Chapter: 264
“…What does that mean?”
At my words that I had to sell my dignity, Phoebe blinked.
I get it. If someone else said something like this, I’d definitely throw back a reply like, “What kind of crazy talk is that?”
But this was something that absolutely needed to be said.
The person I’m about to meet, Isabel Arteia, is a pervert obsessed with the Divine Grace of God. She will surely react similarly to me as she does to Phoebe, the Saintess of Lord Jushin.
No matter how much it’s Phoebe, standing in front of that pervert would cause significant mental damage, so I had to prepare her mind in advance.
And most importantly, in case it comes down to it, we might really have to sell our dignity together. I had to tell her ahead of time to avoid resentment.
‘That person is… no, very strange.’
“That creepy fanatic is far from normal. If there’s divinity in it, they might even lick a pit.”
“Do you mean Lord Arteia?”
‘…Huh? Phoebe. No way.’
“Sloppy Saintess, do you know about that perverted fanatic?”
“I do. They’re someone who supports the Jushin Church a lot. I’ve met them several times at official events.”
Thinking back, that was true. Isabel Arteia had been closely associated with the Jushin Church for a long time. Where else would the information about all the sacred artifacts she buys come from?
She established ties with the Jushin Church through her immense wealth and was buying various sacred items through that connection.
Of course, she must have participated in several events in that process and faced Phoebe too.
“As far as I know, Lord Arteia is a person full of dignity and grace.”
‘That person?’
“That crazy woman?”
Dignity? Grace? Where on Earth can you find such words to describe that pervert?
As I looked at Phoebe seriously, she forced a laugh.
Hmm, does this mean nothing really happened to Phoebe? Didn’t I want to lock that girl up the moment I saw her?
Thinking about it, there seems to be no depiction in the game’s story that Isabel did anything to Phoebe.
Is it because Phoebe is a fake Saintess?
“Anyway, you want to meet Lord Arteia and ask for something, right? I’ll do my best.”
Not knowing Isabel’s true nature, Phoebe clenched her hands and said she would definitely help me. Her innocent appearance, completely oblivious to the situation, is quite nice.
Right. Phoebe. I won’t explain reality to you.
After all, soon when you truly become the Saintess, you will naturally come to know.
When that time comes, you’ll easily realize that what I said was true.
*
There were various reasons for meeting Phoebe before visiting the Arteia family.
Because Phoebe plays an important role in executing the plans I had in mind.
Because she’s the closest person to me.
Because she seemed like someone who would grant my request.
And among those numerous reasons, there was also the reason that she’d make it easier for me to enter the Arteia family.
Breaking through the Arteia family’s guards was something that happened just yesterday.
Even if the head of the Arteia family thinks quite fondly of me, that feeling wouldn’t be passed on to the guards. It’s possible that I might end up having a scuffle like yesterday.
And here’s Phoebe. The face of Jushin Church and someone who has built good deeds in many places, she’s truly the idol of the continent!
When Phoebe greets with a smile, there’s nowhere for anyone to respond with an ugly comeback!
So if Phoebe steps forward, I’ll be able to enter the Arteia family without shedding a drop of blood!
Thinking that way, I was planning to let Phoebe handle the guards before entering the Arteia family.
“Welcome! Young Lady Allen!”
““Welcome!””
“We truly caused you a lot of trouble last time. We’re very sorry!”
““We’re sorry!””
It seems my worries were quite unnecessary.
Seeing the guards bowing their heads the moment they laid eyes on me says it all.
Strange? Clearly, until I left yesterday, the guards didn’t seem to look favorably on me.
What on Earth did Isabel do after I left yesterday?
I’m curious, but let’s not ask. It doesn’t seem like knowing will do me any good.
Receiving such a warm welcome, we were immediately guided to the reception room of the Arteia family.
There was no waiting time. The head of the Arteia family appeared before the carriage of attendants was even completed.
“Welcome, Young Lady Allen. It is an honor that you’re visiting us again today.”
Isabel Arteia entered the room and attempted to deliver an elegant greeting befitting a noble, but her intent was not properly realized.
Her neat attire and graceful movements were nice, but the expression was the problem.
Her overly excited, melting smile was definitely not the kind of expression one would expect from a noble, or a person.
Without a doubt, that was a clear pervert’s face.
