Chapter 120: Tpcp 120
The Predator’s Contract Partner
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âThe ledger is weird. But I donât know who intervened from where. So I guess Iâll have to change the whole department altogether.â
With those words, Elisha recalled Rosariaâs history. 20 years ago when she returned from a war, she said she wanted to rest in the temple.
So, the temple sent Rosaria to a solitary post. She was the general manager of the templeâs treasures.
She was also responsible for managing the local monasteries in the provinces. Rosaria had a thorough character who fulfilled her job exceptionally. Such a person would have immediately noticed that the ledger was strange.
Then Lucerne spoke up. He seemed to have something on his mind.
âIt wouldnât be a bad idea to go to the Relic Vault once.â
Elisha also had an idea, so she spoke out in support.
âMaybe we can help.â
âYou two?â
âDid you forget? At the age of fourteen, I organized all the books Rosaria-nim had. At that time, I also checked the ledger records for the Relic Vault. So I might remember something when I see it.â
***
High Priest Anton, who was in charge of the relic vault, was walking around the crypt, hiding his trembling hands. His role was to take care of the sacred objects and keep the exhibition halls tidy.
âWhat can I do, I canât break ties with Merha-nim even though things have come to this point. Is this really the last time?â
Merha was Antonâs teacher. He was raised in poverty and was entrusted to the temple after his sister got sick.
Anton grew up serving Merha. So he was the object of fear to him. This was because Merha was cruel to the priests below him and had often brutally beaten him.
Moreover, Merha held Antonâs family hostage. Because he had borrowed his sick sisterâs hospital bills. At that time, Anton, whose weakness was caught, secretly manipulated the ledger several times behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, suddenly Merhaâs son Marco came in and threatened Anton.
âI know how to blame you for stealing the holy things under my fatherâs instructions! Let me in. Do you know who I am? Iâm from the Cartier family!â
Anton wept and reluctantly let Marco in. For him, the visits of the distinguished guests were like being struck by lightning on a clear day.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âWelcome, ArchbishopâPope. And my lord, the High General,â
He greeted them politely.
***
âWhat is your name?â
Rosaria asked.
âMy name is Anton. I work here to manage the relics.â
Elisha was familiar with Antonâs name.
âNo way⦠⦠.â
Anton was a high priest in charge of the relic storage. He was found dead several years later in the templeâs pond. He had died during a big ceremony in the temple. So it became quite a topic of discussion.
Anton wrote in his will that he stole a lot of relics because he was short of money at the time and had manipulated the ledger. And he took responsibility and committed suicide by throwing himself into a pond.
However, the relics said to have been stolen were nowhere to be found. At that time, the templeâs corruption was so severe that everyone was quiet.
Later, overhearing Jacobâs and Carolaâs conversation, she learned that Merha murdered Anton after he blamed him for his crimes.
âWe think itâs too bad. Carola is so scared. You know, we heard rumors that that senior priest named Anton was induced to commit suicide by the senior priest lying to him that he would feed his whole family. He was a weak child so he was deceived. But he didnât care about his family. Besides, we heard that his younger sister is a beauty. High Priest Merha⦠⦠. Carola canât say things like that. Compared to High Priest Merha, my husband and I are angels.â
He was the future victim of the Cartiers. Maybe he was still involved; she didnât know. Elisha looked at Anton and asked calmly,
âAre you okay, isnât your complexion not good?â
âYes? I am fine.â
Anton donned a straight face. But he was sweating like rain.
âGet away from my wife and answer me,â
Lucerne said blankly. Anton looked numb, just making eye contact with him.
âYesâ yes!â
Lucerneâs expression asked why Elisha was interested in him. She asked calmly,
âAre you in charge of the treasury book?â
âEr, the person in charge of the ledger has been away for a while to eat now. During that time, I am in charge of the ⦠⦠.â
Then he was the person with access to the ledger; she was right. Elisha pondered for a moment, then she spoke indifferently:
âThe person in charge of the ledger must come back soon. Itâs a matter of life and death.â
Antonâs eyes changed at those words.
âYes?â