The reason Airic couldn't use the holy relic Light Gold himself and entrusted it to me was also because of this.
If he'd tried to use that too, even if he is a male lead candidate, he probably would've died from having all his life force sucked out.
"It's for the sake of the Grand Temple, so of course I must do it. Please don't worry."
Airic said reassuringly.
But his complexion was just as dark and lifeless as that of the three potion production team slaves—no, people—so rather than feeling reassured, I just felt terribly sorry for him…
Honestly, I wouldn't blame him if he said he regretted becoming the High Priest of the Sun God.
Seth, who had dropped out of the potion shuttle due to his lack of skill, gave him a pitiful look and tried to comfort him.
Actually, there is a bit of news that would probably cheer him up if I told him, but unfortunately, I can't.
I glanced at the system message floating before my eyes.
[1,000 people have newly become aware of the existence of the 'Sun Crawled Back from Death.']
[The power of the 'Sun Crawled Back from Death' increases slightly.]
[User's divine power increases by 0.001%.]
All I did was sell potions, and yet the power of the Sun God increased a little.
It wasn't a significant amount numerically, but I wasn't disappointed at all. On the contrary, it was a sign of hope.
The more potions I sell, the more people will come to know of the Sun God's existence, and that means the rate at which he regains power will speed up.
And if some of them even come to join as followers? That would be the cherry on top.
Knock knock.
Just then, Victoria, who had been waiting outside, knocked on the reception room door and spoke up.
"Um, sorry, but it seems all three of you need to come out."
All three of us, not just one? Did something happen outside?
"Well, apparently, Miss Monica's family has come to visit the Grand Temple."
Ah. Looks like her parents finally learned about their runaway daughter and came to fetch her.
"Let's go."
I headed to the entrance with Airic, Seth, and Victoria, who was hovering nervously outside.
Apparently, word had spread fast—everyone from the temple had come outside.
As soon as they recognized us, the crowd parted like Moses parting the Red Sea.
And through that space, I saw Monica...
"…?"
Something was very different from what I'd imagined.
In front of Monica stood a middle-aged man and woman, presumably her parents.
With their blue eyes, freckles, and unmistakable resemblance, they were clearly family…
"Look! I've awakened divine power!"
"Oh my heavens!"
"Our daughter has divine power!"
The couple clapped wildly, eyes brimming with tears, at the sight of Monica radiating golden divine power.
…This wasn't the dramatic reunion of runaway daughter and stern parents I was expecting. This was… oddly touching?
"Ah! Saintess!"
Just then, Monica, proudly showing off her divine power, spotted me and came running.
"Were you all talking? Did you come out because of me? I'm so sorry for causing a commotion."
Monica bowed deeply, clearly feeling guilty.
"I didn't know they'd come today. They didn't contact me beforehand."
Well, I did expect her parents to show up someday.
"Ahem."
At that moment, the couple approached.
Not long ago, they had been fawning over their daughter and her divine powers like doting fools. But now, they were glaring at me with grim expressions.
What's this? Anyone would think I was some terrible criminal who kidnapped their precious daughter.
"So, you're the saintess of this Grand Temple?"
Judging by their tone, they really do think that.
Unbelievable.
"Yeah, that's right."
What's with the casual tone on our first meeting?
Did they think I wouldn't respond in kind?
"And who might you be?"
They clearly didn't expect me to speak so informally, and looked momentarily flustered.
The temple folks surrounding us… didn't even blink.
In fact, they looked like they were watching something completely normal. Even Seth and Airic had calm expressions.
Well, considering all the outrageous things Ordell has done before, I guess this barely registers.
"Ahem! I am Count Jake Hindel from the eastern empire. Monica's biological father."
"I'm Ordell, Saintess of the Sun God's Grand Temple. Are you here to see your daughter?"
Count or not, I had zero intention of speaking politely.
As I made that clear, Count Hindel began to look genuinely confused.
Eventually, Monica couldn't stand it any longer and stepped forward.
"Why are you speaking to our Saintess like that! You should be treating her with respect!"
