How the Cult Saves the World

"What is this? You're going to tell the Emperor what happened today?"

"It's only natural, since the Third Prince insulted you."

Of course, the Third Prince's words had made me feel very bad. But I had exacted revenge in my own way, so I was fine.

I didn't think it was necessary for my Mother to intervene and report to the Emperor. It felt like I was a child who ran to his Mother.

"I'm fine. You've been so busy lately, Mother. It would be too much trouble for you to meet the Emperor in person."

"But, Levi..."

"Brother. I'm really fine."

I repeated with a smile, and Sevenus closed his mouth. He was lost in thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"...If you say so, Levi. But if something like this happens again, Mother and I won't stay silent."

"Yes, Brother. I understand."

"I'll talk to Mother for you."

Ugh. What a mess because of that Third Prince.

"Brother, I'll go back to the Temple now."

I wanted to go to the Temple and rest as soon as possible.

"Levi, why don't you stay here for the night?"

"No, thank you, Brother. I have things to do at the Temple."

"What? You're working at this late hour?"

Oops.

"I have to greet the believers who visit the Temple early in the morning. It's the priests' duty."

I added an excuse. Then Sevenus' expression softened.

"...Well, I guess there's no helping it."

Sevenus looked disappointed, but I couldn't help it.

I wanted to rest.

Fortunately, Sevenus didn't hold me back any longer. After that, I said goodbye to my Mother and left the mansion.

I felt much lighter when I returned to the Temple in Holden's carriage.

As I dealt with the backlog of Rovel's work, Arhen's coronation was approaching.

The day before Arhen's coronation. She called me early in the morning.

On the way from the Palace to the main Palace, I admired the structure that was erected in front of the Palace.

---Is that where the coronation will take place?

'Yes. It's the first public coronation in Bahano's history.'

Usually, only nobles could participate in Bahano's coronation, but not this time.

Arhen had the full support of Bahano's people, so she announced that she would open the coronation to them.

So a huge platform that looked like a stage was built in front of the Palace.

'It'll be packed with people from the royal garden to the entrance.'

I imagined the spectacle I would see tomorrow and entered the Palace.

The place where Arhen was waiting for me was the reception room, so I could find it easily without any guidance.

"You're here."

"Hello, Princess. I mean, Your Majesty."

I hesitated and corrected my greeting, and Arhen laughed out loud.

"The coronation is tomorrow, so you don't have to do that yet."

I smiled and sat down opposite her. A fragrant fruit scent wafted from the prepared tea. As I took a sip of tea, Arhen suddenly said.

"I want you to crown me at the coronation tomorrow."

"Pfft!"

I spat out the tea I was drinking. Luckily, I still had the teacup on my lips, so the tea didn't splash out.

"Oh, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

I burned my tongue a little, but it wasn't a big deal. I wiped the tea stains on my lips with a handkerchief.

---My little lamb, you look very surprised.

'Of course I'm surprised. She asked me to crown her at the coronation.'

---Hmm. But isn't that something that the regents usually do?

'...Well, yes, but.'

I never imagined that something like this would happen to me.

"What do you think?"

"I was... very surprised. I didn't expect you to say that."

"Really? I thought you would have anticipated it. Didn't I tell you before? I'm going to announce Kyros as the state religion at the coronation. So it's only right that you, the leader of the state religion, crown me."

There was no room for argument. It was a reasonable statement. So in the end, I had to accept it.

"...Yes. I understand."

"Master, are you okay?"

"Priest, you look pale."

Zain and Troy worried about me, but their words didn't reach my ears.

We three were standing in front of the terrace on the second floor of the Royal Palace.

And in front of the Palace, there were countless Bahano's people, and the coronation was taking place on the wide platform.

I stared blankly at the scene.

---My little bird, don't be nervous.

I couldn't hear Kyros's encouragement either.

"Master, you've preached boldly in front of people, why are you so nervous?"

That's right. I had said embarrassing things to many people.

But why was I so nervous today?

Maybe it was because it was the first official event I had to do with the 'Priest' title, but I couldn't calm my nerves and my hands kept shaking.

Meanwhile, the coronation proceeded steadily.

Before long, the nobles and Arhen on the platform sang Bahano's national anthem.

Now it was my turn.

"Priest, it's time to go."

The servant who was waiting nearby called me. I'm going crazy.

I clenched my hands and followed the servant down the stairs.

The Palace door opened, and I saw many eyes. As I walked slowly to the platform, Bahano's national anthem continued to play.

Finally, when I arrived at the platform, the people's song ended, and only soft music was heard.

I followed the rehearsal and climbed up to the center of the platform. Then Arhen knelt down on one knee in front of me and closed her eyes.

"Priest."

One of the nobles who attended the coronation handed me the crown that was placed on a red velvet cloth.

