The Life of a Wise Cult Leader - Chapter 15

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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

I stopped heading toward the hut and watched the fight between the two from a reasonable distance.

“I never thought you’d spout such nonsense in front of me, Damiel, 3rd Grade Priest?”

“I was merely advising you to reconsider what it truly means to follow Lumencia’s will, but if you’re going to be so sharp about it… I’m quite taken aback myself. And for someone who has become a 1st Grade Priest to use such vulgar language. Isn’t it common knowledge that Lumencia abhors profanity?”

The level of their conversation crossed the line into a proper verbal brawl.

Cardil shot back with a haggard expression.

“Lumencia commanded us to care for the sick and wounded. I was foolish to expect tolerance from those who don’t even know such important facts. Are my vulgar ramblings sinful? Then, wouldn’t it be a bit less shameful if you pondered how much greater a sin your actions are before pointing fingers at me?”

Wow. I could never win against Cardil in a war of words. I’d better not interfere.

“…Well, now I understand why someone as capable as you still hasn’t become a Bishop. It would be a waste to give the position of Bishop to a brother who interprets Lumencia’s will as he pleases and runs wild with debauchery. Ah, even the 1st Grade position is a bit of a waste, though.”

The opponent didn’t back down and shot back at Cardil again. Impressive. I would have already tucked my tail and run.

“I see, Damiel, 3rd Grade Priest. Someone with a lower grade than me, who runs wild with debauchery, seems quite good at wagging his tongue.”

Though he spoke formally, it was essentially refined packaging of mutual cursing. But who was Cardil? His temper was second to none.

The opponent’s expression hardened after hearing those words.

Ooh, that hit a nerve.

“Ah, and do you have anything to consider wasteful? The power that priests wield is clearly given by Lumencia and judged by the Central Church. I wonder if you’re of a high enough grade to make such judgments.”

Cardil delivered another heavy blow.

“Haha, well… one can’t remain at 3rd Grade forever. That’s why I’ll be taking the Bishop examination this time. You can look forward to me standing before you with the status of Bishop soon.”

Damiel’s face showed no composure as he said this. Meanwhile, Cardil wore an expression that blatantly read ‘So what?’

“That’s a matter for the future, isn’t it? Ah, can you perhaps see the future? Did you see the future where you became a Bishop? You seem to possess divine power similar to Lumencia’s. Seeing ahead into the future…”

He cut off Cardil’s sarcasm and shouted angrily.

“Cardil!”

“Yes! You don’t need to shout, I can hear you just fine!!”

The voices of the two men echoed loudly through the shantytown with the hut and the forest. Actually, only Cardil’s voice was audible.

The veins bulging in his neck were frightening. So he wasn’t even angry when dealing with me…

Cardil was a healing-type healer with little combat power. For now, at least.

But with those clenched fists, he looked like he could beat someone up quite well. I could imagine Cardil beating someone while saying he had no choice but to show them what true healing was.

Since I didn’t know the person anyway, I didn’t really care whether Cardil beat him up or not.

“Ha… You came to find me and all you have to say is to abandon people and come to the Central Church to make money off patients! Ha! How absurd. Do you really think this is Lumencia’s true will? Really… it’s the place where I grew up, but now it’s becoming disgusting.”

Oh… it seemed like Cardil was about to embark on a class change route.

I think I witnessed the introduction to him becoming disillusioned with the Central Church and earning the epithet ‘Healer of Destruction.’

“If you’re done talking about making money, would you please get lost? Continuing this conversation is also a waste of time. Even at this moment, those writhing in pain are piled up like mountains in my hut. I don’t see any need to continue talking with you.”

“…Well, I’ll be going then, but conduct yourself well. Do you think that lifestyle will last forever?”

“That’s none of your business, is it? Since when have you been so concerned about my every move? Just keep envying and being jealous of me as you are now, and pray to Lumencia that I fall into the abyss. Let’s see who receives more of God’s favor.”

He tried to get in one last word at the end but couldn’t even break even. His footsteps going down Moon Village were filled with considerable anger.

Cardil seemed good at half-killing opponents with his tongue. The ‘Destruction’ in his later name might have come from driving people to destruction with words.

“Phew…”

He naturally took out tobacco from his inner pocket and lit it. He seemed to be planning to smoke one to calm his pissed-off heart before going in.

I wondered if it was okay for a priest to smoke such things, but what did it matter? I could purify the harmful effects of cigarettes.

“Hello, it’s a good morning.”

The veil covering my vision fluttered with my movement. Cardil answered with mumbled pronunciation while chewing on the filter.

“…Yes.”

“Who was that man earlier? He was making quite rude remarks to Cardil.”

“Ah… you heard?”

Cardil plopped down on a tree stump beside the hut, took a puff of tobacco and exhaled.

