How the Cult Saves the World

Chapter 62

The original infiltration route of the Rizes Church was from the countryside, where the influence of the government and the Diego Church was the weakest. They always prioritized infiltrating the villages that were the hardest for the state or the Diego Church to notice when they expanded their power.

But Bahano was different. The Rizes Church had already occupied the Kingdom, so their branch was in the capital.

'I wonder if the Diego Church knows that.'

It doesn't matter if they didn't catch on. I don't need to worry about that.

Anyway, we headed to a place a few blocks away from our lodging. There was a passage in the basement of a building that was a fruit shop during the day, which led to the Rizes Church's chapel.

"From now on, keep your mind sharp."

As we were walking, I heard Zain talking to Troy.

"Don't let your eyes wander to useless places. It could endanger us all."

"I know. Don't worry. Just do your job, Zain."

"Geez, look at this guy."

Somehow, the two of them seemed to get along, but then they went back to their usual selves.

I ignored their conversation and looked around. Without stopping, we soon arrived near the building where the Rizes Church's branch was.

But at that moment, I felt a strange sensation.

'...It's gone.'

And that sensation told me a very simple but important fact.

There was no 'Divine Protection' here.

I could feel the sinister energy of the Divine, but not the energy of the Divine Protection.

'There's no possibility that they hid it well... There's no way they could hide such a strong energy.'

It was a disaster. The plot had changed again from the original. The hidden route had changed here.

[Sub Quest 'Light of Hope' 6. Clear!]

[Sub Quest Reward will be given.]

[Sub Quest Update!]

[Sub Quest 'Light of Hope' 7.

Content: You have learned the situation of the capital Bahano. Now it's time to check the secret of Bahano Castle.

Objective: Find out the hidden secret of Bahano Castle (This quest is a linked quest)

Success: Next quest clue

Failure: -

Final Success Reward: ???

[Do you accept?]

[Yes/No]

As soon as I realized the situation, a system window appeared. As I read it through, I could understand what the system wanted to tell me. It was like a navigation that reset the information that had changed from what I knew in real time.

'As expected, this system...'

It seems to be tailored to me.

But the important thing was not the system. It was the objective of the quest, 'the hidden secret of Bahano Castle.'

As I saw it, one hypothesis came to mind.

'Yeah, this is the most likely.'

The High Priest of the Rizes Church's Bahano Branch had the King of Bahano in his hand. So the most likely place where the High Priest, who was not in the chapel, had gone to was Bahano Castle.

And the reason why there was no Divine Protection in the chapel...

Oh, damn. I forgot about that.

The High Priest of Bahano was different from the High Priests other branches. He also carried the Divine Protection with him. He was a man who valued his life terribly. Then the Divine Protection would be in the castle with the High Priest.

'Damn hidden route.'

In the end, I had to change my destination. If they were going to adjust it anyway, they should have told me sooner.

"...We're going to the castle."

"Huh? The castle, all of a sudden?"

Zain asked me with a surprised look at my somewhat abrupt words.

"What are you going to do there?"

"This is the place where Lord Kyros told us the Rizes Church's branch is, but I can't feel the Divine Protection."

---I see. The whole Bahano was covered with the Divine's energy, so I was late to notice. You're right, my child.

Kyros was in a spiritual state, so he couldn't help but be late to notice.

"Really...?"

"This is my guess, but there might be something going on in the castle. On the way here, I saw the state of the Bahano people, and there were many people who were seriously addicted to Happy even in the capital where the castle is."

As I continued, Zain and Troy's expressions became serious. I took a breath and added.

"That means, there's a high possibility that the royal family is not functioning properly. In other words, the royal family might have been eaten up by the Rizes Church already."

As I thought, I caught Troy's eye. Oh, right.

"Leader, do we have to cross over here? If so, I'll help."

There was a black panther beastman! I had forgotten about that for a moment.

Meanwhile, Troy, who had a clear pride in his eyes, said to me.

"I'll take the Leader inside. I'm enough."

"Thanks, Troy. I'm glad you're here."

"No. But Zain, are you coming with us?"

At Troy's question, Zain was a bit surprised.

"Huh, huh?"

"I'll take that as a yes."

Zain didn't give a clear answer, but Troy didn't bother to add more. And then I witnessed an amazing sight.

Troy's body grew longer and soon black fur sprouted.

"Wow..."

As Zain let out an exclamation unknowingly, Troy transformed into a black panther in an instant.

I couldn't close my mouth at the sight of the black panther with a yellow glow in his eyes, whose size was twice as big as a human.

"Wow..."

I was glad there was no one around. Troy, you're so big. I didn't know you were this big from Woosebeop, since there was no cutscene or anything.

"Leader, get on."

At Troy's words, I came to my senses. Then I saw Zain's face in my sight. He looked as surprised as I was.

"Leader."

"Huh, yeah."

Troy gestured to his back with his head. I immediately approached Troy and grabbed his fur. It was soft. No, this is not the time.

"Wait, Troy. Do you feel any presence inside?"

Troy sniffed, moving his nose hard.

"There's no guard around here, or beyond the wall."

As expected. There was hardly any guard around the West Tower in Woosebeop.

'That's a relief.'

"Get on, Leader."

I couldn't resist Troy's urging and moved quickly. As I grabbed Troy's back and climbed up, a back wider than a horse greeted me. It was a bit uncomfortable, but it was okay without a saddle because the fur was fluffy.

'But this is the first time I've ridden a black panther, where should I hold?'

For now, I grabbed a bit of Troy's back fur.

In the meantime, I saw Zain's cringing figure.

"Zain, you get on too. Hurry."

At Troy's urging, Zain came to his senses and approached. Zain climbed up behind me with a little admiration.

"Hold on tight."

"Where exactly?"

"Anywhere."

As Troy said, I held the fur I was holding tighter. The view changed at the same time.

Whoosh-

A strong wind blew as Troy flew into the sky. Is this flying...? As I was admiring, we crossed the wall in an instant.

For a moment, I felt like I was in an amusement park. I almost screamed, but barely held it back.

Thump, thump. My heart pounded with a pleasant tension. This is pretty fun.

"You can get off now."

As soon as Troy gave me permission, I got off. This was really fun. I should ask him to do this again next time.

"Huh."

As I was excited, I heard Zain's sigh next to me. He looked dazed. He must have enjoyed it too.

---My child, you look happy.

'It was more fun than I thought.'

---Really? Next time, I'll do it for you.

Kyros's words made me imagine myself riding on a small puppy.

'That's a bit...'

---I, I can do it too!

Kyros tried hard to appeal, but I didn't accept it.