Chapter 62
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I'll purchase divine power with money. Chapter 62 First, I returned to my bedroom and organized my thoughts. In the original work, Count Kiris abandoned Ordel immediately when Idella appeared and it was revealed that Ordel was a fake Saint. He claimed they were deceived too, that the Sun God Grand Temple had said so, so they'd only thought she was the real Saint—and he washed his hands of the matter entirely. And what happened then? He won sympathy in Imperial High Society. He'd taken pity on his struggling distant relative and raised her as an adopted daughter with such care, only to discover she was a fraud! People sympathized with him, lamenting how unfortunate it all was. The House of Count Kiris suffered not a single loss from this affair, yet somehow he garnered tremendous sympathy and consequently flourished even more. And by the end of the original work, he eventually secured a high position in the Empire and received a new title as a Duke. It was truly an ending I couldn't stand. Count Kiris was the one who forced Ordel into the role of a fake Saint, so why did he lose nothing? When I vented my frustration, the original author said something like this.
"There's no world where good always triumphs."
Even now, it was an infuriating response.
"I want to summon the original author, seriously."
I clutched my head in my hands. The author of the novel "Holy Idella" was none other than my closest friend, Ju Hyun-jin. She received praise for her perfect narrative structure and vivid battle scenes, raking in enormous sales, and even completed a webtoon contract. Since it was a novel written by my best friend and suited my tastes, I'd read it several times before.... I never expected the original setting to blindside me like this. Did things change from the original because I possessed this body? Or was this setting always like this? Since I've changed more than a thing or two after possessing this body, I can't tell which it is. 'Ugh, can't I just call Ju Hyun-jin once?' Of course, the AI system gave no response. Though it pains me, I'll have to figure this out myself. However, one thing is certain: there's a truth that wasn't properly revealed even in the original work. When I'm already struggling just to save the Sun God, having to unearth truths hidden in the original is making my head throb already.
"First, I need to figure out what that bastard Count is scheming...."
Why he pushed Ordel into the role of a fake Saint, why he's obsessed with Lute Sheary, and what his reason is for trying to prevent the Sun God Grand Temple's revival. Fortunately, I had one ally with an exceptional talent for investigation.
"Jeremy."
I looked at Jeremy sitting across from me. Whether I muttered to myself or agonized with my head in my hands, he was too busy eating cookies to care. Because he loved sweets so much, I'd taken to keeping cookies constantly on hand.
"Is it good?"
"Yes."
Seeing how he'd filled out with healthy weight from eating well was gratifying. Come to think of it, my tastes seem to have changed somewhat. In my past life, I had enjoyed sweets readily enough, but after possessing Ordel's body, I found myself indifferent to them—except when my stamina flagged. Everything else followed my consciousness, so why did only my palate conform to Ordel's preferences? Come to think of it, even my appetite had adapted to this body.
"Jeremy, may I ask you for something?"
Jeremy, his mouth smeared with cookie crumbs, tilted his head in bewilderment. Like a child hearing an unfamiliar word.
"You need only give orders."
I shook my head firmly.
"No, I'm asking you as a favor. I'm not your master, and you're not a slave."
Jeremy blinked his pretty pink eyes. After staring blankly for a moment, he murmured softly.
"...That's right. I'm no longer a slave."
His newfound freedom still felt strange to him.
"What's the favor?"
"You know that man I was just talking to? Count Kiris...."
"Kill him?"
Don't say such things with that innocent expression.
"No."
"Then kidnap him? Or torture?"
That's not it either.
"Just watch him. See who he speaks with, what he does, what he's planning."
The request was lighter than expected, and disappointment flickered across Jeremy's face. Why does he want to kill everyone so badly?
"For how long?"
"While he remains at the Sun God Grand Temple."
I wasn't quite ready to let Jeremy venture outside the temple yet, so I answered accordingly.
"Right now?"
"Yes. Starting now."
"Understood."
Jeremy stuffed the remaining cookies into his mouth and shot to his feet. Before he could activate his concealment again, I spoke.
"Jeremy. You should say, 'I'll be going and will return.'" Jeremy's eyes widened. He rolled his eyes back and forth, deliberating for a long moment, before swallowing the cookie in his mouth quickly and whispering.
"I, I'll be going and will return...."
Though barely audible, his pale cheeks flushed a vivid crimson—that much was unmistakable. I smiled as I watched him depart, but the moment Jeremy vanished, my expression hardened. Count Kiris's scheming. In truth, I had one suspicion that wouldn't leave me. If I was right, it would become a considerable headache—so I could only hope I was wrong. * * * "Ah, I'm exhausted."
After bathing, I draped myself across the couch, and Monica settled at my head, gently drying the moisture from my wet hair.
"I want to throw Count Kiris out...."
"Why not do so right now?"
The moment I uttered my heartfelt lament, Monica seized the opportunity to chime in eagerly. I wanted to as well, but there were things I needed to uncover first. Count Kiris had not left me in peace all afternoon. He complained upon seeing the Temple of the Sun God under renovation, then flew into a violent rage upon viewing the guest room. He called it a deplorable space. How was I supposed to satisfy him when he demanded no renovations while simultaneously condemning the room as inadequate? He insisted I abandon the potion venture involving Lute Sheary immediately, yet demanded I maintain my connection with him—his whims were entirely arbitrary. Of course, I had assigned Count Kiris's faction the most wretched guest room available. What else could I do? That room was the only one befitting his character.
"I cannot fathom how you endured such a man's tyranny all this time."
Ordel, you—why did you tolerate so much? When the Count who so desperately craved your affection abandoned you the moment your false sainthood was exposed, what thoughts consumed you?
"From now on, such things will never happen! Everyone at the Sun God Grand Temple will protect you!"
Monica, unable to imagine she was speaking to the original Ordel who had long since vanished, clenched both fists and declared this with fervent conviction. I was grateful, but...would she harbor the same feelings even after learning I was a false saint? Imagining the faces of those who would rage at being deceived, at having been betrayed a year from now, left a bitter taste in my mouth. Perhaps because I had grown fond of them, I could no longer regard this matter so lightly as before.
"You've worked hard. Go rest now."
Feeling guilty about accepting Monica's assistance, I rose from the couch.
"Sir Serrant and Sir Folse will be standing guard tonight, I'm told."
I nodded at Monica's words. Since the assassination attempt, two knights now stood watch outside my chamber each night. With Jeremy present, we would not increase close protection further, but Seth and Victoria had insisted firmly that nighttime security was non-negotiable. I felt somewhat sorry for those guarding me through the night, but Jeremy needed to sleep at night as well—there was no helping it. I could hardly allow the child to sleep beneath such a filthy ceiling.
"Then please have a peaceful night, Your Holiness."
Monica offered her farewell and departed the chamber. The hour was late and my strength had not fully returned, so I wished to collapse into sleep immediately.... Yet my chest felt inexplicably heavy, as though much had transpired this day. Hoping the night air might soothe me, I donned a thick robe and stepped onto the balcony. A vast expanse of stars greeted me against the pitch-black night sky. The gentle chorus of crickets drifting from beyond the darkened foliage calmed my troubled heart. Gazing upon the sweeping nocturnal landscape, I exhaled deeply, releasing all the heaviness within.
"I'm glad I came out."
I had only ever ventured here in the mornings or during daylight, never realizing the night view was equally magnificent. Once the garden restoration is complete, it will be even more magnificent. I found myself anticipating that day.
"Did you hear my earnest call for you, High Priestess?"
As I gazed absently at the night sky, a familiar voice reached me from beside. On the adjacent balcony, Lute Sheary stood in attire more relaxed than usual.
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