Chapter 127
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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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I'll Purchase Divine Power with Money Chapter 127 This was no time to leisurely receive treatment. The moment I stepped away from Airic Dert's embrace, I made straight for the Underground Prison. During our time together, I'd learned from Airic Dert and Monica how Jeremy came to be imprisoned. A sudden nighttime assault, kidnappers targeting Idella once more, and Jeremy standing against them. Despite the fact that he'd been continuously blessed with the Spirit Death God's divine protection, I couldn't contain my fury upon hearing that the Sea God's divine power had suddenly invaded his body.
"You said everyone arrived safely at the Temple of the Sun God without incident!"
My words came out sharp, having relied solely on Airic Dert's letter for reassurance.
"I apologize."
"High Priest, it's not your fault! The High Priestess must have so much to worry about at the Count's Residence—I was afraid if we mentioned our situation, it would only cause her more concern. So I asked that we not tell her. I'm sorry."
Monica hurriedly interjected at Airic Dert's apology. Idella, who had followed along, stood pale and silent. At her appearance, I exhaled heavily.
"...I apologize for my anger."
At least the others were safe. In any case, even if I'd known the truth, I couldn't have come to the Temple immediately, so ultimately Airic Dert's judgment was correct.
"No. Regardless, I did conceal the truth from you."
At Airic Dert's words, I felt even more apologetic for my outburst. Jeremy was in the very same place where he'd been imprisoned when first captured. My heart sank at the sight of him with his limbs bound in chains, his head bowed low. Without thinking, I gripped the prison bars as though I might shatter them at any moment.
"Wow! It's the High Priestess!"
Jeremy's head snapped up, and he greeted me with sparkling eyes.
"...?"
What is this? That cheerful expression—it's nothing like what I imagined.
"Jeremy?"
"Yeah, High Priestess! Come here!"
Why does he look so radiant? His skin gleams with a lustrous sheen like someone who'd spent days lounging comfortably at a grand estate.
"Are you alright? You said the Sea God's divine power consumed you?"
"Huh? Didn't you hear?"
At Jeremy's tilted head, I hurriedly turned back to Airic Dert. He spoke matter-of-factly.
"Did I not say everyone returned safely without incident? We merely kept the assault secret—I did not lie to you, High Priestess."
"...?"
"I would never speak falsehoods to you."
Wait, wait. I don't understand this situation right now.
"Then why is Jeremy in prison...?"
"I wanted to be."
The one who answered was none other than Jeremy.
"Things have calmed down now, but for a brief moment, the Sea God's divine power did suppress the Spirit Death God's strength and take control of my body. I asked to be locked up here just in case."
At Jeremy's explanation, I found myself collapsing into a seat without thinking. Ah, really. You should have explained this first! I was genuinely startled, thinking Jeremy had actually done something wrong!
"What on earth happened?"
I was able to hear the story I'd briefly caught wind of on the way to the Prison in much greater detail from Jeremy.
"I did stop the enemy's attack, but strictly speaking, it wasn't me who did it. It was the Sea God who had invaded my body giving the orders." [Purify. Strike down the 'Evil' that dares to taint the name of God.] "Along with an incredibly wrathful voice."
At Jeremy's explanation, I blinked my eyes. Wow, openly calling it 'Evil' like that. Though Jeremy himself seemed oblivious to what that meant. But why was the Sea God so furious at 'Evil'? Even if he knew about the "Holy Idella" like the other two gods, isn't this a bit excessive? It's as if he'd already been slapped in the face by 'Evil' before.
"Did he calm down immediately after you'd dealt with all the enemies?"
"Yes. I was even prepared for an order to return to the Grand Temple of Sea God, but there was nothing. That's how I was able to come back here."
"That's truly fortunate."
I let out a breath of relief. Right, if the Sea God has any sense at all, he'd know that Jeremy staying here is better than returning to the Grand Temple of Sea God. Thank goodness. The Sea God seems less foolish than I thought. 【The "Sun Crawling from Death" grins widely, saying only the user would speak to the "Raging Sea" like that.】 【Eyes sparkling, it asks you to keep doing that from now on, saying it sounds quite pleasant.】 Ah, that's not difficult at all.
