I Will Buy Divine Power With Money! - Chapter 67

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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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“Holy Maiden Ordel and High Priest Seth Noel have arrived.”

With Novice Priest Ditrihi’s announcement, the doors to the main hall of the Great Shrine where the dedication ceremony would be held opened.

The main hall, lavishly decorated as befitting a place that serves the Sun God, was flooded with brilliant sunlight from all directions.

I gazed carefully at the guests basking in the abundant sunlight, then soon raised my head.

At the end of the main hall, in the center, stood a towering statue of the Sun God with arms spread wide, welcoming me.

The largest statue in the Sun God’s Main Temple seemed overwhelming just to look at.

Anyone who wasn’t a child of the Sun God would have been frozen in place, unable to overcome the sense of intimidation.

This was precisely the difference between a simple stone statue and a divine statue carved to honor a god.

While people might admire a well-carved stone statue, none would cower before it.

However, the statue that could be called the symbol of the Sun God’s Main Temple was broken above the shoulders and had no head, though I didn’t know why.

Since there was no such description in the original story, I was quite shocked when I first saw it.

Though it was impressive that it maintained such dignity even without a face.

“From here, the Holy Maiden must go alone.”

Seth stopped walking at the end of the path where sword-bearing Holy Knights were lined up on both sides.

The central aisle of the main hall could normally be walked by anyone, but when a golden carpet was laid out like now, only the Holy Maiden or Holy Sage could walk on it.

I began to step on the carpet and walk slowly forward.

Perhaps because of the sunlight pouring down so intensely it hurt my eyes, I couldn’t see clearly the guests who had stood up to watch me.

Only one thing was visible.

Only the massive statue that held the most sunlight.

The headless statue was spreading its arms benevolently.

It stretched its hands toward us as if it would embrace everything we did.

It was far from the meddlesome and tearful image of the Sun God I had imagined.

‘The broken head is bothering me.’

‘We don’t know the reason either. We didn’t do anything, but one day it was suddenly broken. There wasn’t even any sound, and there were no broken fragments around.’

When I asked out of curiosity the first day I saw that statue, Airic had answered like that.

He wanted to fix it right away, but the statue could only be repaired with special ore, and that was extremely expensive, so it couldn’t be done.

But not anymore.

We had gained a lot of money and would gain even more in the future. So I should buy the ore and attach a new head.

Even if it was a bit annoying, it wasn’t a god that deserved such humiliation.

“Holy Maiden.”

When I reached the end of the golden carpet, High Priest Airic, who had arrived earlier, and High Priest Seth, who had joined during my walk, bowed their heads to me.

“This is the offering to be dedicated to the Sun God.”

Airic handed me the golden tray he had been holding.

On the tray lay a pure white pouch embroidered with gold thread.

It was a spatial pouch containing 1.5 billion, that is, fifteen thousand gold, to be dedicated to the god today.

“Airic Dert, faithful servant of the Sun God, offers all glory to the Sun God.”

As I accepted the tray, Airic infused the pouch with divine power.

It was a ritual expressing gratitude to the Sun God.

Then Seth repeated the same act.

“Seth Noel, faithful sword of the Sun God, offers all honor to the Sun God.”

The two people who had each infused divine power knelt toward the Sun God’s statue.

Airic placed his right hand on his left chest, and Seth gripped his sword with both hands.

Then all the believers in the main hall knelt toward the Sun God.

The priests took the same posture as Airic, and the Holy Knights took the same posture as Seth.

I left the believers loyal to the Sun God behind and climbed the stairs where the statue stood.

After climbing all 12 steps, a pure white altar with a golden sun carved on it, placed in front of the massive statue’s feet, was revealed.

I stood before it and stretched out both arms holding the tray.

“Ordel, glorious daughter of the Sun God, offers to the Sun God the tribute containing the hearts of all believers. I swear to always offer honor for the Sun God and fight for the Sun God’s glory.”

