Chapter 59
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 59
* * *
Thanks to the Lumen Merchant Guild's own promotional channels, the Sun God Grand Temple's potions sold like wildfire.
Rumors had already spread throughout the Western Region, where the guild maintained its headquarters, and word was beginning to circulate in the nearby Central and Southern Regions.
Of course, the Lumen Merchant Guild orchestrated all of it.
"We've received inquiries from the Southern Region asking whether any potions remain in stock and if pre-orders are possible."
In the study of the Sheary Duchy Mansion.
Upon hearing the report from Vice-Master Jun Ludmin, Lute Sheary smiled with satisfaction.
"The Southern Region borders a desert where monsters frequently appear, so potions would be desperately needed there."
While the Sea God's potions were expensive and alchemical potions fell slightly short in effectiveness, the newly emerged Sun God potions would shine like a beacon of hope for them.
"What shall we do?"
"We should speak with our suppliers first."
Given that we were producing with a small workforce, there were inevitably limits to our supply capacity.
So consultation came first.
"My lord, a letter has arrived from the Temple of the Sun God."
At that moment, my aide Yuri entered with truly delightful news.
"Wow, this is the first time I've seen the Master smile so brightly."
As Lute broke into a wide grin, Jun gasped in admiration. Yuri let out a long sigh.
"No matter how busy you are, you've instructed us to bring any news from the Saint without fail—you clearly care for her deeply."
"That's what's truly surprising. What exactly is your relationship? Is the Master obsessed with the Saint?"
Ignoring the gossiping Yuri and Jun, Lute immediately unfolded the letter.
I had expected it to be a letter demanding funds, my heart racing in anticipation—but only briefly.
An Invitation
The clear, powerful script written at the top was far from what I had anticipated.
We formally invite Duke Lute Sheary to the Dedication Ceremony of the Sun God Grand Temple.
This is a ritual to illuminate the future, brimming with golden sunlight. We earnestly hope you will grace us with your esteemed presence.
- Ordel, Daughter of the Sun
A dedication ceremony.
I immediately grasped its significance.
"The Sun God Grand Temple intends to make a proper name for itself."
With the potion business achieving tremendous success, the timing was indeed perfect.
"Ah, how wonderful. You'll naturally be attending, won't you?"
Jun and Yuri, who had been engaged in serious discussion about my relationship with the Saint, briefly set that aside to examine the invitation.
"The Saint sent this invitation so earnestly, begging you to come—there's no way you'd choose not to attend."
By now, I could reasonably dismiss my own self-aggrandizing remarks.
"I want to go too!"
At that moment, Jun shot her hand up and exclaimed.
"As the distribution manager for the Sun God brand potions, I believe I have the qualifications to attend!"
Unfortunately, she had not received her own invitation, but Jun remained undeterred.
"When I first met the Saint, we promised to meet again someday, so she'll welcome me even without an invitation!"
Despite it being our first meeting, Ordel and I got along so well.
She clearly took a liking to me, so there's no way she'd turn me away.
Besides, I've successfully launched a potion business! Rather than being turned away, I'll receive an enthusiastic welcome!
"Why did you make such a promise with the Saint?"
Lute Sheary asked bluntly, her face full of displeasure.
"Women just understand each other sometimes. We're going to be very good friends."
As Jun declared proudly, Lute Sheary asked seriously.
"Understand each other? Did she squeeze money out of you too?"
"Money? What do you mean?"
"Our Saint loves wealthy people. That's why she was so happy to see you, isn't it?"
Jun Ludmin was an indispensable figure at the Lumen Merchant Guild and received a substantial salary accordingly.
The workload was beyond imagination, but in any case, the money she'd accumulated so far exceeded that of most provincial nobles.
Exactly Ordel's taste.
"Our Saint keeps me, the richest one, but even I alone don't satisfy her."
Lute Sheary grumbled like a petulant child.
Only Jun and Yuri, who hadn't experienced Ordel's true nature, looked puzzled.
'For that lord to genuinely lament like this... what exactly is their relationship?'
Witnessing this rare side of Lute Sheary, Jun's curiosity began to stir.
Since Ordel had only been seen once, Jun couldn't discern anything from Lute Sheary's behavior alone.
This won't do. I can't bear the suspense.
