How the Cult Saves the World

'Mana Burn' was an incurable disease that consumes the mana, or life force, of the body with no known cure for the time being.

But this disease had an unexpected blind spot---as long as you ensure the mana in your body is not fully depleted, you could get better.

'No, to be precise, you don't get better---it's more like you can maintain your current condition.'

This means that even if you ended up using your mana, you just had to replenish it again and prevent complete depletion.

But here's the issue: even in the book I read, there was no method to infinitely replenish mana.

Then, a realization struck me.

'Holy power...'

Maybe, just maybe, the holy power Kyros has given me could treat my grandmother.

From what I had learned in the book, mana recovery is typically slow---it takes about three days for fully consumed mana to replenish.

'On the other hand, holy power recovers much faster, in just one day, or even half a day.'

In essence, 'Mana Burn' was a disease that gnawed at your life force because the body naturally consumes mana faster than it can recover.

But, if I were to inject holy power into my grandmother's body, even though it wouldn't be a complete cure, it could speed up the recovery rate and at the very least, extend her lifespan.

Plus, if I ask Kyros to share some holy power with her as his number of believers grows, that could practically be the same as curing her illness.

'Lors Kyros.'

After I cleared it all in my mind, I called him.

-What's wrong, child? Did you find any answers in the book?

'Yes, it's not a perfect solution, but it's the best I can do for now.'

-What kind of a method is it for you to call me, child?

'I need your power, Lord Kyros. My grandmother can stop her condition from worsening if she has holy power.'

-Yes, I can give you as much power as you need.

As expected, I knew Kyros would agree right away. But then, he added something in a slightly somber tone.

-But my little bird...n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

'Yes?'

-To get holy power from me, you must at least be my follower.

'What...?'

-It's an unavoidable restriction. It's the law of the world, that even I cannot change. My power can only be given to those who believe in me.

I bit my lip at Kyros's explanation. If even Kyros himself is bound by this "law of the world", then surely he is referring to the principle of causality.

In that case, there was only one solution: make Grandma a believer in Kyros.

'Fortunately, at least grandmother...isn't a follower of the Diego Church.'

Strictly speaking, she had no religion at all. That's why she didn't comment anything when she learned I had become a priest of the Kyros Church.

'Anyway, I need to make my grandmother a believer... But how do I do that?'

The easiest way to convert a non-believer into a believer is to save them in a moment of crisis.

But that wouldn't work on my grandmother.

Above all, a Sword Master rarely faced danger. I refused to put her through a needless artificially orchestrated crisis.

Damn it. Is there no other way?

While I racked my brain, I suddenly sensed an energy that didn't belong here.

'This is...!'

I jumped out of bed and rushed to the window.

The deep night sky stretched out before me, lit by a full moon. Below, I spotted the mansion's backyard.

-Child, so you felt it too, huh?

'Yes, Lord Kyros. But I don't get why it's here.'

The energy I sense belonged to an evil god. Its aura contrasted sharply with the pure white holy power, radiating a gloomy, oppressive black.

It moved toward the garden I was watching.

-The energy itself doesn't seem particularly strong, but why is it coming here...

At that moment, the owners of that energy became visible. Two men approached the mansion, exuding the unmistakable aura of an evil god. They walked without an escort.

Although their power didn't compare to energy that Terdius or Khalid possessed, they weren't weak either. I was suspicious as to why people exuding so much energy of an evil god had come here.

'There's no way Grandma could've joined the Diego Church...'

Even so, I found it strange for senior members of the Diego Church to come to a believer's home for a personal visit.

I watched them get closer. Their long black coats appeared pretty normal, except for the silver snake emblem emblazoned on the chest.

'That's...the high priest.'

The man had to be the high priest of a nearby Diego Church branch.

But why was he visiting the mansion? And why did he come so secretly, accompanied by only one priest and no escort?

I couldn't make sense of it, so I kept watching. When they reached the garden, someone stepped out of the mansion to greet them.

'...Max.'

Max escorted the two Diego Church members into the garden.

-Child, are you sure your grandmother has no religion?

'... As far as I know, yes. She doesn't.'

-Then why did she let those people enter the mansion?

'I don't know why she'd allow it either.'

I frowned. Before I could figure it out, Max had already guided the high priest and priest of the Diego Church into the mansion.

'I don't know what's going on, but...'

I couldn't sit idly by after watching members of the Diego Church step inside.

So, after some time, I quietly left my room.

Squeak-

I shut the door softly and moved down the dark hallway. Since the servants in the mansion had likely gone to sleep, I chose not to turn on the lights.

The darkness took me a while to adjust to, but it wasn't a huge problem in moving.

That's because the evil god's energy radiated strongly enough for me to sense it without seeing it.

