I Will Buy Divine Power With Money! - Chapter 168

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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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“Are you nervous?”

Idella, who had been taking deep breaths, looked up at Airic’s question as he stood beside her.

“It seems like you’re more nervous than I am, High Priest.”

At her words, Airic gave a bitter smile.

“I can’t deny that. …Are you really sure you’ll be alright?”

It was natural for Airic to keep worrying.

The place where they were now was none other than the Imperial Capital, specifically the Imperial Palace.

They had come to greet her who had invited them to the Harvest Festival.

But if they had simply come to pay their respects, they wouldn’t be this nervous.

From now on, they were planning to put on a performance.

A performance where everything would be over if they were caught.

“It’s fine. I’m prepared for this.”

When Idella nodded firmly, Airic looked at Seth who had come with them.

“Are you ready as well, Holy Knight Captain?”

He wondered if someone so upright and straightforward would be able to lie well…

“Yes, I won’t cause any trouble.”

Surprisingly, his face was relaxed as if he wasn’t nervous at all.

Ever since he had reunited with the missing Ordel, he had regained his composure.

Both Idella and Seth are strong people.

Then all he had to do now was keep his wits about him.

“This way, please. Her Majesty the Empress is waiting.”

The three people entered the Empress’s audience chamber.

Beside the Empress, who had been renowned for her beauty in her youth, stood Crown Prince Felix who looked exactly like her.

“May the radiance of the sun be with you. High Priest Airic Dert of the Sun God’s Main Temple greets Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Holy Knight Captain Seth Noel of the Sun God’s Main Temple greets Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The two men bowed first.

Finally, Idella, who had been standing in the center, stepped forward and bowed her head.

“Idella, daughter of the Sun God, greets Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The three people’s performance to protect Ordel from unknown enemies had begun.

Having Idella act as the Sun God’s Holy Maiden instead of Ordel was entirely Idella’s plan.

From the beginning, what the Imperial family had demanded was ‘the Sun God’s Holy Maiden,’ not Ordel specifically.

“…Come forward.”

With the Empress’s permission, the three people raised their heads in unison.

Beautiful blue eyes looked at the three of them with a strange expression.

“But I heard that the Sun God’s Holy Maiden was from the Kiris Household.”

Here it comes.

Idella answered calmly.

“That person stepped down from her position as Holy Maiden recently. She had health issues due to excessive work.”

“Is it possible to step down from being a Holy Maiden?”

“It’s possible if God permits it. The Sun God we serve cherishes his children greatly, so he respects our opinions.”

“Hmm, I see.”

If the Sun God’s children said so, who would dare object?

Empress Sofia nodded with a somewhat displeased expression.

Having safely passed the first hurdle, Idella let out a small sigh of relief.

She had decided to act as the Holy Maiden instead of Ordel when she reunited with Ordel in the capital.

Before coming to the capital, God had given a warning through a dream.

After meeting Ordel directly in the capital, she simply couldn’t ignore that warning.

So she decided.

She would take on the role of Holy Maiden instead.

So that the unknown enemy would target her instead of that person.

So that person could be safe.

Having made up her mind, Idella immediately set about persuading Airic and Seth.

Contrary to her worries, persuading them wasn’t very difficult.

She said it wouldn’t be too late to present Ordel as the real Holy Maiden after they learned of the Imperial family’s true intentions.

While Airic and Seth agreed to the plan, they worried about Idella’s safety, but she was truly fine.

If this could repay her debt to Ordel who had saved her, she could do it a hundred or a thousand times more.

“Actually, I was curious about the Holy Maiden from the Kiris Household. Wasn’t she the one who managed to revive the Sun God’s Main Temple that had been so forgotten that even I could barely remember it?”

At Sofia’s words, Idella answered calmly without trembling.

“That person will be attending the Harvest Festival party tonight, so you’ll be able to meet her soon.”

“I see. Then I’ll look forward to tonight’s party.”

Only then did Sofia smile with satisfaction.

“Congratulations on the revival of the Sun God’s Main Temple. It’s deeply meaningful that the Sun God joins us for the Harvest Festival that prays for a good harvest.”

Sofia smiled.

The three people bowed their heads with gratitude.

