NOVEL NEXT Chapter 50: The Truth
The fat man spoke excitedly, and his words were similar to what Vikalina had heard from the little girl just now.
Just more "detailed".
He said that when Sivis set up the factory, he "maliciously" increased the wages, "maliciously" extended the rest time, and "maliciously" provided food benefits to the families of the workers, squeezing out merchants like them so that they couldn't survive.
He also said that Sivis didn't show any "respect" to him, the "dignified" president of the chamber of commerce. Clearly, the factory was highly profitable, but he didn't hand over a single bit - "Each of these is an act of breaking the rules!"
He accused with spittle flying, "Even because Sivis offered such good treatment, other merchants in Minnet City couldn't do business at all. Everyone was flocking to him! If he hadn't left Minnet City for no apparent reason some time ago, the entire commercial system of our city would have been destroyed by him long ago!"
"Because of him, some nobles whose families have fallen on hard times are living worse than his workers. This is simply a violation of the order and rules left behind by the True God. Such a person must be severely punished!"
The fat man said words that made the commoners beside him clench their fists involuntarily.
However, the members of the Knight Order and the magistrates beside them didn't think there was anything wrong with these words.
No matter how much the church advocates light and kindness on the surface, the "True God" requires order.
For countless years, there has been a strict hierarchy among nobles, commoners, and the church.
Sivis's actions are undoubtedly... Other things can be discussed, but making some down - and - out nobles live worse than the workers in his factory has "crossed the line".
It's enough to form a charge!
If one is intent on causing trouble for him, this one point alone is sufficient.
Rarely will someone punish a noble for "doing good deeds", but for the members of the Knight Order, they were originally trying to determine whether Sivis was on the same path as themselves.
Upon hearing the "accusation" of this president of the chamber of commerce now, they suddenly had an "epiphany", and even a trace of vigilance rose in their eyes: Those commoners earlier actually dared to fool and deceive them?
A trace of annoyance rose in the eyes of the members of the Knight Order!
A flash of pride and sinister look passed through the eyes of the fat man who was spouting off - just now, a familiar magistrate had sounded out the attitude of the Knight Order: They were just trying to confirm whether Sivis・Daister was on the same path as themselves.
His accusation undoubtedly gave the Knight Order a "conclusion" about the "nature" of Sivis.
The members of the Knight Order turned towards the commoners with serious expressions. Their anger almost became tangible. "How dare you deceive us?"
The commoners cowered and stepped back, waving their hands in fear: "No! We wouldn't dare..."
Fortunately, just when the people were extremely frightened, Vikalina had already stepped past the middle - aged woman beside her and stood between the Knight Order and the commoners: "That's enough. I'd like to hear how they 'deceived' you. Isn't it only right and proper to open a factory, pay wages, and provide food? Doesn't the Holy See give these when it usually conscripts people to work?"
These words immediately left the members of the Knight Order speechless.
They knew that the Holy See only symbolically distributed supplies to the people when putting on a show in the core holy city. In the border areas, it had long been the norm for priests to force the people to work without pay for their own self - interests.
Facing Vikalina, they could only snort angrily: "You're right. We were out of line just now." As they spoke, they actually made a gesture of "apology" to the commoners - it was more of a threat than an apology.
The commoners were so frightened that they kowtowed repeatedly: "Sir Knights, please forgive us! It's our fault. We shouldn't have made you angry... You've worked hard enough to protect the world..."
Vikalina just watched this scene coldly.
She stood there all the time. The magistrates and members of the Knight Order, having no choice, gradually dispersed and left.
Only then did Vikalina move again.
She looked at the group of still - cowering people and reluctantly restrained the pressure of her holy light: "Don't worry, everyone. I, Vikalina, will be stationed in Minnet City for a while."
"If any members of the Holy See or magistrates dare to cause you trouble, mention my name."
"I hereby promise: If anyone is harmed because of discussing Sivis, I will surely seek justice for him."
She said loudly, but the surrounding people didn't show any sign of gratitude and were still full of fear - the survival wisdom of the commoners told them that the oppression with high - sounding postures was more terrifying than direct bullying.
How could there be any good people among those of the Holy See?
Seeing the silence around, Vikalina felt a bit of a headache.
She had already understood that Sivis was most likely a conscientious noble. Opening the factory had benefited many people, so much so that they were willing to offend the magistrates and knights they usually feared to protect him.
However, the female knight still had doubts. She had joined the Holy See since childhood and only maintained a compassionate heart under the guidance of the doctrine of the "True God". As a noble, could Sivis really be so kind?
Could these people be hired by him to mislead her with words?
At this time, she didn't look down on Sivis because of prejudice. She just longed so much for this noble who controlled the holy light to become a like - minded partner that she had to verify again and again.
