"First, regarding the church, why is there a set fee for prayers? Generally, the amount of offerings is not set, and it is left to the individual's discretion. Moreover, one silver coin seems too expensive for ordinary citizens, doesn't it?"
Kain confronted Stagg the priest about the fees for prayers and treatments from the very beginning.
In response to Kain's words, Stagg the priest, fanning his face, showed no sign of remorse.
"Lord Kain, the reason for the fees is that there are very few ordinary citizens who come to pray; mostly it's the heads of merchant guilds. Therefore, even with the standard fee set at one silver coin, there hasn't been any particular issue. Some merchant guilds even leave a large silver coin. As for the treatment fees, there are few sisters in this church who can use healing magic, and if too many people come, we can't handle it. That's why we have set the fees as a way to select who can receive treatment."
Stagg the priest answered while fanning his sweating face.
"Can't you just increase the number of sisters? You, Stagg the priest, can use recovery magic. This is a city with many adventurers, and there are many people who need treatment. Why don't you request more sisters from the capital church?"
"Even to get one sister dispatched, we need to make a contribution to the capital church. This church doesn't have that kind of surplus. Or, are you willing to increase the subsidy from your side, Lord Kain?"
In response to Kain's question, Stagg the priest, with a sly smile, demanded more money.
"That's not acceptable. The size of this church building and the luxury of the facilities are excessive. I will cut the subsidy for the time being."
Kain answered immediately. He was not providing the subsidy to support the priest's luxurious lifestyle. Especially not for a priest who wore rings on both hands and had a flabby belly.
"Hmm—. If that's the case, I have no choice but to raise the fees for prayers and treatments. This will cause even more inconvenience for the citizens."
Stagg the priest, showing no concern, answered with a sly smile. Kain was convinced that Stagg had no intention of changing.
"I understand your stance, Stagg the priest."
"Ah, as expected of Lord Kain, you understand. So, the subsidy will continue as usual, right?"
"No, I will report to the headquarters of the capital church using my authority as the lord. You drink during the day and charge citizens illegally. You are not needed in the city I will govern. I will leave now."
Kain, who could not agree with Stagg's way of thinking, completely turned against him and stood up.
Stagg, hearing about the report to the capital, panicked.
If the capital church sent an inspector, Stagg knew he would be in trouble. Until now, he could cover up his actions by submitting accounts, but if the city was inspected directly, his misconduct would be exposed. Stagg imagined his luxurious lifestyle, built up over the years, collapsing.
"Lord Kain, please wait a moment."
Stagg hurriedly tried to stop Kain, but Kain left the reception room.
Stagg, staring at Kain's back, nervously fidgeted and bit his nails, then muttered.
"This... brat, getting carried away. Hey, is anyone there!?"
In response to Stagg's call, one of the church knights rushed over.
"Father, did you call?"
"Yes. Tell Betty, the sub-guild master of the Adventurer's Guild, that I said, 'The moon tonight is black.' She will understand."
"Understood."
The church knight bowed to the priest and left the room.
Kain, who had come out of the church, had completely forgotten about his plan to pray and meet the gods.
"I left in a rush, so I can't go back now to pray. Well, I have business with the capital church, so I'll do it then."
Kain, on his way back to the lord's residence, looked around the city, peeked into shops and market stalls, and stopped by the Adventurer's Guild.
He wanted to know the current state of treatment in the city. He had passed by the guild on his way to the church, which was nearby, but it took longer than expected due to the detour.
Kain opened the door and went inside.
As soon as he entered, he felt people's gazes, but they quickly turned away. Looking around, those who didn't know Kain thought it was just a child and lost interest. On the other hand, those who knew about the recent incident looked down and trembled, avoiding eye contact.
Looking at the receptionists, Kain noticed that there were several beautiful women. The sub-master, Betty, was not there, so he approached an available receptionist.
"Excuse me, I would like to see the guild master, Rikisetsu."
"Do you have an appointment? Generally, the guild master only meets high-ranking adventurers or those with appointments."
In response to Kain's question, the receptionist answered formally.
"I don't have an appointment, but I think it will be fine if you tell him my name. It's Kain."
"Then I will check with the guild master. If you have a guild card, please show it to me."
Kain handed the receptionist his golden A-rank guild card.
"Wh-What... A-rank!? I apologize. I will check immediately."
The receptionist, surprised that the boy in front of her was A-rank, quickly went to the guild master's office.
Within a minute, the guild master, Rikisetsu, came out to the reception area, looking flustered.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Lord Kain. Please follow me."
"Rikisetsu, thank you for last week. I came without an appointment because I had something to discuss. I apologize for the inconvenience."
Kain bowed to Rikisetsu in greeting.
Guided by Rikisetsu, who was flustered, Kain followed behind.
As soon as Kain was out of sight, the receptionists started talking.
"Who was that kid!?"
"He was cute, but to have the guild master so concerned!?"
"Hey, Aura, explain!"
The receptionist Kain had spoken to earlier.
"Even if I explain, he wanted to see the guild master, so I showed him the guild card and the guild master came out in a hurry. Still, he's just a kid, but he's A-rank."
"A-rank!?"
The receptionists were shocked to hear that a child who had only recently registered was already A-rank.
"Do you like older people...?"
"This is... something else..."
"To be A-class at that age..."
"Could he be... a prodigy?"
The receptionists' eyes gleamed like those of predators.
Unbeknownst to Kain, he had become a target for the receptionists.
Guided by Rikisetsu, Kain sat on a sofa in the reception room.
Rikisetsu, sitting across from him, waited nervously for Kain to speak.
A receptionist soon entered with tea but, for some reason, winked at Kain before leaving.
"So, what is today's talk about...?"
Rikisetsu asked Kain, looking worried.
"Well, actually, I just had a conflict at the church. I came to ask you about it."
"Did you... destroy the church—"
"I didn't!"
"Sorry."
Kain corrected Rikisetsu's misunderstanding and explained the current situation.
"Indeed, this city has many adventurers, and some can use basic healing magic. However, only priests or high-ranking sisters can cast high-level healing spells. At one gold coin, it's too expensive for ordinary adventurers. If they can't heal their injuries, they have to retire. Some can become guild staff like me, but it's not easy. Most end up in the slums..."
Rikisetsu regretted that cheaper healing magic would prevent adventurers from retiring.
"Regarding the exorbitant fees for healing magic, I talked to Stagg the priest today... We had a falling out, and I will report to the capital church. The fees are too high compared to other cities."
Kain explained the earlier conversation to Rikisetsu.
"That Stagg the priest! Living in luxury all by himself."
Rikisetsu and Stagg the priest did not get along. Rikisetsu had tried to negotiate lower fees many times but had failed.
"By the way, I have something to give you."
Kain took a small bag from his pocket.
It contained three platinum coins.
"It won't be enough for the training ground repairs, but this is a personal subsidy from me. Please handle the tax procedures properly. An internal affairs officer is scheduled to be assigned to this city, and an audit will be conducted. Please prepare for it."
"I appreciate it. I will accept it gratefully. I don't understand the financials, so I leave it all to Betty."
Rikisetsu, with a wry smile, checked the contents of the small bag and carefully put it away.
"By the way, I haven't seen Betty today."
Kain wondered where Betty, who was usually by Rikisetsu's side, was.
"Someone came suddenly, and after talking, she said she had an emergency and left."
Kain didn't pay much attention to Rikisetsu's answer.
And thus, the curtain rose on the upcoming battle.