“Will you also attend the ceremony that will be held soon and grace us with your presence?”

“How could we refuse? We will do so.”

At Idella’s answer, the Empress’s eyes sparkled.

During the Harvest Festival period, the Imperial family offers ceremonies to the gods, praying for another good harvest the following year.

No matter how much the Imperial family claimed not to serve any particular god, during the Harvest Festival they had no choice but to offer ceremonies to the gods who governed nature.

Until now, the Temple of the Sea God had led the ceremonies.

Since the Sun God’s Main Temple had fallen and the Shrine of the Annihilation God didn’t participate in the Harvest Festival.

With no one to keep them in check, the Temple of the Sea God’s arrogance had been growing, but who would have thought the Sun God’s Main Temple would appear here?

The more the two main temples competed, the harder it would be for each to build their power, and the Imperial family would benefit accordingly.

She had no intention whatsoever of handing over the Empire’s leadership to the gods.

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“Phew.”

Having safely finished their greetings and left the audience chamber, Idella let out a heavy sigh.

She had been prepared, but an empress was still an empress.

The presence of someone who ruled the Empire alongside the Emperor was indeed extraordinary.

Should she say it felt like a different kind of pressure than Ordel’s?

“You did well.”

Airic patted Idella’s shoulder.

At the warm touch filled with divine power, her pounding heart gradually calmed down.

“Just a month or two ago, I was nothing but a wandering orphan, and now I’m facing Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Still, you handled it well.”

“That’s right. You were amazing.”

Airic and Seth took turns praising her.

At the sincere compliments, Idella finally felt at ease.

“Wait there, just a moment.”

At the voice that called out to them, the three people stopped abruptly.

Surprisingly, the Crown Prince was approaching.

Why was someone who had barely spoken during the conversation with the Empress coming now?

“We greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“I’d like to have a word with the Holy Maiden. Could you give us some space?”

At Crown Prince Felix’s words, Seth immediately shook his head.

“I’m sorry. We have a duty to protect the Holy Maiden.”

No matter if he was the Crown Prince, they couldn’t feel safe anywhere other than the main temple.

Especially since Idella was pretending to be the Holy Maiden, they had to be even more careful.

“Then there’s no choice.”

Fortunately, the Crown Prince didn’t seem displeased and nodded his head obediently.

They said he would become a humane and rational monarch, and that reputation seemed to be true.

Airic and Seth felt secretly relieved.

“Actually, I had the opportunity to meet Holy Maiden Ortel Kiris in the Southern Region.”

Feliks spoke to Idella in a respectful tone.

Idella was quite surprised, not expecting the Crown Prince to use honorifics.

“Yes, I heard about it from Lady Ordel.”

“She was quite a remarkable person in many ways. So I was hoping to meet her again this time, which is a bit disappointing.”

“I see. I will convey Your Highness’s sentiments to Lady Ordel.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Feliks bowed his head slightly with a bright expression.

His completely unauthoritarian demeanor kept drawing attention.

“Still, the newly born Holy Maiden also seems as wonderful as she is, so I have high expectations. To think both Holy Maidens are so remarkable. The Sun God’s Main Temple is truly blessed.”

Feliks extended his hand.

Idella reflexively placed her hand on top of his.

Feliks bowed his head and kissed the back of her hand.

“I hope the Sun God’s Main Temple will continue to be filled with blessings.”

Then he added with another bright smile.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Then let us meet again at tonight’s party.”

He gave a light nod to Airic and Seth standing behind her, then left.

“The praise for the Crown Prince has been widespread, and it really was true.”

Seth also nodded at Airic’s words.

The Empire’s future was truly bright.

“Idella, no, Holy Maiden?”

Airic, who was about to turn around, tilted his head at the sight of Idella standing still.

She couldn’t take her eyes off the Crown Prince’s retreating figure.

“Holy Maiden.”

“Ah, yes!”

Only then did Idella come to her senses at Airic’s call.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Let’s go back.”

Idella smiled awkwardly and walked.

But before long, she turned around to look back again.

Crown Prince Feliks walking confidently with straight shoulders.

Somehow, it was difficult to take her eyes off him.

Idella placed her hand on her chest, which had been beating rapidly and intensely at some point.

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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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