It was the moment I was about to place the pouch from the tray onto the altar after the oath ceremony.

A System Message, no, a system offering box appeared above the altar.

【( ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ ) Offering Box ( ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )】

“….”

What is this tearful offering box?

Is it shedding tears of joy at the thought of receiving 1.5 billion right now?

‘Well, I’d cry too if I were in its position.’

When I saw the heart-filled offering box before, I was slightly annoyed, but now I almost let out a bitter laugh.

Perhaps because it looked so desperate.

“I am grateful for the grace of the Sun God who always cherishes the believers.”

With the final words of gratitude, I threw the money pouch into the tearful offering box.

Since everyone was below and I was blocking their view with my body, they wouldn’t see the pouch suddenly disappear into thin air.

Even if I had just placed it on the altar, it would have disappeared quickly anyway.

“Ah…!”

Someone’s exclamation burst out from behind.

As the system offering box that had received the cash disappeared, brilliant light burst forth from the altar.

It was light far more intense than the sunlight coloring the main hall of the Great Shrine.

It meant that the god was satisfied with our offering.

And I, standing closest to the altar, could feel the aftermath throughout my entire body more than anyone else.

【15,000 gold has been supplied to the offering box of ‘Sun Who Crawled Out of Death.’】

【’Sun Who Crawled Out of Death’ recovers part of its power from the devotion of faithful believers.】

【’Sun Who Crawled Out of Death’ bestows a blessing upon the Holy Maiden who devoted herself for its sake. User’s divine power increases.】

【Current divine power held: 25.111%】

Warm light that burst from the altar poured over my entire body.

It seeped through every part of my skin and enveloped even each strand of my hair.

Fullness welled up. Fatigue disappeared and refreshing energy thrillingly coursed through my entire body.

I could tell without being told.

The balance of my body that had collapsed due to breaking the Sea God’s curse was finding its place again.

It was such a wonderfully pleasant sensation that I unconsciously let out an exclamation.

‘It’s grateful.’

I stared blankly up at the statue.

It was so massive that I couldn’t see its form properly, but I could clearly see its outstretched arms.

The Sun God was sincerely grateful to us, to me.

How strange. I had never had a direct conversation with it, so why could I feel the Sun God’s will so clearly?

I was just performing a Quest, but still, was it because I was now its real Holy Maiden?

I didn’t know the reason, but one thing was certain.

I didn’t dislike this light embracing me.

Rather, feeling as if I were lying in a cozy cradle, I briefly closed my eyes and accepted the light with my whole body.

It was a comfortable embrace.

* * *

“So! It was such a moving ceremony!”

After the dedication ceremony ended, we had tea time with the guests in the garden.

Of course, Count Kiris’s party had returned to their room like puppies needing to relieve themselves, so they weren’t here.

Thanks to that, it was extremely pleasant.

“I could feel the Sun God’s miracle, so it was truly meaningful. Thanks to your invitation, I got to experience all this. Thank you once again.”

Mrs. Hindel spoke in a clearly excited tone.

The Count also nodded, saying he was moved.

“Is it because we’re believers now? I almost cried when the light burst from the altar.”

“Oh my, you actually did shed tears. I saw you secretly wiping your eyes with a handkerchief.”

The Count’s face turned bright red, as if he hadn’t expected his wife to attack him.

We politely pretended not to notice.

“And how magnificent the Holy Maiden was. Even now I’m speechless.”

I was still dressed in the ceremonial robes I had worn at the dedication ceremony.

I thought about removing the golden crown of the sun, but decided to leave it on.

If not on a day like today, when else would I get to wear something like this?

Besides, the feeling of wearing something like a crown was quite thrilling, so I didn’t want to take it off.

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to Monica’s hard work in preparing everything. Your daughter has truly exceptional skills.”

“Hmm hmm. My daughter does take after me quite a bit.”

When I praised his daughter, the Count straightened his shoulders as if he had never been embarrassed. The Count certainly does seem more skilled with his hands than the Countess.

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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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