I Will Buy Divine Power With Money! - Chapter 113
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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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The dinner food was worse than expected.
Maybe it’s because I was treated so well by the Fleu and Carly families when I was in the south.
Still, I thought they’d put effort into it since Rute was here, but it’s worse than the Fleu family’s. How disappointing.
But just because the food was mediocre didn’t mean the dinner itself was disappointing.
“….”
I ate a piece of steak while glancing to the left.
“Does the food suit your taste? If we had known Your Grace would be coming, we would have put more care into it….”
Every time Rute took a bite, Yoanna asked with a smile.
I had called Rute a peacock before, but seeing Yoanna makes me reflect on that.
A deep green dress draped with golden lace, accessories on her hands and neck that jingled with every movement, and even green feather-shaped ornaments stuck in her hair.
That’s what a real peacock looks like, obviously.
Fortunately, she resembled her mother rather than her father and had a pretty face, but why did she dress up so excessively?
Even considering my modern aesthetic sense, that was a bit much.
“I worry it might be somewhat lacking to serve the lord of the western region.”
I turned my head to the other side.
Unlike the flashy Yoanna, Countess Kiris’s attire was very elegant.
The subtle beige-toned dress suited her soft brown hair very well.
The problem was that face.
Her upturned eyes gave her quite a fierce impression, but forcing herself to smile warmly made it look somewhat distorted.
She needs to practice her expressions more diligently.
“Your Grace is famous as a magic swordsman. All the mages and swordsmen across the continent must respect Your Grace. Of course, I feel the same way!”
Oh…. I shouldn’t have been commenting on the Countess’s expression.
Lloyd fawning over Rute with flushed cheeks like a boy with his first crush.
At least being shy suits Yoanna, but this guy is truly shocking.
When I had just possessed this body and wasn’t thinking clearly, this bastard had mocked me for being scolded by the Count, so seeing him like this was even more disgusting.
“I may lack magical aptitude, but I pride myself on having considerable talent with the sword. Could you perhaps bestow some teachings upon me?”
I don’t know Lloyd’s swordsmanship skills, but I’d bet my own money that they’re not at a level worth bragging about so openly in front of Rute.
“….”
And finally, Count Kiris’s face as he watched his family members fawning over Rute was the crowning touch.
For a Count who had been openly showing his dislike for Rute, this situation couldn’t be pleasant.
‘But his gaze is quite strange.’
While showing discomfort all over his face, he was staring intently at Rute.
Even when his wife spoke to him, the Count didn’t take his eyes off Rute.
It was like the gaze of a criminal sizing up a victim.
I was certain because I’d seen it many times in my previous life.
What was he observing so intently?
While studying the Count, I interrupted the conversation flowing around the table and spoke up.
“I thought the family might like it, so I made the unreasonable request for Your Grace to come here with me….”
I paused briefly, set down my wine glass, and smiled brightly.
“Seeing this harmonious atmosphere, I’m glad I did. I’m relieved everyone is happy.”
Then I firmly grasped the Count’s hand with both of mine.
“Right, Father?”
“…What?”
The Count’s bewildered gaze fixed on me.
Don’t misunderstand. I’m not doing this because I like you either.
‘Nothing’s appearing.’
I had hoped that if the Count wasn’t just a simple subordinate but had the power of ‘Evil’ implanted in his body, at least a System Message would appear….
There was no gain.
Having pointlessly touched the Count’s hand for nothing, I withdrew my hand feeling a bit dejected.
“…You want teachings? If Young-sik is asking for it, I should at least do that much.”
It was none other than Rute who cut through the sudden awkward silence I had created.
The people who had been looking at me like I was something bizarre all turned their gazes to Rute with brightened faces.
“Really?!”
“Yes. Are you free tomorrow afternoon?”
“I, I’m fine anytime! It’s an honor!”
Lloyd’s face turned bright red.
Ugh, really disgusting to look at.
“I’ll teach you exactly as you wish.”
“….”
Wait a minute.
No matter how I hear it, that sounds like he’s going to beat the crap out of him?
Lloyd, this isn’t the time to be so happy. Get a grip.
Don’t be fooled by that face. Did you eat your sense along with your rice?
You’re going to die at this rate?
