How the Cult Saves the World

Even at my words, the dragon had a face as if not properly understanding. I just continued explaining with a smile.

"Well, I knew that no matter how mighty a dragon, it can't overcome a Perda scorpion's deadly poison."

"...What?"

Did he finally feel the situation's seriousness? The dragon's pupils dilated. I kindly added for such dragon.

"This place, don't you have to offer a certain amount or more of blood to the magic circle to enter your dwelling? And that blood... the owner of this lair, you, consume. Didn't that blood you drank taste somewhat strange?"

At my question, the dragon's pupils widened further. I added the final nail with a smile.

"Naturally it would be strange. Because that blood was precisely deadly poison mixed with Perda scorpion blood and venom."

Then the dragon's expression hardened. I smiled brightly and added words toward the dragon.

"So, let's make a deal."

"...What? A deal?"

"Yes. That treasure you cherish. If you just hand over that treasure to us, I'll cleanly remove the deadly poison."

"...!"

The dragon's expression changed strangely. Now, how about it? This deal wasn't something the dragon could easily ignore. Moreover, I really could treat the deadly poison in the dragon's body.

Well, if unlucky, after returning the holy relic and treating the dragon, we might be attacked.

'But it's fine even so. With just that holy relic, even a dragon would be easy.'

It was fine even if the deal wasn't established. Because we could manage somehow. In the end, whatever happened, we could obtain the holy relic.

"...Dare you, a mere human, insult me!"

Ah. So the dragon chose this in the end.

"I sincerely proposed a deal, but it seems you didn't like it?"

"What would make me believe you and accept such a deal?"

"It doesn't matter if you don't believe it. Because everything I told you is the truth."

"Dare a mere insect try to deceive me!"

"I told you everything I said is real?"

"Doesn't matter! Even if truly deadly poison is inside me, I'll kill you and make you my companion!"

My ears hurt from the dragon's roar. Well, actually I somewhat expected it would come to this.

Because dragons in this world don't have good personalities. Like other races, they hate humans and are full of greed. Like now, trying to keep the holy relic that's God's property.

"Can't be helped. We have to handle it."

Having finished conversation with the dragon, I spoke toward Terdius. Then Terdius spoke to me with deeply furrowed brows.

"Are you joking now?"

"What? I'm serious."

"No matter how weakened by poison, that's a dragon. That great and powerful existence from legends."

I smiled at such Terdius and opened inventory.

"Don't worry about that. We just need to buy a bit of time. For the deadly poison to spread through that entire huge body... about 10 more minutes should do now. Let's just hold out until then?"

At my words, Terdius sighed deeply. Then he walked several steps forward while holding his sword.

"Dare a mere human try to contend with me?"

The dragon asked Terdius. With a ridiculous laugh. However, Terdius answered without caring.

"I merely follow orders."

Heh, as expected, it was good making him an ally. And Terdius leaped. Watching him avoid the dragon's breath, I examined inventory.

'Here it is.'

And I took out an item obtained several hours ago. The item I took out was precisely the Skeleton King's Staff.

'Shall I try using it as a test?'

I lightly infused holy power while holding the staff. Then the staff's end turned red. Soon.

"Kieek—!"

Bizarre cries began being heard from behind.

Flutter—

What swiftly entered through the open door gap were precisely the gargoyles and wyverns Terdius and I had handled.

'Ugh, their condition is... not a pretty sight.'

The appearance of gargoyles and wyverns that flew in exactly as they were when dead was somewhat disastrous. Some of those guys had no heads, and some guys tilted because they lacked one wing.

But that was also momentary. Perhaps they quickly adapted, as they began flying like when alive.

'Truly fascinating. Though ultimately my power's source is divine power, with just this staff I can command undead.'

I quite liked the staff that could unify opposing powers into one. This is why it's a mythic-grade item even without being a holy relic.

Clang, clang—!

I watched Terdius blocking the dragon's wing, then swung the staff I was holding forward.

"Kieek!"

Then gargoyles and wyverns that caught my intention began rushing toward the dragon.

"What is this...!"

The dragon looked at its subordinates with shocked eyes. Then soon quickly gathered its wits and sent breath.

'Damn, that's wasteful.'

Half the gargoyles just burned up from that attack. Fortunately, the remaining half and wyverns were fine.

'It's regrettable they can only display abilities from when they were alive... but even this is something.'

Though Terdius was momentarily surprised by suddenly appearing gargoyles and wyverns, he soon caught the strategy and moved.