No matter what, I must attend this consecration ceremony and carefully observe the two of them!
* * *
The invitation to the Sun God Grand Temple's consecration ceremony didn't arrive only for Lute Sheary.
One also reached Count Joseph Kiris, Ordel's adoptive father.
Invitation
We invite Count Joseph Kiris to the consecration ceremony of the Sun God Grand Temple.
This is a ritual to illuminate the future, brimming with golden sunlight. If you wish to attend, please come to the Temple by the specified date.
- Ordel, Daughter of the Sun
Count Kiris glared at the invitation bearing Ordel's name with a menacing gaze.
A consecration ceremony, a consecration ceremony!
What kind of nonsense was this?
'I was already exasperated when I heard the Sun God Grand Temple had begun selling potions, but now? A consecration ceremony?'
Crash!
Count Kiris slammed his fist on the desk. The elegant invitation he'd been holding crumpled hideously.
He had never instructed Ordel to do such useless things.
Keep your position as Saint at the Sun God Grand Temple, cause trouble there if you wish, indulge in luxury if you wish, do whatever you want—just maintain your position. Don't even think of returning home.
That was all he'd demanded.
So what was this?
Launching a potion business, now holding a consecration ceremony?
Moreover, how dare she specify her name as "Daughter of the Sun God, Ordel" in a letter sent to me?
"How dare she!"
Count Kiris struck the desk again. This time the invitation nearly tore to shreds.
She should simply obey like a puppet, yet here she was, acting as though she were a genuine Saint.
'Could it be that what Baron Gale told me—about her winning the High Priest's favor to become a proper spy—was actually true?'
That claim, which I had utterly dismissed when my retainer Baron Gale informed me of it.
I never imagined that something I had naturally ignored could actually be real.
"She should be causing trouble as usual, not this madness!"
Count Kiris ground his teeth.
It was fortunate that she had formed a connection with Lute Sheary, but everything else was deeply problematic.
Especially the potion business, which would spread the name of the Sun God's Temple far and wide—that absolutely could not happen.
Why had I pushed Ordel into the Sun God's Temple as a fake Saint in the first place!
If it became known that the task entrusted to me had failed, I would face death.
'I must go and stop this immediately!'
Before my master learns of this fact!
* * *
While the Temple's repairs and consecration ceremony preparations progressed smoothly, I welcomed the invited guests.
Lute Sheary arrived first.
"You came faster than expected? Did you depart the moment you received the invitation?"
At the Temple entrance.
I greeted Lute, dressed in his characteristically loose attire, as usual.
Every time I see him, I wonder—if he's going to wear his glasses perched so carelessly on the bridge of his nose, why wear them at all?
"You asked me to grace the occasion with my honored presence, didn't you? The sooner I arrive, the more brilliance I can provide, so I hurried here with all my might."
Lute smiled softly.
His characteristic languid smile and carelessly positioned glasses formed a perfect harmony.
So that's why he wears them that way. I suppose it works.
"Thank you for the effort, Count Fulton and Vice-Master Ludmin. Welcome."
After exchanging light greetings with Lute, I offered words of welcome to the two people standing behind him.
"Of course we had to come. Thank you for the invitation."
Jun called out cheerfully from beside Yuri, who was bowing respectfully.
"Thank you so much for inviting me! I was actually at the Duke's Residence, so I only learned later that the invitation had arrived at the Merchant Guild. I was a bit disappointed, but it cleared up right away!"
Oh my, I clicked my tongue lightly.
"I nearly made a grave mistake. From now on, I'll make sure to send invitations to both the Merchant Guild and the Duke's Residence. So please don't worry."
"My goodness, for me! Thank you, Saint. I won't refuse. I don't want to miss your letters for anything!"
Look at that refreshing enthusiasm. I knew I liked her.
We should definitely become friends.
"The Temple has changed quite a bit in the past month, though."
Just then, a hand suddenly thrust itself between Jun and me.
Startled by the large, straight hand, I turned my head. For some reason, Lute was wearing a sullen expression.
"Ah, we've been conducting repairs. I've made some good connections."
When I answered obediently, his already sullen face crumpled further.
What is it? Why that expression? Don't you approve of renovating the Temple of the Sun God?
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org