Chapter 41
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 41
This was also why Airic couldn't use the sacred relic "Lightgold" directly and entrusted it to me instead.
If he'd done that too, wouldn't he have been drained of all vitality and died, no matter how much of a male lead candidate he was?
"It's work for the Temple of the Sun God, so of course I must do it. Please don't worry."
Airic spoke with reassuring confidence.
However, the three members of the Potion Production Team—or rather, people—looked so deathly pale that it was far more heartbreaking than reassuring.
Honestly, I could understand if Airic regretted becoming the High Priest of the Sun God's Temple.
Only Seth, who had been excluded from the shuttle rotation due to insufficient ability, offered him sympathy with a pitiful expression.
There was actually one piece of news that would lift his spirits if I told him, but unfortunately I couldn't share it.
I glanced at the System Message floating before my eyes.
【1,000 people have newly learned of the existence of "The Sun That Crawled from Death."】
【The power of "The Sun That Crawled from Death" has increased slightly.】
【The user's divine power increases by 0.001%.】
Just from selling potions, the Sun God's power had grown slightly.
While the numbers weren't significant, I felt no disappointment whatsoever. Rather, this was a harbinger of hope.
The more potions I sold, the more people would learn of the Sun God's existence, and the faster my power would recover.
And if some of those people came seeking to become believers? That would be the icing on the cake.
Knock, knock.
Just then, Victoria, who had been waiting outside, knocked on the Reception Room door and announced something.
"I'm terribly sorry, but it seems all three of you need to come out."
Not just one person, but all three of us? Had something happened outside?
"It appears that Monica's family has just arrived at the Temple of the Sun God."
Ah. So the parents of the runaway daughter had finally come to retrieve her.
"Let's go."
I headed toward the entrance with Airic, Seth, and Victoria, who had been lingering outside.
Word had apparently spread already—everyone from the Temple was gathered outside.
Those who recognized us parted like the parting of the Red Sea.
And what I saw of Monica through that gap was...
"...?"
Something was very different from what I'd imagined.
Standing before Monica were a middle-aged man and woman who appeared to be her parents.
With blue eyes and freckles, their resemblance alone made their parent-child relationship obvious...
"Look at this! I've awakened divine power!"
"Goodness!"
"Our daughter has divine power!"
The couple were weeping with tears of joy and clapping frantically at the sight of Monica radiating golden divine power.
...This was far too peaceful, even touching, to be a runaway daughter and parents coming to retrieve her.
"Oh, Holy Maiden!"
Just then, Monica, who had been proudly displaying her divine power, belatedly spotted me and came running over.
"Were the three of you in conversation? Did I perhaps cause you to come all this way? I'm truly sorry for the disturbance."
Monica bowed her head repeatedly, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Since you came without notice, I had no idea you'd be arriving today."
Though I suppose I should have anticipated that my parents would visit eventually.
"Hmm."
At that moment, the couple approached us.
Gone was the meek demeanor they'd displayed before their daughter wielding divine power—now both regarded me with menacing expressions.
What is this? Anyone seeing this would think I was some vicious criminal who'd kidnapped their beloved daughter.
"Are you the Saintess of this Temple of the Sun God?"
No, judging by their tone, they genuinely believed that to be the case.
This was absurd.
"Yes, that's right."
Who speaks in casual language to someone they've just met?
Did they think I couldn't do the same?
"And who exactly are you?"
The couple's expressions shifted to bewilderment—they hadn't expected me to drop formalities so brazenly.
As for the temple staff surrounding us...
They showed no surprise whatsoever.
Rather, they observed the scene with complete indifference, as though this were entirely natural. Even Seth and Airic maintained serene expressions.
Well, compared to the spectacular feats Ordel had accomplished, this was nothing.
"Ahem! I am Count Jake Hindel from the Eastern Empire. Monica's biological father."
"So you're Ordel, the Saintess of the Sun God Grand Temple. Have you come to see your daughter?"
Count or not, I had no intention of raising my tone of voice.
Making that clear, the Count began to look increasingly flustered.
Unable to bear it any longer, Monica stepped forward.
