Chapter 18
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 18
A future villain vanished, and I gained a believer worth 300 million won.
Truly, a perfect day.
I must dedicate myself to spreading the faith going forward. Though finding another person of Lute's caliber will be difficult.
By the way, our Airic Dert and Seth Noel are fervent believers of the Sun God and quite powerful themselves, so why can't they strengthen the Sun God as much?
Is it only possible with new believers?
【Airic Dert and Seth Noel fall far short—vastly, extremely, incredibly short—of Lute Sheary in both fame and wealth, making them merely B-rank believers.】
"...."
How many emphatic modifiers did that just include?
I feel sorry for our Airic Dert and Seth Noel.
Unlike Lute, whose wealth ranks SSS+, Airic Dert and Seth Noel, who lead the impoverished Temple of the Sun God, would charitably be rated F-rank at best.
As for fame, there was nothing to speak of.
Poor souls. I'll work hard and fill their coffers generously.
...Of course, right now I'm poorer than both of them.
"Then, Believer. Shall we discuss the sacred artifact transfer tax?"
This isn't because I'm jealous of Lute's SSS+ wealth.
I'm collecting it to revitalize the Sun God Grand Temple and dedicate it to the Sun God.
In any case, that's how it is.
"Ah, of course. I was thinking of offering around five hundred gold—would that be insufficient?"
"...."
"...."
"...."
I had severely underestimated SSS+ wealth.
At his generous offer, we three F-rank paupers fell abruptly silent.
F-five hundred gold. So, uh, how much is one gold again? How much is five hundred gold in won?
【One gold equals 100,000 won, and five hundred gold equals 50 million won in Korean currency.】
Crash!
Unable to contain myself at the astronomical sum, I slammed both fists on the table.
Having a believer worth 300 million won was already a blessing, and now he's adding another 50 million on top of that!
How did such a generous, ah, I mean, such a golden opportunity fall into my lap?
"...Is it insufficient? Then what about one thousand gold?"
Misinterpreting my reaction, Lute suddenly doubled the transfer tax.
Hmm, he seems really eager—should I try raising the price further?
...No, I need to maintain good relations with Lute, so let's settle for this.
"One thousand gold is perfect. Is immediate payment possible?"
"Of course. Please wait a moment."
While Lute went to speak with his adjutant Yuri Polton, who was waiting outside, we three paupers huddled together in a panic.
"I heard Duke Sheary owns the mines, but I never expected him to hand over 100 million—no, one thousand gold so readily from the start. Honestly, we didn't even have a specific amount prepared; we just asked for money."
At my shameless words, Airic Dert and Seth Noel stared at me intently.
Still, thanks to me, we now have money to feed the children.
I won't offer this as a donation—I'm investing it all in the Temple of the Sun God, so please understand.
"Either way, even a single gold coin helps us right now. With the Duke's assistance, we should be able to break free from Count Kiris's influence quickly."
"That may be true, but... I still don't understand why someone of Duke Sheary's stature would need the Sacred Relic of Light. And besides, that is..."
"Now that you mention it, what exactly is the Sacred Relic of Light? I've never heard of it before."
As Airic Dert trailed off with an odd expression, Seth Noel asked the question.
"Well, it actually possesses no special abilities. I've heard it's a sacred relic created by a high priest from two generations ago after receiving divine revelation, but since it has no particular power, we simply keep it in storage."
So Airic Dert doesn't truly understand that relic either.
Then again, if he had known, he wouldn't have left it as is.
Because it was a sacred relic, yet it wasn't.
Which meant I absolutely could not give it to Lute Sheary.
Instead, I needed to prepare something else that would satisfy him.
I do have an idea in mind, but I'm not sure if it will work out.
【The 'Sun Crawled from Death' offers a portion of its reclaimed power to conduct a transaction with the AI System.】
At that moment, an astonishing message appeared before my eyes.
Wait, why would I waste the power it just returned to me? What kind of transaction is this?
【The AI System accepts the transaction with 'Sun Crawled from Death'. The will of 'Sun Crawled from Death' is conveyed to the user.】
【If you raise your divine power by just 2%, all your worries will be resolved.】
Really? Truly?
My current divine power is at 8%. If it reaches 10%, will another ability manifest just as the body enhancement skill appeared when I reached 5%?
And precisely the ability I need most in this situation.
But what on earth could it be?
