Chapter 67
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 67
"The High Priestess Ordel and Holy Knight Commander Seth Noel have arrived."
With High Priest Dietrich's announcement, the doors to the Main Hall of the Sun God Grand Temple, where the dedication ceremony would take place, swung open.
Befitting a place that served the Sun God, the ornately decorated Main Hall was flooded with brilliant sunlight pouring in from all directions.
I surveyed the invited guests basking in the radiant light before slowly lifting my gaze.
At the far end of the Main Hall, standing tall in the center with arms spread wide, the statue of the Sun God welcomed me.
The largest divine statue in the Sun God Grand Temple seemed overwhelming just to behold.
Had I not been one who called the Sun God my parent, my entire body would have stiffened under the crushing weight of that presence.
This was the difference between a mere stone carving and a divine statue carved in reverence of a god.
Many admire a well-sculpted statue, but none shrink back from it.
Yet the statue that symbolized the Sun God Grand Temple—for reasons unknown—had its head missing, shattered above the shoulders.
Since the original work contained no such explanation, I was quite startled when I first saw it.
It was remarkable that such majesty persisted even in a form without a face.
"From here, the High Priestess must go alone."
Seth, standing at the end of the corridor lined with sword-bearing Holy Knights on both sides, came to a halt.
The central aisle of the Main Hall was normally open to anyone, but when a golden carpet was laid as it was now, only the High Priestess or the Saint could walk upon it.
I stepped onto the carpet and began advancing slowly.
Whether from the painfully brilliant sunlight pouring down or from some other reason, the faces of the standing guests watching over me were indistinct.
Only one thing was visible.
The colossal divine statue, cradling the most abundant light.
The headless statue spread its arms in benevolent embrace.
As if to say it would cherish all things, it extended its hands toward both sides.
It was far removed from the image of the Sun God I had imagined—stern and prone to tears.
'The broken head bothers me.'
'We don't know the reason either. We did nothing, yet one day it was simply shattered. There wasn't even a sound, and no fragments were found nearby.'
When I first saw that statue and asked in confusion, Airic had answered thus.
He had wanted to repair it immediately, but the statue could only be restored with a special ore, and it was far too expensive to afford.
But that is no longer the case.
We have come into considerable wealth, and more will follow. So I must purchase the ore and fashion a new head for it.
Though somewhat irksome, such an insult was not befitting of a god.
"High Priestess."
Upon reaching the end of the golden carpet, High Priest Airic, who had arrived beforehand, and Holy Knight Commander Seth, who had joined us during my walk, both bowed their heads to me.
"This is the offering to be presented to the Sun God."
Airic handed me the golden tray he had been holding.
Upon the tray lay a pristine white pouch embroidered with golden thread.
It was a spatial pouch containing 1.5 billion—that is, fifteen thousand gold—to be offered to the god today.
"Airic Dert, faithful servant of the Sun God, offers all glory to the Sun God."
As I accepted the tray, Airic infused the pouch with divine power.
It was a ritual of gratitude to the Sun God.
Seth Noel then performed the same ritual.
"I, Seth Noel, the Sun God's faithful blade, offer all my honor to the Sun God."
The two of them, each brimming with divine power, knelt before the statue of the Sun God.
Airic Dert placed his right hand over his left chest, while Seth Noel gripped his sword with both hands.
At that moment, every worshipper in the Main Hall knelt toward the Sun God.
The priests mirrored Airic Dert's posture, while the Holy Knights mirrored Seth Noel's.
I ascended the steps toward the statue, leaving behind all the faithful devoted to the Sun God.
After climbing all twelve steps, a pristine white altar engraved with a golden sun appeared before the feet of the colossal statue.
I stood before it and extended both arms holding the tray.
"I, Ordel, the glorious daughter of the Sun God, present this offering filled with the hearts of all the faithful to the Sun God. I swear to always offer my honor for the Sun God and to fight for the Sun God's glory."
The moment I finished the oath and was about to place the pouch from the tray onto the altar—
A System Message—no, a system donation box appeared above the altar.
【( ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ ) Donation Box ( ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )】
"...."
What is this tear-stained donation box?
Am I crying tears of joy at the thought of receiving 1.5 billion gold right now?
'Well, I'd probably cry too if I were in that position.'
The last time I saw a donation box overflowing with hearts, I'd felt a slight irritation, but now I was barely suppressing a bitter laugh.
Perhaps it was because it looked so desperately earnest.
"I am grateful for the grace of the Sun God, who always cherishes his faithful."
With those final words of gratitude, I tossed the pouch of money into the tear-stained donation box.
Everyone else was positioned below anyway, and since I was shielding it with my body, no one would see the pouch suddenly vanish into thin air.
It would have disappeared just as quickly even if I'd placed it on the altar normally.
"Ah...!"
An exclamation burst from someone behind me.
The moment the system donation box received the cash and vanished, brilliant light erupted from the altar.
It was far more intense than the sunlight flooding the Main Hall of the Sun God's Temple.
It was a sign that the deity was satisfied with our offering.
And standing closest to the altar, I could feel the aftereffects wash over my entire body more than anyone.
【15,000 gold has been received in the donation box of 'The Sun That Crawled from Death.'】
【In response to the devoted faithful's dedication, 'The Sun That Crawled from Death' recovers a portion of its power.】
【'The Sun That Crawled from Death' bestows a blessing upon the High Priestess who has devoted herself. Your divine power increases.】
【Current Divine Power: 25.111%】
Warm light pouring from the altar cascaded over my entire body.
It seeped through every pore of my skin, enveloping even a single strand of my hair.
Fullness welled up within me. Fatigue melted away, and a refreshing vitality surged exhilaratingly through every fiber of my being.
I didn't need to be told.
I could feel my body's balance, which had crumbled from breaking the Sea God's curse, finding its place once more.
The sensation was so wonderfully pleasant that I couldn't help but gasp aloud.
'It's grateful.'
I gazed up at the divine statue in a daze.
It was too massive to see clearly, but I could make out the two outstretched arms with perfect clarity.
The Sun God was expressing genuine gratitude to us—to me.
It was strange. We'd never had a direct conversation, yet why could I sense the Sun God's will so distinctly?
Perhaps it was simply because I was completing a Quest, but even so—was it because I was truly his Saint right now?
I didn't know the reason, but one thing was certain.
I didn't dislike this light enveloping me.
Rather, feeling as though I lay cradled in a warm embrace, I closed my eyes for a moment and accepted the light with my entire being.
It was a comforting sanctuary.
* * *
"That was absolutely! Absolutely moving ceremony!"
After the dedication ceremony concluded, I took tea time in the Garden with the invited guests.
Of course, Count Kiris and his entourage had retreated to their rooms like restless puppies and weren't present here.
Thanks to their absence, the atmosphere was all the more pleasant.
"It was truly meaningful to experience the Sun God's miracle. Thanks to your invitation, I was able to have such an experience. Thank you once again."
Lady Hindel spoke with noticeably elevated spirits.
The Count nodded, saying he too had been deeply moved.
"Perhaps it's because we're now believers? When the light burst forth from the altar, I nearly shed tears."
"Oh my, you actually did cry. I saw you wiping your eyes with a handkerchief when you thought no one was looking."
The Count's face flushed crimson, apparently not expecting his wife's counterattack.
We politely pretended not to notice.
"And the Saint was so magnificent. I'm still at a loss for words."
I was still wearing the ceremonial robes from the dedication ceremony.
I'd considered removing the golden crown of the sun but decided against it.
When else would I ever have the chance to wear something like this if not on a day like today?
Besides, wearing the crown felt remarkably dignified, and I had no desire to take it off.
"Thank you. It's all thanks to Monica's dedicated efforts. Your daughter's handiwork is truly exceptional."
"Hmm, well, the girl does take after me quite a bit."
At the praise for his daughter, the Count straightened his shoulders as if he'd never been embarrassed at all. He certainly did seem more skilled with his hands than his wife.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org