I realized this acutely during the battle with the Demon God. The Kyros Church has certainly beco stronger, but if even more powerful Demon God's Children appear, everyone, including myself, will ultimately die.
Before attending the Religious Day event at the Imperial Palace, I was planning to recruit one more senior mber.
'Since I received 10 senior-mber draw tickets in this quest, I can recruit two more people in the positions I want.'
However, to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, I decided to recruit just one more combatant who could be imdiately put into action, instead of recruiting two right away.
'I definitely felt it during the recent Demon God attack.'
Since I hadn't secured any additional branches of the church yet, and there was no imdiate need to recruit a high priest, the position I would recruit for would naturally be a holy knight.
Thinking this, I reached for the senior-mber draw ticket in my inventory. As soon as I did, I felt my body float, and the world around
changed.
'No matter how many tis I do this, I can never get used to it.'
I smiled faintly as I looked at the slot machine that appeared in front of . So far, I had been lucky enough to recruit an S-rank senior mber every ti, but I wondered how it would go this ti.
With that thought, I selected the holy knight class from the options on the slot machine.
'Ding-ding---tororong!'
As I pulled the lever of the slot machine with force, the refreshing and lively sound effect that I never got used to hearing every ti ca into play, and finally, the rank of the senior mber appeared on the machine.
[Congratulations!]
With a fanfare, the rank that appeared on the screen was S.
'As expected! I'm definitely blessed by the gods!'
While I cheered inwardly, the surrounding environnt changed, and the view of my original office appeared.
Turning my head in anticipation of what kind of person the S-rank holy knight would be, I saw a young boy with short black hair and black eyes in my line of sight.
"Church Leader! It's a pleasure to et you!"
The boy, who seed to be around the sa age as Alphius, Chester, and Sasha, bowed and greeted .
"Hello, nice to et you."
"I'm Johnny, S-rank holy knight!"
The boy shouted with a loud, disciplined voice, as if he were fully trained. I smiled faintly and offered my hand for a handshake.
"Alright, Johnny. I'm Revelof. I'm looking forward to working with you."
"Yes! You can trust !"
Soon, the hand that Johnny was holding felt quite sore. What kind of grip was that...?
Well, still, as an S-rank holy knight, he should have this much strength.
I withdrew my hand and asked Johnny,
"Ah, Johnny. I'm sorry to ask this right after you've arrived, but...are you planning to undergo combat training?"
Just because I recruited a holy knight doesn't an my forces are imdiately strengthened. Just like Chester and Troy, who trained under my grandmother, he would need training to beco strong enough to face the demon god's children. So, I suggested it, and Johnny's eyes sparkled.
"Yes! Of course! I'll do anything if it ans I can get stronger!"
It seems that Johnny, the one I recruited this ti, is a very eager and energetic person.
"Alright. Thank you."
I patted Johnny's short hair.
***
"Third Apostle!"
At the sound of the clear voice coming from the end of the corridor, Terdius's mood sank even further. Coming toward him with a bright smile was the Fifth Apostle, Khalid.
"Did you hear about that? Rember when we went to Holden Territory not long ago...? Huh, where have you been?"
Despite Terdius's silent response, Khalid paid no attention and walked up to him. Then, sniffing the air, he caught the scent coming from Terdius.
"There's definitely the sll of blood here. By the way, I heard you recently found a temple of the Rizes Church. Is that where you were?"
Khalid asked with a bright smile. However, instead of answering, Terdius passed him by. But Khalid didn't give up and followed Terdius.
"By the way, why do you look so down? All this sll of blood should have shaken off all your fatigue by now."
At Khalid's words, Terdius suddenly stopped walking. Then, Terdius looked at Khalid with cold eyes.
'Ugh, those eyes...'
Khalid finally realized. So of the subordinates Terdius led had been injured. When Terdius was in such a bad mood, it was usually because of sothing like this.
'Why bother getting attached to those worthless guys?'
It was sothing Khalid couldn't understand, but what could he do? Terdius, being the higher-ranked Third Apostle, had his own ways. So, Khalid decided to change the subject.
"Anyway, about Holden Territory. I heard the Demon God attacked them, right? They say around five or even ten rifts appeared. A lot of Demon God's Children showed up, and it caused a real ss. But the leader of the Kyros Church took care of them, and everything's fine. As expected of the guy I have dibs on."
Khalid grinned as he spoke. He never expected that pretty kid would beco this strong, but he was still satisfied that he was alive. If he hadn't received an urgent ssage from the headquarters, he would have gone to et the pretty one after the barrier was lifted, but because he couldn't, he simply thought it was a sha, that's it.
The one who left first didn't know that Terdius had entered the territory right after the attack ended, so he started bragging as if he was sharing so exclusive information that only he knew.
"Ah. So, I heard the Kyros Church will also be attending the Religious Day event hosted by the Imperial Family. I heard that the Emperor is quite close with the lord of Holden Territory. So, I guess that's why she's inviting the leader of the Kyros Church, who defended Holden Territory."
Only then did Terdius, who had been ignoring Khalid up until now, show a slight change in expression. He narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Khalid. Khalid, oblivious, kept babbling on.
"So, I decided to attend the Religious Day event as a representative. I spoke to the First Apostle and arranged it so I could see that guy's face again after a long ti."
