How the Cult Saves the World-Chapter 167

Finally, the morning of the Religious Day event dawned. I had tossed and turned quite a bit during the night. It was because I was worried that some unnecessary incident might occur at today's event.

'Still...... it should be fine.'

I couldn't fall into complicated worries for no reason from early morning. After exercising to shake off idle thoughts as much as possible, I showered and put on the Church Leader's robe.

[Kyros Church Leader Robe (Holy Relic)

Grade: Mythical Item

Description: Church Leader robe bestowed by the Main God Kyros. When wearing the Church Leader robe during missionary work, the probability of the other person becoming a believer increases by 30%.]

Recently there were many combat-related matters, and putting on the Church Leader robe that I don't wear often except for official events made me want to wink and wave at people right away.

'Well, I can't do that since there's a schedule.'

While looking in the mirror, I suddenly wondered if wearing the Church Leader robe was overdoing it.

—My child, it suits you very well!

Although Kyros praised me saying it was beautiful, I wondered if I should change to the priest robe that Zain and Troy would wear instead.

'……No. Still, it's an official occasion. I can't go looking shabby.'

Although the thought crossed my mind briefly, I eventually shook my head.

If I were visiting simply under Revelof's name it would be different, but since I'm going with the title of Kyros Church Leader, I had to do at least this much.

'I've put on my glasses too, and my hair is…….'

I just lightly groomed my hair in the same style as usual. After finishing checking my appearance like that and leaving the room, I saw two people in different attire than usual.

"Zain, Troy. You look uncomfortable."

I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of the two guys. Usually Troy freely wore shirts or t-shirts, whatever he saw. And Zain dressed neatly in his own style. Shirt and pants, or wearing a robe over that.

But for this schedule, both of them had to wear priest robes. The neat, pure white uniforms that our senior members wear. Because it was an event they were attending as members of the Kyros Church.

"Master, I'm dying of discomfort."

"Church Leader...... I'd rather attend in black panther form."

Both people whined to me, quite uncomfortable. I understood their feelings, but it couldn't be helped.

"No. It's an official occasion. But you both look quite good?"

Zain and Troy both had fairly handsome faces, so the priest robes suited them quite well. Zain looked like a neat, clean-feeling priest, and Troy's priest robe looked like it might burst, but it still wasn't bad.

"Even if you say it looks good, the discomfort is hard to bear. It's not like we get paid for this. Sigh."

Zain openly sighed, waiting for my wallet to open. I took out a money pouch from my bosom and tossed it to the guy.

"Here. Today's bonus."

"Thank you, Master! Now the clothes feel a bit more comfortable!"

Now it was an attitude as if it were natural.

Anyway, while a bright smile appeared on Zain's face, Troy still had a death-like expression. I approached Troy and patted his shoulder saying.

"Troy, there's lots of delicious food at the Imperial Palace. So just endure a little."

"Is that true?"

"Yes. There was definitely a banquet time too. Eat lots of delicious things then."

"Alright, I understand. Then I can endure it."

Only then did Troy's complexion brighten. Just as I was diligently comforting the two guys like that. Finally, the Imperial Palace attendant visited.

"I will escort you to the Imperial Palace."

We boarded the Imperial carriage prepared in front of the lodging, just like we did two days ago.

"By the way, I'm a bit nervous about attending an official event."

"There's nothing to be nervous about."

I spoke to Zain who was swallowing dry saliva, and tried hard to steady my mind. Actually, I was the one who was nervous.

'I hope it doesn't change much from the original.'

If the hidden route variable comes into play here…….

The fact that Khalid and Terdius decided to participate in the event was already a variable. I wanted to avoid any more of these things happening, especially elements that would work as bad luck for me.

Just as I was hoping such things wouldn't happen, the carriage we rode in quickly arrived at the Imperial Palace.

As I got off the carriage, the pure white palace first caught my eye.

"This is the White Rose Palace where today's Religious Day event will be held."

I entered inside the Palace while listening to the attendant's explanation. According to him, the Imperial Palace provided an entire palace for this event.

'The Emperor is indeed generous.'

Thinking that, I examined the interior. The White Rose Palace is used often for exchange events such as receiving delegations. As such, there were many expensive decorations to show off the empire's wealth.

"Zain, wipe your drool."

I said to Zain whose eyes were sparkling beside me. Then Zain wiped his mouth and replied grumpily.

"Don't worry. As long as I'm wearing these clothes, I won't do anything."

"Right. I hope that resolve doesn't change."

I patted the guy's shoulder. After walking the long corridor like that, we arrived in front of a door.

"Kyros Church members, please wait here for a moment."

Following the attendant's guidance, I opened the door and entered inside. Then an antique-feeling reception room appeared.

'It's a waiting room.'

After the attendant left, I examined the reception room. On the large table in the center, various foods, desserts, and even beverages were prepared.

"Good timing, I was hungry."

As soon as he saw the food, Troy's eyes rolled and he ran to the table. Before the guy ate everything, I just grabbed one drink and headed to the sofa.

