How the Cult Saves the World-Chapter 185

"Phew, it's hot."

The season had now become autumn, but the midday temperature was considerably high. Of course, since he was wearing a robe with his hood pulled up to hide his appearance, it couldn't be helped.

Zain fanned his face with his hand while quickening his steps. Zain often went around alone like this.

Sometimes to gather information, sometimes to purchase useful items. And today he had come out just to buy desserts he wanted to eat.

'Should I buy some for Master too?'

Zain walked around the crowded market. Then soon, he firmed his resolve to buy only his portion.

'He has plenty of money anyway, so I'll just buy mine.'

Having so decided, Zain immediately stopped by a dessert shop. Then Zain bought slice cakes and macarons of various flavors to his taste. With his arms full of desserts, Zain walked around the market.

Since his appearance was covered, there was no one who recognized Zain, who was famous for always being by the Church Leader's side. Thanks to that, as he was walking comfortably...

"Did you hear that news?"

Very interesting words were heard. Usually at times like this, most topics were trivial, but Zain always listened. Sometimes he was lucky enough to pick up quite good information.

Then, the sound of the man who had brought up the topic whispering quietly continued. Zain listened even more carefully.

"The Diego Church came to our territory for missionary activities."

It was information Zain didn't know. And it was important information involving the Diego Church at that.

'I've been too relaxed these past few days.'

Information gathering had been delayed while taking a break. He should have known this level of important news already. While thinking so and reflecting, the men's murmuring continued.

"What? From the Diego Church? But isn't basically all of Holden Territory followers of the Kyros Church!"

After the large-scale rift incident that occurred a few months ago, most of Holden Territory's residents had come to believe in the Kyros Church. This was a fact clear enough for all estate residents to acknowledge.

Since it was publicly known, coming to missionary work in Holden Territory was nothing less than a foolish act.

"Well, that's true. I don't know for what reason, but they've already come, so what can we do?"

"Ugh. I hope no one gets seduced."

As believers of the Kyros Church already, they hoped there would be no one who changed their mind. Then one of the men who had been murmuring startled greatly.

"Oh my! Speak of the goblin and he appears!"

Zain, who had been loitering nearby listening to the conversation, instinctively turned his head at those words. Then he could see where people's gazes were focused.

Clop clop—

There, priests of the Diego Church on horseback, one carriage that high-ranking officials would ride, and supply wagons were entering in a row.

Zain's brow furrowed at the appearance of these unwelcome people. Zain glared openly at the Diego Church priests.

'Since there's freedom of religion in this country, the guards couldn't stop them either.'

Zain clicked his tongue inwardly and tried to walk away. But at that moment, the carriage carrying a high-ranking Diego Church official passed by him.

And Zain's gaze involuntarily turned toward the carriage window. There, a person Zain had never expected was riding.

A woman with long green hair and brown eyes, the same color as Zain's.

"Th-that person! Isn't that the Diego Church's Saintess?"

"Good heavens! To think the Saintess came here for missionary activities!"

People who discovered who was in the carriage murmured among themselves. And Zain, who discovered her, murmured with disbelieving eyes.

"...Sister?"

***

"Swing harder, Troy!"

Around sunset, I was sitting behind a tree watching Grandmother train the senior members.

Even during the six months I was away, the senior members had received considerable training from Grandmother.

Even Abel and Sasha, who were among the weakest of the senior members, had become quite strong now.

'Especially Sasha is impressive.'

Despite having such a small frame, her passion was second to none. Even while holding a sword as big as her body, Sasha moved at quite a fast speed.

'As expected of our senior member.'

I watched the senior members' training with satisfaction. While doing so, the sound of someone's footsteps was heard from behind.

When I immediately turned my head, I could see the person who had skipped today's training. With shoulders drooping as if lacking energy, unlike usual, Zain was entering the temple.

I quickly approached Zain, who was walking listlessly with slow steps in a daze.

"You even skipped training, so where have you been to be so lifeless, Zain?"

I said while grabbing his shoulder. Then Zain startled.

"Ah, Ma-Master. You scared me."

Then Zain smiled. But that smile was a forced one squeezed out.

"What's with you? Why is your expression like that?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing. It's nothing."

"As if it's nothing. I already felt bad because I sensed the Diego Church's energy entering the territory during the day. What is it?"

I grumbled to Zain. Then Zain let out a deep sigh.

"Let's go inside first."

Inevitably, I entered the temple building with Zain.

