Stuart?
𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
Stuart was the only cardinal connected to Count Fry among the intelligence Leon had extracted from Bishop Beckett. To some extent, as the Grand Inquisitor, he was precisely the high-ranking Church figure who posed the greatest threat to the Count and the underground business he participated in.
However, according to Johnny, he did not directly have any financial dealings with the Count or the Count's business. Rather, because the Count represented the eastern nobility in supporting Prince Aaron, the grandson of the Marquis of Veronia, who could restrain Duke Gran, whose interests conflicted with those of the Stuart family, he had reached a subtle tacit understanding with the Count.
Leon had also heard about Cardinal Stuart's son during his investigation. Edward Stuart was Cardinal Stuart's eldest son, an Inquisitor of the Church of the Prophet, belonging to the Holy Order of Discipline, and also the Holy Son currently selected by the Church of the Prophet.
As the Holy Son, he had actually attended the Holy Spirit Festival as well. However, because he came from the western nobility, he had not attended that gathering mainly composed of Church personnel from the eastern region, and had only represented the Church of the Prophet in presiding over a sermon.
Back then, because of Bishop Beckett's instructions, Leon hadn't attended any of the sermons. Of course, even if he had attended one, he would have gone to see Weiss rather than this Lord Holy Son.
Because of that, Leon had never met Inquisitor Edward.
But now, Stuart's son, Edward, had suddenly come to visit him. Could he have come in Cardinal Stuart's place to investigate him?
Cardinal Stuart had maintained a subtle tacit relationship with the Count. There was no way the Cardinal wouldn't have paid attention to the Count's death.
And Leon was precisely the person who had killed the Count.
Moreover, they had actually chosen to visit right as he returned. Clearly, they had grasped his movements to a certain extent and deliberately chosen the timing.
That meant Stuart hadn't only started watching him now.
Had the Church's investigation finally arrived?
For a moment, Leon's heart tightened, but he quickly realized that if the Church truly intended to investigate him, they wouldn't use such a polite method. They would directly raid the dungeon and search for evidence.
However, he had now inherited the position of Viscount of Allende, and this dungeon lay within his territory. He could openly station his own soldiers or mercenaries here under the justification of preventing the dungeon from spreading and threatening the safety of his subjects. Before the Church had enough evidence to place him under sufficiently serious suspicion, it had no authority to bypass him and directly invade his territory. Otherwise, by law, as the lord, he had the right to order those stationed there to fight back.
Even if Cardinal Stuart had learned from the underworld that the man controlling Allende Island was Fenrir, the one who had killed the Count, he probably still lacked sufficient evidence to conduct a search in accordance with proper procedure.
Still, if a cardinal serving as Grand Inquisitor, a figure of that stature, became determined to kill him, fabricating evidence wouldn't be difficult either, and it would be very hard for Leon to deal with.
Leon hesitated for a moment. He could actually choose not to respond, pretend he hadn't returned, and brush off this visit.
But his instincts told him that he shouldn't hide. What he sought was to use networks of interests like the Count had, maintaining his safe standing when facing the Church while conducting underground business. Johnny had already agreed to give him a list of high-ranking Church personnel who had business dealings with the Count. As long as his business generated sufficient profit, he could build a new network of connections.
But Cardinal Stuart's side was ultimately a problem he couldn't avoid. He had to find a way to face it. The other party had openly announced his identity and come to visit this time, probably because he was also testing Leon.
“Notify the entire stronghold now, including the temple side, and have the emergency contingency plan enter standby status……” Leon began issuing orders.
Just in case, he still had to prepare for the possibility of an investigation first.
After killing the Count, he had invested considerable time and resources into establishing a contingency plan. If an investigation occurred, the dungeon would enter a disguised state and release monsters to guard the entrance, making it look like an ordinary dangerous dungeon.
Rena, Weiss, and the others, along with all supplies unsuitable for discovery, would be transferred into the completed secret passage. The excavated passage connected to the hillside on the other side, from which a newly opened trail could reach the renovated abandoned village on the western side of the island. From there, they could escape by boat.
