Chapter 138: The Demon God of Investment (4)
Three days earlier, a report had been filed at the Temple of Alium, the Goddess of the Moon and Justice. The report came from Tecas merchant guild, the largest merchant guild in the kingdom. They accused one of the rising trading companies, Altas merchant guild, of being infiltrated by cultists.
An investigation team was dispatched, and the claims were verified. The true identity of Owent Altas, the founder of Altas merchant guild, was revealed to be a follower of the black god. For years, he had been operating in the shadows, using his wife, Edia, as a front to funnel resources to the cultists.
But recently, the truth had come to light. The Tecas merchant guild, staunch followers of the seven goddesses, had uncovered the cultists' vile deeds and reported them to the church. Fearing punishment, Edia had vanished along with her husband before the priests arrived.
The priests of Alium, unwilling to let such malevolence go unchecked, thoroughly combed through the merchant guild. They interrogated everyone involved, meticulously reviewed every ledger and document, and unearthed an unexpected connection.
Karnak, Baron of Zestrad and a member of the King's Order, was found to have ties to Altas merchant guild.
"That's why this matter has reached me," Commander Erantel explained.
Although the issue wasn't directly related to the King's Order, it involved cultists, and a member of the order was implicated. It couldn't be ignored entirely.
Karnak frowned. "Am I being suspected as a cultist?"
Erantel shook his head. "That's not the case."
The Church of the Seven Goddesses knew that Karnak harbored a profound hatred for necromancers and had devoted himself to eradicating them from the world.
It made sense. Even the money he'd invested in Altas merchant guild had been earned through spreading anti-necromancy magic. However, the issue lay with the sheer size of his investment.
"They say you hold the largest stake among the investors in Altas merchant guild. So, your opinion on its fate is required."