Chapter 60
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 60
"Connections? Who are they?"
"You'll be able to meet them this time. I've invited them to the consecration ceremony as well. They're coming from far away, so they'll arrive a bit late."
At my words, Lute Sheary's face twisted even further.
"These new connections of yours—do they happen to be wealthy?"
Why would someone already rich be curious about that?
I was taken aback, but I answered nonetheless.
"They're quite affluent, yes."
As the master of the Granary Region, they're naturally wealthy. Though perhaps not as much as Lute Sheary.
Yet for some reason, Lute Sheary's expression grew even darker.
What on earth was wrong?
I glanced at Yulia and Jun, hoping to glean some understanding....
Both of them were sighing and shaking their heads.
Looking at their faces—like parents burdened with a troublesome child—it didn't seem to be a serious matter.
I decided to brush past it lightly.
"I've also had the guest rooms newly refurbished for this consecration ceremony. Everyone will be satisfied."
Though I hadn't had time to restore everything, I had completed the renovations perfectly for where the invited guests would stay.
I couldn't treat precious people carelessly.
Especially Lute Sheary.
"By the way, the Duke's room is the finest. It has excellent natural light and a magnificent view."
At my words, his plump lips, which had been pouting, softly retreated inward.
The wrinkles gathered between his brows also diminished slightly.
"...Is that so?"
"Of course. You're our precious first devotee of the Sun God's Temple, after all."
Thanks to him, I was able to revive the Temple so very smoothly.
Without him, everyone at the Temple would still be starving, I would still be sighing at the barren Garden, and I never would have attempted the potion business.
No matter how many more connections I make in the future, there will be no one as special as Lute Sheary.
"So I'm your top priority, then."
Lute Sheary's face brightened immediately.
What? He wasn't angry—he was just sulking?
But why was he sulking?
"Of course. You can look forward to the room. It's right next to my Bedroom."
Where would the finest place in the Temple be?
Naturally, it would be my room—as the High Priestess with the highest rank.
Therefore, the room next to mine was also quite splendid. I had gladly prepared it for Lute Sheary.
"...Next to what?"
"Next to my room."
Lute Sheary's face went blank. He seemed genuinely moved by this special treatment.
"Monica, you guide Count Fulton and the Vice Abbot."
"Yes, this way, please."
Monica answered respectfully and led the two away. I had carefully selected their rooms, so they would surely be pleased.
"Your Grace, please follow me."
"...Of course."
Lute Sheary, who had been standing dazed, nodded her head.
I thought she would puff up her shoulders, boasting about the special treatment befitting her status, but instead she looked so surprised.
Seeing her anticipation at this level, I wanted to quickly show her the room I had prepared.
"Your Holiness. Someone is approaching from the Main Gate of the Sun God's Temple."
But I had no choice but to stop at Victoria Lawrence's words.
Just as she said, two or three people were walking toward us from the end of the path.
Who could it be? They weren't the Holy Knights guarding the Main Gate, and the only people who could enter without permission were those who had received invitations to the Consecration Ceremony....
Count and Countess Hindel couldn't have arrived already.
"Count Kiris?"
The one who identified him was none other than Lute Sheary.
"It appears so."
Victoria Lawrence nodded in agreement as well.
I was puzzled.
Count Kiris's arrival wasn't puzzling in itself.
I had sent him an invitation despite Airic Dert's objections, which he had expressed right up until the moment I sent it.
But he came this quickly? He left almost immediately upon receiving the invitation, just like Lute Sheary did....
Why on earth did the Count come so fast?
"...Duke Sheary."
The Count who had arrived before us looked at Lute Sheary with a surprised expression.
His mustache trembled slightly, and though I didn't know the reason, it seemed like quite a displeased sort of surprise.
"I'm surprised to meet you in such an unexpected place. It's been a long time."
"I'm the one surprised to see the Count. Did Your Holiness invite the Count as well?"
"An invitation? Then Your Grace also...?"
Both men's gazes turned toward me simultaneously.
I nodded.
"Yes, I invited both of you."
Both their faces contorted at the same time. Lute Sheary's expression was far more fierce.
