Chapter 76
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 76
In the original story, "Evil" begins its full activities with Idella's appearance.
A High Priestess with formidable innate power suddenly falls before him, someone who must topple the Sun God.
If only that thorn in his side, Idella, were gone, the Temple of the Sun God would ultimately collapse, and the Sun God, bereft of believers, would fade away—so he desperately seeks her death.
That is, after her appearance.
But why is it already running rampant now?
...Could it possibly be because of me?
No way. I'm far weaker than Idella.
My divine power is only at twenty-five percent—I'm merely a contract-based High Priestess.
Of course, I've started the potion business, repaired the Temple of the Sun God, and held the dedication ceremony, but....
In any case, I'm not a true High Priestess, so I desperately hope it's not because of me.
"Well, I agree with expanding into the Southern Region too. After all, our goal is to spread Sun God brand potions across the entire Continent, not just the Empire, so there's nothing to deliberate about."
At my positive words, color bloomed across Rosetta's face.
"Then...!"
"However, there's something I'd like to confirm first."
"Confirm?"
Everyone tilted their heads.
"Yes. I think I need to go to the Southern Region myself and see it firsthand."
I had no intention of venturing all the way to the Desert, but I felt I needed to assess the situation in the Southern Region first.
If I was lucky, I might even discover why the monsters are rampaging faster than in the original story....
"That's not acceptable."
"Where exactly are you trying to go?"
At that moment, firm objections poured in from both sides.
None other than Airic Dert and Lute Sheary.
"I don't believe there's any need for the High Priestess to travel all the way to the Southern Region."
"We entrusted potion sales to the Lumen Merchant Guild. We can handle it ourselves—why must the High Priestess go all the way to the distant Southern Region?"
What is this? Why do these two work together so perfectly?
"Isn't it enough to just be careful about the Desert? The entire Southern Region isn't dangerous, so why worry so much?"
"Yes, yes, that's right. As long as we don't enter the Desert, there shouldn't be any major problems...."
Rosetta nodded vigorously, only to be met with piercing gazes from the two men.
She flinched and closed her mouth.
Why are you bullying this innocent woman, you men?
"If you wish to assess the situation, I would rather accompany the Lumen Merchant Guild and investigate myself."
"Or we could ask the Lumen Branch in the Southern Region to bring us information. In any case, there's no need for the High Priestess to go that far."
It's remarkable how perfectly they're coordinating, but that's where I draw the line.
"No. I'm going to see it myself, no matter what."
I looked back and forth between Airic Dert and Lute Sheary.
"While I'm away, High Priest, please protect the Temple of the Sun God well, and Duke, you must be busy so please return. I'll have enough support with the Branch Master. That's fine, isn't it, Branch Master?"
"Of course! I'll escort you very safely!"
Jun, who had been watching the situation with keen interest, cried out with delight.
Though a murderous glare was directed at her once more, Jun—unlike Rosetta—possessed such a strong spirit that she didn't flinch in the slightest.
"When shall we depart?"
"Mrs. Flu needs rest as well, and we must make our preparations, so let's set out three days from now."
"Understood. I'll have everything ready by then!"
Jun, who had shouted loudly, dashed out of the Reception Room with a cheerful grin plastered across her face.
Lute Sheary glared at her retreating figure with eyes full of betrayal.
"But High Priestess, no matter what, the Southern Region is...."
"Yes. Why go all the way to such a distant place? Or perhaps I should accompany you...."
Airic Dert and Lute Sheary continued their attempts to persuade me, unwilling to concede.
My patience was wearing dangerously thin. Why should I suppress my own desires and constantly second-guess myself?
It wasn't as though I were going on a pleasure trip—this was an important business venture!
Unable to contain myself any longer, I clenched my fist tightly. As golden divine power began to swirl around my right hand, Airic Dert's expression shifted to alarm.
"W-wait, High Priestess...!"
Too late.
Crash!
I swung my fist directly at the table before me.
With a thunderous sound, the table split cleanly in two.
