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Chapter 21
The Estar Empire was already paying a huge amount of donations.
But even that was not even a fraction of the price of her life.
‘I’m quite expensive, you know. I’m high-quality manpower.’
All this time, just because she was a priest, she couldn’t own private property, and she couldn’t even run away.
“You shouldn’t underestimate the regret of someone who died without ever spending money freely.”
This time, no matter what, she would take her share.
As if he felt Helicia’s determination, Emperor Pero let out a dry laugh.
“The Holy Nation has become quite cunning. Fine. The journey back won’t be easy.”
With a gesture from him, a royal aide approached.
Soon after, Empress Libel called Viela and Arzen.
It seemed like she wanted to ask about the donations and Arzen’s illness.
As the situation changed, the cheerful atmosphere of the banquet quickly died down.
The nobles present all watched Emperor Pero carefully and exaggerated their concern more than usual.
Only one person did not.
Duke Rephon, who was standing by the window along the Great Hall wall.
He quietly watched Viela while tilting his champagne glass.
Helicia tightly grabbed Lato’s clothes.
“Lato. From now on, no matter what I say, stay still.”
She could feel his gaze looking down at her.
That meant agreement.
Helicia quickly pulled Lato along and stood in front of Duke Rephon.
Seeing her, the Duke politely greeted her a moment faster.
“Blessed one of God. I greet you, though it is late.”
“Hello!”
Delas, who noticed Helicia, swallowed his smile and politely placed his hand on his chest and bowed.
“It is an honor to meet you again, Saintess.”
His greeting was too mature for a child.
Helicia lightly bent her knees and greeted him back in a simple, childlike manner.
She smiled brightly and spoke cheerfully.
“Young Duke. I think I’ll be visiting the palace often now!”
“Then you’ll come to the capital often too?”
Delas’s eyes sparkled. His slightly excited voice showed how he felt.
Helicia nodded energetically.
“That’s right! So…”
She hesitated for a moment, pretending to be shy, and asked,
“I’m not very familiar with palace etiquette.”
If her fellow priest had heard this, they would have jumped up in shock.
But Helicia looked genuinely troubled.
She already knew most etiquette.
What she needed now was not lessons—but time with Delas.
“So… would it be possible for you to teach me and Lato etiquette?”
At the mention of his name, Lato’s finger twitched slightly.
Thanks to her warning earlier, it was barely noticeable.
‘If I only ask for women’s etiquette, Arpessian won’t be able to learn.’
Delas blinked in surprise.
“I don’t know women’s etiquette well enough to teach…”
She hadn’t expected him to teach.
Famous teachers were known by household heads.
Especially Duke Rephon, who raised Delas strictly.
Delas glanced at Duke Rephon.
When he looked up, the Duke’s calm eyes were fixed on Helicia.
It was a calculating gaze.
Helicia smiled innocently.
“If you ever need help from the temple, I’ll help you instead.”
The biggest reason the rebellion failed was treatment.
Viela, who was with Emperor Pero, was skilled in healing, so they could respond quickly.
But the rebels couldn’t.
The continent relied heavily on the temple for immediate treatment.
And anyone who learned healing was connected to Viela.
She was the one who developed it.
The temple was neutral and couldn’t take sides.
But a Saintess was different.
“A Saintess could heal countless people with just one touch.”
What no priest or cleric could do, Helicia could.
‘This is something I can’t offer once my divine power disappears.’
So this was a deal she could only make now.
It was only etiquette lessons.
With a child of similar age, it wasn’t a bad investment.
Duke Rephon briefly glanced at Viela.
Then he nodded willingly.
“I was thinking Delas should have a friend to learn with.”
“Wow, then we can learn together?”
“Yes. I’ll find a good teacher who can teach even the Saintess.”
Delas’s face brightened.
His cheeks turned slightly red with happiness—just like a child.
Helicia watched him and thought for a moment.
“Then where will I learn? I need to stay in the palace to watch over the Princes…”
“There is a villa in the capital, but traveling would be inconvenient.”
“Then…”
Helicia finally brought up her real goal.
“Would it be possible to learn inside the Prince’s palace?”
◆◆◆
The Holy Nation became lively with an unexpected celebration.
They returned from a simple diplomatic banquet with enormous donations.
Even high priests who were wary of the young Saintess now looked pleased.
Looking at the endless gold coming into the temple, High Priest Berdic asked,
“Lady Helicia, what is all this?”
“I received it as payment for regularly treating Prince Arzen and Prince Arpessian! Nothing in this world is free.”
Of course, she secretly kept some.
‘I need to survive too.’
She quietly took 20 Quin.
It was a unit worth 100 gold each.
A commoner could live their entire life comfortably with just 1 Quin.
She planned to use some for teaching Arpessian, and the rest as emergency funds—or to buy good food for Lato.
This was the first time in her life she had handled such a large amount of money.
Helicia smiled brightly.
“The temple has been struggling because there weren’t many donations before!”
Berdic asked in surprise,
“How did you know that…?”
Anyone could tell just by looking at the temple.
Even a caterpillar eating an apple would be shocked.
For such a large Holy Nation, there weren’t even enough priests to fill one hall.
But after Helicia arrived, new faces slowly increased.
Buildings under delayed repair were finally being fixed.
“The survival of the Holy Nation depended on the Saintess.”
They only needed the name “Saintess.”
Her ability didn’t matter if they hid it.
Helicia remembered the priests who worried about donations after her power disappeared in the past.
Her expression hardened slightly.
“I grew up reading people in the streets.”
“…God Kashei has truly blessed us. I didn’t want to burden such a young Saintess…”
Guilt appeared in Berdic’s eyes.
After a brief exchange, Helicia walked across the temple and called Lato, who was talking with high priests.
“Lato!”
After politely greeting them, he came to her.
Helicia went straight to her room.
As soon as Lato entered, she locked the door.
Click.
Helicia smiled meaningfully.
Lato’s usually calm eyes shook slightly.
“What is it?”
His stiff expression showed his tension.
Helicia proudly opened her robe wide.
Inside, gold bars were tightly attached, shining even brighter than the golden embroidery.
It was as if the robe was made for this purpose.
While she smiled proudly, Lato looked unusually serious.
“Close it.”
“Why? I’m showing off my emergency funds.”
“What if someone sees?”
“Our cute Lato. Are you feeling guilty over this? You’re so honest.”
“Don’t lie. I saw you not even blink.”
Of course.
Why would she give money she earned herself to the gods?
She only reported some to the temple because Lato’s welfare depended on it.
Otherwise, she would’ve taken it to her grave in a gold coffin.
Lato, who strongly opposed her taking donations, showed slight dissatisfaction.
“I don’t know what I should do. And I’m not cute.”
“Our adorable Lato just needs to be good with a sword. Are you confident in teaching?”
“I was already thinking of teaching you self-defense. And I’m not adorable.”
Helicia casually stroked the gold on her robe.
“Teach me how to attack people… and how to defend myself from death.”
