After arriving in the city of Genesee and parting from Cain and his guards at the church, Bishop Harnam and the priest were slowly sipping tea and chatting in the reception room.

''Bishops and priests from many countries have already gathered one by one,''
....... I was going to come back sooner, too. It's hard for an old man to get around in a carriage.

　In fact, Bishop Harnam was enjoying the conversation, forgetting all about his tiredness and enjoying the fact that he was able to sit with Cain, the apostle of God.
　The carriage ride, which was difficult for his old body, was in better shape than usual, thanks to Cain's care and magic. He couldn't bother to explain that to the priest, so he went along with the conversation to the priest.

'It was short notice this time, ....... I'm sorry for the Pope. It will be a long journey for the bishops who have been sent to various countries, so I am sorry to hear that. Speaking of which bishops ...... bishops, which cardinal is ......?

　Bishop Harnum's eyes narrow a bit at the priest's words.
　In fact, it's been said that the election of a pope is the political power of four cardinals. No matter how many personalities they are, the one who is chosen most by the priests and bishops to vote will be the new pope.
　It was no surprise that the information warfare had begun beforehand. But even as bishops, they weren't going to say who they were going to put their bills in until the vote was cast.
　In particular, the bishops who are sent to each country also compile the votes of the priests who manage the churches in each city in that country. They can't all return to the Marineford churchyard, so the bishops are representing them back home.

...... That's not something to talk to you about," he said. I have the votes of the priests I send to the cities in the Kingdom of Esfort. It's not so easy to talk to them.
I'm sorry about this ....... I remember ...... there was a brother of Bishop Harnam's, Cardinal Denter, wasn't there? Is it still ......?

　Bishop Harnum raised his eyebrows at the words to the priest and let the word pass silently with no more words.
　Perhaps succumbing to the bishop's pressure, the priest, in a cold sweat, gave up on answering and apologized.

'Nevertheless, please be warned. There have been bandits recently, and I have heard that even the church's carriages have been attacked. The Temple Knights are patrolling the area, but I hear they're not easy to catch: ......
'How tragic that is ....... Such a person ...... in this Marineford church country. So the damage is ......?
'That's why ...... several more priests are in the clutches of the thieves ....... I have heard that the bishop was also in the hands of the bishop.

　The priest explained the current situation with a twisted expression and a sad look on his face. He explained that since it was a papal election every few years or decades, he was expected to carry a certain amount of goods with him, and the bandits were after it. They carry a good amount of money with them because they actually carry the cost of the lodgings of the adventurers they ask to escort them, and the magic bags (magic bags) they use to carry those goods around are often targeted because they are sold at a high price.

It's a big deal. We have to be careful. I don't think it's a problem this time because our guards are excellent. ......
'I see you've given me an excellent bodyguard. In that case, you can rest assured. Even so, I've heard that the bandits are reasonably large, so please be careful.
Don't worry about it. Thanks for the information.

　The bishop was grateful for the information, and after a brief chat about the missionary situation within the Kingdom of Esfort and a few other things, he returned to the room he had been led to and rested.
　The priest, who was left alone, took a bottle of wine and a glass from the cupboard and relaxed and leaned back on the couch.
　He took a sip of the wine and savored the taste of the drink as it went down his throat.

I'm not going to be able to give out information so easily. ...... Hey, are you there?

　As I called out to him in the empty reception room, a black shadow appeared from the side of the window.

'...... here,'

　The priest looked very different now.

'Harnum is black.' --and you can get rid of him.
"As you wish.
Oh, your escort seems to be pretty good. Don't cut corners.
...... will.
'That's all I have to say. I've asked the Cardinal to take care of me.
Of course. You will be delighted. So long.

　With those words, the black shadow disappears for the last time.

'Kukkuk. I need the other old bishops who vote for me to go away. That should make me the next bishop pretty soon.

　There was a chuckle from the priest who was now alone.