episode_0090

Episode 90.

Yesterday, two palace officials visited the monastery to investigate in detail the overall financial situation, personnel status, and material needs.

Based on that, the budget size needed per year was determined. With a charity business plan written like that, I went to the first temple.

“No, princess? What’s going on? Hehe, it’s really nice to see you again with clear eyes.”

“I’m glad you regained your health, Mut.”

He was a completely different person than when he was under the curse. Despite his elderly age, Mutt seemed very energetic.

“Would you please look at this?”

I handed him the documents I brought. After quickly scanning the contents, Mut looked at me again.

“This is… a monastery with a saint. But why do I do this to me?”

“I already looked into it. Isn’t it the church’s inherent authority to select religious institutions that will receive support from the national treasury?”

“That is correct. However, this year’s support recipients have already been decided. I can’t change it now…”

I also looked into this in advance. The target of support has hardly changed over the years.

Most of them were already wealthy prayer houses or convents. No, I don’t know if I have become wealthy because I have received consistent support over a long period of time.

What they all have in common is that they have connections to nobles or high-ranking clergy.

It’s a pathetic story. Ultimately, what motivates groups that cry out for faith is money and personal connections.

Among them, there were circumstances in which it was assumed that a monastery overlooking the sea was used as a summer vacation home, or that a convent was used as a place to search for concubines.

I sighed and said, knowing all about such situations.

“That’s why I’m asking you, Mut. I’m not going to ask you to change everything. However, if you are the first priest of the Supreme Priests’ Council, you can include Orbin Monastery in the support list, even if it means cutting the budget of other places, right?”

Mutt looked very embarrassed.

“That… no matter how much the princess asks, it seems difficult. Even though I am the number one priest, I am only one of seven in the Supreme Priest Association. There are so many interests involved, it would be difficult for me to cut the budget carelessly…”

Now you openly use the word ‘interest’. Well, actually, that’s not an accurate expression.

I took a moment to catch my breath and spoke softly.

“mut. Please don’t disillusion me anymore.”

“Yes?”

“Didn’t you recover from illness some time ago thanks to the saint? Are you saying you didn’t feel even the slightest bit of gratitude?”

“That is… I am grateful. But shouldn’t we distinguish between public and private life?”

“You just said it was a conflict of interest, right? What kind of interests are those who distinguish between public and private matters?”

“Well, that is…”

Mut closed his mouth as if he had nothing to say. My face was also turning red.

“Yes. Relief supplies were delivered to Orbin Monastery in your name. Two sacks of oats and wheat, several bundles of dirty wool and three bundles of firewood. It’s probably an item that was donated for free somewhere, right? Do you really think that’s the price you pay for saving your life?”

Reelia does not use her divine power expecting something in return. The case is limited to the intention of the other party. Leelia always puts her good intentions first.

It would be nice if good intentions were always rewarded with good intentions, but the problem is that there are people in the world who think of taking advantage of good intentions the moment they are shown.

Reelia has probably met such people countless times. Although there are some strange corners, Reelia is by no means stupid. He must have known from the beginning that his good intentions were not being treated as they should.

Nevertheless, Rielia does not give up on her work as a saint. I study hard about curses, find cursed items, and save people suffering from curses.

Probably even at this moment.

Mutt was completely dumbfounded.

“I don’t intend to blame you. Because you are not the only one who gave Reelia the plausible name of saint and thought of it as a convenient free curse-removing potion. But do you really think that’s right? I’m giving you a chance to make it right, Mut.”

Mut lowered his head. After letting out a long sigh, he raised his head again. It was a face of deep repentance.

“…Everything the princess said is correct. We are all… sinners. I will take responsibility for this matter and do my best.”

Mutt carefully saved the charity plan I gave him as if it were a page from a temple.

“Please, Mut. I thought you would say that.”

I nodded to him with a smile and left the room.

* * *

Phew, it looks like the persuasion was successful.

