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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Family Reunion
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This was why Airic couldn't use the holy relic ‘Lightgold’ himself and had entrusted it to me.
If he had done that too, he would have been drained of all his life force and died, even if he was a male lead candidate.
“It's for the Grand Temple, so of course, I must do it. Please don't worry.”
Airic said reassuringly.
But his complexion was as dark and dead as the three slaves—no, people—on the potion-making team, making him look more pitiful than dependable...
Honestly, I could understand if Airic regretted becoming the High Priest of the Sun God.
Only Seth, who had been dropped from the shuttle duty due to his lack of ability, comforted him with a sympathetic look.
Actually, there was a piece of news that would cheer him up if I told him, but unfortunately, I couldn't.
I glanced at the system message that had appeared before my eyes.
【1,000 people have newly learned of the existence of the 'Sun That Crawled Out of Death'.】
【The power of the 'Sun That Crawled Out of Death' has slightly increased.】
【The user's Divine Power has increased by 0.001%.】
Just by selling potions, the Sun God's power had slightly increased.
It wasn't a significant amount, but I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. Rather, it was a harbinger of hope.
The more potions I sold, the more people would learn of the Sun God's existence, and the faster his power would recover.
And if some of them even came seeking to become followers? That would be the icing on the cake.
*Knock, knock.*
Just then, Victoria, who had been waiting outside, knocked on the drawing room door and announced.
“Excuse me, but I think all three of you should come out.”
Not just one of us, but all three? Did something happen outside?
“Well, it seems Lady Monica's family has come to visit the Grand Temple.”
Ah. It seemed the parents, having finally learned of their runaway daughter's whereabouts, had come to drag her back.
“Let's go.”
I headed to the entrance with Airic, Seth, and Victoria, who had been loitering outside.
The rumor must have spread quickly, as all the temple staff were gathered outside.
Those who recognized us parted like the Red Sea, clearing a path.
The sight of Monica that I saw through the gap was…
“...?”
Something was very different from what I had imagined.
Standing before Monica was a middle-aged man and woman, presumably her parents.
With their blue eyes and freckles, their similar appearances alone made it clear they were parent and child…
“Look! I've awakened my divine power!”
“Oh my goodness!”
“Our daughter has divine power!”
At the sight of Monica emitting golden divine power, the couple was teary-eyed and clapping like mad.
...For a runaway daughter and the parents who've come to get her, this scene is too, too peaceful. It's practically touching.
“Ah, Saintess!”
Just then, Monica, who had been showing off her divine power as if boasting, belatedly spotted me and ran over.
“The three of you were in the middle of a conversation, did you come all this way because of me? I'm so sorry for the commotion.”
Monica bowed her head repeatedly, looking ashamed.
“They came without any notice, so I didn't know they would be here today either.”
Well, I did expect her parents to show up eventually.
“Ahem.”
Just then, the couple approached.
As if they hadn't just been acting like doting fools in front of their daughter exercising her divine power, the two of them were now glaring at me with stern faces.
What's this? Anyone watching would think I was some heinous criminal who had kidnapped their beloved daughter.
“Are you the Saintess of this Grand Temple?”
No, judging by his tone, it seems he really does think that.
How absurd.
“Yeah, that's right.”
Who does he think he is, speaking so informally to someone he's just met?
Does he think I can't do the same?
“And who are you?”
The couple looked flustered, apparently not expecting me to be so blatant about dropping formalities.
And the temple staff surrounding us…
...weren't surprised at all.
In fact, they watched the scene nonchalantly, as if it were perfectly normal. Even Seth and Airic had calm expressions.
Then again, compared to Ordel's colorful track record, this was nothing.
“Ahem! I am Count Jake Hindel, from the eastern part of the Empire. Monica's father.”
“I'm Ordel, the Saintess of the Sun God's Grand Temple. Are you here to see your daughter?”
Count or whatever, I had no intention of speaking formally.
As I made that abundantly clear, the Count began to look confused.
