“Embezzling money may be an internal issue for the temple, but exploiting homeless orphans is a problem under imperial law, isn’t it?”

He closed his eyes and smiled brightly.

While welfare for the orphans in the care home was lacking, there were sufficient laws to protect the children—laws that enabled children to grow up as children should.

These were laws created by the current Emperor. Everyone had laughed at the Emperor, calling them useless laws, but they were particularly useful in situations like this.

“You’re well aware of how much effort His Imperial Majesty puts into ensuring that parentless children, or rather, that all children can grow up properly, right? Since those very children were exploited, this can’t be overlooked. Especially when you’ve even threatened me and Sasha.”

Only then did Roywick smile awkwardly.

“Hmm…”

“And you’ve made some outrageous claims in my presence earlier. What did you say? Spouting His Imperial Majesty’s intentions as you please…”

“Take him away.”
As soon as I tried to discuss the conversation I had with the Temple Master, he promptly cut him off.

“What?”

“I will relieve the Temple Master of his duties effective immediately. Please just take him away. It is only right that His Imperial Majesty should punish him. I was shortsighted.”

“Wa-wait a minute. To dismiss me like this. And my advice to Lady Isabella was only meant to—”

“Ah, yes, yes. I heard you. Then let’s proceed with taking him away. I appreciate your cooperation from the temple. His Imperial Majesty will also be pleased.”

“I hope this incident doesn’t cause a rift between the temple and the imperial palace. I’ll take my leave now. It seems I’ll be busy for a while, dealing with the wrongdoings the Temple Master has committed over time.”

Swiftly distancing himself from the Temple Master, Roywick withdrew.

“Wa-wait. Elder Council Leader! Lord Roywick! You can’t just leave like this. How, how can you abandon me…!”
But that was all. His voice filled only empty air; nobody was listening to his words. On the contrary, the wizards of the temple spat soft curses at him, their faces flushed with anger.

He waited until everyone had left, just in case someone might leave without hurling an insult.

“Those damned fools dare to curse me…! I won’t let this go!”

As expected, the Temple Master lost his temper as he watched them, but no one paid him any mind. Only after all the wizards had left did I nod toward him.

As if sensing my inner thoughts, Ron and Ken helped the Temple Master to his feet.

“Let’s go now.”

“Yes.”

“Wh-where are you taking me!”

“To the imperial palace, of course. Embezzling money is one thing, but gathering homeless children to exploit them? You’ll get just the punishment you deserve, bestowed by His Imperial Majesty.”

And then, cradling Shasha in my arms, I walked out slowly.
The intimidating staircase that had greeted us on the way up was there again. Sigh. The rest had helped my legs a little, but now they felt wobbly again.

“Sigh… we have to go down this?”

“Huh? Sister? What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

Just then, the Temple Master who had been following us from behind stumbled back in alarm.

“You’re telling me to go down here?! To me? To me?!”

“Yes. We need to give the pig some exercise, so we should walk down together.”

“That’s ridiculous!”

“Do you want me to carry you then?”

He simply shook his head vehemently.

“Don’t get any foolish ideas, Temple Master, or should I call you Tesla now?”

“To dare say my name so…!”

“What should I call you then? I’m trying to be as polite as possible, so let’s get going. I’ve been extremely tolerant of your persistent torment of our Shasha thus far.”
Then, holding Shasha, I slowly descended. My legs felt even more wobbly holding the child, but I didn’t want to show any signs of weakness to the pig behind me, so I took each step with sheer willpower.

Had we gone down about 20 steps?

“Heugh… Heugh. This is too hard.”

It’s harder for me than for you! I had to climb up this earlier!

Ignoring the panting sounds coming from behind, I continued to walk down. We had probably come down about halfway when Temple Master, no, Tesla, who had been grumbling from behind, suddenly sat down on the ground.

“I can’t go any further. I can’t! How are we supposed to go down? These aren’t… Heugh… stairs that people can… Heugh… walk down.”

“Stop complaining and come down. Do you think someone is going to carry you down if you sit there?”

“I can’t go. I won’t!”

“If you’re going to be that stubborn, then just stay there.”

Holding Shasha, I prepared to take another step.
“What should we do, Iza?”

“Well, let’s see how long he stays there. If he doesn’t move, we’ll just roll him down. That should get him going.”

Ron and Ken nodded their heads as if they were committed to carrying out my instructions.

“Wait a minute, there’s an easier way, why are you doing this?”

“An easier way?”

“There’s a portal, an easier way, why!”

“Oh, you know that portal needs to be unlocked, right?”