Chapter 31
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 31
"You're both exactly the people I was looking for. I'd love to work with you both. What do you think?"
With the necessary skills and people I could trust to vouch for them, I made the proposal without hesitation.
"I'm in!"
Genric answered enthusiastically without a moment's thought.
Wolfgang, on the other hand, seemed to hesitate briefly before nodding in agreement.
"Here's the contract. The Temple of the Sun God will provide room and board. Work hours are 9 AM to 6 PM. If you work overtime, you'll receive hourly compensation, and you'll get performance bonuses each time we hit our sales targets."
At my words, any hesitation vanished in an instant.
"Really?"
Both men's eyes widened in astonishment.
Since alchemy is fundamentally research-based, work hours are never fixed, and naturally there are no overtime payments.
It's a profession without any work-life balance whatsoever, so they couldn't help but be tempted by these conditions.
"Of course. By the way, I'll raise your salaries every year at the beginning of the year. The percentage increase will vary depending on the previous year's business revenue."
People aren't moved by pleas or sympathy.
They're moved by money that acknowledges their abilities.
Look at how Wolfgang and Genric's eyes transformed.
"Right! I'll sign immediately! Right now!"
Genric shouted loudly and scrawled his signature. Wolfgang hastily followed suit, unwilling to be left behind.
Both possessed exceptional abilities, but due to personal circumstances they couldn't join the mainstream and were struggling financially. It seemed to be true.
"Well then, shall we register them as believers in our faith first, according to the contract?"
I placed a massive divine registry that I'd prepared beforehand onto the table with a thud.
Since I'd mentioned this condition from the moment I brought them in, both men wrote their names in the registry without any objection.
With a pounding heart, I sprinkled divine power over their names.
Just how much would my divine power increase this time?
【A new believer has been registered under the Sun God.】
【Your divine power increases by 0.01%.】
0.01%! That's like a million won rolling in!
For someone like me without even ten thousand won to my name, it was truly a blessing.
But I was curious—what were their comprehensive evaluation scores that two people combined only increased it by 0.01%?
【Both individuals have A-rank abilities, but their other categories are E-rank. Their comprehensive evaluation score is D-rank.】
"...."
So they had no wealth and lacked fame either....
Still, they're better off than our High Priest and Holy Knight Commander, whose wealth is even F-rank....
I'm newly reminded of just how remarkable Lute Sheary is with his SS-rank comprehensive evaluation score.
I'll need to treat them well going forward.
"Why are you suddenly looking at us like that?"
"It's the look of someone warmly welcoming you both."
My pitying gaze must have been too obvious.
I flashed a bright smile toward Genric, who was sending me a suspicious look.
"I look forward to working with you all going forward."
My precious alchemists who will bring boundless profits to our Temple of the Sun God.
Knock, knock.
"Saint, Lana Ailac has arrived."
Monica announced the visitor, and I immediately had her shown in.
"Now then, allow me to introduce the priest who will be working with you all. This is Lana Ailac."
Lana was a female priest with long silver hair cascading over her dark brown skin.
The moment our eyes met, she hastily averted her gaze downward.
"A-ah, hello, Saint."
Her trembling voice was filled with fear.
Hmm. Am I still so frightening to her?
If I approached too closely, she might have a panic attack, so I should just introduce her from a distance.
"For now, Lana Ailac will oversee the Sun God's divine power operations just as the master does. Both of you are to follow her instructions faithfully."
"Understood."
"Oh, we look forward to working with you!"
Wolfgang and Genric greeted Lana.
However, Lana couldn't make eye contact with either of them.
I was somewhat concerned whether someone so timid could truly manage the potion manufacturing, which would become a major operation of the Temple of the Sun God.
But then again.
'Lana Ailac will surely do an excellent job. Please trust her with this.'
Airic Dert had spoken so strongly in recommending her as overseer that I decided to trust his judgment.
There must be a reason Airic trusts her so deeply.
"Lana Ailac possesses strong healing power and is the most knowledgeable about the potion-making methods passed down through generations in the Temple of the Sun God. So please work together to create excellent potions."
Once the three of them created potions by combining alchemy and divine power, we planned to begin full-scale mass production with the priests selected as healing shuttles.