Rather than scolding me for speaking informally to her parents, she scolded them.
She even stretched out her arms protectively in front of me as if shielding me—anyone watching might've thought her parents had done something terrible to me.
"Monica!"
"What?!"
"How… how could my own daughter treat me like this!"
What a mess… Now that I look closer, Count Hindel doesn't seem like some overbearing father—just a hopeless dad who's crazy about his daughter.
But seriously, what did I ever do to deserve that glare?
"Calm down. You've just reunited with your daughter after all this time—do you really want to get kicked out just for yelling?"
The one who stepped in to sort things out was the count's wife, who had remained quiet until now.
She gently pushed the glaring Count Hindel aside and gracefully stepped forward.
"Please forgive the rudeness, Saintess. I am Miriam Hindel, Monica's mother."
The woman, with her soft brown hair neatly pinned up, was an exceptionally striking beauty.
Seeing her intelligent blue eyes, it was obvious where Monica got her looks.
Her personality, however, seemed to take more after her father.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Hindel. You must have had a difficult journey coming all the way here from the East."
When I spoke politely this time, the Count looked at me like I had betrayed him.
Well, maybe you should've been more polite too.
"It was quite a journey indeed. It's been emotionally draining, searching for our daughter who'd been missing for over half a year."
At her words, laced with quiet reproach, Monica flinched and quickly hid behind me.
It was now clear who really held the reins in the Hindel household.
"We've been briefed on the situation to some extent," I said.
When I glanced at Monica, she anxiously clutched at my sleeve.
Did she think I was going to tell her to pack up and go home?
No way.
"However, please understand that the Sun God's Grand Temple respects individual freedom and thought. We have no intention of forcing Monica to do anything."
We're not holding her here against her will.
And for that same reason, we have no intention of sending her away against her will, either.
I made sure to stress this part clearly.
Because, first of all, I don't want her to leave. Ever since Monica became one of my close aides, my life has become so much easier.
On top of that, she's been actively helping with the business.
She's got a bright future as an apprentice priestess and even serves as our healing-power shuttle. Does it look like I'm going to let her go without a fight?
Not a chance.
"Wha—our daughter…!"
Sensing my firm resolve, Count Hindel raised his voice.
Monica seemed ready to jump in again, but I calmed everyone down first.
"So, why don't we all sit down and have a proper conversation? You're seeing your daughter for the first time in half a year—take some time to catch up somewhere peaceful."
Even so, I can't just say, "You're not getting her back, so leave."
If her parents were trash like Count Kiris, I'd have thrown salt at them and kicked them out, but these two were clearly loving parents.
"Monica, feel free to use my reception room and spend some time with your parents. You can even show them around the temple… though there's not much to see."
We hadn't been able to start serious renovations yet due to being completely absorbed in potion production.
The Hindels might be horrified by the current state of the temple and try to drag their daughter back—but Monica's determination to stay here seemed solid, so it should be fine.
"Alright, everyone disperse. Back to your duties."
I clapped my hands once, and the gathered people scattered in perfect order without a word.
"Lady Victoria, shall we go for a walk?"
I figured staying near the reception room—my bedroom was right next to it—might make it awkward for a family trying to have a heartfelt conversation, so I decided to give them space.
"May I join you as well?"
"You're welcome."
Seth asked to come along for the walk.
Naturally, we all looked at Airic.
"…Let's go."
Completely drained, Airic trudged after us with no strength left to refuse.
Looks like I'll need to whip up a tonic for him—he's really not doing well.
"Well then, talk things out properly, Monica."
After patting Monica on the shoulder, I gave the Hindel couple a polite nod and stepped away.
I truly hoped Monica would be able to persuade her parents well.
And it wasn't long before I realized something.
Monica was, without a doubt, an incredible bulldozer.
She didn't just persuade her parents—she went as far as recruiting them as new believers of our Grand Temple.
[T/L: Read extra chapters on my ko-fi page "Pokemon1920" : http://ko-fi.com/pokemon1920 ]