Chapter 85
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 85
* * *
I felt the Crown Prince observing me intently.
Sensing this was a moment of mutual assessment, I made no objection and studied him carefully in return.
A height comparable to Airic Dert's, a physique remarkably sturdy and well-trained despite his vocation as a mage, features sculpted with youthful vigor, and crimson hair that accentuated that very audacity.
And those mysterious teal eyes—a strange, mesmerizing blend of the blue and green that symbolized the Imperial Family.
Truly, he was a strikingly handsome man befitting the original work's true male lead.
When I'd observed the other three male lead candidates, I'd wondered why such formidable individuals hadn't become the true protagonist. But seeing Felix Rohan Carnus now, I understood completely.
Whether due to the absolute authority of his position as Crown Prince, there emanated an aura I hadn't sensed from the other three candidates.
This was the true male protagonist of this world.
Then just how extraordinary must Idella, the actual heroine, be?
I longed to meet her soon, yet lamented that the opportunity remained distant.
There was no way to arrange an earlier meeting.
I didn't know where Idella was before the original story began.
Had she been born into a noble house or even been a commoner, I could have found her. Unfortunately, she was a wanderer, making her difficult to locate. It was truly regrettable.
"I heard Your Highness was looking for me."
"Ah, yes."
As I spoke first, the Crown Prince—who had been observing me—nodded.
"Actually...."
"Forgive me, but might I speak first before Your Highness continues?"
I cut off Felix Rohan Carnus mid-explanation.
"What is the matter?"
Felix Rohan Carnus stiffened and asked.
Then, in my stead, a resounding answer came forth.
From where?
Grrrrrowl.
From my stomach, famished from exertion.
"I haven't had breakfast yet. Might we eat first and then discuss matters?"
Unless patients were dying before my eyes in a dire emergency, my dictionary contained no word for an empty stomach.
Even if the other party was the Crown Prince.
A Korean cannot endure hunger.
"...Let us proceed to the Dining Hall."
Apparently realizing this was a serious matter, Felix Rohan Carnus, who had been rigid for some time, belatedly nodded.
Thanks to this, I was able to happily enjoy the splendid breakfast the Flu couple had lavishly prepared.
"...Pardon?"
It was around the time dessert was being served after the meal.
As I was cleansing my palate with sweet cake and refreshing sorbet, I widened my eyes at Felix Rohan Carnus's words as he ate dessert alongside me.
He explained further.
"I heard that you treated the wounded of the Flu Family. I come to ask—would you not travel through the Southern Region with me and treat other wounded?"
I was planning to do that very thing today anyway—so why is the Crown Prince bringing it up?
"Well, that is..."
He seemed to know something he shouldn't have, and I couldn't offer a ready response.
Perhaps interpreting my hesitation differently, Felix Roan Carnus spoke urgently.
"Of course, I understand full well how difficult it is to treat so many wounded. Still, I implore you to do this for everyone's sake. If you would grant this request, I shall express my gratitude most profoundly."
What? Express gratitude?
"Gratitude?"
"Yes. I swear by the name of Crown Prince Felix Roan Carnus that I shall repay you without fail."
Ah. So he's promising repayment, is he?
Well, well—I needed 1.5 billion anyway, and here comes the Crown Prince, laden with both power and wealth, practically gift-wrapped!
"If you insist so earnestly, I cannot refuse. Very well, I accept."
I gazed at Felix and smiled with a long, deliberate hiss.
Felix's expression grew decidedly uncomfortable.
He hadn't yet glimpsed my true nature, so he remained uncertain—but when he finally grasped the depths of my peculiarity, he would find himself thoroughly fleeced.
Ah, how delightful.
* * *
The Southern Region saw expeditions so frequently that the nobility had established town houses in the Kali Duchy, which lay near the desert itself.
Typically, they resided in their estates, but when their turn for deployment arrived, they would lodge here instead.
As a result, there was no need to traverse the entire Southern Region.
"Given that arrangement, Jeremy, you needn't bother following me."
Having finished my preparations for departure, I encountered Jeremy in my bedroom.