I carefully took it and placed it on Arhen's head.

As soon as I did, a roar of cheers erupted from the crowd.

"Woohoo!"

"Long live Arhen, the King of Bahano!"

"Long live!"

I felt a bit relieved then. The cheers of the people reached my ears, and I stepped back and looked at Arhen's back.

She raised both hands and greeted the people as if to respond to them.

The cheers didn't stop easily. They continued for several minutes, and Bahano's national anthem also rang out like a festival.

---You're amazing. Both her and you who made her rise to this position.

'Really?'

---Of course. In this world, you're the only one who's this special. My child.

Thanks to the relief, I felt elated by Kyros's praise.

While I was smiling, the cheers of the people subsided.

"I, Arhen Bahano, have something to announce at this place."

Arhen declared to the people in a firm voice.

"From this moment on, I proclaim Kyros, the hero of Bahano, as the state religion."

As soon as she finished her speech, the cheers resumed.

I clenched my fists. I finally made it here.

At that moment, a system window appeared like crazy.

[Kyros has been designated as the state religion for the first time!]

[Kyros's fame spreads throughout the Kingdom of Bahano!]

[You have achieved the achievement 'Bahano State Religion Designation'.]

[As a reward, you gain the eternal trust of King Arhen.]

[Now King Arhen trusts Kyros infinitely.]

Wow, this is awesome. While I was admiring, the notifications continued.

[14,522 people of Bahano Kingdom have become believers of Kyros!]

The number of believers increased in an instant. Just by being designated as the state religion, the total number of Kyros's believers exceeded 30,000.

And the number of believers kept rising.

Of course, it didn't mean that the entire population of the Kingdom would believe in Kyros just because it was designated as the state religion.

People's faith was needed regardless of the state religion designation.

But it was an amazing feat that the number of believers surpassed 30,000 with the state religion declaration.

'I heard that the total population of Bahano is about 500,000, so someday...'

Everyone will become a believer of Kyros.

It might take a little more time, but it might be possible within the remaining deadline.

[Warning! The Evil God Diego detects a faint change.]

[Warning! The Demon God Shamir detects a faint change.]

When I was smiling, another notification appeared. It seemed that the warning message popped up because the number of believers increased rapidly.

'But now they've completely detected the change.'

The good thing was that it was a 'faint change'.

'...Anyway, it was something I would have to face someday.'

There was no turning back now. As the number of believers increased day by day, the Evil God and the Demon God would notice Kyros' existence.

Until then, I planned to run without stopping.

To oppose them.

The main Temple of Diego. The meeting room of the First Apostle.

In the darkness where nothing could be seen, Terdius stood in the center.

At the end of his sight, a shadow moved in the darkness.

The First Apostle, who hid his appearance thoroughly, stared at Terdius in the darkness.

"I heard some interesting news."

The First Apostle uttered in a sarcastic voice. Terdius guessed what he was going to say.

"A few days ago, the Kingdom of Bahano designated Kyros as the state religion... Did you know that, Third Apostle?"

"...I didn't know."

"Hmm, really?"

"Yes."

Terdius answered without showing any emotion. The First Apostle looked at him for a while. It was a fierce look as if he was trying to pierce through Terdius's mind, but Terdius didn't care.

"How was it when you saw it yourself, Third Apostle? I heard that Kyros was involved in dealing with Rizes in Bahano."

There was no way out of this. The First Apostle knew that Terdius and Khalid were there when Kyros was active in Bahano.

"...Kyros did intervene, but the current King of Bahano, Arhen Bahano, was more impressive."

Terdius said with an indifferent face the story he had prepared in advance. Then the First Apostle's eyes narrowed.

"Is that so?"

"Arhen Bahano had a grudge against Rizes from before. And she also showed her skills in swordsmanship, so it was possible."

The First Apostle and the other apostles of Diego didn't know exactly what happened in Bahano.

'Especially, the powerful magic that was there.'

It was a power that Khalid didn't notice either. Only Terdius could feel it in Diego.

So it made sense to put Arhen Bahano forward.

"The High Priest of Rizes who was strangling Bahano was not a very powerful person. If anything, he was only good at poison. And the Protection of the Demon God was also within the Palace, so Arhen Bahano would have known the location, and she would have easily dealt with him as soon as he escaped from the western tower."

"...I see."

"Anyway, even though Kyros became the state religion of Bahano, I don't think we need to be wary of it at this point. It's just 'Bahano' after all."

Terdius poured his words out like water. The First Apostle nodded his head slightly as he listened to his story.

There was nothing suspicious. But there was nothing convincing either.

'...Besides, the Third Apostle can't betray us.'

Terdius's lifeline was in his hands.

"I understand. Let's watch for a while."

With that, the First Apostle's shadow disappeared into the darkness.

Left alone, Terdius turned his body in the meeting room.

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