-Child, I don't know what's happening, but be careful.

'Don't worry. I'm a church leader, after all. A high priest is nothing.'

I responded confidently and kept moving. I went down the stairs quietly and headed toward the first floor.

The energy of the evil god was emanating out ot of the room at the end of the hallway to the left.

Faint light escaped from a slightly ajar door.

I tried to be as quiet as possible and approached the door carefully, then peeked inside.

'...Grandma.'

It was from the library that the energy of the evil god was being exuded. Inside was my grandmother, the high priest of the Diego Church, the priest, and Max.

Grandma sat at the head of the sofa, sipping her tea. Across from her sat the high priest and priest of the Diego Church, while Max stood quietly behind her.

Even though I only caught a glimpse of the scene, it felt like my throat was on fire.

-But looking at your grandmother, I don't think she believes that snake.

'...Right?'

Grandma didn't even make eye contact with the Diego Church senior members, her expression completely impassive.

I shifted my eyes from her to the high priest. He appeared to be in his mid-fifties, and I didn't recognize him.

'...I guess he's not a very important figure.'

I knew most of the high-ranking executives of the Diego Church, their names and faces etched into my memory.

At that moment, the high priest opened his mouth.

"Have you not made up your mind yet, Madam Helena?" he asked with a sly smile.

'That rascal---how dare he address my grandmother by her name!'

I clenched my fists before I even realized it.

When Grandma didn't respond, the high priest spoke again.

"I suppose I'll have to repeat my offer. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And because it's you, Madam Helena, I would treat you with the same respect and prestige you commanded in your prime, even though you are now retired."

He continued yapping, oblivious to the fact that Grandma's expression had grown even colder.

"If you join us now, not only will you take on the position of Captain of Holy Knights of Diego Church, but we will also cure your 'Mana Burn'."

I frowned at his words.

'What? Did he just say they can cure Mana Burn?'

He even offered her the position of Captain of the Holy Knights to Grandma.

At that moment, I remembered something Grandma had said during my training:

'A god who offers a deal in exchange for a miracle.'

At the time, I thought about it but dismissed it. I never imagined the Diego Church would actually make such a proposal.

'Wait...does this mean the Diego Church has also found a way to cure Mana Burn? Judging by how eager they are to recruit Grandma, and offering to treat her...'

It seemed possible they had discovered the same method I had. If that was the case, then my theory had to be correct.

Then, Grandma, who had been quietly sipping her tea, finally spoke.

"I remember telling you several times that I decline your offer. And I'll tell you once more---I will not change my mind. So please, do not come back again."

I nearly cheered at her words. As expected of my grandmother!

-Whoa! Your grandmother's got some great judgment on her!

'Right?!'

As I celebrated with Kyros in my head, I noticed the high priest's face. His calm demeanor showed that he wasn't fazed in the slightest.

'...Hm?'

The high priest smiled at Grandma and said,

"I understand your will, Helena. By the way, I heard your grandchildren are visiting this mansion."

One of Grandma's eyebrows twitched slightly at his words.

"Your eldest grandson is a believer of the Diego Church, but your younger grandson... I heard he's joined a small religious group."

Just then, Grandma's eyes turned cold, and for a moment, I could sense an undeniable killing intent. She set her teacup on the table with a sharp clink.

"If you dare mention my family again, you'd better choose your next words carefully."

Her voice was icy, chilling the very air in the room. While I was moved by her fierce words, the high priest simply waved his hand in a dramatic gesture.

"Oh, that's not what I meant at all. I was just worried that something might happen to your grandchild, so I thought I'd give you a heads-up."

What is this guy even talking about?

"After all, since ancient times, such small religious groups have often disappeared without a trace. Plus, they won't let go of your grandson easily."

That rascal! He clearly doesn't know that the Kyros Church is now the state religion of Bahano. Of course, that information likely hasn't reached the Diego Church yet.

-Th-that sneaky scoundrel!

'Calm down.'

I was seething inside at his words too, but I couldn't just storm in and confront him. Instead, I stayed silent, listening as the high priest continued his slander.

"So, when the opportunity arises, it'd be wise to get your grandchild out of there. Otherwise...it might bring harm not only to him but to the entire Holden family."

This won't do. I'm going to smack this guy on the back of the head when he leaves.

Just as I was thinking that.

"Hiiik!!"

The high priest suddenly screamed.

I was shocked as well. It all happened so quickly that even with my own eyes, I couldn't fully register it.

"I'm pretty sure I warned you to choose your next words carefully."

Grandma---wait, no this was Helena Holden, the battle-hardened Sword Master. She stood with her blade drawn, its tip pressed firmly against the high priest's neck.