A big win

The Bishop's reaction was a given. Savine didn't even bother processing his words. Her eyes were on Eliseline only. And what she saw made her grin victoriously.

There was clear hesitation in the beauty's eyes. A look of helplessness or awkwardness would mean a flat denial. A look of ready acceptance would make Savine suspicious. But a look of hesitation was like a woman who said 'No~' in the most inviting and coquettish way possible. Savine only needed to push slightly further and her goals would be achieved.

"Naturally, as God's Chosen, I will continue to spread inventions and methods that can help ease the common man's life. But I understand the world is not only filled with common men. When speaking with nobility, naturally, I shall offer them items that will pique their interest more."

'And when I get access to mana, I can prepare things that even kings would drool for.'

Eliseline looked at Savine in a calculating gaze. Naturally, she was familiar with Savine's new inventions. They were mostly directed towards the working class, but those alone allowed her to throw 800 gold coins without batting an eye. And now, she was saying she had things that nobility will be interested in.

"You're trying to buy blood with money! Nothing you offer will be acceptable for the title you seek!"

Eliseline put her hand on the bishop's shoulder and glanced at him meaningfully.

"Please allow us to speak privately for a few seconds."

Eliseline then pulled out her own Vasa and cast a spell. It was a noise canceling one. Sadly, Savine's Gift was not yet strong enough to bypass it. But it wasn't like she was helpless. She could still read their lips. Since Eliseline was faced the other way, she could only read the bishop's lips.

"You can't be thinking of accepting?!"

"..."

"A Count?! Do you understand what you're talking about!? A Count, she says."

"…"

"What do you mean there's only one choice? Make her Yeltsin or whatever his name is's daughter. He's a baron, but he's still a noble. Why can't she be satisfied with that?"

"…"

"What do you think the Duchy would think when we bring back a Count's daughter when we were supposed to only bring a new priest?"

"…"

"You can explain the necessity of it to the duke, sure, but how am I supposed to explain it to the nobles that talk to me?! Should I tell them the truth? That she's a commoner who bought herself the title of nobility? For a mere 800 golden coins? O Goddess of Prosperity, how low did the Fest duchy fall…"

"…"

"No one would know… But-"

Savine understood the gist of the conversation. Since she wanted to go to the Sovereignty as a noble, the two needed to use one of their people in the Magicracy to adopt her. They couldn't go to the Sovereignty and then adopt her, since that would receive too much attention.

But for the nobles in the Magicracy, the only choices seemed to be baron Yeltsin and a count.

Of course, since she now knew her options, Savine was not going to settle for anything less than the best.

'If they say I'll get adopted by Yeltsin, I'll just mention the count. Since Vevian deals with the Magi, it wouldn't be weird for me to know about a count from the Sovereignty.'

However, Savine didn't need to do anything.

"Fine. Do as you wish. But I'm not going to talk with Count Lorelei. You do the convincing of him."

The bishop spoke like he was convinced, but Savine could see the hostile glint he had in his eyes. Of course he was up to no good. He pretended to agree on the outside, but was definitely planning something in the back.

Savine wasn't surprised. The words she spoke weren't light. The bishop briefly forgot about them due to the gold, but he would still want to have Savine suffer as much as possible.

Savine didn't care. She was confident in herself to become untouchable before the fat pig could do any serious damage.

With that, Eliseline dropped the sound muting spell and looked at Savine with a complicated expression.

"We've spoken and we've decided to have an Honorary Count here adopt you. There won't be any ceremonies, only a signing of papers. From tomorrow on, you'll become Savine Lorelei. Remember that."

Savine nodded with satisfaction. An honorary count would not have lands to his name, but the prestige of the title was more than enough for Savine.

"I hope for a long and prosperous relationship between us."

"Moreover, although you're only entering the temple, since you're entering it as a count's daughter, you must become familiar with both societies. You'll learn when you're in the temple, but we shouldn't wait so long. But you must have things you need to do. When you're finished with them, come to me. I'll have prepared your Contract as well."

With the decision made, the people involved moved quickly. Eliseline went to talk with the Honorary Count and Savine went back to her house to talk with Vevian.

She explained the situation without hiding much and instructed the Headmaster to prepare for Vega's departure to the Sovereignty.

Finished with that, Savine started her own preparations. She went to the bank and made sure her account could still function in the Sovereignty, thought of preparing some clothes and items common for nobility, but decided to do so after consulting with Eliseline. Promptly, she went towards the inn she was staying in.

However, the thing that she was met with was not a lecture on noble society, but a blade to her neck.

"Who are you?" Eliseline asked coldly, as she squatted atop Savine.

There was none of the politeness she had held in her eyes before. Now, there was only suspicion and heartlessness. If her suspicion was proven right, she wasn't going to hesitate in plunging the blade deep into the young girl's neck.

Savine, with her life in danger, replied softly, but clearly.

"Savine Lorelei. God's Chosen."