How the Cult Saves the World

I ignored Kyros' words. Only then did my mother open her mouth.

"As a lord, I have to reward the one who protected my territory. That is the duty of a lord."

Yes! Just give it to me!

As a religious leader, I couldn't show my greed openly.

"But, this is too much of a reward."

-Hmm... If you feel that way, I can't help it...

It seemed that my act worked on Kyros as well. But why did he seem more greedy than me? Ahem.

"Then, consider it as a donation to the temple."

Good!

"Yes, I understand."

Hooray! Wealth is accumulating!

I cheered inwardly and gestured to Alphius. He understood my intention and approached the knight commander to receive the 'Tear of the Sun'.

Mother, thank you! I'll try to be filial, even though it might not work out!

"Now. Shall we go to your office?"

My mother nodded her head as she asked.

I didn't expect that my mother would be the first guest in my office. I could have received her in the reception room, but I wanted to show her my workplace. Of course, she wouldn't know...

I smiled at my mother and sipped the tea. The tea that Alphius brewed was more bitter than I expected. I should stop drinking it.

Fortunately, it seemed to suit my mother's taste. She sat across from me and drank the tea with a straight posture. She looked very different from when I saw her at the mansion.

The person I was facing now was not the mother who looked at Revelof, but the Holden Countess who faced Leviathan, the leader of a new religion.

-She looks fierce.

Kyros was scared by my mother's gaze.

It was understandable, since my mother's eyes looked like spears trying to pierce me.

If the person in front of me was not my mother, I would have felt goosebumps too.

A suffocating silence filled the office. And the one who broke the silence first was my mother.

"I don't have much time, so let me get straight to the point."

Thump. I knew what she was going to say, but I felt nervous.

"I still don't trust you, apart from the case with Kyros Faith."

It was a fact that I already knew, so the impact was close to zero. Phew.

"But the reason why I came here is because Kyros Faith saved Rovel. I want to know your true intentions."

"My true intentions..."

My mother handed me something. It was a transparent sphere with a red ruby floating inside.

I knew what that sphere was. It was one of the expensive items made by alchemists, called the 'Sphere of Truth'. In other words, a lie detector.

"Do you know what this is?"

"Yes, of course."

"Is it okay to use it?"

"Sure."

I gladly accepted and placed my palm on the sphere. The usage was similar to the lie detector that I saw in my previous life.

When you answer the other person's question, there is no change in the sphere if it is true; and if it is false, the ruby inside rotates rapidly.

The magic in the ruby reacts to the body and causes a change in the ruby, but I don't know the exact principle.

-Wow, that's amazing.

Kyros exclaimed as he watched.

As I listened to Kyros' admiration, my mother began to ask questions.

"Did you save Rovel to harm its residence?"

"No."

There was no change in the sphere.

"Is your purpose just 'conversion'?"

"Yes."

That's how I can survive.

There was no change in the sphere again. The questions continued after that.

All of my mother's questions were about the safety of Rovel and Holden territory. She interrogated me thoroughly to protect her territory and people. I answered honestly every time and proved that I wouldn't cause any harm.

"I understand your intentions."

I smiled and took my hand off the sphere.

"Did you gain some trust in me now?"

"...Yes."

My mother's expression softened slightly.

"And, I apologize. For testing you. I was afraid that something like a nightmare would happen again in Holden."

"It's okay. I would have done the same if I were you."

"Thank you for understanding."

My mother smiled.

By the way, my mother had such good manners. Even if I was the leader of a religion, Kyros Faith had no status at all. It was only valid in Rovel at best. If it wasn't my mother but another noble, they would have already spoken rudely to me.

As I looked at my mother for a moment, she tried to get up from her seat.

I hurriedly opened my mouth.

"Countess."

Then, my mother sat down on the sofa again.

"I have something to say."

My serious expression made my mother's face serious as well.

"It seems like an important matter."

"Yes. A very important matter."

"What is it?"

I took a deep breath and added.

"The matter--- It's about your second son, Revelof Holden."

As the matter came up, my mother's face turned cold in an instant. Her eyes became icy.

You're scary, mother...

"Don't you dare say anything rash."

One of my mother's hands moved toward the sword hilt that she had placed on the sofa. I don't know whether to be happy or sad about this.

"What I want to talk about is Young Master Revelof's illness. The Malone's disease."

"...Are you saying you can cure it?"

My mother's eyebrows narrowed. Anyone could see that she doubted me.

"Yes. I can."

It was a moment.

Swoosh---

The sword was drawn from the scabbard. I instantly closed my mouth. I felt a chill near my neck.

-Oh no!

Kyros sighed at my mother's action.

"Many doctors gave up on that disease. So did magicians and alchemists. Even the royal doctor, who had the best skills in the empire, gave up. And you say you can cure it?"

