This Isn’t an E*otic Game?

Let’s summarize my position briefly.

I need to quit this saint act as soon as possible.

But the problem is, it’s a delicate situation.

If I resort to blatantly horrific acts like rape, murder, or arson?

Sure, people would leave me.

But then, I’d either be burned at the stake by the enraged masses who felt betrayed or face divine punishment from a furious goddess for tarnishing the church’s name.

So, I need to find a way.

A way to avoid provoking the goddess’s wrath any further while making people naturally think, “Well, he was a good guy, but wow, he’s stupid and utterly incompetent.” And they’d leave me on their own.

"Pay wages to the researchers from the Mage Tower! And cover all costs for relocating their labs! Every single penny must come from the Lilia Church!"

And so, today, I was working tirelessly to bankrupt the church.

Sure, the elixirs are pouring out in abundance, but this is still just the beginning.

If there’s any chance of forcing bankruptcy, it’s now.

I have to increase expenditures as much as possible and dry up the funds early on.

Luckily, High Priest Yodel is my "yes man."

If I told him to eat dirt, he’d smile and do it.

"Of course! As you command, Saint!"

But then, the wizards and witches refused the money.

"We said we’re doing this to repay our debt to Lady Erfa. We can’t accept such money."

"Besides, we can just use spatial magic to move the labs entirely, so it won’t cost much anyway. Just keep it."

"But we’ll gladly take as much research funding as you can provide."

So, I tried to stuff their hands with as much research funding as possible.@@novelbin@@

I need to bankrupt this place!!

"How much do you need for research funding? How much would be ideal?"

"Well… my research used to require about 7,000 saleds per year…"

"Make it 30,000 saleds. Pay each researcher 30,000 saleds annually."

The researchers were visibly shocked.

"Do you even have the funds to give us that much?"

I don’t know!!

I’m just trying to bleed the funds dry by spending as much as possible!!

"It’s entirely possible, Saint. We’ve secured many clients in the two months you were in prison. Paying 30,000 saleds per researcher is well within our means."

Jonathan Karma!!

Why are you so needlessly competent?!

What kind of trolling is this?

Jonathan smiled and extended his hand toward the researchers.

"Of course, if Karma Company acquires independent elixir refinement technology, our profits will skyrocket even further. Naturally, research funding will increase exponentially. The more exceptional your research, the greater your rewards."

"The Mars Tower is considered one of the best towers across the continent. We won’t disappoint you. Elixir research is what we live for, after all."

And so, under the condition of an annual payment of 30,000 saleds per researcher, they began conducting their research at our temple.

But I’m still anxious.

I’m still starving for failure!!

Elixir.

It’s not just anything—it’s elixir! ELIXIR!!

The so-called Blue Gold is gushing out from beneath the temple as we speak!!

No.

I have to find ways to spend even more money!!

I called Cecilia, Jonathan Karma’s daughter.

Surely, compared to her experienced father, this young and inexperienced woman would mess things up faster?

"Demolish the shacks in the slums and build a massive residential complex. Let the people from the slums live there. We can’t let them sleep on the streets forever, can we?"

"Ah! That’s such a righteous idea! I was already considering it."

"They’ll likely be devastated by the loss of their homes, so make sure to provide ample compensation. Ten saleds per person. Pay them 10 saleds each. And use the people from the slums to rebuild the homes! Pay them one saled a day. After the houses are built, charge them a minimal fee to live there—just one saled a month."

"As you command, Saint!"

"And the roads in the slums are utterly filthy. Tear them all up and replace them with proper roads, like the ones in front of the royal palace!"

"As you wish, Saint!!"

"Also, we need more dining halls and public baths. People must eat well and rest properly to truly experience grace. Expand the baths and build a large dining district with restaurants. Of course, all construction costs must be covered by Karma Company. Charge the restaurant owners the bare minimum for rent!"

"We’ll charge just one saled a month, like everyone else!"

