Chapter 66
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 66
* * *
I surveyed the Dining Hall with satisfaction, now transformed into an exquisite banquet venue.
The shock I'd felt upon first entering the Dining Hall after possession had faded so completely that I could barely recall it.
Still unaccustomed to the changes, everyone dining here lifted their heads in turn, just as I had, to gaze around the transformed space.
Someone with a sensitive disposition shed tears, while the children made no effort to hide their excitement.
It was a sight that naturally drew smiles from all who beheld it.
Of course, my greatest satisfaction lay elsewhere.
I observed Count Kiris and his entourage seated at the far end of the table.
The Knight Commander and Baron Gale had turned a sickly pallor, their faces rigid, while the Count's visage flushed crimson as though it might burst at any moment.
As though he'd been subjected to profound humiliation.
How utterly amusing.
Unlike the other tables where everyone mingled freely as usual, this table seated only high-ranking officials of the Temple of the Sun God and invited guests.
Yet they were so displeased merely because they occupied the far end of the seating arrangement?
Moreover, this arrangement wasn't deliberately designed to demean them.
Even setting aside personal feelings, Count Kiris's position was justified by his standing.
He wasn't even a believer, and he contributed the smallest donation—how could I seat him in a place of honor?
"You seem to be in a good mood."
As I let out a subtle smile, Lute Sheary, with her uncanny perception, remarked upon it.
"There's nothing to dislike about it. How are you finding the banquet, Your Grace? Is the meal to your satisfaction?"
"Excellent."
I felt relieved—Lute Sheary was incapable of flattery.
The two chefs sent by the Hindel Couple possessed such exceptional skill that they satisfied even the refined palate of a great noble like Lute Sheary.
"I must say, I didn't expect our newly formed connection to be with Hindel."
Lute Sheary glanced briefly at the Hindel Couple, who were conversing warmly with Jun Ludmin.
It appeared the couple had judged it wiser to approach Jun, the true power behind the merchant guild, rather than the impenetrable Lute Sheary.
A most astute decision.
"Monica, who assists me at my side, is their daughter. Thanks to her, I've received considerable support."
Across from the Hindel Couple sat Monica, who had been recognized as my closest confidant and thus granted a seat at this table.
While she conversed pleasantly with her parents, she occasionally cast pointed glances toward Baron Gale, seated at the far end of the table.
It appeared that Baron Gale had no idea that the Apprentice Priestess he'd once struck down was Monica.
"If that's the nature of your connection, well... I thought perhaps the High Priestess had grown dissatisfied with my wallet and was seeking another."
Pfft.
Yuri, who had been quietly dining beside Lute Sheary, let out a cough.
We ignored him and continued our conversation.
"I find that the more wallets available, the better."
Of course, I had my sights set on far more than just Lute Sheary's purse.
Did he truly believe I'd be satisfied with him alone?
Pfft.
At my words, Yuuri broke into another cough, his entire face now hidden behind a napkin.
"Of course, no matter what wallet I acquire in the future, none will be as special as yours, Your Grace. You're like a safe, in a manner of speaking."
Lute's lips, which had been about to part, quietly returned to their place.
"A safe."
"Yes. A safe where the most precious things are kept, the kind everyone covets."
"I suppose I do have that quality about me."
Lute wore a satisfied expression.
Somewhere along the way, not only Yuuri but also Jun, who had been conversing with the Hindel Couple, was glancing in my direction.
For some reason, Jun's eyes gleamed like a cat that had discovered a toy....
Though I didn't know why, since his gaze was directed at Lute, it had nothing to do with me.
I shrugged and popped a piece of steak into my mouth.
It was exquisite.
* * *
"Welcome, Jeremy."
After the banquet ended, I returned to my bedroom and called everyone over.
The moment I was alone, Jeremy dropped down from the ceiling with a soft thud.
"You must be hungry. Come eat."
I proudly gestured to the food arranged on the table.
I had specially requested the kitchen staff to prepare a separate meal for Jeremy, who couldn't join the banquet to avoid drawing attention.
"Thank you."
Jeremy immediately removed his mask and rushed over.
