Chapter 77
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 77
After hearing everything from Jeremy, I exhaled a long sigh.
This wasn't a situation where I could laugh heartily at the Hindel Couple's ingenious revenge methods.
"Since you experienced it firsthand and not someone else, it must be no ordinary matter."
The fact that even Jeremy, wrapped in divine power, felt cautious about it was telling.
What on earth had happened at the Count Kiris Estate?
Certainly, when I first possessed this body at the estate roughly three months ago, I hadn't sensed anything at all....
Had something new occurred in the meantime? Or had I simply been too weak to perceive it then, with my divine power at a mere 2%?
"I think I need to visit the estate myself and investigate."
Tap.
"...Yourself? You're going?"
At my words, Jeremy's eyes widened and he dropped the cookie he'd been eating.
Even though the cookie—which he treasured more than gold coins—had fallen, he didn't even glance at it, his hands trembling instead.
"Why, why?!"
"To investigate the source of that filthy aura."
The 'Evil' that commands monsters.
I needed certainty about whether Count Kiris was a subordinate of that 'Evil' or not.
If it were true, I would need to substantially revise my plans.
Unlike when I'd just possessed this body, I'd now raised my divine power to 25%, so I might sense something just as Jeremy had.
"I'll go back and investigate!"
Jeremy slammed both hands on the table and stood up.
The cookie crushed in his palms crumbled, but he seemed not to care.
"So you stay here quietly, Your Holiness!"
No, Lute and Airic do this too, but now Jeremy as well? Why are they all so desperate to keep me confined to the Temple of the Sun God?
"If I'd known you were going, I would have gathered all the information from the start!"
"You don't even know what I want to find out."
"B-but still, I don't want you going to that filthy, unpleasant place!"
Jeremy's pale face flushed crimson.
I gently patted the hand of Jeremy, who was so flustered he'd even destroyed his precious cookie.
"If I don't go and confirm things now, it could become more dangerous later. So it's better to go now."
"W-well, that's true, but...."
Unable to think of any counterargument no matter how hard he tried, Jeremy slumped back into his seat with a deflated expression.
Despite having spent such a short time together, he worried about me like this.
I felt both grateful and touched.
I gently stroked Jeremy's soft, violet hair.
"Then take me with you."
Contrary to my handing him an intact cookie, Jeremy's eyes gleamed not at the cookie but at me.
"Last time I went out and came back, there were no major problems. If I go with Your Holiness, it'll be even better. So take me with you."
"...You'll sneak after me if I don't take you?"
"Yes."
Isn't that too confident? You should at least pretend to hide. What will you do if I tie you up and leave?
Or perhaps you're being so bold because you know I have no intention of doing that.
'I suppose it's nice to have Jeremy with me.'
Unlike the Temple of the Sun God, where holiness prevents certain monsters from approaching, the outside world is always fraught with danger.
That's why having Jeremy by my side—someone whose martial prowess rivals Seth Noel's—naturally doubles my sense of security.
From the start, keeping him close was precisely for that reason.
"...It should be fine."
Though I worry, he has his own free will. I have no right to stop him from doing what he wishes.
Besides, this time he won't be going alone either.
"Understood. Let's go together."
"Great!"
Jeremy broke into a broad smile the moment I gave him the answer he wanted.
His appetite apparently returning, he began eating the cookie I'd given him with evident delight.
I needn't worry about protection, then.
"Since I have business in the Southern Region anyway, I should add the Count's estate as a waypoint."
If I stopped at Count Kiris Estate first, Rosetta—who desperately needs potions—might not survive, so I'll head south first and visit the estate on the way back.
That way, I can attend to my affairs with peace of mind.
"This will be my first long journey since arriving here."
I gazed out the window. Brilliant sunlight streamed through the transparent panes in abundance.
But outside the Temple of the Sun God, the weather surely won't be so fair.
Since rain and typhoons could strike at any moment, I need to prepare thoroughly.
* * *
The day of departure to the Southern Region dawned.
I examined each person who would be traveling with me.
First, my close attendants Monica and Victoria Lawrence would naturally accompany me, and three knights from the 2nd Holy Knight Division under Victoria's command joined as well.
Jeremy, who insisted on coming along, was eating cookies beside me, and I included three priests capable of healing magic in our party.
Rosetta and Jun Ludmin had grown close over the past few days and were chatting quietly together.
With servants to attend to us as well, our numbers were surprisingly substantial.
So far so good. Everyone present was necessary, with no one superfluous.
However...
"Holy Knight Commander, why are you...?"
I stared blankly at Seth Noel, who radiated a presence more commanding than anyone else present.
That's right. There was one unexpected addition to our party—none other than Seth Noel himself.
"Holy Knight Commander, you must protect the Temple of the Sun God."
You're supposed to safeguard the Temple of the Sun God alongside the High Priest. Why on earth do you insist on coming with me?
"The Holy Knight Commander's duty is not limited to protecting the Temple of the Sun God. If I must choose between the Temple and the High Priestess, I must protect the High Priestess."
"Well spoken."
Airic Dert, who had come to see us off, nodded in agreement with Seth Noel's words.
Hey, don't you dare support him. You know I'm a fake High Priestess!
"If the High Priestess were to suffer an injury now, it would create considerable turmoil throughout the Temple of the Sun God. Wherever you go, please ensure you travel together with the Holy Knight Commander."
Airic Dert spoke with unwavering resolve, as though his mind would never waver.
To be honest, his words weren't wrong. After all, I currently oversee all the operations the Temple of the Sun God manages.
If everything at the Temple—which had only recently stabilized—came to a standstill, it would crumble without a moment's notice or remedy.
"...I understand. Thank you for your support, Holy Knight Commander."
I finally relented with a sigh and a nod, and Seth Noel bowed with evident delight.
The problem was that the unexpected personnel arrangements still weren't finished.
I turned my head toward the other side.
"...But Duke, why exactly are you here?"
There stood Lute Sheary, radiating a presence even more commanding than Seth's.
Of course—that enormous carriage I'd seen days ago was with her!
"What would I do, left alone at the Temple of the Sun God without the High Priestess?"
When our eyes met, Lute smiled brightly.
"Don't worry. I won't chase after you all the way to the Southern Region."
She let out a long sigh and gestured to Yuri Polton beside her.
"I'd love to follow along eagerly, but he keeps pestering me about how much work has piled up."
"Is it my fault? It's because my lord has been neglecting duties to play around."
"Want to see me play around more?"
Yuri Polton quickly closed his mouth.
"In any case, I can't chase after you, but I can escort you safely to the Train Station. Besides, there's no suitable carriage available anyway."
That was true. Riding in a carriage was more comfortable than being crammed into a cart, so I accepted readily.
"Then I'll gladly accept your kindness."
"Come now, let's go. I'll see you safely to the Train Station."
Lute Sheary smiled brightly and extended her hand.
Before grasping her hand and boarding the carriage, I turned back.
Airic Dert, like a bound spirit of the Temple of the Sun God, stood with his usual gentle expression.
"Next time, the High Priest should come along on outings too."
At my words, Airic Dert's eyes widened.
He was undoubtedly the one most confined to the Temple of the Sun God, even more than I.
So I was deeply troubled by the thought of leaving him here while both Seth and I ventured out.
"When that time comes, we'll entrust everything to Dietrich Warren and go together. Surely the Temple won't collapse just because the three of us take a brief leave."
If it would collapse over that, it would crumble regardless of what we did.
"...I shall await that day."
Airic Dert's eyes widened for a moment before he answered with a gentle smile.
It was a smile that seemed less gentle and more radiant—unmistakably one of genuine joy.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org