Chapter 126
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I Will Purchase Divine Power with Money
Chapter 126
* * *
"...."
Everyone around me was screaming and rushing about in chaos, yet Count Kiris stood frozen, unable to move a muscle.
Through his wide-open eyes, flames from the burning mansion flickered in the darkness.
It was late at night when the sudden explosion erupted from the estate, sending fire roaring into the sky.
I'd thought that with the arrogant Ordel Kiris gone and that detestable Lute Sheary departed, I could finally stretch out and sleep in peace. What in the world was this commotion?
"Why, why...?"
The dazed Count stood stupidly, repeating those words over and over.
There were two locations where explosions had occurred.
One was in a remote upper corner at the rear of the estate where even the servants rarely ventured. More precisely, near the Attic Room where Ordel Kiris had stayed.
That didn't matter much to him. If anything, he felt almost relieved that it had been completely obliterated by the explosion.
But the moment the second explosion occurred, the Count's mind went completely blank.
It was his Office.
"Heh, hehehehe...."
He immediately screamed at the servants to retrieve the documents inside by any means necessary, but the Office, already consumed by flames, was now inaccessible to anyone.
The mage he'd hired was desperately trying to suppress the inferno, but the flames were too fierce for one person to handle alone.
So the Count could only stand there, staring blankly at the destruction.
'...This is absolutely no coincidence.'
His Office and Ordel Kiris's Attic Room.
Of all places, only these two locations had exploded—it was far too suspicious.
'Lute Sheary! That bastard must have done this!'
So that's why he'd broken into the Office without permission—this was his objective all along!
He must have discovered Ordel Kiris's Attic Room somehow and destroyed it as well for good measure!
The Count clenched his fists tightly.
In truth, the Office itself wasn't the real problem.
Connected to the Office was his secret chamber—a place no one else knew about.
His only means of contact with The Master he served was located there. Would it have survived?
There was no way that place could have been discovered. Only he and The Master knew of its existence.
He'd even had all the workers who constructed it killed to maintain secrecy.
Yet even he couldn't know whether it would have survived such a powerful explosion.
'Damn that Lute Sheary! If even the slightest damage has been done, I will never forgive him!'
* * *
Someone's cursing me. My ears are tingling.
From last night until now, my ears have been itching constantly.
I wanted to scratch them satisfyingly, but I held back because Lute Sheary was in front of me.
Besides, it's obvious who would be cursing me.
By now, the Count must be standing before his burning Office, utterly devastated.
When I successfully infiltrated the Office yesterday with Lute Sheary's help, I secretly planted the bombs I'd carefully crafted in advance.
It was fortunate I'd learned this in my previous life.
Of course, it was merely a skill acquired through education, so I could only produce very small explosions.
But when I infused it with divine power, the blast became extraordinarily powerful.
However, it seems I wasn't the only one who planted bombs.
There wasn't just one explosion.
I looked at the sole suspect sitting across from me.
He, still smiling pleasantly, had remained remarkably composed when the explosions sounded.
Where exactly did he plant them? It doesn't seem to be the office, at least.
I hope I find out eventually.
I arrived at the Sun God Grand Temple roughly a full day after departing the Count's Residence.
Thanks to pushing forward without rest for even a moment—not even sleeping—I arrived ahead of schedule.
It was because Lute Sheary had insisted so urgently that I go faster.
Knowing it was because I'd coughed up blood, I couldn't bring myself to protest.
"Ah, I can finally breathe."
The moment I arrived at the temple, my body felt better, and I was all the more grateful.
My body, which had cracked from colliding with the aura of Evil, now overflowed with rich divine power.
Only then could I breathe easily.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm doing very well. Thank you, Duke."
As I offered my gratitude, Lute Sheary smiled warmly.
"Welcome back, High Priestess."
As I descended from the carriage, Airic Dert, who had been waiting, greeted me.
Ah, I've truly returned to the temple.
Before, it never felt like home—only unfamiliar—yet... it seems I did miss it a little.
"I'm back, High Priest. It's been so long. I missed you."
I approached Airic Dert with wide-open arms and embraced him, patting his back.
"Oh..."
