The Life of a Wise Cult Leader - Chapter 27

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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

Go

It’s noisy…

-“Humble ones! Look down upon us with mercy!”

Ugh, what kind of event are they having outside… It’s so noisy. Let me sleep…

‘Wait, what? Noisy?’

As consciousness returned, I opened my eyes wide.

A stone ceiling…

An ordinary stone ceiling.

‘I’m… alive?’

I thought I might be hanged, but thankfully I’m not.

No, maybe I’m just right before being hanged.

To assess the situation, I turned my stiff neck toward the source of the noisy sound. Soon, voices rang out loudly again.

“Let us offer prayers-! For the Ascetic!”

“Praise the great deeds of the Ascetic, hero and prophet of Astrapolis, who looks down upon wounded souls with mercy!”

Hmm…

Just from hearing that, it seems the plan to become the city’s hero worked well. Austin must have taken the demon’s corpse and properly attributed the credit to me. I knew I could trust him!

I couldn’t help but smile.

‘More importantly, I think the system window kept chiming earlier.’

When I opened the system window, many changes had… occurred.

‘Is this for real.’

First, a “receive all rewards at once” button had appeared. It seemed to happen because I reached 145 believers.

’50 points.’

Is this what it feels like to become rich? I’ve never had much money in my life, so I wouldn’t know.

And…

[Faith: 531]

Faith had decreased somewhat. It was a small amount considering I had become a hero in this situation. Just in case, I checked the relic tab and found the healing relic was at +3 enhancement.

‘Did I enhance it?’

I’m sure I only enhanced it to +2…?

The system wouldn’t have automatically enhanced it.

‘Well, this is fine.’

Checking how long I slept, it seemed like about 3 days. No wonder my body felt light.

‘The relic recovery period is a bit tight.’

Having slept for 3 days, time was tight for recovering the next relic. Some advance preparation was needed…

I pressed the fluffy blanket with my hands and enjoyed the rare rest.

I should have Antonio bring the game setting papers I hid well at his house. Based on those, I need to plan how to retrieve the next artifact….

‘First… should I call someone?’

*

Without waiting long, the door opened.

“You’ve awakened, Ascetic!”

Who is this…

I’m generally not good at remembering people’s names and faces.

I remembered Cardil, Antonio, and Austin because they had distinctive appearances and were characters from the game, but if someone has such ordinary features and no real connection with me, I don’t remember them well.

“Are you feeling unwell? Shall I call a Priest?”

I smiled warmly, pretending to know his name and face.

“No, I’m fine. Everyone’s prayers reached me, and I was finally able to regain consciousness. My body is perfectly healthy without a single ache, so please don’t worry too much. More importantly… how is the situation in Astrapolis now?”

“To ask about the city’s situation immediately upon awakening, you truly are the Ascetic.”

The admiring believer answered with an ecstatic expression.

“Astrapolis stands strong. The demon that brought the monsters was dealt with by you, Ascetic, and Sir Austin brought back its head.”

“I see…”

“And after the monsters fled, those who follow you treated the wounded and personally volunteered in rescue operations. There are currently five relief centers operating under the leadership of 1st Grade Priest Cardil.”

“There weren’t too many injured, were there?”

“Yes. Now there are only minor injuries, and the total death toll was 67, which is being evaluated as an excellent defense against the monster invasion. The Knights and Priests have also returned to help. However…”

Why are you stopping mid-sentence so anxiously?

“In the process, the Knights and Central Church officials tried to brand you as a heretic, Ascetic, and drag you away as a wanted criminal. Fortunately, Priest Cardil, Sir Gerard, the Duke’s youngest daughter, and the citizens stepped forward to stop them.”

How dare they try to brand the Ascetic as some heretic! They’ve been putting out wanted posters from before, and while I knew the Central Church was corrupt, I didn’t know it was this rotten!

He was indignantly angry.

I listened casually and smiled as if agreeing with everything he said.

“Ah…! Aren’t you hungry? You were unconscious for 3 days.”

True… I haven’t eaten anything for almost 3 days. Though I don’t particularly feel hungry.

Oh, come to think of it… he looked somewhat familiar, and it was Ethan. That child I sent on an errand for the sword. It would have been bad if I had pretended not to know him~

“I’ll bring it right away!”

Without even waiting for my answer, he hurried away. And in less than 5 minutes, he brought a table full of steaming food.

Surely he wasn’t preparing food continuously until I woke up.

While setting up the food, Ethan continued his earlier indignation.

“Those ungrateful Central Church bastards should be taught a lesson by Lumensia right now…! The Ascetic is right here, so who exactly is supposed to punish whom!”

I cut off his words with a slight gesture.

“They were probably just being faithful to their roles. Please don’t be too concerned about it. In the end… doesn’t everyone recognize a sincere heart? Just like how the citizens of Astrapolis supported me. If we approach with a truthful heart and love for our neighbors, eventually everyone will become brothers and sisters and lend us their hands and feet. Isn’t that right, Ethan?”

“Indeed… I’m ashamed of myself for saying such things. Your words are correct, Ascetic.”

“Don’t be too ashamed. Isn’t immaturity a privilege of a short life?”

