How the Cult Saves the World

Above the tranquil waves of the Kettin Sea, I, Rawin, one of the seven Apostles of Diego Church and the one who had just embedded the Black Arc into the Kraken's head, stood suspended in mid-air, my presence concealed.

It was a technique that consumed a considerable amount of demonic energy and couldn't be maintained for long, but it was necessary to observe the outcome of the summoning.

It's bothersome, but it can't be helped.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

I had looked upon the Kraken, now bearing a counterfeit Black Arc, with an indifferent gaze just moments ago.

This mission was a special request from the sixth Apostle, who studies the Black Arc. The experiment was to test the limits of the Black Arc's imitation -- how formidable a monster it could handle.

Although the main body of Diego Church had nurtured many monsters, none matched the Kraken's colossal size. Hence, I had to travel to the distant Merilseus for this experiment.

But... it wasn't so bad.

Thanks to this, I made a rather interesting friend. Meeting someone by chance three times in just two days was a delightful occurrence for someone like me, who believes in fate.

Rawin, barely twenty years old, smiled as he recalled the friend he felt was destined to be.

"Kireeek!"

Just then, the Kraken emerged above the sea, bellowing. I watched, arms crossed, as it thrashed about.

If the Kraken reached Kettin Island and slaughtered all its creatures, the experiment would be a success. It would mean I had fulfilled my command.

I saw the Kraken writhing its tentacles, inching closer to Kettin Island.

And at that moment...

Whoosh---

A blinding white flash erupted, severing two of the Kraken's tentacles.

"Kiaaak!"

The Kraken screamed in agony, its body convulsing wildly. The rough waves splashed all the way to where I stood.

What was that...?

I turned my gaze toward the source of the flash, but there was nothing there.

...What?

And as I pondered, another flash!

Whoosh---

This time, from the opposite direction, the flash cut through another set of the Kraken's tentacles.

Despite the incredible speed, I managed to spot the one interfering with my experiment.

...That is...

My face twisted in annoyance.

* * * * *

"Puhah."

I spat out the seawater that had rushed into my mouth and released my holy power once more.

Whoosh---

Now, the Kraken had only four tentacles left. I wanted to decapitate it immediately, but its massive tentacles kept shielding its head, complicating the task.

So, I aimed to sever the tentacles first, then target the head.

"Kraaak!"

The Kraken let out a grotesque scream, thrashing violently. With each twist, the entire sea churned. I dove underwater, gripping a rock to avoid being swept away by the current.

When the turbulence subsided, I unleashed my holy power again from beneath the waves.

With most of the Kraken's tentacles gone, it was time to aim for the head.

Concentrate the power as much as possible...

Like when I rescued Sevenus, I condensed my holy power and fired it once more.

Whoosh---

The holy power shot through the water, piercing the Kraken's body from torso to head.

As I surfaced, I saw the once-flailing giant octopus now motionless.

Moments later, the Kraken's body, which was destined to become a colossal disaster, disintegrated into dust.

"Phew."

It was fortunate that the damned Kraken, despite its size, possessed no special skills. Its only tactic was to flail its large body, so although I expended quite a bit of holy power, it was easier to defeat than I had feared.

---My child, you've become quite splendid! Your control over holy power improves with each passing day.

'It's the fruit of my labor, after all.'

I conversed with Kyros, finally allowing myself to relax and take deep breaths of the fresh air. No matter how well I could breathe underwater, the atmosphere above was always preferable.

After a brief rest, I turned my head in the direction the octopus had been heading.

Its destination was indeed Kettin.

There it was, the small island of Kettin. Once a bustling tourist spot, now a deserted island with only a few survivors remaining. I began swimming towards it.

Let's finish this quickly and enjoy some seafood.

* * * * *

Thanks to the Potion's power, my swimming skills had improved, and it didn't take long to reach Kettin Island.

[Sub-Quest 'Merilseus' 4. <The Monster of Kettin> Cleared!]

[Sub-Quest Reward will be granted.]

[A New Sub-Quest has appeared!]

[Sub-Quest 'Merilseus' 5. <Search for Survivors>]

Objective: Having successfully defeated the Kraken, you must now find the survivors hidden somewhere on Kettin Island.

Goal: Locate the survivors on Kettin Island (This quest is part of a series)

Final Reward: ???

Failure: --

[Do you accept?]

[Yes/No]

As I emerged from the sea, the system seemed eager to confirm my location, updating the quest. I shook my wet hair, drying it as I accepted the quest. All that remained was to find the survivors on the Island, for whom I had prayed to Kyros, and return to the mainland.

---My dear child!

I was wringing out the remaining water from my clothes when Kyros called out to me urgently. Lifting my head at his grave tone, I cursed silently.

'Damn it.'

There stood Rawin, who had been watching from somewhere nearby all this time.

'Was he guarding the imitation Black Arc he had planted?'

Caught off guard, I furrowed my brow without realizing it, and Rawin glared at me with intense eyes, demanding an answer.

"Leviathan, what are you? I thought you were just an ordinary tourist. How could you defeat the Kraken like that?"

Rawin stood with his arms crossed, as if he would listen to any excuse I might offer. After a brief but seemingly long moment of contemplation, I responded nonchalantly to his question.

"I'm just a passing clergyman."

I shrugged casually. Even if he turned on me and attacked, I could withstand it once or twice. If my holy power alone couldn't fend him off, I could always use the Shield of Protection. And in the meantime, I could summon the children.

* * * * *

Even as an Apostle, he was alone. If things got dire, the children could buy me some time while I made another escape into the sea. Without the power of the Potion, he wouldn't be able to follow me into the depths. Or I could use the flute given to me by Phinis.

