Chapter 84
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 84
* * *
I gathered my thoughts once more, methodically arranging the pieces.
Lute Sheary's illness had begun suddenly when she was young.
Yet even after mobilizing all the Sheary Duchy's resources, no cure had been found.
Then, through some obscure ancient text, I learned of the existence of a sacred relic imbued with healing power—the "Relic of Light"—and eventually obtained it, which weakened her suffering, but...
In truth, the "Relic of Light" was created not by the Sun God but by "Evil," and it seized control of Lute's body, reducing her to a slave of that malevolent force.
Until now, I'd assumed the ancient texts describing the Relic of Light were traps laid by "Evil," but what if Lute's illness itself was part of "Evil's" scheme from the beginning?
"Wow, that actually makes sense."
I released my head from my hands and let my arms fall limply to my sides.
Rather than dismiss it as mere speculation, this theory held far more credibility.
After all, it resulted in the collapse of the Sheary Duchy, and their enormous wealth flowed directly into the hands of "Evil"!
"This is genuinely chilling..."
Yes. Truly horrifying, truly terrifying, and truly...
bewildering.
"So in the end, I've been thwarting that creature's ancient plan?"
I'd alleviated Lute's condition, destroyed the Relic of Light infused with its power, and even provided a sacred object to prevent Stain from rampaging.
Unintentional as it was, this is how it's unfolded.
Could the sudden rampage of monsters be connected to this as well?
Petty creature. A person steps backward and might crush an insect or two. To unleash monsters over something so trivial—that's excessive.
"Jeremy, you're around here, right?"
I called out into the empty air.
Jeremy had vanished from sight the moment we arrived at the estate, but he wouldn't have gone far—he'd surely be nearby.
Click.
As expected. Jeremy opened the window and slipped into the bedroom.
"I checked the entire mansion, and there's nothing particularly dangerous."
"You confirmed that already?"
"Yeah. But at first, I definitely felt something unsettling, you know? Strangely, it vanished at some point. Now it's completely clean."
When Jeremy says something feels off, it's never trivial.
"Was it an intensely bad feeling?"
"Not overwhelmingly unpleasant, but more like a slight nausea?"
"You couldn't pinpoint the exact cause?"
"No. It disappeared while I was trying to trace where it was coming from. But I know the direction—it was near the western side of the estate."
Ah, that's where the Medical Ward is located.
From the circumstances, what Jeremy sensed was likely the poison from the monster that had inhabited the Knight Commander's body.
Since I'd purified it completely, there was nothing left to sense.
To detect even that much—his senses are truly remarkable.
"Can you sense things from far distances?"
"It would be difficult if I'm too far away. When I first entered the estate, I only had a vague sense that something was amiss."
That much was more than enough.
"Let's take a walk together tomorrow."
The other families who had marched out with us likely had wounded soldiers bearing similar injuries from the demonic beasts.
I needed to cross-verify whether those fungal-like black stains were truly connected to the demonic beasts.
And if possible, I wanted to extract some payment under the guise of treatment....
Since the situation was unfolding faster than expected, I had to earn money quickly and increase my divine power by any means necessary.
The remaining funds needed to reach the critical threshold of 40% amounted to 1.5 billion!
No matter what, I had to fill that gap as soon as possible.
But the next day.
My resolve from the previous night proved meaningless as I found myself facing an unexpected situation.
"...Someone came looking for me here?"
Before I could even have breakfast.
Since this was someone else's home, I had been doing light exercises in my room rather than the garden when Rosetta brought me this news, and I couldn't hide my bewilderment.
"T-the Crown Prince has just arrived at this estate."
...Why would he come here? The Crown Prince should be receiving lavish hospitality from the Guardian Family, so why on earth would he...?
And on top of that.
"He wishes to meet with the High Priestess."
How did he even know I was here?
What in the world is happening this early in the morning?
* * *
Rickasa Flu was bewildered.
It was because of the beautiful Crown Prince standing before him, admiring the painting hanging in the reception room.
"A dancer performing in the heart of the desert. Just looking at it, I can feel the desert wind and the texture of sand. Truly a magnificent painting."
