Chapter 25
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 25
Dietrich Warren faithfully obeyed the Saint's command to procure everything fresh and fine, regardless of cost.
Thanks to this, everyone residing in the Sun God's Temple could indulge in a feast grander than any in years.
"Is it really alright for us to eat like this...?"
The servants and maids, not priests, gazed at the mountain of food piled before them with awkward expressions.
"Of course. Without you all, we would have struggled immensely. You deserve every bit of this."
Dietrich Warren reassured them. His words rang true, after all.
Because the Sun God's Temple was so impoverished, they provided only room and board to the servants and maids instead of paying wages.
Though they all knew this upon entering, one might expect them to slack in their duties given such meager compensation, yet they always swept and cleaned the Temple as if it were their own home.
Had they not been here, the Temple would have become utterly unbearable by now.
"W-well then, without shame, I'll eat deliciously."
At Dietrich Warren's sincere words, the employees finally began eating. Some even glistened with tears.
'I had only hoped the Temple would at least be maintained and not collapse entirely.'
Dietrich Warren wore a bitter smile watching them.
How many times had he suffered nightmares of the Temple crumbling under his watch?
Each time, sleep eluded him, so he would rise and stroll through the Garden. Of course, it never lifted his spirits.
The Garden's condition, laid bare beneath the quiet moonlight, was equally dire.
But now, for the first time, hope had emerged.
With Duke Lute Sheary's hand now involved, perhaps something might truly change.
And the one who made this happen was...
"Oh, why isn't Miss Hindel eating anything?"
Dietrich Warren's footsteps halted as he turned to return to his place.
Among the other Apprentice Priestesses eating hurriedly, Monica Hindel sat alone, not touching her food, staring blankly ahead.
As the most promising among the apprentices, he felt concerned.
"Do you perhaps dislike meat? If so, I'll have something else brought for you."
"Oh! No, I love meat. I was just thinking about something for a moment."
"I see. Then take your time and eat."
Dietrich Warren smiled gently at her reassurance and was about to leave when—
"The Saint has arrived."
Victoria's resonant voice rang out through the bustling Dining Hall.
As if given a signal, the loud chatter, the sounds of eating, the clinking of utensils—all ceased at once.
Dietrich Warren sighed inwardly.
It was Ordel Kiris who had extracted—no, obtained—money from Duke Lute Sheary under the guise of sacred relic transfer taxes and ordered him to purchase food.
Though suspicion lingered regarding Ordel Kiris's sudden change in demeanor, he harbored no intention of diminishing her accomplishment. This was entirely her doing.
However, since this fact remained unknown to others, their reactions remained as they were.
"Ah, what a wonderful aroma. It's been so long since I've smelled meat like this."
Ordel Kiris entered the Dining Hall alongside Victoria.
She seemed utterly indifferent to the awkward silence, settling into the seat of honor with a serene expression.
"Oh, did you all stop eating because of me? Please don't mind it—everyone, eat up. Victoria, enjoy it too."
As Ordel Kiris took her seat, Victoria bowed her head respectfully and made her way to her empty chair.
Though the two of them appeared composed, those watching them were visibly uneasy.
Airic Dert and Seth Noel, seated on either side of her, seemed equally anxious, stealing furtive glances in her direction.
'I need to step in.'
There was no one else who could dispel this tension.
Dietrich Warren swallowed hard and strode forward with deliberate confidence.
In doing so, he failed to notice Monica Hindel behind him, both hands clamped over her mouth as she stared at Ordel Kiris with barely contained amusement.
Her blue eyes sparkled with barely suppressed mirth.
* * *
I had sensed the uncomfortable silence the moment I entered the Dining Hall.
Yet it hardly bothered me. What captured my attention first was the rich, savory aroma of meat enveloping me after so long.
"Priestess Dietrich, you've selected the finest ingredients. This is absolutely delicious."
The first piece of meat I tasted upon sitting down was exquisite.
I'm not usually one to grow sentimental, yet I felt tears threatening to spill.
Indeed, one must eat meat to truly live.
"I'm relieved you're pleased. I was actually considering changing our supplier, so I'll make arrangements with them instead."
