Chapter 88: Contraband (14)

“Your Highness!”

“I need to see Your Highness!”

As the three passed through the monastery’s central square, Herbert heard Blake’s cry—or rather, his scream…

At that moment, Blake was pinned to the ground by two female disciplinary nuns, even more robust than he, struggling but afraid of provoking others, forced to let them hold him down as he raised his head and shouted loudly.

Herbert instinctively turned his head to glance, then immediately looked away, fixing his gaze downward as if he saw nothing at all.

“Blake? Hmm… don’t know him, don’t know him.”

What a disgraceful thing on the ground.

I certainly don’t know him.

“Your Highness Herbert—”

Yet Herbert wished to ignore him, but Blake spotted him with sharp eyes and cried out even more desperately.

His entire body trembled with agitation, as if he had just been dragged down and systematically humiliated—especially given his current posture, it was undeniably suggestive.

Since the man had called out his name, Herbert could no longer pretend nothing had happened; he frowned and turned to the Inquisitor General behind him.

“Inquisitor General, may I handle this?”

“...Go.”

After receiving the Thorn Bishop’s permission, Herbert walked straight to Blake’s side, ignoring his frantic gaze, and directly asked the two nuns:

“Sisters, what has occurred? Has my retainer done something wrong?”

“Brother Herbert… is he your retainer?”

One nun rose, frowning as she regarded Herbert sternly: “Do you know what he did?”

“Please inform me.”

“They smuggled profane objects into the monastery!”

Hm?

Profane objects?

Contraband?

Upon hearing that word, an image involuntarily flashed through Herbert’s mind.

…Pornographic books?

But seeing the fury in these two nuns’ expressions, whatever they’d smuggled in must have been far more extreme than mere books.

Could it be a fake…

But that didn’t make sense—weren’t all the guards men?

Oh, men can use them too.

“Is this true?”

Herbert blinked, glancing at Blake with genuine surprise—he never thought this broad-featured fellow was such a passionate man.

Blake, seeing Herbert’s strange look, didn’t know what he was imagining, and shook his head vigorously, exclaiming:

“No no! We didn’t! We know nothing! We don’t even know how that thing got into our luggage!”

To this, Herbert nodded gently.

Mm, go on, I’m listening.

I understand.

Every patient who comes to our department claims it was an accident—slipping in while bathing, eating, or sleeping… we all understand.

We believe you!

We’ve all received professional training; unless we can’t help it, we won’t laugh.

As Herbert was thinking about anal clinic jokes, the second nun spoke up angrily: “They concealed a charm of the Northern Witch, intending to spy on the monastery!”

Hm?

That’s not true!

The intrigue and absurdity of this situation dropped sharply.

But… the Northern Witch?

Herbert frowned, staring into Blake’s eyes, and asked slowly: “Are you aware of this?”

“Of course not!”

Blake answered firmly: “Your Highness, please believe me—I truly didn’t know! I swear by the gods! That object was not on the cargo manifest!”

“I see…”

Herbert studied him for a moment, then turned to the disciplinary nuns: “I detect no lie in him. What about you two?”

“...None either,” the nuns hesitated, then answered honestly: “But even so, we cannot let him off lightly.”

“I understand. I do not expect you to make an exception.”

Herbert smiled, offering no plea on their behalf, but added: “I only ask that, out of respect for the Albert family, you interrogate them with the highest protocol.”

“If you deem it necessary, sending them all to the Tribunal is acceptable—I hereby pledge that the Albert family will raise no objection.”

His eyes brimmed with sincerity as he bowed deeply before them: “Please uphold justice without bias, and defend the honor of the Albert family.”

Blake: ?

He had thought Herbert had come to plead for him, but instead, the prince had turned traitor and shoved them straight into the fire.

Your… Your Highness!!?

What are you doing!?

I, I protest! We protest! Aaaah—

The two nuns, startled by his demeanor, grew hesitant.

This matter could be minor or major, but even the harshest punishment wouldn’t justify sending them all to the Tribunal—that would be a clear act of malice.

That would be a grave provocation.

“Uh… the Tribunal?”

“This… seems unnecessary.”

The two nuns exchanged glances, then glanced at the two silent Red Cardinals behind Herbert, as if understanding something, and shook their heads: “No, it’s truly unnecessary.”

“But you must discipline them properly—do not let such incidents recur. If they happen again, we will enforce the Doctrine strictly.”

Herbert watched them, his expression slightly disappointed, but ultimately did not press further, nodding: “Since you say so… I thank you on behalf of the Albert family for your understanding.”

The two disciplinary nuns rose, returned his bow with a slight nod, then turned and departed swiftly.

After the nuns left, Herbert gazed silently at Blake, still lying on the ground, and said coolly: “Get up. What are you pretending for?”

Blake rose silently, brushing no dust from his clothes, and stood humbly before Herbert with his head bowed.

“Your Highness, I…”

He knew well that without Herbert’s intervention, they would have been doomed today.

“Any leads?”

“I…”

Herbert saw he was about to answer and cut him off: “Blake, you have only one chance—this is the first and last.”

Herbert gives only one chance. Whether he seizes it is entirely up to Blake.

This time, Blake remained silent for a long while before lowering his head and speaking softly: “...Jamie, who handled the loading and unloading, was once a city guard of Wang Cheng. He joined the Albert family only after injuring his right hand.”

“Good.”

Herbert nodded calmly, patted his shoulder, and said quietly: “Return to your duties. Assist the monks in inspecting everyone. And beyond that… do nothing.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Thank you to my patron for the empty-handed donation!

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(End of Chapter)