"High Priest, could you open the door for a moment?"
At my request, Airic Dert readily unlocked the door. Even from his perspective, Jeremy's condition appears quite stable. I gently stroked Jeremy's soft hair, which I was meeting after a long time. 【The "Sun Crawling from Death" informs you that you need not worry about the "Raging Sea's" curse anymore.】 【The "Soul Guide Traveler" says his divine artifact is also properly activated.】 【Nodding, it says that at least within the Sun God Grand Temple, you can safely release him.】 The Spirit Death God, who hadn't spoken a word since leaving the Death God's Temple, finally opened his mouth for the first time. It seems his words were finally freed thanks to the Spirit Death God's divine artifact that Jeremy was wearing around his neck. He had said that when a divine artifact is nearby, sending messages doesn't consume my divine power.
"High Priest, could you release Jeremy? It seems we don't need to worry while he's in the Temple."
I spoke carefully to Airic Dert. What if he says it's still not possible? Two gods have already approved, but I can't even voice this concern...
"Yes, understood." ...His response was more compliant than expected? I was inwardly flustered watching Airic Dert enter the Prison and personally unlock the shackles.
"I thought you'd object at least once."
"I've confirmed Jeremy's condition is stable multiple times myself. I'm still the High Priest—there's no way I wouldn't understand Jeremy's state."
Huh? Then why haven't you let him out until now?
"Jeremy himself didn't wish to leave. He said if the Sun God Grand Temple suffered any harm because of him, he wouldn't have the face to see the High Priestess."
"...."
"So he asked me to keep him locked in this safest place and to bind his limbs. I simply obliged his request."
I gazed at Jeremy with a heavy heart. Jeremy was grumbling about why he had to say such things. Here was a child who still deserved to be cared for, yet he carried such worries. And to think he'd confined himself for my sake. I felt apologetic, grateful, pitiful, and proud all at once.
"You've worked hard, Jeremy. And I'm truly grateful. You did well. Because of you, everyone could remain safe."
Rather than blame him, I drew him into an embrace and gently patted his shoulder. Jeremy immediately hugged me back and rested his cheek against my shoulder.
"That's right, I worked hard. Though having to accept help from that annoying Sea God was incredibly frustrating."
His words, brimming with sincerity, made me burst into laughter. Indeed, for Jeremy, who despised the Sea God enough to want him dead, having to accept his help must have been thoroughly disagreeable.
"Monica, I'm sorry for the late hour, but could you ask the kitchen staff to bring Jeremy something to eat? And some cookies too."
Having weathered danger together, Monica—who had been quite disapproving of Jeremy—was subtly patting his back. But she firmly shook her head at my request.
"He already ate dinner and plenty of cookies. I even fed them to him myself, so don't worry."
"But... I could eat more cookies."
"No way, you rotten thing."
Monica spoke bluntly and smacked Jeremy's back hard. They were clearly the same age, yet they resembled an older sister and younger brother. Regardless, I was concerned about Jeremy's dental health too, so I shouldn't give him any today.
"...Ah."
Then, amid the playful laughter, one person caught my eye who wasn't smiling. Idella. She kept her head lowered, her fingers fidgeting restlessly.
"High Priestess."
As I gazed at Idella, Monica approached and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. I raised my hand to stop whatever Monica was about to say.
"Monica, Jeremy. You two head back to your rooms and rest now. Especially you, Jeremy. If you sneak after me, I'm banning cookies for a week."
"I'm heading to my room right now!"
Jeremy answered urgently. Good. Next, I turned my gaze to Airic Dert.
"High Priest, you've worked hard. Thanks to you, I feel much better. Let's discuss the details after breakfast tomorrow morning."
"Yes, please rest well."
Finally, I turned my head toward Idella.
"Would you mind letting me take a look at you for a moment, Idella?"
I spoke as gently as I could, pained by her ashen, pallid complexion. Yet rather than finding reassurance, her condition only seemed to deteriorate further.
"Y-yes, of course."
Even her trembling voice, barely audible, tugged at my heart. It seemed she was tormented by guilt—convinced that those around her were being attacked because of her. I offered her a bitter smile and led her upstairs to my bedroom.
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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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