He didn't say anything until entering my office. I had Zain sit on the sofa and brewed cool tea to hand to him.

"Drink."

"Yes. Thank you."

I sat across from Zain and looked at his expression. It seemed something had definitely happened.

"So what happened to make you look so gloomy?"

"Th-that, Master, you know, don't you? That the Diego Church entered the territory today for missionary work."

"Yeah, that. I already said I felt bad from midday because of the energy I sensed."

I had heard about two days ago through a letter from Mother that the Diego Church was coming for missionary activities. In an empire with freedom of religion, missionary activities couldn't be stopped, and they had even notified Mother in advance, so how could it be refused?

So I had roughly said okay, and those guys had already arrived in the territory. Together with a high-ranking official carrying quite a large amount of energy, though not as much as an apostle.

'I don't know who came though.'

I was thinking that while looking at Zain and drinking tea.

"The high-ranking official participating in this missionary activity is my sister."

"Pfft—!"

And at the unexpected words that followed, I involuntarily spat out the tea I was drinking. Because of that, Zain's face and clothes got soaking wet.

"Cough, hey, sorry, Zain. I was surprised without realizing it."

"No. It's fine."

Normally Zain would have gotten angry demanding I pay for laundry, but the current Zain seemed to have quite a broken mental state. Still, I took out a handkerchief from my pocket and hastily wiped him.

"Really sorry."

"It's fine. These things happen."

He smiled as if it really was okay. This guy's condition is really bad.

Of course, I also hadn't expected Zain's sister, the Diego Church's Saintess, to visit the territory. It was an event that hadn't occurred in the original.

'Why would the Saintess visit at this time? Could it be... I became a target of caution from the last banquet?'

Anyway, it was a bit surprising that the Diego Church's Saintess, Zain's sister, had visited.

Usually, it was the First Apostle's job to give missions to Diego Church apostles or high-ranking officials.

In other words, this matter was definitely ordered by the First Apostle too.

'Surely not... because of Terdius.'

Diego had expelled Terdius from the Diego Church, but if the First Apostle didn't know that news, it could be entirely possible.

'No, but... he wouldn't go that far.'

Then it might really just be a coincidence. If not, it might be a 'warning' directed at us.

"Anyway, you must be very surprised that your sister came here."

"Yes. I never expected to encounter her so suddenly after such a long time."

"Do you want to get your sister back right away?"

I asked Zain. Just in case he might want to. Then Zain shook his head looking at me.

"No. That's not it. If I felt like it, I would, but if I move rashly, I might cause trouble for Master and Lord Kyros."

This guy has become deeper in thought.

"...Alright. But don't worry too much. Before our contract ends, I'll definitely get your sister back for you."

"Thank you, Master."

Only then did Zain's stiff expression relax. I also smiled faintly at Zain.

'Well, there shouldn't be any chance for me or Zain to encounter the Saintess anyway.'

Of course, it didn't take long to realize this thought was mistaken.

***

After Zain left my office, I ate dinner in my office with Ivan and Terdius.

Having dinner together with them had now naturally become part of my daily routine.

Originally Zain should have participated too, but Zain headed to his quarters saying he didn't feel good.

'I would have done the same if I were Zain.'

After finishing dinner like that, Terdius sent Ivan out first. Telling him to pray in the prayer room for a bit.

"Do you have something to say to me, Brother?"

I asked Terdius while eating the macaron that came out for dessert. Then Terdius sat across from me.

"I heard the Diego Church came for missionary activities today."

"You heard the news. Yes. That's right. And I heard the Diego Church's Saintess visited too. Do you know anything about the Saintess?"

I asked Terdius casually. Then Terdius shook his head.

"No. Even though we belonged to the same religious order, there's not much contact between the Saintess and apostles."

"Hmm... I see."

That was disappointing. Zain's sister had barely appeared even in the original. Except when she appeared in Zain's narrative.

In the last part of the original, after Diego disappeared, the brainwashing on the Saintess was lifted and she reunited with Zain.

But her activities before that weren't properly shown, so I needed information.

However, if Terdius didn't know the information either, I couldn't move rashly.

'Well, I can't meet her directly anyway.'

Even if I did meet her, I didn't know what kind of conversation we would have, so it might be better to just wait for the next opportunity.

However, the next morning...

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Leader of the Kyros Church."

I ended up meeting Emily Billion, the Saintess of the Diego Church and Zain's sister.