The Fifth Inquisition Office (5)
The Fifth Inquisition Office (5)
Matier stepped down from the carriage. Ainkad was one of the most prosperous cities in the north, and the metropolis was beautiful every time he saw it.
"...It doesn't even compare to Venelda."
He had stopped by a few times on business. But every time, he was reminded what a country bumpkin he was and turned back.
You could say even the air was different. Matier slowly exhaled.
Who would have thought that a mere back-alley boss from a frontier city would climb all the way up here?
"You look pleased."
"...Priest."
He had arrived.
His savior, and the person he feared most.
Matier looked down at the boy who was smaller than him. Had he grown a little since before? He still wasn't fully grown, and yet he was already like this—how intimidating would he be once fully grown?
Matier's organization members piled out of the carriage.
"We greet the boss!"
"What's this? Why are there so many?"
"While you were away, Priest, our forces grew considerably as well."
"In that short time?"
"It was a bloody time. We read the business plan you sent carefully. I have a few things to say regarding it. Shall we walk a little?"
"Not bad."
Apprentice Priest Zahard.
No, not anymore. Now he truly was Zahard the "priest."
Matier had never seen anyone advance faster than the boy before him. Was that growth rate simply commensurate with the abilities he possessed?
An apprentice priest and a priest were strictly different. It was no exaggeration to say that he had shed a title that was only for show and now truly received the protection of the "Church."
Touching a priest was the same as touching the entire Church.
Matier sat down on a cafe terrace. He gestured with his hand and ordered a simple drink.
"You've changed a lot since I last saw you."
"I'm right in the middle of growing."
"You're going to grow even more from here... That's a little frightening."
"I'm aiming for about three meters tall."
He knew it was a joke. But when he said it, somehow it didn't sound like a joke.
An extraordinary path. He had heard the news that Zahard had become an internal whistleblower against the Church. Yet instead of being cowed, he was even thinking about making money.
A man whose abilities surpassed his own. Matier lowered his voice.
"Where did the Nectar come from?"
"I picked it up."
"...Let me rephrase the question. Can that amount really be supplied every month?"
"It can. No more, no less, exactly 9ml. If I take out any more than that, troublesome things could happen."
"......"
High Potion.
A legendary potion that could be brewed using Nectar, glimpsed only briefly among the upper ranks.
It was made by adding various medicinal ingredients to water diluted with Nectar. To the original's potent effects, high-grade materials were added to increase recovery power and reduce the poisoning symptoms.
It was called a High Potion, but it didn't simply serve as a potion. To those who handled magical power, it was worth its weight in gold.
The reason, they said, was that it drew out the residue inside the body. A single drink was said to remove most of the impurities accumulated within.
Literally a liquid made by diluting a god's beverage. A potion whose price was whatever you named.
And he was saying that ninety of those came in per month. If each one easily fetched ten to twenty million Talent...
"...Monthly revenue alone is roughly two billion..."
"How about it? Does your mouth water?"
"It's a business I absolutely cannot pass up."
How much was it annually? It was an astronomical sum.
"How much do we get to take?"
"Whatever your investment value is worth."
"...10%?"
"Matier. Come on, friend. Why are you thinking so small? Hm?"
Zahard tapped the table and whispered quietly.
"Take 40%. How about it?"
"...You're telling me to take that much for simple distribution?"
"I told you. We're comrades in the same boat. I treat my people well. At the very least, I don't shortchange them."
"......."
He had to believe those words. Matier's blood surged. Naturally, a thirst rose.
Just listening to the sums made his head feel numb somehow. Matier lifted his cup with trembling hands.
He asked the additional question he had wanted to ask.
"Then are you taking the remaining 60%, Priest?"
"No? Out of that, 20% has to be set aside separately. For the supplier that makes the High Potion. And there's someone else I have to set aside 10% for. A middleman."
"How about investing that 30% in me?"
This was the main point. Matier set down his cup.
"I will handle all of that work for 20%. Priest."
"So that's what all this was about?"
Zahard clicked his tongue.
"20%... Fine. So then you'd be taking 60%?"
"I believe the investment value is sufficient. The more money you have, the more muscle you can hire—and better muscle at that. Perhaps we could even build a force capable of threatening the Church."
"Good words. Not bad. But see..."
The sound of fingers tapping the table repeatedly.
"I don't put all my investments in one place."
"......"
"Matier. Remember. The owner of the board isn't you. It's me. Don't forget who it is you serve."
The air changed.
His shoulders began to grow heavier. Matier looked down at the coffee cup that had at some point begun trembling and rattling about.
What sat before him was a beast, nothing less. A monster that had shed its human mask and could never be tamed.
"Remember when to be greedy and when not to be, okay?"