Smoke rose in puffs from the lit tobacco. Cardil flicked ash with his fingers and placed the tobacco between his two fingers.

“It’s nothing special. Just one of many rotten religious people.”

Those who blindly believe in a god can, given sufficient cause and timing, blindly believe in another god as well.

It’s similar to a beekeeper transferring bees to a different hive.

“Even among those who follow God, there are bound to be foolish ones everywhere. So I hope you won’t worry too much because of them. After all, isn’t Cardil a faithful believer?”

“It’s rather funny hearing that from you.”

I tensed for a moment, wondering if harsh words would pour out at me too, but Cardil just listlessly burned his tobacco. Cardil looked quite exhausted.

“Ha… Really, who are these people who don’t truly follow God’s will to be giving me all this advice? At times like this, I think you’re rather… phew…”

Though he cut off his words, the meaning was clear.

-You’re rather better.-

That’s what Cardil was thinking.

Hearing those words, the corners of my mouth turned up. Fortunately, my expression wasn’t clearly visible under the veil.

Smoke puffed out from between his lips. I comforted him with a gentle voice.

“Such people don’t truly believe in and follow God from the depths of their hearts. They’re just ruffians who abuse and wield the power coincidentally given to them, people stained with greed. How can those who don’t share the power granted to them but instead exploit others be called followers of God? Such behavior is merely impiety far removed from God’s will.”

“…”

Cardil just puffed on his tobacco while listening to my words. Cardil, who initially didn’t listen at all, was now hearing what I said.

This is working!

“The most important thing is helping our neighbors and brothers and sisters around us. Especially, shouldn’t we who possess power different from others take the lead? That would truly be what God desires. Brother Cardil, who sincerely practices this, can truly be called a genuine priest and follower of God.”

I flattered him sweetly. However, rather than degradingly flattering him, I spoke while criticizing the existing rotten behavior of the Central Church and elevating him.

“Lately, no… I’ve thought since long ago. The Central Church has rotted to the core… and the Emperor uses such a Central Church to strengthen his imperial power. I realized that my activities within the Religious Order would only add to the people’s suffering, so I half-left the Religious Order and operated this way. At least then I could directly save those who were suffering.”

A backstory event!

“Leaving the group you belong to and doing what’s right is never easy. But isn’t such behavior exactly the path to getting one step closer to God’s will? Brother, you’re doing well enough now. God will surely be pleased with your devotion.”

Cardil chuckled.

I don’t know if that reaction is good or bad. Ha… if this were a dating sim, I would just have to choose options, but since it’s the reality version, the fact that I have to speak is so difficult I could go crazy.

Conversation for someone with no friends. It was truly a hardcore game.

“…The current Empire is chaotic. Continued wars and the Pope’s death, even the recent epidemic hasn’t been contained, and with ongoing wars, tax rates have increased. Young men are dragged to the army and return as half-wits. Now is exactly when the Central Church should step forward with God’s power, but they’re just sucking blood… I do feel disillusioned.”

“…”

The Empire was more screwed up than I thought?

“I decided to become a priest to make this world a little better… but now I don’t know how I should act.”

Deep disillusionment was wrapping around Cardil’s mind. I whispered earnestly beside him.

“Cardil, you’re doing truly magnificently. Haven’t all those healed by your touch escaped from pain and returned home with peaceful hearts? That’s proof that God’s grace was conveyed through you.”

“…You think so, Lumiere.”

“I’m just an insignificant ascetic bearing a glorious mission.”

Cardil flicked off the ash precariously hanging from the end of his tobacco. The ash scattered in the wind.

“But, bearing this mission, I began to see the principles of the world. Cardil, have you ever slowly… taken time to contemplate the power within yourself?”

“…?”

The class change event where Cardil gains the Destruction Attribute and becomes an incredibly useful healer who can also deal damage.

From the beginning, Cardil was a character who appeared as an Archmage capable of handling multi-attributes disguised as a healer.

I didn’t think he’d undergo a second class change from just a few pieces of advice, but…

I might as well work on building favorability while I’m at it.

Acting knowledgeable. Isn’t that the core of being a cult fraudster?

“I always pray, so…”

“Not about ‘God,’ but have you ever contemplated yourself?”

“I do meditation. Meditation was even part of the curriculum since my Central Church Academy days.”

“You’ve seen the vain interior but haven’t yet realized the true power you possess. Well… it’s still early for that.”

“What does that mean? Please speak so I can understand.”

Cardil was annoyed. Maybe because I saw him fighting earlier, it was really scary.

“It’s simple. Cardil. You have the power to save many more people…”

Cardil’s expression became eager. The languid expression mixed with fatigue and annoyance disappeared, and his eyes widened.

He stood up abruptly as if he might grab me by the collar.

‘Kyaaah! Scary! Save this frail heretical cult fraudster!’

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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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