Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. – Chapter 135 – It Is Quite a Large Sum of Money

Author: Cireng

Chapter 135 — It Is Quite a Large Sum of Money

“There are so many people…”

Marlin muttered with a slight frown.

Near the outer wall of the Artea Monastery. Unlike the last time we had visited, the entrance to the Sanctuary of Repose, which had just entered a new chapter in its history, was now packed with crowds of people.

“It’s because the monastery walls are currently being expanded.”

Lucius said as he fingered his rosary.

“There had already been discussions about how it made no sense for the entrance to such a historically significant labyrinth as the Sanctuary of Repose to remain outside the monastery grounds. Now that an entirely new piece of history has been written, this was only the natural next step.”

“So they decided to expand the monastery while they were at it?”

“That’s correct. They’re even planning to construct an entirely new building.”

It was a measure meant to preserve and manage the entrance to the Sanctuary of Repose indoors as a treasured site.

“Once the new building is completed, the Harmony Church will be holding the Sixth District Festival.”

Watching the laborers busily at work, Lucius glanced at me.

“At that time, we intend to officially invite you and all the members of your expedition. Nothing has been finalized yet, but I’ve heard that the Saint himself will also be attending.”

“…The Saint?”

Marlin’s eyes widened into circles as she poked me in the back.

“If it’s the Saint of the Harmony Church… he’s the one who was chosen by Artein at only ten years old and single-handedly stopped an army of monsters, right?”

“You actually know about him for once.”

“…He’s famous.”

A celebrity so renowned that even knowledge-poor Marlin knew who he was.

Ferris Artenia, the Saint of the Harmony Church.

Ordinarily, he remained at the Harmony Church’s Grand Cathedral in the northern region of the Western Continent, or flew wherever help was needed, devoting himself solely to protecting the weak.

If one uncovered the hidden piece of the Sanctuary of Repose, meeting him at the Harmony Church’s festival was guaranteed.

“Marlin, that’s fortunate. The Saint absolutely refuses to meet anyone whose body or heart is ugly. Luckily, we’ll have no problem speaking with him.”

“…Stop slandering people.”

“Why do you always assume I’m lying whenever I say something?”

I tugged the brim of her wide hat downward, blocking her vision, before looking back at Lucius.

The sleepy-eyed priest nodded with a meaningful smile.

“And from now on, the admission procedure will become somewhat more complicated.”

From this point onward, ordinary citizens and explorers would no longer be allowed to enter. Only members of the Harmony Church or cultists who had accumulated enough trust points would be permitted inside to perform volunteer work.

Considering how unpopular the labyrinth already was due to its ridiculously meager rewards compared to its difficulty, no expedition would likely object.

“Let’s go inside.”

I presented my identification badge proving my status as an Honorary Member of the Harmony Church to the labyrinth management priest standing beside the entrance.

“…Lord Karr!”

The priest bowed politely after confirming my credentials.

“You may enter! Please have a safe visit.”

Leaving Lucius behind (he had suffered no injuries). I placed my hand together with the rest of my party upon the snow-white pillar that served as the entrance.

“Oh.”

Bartimir let out a short exclamation as he looked around the central hall of the temple once more.

“Something’s changed.”

The Sanctuary of Repose had changed in many ways.

Most noticeably, the central hall was now overflowing with followers of the Harmony Church. People who had come to volunteer in caring for patients.

After Seraphina’s achievement of holding back an army of non-living golems for several days with only a handful of people became known throughout the Kingdom of Lumes, and followers of Artein flooded in.

“Greetings.”

After waiting for a moment, a middle-aged priest approached us, clasped both hands together, and bowed.

Priest Elion. The devout and respected priest who had guided us during our previous visit.

“We meet again, Half-Elf Kar.”

“May Artein watch over all of our journeys. Priest, have you been well?”

“Thanks to the help you gave us last time, operating the temple has become noticeably easier.”

Wearing a gentle smile, Elion briefly looked over the members who had belonged to Expedition Team One before continuing.

“Have you come to receive treatment from the Saintess?”

“You saw right through us. That’s exactly why we’re here. Everyone suffered injuries while exploring labyrinths.”

“I see. Then I’ll guide you directly to the Saintess’s chamber.”

