Chapter 20
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 20
"But each sacred artifact possesses different abilities, doesn't it? The Duke of Sierry must have a specific power in mind—would it be alright to give him something else?"
"I know what he wants. The Duke told me when we were alone."
I offered a vague deflection, then crouched down to wrap the shattered necklace fragments in a handkerchief before returning them to the jewelry box.
Since I'd destroyed it with divine power, its function was surely ruined as well, but I felt uncomfortable leaving something so important in the Sacred Grounds.
I'd have to take it upstairs and burn it.
"Do you happen to know which sacred artifact is most closely associated with healing?"
Healing.
At my question, Seth Noel's expression became peculiar. It seemed he'd never imagined that Lute would need such an ability of all things.
"...Healing is such a formidable divine authority that even the High Priest finds it difficult to craft into a sacred artifact."
Yet there was clear relief in his demeanor—at least Lute desired healing power rather than wealth or authority.
"As far as I know, only divine relics contain the power of healing."
Objects imbued with divine power are broadly divided into two categories: divine relics and sacred artifacts.
Divine relics are items the Sun God created directly and bestowed upon humanity, while sacred artifacts are crafted by humans who possess divine power.
Naturally, divine relics contain far greater power than sacred artifacts and are infinitely more precious.
For this reason, no Temple of the Sun God would ever carelessly distribute divine relics.
"Please show me the way."
The divine relics were kept in the Sacred Grounds where the Sun God's light fell most directly.
Three divine relics rested upon a brilliant white marble altar bathed in radiant light.
"The one in the center is the divine relic imbued with healing power—'Aurora.'"
Aurora shimmered with an indescribable iridescence of five colors.
The eye-catching teardrop-shaped gem emanated an entirely different atmosphere from the 'Sacred Artifact of Light,' which had felt like being drawn into murky quicksand.
Infinitely serene and tranquil—it was as if it bestowed peace itself.
Yes, just like a true aurora.
"It's beautiful."
Entranced, I walked forward and lifted the divine relic.
Its appearance was unpretentious.
It was a simple necklace with a string threaded through a teardrop-shaped gem that shimmered with five colors.
Yet it stood out far more than the dazzlingly ornate Sacred Artifact of Light.
【The user has made contact with the divine relic 'Aurora.' The skill 'Blessing' can be used on this divine relic.】
Perfect. I was about to smile involuntarily at the System Message I'd been hoping for.
【However, the user currently lacks sufficient divine power to bestow a permanent blessing.】
A permanent blessing is impossible? Then how long does it last?
【The blessing's duration is one month. After one month, you may bestow the blessing again.】
So blessings are rechargeable?
Well, that's not a problem.
I needed to find a way to make Lute visit the Temple of the Sun God frequently if I was to fully secure him as an ally, and this was the perfect excuse.
"We should give this to the Duke."
"Pardon? But Your Holiness, a divine relic is...!"
"It's very important. Don't worry. The Duke is just as crucial to us as any divine artifact."
Then how important is he, really? If you'd known the future, wouldn't you have told me to give the artifact to Lute immediately, regardless of anything else?
In the original story, Seth Noel fights Lute, who has been completely consumed by a villain, and sustains a devastating wound.
So deep that he'll suffer from its aftereffects for the rest of his life.
I didn't emphasize the importance of bringing Lute to our side for nothing, you know.
"One day, you'll understand my choice."
I smiled at Seth Noel, and he worked his lips silently for a long moment.
In the end, rather than stopping me, he faithfully followed my orders.
"I'll explain everything to the High Priest, so Holy Knight Commander, please don't say a word."
【Activating the skill 'Blessing'.】
【'Blessing' is imbued into the divine artifact 'Aurora' of 'the Sun Rising from Death'. The artifact now exerts even greater power.】
As I infused the blessing, Aurora's gemstone gleamed with even more radiance.
With this, I'd completed a month-long makeshift blessed item.
* * *
"I've brought the item you requested."
Returning to the Reception Room, I handed over the divine artifact, carefully arranged in a box.
Airic Dert and Lute's adjutant Yuri Polton were still organizing the money, so only Lute remained in the Reception Room.
Perfect. I'd finish this before Airic Dert could appear and interfere.
"So this is...."
Lute opened the box and examined the necklace, biting his lip.
He was far more agitated than when I'd demanded two thousand gold.
"I've also imbued it with my blessing. You know how precious a Saint's blessing is, don't you?"
I made it abundantly clear that it was worth two thousand gold.
Lute stared at the divine artifact without even daring to grasp it.
