Chapter 227: The Believer of Gold Plots a Festival

◆Temple Head of the God of Commerce◆

I am the Temple Head of the Holy Capital who serves the God of Commerce.

In other words, the de facto pinnacle of the believers who serve the God of Commerce.

On that day, I had summoned the high priests serving the temple to the conference room in the back.

“Thank you all for coming.”

Having finished the light greetings, we moved on to the agenda.

“Now then, the time for the divine ritual is fast approaching.”

The first topic was not the matter I called everyone for today, but the Holy Capital’s annual event, the divine ritual.

A number of the high priests seemed disappointed, having expected me to talk about that matter.

So young, so young. Their restlessness shows right through their reactions.

If you lack patience, the ones below you will quickly snatch away your seat as a high priest, you know?

This is not the Temple of the War God that values martial might, nor the Temple of the God of Wisdom that values knowledge.

This is the Temple of the God of Commerce, where money and behind-the-scenes maneuvering do the talking!

“However, a slight problem has occurred.”

The atmosphere in the room changed as we entered the main topic.

“As you all may know, it seems the Temple of the Chief God is making strange moves.”

Yes, that was the reason I had unusually gathered the high priests.

When I sent a signal with my gaze, the Cardinal sitting in the seat next to me opened the documents on the desk.

“I shall explain from here.”

The moment the Cardinal opened his mouth, several high priests intensified their glares.

There are many who aim for his seat as the Number 2. They all intend to drag him down by any means necessary and nitpick his flaws to take his place.

Well, as the Number 2 of the church, he won’t show his weaknesses so easily.

Rather, showing their hostility over something of this level just proves their immaturity.

“Regarding the Temple of the Chief God, we have received reports that the church suddenly became as good as new in an instant.”

” ” “Huh!?” ” “

At the Cardinal’s statement, a few high priests let out dumbfounded voices.

“In an instant, you say!? What nonsense!”

One of the ones who let out a dumbfounded voice gleefully condemned the Cardinal.

But you are the fool here.

“There is no mistake. During the day, right in front of dozens of people watching, the Temple of the Chief God suddenly became as good as new. This has been confirmed not only by us but also by church officials worshipping other gods.”

The Cardinal smoothly revealed that his intelligence network extends even to the temples of other gods, showing off his high information-gathering capabilities, but the person spoken to didn’t understand the meaning of those words at all.

Good grief, what a foolish man. Did he not gather information before the meeting was held? Or did he not believe the information he gathered?

Whatever the case, this man is a lost cause. He will likely have his position as a high priest snatched away in less than a year.

The Cardinal ignored the incompetent high priest and shifted the topic to the next piece of information.

“Furthermore, a user of advanced healing magic has enrolled at the Temple of the Chief God.”

“Advanced healing magic? Is it someone like that Saintess?”

The room buzzed at the word “Saintess” that I uttered.

Saintess Foka. A high priest serving the Earth Mother Goddess, and an eccentric priest who spends most of the year as an adventurer.

However, the power of her recovery magic is tremendous, and if you asked who is the most reliable for treating injuries and illnesses in this Holy Capital, her name would undoubtedly come up.

It’s a frustrating story, but a user of healing magic of that caliber likely doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world, let alone our church.

Therefore, even without being stationed permanently in the Holy Capital, she holds significant speaking power within the temples.

“No, according to those who received treatment from both, they said this person might be an even greater user of healing magic than Saintess Foka.”

“What!?”

At the unexpected statement issued by the Cardinal, I feigned surprise.

Of course, I already knew this from the preliminary information I received from him.

A little theatrics are necessary to make a meeting run smoothly.

“A user of healing magic greater than the Saintess… that is quite…”

“To add to that, I hear she is a peerlessly beautiful girl.”

“I-Is that so?”

“Yes.”

No, was there a need to add that piece of information?

“Also, it is unclear if this is directly related, but the number of monsters around the Holy Capital has drastically decreased.”

“Monsters drastically decreased?”

With the topic suddenly flying off in another direction, everyone tilted their heads.

“As you all know, even the Holy Capital, which is deeply blessed by the gods, is overflowing with monsters once you step outside. Furthermore, in recent years, the appearances of high-ranking monsters that haven’t been seen before have also been sporadically observed.”

Ah, there was such talk, wasn’t there.

“There was a rumor that a territorial dispute occurred in the neighboring mountains and fields, and the monsters driven out of their territory drifted over here, was there not?”

“Yes, exactly.”

I recall hearing that we were currently investigating the matter in cooperation with each temple, but in reality, I’ve also heard that the power struggle for leadership is fierce and the investigation’s progress is poor. Mostly because the Temple of the War God is being noisy about it.

“Even among those monsters, it seems only the high-ranking monsters were completely eradicated.”

“Did the monsters not simply move to another land?”

Another priest dubiously verified if the monsters hadn’t simply changed their habitat.

“No, travelers and merchants have actually witnessed them fighting and defeating high-ranking monsters.”

