Chapter 116
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 116
"...What?"
Idella blinked, staring down at her hands.
The moment the enemy rushed forward, she didn't hesitate—she thrust the dagger Jeremy had given her straight ahead.
The enemy didn't want her dead; they wanted to capture her.
Confident they wouldn't attack her, she abandoned any thought of defense.
The result was the dagger embedding itself directly into the enemy's chest.
Blood streamed down over her hands still gripping the blade—it had definitely struck true, yet...
Why was there so much blood on me?
I hadn't even withdrawn the blade yet, so there shouldn't be this much splatter.
"Impressive."
As I stood dazed, my face and body drenched in warm blood, a familiar voice reached me from above.
When I looked up, Jeremy was already standing behind the enemy—I hadn't even noticed his approach.
"Well done. Keep doing that."
That smile he always wore so irritatingly sweetly in front of the High Priestess.
Now he was directing it toward me as well.
Slip, thud.
"Gasp!"
The enemy's body, impaled on the dagger, tilted toward Idella.
It fell like a massive log toppling over.
Startled, Idella hastily released the dagger and shoved the enemy away.
The body collapsed limply to the side.
It was dead. Headless.
Jeremy had been far away just moments ago—I couldn't fathom when he'd reached here and severed the enemy's neck.
"...I didn't anticipate this."
Shudder.
Idella trembled suddenly as she stared at the fallen enemy.
An inexplicable force was emanating from Jeremy.
Despite him posing no threat to her whatsoever, an aura so terrifying and overwhelming that her body shook uncontrollably.
What, what on earth is this?
How could such an aura possibly emanate from a person...?
Idella, who had remained composed even when facing the kidnappers, felt her face drain of all color.
"Jeremy!"
A deep blue aura began to slowly coalesce around Jeremy's blade, blood dripping steadily from it.
Monica, who belatedly witnessed the sight, let out a scream.
"Stop this instant! The High Priestess said you must never use that power!"
That power? What on earth is that power?
"If you use that power, they'll sense it immediately! Do you want to be captured again?!"
"Do I look like I'd break my promise with the High Priestess? This wasn't me who did this."
Jeremy shook the necklace adorned with a crimson jewel in frustration.
"What? How is this...?"
Monica froze in shock.
She was certain he wore the necklace that suppressed the Sea God's curse.
An overwhelmingly vast aura of the Sea God began radiating from Jeremy, stealing the very breath from her lungs.
As if the Spirit Death God's divine seal had suddenly ceased functioning.
"Jeremy!"
Monica's scream tore through the air.
"Gasp—"
Jeremy staggered.
His entire body convulsed violently.
The focus drained from his luminous pink eyes.
The deep azure aura that had stained his blade coursed through his hand, his arm, his torso, consuming his entire being.
Whoooosh.
All sounds of combat ceased abruptly.
Not even breathing could be heard—only the wind's whisper remained.
Both allies and enemies lunging toward Idella stood frozen, unable to draw breath, their eyes fixed solely on Jeremy.
An aura so overwhelming it stole breath itself, a power far too immense to manifest upon this land, an otherworldly presence no human could possess.
The Sea God's divine power, suppressed by the Spirit Death God's seal, once again engulfed Jeremy's entire form.
The serene smile that had graced his face vanished without trace.
'This is infuriating.'
Jeremy cursed inwardly.
Perhaps because the curse-like divine power had been half-stripped away.
While his body had lost control, his mind remained conscious and aware.
The problem was that because of this, he could feel the divine power seeping through every fiber of his being far too keenly, and it was absolutely revolting.
Why had the Sea God's aura, which had been docilely suppressed, suddenly begun to rampage?
Before the question could be answered.
[Purify.]
The detestable voice of the Sea God echoed within his mind.
That voice he'd always hated—so grating, so foul-tempered.
But today was different.
[Purify.]
Purify. What?
[Eliminate the 'Evil' that dares defile the divine name.]
