Yesterday, I was able to finish the slightly cooled minotaur steak.
Dash said, "I'll make it again!" but even though it was a bit cold, the taste was satisfying.
When I thanked Dash and Himika, they were the ones who felt embarrassed.
Since it was revealed that I was the lord, they became overly considerate, but I asked them to treat me as usual, and things eventually calmed down.
It also got out to the townspeople, but only to some of the people who were there, and the guards were not a problem.
After staying in the usual luxurious room, I had breakfast at the cat's comfort inn and was thinking about what to do today. I had met with the guild masters last week, so next would be the church. Cain thought it was necessary to do something about the recovery magic, which was more expensive in this town than in other towns.
"Thank you for the meal. The breakfast was delicious too."
Cain finished his meal and called out to Enac, who was working in the hall.
"Brother Cain, are you leaving again?"
Enac asked with a sad expression.
"Yeah, I have to do some lord's work today and tomorrow. I'll come back for a meal again."
"Thank you, my lord. Thanks to you, Enac didn't get hurt."
The two bowed in gratitude, but Cain told them it was fine to treat him as usual.
"Even so..."
Dash nodded with a wry smile.
"We'll try to prepare something delicious for you again. Please come back if you like."
Himika replied beside him. Cain nodded in agreement.
"I'll try to stay or come for a meal next week. See you again, Enac."
Cain greeted the three and left the inn, heading for the lord's residence. As soon as he was seen at the gate, one of the guards went to call Elive, and the other bowed.
"Welcome back, my lord."
"Yeah, I'm back."
While raising his hand to the guards, Cain went straight into the office of the lord's residence. Elive soon entered the room.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Viscount Cain. Is there anything you need to investigate today?"
Cain nodded in response to Elive's question.
"Not immediately, but an internal affairs officer is coming. We need to change the state of this town, and we'll have to bring people from my father's Galm border region. I'll need your cooperation when that happens."
"...An internal affairs officer... I understand. I'll consider the accommodations."
"Also, about today's schedule, can I meet with the priest in the afternoon? There are things I need to ask."
Cain had things to ask the church, including the high treatment fees. Healthcare was important for the town's development, and it had to be accessible to everyone.
"Stag, the priest, doesn't usually leave the church... It's just that..."
Elive was sweating and seemed hesitant to explain.
"That's fine. I'll go to the church. I haven't been there recently, and I should pray sometimes. I'll head over a bit later."
Cain hadn't been to the church since becoming the lord. He thought he would meet the gods again by praying, but he also wanted to report to them.
Cain went through the documents he received from Elive, stamping them for approval. He had lunch in the office, changed into slightly better casual clothes, and headed for the church. Elive had tried to prepare a carriage, but Cain, who had only recently become the lord, wanted to see more of the town with his own eyes, so he declined and walked. Elive had at least wanted to provide a guard.
The church was located a bit south of the central square, and Cain walked leisurely from the lord's residence, checking out the town. There were a fair number of people, and the shops seemed to be doing well. He passed through the central square, where the adventurer's guild hall was, and headed south.
The church was easy to find because it was much larger than the town's scale.
"A church of the same size as the capital of Gracia... Is it really necessary for this town?"
Cain thought as he opened the church doors. As soon as he entered, a receptionist was sitting there.
"Are you here to pray today? Or... not for treatment, I see."
The receptionist greeted Cain as he entered.
"I'm here to pray and to meet the priest."
Cain politely told the receptionist. The receptionist frowned in response.
"Praying costs one silver coin. Also, the priest does not meet with those who do not have an appointment."
Praying at the church was a donation, not a fee, and the amount should be decided by each individual. Cain was puzzled that this church had set a specific amount, and one silver coin was equivalent to 10,000 yen, which was too high for a single prayer.
"Does this church specify the amount of donation for praying? In other towns, the amount is left to the individual."
Cain said strongly to the receptionist, as it was a bad practice.
"I can't do anything about that. I'm just following the priest's instructions. If you can't pay, please leave."
Her voice was getting louder, and two church knights came out from the back. The church had its own knight system, with knights dispatched from the church in the capital to each town's church. They all wore white armor, which was easily recognizable.
"It sounds like there's a commotion. What's going on?"
One of the church knights asked the receptionist.
"This child is complaining about the fee for praying."
Hearing the receptionist's story, the church knight turned to Cain. The knight came up to Cain, knelt down, and looked him in the eye.
"You're from another town, right? This is how it's done here, by the priest's authority. I'm sorry, but can you comply?"
This knight didn't seem to be a bad person. The command of each town's church was generally in the hands of the priest, and this knight was just following orders.
"I have no problem paying the silver coin. However, isn't one silver coin too high for an ordinary person to pray? I've also heard that the treatment fees are exorbitant. I came here today to talk about these fees. I am the new lord of this town, Cain von Silford Drinter. Please inform the priest."
"Wh-what...?"
The three, the church knights and the receptionist, were surprised to learn that Cain was the lord.
"Do you have any proof...?"
One of the knights hesitantly asked, so Cain showed them the dagger that proved he was the lord. Seeing the dagger, the knight confirmed that he was the lord and his face turned pale.
"I'm very sorry. I'll go and confirm with the priest. Please wait a moment."
One of the knights ran off to the back. After a few minutes, the knight returned.
"I apologize for the delay. Priest Stag will see you. Please follow me."
Guided by the church knight, Cain was led to a reception room. The reception room was lavishly decorated with gold and silver ornaments, and several paintings were hung on the walls, making it hard to believe it was a church reception room. The sofa he sat on was so soft that it sank in, and it was a high-quality item. The sister brought tea, which had a wonderful aroma and delicious taste, and was clearly not something sold commercially. After a short wait, a person who looked like the priest entered. No, it was more like an orc, so fat was the priest.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I've been busy... I'm Stag, the priest here. Nice to meet you, Viscount Cain."
Stag, the priest, wobbled his heavy body and sat on the sofa. The sofa creaked just from him sitting down.
Moreover, the smell of alcohol came from his mouth, and Cain frowned at the stench.
"I am the new lord of this town, Cain von Silford Drinter. I came here to ask about the church in this town. First of all..."
Thus began the battle of words between Cain and Stag, the priest. Thank you as always.