How the Cult Saves the World-Chapter 139

A week had passed since Grandma had taught the senior members at the temple. During that time, they had multiple sparring sessions with her.

'I never expected all of them to participate...or to get beaten up so badly.'

My usually kind grandmother was a completely different person in combat. The senior members, despite being thoroughly defeated, emerged from each match looking completely dirty---neither their clothes nor bodies left unscathed. Yet, they showed up for training every day, never complaining or backing down.

That made me proud. It was proof of their commitment to learning.

'I'm glad they're all nice enough to do that.'

After the duels, the senior members were ranked according to their skills. The existing knights and Troy were placed in the highest rank---A.

Those with lesser combat skills but still capable of holding their own, like Zain and Alphius, were classified as B-rank.

Only two people, Sasha and Abel, ended up in C-rank.

'I can understand Sasha, but Abel...?'

Despite being a High Priest, Abel was not very skilled in combat. That's unlike Alphius and the other high priests who could wield barriers and unleash holy power in battle.

'Even Jacob, the chef, is B-rank.'

The only silver lining was that the two C-rank officers were passionate about this.

I smiled as I watched them through the window.

Perhaps feeling disheartened by their low rank, Abel and Sasha often trained alone behind Rovel's temple, even when they weren't required to attend Grandma's lessons.

-I'm so proud of them.

'Yeah.'

Seeing their determination, it was decided that a separate training ground would be established within the temple. Since the senior members were staying there, training on-site seemed more convenient.

'Well, it makes things easier for me to do as they like as well. Ugh, I'm still sore.'

Even with her packed schedule, Grandma still made time to oversee my training.

Because of that, my body was in constant pain. It had been days, and I still hadn't recovered. The intensity of her training---since she was back to her prime---was twice as grueling as what I had endured at her house in the past.

'Even with Kyros's power, I'm struggling this much.'

Our one-on-one training sessions were held early in the morning. Almost daily. It seemed like Grandma wanted me to reach her level.

She had learned that I was the leader of the Kyros Church and had received divine power from the god Kyros.

'I want to get stronger, but...'

To grow stronger, one had to endure suffering. No amount of healing magic could ease the fatigue that came with this kind of training.

For now, my work was done for the day, so I took a moment to rest, gazing out the window.

The others had also finished their training.

Just then, I received a call from Alphius.

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[Church Leader, your older brother has come to visit the temple.]

Sevenus had arrived unexpectedly. What could bring him here at this hour?

[But today, he wants to meet you.]

"Me?"

[Yes.]

What was this about?

It was rare for Sevenus to seek out Leviathan---and not Revelof Holden.

'No, wait. He's set to inherit the land one day, yet he's never come to see the church leader after the Malone disease was cured.'

Though skeptical, I agreed and headed to the reception room where Sevenus was waiting.

'What's he planning this time? Another headache for me?'

With that thought in mind, I pushed open the door and stepped inside.

"You're here, Leader."

Sevenus greeted me as he sipped his tea. His gaze was colder than usual, but there was also a new air of respect toward the leader of the Kyros Church. It seemed his attitude had improved---if only slightly.

"It's been a while," I replied, offering a polite yet businesslike smile as I picked up a cup of fragrant tea.

"What brings you here today?"

"I apologize for taking up your time when you're so busy, but I wanted to speak with you in person."

Why is he being so polite? Is it because I'm sort of his benefactor?

"I wanted to personally thank you for saving my life and for protecting the people of the territory during the Goblin Disease incident. So, I came here to express my sincerity, even if only through a small gesture."

Sevenus then revealed that he had brought a generous donation for our temple.

'Thanks for that.'

And then... Sevenus suddenly fell silent.

'What? If you have nothing more to say, then just leave.'

I was about to say this when he finally spoke.

"Actually... I've been questioning the Kyros Church for some time."

Was he about to confess something?

"A small religion that appeared out of nowhere took my brother away. Yes, the Kyros Church saved the people of Rovel and even saved my brother's life...but I still felt like I had lost him."

It was embarrassing to hear this from Sevenus. So I just sipped the tea.

"But now, even my grandmother says she believes in Kyros. When I first heard that, I couldn't understand it. It only strengthened my doubts."

So, where was he going with this? I'm getting bored.

"And now, I've come to a conclusion."

Finally!

"I've decided to see it for myself. At the Kyros Church."

"...What? What do you mean?"

"I will try to believe in the Kyros Church---the one that saved me, saved my brother, and even saved my grandmother."

At first, I didn't fully grasp what he was saying. But then, a notification window popped up before my eyes.

