It's been three days of us staying in the mansion. At first, I thought of this as a light-hearted vacation, a chance for sightseeing and relaxation. But today, I had to train with my grandmother during the day.
'I'm dying.'
My mind and body were so tired I didn't want to do anything. I finished a quick al and collapsed onto the bed. Of course, lying down didn't an I was completely resting. Even now, my head was buzzing with complicated thoughts.
'How do I make my grandmother a believer?'
Last night's conversation with her left
worrying that I might be a nuisance.
But even so, I couldn't just sit back and do nothing. Even if she kept refusing, I truly wanted to save her.
Sohow, I had to make her a believer.
'The question is, how?'
If it were soone else, not my grandmother, I wouldn't have to think this hard. I could use the leader's uniform or play the title option that was fan service---winks, waves, even finger hearts. But...
'No way. I'm not using those tricks on my family.'
The sa went for my mother and Sevenus. It just felt repulsive. Besides, fan service wasn't foolproof. It wasn't a guaranteed way to turn Helena Holden into a believer.
'So...is there really no way out?'
As I wrestled with this seemingly unsolvable problem-
Knock, knock.
The bedroom door opened.
"Levi, are you sleeping?"
The person who stepped in was Sevenus, looking as polished as ever.
"No, I'm awake."
I sat up from my sprawled position and looked at him. Over the past few days, I'd only seen him during als.
I'd heard he was learning work from our grandmother, who was ntoring him on her duties. Since Mother was busy, this was the first ti in a while that he'd co to spend ti with her while learning the ropes.
"You look exhausted."
Sevenus noticed my gaunt face and looked worried.
"Yeah. I guess the training earlier was a bit tough."
Co to think of it, my grandmother managed to train
while also teaching Sevenus her work. How was she so physically fit?
While I thought about these trivial things, Sevenus sat down in a nearby chair.
"But I heard from Grandmother that you're improving quickly. Just hang in there a little longer---it'll be over soon."
I blinked at him. Why was he here at this hour?
"Brother, what brings you here? Do you need sothing?"
I barely managed to stifle a yawn as I asked. Sevenus, however, grew slightly serious.
"Well... Levi, I just wanted to ask you sothing."
"Yes? Go ahead."
"What is the doctrine of the Kyros Church?"
I was a little taken aback. Was Sevenus asking about the Kyros Church? Did I hear that right? I couldn't believe it, but Kyros reacted before I could.
-Oh, no way! Your brother's finally interested in !
'Aay, no way.'
That couldn't be true. I told Kyros firmly and spoke up.
"The God of Beauty, Kyros, is equal and kind to everyone. The doctrine teaches that 'all life is precious'. And that Kyros is always with the believers of the Kyros Church."
I smiled warmly, the sa way I did when speaking to other believers. After the short sermon, Sevenus nodded slowly, as though coming to a decision.
"I see. So there's no discrimination within the Kyros Church?"
"Huh? Discrimination?"
"Yes, Levi, you're my brother and part of the proud Holden bloodline. But in the Church, you're just a priest. Isn't that right?"
Ah, is he worried about
after all? But I thought I gave him a lot of confidence.
I shook my head, trying to suppress a bitter smile.
"Not at all. The Kyros Church does not discriminate against anyone."
"Yes, that's good. I...I was just curious about where you're staying, Levi."
Sevenus said this and then abruptly stood up. What was that about? Was that really all he had to say? And why did he suddenly stutter?
"Well, anyway, have a good sleepl. I'll head out now."
"Oh, yes. Good night, Brother."
Sevenus piqued my curiosity, quickly greeted
and left the room. His behavior was oddly strange.
-I'm telling you, I'm right, child! Your brother is definitely interested in !
'...I don't think that's what it is.'
Knowing Sevenus, who never expects much from others---let alone from a god---it seed like making him a believer would be an uphill battle.
I shook my head and got up. My body and mind were worn out, but my thoughts were swirling too much to rest.
Instead of lying back down, I set up a portal in the corner of the room. Kyros chid in.
-Hey, it's late! Where are you going?
'Oh, just sowhere that'll help
clear my head.'
I replied to Kyros and thought of the Temple of Rovel. As I stepped through the portal, the familiar view of the high priest's office ca into sight.
'When your mind is cluttered with thoughts, there's no better redy than sitting quietly in a temple.'
The temple at night had a special charm---quiet, serene, and deeply connected to nature. Standing in the high priest's office, I gazed out at the view and opened my inventory.
After so thought, I put on my cognitive dissonance glasses, donned my leader's uniform, and stepped out.
