The Life of a Wise Cult Leader - Chapter 102

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Fire

“Why did he have to tell us to come all the way to a place like this… Ugh, the smell.”

His hunched shoulders and back made the man appear shorter than he actually was. But even so, he was about the same height as Erendor.

The lean and slender man scratched his disheveled hair roughly with half-opened eyes.

“Since Crotal won’t listen. So, what’s the report?”

“The Empire is currently in division… The higher-ups seem to have roughly caught wind of the Saint’s disappearance, so I think they’re trying to devour that position…”

Tuba let out a big sigh.

“Haah… Honestly, infiltrating to gather information isn’t my jurisdiction… Why make me do it instead of that Viola brat…”

The low-voiced man whose words trailed off was radiating annoyance.

“Viola now gets agitated whenever it comes to the Empire’s Saint affairs, so it can’t be helped. I’d appreciate it if you could work a little harder.”

Tuba only let out a short sigh and made no further gestures.

Boss pulled over an old, creaky wooden chair that was placed in the tuning room and sat down.

“The Empire’s Sunrise Festival is quite a special celebration. It’s different from festivals in Centana or other countries.”

Tuba glanced sideways at the collapsed Erendor and sent him a look of disdain. Erendor just rolled his eyes upward, conveying a ‘so what’ sentiment.

“The Empire’s Sunrise Festival is said to be a festival dedicated to Lumensia. I thought it was just an oral legend that existed in festivals… but according to Viola’s investigation from long ago, that turned out to be true.”

Erendor remained calm, and Tuba only raised one eyebrow slightly, not seeming particularly surprised.

“It’s a Sacrificial Offering Ritual conducted on the vast land called the Empire.”

Sacrificial Offering Ritual.

Though he wasn’t particularly interested in the Empire’s festivals, if that were indeed the case, it would certainly be quite troublesome for the Ascetic.

“That ritual is performed every year… and each time, Lumensia becomes stronger. It means the Apostles who receive that power and Lumensia’s authority become even stronger… The Empire has used that power to expand its territory further and increase believers like insects.”

Erendor memorized this report content word for word to relay it to the Ascetic.

“The piece you’ll be performing this time is to magnificently ruin this Empire’s festival.”

Tuba slowly blinked his half-opened, lifeless eyes and pointed at the collapsed Erendor.

“Is it possibly a duet with this guy…?”

“That’s right.”

“How are we supposed to ruin such a big ritual with this guy… Is reconsideration possible…?”

“Since we’ve decided to recruit the Ascetic, there shouldn’t be a problem. Right, Crotal?”

Tuba showed a slightly more surprised expression than before.

“Crotal did…?”

It was like the expression of a second son surprised when a troublemaker child had accomplished something.

“Yes… Well, the Ascetic hasn’t said he’d do it though.”

“He’ll have to. If he wants to take items from the warehouse and give them to the Ascetic.”

Damn.

Tuba sent a look of distrust. His narrowly opened eyes glared at Erendor.

“From what I hear, that item is quite precious. Was it the ‘Darkest Veil in the World’?”

“Huh… Did this guy grow some guts…”

As soon as he heard it, Tuba muttered.

Erendor scratched his blood-caked hair roughly. Now dried blood powder was falling off in flakes.

“It’s not a bad deal for making one Ascetic our ally. We didn’t have anyone to use it or anyone who particularly needed it.”

Erendor let out a quiet sigh.

Probably the thinking behind that was also because the veil was an item that couldn’t be used offensively.

Since it couldn’t harm them, they were willing to give it readily.

‘Separately from that, he doesn’t seem to like the Ascetic very much though.’

While getting beaten by Boss, he had selectively told about the time he spent with the Ascetic and tried to cover for him, but regardless of whether he was a good person or not, Boss seemed to dislike him for being an Empire person.

‘Well… I understand. If I had gone through such things, I would have hated the people living on that land too.’

Boss’s patience did extend a bit more if one wasn’t from the Empire, but conversely, Boss’s patience didn’t apply to Empire people.

‘This mission… I must succeed!’

Erendor made up his mind firmly and used the momentum to spring up from the floor.

If the Ascetic came to Harmony, he would be able to receive protection in his own way. Even Empire people could enter Harmony.

And Boss played the role of a fairly good leader once someone was included as his people.

“It’s been a while since Crotal has been this energetic. He must really like the piece, right?”

Boss slightly raised the corners of his mouth in a smile. Tuba swept his tired-looking face with his palm.

“Ahh… What got him fired up again…”

Erendor got up and lightly stretched while asking Boss a question.

“Right, so you’ll let the Ascetic enter Harmony?”

“If this piece sounds good… I’ll consider it.”

So it wasn’t confirmed. For this to be confirmed, he really had no choice but to work hard.

“I don’t know why you like the Ascetic so much, but I’m not interested in that either. Just perform the given piece perfectly, that’s all.”

“Yeah, got it.”

More than that, how exactly should they ruin the Empire’s festival?

‘The Ascetic is smart. If I ask him, maybe I’ll get an answer.’

The promised week was already approaching.

“Then I can stop by the warehouse briefly and leave now, right?”

“Yeah. Take Tuba with you too.”

“I don’t want to…”

“I’ll perform this piece perfectly!”

Erendor showed an inappropriately energetic appearance. Even so, since his whole body was covered in wounds and blood, it wasn’t exactly a good-looking state.

