How the Cult Saves the World-Chapter 172

Terdius walked toward Zarkel holding his sword imbued with his power. Seeing that sight, Zarkel finally realized the end of the battle had arrived. So he too infused all the power he possessed into his own hands.

The gazes of Terdius and Zarkel, two beings with opposing powers of Evil God and Demon God, crossed each other. Due to the tremendous power they emitted, wind blew around the two.

Terdius's black hair fluttered in the wind. The next moment, when he blinked once.

Boom-!

Two enormous powers collided head-on. Due to the speed so fast it was difficult to follow with the eyes, no one except the parties involved could easily perceive the situation.

They clashed simultaneously, and the resulting shockwave echoed through the banquet hall. And before long, the outcome of the match was decided.

"Cough........."

Fresh blood poured from Zarkel's mouth. Terdius's sword infused with sword energy had pierced through his abdomen. Terdius was also bleeding a stream of blood from his mouth, but he had no wounds beyond that.

Thus, by Terdius's hand, the Demon God's Second Child's breath was cut off.

Terdius watched Zarkel disappear with an expressionless face. After shaking off the black fluid on his sword, he quickly turned around.

Then he saw Leviathan facing Kenshi at a distance. Terdius immediately moved his body toward that location.

"Huff, huff."

When Terdius was running toward Leviathan, Khalid jumped into Terdius's path.

'It didn't seem easy.'

Terdius quickly assessed Khalid's condition.

Seeing that Khalid's left arm had disappeared, he must have barely defeated Hellin. Khalid was stanching his own arm himself. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"You're not dying, so don't interfere and get out of the way."

"How heartless."

After confirming that there was no serious threat to his life, Terdius immediately charged toward Kenshi.

"Kugh-!"

At that moment, he saw Kenshi raising his sword toward Leviathan who was cornered against the wall. Leviathan watched that sight and then tightly shut his eyes. As if he had sensed his last moment.

Thud-!

But at that moment, Kenshi's sword fell to the ground. Leviathan, who had his eyes closed, struggled to lift his eyelids. Before his eyes, Kenshi was disappearing.

'What is this......'

And he saw Terdius standing behind the slowly disappearing Kenshi. Having precisely pierced Kenshi's heart, he retrieved his sword.

Rumble-

As the three Demon God's children who had come to the banquet hall disappeared, the rift covering the sky vanished at the same time.

"To lose an arm to these mere bastards...... Third Apostle, I'm returning first."

Khalid, who had been waiting for just that moment, told Terdius and immediately left the banquet hall. Time was of the essence if he wanted to rebuild his lost arm.

However, Terdius didn't answer Khalid's words. Right now, only Leviathan was entering his vision and mind.

"Ah...... Thank you."

Leviathan spoke to Terdius with lifeless eyes as if he would lose consciousness at any moment. And the next moment, his eyes closed.

He had barely endured by consuming most of the holy power he had in the battle with Kenshi. Leviathan's body, having lost consciousness, swayed and was about to collapse to the ground.

Tap-

But at that moment, Terdius caught Leviathan's shoulder. Leviathan's body, which was about to collide with the ground, was secured by firm hands.

However, then.

Thud-

Just moments ago, Terdius, who had been supporting him without any problem, dropped Leviathan. As a result, Leviathan's body fell heavily to the ground, but Terdius couldn't lift him up.

'This is......'

Unfamiliar yet strange memories surfaced in his mind again.

Memories that didn't remain in his mind, memories he hadn't experienced.

Himself traveling the world preaching the Kyros Church, battling with the Rizes Church and Diego Church.

And in those memories, he was always portrayed as a warm person. A hero who was kind and gentle to everyone.

Somehow, that sight felt natural, as if it had actually happened. After a bout of memory flood passed.

Terdius stared blankly at Leviathan sprawled on the ground. After watching him for a while, Terdius slowly opened his mouth.

"If this is real...... in this absurd flood of memories. Why can't I see you?"

But no answer came.

When I opened my eyes, considerable time had already passed since the incident was resolved. What I saw was an unfamiliar ceiling, and I was lying in a soft bed.

And seeing warm sunlight coming through the window, it must be morning.

It seemed I was lying in a guest room somewhere in the palace.

'It seems I discharged because I used up all my holy power.'

I had worked hard to survive the battle with Kenshi, so I had drawn out all the holy power in my entire body. After enduring and enduring, when I really felt like I was going to die.

I gave up on everything and closed my eyes, but miraculously, Terdius appeared. He made Kenshi disappear in one strike.

That memory was the last before I lost consciousness.

—Oh, child! Are you okay?

'Kyros, I'm fine. Probably.'

I didn't feel very good thinking that I couldn't accomplish anything alone, but I was still okay. While thinking that.

