Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. - Chapter 135
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 135: Quite a Substantial Sum, Really
“There are a lot of people here….”
Merlin muttered, squinting slightly.
Near the monastery wall of Arteia Monastery.
The entrance to the Sanctuary of Rest, now standing on the threshold of new history, teemed with crowds unlike during our previous visit.
“The monastery wall is undergoing expansion work,” Lucius said, fingering his rosary.
“There had been ongoing debate about whether a Dungeon entrance with historical significance like the Sanctuary of Rest should really remain outside the monastery grounds. Now that new history is being written here, the expansion is a natural next step.”
“So you’ve decided to use this opportunity to expand the monastery?”
“That’s correct. An entirely new building is planned for construction.”
A measure to preserve the Sanctuary of Rest’s entrance indoors, treating it as a precious relic.
“By the time the building is complete, there will be a festival in the 6th District hosted by our Harmony Cult,” Lucius said, his gaze drifting from the industrious workers toward me.
“We’re planning to formally invite you and your team then. Nothing is set in stone yet, but I hear the Saint will be attending as well.”
“…The Saint?”
Merlin’s eyes widened, and she jabbed my back with her finger.
“The Saint of the Harmony Cult—isn’t that the one who was chosen by Artein at just ten years old and single-handedly held back an entire legion of Demon-type Beings?”
“Since when are you so well-informed?”
“…She’s a famous person, isn’t she?”
A celebrity so renowned that even Merlin, whose knowledge was lacking, had heard of her.
The Saint of the Harmony Cult, Ferris Artenia.
Ordinarily she dwelled in the Great Cathedral of the Harmony Cult in the Northern Western Continent, or flew wherever aid was needed, dedicating herself entirely to helping the weak—a noble priestess of exceptional virtue.
If we uncovered the Hidden Piece of the Sanctuary of Rest, we would definitely meet her at the Harmony Cult’s festival.
“Merlin, fortunately the Saint never meets those whose bodies and hearts are wanting. We’ll have plenty to discuss with her,” I said with a knowing smile.
“…Don’t slander me.”
“Why do you assume I’m lying whenever I open my mouth?”
I lowered my wide-brimmed hat, blocking Merlin’s view, and met Lucius’s eyes. The sleepy-eyed priest nodded with a meaningful smile.
“From now on, the entry procedures will become somewhat more complicated,” he continued.
Ordinary citizens and adventurers would no longer be permitted to enter. Only those who professed the Harmony Cult or had accumulated sufficient Credit Score as Socialites would be allowed in to volunteer.
The Dungeon had already been unpopular due to rewards that were disproportionately meager for the difficulty, so I doubted any expedition team would raise protest.
“Shall we enter?”
I presented my Credential Badge to the Dungeon custodian priest standing beside the entrance, proving my status as an honorary Harmony Cultist.
“…You must be Kar!”
The priest who verified my badge bowed his head deeply.
“You may enter!”
“Safe travels.”
I placed my hand on the pristine white column that marked the entrance, together with my team—all except Lucius, who had no injuries.
“Oh.”
Bartimir gazed around the central hall of the temple, now restored, with a brief exclamation.
“Something’s changed, hasn’t it?”
Much of the Sanctuary of Rest had been transformed.
Most notably, the central hall now bustled with Harmony Cultists.
People who had come to volunteer as caregivers.
News of Seraphina’s feat—holding back a legion of non-biological golems for days with only a handful of fighters—had reached the Luemes Kingdom, drawing faithful of Artein to flock here.
“Greetings.”
After waiting a moment, a middle-aged priest approached us, clasped his hands, and bowed respectfully.
Elion, the priest.
The devout and esteemed man who had guided us on our last visit.
“It is good to see you again, Half-Elf Kar.”
“May Artein protect our entire journey. Priest, have you been well all this while?”
“Thanks to your previous assistance, the shrine’s operations have become considerably more comfortable,” Elion said with a warm smile, glancing briefly at each member of the Moon Expedition Team 1st Group before continuing.
“Have you come to receive treatment from the Saint?”
“You read us perfectly. Yes, we’ve all sustained injuries while exploring the Dungeon.”
“Then I shall guide you to the Saint’s chamber at once.”
Under the priest’s guidance, we moved deeper into the temple.
Pendrick, the owner of Boundless Sociability, opened his mouth with characteristic boldness.
“Has the Saint finally reclaimed her chamber? No wonder she was stuck in such a miserable place before!”
