Staring at this huge pile of shiny gold coins, I feel my hands shaking. After transmigrating for so long, no, in my whole life, I've never seen so much money!

"You're so pathetic!"

Seeing my reaction, Cyra is naturally very disdainful. She splits the coins in half and generously pushes half towards me.

"These are all for you. We split it evenly!"

"Where did you get so much money?"

I suddenly realize a problem. I remember the silver we received from those customers yesterday were mostly not gold coins, and the amount was not right either. It should be less than 100,000 right?

"Of course it's from selling the remaining three vats of holy water to the True Church!"

Cyra is in no hurry and slowly tells me about the negotiations between her and Bishop Rister last night.

The True Church is very generous. For the sake of resolving conflicts peacefully and currying favor with Cyra, they purchased all the holy water we had made earlier at 60 silver per bottle.

Roughly estimating, each vat can hold at least a few hundred bottles right? Three vats would be close to a thousand bottles!

Additionally, both sides reached an supplementary agreement where the True Church paid an extra 200,000 silver as a one-time fee to acquire exclusive rights to sell holy water from me and Cyra in the city of Norvale!

So from now on we cannot sell holy water privately anymore. Even if we produce more, we have to sell it to the True Church. As for the purchase price, it will be the same as our original selling price, 88 silver per bottle.

"Why is the purchase price from the landlord so low? Are they unhappy with the leftover?"

After listening, I find it a little strange. Actually 88 silver is already much cheaper compared to what the True Church sells their holy water for. But they only paying 60 silver to take these waters makes me feel a little taken advantage of.

What's weirder is the future purchase price is actually higher. This makes even less sense.

"Don't forget, we also introduced a distribution system for direct sales yesterday. If we directly sold all this holy water to the church, it would be equivalent to taking the money and running away. Our reputation could be greatly damaged..."

Cyra waves her hand to remind me.

"So most of last night's negotiations were spent on the franchise transfer details. Bishop Rister finally agreed to take over our previous business. They will continue operating the stall downstairs today, selling at the original price of 88 silver per bottle. So the price of this batch can only be lowered a bit."

"I see, didn't expect you to care so much about reputation..."

Suddenly I understand. Who asked her to engage in direct sales! Gotta pay back what you owe!

Looking at it this way, the price given by the True Church seems to already be very friendly. They still have labor and other costs!

"Credibility is critical for business, don't lump me together with those crooked merchants! What's more, you also participated in this..."

Cyra points disapprovingly at the gold coins in front of me.

"See, you already took half the money! Give it back if you're unhappy!"

"Uh... persuaded by your words, I suddenly realize this negotiation went very well. You really do have a business mind, huge bargain from the church!"

Of course I can't bear to return it to her. I hurriedly pull all the gold coins into my storage ring, while praising her.

To tell the truth, it's not entirely flattery. If we think about it carefully, we didn't plan on doing this holy water business long-term to begin with. As a result of the True Church's intervention, it's like we earned an extra large sum.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Moreover, after the sales rights are bought over, if we're ever short on money again - we just need to spend an afternoon to produce a large batch of holy water, and people will come pick it up. No need to worry about sales channels at all!

"Can't consider it that huge of a bargain..."

Although she feels a little smug from my praises, Cyra still clarifies objectively.

"To tell the truth the holy water market is actually massive. This money is insignificant! If we want to avoid losses, it needs to be built on the prerequisite that we will stop the holy water business in the future. The True Church sells their holy water for at least several hundred silvers on the market. So no matter what they are still earning big. This is a win-win situation."

"Did they invite you to join the church?"

After resolving the holy water issue, I recall another matter I'm more concerned about. Based on Selene's behaviour last night, they definitely won't let this opportunity slip away.

"Of course!"

As expected, Cyra nods to confirm my thoughts. However, what she says next surprises me a little.

"But I haven't agreed for now..."

"Huh?"

I feel like I misheard, I asked unbelievingly.

"Why? You seem to already recognize this church, so why are you unwilling to join?"

After all, you even prayed together. If she says this is two different churches, I absolutely won't believe it.

"It's not that..."

Her attitude seems a little hesitant. Only after hem-hawing for a long time does she start answering.

