Chapter 27

Very well. Let me briefly summarize my situation.

I need to quit being a saint as soon as possible.

However, this is a very delicate matter.

If I do blatantly terrible things like rape, murder, or arson…

Sure, people might turn away from me.

But then, I could face public execution by angry commoners who feel betrayed or incur heavenly punishment from the goddess furious at the Mage Tower’s reputation being tarnished.

Therefore, I have to…

Do it in a way that minimizes provoking the goddess’s wrath…

While making the public gradually drift away from me, thinking ‘He was somewhat kind, but really incompetent and foolish.’

That’s the situation I need to create.

“Please pay the salaries of the researchers at the Mage Tower. And cover all the moving expenses for the laboratory in full! The Lilia Church will bear all the costs!”

So once again today, I’m running around trying to bankrupt the church.

Even though elixirs are starting to flow quite abundantly, we’re still in the early stages.

If there’s any time for bankruptcy to be possible, it’s now.

I need to increase expenditures and dry up the funding early on.

Anyway, Vice President Yodel is an OK-man.

If I tell him to eat poop, he’d probably smile and eat it.

“Of course! I shall do as you say! Oh Saint!”

But the wizards and witches refused the money even when offered.

“Didn’t we say this is to repay our debt to Lady Erpa? We cannot accept this money.”

“Besides, the whole lab can be moved instantly with a simple space transfer spell, so it doesn’t really cost that much. Please keep the funds.”

“Instead, the more research funding you can provide, the better.”

So I made every effort to give them as much research funding as possible.

We have to go bankrupt!

“How much funding do you need? What would be a good amount?”

“Hmm… My annual research budget was about 7,000 salreds…”

“30,000 salreds. Pay each researcher 30,000 salreds per year.”

The researchers were surprised at this.

“Can you really afford to give that much?”

I don’t know!

This is me trying to dry up the funding by spending as much as possible!

“It’s entirely possible. Oh Saint, during the two months you were in prison, we’ve secured many clients. We can definitely afford to pay 30,000 salreds per researcher.”

Jonathan Karma!!

Why are you so damn competent!?

What kind of trolling is this!?

After smiling, Jonathan extended his hand toward the researchers.

“Of course, if the Karma Company secures its own elixir refinement technology, profits will rise even more. Naturally, the research budget will skyrocket according to how excellent your research is.”

“The Mage Tower of Mars is considered one of the best mage towers across the continent. We won’t disappoint you. Our main work is elixir research after all.”

With this agreement, the researchers would be stationed in our temple year-round, with each receiving 30,000 salreds annually.

But I’m still anxious.

I’m still hungry!

Not for food, but for elixirs! Elixirs!!

It’s called ‘blue gold’ and it’s gushing out in torrents in the temple basement right now!

No way.

I have to make them spend more!

So I called Cecilia, daughter of Jonathan Karma.

Compared to the experienced Jonathan, Cecilia is younger and less experienced – she might ruin things faster?

“Demolish the shacks in the slums and build large housing complexes. We should house the slum residents properly instead of having them sleep on the streets forever.”

“Aha! That’s quite right! I was considering that too.”

“Residents will be saddened having to demolish their own homes, so provide generous consolation payments. Give 10 salreds per person. And hire the slum residents for rebuilding. Pay one salred per day. After the houses are built, keep the rent low – charge only one salred per month.”

“Yes, I’ll do that, oh Saint!”

“And, the roads in the slums are too dirty. Tear them all up and build proper new roads. They should look like the roads in front of the imperial palace!”

“Yes, I’ll do that, oh Saint!!”

“And, we need more restaurants and bathhouses. Proper eating and rest are true blessings. Expand the bathhouses and plan a large dining district. The costs of building the restaurants will be covered entirely by the Karma Company. And please charge minimum rent to the restaurateurs!”

“Only one salred per month, the same as others!”

And…

And is there anything else?

Ah, right.

Exactly.

“Build schools. Children need education. While demolishing the slums, build schools, hire teachers, and have them teach the children. Children should receive education, not labor. Of course! All education costs should be free! The entire amount should be covered by the Karma Company!”

“That too will be done, oh Saint!”

Yes!

A good idea just came to mind!

A plan to spend extravagantly!

Nothing blows money like art!

“Also, hire many painters to decorate the newly expanded streets with murals. Beautiful holy paintings will calm people’s hearts. Don’t spare expenses – hire only the greatest artists!”

“That too shall be done!”

“Expand the free soup kitchen! Ensure every meal includes meat at least once a day! Work with top butcher shops to provide the finest quality meat generously! Eating properly allows blessings to dwell in the body!”

“Of course! That shall be done!”

“I will oversee everything. All of my instructions must be carried out without exception. Do you understand?”

“Yes, oh Saint!”

That’s it.

Even the Karma Company should go bankrupt with this.

As I sighed in relief…

Cecilia disappeared toward the Mage Tower with a passionate expression.

She’s probably in her late twenties.

She’s not Jonathan Karma.

What can a young girl like her achieve in handling such work?

Please, please, I beg you – mess it up royally!!

***

Cecilia felt her heart racing.

She was a woman who enjoyed doing business.

Somehow, the Saint knew exactly what would let her shine the most, assigning her the task where she could best demonstrate her talents.

Her brilliant business-savvy mind started working at an incredible speed.

She went to see her mother and father, explaining what the Saint had asked her to do.

And immediately, a budget was allocated.

“We’ve already entered into large-scale elixir trading contracts with the factories on the outskirts of the capital. The contract was made a month ago, and the funds arrived today. How does the Saint know exactly what to assign? It’s truly a sign of divine favor!”

“This is a mission given by the Saint. Failure is not an option, Cecilia.”

“Of course!!”

100,000 salreds – that was the amount allocated to Cecilia.

