Chapter 17
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I'll purchase divine power with money. Chapter 17 * * * After finishing negotiations with William Gale, I stepped out to find Airic Dert standing with an unfamiliar man. The tailored suit draped across his frame was clearly expensive at first glance—definitely not one of Count Kiris's lackeys that William Gale had brought along like a fortress wall. The man's broad shoulders and expansive back, rivaling even Seth Noel's, were accentuated by a well-fitted suit that tapered at a narrow waist. Yet the aura he emanated was far from refined. His jet-black hair was carelessly tied back, half-tumbling loose, and his glasses sat haphazardly across the bridge of his nose as if merely placed there out of obligation. However, the sharp silver-gray eyes visible beyond those lenses were unmistakably formidable. His presence rivaled that of the male leads Seth and Airic, and his beauty radiated with such brilliance that he was clearly no ordinary extra character—yet I couldn't place him. Did the original work feature a decadent pretty boy with black hair and silver-gray eyes? No matter how hard I racked my brain, I couldn't recall. And there was something else. The man was surrounded by an abnormal shimmer of gold and black stains. What kind of person wore such moldy-looking corruption on their body?
"This is Duke Lute Sheary. He has come to the Sun God Grand Temple on official business."
Wait—what did he just say? Why is that man here? Lute Sheary. Not a male lead himself, yet a character whose impact rivaled—or perhaps exceeded—that of the male leads. The merciless villain who constantly blocked the heroine and male leads at every turn, more irritating than any enemy. Yet so captivating that he commanded enormous popularity right up until his destruction. So why in the world was Lute Sheary here? Moreover, in the original work, he had no glasses, his hair was shorter, and most importantly, his eyes were black, not silver-gray! Could I be misremembering? 【The AI System scans through the contents of the novel "Holy Idella."
It searches for the sentence the user desires.】 【His ominously black eyes held not a glimmer of light. As if embodying darkness and chaos itself. Those eyes, which inspired despair merely by gazing upon them, suited perfectly the man who had sold his soul to absolute evil.】 That's right! I remember correctly! The AI even provides the original text. This really is a proper artificial intelligence function.
"And who might you be?"
How can I suddenly encounter the villain like this? Revealing my name to a future villain is practically a death flag, but... what can I do? A powerless saint cannot defy a duke's words.
"...It is my first time meeting you. I am Ordel Kiris, the Saint of the Sun God Grand Temple."
"Ah, Saint. I see. The Saint of the Sun God Grand Temple. Pleased to meet you."
He just said "saint" twice. Chills ran down my spine.
"And the one beside you... was it Baron Gale?"
Lute Sheary's gaze turned toward William Gale. William Gale, who had been in a state of shock at being recognized by the duke, flushed crimson at Lute's remark. William Gale, who had recognized the duke and was greatly flustered, turned bright red at Lute's remark.
"Baron William Gale, my lord. A retainer of the Kiris Family."
The impressive man with striking blue hair standing behind Lute Sheary corrected the introduction. It had to be Yuri Polton, Lute Sheary's adjutant.
"Now that I think about it, I heard that Count Kiris's adopted daughter is a saint. Perhaps that saint is none other than the young lady of Kiris?"
"I see."
There was no need for him to explain so helpfully.... At least it was fortunate that Lute Sheary didn't seem to be paying much attention to his adjutant's words.
"The Duke said he had an important matter to discuss, so he came to visit. We were just about to hear what it was when the saint arrived."
At Airic's explanation, I felt somewhat puzzled. Of all people, Lute Sheary—who appeared as an enemy of the Sun God Grand Temple in the original story—had business here? ...It wasn't a matter of burning this place to the ground immediately without waiting a year, was it? The Lute Sheary I saw in the novel was more than capable of such a thing!
"Please come inside. The High Priest and the Holy Knight Commander should come as well."
After expressing my absolute desire not to be alone with just the two of them, fortunately both Airic and Seth Noel nodded in agreement. I returned to the Reception Room, leaving William Gale staring openly at me behind. Whether it was truly urgent, Lute Sheary wasted no time and brought up his business as soon as he sat down.
"I heard there is a Holy Relic of Light in this place. Is that true?" ...But what is this about? Why would that come up here...? Wasn't that something Lute Sheary originally possessed from the very beginning in the original story...? Why would he search for it here?
"The Holy Relic in question is indeed something our temple possesses...."
