Subscriber of the Gods Episode 157
Episode 157. Donation
Since his appointment to this Arien territory, Bishop Vincent has been in charge of many things.
Among them, the thing that I paid the most attention to was helping the weak.
The Holy Light Church is a religion that values spreading and practicing good deeds.
Therefore, helping the weak was one of their main missions.
There were quite a few poor people around the Arien Territory.
Weak people who were born in the back alleys and only know the harsh world.
Those who are sick but cannot get treatment because they do not have money.
Most of the people of the Holy Land come to the Holy Light Church to be baptized when their baby is born, and the church provides them with supplies.
But there were too many people who didn’t even know that information.
Even though the lord governs well, it is impossible to inspect all the back alleys and underdeveloped areas, so there were bound to be places that were left unattended and neglected.
That’s why Vincent paid more attention to them.
Now that he was in charge of a religious order in a territory, Vincent wanted to take care of all of them and do good deeds.
But there were limitations. He had only one body, he had a lot to do, and the church’s finances were limited.
Although the Holy Light Church is said to be a place that does good and acts, it is not a charity nor does it have unlimited money.
Since the church’s budget was limited, there were bound to be places that the church could not reach.
Businessmen came to Vincent many times.
I want to help.
But there was always a condition attached to their words.
‘It’s a cliché.’
They have made unacceptable offers in return for donations.
There were often uncomfortable demands, such as requests to have exclusive rights to sell holy water or to secretly release some of the religious order’s rights to their own.
‘There are things I have no choice but to reject.’
These were proposals that would later corrupt the church.
There is no way the church can properly fulfill its role if it is swayed by capitalists.
Eventually, you’ll be so swayed by that money that you’ll end up closing down all the unprofitable businesses.
What is the point of doing good that discriminates?
Vincent thought Ethan would be like them too.
There must be a reason for donating large sums of money, and based on my experience so far, the reasons are usually those that lead the church and its believers astray.
‘This guy will say the same thing.’
Vincent focused on Ethan’s mouth.
I was going to reject him right away because I knew what he was going to say.
“It’s to help more people.”
“For that reason… … Yes?”
Bishop Vincent blinked at Ethan’s words.
To help more people?
Are you saying that you are not asking for something in return for your donation or asking for some secret favor?
“Is that really the reason?”
Bishop Vincent couldn’t help but ask with a puzzled expression as the very sincere reason came out of Ethan’s mouth.
Of all the people who have come to us so far asking for donations, there has never been a single person who has done so for purely good reasons.
So I couldn’t help but be suspicious.
“I completely understand your concerns.”
Ethan smiled at Vincent like that.
At that moment, Vincent felt embarrassed without realizing it.
“I don’t want anything.”
Ethan calmly expressed his intentions.
“This money is nothing to me. I am making a lot of money right now. I am lucky in many ways and my business is going well.”
As he said that, Ethan took out another bag of money.
“But not for the people down there. There are people dying even as I earn money. There are people who want to hold the hand that the Holy Light Church extends.”
Bishop Vincent nodded at Ethan’s words.
“The truth is not found up high. It is found down there, in 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 trembled.
“Please accept the donation and use it wherever Bishop Vincent wishes.”
At Ethan’s words, Vincent could no longer meet Ethan’s eyes.
It was because the shame kept coming.
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I had my doubts. Since coming to this territory, I’ve been doing various things and have come to realize that there are many people who need the help of the church. But the church didn’t have enough money. So I accepted donations. But… … .”
Vincent said, shaking his head.
“No one ever said the same thing as Ethan.”
Then he nodded.
“Please forgive my rudeness.”
“It was nothing.”
When Ethan waved his hand as if it was nothing, Bishop Vincent looked even more impressed.
I know it must feel bad, but you forgive me like this.
This guy is a big guy.
“Then, I will gratefully accept this donation. I will make sure to use it for those who need it, where it is needed.”
“Please.”
Tiring-!
At the same time, Ethan heard a notification sound.
-You have achieved the achievement!
-[Start of donation] Likes were earned by achieving the achievement.
-You got ‘1’ like!
There were several reasons why Ethan donated.
Not only is it a good relationship with the Holy Light Church, but donating also naturally results in achievements being achieved.
As soon as I achieved my first achievement, I was immediately followed by messages saying that I had achieved other achievements one after another.