And then…

What else?

Oh, right.

"Establish schools. Children need to be educated. While you’re demolishing the slums on a large scale, build schools and hire teachers to educate the children. Children should learn, not work. And, of course, all education should be free! All expenses will be covered entirely by Karma Company!"

"That, too, shall be done, Saint!!"

Yes!

What a brilliant idea!!

An artistic plan to waste money!!

There’s nothing as extravagant as art!!

"Also, hire a large number of painters to create murals in the newly built districts. Let them paint beautiful religious artworks to calm people’s hearts. Spare no expense and hire only the best artists!"

"We will do exactly that!"

"Expand the free meal program! And make sure at least one meal a day includes meat. Partner with the finest butcher shops to provide the highest quality meat! Eating well is a true blessing!"

"Of course! We’ll do so!"

"I’ll be watching. Everything must be done exactly as I’ve ordered. Don’t miss a single thing. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Saint!"

Perfect.

At this rate, even Karma Company will go bankrupt.

As I let out a relieved sigh, Cecilia disappeared into the Mage Tower with an enthusiastic look on her face.

She’s, what, in her mid-to-late twenties at best?

She’s no Jonathan Karma.

There’s no way someone like her can handle this properly, right?

Please. Please mess this up on a grand scale!!

*****

Cecilia felt her heart racing.

She was a woman who found joy in business. And somehow, the Saint had assigned her a task where she could shine the brightest.

Her genius sense for business began working at a terrifying speed.

She went to her parents and explained the task the Saint had entrusted her with.

And immediately, the budget was allocated.

"I’ve already signed contracts for elixir trade with large factories on the outskirts of the capital. The agreements were made a month ago, and the payments came in today. How does the Saint always know exactly what to command? Truly, divine grace watches over him!"

"The Saint has entrusted this task to you, Cecilia. You must not fail."

"Of course, I won’t!"

Ten million saleds. That was the amount allocated to Cecilia.

But she was confident.

Confident that she could accomplish everything the Saint had commanded with that amount.

Her first stop was the local district offices for Zones 50, 51, and 52, where the slums were located.

"You’re proposing to pave new roads, install magic lamps, demolish the shacks in the slums, build new housing, construct schools, and establish public baths and dining areas?"

"Yes. His Majesty the Emperor declared at the start of the year that he wanted to create a nation where his people could smile. As public officials, shouldn’t you follow that directive? What’s the budget allocated to your district office? I’d like to link it with this project to revitalize the three slum zones."

"The government has long abandoned the area, miss. The budget for Zones 50, 51, and 52 is virtually nonexistent. Aside from our salaries, there’s no money coming in."

"How can that be?! This cannot be overlooked! Who is the highest-ranking official in charge of the capital’s urban planning?"

"That would be Marquis Rumfeldt."

Without hesitation, Cecilia left the slums that very day.

She entered Zone 10, where the nobles and upper-class citizens of the capital resided. Using part of the ten million saleds she had received, she purchased a luxurious dress and a carriage.

Jonathan Karma had been a wealthy man before misfortune struck him, and naturally, Cecilia had many connections within Zone 10’s high society. One of those connections was Countess Drong. Dressed impeccably, Cecilia visited the countess.

"Goodness! You need to meet Marquis Rumfeldt to accomplish the Saint’s grand mission? What an incredible coincidence! He’s attending a poetry recital this afternoon!"

Moved by Cecilia’s story, the sentimental Countess Drong eagerly decided to help her.

That afternoon, Cecilia attended the poetry recital and met Marquis Rumfeldt. After the event’s beautiful and evocative poems had stirred the emotions of the gathered nobles, Countess Drong clapped her hands to draw attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a very special guest among us today. There’s no need for lengthy introductions, is there? This is Lady Cecilia of Karma Company, serving under the Healing Saint Amayel, witnessed by both the Senate and the Supreme Court. She’s here today to discuss the Saint’s grand mission. Please welcome her with applause."