The Cardinal stated that there were testimonies from multiple third parties, not church officials.

I had received the preliminary information, but to eradicate high-ranking monsters, they must be quite skilled.

If I recall correctly, subjugating them would be difficult unless it was an A-rank adventurer party or multiple B-rank parties… right?

In fact, the high priests listening to the report had their eyes wide with surprise.

“…Furthermore, according to the testimonies, the ones going around exterminating the monsters were just two young girls.”

” ” “Two girls!?” ” “

“No, no, no, surely that cannot be! The monsters that have settled around the Holy Capital lately are being dealt with by the combat priests of the War God’s Temple, and the guards and adventurers hired by the other temples!”

“Exactly, as for the high-ranking monsters the Cardinal just mentioned, even our military forces struggle against them, you know!?

And you’re saying they were defeated by just two girls!?”

Even as everyone raised voices of bewildered disbelief, the Cardinal remained unbothered.

“The girls appear to be users of tremendous magic and swordplay, and it is said that giant monsters were subjugated in the blink of an eye.”

Everyone looked as if they couldn’t immediately believe it, but at the same time, they were half-in-doubt, unable to think that the Cardinal—the Number 2 of our temple—would make a joke.

“According to eyewitness reports, one is a beautiful girl with a large chest, and the other is a girl with a sharp glare but an irresistible charm, accompanied by a moving mop-like creature with a beautiful coat.”

…Well, they might be starting to think this could be a bad-taste joke.

“And those two girls, having arrived at the Holy Capital, supposedly entered the Temple of the Chief God.”

” ” “The Temple of the Chief God!?” ” “

And here the topic returns to the Temple of the Chief God.

The Cardinal was the one who brought the topic up, after all. There’s no way it’s completely unrelated.

“Fumu…”

With the Cardinal’s report finished, I opened my mouth.

“A temple that suddenly became as good as new, an unparalleled user of healing magic, and two girls possessing tremendous combat skills… I see.”

I paused the conversation here for a moment, and upon confirming that everyone’s focus had shifted from the surprise of the report’s contents to me, I resumed speaking.

“They undoubtedly came to participate in the pilgrimage.”

” ” “!” ” “

Everyone’s faces shifted to a look of realization.

“I do not know how they did it, but repairing the temple must be one of their demonstrations of power before the pilgrimage. By showing off their strength, they want to say that the Temple of the Chief God has not lost its power.”

But if so, there are parts that remain unexplained.

“However, to be honest, I cannot believe the Temple of the Chief God has that much power left. We have a grasp on the flow of money in the Temple of the Chief God, and they shouldn’t have the financial power to do such a thing, nor the leeway to recruit such skilled individuals.”

Umu, exactly right.

“Indeed. After all, they made a field on the temple grounds to stave off starvation.”

” ” “Hahahaha.” ” “

It’s a well-known joke among temple officials that the Temple of the Chief God secretly made a field to save on food expenses.

That they are impoverished to that extent.

Despite that, those who could think deeply were once again racking their brains over how they prepared such pawns.

“Most likely, some major power sent them in to intervene in the Holy Capital.”

“A major power… you say!?”

Yes, that is exactly why I called everyone here.

“I presume the Kalden Empire, which worships the Chief God to elevate the Emperor’s authority, plotted to increase their influence in the Holy Capital by rebuilding the Temple of the Chief God.”

That empire is said to be the very incarnation of a lust for domination, from the Emperor down to the nobles below him.

In fact, information from our spies has confirmed that the majority of the nobles are exactly like that.

Because of that, utilizing that trait makes investigation easy, though.

Furthermore, the Empire has recently undergone a generational change with a new Emperor, and the political situation is unstable.

To quickly increase their control, they probably desire the prestige of the Temple of the Chief God, the god of rulers.

And not the church in their own country, but the prestige of the temple in the Holy Capital, the headquarters.

However, the current Temple of the Chief God is far too weak to obtain that prestige.

For that reason, they likely want to succeed in the pilgrimage and revive the prestige of the Chief God.

If that happens, the temple won’t be able to refuse the requests of the Empire that dedicated itself to its restoration.

“They probably think that if they can pull the strings of the Holy Capital’s temples, which hold strong influence over nations worldwide, they can legitimize their own path to supremacy. How shallow.”

“In that case, are those individuals the Emperor’s pawns?”

“Likely so.”

However, even in my information network, there was no information on imperial soldiers possessing such skill.

They are probably special individuals raised as trump cards to invade other countries.

To throw them in without holding back… does the Empire seriously intend to subjugate this Holy Capital?

To not fear the gods, what a blasphemous bunch.

“Temple Head, how shall we proceed?”

Asked by the Cardinal, I muttered a “Fumu,” placed a hand on my chin, and fell into thought.

“Then let us do this. The Temple of the Chief God must have letters or something noting their dealings with the Empire. We shall use that as evidence to strip them of their qualifications to participate in the pilgrimage. This is a crucial role to protect the divine ritual. To the one who splendidly exposes the evil deeds of the Temple of the Chief God, I promise a promotion.”

