Chapter 132
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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 Will Purchase Divine Power with Money
Chapter 132
"...."
Dominic, stripped of everything down to his very soul, sprawled across the sofa like a discarded puppet.
And his soul rested in my hands.
I held the contract promising double the holy stones and a spatial pouch containing one billion in earnest money—I'd never felt happier in my life.
"High Priestess, you're the best."
Jeremy, who had witnessed the entire extraction of Dominic's soul, thrust both thumbs upward in triumph.
Jeremy's cheeks flushed rosy with delight as well.
【'The Raging Sea' gazes at The Saint with utter bewilderment.】
Dominic wasn't the only one left speechless.
What can I do? It was the Sea God himself who sent your Saint to me. I'm completely innocent.
【'The Raging Sea' clutches his forehead and collapses dramatically, lamenting that in all his eons of existence, he's never encountered a human who would swindle a god.】
Swindle? That's rather harsh language.
This is a fair and legitimate transaction.
"I'll have a guest room prepared for you to rest in. Meanwhile, I'll gather the holy stones for The Saint to take with him."
"...."
Dominic glared at me fiercely instead of answering.
His sky-blue eyes were quite menacing, but since he couldn't possibly harm me anyway, I felt not the slightest fear.
I flashed Dominic one more radiant smile, then dragged Jeremy along by his arm and left the reception room.
"Oh."
"Duke Sheary?"
Lute Sheary stood by the door—I hadn't even noticed when she'd arrived.
"It took longer than expected, so I wondered if something had gone wrong."
"Nothing serious happened."
It simply took time to beat Dominic into submission with every threat I could muster to keep him from reducing the payment.
"...Duke Sheary?"
Upon spotting Lute, Dominic shot up from his seat. His eyes trembled visibly.
"Why would the Duke be in this place...."
"Ah, he's a business partner of our Sun God's Temple. He's been assisting us with holy stone mining."
After my brief explanation, Dominic stared at Lute with shock written across his face.
I needed to make absolutely certain he harbored no ulterior motives.
"Furthermore, he is also a devout follower of our Sun God."
So don't you dare try anything funny with our believers, or you'll regret it.
"A follower? The Duke is a follower of the Sun God...?"
"Yes. He shares our destiny."
"...."
Dominic clenched his lips, his expression one of utter disbelief.
This revelation seemed to shock him far more than our possession of holy stones.
Well, it made sense—that the Duke would reject them and choose us instead was quite the blow.
"To be more precise, it's the High Priestess's personal vault and wine storage...."
I clamped my hand over Lute Sheary's mouth to stop her from saying anything else.
Why did she have to say such unnecessary things?
"Then I'll be on my way. Monica, please show The Saint to the guest room. And if he wishes to tour the Temple of the Sun God, guide him accordingly."
I called over Monica, who had been waiting nearby, and made my request.
"And where is the High Priest at the moment?"
"He's in his office."
"Thank you. I'll leave things in your hands then. Holy Knight Commander, shall we go together?"
I needed to inform Airic Dert, Seth Noel, and Lute Sheary about what had happened with Dominic, so I took them with me to Airic Dert's office.
Before that, I tapped Jeremy's arm, which was still draped around my neck.
"Jeremy, go keep an eye on what Idella is doing. See if she's getting along well with the others, that sort of thing."
"Why does the High Priestess care so much about her?"
Jeremy immediately pouted his lips.
I thought the three of them had grown closer while dealing with the attackers along with Monica, but perhaps not?
"Because she's someone I brought here, just like you. Why don't you try to get along with her? Monica too—the three of you are the same age. Wouldn't it be nice if you became friends?"
"That's not necessary."
Despite his words, Jeremy obediently released his arm and stepped back.
I gently patted his still-pouting cheeks.
"Go on, Jeremy."
"I'll be back soon."
Jeremy bowed respectfully and vanished into thin air.
"Then let's be on our way."
I headed to Airic Dert's office with Seth Noel and Lute Sheary.
* * *
"Phew...."
After finishing my conversation with Airic Dert, I returned to my bedroom and collapsed onto the bed.
When I mentioned that I'd be selling the sacred stones to the Grand Temple of Sea God at double the price, Airic Dert was absolutely furious.
I had said I'd sell them at a high price, but he must have assumed it would be no more than 1.5 times the original cost.
What does he take me for?