Amid the applause, Cecilia stood gracefully and offered a polite bow, flawlessly adhering to proper etiquette.

Her upbringing, with its emphasis on elite education, was evident in every movement. Without a flaw, she began her speech.

"I’d like to thank Countess Drong for arranging this gathering. The poetry tonight was truly enriching. But there is a way to enrich hearts even more than with poetry. I’d like to share that way with you all today."

Cecilia spoke calmly and respectfully, using precisely the tone and mannerisms that would appeal to high society. She continued.

"There is a child who cannot move due to hunger. Another whose toes have fallen off for lack of shoes. People wander the streets, lost and without hope. There are mothers nursing their children with breasts that produce no milk, and those children starve in their arms. They live lives of filth and refuse, scraps and waste. And among them is someone who loves and pities them, someone dedicating his life to their salvation."

Cecilia rolled up her sleeve to reveal her arm.

"Some of you may know, but I was once one of those scraps of refuse. I was afflicted with rot disease, dying in agony. And then, the Saint saved me with a miracle. He is doing the same for countless others. You can help fulfill the grand vision of such a great Saint."

She turned her gaze toward Marquis Rumfeldt.

"At the beginning of the year, His Majesty the Emperor declared that the goal for the new year was to create a nation where every citizen could smile. Please allocate funds for the revitalization of the three slum zones. It is a path that follows the Emperor’s noble command, a chance to achieve what no other official has accomplished—a shining legacy for public servants. And—"

She looked at the many noblemen and women around her.

"When you or your family suffer from an incurable illness, something money and effort cannot heal, the Saint will remember your contributions and grant his miracles without discrimination. Karma Company has provided a budget of ten million saleds, but this amount alone cannot fulfill the Saint’s vision."

Cecilia bowed deeply.

"For human dignity. For obedience to His Majesty’s command. For a legacy of public service. Or even out of simple compassion, or a desire to witness the Saint’s miracles. The three slum zones need your help. Remember the ancient sage’s words: ‘Give while you still can.’"

When Cecilia finished speaking, Countess Drong, tears welling in her eyes, began to clap.

Soon, the other nobles joined in.

"My son… he’s been frail since birth. I didn’t believe before, but if he’s a Saint recognized by the Pantheon, then I believe now. Could you convey a message to the Saint? Of course, I’ll make a donation in gratitude for his blessing."

"I have surplus funds. I’d like to donate them, Lady Cecilia."

"It’s been 300 years since a new Saint has emerged. I’d like to meet him. I’ll offer part of my available funds as a donation. Truly noble of him."

Donations and contributions poured in.

And the most important figure, Marquis Rumfeldt, stood up with a moved expression.

"I will personally speak to His Majesty. Lady Cecilia, revitalizing the three slum zones has long been one of His Majesty’s cherished dreams. However, no matter how much money was poured into it, nothing ever changed, so it was abandoned. But… we can’t miss this opportunity. I’ll allocate a large-scale budget to assist Karma Company."

A smile spread across Cecilia’s face.

"Thank you, Marquis Rumfeldt."

"It’s only natural to do this for a Saint who has appeared after 300 years. If anything, I should thank you. To achieve such an accomplishment in my later years… it brings me great satisfaction."

Everyone laughed.

And Marquis Rumfeldt kept his promise.

Three days later.

By imperial command, 4.2 million saleds were allocated for the revitalization of the three slum zones, along with an additional 300,000 saleds in donations from various noble families.

Cecilia joyfully reported this to the Saint.

"This is truly… truly wonderful, Lady Cecilia."

The Saint shed tears upon hearing the news.

Tears streamed down his face, his body trembling.

Surely, those were tears of joy.

Cecilia embraced the Saint tightly.

"I will transform the three slum zones beyond what you have envisioned. Rejoice, Saint!!"