How the Cult Saves the World-Chapter 158

When Revelof discovered the energy of the Evil God, Terdius was also aware that Revelof was coming for him. As a result, he was currently standing in the most desolate alley of Rovel, where no one was around.

Terdius, wearing a black robe that seemed no different from the surrounding shadows at first glance, stood in the alley, and unless someone intentionally looked for traces, no one could easily find him.

However, there was one person who knew exactly where he was---Revelof.

Finally, Revelof appeared in the alley. At that, a slight smile formed on Terdius's lips.

"You seem to be feeling alright."

Terdius said, pulling off the hood he had been wearing. Revelof entered the alley, looking at Terdius's seemingly indifferent face. It seemed he acted like that in case someone might witness the meeting between the Church Leader of Kyros and Terdius, the Apostle of Diego.

"Thanks to you. I appreciate it."

After meeting Terdius, the first words Revelof spoke were words of gratitude.

In reality, it was because Terdius had caught him, preventing him from suffering more serious injuries, so Revelof was genuinely thankful.

"So what happened this time? For a few days, Holden Estate seemed like it had been erased from the world."

"...Huh? It seemed like it was erased?"

At Terdius's words, Revelof was surprised. Although the Demon God had caused a barrier to be erected around Holden Estate, cutting it off from the world, hearing that it had seemed erased was unexpected.

"Yes. It seems that because of the Demon God's energy, most people even forgot that Holden Estate ever existed. Of course, it's back to normal now." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"I see..."

Revelof was quite surprised to learn how powerful the Demon God's energy had been.

'So he was that serious about it?'

"It seems you didn't know."

"No. I just thought the entrance was blocked."

"Hmm... You're underestimating the Demon God. He's a god, and although he can't directly challenge our church, he's still a true god. Especially to those weaker than him, he's endlessly cruel and thorough. With such scale, it must have been a full-scale invasion. Are you alright?"

Terdius spoke, recalling the moment when he had caught Revelof as he fell from the sky.

'If it's this guy, he must have at least roughly figured out what happened back then.'

Revelof also assumed that Terdius had an understanding of the situation.

"Yes. Well...as you saw back then. Didn't you hear the rumors?"

"Yes, I heard. But I want to hear it directly from you."

He was not sure how much the rumors were exaggerated, but most of the truth was contained within them. So, Revelof answered vaguely.

"Well, you could say that five rifts appeared in Holden's territory, just like the ones that appeared all over the Empire simultaneously. From there, the Demon God's Children came out, and the rest is as you saw."

"I heard that the reason Holden Estate became the Demon God's target this time was because they defeated a considerable number of high-level monsters."

"Well, as you know, our record has been quite impressive until now, right?"

Revelof answered with a sly smile. At that, a faint smile appeared on Terdius's lips.

Normally, Terdius didn't smile, so the faintest hint of a smile surprised Revelof for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure and asked,

"So, what brings you here this time?"

Revelof looked at Terdius and asked. Given that he came right after the large-scale rift incident, it was clear that something urgent was at hand. Or so Revelof thought.

"I just felt like I had to. That's why I came."

At those strange words, Revelof furrowed his brows.

'Is this guy out of his mind?'

Then, Revelof quickly composed his expression.

"So, you came here even though you don't really have any business with me?"

"Well, if you put it that way, yes."

"...Damn it."

Revelof immediately turned away from Terdius. The Terdius from the Hidden Route was really strange, no matter how you looked at it. He didn't dislike him, but for some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had taken a pointless step.

"Ah, right."

Then Revelof turned back around.

"I'll say it again, thank you for helping me. I mean it."

Even if he had to leave, he wanted to say this one thing. After finishing his greeting, Revelof left the alley.

Terdius, left alone, stared for a moment at the receding Revelof.

'Why is it? Why does my mind feel so clear whenever I meet that guy?'

The longer time passed, the clearer that feeling became. Moreover, the duration of the sensation, which had not been very long at first, seemed to be getting longer and longer.

'What exactly is the Kyros faith to me, and what is that guy to me?'

Terdius, feeling a thirst from the unresolved questions, turned his body.

***

The recovery work in Holden's Estate proceeded quickly, with the local residents and knights of Holden's family working together. In the meantime, since the Kyros Church had played the largest role in eliminating the Demon God's Children, the lord gave an order exempting them from participating in the recovery efforts.

'Thanks to that, we're fortunate that we can focus on the temple restoration.'

Now, I and a few of the senior members were refilling the items that had been discarded when we were organizing the Rovel temple. We also took out the statue of Sasha, which had been kept in the basement, and decorated it beautifully.

Then, that afternoon.

[Church Leader! They've come from the House of Holden!]

While I was working in my office, I received a message from Alphius.

"From the House of Holden?"

[Yes! The knights have arrived!]

Now that the Demon God's invasion had ended, the reason they were looking for me from Holden Estate was obvious.

