Chapter 113
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 113
* * *
The banquet fare proved far more disappointing than anticipated.
Perhaps it was because I'd been treated so lavishly by the Flu Family and Cali Family during my time in the Southern Region.
I'd expected Lute Sheary to ensure the meal was prepared with care, yet it fell short of the Flu Family's standards—rather disheartening, really.
Still, mediocre food hardly rendered the banquet itself a disappointment.
"...."
I took a bite of steak and glanced subtly to my left.
"Does the cuisine suit your palate, Duke? Had I known of your arrival, I would have taken greater pains...."
Each time Lute Sheary took a bite, Yoanna inquired with a smile.
I'd once called Lute Sheary a peacock, but observing Yoanna now, I found myself reconsidering that assessment.
A deep emerald dress draped with golden lace, jewelry that clinked with every gesture of her hands and neck, and a feathered emerald ornament adorning her hair.
That was a true peacock, without question.
Fortunately, she'd inherited her mother's features rather than her father's, blessed with a lovely face—yet why such excessive ornamentation?
Even accounting for my modern aesthetic sensibilities, it was rather excessive.
"I fear it may be somewhat inadequate for entertaining the master of the Western Region."
I turned my head toward the opposite side.
In stark contrast to Yoanna's flamboyance, Countess Kiris carried herself with considerable elegance.
Her soft beige-toned dress complemented her gentle brown hair beautifully.
The problem lay in that face.
With eyes that tilted upward, giving her a rather fierce expression, her forced attempt at a gentle smile came across as distorted.
She really ought to practice her expressions more diligently.
"You are renowned as a Sword Mage, Duke. All mages and swordsmen across the Continent must surely admire you. Of course, I do as well!"
Ah.... I shouldn't have commented on the Countess's expression.
Lloyd, flushed like a boy smitten with first love, was lavishing praise upon Lute Sheary with fervent enthusiasm.
Yoanna's bashfulness at least suited her, but this was genuinely shocking.
The very man who'd mocked Count Kiris for berating me when I'd first regained consciousness now proved utterly contemptible.
"While my magical aptitude may be lacking, I possess considerable talent with the blade, I dare say. Might I impose upon you for instruction?"
I couldn't speak to Lloyd's actual swordsmanship, but I'd wager my personal fortune he wasn't skilled enough to boast so brazenly before Lute Sheary.
"...."
And finally, observing Count Kiris as his family fawned over Lute Sheary was the crowning touch.
The Count, who'd made no secret of his disdain for Lute Sheary, clearly found this situation most disagreeable.
'Yet his gaze is peculiar, isn't it?'
Even as displeasure played across his features, his eyes remained fixed upon Lute Sheary.
Even when the Countess spoke, Count Kiris never once averted his gaze from Lute Sheary.
It was the look of a criminal appraising a potential victim.
I was certain of it, having witnessed such looks countless times in my previous life.
What was he observing so intently?
As I studied Count Kiris, I cut through the conversation flowing across the table and spoke.
"I thought your family might enjoy it, so I made a rather insistent request for the Duke to come here with me...."
She paused mid-sentence, set down her wine glass, and broke into a radiant smile.
"Seeing such a warm and harmonious atmosphere, I'm glad I did. I'm relieved everyone is pleased."
Then she grasped Count Kiris's hand firmly with both of hers.
"Isn't that right, Father?"
"...What?"
Count Kiris's bewildered gaze fixed upon me.
Don't misunderstand. I'm not doing this because I like you.
'Nothing appeared.'
If Count Kiris weren't merely a subordinate but actually harbored the power of Evil within him, wouldn't some System Message have surfaced...?
There was nothing.
Feeling oddly uncomfortable for having merely touched the Count's hand, I withdrew it with a slightly dejected expression.
"...You want me to teach you? Since Young-sik is asking so earnestly, I suppose I should oblige."
It was none other than Lute Sheary who broke the strange silence that had suddenly fallen.
The people who had been regarding me as something peculiar suddenly turned their gazes toward Lute Sheary with brightened faces.
"Is that truly so?!"
"Yes. Do you have time tomorrow afternoon?"
"I, I am available anytime! It would be an honor!"
Lloyd's face flushed crimson.
Ugh, I really can't stand the sight of that.
"I'll teach you exactly as you wish."
"...."
Wait a moment.
No matter how I listen to those words, they sound like she's saying she'll beat you thoroughly?
Lloyd, now is not the time to be so delighted. Get your wits about you.
