Matier stepped down from the carriage. The city of Ainkad. This grand city, one of the most prosperous in the north, was always breathtaking no matter when he saw it.

"...It's incomparable to Benelda."

He had visited a few times on business matters. Yet every visit reminded him how much of a country bumpkin he was.

Was it the air that felt different? Matier slowly exhaled.

Who would have thought a mere alley leader from a frontier town would rise up to this level?

"You look pleased."

"...Priest."

He had arrived.

His savior, and the person he feared most.

Matier looked up at the boy who was smaller than himself. ‘Has he grown a little taller than before? Even though he hadn't fully grown yet, he already exuded this much presence; how intimidating would he be once he was fully grown?’

The members of Matier's group hurriedly disembarked from the carriage.

"We greet you, big brother!"

"What’s this? Why are there so many of you?"

"While you were away, Priest, our group significantly expanded."

"In such a short time?"

"It was a blood-soaked period. We carefully reviewed the business plan you sent us. I have some matters to discuss regarding it. Care to take a walk?"

"Not a bad idea."

Jahad, Apprentice Priest.

No, now he truly is a Priest.

Matier had never seen anyone advance as quickly as the boy before him. Perhaps it was a growth rate befitting his natural abilities.

An Apprentice Priest and a Priest are markedly different. Moving beyond a superficial title, he was now genuinely under the protection of the Order.

To harm a Priest is to provoke the Order as a whole.

Matier sat on the café terrace. With a flick of his hand, he signaled for a simple drink.

"You've changed quite a bit since I last saw you."

"It's the growth spurt period."

"You're going to grow even more... I'm a bit worried."

"I'm aiming to hit three meters tall."

‘I know he's joking. But when he says it, it somehow doesn't sound like a joke.

Unpredictable moves. I've heard he became a whistleblower for the Order. Yet, instead of being intimidated, he's thinking of making money.’

A man far beyond his capabilities. Matier lowered his voice.

"Where did the Nectar come from?"

"I picked it up."

"...Let me rephrase. Is it really possible to supply that amount every month?"

"It's possible. Exactly 9ml, no more, no less. Taking out more might cause some headaches."

"......"

High Level Potion.

Using the Nectar, you can create a legendary potion occasionally seen only among the upper echelons.

This potion is made by diluting Nectar with water and adding various medicinal ingredients. It retains its potent effects while enhancing recovery strength with premium ingredients and reducing any side effects of intoxication.

Although it's called a High Potion, it doesn't only function as a simple potion. For those who handle magical power, it's as valuable as gold.

The reason is that it supposedly purges residues from the body. With just one drink, most impurities accumulated inside the body are said to be removed.

Literally, it's a liquid made by diluting a divine beverage. It's a medicine whose price knows no bounds.

And they say about 90 of these arrive each month. Thinking that each one sells for easily ten million to twenty million Talents...

"... Monthly revenue is approximately 2 billion..."

"How about it? Tempted?"

"This is a business I absolutely cannot pass up.

What portion can we consume?"

"That's proportional to your investment value.”

“10%?”

“Matier, my friend. Why are you being so stingy? Hmm?"

Jahad tapped on the table and whispered softly.

"Take 40%. How does that sound?"

"...Just for simple distribution, you want us to take that much?"

"I told you, we're partners in the same boat. I treat my people well. At the very least, I don't shortchange them."

"......."

Matier had to believe those words. His blood was boiling, and a thirst came naturally.

Just hearing the amount left his head spinning.

Matier lifted his glass with trembling hands.

He asked an additional question that he wanted to know.

"So, does the Priest take the remaining 60%?"

"No? I have to set aside 20% from that for the supplier making the high potions. And there's someone else who needs 10% separately. They're the middleman."

"How about investing that 30% in me?"

This was the main point. Matier put down his glass.

"I'll handle all those matters for just 20%, Priest."

"You were talking about that, huh?"

Jahad smacked his lips.

"20%... Sounds good. So, you end up getting 60%?"

"I believe it's a worthy investment. More money means you can hire more muscle. The quality will also increase. You might even build a force that could threaten the Order."

"That's a good point. Not bad. But you know..."

The sound of fingers repeatedly tapping on the table.

"I don't do focused investments."

"..."

"Matier. Remember, you're not the master of the board. That's me. Never forget who you serve."

The atmosphere changes.

His shoulders begin to feel increasingly heavy. Matier found himself looking down at the coffee cup that was shaking and rattling out of nowhere.

Sitting in front of him was a beast, in essence. A monster in human guise that could never be tamed.

"Know when to be greedy and when not to, okay?"

"......."

Matier gave a small nod. He had misjudged.

