Chapter 68
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 68
"And the dedication ceremony—it was magnificent. More than grand, it was a truly splendid ceremony where one could feel the glory of the Sun God in its entirety."
At Jun's exclamation, I reached over and patted Airic Dert's shoulder beside me.
"The High Priest worked so hard preparing the ceremony. He searched through all the records and prepared everything meticulously."
"...It was simply my duty as High Priest."
Airic Dert answered nonchalantly while sipping his tea.
Yet as if a long-cherished wish had been fulfilled, his face was filled with a smile far more gentle than usual.
"The Holy Knights' formation was also excellent. One could see at a glance how well-trained the knights were."
At Lute Sheary's compliment, I eagerly patted Seth Noel's back on the opposite side.
"That's all thanks to our Holy Knight Commander!"
"High Priestess, you look just like a mother eager to boast about her two sons."
At Jun's blunt remark, both Lute Sheary and Count Hindel simultaneously spat out their tea.
I watched with amusement as Airic Dert and Seth Noel looked flustered.
"Would you like to call me mother?"
"High Priestess...."
Unlike Airic Dert, who had grown accustomed to my nonsense, Seth Noel's ears turned red. This made it all the more fun to tease him.
"It's because these two work so hard because of me. Last time, I was worried they might blow away if the wind picked up."
Yes, I was so worried about being swept up in the countless typhoon-like events that would arrive in about nine months.
Though this world differs slightly from the original work, there are still more similarities, so I couldn't help but be concerned.
"Given how refined their appearance is, such worries might be understandable."
While everyone was taken aback by my statement, only Jun expressed vigorous agreement.
As expected, we're on the same wavelength. I absolutely must become friends with him before leaving the Temple of the Sun God this time.
"I'm not lacking in refinement either, so you don't worry about me?"
At that moment, Lute Sheary, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, interjected sulkily.
What's this, does she want to become my third son?
"So my son's position was coveted. At my age, I've ended up with three grown sons."
Pfft, cough cough.
Coughing erupted from all directions at my words.
The Count couple and Lute Sheary turned pale and glanced nervously at Lute, while Jun clenched his fists, suppressing his laughter.
"Of course, the youngest always monopolizes love."
Of course, shameless Lute Sheary didn't mind at all.
Everyone's bewildered gazes poured down upon her.
Most impressive was Seth Noel's sense of betrayal as his face flushed with embarrassment.
"But I'm curious. Who's the eldest and who's the second?"
"...I'm not your son."
At Lute Sheary's question, Seth Noel struggled to utter words of denial.
Unfortunately, no one was listening.
"Oh, that's right. Who's number one in the High Priestess's heart?"
When Jun asked with curious eyes, everyone suddenly perked up their ears as if they hadn't been paying attention.
I glanced at Airic and Seth.
Neither seemed particularly interested, but since I'd asked, I had to give them an answer.
"It would have to be the High Priest."
"...Me?"
Airic, who had been sipping tea with an air of detachment, looked at me with startled eyes.
"Of course."
Who else could be first if not Airic, who had endured Ordel's tyranny more than anyone, who had clenched his teeth to somehow keep the impoverished Temple of the Sun God afloat, and who had respected me even while believing I was a false High Priestess?
I owed Seth much as well, but still, the one who weighed most heavily on my mind was Airic.
How should I put it—like a favored eldest daughter?
"I never expected you to think of me in such a way."
"It's only because the High Priest has been so kind to me."
"...Thank you."
Airic smiled as he touched the rim of his teacup.
Gentle as always, yet with a hint of shyness.
It was difficult to tear my gaze away from the tips of his ears, flushed red between his soft golden hair.
Ah, Idella doesn't even have a mental barrier like I do—how on earth did she endure this insane beauty of the male leads?
Perhaps Idella's greatest ability wasn't divine power but mental fortitude?
"The Holy Knight Commander is second—are you not disappointed?"
Just then, Jun asked Seth. He shook his head vigorously in denial.
"Not at all. It's just...."
Unlike Airic, whose only his ears were flushed, Seth's entire face grew progressively redder with each word he spoke.
"I'm already so happy just knowing you care about me that much."