"Kyaaaah!"
Rosetta Flu, startled beyond measure, stumbled backward, while Airic Dert and Lute Sheary simply stared blankly at the table I had cleaved asunder.
I waved my fist, veins bulging prominently, toward the two men.
"Do you find my recent training efforts amusing?"
Where did they get the confidence that I wouldn't split their skulls open with this very fist?
Whether my intent had been sufficiently conveyed or not, both men clamped their mouths shut.
Yes, silence suits them far better.
"I depart for the Southern Region in three days. Let that be clear."
"...Understood."
"Yes...."
At their obedient responses, I finally smiled with satisfaction.
Had Lana not silenced two alchemists by cleaving the marble floor in a similar manner?
The method had seemed quite effective, so I decided to try it myself—and the results were truly magnificent.
I shall have to employ this tactic frequently going forward.
* * *
Rosetta Flu was shown to the Guest Room that the Hindel Couple had once used.
I was genuinely relieved to be able to offer such a well-maintained space.
In the meantime, I consulted with the Potion Production Team regarding how to proceed with the Southern Region sales venture.
"What kind of question is that! Of course we should expand the business!"
I had anticipated as much, but he simply charged ahead without a moment's hesitation....
I regarded Genric, who had raised his hand with such enthusiasm, with a weary gaze.
"Heh, hehehehe! If we expand to the Southern Region, the profits...! The bonus...!"
What a money-obsessed fiend.
Of course, there wasn't just one such creature.
"I agree as well. Especially for distant regions like the Southern Region—shouldn't we raise prices proportionally to cover transportation costs? I see no reason to hesitate."
Though Genric spoke with far more composure, Wolfgang's eyes had unmistakably turned to gold as well.
They'd started out at each other's throats, yet now they moved as one.
"I, I do agree, but...."
As I glanced at the two men, Lana timidly raised her hand.
"You're concerned about our physical stamina, aren't you, High Priestess...?"
Oh. She's expressing her opinions far more freely than before.
Working alongside two such distinctive alchemists seemed to have transformed Lana's nature for the better.
"Exactly. Human stamina has its limits, and ordinary people like Genric and Wolfgang would suffer even more."
Lana was a priestess with considerable divine power even within the Temple of the Sun God, so I worried less about her.
But the two alchemists were another matter. They were already at the point of literally sacrificing their lifespans in real time to produce potions.
"Then if we were to drink potions while working...."
"No, why would you want to work so inefficiently?"
I shook my head immediately at Genric's suggestion.
No matter how much money appealed to them, this was crossing a line.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, someone rapped on the Reception Room door. When I invited them in, Monica poked her head through.
"High Priestess. Jeremy has arrived."
"Already?"
I shot to my feet in surprise.
Had it really been only four days since Jeremy left the Temple of the Sun God?
The round trip between the Temple of the Sun God and Count Kiris Estate should take four to five days alone—why was he here so soon?
"We'll continue this discussion later. I should go see him first."
Concerned something might be wrong, I left the Potion Production Team behind and hurried toward the Bedroom.
"Jeremy!"
The moment I threw open the door, I quickly scanned the room.
Had Jeremy been injured somewhere....
"Mm, nom nom. Sho good!"
Far from being hurt, Jeremy sat contentedly at the table, stuffing cookies into his mouth.
His blissfully relaxed expression made it abundantly clear he didn't have a scratch on him.
"Welcome back, Jeremy."
I sighed and took the seat across from him. I'd come the moment I heard, yet the cookie plate was already empty—he must have eaten like his life depended on it.
Jeremy swallowed the cookie in his mouth with a gulp before speaking.
"High Priestess. I followed you all the way to Count Kiris Estate, but I couldn't enter and had to turn back."
"You couldn't enter?"
Not that he 'wouldn't' enter—but Jeremy of all people couldn't?
"Right. Such a foul aura was pouring out from the mansion that I simply couldn't bring myself to go in."
A foul aura, you say?
At her unexpected words, my eyes widened in surprise.
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