My mother spat out the words as if she was throwing them away. I could clearly see her pupils shaking.

I knew how my mother felt, so I was fine even though there was a sword on my throat.

"Yes. I can cure it."

I looked into my mother's eyes with a firm gaze. I didn't bend or waver.

"...How?"

Then my mother lowered her sword.

"How do you know the cure?"

I couldn't reveal the details of the cure right away. I would tell her later. If she doubted my words, I was fine with using this.

"I can't tell you the exact method right now. I'll let you know later. If you're suspicious of me, you can use this."

I put my palm on the lie detector again. Then my mother nodded and asked me.

My answer to her question was proven to be true.

"But, how do you know the cure?"

My mother wavered. This was when I needed solid proof. I smiled and said.

"I'm the one who has it."

My mother's eyes widened.

"Don't tell me... You have Malone's disease too?"

"Yes."

The detector showed that I was telling the truth, and my mother's mouth opened slightly.

Then, I was able to take my hand off the detector.

"Within a few days, when Revelof visits the temple, I'll start the treatment."

At my suggestion, my mother thought for a moment and then opened her mouth.

"I'll trust you once. But if there's no progress... You'll have to face the consequences."

"Don't worry."

I answered confidently.

The Sphere of Truth didn't budge at my words.

After my mother left the temple, I went straight home. Fortunately, I didn't run into her on the way back and arrived at my room smoothly.

I didn't forget to take the pasrel poison, washed up, and then lay down on the bed.

I was glad that I avoided the regular check-ups from the doctor. I did get some examinations, but I avoided blood tests at all costs.

From this day onwards.

'I have to pretend that I got cured by going to Kyros Faith.'

The reason why I brought up Malone's disease treatment to my mother.

It was to use the disease treatment as an excuse to visit Kyros' temple during the day.

That way, when I say that I'm devoted to Kyros Faith later, everyone would understand.

I had to get out of the count's mansion as soon as possible, so it was inevitable.

By the way, I was tired today, but I couldn't sleep.

I wondered if I should go for a night walk and got out of bed.

-My child, where are you going at this hour?

'I can't sleep.'

I left the room and walked down the hallway, then left the mansion. And then I looked up at the sky filled with moonlight and stars, followed by heading for the garden.

The Holden mansion's garden was beautiful whenever I saw it.

I walked around the garden for a while, feeling the night breeze, and arrived near the tea table. There was a guest there.

"Mother."

At my call, my mother turned her head.

"Revy, aren't you asleep?"

As soon as she said that, her face softened. It was completely different from what I saw at the temple.

"I couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk."

"I see. Then, come here."

I went over and sat next to her. Something touched my shoulder. It was the shawl that she had been wearing.

-It makes me feel warm. Sniffle.

Kyros cried out.

He's so sensitive.

"Mother, aren't you cold?"

It wasn't that cold at night, since it was late spring. My mother shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm fine. I've survived harsh environments on the battlefield. Even in places colder than the empire's winter."

My mother's eyes sparkled as she recalled the past. She became a war hero in such environments.

Wow, that's awesome.

"By the way, Revy. How is your training with Fanatic these days?"

My mother asked with a bright smile.

"Ah... It's bearable."

"Really? Is it not too hard?"

It's so hard that I want to die.

Fanatic pushed me harder as time went by. But, his training was very helpful. Thanks to him, I lasted for a long time in Cartel Forest too.

"I'm glad that you're getting healthier, but... This mother is worried."

My mother's face hardened slightly. She tried to smile, but her eyes were anxious.

"Your disease is not cured yet."

"Ah... Yes."

"So..."

My mother couldn't continue easily. The reason was in my childhood memories.

Since I contracted Malone's disease as a child, 'Revelof' was surrounded by all kinds of people and underwent countless treatments.

None of them worked, and eventually, he gave up on treatment and lived on. He ended up focusing only on life support now.

My mother couldn't easily say anything to me.

She hesitated for a moment and then spoke in a heavy voice.

"The Kyros Faith's leader in Rovel said he knows how to cure Malone's disease."

"What?"

I pretended to be surprised as much as possible.

"And, he said he had the same disease as you."

"That... Is that true?"

My acting skills were superb.

"Yes. This mother confirmed it."

"Then..."

My mother nodded her head.

"Do you want to visit Kyros' Temple and get treated? At least try it."

"...Yes. Of course. If I can get rid of this disease."

My heartfelt acting worked on my mother. She held my hand and looked at me with the warmest and kindest eyes.

I felt guilty somehow... I had no choice but to act hopeful.

"Okay. Let's try it then."

The next morning,

I prepared to go to Kyros' temple.

But... Why is he here?

"Revy, are you ready?"

For some reason, Sevenus joined me.