At last, Hilde recalled who the young man was.
He was Mirina Rivet’s doting older brother. The moment she untied his gag, drenched with saliva and tears, he clung to her, sobbing loudly.
“I’m sorry, I was wrong, Miss Hilde! Please forgive me! I swear I’ll never harbor such wicked thoughts again.”
He must have endured something that truly spurred repentance, for he pleaded desperately for mercy.
Hilde showed leniency and sent him off kindly. That very day, the Rivet Count family donated a substantial sum to the church.
A similar incident occurred at lunchtime.
“Uwaaah! I’m sorry! Spare me!”
“Th-that’s… Chef Hans?”
While taking a post-meal stroll in the church garden, Hilde stumbled upon a middle-aged man hanging upside down from a tree. Startled, she approached, and a note fluttered down before her eyes.
Upon investigation, it proved true. The mages had secretly planted a spy to monitor the Church of the Spirit Word.
Chef…