"......."
Matier gave a small nod. He had misjudged.
The person before him was Zahard.
A monster beyond common sense. He was not someone you could negotiate with.
. . .
The back-alley organizations were being taken down one after another. Hector's crew moved quickly, defeating them piecemeal.
Matier handled the cleanup. The work was proceeding at a rapid pace, and I had to move busily as well.
The things I had promised.
First, I went to find Isabel.
"The production line?"
"We're making a prototype. Once it's finished, I'll bring it to you. You have to set aside 10% for me separately, as promised, right?"
"As long as the deal is solid, I have no reason to betray you."
The prototype was complete. I took a light sip.
[You have consumed a High Potion.]
[Due to first consumption, the limit of your Sacred Power increases.]
[Due to first consumption, the limit of your vessel increases.]
[Due to first consumption, the limit of your soul increases.]
[Impurities are removed from your body.]
[Healing power is drastically enhanced.]
[All stats temporarily increase.]
[A sacred aura caresses you.]
[Your heart quickens, and you can exert power beyond your limits.]
[A mild aphrodisiac effect takes hold.]
[A mild hypnotic effect takes hold.]
[A mild arousal effect takes hold.]
[Caution.]
[Beware of addiction.]
['Sun God's Prayer' dispels mental corruption.]
"Hoo...."
My vision narrowed for an instant. My heart began to race, and it felt as though the blood in my entire body was boiling.
I rolled my shoulder slightly. I struck the wall beside me.
CRAAASH!
The bricks crumbled. I hadn't even circulated Sacred Power, and yet it was this much.
A healing potion and enhancer that could raise stats up to 1.5 times.
It was no different from tucking a spare life into your pocket. Moreover, the sacred aura that settled into the body was as good as a blessing.
When facing undead, its value practically doubled.
"You made this well."
"Right?"
"They didn't say anything else?"
"They were satisfied too."
"They were satisfied with 20%?"
"Because it's just subcontracting."
"That can't be right."
I had expected them to demand at least 30%. A High Potion isn't something you can make easily. The production method was extremely difficult, and it was no exaggeration to say it required the hands of a master craftsman.
If they were satisfied with only 20%, then Isabel had negotiated well.
"Thanks, Isabel."
"Huh?"
"You really are capable."
I said it with all the trust I could muster.
"Keep helping me from now on. I'm counting on you."
"...Uh...uuuh..."
She looked me over from head to toe.
"Are you really sixteen?"
"I'll be seventeen once this year is over."
"I'm scared to see what you'll become once you're an adult. Aren't you going around seducing everyone with that face?"
"It's hard to find a woman who wouldn't fall for me."
"...If it weren't for that last part, I really might have fallen for you. What a shame."
Isabel turned her head with a huff and grabbed the empty bottle.
"So we proceed like this?"
"Of course. But let's hold off on putting it up for sale a little. The organization hasn't established itself yet."
"...Dragging in organizations from who knows where... What kind of person were you, really?"
"Me?"
I grinned.
"A priest of Ra whom I cannot help but revere."
The Isabel matter was resolved. But there was another problem I had to handle.
The problem with Group 2.
From the moment I had gotten them to listen, Isabel and Nord's crew had followed along with the training readily enough.
But Austin's faction couldn't keep up with the training at all. That group alone lagged behind and was constantly catching their breath.
"Huff... huff..."
They clearly lacked talent. And they weren't putting in effort either.
A group that had realized early on they had no talent and half-assed everything. The only one who was somewhat diligent was Austin, but he wasn't the type with much charisma to begin with, so he couldn't even lead the group properly.
All he had going for him was his popularity. That was it.
I let out a sigh. Was Austin the only problem?
That wasn't it either.
"Violence-worshipers with nothing in their heads."
"Big-headed brats who can't even handle their own bodies."
Isabel prioritized money and priestly knowledge.
Nord revered violence and strength, and his character was somewhat lacking.
They were like oil and water. They fought every time I was away, so I had to find another way.
【They're a handful. To think these are the budding sprouts of the Church...】
"What would you have done, Saintess Beatrice?"
【I probably would have buried them out back on the mountain?】
"Should I?"
【Y-you're not really going to, are you?】
Before dealing with Group 2, I first set my hands to what I needed to do.
Something I couldn't do comfortably unless I held the title of apprentice paladin.
Not about the High Potion, not about Group 2 of the Fifth Inquisition Office—something solely about me.
In the end, what always remains is just this one body of mine!
"Shall we get started soon?"
【With what?】
"If I focus only on building backing, I'll eventually be ruined for lack of strength."
Now. Let's go.
The key to solving everything!
"Please teach me all of the Holy Arts I was supposed to learn."
Time to grind skills!