I Will Buy Divine Power With Money! - Chapter 258

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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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Side Story 2. The Grand Temple

“If you want to see me, contact me anytime. Just send a one-line letter saying you miss me and I’ll fly right over.”

All the affairs in the capital were finished, and the day to finally return to the Sun God’s Main Temple had come.

“I wanted to go together too…”

At the train station.

Rute saw me off with a gloomy face.

Rute had to handle ducal affairs in the capital for a while, so he couldn’t return to the western region with me.

“I’ll fly over if I miss you, so if you’re going somewhere, you must tell me. I’ll cry if your schedule changes.”

“I understand, I understand.”

I nodded continuously at Rute’s endless requests.

Anyone watching would think I was going to some foreign country.

But if I said this, he’d sulk again, so I shouldn’t say it.

“It’s one step back for a happy future, but I still can’t help feeling regretful.”

Rute sighed and gripped my hand tightly.

If he just guards the ducal position well until Trisha safely gives birth and fully recovers her health, afterward he can spend time with me without any worries.

Though he knew this well, his heart apparently didn’t feel the same way as Rute couldn’t let go of my hand.

“The train will depart soon.”

Then the train whistle sounded.

At Yuri’s words, Rute let out another sigh of regret.

I patted his hand gently.

“You contact me too when you return to the Western Ducal Residence. I’ll visit at least once.”

“Promise?”

Rute kissed the back of my hand with reluctance dripping from his face, then kissed my cheek and lips once each.

Whether passersby widened their eyes and stared at us or not, he saw me off with pitiful eyes.

“Why is the farewell so long?”

When I entered the train’s VIP compartment, Jin, who had been waiting, clicked her tongue.

“We’re starting a long-distance relationship right as our romance begins, so of course it’s regretful.”

I shrugged and looked out the window.

Seeing Rute’s shoulders drooped uncharacteristically made me feel so sorry for him.

But we each have things we must do, so it can’t be helped.

“Tell the Sun God to take care of your health first. If you get sick…”

Rute, who had approached the window, spoke to me.

I could understand the rest without hearing it.

You’re probably the only person who would threaten a god without being a Holy Maiden or Holy Sage.

【’Light of Perseverance and Faith’ is bewildered, saying that even Holy Maidens and Holy Sages don’t usually threaten gods.】

【The User grumbles that you probably won’t even catch colds, so don’t worry about useless things.】

“The Sun God says I won’t catch colds due to my constitution. That’s good.”

“You must stay healthy until we meet again.”

Even though I conveyed the message, Rute didn’t listen at all and only said what he wanted to say.

At this very Rute-like behavior, I smiled and reached out to tap his cheek.

Rute left a deep kiss on my palm.

When the shout came that the train would depart soon, Rute personally closed the window and stepped back.

“See you again.”

Rute, waving with an uncharacteristically tearful face, slowly grew distant.

Probably Rute would continue standing at the station until the train was out of sight.

“Disgusting.”

Jin, who had watched that scene from beginning to end, shuddered with various expressions of disgust.

“Rute does love me too much. We’ll see each other for life, so just get used to it.”

I sat across from Jin.

Jin frowned with all kinds of expressions.

“It’s fortunate that guy didn’t come to the western region and stayed in the capital. I almost had to see disgusting scenes even on the train.”

Contrary to my worries, Jin didn’t get angry and tell me to break up with Rute.

Regardless of not liking Rute, she said she would respect it since it was my choice.

She’s really kind and sweet.

“…But is it really okay to go to the Sun God’s Main Temple?”

I asked in a voice small enough for only Jin to hear.

This was because in one corner of the spacious VIP compartment, there were not only Airic and Seth but also others returning to the Grand Temple with us.

“It’s okay. It’s not a lie, it’s really okay.”

Jin had decided to stop by the Sun God’s Main Temple first before going to the Shrine of the Annihilation God.

Though Nashas had offered to assign a priest of the Annihilation God as an attendant, Jin refused, saying it would be cumbersome, and came with us alone.

“It’s strange. I easily forgot the things I suffered, but I can never forget the things I did wrong for my whole life.”

Jin spoke calmly while looking out the window.

“I’m going to face my mistakes without avoiding them. So it’s okay.”

Jin said it wasn’t something to worry about, rather that she didn’t have the right to worry.

I could only grip my friend’s hand tightly.

* * *

Coming to the Sun God’s Main Temple was really a long time for me too.

Thanks to that, I began to feel nervous in a different way from Jin.

How warmly would people welcome me?

The moment I got out of the carriage with a slightly nervous face.

Pop!

Colorful confetti burst.

“Holy Maiden! Congratulations on your safe return!”

“Welcome back, Holy Maiden!”

“The Holy Maiden has finally come!”

When I looked up in surprise, I saw people with bright smiles on their faces.

The priestesses who didn’t go to the capital and remained, the people working at the Sun God’s temple, and even the servants.

Not a single person was missing – everyone had gathered in front of the main gate.

“Everyone…”

“Do you know how long we’ve been waiting?”

Ditrihi, who had been guarding the Grand Temple in place of the main figures who were away, approached.

Though his lips were pursed in a pout, his face showed undeniable joy.

“I sincerely welcome your safe return, Holy Maiden.”

Ditrihi held out a bouquet of flowers.

My heart nearly dropped.

Ditrihi, who had shown such obvious dislike for me, was giving me a bouquet…?

“The children made it.”

When I just stared blankly, Ditrihi quickly whispered.

Only then did I notice the young servants looking at me with nervous faces.

“Thank you. I didn’t know everyone would welcome me so enthusiastically.”

If I hesitated any longer, the children would start crying.

When I immediately accepted the bouquet, the children brightened up.

Though they still seemed scared to give it directly, they had made the bouquet with their own hands.

So it was true that they had opened their hearts to me.

“We, we heard you collapsed… Is, is your health okay?”

“Didn’t you overdo it too much in the war?”

“Are, are you really okay now?”

Then the Grand Temple’s employees cautiously asked me.

These were people who would never speak directly unless it was through a priestess…

“Thanks to the Sun God’s care, I got better. I’m very healthy now. Thank you so much for worrying about me.”

When I smiled brightly at the people who had shown concern, everyone nodded while looking embarrassed.

“Th-then you’re not going anywhere now and will stay at the Grand Temple forever?!”

At that moment, one hesitant young child shouted loudly.

The child seemed flustered, not expecting their voice to come out so loud.

The surroundings, which had been as noisy as a festival, suddenly became quiet as if cold water had been poured over them.

However, the reason for the silence was different from before.

In the past, they would have become quiet out of fear that I might get angry at the shouting, but now…

Everyone was focusing on my lips with tense faces.

As if waiting for my answer.

I was so happy about that change that I smiled brightly.

“Yes. Where would I, the Holy Maiden of the Sun God, go? The Grand Temple is exactly where I should be.”

“Waaaah!”

When I nodded, the children were the first to clap.

The people also exchanged glances with each other, relieved.

I watched those people and then quietly turned my head.

Jin, who had gotten off the carriage, was silently watching the people.

“…”

All kinds of complex emotions were written across her face.

I approached Jin and firmly grasped her hand.

“You feel a little relieved, don’t you?”

Regret, surprise, joy, happiness, sadness.

And longing.

If you combined all these emotions into one, there was only one thing.

Jin was feeling relieved right now.

“…Yes.”

Jin nodded.

The Sun God’s Main Temple that she remembered was not here.

That fact seemed to bring her immense relief.

“Then let’s go in.”

I took Jin’s hand and we stepped forward together.

I crossed the gates of the Sun God’s Main Temple after three months, and Jin after 35 years.

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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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