Don’t Pick Up The Trash Once Thrown Away - Chapter 131

The dirty secret of the great temple was revealed to the world thanks to Leila’s active role.

 

Kalian ordered all temples around the capital to be searched, saying he would take this opportunity to properly remove the rotten teeth.

 

The sudden search turned the temples upside down.

 

The temples tried to hide their blemishes by any means possible, but it was useless. The search team sent by Kalian found all their dirty secrets like a ghost, and in just one day, ten temples were cleaned out.

 

There were more temples that committed crimes than temples that didn’t. And in the temple, more than 10 crimes were committed, including child abuse, embezzlement, and fraud.

 

Kalian was furious and cut off all donations. Also, he arrested all those involved, regardless of the weight of the crime. The black and dirty space was then filled with people dressed in white and clean clothes.

 

Reporters scrambled to write articles about the incident.

 

[The true faces of the priests wearing angel’s masks.]  

 

[Are they servants of God or servants of the devil?]

 

They were all provocative headlines.

 

Reporters released articles by adding details to what they saw and heard.

 

Newspapers sold out like hotcakes, hitting all-time highs. The whole Empire was shaken as if it had been engulfed in fire.

 

“I knew it! Such bad b*st*rds!”

 

“I can’t believe they’re doing this to the children just because they have nothing to do. What the heck, tch.”

 

“You will be punished. Heaven will never let you go!”

 

People all pointed their fingers at the temple and cursed. The high authority of the temple fell to the ground overnight.

 

The next day, the Holy See expressed their regret for the situation through the Pope’s representative. They also said this had nothing to do with the Holy See, and the priests involved may be dealt with according to the Imperial laws. Then they added that they would no longer oppose the establishment of the orphanage.

 

“Are they trying to cut off their tail?”

 

When Kalian heard it, he laughed out loud.

 

Leila and Ver agreed with Kalian. It’s because the Holy See periodically received reports from the temple and sent inspections. There’s no way they were unaware of these enormous facts.

 

They could find something if they sequentially looked into it until the end, whether they really didn’t know about it, but Kalian decided not to do that.

 

“Right now, our priority is to save the children rather than to wrestle with the Holy See. Let’s only focus on that.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Leila and Ver moved quickly, following Kalian’s wish.

 

The number of children rescued from the temple reached three places.

 

Since the childcare building was still incomplete, a temporary childcare building was designated, and all children were moved there.

 

Kalian ordered the orphanage to be completed within a week. As a result, the sound of hammering and sawing resounded throughout the streets day and night.

 

“We need someone to take care of the children.”

 

After solving the problem of establishing the orphanage, another problem emerged. They had not yet hired someone to take care of the children.

 

Since it was something to be careful about, he thought to take the time to figure it out slowly. However, as it suddenly turned this way, he needed people to take care of the children right away. Also, a director to manage those people.

 

“For now, receive applicants from the commoners and make sure we have enough people.”

 

“But if the director has not been decided yet, there’s a high possibility that problems will arise if we recklessly recruit several people.”

 

Ver pointed out the problem right away.

 

“If problems arise, the Holy See will try to bite us right away.”

 

“Baron Delrond is right. The Holy See is really determined on this matter, and I don’t think we should give them any chance.”

 

When even Leila came forward and said no, Kalian swallowed his annoyance.

 

“Then what should we do? You’re not going to leave the children alone until you find someone you can trust, are you?”

 

Of course not, but there was no other way to do it, so Leila was deep in thought. She didn’t know anything else, but a director was absolutely necessary.

 

The director must be chosen as someone who can really be trusted.

 

The children who are now protected are children with many wounds. They need someone who would care for them warmly and take care of them responsibly.

 

Leila thought carefully about whether there was such a person, and suddenly she thought of someone.

 

The hands that messed up, unlike an intermediate priest.

 

“I am a faithful servant of God. I am not a servant who serves the temple, but a servant who serves God.”

 

Straight eyes that didn’t waver and sincere eyes.

 

“Please, save the poor children. I beg you.”

 

And the body that trembled with sadness and sincere tears.

 

If it’s that person, it might be possible.

 

Leila’s eyes twinkled.

 

“Looks like you have a good idea.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Kalian laughed at the bold answer.

 

“Then, can I leave this to you?”

 

Leila politely put her hands together and bowed.

 

“I will try my best to live up to your expectations.”

 

*****

 

It had been a long time since the sunset and the moon rose in the dark night sky. It was already time to finish work for the day, but instead of going home, I went to the dungeon.

 

The soldiers guarding the prison moved away without saying anything as soon as they saw my face as if they had been told in advance.

