How the Cult Saves the World-Chapter 142

The soldiers battling the monsters and the survivors trembling in fear all turned their gaze toward one spot.

Shing---

Just then, a second flash of light streaked across the sky, splitting through the dark sky, instantly obliterating the lower-level monsters.

"What the heck is that...?"

"Oh my God. They must have come to save us!"

"Who is it...?"

Reactions varied. Some were simply surprised, others welcoming of the savior who had come to rescue them, while many marveled at the mighty power they had just witnessed.

Shing---

Once again, a flash of light cut through the sky, illuminating the darkness a little more.

As the number of monsters dwindled, a new emotion took root in the hearts of the desperate survivors---hope. A glimmer of hope that they might actually survive this hellish nightmare.

"Oh, has Lord Diego finally answered our prayers?"

All eyes turned toward the source of the flash. Atop the tallest building in Segel, the wielder of the flash stood alone.

A strikingly handsome man with golden hair as brilliant as the sun. Draped in a pure white cloak of holy light.

He adjusted his glasses with an indifferent expression and extended his hand once more towards the monsters. One again, a burst of pure white flash of light erased the monsters from existence.

The wielder of the flash was none other than Revelof.

***

I unleashed my holy power, eradicating the lower- and intermediate-level monsters that had swarmed over Segel.

'I made the right choice coming here.'

Upon entering the town, I immediately ascended to the rooftop of the tallest building. From there, I could efficiently take down the intermediate-level monsters---most of them airborne---and assess the battlefield at a glance.

Meanwhile, Zain and Troy had scattered, each fighting off monsters. The building was high enough that I could track their movements despite the distance.

Especially since most of Segel's buildings had collapsed.

'Still, it wasn't as bad as I had feared.'

Though some soldiers were injured, the death toll appeared surprisingly low.

'Because it was just now that the intermediate-level monsters had started appearing.'

Even then, I, Zain, and Troy easily dealt with them.

-Over there, people are gathering on the beach. I think some of our believers are there, too.

'Yeah, I see them. I'll finish up here on this side a bit more, then head over.'

After quickly assessing the situation in my head, I shifted my gaze toward the beach, just as Kyros had pointed out.

There was a camp there where survivors had gathered. It seemed the person who had prayed to Kyros was among them.

Crack---

As I continued eliminating intermediate-level monsters, releasing holy power wherever people were in danger, a sound rang out from the sky.

The rift in the air, that was already widening, stretched even further.

'It's time...'

Finally, it was time for a higher-level monster to make their entrance.

"You idiots. You can't even handle those damn vermin humans."

Emerging from the rift was a harpy with two pairs of wings.

'Manu, the 78th Child of Demon God.'

This was my first time seeing her in person, but I recognized her instantly---she looked exactly as described in the original.

'She's a hassle to deal with since she flies around, but...'

If I focused, I could take her down quickly. Just as I prepared to move after thinking that---

Crack---

The rift widened again. Another high-level monster was coming through.

'...Oh no.'

The appearances were too close to each other. In the original HSAW story, there was never a single instance when two of Demon God's children appeared at the same time. Even when they appeared at close intervals, there was always at least an hour between their arrivals.

'Damn it. Another hidden-route variable...' 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

I chewed my lip and watched as the second creature emerged from the rift. A dragonfly with three pairs of wings---except its lower half was human legs, making it particularly creepy.

That disgusting insect was Bezel, the 58th Child of the Demon God.

'So this is how hidden-route variables play out.'

Without hesitation, I pulled my mace from my inventory. Up until now, I had relied solely on Holy Power Release, but with two of the Demon God's children at the same time, I'd need both of those at the same time.

As a precaution, I infused additional holy power into the Guardian Barrier. From experience, I knew that the barrier's strength and density varied depending on the amount of holy power channeled into it.

Without enough energy, it'd look at best like a transparent veil.

-Child, are you sure about this? You fighting two high-level monsters at once is...

'I guess I'll just have to do my best.'

I was about to brace for battle when---

"Reinforcements!! Reinforcements are here!"

A soldier's shout made me instinctively turn my head.

Near the entrance to Segel, a large group of people appeared. Among them were dozens of Diego priests, dressed in black robes. At the forefront stood Terdius.

'...Why him?'

I couldn't hide my shock. In the original storyline, it wasn't supposed to be Terdius who came to Segel---it should have been the Archbishop of Diego.

So, he was another hidden-route variable.

'Why did Terdius of all people have to show up here?'

Damn it. Suppressing a curse, I shifted my gaze. Zain and Troy, standing nearby, looked just as stunned as I was.

'I never told them about Terdius's true identity...'

