I Will Buy Divine Power With Money! - Chapter 105
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“Ah! These are gifts sent by the southern nobles as a token of their gratitude!”
Wait, they already received all that money, and now they’re sending gifts too…?
“If the Holy Maiden hadn’t left so suddenly, there would definitely have been much more. We wanted to give you so much more…”
At Mrs. Fleu’s expression full of regret, I asked with a sinking feeling.
“Are there things from the Fleu Family in here too…?”
“Of course. It’s not much, so please accept it.”
Of course? If I had known they’d send an armful of gifts like this, maybe I should have charged less for the treatments.
I had no idea this would happen…
“It’s fine, Holy Maiden. Nobles have lots of money. Don’t worry and just accept them.”
As I gazed at the fully loaded cart with mixed feelings, Monica whispered quietly.
She probably thinks I feel burdened, but that’s a misunderstanding, Monica. I don’t refuse free money.
It just feels strange, like I’m accepting bribes.
“Right, pack them up well. Let’s take this opportunity to fill our Grand Temple’s treasury.”
But past life is past life, present life is present life.
I’m not a civil servant who’d get in trouble for accepting bribes, so why refuse? I decided to cleanly brush off my conscience and accept them.
Our Grand Temple is too poor to refuse…
“Well, since we’re all packed up, we’ll be leaving now. Thank you so much for everything.”
“We were the ones who were delighted to serve the Holy Maiden. Please visit us again sometime. You’ll always be welcome.”
Mrs. Fleu bowed her head respectfully.
The knights standing behind her also bowed in unison. Most of them were people our priests had treated.
“Then see you next time.”
I smiled and exchanged farewells with everyone before climbing into the carriage.
It was time to return to the Western Region.
* * *
“The Holy Maiden of the Sun God has departed, I hear.”
Count Cali’s study.
Count Kali spoke after receiving the Holy Maiden’s letter that Baroness Fleu had personally brought.
“Huh? Already? Without saying anything?”
Prince Felix, who had been sitting on the sofa enjoying the duke’s desserts, widened his eyes at those words.
“Yes. Mrs. Fleu said she was also surprised by such a sudden decision. The Holy Maiden of the Sun God seems to have quite an impatient personality.”
“Are all children of gods like that? The Holy Maiden and Holy Sage of the Sea God were the same way.”
Felix clicked his tongue, wondering what they’re all living so urgently for.
“But isn’t there a letter for me?”
“No, there isn’t.”
“I’m the one who sent the Holy Maiden a letter and money this morning, so why did only the Count receive a letter?”
At Felix’s grumbling, Carly shrugged his shoulders.
“The Holy Maiden doesn’t seem particularly interested in Your Highness. Though there is a message asking me to send her regards.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. One line.”
At the cold response, Felix let out a sigh.
One line. I’m the Crown Prince, isn’t this treatment too harsh?
“What else is written there?”
Seeing the Count continue reading the letter, Felix asked in a slightly sulky tone.
“It’s mainly about potions. Would you like to see it yourself?”
When Carly offered the letter, Felix waved his hand.
“I can’t peek at someone else’s letter as Crown Prince. Just tell me what’s written in it.”
At his obviously sulky appearance, Carly inwardly suppressed his laughter.
What a truly human Crown Prince.
“It says the vice-leader of the Lumen Trading Guild will stay in the south for a while and be responsible for distributing Sun God potions. If there are problems, contact them.”
“She commands the real power of the trading guild like her own limbs. Is my guess excessive?”
“For a simple cooperative relationship, the two seem excessively close. That vice-leader is famous for being selective about people.”
Anyone in the know understands that getting into Jun Rudmin’s good graces is as difficult as getting into Lute Sieri’s.
There’s a reason people say getting into either one’s favor would change your fortune.
“To captivate both Duke Sieri and the vice-leader. Does that mean the Holy Maiden of the Sun God is that remarkable?”
She has a bold personality, but I still don’t really see anything special.
At Felix’s muttering, Count Kali, who had been staring intently at the Holy Maiden’s letter, answered belatedly.
“…She might have some extraordinary qualities.”
“Really? Even the Count acknowledges it?”
“No. Not to that extent yet. But it seems worth watching to see if she’s real or fake.”
If she’s real, that’s remarkable, and if not, she’d be a con artist of the ages.
Carly folded the letter again, put it in the envelope, and tossed it onto the desk.
“Or maybe she’s got some dirt on Duke Sieri?”
Felix, who had been quietly watching Carly, let out a hollow laugh as if incredulous.
“That Lute Sieri having weaknesses? Does such a thing exist?”
“Even though he’s called inhuman, he’s still human, so couldn’t there be some?”
“Does the Count have any?”
“Do I look like I would?”
At such a brazenly confident statement, Felix shook his head.
These dukes really would be corpses without their confidence.
Sometimes they seem more confident than royalty.
“A temple that was falling apart caught an incredible connection with Sieri, so their future moves should be interesting. Didn’t they solve most of the south’s problems in just a few days before leaving?”
“That’s true. Though the real problem, the monsters, remain.”
Felix stood up and went to the window.
His beautiful blue-green eyes looking toward the desert darkened slightly.
“Fortunately the imperial investigation team returned safely, but they gained nothing.”
The investigation team composed of imperial researchers and Count Kali’s knights.
Despite considerable effort, they obtained no information whatsoever.
I came all the way to the south to investigate, and I can’t help but sigh.
“Rather, the Holy Maiden of the Sun God accomplished more than I did. She solved the potion problem and even moved the Shrine of the Annihilation God, which wouldn’t even listen to imperial orders.”
Her capabilities were truly remarkable, making my disappointment at Ordel’s money-grubbing behavior seem meaningless.
With that level of ability, I can’t even criticize her for coveting gold.
“We couldn’t solve the monster problem in the end, but with relief supplies and reinforcements, try to hold out well.”
“Understood.”
“If the situation becomes uncontrollably worse…”
Felix gripped the window frame tightly.
“Then the imperial army will march directly into the desert.”
He wasn’t just talking about the imperial army.
The empire’s elite forces, including soldiers from all four ducal houses, would sweep through the desert.
It might cause international problems…
But he had no intention of watching the southern people continue suffering for such reasons.
“I express my gratitude for Your Highness the Crown Prince’s decision.”
Count Kali bowed to Felix.
* * *
A deep, dark cave without a single ray of light.
Rustle rustle.
A centipede-like creature quickly crossed the cave.
Much larger than a centipede and emanating an ominous aura, the black creature could only be described as grotesque.
“…Strange.”
However, even the creature that looked like it could swallow a person in one bite froze stiff the moment a dark voice echoed from inside the cave.
Like a pitiful rabbit before a hungry predator.
“I’m certain I sent the most elite among those who could move right now…”
The center of the deepest cave.
Someone sat on a chair carved from stone, as if modeled after a throne.
Due to the deeply worn robe, the only exposed skin visible was the chin showing smooth, thin lips and the hand resting on the armrest.
“And yet you return empty-handed?”
The slow voice was filled with boredom.
It was a voice that seemed like it would idly recite poetry, but the one bowing their head and prostrating before them couldn’t move a muscle, as if terrified.
“…”
“No, I misspoke. They couldn’t even return at all.”
Tap, tap, tap.
Slender fingers began tapping the armrest.
“What mistake did I make? Or what did I overlook?”
“…Upon investigation, the slum was filled with the unpleasant scent of fire. It seems those people intervened.”
Tap.
At those words, the hand that had been tapping the armrest stopped abruptly.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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