But she was confident.

She was confident she could accomplish everything the Saint had instructed with that amount.

First, she visited the municipal offices overseeing areas 50, 51, and 52 where the slums were located.

“We’re going to pave new roads, install magical lanterns, demolish the slum shacks, construct new residences, build schools, set up bathhouses and a dining district…”

“Yes. His Majesty the Emperor declared earlier this year his intention to create a country where the people can smile. As public officials, shouldn’t you follow that directive? What’s the allocated budget for your district? We want to redevelop the three slum districts in coordination with that budget.”

“…The nation gave up on those areas long ago. Young lady, there’s almost no budget allocated to the three slum districts. Aside from our salaries as public officials, there’s no incoming money.”

“Is that acceptable?! I can’t possibly stand by and let this happen! Who’s the highest-ranking official in charge of the capital’s city planning?”

“…Lord Count Rumple.”

Cecilia left the slums that very day.

Heading to District 10 where the capital’s nobility and upper class resided, she immediately spent part of the 100,000 salred budget her mother had given her to buy high-class dresses and a carriage.

Jonathan Karma was rich before his series of misfortunes, and naturally, Cecilia also had many acquaintances in District 10 and high society. One of them was Lady Drong. Immediately changing into her dress and boarding the carriage, she visited Lady Drong.

“What a coincidence!! You need to meet Lord Count Rumple for the Saint’s great work? Amazing timing! There’s a poetry recital this afternoon and he will definitely be there!!”

The sensitive Lady Drong listened to Cecilia’s story, was moved, and enthusiastically decided to support her plan.

In the end, Cecilia was able to meet Lord Count Rumple at the poetry recital that afternoon.

After the beautiful, refined poetry had stirred emotions, when the gathered nobles were all moved…

“May I have your attention please?”

Lady Drong clapped her hands to gather everyone’s attention.

“We have a special guest today. Is further introduction necessary? The blessed Saint – under whom Lady Cecilia of the Karma Company serves – was seen by all the members of the Senate and the Supreme Court. She’s here with us today to carry out the Saint’s great mission. Please welcome her with applause.”

Amidst the applause, Cecilia rose and gave a perfectly proper bow following excellent etiquette she’d learned since childhood.

“I thank Lady Drong for organizing this occasion. The beautiful poetry truly enriched our hearts. However, there’s something that enriches our hearts even more than poetry, and I’d like to share that with all of you today.”

Cecilia knew exactly the calm and courteous tone that the upper classes love.

With just the right tone and attitude, she continued speaking.

“There’s a child who can’t move from hunger. A child who has lost his toes because he had no shoes. People who’ve lost hope and wander the streets. Mothers who nurse their babies despite having no milk, and the children starving to death in their arms. People living lives like trash, like filth. And there’s someone who pities and loves such people, devoting their life among them.”

Cecilia showed her arm to everyone.

“As those who know may recognize, I was one of that filth. I was afflicted with gangrene. I was dying in agony when that person saved me with a miracle. He treats everyone the same way. You all can help fulfill the great mission of this blessed Saint.”

Cecilia looked at Lord Count Rumple.

“His Majesty declared at the beginning of the year that his goal for the new year was to make a nation where all his subjects could smile. Please allocate the budget for the purification of the three slum districts. This is the path to follow His Majesty’s divine command and also a chance to achieve a brilliant accomplishment that no public official has managed to do – the purification of the three slum districts. Furthermore…”

She looked around at the many noble women and men present.

“When you and your families fall ill, and suffer from incurable diseases despite money and effort – the Saint will remember your contributions and grant you the blessing of healing without discrimination. We have 100,000 salreds from the Karma Company, but that alone cannot accomplish the great mission ordered by the Saint.”

Cecilia bowed deeply.

“For the dignity of humanity. To follow His Majesty’s command. For public official accomplishments. Or simply because of sympathy or to experience the Saint’s miracle – the three slum districts need your help. Remember the old sage’s saying: Give when you have the means.”

Cecilia finished speaking.

As soon as she finished, Lady Drong, with teary eyes, began clapping.

Soon, the other nobles joined in the applause.

“My son… He hasn’t been in good health since birth. I didn’t believe before, but now – with a Saint verified by the Temple of the Divine – I can believe. Could I petition the Saint? Naturally, I will make an offering equivalent to the blessing received.”

“There’s some surplus in my funds. I’d like to donate it. Lady Cecilia.”

“It’s the first Saint in 300 years. I’d like to meet him. I’ll make a donation from the funds I manage. He truly is noble.”

Many donations and offerings followed.

And most importantly, Count Rumple was deeply moved and rose from his seat.

“I’ll personally make the case to His Majesty. Lady Cecilia, purifying the three slum districts has been one of His Majesty’s long-held goals. But as nothing changed despite pouring money into it, he gave up. We can’t miss this opportunity. I’ll allocate a large-scale budget to assist the Karma Company.”

A smile appeared on Cecilia’s face.

“Thank you, Count Rumple.”

“This is the least we can do for the first Saint in 300 years. Rather, I’m grateful. What a joy to achieve such a great accomplishment in my later years. I can’t hide my blissful smile.”

Everyone laughed.

And Count Rumple kept his promise.

Three days later.

By imperial decree, a budget of 4.2 million salreds was allocated for the purification of the three slum districts, along with large-scale donations totaling 300,000 salreds from the noble houses.

Cecilia happily informed the Saint of this news.

“Truly… Truly, I am delighted, Lady Cecilia.”

Upon hearing the news, tears streamed down the Saint’s face.

His whole body was shaking as he cried.

That must surely be tears of joy.

Cecilia embraced the Saint tightly.

“I’ll make the three slum districts even better than what you envisioned. Rejoice! Oh Saint!”