But Airic confirmed that it was actually here. What in the world was happening? 'The Holy Relic of Light.' One of the key items in 【Sacred Idela】, it was the artifact most deeply connected to Lute Sheary. The very reason he had to appear as an enemy of the Sun God Grand Temple was because of that item. But such an artifact had been in the Sun God Grand Temple before the original story even began? Wow, that's quite a blindside. Everything was connected from the start. How did I not know this?
"...."
Wait, hold on. Isn't this an opportunity? If I could prevent Lute Sheary from obtaining it, wouldn't that eliminate any possibility of him becoming an enemy?
"That's fortunate. I was quite worried this might be another dead end."
At that moment, the expression on Lute Sheary's face startled me. In the novel, he was always irritable, rough, and violent.... But now I couldn't sense any of that from him. I see. A Lute Sheary who doesn't yet possess the Holy Relic can make such an expression.
"Would it be possible for you to transfer that Holy Relic to me? I understand it's a difficult request, but if you would only grant permission, I swear by the name of the Lord of the Western Region that I will grant you anything you desire."
"Transfer it? A Holy Relic, no less. That's rather...."
Airic expressed his reluctance. And understandably so, since Holy Relics were directly tied to the temple's authority. But sensing the urgency of his circumstances, Lute Sheary looked directly at me and continued desperately.
"I swear upon my honor that I have no intention of using it for anything nefarious. There is absolutely no risk that the authority of the Sun God's Temple will be compromised."
I know better. Lute Sheary will be unable to keep that promise. Once he possesses the sacred relic, he will become the Sun God's Temple's most vicious enemy, regardless of his own will. So there is only one way for both Lute to find happiness and for me to eliminate my enemies. I must not hand over the sacred relic. To accomplish that, I need to tell a small lie.
"Since Your Grace has spoken so earnestly, it would be difficult for us to refuse outright."
"Wait, Holy Maiden...."
Don't interrupt me, Airic. This is all for our benefit.
"However, regardless of Your Grace's station, I cannot simply transfer a sacred relic to someone who is not yet a follower. Therefore, I must first...."
"...First?"
"I would recommend that you register as a follower of the Sun God."
I absolutely cannot let this precious opportunity for conversion slip away. Come now, little lamb. For just one sacred relic, I shall register you as a follower today.
"Once registered as a follower, the Temple will certainly not trouble Your Grace, who is so occupied with important matters. A modest donation sent from time to time would be more than sufficient."
This is not extortion. Absolutely not. Lute Sheary seemed utterly bewildered and could not find his words. But he won't refuse my proposal. The reason he needs the sacred relic is because of the mysterious illness that torments him. The terrible affliction that was the greatest cause of his descent into villainy in the original story. Lute Sheary knows the relic of light to be the only cure for his disease, so he will never abandon this pursuit.
"...Very well. Let us proceed as you suggest."
Exactly as I anticipated! I immediately ordered Airic Dert to bring the registry. The proceedings moved faster than beans roasting over lightning, and though Airic Dert seemed somewhat flustered, he complied without hesitation. Even if the sacred relic symbolizes the Temple's authority, leaving an unused one to gather dust is wasteful. It is far better to hand it to the Duke and receive donations in return—something he surely understands as well. Soon Airic Dert returned with the thick registry he had kept under strict guard. Upon the pristine white cover of the registry, gold and black characters were inscribed with elegant precision. This was divine script. A language no mortal in this world could read—one only the divine could use. Therefore, the moment one's name was inscribed in this registry, they would be officially recognized as a follower of the Sun God. As Lute Sheary wrote his name, Airic Dert, Seth Noel, and I poured our divine power upon it. The moment the name of the follower, approved by the three highest-ranking members of the Temple, glowed with golden light, a System Message appeared before my eyes. 【A new follower has been registered under the Sun God. Follower Name: Lute Sheary Renown: S-Rank Wealth: SSS+-Rank Ability: SS-Rank Special Note: Future Villain Overall Evaluation: SS-Rank】 【You have persuaded the Future Villain and converted them into a Sun God Follower. Additional merit points have been awarded. Registration of an SS-Rank Sun God Follower strengthens the Sun God's power further. Your divine power increases.】 【Current Divine Power: 8%】 "...."
Insane, jackpot, a real jackpot! Just by registering a single Sun God Follower, my divine power jumped up by 3%! I clamped both hands over my mouth.
"Welcome, esteemed Follower. I love you, esteemed Follower."
A 300-million-won Follower recognized by the divine itself—please, come right in!
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