Chapter 75: Holy Water…? – 4

Chapter 75: Holy Water…? – 4

“…I’m tired.”

“What is it?”

The elegant ringing of bells, followed by gentle words.

In the white cathedral, which anyone would describe as reverent and sacred, many people sought the ‘Saintess’ today, and the high-ranking officials of the church were no exception.

The Saintess, or very rarely a Saint, chosen directly by God, was the mascot of the grand cathedral located in the center of the Holy Kingdom, and an idol-like figure for the church.

Therefore, the Saintess’s duties were quite numerous.

Her role and mission were to guide back into the church’s embrace not only those who had turned their backs on it, but also countless others who knew nothing about it.

Because of this, there were many instances where the Saintess was replaced.

This was mainly due to reasons such as the Saintess’s own faith wavering or showing even a slight lack of piety, but to the public, it was announced that a new Saintess had been born and had taken over the position.

Of course, occasionally, there were cases where they were replaced due to discovering ‘truths’ they shouldn’t have known, or due to the ‘circumstances’ of high-ranking officials including the Pope and Cardinal.

…And those who stepped down from the Saintess’s position in such a way, literally ‘returned to God’s embrace.’

Naturally, these matters were unknown to anyone outside, as well as to all but the high-ranking officials of the church.

Even those belonging to the church and the grand cathedral, if they were low-ranking, merely revered the existence of the Saintess.

……Laughably, a fake Saintess whom God had never actually chosen, but whom everyone, including the Saintess herself, believed to be real.

“Saintess-nim, there’s a new task.”

“…What is it?”

“You will need to be dispatched to the Imperial Capital.”

“The Capital? I understand there are many devout believers there…”

“It is in their nature to be two-faced, to receive teachings but not follow them. Especially now, there’s an outrageous incident of someone selling potions that impersonate divine power…”

“…I suppose I should go. It must be a mistake they made because they don’t yet know His true beauty and mercy, so I must correct them.”

“Oh, Saintess-nim! Such evildoers don’t act that way because they don’t know God’s beauty! They know and use it for their own dark intentions! They are sinners, and heretics!”

“Then all the more reason to inform them of His will. That is my mission and the mission of the church, as one who serves God.”

All Saintess have, and had, unwavering faith.

The image of the Saintess that the church desired was someone whom the public would see and blindly worship, while also being solely devoted to following God’s will and having no interest in power.

Because of these demanding conditions, many were ‘educated’ as Saintess, but the number of Saintess candidates was very small.

……And this Saintess, in particular, had a strong sense of faith and mission.

“There are no unforgivable sinners or heretics in this world. He would not wish for such. Is this not why He bestows mercy, Bishop-nim?

Would a life where even the opportunity for repentance is taken away, no matter what sin was committed, be the life He desires for us?”

“…Some sinners must fall into hell and suffer.”

“God will judge such sinners. We, who serve Him, merely guide everyone to be embraced by ‘His grace,’ to realize their sins, even a little.

I believe we are guides, not judges.”

“……That’s right. It is our job to ensure that any sinner can be embraced by ‘God’s grace.'”

In fact, the best way for the church to eliminate threatening forces or individuals was through ‘heresy.’

And such declarations of heresy were usually made through the Saintess, who had absolute recognition, support, and positive evaluations.

However… this Saintess believed that any sinner deserved salvation, and that it was right to educate and make them repent unless God directly commanded otherwise.

No, beyond that… she believed it was her and the church’s mission to spread God’s will and beauty to everyone on the continent and to make sinners repent.

“Anyway, I’ll finish what I’m doing and head to the Empire right away.”

“Thank you for your efforts during this busy time.”

“Not at all. How can I stand idly by when someone dares to impersonate His power? People might be swayed by that power and commit sins.”

“…Then, I ask for your help. May the ‘edification’ be properly carried out.”

“Of course, Bishop-nim. It is my job to create a more beautiful world according to His will.”

With those words, the Bishop-nim bowed lightly and quickly exited the noble room, overflowing with reverence, sanctity, and a sense of mission.

And then, he immediately clucked his tongue.

“Tsk! It’s too much, far too much. Not everything God said is truth, you know. I’ll have to contact the Faith Protection Squad separately.”

It was a voice quite different from the Saintess’s, which was filled with warmth, grace, and reverence.

***

“…It’s the first day, I wonder if it’ll sell well.”

*What on earth are you worried about? If word gets out, it’ll probably all disappear in a day.*

“Does a company employee truly not understand the heart of a Boss-nim…?”

*……There you go again, spouting nonsense. Just take this quest.*

The shop, bought with the Duke’s family’s sponsorship money and beautifully decorated by the system, was now open.