With the Crown Prince serving as a free pass, there was no necessity for Jeremy to accompany me.
"You don't need me?"
Yet Jeremy, whom I'd expected to be delighted at having nothing to do, wore a dejected expression instead.
"I thought I'd get to be with the High Priestess..."
Was he truly so crestfallen about this?
"But if the Crown Prince catches sight of your face, it could be problematic. I'm sorry."
Eventually, it would be discovered regardless, but until I grew strong enough to stand against the Grand Temple of Sea God itself, it was better to remain unknown to as many as possible.
"Then would you investigate the noble estates and look into any places where you sense an unsettling presence?"
"Yes! Understood!"
The moment I offered him a task, his gloomy expression vanished, replaced by renewed vigor.
I hadn't realized he enjoyed working so much.
"Mark the locations on the map and deliver it to Monica or Victoria Lawrence."
I handed Jeremy the map of noble estates that Rosetta had provided.
"Got it. Should I start right now?"
"Yes. But absolutely do not set foot in the desert."
If 'Evil' sensed the divine power of the Sea God dwelling within Jeremy, it might take notice.
The desert, where monsters had eyes and ears everywhere, was far too perilous.
"Understood. I'll be going then."
Jeremy tucked the map away and vaulted through the window in one fluid motion, vanishing in an instant—a sight that never ceased to astound me.
"Inventory."
As I whispered the word, the newly acquired ability materialized before my eyes.
It was an inventory window itself—something anyone who'd played even a casual game would recognize instantly.
"This is genuinely convenient."
My inventory was packed to the brim with potions I'd received from the Potion Production Team before departing the Temple of the Sun God.
Lute had gifted me several spatial pouches, but even so, this was superior to those pouches in that there was no risk of loss or damage.
Though it would be a secret if Lute found out—she'd sulk otherwise.
"I wonder what the next ability will be."
I hummed a little tune as I withdrew potions from my inventory and transferred them into a spatial pouch.
"High Priestess. The preparations for departure are complete."
At the sound of Monica's voice, I immediately closed the inventory window and stepped outside.
Seth, Monica, Victoria Lawrence, and the priests who would accompany us were standing before the door.
Together, we made our way toward the mansion's entrance, where a carriage awaited.
"Ah, you've arrived."
Crown Prince Felix Rohan Carnus, who had arrived before us, greeted me warmly.
"Would you permit me to offer you a ride in my carriage?"
The Crown Prince's carriage boasted a magnificent grandeur befitting Imperial ownership.
With the Imperial eagle emblem emblazoned upon it, one would normally feel appropriately humbled by mere sight—yet...
Perhaps it was because I'd recently seen Lute's carriage, which was excessively enormous, but I felt little impression.
Of course, as it belonged to the Crown Prince, it was certainly ornate. But, how should I put it...
Compared to Lute's carriage—spacious enough that a bed wouldn't be surprising—this one felt somewhat lacking.
"It would be an honor. Thank you."
I accepted the Crown Prince's courtesy as he extended his hand to escort me, carefully ascending into the carriage.
Somehow, even the seats felt harder here.
"First, we intend to proceed to the Kali Duchy. There are quite a few wounded there as well."
Felix spoke as soon as we departed. I tilted my head thoughtfully.
"Now that I think about it, I heard His Majesty is currently staying at the Duke's residence. Why did you come here directly instead of summoning me there?"
Even though the Temple existed within the Empire, it was technically a separate entity, so there was no particular obligation to defer to Imperial authority.
The authority of the divine superseded that of the throne.
But while that was true of the divine, both the High Priestess and the Saint beneath it were merely human.
No matter how powerful the Temple of the Sun God was, it could not overcome the Imperial military, so there was no reason to needlessly offend the royal family.
Thus, when the Crown Prince summoned me, I had no choice but to go, complaints and all—so why had he come in person?
"How could I possibly summon you when I find myself in a position of having to ask for your aid on behalf of the Empire's wounded, who were injured defending the realm?"
Felix answered my question with unwavering resolve.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org