Subscriber of the Gods

Chapter 157: Donation

Since his appointment to this Arien territory, Bishop Vincent had taken on various responsibilities.

Among them, the one he paid the most attention to was helping the weak.

The Holylight Order is a religion that considers spreading and practicing goodness as a virtue.

Therefore, helping the weak was one of their main missions.

There were quite a lot of poor people near Arien territory.

The weak who were born in back alleys and only knew the harsh world.

Those who are sick but can’t afford treatment due to lack of money.

Most territory residents bring their newborns to the Holylight Order for baptism, and when they do, the order provides support items.

But there were too many people who didn’t even know this information.

Although the lord was ruling well, he couldn’t thoroughly examine every back alley and underdeveloped area, so there were inevitably places that were neglected and left unattended.

That’s why Vincent paid even more attention to them.

As he became in charge of the order in a territory, Vincent wanted to take care of all such people and do good.

However, there were limitations. He had only one body, there was much to do, and the order’s financial situation was also lacking.

Although the Holylight Order was a place that bestowed and practiced goodness, it wasn’t a charity organization, nor did it have unlimited money.

The order’s budget was limited, so there were inevitably places that the order’s hand couldn’t reach.

Many businessmen had approached Vincent.

Saying they wanted to help.

But their words always came with conditions.

‘It’s obvious.’

They made unacceptable proposals in return for donations.

It was often followed by uncomfortable content such as the exclusive right to sell holy water or secretly granting some of the authorities held by the order only to their side.

‘I have no choice but to refuse.’

These were proposals that could corrupt the church in the future.

How could the church properly fulfill its role if it was swayed by capitalists?

Later, they would probably abandon all unprofitable projects, swayed by that money.

What meaning is there in goodness practiced with discrimination?

Vincent thought Ethan would be the same as them.

There must be a reason for donating such a large sum of money, and based on his experiences so far, those reasons were usually things that led the church and believers to corruption.

‘This person will say the same thing.’

Vincent focused on Ethan’s mouth.

Knowing what he was going to say, he was ready to refuse immediately.

“It’s to help more people.”

“For such a reason… Pardon?”

Bishop Vincent blinked at Ethan’s words.

To help more people?

Does this mean he’s not asking for something in return for the donation or requesting secret benefits?

“Is that really the reason?”

When such a devout reason came out of Ethan’s mouth, Bishop Vincent couldn’t help but ask with a puzzled expression.

Among all the people who had come under the pretext of donation so far, not a single one had said they would donate purely for a good reason.

So he couldn’t help but be suspicious.

“I fully understand your concern.”

Ethan smiled at Vincent.

Seeing that smile, Vincent unknowingly felt embarrassed.

“I don’t want anything.”

Ethan calmly conveyed his intention.

“This money is nothing to me. I’m earning a considerable amount of money even at this moment. It’s because the business I started is doing well, thanks to various strokes of luck.”

While saying this, Ethan took out another money pouch.

“But it won’t be for the people down there. There are people dying even as I’m making money. There must be people who want to firmly grasp the hand extended by the Holylight Order.”

Bishop Vincent nodded at Ethan’s words.

“Truth can’t be found in high places. It can be found from down there, from the lowest of places. At least that’s what I think.”

“…Mr. Ethan.”

At those words, Bishop Vincent’s eyes wavered. Then his shoulders trembled, and the hand holding the teacup shook.

“Please accept the donation. And use it where you, Bishop Vincent, want to use it.”

At Ethan’s words, Vincent could no longer meet Ethan’s eyes.

It was because embarrassment continued to overwhelm him.

“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry. I was suspicious. Since coming to this territory, I’ve realized through various tasks that there are many people who need the order’s help. But the order didn’t have that much money. So I accepted donations. But…”

Vincent shook his head and said.

“Not a single person stated the same reason as Mr. Ethan.”

Then he bowed his head deeply.

“Please forgive my rudeness.”

“It’s nothing.”

As Ethan waved his hand as if it was no big deal, Bishop Vincent’s expression became even more moved.

He’s forgiving me like this even though he has every right to be upset.

This person is a great man.

“Then I’ll gratefully accept this donation. I’ll make sure to use it for people in need, in places where it’s needed.”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

Ding-!

At the same time, Ethan heard a notification sound.

-You have achieved an achievement!

-You have acquired likes for achieving the [Beginning of Donation] achievement.

-You have gained ‘1’ like!

There were several reasons why Ethan made a donation.

There’s the reason of establishing a good relationship with the Holylight Order, but of course, making a donation also achieves an achievement.

