The Life of a Wise Cult Leader - Chapter 81

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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

“Yes, well… I suppose I’m doing well.”

Cardil answered with a tired expression.

“You look more tired than usual.”

“These days I’m at the healing center during the day, then go learn magic after work, so that’s why.”

He answered looking absolutely parched for a cigarette.

As he said, working at the healing center during the day and learning magic after work – Cardil’s level had noticeably increased.

“Still, it seems your skills have improved a lot.”

“Yes. Well… it would be stranger if they didn’t improve after doing all that. Anyway, what brings such a busy person here?”

It sounded sarcastic, but he probably just meant it literally.

“It’s not like I only come here when there’s trouble, is it? This is a healing center built for me, and I haven’t stopped by once since it was completed, so it’s about time I visited. And no matter how high a position I’ve risen to, I mustn’t lose my original intentions. My heart is always with Brother Cardil and those times when we treated people in that hut.”

“That’s touching. It’s fortunate that you’re the Saint.”

Cardil has no social skills and can’t flatter, but every word he says is sincere, which is nice.

I don’t have to try to figure out what his intentions are, and he manages his own mental state well.

He has the force to protect himself and holds the position of Bishop, so he’s convenient to use. He really is the best unit.

‘I should treat Cardil a little better.’

He was even willing to follow me to Centa just for the sake of patients – he was truly a likable believer and a real doctor.

“Then let’s stop the small talk and go see the patients? There are still many in this world suffering from pain.”

Cardil nodded. We began treating people just like in the old days.

The only thing that had changed was our abilities, so even though the hut had become a healing center with more people, the two of us could treat everyone.

“I still can’t do healing close to regeneration… That’s amazing.”

“Not at all. Brother Cardil is the amazing one.”

After regenerating the severed legs and standing up, the people who had been packed in the healing center were already walking out the main gate on their own two legs.

The few remaining were volunteers who stayed at the healing center.

They mainly prepared meals for patients and cleaned, with food supplies covered entirely by aid and donations.

The red-haired woman I’d seen ages ago came bouncing over.

“Ascetic, thank you for your hard work! The patients asked me to tell you how grateful they are again this time.”

“It’s my calling.”

“Even so. The King doesn’t even protect his own citizens properly, but an Ascetic like you who works so hard for people truly deserves respect!”

Hmm, it seems our believers are starting to worship me excessively.

Anyway, it’s a good thing, so it’s fine.

“I don’t know what to do when you praise me so much.”

I smiled quietly as we talked. The red-haired woman said “Ah, right!” as if she’d forgotten something and continued.

“The Central Church Bishop came by briefly and said to meet him at the temple. He looked busy so I couldn’t talk to him… I feel bad for telling you so late…?”

“It’s fine. I was late because I spent time helping the sick, so the Central Church Bishop wouldn’t say anything about it.”

Ever since I brilliantly laid the groundwork for ceasefire negotiations in Centa, the Central Church has been increasingly favorable toward me.

I showed the perfect image of a Saint, so there wouldn’t be anyone gutsy enough to complain about why I was late.

‘There’s no one with balls that big anyway.’

I briefly said goodbye to Cardil and left the healing center. Yelena followed behind me. After walking a short distance, Astrapolis’s temple appeared.

‘Somehow it seems more shabby than my healing center…?’

It was obvious they hadn’t repaired the damage from the previous attack. And with ivy and various other things, it seemed poorly maintained.

When I entered the temple, the Astrapolis Temple Bishop came running out in his socks.

“You’ve come, Saint, no… Ascetic.”

“I heard you called for me.”

“Yes, yes. It’s nothing major but… Ahem, lately with your healing center here, no one comes to the temple anymore, so it’s not being maintained. Still, it’s the only temple in Astrapolis, and if we leave it neglected like this, it will damage the Central Church’s prestige, so…”

Blah blah. Blah blah.

In the end, no matter how long he talks, isn’t he just saying his temple has no money and asking for support?

Did he really call me out just to hear this kind of talk…

Having to listen to this with a smiling face is just annoying.

“Then I’ll try to hint to the Main Headquarters about providing support. However, since I only focus on eliminating people’s suffering, I can’t guarantee that related issues will be handled smoothly.”

Whether that was enough for the Bishop, or because of the authority of being a Saint, he didn’t say anything more and just nodded.

“And… there are some unsavory rumors going around Astrapolis lately.”

Unsavory rumors?

“While you were in Centa, I focused on my work as the temple Bishop in charge of Astrapolis, but I heard a certain rumor. It’s too detailed to dismiss as just a rumor, so…”

He’s long-winded.

“What kind of rumor?”

“Please don’t take this badly. The rumor is that the current Saint is a fake Saint and there’s a real Saint out there…”

…Didn’t they say the Saint was already dealt with?

“They say a woman with blonde hair, golden eyes, and beautiful appearance is going around inciting people.”

Blonde hair, golden eyes, beautiful appearance.

It was definitely the Saint from the game.

There’s no way Antonio wouldn’t have heard such rumors. If he had, he would have contacted me immediately.

This is clearly an artificial rumor.

“Even though we have such a wonderful Saint right now, she claims to be the real Saint who received Lumensia’s power…”

It’s obvious that Antonio being my right hand has been exposed. Then someone who subtly blocked information from both Antonio and my acquaintances or believers…

‘Has the Widow started making moves?’

