༺ Religious Fanatics (2) ༻
I was preparing to return home for vacation when brother Rutis came looking for me.
“Isn’t going back to our home country and returning to the Academy troublesome? How about we stay here until graduation?”
He then made an intriguing proposal to stay at the Academy even during the holidays. That was the best outcome I could wish for.
Fortunately, the reason given by brother Rutis was reasonable. People like me, like brother Rutis and Lather, required a lot of money when moving especially if it was a distance that required crossing national borders.
Rather than wasting national resources every vacation, it would be better to save it by staying at the Academy. Having already acquired the status of an Academy student, it shouldn’t be impossible to push for this.
“Touring the Empire wouldn’t be bad since we’re already here.”
“I knew you’d like the idea.”
Brother Rutis nodded in satisfaction at my positive answer and left. That day, a temporary alliance was formed between three people from foreign countries.
Shortly after, I received a call from my Master, who was in my home country.
— …It wouldn’t be bad to take this opportunity to broaden your horizons.
“Thank you for your understanding, Your Grace.”
— There are many faithful compatriots in the Empire. Don’t forget to maintain a harmonious relationship with them.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Fortunately, my home country approved my decision. Since I and the other two brothers had decided to stay, there wasn’t much they could do. Forcing us to return would be like advertising an internal issue.
Furthermore, the Empire was known for its diplomacy. As a future Saint, staying in the Empire and networking with high-ranking officials should be a great opportunity for me.
— The Pope’s going to be worried, so don’t forget to call frequently.
“Hahaha, of course.”
After saying that, my Master hung up. Now, I just had to figure out how to spend the vacation with sister Louise.
“You can stay at my mansion.”
However, before we could arrange anything, it was decided that the entire pastry club would stay at the Advisor’s house.
Hmm, this was unexpected.
Two people who weren’t in the pastry club ended up joining the trip. And instead of the Academy, we ended up staying at the Advisor’s mansion.
This surprise was welcoming compared to the worst-case scenario of returning to my home country for vacation and not meeting sister Louise. Besides, it’s not like we’ve suffered any damage.
However, the Crown Prince’s welcome speech made it clear that he was unhappy about the unexpected visit, although it was understandable.
‘But the compensation will be enough.’
The news hadn’t been formally communicated to the Empire yet, but the ordination of several priests from the Empire was being planned in our home country. Once the Crown Prince hears this news, his displeasure should change to a welcoming demeanor.
We didn’t plan to stay in the Empire without preparing anything in exchange. It was only right to bring a gift for the host. Brother Rutis and Lather were no different.
With that, our peaceful life in the Capital began. Now, I just needed to plan how to spend time with sister Louise.
— The Twilight Cult started moving.
That was the plan.
“The Twilight Cult?”
— Yes.
My face hardened after seeing the stern expression of my Master. The Twilight Cult, that cursed name.
The heinous acts of those heretics still haunted me. Those foolish people who denied our God, Enen, and shouted the name of a non-existing God. They were cruel beings who hated the children of Enen and wielded indiscriminate violence.
They were hideous beings who had harmed my homeland, my family, and my neighbors.
“I guess their target is me.”
— Probably. I’ve already informed the Empire. After all, they also tremble in anger when it’s about the Twilight Cult.
“Then—”
— Don’t think of doing anything strange.
My Master cut me off before I could finish talking.
— If you get hurt, our Sect will suffer a fatal blow. Stay in the Capital. There’s no place as safe as there.
“But it’s related to the Cult…”
— I’m not saying we’re going to back off. Some of the forces escorting you will join the mission to eliminate the Twilight Cult.
“…”
— Tannian.
“Understood.”
Only after hearing that I wouldn’t get involved in suppressing the Twilight Cult did my Master withdraw his sharp gaze from me. He even warned me numerous times before cutting off communication.
But how could I stand still? It was the Twilight Cult. They were my enemy, the traitors who denied our lord, and beasts threatening peace. They were that Twilight Cult.
Of course, the repercussions would be huge if I got hurt or killed by the Twilight Cult. I knew that staying in the Capital was the safest option.
But was it the right choice? It might be safe and efficient, but was it the right thing to do?
My master was a Cardinal. One must have something more than faith to become a Cardinal. You also needed to have political acumen. And from a political point of view, it was right for me to stay put.
“The Saint is a Saint because they head towards the light. Not for the Sect’s existence or the Holy Kingdom’s future, but just because they look into that light.”
That was the teaching that was passed from the first Saint of the Sect. Every Saint recited this teaching before the Pope as they walked the path of a Saint.
