How the Cult Saves the World-Chapter 153

The sky was dark and gloomy.

While it was deep into the night in Holden Territory, the battle of those who breathed within it had not ended.

The people and the knights of Holden, including the wounded soldiers, were still anxiously watching the battle of the Kyros Church senior members.

When they were only facing intermediate-ranking monsters, they were filled with hope that they could win, but the moment four high-ranking monsters, Children of the Demon God, appeared at the same time, they were struck with a tremendous shock.

Ordinary people were shocked even more than those directly engaged in the battle.

"Four high-ranking monsters, all at once...!"

"Truly, disaster has struck..."

"Oh, Lord Kyros, please watch over us."

They each faced the situation, which felt like utter despair, in their own way, praying and cheering for those who would become their saviors.

However, the ones who were the subjects of that cheering on were too busy facing the enemies in front of them to notice it.

The only one among them who still was having an easy time was Revelof, the leader of the Kyros Church.

'Hmm...'

Even while facing the massive caterpillar, Maxworm, Revelof wasn't complacent about observing his surroundings.

Whoosh---

The poison from Maxworm was sprayed toward him, but Revelof willingly took it head first and charged toward Maxworm.

Thump!

His mace struck exactly at one of Maxworm's tentacle-like legs, and Maxworm let out a scream of agony.

Kieeek!

Hearing the eerie sound, Revelof turned his gaze. In the distance, between the buildings, he spotted a massive giant sticking out.

'So that's the sixteenth Child of the Demon God, Kamishi.'

He was the second strongest of the Demon God's Children currently appearing in Holden Estate, right after Maxworm. Fortunately, though, the one facing Kamishi was none other than his Grandma Helena Holden.

'Grandma won't need my help.'

Revelof immediately turned his gaze away. Next, what caught his eye was a massive black bat floating in the air.

'That creepy thing is the eighteenth Child of the Demon God, Joel.'

The sight of the large bat, bigger than a human, was quite revolting. So, Revelof quickly turned his gaze away from it.

Although Chester was the one fighting him... He probably won't be at a huge disadvantage.

'And that leaves...'

It wasn't visible from his current position, but when he saw the scene of it falling from the rift.

'It was definitely the nineteenth Child of the Demon God.'

It was probably "Junis", who looked like a massive black cat.

'I don't know the details since it wasn't mentioned much in the original, but...'

From the direction, it seemed that Junis's opponent would likely be Troy.

'For now, their ranks are all in the 10s, but still, I don't think they'll be as difficult to face as I expected.'

Revelof thought this as he continued his battle with Maxworm. Facing Maxworm wasn't too difficult, but there were so many tentacle-like legs protecting its main body.

He had already cut down nearly ten of them, but to approach Maxworm's main body, he still needed to cut a bit more.

So, Revelof bit his lip slightly and quickly cut down the tentacles.

***

At that moment, near the southern tower.

"Everyone, retreat from here."

The enormous black giant, so large it towered over the buildings, swung a club the size of its own forearm.

Whooosh---

Just that swing created strong gusts of wind, powerful enough to uproot several trees.

Helena Holden, drawing her sword, advanced toward the giant. At the same time, she ordered the Holden knights who were attempting to surround the giant.

" B-but...!"

"If you want to prolong your lives even a little more, it'd be best to fall back from here immediately. Right now. Take the wounded and get as far away as possible."

At Helena's command, the knights had no choice but to obey her orders.

Having fought an endless battle with the goblins, their stamina had been significantly depleted, and if they intervened here, it would only hinder Helena Holden.

So, the knights moved as far away as possible so as not to disturb her.

When everyone had left, the only one remaining near the southern tower, aside from Helena Holden, was Zain.

Zain stood leaning against the tower, watching Helena Holden.

'Our teacher's battle, huh...'

His eyes were shining. He was even a little nervous, as if touched by how he was finally witnessing this precious sight with his own eyes.

"Zain. Are you gonna stay there?"

At the moment Zain was thinking that, Helena's voice reached him. She didn't even glance at him, speaking while keeping her gaze fixed on the giant.

'Ugh, so she knew.'

Despite his efforts to hide his presence, it seemed that she, being a swordmaster, had already figured it out. Zain cleared his throat and spoke.

"Well, it's a rare opportunity to witness the Sword Master's real battle up close, after all."

"...I see. Still, considering it's someone like you, I guess you won't get caught up in the fight even if you're nearby. So, make sure to watch carefully without missing anything while you're at it."

Helena's voice continued with a hint of laughter. However, in the next moment, Zain lost sight of her.

'Oh whoa, where did she disappear to?'

As he quickly turned his gaze, he saw Helena Holden already flying behind the giant. Then, her sword swung.

Swoosh---!

Although the giant, sensing something unusual, quickly blocked the attack, blood began to drip from the giant's arm.

'That strength, that speed... Truly amazing.'