"Why are you treating our Saintess that way! You should be showing respect!"
She rebuked her parents—not me, who had spoken to them in casual language.
What's more, she extended her arm protectively in front of me, blocking their path as though they posed some grave threat. Anyone watching would think her parents had committed some terrible offense against me.
"Monica!"
"What?!"
"How could my own daughter speak to me this way!"
This was turning into a spectacle. Now I could see that Count Hindel wasn't some overbearing patriarch—he was simply a doting father completely smitten with his daughter.
But what exactly have I done to deserve those glares from you?
"Please, calm yourself. You've just reunited with your daughter after so long—do you really want to be thrown out for making a scene?"
It was Miriam Hindel, the Count's wife who had remained silent until now, who brought order to the situation.
She pushed the glowering Count aside and stepped forward with elegant grace.
"Please forgive our rudeness, Saintess. I am Miriam Hindel, Monica's biological mother."
The woman with her soft brown hair elegantly pinned up was undeniably beautiful.
Looking at her intelligent blue eyes, I could clearly see whom Monica resembled.
Though it seemed her temperament took after her father.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hindel. I'm sure the journey from the Eastern Empire to this remote location has been quite arduous."
The moment I spoke with proper courtesy, Count Kiris looked at me as though I had betrayed him.
Well, he should have maintained his manners too.
"It was indeed a long journey. My daughter has been out of contact for over half a year, so the emotional toll of searching for her has been considerable."
At those weighted words, Monica flinched and quietly slipped behind me.
It was now abundantly clear who held the real power in the Hindel Family.
"We are aware of the situation to some extent."
When I glanced at Monica, she grasped my sleeve with an anxious expression.
Did she think I would tell this runaway girl to go home?
Not a chance.
"However, the Sun God's Temple respects individual thoughts and freedom, so I hope you understand that we have no intention of forcing any opinions upon Monica."
We are not holding Monica here against her will.
At the same time, precisely because of this, I have no intention of ignoring her wishes and sending her back home.
I made this point abundantly clear.
To be honest, I had no desire to let Monica go. My life had become so much more convenient since she became my trusted aide.
Moreover, she has been diligently assisting with my business ventures.
As a promising Apprentice Priestess who serves as my healing power shuttle, did she really think I would simply let her go?
Not in a thousand years.
"No, but our daughter...!"
Perhaps sensing my firm resolve, Count Hindel raised his voice.
As Monica moved to step forward in response, I calmed everyone down.
"Why don't we all take a moment to speak calmly? You are family reuniting after half a year, after all. Why not find a quiet place to catch up?"
No matter what, I couldn't tell them to leave immediately when I had no intention of returning their runaway daughter.
If her parents had been garbage like Count Kiris's, I would have driven them away without hesitation, but anyone could see this was a family with genuine affection for one another.
"Monica, feel free to use my Reception Room to greet your parents. You could even give them a tour of the Temple if you'd like. ...Though there's not much to see yet."
I've been so focused on potion production that I haven't yet begun any serious restoration work.
The Hindels might take one look at the Temple's condition and panic, whisking their daughter away, but Monica's resolve to stay here was firm enough that it should be fine.
"Well then, everyone disperse. Go about your business."
I clapped my hands, and the gathered people scattered in orderly fashion without a word of complaint.
"Victoria, shall we take a walk?"
I decided to vacate the premises—my bedroom was right next to the Reception Room, and I didn't want to interfere with the family's intimate conversation.
"May I accompany you?"
"You're welcome to."
Seth joined our walk.
We naturally glanced at Airic.
"...Let's go."
Airic, worn down by exhaustion, lacked even the energy to refuse and shuffled along after us.
I really need to prepare him some nourishing food. This won't do.
"Have a good talk, Monica."
After patting Monica's shoulder and nodding to the Hindels, I took my leave.
I could only hope that Monica would persuade her parents effectively.
And it wasn't long before I came to realize something.
Monica was truly, remarkably unstoppable.
She went beyond mere persuasion and actually converted her parents into devoted followers of our Temple of the Sun God—a feat that left me astounded.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org