Chapter 134
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 134
The sudden message arrived early this morning.
Apparently, monsters had abruptly appeared in the Western Region, specifically in territory owned by Duke Sheary.
Normally, monsters appeared regardless of location, so it wasn't particularly unusual, but given the dire situation in the Southern Region, the territorial residents seemed anxious.
I needed to show myself personally handling the situation so they could find peace of mind.
"These monsters have no sense of timing. I could have stayed at the Temple of the Sun God for at least another five days."
Now the Temple of the Sun God was nowhere in sight.
I clicked my tongue and closed the carriage window.
"That won't do! You've already been away far too long!"
Yuri Polton screamed with a haggard face, dark circles extending down to his jaw.
Since leaving the Duke's Residence, the busy one wasn't me—it was Yuri.
Receiving reports from the retainers, then sifting through them to find what was necessary.
Three bodies wouldn't have been enough.
"There's no one foolish enough to harbor ulterior motives just because I'm away for a bit. Should I just stay cooped up at home and never go anywhere I want?"
The retainers of Sheary Duchy were renowned for their loyalty.
Well, naturally. The temperamental Dukes of Sheary throughout the generations had eliminated anyone who displeased them.
Anyone with sense wouldn't dare raise their head.
"Ahem. Should we perhaps inform the High Priestess about the monsters?"
Yuri Polton quickly changed the subject.
Fortunately, mentioning Ordel Kiris seemed to have an effect, as I became docile again.
"Why would I tell her?"
"The priests of the Sun God can instantly heal wounds inflicted by monsters, can they not?"
Moreover, the High Priestess Ordel Kiris had even purified the venom of a high-ranking monster.
I was so shocked when I heard that story from Jun Ludmin, who was still in the Southern Region.
"Fortunately, there haven't been any victims of the poison yet, but you never know, do you? If you offered to pay for treatment, she would surely come at once."
In fact, they said she'd collected full payment for the treatments in the Southern Region as well.
If I requested it, she would undoubtedly come along without hesitation.
'The Master surely wouldn't be unaware of this.'
To be honest, I thought Lute Sheary would naturally ask Ordel Kiris to come along since she disliked being apart from her.
But she only said goodbye and came back alone—I was quite surprised.
"I have no intention of telling the High Priestess."
"Pardon? Why not?"
"I think I've become quite unruly lately. Look at how I rebel even when told not to."
I smiled brightly.
A chill ran down Yuri's spine from my silver-gray eyes, which gleamed with an intense light.
Why had I done that? I was the one who knew Lute Sheary's nature better than anyone.
Had I really been under the illusion that spending time with Ordel Kiris had made me somewhat gentler?
"My apologies. I shall remain silent from now on."
Yuri immediately bowed his head. Fortunately, I merely clicked my tongue.
'I absolutely cannot tell her.'
I thought of Ordel Kiris.
If it were Ordel Kiris, as Yuri Polton said, she would undoubtedly follow willingly.
Even knowing full well that it could become dangerous because of the monsters.
Wasn't it the case that she went without hesitation to the dangerous Slums near the Desert in the Southern Region, and even lingered before armed kidnappers with a sword in hand?
Ordel Kiris does not shy away from dangerous deeds for the sake of her own justice.
I did not wish to see her drenched in blood ever again.
Remembering what happened at the Count's Residence, I clenched my fists tightly.
* * *
Dominic Aria left the Temple of the Sun God two days after I returned to the Western Region.
In truth, I wanted to chase him out the moment he finished organizing the divine stones he had purchased.
But the wretch made excuse after excuse and dug in his heels, so two days had passed.
"No matter how much you stare, you won't discover anything."
Watching Dominic continue to gaze back at the Temple of the Sun God even with the carriage before him, I grew irritated.
So the reason this fool wasted two days here was precisely to investigate the Sun God Grand Temple.
By what means did he revive so quickly?
He would never discover that it was thanks to me being a second-life transmigrator who knows part of the future.
The Sea God also seemed to have no intention of revealing this fact to Dominic.
"I'm not particularly trying to discover anything."
How ridiculous. Go ahead and lie through your teeth.
"If you keep this up, I won't sell you any divine stones."
"That would be a breach of contract. You clearly agreed to purchase them at double the price. You haven't forgotten that we set a penalty of ten times the price for breach of contract, have you?"
