The Life of a Wise Cult Leader - Chapter 126

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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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Chapter 126

 

“…!”

 

As soon as I heard those words, my body stiffened completely. The overwhelming aura emanating from him was tremendous.

 

‘This is….’

 

Just from his simple Intimidating Presence and killing intent alone, my body was trembling to the point of shaking.

 

A suffocating pressure as if I were experiencing sleep paralysis.

 

‘No, I can’t cower here. That would be admitting that this entire conversation was just scheming.’

 

I barely managed to overcome the silent pressure. Then I began speaking with a calm, smiling expression.

 

“I wasn’t intending to scheme….”

 

“I know your type well.”

 

He slowly traced the rim of his Teacup with his index finger.

 

“The kind who are desperate to backstab others somehow.”

 

“Your words are excessive.”

 

“Excessive? A puppet wearing the facade of a Saint, covering up the Empire’s corruption. Yet pretending to be good, pretending to be a victim, seeking sympathy—a hypocrite. Did I say anything wrong?”

 

…I had nothing to say because it was all true.

 

I sighed and cast off the smile I usually wore. Deep fatigue settled over my expressionless face.

 

“If my actions appear hypocritical, I’ll acknowledge it. I am not a perfect Saint.”

 

He chuckled softly. It was a smile of disgust. However, despite being able to kill me right here and now, he wasn’t killing me.

 

“But Brother, your intention to overthrow the Empire—isn’t that the truth? Then you’ll need the cards this hypocrite possesses. The highest power within the Empire, justification to deceive the masses, and the Widow’s closest weakness… Who else could provide all of this?”

 

Earlier it was emotion, but if that doesn’t work, there’s no choice. I’ll just go with practicality.

 

“As you well know, Brother, the Empire is mighty. Probably within the next 3 years, the Empire will become even more prosperous…. It will likely prosper for over a century.”

 

“….”

 

“That’s not the ending you desire, is it, Brother?”

 

“What you possess is useful, as you say.”

 

“Then—”

 

“But you must be subordinated to us. We can’t risk you turning your back on us and betraying us at any time. You must open everything you have to Harmony and move according to our instructions.”

 

I smiled calmly.

 

“Subordination would be no different from the Empire that tried to use me. I didn’t come this far to be used. I came to make a deal.”

 

“You? Know your place, hypocrite.”

 

Right, right, I am indeed a hypocrite.

 

The Boss had been saying nothing but correct things from start to finish. However, deals aren’t won by whoever speaks the truth.

 

“Whatever we may be hiding from each other, Brother, you could kill me instantly. But the only premise we can trust in this situation is our shared goal of ‘the Empire’s destruction.’ For that goal, you too must accept a certain degree of risk.”

 

The Boss cupped his chin with his Hand and fell silent for a moment. He seemed to be thinking.

 

“That’s not wrong.”

 

I almost reflexively let out a sigh of relief, but managed to hold it back.

 

“If you cooperate like that, it would be worth accepting that level of risk to join hands.”

 

He took out another Teacup and poured tea into it. The rippling green tea Water gave off a pleasant fragrance.

 

“But I don’t trust you. Even if this incident proved you have minimal usefulness, you didn’t kill any Imperial Citizens. Not even those Nobles who are the Empire’s cancer.”

 

“I cannot cause people to suffer. If there’s a way to resolve matters without causing people pain, then naturally that approach should be-”

 

The Boss laughed so hard the house seemed to shake.

 

“Watching when that pathetic conviction of yours will shatter might be quite entertaining… But we don’t have that much time.”

 

Clink.

 

He set tea before me.

 

“If you want to join hands with us, you’ll need to prove one more thing, Saint.”

 

“…What is it?”

 

“Execute a corrupt official of the Empire with your own hands.”

 

“By execute, you mean…”

 

“Are the words too difficult? I’m telling you to take a person’s life with your own hands.”

 

Given my nature as an Ascetic, he probably wants to see what happens when he makes me commit ‘murder,’ which goes completely against my beliefs…

 

If I had been reluctant to kill, I would have died long ago.

 

‘I’ve witnessed plenty of indirect killings, and I’ve personally reduced people to something less than human.’

 

To destroy the Empire, I have no choice but to kill people when necessary.

 

‘If he wanted to test my true intentions, he would have told me to kill an innocent person rather than a corrupt official.’

 

However, I could understand one thing for certain.

 

Harmony’s leader… has a softer heart than expected.