It was quite a sight to see someone whose entire face was white except for his blue eyes turn so crimson.
A beauty assault from both sides. It was so overwhelming I could barely stand it.
Without my mental barrier, I would have collapsed long ago.
"Master. It seems there's no love left for the youngest?"
Jun, who had been alternating his gaze between Airic and Seth sitting on either side of me, whispered to Lute.
"Hang in there, I'm rooting for you. Though there's probably no hope."
Well, I could hear everything anyway.
"Right. I'll have to try harder."
It was clearly teasing, yet Lute answered seriously, alternating her gaze between me, Seth, and Airic.
Her wolf-like gray eyes gleamed as she fixed us with her stare....
I couldn't figure out why. Was she genuinely worried I'd become the unloved youngest?
...Should I really make her an honorary son?
"Would you like to call me mother as well, Duke?"
"I must decline."
What? So when I tried to make him a son, he refused outright.
I grumbled and drained the rest of my tea in one gulp.
* * *
The moment tea time ended and I was left alone in my bedroom, I summoned the System Message window.
【Your divine power has surpassed 25%. The skill 'Inventory' is now unlocked.】
The message that appeared the moment my divine power increased.
At the time, there were too many eyes watching, so I didn't have a moment to think quietly and simply let it pass.
【Skill 'Inventory'】
You can store any object you desire.
(However, only objects imbued with divine power or godly power are permitted.)
Inventory—one of the classic tropes in system-based fantasy novels.
I had learned the convenience of an inventory well enough from reading novels, so this was a most satisfying reward.
"Even with conditions, this is more than enough to be grateful for."
This meant I could store divine power potions, sacred relics, or divine artifacts in my inventory, didn't it?
Even if I found myself in danger alone, with an inventory, I would never die so easily.
For a contract-based High Priestess like me, this alone was more than sufficient.
Knock, knock.
"High Priestess. It's Airic Dert."
I was just considering testing the inventory by storing a sacred relic when the knock came and Airic Dert announced himself at the door.
"Please, come in."
Airic Dert entered and bowed his head respectfully.
"Have you not yet changed out of your vestments?"
Ah, I'd been so absorbed in examining the system that I hadn't had a chance to change clothes.
Unlike me, Airic Dert had already changed into his usual uniform.
"The vestments are light and comfortable, so they're not particularly inconvenient. Still, this crown is heavy, so I'll set it down."
I'd been so distracted by the inventory that I'd forgotten I was even wearing the golden crown.
No matter how I looked at it, it was incredibly ornate.
Even while struggling with poverty, they didn't sell this—remarkable people indeed.
"There was something I wished to ask you about, so I requested a brief audience."
"Please, speak freely."
"When Count Kiris made me a false High Priestess, did he give any special instructions to the High Priest?"
At my words, Airic Dert's eyes widened.
"Count Kiris?"
"Yes. On the Count's first day here, he threatened me to halt the potion business."
I explained lightly what had happened then.
"I'm already busy preparing for the dedication ceremony, so I thought mentioning this would cause you unnecessary concern. That's why I'm only telling you now."
"No...."
Airic Dert furrowed his brow. Displeasure and a hint of anger surfaced on his face.
"...In any case, I'm sorry you had to bear this burden alone."
It wasn't really a burden. I had slapped my forehead when I realized the flow was different from the original story.
"And regarding your question, I'm afraid I have no answer to give you."
Airic Dert sighed and continued.
"The Count was the one who first proposed establishing a false High Priestess. Unfortunately, at the time, I was in no position to conceal the situation, so I had no opportunity to discern the Count's true intentions."
I had hoped there might be even a small clue, but perhaps that was too much to wish for.
"However, there is one thing."
Airic Dert added carefully at that moment.
"You yourself must have known that the Temple of the Sun God was in a position where refusing the proposal would be difficult, yet there was an oddly pressing sensation—as if you were being driven."
"Driven?"
As I tilted my head at his cryptic words, Airic Dert continued.
"Yes. At the time, our situation was so urgent that we lacked the leisure to think properly, but looking back now, that's what it felt like."
"...."
"There was considerable anxiety—almost an obsession, as if you absolutely had to push forward a false High Priestess."
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