"Personally I do hope to join, no need to elaborate on the reasons. The main issue is because of Lady Elara - before leaving Edenmere she repeatedly reminded me not to join the True Church, because she suspects ties with the God of Light, Beruto. So I also don't feel good going against her wishes."

"Uh..."

Didn't expect it to be of this reason. Looks like she values relationships more than I imagined.

"What's Selene's response?"

They're probably very disappointed right? Like the duck flying away right as it enters the mouth.

"They said it's fine, let me consider more carefully. And they proposed a suggestion to me..."

Speaking till here, Cyra suddenly stares at me mysteriously.

"Know about the Pontiff? Rumor says he's the only human who has lived over a thousand years. So unbelievable right? Aren't you curious at all?"

"Pontiff?"

What human can live over a thousand years? Isn't that like a demon? I admit I'm very interested in this Pontiff Cyra speaks of, but I don't understand why she suddenly brings this up.

"Feliciana, why don't we go to the Holy Capital first? Bishop Rister and the rest proposed I check out the Holy Capital where the True Church's Pontiff resides!"

Indeed! Right as I'm wondering, she immediately exposes her intentions.

"This... seems inappropriate right?"

Seeing her plead at me expectantly with her eyes, I feel very awkward in bringing this up suddenly.

"Didn't we already plan to go to the Sage Alliance? Changing plans so rashly now seems a little rushed. Also, Nicola definitely won't agree..."

It's not just probably. It's definitely! Hearing we want to go to the True Church's home base, Nicola will surely vote no!

"It won't delay too long!"

Cyra doesn't give up persuading me.

"For example, do you know where Crescent City is? We still have to ask people on the fly! But Bishop Rister has already told me the location of the Holy Capital Eubus, plus I researched it a bit, and it doesn't deviate much from the route..."

Looks like she made preparations. She takes out a map again, spreads it on the table, and points while explaining.

"Look, Crescent City is located in Astralrealm Kingdom's southeast direction, while the Holy Capital in Cresthaven Papal Dominion lies northeast of the kingdom. Between them is an extremely tall mountain range with only the northeast and southeast sides having official roads."

"If we want to go to the Sage Alliance in Crescent City, we first need to go through the border city Parristol in the southeast! You know right, that area is undergoing independence riots due to the recent demon invasion and war, so the public order there is very unsafe and unsuitable to travel through! Therefore, we can only detour from the northeast road, directly passing through the Holy Capital as we head south to our destination!"

It's explained very clearly, but I glance at Cyra and can't help reminding:

"We're angels, so why do we need to follow these land routes? Can't we just fly over these mountains directly? Also, what does Parristol's independence have to do with us!"

Moreover, Nicola already scouted the place out and didn't say it was that unsafe!

"These mountains have really high elevations, all snow capped mountains! Aren't you afraid of the cold? Even if you're not, I am! Moreover, air currents are turbulent at high altitudes, forcibly flying is very dangerous!"

In order to persuade me, Cyra vividly described the perilous nature of those mountains, making it seem as if she had been there herself.

"Don't forget! You already accepted so many benefits from me! After all, the idea to sell holy water was thought up by me, yet I still split it evenly with you - you know why right?"

Seeing I'm still unmoved, she then plays the threat and enticement card.

"If you still don't agree like this... humph!"

She's using all sorts of tactics, leaving me overwhelmed responding.

"Alright alright, I'll go discuss with Nicola, that should be fine right?"

Pestered by Cyra with no way out, I can only surrender.

To tell the truth, we aren't in a rush on this trip to the Sage Alliance, so spending some time taking a detour isn't a big deal. The main difficulty lies in convincing Nicola, which gives me a headache...

Seeing Cyra's smug and excited expression, I helplessly open the door to head out. But right after walking into Nicola's room, I directly bump into Selene.

"Why are you here?"

I look at Nicola, then at Selene. Don't tell me these two have some private secret?

"Of course it's to report the processing result of that criminal yesterday!"

Selene answers matter-of-factly.

"The landlord?"

I react instantly. After getting pestered by Cyra for half the morning, I almost forgot about this proper matter.