 

The dungeon confined prisoners in layers according to the weight of their crime. The basement level 1 was for relatively light prisoners. And the basement level 4, which was the lowest level, mainly confined the most serious or death row prisoners.

 

The place I headed to was the dungeon on the basement level 1.

 

The dungeon was full of prisoners. They were all dressed in white, so I felt weird.

 

As I walked, checking the faces of the people with their heads down one by one, I stopped when I found someone I wanted.

 

“Priest Adrina.”

 

Her red hair shook when I called her name.

 

Priest Adrina, who sat there helplessly with a tired look, found me and stood up in amazement.

 

“Baron Aster.”

 

When the others in the same dungeon tried to stand up as well, I waved my hand. I didn’t come here at this late hour because I wanted to be greeted by them after all.

 

“How is your condition?”

 

Priest Adrina replied with a bitter smile.

 

“It’s okay. I was just dragged.”

 

The interrogation was conducted deep underground, but it was mainly focused on people with serious crimes. Those who had a light crime or confessed early, such as Priest Adrina, were not interrogated. She would be punished though. Because even if her crime was light, her crime remained the same.

 

“The crime of being a bystander.”

 

I said as I looked into her shaking deep red eyes.

 

“Priest Adrina, that’s your crime.”

 

The crime of not directly abusing or taking part in the doing, but closing her eyes and standing on the sidelines despite knowing everything.

 

It was a crime committed by most of the priests, who were confined in basement level 1, other than Priest Adrina.

 

The temple seemed to be open, but it was a very closed space. Among the rules between the priests, there was a rule that it was absolutely forbidden to disclose what happened inside the temple to the outside. As a result, some people, including Priest Adrina, were silent and on the sidelines even though they knew this wasn’t right.

 

However, Priest Adrina kept trying to help the children. Because of this, she was blacklisted by the other priests and had to do all sorts of dirty work even though she was an intermediate priest. It was the reason why her hands were unusually swollen and had many wounds.

 

“I know you did your best to help the children, but that doesn’t mean your crime could be gone.”

 

Priest Adrina lowered her head gloomily. Her shoulders drooped helplessly.

 

“You will be punished for your crime.”

 

“I will accept any kind of punishment.”

 

Priest Adrina said humbly, politely raising her hand above her chest.

 

“As a servant who has sworn to live according to God’s will for the rest of her life, I have dared to go against His will. That’s why I will accept the crime of being a bystander.”

 

“You might have to take off your priest uniform. Is that okay?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Priest Adrina answered without hesitation in the slightest.

 

“Just because I take off my priest uniform doesn’t mean I won’t obey the will of God.”

 

Straight faith. It was what I was hoping for.

 

“All right. I will tell you now the punishment that was given to you.”

 

At my words, Priest Adrina politely knelt and bowed her head.

 

“Priest Adrina.”

 

I looked down at her short hair and continued.

 

“From now on, I will appoint you as the director of the first childcare institution that the Empire will run.”

 

“…!”

 

Priest Adrina looked up in amazement. Her eyes widened to their limit.

 

“What did you just say…”

 

“I have appointed you as the director of the Imperial child care institution.”

 

“M, me?”

 

Priest Adrina was startled and covered her mouth with both hands. Perhaps the strength in her legs had loosened, she slumped into her seat and murmured as if to herself.

 

“Why do you give such an important position to a sinner like me…”

 

“You’ll never be able to leave the orphanage for the rest of your life. That is your punishment.”

 

Priest Adrina looked at me with trembling eyes.

 

“Be the director and take care of the children for the rest of your life and make atonement.”

 

At first glance, it seemed like a reward rather than a punishment, but it was a severe punishment. A punishment that gave a great responsibility and atonement for the rest of her life.

 

“Will you do it?”

 

Tears welled up in her enlarged eyes. As she nodded, tears streamed down her cheeks.

 

“Of course, I will. Thank you so much for the opportunity to atone, Baron.”

 

“It is not me, but His Majesty who should you thank.”

 

I smiled and held out a white handkerchief to her.

 

“It’s all His Majesty’s decision. I’m here only to convey his will.”

 

I wanted to give it in her hand directly, but I couldn’t because the gap in the bars was small. So I pushed the handkerchief in instead, and Priest Adrina received the handkerchief with trembling hands.

 

“From now on, you will bear both His Majesty’s and God’s will at the same time.”

 

Priest Adrina’s eyes touched the Imperial emblem engraved on the handkerchief.

 

“Always keep that in mind.”

 

Priest Adrina clenched the handkerchief and nodded her head firmly.

 

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”