"Got it. I'll be down soon."

After finishing the paperwork, I left my office. As I exited the temple, I saw the Holden Estate's carriage near the main gate. And then, Fanatic greeted me.

"Church Leader!"

I flashed a business-like smile at the overly cheerful guy.

"Brother, what brings you here?"

"The Lord asked me to bring you. She has something important to say."

"Ah, I see."

Since the temple restoration was nearly finished, it would be fine for me to be away for a while. So, I told Alphius via communication channel that I would step away for a moment.

"Well then, let's go."

"Please come this way, Church Leader."

I followed Fanatic and got into the Holden Estate's carriage. Sitting in the comfortable seat, I felt quite pleased.

'Even though I'm going as the Church Leader.'

There was something uplifting about returning home. Moreover, since all the issues in the territory had been resolved, my heart felt even lighter.

***

After a short ride in the carriage, we arrived at Holden Estate's mansion. The carriage stopped in front of the mansion after passing through the garden. As soon as I got out of the carriage, Paul greeted me.

"Welcome, Church Leader. Please come this way."

I wanted to chat with Paul a bit longer, but since I was the Church Leader now, I barely held myself back. I then followed Paul up the stairs.

The destination, of course, was my mother's office.

"The Church Leader of Kyros Church has arrived."

"Let him in."

The office door opened, and when I entered, I saw my mother, who was looking over some documents. On my mother's desk were piles of various documents.

And next to it, Sevenus was standing, holding a document, perhaps in the middle of a work report.

"Well then, I'll take my leave."

"Alright."

Sevenus soon passed by me and left the office. His brief nod as he passed by felt different from the Sevenus I knew not long ago.

'It seems he's become a bit softer since becoming a believer.'

After Sevenus and Paul left, the office door closed. My mother put down the document she was reading and stood up.

"Sit down."

She then gestured to the sofa. After confirming that my mother sat at the head of the table, I sat down.

"Let's have some tea."

"Ah, yes."

My mother soon called Paul again and instructed him to bring tea. A silence hung between my mother and me until Paul brought the tea.

As I took a sip of the steaming herbal tea, my mother spoke.

"In this situation, you and the Church of Kyros have contributed greatly."

"That's not true. I just did what was necessary."

"No, that's not it. Without you, the damage would have been significant."

Although the cause of the incident itself was the Church of Kyros, my mother didn't point that out.

"So, I'll make sure to send a donation to the temple soon."

"...Thank you."

Even so, I couldn't refuse the money coming in.

"And the way you fought the Demon God's child was even moving. You were willing to sacrifice your own body just to defeat the enemy."

At my mother's continued praise, I felt a bit embarrassed. At the time, the only method that came to mind was that one, and it just happened to be wrapped up as a sacrifice.

"Because of that, since then... My heart has leaned more toward the Kyros Church. Not just you, but all the senior members of the Kyros Church also gave considerable effort in this matter."

Wait, with this kind of reaction, could it be?!

I quickly opened my mouth, just in case.

"Just before the battle began, Lord Kyros personally bestowed his power upon me and all the believers. Thanks to that, there were no casualties in this battle."

"I see...so that's how it was."

The moment I had hoped for arrived:

[Leira Holden has become a believer of the Church of Kyros!]

I almost shouted in joy, but I managed to hold it in. Finally, the entire family had been converted to the Kyros Church.

'Now, there will be no more prayers to Diego at the dinner table.'

A smile unconsciously appeared on my face. At that, my mother smiled faintly.

"In that case, from now on, I think I'll try believing in Kyros. So, I should show proper respect to you, the Church Leader."

"Oh, no. You don't have to be so formal with me."

Even for me, being addressed with respect, hearing honorifics from my mother felt a bit uncomfortable. Perhaps it was because Confucian values still lingered within me. But my mother shook her head.

"No. This is my decision, so, Church Leader, please don't mind it."

At her firm words, I couldn't add anything else. This is so uncomfortable, so uncomfortable.

"Yes, I understand..."

Nodding reluctantly, my mother's expression brightened. Then, she stood up.

"In that case, since you're here, how about having dinner together?"

"Ah, yes. That sounds good."

Although I felt uncomfortable with my mother's formal tone, I still wanted to experience dining in Holden Estate as the Church Leader.

"Then, let's go."

***

'This is even more uncomfortable than dining here as Revelof...'

Sitting at the dinner table as the Church Leader of Kyros Church, both my mother and brother's attention was entirely focused on me.

It was the same with Revelof, but over time, it got better. But right now, it felt just as uncomfortable as when I first joined the dinner table as Revelof.

"Well, then, before we eat, let's pray to Kyros."

My mother said with a smile. Then Sevenus, following my mother, clasped his hands as if in prayer. Soon, both of their gazes turned toward me.

'No way...'

They're not asking me to pray on behalf of everyone, are they?