The only person who would do such a thing would be someone from the Banquet Hall.

‘The Young Lady selectively delivered information. Or maybe she thought this information was too trivial to pass on.’

Irritation welled up, but Ife licking my cheek calmed me down.

Anyway, I have a more solid position than a Saint spreading baseless rumors.

‘There’s no threat. It’s just annoying.’

The people from the Banquet Hall are the type who would switch to the Saint if I lose this ‘real’ Saint battle.

“A-anyway… please take interest in the Astrapolis temple branch.”

“Of course. This kind of talk… I’d never heard of it before, but our precious citizens almost got incited by some cultist.”

“Ha, haha… Right, th-that’s right, isn’t it?”

I smiled at the Bishop. Though he probably couldn’t see it through my veil anyway.

Anyway, an interesting situation is about to unfold. To think I’d learn about something like this from a completely unexpected place.

This is why I deliberately walked the streets of Astrapolis to gauge the situation, but everyone was keeping their mouths shut well.

‘A rumor with such tight lips is really… really, really strange.’

Anyway, now that I have the information, there’s one thing I need to do. Contact Antonio and ask Kalebrin to handle it.

‘Kill her without anyone knowing and the problem’s solved!’

Indeed, sometimes killing is faster than racking your brain with politics.

*

When I asked Antonio, we were able to find the woman’s whereabouts within half a day.

As soon as I returned to the country, she left Astrapolis and went to other cities to incite people.

Still, we got her name and description, so Kalebrin should be able to handle it!

With that thought, I put in an assassination request, but the conclusion that came back was shocking.

“The s-sorcery w-won’t work.”

Kalebrin’s sorcery, enhanced by the laboratory, didn’t work.

“Why not?”

“Well… f-first, the medium i-isn’t very good.”

Hmm, it would indeed be difficult to kill someone with just a name and a portrait.

“S-something is i-interfering… If th-that’s there… no matter how g-good the medium, it won’t work.”

Interference?

“What kind of interference do you mean?”

“Hmm….”

Kalebrin pondered for a moment, then started making sounds I couldn’t understand.

“So like…. Hey, it’s kind of warm. And huge. Um, it has defenses. And familiar.”

I didn’t know what she was talking about, but anyway, if we didn’t resolve that, remote assassination wouldn’t work even if we brought blood or hair.

This is getting troublesome.

Having me hire an assassin to handle it would be absolutely out of the question.

‘When I go to deliver the replica this time. I should report to someone from the banquet hall.’

Times like this call for the external contact chance.

I’ll bring the replica as proof, and explain that I can continue bringing sacred relics and their uses.

Then that Saint without any backing… well, one of the banquet hall members will quietly take care of her.

When I’m proving my abilities to this extent, there won’t be any idiots trying to switch over to that Saint.

A few days later, the day of the banquet hall invitation arrived.

*

Having been there once, I arrived at the banquet hall through the familiar waiting room and corridor.

The Marquis who had sat to the Widow’s right was gone, replaced by a Young Lady. Even with the veil, it was clearly noticeable. Several members of the banquet hall had changed.

I thought I’d sit across from the Widow like last time, but I was guided to the very end seat.

‘Are they now accepting me as a member rather than a guest?’

Well, that’s fine.

I briefly examined Ife wrapped around my bracelet. Her eyes were bright and alert. Having seen her quite a bit now, she looked rather cute.

The Widow entered. Red lips caught my eye through the translucent black veil.

“You’ve retrieved the sacred relic, I assume?”

“Of course.”

I had my attendant beside me, who was holding a cushion, take out the sacred relic and place it on top. The attendant respectfully took the sacred relic and brought it to the Widow. Ife attached to the sacred relic wagged her tail.

“Lord Austin Gerard was of great help.”

“Ahem.”

“I’ll verify it later.”

As expected, she won’t verify it in front of me. Good thing Ife is there.

“Yes, please do.”

At my voice that showed no sign of submission, the person next to me kept clearing their throat.

From then on, it was regular reports like last time.

Talk about Centa and the Empire came up, and problems in the cities each person was interested in were also discussed.

I quietly observed the situation and remained silent.

The Widow addressed me.

“Ascetic, don’t you have anything to say?”

“This probably already came up in reports, but I’ve established a cooperative relationship with Centa. Particularly their Second-in-Command and King evaluated me favorably.”

Everyone nodded.

“And?”

“The matter I mentioned last time seems like it will be resolved well. We should be able to get the desired results within about 3 months.”

The desired results here meant sowing discord in Centa to weaken their power.

“3 months.”

“That’s quite short.”

“However, we’ll need to allow about 6 more months for satisfactory results.”

“That’s to be expected.”

“I’d say about a year would be fine too.”

The banquet hall members agreed.

Things are going quite favorably.

Whether it’s because of my achievements or because of the members who underwent some reshuffling, either way it’s good.

Before mentioning the Saint matter… should I throw out some bait about the sacred relics first?

“And…. I’ve also discovered the location of the next sacred relic.”

“The next sacred relic…!?”

The veiled men and women exclaimed in surprise and murmured. Even the Widow’s hand twitched.

Since sacred relics themselves are no different from artifacts containing tremendous power, having even one would change a nation’s strength.

In modern terms, it would be like the power of an aircraft carrier.

I smiled and cut my dessert with a fork. Pastry crumbs fell onto the plate.

“The next sacred relic is in the Demon Realm.”

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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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