Chapter 96
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I will purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 96
* * *
"...and thanks to the Potion Production Team's perseverance, whenever the High Priestess gives word, we can send potions immediately."
"...."
"...?"
In the Cathedral Garden of the Sun God Grand Temple.
Dietrich Warren, who had been reporting to High Priest Airic Dert, lifted his head in confusion at the lack of response.
Airic Dert was gazing at something.
'He's looking in that direction again.'
The gaze was so fixed that Dietrich Warren turned his eyes in the same direction.
The south.
Ever since Ordel Kiris had departed, Airic Dert had often gazed toward the Southern Region.
Considering that Airic Dert had never once shown interest in anything beyond the Temple of the Sun God, it was truly remarkable.
"Do you wish to go to the Southern Region as well, High Priest?"
At the casual question, Airic Dert finally came to his senses and shook his head with a smile.
"I must remain here. Where else would I go?"
It was his usual gentle smile, but...somehow it didn't sit right this time.
There was a bitterness woven into it.
Dietrich Warren, who had served Airic Dert closely for so long, could not fail to notice.
"Next time the High Priestess goes out again, please go with her then. I can look after the Temple of the Sun God."
In truth, Dietrich Warren was already handling most of what occurred at the Temple of the Sun God, so Airic Dert's absence would be no problem.
Rather than watching him wither away like a plant deprived of sunlight, it would be better for me to work alone.
"...I'm simply worried, that's all."
"Of course she'll handle it well. She's the High Priestess, after all."
At Dietrich Warren's words, Airic Dert's expression shifted in surprise.
"You didn't care for her before, but now you seem to acknowledge her."
"Hmm."
Caught by Airic Dert's accurate observation, Dietrich Warren's face flushed slightly.
Of course that was true before. Back when Ordel Kiris would cause trouble day after day.
But then one day she changed suddenly.
She declared that she had reflected and would no longer burden the Temple of the Sun God, and she kept that promise.
The fact that the Temple of the Sun God had grown this much was entirely thanks to her.
Regardless of her past, Dietrich Warren acknowledged Ordel Kiris's achievements.
She had truly made the effort.
"Well, she's certainly showing herself to be a proper High Priestess now. There's no reason to remain uncomfortable."
"...A truly proper High Priestess, I see."
But wait—at his words, Airic Dert offered a bitter smile.
"Did I misspeak in some way...."
Asking carefully, Airic Dert shook his head firmly.
By then, that peculiar atmosphere had already vanished without a trace.
"It's true that the High Priestess is different from before. If she continues as she is now, she'll excel wherever she goes, but...."
"...."
"For some reason, I can't help but worry."
Airic Dert turned his gaze toward the Southern Region once more.
After gazing anxiously for a long while, he clasped his hands together.
Then, beneath the sun that shone brightly above his head, he offered a sincere prayer.
"Please let the High Priestess and her companions return here safely."
* * *
This situation is rather bewildering, I must admit.
After rubbing my eyes briefly, I steadied myself at the sight of Idella standing right before me.
I never expected to meet her here, but....
It's not strange that Idella is here.
Idella was an orphan—a wanderer without a home, drifting from place to place.
She was in the Eastern Region when she awakened as the High Priestess, but as a wanderer, there was nothing odd about her having been in the Southern Region before that.
However, meeting her at this exact moment is absolutely no coincidence.
Could it be that the Spirit Death God sent me here precisely for this encounter with Idella?
Then why were the servants of Evil trying to kidnap Idella in the first place?
And why would they target Idella, who hasn't even awakened yet?
...What could they possibly know?
"Holy Knight Commander. Capture those wretches alive, no matter what. As long as they can speak, that's all that matters."
I cannot afford to let them escape. I must capture them and uncover the truth.
"Understood."
Seth Noel answered without hesitation and drew his sword, stepping forward.
A golden aura of blade energy shimmered along his heavy sword.
The servants of Evil, who had been toying with the Holy Knights and the Duke's House knights, flinched visibly for the first time.