Since the priest selection was already complete, we could begin operations as soon as the potions were finished.
"Please submit all material requests for potion manufacturing and research through Lana Ailac. I will procure whatever you need."
At my generous promise to supply materials, Genric's face brightened considerably.
He seemed delighted at the prospect of conducting various experiments immediately.
That kind of passion is exactly what I like to see.
"However, you must record and report everything—where each material was used, what type it was, the quantity, how it was used, and what purpose it served. If any materials are discovered to have been used for purposes unrelated to potion manufacturing, the cost will be deducted from your wages without delay."
At my warning not to waste resources carelessly, Genric's expression immediately fell.
Did you think I haven't seen types like you before? Who do you take me for, a fool?
"Then Monica, please guide these three to the research facility."
"This way, please."
Monica led the three of them to the Potion Manufacturing Facility that had been prepared in advance.
Since there was no telling what explosions might occur during their research, finding a sturdy location with as few people as possible had been quite the challenge.
I sincerely hoped the three would work well together and develop the manufacturing method as quickly as possible.
I clasped my hands together and prayed earnestly to the Sun God shining above my head.
If you want to grow stronger quickly too, please grant my wish.
* * *
It seems the Sun God has no real desire to grow stronger.
"...."
I stared blankly at the scene unfolding in the Potion Manufacturing Facility.
"If you mix this ingredient with that one, it creates a strong toxin. How can you not know the basics?"
"That's only because the mixture ratio is terrible. If you get the proportions right, it'll actually produce the best results, I'm telling you?"
"Then what exactly is this optimal ratio you're talking about?"
"I haven't discovered it yet. That's why we need to experiment! Once we find the right mixing ratio, we'll create a legendary combination that'll go down in history!"
"Please bring evidence for such confidence before speaking."
"Why are you being so frustrating? Do you have sweet potatoes crammed in your head or something?"
"It appears your head has holes in it."
Genric and Wolfgang stood locked in confrontation in the middle of the manufacturing facility.
Their images were already contradictory, and sure enough, their personalities were complete opposites.
Wolfgang followed textbook methodology while Genric blindly trusted intuition, so their opinions rarely aligned.
"P-please, don't fight. I'm begging you, please don't...."
Even Lana Ailac, the leader of the manufacturing team, couldn't stop them.
Actually, from what I could see, those two didn't even seem to notice Lana Ailac was standing right there.
"How many days has it been?"
"It's already been over five days."
Monica clicked her tongue in response.
It had already been five days since the three of them started working together.
Unfortunately, there had been virtually no progress during that time.
It was because Wolfgang and Genric, with their completely opposite personalities, clashed over every little thing.
Monica, who checked on the manufacturing facility twice a day, finally decided it was hopeless and informed me.
This is a serious problem.
I wanted to grab both their heads and kick their backsides while yelling at them....
Looking ahead, it was Lana Ailac, the leader, who had to resolve this situation.
But from the look of things, it seemed impossible.
While I was contemplating, the two alchemists' conversation grew increasingly heated.
"Creativity is fine, but it seems your specialty is just spouting baseless boasts without any foundation."
Wolfgang, growing irritated, let out a scoff directed at Genric.
"Th-that kind of talk is...."
Lana Ailac's face gradually turned ashen.
"You call yourself a formula genius, yet you don't even understand how magnificent this combination is. Is the 'genius' you speak of perhaps the most insufferable person in the world?"
Genric ignored Lana Ailac's attempts to stop him and taunted Wolfgang.
"N-no cursing...!"
"You were the one who claimed to be a universally acknowledged genius. Now I see you're the most insufferable person in the world."
"If you use harsh language in the Cathedral...!"
"Hey, sweet potato head. Come outside. I'll teach you a lesson."
"Don't fight!"
"A person with holes in their head isn't even scary."
Sparks began to fly between the two of them.
The moment Lana Ailac's voice became inaudible, I was about to step in with a sigh.
Crash!
"Stop fighting in this sacred Temple of the Sun God!"
A thunderous shout erupted alongside a tremendous boom.
It was the sound of Lana Ailac's fist—that timid Lana Ailac's fist—utterly demolishing the marble floor.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org