"Are you worried it might not work?"
Since I hadn't brought Seth Noel along precisely because I didn't know what would happen when he held the artifact, I asked casually.
"...Do you have any idea how many years I've suffered from this cursed pain? A full twenty years."
I couldn't recall his exact age, but I knew Lute was in his mid-twenties.
Which meant he'd been tormented by this excruciating pain since the days when he should have been carrying a backpack to kindergarten?
Perhaps being completely captivated by the pain-relieving effects of the light artifact—having both body and mind drained by it—was the result of suffering for far too long.
"No matter which Temple of the Sun God I visited, no matter what potion I drank, the pain never disappeared. So isn't it natural that I doubt whether this will truly be effective?"
"True enough. If this doesn't work either, then nothing in this world could alleviate the Duke's condition."
I shrugged lightly.
"But that won't happen, so don't worry and just take it. Do you know how much effort I put in? I can't return those two thousand gold to you."
Did you think I handed over the divine artifact for nothing?
The thousand gold that Airic Dert took is one thing, but the Sun God has already happily swallowed the two thousand gold!
Since there's no way to get it back, it absolutely must work.
"Were you perhaps a back-alley con artist before becoming a Saint? Your skill at extorting money is quite impressive."
"What?"
Calling me a con artist for doing him a favor? Should I take the artifact back?
"How rude—switching to informal speech just because you heard some unpleasant rumors? I won't be the type to lose out anywhere. Far from it; I'd thrive even if I were stranded on a deserted island."
As I glared at the divine artifact, Lute seized it without hesitation, as though he'd never wavered.
"Gasp!"
In the same instant, he clutched his chest and collapsed beneath the sofa with a heavy thud.
Cold sweat drenched his face in moments.
"Oh no."
I rushed to his side at once.
Lute's glasses, precariously perched on his face, clattered to the floor with a loud noise.
His skin flushed crimson, veins bulging prominently across his temples and forehead.
Though he appeared to be in tremendous agony—dangerously so—I kept the divine artifact in his grasp rather than pulling it away.
"You're all right. Don't be afraid; breathe slowly and deeply. The dark blemishes on your body are diminishing, bit by bit."
The golden and dark blemishes scattered across his body.
The relentless expansion of the dark blemishes—as though devouring the gold—was finally beginning to recede.
The effect was unmistakably working!
"Haaah... haaah..."
Lute squeezed his eyes shut, breathing slowly as he endured the pain.
Since the resonance between the divine artifact and him was crucial at this moment, I refrained from using my healing power and simply waited.
Time passed—how much, I couldn't say. His ragged breathing gradually steadied.
Having used my handkerchief to collect the unsettling sacred fragments, I could only wipe away the sweat trickling down my sleeves, and then I stepped back.
Lute's silver-gray eyes trembled faintly with emotion.
"...The pain..."
That single phrase was enough to understand his condition.
"Ah."
He, freed from terrible agony for the first time in twenty years, covered his eyes with trembling hands.
From the way his teeth clenched his lips, I could feel his overwhelming emotion.
"Fortunately, you won't need to search for alternative methods anymore. Congratulations."
I patted his shoulder and offered a brief word of congratulation.
With this, the future villain had vanished.
For someone whose purpose was to destroy the original story, nothing could bring greater joy.
"It was worth coming all this way, truly. Two thousand gold wasn't wasteful at all."
"I'm the type who delivers value for the money I receive."
Once he'd composed himself somewhat, Lute picked up his fallen glasses and collapsed back onto the sofa.
The trembling in his hands had ceased as he loosened the suffocating necktie around his throat.
His breathing had normalized, the trembling had stopped. So I could say this now, couldn't I?
"By the way, let me tell you something—the reason the sacred artifact's effect is so potent is thanks to my blessing."
"...Thanks to the Saint's blessing?"
"Yes. If there had been only the sacred artifact, it would have merely alleviated the pain somewhat."
If this were a true artifact of light, that's what would have happened—so it wasn't a lie.
"So you're saying this is all thanks to the Saint, and I should be grateful to the Saint."
"Of course that too, but there's something more important."
I tapped Lute's hand, which was clinging to the divine object like a lifeline.
"My blessing has a one-month duration."
"...Pardon?"
"If you wish to continue experiencing its effects, you must come to me once a month to receive the blessing anew."
Lute's mouth fell open in bewilderment.
I carefully concealed the truth about my insufficient power and delivered the most crucial detail last.
"By the way, the blessing recharge fee is separate."
This was purely petty revenge for calling a former detective who used to beat down criminals a scoundrel.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org