Following the middle-aged priest deeper into the temple, Pendrick, the owner of Boundless Sociability, cheerfully spoke up.

“So the Saintess finally got her own room back? She really had been living in far too shabby a place!”

“Haha, indeed. So many patients have made complete recoveries and been discharged that we finally have some breathing room now.”

After we returned to reality, Seraphina had negotiated with the King of Lumes and secured his promise of ongoing support.

“Because of that, shamans, bards, and enchanters possessing healing Mysteries are now working in the temple. We’ve also stationed soldiers here permanently, since we never know when the golem army might attack again.”

“So that’s why you look so much brighter now, Priest?”

“Haha… I can’t deny that.”

Elion laughed heartily. Unlike last time, when the atmosphere had been gloomy from beginning to end, smiles now appeared frequently.

“In return, our Guardian Church also agreed to provide considerable assistance to the Kingdom of Lumes, so both sides ended up satisfied.”

Unlike the original history, the Guardian Church of the Sanctuary of Repose would not be rebranded into the Harmony Church.

Instead, it would continue developing independently. Its partnership with the Kingdom of Lumes marked the beginning of that future.

“We’ve arrived.”

While talking, we reached the Saintess’s chamber.

Just as Elion was about to knock…

Bang.

The door opened. The dignified Saintess herself appeared.

“Welcome.”

[Guardian Church Saintess Seraphina (Human, 34 years old). Compared to last time, her complexion is noticeably brighter. It seems she’s finally escaped her crushing overwork to some extent.]

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

Smiling softly, Seraphina led us inside. The Saintess’s room was composed entirely of pure white… the very color that Artein of this era adored.

The walls, the floor, the furniture, the office desk, even the owl dozing atop it… Everything was brilliantly white.

Fwoosh.

Suddenly, both versions of Artein sent their intentions at the same time.

‘My tastes back then were a little excessive…’

‘Pure white truly is the finest color. Wouldn’t you agree?’

Unable to either agree or disagree, I quietly kept my mouth shut.

Seraphina pointed toward a bed in the corner of the room.

“I’ll treat everyone first. Please lie down one at a time. It’s an artifact that causes the injured area to glow.”

“Then I’ll go first!”

Pendrick immediately ran over and lay face down. His wrist instantly began glowing white.

“You came just in time. If you’d left it untreated, you might eventually have lost the ability to wield a sword.”

“…Was it really that serious?”

“Yes. It’s a common misfortune among novice swordsmen who swing their swords beyond their limits.”

Shhhhh—!

Holding Pendrick’s wrist, Seraphina employed a high-tier healing Mystery.

“It’s finished. Next, please.”

“P-Please take care of me…”

Marlin’s ankle was completely healed.

Next came Bartimir.

Fwoooooosh!!

The moment the demonkin lay face down, his entire body radiated an almost blinding light.

The countless curses and illnesses filling his body were the cause.

“Just heal my lower back, Saintess. If you touch anything else, I’ll burst into tears.”

“…Very well.”

Even the somewhat troublesome patient received treatment without incident.

Then it became my turn.

As for me, my head glowed as though it were about to explode.

Seeing that, Seraphina frowned.

“What exactly have you been doing? Your mind is completely worn to pieces.”

“That’s precisely why I came to see you, Saintess.”

Smack.

The Saintess placed her hand against my face with enough force that it almost resembled a slap.

“If you continue abusing both your body and your mind simply because you can rely on me… I’ll start charging you medical fees next time.”

“Would my adorable smile be enough to pay?”

“I’m afraid that would be rather difficult.”

“I see. So you only accept cash?”

After using a mental healing Mystery, Seraphina lightly smacked my face once more before the corners of her lips lifted into a smile.

“It’s simply too large a payment. I wouldn’t have any change to give you.”

[:O]

Marlin nudged Pendrick with her elbow.

“I thought you said she was an elegant Saintess?”

“…Even the Saintess deserves to enjoy conversations with our captain as a little escape every now and then.”

“Really…?”

While those two whispered among themselves, my treatment also came to an end.

“That’s finished.”

Returning to her desk, Seraphina sat with a perfectly upright posture and gently stroked the white owl that was still asleep.

“Thanks to the helpers sent by the Kingdom of Lumes lately, I’ve found myself with a little free time. If there’s anything you’d like to discuss, I’ll listen to all of it.”

