Dietrich faithfully followed the saint's command to buy anything fresh and good, regardless of the price.
Thanks to that, everyone living at the Temple of the Sun was able to enjoy a feast like they hadn't had in years.
"Are we really allowed to eat like this...?"
The servants and maids, who were not clergy, looked awkward as they stared at the mountain of food before them.
"Of course. Without all of you, things would have been truly difficult for us. You are the ones most deserving of this meal."
Dietrich reassured them, and his words were true.
Because the Temple of the Sun was so poor, they couldn't afford to pay the servants a wage and only provided room and board.
Everyone knew this when they came in, and yet, despite the lack of compensation, they always kept the temple spotless as if it were their own home.
Without them, the temple would have fallen into a state beyond repair by now.
"W-Well, in that case, we'll eat gratefully, even if it feels shameless."
Moved by Dietrich's sincere words, the workers finally began to eat. Some even had tears welling up in their eyes.
'I used to think it would be enough just to keep the temple from falling apart completely.'
Dietrich gave a bitter smile as he looked at them.
How many times had he dreamed of the temple collapsing during his tenure?
Each time, he would wake up and wander through the garden, unable to fall back asleep. Of course, doing so never improved his mood—
The garden under the quiet moonlight was just as depressing.
But now, for the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope.
Now that Duke Lute Seary had stepped in, perhaps something really could change.
And the person who had made this all happen was—
"Huh? Miss Hindel, why aren't you eating anything?"
Dietrich's steps came to a halt as he was returning to his seat after reassuring the staff.
Among the apprentice priests who were hurriedly devouring their food, only Monica Hindel sat motionless, not touching her meal.
She was the most promising apprentice, so her behavior was worrisome.
"Do you not eat meat? If that's the case, I can have something else brought for you."
"Oh! No, it's not that. I love meat. I was just… thinking for a moment."
"Alright then, take your time."
Dietrich gave a gentle smile at her reassurance and turned to walk away again.
Just then—
"The Saint has arrived."
Victoria's booming voice echoed through the noisy dining hall.
As if someone had flipped a switch, all chatter, the sound of eating, and clattering utensils ceased instantly.
Dietrich let out a sigh, inwardly.
It had been Ordell who had squeezed—no, collected—money from Duke Seary under the guise of a relic tax and told him to use it to buy food.
He still harbored some suspicion toward Ordell, whose attitude had suddenly changed, but he wasn't about to deny her achievements. This was all thanks to her.
Still, since others didn't know the full story, their reactions remained the same.
"Wow, smells amazing. When was the last time I smelled meat like this?"
Ordell entered the dining hall with Victoria.
She sat calmly at the head of the table, completely unfazed by the awkward silence.
"Oh, did I interrupt your meal? Don't mind me. Please, everyone, continue eating. You too, Dame Victoria—eat well."
Once Ordell was seated, Victoria gave a respectful nod and headed to her seat.
The two of them looked perfectly at ease, but everyone watching them felt tense.
Even Airik and Seth, who sat on either side of her, were sneaking glances at her, clearly nervous.
'I guess it's up to me.'
Only Dietrich could break this atmosphere.
He swallowed hard and walked forward confidently.
So he didn't see—behind him, Monica Hindel had both hands pressed over her mouth as she stared at Ordell.
Her blue eyes sparkled too brightly.
From the moment I entered the dining hall, I could feel the uncomfortable silence.
But honestly, I didn't really care. What caught my attention more was the rich, savory smell of meat I hadn't experienced in ages.
"Priest Dietrich chose the ingredients really well. This is delicious."
The piece of meat I ate as soon as I sat down was absolutely phenomenal.
I'm not usually a sentimental person, but I felt like I could cry.
Humans really do need meat to survive.
"I'm glad to hear that. I was thinking of switching suppliers anyway—this one might be the right choice."
At Dietrich's response, I nodded.
"Also, we'll need to find a new head chef and sous-chef. Preferably someone who understands proper nutritional balance."
Kento, the former head chef, did have decent taste, but when it came to nutrition, he knew absolutely nothing.
He only made proper meals for cranky Ordell, and served the rest of us watery soups without a single solid ingredient.
He even skimmed off the food budget and offered it straight to Count Kiris.
"I've been thinking about that as well... But most capable candidates are quite expensive."
In other words, we don't have the money to pay them.
Clearly, I needed to figure out a fundamental solution to that problem—and soon.
I gestured for Dietrich to go back and enjoy his meal and turned to look at Airik, who was seated to my left.
Unlike the others, who were practically blinded by the lavish feast and stuffing themselves, he was eating neatly and calmly as always.
"...Is there something you wanted to say to me?"
Something to say? Oh, plenty.
"Why are you picking at your food like that? You're tall and broad—you need to eat well. How do you expect to stay healthy if you eat like a bird? Eat this, and that too. Come on, you'll never get stronger otherwise."
Cough.
My concerned comment was met with a round of coughing from all around.
Seth had also covered his mouth. His face was turning red—he must've choked.
What's with them? Is it that strange to care?
"...I'm eating enough. And I'm not weak."
"You fainted over nothing just earlier today. That's what happens when you don't get enough protein. Eat while the meat's still hot—it tastes best that way."
I called a servant over and asked them to bring more grilled meat for the High Priest.
"Saint, I really don't—"
"—need more? Yes, you do. Eat lots and lots. Commander Seth, why aren't you eating properly?"
I whipped my head toward Seth, who was seated across from me.
"You're even bigger and more muscular than the High Priest. You should be eating double. Meat is essential for knights!"
More meat, stat.
As I boomed out my declaration, several servants hurried toward the kitchen.
Sorry for interrupting the meal, but Airik and Seth are the ones doing the most work around here—it can't be helped.
"L-Lady Saint, I really have had enough—"
"Enough? What do you mean, enough? I'll work hard to earn money, so you two don't worry about a thing and just eat comfortably. You've been working so hard, you've gotten all skinny—it's heartbreaking to see."
"But just a minute ago, you said we were big—"
"Your frame and your muscle mass are separate things. Now eat up."
I patted both Airik and Seth on the shoulder, one after the other.
Someone nearby murmured something about me acting like a grandmother feeding her grandchildren, but I ignored it.
They're not that young compared to me, but mentally? I'm still older than both of them.
And besides, their health is directly tied to my future, so I need to make sure they're well fed.
"L-Lady Saint! More meat has arrived."
"Put it here. Hm, but this still doesn't look like enough..."
"It's enough!"
"We're fine!"
When I commented that the mountain of meat still looked insufficient, both Airik and Seth cried out at the same time from either side.
But as a proud Korean born of a rice-and-meat-loving people, I ignored them completely and called for more meat.
Now this is starting to feel right.
"Ahh, I'm stuffed. Dame Victoria, did you enjoy the food too?"
After the glorious meat party ended and we returned to my room, I patted my full belly.
"Absolutely. I can't remember the last time I had a proper feast. The holy knights were all delighted."
"That's good. Ah, but it's a shame I couldn't eat more."
Ordell, the trash-tier stamina queen, had a tragically small appetite.
There was so much meat right in front of her, but her stomach felt like it would burst. It was a bitter injustice.
No wonder her stamina is garbage with a diet like that.
This won't do. Just like with training, I need to implement drastic measures for my food intake too.
I can't live my whole life eating like a bird.
Knock, knock.
Just then, someone came to visit. Victoria informed me of the surprising guest.
"Apprentice priest Monica Hindel wishes to see you, Lady Saint."
Monica Hindel.
She was definitely a significant supporting character from the original story.