Don't be fooled by that expression. Have you lost all your sense of perception?
You're going to die at this rate.
"Um, um! The maids mentioned that you intended to take a walk this afternoon but couldn't—is that true?"
That was when Yoanna interjected.
I had thought she would have gone for a walk alone after I fell asleep, but it seems she didn't after all.
"Yes. I needed some fresh air."
Yet she says this while looking directly at me.
I quietly averted my gaze.
"...Yes? Ah, I was thinking of guiding you after dinner. How would that be?"
"Our garden is beautiful even in daylight, but it has its own unique charm at night as well."
The Countess Kiris provided supporting fire to Yoanna's suggestion.
Count Kiris seemed displeased about something, but he didn't object.
"Yoanna takes after me and loves plants so much. There are many places in the garden touched by Yoanna's hand. She'll be able to guide you all the better for it."
The Countess Kiris appealed earnestly, but Lute Sheary paid her no attention whatsoever.
Her silvery-gray eyes were fixed intently upon me.
What's this? Are you curious about my opinion?
"The garden tour sounds delightful."
When I tossed out a casual remark wondering why she was acting this way, she caught it immediately.
"Would the High Priestess like to join us?"
Necessarily...?
Even if this were the most splendid and beautiful garden in the world, it held little interest for me simply because it belonged to the House of Count Kiris.
And I certainly had no desire to view it alongside Yoanna, who glared at me as though she wanted me dead.
"No, thank you. Please, enjoy yourselves."
"Yes! I... the High Priestess seems tired, so it would be best for you to rest in your room!"
Watching Yoanna cry out with such obvious delight made me wonder if I'd made a mistake in refusing.
"Indeed. The High Priestess and I have matters to discuss after the meal, so Duke, please do accompany Yoanna."
Count Kiris's interjection cost me the chance to change my answer.
But it worked out even better.
"Very well. Enjoy your walk, Duke."
When no one was looking, I winked earnestly at Lute, conveying my gratitude.
Thanks to her, I could speak with Count Kiris much sooner than expected.
I absolutely had to secure the Rubar Land and give Lute a custom-made sacred relic crafted from holy stones as thanks.
"...Understood."
Whether my feelings had been properly conveyed or not, Lute let out a hollow laugh and nodded obediently.
Her beautifully shaped lips seemed to pout, protruding slightly, but I was already in such good spirits that I brushed past it.
I needed to finish this quickly and leave this wretched place as soon as possible.
* * *
After dinner.
As promised, Lute came out for a garden stroll with Yoanna.
For something the Countess had boasted about, the garden was disappointingly unremarkable.
The garden the Sun God Grand Temple had recently cultivated seemed far superior.
Ah, I longed to leave this place and return there—that sole sanctuary of peace, quiet, and comfort.
Recalling the Sun God's Temple bathed in warm sunlight, a smile bloomed naturally on my face.
"Um, how do you find it, Duke? Does the garden please you?"
Yoanna asked shyly, interpreting my smile in a different light.
Lute glanced at her instead of answering.
Yoanna, with her brown hair and blue eyes, shared not a single resemblance with Ordel.
It was natural, given their distant kinship, but had they possessed even the slightest similarity, I wouldn't have found her quite so disagreeable.
"Whenever you wish to take a walk, please call upon me...! It would be my joy to guide you, Duke."
This family lavished attention on me from every angle, yet Ordel, unlike them, showed me scarcely any interest.
Not only did she lack their appearance, but her temperament differed as well.
She could have resembled the Count's family in at least one regard.
Ordel, who harbored poor relations with Yoanna, had shown no emotion whatsoever at the mention of taking a solitary walk with her.
How infuriating that was.
Had I ever before allowed myself to be so affected by another's indifferent expression?
My own transformation was absurd, yet the moment I saw Ordel Kiris, none of it mattered anymore.
The time I spent with Ordel Kiris was precious beyond measure, and I refused to yield her to anyone.
The problem was that Ordel Kiris didn't share my feelings.
"By the way, there's something I'm curious about."
Lute Sheary asked Yoanna, who had been chattering away beside her, a question for the first time.
Yoanna's face brightened.
"Yes, yes! Please ask!"
"Where was the High Priestess's room originally located?"
But her expression hardened in an instant.
Lute Sheary stood before Yoanna, whose face had frozen in place, still wearing that smile.
"Where is it?"
Her gray eyes, once warm whenever she was with Ordel Kiris, had grown cold and distant.
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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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