Chapter 1267: The Marquess's Offer

"Is there an issue? There will always be those that are crushed beneath the heels of those that are capable. Like the flames of our God Pyre, there will be fuel. For our society, they are the fuel that keeps things in order. Their suffering is necessary so the masses can flourish." The priest said as though it was a matter of fact.

There was no remorse in his voice nor was there a sense of sadness. In fact, to Leia, it sounded like he was proud.

Proud that this kind of society has benefited him and allowed him to rise above the masses, trampling on their suffering.

"Even so! Their pain, their anguish, their regrets! Are you content with just stepping over all of that?!" Leia shouted, hoping that what he said before was just an act.

"If not them, it's us. If they don't have the capabilities to grasp an opportunity that the Lord has given to them, it is only natural that they suffer. Opportunities are given everyday, if they cannot comprehend that then I have nothing else to say." He shook his head as Leia bit her lips.

He wasn't wrong.

There were indeed opportunities every day but this shouldn't be how you go about it. Ignoring his fanciful words, all he's saying is that what they do with their lives is not his problem. If they die they die. If they live they live.

"What about the blessed crops? There is an abundance of it. Surely as the city with the most supply, you can afford to use some on the poor. Even if it's just one. If you dilute it into a soup there are still benefits to gain." Leia asked.

"I don't know how else to explain to you until you understand. The poor are of no concern to us or those that live in prosperity in this holy city. God has blessed us with blessed crops to reward us for our efforts. It's to reward the hardworking and maintain the status quo, not for us to throw it towards the useless. Now please be on your way, I am a very busy person." The priest gestured to the door.

Clenching her fists in anger, Leia couldn't believe that people like this existed, feasting on other's suffering and benefiting off it like a parasite.

She knew the possibility was there but seeing it with her own eyes was something else entirely.

'Is death important because it also causes people like this to disappear?' She thought to herself.

Making her way to the main floor of the church, countless questions flowed through her mind. But the only answer she could think of was to remove all of the blessed crops. She had to remove what caused everything to fall apart.

'I should've never given the village this blessing.' She thought to herself in sadness. In wanting to reward the village, she only succeeded in causing its downfall. If she were to take it all away, they would definitely suffer.

But there was still a chance.

'The Noble that governed this land. He allowed the village to live without taxes for a period of time. He should know the plight of the weak.'

Making her way out of the village, she tried her best to recall the Noble's name.

"If I remember correctly, the one that governs over the land the village is in was called Marquess Leroux." Leia muttered as she made her way to the stables. She wanted to see if there was a carriage that can take her to Marquess Leroux's estate.

Thankfully, she didn't have any troubles finding a carriage leading to the estate but a new problem arose.

The purpose of her visit and whether or not she had arranged a meeting.

Thinking about this, she could only take a gamble and see if he allows a meeting if she reveals that she's the Saint of the village.

Waiting by the front gates patiently next to the guards, it wasn't long before a butler guided her into the estate.

"Lord Leroux is waiting for you in his study. Seeing as how you are the Saint from the village, he has graciously taken out some of his time to meet you."

Hearing this, Leia nodded her head.

Walking up to the second floor of the estate, the butler led her down a corridor before knocking on a door at the very end.

"My Lord, the Saint is here."

"Bring her in."

Opening the door, the Butler gestured for Leia to enter before closing the door behind her.

"Saint, it is a pleasure to meet you. What brings you to my estate at this time of day?" The Marquess asked with a smile.

He was a man that looked as though he was in his 50's to 60's. A head of grey hair and a set of greedy eyes that seem to be scanning Leia up and down.

Ignoring his gaze, Leia opened her mouth.

"Thank you for taking the time to meet me Lord Leroux. I've come here with the intention to inquire about the use of Blessed Crops. I had taken a trip to the city and saw the homeless on the verge of death and starvation. If we take just one and dilute it into soup, it can be used to solv-" Before she could finish her sentence, the Marquess raised his hand to stop her.

"So it is about this matter. The head Priest had already notified me of what you two talked about. Let me make this clear young Saint, the influx of the homeless has only increased due to the news of the crops. If we spare just one, more would come. The best thing to do is to ignore them and let them be. If not for the crops, they wouldn't be here in the first place, dirtying up the streets of this city." The Marquess huffed out in anger.

"But-!"

"Saint! I have shown plenty of respect to you regarding your identity. There is nothing else to discuss." He shook his head.

"Just one stalk out of the thousands you harvest everyday! Just one would've been enough to help them!" Leia slammed her hand onto the desk. She couldn't believe that he wouldn't even spare one crop.

Staring at her momentarily, a wicked smile curled up on the Marquess's lips.

"Alright. Just one stalk you say? We can come to an agreement. I can give them more than one stalk if you so wish."

Hearing this, light returned to Leia's eyes as her expression brightened up.

"Really?!"

"Yes. The only thing I require is a small bit of cooperation from your side." He chuckled.

"What do I need to do?" Leia asked. As a god, there were plenty of things she could do without harming the balance of this world.

Suddenly, the Marquess grabbed her hand and started to rub it causing Leia to back off in shock and disgust but he refused to let go.

"All you have to do is become my woman and I'll grant the parasites some of the crops to keep them alive if you so wish. Surely as the saint, being my woman is a small task compared to saving hundreds." He asked with a cruel grin on his face.

Gritting her teeth in anger, killing intent flooded out of Leia's body.

He wanted her to become his woman? How dare this mortal. The blessing that she granted to this world had to be traded for with her own body?

She refused.

If the ones holding a monopoly of her blessings are beings less than humans, why should she grant them blessings to begin with?

Mana erupted out of Leia's body as she shook the Marquess's hand off hers.

"Please conduct yourself properly. There is nothing else to discuss between us." Leia said coldly as she turned to leave the room.

"I will give you till midnight to change your mind. A single confirmation would save thousands. Think about it carefully Saint." He called out with a grin.

Glancing back with cold eyes, Leia contemplated on how she should deal with this man- no, this beast.

"You will see my answer tonight."

Turning around, she left the estate without another word while the Marquess only licked his lips.

"I suppose I should tell the Priest that she can be blackmailed to a certain extent with the Blessed Crops. To think she would care this much about them." He shrugged while preparing to send a letter.

Meanwhile, after Leia left the estate, she started to walk back to the city.

Flaring out her mana momentarily so that Pyre appeared, Leia glanced at him coldly causing him to shirk back.

"I believe you saw everything that transpired yes?" Leia asked as Pyre nodded his head. He had wanted to strike that man down the moment he dared to make such a suggestion but Leia's aura was telling him not to get involved. She wanted to end him herself.

"Then you should have no qualms about what I plan to do tonight. Just make sure my power doesn't upset the balance in this world." Leia warned as a black aura started to flood out of her body.