Chapter 69
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 69
What was it about pushing Ordel Kiris forward as a fake Saint that made the Count feel such compulsion and anxiety?
Even after forcing the matter so aggressively, Count Kiris had done nothing else.
As if that alone meant he'd completed his task.
When I synthesized all of this, it ultimately pointed to one conclusion.
'The reason he made Ordel Kiris a fake Saint was to completely destroy the Sun God Grand Temple.'
What had been the condition of the Sun God Grand Temple before Idella appeared in the original story?
It had been far more dire than when I possessed this body.
If Idella hadn't been a Saint with formidable divine power, the Temple would have collapsed without any hope of revival.
Exactly as Count Kiris had wished.
Then why did the Count desire the Temple's destruction?
'I have a suspicion.'
Only two entities would benefit from the Sun God Grand Temple's ruin.
One was the Sea God Temple, and the other was the Sun God's ancient enemy—the final shadow mastermind of this world.
The probability that the Count was a puppet of one of these two was extremely high.
'If it's the former, that's manageable, but if it's the latter...'
I clenched my fists tightly.
"What will you do about the potion business?"
Airic Dert asked carefully at that moment. I quickly pulled myself from my thoughts.
This was something I couldn't discuss with anyone, so I couldn't let it show.
"Will you comply with Count Kiris's demands?"
"Of course not. Why would I destroy the Temple's hope with my own hands? High Priest, please don't worry and focus on potion production."
I smiled brightly at Airic Dert.
Now that I was certain the Count planned to ruin our Temple, I had no intention of moving according to his wishes.
I began to think furiously about how to deal with the Count.
And the next day.
Before Count Kiris returned to his territory, I met him alone in the Reception Room.
Since I had no desire to look at that detestable face any longer than necessary, I got straight to business without preamble.
"I'll stop the potion business as you commanded, my lord."
Airic Dert would have been shocked to hear this, but with only the Count and me present, I spoke without hesitation.
The Count then let out a derisive laugh.
"Following orders is only natural."
His expression showed he'd never entertained the thought that I might defy him.
Yes, that's right. Keep thinking that way. It works in my favor.
"From now on, move only as I command. If you act on your own, I will never forgive you."
His petty threats weren't even amusing.
Secretly mocking him, I began to lay the groundwork.
"However, there is one problem."
"A problem?"
Count Kiris looked down at me with an arrogant demeanor.
"Yes. The potion business is the Temple of the Sun God's only source of income in our poverty. If I suddenly stop, I'll lose the trust I've worked so hard to gain from the High Priest and the temple staff."
Losing that trust would make it impossible for Count Kiris to use me as a spy.
For instance, maintaining my relationship with Lute Sheary would become difficult.
When I emphasized that point, Count Kiris nodded as if telling me to continue.
"So?"
"Give me money."
I demanded boldly.
"If you provide a generous donation large enough to justify shutting down the business, I'll take responsibility for persuading the High Priest."
Shut down the business? Of course I had no intention of doing that.
Had I lost my mind? Why would I dismantle a business as profitable as a cornucopia?
Especially when it's my source of divine power increase.
I was simply using this as leverage to extract something excellent from Count Kiris.
We'd continue the business and squeeze money out of the foolish count simultaneously.
Even I had to admit it was a truly perfect plan.
"Money...?"
"Yes. I've only just begun to make ends meet, and if my income source disappears, I'll have to live in poverty again, won't I? I hate that."
What I meant was that I'd spend every bit of that money on luxury.
"So give me money."
I could clearly see contempt in Count Kiris's gaze as he looked at me.
He seemed to find his stepdaughter's greed pathetic, but I was grateful for that perception.
"How much do you want?"
As expected, Count Kiris asked, apparently thinking it was a worthwhile deal.
"10,000 gold!"
Once upon a time, I trembled at even 10 or 20 gold.
Now I casually demanded 10,000 gold—a billion in modern currency.
"10,000?"
"Yes! That would be enough."
Count Kiris didn't answer immediately.
Seeing him hesitate, I deliberately continued in an urgent tone.
"If that's difficult, 5,000 gold and land would work too."
"Land?"
I answered quickly to his questioning look.
"While 10,000 gold is a large sum, it disappears quickly with spending. But with land, I could collect tenant fees."
"So that was your true objective all along."
At Count Kiris's hollow laugh, I nodded confidently.
"Of course. With just one plot of land, I'd never have to starve again, wouldn't I?"
The Temple of the Sun God's concerns were irrelevant to me.
My own survival was far more important.
When I emphasized that, Count Kiris twisted his lips as if he'd known it all along.
"I don't need vast lands. You weren't planning to give me any anyway. Just a property that generates steady income without requiring work—that's all I need."
"...."
"Until you provide either money or land documents, I won't abandon my potion business."
Having made that point abundantly clear, Count Kiris let out a loud, dismissive snort.
My threats were nothing but a joke to him.
"How dare you threaten me—quite audacious, but...."
"...."
"Fine. I can manage that much. I'll send word to the estate once I return home."
Finally!
At the Count's answer, my face brightened immediately.
"Thank you so much!"
The Count laughed at my reaction—not with pride, but with mockery at my foolishness. Yet I felt no anger whatsoever.
I wondered how long that contemptuous smile would last.
"However, if you want the land, you must surrender all information about Lute Sheary that you possess."
The Count whispered softly.
It seemed he'd discovered through this consecration ceremony that my relationship with Lute was closer than expected, and he intended to exploit that knowledge further.
"What sort of information?"
"Everything you've learned from conversations with Lute Sheary."
"Agreed. Once you send the money and land documents, I'll provide that information in return."
As I nodded, the Count smiled with satisfaction.
This was the first time I'd seen him smile so contentedly since the consecration ceremony began.
So I offered him an identical smile in return.
It truly had been a most satisfactory transaction.
* * *
After our conversation ended, the Count departed from the Temple of the Sun God without hesitation.
And in turn, those who had finished their preparations began to leave as well.
"I would have liked to stay longer this time, but I have matters requiring my attention."
Count and Countess Hindel.
Throughout their stay at the temple, the two had keenly observed every move made by Count Kiris and Baron Gale, and they seemed unwilling to miss this opportunity.
"Not at all. The temple is always open to you both. Please visit whenever you wish."
The couple graciously accepted my farewell and exchanged brief greetings while holding their daughter Monica.
"By the way, how was your meeting with the Duke?"
Before the carriage carrying the couple departed, I asked them this question.
"The Vice-Lord of Lumen proved to be a most excellent person."
Lady Hindel answered with a broad smile.
She had conversed with him particularly often, and it appeared to have yielded favorable results.
"Then we'll meet again, High Priestess."
We waved our hands to each other as friends would.
Soon the carriage carrying the couple departed from the Temple of the Sun God.
"What do you think, Monica? Do you suppose Baron Gale's head will still be attached to his shoulders?"
I asked Monica, who was watching the departing carriage with a look of regret.
She shrugged her shoulders.
"He'll survive. I only insulted him—I wasn't trying to kill him, after all."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. So the Baron will return alive. He'll be alive, at least."
Monica grinned wickedly. Her expression bore a striking resemblance to Lady Hindel.
Specifically, to how the lady looked when she was very angry.
I decided not to ask any further questions about this matter.
"Jeremy."
After confirming that no one else was nearby besides Monica and Victoria Lawrence, I called out to Jeremy.
Jeremy, clad entirely in black, dropped down from a nearby tree with a soft thud.
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