Tokyo Soft Rice King.

"This is the religious land use permit, as well as other written documents such as the environmental impact report and the fire department's fire protection approval... You can keep this safe."

"Hey?"

"Hehe, there's no need to look at the details. Just handing these things over to you will prove that the shrine and that land belong to you."

"what?"

"And then there's this: the priest's certificate issued to you by the shrine headquarters, and the appointment letter from the shrine master."

"A divine appointment letter? Whose?"

"Of course it's yours."

"Mine?! How did you get this?!"

"Haha, Uncle, I happen to be someone who has some influence in the main hall of the shrine, so it's not difficult for you to become a legitimate priest of a shrine."

"Uh……"

“Generally speaking, one needs to pass an exam and undergo a certain amount of spiritual practice to obtain it… However, for someone like you who directly serves the gods, providing you with relevant education is a completely unnecessary formality.”

Then he continued.

"Besides, that shrine was originally managed by our Tomita family, so it's just a matter of 'returning it to its rightful owner'."

"Ah, you mean the old shrine of Kuroo!"

"That's right, from now on, that place belongs to you."

Not only did they give their daughter away, but they also gave her a large plot of land and a house on it, and even arranged for Kuroba Akira to have a proper job within the shrine system...

Now he's truly become the son-in-law of the Tomita family.

Chapter 384 The Need for the Body is for Spiritual Communication

“Shrines should belong to the gods, so the representatives they choose are the best managers of the shrines.”

"Isn't that redundant?"

In this world, shrines are places to receive people's wishes and beliefs, and agents are tools to help the gods collect these beliefs. If agents manage shrines, the efficiency of collecting beliefs will actually decrease.

“In fact, in the past, apart from the royal family, all other agents were clergy. Shrines were practical places, like hospitals, that genuinely helped people solve their problems, rather than empty places that simply receive people’s wishes and prayers as they are today.”

Tomita Hoken adjusted his glasses and said with a regretful tone.

"However, nowadays more gods are choosing to use a two-pronged approach, because as people's faith weakens, fewer and fewer people come to the shrine, so they can only make up for the quality with quantity."

In other words, the shrine can simply set up an auto-farming system and let the agent actively collect faith, thus earning two sets of faith.

It's like having a main job while taking on a side job to earn extra money.

"But I think that people who come to shrines or churches every day are more devout than those who only pray when they have a need?"

"That's true..."

It all comes down to whether you want a one-time gain or sustainable development.

"The temporary abandonment of the shrine to Lady Cat God was a last resort to avoid suspicion. After all, if my plan were leaked, the resurrection ceremony might be interrupted by someone with ulterior motives... But now that it has become a 'fait accompli,' it is time to restore the incense offerings to Lady Cat God."

Tomita Hoken patted Kuroba Akira on the shoulder and said.

"Therefore, the task of revitalizing the shrine is entrusted to you."

"Ok."

Kuroba Akira readily accepted.

This is good news for Kuroba Akira; it means he now has a stable income from AFK (away from keyboard) faith, which will allow Kuroo to become human faster...

By the way, she's already got a body now!

And doesn't this uncle care about his daughter at all?!

Just as Kuroba Akira was about to tell him, "Your daughter has become the cat in my arms," ​​Tomita Hōgen pulled out a bankbook from his inner pocket.

"Also, this passbook is for you, Kuroba-kun. The password is Haruka's birthday. As an extra bit of fun, go find out for yourself."

"Uh, this money is..."

Using her daughter's birthday as a password, could it be part of her dowry?

That's the second dowry she received after the class monitor. Even Kuroba Akira felt it was a bit... sinful.

"It's mainly for the shrine's renovation funds. Although the building itself shouldn't have any major problems, it's been quite a few years, and many parts aren't modern enough. So, Kuroba-kun, use this money to renovate the interior. Also, it includes the incense money collected during the shrine's period of disuse, so buy some good quality cat food for the cat god."

"Okay, thank you very much... May I ask how much money is in here?"

"It's not a lot, maybe around 30 million yen. It's nothing compared to Inari-sama... Haha, saying that will surely make Neko-sama furious again."

Kuroba Akira's temple throbbed; he was somewhat startled by the number.

Thirty million yen isn't much... that's equivalent to 1.5 million RMB.

But thinking about it carefully, it seems normal. Kuroba Akira watched a Japanese drama called "From Five to Nine," in which the male lead was a monk who drove luxury cars to the temple and was quite wealthy.

Moreover, it is said that religious sites do not pay taxes on their income and accept donations, so religious people in places where incense is plentiful are all very wealthy.

