The Duke Visconti stared at me for a moment before continuing.

“Let’s put that aside for now. So, why did you go to the Papal States? Was it really because of that Archbishop Urban?”

The story about me being extorted for 20,000 gold coins in a thank-offering (extortion) from Archbishop Urban had only been shared with Erica, Chloe, and Kris.

I had told the rest of my small group of retainers that I had voluntarily made a donation to the Church.

So how did he find out?

Those three wouldn’t have leaked the secret.

As I pondered, the Duke chuckled …