Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1022: We don’t have enough funds

Archpriestess took Aether behind the Main Temple, sensing that he still hadnʼt fully adjusted to the surroundings.

His steps were uneven, and his expression carried a faint disorientation. And... he was starting to act a bit strange. She couldnʼt shake the growing worry building in her chest. Thatʼs why, without second thoughts, she brought him to her personal room—for the time being at least.

There was... really, absolutely no agenda behind it!

Believe her... she wasnʼt going to pounce on him just because sheʼd waited for so long!

Please, truly believe her!

The room was quiet—silent, actually. No one else was inside except the two of them.

Aether sank into the chair with a faint slump, his face glistening slightly with sweat. A dull headache throbbed in his temples, and ever since he had stepped into this place, an odd sensation had been nagging at him. It wasnʼt just physical—something deeper, like a presence inside trying to surface... or maybe something from outside trying to reach him, calling him softly yet persistently.

He couldnʼt tell which it was... it was really starting to mess with his head.

”Do you like tea?” Archpriestess asked gently, glancing back at Aether from the kitchen area while she brewed something over the flame.

”I... donʼt think I can drink anything right now,” Aether muttered with a low, grumbling tone. He felt nauseous, as if his stomach was staging a quiet pain. If he put anything inside, he was certain heʼd throw it up instantly.

”Haha... I didnʼt ask if you could drink, silly. I asked whether you like tea or not,” Archpriestess responded with a soft laugh in her voice, teasing him while still minding the boiling pot.

Aether sighed but eventually nodded, admitting that yes, he did like tea. A few moments later, the Archpriestess returned, carrying a hot cup placed on a delicate saucer, the soft steam curling up as she approached him.

Aether sighe—

Before he could even release the breath, the Archpriestess spoke with a firmer tone, her eyes serious. ”Just so you know... this will help calm you down, steady your nerves. You need to adjust to this place, and this will help you do just that.” She placed the cup gently in front of him and sat down across from him.

Aether looked down at the tea—its colour was almost grey, dull and plain. He leaned closer and inhaled the scent. There was no sweetness, no floral hint, no exotic aroma—just simplicity.

But even in that plainness...

Aether exhaled deeply, almost as if the scent alone had pulled something tight out of his chest. He blinked, surprised by the wave of calm that followed. Slowly, he brought the cup to his lips and took a small sip. The moment the hot liquid touched his throat, it did something odd—despite the heat, a sudden chill spread from his throat down to his stomach, soothing the ache within and easing his jittery nerves. The warmth turned cold in the most comforting way... like a hand pressing gently to cool fevered skin.

”See...” Archpriestess smiled, clearly proud to see the visible relief washing over his face.

Aether chuckled softly and gave a little nod. ”Please pardon this illiterate fool, oh mighty Archpriestess,” he said with exaggerated humility and amusement in his tone.

Archpriestessʼs lips twitched. She could tell he was poking fun at her, deliberately being a little mean. Yet... even knowing that, she found herself smiling at the way he said it.

It was almost like they were... like...

Archpriestess flushed, a soft pink blooming on her cheeks as her imagination wandered too far. She quickly cleared her throat, pushing those thoughts away before asking, ”So?”

”Hmm?” Aether tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to remember something.

”The reason you visited our Empire?” she asked, voice a bit more composed now.

Aether blinked at her, then smirked faintly. ”I thought you already knew why I was here?” he teased. Then his grin widened. ”Maybe your Goddess forgot to mention that part to you.”

Archpriestess didnʼt take offense. She knew Aether was under a lot of pressure, and people burdened by too much often lashed out at the heavens. It was their way of looking for answers—by blaming those above.

”Well, all she told me was that you were coming to our Empire and that I must receive you with the utmost respect... and a proper, grand welcome,” Archpriestess said, her voice calm but firm.

Aether frowned, puzzled. ”May I know why she wanted you to welcome me like that? Iʼm just... nobody,” he said, his tone colored with doubt and a hint of fatigue.