The Crown Prince himself was a figure who suited the Southern Region perfectly.
With reddish hair that resembled the exceptionally scorching desert sun, bold and distinct features, and a confident bearing.
He was a man for whom the title "the next sun" fit perfectly.
"It is a painting I purchased from a merchant who traverses the desert. It was painted by an artist from a desert nation."
"I suspected as much—the painting style and texture differ greatly from what one sees in the Empire. It is a rare work of art, even difficult to find in the Imperial Palace."
"If Your Highness desires it, I would be honored to present it to you."
Though I had paid a considerable sum for the painting, presenting it to the Crown Prince felt not wasteful at all.
In fact, it was far better to part with a few coins than to fall out of favor.
"How rigid of you."
However, the Crown Prince shook his head firmly.
"No matter how much I admire it, I have no intention of forcibly taking what belongs to my subject."
"Not at all, Your Highness. As a subject, I merely wish to offer you whatever you desire."
The Crown Prince Felix turned to face Rickasa, his eyes still on the painting.
His beautiful teal eyes, symbols of the royal bloodline, were filled with joy.
"I am delighted that you hold me in such regard. Should the merchant visit again, have him send his wares to the Imperial Palace. I am curious about his other paintings as well. That will suffice."
"As you wish, Your Highness. I shall ensure it is done."
Only then did Felix rise from the painting and take a seat on the sofa.
"I apologize for visiting at such an early hour. I'm afraid my mind is rather impatient."
"Not at all, Your Highness. It is an unparalleled honor that you have graced us with your personal visit."
"...There's no need to be so deferential. But tell me—are you certain that the High Priestess of the Sun God is here?"
Ricassa nodded at Felix's question, his expression somewhat stiffened.
"Yes, that is correct. My wife traveled to the Western Region herself to request potions."
He offered a brief explanation of how the High Priestess came to be here.
"I've also heard that the Lumen Merchant Guild sells potions. You can't imagine my surprise."
Having heard the full explanation, Felix let out a low whistle.
The Lumen Merchant Guild—nurtured with meticulous care by the Sheary Duchy for many years.
Their pride had grown so immense that they were the only faction willing to reject even the Imperial Palace's proposals if it suited them.
"If they're selling potions there, we can certainly trust their quality. Especially given how dire the situation in the Southern Region has become."
Felix, who had come south personally upon Duke Kali's report, was genuinely shocked by conditions far worse than anticipated.
With considerable casualties even among Duke Kali's own household, other families must be suffering immeasurably.
He had dispatched the Imperial Investigation Team he'd brought along with Duke Kali's knights into the desert, but....
Would they truly uncover the cause? He could only hope they returned safely.
Knock, knock.
"Your Highness. The High Priestess from the Sun God Grand Temple has arrived."
Felix's aide, stationed outside, announced the High Priestess's arrival.
Felix's face brightened.
"Show her in."
The door opened, and the long-awaited High Priestess entered.
She was taller than expected, dressed in light, soft fabrics suited to the Southern Region's climate, with soft pink hair rarely seen in the Empire and striking features.
And eyes that gleamed with an intense golden radiance.
Confronted with an appearance far more impressive than anticipated, Felix's eyes widened.
"May the radiance of the sun be with you. It is my honor to meet you for the first time, Your Highness. I am Ordel Kiris, High Priestess of the Sun God."
The High Priestess bowed her head respectfully.
Felix, who had been standing dumbfounded, belatedly collected himself and returned the greeting.
"I am honored to meet the Sun God's chosen. I am Crown Prince Felix Roan Carnus."
After the exchange of greetings, Felix observed the High Priestess once more.
Though he had met Carmen Aria, the High Priestess of the Sea God, before, this was an entirely different impression.
If Carmen was like a fierce, unrestrained wave, then Ordel was....
He couldn't quite say.
That was Felix's honest assessment.
She seemed as intense and scorching as the desert sun, yet as gentle as spring sunlight.
Even he, who had encountered countless people, found her difficult to define in a single phrase.
And that was precisely what made her so remarkable.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org