I comforted Ethan. People only live once, so what’s wrong with that? Why be embarrassed?

“Is there any other news?”

Ethan continued speaking while setting up the meal in front of me.

“The citizens of Astrapolis are talking about building a relief center and temple for you, Ascetic. You are practically the hero of Astrapolis, after all. It’s only natural treatment. However, since Central Church officials seem to be interfering with it somewhat, it will likely become a relief center with a splendid appearance. Our pilgrimage group should have put in more effort… please understand.”

Oh…?

This is an unexpected benefit.

As expected, solo clearing a raid boss gives lots of rewards. This way I can also keep the promise I made in my deal with Cardil.

I can turn a corner of that space into a free hospital and give it to Cardil. And provide free medical care to the workers involved in construction and their families…

Later, I should spend some of the money earned from magic stones to solidify the believers’ faith. After all, a strong foundation is necessary for longevity.

More importantly, what’s this pilgrimage group Ethan mentioned earlier?

“What do you mean by pilgrimage group?”

“Ah, that…”

Ethan scratched the back of his head as if embarrassed. Having finished setting up the food in front of my bed, Ethan stood stiffly beside the bed.

“It refers to those who follow you, Ascetic. We call ourselves pilgrims for now, but if you tell us to change it, we will. We are people who follow only you, Ascetic.”

In summary, a dedicated follower group has been formed.

“Not at all. ‘Pilgrims,’ what a beautiful name. Isn’t its meaning also sacred and holy? Truly a name befitting the brothers and sisters who follow me.”

Ethan’s face brightened completely.

“Th-thank you. Then please enjoy your meal. If you need anything, please ring the bell beside you.”

The meal was liquid food. That makes sense. Having just woken up, eating anything rough, stimulating, or greasy would likely upset my stomach.

‘I should have Antonio bring some papers. And what is Kalebrin doing around now? I need to distribute these 50 points well too. Even though it seems like a lot, it disappears quickly when you use it~’

I entered the believer window.

[Antonio Tradetore]

[Status: Elated]

[Location: Astrapolis Central Bell Tower]

Oh, when I saw him last time he was in Solaris, but it seems he came down in a hurry. I have no idea why he’s elated though.

As I scrolled down the window, I saw Kalebrin’s name. Isn’t there a favorites feature? It’s inconvenient in strange ways. I wonder if they’ll update again…

[Kalebrin]

[Status: Depressed]

[Location: Astrapolis Central Bell Tower]

Are the two of them together? Well, Cardil is probably handling things fine on his own. I should have baptized Austin and the Archmage too. I couldn’t do that because time was so tight.

I felt regretful as I rang the bell beside the table.

It was time to return to being the Cult Leader.

*

“You know what? That famous ‘Ascetic’ these days. I heard he woke up?”

“Really?”

“The children saw him going to the Central Church with the first five Apostles!”

“Why would he go to the Central Church?”

“How would I know. The Central Church is probably trying to find fault and make his life difficult again. I wish they’d just exempt us from some taxes instead of wasting energy on useless things… Tsk.”

“The aftermath of the Monster attack hasn’t even been resolved yet. Are they planning to raise taxes even more here…”

“The royal family is pouring astronomical amounts of money just into maintaining the Front Lines, so it looks like there might be another war soon.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“I’m not certain, but… just looking at the Golden Merchant’s movements, it seems like… something big might happen soon.”

“Maybe that Ascetic… person saw something in the future and gave him a hint?”

“You should call him the Ascetic. Anyway… the Ascetic must surely be seeing such futures too. Soon there will be more suffering souls.”

“Still, he’s human, so how could he read one’s lifespan.”

“Isn’t it said that more than just one or two people have experienced the Ascetic’s miracles?”

“Stop talking nonsense and let’s move quickly. At this rate, we’ll just be carrying materials until the sun sets.”

They carried the planed wooden materials and stone without complaint. Half was for the Citizens’ houses that were partially destroyed, and the rest was to build a Temple for the Ascetic to use.

“Even if the Ascetic saved the City, isn’t such a splendid Temple extravagant in these times?”

“The Golden Merchant is paying for everything, so stop complaining and just follow along. Astrapolis was almost half-destroyed, so who else here would provide support for free? It’s already a great blessing that he’s telling us to build houses for half the Citizens.”

“True, the Central Church or the royal family wouldn’t provide support.”

Just then, the Merchant Guild Master’s Daughter who had just become energetic and the neighborhood Children who had gained more weight than before were going around singing songs.

“He shed tears for those who suffer~ Caressing the wounds of the sick~ He sang of hope in despair~”

“Wherever your footsteps touch, miracles shall bloom~”

“Oh~ Guardian of Astrapolis! You cut down Demons and returned to the light!”

“He wanted neither Gold nor Glory. Lifting up the fallen and gathering sorrow, he walks his path~”

When the Children disappeared, the singing stopped. Even though the kids ran around the Workplace noisily singing songs, no one scolded them.

Then the most Foolish Guy among the Workers came running and shouted loudly enough for all the Workers to hear.

“The Ascetic has been imprisoned!”

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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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