How the Cult Saves the World

Caw—

A crow with the Diego Church's mark on its leg flew into the dark forest.

The top of the largest tree in the forest. When the crow circled above that summit several times, a figure instantly appeared on the tree that had seemed like no one was there.

Thud—

He immediately lightly caught the crow flying to him. And after removing the mark attached to the crow's foot, he read down the concise phrase written inside.

'As expected...'

After reading all the contents, the man smiled faintly. The contents the crow delivered were simple.

Just a moment ago, Troy Mont transformed into a black panther and those riding on him had left the Kyros Church temple and escaped Holden Territory.

Among those riding on Troy Mont, one was presumed to be the Kyros Church Leader, and the phrase stated their destination appeared to be south of the territory.

The man, Khalid, who confirmed all the contents, burned the note with the contents written on it, then roughly swept back his hair.

Since it was a report from a priest staying in Holden Territory, it would be certain. In other words, this was no time to waste time like this.

"Let's go, Rawin. To the south of Holden Territory."

Khalid spoke to Rawin, who had been reading a book nearby. Soon, the two figures disappeared into the darkness.

***

After running for about several hours, we were finally able to reach Rios Forest. Though the time was early afternoon, the surroundings of the massive Rios Forest were quite dark, perhaps due to the shade created by the tall trees.

I stood at the entrance of Rios Forest and looked over the forest's appearance. Giant trees easily several meters tall, mysterious life forms whose names I didn't know.

Just standing at the entrance and watching, humidity gushed out, and insects visible everywhere.

'I really came to a jungle...'

I let out a low sigh. Then I could see the quest updating before my eyes.

[Sub Quest 'In Search of the Holy Relic' 2. <To Rios Forest> Clear!]

[Sub Quest reward will be given.]

[Sub Quest 'In Search of the Holy Relic' 3. <Holy Relic of Rios Forest>

Description: Acquire the holy relic of the God of Beauty Kyros in Rios Forest.

Objective: Acquire Kyros's holy relic within 24 hours (This quest is a chain quest)

Final Success Reward: ???

On Failure: -

[Will you accept?]

[Yes/No]

If the only thing to do within 24 hours was to acquire the holy relic, it was more than possible.

'About until this time tomorrow, so we can camp overnight.'

When I was thinking so, I heard the sound of someone clicking their tongue next to me.

"Ugh! I-I really hate it..."

It was Zain standing at the very back of the party. He seemed to have discovered insects crawling everywhere in the jungle, as he was trembling and terrified with shaking hands. I looked at him blankly, then opened my inventory.

'Let's see, I made something because of that guy...'

And I took out a bottle containing green liquid. I immediately approached Zain and held it out while speaking.

"Zain, drink this."

"M-Master. What is this?"

"If you drink it, insects won't approach you for a day."

Well, that didn't mean he couldn't see insects, but wouldn't it be okay if he had the certainty that they wouldn't approach him?

"Really?"

"Yes. You know my potions' effects are good."

"...Thank you!"

Only then did life return to Zain's eyes. He immediately gulped down the potion.

"Zain, don't you also hate looking at insects?"

Then Troy, who was standing next to him, approached Zain and asked. Zain nodded.

"That's true, but if insects absolutely can't approach me, it's better than now."

"Then that's fortunate."

After that, I took out more potions from my inventory. Then I distributed potions to Zain, Troy, and even Terdius.

"These are temperature control potion and humidity control potion respectively. Make sure to drink them."

They were things I had specially developed to stay even a little more comfortable in the jungle. The three looked at the potions curiously, then soon gulped them down.

I also immediately followed them and drank the potions. After confirming the medicine took effect...

We lined up in formation. Troy with excellent qi detection at the front, me second to make quick decisions, then Zain using ranged weapons, and the reliable Holy Knight Terdius at the rear guard.

'It'll be easy to block attacks from any direction.'

After forming such a formation, we each took out our weapons. I moved my steps together with them while gripping my mace.

Rios Forest—no, the jungle—had considerable humidity as soon as we entered. If we hadn't taken potions in advance, our skin would already have become sticky.

'Just imagining it is unpleasant.'

Moreover, plants and insects of unknown identity visible everywhere, and occasionally heard bizarre cries.

"Ugh..."

When those things merged, faint groans continuously came from Zain. Still, he didn't panic like before, probably thanks to the potion I gave him.

"Church Leader, something is approaching from the front at fast speed."

"Got it."

As soon as I heard Troy's words, I immediately sent hand signals. Before long, I could see something flying toward us through the jungle's bushes.

It was a giant green bee the size of a person. Just looking at it, there was no doubt it was a hornet.