 

“How should I provide proof?”

 

“Record it with a vision orb or do whatever you want. What matters is footage of you killing someone and the head of the person you killed.”

 

I nodded and took a sip of tea.

 

Warmth spread through my insides. Both the aroma and taste – it’s truly excellent tea.

 

“You’re not as surprised as I expected.”

 

“Yes. There’s nothing to be surprised about. I simply think cutting living flesh is inefficient. I’m not someone who fears lancing pus-filled inflammation.”

 

“Ho. I hope that resolve isn’t just empty words.”

 

After saying that, he took out a box from the cabinet.

 

“A gift of tea leaves, and the item I promised before. Take a look.”

 

He pushed the box toward me. I opened the lid of the box that was neither particularly luxurious nor just a roughly made wooden container.

 

“…!”

 

A veil that seemed to contain the universe itself, its ethereal silhouette appeared as if it wasn’t made by human hands.

 

When I took it out and touched it, if there existed the softest and thinnest silk in the world, this would be it.

 

This veil was like a fragment torn from the universe where the Milky Way spreads.

 

‘World’s Darkest Veil.’

 

Something I had requested when the system’s ego was stronger than mine.

 

‘Due to its effects, others don’t treat it as a Sacred Relic, but this is definitely a Sacred Relic.’

 

It was actually fortunate. If its performance wasn’t poor enough to avoid Sacred Relic treatment and being considered a burden, I wouldn’t have been able to obtain it this easily.

 

The hand touching the veil gradually felt as if it was freezing cold.

 

‘Is it rejecting me?’

 

The Boss’s gaze made it difficult to examine it further.

 

I quickly withdrew my hand from the veil.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“It was merely the price of a promise.”

 

“Then what would you prefer to be called, Brother?”

 

“I don’t care what you call me. Boss or Commander… calling me Brother is fine too.”

 

He didn’t seem particularly sensitive about titles.

 

“Then I’ll call you Commander Brother.”

 

I said while carefully tucking the veil into my robes. The Commander had an expression that said ‘whatever you call me, it’s not my problem.’

 

That’s when it happened.

 

From somewhere, the melody of a violin could be heard.

 

“…?”

 

The moment I listened to that melody, a small boy was standing next to the Commander.

 

“Violin, finished performing and arrived.”

 

“Well done, Violin.”

 

The Commander smiled and patted the head of the one called ‘Violin’. Braided white hair was being stroked.

 

The boy with androgynous features received that touch contentedly, then glanced at me with defiant eyes.

 

“The Empire’s Saint.”

 

“That’s right. We’ve decided to temporarily join hands, so keep that in mind.”

 

“Yes!”

 

As soon as he said we joined hands, the child showed me friendly eyes. The unusual earrings on the child’s ears jingled.

 

“Have you eaten yet?”

 

“I ate at the village tavern.”

 

“Good that you ate well. Since our conversation is finished, go call the others who went out.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Father and son… it felt something like that.

 

‘Like family.’

 

As I watched that scene silently, the Boss just stared at me with a rigidly hardened jaw, his earlier gentle smile nowhere to be found.

 

It was a natural reaction, but for some reason I felt sick enough to be nauseous.

 

“…”

 

“Kalebrin is quite a good child.”

 

“That’s right. She’s a kind Sister.”

 

“If it’s alright with you, we could take full responsibility for protecting someone like Kalebrin. What do you think?”

 

He seemed quite taken with Kalebrin.

 

Well, compared to someone suspicious like me with five hundred snakes in my belly, constantly looking for opportunities to backstab, cute, pure, and kind Kalebrin would be more to his liking.

 

“That would be reassuring, but I’ll respect her wishes.”

 

He nodded. Soon Violin appeared, having called back the kids who had disappeared to the upper floor.

 

“Finished talking?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Use honorifics with the Commander!”

 

“Violin is only strict with me.”

 

With small-framed Violin standing next to Tuba and Crotal, I thought they looked like two door panels.

 

Violin quickly tried to kick Erendor’s shin, but he wasn’t one to just take that hit.

 

Erendor pushed away Violin’s fuming forehead and sat down at the table.

 

“Let’s all have some tea.”

 

He personally poured tea into my half-empty teacup, then filled everyone else’s teacups. Boss spoke calmly.

 

“Kalebrin, you’re currently facing an assassination crisis. You know this, right?”

 

“Yeah….”

 

“I’ve taken a liking to you.”