Dominic looked at me and smiled unpleasantly.
I was angry about having to pay double the price, but since I had already stamped the contract, he seemed to think we couldn't act carelessly either.
Tsk, tsk. He still has much to learn.
"There's no clause in the contract stating that we must absolutely sell the divine stones, is there? We can choose not to sell if circumstances change."
"...."
Dominic, who had worn a dazed expression at my words, hurriedly pulled out the contract again and unfolded it.
His face contorted as he read through to the final page.
He had only just realized that there truly was no such clause.
What a fool.
"This contract is fraudulent."
"It's a contract we drew up together with our heads put together, so it's not fraud. The one who forgot is simply an idiot."
"It's the most basic condition in any transaction, so naturally I didn't think to include it!"
"Which is exactly why you're an idiot. Where in a contract should things be obvious?"
Especially since we don't even have a good relationship—why would I show you such consideration?
Born into a great noble house and raised as a Saint, the boy is truly naive.
Well, who would dare do such a thing to someone backed by House of Aria and the Sea God?
Unless they didn't value their own life.
"Undermining trust, the foundation of any transaction. How can someone called a High Priestess do such a thing? I'm truly shocked."
Disillusionment flickered across Dominic's face.
【'Sun Crawling from Death' points accusingly at 'Raging Sea', demanding he look at how he speaks to our High Priestess.】
So what? My own followers don't rebuke me, yet he dares carry on like this?
【'Sun Crawling from Death' shouts indignantly at 'Raging Sea', insisting this behavior is unacceptable.】
【If you want our child's help, then educate the Saint properly, he clicks his tongue disapprovingly.】
【'Raging Sea' grips his spear and vents his fury into the empty air.】
Well done, our Sun God.
When he faces me, he looks pathetically weak. But when it comes to striking others, he's absolutely magnificent at it.
"So you don't need divine stones after all? Then shall we terminate the contract? A mutual agreement to cancel isn't a breach, is it?"
You decide for yourself.
The moment I shrugged, Dominic's mouth snapped shut as if he'd never said anything.
No matter how angry he is, he won't give up the divine stones, will he?
Not after seeing firsthand how pure they are and how much divine power they contain.
"...I will go look."
Unable to bring himself to ask me not to, Dominic turned his head sharply and climbed into the carriage.
I grabbed the carriage door as it swung shut with force and offered him some kind instruction.
"Learn how to listen to words of regret. We're trading partners for mutual benefit—the Saint isn't in a position of authority over us."
If anything, I'm the one in authority.
I smiled brightly at Dominic, and instead of answering, he merely bit his lip.
I closed the door myself and then knocked sharply on the carriage.
"You may depart."
The coachman, who had been watching for a signal, immediately urged the horses forward at Dominic's command from within.
"I'm not sure if this is really alright."
Airic spoke with concern as he watched the Sea God's party disappear into the distance.
"Dominic Aria the Saint is no ordinary person."
"It's fine. There won't be any problems."
I patted Airic's shoulder and glanced at Idella standing in the corner.
Idella, who had clawed her way up from the bottom, never backed down even when dealing with the notoriously ill-tempered Aria siblings in the original story—she always spoke her mind.
So she'll handle things well even without me.
Perhaps things will go even better without my presence.
Now that everything was settled, it was time to hear the secrets of heaven.
"This should be enough."
Late at night.
After dismissing Monica, who had been attending to me, I carefully wove divine power throughout the room.
So that the knights standing guard outside would hear nothing.
Of course, I sent Jeremy away as well.
Even though Jeremy is good at keeping my secrets, not this time.
Because I don't even know what conversation I'm about to hear.
After all preparations were complete, I placed 4,400 of my 5,000 gold into the donation box.
【4,400 gold has been received in 'Sun Crawling from Death's' donation box.】
【Through the devoted faith of a loyal believer, 'Sun Crawling from Death' recovers a portion of his power.】
【'Sun Crawling from Death' bestows a blessing upon the Saint who has devoted herself to him. Your divine power increases.】
【Current Divine Power: 40.016%】
【Congratulations! Your divine power has surpassed 40%.】
【'Sun Crawling from Death,' 'Raging Sea,' and 'Soul Guide Traveler' grant you the qualification to learn the world's secrets.】
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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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