Having spent the entire meal watching Count Kiris alone and merely chewing cookies, he was famished, devouring the food with remarkable speed.
It was pitiful to witness.
"I won't take it away, so eat slowly. If you need more, just ask."
Only then did his fork pace slow slightly.
Perhaps because he had only learned the joy of eating since coming here, Jeremy had the habit of stuffing food into his mouth unless I stopped him once in a while.
Not feeding him even when he was starving—those Sea God bastards were truly wicked creatures.
"That was delicious."
After finishing the second helping I brought him and consuming about three plates of dessert, Jeremy finally set down his fork.
His face, as he patted his pleasantly full belly, was brimming with satisfaction.
"How's the work going? Everything alright?"
The surveillance of Count Kiris that I had requested.
I had assumed it wouldn't be particularly difficult for Jeremy, whose divine power made it hard to detect his presence....
"No, not really."
I hadn't expected such a response.
"Why? Did something happen?"
Surprised, I asked, and Jeremy replied with a sullen expression.
"He keeps cursing the High Priestess. I'm having a hard time restraining myself from killing him."
Phew, thank goodness. It was nothing serious after all.
"Nothing else besides cursing me?"
"There was. I even cursed the Temple of the Sun God."
"What did he say?"
Count Kiris's reason for making Ordel a false High Priestess and his reluctance to see the Sun God Grand Temple revived.
Hoping I might grasp some clue, I listened intently to his words.
"He said the revival of the Sun God Grand Temple would be problematic."
I squeezed my eyes shut.
I'd prayed it wasn't true, but it was reality after all.
From the beginning, his purpose in making Ordel a false High Priestess and infiltrating her into the Sun God Grand Temple had been to destroy this place entirely.
But what was his reason?
There was only one possibility I could imagine.
"Tell me slowly, one thing at a time."
Jeremy relayed to me everything he'd overheard while watching Count Kiris.
And throughout the night, as I listened to his account, I organized in my mind what I needed to do going forward.
* * *
Not a cloud in the sky, with a gentle breeze—the weather was absolutely perfect.
A flawless day had dawned for conducting the dedication ceremony to the Sun God.
"High Priestess. All preparations for the dedication ceremony are complete."
Seth Noel, the Holy Knight Commander who would serve as my escort for today's ceremony, knocked on my bedroom door.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Seth stepped inside with wide eyes before freezing in place.
"Ah...."
"Holy Knight Commander. This is the moment when you should offer a word of admiration."
Monica, who had been helping me dress, teased him playfully at his speechlessness.
Seth then regained his composure and stepped forward before me, dropping to one knee.
"It feels as though I'm beholding the most radiant fragment of the sun itself. I am deeply honored to serve the Sun God's beloved daughter so closely."
Seth placed a hand over his heart and spoke with utmost sincerity.
Under normal circumstances, I would have found it excessive and felt burdened....
"Even I must admit, I look quite remarkable today."
I gazed into the mirror.
A beautiful white robe adorned with golden embroidery, a cape that draped below my shoulders, and sun-emblazoned patterns that gleamed at my ears and neck.
And upon my head, an ornate golden crown of the sun.
This was the ceremonial vestment of the Sun God's High Priestess.
Normally I wore either formal uniforms or simplified everyday clothes, so this was my first time donning the ceremonial robes.
In the original work, there were frequent scenes of Idella wearing this outfit, but wearing it myself felt strangely surreal.
How should I describe it—it felt as though I had truly become a genuine High Priestess, abundantly blessed by the Sun God's love.
In reality, though, I was a contract-based High Priestess whose second life had been forcibly begun when the Sun God clung to me, weeping and wailing.
"Everyone must be waiting, so let us depart. I entrust my escort to you, Holy Knight Commander."
As I extended my hand, Seth, still kneeling, brought it to his lips.
Wait, I was just asking for an escort....
"I shall be honored to serve."
It was the first time in my life I'd received a kiss on the back of my hand, and for some reason, my entire hand tingled with warmth.
Yet I couldn't very well wipe my hand clean right in front of Seth Noel, so I deliberately ignored the flushed sensation spreading across my palm.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org