I heard gasps from those around us, but I ignored them because Airic Dert's embrace was so comforting.
"Is something troubling you again?"
Despite my sudden action, Airic Dert asked with concern rather than surprise.
His arms gently held me in return.
"You always do this whenever you return from the Count's Residence."
That's true. Now that I think about it, this has happened before.
When I first arrived at the temple, driven out from the Count's Residence right after possession.
Unable to overcome hunger, nausea, and dizziness, I'd buried my face in Airic Dert's chest the moment I stepped out of the carriage.
It was truly embarrassing then, but looking back, even that has become a memory.
"Well, yes. Though it's not as severe as it was then."
"So your condition isn't entirely well."
Airic Dert sighed and slowly began to open his divine power.
That characteristic warm, sunlit healing enveloped my entire body. My weary body and heart naturally began to heal.
"...This won't do. I must escort you to your bedroom at once."
"Oh!"
At that moment, Airic Dert swept me into his arms.
I widened my eyes as I placed my hands on his shoulders.
How startling. This is the third time I've been carried like this, and thankfully, unlike with Lute Sheary, my hands didn't lash out first.
"...."
The instant that thought crossed my mind, my eyes met Lute Sheary's watching gaze.
And he was looking at me with an expression brimming with betrayal.
"...."
It seemed he was sulking because I didn't place my hands on Airic Dert the way I had with him.
Don't misunderstand. It's not discrimination—I've simply grown accustomed to it thanks to you, so my condition has improved somewhat.
"I must attend to the High Priestess, so I apologize for being unable to guide you further, Your Grace. Dietrich Warren, I entrust the rest to you."
"Ah, yes, of course!"
Airic Dert bowed respectfully to Lute Sheary, then turned to hand everything over to a bewildered Dietrich Warren before carrying me away.
Even as we left, Lute Sheary's gaze burned into me with palpable intensity.
I offered a wry smile and gave a light wave.
I'm sorry, Lute. But right now, I desperately need Airic Dert's healing power—I can't bear to be apart from him.
See you later.
"From now on, please don't visit the Count's Residence unless it's truly necessary. Every time you return from there, you end up like this."
Airic Dert clicked his tongue at the sight of me whimpering as I received his healing power.
"I didn't want to go this time either. I had to go because there was something to gain. Don't worry—I won't have any reason to go for a while."
"Something to gain?"
Now that I think about it, I haven't told Airic Dert yet about selling the sacred stones with Lute Sheary.
Since we were alone, I thought this was the perfect moment to mention it.
"High Priestess!"
Monica and Idella came running from the end of the corridor together.
Those two have really grown close, haven't they?
"Why, why are you like this? Why is the High Priest using his healing power...? Don't tell me something's wrong with you? Count, did that bastard do something to the High Priestess?!"
...But her tone just keeps getting more heated.
The Hindel Couple would be so heartbroken if they knew. This time, the Count might actually grab me by the collar.
"No, it's nothing serious. I'm just tired. Ask Victoria Lawrence about it later."
"Oh, thank goodness."
The moment I mentioned Victoria Lawrence's name, Monica finally relaxed.
She now trusted Victoria Lawrence's word more than mine.
"How is Idella adapting to the Temple of the Sun God?"
I turned my attention to Idella.
"Y-yes...I'm doing fine...."
Yet for some reason, Idella couldn't meet my gaze and fidgeted nervously.
Her complexion was even paler than mine, making her look far worse off than I was.
"What's wrong? Is something the matter?"
"That is...."
Idella finally trailed off, her head drooping low.
Monica patted her soothingly while stealing furtive glances at Airic Dert.
In that moment, I felt a chill of foreboding.
Now that I think about it, why hasn't Jeremy appeared? By now, he should have shown up and wept about why I was acting this way.
"Where is Jeremy?"
At my question, Idella's shoulders flinched.
She seemed composed no matter what happened.
"High Priest."
Rather than pressing the two of them further, I turned my gaze to Airic Dert.
He met my eyes calmly before answering without hesitation.
"Jeremy Carls is currently detained in the Underground Prison."
I widened my eyes at words I never expected to hear.
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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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