I Will Buy Divine Power With Money! - Chapter 69
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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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What was so important about pushing Ordel in as a fake Holy Maiden that the Count would feel obsession and anxiety?
Moreover, for something he forced through so aggressively, Count Kiris did absolutely nothing afterward.
As if that alone was all he needed to do.
When I put all of this together, it all leads to one conclusion.
‘The reason for making Ordel a fake Holy Maiden was to completely destroy the Sun God’s Main Temple.’
What was the situation at the Sun God’s Main Temple before Idella appeared in the original story?
It was incomparably more serious than when I possessed this body.
If Idella hadn’t been a Holy Maiden with powerful divine power, the Grand Temple would have collapsed without ever recovering.
Just as Count Kiris wished.
Then why did the Count want the Grand Temple to fall?
‘There’s one thing I can guess.’
There are only two places that would want the Sun God’s Main Temple to collapse.
One is the Temple of the Sea God, and the other is the Sun God’s ancient enemy and the final mastermind of this world.
The Count had a very high probability of being a puppet of one of these two.
‘The former would be better, but if it’s the latter…’
I clenched my fist tightly.
“What will you do about the potion business?”
Just then, Airic asked cautiously. I quickly snapped out of my thoughts.
This wasn’t something I could tell anyone right now, so I mustn’t show it.
“Will you comply with Count Kiris’s demands?”
“Of course not. Why would I destroy the Grand Temple’s hope with my own hands? Don’t worry, High Priest, and focus on making potions.”
I smiled brightly at Airic.
Now that I was certain the Count planned to ruin our Grand Temple, I had no intention of moving according to his will.
I began frantically thinking about how to deal with the Count.
And the next day.
Before Count Kiris returned to his estate, I faced him alone in the reception room.
Since I didn’t want to look at his disgusting face for long, I got straight to the point without beating around the bush.
“I’ll stop the potion business as you ordered, Count.”
Airic would have been shocked if he heard this, but since it was just me and the Count here, I spoke without hesitation.
The Count snorted derisively.
“Following orders is only natural.”
His expression showed he never once thought I would go against his will.
Yes, that’s right. Keep thinking that way. It’s better for me.
“From now on, you will only move according to my words. If you act on your own, I will never forgive you.”
His petty threats weren’t even funny.
Secretly mocking him, I began laying the groundwork.
“However, there’s one problem.”
“A problem?”
The Count took an arrogant posture and looked down at me condescendingly.
“Yes. The potion business is the poor Grand Temple’s only source of income. If I suddenly say we’re stopping, I’ll lose the trust of the High Priest and temple people that I worked so hard to gain.”
If I lost their trust, I couldn’t do the spy work the Count wanted either.
For example, maintaining my relationship with Lute Sieri would become difficult.
When I emphasized that part, the Count gestured for me to continue.
“So?”
“Give me money.”
I made the demand boldly.
“If you give me enough donation money to justify closing the business, I’ll take responsibility for convincing the High Priest.”
Close the business? Of course I had no intention of doing that.
Why would I be crazy enough to shut down a business that was like a fountain of wealth?
Especially when it was the source of my divine power increase.
I was just using this as an excuse to extract something very good from the Count.
We would continue the business and also extort money from the stupid Count.
Even I think it’s a truly perfect plan.
“Money…?”
“Yes. We’ve just barely started making ends meet, but if our income source disappears, we’ll have to live in poverty again. I hate that.”
I was saying I’d spend all that money on my own luxuries.
“So give me money.”
I could clearly see the contempt in the Count’s gaze as he looked at me.
I suppose his money-grubbing adopted daughter looks pathetic, but I’m grateful if he sees me that way.
“How much do you want?”
As expected, thinking it wasn’t a bad deal, the Count asked.
“10,000 gold!”
I used to tremble over 10 or 20 gold.
Now I’m casually asking for 10,000 gold, which is 1 billion.
“10,000?”
“Yes! That would be enough.”
The Count didn’t give an immediate answer.
Seeing his clearly contemplative expression, I deliberately continued in an urgent tone.
“Oh, if that’s difficult, you could give me land worth 5,000 gold.”
“Land?”
At his question about what I meant, I quickly answered.
“Even though 10,000 gold is a fortune, it disappears quickly if you just spend it, right? But if I have land, I can collect tenant fees.”
“So that was your real goal.”
At the Count’s hollow laugh, I nodded confidently.
“Of course. With just one piece of land, I won’t have to worry about starving in the future, right?”
I don’t care about the Sun God’s Main Temple.
My own survival is more important to me.
When I emphasized that, the Count twisted his lips as if he expected as much.
“I’m not hoping for a large piece of land. You probably wouldn’t give me one anyway. Just land that would provide steady income even if I don’t work and just laze around would be enough.”
“…”
“Whether it’s money or land, I won’t touch the potion business until you give it to me.”
When I made that point clear, Count Kiris snorted loudly.
My level of threats must seem laughable to him.
“How dare you threaten me, quite impudent but…”
“…”
“Fine. I can do that much. I’ll send word as soon as I return to the clan.”
Finally!
At the Count’s answer, I immediately brightened up.
“Thank you!”
The Count laughed seeing me like that. It wasn’t a look of satisfaction but one mocking my stupidity, but I wasn’t angry at all.
I wonder how long that mocking laugh will last?
“However, if you want land, you must also provide information about Lute Sieri that you know.”
The Count whispered quietly.
It seems he learned from this dedication ceremony that my relationship with Lute is closer than he thought, so he wants to exploit it further.
“What kind of information?”
“Everything you learned from your conversations with Lute Sieri.”
“Alright. When you send the money and land documents, I’ll send the information along with them.”
When I nodded, the Count smiled with satisfaction.
This was the first time I’d seen him smile so contentedly since attending this dedication ceremony.
So I gave him the exact same smile in return.
It was truly a satisfying deal.
* * *
After the conversation ended, the Count left the Grand Temple without any lingering regrets.
And there were others who had finished their preparations accordingly.
“I would have liked to stay a bit longer this time, but I have matters to attend to.”
Count and Countess Hindel.
The two who had been keenly monitoring every move of Count Kiris and Baron Gail throughout their stay at the Grand Temple seemed to have no intention of missing this opportunity.
“It’s alright. The Grand Temple is always open to you both. Please visit whenever you wish.”
The two who gladly accepted my farewell embraced their daughter Monica and exchanged brief greetings.
“Oh, how was your meeting with the Duke?”
Before the carriage carrying the couple departed, I asked them.
“The Lord of Lumen is quite an excellent person.”
Mrs. Hindel answered with a grin.
She had been conversing with him quite frequently, so it seems there were good results.
“Well then, see you again, Holy Maiden.”
We waved our hands as if to friends.
Soon the carriage carrying the couple left the Grand Temple.
“What do you think, Monica. Do you think Baron Gail’s head will still be attached?”
I asked Monica, who was watching the departing carriage with wistful eyes.
She shrugged her shoulders.
“It will still be attached. He only insulted me, he didn’t try to kill me, right?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. So the Baron will return alive. He’ll be alive.”
Monica grinned. That expression looked remarkably similar to Mrs. Hindel.
Specifically, to Mrs. Hindel’s face when she was extremely angry.
I decided not to ask any more about this matter.
“Jeremy.”
After confirming that there was no one around except Monica and Victoria, I called for Jeremy.
Jeremy, clad in black gear, dropped down from a nearby tree.
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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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