"And your monthly salary, Kuroba-kun, will also be deposited into this account. The God's annual income is around 720 million yen. Although I would like to give him more, unfortunately there is a limit of 60 yen per month. I can't break the rules..."

Oh, right, being a priest even comes with a salary... after all, it's a legitimate religious position.

However, Kuroba Akira, who had worked for a large company, knew very well that high income also meant corresponding high pressure. Capitalists would not let people make money easily; they would definitely use people to the extreme.

Therefore, Kuroba Akira did not rejoice too soon, but asked cautiously.

"What do I need to do? Like attend religious ceremonies and meetings or something..."

"Hehe, there's absolutely no need for that. How could we let the agent manage such trivial matters? The agent holds the highest position in the shrine's main hall, as they directly serve the gods and are already doing the most important work."

Okay, I'm lying down now.

Now I can truly relax.

Earning 600,000 yen a month for free, with no worries about food or drink and no trivial matters, is unbeatable.

So, did he already achieve his goal of living off a woman when he was chosen by Kuroo?

He was able to become the God Master because he was Kuroo's agent; he was essentially living off Kuroo's money!

However, Kuroba Akira isn't as greedy for money these days, since no amount of money could bring back what Akira vomited up...

Thinking about this, Kuroba Akira really couldn't understand why Kuroo wanted to take over someone else's body... especially considering the line, "This is the New Year's gift I prepared for you..."

Could it be that God is going to 'eat people'?

After all, Kuroo had previously shown some interest in people's happy behavior.

But isn't this just adding burden to yourself?

You shouldn't join in! Besides, you're using someone else's body!

"Speaking of which, sir, your daughter..."

Kuroba Akira looked at Natsume in his arms, his message having been conveyed.

"Don't worry about Haruka. I'll pack her things and send them to the shrine. From now on, she can live in the shrine of the cat god and assist you in rebuilding the shrine as a shrine maiden."

"No! I'm not worried about that. I mean, Uncle, aren't you worried at all about your daughter's current situation? She was swapped with Kuroo, you know?"

"What's there to worry about?"

"Uh……"

“Haruka is the daughter of the Tomita family and a shrine maiden who serves the Nekogami. This is the mission she needs to accept, and it is also the reward that I arranged with the Nekogami in advance.”

"But...aren't you afraid that Kuroo will continue to possess your daughter's body?"

"No, the Cat Goddess is only 'borrowing' a body. She didn't really take over Haruka's body. And there's no need to worry about memory problems. Only the Great God of the Underworld, who has a complete understanding of souls, can do something like that."

Why are you so certain?

"Hehe, I've already given you my reasons, Kuroba-kun. I know Nekami-sama very well, and..."

"Ah...she is a very gentle goddess..."

Kuro-o is very gentle.

She would never harm humans.

It turns out there was no need to doubt from the beginning that Kuroo would never do anything to harm people.

Tomita Hoken narrowed his eyes slightly, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes smoothed out, and the corners of his mouth slowly turned up, revealing a warm smile.

This uncle may act recklessly, but he still has a bottom line. If anything, he belongs to the 'Chaos·Good' faction.

"However... Qingxia is my daughter after all, and I hope you can take good care of her in my place."

"Of course, I won't let Blacktail do anything reckless."

"No, I just hope you won't let Qingxia do anything reckless."

"Hey?"

Tomita Hogen said with a meaningful expression.

Have you ever heard the saying, "Daughters resemble their fathers"?

"Uh……"

He also glanced down at Xia Maomao in Kuroba Akira's arms. He wanted to reach out and touch Maomao's head, but he withdrew his hand just before he touched her.

“Haruka not only received the right nutrients, but her heart is also growing in the right direction. So, Kuroba-kun, I'm glad you're so worried about Haruka, but you're overthinking it. If anything, you're the one who…”

Tomita Hogen didn't finish speaking, but gave him a sympathetic look.

No, sir? If you're looking at me like that, I'm starting to panic... Does your daughter looking like you mean she's also a hidden mastermind?

"Haruka isn't as good at controlling her emotions as I am, so her 'integrity' can turn into a kind of 'obsession.' So... good luck, Kuroba-kun."

Where do I need to improve...?

Kuroba Akira was utterly disheartened, losing even the joy of lying down.

"Finally, Kuroba-kun, I'll talk to the Amau family about your parents. I'll let you know if there's any progress... You wouldn't mind exchanging contact information with me, would you?"

"Of course, of course..."

Tomita Hoken smiled and took out his phone, exchanging phone numbers with Kuroba Akira.