I nodded at Dietrich's response.
"And we'll need to hire a new head chef and sous chef. Ideally, someone who understands nutritional balance well."
Kento, the previous head chef, had managed to produce decent flavors, but he knew nothing whatsoever about nutrition.
It was evident from how he catered only to Ordel Kiris's temperamental palate, serving everyone else nothing but broth devoid of substance.
He even embezzled the food procurement budget and delivered it directly to Count Kiris.
"I've given it consideration as well, but most qualified personnel command high wages, making it difficult."
In other words, we lacked the funds to pay them.
I needed to find a solution to this fundamental problem as soon as possible.
After gesturing for Dietrich to continue eating, I turned my gaze toward Airic Dert, seated to my left.
Unlike the others, whose eyes had glazed over at the lavish spread as they ate ravenously, he maintained his composed, refined manner throughout the meal.
"...Is there something you wish to say to me?"
Something to say? I had plenty.
"Why do you eat in such tiny, timid bites? You're a tall, well-built man—you should be eating heartily. If you keep eating so little, how will you maintain your strength? Try this, try that. Really, someone as frail as you needs to eat well to build up your constitution."
*Cough.*
My well-intentioned words triggered a sudden outbreak of coughing around the table.
Seth Noel was covering his mouth with his hand, his face flushed crimson as if he'd choked badly.
Why were they all reacting like this? Was my concern so unreasonable?
"...I'm eating sufficiently. And I'm not frail."
"You collapsed this afternoon over something trivial. That's all because you lack protein. So eat up, eat plenty. Meat tastes best when it's still hot."
I called for a servant and instructed them to bring more roasted meat for the High Priest.
"Holy Maiden, I'm perfectly fine—"
"—which is why you'll eat a lot more. And Holy Knight Commander, why aren't you eating properly either?"
I turned my head sharply toward Seth Noel across from me.
"You're much larger than the High Priest and have far more muscle, so you should be eating twice as much. For a knight, meat is absolutely essential."
There's not enough meat here either.
At my loud shout, several servants hurried into the Kitchen.
I apologize for interrupting the meal, but since Airic and Seth do the most work at the Temple of the Sun God, there's no helping it.
"M-Miss Saintess, I'm already eating plenty..."
"Plenty? What do you mean plenty? I'll work hard to earn the money, so both of you should eat without worry and at your ease. Seeing how much you've suffered, you're so gaunt it breaks my heart."
"You just said my build was large..."
"Bone structure and muscle are different things. So eat up quickly."
I patted Airic and Seth's shoulders alternately.
I heard someone from across the way mutter something about me being like a grandmother feeding her grandchildren, but I paid it no mind.
They're not quite grandchildren, but my mental age is higher than Airic and Seth's, who are in their twenties.
Besides, if these two stay healthy, my future brightens as well, so I need to feed them well.
"M-Miss Saintess. More meat has arrived."
"Place it here. Hmm, but this still seems insufficient..."
"It's sufficient!"
"It's fine!"
Looking at the meat piled like a mountain, I spoke as though dissatisfied, and Airic and Seth shouted simultaneously from both sides.
Of course, being a Korean—a member of the rice nation from hell—I paid no heed and called for more meat.
Now I'm finally satisfied.
* * *
"Ah, I'm so full. Did you enjoy the meal too, Victoria?"
After the exhilarating meat feast ended and I returned to my room, I patted my distended belly.
"Of course. I can't remember the last time I ate so much. All the Holy Knights were delighted."
"That's a relief. Ah, I wish I could have eaten more."
Ordel, whose stamina was abysmal, had equally serious eating capacity.
With meat shimmering before my eyes, my stomach felt ready to burst, so I couldn't eat more. The frustration was unbearable.
Eating like this is why my stamina is in such a state.
This won't do. My eating quantity needs special measures, just like exercise.
I can't spend my whole life eating only bird feed.
Knock, knock.
Then someone came calling. The visitor Victoria announced was a most surprising person.
"Apprentice Priestess Monica Hindel wishes to see you, Miss Saintess."
Monica Hindel.
Certainly, she was one of the supporting characters with significant presence in the original work.
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