“That’s fortunate. I’ve been wanting to talk quite a lot.”

I brought Marlin over to stand before the desk.

“This is my ward, Marlin.”

“Hello… Saintess…”

“…”

The Saintess observed the girl carefully for a moment before slightly raising an eyebrow.

“You possess Heaven’s Ear.”

“…Yes.”

Perhaps because of the high-ranking priest’s extraordinary gaze, Marlin’s shoulders trembled.

Patting her tense back, I explained.

“She recently acquired it by touching a Record Stone inside a labyrinth.”

“That must have been quite an artifact. Is that why you’ve brought her to me?”

“Exactly.”

After briefly glancing toward Pendrick and Astrimia, I continued.

“Among the people I know, you’re the only one who possesses Heaven’s Ear.”

“That would naturally be the case.”

While absently stroking the owl’s head, Seraphina casually remarked,

“Because, besides myself, there aren’t any other half-monsters born between a human and a Sky Wide-Eared creature.”

“…Wha!?”

Astrimia, normally silent around strangers, made a strange noise before hurriedly falling quiet.

Pendrick looked at me with shaking eyes.

“…Captain.”

“Didn’t you say she wasn’t a monster?”

“I did. She’s not a monster. She’s a half-monster.”

A half-monster. A rare race born between monsters and intelligent beings.

“Half-monsters and monsters differ about as much as elves and half-elves. So please refrain from making rude remarks.”

“Karr, however, is free to do so. After all, he’s half of something too.”

“…”

Still clutching my arm, Marlin stood there with her mouth hanging open. Unable to figure out what one ought to say in a situation like this, even Pendrick merely wore an awkward smile.

“A half-monster usually resembles the intelligent parent in appearance… But inherits the monster parent’s traits and physical abilities, right?”

Meanwhile, Bartimir quietly muttered to himself before his eyes suddenly sparkled.

“So that’s why a priest could move her body so well! Now it makes sense!”

Rather than feeling shocked, the mage simply seemed delighted that one of his questions had finally been answered.

“Hoo?”

Holding the awakened owl in her arms, Seraphina leaned back in her chair.

“My father was the leader of a flock of Sky Wide-Ears that had, by chance, learned a human transformation Mystery. That’s why I’ve naturally been able to use Heaven’s Ear ever since I was little.”

“What about Heaven-Piercing Headbutt? I learned that one from the Record Stone!”

“Unfortunately, I didn’t inherit that Mystery. I’m rather proficient in bodily transformations… no, forget I said that.”

Smiling softly, Seraphina stood up and walked over to Marlin.

“How does Heaven’s Ear feel to you?”

“…Voices come rushing at me from every direction all at once. It’s confusing, and it makes me dizzy.”

“I was the same way when I was young.”

The Saintess gently stroked Marlin’s head.

“Karr. Would you like me to teach this child how to use Heaven’s Ear?”

“Would you have time?”

“I’m not exactly free… But even a short lesson will be enough. Practice matters far more than theory.”

“Then I’d be grateful.”

“Gladly.”

Holding Marlin’s hand tightly, Seraphina sat beside her on the bed and began explaining the techniques and applications of Heaven’s Ear.

“Once you become accustomed to the sensation, you’ll be able to spread your hearing over a wide area… or narrow it into a fine point whenever you wish. Practice twice every single day. Without fail.”

“Yes…!”

Marlin was the future’s incredible thief, blessed with 19 Sense. Her comprehension was admittedly lacking, but if she simply imitated the Saintess’s instructions over and over, she would grow accustomed to it quickly.

“Do you understand everything?”

“…Honestly… It’s a little difficult.”

“That’s perfectly fine. Don’t rush. Just keep practicing little by little.”

“Yes. Thank you very much!”

Smiling gently, Seraphina massaged Marlin’s shoulders before beckoning me over with a small wave.

“You called for me?”

“It’s almost time for me to return to work. But before that… I’d like to speak with you alone for a moment.”

After sending the others outside, I sat beside the Saintess.

Seraphina carefully studied my face, then frowned.

“What is it?”

“As I’m sure you know, Karr… I possess one of Lady Artein’s Mysteries that allows me to predict the future to a limited extent.”

Transcendent Intuition.