White potions lined the shelves of the shop.

Simple explanations about the potions were written in front, and a sign indicating that it was open was also hung.

……But no customers have come. For two hours.

*Quest!

-> You’ve finally opened your shop! Now all you have to do is welcome customers and sell potions!

=> But everything has its order! Let’s aim to satisfy the customers first!

=> Success is achieved when you gain the satisfaction of customers who come to buy potions!

+> Upon success: Proceed to next quest or a very minor reward

*

“…Isn’t ‘very minor reward’ written a bit too explicitly?”

*Because there’s a high possibility it’ll actually be a reward like 1 silver coin. Which means it’s an easy quest.*

“Customer satisfaction, huh… The price seems appropriate, for now.”

*……I don’t think it’s appropriate; I think it’s excessively cheap.*

The value I set for a stamina potion was 15 silver coins.

…Initially, I wanted to make it 10 silver coins, but Ria’s opposition was so strong that I raised it by 5 silver coins.

Ria, however, insisted on raising it to 50 silver coins, not just 5.

*No, the lowest-grade healing from a priest easily exceeds 100 silver coins, so even receiving half, 50 silver coins, is excessively low, you know?!*

“And because of those exorbitant costs, people here are dying from illness, right? And if they’re sick and all their money is taken, it’s too heartbreaking.”

*…Anyway. But keep in mind that if you keep selling like this, you’ll be operating at a loss. ‘Trace of God’ is an expensive ingredient, you know.*

“I can make money with other potions. I think I still have quite a few ingredients, don’t I?”

As I was chatting with Ria and discussing what kind of potions would be good to make in the future… a very familiar face appeared.

Red hair, red eyes, and the characteristic messy attire of an adventurer.

…It was Melini, whom I had forgotten for quite a while.

“……I didn’t expect you to be my first customer.”

“I didn’t either. I was just passing by and saw some familiar-looking glass bottles.”

“So, are you going to buy one?”

“…Without even explaining what it is?”

“There’s a board with product descriptions in front of the shop, you know.”

At those words, Melini’s gaze quietly turned outside.

Since the day was sunny, the board with the descriptions was basking in the sunlight, proudly displaying its presence.

“……”

“I can tell you didn’t read it, so don’t try any tricks. And to put it simply, it’s a potion that heals wounds when you drink it.”

“You made something like that? Wow, adventurers would love it. They wouldn’t have to see the faces of those priests who act so stuck-up.”

“…You don’t doubt its performance or anything?”

“Me? Why? I’ve already had a history of drinking your potions, haven’t I?”

As she said, Melini had a history of drinking my potions.

…And she also had a history of experiencing their effects firsthand.

Plus, she seemed to have quite a bit of goodwill towards me… so there was no reason to doubt.

“Well, since I’m here, I’ll buy one. How much is it? 70? 80?”

“…It’s 15 silver coins.”

“……Wow, this is the first time I’ve ever doubted the quality of an item after hearing the price at a shop.”

“No, why on earth? It’s not like its effect is completely proven like the priests’ healing, and even I, the creator, don’t know how much it can heal, so that’s why?”

This was sincere.

I knew the stamina potion was effective, and I understood that it could quickly heal fractures… but I didn’t know how far its efficacy extended.

And it’s not like I could intentionally hurt myself or commit self-harm…

“Puhahaha! What, it was a confidence issue? So if the effect is guaranteed, you’ll raise the price?”

“I… wasn’t planning on it, but.”

“Raise it. Otherwise, the Holy Kingdom and those church bastards will just start yelling about heresy or whatever.

Besides, at first, people will buy it out of desperation since its performance isn’t guaranteed, but gradually, those who don’t need it will buy it in large quantities and resell it for profit.”

Melini’s words, delivered with a serious expression, were not to be ignored.

…Ria, Christie sending worried letters, and now Melini saying this, it seems I really do need to re-evaluate the price.

“……”

“You get it, right? You’re a pretty realistic person. So, make sure to raise the price later. Anyway, I’ll see you later, okay?

Oh, by the way, I’m your first customer, isn’t there some kind of service?”

“Wow, when you were talking seriously, you seemed a bit trustworthy, but suddenly you look incredibly frivolous.”

No joke, all the dignity she had just moments ago completely evaporated.

…Melini seemed quite shocked by that remark, though.

“…You’re not offering wounds as a service, are you?”

“……I’ll make you a potion with a special effect you want later. For free.”

*You’re making more work for yourself. You could have just said no.*

And so, my potion shop welcomed its first customer.

……Welcoming a flood of adventurer customers soon after was just a bonus.