I thought this approach would work best for Moot. Still, he is a human being with at least a conscience.

In fact, there were many ways to help. I could have used funds from the Roberts Company, or I could have done it within my own pocket money.

Nevertheless, the reason why this cumbersome method was chosen was because they wanted to keep the aristocratic power in check and at the same time stimulate the corrupt elements of the church.

Although it is true that I was a little angry at the attitude of thinking of Leelia insignificantly.

To be precise, we can say that all people in this country are idiots. All I can say is that it is truly incomprehensibly foolish that no one knows the value of Leelia.

Leelia is an incredible talent who can easily lift most curses. As long as the power of the curse exists, Reelia’s divine power to counter it is also a powerful force.

No one recognized that self-evident fact and left Reelia to rot in a shabby monastery. If he had been thinking at all, he would have secured her somehow, either by providing support or by bringing her in some other way.

Just like I’m going to do now.

Of course, Leelia’s selfless attitude may have played a role in that.

A gratuitous saint who lifts curses without expecting anything in return. Anyway, it is given for free to anyone who does Reelia’s favor. Maybe I didn’t feel the need to put any effort into it.

Anyway, for me, all I have to do is pick up the treasures that fall on the floor. Be careful not to let anyone steal it until it’s completely in your pocket.

Knock, knock, a knock was heard. The maid who came in with my permission was holding an envelope.

“Princess Sera, the first priest has sent you something. Does it look like an official document?”

“Give me this.”

The maid approached me and handed me an envelope with the seal of the highest priest. I opened it and smiled as I read the contents.

* * *

“This, this, this…”

The next cart arrives before the load has even been unloaded. The carts were pushed so far that the end was not even visible.

The people of the monastery, including the children, were busy carrying things. Even less fortunate cart drivers rolled up their sleeves and helped.

“It looks like the supplies were sent just in line with the monastery’s storage limit. It looks like the manpower to do the work was not taken into account.”

This is more than the items I wrote about. Mutt probably used his strength. In fact, considering the modest size of Orbin Monastery, it probably wasn’t that difficult.

“This is all done by the princess…?”

I nodded calmly. To be exact, it came from the government treasury, but it was thanks to me, so that’s it.

Leelia was staring at the spectacle outside the window, unable to sit or stand. For someone who is accustomed to leading by example, the idea of doing nothing while everyone else was working seemed to be an anxiety in itself.

“Oh, I can’t do that. I want to go and help too. It seems like a lot of work…”

“No, you can stay here, Leelia. Even if I go anyway, those slender arms won’t be of much help.”

“Well, still…”

“It’s okay. This is actually the fair share that Leelia should have received.”

“Yes? Me?”

Are you not even aware of it? What a great job you have done so far.

I spoke in the serious voice I usually use for speeches.

“Yes, Leelia. As the princess of this country, I would like to thank you for saving the people of Lustier from a terrible curse. If it weren’t for your efforts, you don’t know how many people would have died or gotten sick.”

“Well, what is it, princess… Suddenly… I just did what I had to do… I am a saint.”

I got up from my seat and headed to the seat next to Leelia. I said to Leelia, whose eyes were startled.

“You don’t have to be a saint at every moment. When you’re with me, you can just be Leelia.”

“Yes, yes? Well, like that… But I…”

I gently hugged Reelia, who didn’t know what to do. Leelia made a strange beeping sound and froze.

“When you’re with me, you don’t have to carry anything. I will take on all the hard work. Rely on me, Reelia.”

“Wow, wow, princess… this, this… uh, wow…”

I feel Reelia’s arm carefully placed on my back. Leelia’s breathing gradually became more stable.

Soft and small body. If you hold it too tightly, it feels like it will break. The body feels too small to fight against the terrible curse.

At one point, Leelia was sobbing. He made as little noise as possible because he didn’t want me to hear him. Of course, it was completely useless.

On the contrary, I was smiling with satisfaction at the thought that I had almost achieved my goal.