Chapter 88
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 88
I deliberately refrained from using divine power and treated them all exclusively with potions.
The new version potions infused with a 25% divine blessing.
The Knight Commander's condition exceeded what potions could treat, so there was no choice, but the real reason I didn't use my power lay elsewhere.
"I needed to verify how far the Sun God's potions could reach."
Monster venom couldn't be cured with potions containing a 10% divine blessing.
But through this incident, I discovered that with 25%, I could treat any wound short of immediately fatal injuries.
This was truly an enormous harvest.
"I'll soon begin selling potions in the Southern Region as well. That's why I visited the south personally this time."
"The Southern Region?"
Cali, who had remained silent without interjecting into the conversation, asked for the first time.
I nodded immediately.
"Yes. Our goal is to spread the Sun God's potions across the entire Continent."
"That's quite promising. I've now confirmed firsthand just how effective the Sun God's potions are."
Felix Rohan Carnus exclaimed in admiration at my words.
"Then will the Southern Region also sell through the Lumen Merchant Guild?"
"That's correct. I specified that provision from the very beginning when I made the contract with Duke Sheary."
"Indeed, Duke Sheary isn't the type to miss such an opportunity. Moreover, the Sun God is renowned for healing power."
Oh, the Sun God was nearly forgotten, so most people didn't know much about him.
As expected of the Crown Prince—he possessed this level of knowledge.
'But the real reason I deliberately treated them with only potions was something else entirely.'
Potion sales were important, but there was a far more crucial reason.
It was because I didn't want to reveal my true capabilities to Felix Rohan Carnus and Cali standing before me.
I was a contract High Priestess who must step aside when Idella appears.
I could brush off the business and money-making as hard work that didn't require divine power to avoid being exposed as a fake priestess, but healing was different.
If I displayed my abilities too freely with divine power, it would be difficult for Idella to establish herself when she appeared later.
The one meant to save the world wasn't me—it was Idella, and that absolutely couldn't change.
Especially since Felix Rohan Carnus was the male lead destined to be with Idella in the future.
Whether they'd actually end up together here remained uncertain, but considering what lay ahead, it was better not to display my abilities to the Crown Prince.
The more he witnessed my accomplishments, the greater his displeasure would be when my true identity was revealed.
If he felt deceived by a fake priestess and relations between the Sun God's Temple and the court deteriorated, that would be troublesome.
"Ah, and Your Highness the Crown Prince. The debt of gratitude you mentioned—this should suffice."
I handed Felix Rohan Carnus a paper with the amount written on it.
Payment for treating nine families in total, including the Flu Family.
Of course, I'd received separate potion and treatment fees from each family, but that was separate from this.
The wealthy Crown Prince himself offered to repay a debt—there was no way I could miss this opportunity.
"By the way, I only accept gold. You understand, yes?"
I pressed the paper firmly into the reluctant Felix Rohan Carnus's hand and smiled brilliantly.
"Ah, we've arrived. Thank you for bringing me. I'll be waiting then."
With a bow to the dazed Felix Rohan Carnus and Cali, I descended from the carriage with vigor.
Then I waved toward the two of them.
Soon the carriage departed with the bewildered pair inside.
The Crown Prince seemed startled—apparently, no one had ever asked him so brazenly for money before. Still, you're a good person, so you wrote down a conscientious amount.
I'm grateful for that. If it had been someone like Count Kiris, I would've demanded a billion.
"Knight Commander. Even I think I'm being too kind."
I sighed as I spoke to Seth Noel standing beside me.
"That's true. The High Priestess is excessively virtuous. Sometimes I wonder if you could afford to be a little less so."
It was a joke, but why did he answer so seriously....
And less kind? Have I really forgotten what Ordel Kiris did to me back then...?
"If others heard that, they'd be shocked."
"That's impossible. Everyone at the Temple of the Sun God would share my opinion."
No, that's not right. Only you think that way.
All the priests and Holy Knights listening to our conversation right now have expressions of astonishment on their faces.
"The High Priest would surely agree as well."
That's not true either.
Airic Dert must be absolutely delighted with how I've changed.
If I ever revert to my original self, Airic would be the one to shed tears of blood more than anyone.
But seeing a face so resolute it could deflect a needle, speaking seemed pointless.
Even excessive faith has its drawbacks. What will happen later if the real High Priestess, Idella, actually appears?
I could only hope the shock of betrayal wouldn't be too devastating.
* * *
Lord Flu and Lady Flu brought out every Southern Region specialty dish for us upon our return from treatment.
The Southern Region's cuisine, with its abundant spices as intense as the heat itself, suited my Korean palate perfectly.
My eyes practically rolled back at the spicy, salty, and sweet flavors I hadn't tasted in so long.
By the time I returned to the Temple of the Sun God, I'd surely be noticeably rounder.
I'd been bothered by how thin I was anyway, so I should eat heartily while I had the chance.
"Ah, that was delicious."
After finishing my satisfying meal, I returned to my bedroom and patted my full stomach contentedly.
"When I lived in the Eastern Region, I often went to restaurants that served Southern cuisine, but it really does taste better eaten locally."
Monica's face was radiant with satisfaction.
"Oh, the Merchant Guild Master is coming tonight."
"Really?"
Jun Ludmin left for the Lumen Merchant Guild Southern Branch immediately upon arriving in the Southern Region.
She said there were many things to check since visiting in person was rare.
She promised to come here once everything was organized.
"She finished in just one day? That's fast, as expected."
It's no wonder Lute Sheary trusts her so much.
"Monica, do you have the money we received from each family today?"
"Yes, it's right here."
Monica laid out nine pouches in a row on the table.
"Lady Flu also reimbursed us for the potions we used yesterday."
"She didn't give you extra?"
"No. I refused when she tried to add more and only took what was fair."
"Good work. We're already staying here and eating their food—no need to take more than necessary."
In any other circumstance, I wouldn't have hesitated to pocket the extra, but since we were guests of the Flu Family, accepting only what was owed felt like the right thing to do.
"Set aside the cost of the potions we used this time, and distribute the rest among the priestesses who worked so hard on the treatments. That includes you, Monica."
Though Monica was still an Apprentice Priestess, she possessed formidable healing power and had labored diligently alongside the others.
I'd have to suggest to Airic that we formally appoint Monica as a full priestess once we returned.
"Pardon? All of this is for us?"
"You expended your divine power, so of course. That's why I accepted the payment in the first place."
She'd already witnessed through the Potion Production Team how I compensated people fairly according to their abilities, yet here she was, still astonished.
"But it wasn't just us—the Holy Knights also worked hard treating people with potions, and the servants who came with us as well...."
"I'll pay them bonuses from the money I squeezed out of the Crown Prince. Don't worry."
"B-but you also worked hard, High Priestess!"
"All I did was take credit and extort money while you all sweated through the treatments. What hardship is that?"
And don't worry.
Once I've distributed everything that needs to be given, I'll invest the remaining funds into my divine power.
"So calculate it carefully and distribute it all fairly. Understood?"
"Yes.... I understand. I'll divide it precisely. Don't worry."
Only then did Monica gather the pouches with a determined expression.
Knock, knock.
"High Priestess. Vice Guild Master Ludmin has arrived."
Victoria announced Jun's arrival, and I immediately welcomed her in with enthusiasm.
"Welcome, Vice Guild Master!"
I spread both arms wide to greet her as she entered.
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