No sooner had he achieved the first achievement than messages of achieving other achievements followed in succession.

-You have achieved an achievement!

-You have acquired likes for achieving the [Exciting Donation] achievement.

-You have gained ‘2’ likes!

-You have achieved an achievement!

-You have acquired likes for achieving the [Large Sum Donation] achievement.

-You have gained ‘5’ likes!

After achieving the large sum donation achievement, Ethan’s donation amount far exceeded ten million gold.

‘I can achieve donation achievements up to 1 billion gold.’

Meaning there’s still more to gain.

“Then you’ve agreed to accept the donation.”

Ethan took out another pouch containing ten million gold and handed it over. The amount to donate today was 100 million gold.

“And if possible, I’d like to donate to other branches of the order as well.”

“You really are sincere. Then I’ll contact the upper echelons of the order right away to ensure this donation reaches the branches that need help.”

Bishop Vincent’s suspicion was completely resolved. With suspicion dissipated and trust established, his expression had relaxed to the point where he could be described as almost ecstatic.

-Bishop Vincent of the Holylight Order trusts you!

-Your reputation increases!

-Your reputation increases additionally according to the donation amount.

“But this amount… How much is it? It seems to me it’s at least ten million gold…”

Ethan grinned.

Then he continued to take out pouches. What else is magic if not this? This was real magic.

“It’s ten million gold.”

“That’s a lot…”

“It’s ten million gold per pouch.”

As Ethan’s words continued, Bishop Vincent’s eyes widened to the point of tearing.

“And there are ten pouches in total.”

“O-One, one hundred million gold!?”

Bishop Vincent even stuttered.

100 million gold was an enormous sum, but for the current Ethan, it wasn’t that much money.

‘You have to spend when it’s time to spend. No matter how large the amount.’

Financial power doesn’t end with just earning money. Only when you spend money appropriately for its purpose can you be said to have proper financial power.

As Ethan grinned and extended his hand, Vincent grasped Ethan’s hand with both of his.

“Thank you. The Holylight Order will never forget this grace.”

“So, Bishop. Does the order perhaps have a magic that bestows blessings?”

“Ah, yes, we do. Do you need a blessing? That’s not difficult. However, this blessing doesn’t last long. A day, or at most two days.”

The bishop clasped his hands together towards Ethan as if in prayer. Then, mana showered down like stars above Ethan’s head.

-You have received Bishop Vincent’s blessing.

-Your physical abilities are slightly enhanced for 24 hours.

In fact, this blessing was such a basic buff that its effect was significantly lower than Ethan’s acupuncture or decoction.

‘But.’

That effect that was just shown.

That sparkling effect was important.

That holy and sparkling appearance created an illusion for the recipient of the blessing that they were receiving an incredibly effective blessing.

In short, to put it briefly.

‘It overflows with style.’

That sparkling effect continues throughout the duration of the blessing. Of course, it doesn’t sparkle constantly, but it sparkled once every minute or when using mana.

‘Right now it’s sparkling above my head, but what if it sparkled on armor or weapons?’

The effect of the blessing itself isn’t important. What’s important is that your weapons and armor sparkle as if they’ve received a blessing.

‘There’s definitely a demand for this too.’

The only problem is separating the sparkling effect from this blessing magic, but it wasn’t much of a problem for Ethan.

‘Because I have Yerica.’

Yerica, the alpha and omega of the business Ethan had conceived. For her, modifying this blessing magic would be no big deal.

‘By now, she’s probably encountering various information at the Magic Tower and getting all fired up.’

She would have learned why her grandfather, Hecate, was framed for some reason.

‘She would have become even more certain about who the main culprit is.’

While burning with revenge, she would have definitely learned the full story about her grandfather’s death.

On top of that, she would have read Hecate’s hidden magic books still remaining in the Magic Tower.

Since Ethan had told her all the hidden locations of the magic books before leaving, there’s no way she hasn’t read them by now.

‘Originally, since people without Hecate’s magical knowledge would be reading the books, it wouldn’t be of much help.’

But if the one reading those books is Yerica, who has inherited all of Hecate’s magical knowledge, it’s a different story.

‘I don’t even need to move directly.’

The Magic Tower will fall into Yerica’s hands in the near future. If he visits at that timing, she can easily modify this blessing magic as well.

“Is it possible for me to use this blessing magic?”

“Well, this is a basic blessing that anyone can use once they become a bishop of the order. Originally, you’d have to become a bishop to learn it, but…”

Vincent smiled brightly and said.

“For Mr. Ethan, I can teach it to you anytime.”

-Your survival probability increases slightly!

Author's Thoughts

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