Although judging from the situation, the possibility that the other party had brought an investigation warrant wasn't especially high, Leon still felt it was better to be cautious just in case.
After directing his subordinates to arrange everything one item at a time, Leon mentally prepared himself, mounted his horse, and departed.
Eastern side of the island, the Viscount of Allende's residence.
Accompanied by Petra, Adele returned to the sitting room once again. Edward Stuart, who had been sitting on the sofa with his arms folded and eyes closed in rest, immediately opened his eyes and turned toward Adele with a faint smile: “Madam, has His Lordship the Viscount returned?”
“I'm sorry, not yet, I only just had someone send the letter out……” Adele replied apologetically.
“No, I should be the one apologizing. I was simply too impatient.” Edward lowered his head in response.
As the Holy Son selected by the Church, he had an elegant and handsome face, and the smile at the corners of his lips seemed never to disappear.
But when facing such a person, Adele felt deeply uneasy. After all, she now not only knew about Leon's illegal business, but had personally participated in it.
At a time like this, someone from the Church had suddenly come to visit Leon, and he was even an Inquisitor from the Holy Order of Discipline, which specialized in investigating Church personnel. After being told that Leon had gone on a long trip and hadn't returned, he had inexplicably insisted on waiting inside the residence. With something this abnormal, how could she possibly feel no pressure?
This handsome Church Holy Son treated others with impeccable courtesy. At first glance, he actually resembled Prince Aaron somewhat.
But in Adele's eyes, the difference between the two was still enormous.
Because of her business dealings, she had met quite a few different people, so she could tell that the smile on his face was merely a professionally trained social smile without the slightest warmth. His gaze when looking at others also always carried an obvious sense of scrutiny, creating an inexplicable pressure.
This was a man accustomed to wearing a mask, completely different from Aaron, who could regard Leon as an upright and kind person.
“My Lord Bishop, my husband has already been away for five days this time. Although he said he'd probably return around these few days, there was never an exact date. He might have been delayed by something, so if you continue waiting like this, I'm afraid……” Adele tried to persuade him.
“It's all right, I'm free until five o'clock. I don't have anywhere else to go anyway, so I might as well wait for a while.” Edward replied with a smile, “What if I happen to run into him? Or is my being here making things inconvenient for you, Madam?”
“How could that be? I'm only worried that our hospitality isn't adequate.” Adele shifted her gaze toward the teacup on the tea table.
The tea poured for Edward had already gone cold by now, yet Edward still hadn't taken even a single sip.
“My Lord Bishop, is the black tea not to your taste? Shall I have someone bring another pot? Do you drink herbal tea?” Adele tried asking.
“No, I'm not thirsty. I'll just sit here and rest for a little while. Madam Viscountess, you needn't concern yourself with me.” Edward replied with a proper smile.
But Adele only felt immense pressure. She could do nothing but force herself to reply with an “All right” and a few polite remarks before leaving the sitting room.
Inquisitor Edward's insistence on staying here until Leon returned was simply too strange, leaving her somewhat restless.
Should she check whether she had properly hidden those account books that couldn't be discovered? No, moving those things at a time like this would actually be less safe.
If only Leon would return now. Facing a situation like this alone was, after all, a little……
Just then, the residence's main door suddenly opened, and Leon strode inside immediately afterward.
“Leon!” Adele was first stunned, then delighted beyond expectation as she went forward with the servants to greet him, “You really came back?”
“Oh, it's pretty rare to see you looking forward to my return this much.” Leon couldn't help laughing at Adele's reaction, “What? Missed me that much?”
Of course he knew the real reason Adele had been hoping for his return. He was merely teasing her.
“That's not it! Did you receive my letter?” Adele frowned slightly and lowered her voice seriously.
“Where's the guest?” Leon also lowered his voice.
“In the sitting room……” Adele had just turned around and gestured toward the sitting room when she suddenly paused.
Leon also quickly shifted his gaze in that direction.
Probably having heard the commotion by the main door, Edward Stuart, who had been waiting in the sitting room, had already taken the initiative to walk out, looking at Leon with a smile:
“It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Your Lordship the Viscount, I am Inquisitor Edward Stuart of the Holy Order of Discipline.”