Well, if the Grand Temple of Sea God genuinely repents and we build a good relationship, perhaps I could lower the price then.
But certainly not now.
"...This will be the last time I deceive like this."
I gazed at the subspace pouch containing the advance payment I'd extracted from Dominic.
What I'd wrung out of him was one billion.
But I'd lied to Airic Dert, telling him I'd received five hundred million.
I needed the remaining five hundred million to replenish my divine power.
At last, I'd finally gathered the minimum amount needed to hear the Heavenly Secrets.
But before that, there was something else I needed to do first.
"Sun God. Is the crafting skill ready?"
The moment I'd been waiting for had finally arrived—the creation of my personal weapon!
【The "Sun Crawling from Death" gives a thumbs up.】
I retrieved a holy stone from my inventory along with divine artifacts I'd secretly stolen from the Sacred Grounds.
The materials needed to craft a mace were surprisingly simple.
A holy stone and my own divine power to imbue it with. Plus a bit of divine force to make the weapon more durable.
I planned to use the divine force residing in the short sword-shaped offensive divine artifact. After all, what I was making was also a weapon.
【Activating the skill "Divine Artifact Crafting."】
【Crafted Item – Weapon】
【Please provide the materials needed for divine artifact crafting.】
Material 1. Holy Stone
Material 2. User's Divine Power
Material 3. Divine Force】
I tossed the holy stone into the system window first, then infused it in turn with my divine power and the divine force dwelling in the artifact.
【Materials acquired. Beginning crafting!】
【Please wait a moment.】
An image of a hammer striking an anvil appeared.
I wondered what kind of mace would be created.
About ten minutes passed as I waited, my heart racing with anticipation.
【Divine artifact crafting is complete!】
With a grand fanfare, a weapon wrapped in light fell from the air.
Substantial weight, perfect grip, excellent balance for swinging—everything was flawless!
Grasping the jet-black mace in my hand, I felt profound emotion wash over me.
"My goodness, it's so beautiful...."
Far more impressive than a baton. I'd made an excellent choice selecting a mace as my personal weapon. How could it be this perfect!
【Divine Artifact Information】
Name: Divine Retribution
Grade: Epic
Owner: Cha Si-won
Possessed Ability: Absurdly Durable
Special Note: As the user's first crafted divine artifact, it has received divine blessing and will never break under any circumstances.
【The "Sun Crawling from Death" clears its throat and shrugs its shoulders proudly.】
【It mentions that since this was your first divine artifact crafting, it put in some effort, and asks if you're pleased with it.】
"...."
Pleased with it?
I couldn't say anything. I simply traced my fingers over the system window.
More precisely, over the section where the owner's name was written.
【Owner: Cha Si-won】
My real name, which I hadn't seen in months.
"The owner isn't Ordel Kiris."
【The "Sun Crawling from Death" explains that this is because it has been inscribed upon your soul.】
【It informs you that no matter what happens, only you can ever possess this weapon.】
Mine alone.
Not 'Ordel Kiris', but 'Cha Si-won's.
I have something of my own in this world too.
"From now on, will everything I create as a sacred artifact belong to me?"
【The Sun Crawling from Death says that is indeed the case.】
I let out a bitter laugh.
Honestly, I'm not displeased.
Why would I be, when I have something of my own in this world?
I went through so much to obtain this weapon.
"...Thank you."
【The Sun Crawling from Death clears its throat, saying it's only natural.】
【It also informs you that while the grade is currently only Epic, it will rise further as your divine power strengthens.】
The grades are Rare, Epic, Unique, and Legendary in order.
As the grade increases, the sacred artifact will grow stronger, but...
"Really?"
I have no intention of raising my divine power above 40%.
Or does hearing a heavenly secret change my mind? Does it make me want to increase my divine power?
"...I'm suddenly afraid."
【The Sun Crawling from Death says it has something related to this that it wishes to tell you.】
To tell me something in this situation.
That only makes me more anxious. What on earth is it?
【The Sun Crawling from Death informs you that your power has stabilized more than expected, and you will soon be able to awaken Idella.】
...What did you just say?
【It says that with just 4,400 more Gold donated, it can happen immediately. Of course, if you wish, you can have her awakened later instead.】
4,400 Gold.
In other words, the remaining amount until breaking through 40% divine power.
【The Sun Crawling from Death gives you a choice.】
【What will you do?】
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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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