This Reincarnation Requires a Subscription Fee

“But there are still some people in Kydsha who are on our side. Don’t worry too much,” Bael said, trying to reassure Axel.

“Yeah, and while I’m there, I can extend my lifespan again! I’ll just make a lot of donations,” I added, hoping to further ease Axel’s concerns.

“Lifespan?” Bael’s attention was suddenly caught by my mention of it.

Oh right, I realized, I hadn’t explained the whole reincarnation subscription thing to Bael yet. He probably assumed I had just reincarnated in the usual way.

“Well, what I mean is…”

I proceeded to explain the concept of the reincarnation subscription to Bael, just as I had done with Axel earlier. Bael looked thoroughly shocked.

“So, you’re saying you’re on borrowed time?”

“Yeah, but it’s easy to extend. I have a stable way to earn more coins.”

“That’s not the point! The important thing is that you’re in such a precarious situation, and yet you’re so nonchalant about it…!”

Bael, usually the calm and gentle one who could make anyone feel at ease, surprisingly raised his voice. It seemed like I was in for another long lecture, similar to the one Axel had given me. 

I looked to Axel for help, but he just shrugged with a look that said, See? It’s not just me!

How unfair, I thought as my shoulders slumped in defeat. I had no choice but to endure Bael’s scolding.

“This is the kind of thing you should have told me as soon as we met again. Now that I think about it, it was odd how you suddenly gained such immense divine power.”

Even though Bael wasn’t a miracle worker, his way with words was remarkable—he didn’t pause for breath as he continued his lecture.

“And don’t tell me you got that immense divine power from this reincarnation subscription too? How can you trust something sold by such an unreliable source?”

Unreliable? I thought, They’re the ones who sell it in the very heaven you believe you’ll go to when you die…

But I could tell that no matter what I said, Bael wasn’t in the mood to listen. I let out a sigh and a small, rueful laugh.

*Why do I have so many naggers around me?*

* * *

As soon as Gallio returned to his room, he angrily swept the teapot and cups off the table, sending them crashing to the floor. He had prepared meticulously for the Duke’s rare dinner gathering, only for it to end in frustration.

Gallio Elpinard had always been overshadowed by his younger brother, Axel. Even the household servants whispered among themselves, wondering if things would have been better if Axel were the eldest son instead.

Naturally, Gallio had dismissed any insolent servants who dared to speak such things. After a few such incidents, no one dared to speak out of turn again.

In the absence of his father, who was often occupied with other duties, Gallio took it upon himself to manage the Elpinard estate. Traditionally, this would have been the role of the lady of the house, but the Duchess had passed away long ago, leaving a void in the household.

Gallio prided himself on his dedication to the family. It was the one area where he felt he could surpass his younger brother, Axel. While Axel was the quintessential noble heir in appearance, he possessed an irrepressible rebellious streak. When Axel joined the Mad Dragon Expedition at the age of 16 without consulting anyone in the family, Gallio saw it as a golden opportunity. Axel had left home impulsively, claiming he wanted to help his friend, Kirke, and even the usually composed Duke had been furious with him.

At that moment, Gallio had internally rejoiced, thinking that this was his chance to prove to their father that he was the more responsible and deserving son. Surely, the one to continue the long and storied legacy of the Elpinard family should be him, Gallio Elpinard, not Axel.

*But then that lucky bastard succeeded in slaying the Mad Dragon…*

Gallio clenched his fist in frustration. Not only had Axel returned home as the hero who vanquished the Mad Dragon, but his close friend Kirke had ascended to the imperial throne. Axel’s fame now extended far beyond the Elpinard family, echoing throughout the entire empire.

To those who were unaware of the family’s internal dynamics, it seemed obvious that Axel would be the one to inherit the Elpinard estate. Gallio, the young duke, felt like a mere speck of dust in comparison.

He had even agreed to a political marriage to bolster the family’s standing, but his relationship with his wife had soured, leading to their current separation. The only solace he found was in the fact that he had at least provided his father with a grandson.

Gallio had pressured Axel to consider a marriage that would benefit the family as well, but Axel had always shirked his duties, preferring to roam outside rather than stay home. He’d gone off on reckless adventures, helping a lowly black mage, and now he was coddling a lowly saintess.

And when did that lowly saintess manage to gain Father’s favor?

Tonight’s dinner had been nothing more than a setup to reprimand Gallio. The Duke had intentionally treated the saintess with great respect to send a clear message to Gallio: he knew everything Gallio had been doing to isolate the saintess within the Elpinard family.

Gallio felt wronged. How could that lowly creature, a saintess with no blood relation to the family, suddenly be treated like a daughter of the Duke and enjoy the privileges of the Elpinard name? Worse still, when the Duke passed away, what if she claimed a share of the inheritance under the pretext of being his daughter? Gallio could barely stand the thought of sharing the family wealth with Axel, let alone giving a portion to that girl.

He had made sure the servants, and even Noah, understood just how unworthy and common the saintess was. Was that really such a grave mistake?

As he recalled Axel’s emotionless gaze during the Duke’s scolding, Gallio’s anger boiled over.

*Bang!* 

He slammed his fist on the table.

That cunning little fox! She’s not a saintess; she’s a manipulative schemer!

How she had managed to charm their father, Gallio couldn’t fathom, but it was clear she was no ordinary girl. And to make matters worse, his lucky younger brother had somehow allied himself with her…

If this continues, it could spell disaster.

Gallio gritted his teeth. He had heard rumors that the Duke was planning an extravagant celebration for the saintess’s fifth birthday.

But Gallio had originally dismissed the idea of the grand party as nothing more than a show to impress the temple. Now, however, the unfolding situation made it clear that this wasn’t the case.

I need to get rid of her, once and for all. I’ve heard the temple wants the saintess back, don’t they?

What if he could involve them in his plans?

When the grand party is held, the tightly closed gates of the estate will inevitably open…

A cunning smile spread across Gallio’s face as he thought of his plan. The Duke’s generous warning had already lost its impact in Gallio’s mind.

* * *

I decided to approach the Duke together with Bael. I figured it would be much better to have the Cardinal support my request to visit the temple than to just say, “I’m going to the temple!” on my own.

“I would like to take the saintess to Kydsha,” Bael requested formally.

The Duke’s expression grew uneasy at Bael’s words.

“…You want to take Reshia?” He looked at me intently, as if to confirm whether this was truly what I wanted. I quickly nodded in response.

“Yes, I want to see Kydsha. Since I’m a saintess, I should visit and look around.”

The Duke’s stern expression softened slightly at the mention of just “looking around.”

“But, Cardinal, from what I’ve heard, the situation in Kydsha is not entirely stable.”

Although he was still looking at me, the question was directed at Bael.

“Indeed. With the Pope’s illness and Cardinal Kaltas gaining influence, the internal situation has become quite tumultuous. My position is also precarious. So, although it’s shameless of me to ask…”

“Do you need people?” the Duke interrupted, anticipating Bael’s request before he could fully voice it.

“It wouldn’t be proper to send the Lady of Elpinard to the temple without proper escort. If that’s what you’re concerned about, I can offer much more assistance than you might expect.”