” ” “Ooooh!!” ” “

Everyone became restless at the reward I presented.

When one becomes a high priest, considerable donations and achievements are necessary to ascend to an even higher rank.

If accomplishing this matter guarantees a promotion, there is no way they won’t take on the challenge.

“Then please leave it to me! I shall definitely expose the evil deeds of the Chief God’s Temple for you to see!”

“No, no, it is impossible for you. Leave it to me.”

“What did you say, you bastard!”

“Good grief, how unsightly. Temple Head, if you leave it to me, I shall produce results immediately for you to see.”

Right away, several high priests began appealing to me, each claiming they were the one for the job.

Good, good, everyone is overflowing with motivation.

“Your Eminence, by all means, leave it to me!”

“Umu, umu, everyone’s faith is deep. That is a good thing. I have high expectations for you all.”

When the meeting ended, the high priests scrambled over each other to dash out of the conference room.

Ho ho ho, do your best.

If everyone works hard, I can obtain beneficial information without decreasing my own funds, and furthermore, elevate the authority of the Temple of the God of Commerce another step.

“If that happens, the number of believers will increase further, and the money flowing into my pockets will also increase.”

Making money isn’t just about obtaining it. It means maximally reducing expenses and maximally raising income.

“Annihilated, you say?”

A few days after the meeting, I received a surprising report from the Cardinal.

“Yes. All the spies that infiltrated were captured. And apparently, they were found tied up on the main street with ‘Thief’ written on them.”

“What the…”

The spies sent out by the high priests were completely wiped out?

At such a terrible result, I was utterly astounded.

“What is this, are those below us that lacking in capable personnel?”

For people calling themselves high priests to only be able to prepare subordinates of that level is truly pathetic.

“No, the spies they possessed were skilled individuals on the level of A to B-rank if they were adventurers. They were by no means incompetent.”

“What!? Is that true?”

I don’t know much about the realities of adventurers, but even I know that A and B-rank adventurers are highly skilled.

“Yes. A-rank equivalents are few, but there were indeed highly skilled individuals. And even if they were B-rank equivalents, they were individuals gathered by high priests. With enough numbers, they can even rival an A-rank.”

“…If that is true, does that mean the Temple of the Chief God’s countermeasures against spies are flawless?”

Does that mean the Empire’s agents have infiltrated the Temple of the Chief God even more deeply than expected?

“Thanks to this, the investigation has become difficult. The faces of those captured in this incident have been exposed, so the identities of the spies they possessed are likely known not only in the Holy Capital but in neighboring nations as well.”

The Cardinal also furrowed his brows, wondering what to do.

Indeed. This Holy Capital is teeming with spies sent from various countries.

Even among the priests, there are many who are intimate with spies.

With this failure, the high priests have practically lost their spies.

“A silver lining in this misfortune might be that not only the spies from our temple, but the spies from other temples were captured as well. Because of that, it has become impossible to investigate which temple’s pawns the captured spies belonged to.”

“If their bellies were probed, everyone would feel the pain, after all.”

“Shall we summon new spies from the outside?”

The Cardinal asked if we should recall skilled spies operating in other countries.

But that is a bad move.

If we recall spies at this timing, it’s like confessing to the spies of other countries that the ones who returned are affiliated with the temple.

“Wait, wait. There is no need for us to make a move directly.”

“What do you mean?”

“Spies don’t work. It would be meaningless even if we unleashed spies again. In that case, instead of us, shall we have another temple make a move?”

“Another temple… you say?”

Fumu, you don’t understand? The Cardinal is still young, too.

“We shall instigate the Temple of the War God to conduct a frontal investigation.”

“What did you say!?”

Hearing that we would use the Temple of the War God, the Cardinal widened his eyes.

“B-But the Temple of the War God also failed to sneak in spies.”

“That is exactly why. Because of this failure, decent folks will hesitate. However, the bunch at the Temple of the War God are hot-blooded. We will use the ones among them who are the most thoughtless and desperate for achievements. If we casually leak information to that person that the Temple of the Chief God might be connected to the Empire, they will move on their own for the sake of achievements.”

“…I see, certainly if it’s them, it wouldn’t be strange for them to act arbitrarily on their own.”

The Temple of the War God has many individuals who think that, for better or worse, as long as they have power, things will work out.

A lowly priest would understand the doctrine and limit their use of power to self-defense and protection, but the lower priests who spend their days immersed in power struggles in the Holy Capital will easily fall for it.

This way, I won’t have to use the spies I’ve groomed myself.

“As expected of the Temple Head. If it’s that bunch, they will surely believe justice is with them and foolishly charge straight in.”

“Umu, then I leave the subsequent preparations to you.”

“Yes, sir.”

And so, the stratagem utilizing the Temple of the War God began.

If this succeeds, my reign will continue for a while longer.

The young ones should have just taken their time and formed a plan after watching the others fail.

So naive, so naive. It seems they will continue to be my wallet for a good while longer.