“Oh, me! I heard from the maids that you wanted to take a walk in the afternoon but couldn’t. Is that true?”
Then Yoanna interjected.
I thought he would have gone for a walk alone after I fell asleep, but he didn’t go after all.
“Yes. I got stood up.”
But he’s saying this while looking at me.
I quietly averted my gaze.
“…What? Oh, so I was wondering if I could guide you after dinner. How about it?”
“Our garden is beautiful during the day, but it boasts its own unique charm at night as well.”
At Yoanna’s suggestion, the Countess provided supporting fire.
The Count seemed displeased about something, but he didn’t object.
“Yoanna takes after me and loves plants so much. There are many places in the garden that Yoanna has touched. She’ll be able to guide you that much better.”
The Countess appealed earnestly, but Rute wasn’t paying her any attention.
His silver-gray eyes were staring intently at me.
What? Is he curious about my opinion?
“A garden tour sounds fun.”
Wondering why he was acting like this, I threw out a comment, and he quickly picked it up.
“Then would you like to come along too, Holy Maiden?”
Why bother…?
Even if it were the most splendid and beautiful garden in the world, as long as this was the Kiris Count’s mansion, I wasn’t particularly curious.
Especially since I had absolutely no desire to see it with Yoanna, who was glaring at me like she wanted to kill me.
“No, it’s fine. Have a good time.”
“Yes! I… The Holy Maiden seems tired, so it would be better for her to rest in her room!”
Seeing Yoanna exclaim joyfully as if she’d been waiting for this made me wonder if I’d refused for nothing.
“That’s right. The Holy Maiden has things to discuss with me after the meal, so Your Grace should go with Yoanna.”
The Count interjected, and I missed the timing to change my words.
But it was actually more beneficial.
“Yes. Have a good time, Your Grace.”
When others weren’t looking, I earnestly winked at Rute with gratitude.
Thanks to this, I could talk with the Count sooner than expected.
I absolutely have to secure the land of Rubar and give grateful Rute a custom-made holy relic made from sacred stones.
“…Understood.”
Whether my feelings were well conveyed, Rute let out a deflated laugh and nodded obediently.
His well-shaped lips seemed to pout as if sulking, but already in a good mood, I brushed it off.
I need to finish this business quickly and leave this damn house as soon as possible.
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After the dinner ended.
As promised, Rute came out to stroll through the garden with Yoanna.
For all the Countess’s boasting, the garden had less to see than expected.
The newly cultivated garden at the Sun God’s Main Temple seemed better than this.
Ah, I want to leave here quickly and return to that place. That only place where I can rest peacefully, quietly, and comfortably.
Thinking of the Grand Temple filled with warm sunlight naturally brought a smile to my face.
“H-how is it, Your Grace? Do you like the garden?”
Perhaps interpreting this smile differently, Yoanna asked shyly.
Instead of answering, Rute glanced at her.
Yoanna, with her brown hair and blue eyes, didn’t resemble Ordel in the slightest.
Though it was natural since they were distant relatives, still, if there had been even a slight resemblance, it wouldn’t have been this unpleasant.
“Whenever you feel like taking a walk, please call for me…! Guiding Your Grace would be my pleasure.”
This family, in every way, showed great interest in him, while Ordel, unlike them, showed little interest in me.
Not only did she not resemble them in appearance, but even her temperament was different.
She could have resembled the Count’s family in at least one thing.
Ordel, who showed no emotion even when told I would take a private stroll with Yoanna, with whom she didn’t get along well.
How irritating that was.
Had I ever been so affected by someone else’s indifferent expression?
My own change seemed absurd, yet when I actually saw Ordel, I thought what did it matter.
The time spent with Ordel was that precious, and I didn’t want to yield it to anyone.
The problem was that Ordel didn’t share the same feelings as me.
“Come to think of it, there’s something I’m curious about.”
Rute asked for the first time to Yoanna, who had been chattering beside him.
Yoanna’s face brightened.
“Yes, yes! Please tell me!”
“Where is the room that the Holy Maiden originally stayed in?”
However, her face hardening again was instantaneous.
Rute stood facing Yoanna, who had frozen while smiling.
“Where is it?”
The gray eyes that had been full of warmth only when with Ordel had now turned coldly distant.
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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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