"They didn't flee even when they saw me, yet they hesitate before the Holy Knight Commander. How insulting."
Duke Kali, who had arrived before us and was already engaged with them, clicked her tongue at their reaction.
From her sword, equally as heavy as Seth's, a crimson blade energy erupted forth.
It was a fierce and savage momentum that reflected her displeasure.
"If all we need is for them to have a mouth to speak with, there's no reason to show mercy."
She must have heard what I said to Seth.
Immediately, Duke Kali and Seth rushed at their enemies simultaneously.
The moment they clashed, a tremendous explosion erupted with a shockwave so intense it was nearly unbearable.
Our wounded soldiers, scattered across the ground, turned deathly pale and scrambled backward in panic.
"Bring the wounded to the rear! Quickly! Don't get caught in the blast!"
As Seth stepped forward, Victoria Lawrence immediately shouted.
The injured Holy Knights were gathered and retreated behind me, and the Duke's House knights swiftly followed suit.
Despite there being only two of them, the overwhelming momentum drained the color from everyone's faces.
Yet this was not the time to be mesmerized by such a spectacular battle.
"Jeremy, can you move quietly while carrying someone?"
I asked Jeremy beside me in a hushed voice.
Jeremy, who had been intently watching Cali and Seth's movements, reacted belatedly.
"Huh? Who? Oh, that girl over there? Should I go get her?"
"No."
That would be convenient, but the young girl is already experiencing a series of shocking situations right now.
I need to coax her gently and bring her back, but Jeremy has absolutely no talent for that sort of thing.
"Carry me to that child. If I'm too heavy, there's nothing we can do about it."
"How could the High Priestess be heavy?"
Jeremy let out a hollow laugh and scooped me up effortlessly.
To think he could lift me so easily.
Despite his massive frame, he's practically my nephew by my previous life's age.
Lute and Seth didn't think much of it, but being lifted so casually by Jeremy, whom I'd always regarded as a child, left my feelings quite complicated.
I know full well he's stronger than me, but still, it felt a bit....
"Then I'll go."
Still holding me, Jeremy briefly observed the battle's progression before launching himself off the ground.
The moment my vision flipped and I instinctively squeezed my eyes shut from the dizziness.
"You can open your eyes now."
Before I knew it, I had arrived near Idella.
Wow, he really is fast. They say he's unquestionably the fastest among the male leads in terms of agility, and it's true.
"Gasp...!"
At our sudden appearance, Idella caught her breath.
Her face was terrified—having nearly been kidnapped, she now found herself facing strangers.
To avoid startling her further, I quickly raised both hands to signal I meant no harm.
"We're not dangerous people, so please calm down...."
But before I could finish speaking.
Idella pulled something from her bosom and swung it directly at my face.
Clang!
The harsh sound of blades colliding rang out.
Right in front of my prominent nose, Jeremy blocked the metal skewer Idella had swung with his dagger.
"Wow."
Unbelievable—in this situation, she didn't freeze but attacked immediately.
The Female Protagonist's nerve truly is exceptional.
"Are you alright, High Priestess?"
"Yes. Thank you for blocking that, Jeremy."
I gently patted Jeremy's head as he glared at Idella.
At that, Idella, who had been clenching her lips tightly, widened her eyes in shock.
"Y-you're a High Priestess?"
"Yes, for now at least. I belong to the Sun God."
It's rather embarrassing calling myself a High Priestess when the true one will awaken in a few months....
"The Sun God? Don't lie to me. I've never even heard of such a deity!"
Idella's eyes, which had wavered for a moment, sharpened once more with suspicion.
How unfortunate—to hear such dismissive words about the Sun God from the girl who would soon become my daughter. I felt a pang of sympathy for the deity.
"I understand your skepticism. We were truly destitute, on the very brink of ruin, so it's stranger that we know anything at all. Please don't worry about it."
"...What?"
At my earnest explanation, Idella's expression twisted as though I were spouting nonsense.
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