His body, responding to the god's voice, began moving of its own accord.
The blade's tip, gripped with force enough to make his joints stand out, turned toward the enemies targeting his companions.
A thrill ran through him.
Never had he imagined the god would directly command their elimination.
Since becoming a vessel for divine power, this was the first time his will aligned with the god's.
Jeremy, his face breaking into an exhilarated smile without realizing it, charged toward the enemies.
A deep blue aura reminiscent of the deep sea completely engulfed the forest.
* * *
"Your Holiness, your complexion...."
The next morning.
Karen and Victoria Lawrence, who had entered to wake me, were startled.
Even I could see my face looked terrible, so I could only imagine how it appeared to others.
"Are you still feeling unwell? Perhaps we should call a physician...."
I shook my head at Karen's worried question. A physician couldn't treat what ailed me.
The aura of Evil I'd sensed the moment I left the Count's Office last night.
The sensation was so repulsive that even after sleeping and waking, my condition hadn't recovered.
"I'm sorry, but could you bring breakfast to my room? Just some warm soup would be fine."
Karen nodded and left the room.
I didn't sense the aura of Evil within my room, but to be safe, I should eat only enough to settle my stomach while I remained here.
"Your Holiness, the High Priest has sent word."
While waiting for Karen, Victoria Lawrence reported to me.
"The potion production for the Southern Region has been completed and sent here. It's expected to arrive today."
"Oh, is that so?"
"Yes. However, will you be able to use the sacred artifacts? Your complexion is far too poor...."
Airic Dert sent the potion to the Count's Residence where I was, not to the Southern Region, because he still believed I was the one raising the potion's stats with sacred gold.
If I left the sacred gold at the Temple of the Sun God, Airic Dert would use it, so I deliberately brought it with me.
That's why the potion absolutely had to pass through my hands.
"That much is fine."
My divine power had already surpassed thirty percent, so using a blessing or two was nothing.
"Ah, and all personnel, including Monica, arrived safely at the Temple of the Sun God early this morning."
"Is that so? No incidents?"
"There was no special message, so it seems there weren't any."
I'd worried that a kidnapping attempt might occur the moment we separated, so I was relieved they'd arrived safely.
Soon Karen returned with a bowl of vegetable soup and a glass of juice.
Having Karen around certainly made things easier.
Being of noble birth, even the maids of the Count's Residence who disliked me didn't dare act carelessly, making my stay quite comfortable.
After finishing my meal, I left the room with Victoria Lawrence, leaving Karen behind.
I had somewhere to go.
For the first time in a while, I activated the map system, a privilege of the possessed, set my destination, and began moving.
"Where are we going?"
Victoria Lawrence, who had initially followed me without question, cautiously asked as I climbed deeper into a secluded corner where even servants rarely ventured.
However, I didn't answer.
If she knew where, she'd probably be terrified.
"Gasp!"
When we were nearly at our destination, I encountered a maid.
The maid who locked eyes with me was startled, then nervously glanced around before fleeing hastily.
I thought she'd curse me out immediately, but instead she chose to run—how disappointing.
It seems the Count's warning to not treat me carelessly actually made an impression on her.
"We've arrived."
The moment I reached my destination, the map system with its red marker vanished.
"Is there... business you need to attend to here...?"
At Victoria Lawrence's bewildered voice, I surveyed my surroundings.
A secluded stairwell where even the maids and servants rarely ventured, dust accumulated in every corner from lack of proper cleaning, a musty stench emanating from the windowless space.
And before me stood a small wooden door.
So decrepit was it that the wood grain had begun to splinter—one careless touch and a sliver would pierce the skin.
Seeing it properly for the first time, I let out a dry laugh.
Then I shoved the door open.
Creeeeeak.
An awful, grating sound accompanied a wave of foul stench.
Skitter!
Rats and insects that had been crawling throughout the room scattered in panic at the disturbance.
This place, far worse than any storage or prison, was none other than Ordel Kiris's room.
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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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