Chapter 111
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I Will Purchase Divine Power with Money
Chapter 111
But if I said that, our rigid Holy Knight Commander would stand guard every night with eyes wide open, preventing any more drinking parties, wouldn't he?
That absolutely cannot happen.
"Besides, I'm used to sleeping in nightclothes anyway...."
Was Lute Sheary really about to say something so tactless?
Before she could say another word, I quickly interjected.
"Since the Holy Knight Commander lent me his outer robe, I think it should be fine, don't you?"
I glanced at Seth's outer robe, which still rested with considerable weight across my shoulders.
The robe was large and generous enough to envelop me completely, and despite its pristine white color, it remained utterly spotless.
Impressive. Meanwhile, my High Priestess vestments were covered in dust.
"...Am I perhaps preventing you from going out, Your Holiness?"
As I fiddled with the immaculate robe out of curiosity, Seth's voice returned, thoroughly deflated.
He looked just like a dejected puppy.
"I wasn't planning to go out. I just had a feeling the Holy Knight Commander might be standing at the door, so I peeked out for a moment."
"Really? Why would...."
"I thought you might be standing there alone, feeling bored."
Like that dawn from before.
The night when the controlled Jeremy attacked me.
After Seth had resolved everything, he stood guard outside my room all night until I awoke.
Since that day, I found myself concerned whenever Seth stood alone at my door.
That memory must have left quite an impression on me as well.
"Or would you like to come inside? It would be easier for you to protect me if we were together."
Seth would certainly notice even minor disturbances in the room, but what if someone trying to attack me was special like Jeremy had been?
Being together would be far more efficient.
"No, that's absolutely impossible!"
"Your Holiness, what nonsense are you speaking?"
But both Seth and Lute Sheary expressed their opposition with considerable intensity.
"Why not? Victoria Lawrence guards me from inside almost all the time anyway, except when there are guests."
"That's ridiculous. That knight is acceptable because she's a woman, but the Holy Knight Commander? How could they be the same?"
What was the difference?
And Seth wasn't making a big fuss about it either, so why was Lute Sheary causing such a commotion?
"There's no guarantee that a woman is without danger. In fact, I find the Holy Knight Commander far more reassuring than most women."
Probably because Seth was the strongest in the Temple of the Sun God.
I felt a bit sorry toward Monica and Victoria, but there was no helping the fact that a stronger person inspired more confidence.
"...I'm not sure whether I should be jealous or sympathetic right now."
"What do you mean?"
What was Lute Sheary jealous about, and what was she sympathetic toward?
"The Holy Knight Commander doesn't seem particularly interested in entering the room, so can I go in instead? I'm not lacking in combat ability either. I could guard you very well while you sleep."
"Who said you could enter? Don't even dream of it."
"The High Priestess makes the decision, so why is the Holy Knight Commander making such a fuss?"
When did those two get along so well, and why do they keep bickering like this? Anyone could serve as a guard.
Perhaps because this place is the House of Count Kiris, where I'm not on good terms with them, both of them seem concerned about various things.
Anyway, they're good people.
"I invited the Holy Knight Commander inside because I thought he might feel lonely standing outside alone. I'm glad you two seem to get along well. Please continue to build that camaraderie."
A long yawn escaped me.
All this talking was making me incredibly drowsy. Seth's outer coat was so large and warm that sleep pressed down on me even more heavily.
I didn't want to doze off at the table and hit my head, so I needed to get to bed quickly.
"I'm going to sleep."
I carefully placed Seth's outer coat on the sofa and shuffled into bed, lying down.
The outside grew quiet, and I soon fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
"Your skill at interfering is quite remarkable."
A sharp voice cut through the air toward Seth, who had been quietly staring at the door from which no sound now emerged.
When he turned his head, he saw a face wearing a smile of clear displeasure.
"That's a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding?"
"Yes."
Seth faced Lute Sheary directly while firmly guarding the door.
To prevent Lute Sheary from disturbing the sleeping High Priestess.
"The one who interfered was the Duke, not me. I was the one already here first."