And I am a Saint Candidate. Whether it’s efficient or not is none of my concern.
‘I should do something. That’s the right thing for me to do.’
The Twilight Cult was targeting me. As long as I’m in the Capital, they will try to infiltrate it, and in the process, innocent people might get hurt.
I should discreetly head to the forest. They will probably come after me eagerly.
‘I’m sorry, Master.’
But what can I do? I just happened to be playing around in the forest when they ambushed me.
It isn’t like I can predict the future. It was an unavoidable accident, so please forgive me.
* * *
I stared at Tannian’s face for a while. I wonder if he was trying to enjoy the forest, but his expression was different than usual.
Moreover, Tannian wasn’t someone proactive. If anything, it would’ve been Rutis who asked me about the forest’s location. Tannian wasn’t someone who would take the lead. If I didn’t know the members’ nature by now, I would have wasted my first semester as their Advisor.
A different-than-usual Tannian, and a report that said the Twilight Cult was approaching.
“Is it the Twilight Cult?”
I sighed and spoke. Now that I think about it, there was no way Tannian wouldn’t be aware of it. The Holy Kingdom had informed the Empire about the Twilight Cult, so there was no way the one involved wouldn’t have been contacted.
“Ah, so you knew.”
“If a member’s in danger, don’t you think the Advisor should be aware of it?”
Tannian laughed at that comment. I’m struggling because you said you would stay in the Empire. If you had any shame, you’d apologize.
I wanted to punch him for a moment, but I calmed down as I somewhat understood why he was searching for a forest.
‘Is he trying to lure them out?’
If Tannian were in the Capital, the goal of the Twilight Cult would be to infiltrate. Of course, conflict would inevitably arise, and there would be civilian casualties as well as soldiers.
No civilian casualties would happen if he left the Capital.
Yes, I understood that sentiment. It also seemed like a Saint candidate-like thought.
“Don’t do it.”
But still, the right thing was for Tannian to stay still. The assassination target being in a safe place was already concerning, but him being at the forefront? No matter how one looked at it, that was a bit too much.
The plan wasn’t to defeat them in the Capital but to intercept them in advance. The Ministry of Intelligence, War, and even the Mage Duchess were preparing themselves to kill them, so what Tannian was worrying about wouldn’t happen.
“They won’t even reach the Capital. After all, there are many people who get fired up when it’s about the Twilight Cult.”
I patted Tannian’s shoulders a few times. What Tannian asked was an unreasonable request, but given his position, it was understandable. Yes, that’s a Saint. That’s the image of a Saint that I have.
It would be nice if he showed this side more often. Not the one where he’s blinded by love and loses his senses, intelligence, and conscience because of it.
‘In fact, that would be more effective.’
Louise might fall for him if she saw this saint-like side of him.
However, Tannian’s saint-like side that I thought would make Louise like him wasn’t something I could suppress with a few words.
“Of course, I’m not saying I’ll fight them myself.”
“Can you fight?”
“Hahaha, even a Saint has fighting capabilities.”
Tannian, who laughed lightly, quickly became serious again.
“The reason why the Twilight Cult is so threatening is all because of their stealthiness.”
“That’s true.”
The reason those guys were still roaming around the continent was simple. They were so secretive and quick that it was hard to completely wipe them out.
They appear out of the blue, cause havoc, and then disappear effortlessly. Whoever the God they believed in was, he’d given too much power to his few believers.
Knowing in advance that they were coming to the Capital was already a rare occurrence.
“What if I could get rid of that stealthiness?”
That’s why Tannian’s words were quite appealing.
“Remove their stealthiness?”
Our plan to intercept the Twilight Cult was to set traps on the likely route they would take and have the Mage Duchess bombard them with wide-area magic. Since they were invisible, the idea was to blow up the probable areas where they might be.
Of course, such a crude method had many drawbacks. We would have to restore the areas the Mage Duchess had blown away, and the flashy bombardment would be seen by the civilians in the Capital, which in turn might make them anxious.
But what else could we do? It was a crude but sure method. Having even one of them reach the Capital would put my head at risk. But what if their stealthiness could be removed? Then, they would just be moving targets.
“Why do you think the Twilight Cult is targeting the Saint?”
“Isn’t it because of symbolism?”
“It’s because of my compatibility.”
After saying that confidently, Tannian looked around and then whispered—
“That’s possible…?”
“They aren’t targeting me for nothing.”
If Tannian was a video game character, I’d be applauding the developer for screwing up the balance.
Was he really the son of God? He’s the perfect counter against the Twilight Cult.
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