Chapter 131
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 131
【'Raging Sea' gazes at the user with displeasure.】
【'Sun Crawling from Death' raises a finger, demanding how dare 'Raging Sea' look at his High Priestess with such eyes.】
【'Raging Sea' breaks the finger that 'Sun Crawling from Death' is trying to use to gouge out his eyes.】
【'Sun Crawling from Death' sneers that it doesn't even hurt because the other is so pathetic.】
【'Raging Sea' charges forward, threatening to break his neck.】
【'Soul Guide Traveler' clicks his tongue disapprovingly at these gods lacking all dignity, then pulls out a pastry.】
"...."
White, blue, and black message windows flickered alternately before my eyes.
Dominic's face sitting across from me was barely visible behind the system windows.
System, could you please create an ON/OFF function for the communication skill?
【The user's earnest wish has been received by the system.】
【Confirmed that the user's stress index is considerably high. To ensure smooth user activity, this function will be upgraded shortly.】
Thank you, System. Right now, you're truly the only one on my side.
【'Sun Crawling from Death' snaps to attention at the warning about the user's elevated stress index.】
【He urgently clamps 'Raging Sea's mouth shut, demanding silence instead of making noise.】
【'Raging Sea' that....】
Fortunately, the seal held well, and the endless stream of messages finally subsided.
"...If Jeremy isn't your purpose, then why have you come here?"
I asked Dominic, whose face was finally visible again.
"Has the High Priestess received no revelation from the divine?"
"A revelation?"
What revelation—are you and the Spirit Death God just mocking your god?
That's all there is.
"Regarding the Holy War."
...The Holy War?
In the original work, that was the term used for the war against Evil, wasn't it?
Why is that coming from Dominic's mouth?
【'Raging Sea' is startled by 'Sun Crawling from Death's' statement.】
【He laments, asking if he's lost his mind to speak of such things.】
Seeing the Sun God's surprise, this situation really doesn't seem normal.
【'Raging Sea' complains that he only said to prepare for the Holy War. He says he couldn't utter a single word about when the Holy War would occur or what the enemy would do.】
He didn't fail to say it—he couldn't say it.
So the Sea God has restrictions too.
But I, a mere human, have no such restrictions.
I can't reveal heavenly secrets, but there's no problem with telling others what I already know.
How can I do what even gods cannot?
【'Sun Crawling from Death' explains that you are a 'user' from outside this world. That's why the constraints of this world are weaker for you.】
In other words, it's a possession buff.
But why is there a restriction on hearing heavenly secrets?
【That question falls under heavenly secrets. The answer to that question...】
The moment that irritating message appeared, I immediately closed the window.
"What connection do we have with that cathedral that brought you here?"
"You told us to follow the light. So I thought the Sun God Grand Temple was already preparing against the cathedral."
【The 'Raging Sea' gazes intently at the Lubar Region.】
Ah! So Dominic was sent here because of the holy stones!
When preparing for war, the most important thing is weapons!
Especially the Sea God—among the three supreme deities, he specializes in offense.
Of course, he would desperately need weapons made from high-purity holy stones.
"Now I understand why the deity guided Saint Dominic to this place."
I smiled at Dominic—widely, very widely indeed.
Dominic flinched.
"Haha, truly, the deity knows everything. To send Saint Dominic at such a timely moment."
"...So the Sun God Grand Temple really was preparing against the cathedral?"
"Why do you think we suddenly sought revival? Because very soon, we'll need an enormous amount of power."
As the saying goes, it all depends on how you frame it.
I couldn't miss this opportunity. This way, those fools would think we know far more than we do and follow us accordingly.
But first, I needed to settle some old grievances.
"There is one reason the Sea God guided you here."
"What is it?"
"Holy stones."
"...Pardon?"
"We possess an enormous quantity of holy stones."
Dominic was shocked. I savored the expression on his face.
"Holy stones...? Wait, then what the workers were moving in carts...?"
"Ah, you've already seen them? That's right. All of it is holy stones. The Temple's storage is so full of them that we need to expand it further."
Dominic shot up from his seat.
"W-where on earth did you obtain such a quantity of holy stones...?"
"It's my personal property."
His face crumbled instantly.
If it were someone else's land, I could have maneuvered to gain a stake in it, but my land was absolutely impossible for him to touch.
