When I asked with a weary voice, the High Priest made a distinctive smile and slowly recited a prayer. Soon a familiar scent began to spread, surrounding me with an aura of refreshment.

Oh, thank you, Your Eminence.

Your strange way of blessing has never changed. As you are old enough, why dont you stop it?

Dont you know we have agreed to respect each others tastes? Quartus, did I ever tell you to do this or that?

Thats enough. I dont want to talk. By the way

The blonde High Priest, who shook his head from side to side, looked up at me and said, I heard from Secundus that you need my help. Is that right?

Ah, yes. Thats right.

Did you say you need my divine power and testimony? Well, I have no problem using my divine power, let alone my testimony, but there is one condition.

What is it?

I am different from Secundus. I dont care about the honor of the temple or how they look at me. What I want is only one thing. That is

Why is he beating around the bush instead of getting to the point?

When I tilted my head, he said with rather an emotional voice, It is money.

Pardon? Money? My eyes were wide open.

Money? Did I hear wrong? It cant be that the High Priest is asking for money.

However, it was clear that I heard him right.

The blonde High Priest continued with an excited expression, Yes, its money. Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think like others that money is a trifling thing that only commoners care about?

Oh, no. Thats not what I mean

Im glad to hear that. Money! What a great value it is! To be honest with you, does your faith feed you? Whats the use of loyalty, honor, dignity, or something like that? The most important thing in the world is money! It is money! Because they have money, people can eat something delicious, wear warm clothes, and have a good nights sleep. Dont you think so?

Well

Well? Think about it. It takes money to build an estate, run the country, and build a grand temple like this and praise God. What moves the world is money Ah, what did you do to me, Secundus?

Hitting him on the head, who kept babbling on, the gray-haired High Priest said, I warned you to watch your language. She might misunderstand you.

What did I do

Im sorry he showed shameful behavior to you, but dont get him wrong. Actually, there is one thing that Qartus has been doing for a long time. He has been supporting orphans. This time it seems that he was in financial difficulties because of an increase in orphans as a result of the wars among the kingdoms.

Oh, I see.

I felt relieved to hear that, nodding at him. Although I still felt a bit embarrassed, I could calm down after hearing his detailed explanation.

Well, I dont have any problem with that. If you let me know the amount you need, Ill send you the money immediately. Oh, by the way

Suddenly, something came to my mind, so I added with a bright smile.

If you want it, I can set aside a place in my familys estate to support the orphans. Of course, I will financially support you each year.

Are you serious? If you can do it, theres nothing more I can ask for. Good.

Thank you, Your Eminence. Would you please visit the Imperial Palace in the near future?

Let me brief the emperor about it.

I broke into a smile at the High Priest who nodded immediately. Although I needed to donate a certain amount of money, I had no problem building an orphanage in my familys estate. Besies, its a special project that the High Priest pays special attention to. If I can make connections with him through this project, he would be certainly helpful to me in one way or another. Besides, its going to be a great opportunity for my family to be widely known to the people. In other words, I would have nothing to lose.

Clicking his tongue while looking at the blonde High Priest, the gray-haired High Priest said, Tut, tut. How innocent you are! Well, hes doing good things anyway. Dont you think so, Lady Monique?

I was a little embarrassed when I saw his mischievous smile, but I said casually, I think so, Your Eminence. By the way, did you take care of my request the other day?

I havent gotten the item you requested yet, but I think I can obtain it sooner or later as they are searching for the man who can make it.

I see. I hope I can get some good news in a short period of time. Oh, this is the first result of my investigation of what you requested of me.

I presented a document to him. I wish I could obtain an antidote on the occasion of my visit here, but I was satisfied with the fact that he would obtain it, even if he has not yet obtained it.

Besides, I made a new deal with the new High Priest.

As if he had been expecting it, the High Priest began to read immediately after accepting the document. After reading through the last chapter, he spoke with a cold smile, Thank you, Lady Monique. I find its very helpful.

Im still investigating, so I think I can give you more details in the near future. Shall we meet again then?

That would be great. Oh, dont worry about the festival. Ill make sure there wont happen anything you worry about.

Thank you. Then let me leave now.

After lightly bowing my head, I rose from my seat, leaving the two High Priests behind.

As I stepped into the hallway, pillars in green and white and geometric patterns carved into the walls caught my eye, let alone the symbols of Vita, made of gold.

The scene revealed under the bright light, too luxurious for a temple, was so different from the Santuarium, the sacred place that consisted only of things in pure white, just like the top priests in luxurious outfits were different from the High Priest in a white robe.

Who is going to be the final winner?

I shook off the idle thoughts that suddenly crossed my mind, walking toward the front door at a distance. The shade around the door decorated with gold was very dark, but as the priests, who recognized me easily, opened the door immediately, I could easily get out of the temple.

I was going to get into the wagon after apologizing to the family knights who had been waiting for a long time, when I suddenly noticed roses blooming near the door. Although they were withering in the morning when I arrived, they were now blooming, full of vitality.

What happened? Since there are three High Priests here, did they use divine power? But one is a baby and the other two were with me inside all the time, When did they take time off to do so?

When I looked at the roses closely, the knight escorting me asked with a puzzled expression, Whats the matter, my lady?

Oh, nothing. Let s go.

Feeling a bit strange, I headed back home with the knights.

Can you take a look at this?

As soon as I was done working morning shifts the next day, I went straight to the Central Palace to handle all sorts of miscellaneous stuff. Then the emperor, who was writing something with a quill for some time, said, handing me an envelope as if he just thought of it, This is a report submitted by the prime minister. Its about the case of Earl Lanier that the Monique family has been investigating.

Oh, I see.

Well, it seems like there is a delay in the investigation for some reason, but I would like to tell you that I keep it in mind.

Oh thats fine, Your Majesty. Your safety should be the priority now.

Only

Im sorry. I will certainly find the true culprit and bring him to justice.

Im so grateful for your deep consideration.

He cleared his throat, slightly avoiding me who deeply bowed to him, then said, handing me another, It contained something I investigated secretly by myself. Just read it for your reference as I think you might want to see it when there is another discussion of this matter.

If you did it secretly, it must be very important. Why are you showing it to me?

Didnt I promise to you the other day? I told you I would provide you with as many documents as you want with respect to this case. So, you dont have to worry about it.

Thank you so much, Your Majesty.

After nodding lightly, I took the thin envelope and carefully opened it.

Ugh? What is this?