Zain couldn't take his eyes off Helena's battle. Even though the weapon she was using was different, watching a Sword Master fight was nothing short of mesmerizing.

No matter how strong the opponent was, even if it was one of the Demon God's Children, they were powerless before Helena Holden.

A grin spread across Zain's face.

***

Meanwhile, Chester felt his breath becoming ragged.

"Huff, huff."

The massive black bat hovering in the air, the eighteenth Child of the Demon God, Joel.

Chester was doing his best against it, but the power of the Demon God's Child was formidable.

Not only was it a Child of the Demon God, but fighting something with wings was also quite a daunting task in itself.

"I'll help you, Holy Knight."

At that moment, someone approached him.

'Who is it?'

He had clearly told the knights of Holden to stay out of harm's way!

Chester turned his gaze with sharp eyes. What appeared before him was Sevenus Holden, with long silver hair and purple eyes. Having tied his long hair up for battle, he was looking at Chester with a serious gaze.

"...It's alright, please evacuate quickly."

Chester said to him while wiping the sweat flowing down his face. In this battle, his mission as a holy knight was not only to protect all the people but also to protect the family of the Church Leader, Revelof.

Because though Revelof may think that he doesn't show it, he cared quite deeply for his family.

"But, at this rate, it's certain that you'll run out of stamina first."

Despite Chester's continued refusals, Sevenus did not back down. He held onto the scabbard at his waist and spoke to Chester with a serious look in his eyes.

"Although the opponent is a high-rank monster... I will be of help."

"It's dangerous."

"It's alright. It's for the good of the territory, after all. So, let me be the decoy. If I draw its attention, then please handle it, Holy Knight."

A decoy. None other than the Church Leader's older brother and the heir to the estate, Sevenus Holden, had volunteered to be the decoy himself. This left Chester shocked.

'I get that he has become a follower of our Kyros Church but still, this is...'

Whenever he occasionally came face to face with Sevenus Holden, it was easy to notice that he was a cold person.

But right now, Sevenus Holden was not cold at all; he was even willing to risk his own life for the territory. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"It'd be best to move quickly before its attention turns back."

Sevenus Holden said again.

In the end, Chester had no choice but to accept his proposal.

'I'm sorry, Church Leader. Sorry that this is all I can do with my abilities.'

Chester apologized to Revelof inwardly. He wanted to finish it on his own as much as possible, but the Demon God's Child was still an insurmountable wall for him.

Chester had to acknowledge that fact and ultimately decided to accept Sevenus Holden's help.

***

At the same time, the knights guarding the northern tower furrowed their brows as they saw the Demon God's Child emerging from the rift.

'It feels like beasts are especially showing up in just our area.'

They were currently thinking far too complacently, knowing that a high-ranking member of the Kyros Church, who possessed considerable power, was on their side.

Troy Mont. With him by their side, it seemed like they could easily defeat any enemy that came their way. It was the same when they faced the Manticore.

However, now, Troy Mont, who had become like their guardian angel, was looking at his opponent in front of him with surprise.

'That's...'

In front of him stood the nineteenth Child of the Demon God, Junis. Some might look at it and just think of it as a large black cat.

But in Troy's eyes, it had a rather familiar appearance.

'...Father?'

For some reason, Junis's appearance reminded him of his father.

Of course, upon closer inspection, there were parts that didn't quite match, but overall, he looked just like his father.

'No. No. No way that's my father.'

After all, his father already passed away in that forest. Plus, the opponent in front of him only had a few features resembling his father, and if anything, it resembled the other Mont tribe members more.

'...Could it be that someone from our clan became one of the Demon God's Children?'

Troy thought this as he glared at Junis.

Then, Junis snorted.

"So, you're from the Mont tribe."

The deep, low voice that came out was accompanied by the growl of a beast. Moreover, it seemed like it knew him.

"...Are you saying that you're not?"

Troy asked, a bit tense. Then, Junis burst into laughter.

"Well, of course not, right? My father said he mixed a little bit of Mont blood when he created me, but that was just a tiny amount."

Junis's bright yellow eyes glowed in the moonlight. At the same time, he disappeared from sight.

Tap---

Noticing the movement, Troy quickly followed him.

Tap---!

The next place Junis appeared was on the wall where the Holden knights were gathered. Realizing that the creature was about to attack the knights, Troy quickly transformed into a human and grabbed Junis by the nape of the neck.

Thud---!

Although it was only for a brief moment that Troy managed to subdue Junis, and he was thrown back by Junis's struggles, he was able to prevent the knights of Holden from being attacked.

"Gasp! What is this...!"

"What are you all doing! Run away, now!"

Troy shouted in fury. Clearly, he had told them to evacuate earlier, yet some of them had stayed behind.

Junis looked at the knights as if they were prey, and Troy could read the hunger flickering in his eyes.

"Damn it."

Troy muttered a curse. And then, he transformed into a black panther.

"Your opponent is me, monster."

Only then did Junis's gaze turn back.