How the Cult Saves the World

Abel was waving something at me---it was a pair of handcuffs. He was standing near the desk, probably cleaning my office.

"Abel, have you been cleaning, by any chance?"

"Of course! I want to make sure everything is comfortable for you whenever you return."

Abel smiled brightly. Whoa, this guy's really kind.

"Thank you for your hard work, Abel. I really appreciate it."

"No problem! But I didn't expect you to come back so quickly!"

Abel was still smiling as he tidied up my desk. He reminded me of a big, friendly dog, minus the ears and tail. Out of adoration, I patted his head, and his eyes sparkled even more.

"A new temple branch was just established in Merilseus. Thanks to the portal there, I was able to return quickly."

"You even set up a temple in Merilseus? As expected from our Leader! You're amazing."

"I was just lucky."

"Even so! Oh, by the way, will the Temple of Merilseus be opening soon?" he asked.

I nodded as I walked over to the sofa, leaning back into the soft cushions.

"Not immediately. Even with Rovel, Aldone, and even Bahanu, there's a lot to deal with. Once things settle down at the three other temples, then we'll officially open the Temple of Merilseus for the followers."

"Even though it's busy... Wouldn't it be better to open it sooner?"

"No, the Temple of Meridius is already in good shape. There's no rush; it just needs a bit of cleaning, and Sasha has to finish a few statues."

"Aha, that makes sense."

Abel nodded, understanding. After he finished cleaning, he came over to me.

"Would you like a cup of tea, Leader?"

"Yes, that sounds nice."

It had been a tiring day, and a cup of tea sounded perfect before bed. Abel beamed, shouting, "I'll get it ready right away!" as he left the office.

- I want a cup of tea too!

Kyros seemed quite tired from our visit to Merilseus as well. As he finished speaking, Kyros transformed into a small puppy and trotted through the air, settling on the other side of the table.

Every time I saw his fluffy gray fur, I felt a strong urge to pet him. So, I gestured to him and tapped on the tea table.

"Kyros, would you come here for a moment?"

"Huh? What is it, child?"

Kyros climbed onto the tea table, unaware of my intentions. Being a god, he was always immaculately clean, so there was no harm in him being on the table.

I gently stroked the soft fur of the little puppy looking up at me.

"I just needed a bit of healing."

The sensation of his soft fur beneath my fingers instantly washed away the fatigue of the day.

"If that's the case, I understand."

Kyros nodded, his eyes serious. Did he know how much cuter he looked when he pretended to be serious like that?

"Leader, I'm here!"

While I was patting Kyros's head and chin, Abel returned, carrying a steaming teapot.

"Lord Kyros! You're in your manifested form!"

"Yes, my child."

Abel greeted Kyros and set the teacups from the cult leader's office on the tea table.

Kyros leaped up and sat across the other side, while Abel took a seat beside him and poured the tea.

The fragrant aroma of fruit tea wafted through the air---a perfect choice, especially since I'd been craving something refreshing.

"Thank you, Abel."

As I took a sip, I noticed Abel smiling broadly. He wasn't drinking any tea himself, just watching Kyros and me with a contented smile.

"Why aren't you drinking, Abel?"

"Oh, just watching the two of you enjoy it makes me happy."

"My angel is so sweet with his words."

Kyros added, patting Abel with his small paw, clearly in a good mood.

We enjoyed our tea, chatting about Bahanu. After a while, Abel stood up.

"Well, good night, Faith Leader, Lord Kyros."

"You too, Abel. Good night."

"Rest well."

Abel left, leaving only Kyros and me in the cult leader's office. I looked over at Kyros, who was lying across from me with his pink belly exposed, and asked,

"Lord Kyros."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"I have a question."

"Do you? Feel free to ask."

Kyros straightened up and looked at me with interest. I spoke slowly.

"You often call the senior members---like Alphi, Chessy, and Sasha---your angels. So, where do they come from?"

Could it just be some aspect of the system's design? Each of them had a deep connection to Kyros. Of course, it could be part of the system setup, but I couldn't shake the question:

Where did they come from when they appeared through the lottery?

"Did they come from the same place where you live?"

When I asked if they were from an unimaginable place, perhaps the divine realm or heaven, Kyros paused, then slowly opened his mouth.

"Well...something like that."

He looked a little sad. Then he continued.

"They... Well, my angels are all souls who have lived one life."

"What...?"

"And only the purest of souls among them can become angels."

I was stunned, unable to find words. I hadn't known the senior members who helped with the temple were beings like that.

'This could simply be a part of the system settings too but...'

But the clearest and purest souls who have experienced life once?

Doesn't that mean that those children died at a young age, before they were even 10 years old?

'Is that why there's three kids?'