-You have achieved the achievement!
-[Exciting Donation] Likes are earned by achieving achievements.
– Got ‘2’ likes!
-You have achieved the achievement!
– [Large donation] Likes were earned by achieving the achievement.
– Got ‘5’ likes!
Ethan’s donation amount has now surpassed 10 million gold, as he has achieved the achievement of making a large donation.
‘You can achieve the donation achievement of up to 1 billion gold.’
It means there is still more to be gained.
“Then you have decided to accept the donation.”
Ethan took out another pouch containing ten million gold and handed it over. The amount to be donated today was one hundred million gold.
“And if possible, I would like to donate to other branches of the church as well.”
“You are very sincere. Then I will contact the higher-ups and make arrangements to have this donation delivered to the branch in need.”
Bishop Vincent’s doubts were completely resolved. With his doubts resolved and his faith established, his expression relaxed to the point where it could almost be seen as a state of ecstasy.
-Bishop Vincent of the Holy Light Church trusts you!
-Your fame will rise!
-Your reputation will increase additionally depending on the amount of your donation.
“But this amount… … how much is it? I think it’s at least ten million gold… … .”
Ethan smiled brightly.
Then he continued to take out his pockets. Is magic something different? This was magic.
“It’s ten million gold.”
“There are so many… … .”
“Ten million gold per pocket.”
As Ethan continued speaking, Bishop Vincent’s eyes widened.
“And there are ten pockets in total.”
“This, this, is it one hundred million gold!?”
Bishop Vincent even stuttered.
100 million gold was a huge amount of money, but it wasn’t that much to Ethan now.
‘You have to spend when you have to. No matter how much money it is.’
Money power does not end with earning money. You can only say that you have proper money power when you use money appropriately.
As Ethan smiled and held out his hand, Vincent took Ethan’s hand with both of his.
“Thank you. The Holy Light Church will not forget this grace.”
“So, Bishop, is there any magic that can bless the church?”
“Oh, yes, there is. Do you need a blessing? It is not difficult. However, this blessing does not last long. It lasts from one day to two days at most.”
The bishop clasped his hands together as if praying towards Ethan. Then, mana poured down like stars over Ethan’s head.
-Blessed by Bishop Vincent.
-Slightly increases physical abilities for 24 hours.
In fact, this blessing is a very basic buff, so its effectiveness is significantly lower than Ethan’s acupuncture or herbal medicine.
‘but.’
The effect I just saw.
The sparkling effect was important.
Its holy and shining appearance created the illusion that those who received the blessing were receiving a blessing of great effectiveness.
In short, to put it briefly.
‘It’s just overflowing with style.’
That sparkling effect lasts for the duration of the blessing. Of course, it doesn’t always sparkle, but it does sparkle once per minute or when you use mana.
‘It’s just shining above my head now, but what if it were to be embedded in my armor or my weapon and shine?’
The effects of the blessing are not important. What matters is that your weapons and armor shine as if they have been blessed.
‘There is definitely a demand for this too.’
The problem was that only the sparkling effect was removed from this blessing spell, but that wasn’t much of a problem for Ethan.
‘Because I have Yeri.’
Yeerika, the alpha and omega of Ethan’s vision of the business. For her, improving this blessing magic is no easy task.
‘I’m sure they’re all fired up at the rooftop right now, having received all sorts of information.’
You will now know why your grandfather, Hecate, was framed.
‘You’ll know more and more who the mastermind is.’
While burning with revenge, he must have learned the full story of his grandfather’s death.
You may have even read Hecate’s hidden magic books that remain in the tower.
Ethan told me where all the magic books were hidden, so there’s no way I haven’t read them yet.
‘Originally, it wouldn’t be of much help since those who don’t have knowledge of Hecate’s magic would read the book.’
But if the one reading the book is Yeerika, who has inherited all of Hecate’s magical knowledge, then it’s a different story.
‘There’s no need for me to move myself.’
The Magic Tower will fall into the hands of Yeerika in the near future. If you visit at that time, you will be able to easily improve this blessing magic.
“Can I use this blessing magic?”
“Well, this is a basic blessing that anyone can use if they become a bishop of the church. Originally, you had to become a bishop to learn it.”
Vincent said with a bright smile.
“I can teach you anything, Ethan.”
-Your chances of survival slightly increase!
fantasy,