He smiled wryly and got up from his seat.

“Even if you act obsequious now, I won’t put the Ascetic in Harmony right away.”

“Why…!”

“Because I don’t know what he’s thinking. He might try to use us. He’s still just a candidate for now.”

Thud.

The underground door closed. Erendor and Tuba were left alone in the damp, smelly tuning room.

“Haaaaah…”

Tuba sighed deeply. Erendor deliberately spoke cheerfully.

“Um… Please take care of me, Tuba.”

But all that came back was Tuba’s ice-cold gaze.

“Get lost…”

*

We spent 6 days in the house without Erendor.

“Today’s menu is lamb and bread!”

“Waah~”

Fortunately, Yelena knew how to cook. Of course, it was only mercenary-style cooking, so it was ambiguous to say it tasted particularly good… but it was edible.

‘I’m reminded of the luxurious meals with the Banquet Master and Antonio.’

That was the thought that came to mind while tearing into lamb that had a strong gamey smell and no sauce.

‘Just eating meat itself is a luxury though. Ugh, how did I, a Saint, end up suffering like this.’

The meat was tough and had to be chewed for a long time. While chewing thoughtfully, I felt a familiar presence outside the barrier.

‘Fierce, but calm. And a heavy presence…’

Erendor had returned.

I turned my head to look in the direction Erendor came from. And then I noticed belatedly.

‘No. There’s one more person.’

A presence heavier than Erendor’s. Dark like something from the deep sea… and heavy. I could feel an even greater intimidating presence than Erendor’s.

‘Who is it?’

The Commander who is Harmony’s boss… seems similar, but he surely wouldn’t come all the way here.

“Ascetic… sir?”

I had unconsciously stood up from my seat and was staring at one spot, so Yelena spoke to me with a puzzled tone.

I emerged from my thoughts as if nothing had happened and looked down at her with a gentle smile.

“The guest I was waiting for has brought along an uninvited one.”

Yelena quietly gripped the halberd that had been leaning against the dining table. Kalebrin also seemed somewhat tense.

The presence had become thick enough that even Yelena and Kalebrin, not just me, could sense it.

The wooden door next to the kitchen began to rattle.

Thump, thump, thump.

“Can I come in?”

It was Erendor’s voice. There was no reason for Erendor to kill me at this point.

No reason to harm me either… Besides, we had already agreed on giving him one arm, so if he were to harm me, it would be after that.

“Yes, please come in. Brothers.”

Creak.

The door opened and in came Erendor, looking disheveled… and a tall man wearing an unidentifiable black robe.

“Who is that person?”

“Him? Well, my business partner… I suppose. He won’t cause any harm. We have work to do together.”

Yelena raised one eyebrow and glared.

“Work to do? I thought the favors ended with the one arm you’ll receive.”

“Ah… it’s a long story. Since you were having a meal, could we talk while eating something? I haven’t been able to eat for 6 straight days while getting beaten up trying to bring this veil to the Ascetic.”

Erendor waved a veil that looked like it had the Milky Way painted on it from his back pouch.

Depending on the light, it appeared white or pitch black.

He brought it.

“Oh my, of course. However, if you start with greasy food, it might upset your stomach, so it would be better to start with soft food. I happen to have ingredients for the soup I was eating.”

I guided the two to their seats while naturally signaling to Yelena with my eyes.

“…Sigh. I’ll prepare it.”

I’d be grateful if you would, Yelena.”

“I’m hungry, can’t I just eat this first?”

“Go ahead if you want to get indigestion. Oh, a muscle-head like you probably won’t have any problems eating a bit of this.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“Th, that, that person… who?”

Kalebrin looked at the tall, mysterious man while hiding behind me.

The man quietly sat in a chair next to Erendor, who had noisily plopped down in his seat.

He slowly answered while removing his robe hood.

“I’m called Tuba… Well, we’ll be working as a temporary team… so please treat me well…”

A peculiar way of speaking that dragged out the end of sentences, an incredibly deep voice, and half-open eyes with dark circles.

‘Tuba? As I expected, he was a member of Harmony. But… why? Could this veil be something Harmony treasures that much?’

I lightly set aside my questions and showed a friendly greeting.

“Hello, Brother. I’m grateful for the fate that brought us together.”

“Hooh… grateful for… fate… Either you know nothing… or you’re truly a sage.”

Erendor made a disgusted expression while chewing and swallowing lamb meat.

“Alright! To put it simply, to hand over this veil to the Ascetic, I had to complete one task. That was to ruin the Empire’s biggest festival, the Sunrise Festival!”

“…!”

What…?

“Well… anyway, I had to bring the veil. Sorry I couldn’t ask for the Ascetic’s opinion. But now that it’s come to this, could you cooperate just for this one job?”

Yelena, who was preparing food, asked loudly in an incredulous voice.

“What kind of nonsense is this?!”

“If we finish this job, our organization, Harmony, agreed to accept the Ascetic as a member.”

“Crotal… that’s not something that’s been discussed yet, is it…?”

“This or that. If we just finish this job well, we’ll gain the Boss’s trust and receive protection from Harmony, the best mercenary organization.”

This was really… a good opportunity.

Erendor, who had coolly downed a cup of water, grinned.

“How about it? Want to participate in some mischief to ruin a festival?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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