Khalid grinned, showing his teeth. When Khalid's eyes glead with greed, Terdius couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"You must not fight within the Palace."
"As if I don't know that already? Are you worried I might do sothing to that guy?"
At the unexpected scolding, Khalid narrowed his eyes and looked at Terdius. But Terdius nodded casually.
"Don't worry. I don't plan on causing any unnecessary trouble in the imperial palace. If I do sothing unnecessary, the First Apostle will scold . He'll say I've ruined the reputation of the Diego Church. So, I'll just go and see his face. Well, a little teasing should be fine, I suppose."
Listening to Khalid babble on, Terdius swept his sweaty hair back. Then, he replied in a low voice.
"I'll participate in this Religious Day event as well."
At those words, Khalid's eyes widened.
"Third Apostle, you always say these kinds of events are a hassle and don't participate. What's going on, suddenly?"
"......"
"Could it be because of that guy? I'm really not going to do anything. No, more importantly... Why are you even concerned about him?"
Khalid asked with a questioning look, but Terdius didn't respond. In the end, Khalid could only look at Terdius with frustration.
***
As I was dealing with the pile of tasks at the temple, I realized that tomorrow would be the day I left for the capital.
'Ti has already passed this quickly.'
Since this journey was an official invitation from the Imperial Family, they were supposed to send a carriage. Because of that, there was no need to rush to the capital on Troy's back, in his black leopard form.
'The Imperial carriage will be quite fast, too.'
Though it may not be as fast as Troy, it was still the transportation provided by the Imperial Family. It was certain that the Imperial mages had cast spells on it.
'By the way, it's probably better to go with those guys again this ti.'
I had inford my senior mbers about this matter, but I hadn't decided yet who I would travel with.
This was because each religious order had a set number of participants allowed. It was just three people, including the leader or an equivalent senior mber.
'Normally, I wouldn't even hesitate and would take Zain with .'
Troy was fine, but Zain was a concern. Since the Diego Church would also be attending the Religious Day event.
"Zain, Troy. I have sothing to discuss."
Just to be sure, I called the two of them through the communication channel. Shortly after, they both entered my office.
"What's the matter, master?"
"Leader, what's going on?"
I had Zain and Troy sit on the sofa, then sat across from them. I slowly began to speak.
"Tomorrow, I'll be leaving for the capital, and I'd like both of you to co with
to that event."
At that, Zain's expression hardened. On the other hand, Troy nodded confidently with a look that said he had expected this.
"I knew it would turn out like this. Understood."
Troy responded. Then, instead of a yes or no answer, Zain asked ,
"If we attend the Religious Day event, will the Diego Church mbers be there?"
"Most likely."
"In that case, I don't want to go."
Zain firmly declined. As expected, it's turning out like this. It can't be helped. Then I would have to choose soone else from the other senior mbers. While I was thinking about who to bring, Troy spoke up.
"Zain, why don't you want to go?"
"Because I don't like them."
"Why?"
Troy asked Zain with innocent eyes. At that, Zain let out a sigh as if there was no other choice.
"I lost my family to the Diego Church in the past. My sister even beca a saintess of the Diego Church, brainwashed by them. So, unless it's to wipe them all out, I don't want to face them, no matter the reason. Maybe, because I might even have to face my sister."
Zain briefly told his story. He looked like he didn't want to say much. Since I knew well about his past, I had no intention of insisting on taking him if he didn't want to go.
"Alright, Zain. If you don't want to, you can stay at the temple this ti."
I had no plans to force him, and there was no rule that said I had to go with Zain. Maybe I'll go with either my grandmother or Chester.
"Zain, you're pathetic."
Troy suddenly picked a fight with Zain. I looked at the two of them with surprise, and Zain glared at Troy with a fierce look.
"What did you just say?"
"I said you're pathetic."
"You rascal!"
Zain grabbed Troy by the collar. I imdiately stood up and pulled Zain away to stop him.
"Zain, calm down."
"But, Master! He's the one who started this fight!"
"Just calm down and sit down."
I tried to calm Zain down with effort. But Troy didn't stop.
"Pathetic, to the extre. The Diego Church is an enemy we must eventually bring down. The Leader has said that one day, he will make the entire continent followers of the Kyros Church."
Troy continued with a gaze even colder than usual.
"So, even if you don't want to face the Diego Church mbers, there will co a ti when you have to face them. But will you keep avoiding them like this every ti you have to face them then?"
"...!"
I was a bit surprised by Troy's words. Lately, he had been giving off an image of a glutton and a fool, but I didn't expect him to think like this.
"Everyone has problems they must face on their own. I had to do the sa."
Troy's words reminded
of the battle he fought recently. The battle with the Demon God's Child which reminded him of the family he could no longer be with.
Troy said that at first, he hesitated, feeling as if he were harming his own family. But in the end, Troy fought back and ultimately achieved victory.
"But if you keep avoiding them, you'll end up being nothing more than a runaway---soone fleeing from their own life."
I couldn't help but admire those words inwardly. And Zain...slowly nodded, his eyes reddened.
"...Yeah. I've been running away this whole ti."
Then Zain's gaze returned to .
"I must have beco really pathetic that I have to listen to advice from a fool like you. I won't run away anymore."
Finally, the Religious Day party was ford.
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