Archpriestess simply smiled, warm and knowing. ”Itʼs all part of her design, Aether. Everything unfolds according to her will. We mortals have no say in that. She asked me to welcome you in a grand way, so I did. Thatʼs all there is to it.”

Aether took another sip of the tea, letting it work deeper into his system as he relaxed slightly. ”Fine then...” he murmured, and then after a breath, added, ”Anyway, the real reason I came here was... about the thrusters. You know the state of the world right now. Everything is shifting. If you want to protect your people, shouldnʼt you at least be preparing for whatʼs coming?”

Archpriestessʼs face turned serious, her expression tightening. ”As much as I want to protect my people, Aether... Mother hasnʼt said anything about that matter. I cannot allow such a decision to be made on her land without her clear permission.”

Aether let out a deep sigh as he rubbed his forehead in frustration. ”Come on... you have to understand. This is a trial for the Chosen Ones. You canʼt decide things on their behalf. And heck—That Bitc—ahem, I mean, your Mother Goddess—she knows it too! Thatʼs why she hasnʼt interfered. Think about it!”

Archpriestess gave him a sharp look at the near-slip of the tongue, but she didnʼt scold him. That word alone could have invited the wrath of every single devout follower in the Empire, but she chose to push it aside. She focused instead on what he was trying to say.

Aether noticed her thoughtful silence and leaned forward slightly, seizing the moment. ”This is a trial. Your Mother Goddess cannot interfere now, and she wonʼt, and she is not supposed to after all... this destroys her play. This is about Helena and... whatʼs his name again? Bin?”

”Finnian,” Archpriestess corrected, her tone flat, her face deadpan.

”Oh right, yes, Binnian—anyway.” He shrugged casually, not even bothering to correct his mistake. He pressed on, ”Itʼs their choice to make. Theyʼre supposed to be the next rulers of this Empire, right? You canʼt just sit and wait for your goddess to hand you a sign when she already told them to choose their own path. Please, think this through. You donʼt want millions to die, do you?”

His voice softened at the end, eyes searching hers for any crack of agreement.

Archpriestess looked down, nodding slowly. His words... they made sense.

Why hadnʼt she thought of that before?

After all, this was a trial. And when it came to trials, there were no exceptions. Mother Goddess was strict—unyielding, even if it meant endangering her own people.

Archpriestess tapped her fingers on the armrest for a few seconds in quiet deliberation. Then, finally, with a faint exhale, she muttered, ”...Fine.”

Her tone carried a hint of reluctance, but it was enough.

Aetherʼs lips curled in triumph as he rubbed his hands together. ”Alright, so the price for the thrusters we need to bu—”

”We donʼt have money,” she interrupted flatly, cutting him off before he could even finish the sentence.

”...Huh?”

Archpriestess nodded solemnly. ”We donʼt have enough funds to support the cost of your thrusters. Not even close.”

Aether bit his lip in frustration. He knew they were frugal, always carefully preserving resources... but this wasnʼt just another expense.

This was about survival.

This was about the future. And yet... she still hesitated?

He opened his mouth, about to argue—

But then, Archpriestess leaned forward suddenly, her eyes heavy with feigned exhaustion as she got uncomfortably close. With a sigh that dripped with dramatic flair, she whispered, ”Only if someone with a GREAT HEART and DEEP LOVE could come forward to save my poor, struggling Empire...” Her voice melted into an innocent tone as her eyes sparkled like a puppy pleading for attention.

Aether froze.

ʼAh? Do you really think this is going to work...? Lady, are you serious right now? I am not falling for those eyes!!ʼ

He told himself to stay strong. His heart was made of steel now! He had a mission, a responsibility!

He wouldnʼt waver—not for flirtation, not for drama, not even for tearful sparkly-eyed women!

He was going to secure that funding no matter what!

His Raven had already done her part. If he returned empty-handed now, heʼd feel crushed. Defeated.

There was no way—no way—he was falling for that trick.

Or... so he thought.

Until...

”Big brother... Please?”

ʼDAMN IIIITTTTTT!!!ʼ