I see. That pouting lip from earlier was just sulking, but this—this is her truly angry face.
"But there's still about five days until the Consecration Ceremony. Count, why did you arrive so early?"
Lute Sheary probably came early to receive a blessing before the ceremony, but the Count—why really?
"...I heard that the Sun God's Temple has changed considerably lately. As a patron, I came to take a look at the temple. So let us have a word together."
His unexpectedly honeyed tone made my entire body break out in goosebumps.
He was clearly putting on a friendly act because Lute Sheary was beside him, but it was so unnatural and unpleasant that I wished he hadn't bothered.
I'd rather be cursed at.
"Victoria Lawrence, please show the Count to the Reception Room."
The Reception Room or the special guest bedroom where Lute Sheary and I would stay were in roughly the same direction, but I had no desire to walk alongside that Count.
I'm sorry, but I have no choice but to entrust the responsibility to Victoria.
"Understood. What about the others?"
Fortunately, Victoria agreed without further comment.
I observed the people Count Kiris had brought with him.
I didn't recognize the armored knight, but the other one was a familiar face.
Baron Gale.
The very man whom Count and Countess Hindel were grinding their teeth over for slapping Monica's cheek.
"Prepare one of the remaining rooms."
There weren't any clean guest rooms left, but well, they could make do.
I wouldn't have offered a clean one anyway.
"Understood. Please come this way."
Victoria led the way first.
Count Kiris's eyebrows twitched violently in displeasure, but I ignored him.
As long as Lute was present, he wouldn't dare say anything.
As expected, he left silently with his attendants.
"Why did you call for me?"
Once everyone had left and only the two of us remained, Lute asked as if she'd been waiting.
"Aren't things awkward between us?"
I never mentioned that. How did she know? Did she investigate?
At least it saves me the trouble of explaining.
"That's why I called you."
"What are you planning?"
What indeed.
Instead of answering, I grinned wickedly. Lute let out a hollow laugh.
Being perceptive as she was, she didn't ask the same question again.
"Well, now that those eyesores are gone, shall we leave too? At this rate, we'll be up all night here."
As I moved toward the bedroom, Lute walked beside me.
"You didn't have me stay alone with you because you wanted to spend the whole night together?"
Her displeasure had vanished, and she spoke with her usual glib charm.
"I was momentarily excited thinking I'd have the High Priestess all to myself for the night. What a shame."
"What would you do with having me all to yourself?"
"We'd have meaningful conversations. Lately, there's no one as satisfying to talk with as you."
"I'm a decent conversationalist, I suppose. Since I'm in the next room, call me if you get bored. I'll give you special treatment befitting a special guest."
"Is that a promise? If I knock and you ignore me, I'll cry outside all night. I'll ask how you can sleep after abandoning me."
That would be far too horrifying. Someone passing by at night might faint.
I'd probably have nightmares all night too.
"You're welcome to come before midnight. I'll be asleep by then."
"Fine. I won't disturb your sleep."
As we exchanged what seemed like playful banter, we arrived at the bedroom I'd prepared for him.
He would surely be pleased with it.
I pushed open the large double doors with both hands.
The pristine white curtains billowed dramatically in the wind. Gray shadows reminiscent of moonlight danced across the entire room.
Each time the curtains swayed, golden sunlight poured through the expansive windows, only to fade away moments later in an endless rhythm.
A scene so silent yet so tumultuous could not have been more beautiful.
"...How magnificent."
Lute Sheary, standing behind me and witnessing the entire spectacle, murmured in a daze.
Hearing the awe-struck wonder in her voice filled me with satisfaction.
"Isn't it? I see this view every morning, and no matter how many times I witness it, I never tire of it. I often find myself lost in it."
The room, accented with touches of blue, could by no stretch of the imagination be called lavish or extravagant.
Yet precisely because of this, it harmonized perfectly with the Sun God's Temple.
It evoked the sensation of being immersed in a blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds.
So without hesitation, I selected this room as Lute Sheary's quarters.
For someone in pain, a space so quiet and serene would surely be far more comforting.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org