"What do you mean you are donating all your wealth to that run-down temple on the outskirts of the next village? Have you lost your mind, Lady Lumi? Y-Your god won’t forgive such a transgression."
The priest who came to take care of her husband’s body had been greedily eyeing Lumi’s fortune this whole time.
By now, he and every other noble had heard what she was about to do, and they all salivated at the thought of being the one to get her inheritance. More than a few people had approached her already, only to be carefully turned away.
So naturally, they, along with the priest, had assumed she would be donating to the local temple, and when she prepared the papers, they sighed and stamped them...only to find out the truth now.
And once they did, all hell broke loose, and they started to complain to her to make her reconsider her decision. But she decided to remain resolute.
"I don’t see what the problem is. You said I could donate to the temple I want. I never specified which temple I wanted to donate to, and you never asked either."
This was a technicality that no one had seen coming, and it was too late to stop her now.
Before these people could recover from the blow she had dealt them, Lumi decided to double down on her decision.
"Also, I have decided to accept Goddess Apophis as my goddess since she was the one who showed me the light in these trying times. I will be leaving for her temple in an hour along with everything I own. Of course, that will happen after I have sorted out the expenses for the servants, as my goddess wishes."
That was Aiden’s idea.
He had told Lumi that she should pay the servants their living wages for the next 15 years so that they wouldn’t feel betrayed at being let go of. This would not only increase her reputation, but also create a favorable impression of the temple.
Doing so wouldn’t even put a dent in Lumi’s husband’s fortune, so she had no trouble doing this. And the servants looked thankful for her decision.
Usually, they were all changed when the owner of the household changed anyway, so this was a welcome change for them.
And just like that, Lumi not only had another goddess on her side, but also the servants.
"My lady, but still-"
The priest tried to argue, but the pressure from the servants’ glares told him that if he argued about this, he would lose a lot of support. And people’s trust and worship were more important than any money he could weasel out of here.
"I understand. It seems like you have made up your mind. Your goddess also sounds like a benevolent person. I just hope you do not regret your decision in the future."
The priest warned Lumi, and she nodded.
"I am sure it will be fine. Unlike other temples and gods, Goddess Apophis likes to listen to her believers and also grant them favors as long as they pray faithfully."
That was the final nail in the coffin that sent the priest away.
Lumi felt a smile stretch across her face, and she finally took her first breath of freedom.
Finally, her bastard husband was no more, and his fortune was donated. Lumi had also found a place she could dedicate herself to.
’In the end, things unfolded just as Aiden told me. He feels like such a terrifying person to face. But I cannot be more grateful that he is on my side.’
...
Lumi appeared in front of Goddess Apophis’s temple within an hour of having sorted out her affairs. And since she had told Aiden she was coming, he quickly went to greet her.
The main temple was being remodeled a lot quicker than Aiden expected, so he had asked the dwarfs for a favor and asked them to fix the temple in the main village as well.
He had also decided to splurge a little more after converting Lumi’s offerings into coins and used that small (large) amount of money to unlock the ’portal’ technology.
It was something that would allow him to travel between two spaces which were connected by a portal. But it had its limits, which could be increased by upgrading it.
So far, only two portals could be made, and they could not be more than 5 km apart. But that was enough space between the two temples, and his goddess approved.
"Sir Aiden, I am finally here. As promised, for your help, I will dedicate my heart and soul to our Goddess. She may use me however she wishes to."
Lumi promised, and Aiden quickly took her inside the temple where Goddess Apophis was sleeping.
She was in her snake form, and she looked up immediately when Lumi came inside.
Lumi lowered her body in a bow and instantly showed her submission in front of the snake goddess she was binding herself to.
"My goddess, I will forever be your servant."
The snake goddess looked pleased and gestured for Aiden to come closer. He stepped closer to her, only for her to coil her tail around his wrist.
"Serve me well, my dear priest. And consider Aiden’s will as my own as well. The most important thing to remember is that everyone and everything in this temple is mine, but the only thing that is not replaceable is my first apostle, Aiden. If you need to give your life for him, then consider it an honor."
Anyone would have thought this was odd if they heard it from someone else. There was hardly any god who put their priest above their own being.
But somehow, this did not sound odd coming out of Goddess Apophis’s mouth.
In fact, it almost felt as if she and Aiden were the same person in different bodies. Even their energies felt familiar, and Lumi decided not to question this decision.
If her goddess wanted her to serve Aiden as well, then she would do so without question.
"Of course, Goddess Apophis. I will follow your will."