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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Dedication Ceremony
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* * *
Thanks to having the Lumen Guild as its own promotional channel, the Sun God's Grand Temple potions sold like hotcakes, quite literally.
The rumors had already spread like wildfire in the west, the guild's base, and word of mouth was slowly starting to travel through the nearby central and southern regions.
Of course, the Lumen Guild was behind it all.
“We've received inquiries from the south, asking if there are any potions left and if pre-orders are possible.”
In the office of Duke Ciel's residence.
At the report from Vice-Captain June Ludmin, Lute smiled in satisfaction.
“The south is adjacent to a desert where magical beasts frequently appear, so they must be in urgent need of potions.”
While the Great Sea God's potions are expensive and alchemy potions are slightly less effective, the newly appeared Sun God potions must be like a ray of light to them.
“What should we do?”
“We'll have to speak with our supplier first.”
Since they're being produced by a small number of people, there's bound to be a limit to the supply.
So, a discussion was necessary first.
“My lord, a letter has arrived from the Grand Temple.”
Just then, his aide, Yuri, entered with some very welcome news.
“Wow, this is the first time I've seen the Captain make such a bright expression.”
As Lute beamed, June exclaimed in admiration. Yuri let out a deep sigh.
“He likes the Saintess so much that he orders us to bring him any news of her, no matter how busy he is.”
“Now *that* is truly surprising. What in the world is their relationship? Is it one where the Captain is obsessed with the Saintess?”
Ignoring the whispering Yuri and June, Lute immediately unfolded the letter.
His heart had been pounding, expecting it to be a letter demanding money, but only for a moment.
Invitation
The clear, powerful script written at the very top was far from what he had expected.
We formally invite Duke Lute Ciel to the dedication ceremony of the Sun God's Grand Temple.
It is a ritual to illuminate a future filled with golden sunlight, so we hope you will grace the occasion with your precious presence.
- Ordel, Daughter of the Sun
A dedication ceremony.
Lute immediately understood its significance.
“It seems the Sun God's Grand Temple intends to make a name for itself in earnest.”
Now that the potion business has become a great success, the timing is perfect.
“Ah, that's great. You'll be attending, of course, right?”
June and Yuri, who had been in the middle of a serious discussion about the relationship between Lute and the Saintess, put it aside for a moment to look at the invitation.
“The Saintess sent such an earnest invitation asking me to come. There's no way I wouldn't go.”
By now, they had learned to let Lute's self-important remarks slide.
“I want to go too!”
June suddenly raised her hand and exclaimed.
“As the person in charge of distributing the Sun God's potions, I believe I'm qualified to attend as well!”
Unfortunately, there was no invitation for her, but June was undeterred.
“When I first met the Saintess, we promised to meet again, so I'm sure she'll welcome me even without an invitation!”
They had gotten along so well, even though it was their first meeting.
She had also shown that she liked me a lot, so there's no way she'd kick me out.
Besides, I made the potion sales a success! Far from kicking me out, she'll give me a huge welcome!
“Why would you make a promise like that with the Saintess?”
Lute asked bluntly. His face was full of dissatisfaction.
“It was a woman-to-woman thing. We're going to be very good friends.”
As June proclaimed proudly, Lute asked in all seriousness.
“You connected? Did she take your money too?”
“Huh? Money?”
“Our Saintess likes rich people. Isn't that why she was so happy to see you?”
June Ludmin was an indispensable figure in the Lumen Guild, so she received a large salary.
Her workload was beyond imagination, but in any case, the money she had saved up so far would likely exceed that of a minor provincial noble.
Just Ordel's type.
“My Saintess. She's got me, the richest of all, but she's still not satisfied with just me.”
Lute grumbled like a pouting child.
Only June and Yuri, who had never experienced the real Ordel, were bewildered.
‘For the Captain, of all people, to be genuinely disappointed... What is the relationship between those two?’
Seeing this rare side of Lute, June's curiosity began to bubble up.
She had only seen Ordel once, so she couldn't figure it out just by watching Lute.
This won't do. I can't stand the curiosity.
No matter what, I have to attend this dedication ceremony and observe the two of them carefully!
