I Don't Want To Work! - Chapter 32
CHAPTER 32
“Then the goddess Detmé will soon inhabit the new holy object.”
“Yes, she will.”
<…Liar.>
In response, the wheat stalk entwined within the relic trembled slightly.
Oh, you’re awake now. Why did you wake up so soon?
‘You should have stayed unconscious a little longer.’
<Uh, what?>
“Just a moment, priest.”
With a cheerful expression, I grabbed the priest who was about to take the relic and smiled broadly.
“I think I may have overexerted myself. May I rest here for a bit?”
As I spoke, I discreetly untangled the wheat stalk from the relic with my hand.
<Where are you taking me?>
The wheat stalk in my hand, or rather Detmé, seemed startled as its leaves fluttered.
The emperor spoke up.
“If you’re feeling too tired, you may return to the palace. I permit it.”
Is that acceptable?
Honestly, it was a tempting offer.
If I returned now, I wouldn’t have to face other nobles.
We’ve exchanged greetings, so it wouldn’t be against etiquette.
‘Besides, it’s not like I’ll get caught for creating it.’
I cautiously dropped the two roots I had brought just in case into the poison.
There were a few roots left, but it wasn’t certain if they would sustain me through the day.
“Since you’ve always been frail since childhood.”
The emperor looked at me with a worried expression.
“There’s no need to push yourself.”
He said affectionately, gently stroking my head.
Like how I tenderly stroked Arkin’s head with affection in the morning.
“….”
I glanced at the emperor for a moment. Then, I nodded.
“It’s not to that extent. I just need a moment to rest.”
“…Alright.”
His large hand withdrew.
“Don’t push yourself too hard. If you want to go back, you can return anytime. Let Gerol know.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The emperor and the good empress walked ahead, returning to the temple, followed by the grand priest and senior priest.
Left alone in the courtyard, I blinked for a moment, holding the now more wilted wheat stalk.
<Family, huh? Did you unexpectedly find a decent human to call family?>
Huh? I blinked.
‘What are you talking about?’
<No, you’ve subtly had no luck with family. It’s either orphans or weirdos sticking around as family all the time.>
The wheat stalk continued speaking.
<The only time you encountered a somewhat decent family was when they were already old and about to die.>
It’s like it’s just showing you a glimpse of such families.
“….”
It was true.
Despite being a genius, I seemed to be unfortunate in terms of family luck.
Luckily, when I finally found a humane person as family, it was just before they died of old age, regaining memories of the past.
<Enjoy this life a little. Do you know how worried I’ve been every time you were on the brink of death?>
‘You’ve been watching over me?’
<Of course! You may not know, but I’ve been paying close attention to you. However, I couldn’t help due to the rules.>
I blinked.
I thought I was the only one who’d survived all these years, but there must have been some kind of god, or gods, who cared.
<To be honest, I support this strike. Those young ones who haven’t even lived a thousand years. Just stuffing their bellies, tsk!>
The wheat stalk clicked its tongue loudly.
While saying, ‘Back in my day~ couldn’t even rest~, it was chaos~,’ it flicked its leaves.
“Heh.”
Laughter escaped involuntarily.
As the wheat stalk stared at me without speaking, I felt as if even Detmé herself was smiling.
<By the way, what’s the real reason you left me out? I need to be back in the relic soon to safely pass the ritual.>
‘It’s nothing much. You said you’d reward me if I finished the job.’
<Oh, a reward. Well then, it’s better to give it now. So, do you need anything? Since you helped none other than me, Detmé, you deserve a sufficient reward. Alright then!>
‘Really? I’m glad!’
I smiled broadly and stood in front of the sacred tree again.
They’re all gone, aren’t they?
They’re all gone, right?
As I glanced around, I felt a strange chill from the wheat stalk’s voice.
<What are you planning to do…?>
‘Oh, nothing much.’
The waist that was thrown away for now.
Let’s make another relic!!
<Aaah!!>
In the empty courtyard behind the temple of the god Detmé, the scream of Detmé, no, the wheat stalk, echoed.
* * *
“Wow….”
The relic emitted such a bright light that it could be seen even by the commoners watching from a distance, not just the nobles sitting in the front.
To exaggerate a bit, the light was so strong that it could almost cover the faces of the grand priest and the emperor standing next to him.
“This year seems to be a great year.”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen a relic shine so brightly.”