"M-Master! You're awake!"

"What? The Church Leader woke up?"

Zain and Troy, who seemed to have been sleeping by the bedside, suddenly got up. The two guys who immediately approached me had swollen eyes, and their eye rims quickly reddened.

"......Did you guys cry?"

When I asked in a hoarse voice, the two shook their heads. Pretending they didn't cry even while crying now.

"I was really worried, Master!"

"Me too, me too. Church Leader. You gave us that order to run away...... Still, I'm really glad you're alive."

It seemed they were like this because I had forcibly kicked the two out and then lost consciousness.

"First, have some water."

While drinking the water glass Zain handed me, the guys told me what happened while I was unconscious.

"It's being said that you and the Diego Church worked together to eliminate the rift, Master."

"Huh? Really?"

"Yes. It seems the Diego Church apostles told Her Majesty the Emperor that. And all the apostles and other religious people have returned."

It was unexpected. All I did was devote myself to defense against Kenshi, yet it was being said like that.

I was thinking of thanking Terdius, but since he had already left, I would have to wait for next time.

"Anyway, I don't know exactly what happened there...... but you worked hard."

"Right, Church Leader. You worked hard."

Zain and Troy told me with serious eyes. Well, it would be awkward to say at this point that I didn't do much, so I decided to just go along with it.

"Thanks."

While doing so, Imperial servants came in with meals. It seemed like special meals prepared for me, who was considered a 'benefactor' in this incident.

The food they brought was all dishes famous for nourishment.

Though most of it went into Troy's mouth, I was also able to eat quite a bit.

After finishing the meal and washing up, the head chamberlain came looking for us.

"Church Leader, Her Majesty the Emperor summons you."

The Emperor, having heard the news that I had awakened, called for me. As soon as I heard that, I finished preparing together with Zain and Troy.

'Originally, I should have left the Palace yesterday.'

According to the Imperial proposal, I planned to have an audience with the Emperor today before leaving.

"I greet the Sun of the Empire."

As I entered the audience room and greeted the Emperor, she immediately rose from her seat. And she ran straight to me.

Due to her actions, even the servants and knights became flustered and followed her.

"Oh my, your face is quite damaged."

Emperor Kaliona looked at me and spoke as if feeling sorry. Was my face that badly damaged?

'Kyros, do I look strange?'

—Since your holy power hasn't fully recovered yet, you do look a bit hurt. You'll fully recover in a few hours.

'So I do look strange right now.'

Enough for the Emperor to show sincere concern. Well, whether my appearance was ruined or not didn't really matter. Anyway, with the God of Beauty Kyros's buff, even if my face was damaged, I was still among the handsome.

"I heard from the Diego Church Apostle about what efforts you made in this incident."

"Ah, yes."

Though I didn't know what Terdius had said to the Emperor, she looked at me with a quite satisfied expression.

"If it weren't for you, no one would be here right now."

What exactly did you say, Terdius.

"Therefore, I have decided to give you and the Kyros Church a befitting reward."

"Good heavens."

At the Emperor's words, I saw Zain's eyes sparkle. I sent Troy a look to keep an eye on this guy. Then Troy, understanding the meaning, quickly grabbed Zain.

Following that, I saw the knights waiting beside the Emperor moving busily. Before long, they came in carrying a considerable amount of boxes.

"From here to there are gifts for you."

The Emperor pointed to five knights and said. All those things in those boxes were my gifts.

"What are those?"

I asked the Emperor as politely as possible. Then the Emperor smiled.

"I heard your vitality was greatly depleted this time. Church Leader, these are things for your physical recuperation."

In other words, they were certainly quite expensive items. Since my body would naturally heal over time, I decided to use those things well.

"And you can figure out the rest without me saying."

The rest would be donations, that is, various jewels and money. Even by rough estimation, it was a considerable amount. I expressed my gratitude to the Emperor with a business smile.

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty."

After receiving a massive amount of rewards from the Emperor, we boarded an Imperial carriage on the return journey. Since various treasures were accompanying us, Imperial knights came along as well.

'Still, somehow the Religious Day event has ended.'

In the quiet carriage where Zain and Troy had fallen asleep, I was alone in thought.

Though everything ended after one storm swept through, my heart was complicated.

'I need to find a cure for Seluron disease for Terdius too......'

Also, through this battle, I realized even more desperately that I must become stronger.

'I need to gather more believers and acquire holy relics too.'

Until now, I certainly thought I was doing well, but the reality was different.

Of course, there were still about two years left for the main quest......

Considering the Demon God's actions and the variables of various hidden routes, it wasn't that long a period remaining.

'So I need to become even stronger.'

By any means necessary.