When the door opened with quiet footsteps and the High Priestess's golden eyes appeared through the crack, what had he felt?
Surprise, joy, and a sigh-tinged concern asking why he was standing there—all of it had been deeply welcome.
He hadn't particularly wished for anything.
He had only hoped for this: to have a quiet conversation and then watch Ordel Kiris enter her room and fall asleep.
But Lute Sheary had intruded and disrupted that brief exchange, so even Seth couldn't help but feel displeased.
Especially since Lute Sheary made no effort to hide her affection toward Ordel Kiris.
"Surprising. I didn't know you could call someone an obstruction. I thought the High Priestess saw you as a chaste Holy Knight who couldn't even curse."
"I'm delighted to be seen that way. Being trusted by the High Priestess is always a joy."
"Ah, you're so trusted that she doesn't even treat you like a man. Yet you still seem happy?"
This man truly had a terrible personality.
Rather than anger at Lute Sheary's sarcasm, Seth felt only fascination.
He could clearly see how specially this man, famous for his foul temperament, treated the High Priestess.
Right now, both of them were speaking in hushed voices, careful lest Ordel Kiris wake.
"That's an odd thing to say. What matters is the High Priestess's trust. Nothing else is relevant."
"Speaking of which, you seemed quite shocked by what the High Priestess said?"
At that, Seth glanced briefly toward Ordel Kiris's bedroom door.
Had he been shocked?
When he heard that she trusted him more than a woman of the same gender, he had truly been happy.
Certainly happy, but....
I couldn't simply rejoice without reservation.
It felt as though a sharp, stinging sensation had pricked my fingertips—like touching a splinter.
I see. I was shocked by those words.
But why?
Why was I shocked to hear that being in the same space meant nothing to him?
He lacked perceptiveness, but he wasn't unintelligent.
"After all, I suspect the High Priestess wouldn't feel much tension even alone with the Duke."
"...."
Lute Sheary, who had been mocking Seth Noel, fell silent for the first time.
Her expression twisted with irritation as she clicked her tongue sharply.
"However, I am receiving greater trust than the Duke. For now, that alone satisfies me completely."
Seth Noel smiled gently at Lute Sheary.
Lute Sheary let out a hollow laugh.
It was the first time I had ever felt such a bitter sense of defeat from a single smile.
I thought he was just a stolid, rigid Holy Knight, but it seemed he possessed competitive spirit after all.
"Now then, please take your leave. No one may enter until the High Priestess awakens."
Seth Noel, his expression returning to its usual blankness, issued the warning.
With his hand gripping the hilt of his sword and his frame blocking the doorway like a mountain, Lute Sheary's face contorted.
"I'm not someone who loses in a battle of words, yet I cannot defeat the children of the Sun God."
Though displeased in every way, she had no desire to wake the sleeping Ordel Kiris, so ultimately she spun around abruptly.
I came to spend time with the High Priestess but left empty-handed.
I thought the Holy Knight Commander was merely strong in combat and somewhat dull, but he proved far more formidable than expected.
Irritatingly so.
"I thought there would be no obstacles, but there's quite a substantial barrier in my way."
The High Priestess herself is no easy matter, and now I must overcome this sturdy barrier wielding a sword as well.
Of course, that doesn't mean I intend to give up.
No, more accurately, I'm already so completely captivated by Ordel Kiris that I cannot give up.
* * *
"Is this truly sufficient?"
Karen asked as I changed into fresh clothes for the evening meal.
I wore a neat priestess's habit, my hair merely combed, adorned with no jewelry and no cosmetics.
Karen seemed quite concerned about my simple appearance.
"It's more than enough, so don't worry."
Even this much adornment feels excessive for me now.
"Then I'll be going. Please enjoy your meal as well, both of you."
I waved to Victoria Lawrence and Karen before pulling the door open.
And I stopped.
"Huh?"
Seth Noel stood before the doorway looking distinctly uncomfortable, while Lute Sheary stood beside him with a cheerful smile.
When did they stop quarreling? Did they really build rapport while I was sleeping?
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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