The figure before him was Jahad.

He was an extraordinary monster, not someone you could negotiate with.

The back alley organizations were being dismantled one by one. Hector's gang moved swiftly, taking down each group individually.

Cleaning up afterward was Matier's responsibility. Everything was progressing smoothly, and I too had to move quickly.

The promises I had made.

My first task was to find Isabelle.

"How's the production line?"

"We're working on prototypes. Once they're ready, I'll bring them to you. But remember, as per our agreement, I get an additional 10%?"

"As long as the deal is solid, there's no reason to betray it."

"The prototype is complete."

I took a light sip.

[You have consumed a High Potion.]

[Due to your first consumption, your Holy Power limit increases.]

[Due to your first consumption, your vessel's capacity increases.]

[Due to your first consumption, your soul's limit increases.]

[Impurities in your body are removed.]

[Healing abilities are extremely enhanced.]

[All abilities temporarily increase.]

[A holy aura gently caresses you.]

[Your heart races, allowing you to exert strength beyond limits.]

[A mild aphrodisiac effect arises.]

[A mild hypnotic effect arises.]

[A mild excitement effect arises.]

[Caution.]

[Beware of addiction.]

['Prayer of the Sun God' dispels mental pollution.]

"Hoo..."

My vision narrowed for a moment. My heart started racing, and I felt like every drop of blood in my body was boiling.

I rotated my shoulder slightly and struck the wall next to me.

Crash!

The bricks crumbled down. This was the result without even channeling my holy power.

A booster that can increase abilities by up to 1.5 times and a healing potion.

It's like carrying an extra life in your pocket. Moreover, the holy aura that envelops the body is akin to a blessing.

When facing the undead, its value practically doubles.

"Well-made, isn't it?"

"Right?"

"Didn't they have anything else to say?"

"They were satisfied."

"Satisfied with 20%?"

"They're just a subcontractor."

"I doubt that's the case."

I thought they would demand at least 30%. A High Potion isn't something that can be easily made. The recipe is incredibly difficult, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it requires the touch of a master artisan.

If they were satisfied with just 20%, Isabelle must have done a great job with the negotiation.

"Thank you, Isabelle."

"Pardon?"

"You really are capable."

I spoke with complete trust.

"Please continue to help me in the future. I'm counting on you."

"...Ugh...uh..."

She looked me up and down.

"Are you really sixteen?"

"I'll turn seventeen after this year."

"I'm scared of what you'll be like once you become an adult. Will you charm everyone with your face?"

"It would be hard to find a girl who isn't attracted to me."

"If it weren't for that last comment, I might have really fallen for you. Such a pity."

With a huff, Isabelle turned her head and grabbed an empty bottle.

"Is this how it's going to proceed?"

"Of course. But let's submit a bit later. The organization hasn't fully settled in yet."

"Bringing in an organization from who knows where... what exactly were you doing before?"

"Me?"

I grinned widely.

"A devoted Priest of Ra."

The matter with Isabelle was resolved. However, there was another issue that needed addressing.

The issue with the second battalion.

After we managed to get some cooperation, Isabelle and the Nord gang followed the training quite well.

However, Austin's faction couldn't keep up with the training at all. That group often lagged behind, trying to catch their breath.

"Huff... huff..."

It's clear that they lack talent.

That's not to say they're making an effort.

This group realized early on that they lacked talent and have only been half-hearted about things. The only one putting in any effort is Austin, but he's not exactly a charismatic leader, so he's struggling to lead the group properly.

Popularity is everything. Popularity is all they have.

I sighed. Is Austin the only problem?

Not exactly.

“They're just violent brutes with nothing in their heads.”

“They're big-headed fools who can't even manage their own bodies.”

Isabelle prioritized wealth and priestly knowledge.

Nord valued violence and strength, resulting in a lack of good character.

They were like water and oil. Whenever I left, they ended up fighting, so I needed to find another solution.

【They're a troublesome bunch. To think these are the sprouts of the growing Order...】

“What do you think Lady Beatrice would have done?”

【Probably buried them behind the hill?】

“Would she really?”

【You... You're not actually considering it, are you?】

Before addressing the issue of the 2nd unit, I first tackled what I needed to do for myself.

It's something I can only comfortably do with the title of Apprentice Paladin.

It's not about High Potions or the 2nd unit of the 5th Inquisition Office—it's solely about me.

In the end, the only thing I can rely on is my own body!

"Shall we start now?"

【Start what?】

"If you only focus on the background, you'll end up with insufficient strength and ruin yourself."

Alright. Let's go.

The key to resolving everything!

"Teach me all the holy spells I was supposed to learn."

It's skill development time!

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