 

“…Th, thank you?”

 

“So, I’d like to propose that you join Harmony not as a temporary member, but as an official member.”

 

Wait, wasn’t this just supposed to be providing some temporary protection?

 

‘An official member…!?’

 

Isn’t this just trying to take my Kalebrin away?

 

Displeasure rose within me, but it quickly subsided. I knew what Kalebrin’s answer would be.

 

Kalebrin looked at me. Her red pupils wavered between strands of black hair.

 

“Kalebrin, you may do as you wish.”

 

Kalebrin had already made a vow with me anyway.

 

“I, I….”

 

“What’s currently threatening Sister Kalebrin are assassins sent under orders from my teacher, the Widow. They’re individuals honed solely for assassination, and while they retreated fortunately last time, it won’t be the same now. They’ll come more prepared to kill Sister. In this situation, having Harmony protect Sister would be very reassuring.”

 

Kalebrin seemed reluctant. Naturally so.

 

“Th, there’s Cel…. Cel can pr, protect me….”

 

“I can’t guarantee that.”

 

Kalebrin had an anxious expression throughout the conversation.

 

“But…. I won’t let you die. I can’t let Teacher take my family away twice.”

 

But the moment I said this, she felt relieved.

 

More precisely, that feeling spread from my chest. Like warm tea.

 

“Mm-hmm, th, then that’s fine. I…. want to follow Ascetic.”

 

“I probably won’t be able to protect you completely. I’m weak, after all.”

 

“I just need to get str, strong enough to protect myself. Strong enough to protect Ascetic too…! I’ll become strong.”

 

Kalebrin became filled with determination!

 

“This is quite touching.”

 

“Shut up….”

 

I had clearly shown whose person Kalebrin was right in front of Commander, but he didn’t look particularly displeased.

 

He looked like he already knew this answer would come. He probably just threw it out there casually.

 

“That’s unfortunate. But it would also be unpleasant if Kalebrin died at the Widow’s Hand…. Crotal. You stick with them.”

 

“Me?”

 

Violin sent blazing glares at Erendor who kept speaking informally, but he just brushed it off. This probably wasn’t something that had been happening for just a day or two.

 

“Protect Kalebrin. And…. Tuba.”

 

“Another duet is…. not what I want….”

 

“Your mission is to watch whether Ascetic properly completes the task I’ve separately given him. Other than that, you can do as you please. Whether you protect Kalebrin or leave her to die, do whatever you want.”

 

Tuba was satisfied with that.

 

‘So he’s assigning the same two people who were attached to me for sabotaging the festival to me again.’

 

Tuba and Erendor. These two are favorable toward me and good allies.

 

And I had something to tell them.

 

Since I’ve decided to make them my ‘allies’, it’s about time I told them about the Demonic Sword and the Forgotten Gods…

 

“Is Kalebrin going home with the Ascetic now?”

 

“Yes. It’s time to go home. I sincerely thank you for taking care of Kalebrin all this time.”

 

“I enjoyed myself after a long time too, so there’s no need to be so grateful.”

 

“Still, thank you. Kalebrin is my precious family.”

 

Beside me, Kalebrin looked at me with sparkling eyes as if she was moved.

 

He saw us off to the entrance.

 

“I hope you smell of blood the next time we meet.”

 

What a violent farewell.

 

And so we left the red-roofed house. From beyond, Celestia walked out wearing a luxurious robe.

 

“You came out quickly! Uh… But I can only transport up to three people for long distances. What should we do about the two behind you?”

 

“We’ll handle that ourselves. Ascetic, that’s the same house as before, right?”

 

He seems to be talking about the shelter I temporarily made.

 

“Yes, let’s meet there.”

 

Erendor and Tuba seemed to plan on watching us teleport. Tuba, standing on one leg, looked at us.

 

“I’ll be teleporting, so please stay close to me.”

 

She chanted a spell, and my vision went pitch black.

 

Then we had moved from outdoors into the luxurious mansion of House Evergrace.

 

“Truly impressive, Sister Celestia.”

 

“Three people was cutting it close… Phew, that was tiring. Oh, I opened the gift you gave me and used it to restore my mana-”

 

I feel nauseous. Not from the side effects of teleportation but…

 

“Urgh.”

 

Oh right. Damn it, the Sacred Relic penalty…!

 

Celestia, seeing the penalty for the first time, was horrified.

 

“Kyaaah!”

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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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