What’s more, Phoebe looked shocked, freezing her smile.
“…Ah. The Saintess is here too. I apologize.”
After rambling some words to me, when she finally noticed Phoebe next to her, she hurriedly adjusted her expression and took her seat in front of us.
Her reaction was definitely normal when it came to Phoebe.
It’s not about the amount of divinity; it seems the quality of the divinity within actually matters.
…Damn. If this continues, I’m left with no choice but to offer myself as a sacrifice.
It can’t be helped. I have to prevent such a situation from arising.
After finishing the customary greetings, Isabel took a sip of the tea brought by the attendants while casting a glance at Phoebe and me.
Then she placed her teacup down and turned her gaze toward me.
“So, Young Lady, what brings you here today?”
‘I have a necessary item.’
“It seems you have something more extraordinary than a mere item for a perverted fanatic. I’m here to take it.”
“Didn’t you say you needed nothing aside from the Tablet?”
That’s right. I told Isabel that I didn’t need anything else, as she was trying to lure me with this and that.
But the situation has changed. To save the Burrow Territory.
To dispel the darkness lurking there.
To make another sun rise beneath the darkness.
I needed the various sacred artifacts Isabel possessed.
‘The situation has changed.’
“But no matter how I think about it, they seem like items too extravagant for you.”
“What kind of items do you consider so extravagant?”
Instead of answering Isabel’s question, I pulled out some paper from my pocket and handed it to her.
As Isabel looked over the items written on the paper, her face stiffened for a moment before she forced a smile and began to read the items listed.
“The Staff of Taornati. A staff used by one of the ancient saints. It is a high-value historical item, very expensive.”
The Staff of Taornati.
Its historical value means nothing to me.
There’s only one important thing: that staff has a function to amplify divinity once a day.
“The blessed water that appeared when the Lord descended. It was quite difficult to obtain, as it is treated as a sacred item by the Jushin Church.”
The Shoddy God is a pervert trying to dress a small girl like a bunny girl, but still, the Lord is the Lord.
Anything touched by his hands becomes a top-notch catalyst.
In this case, it will seamlessly link my divine magic with Phoebe’s divine magic.
“Earth that originally resided in the Holy Land.”
The soil that will serve as the foundation of the miracle I am preparing.
“Powder made from angel’s wings.”
The powder that will paint upon it.
“A sacred sword consecrated for the last 100 years.”
The sword that will become the center of all these miracles.
“Lastly, the power of the divine energy that you received instead of the tablet last time.”
Lastly, the power that will be the source of the miracle.
After reciting everything I had noted, Isabel let out a snicker and laid the paper down on the desk.
“All of these items are precious.”
As Isabel said, every item I noted down was indeed worthy of being called a sacred item.
Simply trying to buy them with money would probably require hundreds of platinum coins, right?
“It’s true that I have plenty of money, but acquiring all of these is difficult. Young Lady.”
Right. That’s true. Those items aren’t something that can simply be acquired just because one has a lot of money.
‘But you have them, don’t you?’
“Ah, you know? I knew it all along. You foolish fanatic.”
But Isabel, you’re not just someone with a lot of money, are you?
You have enough wealth to spare.
The power to access sacred items first when they hit the market.
And an almost maniacal obsession with sacred items.
Having all of this means you possess every single one of those items.
Right?
Others might be deceived, but you can’t deceive me.
When I was raiding in the past, I’ve plundered your territory several times before.
“Indeed. It seems I cannot deceive you when it comes to sacred items.”
Isabel nodded in agreement, not denying my statement any further.
“Yes. You are correct. All of the items listed here are in my storage. However, as you know, each of these items is exceedingly precious. No matter how good my feelings toward you, I cannot simply hand them over as a favor.”
I know. Isabel Arteia, even if she is obsessed with divinity, has her limits.
Her foundation is that of a merchant. There’s no way she would donate her vast wealth to a place of no profit.
“What do you plan to trade for these items?”
Even I am not the kind of person who would just ask for items worth hundreds of platinum coins.
Of course, Isabel came with some conditions that would make her eyes sparkle.
A proposal that no one besides me could think of, much less put forth.
‘The right to help me.’
“I’m willing to grant you the right to help me. How’s that? Isn’t that an enticing offer for someone like you, a perverted fanatic?”
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