“Ha, indeed. Many patients have healed and been discharged, so we have somewhat more space now,” Elion chuckled.
After we returned to reality.
Seraphina had apparently secured a promise from the King of Luemes that he would provide ongoing support.
“So now we have sorcerers, bards, and grant-workers with Healing Mystery working at the temple. Moreover, since we don’t know when the golem legions might attack again, we’re keeping military forces stationed here at all times.”
“That’s why your face has taken on such a healthy glow, isn’t it?”
“Ha—well, I can hardly deny that.”
Elion broke into an unguarded laugh, one that came from genuine relief.
Unlike the last visit, when the atmosphere had been oppressively dark throughout, smiles bloomed frequently now.
“For our part, the Guardian Church has also agreed to render substantial aid to the Luemes Kingdom, so both sides have reached a satisfactory arrangement.”
Unlike what actual history would have decreed, the Guardian Church of the Sanctuary of Rest would not be rebranded as the Harmony Cult, but instead would achieve independent development.
And it all began with this mutual aid pact with the Luemes Kingdom.
“We’ve arrived.”
As we spoke, we reached the entrance to the Saint’s Chamber.
The door swung open.
Just as Elion was about to knock, the door opened and the noble Saint appeared before us.
“Welcome.”
《Saint Seraphina of the Guardian Church (human, 34 years old). Her complexion has certainly brightened compared to last time. It appears she has found some relief from the crushing overwork.》
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
Seraphina smiled gently and ushered us inside.
The Saint’s Chamber was furnished entirely in pure white—a color this version of Artenia had been extraordinarily fond of.
Walls and floor, furniture and desk, even an owl perched on the desk dozing contentedly—all of it immaculate white.
A light sigh.
Suddenly, both Artenias sent their consciousness to me simultaneously.
‘My taste in those days was rather excessive, wasn’t it….’
‘Pure white is the finest, surely. You agree, don’t you?’
Unable to affirm or deny either view, I kept my mouth firmly shut. Then Seraphina gestured toward a bed in the corner of the chamber.
“We’ll begin with treatment. Please lie down one at a time. When you lie down, the areas requiring healing will glow—it’s an Artifact.”
“Then I’ll go first, if you don’t mind!”
Pendrick rushed straight to the bed and lay face-down.
His wrist immediately began to gleam white.
“You’ve come at just the right time. If left untreated, you might have lost the ability to wield a blade altogether.”
“…Was it really that serious?”
“Yes. Novice swordsmen who overexert themselves often suffer this unfortunate fate.”
A brilliant wave of light swept across him.
Seraphina seized Pendrick’s wrist and channeled a high-tier Healing Mystery into him.
“That’s done. Next, please.”
“Thank you so much…!”
Merlin’s ankle was healed cleanly, and then it was Bartimir’s turn.
A cascade of brilliant light—!
When the half-demon girl lay down on the bed, her entire body radiated light so intense it was nearly blinding.
The curses and diseases that filled her body glowed with terrible brilliance.
“Just heal my back, Saint. If you touch anything else, I’m going to cry?”
“…Of course.”
Even the somewhat difficult patient received her healing without incident, and then it was my turn.
In my case, my head blazed with light so intensely it seemed mad, and seeing this, Seraphina’s brow creased.
“What in heaven’s name have you been doing? Your mind is utterly tattered.”
“Isn’t that precisely why I sought you out?”
She placed her hand on my face.
The Saint’s touch was like a gentle slap.
“If you keep abusing your body and mind like this, I’m charging for treatment next time.”
“Would you accept my charming smile as payment?”
“That would be quite difficult.”
“My, so you only take payment in cash?”
Seraphina used a mental healing art on me and, after striking my face once more, let her lips curl upward in a slight smile.
“The amount is far too high—I’m afraid I have no change to give.”
《:O》
Merlin nudged Pendrick’s arm with his elbow.
“You said she was noble and refined?”
“…Even a Saint needs the occasional indulgence—like witty banter with the Captain.”
“I suppose so…?”
While they whispered together, my treatment reached its end.
“Very well.”
Seraphina returned to her desk and settled into her chair with perfect posture, absently stroking the white owl that still dozed beside her.
“Lately, thanks to the collaborators from the Luemes Kingdom, I’ve found a little spare time. I’m happy to listen to whatever you wish to say.”
“Perfect—I’ve been dying to talk about this.”
