The Life of a Wise Cult Leader - Chapter 30

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

Fire

How can one predict a person’s future?

Moreover, foretelling someone’s future…

That person must either be well-versed in fortune-telling, borrowing some spiritual power to recite the future, or threatening to make you end up in exactly the same miserable state.

It would be one of those things.

Well, if someone says “I’ll kill you!” and actually kills you, wouldn’t that also count as foretelling someone’s future?

Anyway, being on the receiving end of a death prophecy…

Hmm.

“I see.”

That’s all I could manage to say in response.

The idea of Cardil killing me was absurd from the start, so there was no need to even consider it.

When I spoke calmly with both hands resting on my knees, Cardil in front of me only slightly furrowed his brow and glared at me with his characteristically sharp eyes.

“Even in a situation like this… you remain so detached even when facing your own death?”

Oh… Cardil is interpreting me as some untouchable character?

Of course, from the cult leader’s perspective, this was a welcome reaction.

But looking at it objectively…

Well, this “situation” Cardil mentioned would only amount to about a week of parole at most.

It’s not like I was facing inhumane conditions like torture or being denied food. One meal a day was coming out just fine, so it didn’t matter.

Maybe because Sernuan Lumiere had good fuel efficiency, I wasn’t even that hungry.

In such a situation, should I really be flustered by Cardil’s sudden death prophecy?

Even if it weren’t me, when hearing “You’ll die in 10 days. RIP,” how many people would actually make a fuss going “Oh no, so scary!”?

Only elementary school kids who believe in chain letters would tremble like that.

But me, doing this cult leader cosplay, getting scared by a “you’re gonna die soon lol” comment?

That wouldn’t do. No no, absolutely not. If this cult leader facade crumbles, my lifeline ends too.

“Hehe… Cardil, don’t worry. I won’t die.”

I showed him my usual enigmatic smile to reassure him. As my body moved, the chains dragged across the stone floor with a grating sound.

“I don’t know what you’re so confident about, but… sigh.”

Cardil let out a long sigh. Then he conspicuously signaled to the guard. Noticing that look, one of the guards remaining at the entrance quietly left his post.

Only one Lion’s Heart Knight remained here now. But befitting an elite among elites, his presence seemed formidable.

Thud.

The knight punched the wall with his fist. Dust fell from the ceiling finished with stone and wood.

“Directly conveying information to a prisoner violates visitation protocols.”

“Then shouldn’t you have prohibited visitation from the start?”

Does he use polite speech with those he’s comfortable with and speak curtly to those he dislikes? I blankly watched Cardil and the guard argue.

“It’s ridiculous to allow visitation and then act like this now. Well, you must be quite anxious since you forcibly imprisoned someone without any crime.”

“Bishop, you’d better watch your words.”

Well, it’s not like I’m the one fighting. Cardil had a hellish tongue, so I wasn’t worried about him losing. Fight on~ fight on~

“I heard the Lion’s Heart Knights are quite elite. Working under such a commander must be quite difficult too. Well, even I’m living half-withdrawn because the higher-ups at the Central Church are so annoying. Working in this underground prison must be such a hardship. I completely understand your feelings.”

“Bishop, I told you to watch that reckless mouth of yours…”

Since he was a helmeted knight, I could only see around his eyes, but I could still feel that the knight was sufficiently angry.

‘Oh, Cardil’s really going at it.’

Cardil let out a short sigh and stood up from his seat.

“I just wanted to confirm that you were safe anyway.”

He ignored him.

Cardil lightly ignored the knight and spoke to me instead. I might suffocate from this favoritism.

“I’m troubled by causing you worry. But Cardil, you need not be concerned any longer. I will never die.”

What death prophecy could there be in 10 days? The only thing would be the Knight Commander desperately collecting evidence of heresy and having no choice but to execute the cult leader.

But?

Antonio will handle the execution matter smoothly… and seeing my Faith stat steadily rising, my public opinion seems quite good too.

‘I’ve been checking the believers’ perspective from time to time, and things are actually flowing quite favorably for me.’

But since Cardil is saying all this…

‘Maybe I’ll try using Faith Additional Skill later.’

This would be a solitary cell anyway. It was the perfect space for using skills. Thank you, Knight Commander! Being constantly around many people was quite draining too.

“…I’ll come visit again later.”

“Yes, please take care of yourself. Brother.”

Cardil raised one corner of his mouth in a nasty smile, then turned and left. The sound of his confident footsteps echoed through the corridor.

As that sound faded, I walked alongside the knight next to me, matching his pace as I spoke.

“Please understand that my brother is in an unpleasant mood due to being busy with this unprecedented crisis.”

Regardless of Cardil’s personality issues, I still had to spend about 6 more days here. There’s nothing wrong with getting along well with the knights.

After all, I’m officially the –kind-hearted and mysterious cult leader who embraces everyone!– aren’t I?

“Well, no matter how much a parachute bishop like that speaks sarcastically, it won’t put a single scratch on my pride.”

“Hehe, the Lion’s Heart Knights are indeed remarkable. I had heard of the knights’ reputation, but seeing it directly like this makes it even more impressive.”

Perhaps because Sernuan Lumiere was quite tall, I could see the top of the helmeted person’s head.

