Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 35

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“Th-this…!”
Marcel hastily covered his head with his robe, as if afraid someone might see.
“I mean, if you possess an ancient magical artifact like this, couldn’t you use it for something more productive?”
I returned the ring to him and clicked my tongue.
“Being a fake priest is the best, isn’t it?”
Marcel quickly slipped the ring back on and answered.
The ancient magical artifact he possessed was a ring that granted divine power to those who lacked it.
‘Just by wearing the ring, divine power spreads through your body and your hair turns silver. It’s completely broken.’
According to the original story, Marcel, who happened to acquire the ancient artifact, chose to impersonate a priest instead of turning it over to the Temple.
“But why? What’s so great about being a priest?”
“Don’t know, the appeal.”
He spoke while looking at me with resentful eyes.
“They feed you, give you shelter, everyone praises you, and if you just recite some nice words in a place like this, you get to eat fancy food too.”
I was so dumbfounded I clicked my tongue.
In the original story, it was also Simor’s role to expose the fake priest. He, who would do anything for money, eventually began tracking the three ancient magical artifacts that existed, and through that, he uncovered Marcel’s true identity.
‘Of course, Simor would demand money from Marcel.’
“I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
I crossed my arms and smirked.
“But there’s a condition.”
Suddenly, Marcel’s expression visibly hardened.
“How much are you asking for? I don’t have money. I haven’t even been at the Temple for that long.”
I was startled by his suddenly fluent Imperial tongue.
“Money… that’s not it…”
“If you’re trying to use this as leverage to manipulate me, I won’t just sit idle either.”
“You…”
I let out a hollow laugh, utterly speechless.
“Why are you pretending to be bad at Imperial anyway?”
“Trying to, not know. If someone asks questions about divine power, just in case.”
“Have you studied abroad?”
“Yes, I went briefly when I was young.”
“How briefly?”
“…Three weeks?”
“Isn’t that called a trip rather than studying abroad?”
“Meaningless, such distinctions, for us.”
He had a point—such distinctions didn’t really matter.
“Anyway, in exchange for keeping quiet…”
I smirked and extended my hand.
“Give me sacred relics.”
“No, sacred relics are for selling.”
“Who said anything about paying? I’m simply asking for it.”
Marcel’s mouth fell open in utter disbelief.
“No, it makes no sense at all. Sacred relics are meaningless to ordinary people without divine power. Why on earth….”
“Then they’re meaningless to you too. You’re a fake, after all.”
“Let’s not use that word, fake. I do have divine power—as long as I wear the ring.”
“So… a con artist?”
Marcel bristled with irritation, but ultimately had no choice but to listen to me.
“One word from me and you’re finished. But if I give you a sacred relic that has no effect on you whatsoever, you can continue living exactly as you do now.”
“….”
“The right choice is far too obvious.”
Without sacred relics, the Priests’ divine power cannot be properly maintained. But Marcel’s divine power didn’t come from the relics in the first place—it came from the ring—so he had no need for them. Besides, asking to see a sacred relic would be terribly impolite, so there was no risk of his lack of one being discovered. I accepted the sacred relic he handed me from his pocket and smiled wickedly.
Moreover, asking to see sacred relics was extremely impolite, so there was no risk of being caught without them. I accepted the sacred relic he handed me from his bosom and let out a smirk.
“And one more thing.”
“…What is it?”
“Make a deal with me.”
“I refuse, my lady.”
“I’ll compensate you generously. It won’t be a bad deal for you.”
Marcel’s sullen expression suddenly softened.
“Compensation, you say… Surely you mean money, my lady. I don’t accept sentimental rewards. How much are you willing to offer?”
His Imperial tongue had even become fluent.
After exchanging a few more words, our deal was struck without incident.
‘Father, wait for me.’
As I sent Marcel to the restroom and returned to the dining hall, I barely restrained myself from whistling.
‘I’ll prove my worth as a donation. Please don’t hate me too much.’
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Marcel returned looking somewhat worse for wear, and only after we finished eating did we all move to the prayer chamber.
The Priests were scheduled to take turns bestowing blessings upon me. Of course, before that, the High Priest had very subtly demanded a donation from Duke Icard. From what I could gather, it was nearly astronomical in scale.
“I hear you’ve personally brought in your daughter-in-law.”
The High Priest spoke gently.
“I hope you’ll demonstrate sufficient sincerity to the Temple, befitting your affection for her.”
At this point, I couldn’t help but mutter under my breath, “Beggars….”
“Why not show your love for your daughter-in-law on this occasion.”
No, why would he show his love for me to the Temple? If that love is to be expressed in money, he might as well just give it directly to me.
In any case, Duke Icard wrote out a check without hesitation.
“I pray that only happiness shall dwell in Duke Icard’s Mansion from this day forward.”
The High Priest, accepting the check, looked at me and offered a benevolent capitalist smile.
The High Priest’s hand rested upon my head.
That was when it happened.
‘Ah!’
I bit down hard on my lower lip to maintain my composure, but in that instant, a sharp, searing pain spread through my body.
‘The High Priest said blessings don’t produce any sensation. That’s why it’s such a perfect technique for fraud….’
It wasn’t just the High Priest. Every time the other priests following him bestowed their blessings upon my head, my body ached as though I’d been struck by lightning.
‘Something’s wrong here.’
I flexed my tingling fingertips discreetly while pondering this.
‘So blessings are having a negative effect on me. That’s definitely not a good sign, is it?’
I wasn’t foolish enough to reveal something so different from others. Matters connected to the Temple had to be handled as secretly as possible. One misstep and I could be branded a heretic, losing everything in the process.
“You’re a kind person.”
Marcel, who had bestowed the blessing upon me, didn’t step back and spoke up.
“I was moved by your thoughtfulness, by how you followed me earlier.”
“It was nothing… I apologize.”
“I will grant you a wish, if you have one. To a humble servant of the divine.”
In truth, Marcel was merely reciting the lines I had taught him.
I opened my eyes wide and asked.
“Anything?”
“…Yes?”
“Then….”
I spoke with a shy smile.
“Since I really want to recover, could you visit me often and bestow your blessings upon me?”
Seeing my bright, smiling expression, Marcel’s face momentarily showed exasperation. His disdain was plainly written across his features.
“Since you’re around my age, I’m asking comfortably.”
One of the priests interjected.
“However, it’s inappropriate for a priest to visit the Nobility privately….”
“I’ll make a donation to the Temple each time Marcel visits. Actually, I won from horse racing and won quite a substantial payout, so I’ve been looking for an appropriate place to donate.”
The priests’ mouths snapped shut immediately. They clearly already knew about my enormous winnings from horse racing, as it had been featured prominently in the newspapers.
“Besides, now that I’m visiting the Temple like this, I’ve become interested in theology too… could you occasionally answer my questions? Since you studied abroad, you must know quite a lot.”
I needed to investigate why my body was reacting so negatively to the blessings. Moreover, Marcel had another very important role to play in my plans. So I needed to maintain regular contact with him.
“Understood. I’ll visit often, as promised earlier.”
“You’ll answer my questions too?”
“I’ll… provide answers. No, I’ll provide answers, yes.”
It was absurd.
There had never been a precedent for regularly summoning a specific priest to bestow blessings. Priests typically didn’t leave the Temple unless absolutely necessary.
The High Priest also seemed eager to say something, but after fingering the check for a moment, he sighed and kept his mouth shut. For him, the check in front of his eyes was clearly more important than a young priest.
We didn’t delay any further and quickly departed the Temple.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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