I brought Merlin forward and positioned him before her desk.
“This is my ward, Merlin.”
“A pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”
……
As Merlin bowed respectfully, Seraphina observed him carefully for a moment, her eyebrows twitching slightly.
“You possess the Sky Ear.”
“Yes.”
Merlin’s shoulders flinched, unsettled by the priestess’s piercing gaze.
I patted his rigid back reassuringly before continuing.
“He acquired it recently after coming into contact with the Stone of Records within the Dungeon.”
“Quite a remarkable Artifact, then. Is that why you’ve brought him to me?”
“Yes.”
I glanced briefly at Pendrick and Astrímia before elaborating.
“You’re the only person I know who possesses the Sky Ear.”
“Well, that would make sense.”
Seraphina stroked the owl’s head idly, then spoke with casual certainty.
“There’s no other Half-Demon born between a human and a demon-type Sky Bat but me.”
– Uh—!?
Astrímia, who rarely spoke in front of strangers, let out a strange sound before falling silent in alarm.
Pendrick turned to me with wavering eyes.
“…Commander, didn’t you say she wasn’t a demon-type being?”
“That’s right. She’s a Half-Demon, not a demon-type being.”
Half-Demon.
A rare race born between a demon-type being and a sentient creature.
“A Half-Demon and a demon-type being are as different as a Half-Elf and an Elf, so please refrain from disrespectful comments.”
“Kar can say it if they want. We’re both half-breeds anyway.”
……
Merlin’s jaw fell open as he grasped my arm.
Pendrick, unsure what to say in such circumstances, merely forced an awkward smile.
“A Half-Demon’s appearance takes after the sentient parent, while their mystical gifts and physical abilities inherit the demon-type being’s traits, yes?”
Meanwhile, Bartimir murmured to himself before his eyes lit up with realization.
“No wonder the priestess moved so fluidly! That was it!”
Far from shocked, he seemed satisfied as a Mage would be—his curiosity and confusion had simply found their answers.
– Coo?
Seraphina cradled the now-awake owl and reclined in her chair.
“My father was the chief of a demon-type Sky Bat pack who fortuitously mastered the Humanization Mystery. So naturally, I’ve been able to use the Sky Ear since childhood.”
“What about the Sky Striking Ram? I learned that from the Stone of Records!”
“Unfortunately, I didn’t inherit that particular Secret Art. Body Transformation I’m quite skilled at—ah, please disregard that last remark.”
Seraphina rose with a knowing smile and approached Merlin.
“How does the Sky Ear feel to you?”
“…Voices come flooding in from all directions at once. It’s confusing and dizzying.”
“I was the same when I was young.”
The priestess began gently stroking Merlin’s hair.
“Kar, should I teach this child how to use the Sky Ear?”
“Would you have the time?”
“Not abundantly, but even a brief lesson would suffice. Practice matters more than instruction, after all.”
“Then I’d appreciate it.”
“Of course.”
Seraphina squeezed Merlin’s hand firmly and sat beside him on the bed, beginning to teach him the methods and secrets of using the Sky Ear.
“Once you grow accustomed to the Perception, you’ll be able to spread your hearing widely or narrow it finely of your own accord. Practice twice daily without fail.”
“Yes…!”
Merlin was a future Seer of tremendous potential, shining at Perception 19.
His understanding was somewhat lacking, but if he simply followed the priestess’s guidance faithfully, he’d grow accustomed quickly enough.
“Does that make sense?”
“…To be honest, it’s a bit difficult.”
“No matter. Take your time and work through it steadily.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Seraphina smiled softly as she worked her fingers across Merlin’s shoulders, then caught my eye with a deliberate wave.
“You called for me?”
“It’s nearly time to get back to work. But before that, I’d like to speak with you alone for a moment.”
I sent the others out and took a seat beside the saint.
Seraphina studied my face intently, then narrowed her eyes.
“What is it?”
“As you know, I possess Artenia’s Secret Art of limited future sight.”
Transcendent Intuition.
A power that glimpses what’s to come through fragmented images and impressions.
“It’s been quiet lately, but the moment I looked at you just now, it flared up intensely.”
“I see. What did it tell you? To be wary of sinking into the deep waters of your own charm and having no way out?”
“It showed me your future, not mine.”
Seraphina fixed me with a steady gaze, her expression growing grave.
“You’re going to experience something quite ‘delightful’ in the very near future.”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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