Unless he asked me directly, he wouldn't obtain even a fragment of holy stone.
"...To possess land with holy stones buried beneath it, that's truly remarkable."
"I'm rather fortunate."
As I smiled gently, Dominic sank back into his seat with a deflated expression.
In the way he cradled his face in his palms, I could sense his anguish.
But his worry was short-lived.
"The Sun God Grand Temple won't monopolize all those holy stones, will it?"
"Of course not. As you likely already know, we've formed an alliance with the Death God's Temple. We've agreed to share with them as well."
However, you are not my allies. There is no reason for me to share with you.
Dominic bit his lip as he grasped my meaning.
"What must I do for you?"
"Saint, you certainly understand things well. The one who came before was the same."
I extended my hand behind my back. Jeremy, who had been standing quietly as if present yet absent, leaned his face into my palm as if he had been waiting.
Sembus, who had come to retrieve Jeremy.
At the mention of that bastard, Dominic's face twisted.
"So you desire money."
"Money is certainly part of it."
"...What else do you want?"
I turned my head to look at Jeremy, who was rubbing his cheek against my hand.
The child whose condition had improved beyond all comparison to when I first saw him.
"I want Jeremy's complete freedom."
Wherever Jeremy goes, whatever he does—pay it no mind.
And abandon any thought of binding him with divine power.
This mattered more than money.
"High Priestess...."
Jeremy's pink eyes trembled faintly, as if he hadn't expected such a demand from me.
Soon he embraced me tightly. His arms trembled delicately.
"...As you already know, the Sea God's divine power dwells within him. Even if I wished to grant him freedom, it would be impossible without the God's permission."
Is that so? Then let's get that permission now.
【'Raging Sea' says your High Priestess is annoying and seizes 'Sun Crawling from Death' by the collar, shaking him.】
【Why did you bring such a spirit? 'Soul Guide Traveler' gets grabbed by the collar as well.】
【'Sun Crawling from Death' and 'Soul Guide Traveler' say bringing the user was truly an excellent choice, and give a thumbs up together.】
【'Raging Sea' loses his temper and hurls both gods simultaneously.】
Quite the temperament, really.
So you won't grant permission? If you don't, I'll just abandon the Sea God Temple to its fate?
【'Raging Sea' grabs the back of his neck, saying how dare you threaten this god. Muttering that he won't survive if he stays here any longer, he storms off with heavy footsteps.】
【'Sun Crawling from Death' says that's as good as permission, so do as you wish, and gazes at the user with satisfaction.】
"Gods have their limitations. But if it's not a god's command, never forcibly drag Jeremy away again."
"If a mere promise isn't enough, I, Saint Dominic Aria, will swear before the Sea God that the Sea God Temple shall no longer oppress Jeremy Carls."
Dominic raised his hand and swore confidently.
He was probably swearing boldly before the god, believing that such an oath would be meaningless anyway if the Sea God commanded otherwise.
Foolish Dominic.
Not knowing I had already reached an agreement with the Sea God.
"Very well. Now, shall we discuss the price of divine stones?"
Let's see. These bastards have done things to our Sun God Grand Temple in the meantime....
"I'll charge double the standard price for divine stones."
I confidently held up two fingers.
"Double?! Divine stones are already expensive...!"
Dominic's expression, which had been composed during the oath, transformed into something fierce.
At his savage look, I shrugged my shoulders.
"You see, our Temple of the Sun God is desperately poor. No matter how much money we earn, it's never enough. But the Grand Temple of Sea God has plenty of funds, doesn't it?"
"No matter the circumstances, this is extortion!"
"Then you won't buy it? I understand."
I had nothing to lose.
"That is...."
Dominic began to speak, then bit his lip.
Right, you can't give this up no matter how expensive, can you? Especially not after receiving a divine warning that war would break out soon.
"Oh, and by the way, the advance payment of 10,000 gold is separate."
First, hand over 1 billion.
"...."
Now Dominic couldn't say a word.
Ha ha, do you know how long I've been waiting for this moment? I absolutely cannot let this slide.
【The 'Raging Sea' that has returned gazes at the user with an incredulous expression.】
And who told you to go around doing wicked things?
I flashed a radiant smile toward the Sea God and Dominic.
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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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