[Sevenus Holden has become a Kyros believer!]

Only then did I understand his actions which I couldn't get before.

'So that's why he asked me those questions about Kyros at my grandmother's house.'

I still couldn't entirely relate to his reasoning---believing in Kyros just because his family did---but the outcome was undeniably good.

"I might not be able to visit the temple often because of my schedule, but I'll try to come whenever I can."

"Yes, Brother Sevenus."

I watched him leave the reception room, a small smile on his face.

Description: A general buff for followers of Kyros, the god of beauty. The effect strengthens as the number of Kyros followers increases.

Current total believers: 100,912

Current effect: Noticeably improved skin. Height increased by 1 cm.

As soon as the number of believers crossed 100,000, the Follower of Beauty buff became even stronger.

Apparently, every follower's height had increased by a centimeter. It wasn't a huge difference, but it was surprising to see Alphius, Chester, and Sasha---whose heights were supposed to be fixed---grow slightly taller.

'And what a grueling month it has been.'

My grandmother had pushed the senior members---and me---through rigorous training.

Is this what it feels like to be one of those gym addicts?

At first, the training felt impossibly difficult. But over time, I found myself actually enjoying it.

And I wasn't the only one. The other senior members were thrilled to see their physical strength improving.

But training wasn't the only thing I had done in the past month. With Zain's help, I had also been gathering rare herbs from around the world.

'Because they're going to come in handy soon.'

On top of that, my Healing skill had leveled up from 4 to 5.

[Healing (Active) LV.5]

Rating: Legendary

Description: The effect increases in proportion to the skill level.

LV.1 Heals wounds and recovers fatigue.

LV.2 Heals the mind of a living being.

LV.3 Removes poison and curses.

LV.4 Enhances healing power and purifies living creatures.

LV.5 Can be used over a wide area (up to ten people).

Experience: 82/1000

When my healing skill reached Level 5, the first thing that shocked me was the ability called Life Purification.

I had tested it a few weeks ago while dealing with a rift nearby, and I discovered that Life Purification meant the ability to purify demonic power.

But the most impressive part? Using healing magic on a monster worked like an attack, just like striking an undead.

'I haven't tested the AoE skill yet, but...'

I wondered if I could wipe out monsters using AoE healing. Or maybe I could save people who had been consumed by demonic energy.

Of course, I had no plans to use AoE healing in battle, not when I had Holy Power Release for that.

But for rescuing those tainted by demonic energy? It would be invaluable.

'This is going to be a huge advantage in the upcoming incident.'

However, what surprised me even more was that even after reaching Level 5, I still needed a massive amount of experience points.

Since no further skill levels were visible, I had no idea what would happen once I collected all the experience points.

'Well, I'll keep using the healing skill anyway... I'll get there eventually.'

Maybe I'll be able to get those exp sooner than I thought.

Because soon, the Herpheon Empire would be engulfed in chaos.

I estimated it would happen within two weeks at most---or even right now at the earliest.

And as if my thoughts had willed it into existence---

-Child!

Kyros's urgent voice suddenly rang out as if my words had planted something.

'What's wrong, Lord Kyros?'

I pushed aside the documents I was reviewing and focused on his voice.

-This is bad! Huge rifts have opened up in the sky! In the east, the west, and even the north! I can hear the prayers of our believers, mixed with tears, from everywhere!

Finally, it had begun.

'Where exactly?'

‐Elma, Katris, and Segel!

It was unfolding just as in the original events.

Large-scale rifts were opening simultaneously across the Empire.

And this time, it wasn't just minor rifts---these were massive, and even 'high-level monsters', who were the children of the Demon God, were appearing.

'And there was not just one of them...'

At least three high-level monsters were about to appear.

'And worse---'

These three rifts were only the beginning. From now on, new rifts would appear daily in different regions, spreading like wildfire.

'The infamous "Large-Scale Rift Incident".'

Even though I had prepared for this moment, standing face-to-face with it still made me uneasy.

-Child, please help our believers and the innocent.

[Sub-Quest Activated!]

Sub-Quest: "Large-Scale rift Incident" 1. (Kyros's Request)

Objective: Large rifts have formed in the east, west, and north of the Herpheon Empire. You stand at a crossroads. (This is a linked quest.)

Mission: Fulfill the request of Kyros, the God of Beauty.

Upon Success: Unlock the next quest.

Upon Failure: Main quest failed.

Final Success Reward: ???

[Do you accept?]

[Yes/No]

Just as Kyros made that request, the quest notification popped up. I was about to accept it immediately---until I read the details. And what I saw surprised me.