Chapter 43
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 43
Thanks to Monica explaining why the two of them were upset, I grasped the entire situation.
"I heard you helped when my daughter was struck. Thank you."
"...I was unaware and acted rudely. I apologize."
Lady Hindel and Count Hindel bowed their heads with solemn expressions.
And I... was bewildered.
That Apprentice Priestess back then was Monica...?
With her cheeks wrapped and her hair thoroughly disheveled, I hadn't gotten a proper look at the priestess's face.
Now that I thought about it, she'd harbored an odd fondness for me ever since she came seeking to become my maid—it must have been because of this.
"...No, please. Since it happened because of someone from my house, I should be the one apologizing. I'm sorry for injuring your precious daughter."
I chose to apologize rather than make excuses.
I'd need to tell Monica separately that I was sorry later.
"Not at all. But Monica mentioned that the Holy Maiden has poor relations with House of Kiris...."
Since there was no reason to hide it, I affirmed this.
"That's correct. I'm currently unable to sever ties immediately because of their donations."
"We shall resolve that for you!"
"...Pardon?"
"We'll provide twice the donation that Kiris gives. So please don't worry—let's use this opportunity to cleanly sever the connection!"
My goodness. Golden nuggets were truly rolling into this humble Temple of the Sun God.
Honestly, I wanted to grab both their hands right then and laugh heartily while expressing my gratitude.
If only one thing weren't a problem.
"I'm grateful for the offer, but I'm afraid it won't be possible immediately."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm the adopted daughter of Count Kiris. Until I'm legally separated from the house, it's simply not feasible."
No matter how much the Temple of the Sun God was extraterritorial, I couldn't arbitrarily erase a name registered in the Imperial nobility records.
To completely sever the connection, I needed to resolve that first.
"I see. That is indeed a problem."
Count Hindel's expression grew dejected. The gaze with which he'd first regarded me as a kidnapper had vanished entirely.
"Don't worry. I...."
How old is Ordel now? If this is one year before the original story begins....
【Currently, Ordel Kiris is 21 years old.】
"...."
I knew she was young, but I'd rejuvenated by more than ten years.
At least being an adult is truly a relief.
"...I'm not at an age requiring legal guardianship, so there shouldn't be major obstacles to breaking free."
Since she wasn't even a biological daughter but an adopted one, and I possessed the clear status of the Temple of the Sun God's Holy Maiden, there would be no difficulties.
If it became troublesome, I could just ask Lute Sheary for help.
"I wish for the Holy Maiden's swift escape. And separately from that, I'd still like to make a donation. It's the temple where my daughter resides, and I wish to express my gratitude for your help."
"If you're offering, I won't refuse. This isn't a situation where I can afford pride. I'll dedicate every donation toward repairs to the Temple of the Sun God."
I earnestly appealed that I would use the donation not on frivolous things, but to completely renovate the gloomy Sun God Grand Temple.
I would show them the transformed temple.
The couple wore expressions of satisfaction.
"In that spirit, would you perhaps consider becoming followers of the Sun God alongside your daughter?"
I had cleared up their misunderstandings about the Sun God Grand Temple, obtained their permission for Monica to stay here, and now they were offering a donation—I seized the opportunity and made my proposal immediately.
I felt like a merchant haggling for profit, but I chose to ignore that feeling.
"Oh, wonderful! Since you're here, please register as followers before you leave!"
Monica, my steadfast ally, also expressed enthusiastic welcome.
"The Sun God is such a wonderful being. He cherishes your children with such warmth and tenderness. I do hope you parents will experience this gentleness as well!"
"...."
The Sun God I knew and the Sun God Monica knew seemed vastly different.
A deity who not only arbitrarily abducted a soul heading to Heaven and forced it into a villain's body, but also makes me work and extorts money from me—and she calls that warmth...? Cherishing me...?
Why not cherish the saint you forcibly chose, instead of only doting on your priestesses?
"Followers, you say...."
The couple exchanged glances with each other. It seemed becoming followers of a single temple was somewhat burdensome for them.
Especially now, when the influence of the Sea God was strong.
So I deployed a bit of acting.
"Since I am the saint and belong to House of Kiris.... Even if you both make generous donations, it would be difficult to escape the influence of House of Kiris immediately."