"Can you tell me what kind of person Sivis is?" she asked. But the people only squeezed out a stiff smile and perfunctorily said, "We don't know much. Maybe it's similar to what that president of the chamber of commerce said just now. He should know better..."
Vikalina was almost annoyed. Since she didn't want to bully the commoners, she could only swallow her anger.
Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly had an idea: "Can you take me to his residence to have a look?"
Since these commoners had benefited from Sivis's factory, their living environment would speak for itself.
Although the commoners didn't understand why, they didn't dare to refuse either. They could only nod in agreement and, at the same time, secretly glance at Vikalina out of the corner of their eyes - they instinctively felt that this female knight was more gentle and kind, but they still didn't dare to let down their guard completely.
For the commoners, a single word from a knight could take away the lives of their entire family. How could they take risks just based on a "feeling"?
In the oppressive atmosphere, Vikalina came to the residential houses near the Daister family.
"Please don't mind. The environment here isn't good..."
Someone said obsequiously.
Vikalina waved her hand. But when her gaze swept over the residential houses, her eyes suddenly lit up.
This place... was different from others!
The houses were tidy, and furniture could be seen inside from the doorway.
Vikalina walked into one of the residential houses and found that the grain - storage warehouse had enough food to feed a family of several for nearly a year.
She randomly entered several other households and saw the same scene everywhere - in a border town, it was already a luxury for commoners to have enough to eat. Such a sight could be called "affluence".
When she walked out of the last residential house, it happened to be the home of the little girl Vikalina had asked before.
The middle - aged woman clutched her apron and her voice trembled: "Sir Knight, we really have nothing to do with Young Master Sivis..."
"Say no more." Vikalina finally showed a smile, and all her doubts disappeared.
Everything in front of her had already proven what Sivis had done.
"Perhaps when I came to Minnet City, besides searching for the Holy Maiden's relics and arranging the formation, it was to meet him." Vikalina murmured to herself: "I will take you back to the Holy See, Sivis・Daister. This rotten Holy See needs you."
The female knight showed a smile.
It was extremely sincere.
Seeing this scene, the group of commoners beside also heaved a sigh of relief - anyway, if the Sir Knight was in a good mood, she probably wouldn't target them anymore.
However, they saw that Vikalina's smile didn't last long before it suddenly faded!
After looking around, the female knight suddenly realized that she had just stopped the Knight Order from acting up and also laid down the harsh words of "standing up for the commoners". But at this moment...
The other members of the Knight Order were already nowhere to be seen, and even the magistrates had disappeared.
Vikalina's expression changed: "Something's wrong!" She realized one thing: To prove that Sivis was a good person, she needed to spend time and effort searching for evidence. But for the members of the Knight Order, all they needed to know was whether Sivis could collaborate with them - if he could, they would befriend this "future Holy Son" who mastered pure holy light, if not, they were afraid they would eliminate him with thunder - like means!
The members of the Knight Order probably would never allow the existence of Sivis!
Vikalina had to admit that although she was full of enthusiasm, she couldn't open a factory and feed a large number of commoners either.
The female knight suddenly became anxious.
"I have to find him immediately!"
Just as Vikalina was about to set off, she was faced with a problem.
Where was Sivis now?
A trace of hesitation flashed in the female knight's eyes - she didn't know whether the other party was at the inn near the church or had already returned to the family territory.
The Knight Order didn't have such concerns. They just needed to set people to intercept at both places, but Vikalina couldn't be in two places at once.
After thinking for a moment, she decided to rush to the inn near the church first and at the same time, stuffed a strange ring into the hand of the middle - aged woman who had been claiming "not to know Sivis" before.
"Auntie - "
"Oh, I don't deserve that! I don't deserve that!" The woman looked terrified, but immediately composed herself when she heard the next sentence.
"I need your help with something. It concerns Sivis's safety."
"You... you say! Master Sivis..."
"Can you go to his family territory to check? If you see the Knight Order confronting someone, rub this ring, and I'll come immediately."
"This... Is it really okay to leave such an important matter to me?"
Vikalina just smiled softly: "No problem. I trust you."
Needless to say!
Previously, these commoners had already risked their lives to cover for Sivis.
As Vikalina left, the middle - aged woman disdainfully pursed her lips.
She sent the little girl home and put the ring in her bosom: "Who would do such a dangerous thing?" and turned to go out.
The little girl quietly looked at her mother's back: "Mom, are you going to help Young Master Sivis?"
"What nonsense!" The middle - aged woman hurriedly covered her mouth. "How could I possibly..." After a pause, she whispered, "Even if I am, we can't tell anyone." Then she put her finger to her lips to make a shushing gesture.