As I matched the knight’s quick pace with long strides, my white hair fluttered suspiciously despite only being shampooed.

Because the corridor was relatively dark, it seemed to glow with light.

“Hmm… Let’s move to the solitary cell for now.”

Though his expression wasn’t visible due to the helmet, I could see his mouth twitching.

Haha! This honest fellow has no resistance to such flattery. Even if not as much as Austin Gerard, I can make someone like you offer up your heart in an instant.

“The Knight Commander was quite impressive too. Setting aside whether I’m a heretic or not, his faith and sincerity are truly admirable. If he didn’t dislike me so much, we could have been good brothers…”

Clank.

As I moved, the chains dragged across the stone floor with a sound.

Just moments ago, moving my mouth would have earned a “Silence!!!” but after experiencing the spicy taste that was Cardil, his mind seemed dazed, making my flattery as sweet as cool juice.

“Well. He is quite thorough in that regard.”

“One must have such skill to stand above others and command excellent knights. It seems like tremendous charisma that I couldn’t even imitate.”

“Ahem, meal distribution is in 1 hour.”

“You always work so hard. If there’s anything uncomfortable, please don’t hesitate to tell me. Aren’t we all brothers born and raised in the same world, the same country?”

The knight treated me with a strangely relaxed attitude. Yes, forget 6 days – one day is enough to become friends.

“Hmm. Actually, my joints have been bothering me lately, but would that count too?”

“Oh my, why have you been enduring such pain alone? Though I am inadequate, I am one who bears the name of ascetic. Won’t you allow me the opportunity to care for an ailing brother?”

“Well, if that’s the case…”

Did you see that, Cardil? This is how you cook and boil people.

As they say, it’s hard to spit on a smiling face – look how he doesn’t know what to do when even someone suspected of heresy treats him kindly.

Of course, it’s probably the Divine Aura effect making him give in so easily.

No human is immune to physical pain.

Especially in cases like arthritis that are minor but painful, he’d want treatment even more. Moreover, this is a medieval fantasy world without infrared therapy.

There’s no way he could receive bishop-level treatment for arthritis. Of course, being a Lion’s Heart Knight, he could receive it from a bishop, but it would be tremendously expensive. As much as American medical bills.

“Come. This way.”

As I entered the cell and sat on the shabby chair, the knight stood awkwardly in front of me.

“You’ll need to lower your posture.”

Flinch.

The knight’s body trembled. His armor clanked. The person who quietly removed his helmet shook his head once, then frowned.

“Do I really need to… kneel?”

“Hmm… You don’t necessarily need to kneel, but wouldn’t it be troublesome if your legs gave out and you fell?”

Hohoho. As I laughed like a noble lady, the knight clenched his fists tightly.

“…”

Don’t tell me he’s going to beat me up in this damp, deserted solitary cell…!

I did get a bit carried away. Just as I was thinking that, the knight hesitantly knelt down.

I reached out my hand with a smile. His fluffy hair touched between my fingers. I could see him glaring at me with suspicious eyes.

Green and white light, colors like pale sunlight mixed together, illuminating the dark cell. The light drove away the pitch-black shadows of the underground prison, expanding its territory.

Like a knight investiture ceremony, the one who had knelt on one knee now knelt on both knees, experiencing the mystery with his own body.

“I suppose it was wise to stay seated, wasn’t it?”

“…”

The Knight Order Member could only stare blankly at the remnants where the light had swept through once. He tried to brush away the golden dust floating in the air with his hand, but one cannot grasp illusions.

The knight who had been grasping and releasing his hand in the air slowly rose to his feet.

“This is… truly…”

Still absent-minded, he blinked his eyes. Forgetting that he had set his helmet down on the ground, he searched for the flickering light.

Cutting off his words, I smiled and answered.

“Doesn’t it seem like a Divine Miracle?”

*

Thud!

A hand wearing leather gloves struck the table hard.

“That bastard is going around impersonating God!”

“Sir, stop it. Sigh… Do you know what time this is?”

“Of course I know. Isn’t this the time to throw those heretic bastards into the Abyss right now and make an example for the Children of Lumensia!”

“With the Pope currently dead, when we’re desperately trying to hide that fact, we don’t have the resources for such actions. Moreover, we’re still hiding the news that Count Edinburgh’s mistress was executed after being branded a witch last time, and now another execution in that same region? This is the time to govern the people’s hearts gently and show a merciful side different from the Pope.”

“At times like this, we should kill the heretics, hang their heads, and rule those stupid Common People with fear! Especially with war approaching…”

“This is the Empire’s will, so go back.”

The Lion Heart Knight Commander gritted his teeth.

No matter how much he argued, those stupid fools wouldn’t listen. They were desperately trying to protect their positions and maintain immediate peace.

“Fine… Then there’s no choice.”

They had promised to grant noble titles if he brought back the head of that heretic who stole the Sacred Relic and learned their secrets, but at this timing. What the hell went wrong…!

‘Anyway… it doesn’t matter as long as we don’t execute him publicly.’

He had planned to kill and bury him in that cavern anyway. This time too, he could handle it quietly.

‘This is all for Lumensia.’

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