* * *
The invitation to the Sun God's Grand Temple dedication ceremony didn't just arrive for Lute Ciel.
One also reached Ordel's adoptive father, Count Joseph Kiris.
Invitation
We invite Count Joseph Kiris to the dedication ceremony of the Sun God's Grand Temple.
It is a ritual to illuminate a future filled with golden sunlight. If you wish to attend, please come to the Grand Temple by the specified date.
- Ordel, Daughter of the Sun
Count Kiris glared at the invitation bearing Ordel's name with terrifying eyes.
A dedication ceremony, a dedication ceremony!
What is this nonsense!
‘I was already dumbfounded by the news that the Sun God's Grand Temple had started selling potions, and now this? A dedication ceremony?’
Bang!
Count Kiris slammed his fist on the desk. The elegant invitation in his hand crumpled grotesquely.
He had never ordered Ordel to do such a useless thing.
Protect your position as the Saintess of the Sun God's Grand Temple. I don't care if you throw tantrums or indulge in luxury there, just hold your position. And don't even think about returning home.
That was all he had asked of her.
But what does she do?
She follows up the potion business by holding a dedication ceremony?
And she dares to specify her name as 'Ordel, Daughter of the Sun' in a letter sent to me?
“How dare she!”
Count Kiris slammed the desk again. This time, the invitation was nearly torn to shreds.
She was supposed to just do as she was told, like a doll. Where does she get off acting like a real Saintess of her own accord?
‘Don't tell me this is what she meant by winning the High Priest's favor to act as a proper spy?’
The words his vassal, Baron Gael, had told him, which he hadn't believed in the slightest.
To think the words he had naturally dismissed were actually true.
“She should have just thrown her usual tantrums, the crazy bitch!”
Count Kiris ground his teeth.
Forging a relationship with Lute Ciel was fortunate, but the rest of this is very problematic.
The potion business, in particular, which will spread the name of the Sun God's Grand Temple far and wide, is absolutely unacceptable.
Why else did he push Ordel into the Sun God's Grand Temple as a fake Saintess!
If it becomes known that the task entrusted to him has gone awry, he will be killed.
‘I must go at once and stop this!’
Before his master finds out!
* * *
While the Grand Temple's renovations and preparations for the dedication ceremony proceeded smoothly, I welcomed the invited guests.
The first to arrive was Lute Ciel.
“You're here earlier than I expected. Did you leave the moment you received the invitation?”
The entrance to the Grand Temple.
I greeted Lute, who was dressed in his usual relaxed attire.
I wonder every time I see him, but if he's just going to perch his glasses carelessly on the tip of his nose like that, why bother wearing them at all?
“You did ask me to grace the occasion with my precious presence, didn't you? The sooner I came, the more it would shine, so I hurried right over.”
Lute smiled sweetly.
His signature languid smile and carelessly worn glasses were in perfect harmony.
So that's why he wears them like that. I guess that makes sense.
“Count Polton and Vice-Captain Ludmin, thank you for making the long journey. Welcome.”
After a brief greeting with Lute, I also offered a welcome to the two people standing behind him.
“Of course, we had to come. Thank you for the invitation.”
Next to Yuri, who was bowing politely, a beaming June shouted energetically.
“Thank you for inviting me, too! I was actually at the duke's residence, so I didn't find out about the invitation sent to the guild until later. I was almost a little hurt, but I got over it in an instant!”
Oops. I lightly clicked my tongue.
“It seems I almost made a big mistake. From now on, I'll make sure to send one to both the guild and the duke's residence. So you don't have to worry.”
“Oh my goodness, just for me! Thank you, Saintess. I won't refuse. I really wouldn't want to miss a letter from you!”
Look at that refreshing shout. I knew I liked her.
I've got to make friends with her.
“By the way, the Grand Temple has changed a lot in the last month.”
Just then, a hand shot out, separating me and June.
Startled by the large, straight hand, I turned my head. For some reason, Lute was pouting.
“Ah, we did some renovations. I made a good connection.”
When I answered obediently, his pouting face crumpled even more.
What's with him? Does he not like that the Grand Temple was renovated?