I deliberately wore a bitter expression. Monica, not realizing it was an act, looked at me so pitifully from beside me that I felt a little guilty.
"However, if you both become followers, you would establish a definite relationship with the Sun God Grand Temple, making it much easier for you to exercise influence."
The light in their eyes began to waver. Sensing they were about to be swayed, I brought out my trump card.
"By the way, Duke Lute Sheary is also one of our followers."
"Is that so? Him?"
Indeed, the effect of Lute Sheary was tremendous. The couple immediately showed expressions of temptation.
"This business venture with us came about precisely because of the connection formed through becoming followers."
"I thought it was because you recognized the special healing power of the Sun God's divine essence and decided to do business together. So that wasn't it."
The couple looked at each other. After exchanging glances for a moment, they both nodded readily.
"Since our daughter will live her entire life as a priestess of the Sun God, there's no reason to refuse. Moreover, if we're fortunate, we might even form a connection with Duke Sheary."
Their reasoning included quite worldly motivations, but the name value of Sheary was too high to criticize them for it.
I didn't use that name as my trump card for nothing.
Securing Lute Sheary was truly the best decision of my possession life.
I must continue to treat him well. Lute Sheary is our temple's number one follower.
"Then let us proceed with the follower registration immediately."
As the saying goes, strike while the iron is hot. Without delay, I registered both of them as followers.
【Two B-rank followers have been registered under the Sun God.】
【Your divine power increases by 0.1%.】
And I gained precious divine power along with these two new followers.
I embraced Monica, who had done such excellent work, tightly.
* * *
Since the poor Sun God Grand Temple didn't have a single proper guest room for the Hindel couple to stay in, they decided to spend the night in a nearby village.
I gladly granted Monica special leave to spend time with her family.
After half a year apart, she deserved at least one night with her parents.
Seeing Count Hindel's face split wide with joy confirmed it was the right decision.
"The Count and Countess truly love their daughter. They were a beautiful family to witness."
"Indeed, they were."
Late into the night, Victoria—who had taken Monica's place at my side—nodded in agreement.
"I was surprised how different the atmosphere was from my own family."
"What about your family?"
"If I had run away, my parents would have come after me with swords drawn."
"...Swords?"
"Yes. And after subjecting me to 'sparring practice' as punishment, they would have dragged my unconscious body away."
That's terrifying.
Victoria seems reasonable enough, but her parents' situation is rather...?
"Are your parents knights as well?"
"Mercenaries. They run a Mercenary Company together."
"...."
Not merely mercenaries—but a married couple who jointly commanded an entire Mercenary Company.
Ah, so that explained Victoria's enviable musculature and striking bone structure. Pure genetics.
"That's why they were quite displeased when I awakened divine power and became a Holy Knight. They wanted me to inherit the Mercenary Company."
So mercenary leadership runs in families too.
"I can't relate to that, honestly."
"Pardon?"
"You're far better suited to being a Holy Knight than a mercenary. Especially not just any Holy Knight—it's your true calling."
I wasn't saying this merely because we'd grown close.
If I stopped any random passerby and asked, they'd all agree—even doing backflips—that you were born to be a Holy Knight.
"I may not know your parents well, but I suspect they think the same. People as strong-willed as they are ultimately respected your choice."
The Sun God Grand Temple doesn't force everyone who awakens divine power to become a follower.
Only those crude Ocean God fanatics do such things. Here, we respect individual will.
Victoria had every right to refuse, yet she chose to become a Holy Knight and stand beside the Saintess.
If her temperamental parents had truly opposed it, they would have broken her legs to stop her. But they didn't. That means they approved, doesn't it?
"...Thank you for saying that."
Victoria's eyes widened in surprise, then she smiled.
It was a shy smile, yet brimming with joy.
When bedtime arrived, Victoria extinguished the lamp, bid me goodnight, and left the bedroom.
Her heavy footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
Today had been quite eventful.
More leisurely than my detective days, yet strangely exhausting—I reflected on the day as I closed my eyes.
And then I opened them again just as quickly.
Beep beep beep!
A shrill alarm blared—not in my ears, but inside my mind.
【Warning!】
【Warning!】
【Automatic warning system activated.】
【AI system notifies user: A follower of another god has infiltrated the Sun God Grand Temple.】
【They are approaching the user. Please exercise caution for your safety.】
What the hell?
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org