As I remembered the innocent smiles of the children I had once seen without knowing anything about them, a sudden, inexplicable feeling of guilt welled up in my chest.

'System setting or whatever the hell it is, sure feels like shit.'

These children must've died without fully understanding their fate. There was no telling if they had died unjustly, in sadness, or if they had been loved until the end.

Somehow, the thought made my heart sink.

Because the senior members of the Kyros Faith were now like a precious family to me.

***

The next day, I headed to the Temple of Merilseus. While cleaning the cult leader's office and sorting out unnecessary items, Zain entered through the portal.

"Master, is it true you enjoyed a seafood feast at the Royal Palace...?"

Apparently, the story of my visit with Merilseus had reached Zain's ears. I nodded, meeting his gaze.

"Yeah. But aren't you busy?"

"Not really. Things have calmed down at the other three temples. But how could you eat all that delicious food by yourself!"

"Not like I had a choice. You guys can eat later. Anyway, if you're not busy, could you throw this box of junk away for me and then come back?"

I handed him a box filled with odds and ends. Grumbling, he left the office.

A while later, as I continued cleaning, I received a rare, panicked message from Zain.

[M-Master?]

[The Princess and Prince of Merilseus have arrived outside the temple. And they have quite a lot of guards with them.]

"What?"

The Princess and Prince of Merilseus... Alicia and Versha are here? I quickly finished up and left the office.

'Is it really okay for them to be here like this?'

Don't they have duties to attend to?

As I hurried to the temple, I saw Zain standing there, still holding the box of junk, staring in disbelief at the sight before him.

About two meters away from him stood Alicia and Versha.

'I thought they were twins.'

They looked similar, but their auras were totally different. Princess Alicia had a somewhat cool demeanor, while Prince Versha radiated warmth.

Behind them stood at least twenty guards.

"F-Faith Leader!"

Versha noticed me and smiled brightly.

"Ah, Prince. And Princess. What brings you here?"

I whispered to Zain, "Get back to what you were doing," then approached the royals. As Versha stepped forward, Alicia followed.

"I just wanted to see you."

Alicia gave me a seductive smile as she spoke, while Versha, not wanting to be outdone, stepped closer.

"Me too. Have you been doing well?"

"Oh, yes. I just saw you yesterday," I replied, forcing a smile. What are these two up to?

- It seems these two have taken a liking to you. It reminds me of the talk with King Merilseus.

'Oh, no way.'

I recalled the smile King Merilseus had given me at dinner.

'Seriously! That guy! After I said no so clearly!

It seems King Merilseus is still intent on bringing me into the royal family. My head started to spin.

"I came because I wanted to see the temple."

"Oh, I see, Princess."

"Me too!"

"I see, Your Highness."

It was clear they were using the temple as an excuse...but the two people standing right in front of me were really trying to look good to me.

'So they have no intention of hiding it.'

I already said I wasn't interested.

"But unfortunately, the setup inside isn't complete yet. It'll take a bit more time."

"When will it be ready?"

"I want to see it as soon as possible."

The two of them were pressing me. It was starting to get annoying. I decided to delay as long as I could.

"If all goes well, maybe a week; if not, up to a month."

I smiled as I said it. I knew everything would be done in a week, but I wanted to avoid getting any closer to these royals.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

So I insinuated, go back already.

"Oh, that's longer than I expected."

Alicia replied, looking a bit disappointed, despite her initial indifference toward me. Versha added quickly:

"Then is it alright if we come by earlier? I'd like to talk to you."

Alicia shot Versha a sharp glare. I gave them both an apologetic look and answered,

"I'm sorry, but that would be difficult. As the leader, I need to oversee the temple's organization personally. Please, come visit once the temple officially opens."

That was my way of saying they shouldn't set foot here until then. The two royals reluctantly took a step back.

"It's unfortunate...but it seems there's nothing that can be done about it."

"Alright then, but I'll be back when it opens."

Why are these two so intent on competing over me? If I'm not interested, shouldn't they back off?

'If they keep this up until the Temple of Merilseus opens, I'll have to make it even clearer..'

The two royals looked at me, disappointment written on their faces.

"Then, please take care on your way back."

I said, watching as they finally turned to leave, unwilling. Even as they walked away, Alicia and Versha exchanged hostile glances.

'What a sight.'

Their sibling rivalry seemed unusually intense.

'If it were me, I'd be preparing to inherit the kingdom.'

I clicked my tongue as I watched them go. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed someone watching me.

Turning, I saw Zain, grinning as he tried to stifle his laughter with his hand over his mouth, his shoulders shaking. Clearly, he was laughing.

"What's so funny?"

When I asked that, Zain came closer, even his eyes seemed tender in amusement.

"Oh, I'm just so jealous, Master. To be loved by two people at the same time."

This brat. He saw everything.