There was a piece of paper on the tea table in front of the sofa. The paper had this event's order of proceedings and the names of participating religious orders written on it. I immediately picked up the paper and read through it.

'Diego Church, Kyros Church…….'

And the relatively influential religions Belsne Church, Kermer Church, Semnur Church. Five religious orders gathered in total like this.

'Rizes Church, that is, the Demon God bastard's worshippers naturally didn't attend. Or should I say they couldn't.'

It was natural since in the original too, and in this world too, they were in a position of being chased by the Diego Church. The Imperial Palace wouldn't have even been able to send an invitation to Rizes Church in the first place.

Next, I checked the briefly written order of proceedings.

'Conference, break, banquet.'

Well, to finish the event in one day, this order of proceedings was appropriate.

'The first to be held is, as expected, the conference.'

The conference theme was free, and according to the original, it wasn't something that needed much concern. It was just a place to exchange words while getting to know faces, and exchange greetings.

'And only one representative from each religious order attends the conference.'

From the Kyros Church, naturally I had to attend, and from other religious orders...... it would be the same as the original.

'The problem is the Diego Church.'

Khalid and Terdius, the two people would have attended, but who would enter the conference hall. I hoped it would be Terdius. Khalid was...... very uncomfortable.

'And what worries me is the banquet.'

At the banquet hall, representatives of each religious order and their companions, as well as the Emperor and several members of the Imperial family were scheduled to attend. I was worried whether an incident different from the original might occur here.

'This is also all Khalid's fault.'

And one more variable. Excluding Terdius and Khalid who are the Diego Church attendees, the question is who came for the remaining spot.

In the original, it was the 2nd Apostle and two priests attending to him, but since the flow changed, I wondered in the worst case if the Saintess who is Zain's sister might attend. This damn hidden route seemed to only present me with the worst I could experience.

'Of course, it's more likely not...... so it should be fine.'

If I'm lucky, the only ones from the Diego Church attending this event might be Terdius and Khalid. I hope that's the case.

"Master, what are you looking at?"

Zain, who had been looking around the reception room, approached from the side and asked. I handed the paper to the guy.

"Ah, the order of proceedings and list of participating religious orders."

"I'll be attending the conference soon, so take good care of Troy."

"Don't worry. Who am I?"

"A money bug."

I looked at Zain with a cold gaze and got up from my seat.

"Anyway, don't wander around just because we're at the Imperial Palace and cause problems."

"Yes, yes. Don't worry."

Knock, knock.

That's when the knocking sound was heard.

"It's time to attend the conference."

"I'll be right out."

I answered the attendant and reminded Zain and Troy again.

"If any problems arise, contact me immediately."

"Understood, Church Leader."

"Don't worry."

After checking the two people's faces one last time, I left the reception room. And I moved to the conference hall following the attendant's guidance.

After walking about 2 minutes following him. I arrived in front of a wide door. Even standing outside the door, I could hear noisy sounds. It seemed everyone had already arrived.

"This is Kyros Church Leader, Lord Leviathan."

The attendant introduced me to the guard. Then the conference hall door opened.

Creak-

The wide door opened, and the interior of the conference hall came into view. I was newly amazed at a place similar to the original.

And there were a total of four people inside. The first to meet my eyes was the Diego Church representative, Terdius.

'Thank goodness.'

I sighed in relief that Terdius and not Khalid attended, and looked at the others.

'That person is…….'

A man in his mid-forties with not a single hair on his head looked at me and grinned. Shanber, the leader of Belsne Church who claimed to be the self-proclaimed son of the god Belsne. However, since the god Belsne didn't actually exist, Belsne Church was no different from a cult.

'And that grandmother.'

An elderly person who appeared to be in her 70s with a warm impression, Hashuna. She was the leader of a religion called Kermer Church.

Kermer Church wasn't a group that believed in a 'god' but rather believed in the afterlife called Kermer. It was a traditional religious order that had existed for quite a long time.

Although their power had decreased considerably due to the Diego Church, their reputation was still quite high.

And lastly, a man in his mid-50s who resembled a frog was Marong, the leader of a religious order that believed in the frog god Semnur.

"I'm a bit late."

After checking their faces, I continued my greeting.

"I am the Kyros Church Leader called Leviathan."

"Ah, so you're the one who saved Holden territory!"

"Hoho, impressive."

"Hmm...... you look weak and frail."

Shanber, Hashuna, and Marong each said a word, but Terdius kept his lips tightly shut. He seemed to not like this place very much.

"Come sit quickly."

When our eyes met, Terdius said. The empty seat was……

Of all places, next to that bastard.

I headed to the round table in the center of the conference hall. Each religious order's leaders and Terdius were sitting there. I ended up sitting in the empty seat between Terdius and Hashuna.

"Well, then everyone's here now."

As soon as I was seated, Shanber smiled brightly and said.

For me too, he was a familiar face, so I responded looking at him.

'It was that bastard.'

The culprit who would cause an incident in the conference hall.