“It’s probably because of the emperor’s and the grand priest’s devotion.”
It’s just because I’m pissed.
Well, Detmé must have felt the heat too, having broken her waist twice.
‘Well, I got something good out of it.’
I raised the corner of my mouth as I heard the murmurs from behind.
“Sister.”
Arkin, who was sitting next to me, spoke up, cutting through the people’s whispers.
“But you know, earlier, where did you go?”
“Earlier?”
“Yeah, you went out with His Majesty and the Good Empress earlier.”
Arkin leaned toward me, his eyes shining.
“So, what did you do?”
“Ah…”
I glanced slightly to the side.
Stella and Leonard were sitting next to me.
Ugh.
“I didn’t do anything special!”
Blushing slightly, I waved my hand.
“You know I’ve been studying herbalism lately, right?”
Arkin nodded.
“I’ve been dealing with a lot of herbs and trees lately.”
“So?”
Arkin tapped the armrest of the chair impatiently with his small hands.
“But I noticed that the end of the relic was a bit rotten! Since the relic is also made of branches, it seemed like it was calling for me.”
I scratched my neck, finishing my sentence.
“But it’s still a relic. There was nothing I could do. It seemed like the grand priest did something. I don’t really know.”
“I see.”
Arkin nodded as if he completely understood. Leonard and Stella, who had been eavesdropping on our conversation from behind, were the same.
‘I know they’re pretending not to hear, but they’re hearing everything.’
When I returned brightly summoned by the Good Empress, they must be curious. After all, if I had played a role in resolving this issue, I would also be a target of suspicion from now on.
‘I did well to prepare in advance.’
I repeatedly thanked the Grand priest and the High Priest, attributing everything to their deep devotion.
“The actions I took were merely a dream. It’s not a remarkable thing for a person to dream.”
“Your Highness…”
“So, could you please refrain from showing excessive interest in my story? I’m a bit, afraid.”
As I said so and bowed deeply, the two of them were thrilled.
“Of course, Your Highness!”
“Just trust us!!”
That’s how I shut the mouths of the Grand priest and the High Priest.
‘The Emperor and the Good Empress were surprisingly easy to convince.’
Thanks to that, there seemed to be no more troublesome tasks in the future.
However, I made sure to secure what was necessary.
“Your Highness.”
Before the ritual began, the Grand priest who came to find me bowed deeply.
“I came to express my gratitude.”
“You’ve already spoken enough.”
The Grand priest shook his head.
“No matter how much I say, it’s not enough. You covered up my mistake. So, Your Highness.”
The Grand priest smiled as if he had made up his mind.
“Our temple of Detmé and I will stand by Your Highness’ side no matter what happens.”
‘Then thank you.’
My goal is to quietly live a comfortable life, but honestly, life is unpredictable. Anything can happen, and that’s what life is all about. So the more allies, the better.
‘Besides, the temple of Detmé wields tremendous influence.’
Even though commerce has developed, agriculture is still the foundation. Therefore, many followed Detmé, the god of abundance. Even those who worshiped other gods were willing to make concessions to Detmé’s followers.
‘In a way, Detmé, the god of abundance, had as many followers as the main gods.’
And today, that temple has decided to watch over me.
‘Great, really great!’
I covered my mouth and smiled. Even if I make a mistake once or twice, it won’t be a problem. Plus, I gained this.
I glanced back at the tree branch faintly glowing behind me.
Profit.
No matter how hard I try to hold it back, the corners of my mouth keep rising.
‘A relic of the god of prosperity, not of any other god!’
Each relic not only possessed sanctity but also carried a faint trace of the abilities of the respective gods. Wherever there was a relic of the Sun, there were more clear days than cloudy ones. In places with the relic of the God of Wine, high-quality wine tended to be produced. And in places with the relic of the God of Abundance, Detmé…
‘Crops that are difficult to grow thrive!’
The reason why the sacred tree had grown for thousands of years was undoubtedly due to Detmé’s relic.
‘Great, great. I’ll plant this in my garden now.’
I had planned to create a small garden in one corner of the garden and plant various medicinal herbs, including the Starlight Flowers.
‘That’s it, I can finally get healthy!’
I cheered inwardly, overjoyed.
‘Huh.’
I made eye contact with someone.
If there was one problem, it was that amidst the crowd where only strangers should be, I made eye contact with a familiar face.