As I was formulating my plan, Rawin scowled as if annoyed by my answer, roughly running his fingers through his hair tousled by the wind.

"Are you joking right now?"

"I'm serious."

"Ha. Why did you interfere with my task? Don't tell me you know who I am and approached me on purpose?"

What's with this overblown sense of self-importance? Is it because he's still just a kid?

"...That's hardly the case. I had no particular intention of hindering you. I only acted because I feared the people here would suffer if that monster rampaged. And actually, I have a question for you. What did you do to that monster?"

It was Rawin who had implanted the Black Arc into the Kraken, not me.

"I merely followed orders."

I snorted at Rawin's words.

"I, too, am acting on orders. It just so happens that saving someone on this island is my mission."

I undid a couple of buttons on my wet shirt, glaring at Rawin.

After a brief, awkward silence, it was Rawin who looked away first.

He sighed as if in disbelief, then turned sharply and said,

"Ha. Since you're a friend I've made after a long time, I'll let this one slide. But there won't be a next time."

With those words, Rawin soared into the sky and vanished in an instant.

Good thing the sea is behind me. I wish I could fly too.

Anyway, it's best not to fight needlessly.

It's fortunate that Rawin isn't as clever as I thought. The young Apostle is less rational than the others, easily swept up in his emotions, even considering friendship in such a situation.

If it had been someone else.

If it had been Terdius or Khalid, not another Apostle, they would have attacked me by now.

So he must be the lowest-ranked Seventh Apostle. Talented, but prone to mistakes.

Meanwhile, Kyros, who had been silent until now, seemed quite worried about my confrontation with Rawin. He spoke to me with a concerned voice.

---That was quite nerve-wracking.

'Hey, I have items to protect me now; you don't need to worry so much.'

---Alright. I trust you.

I smiled lightly to reassure Kyros and opened my inventory. I changed into dry clothes and donned a robe.

I nearly froze to death, soaked in the winter sea and exposed to the cold wind, but I managed to endure.

Now, only the final quest remains.

The newly emerged quest required me to search for survivors hidden on Kettin Island. I stepped onto the soft, sinking sands of the beach and headed inland. As soon as I left the beach, a forest reminiscent of a tropical rainforest welcomed me.

It's not too vast; if I set my mind to it, I can find them quickly.

But then again, why move at all? I could make myself heard across the entire island, for instance.

"Brethren! Are you there? I've come from the Church of Kyros!"

Seized by the idea, I cupped my hands to my mouth and shouted robustly. Since the island's inhabitants had prayed to Kyros, perhaps they would recognize my voice.

Of course, there was no response to my call. Just as I thought, 'It was unlikely', and was about to enter the forest.

"High Priest!!"

* * * * *

At that moment, an echo reached me from afar.

'What? Did that actually work?'

---Indeed, my child. To think of such a simple solution!

Soon after Kyros' praise, a rustling sound emerged from the forest, and someone dashed out.

"Ah, it wasn't a dream! It really is the High Priest!"

The young man who appeared from the woods didn't seem familiar, his youthful face new to me.

"I never imagined the High Priest would come himself. I'm truly grateful."

His face lit up with genuine joy as he approached, as if to embrace me.

Instead of returning the embrace, I gently pushed him away, smiling as befits a High Priest.

"No need for thanks, my brother. It's all thanks to Lord Kyros."

"Sniff. Indeed, praise Lord Kyros!"

Is he from Bahano?

As the young man sobbed, I patted his shoulder, taking in his features. He wore the typical attire of Bahano.

Seems he got stranded here while visiting from Bahano.

"Is this person... here to rescue us?"

While comforting the young man, survivors began to emerge from all over the forest. Their clothes were worn, but the variety suggested they were all tourists.

Hmm?

That's when I noticed him. A man who looked a bit different from the others.

A noble?

Among the plainly dressed, one young man stood out in his noble attire, the quality and design hinting at his status.

Just then, a system window appeared, indicating I had found all the survivors.

[Sub Quest 'Merilseus' 5. <Guide the Survivors> Cleared!]

[Sub Quest Reward will be granted.]

[The Prince of Merilseus, who was hiding his identity, now holds you in high regard.]

What?

The final reward for this linked quest is the favor of the Prince of Merilseus?

This wasn't in the original story. There was no prince among the survivors in the event that unfolded here. It seemed this hidden route had altered the story.

Makes sense, though.

Not only had I encountered the Seventh Apostle, but there was also the Black Arc embedded in the giant squid's head.

Then the prince mentioned here must be...

I turned to look at the young man in noble attire. It seemed he was the Prince of Merilseus. By his side stood a rugged man in tattered clothes, likely the Prince's bodyguard.

I addressed the survivors.

"Good to meet you all. I am Leviathan, the High Priest of the Church of Kyros. I was commanded by Lord Kyros to come to this island to rescue you. Don't worry about the Kraken. I took care of it on my way here."

"To defeat a Kraken alone..."

"How powerful must you be..."

"Sniff, thank you, High Priest!"

They each expressed their astonishment and gratitude upon hearing of my victory over the Kraken.

The young man, already a follower of our faith, showed tears of joy as he thanked me.

"It was my duty. Lord Kyros instructed me to save you, his follower."

"Ah... indeed!"

My exaggerated tale drew the survivors closer.

"Thank you, truly, thank you!"

"I thought we'd never escape this place. I was certain we'd die here! We're so grateful!"

Even as I received their thanks, the presumed prince and his bodyguard remained still, just staring intently at me.

"Now, let's return to the mainland."

Since the Prince already held me in favor, he would surely express his gratitude once we were back on land.

So I quickly led the survivors. There was no need to give them all the Potion of the Sea Fish.

Unlike our arrival, there were other ways to leave.