Finally, Monica, unable to watch any longer, stepped in.
“Why are you acting like that toward my Saintess! You should be more polite!”
She wasn't chiding me for speaking informally to her parents, but her parents themselves.
She even stretched out her arms to block me protectively. Honestly, anyone would think your parents were about to do me some great harm.
“Monica!”
“What!”
“My, my own daughter... how could she do this to me!”
What a mess... Now that I see it, Count Hindel isn't an overbearing father, just a doting fool who adores his daughter.
But still, what did I ever do to your daughter to deserve that glare?
“Calm down, dear. You've finally seen your daughter after so long. Do you want to get kicked out after just yelling?”
The one who diffused the situation was the quietly standing Countess Hindel.
She pushed the glaring Count behind her and stepped forward elegantly.
“Please forgive our rudeness, Saintess. I am Miriam Hindel, Monica's mother.”
The woman, with her soft brown hair styled in a neat bun, was a striking beauty.
Looking at her intelligent blue eyes, I could see exactly who Monica resembled.
Though her personality seemed to take after her father.
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Hindel. You must have had a long journey coming all this way from the east.”
When I spoke politely this time, the Count looked at me as if he'd been betrayed.
*You should have been polite from the start.*
“It was quite far. The journey to find a daughter we hadn't heard from in over half a year was quite difficult emotionally.”
Monica flinched at the pointed words and subtly hid behind me.
It was clear who held the real power in the Hindel family.
“We were aware of the situation to some extent.”
I glanced at Monica and saw her clutching the hem of my clothes with an anxious expression.
Did she think I was going to tell the runaway girl it was time to go home?
As if.
“However, I would like you to know that the Grand Temple of the Sun God respects the thoughts and freedom of individuals, and we have no intention of forcing any decision upon Monica.”
We are not holding Monica here against her will.
At the same time, we have no intention of ignoring her wishes and sending her home.
I made sure to emphasize this point.
For one, I didn't want to let Monica go. My life had become so much more convenient since she became my aide.
Besides, she was also a great help with the business.
She's a promising apprentice priestess and a healing power shuttle. You think I'd let her go so easily?
Not a chance.
“B-But, our daughter...!”
Sensing my strong resolve, Count Hindel raised his voice.
As Monica tried to step forward again in response, I first calmed everyone down.
“So, why don't we start with a calm conversation? You're a family reunited after half a year. You should catch up in a quiet place.”
Even so, I couldn't just tell them to leave immediately because I had no intention of returning their runaway daughter.
If her parents were trash like Count Kiris, I would have thrown salt and chased them away, but anyone could see they were a close family.
“Monica, you can use my drawing room to talk with your parents. You can give them a tour of the Grand Temple, too... though there's not much to see.”
We'd been so focused on potion-making that we hadn't started any serious renovations yet.
The Hindels might be horrified by the state of the Grand Temple and try to drag their daughter away, but Monica's own will to stay was firm, so it would probably be fine.
“Alright, everyone, disperse. Go on back to your duties.”
I clapped my hands once, and the gathered crowd scattered in an orderly fashion without a word of complaint.
“Sir Victoria, let's go for a walk.”
My bedroom was right next to the drawing room, and I figured my presence would make it awkward for the family to have a heartwarming conversation, so I decided to make myself scarce.
“May I join you?”
“You're welcome to.”
Seth joined the walk.
We naturally looked at Airic.
“...Let's go.”
Airic, worn out with fatigue, seemed to lack even the energy to refuse and listlessly followed along.
I'll have to ask someone to make him some restorative food. This won't do.
“Well then, have a good talk, Monica.”
I patted Monica's shoulder, gave a nod to the Hindels, and left.
Hoping that Monica would successfully persuade her parents.
And it wasn't long before I realized.
That Monica was, truly, an incredible bulldozer.
She went beyond mere persuasion and performed the astonishing feat of converting her own parents into followers of our Grand Temple.