When the dragon's gaze was focused on gargoyles and wyverns, Terdius swiftly cut off one of the dragon's wings.

Boom!

The heavy wing fell to the ground. I clearly witnessed the dragon's pupils quivering.

'Good. You're doing well.'

Terdius intelligently continued combat using the gargoyles and wyverns. Meanwhile, time also passed.

And at some point, the dragon's movements visibly slowed.

'The signal has come.'

Finally, the deadly poison had spread through the dragon's entire body. And I wasn't the only one who noticed that fact.

Swoosh—

When the dragon's movements slowed, Terdius moved quickly. And his sword drew a large trajectory and cut off the dragon's head.

Rumble—

Finally, the dragon's breath ceased. Watching that, I smiled while simultaneously withdrawing the power I'd infused into the staff.

Thud, boom—!

Gargoyles and wyverns that had briefly lived crashed down.

"What are these things?"

Terdius asked me while shaking off dragon blood on his sword. I answered with a smile.

"I commanded them for a moment. With the item obtained from defeating the Skeleton King."

"...You use such disgusting power well. For someone who's supposedly Kyros Church's Leader."

"Can't be helped. No matter how disgusting the power, it'll naturally be great help in the war that will occur later. It's power to reduce casualties on our side by even one person."

Saying that, I put the staff in inventory. Then Terdius was silent for a moment before opening his mouth.

"...Right. It will be a great power in war."

"Right?"

I smiled at Terdius then walked forward.

—Though using the dead's power, it would help in war.

Then Kyros's voice that had been quiet for a while was heard.

'Yes. That's right. Though it's not suitable work for a Church Leader...'

—I also know well it's something you can't help. Child, you're only doing it because you want to save lives.

'Yes. Thank you for understanding.'

—Still, for those who didn't commit terrible sins, I'll gather their souls.

'Thank you, Lord Kyros.'

My heart felt a bit more at ease at Kyros's consideration.

Anyway, now was time to obtain Kyros's holy relic.

—Oh, finally my treasure!

Hearing Kyros's admiration, I held the necklace floating nobly in the air.

[You have obtained Kyros's holy relic, 'Kyros's Necklace'!]

I immediately wore Kyros's Necklace on my neck. Then a message continued.

[Special effect of holy relic 'Kyros's Necklace' activates!]

[Special Effect: 'Kyros Church's Hope']

['Kyros Church's Hope': Can only be used by Kyros Church executive rank or higher, amplifies user's holy power 5 times.]

An option that only activates when wearing the necklace, possessing the best ability among holy relics. Naturally a one-time use though.

Flash—

While wearing the necklace, sacred light instantly burst from my body. When I finally closed and opened both eyes, the necklace had disappeared.

—Thank you, my child.

'Not at all.'

When I answered like that, a sub quest clear message also appeared. But I couldn't focus on the message. Because it couldn't be helped—I felt holy power filling and even overflowing in my body.

'Indeed...'

Having become several times stronger than I originally was, my body felt even lighter.

'Finally obtained everything.'

I obtained the biggest items among war preparations.

"You seem to have become stronger."

Terdius, who had been looking at me with slightly surprised eyes, spoke. I nodded to him and moved my steps.

"Let's head back now."

On the way back to the temple, I also considered making the dragon into undead to ride.

But there was a part not written in the Skeleton King's Staff description—precisely that undead control duration was only one hour.

'Though I'm tempted to ride for even one hour, it would be troublesome if we're noticed unnecessarily.'

I decided to just pass for now.

***

'My body is stiff though.'

Should I have just come riding the dragon?

One day had passed since returning to Rovel's temple, but my body was still tired. Though this journey wasn't that long, it seemed so because I was mentally tired.

Still, I continued document work.

—Child.

While quickly checking documents, Kyros called me.

'Yes, Lord Kyros.'

—You've been continuously busy working lately, how about resting even one day? It's summer anyway, so go to the sea or valley...

'Summer's already over so it's fall now, what are you saying?'

Maybe two weeks ago. Now it was fall, chilly morning and evening.

'Besides, resting is actually harder for me.'

—That's all because you're a workaholic. You should rest comfortably even one day while airing out for good things.

Well, Kyros's words weren't wrong, but what could I do if I didn't feel like it?

I was thinking that when.

[Church Leader!]

Alphius urgently called me.

"What is it, Alphi?"

[A guest has come!]

"A guest?"

[Yes! Church Leader's mother and older brother!]

I was a bit surprised at the unexpected visit. What brings mother and older brother?

"Understood. I'll go right away."

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