-Wow, you look amazing! That uniform makes you even more dazzling.
"Really?"
-Definitely! Maybe it's your smooth skin, but white suits you so well. You look incredibly good in the priest's uniform and glasses.
I couldn't help but smile at Kyros's praise.
'Of course, I do. It's all thanks to you, Lord Kyros.'
-Oh, is that so?
After this brief exchange, I arrived on the first floor of the temple.
"Huh? Leader?"
I ran into Alphius, who was walking down the hallway with docunts in hand.
"Alphi, how have you been?"
As soon as he saw , Alphius's face lit up. He smiled brightly and ran toward .
"Yes! How have you been, Leader?"
"I've been doing great, of course."
I smiled as I gently ruffled his hair. Children are always so endearing.
"Oh, right!"
Alphius's eyes widened as if he'd just rembered sothing. He quickly covered his small mouth with one hand and whispered softly.
I chuckled at how cute he looked, and his whispering continued.
"Co to think of it, a knight from the Holden family has been visiting the temple these past few days."
I was surprised by his words. A knight from the Holden family? Visiting the temple?
"...Really? Who?"
"He's a handso man...I don't know his na."
There were quite a few handso knights in the Holden family. I patted Alphius's slightly drooping shoulders.
"Got it. Thanks for letting
know."
"Oh, he's probably in the prayer room right now. You should be able to see him if you go."
"Alright, Alphi."
I patted his head once more and walked away. Originally, my plan had been to sit quietly in the temple garden to clear my thoughts, but now I was curious.
Without hesitation, I headed straight for the prayer room.
It was already early morning, and the temple was silent, with no believers moving about. But, a faint light seeped out from the prayer room.
Soone might be praying diligently, so I decided not to enter right away and instead went close to the window. From there, I could peek inside and wait until they were done with their prayer before going in.
Through the window, I spotted a single believer. His short golden hair and green eyes were instantly recognizable.
'...Fanatic?'
It was the guy who had treated
like a savage back at Holden's. Sure, he was handso---if you judged purely by his face.
But since when did he beco a believer?
As I tried to make sense of it, Kyros chid in.
-Ah, I heard that child's prayer recently.
'Oh, really?'
-Yes, it's been around a week.
This was unexpected. I never thought Fanatic would end up as a Kyros believer.
As I stood there thinking, Fanatic suddenly looked directly at , locking eyes.
'Oops.'
Was I wearing my glasses properly? I instinctively reached up to adjust them and confird they were in place.
I let out a small sigh of relief. But in the next mont, Fanatic disappeared. Just a few seconds later---
"L-L-L-L-Leader?!"
I turned toward the voice and saw Fanatic running toward , his hair disheveled.
"Oh, hello. I am Fanatic, a knight of the Holden family."
He stopped in front of , bowed deeply, and greeted . I was taken aback for a mont by how different he seed from the unruly figure I rembered at the mansion, but I didn't let it show.
With a kind smile, I returned the greeting.
"Nice to et you, Brother."
Still, I had to admit he looked good even in casual clothes---clearly, he wasn't a knight for nothing.
While I was indulging in these idle thoughts, Fanatic began rambling nervously.
"I-I-I-I... Thank you for saving
from Sercion! I've wanted to thank you ever since, but I could never find the chance. That's why I've been visiting the Temple often, but it was so hard to et you."
He scratched the back of his neck, visibly flustered, and avoided making eye contact.
"Oh, I see. I've been busy with many things... Still, I'm glad you ca to see ."
I spoke calmly, maintaining my smile. At this, Fanatic's eyes teared up, like a fan eting their idol for the first ti.
'...Huh?'
Then he sobbed.
"L-Leader, thank you so much. You helped
and the other knights back then, and even saved our Master Sevenus. I was captivated by your great power and beauty at the ti, and I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I ca to believe in Kyros because of that."
It felt strange to receive such heartfelt gratitude from Fanatic. Hearing him speak not only of power, but also of beauty, was...unexpected.
If even soone as narcissistic as Fanatic could admit it, then the power of Kyros, the God of Beauty, must indeed be imnse.
Though slightly embarrassed, I couldn't help but smile at his words.
"Ah, I see, Brother. I'm also very happy to have you as part of the Kyros Church."
An increase in followers was always a good thing, and I responded with a comrcial smile.
"Ah... By the way, Leader, you truly are beautiful. There aren't many people more beautiful than , but even among them, you are one of a kind."
This guy... Stop it already.
"Oh, uh, thank you."
I smiled because it was so embarrassing. But then, Fanatic said sothing peculiar.
"I see now why there's 'WLL Club'."
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