Chapter 73
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 73
In the middle of a barren wasteland where not a soul could be felt, Lute's voice reached my ears with unusual clarity, as if we were the only two people left in the world.
As if we were the only two remaining on earth.
"Even there, when night falls, we'll meet on the balcony and share drinks together. I quite enjoyed it this time, you know."
I felt the same way.
Even while the Count was causing trouble every single day, I was able to prepare for the dedication ceremony without much stress—all thanks to those midnight drinking sessions.
"Besides, my mansion has an even finer collection of wines. What do you say? Are you interested?"
Speaking in that pleasant baritone, whispering only the things I wanted to hear.
This person really did have an exceptional talent for seduction.
"I really do want to, I really am tempted, but..."
"But?"
"Not right now."
I turned my head to look at Lute, who was pressed close behind me.
"There's still so much I need to do here. And besides, today isn't the only day we have, is it?"
“....”
"We're not the kind of people who meet once and part ways. We'll keep seeing each other in the future. There will be opportunities anytime."
This wasn't a simple rejection.
It was as good as a promise that I would continue to maintain a deep relationship with him going forward.
Lute would certainly understand what I meant.
"...I wanted to kidnap you and take you with me. But if you say things like that, I can't lay a hand on you."
Lute let out a long sigh and leaned back.
Kidnap, he says. That's quite a frightening joke.
Though he's certainly the type who could actually do it.
"Well, fine then. Since today isn't the only day we have, as the High Priestess says."
"When the opportunity comes, I'll definitely go then."
To be honest, I wouldn't mind visiting the Sheary Duchy Mansion at least once.
In the original work, it was described as so lavish and massive that it could be mistaken for the imperial palace—the description alone spanned three entire pages.
If even the carriage was practically the size of a house rolling along, I'm genuinely curious what the actual mansion looks like.
We continued our idle conversation as we made our way back to the Temple of the Sun God.
It was fun to talk with someone who could banter back even when I was spouting nonsense.
All of this was thanks to my rear end enjoying such luxury.
"But it seems like it's taking longer to get back. Is it just my imagination?"
When the roof of the Temple of the Sun God finally came into view, I asked Lute.
Actually, even accounting for the detour around the village, it seemed like we'd taken almost an hour longer than usual.
"It's not your imagination. I slowed down the pace."
"Why? Were you concerned about my rear end?"
"You looked so pitiful, dismounting from the horse and wincing in pain."
Did I really look that pathetic? Well, I suppose I was in genuine pain and had no time to worry about appearances.
"And I also wanted to spend more time alone with you like this, High Priestess."
I tilted my head at words I couldn't quite comprehend.
"Why insist? We meet every night to drink anyway."
Why would someone I could meet alone with whenever I wished need a special occasion?
"But we've never had a conversation like this without worrying about prying eyes."
"...."
"Look. We ran into an obstacle the moment we arrived at the Temple of the Sun God."
An obstacle?
As Lute pointed ahead, I turned my gaze.
Before the Main Gate of the Temple of the Sun God, standing beside the Holy Knights who guarded the entrance, was Holy Knight Commander Seth Noel.
He must have sensed our approach beforehand, for he was staring directly at us.
"Holy Knight Commander? What are you doing here?"
Why on earth was the Holy Knight Commander standing guard at the Main Gate?
I asked in surprise, and he lowered his head as he replied.
"I was waiting for the High Priestess."
"How did you know when I would return to wait here?"
"You instructed me not to follow, but you never forbade me to wait."
That much was true—I had indeed said that to Victoria.
But waiting at the Main Gate rather than inside the Temple of the Sun God?
"Have you completed your business safely?"
"Yes, yes, it's all done."
As I answered readily, Seth nodded and approached, extending both hands.
"Might I assist you down?"
The divine steed was remarkably tall, and descending alone in these flowing robes risked a tumble.
"I'd appreciate that."
I nodded, and Seth stepped forward with a long stride.
Just as his hands were about to encircle my waist.
"If you're going to handle the escort, you should see it through to the end. What good is it to pass me off to someone else halfway?"
With a petulant tone, Lute's sturdy arms wrapped around my waist instead.
Seth's hands, suddenly robbed of their target, froze in mid-air.
"Any available person can do it."
"High Priestess. This is far more important than you realize."
Lute spoke seriously, her playful expression vanishing entirely.
"True gentlemen stake their very lives on escorting a lady, you know."
Here she goes spouting nonsense again.... Does she have nothing better to stake her life on, so she wastes it on such trivialities?
If she'd died once like I have, she wouldn't say such things.
"High Priestess, you decide. Whose escort would you prefer?"
Lute glanced at Seth as she asked.
But why was Seth being so wary of Lute?
The meaningless posturing between men—I really couldn't get used to it.
"...Holy Knight Commander, I'll trouble you with it."
I let out a deep sigh and reached my hand toward Seth Noel.
From behind me, Lute Sheary's aggrieved voice rang out.
"High Priestess, are you betraying me?"
Was this really something that warranted such a dramatic accusation?
"It's a matter of efficiency. The Duke would need to dismount first before he could help me down, but since the Holy Knight Commander is already on the ground, he can lower me directly, can't he?"
"A sound argument indeed."
Seth Noel extended his hand as if he'd been waiting for this moment, grasping my waist and lowering me to the ground.
Lute Sheary's hands, which had been wrapped around my waist, fell away limply.
"You must have endured considerable hardship riding an unfamiliar beast such as myself."
Seth Noel said this as he gently set me down on solid ground.
True enough—my backside had certainly suffered for it, though the journey had been worthwhile.
"Ah, I'll have your robe properly laundered and returned to you."
I picked up Lute Sheary's robe, which I'd been sitting on throughout the entire ride.
It wouldn't be right to return it without washing away the evidence of my posterior's journey across it.
"Thanks to you, I had a most comfortable journey. Thank you, Duke."
As I smiled at him, Lute Sheary began to grumble.
"You give the wound and then offer the cure."
"I didn't inflict any wound in the first place."
"My heart has been wounded—how can that not be considered an affliction?"
Lute Sheary's expression turned so pitiful that anyone unfamiliar with her would feel an instinctive pang of sympathy.
How did she manage to summon such expressions as if flipping a switch?
"The rejected one shall trudge alone and forlornly to the stables, while the High Priestess shall be escorted inside."
Her receding figure looked so melancholy that I found myself bewildered.
"Is my refusal of an escort really such a devastating blow?"
Had I made a cultural misstep in this world that I wasn't yet aware of?
I turned to Seth Noel, who had been engaged in this peculiar exchange with Lute Sheary, and posed the question to him.
"It's quite alright. One must grow accustomed to rejection. There's no telling when such circumstances might arise again."
"I'm sorry—accustomed to it?"
"Pay it no mind. The High Priestess should always act according to her own desires."
"Well, I suppose that's true, but..."
"That is sufficient. Now then, please do go inside. Victoria Lawrence awaits within, hoping only for your safe return."
With a gentle push from Seth Noel's hand, I stumbled forward into the Temple of the Sun God, uttering confused protests.
Unlike Lute Sheary, who departed in melancholy, Seth Noel appeared remarkably satisfied.
I simply could not fathom the hearts of these people.
* * *
...
Jeremy, his entire body concealed beneath dark cloth with only his eyes exposed, gazed upon the imposing mansion that stood before him.
This elegant and stately residence was none other than the dwelling of Count Kiris.
After two days of pursuing their carriage, he had finally arrived at his destination.
'Quite an amusing series of events, truly.'
Jeremy recalled the events of those two days with a light heart.
That is, the vendetta that the Hindel Couple had waged against Baron Gale.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org