【That question is not included in the transaction with 'Sun Crawled from Death', so I cannot answer it.】
I don't know what it is, but the Sun God—who is so desperate for even a handful of power—revealed this information at the cost of his own strength, so I should trust it.
"Tell the High Priest that when the Duke arrives with a thousand gold coins, he should purchase food supplies. Let's feast on meat for once."
The moment my task was decided, I immediately removed Airic Dert as an obstacle.
Fortunately, since he had been troubled by the quality of meals at the Temple of the Sun God, Airic Dert agreed without suspicion.
"Thank you for waiting. I'll hand over the thousand gold coins right away."
Just then, Lute Sheary returned with his aide.
"Please verify the amount, High Priest. In the meantime, Duke, would you mind having a brief word with me?"
With Airic Dert gone, the only remaining obstacle was Seth Noel.
"Holy Knight Commander, please step outside for a moment."
However, I didn't need to think twice about Seth Noel.
The loyal Holy Knight Commander cast a worried glance before obediently leaving the room.
The crucial part begins now.
I carefully checked the closed door, then spun around sharply toward Lute Sheary.
"Duke. I have a proposal for you."
"What on earth are you about to say, Holy Maiden, with such a frightening expression?"
"Give me more money."
The moment I blurted out my demand, bewilderment washed across Lute Sheary's face.
"Did I mishear just now? What did you say?"
"Money. I don't need much—just 2,000 gold will do."
He'd already received 1,000 gold, and now he was suddenly asking for another 2,000? It was absurd.
Still, this was all supposedly to save his life. 2,000 gold as the price of your existence!
"Of course, keep this secret from the High Priest or the Holy Knight Commander. I'm not doing this because I'm blinded by greed, so please don't think of me that way."
"...."
"The Duke needs the sacred relic because of an illness, doesn't he?"
In that instant, Lute Sheary's eyes grew cold and sharp.
The lazy, languid cat-like demeanor vanished in a heartbeat.
With nothing more than straightening his upper body, a heavy, oppressive aura descended upon the room.
But it had no effect on me.
My mental fortitude was now strong enough to withstand even a Sword Master's killing intent.
"...Few people know about this."
"I imagine so. The High Priest and the Holy Knight Commander seem unaware. But I can see it. Those strange dark stains scattered across your body."
"...Stains?"
"Yes. No matter how I look at it, those pitch-black marks don't appear normal. I can clearly see them continuously consuming you."
At first, I'd wondered why he carried something that resembled mold.
But after learning Lute Sheary's true nature, I understood.
Those stains were connected to the illness he suffered from.
The black marks were expanding bit by bit even now.
Each time the dark mass swelled noticeably, the golden light within him dimmed, and his hands trembled faintly. I'd been observing him carefully, so I was certain.
He was enduring pain from his illness even at this very moment.
"I've met countless priests, but none of them could see such things."
Judging by Airic Dert and Seth Noel's lack of reaction, it seemed only I could perceive it.
Though I couldn't fathom why.
"It's possible I can see it because I'm a Saint of the Sun God specialized in healing. Let me be clear—your illness cannot be perfectly cured even with sacred relics of light. But with my aid as a Saint, the situation becomes different."
"...."
"2,000 gold. Give me just that, and I'll help you without fail."
Since the original work stated that only the Sun God's divine power could alleviate his suffering, I spoke with confidence.
"...2,000 gold. That's all it takes?"
After a long silence, hearing those words fall from Lute Sheary's lips, I clenched my fists tightly.
"If possible, right now. When no one is around."
"...I don't know why this feels like I'm being shaken down by a thug."
Since he was in a position where he had to grasp at straws, he'd give it—muttering as if wanting me to hear every word.
This was all supposedly to help him, yet he called me a thug? That was too much!
"Exactly 2,000 gold. It's enchanted with spatial magic."
Despite his grumbling, he withdrew a pouch the size of his fist from his breast and set it down.
"Actually, if 1,000 gold wouldn't suffice, I'd planned to negotiate for 3,000. So I was a bit surprised when you mentioned exactly 2,000 gold. Can you read minds?"
I didn't have that ability now, but it would certainly be useful if I acquired it later. Would it ever develop?
【Such a skill does not exist.】
...Yes, thank you for telling me.
I clutched the pouch containing two thousand gold with a disappointed expression, and as if on cue, a System Message materialized before me.
【♥♥♥Donation Box♥♥♥】
More precisely, it was a donation box positively radiating delight at the prospect of receiving money.
"...."
I found myself at a loss for words.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org