"Eek!"

I heard Zain panicking from behind. Five giant green hornets charged at us.

Swish—!

Still, Troy quickly dealt with two, and I swung my mace to take down one.

I thought Zain and Terdius would take care of the remaining two... but the problem was that Zain was frozen stiff next to them.

"Zain!"

A hornet rushed at him. Zain was just trembling. But the next moment, a sword aura flying from behind Zain cut down two hornets.

Swish—!

It was Terdius's sword. Terdius dealt with the hornets instantly. Then Zain plopped down on the ground.

'Sigh...'

I inwardly sighed and approached him.

"Zain, if it's that hard, you should have just rested at the temple. It's not too late even now, so if you want to go back, tell me."

"N-no. I'm sorry."

"You don't have anything to be sorry for. Everyone has things they fear. However... if the same situation as now occurs again, you could really endanger yourself, so I'm saying this."

I spoke seriously. Then Zain apologized to me repeatedly.

"I'm sorry, Master. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

Really, what should I do with this guy? Still, I thought his insect phobia had improved compared to before, but apparently not.

'He saw lots of insects during the six-month journey, and I thought he'd be okay with the potion I gave him this time.'

He seemed to have no immunity to large insects. I wanted to send him back to the temple if I could, but what could I do when he himself said no?

When I was looking at Zain, Terdius approached in front of him. Terdius extended his hand to Zain.

"Stand up."

"Ah, yes."

Zain grasped Terdius's hand and stood up. After that, Terdius's gaze turned to me.

"Leviathan."

"Yes, Brother."

"Even if the same situation continues to occur, I'll help however many times."

"However..."

"It seems this friend wants to overcome his fear. How about watching him like that for a bit?"

At Terdius's words, when I looked at Zain, he also seemed to be of the same mind.

"If that's the case... understood." ƒrēewebnovel.com

What could I do if Zain himself really wanted to do so? I should grant it.

"But never push yourself too hard, Zain."

"Yes, Master. Don't worry."

Only then did Zain's expression brighten a little. Like that, we proceeded through the jungle again.

***

Revelof and his party continuously moved deeper into Rios jungle until the sun set.

In that process, they fought not only the giant hornets they saw at the jungle's entrance, but also large dragonflies and plant-type monsters.

And in those continuing battles, Zain trembled in fear every time he saw insects, but with Terdius's help, he was able to proceed step by step.

Time passed like that, and when the sun set, Revelof's party found a place in the jungle with relatively fewer monster appearances and prepared to camp.

They set up simple tents to prepare places for each to rest, lit a fire, and ate the food Revelof had brought.

"First, what should we do about night watch?"

After finishing the meal and before going to bed, Revelof started the conversation. Originally when they camped, they took turns doing night watch one by one.

'But Zain's condition isn't very good...'

If Zain happened to stand night watch alone when insect-type monsters appeared, it could become dangerous.

"It would be better to stand watch in pairs."

The first to state an opinion was Terdius. He continued speaking with serious eyes.

"Leviathan and Troy should rest first. Zain and I will stand night watch."

At Terdius's words, Zain was a bit moved. He was grateful that Terdius said so when he was feeling intimidated, thinking he might just be causing trouble.

"Alright, then."

Permission was quickly granted, and Troy entered the simple tent first. And Revelof approached next to Zain and patted his shoulder.

"Zain, don't slump your shoulders like that. No one here thinks you're a nuisance."

At Revelof's words, as if reading his mind, Zain's eyes widened slightly. Then soon, Zain smiled gently.

"Yes, Master."

After that, Revelof also disappeared into the tent, and only Zain and Terdius remained in front of the campfire.

Zain stared at Terdius maintaining his sword.

'This is a place I absolutely didn't want to come to originally.'

Zain didn't simply dislike insects. Those beings several times smaller than his body frame were even scary.

He thought he had improved a bit through the journey so far, but seeing the giant-sized insects encountered in the jungle, far from improving, his phobia had even gotten worse.

'However...'

Still, he didn't regret joining this journey.

The reason Zain desperately chased after this journey was, at first, simply because he didn't like that Terdius was rapidly becoming close with Revelof.

As if his own position was being threatened.

But after experiencing a day in this jungle, he thought even that feeling was petty and narrow-minded.

'And rather now...'

He thought he wanted to become close with this person.

At first, since Terdius was an apostle of the Diego Church, Zain didn't like him at all, but in the end, he was also just a victim like himself.

And he knew well that Terdius had considerably looked after Zain all day today.

'So I should... treat him a bit better.'

It was the moment Terdius settled in Zain's heart as a complete comrade.