Their reaction made sense. On top of that, Terdius wasn't even dressed as usual---he was wearing the official Diego uniform. The snake emblem on his collar revealed his rank.

At that moment, my eyes met Zain's. I gave him a look that feigned ignorance.

From below, he watched me with suspicion. I quickly looked away, but the silent exchange continued.

[Master, did you know that guy is a member of the Diego Church?]

Zain's voice was lower than usual. I could ignore Troy but Zain---Zain had a grudge against Diego.

I couldn't come up with a good excuse, so I simply held my ground.

"No. I didn't know either."

[Really?]

He asked again.

"Yeah."

[...Alright. If that's what you say, Master.]

The doubt faded from Zain's voice and expression, but I knew he had figured it out.

'Of course. He's ridiculously astute.'

Still, since I had denied it, Zain chose not to press further.

'Somehow, I feel guilty.'

In the end, I had deceived two people.

With that thought lingering in my mind, I turned my gaze toward Terdius. He was busy organizing the priests, who swiftly formed teams and dispersed at his command.

Once the deployment was complete, Terdius flew into the sky. In an instant, he drew his sword and cut down several monsters.

Whoosh---

At the same time, he flew over me...and, our eyes briefly met. But instead of approaching me, he headed straight for Bezel.

"Wow, I quite like this human."

Just then, a woman's voice suddenly reached my ears. When I turned, I was met with an unsettling sight---Manu, the 78th Child of the Demon God. The harpy hovered before me, its wings flapping slowly, with a smile that looked...creepy.

"How about you and me---"

The Harpy smiled faintly and tried to say something to me.

Shing---

Channeling my holy power at full strength, I immediately unleashed a blast straight at the high-level monster. Manu's left wing was pierced clean through.

The force of the attack also wiped out the lower-tier monsters flying behind it.

"What---what is this...?! How dare you, a lowly human!"

Manu flapped one wing and flew away from me but it didn't go very far after it had trouble losing balance.

So, I seized the opportunity, launching into the air and swinging my mace.

Thwack---!

The strike landed with brutal force. The harpy was obliterated before it could even scream.

-That's my boy!

Now that I had over 100,000 believers, the power I received from Kyros was more than enough to handle the 78th Child of the Demon God.

'But still...'

It wasn't as great as I had expected it to be after reaching 100,000.

Honestly, I had hoped to take the harpy down in a single blow.

[Caution! You have killed Manu, the 78th Child of the Demon God.]

[The Demon God may notice your presence.]

I let out a slow breath as I read the message. For now, it was fine.

'I just wish at the very least it takes the Demon God a little more time to notice us.'

With that thought, I turned my attention back to the sky---Terdius was battling Bezel.

'That movement... He's so light on his feet.'

Terdius moved through the air with the same ease as Bezel, a dragonfly. He effortlessly cut down the surrounding intermediate-level monsters before slicing off Bezel's wings.

As Bezel flailed in midair, I quickly followed up, swinging my sword. Bezel was then split clean in half and disappeared.

'...If only I could make his movements mine.'

I observed Terdius's movements closely, trying to surround myself with holy energy, and make them mine.

'Flying is still out of reach for me, though.'

One day, I hoped I'd be successful in having those light movements.

'Come to think of it...'

All around, Diego's priests were fighting alongside Segel's soldiers, cutting down monsters.

They were too focused on battle to spare much attention to me, Zain, or Troy.

'With Terdius here, Segel's crisis is over.'

All the Demon God's children that were meant to appear had already been dealt with. Even if more showed up, Terdius could handle them easily.

It was time to leave. Just as I was thinking that---

[Ch-Church Leader!!]

A frantic voice rang in my ears through the message channel. It was Sasha.

"Sasha? What's wrong?"

A strange unease crept up on me. Sasha was in Katris with grandmother.

[A Child of the Demon God has appeared in Katris!]

That wasn't unexpected---we knew one would show up there. But if Sasha was this panicked...

[Its appearance---it's a black centaur. Wielding a spear, and...]

"...What?"

I couldn't help but feel my stomach drop. The demon that was supposed to appear in Katris should have been ranked in the 50s.

But a black centaur that was now confronting Grandma was of a much higher rank.

[Madam H-Helena is struggling! Please, help us!]

"I'm coming."

I cut off the message link with Sasha and immediately contacted Zain and Troy.

"Zain, Troy. Return now. We're leaving Segel."

I knew my grandmother wouldn't fall easily---no matter how high the rank of this centaur was.

'But to think she's having a hard time...!'

-Ch-child. Your grandmother said she'd be fine. Calm yourself.

Kyros spoke urgently, sensing the change in my body. I knew he was right, but it wasn't easy to steady myself.

At that moment, someone approached.

"Leviathan."

It was Terdius.