Chapter 10 …
I pulled my robe up over my head, disguising myself in a way that would make anyone suspicious, and revisited Kardil’s hut.
As I approached, I saw Kardil outside. He seemed to be smoking. I wondered if it was appropriate for a doctor and priest to be smoking.
“…You’ve come?”
Unlike the first time I arrived, Kardil didn’t glare or snap at me. He just greeted me in a clearly foul mood.
As soon as he saw my face, he stubbed out the cigarette with his hand. His skin didn’t seem tough enough for that—how could he do such a thing? That seemed more incredible to me than magic.
I considered going in with him, but since he wasn’t the type to let smoke fill the room near a patient, I figured he’d remove the smell before entering.
Feeling a bit hesitant, I gave him a brief nod and went inside the hut first.
“Please allow me to see the Ascetic!”
“The child is sick!”
“P-Please, help the pregnant woman…!”
Even though he had treated everyone in the hut yesterday and sent them home, Kardil’s hut was again overflowing with the sick and those with injuries. The place was packed with patients and their accompanying guardians—it was like a marketplace.
Kardil’s sour mood was probably due to these troublesome patients.
‘Looks like the rumors have spread.’
Roughly… a saint has appeared, and just being touched by them cures illnesses.
But that person is an ascetic… a god… and everyone praised them, so even incurable diseases were miraculously healed!
That seemed to be the gist of the rumor.
‘I should start controlling the spread of this information.’
Originally, I had intended to observe the situation a bit longer and spread rumors far enough to draw the sick from all over Astrapolis.
‘But far more people came than I expected.’
If the rumors spread further, citizens would report to the Central Church, and I’d immediately be dragged in for heresy interrogation.
A trip to the guillotine would be certain in that case.
I didn’t want to experience a public beheading in the town square.
‘I need to control the narrative.’
Kardil, having come inside the hut as if to show me this scene, wiped his weary face a few times and spoke:
“Do something about this… The Ascetic insists on healing, and they’ve refused my treatments.”
His voice carried faint irritation and exasperation, but this time I could understand it.
“I apologize. Those in pain sometimes act impulsively. I apologize on their behalf.”
I bowed in apology, and my pure white hair cascaded like a waterfall from beneath my hood. When I lifted my head, Kardil made a strange face and waved his hands dismissively.
“The apology is accepted… But I have no idea where people heard about you. Even those who cannot walk have come here in the middle of the night. Honestly, these aren’t even within my capacity to treat…”
His voice was laced with deep helplessness, and rightly so.
With his abilities, he could earn plenty of money and enjoy better treatment, yet he wandered across the Empire, treating patients alone wherever he could.
Though Kardil had a rough personality, he was a genuinely good young man. His dedication to patients was sincere—he was a true doctor at heart.
“Very well… Thank you for your hard work, brother.”
Kardil’s expression twisted in displeasure at my actions, but I couldn’t stop pretending to be a religious leader.
I had no choice if I wanted to survive! Do you think I enjoy doing this?
[system: If the number of followers reaches ‘12’ after 00:30, gradual physical collapse begins.]
It seemed that one more person had believed during the rumor spreading. This meant I could skip one penalty, but…
In 30 minutes, the self-harm theatrics would begin again.
But that was fine. My future followers were here!
I moved further inside the hut.
Just walking slowly with my hood up, I could feel the eyes of the thrashing guardians lock on me.
“If the living are writhing in pain, one cannot help but listen to their anguished souls.”
I removed my hood. My white hair fell elegantly down my shoulders.
A gentle smile and a composed demeanor—it was enough.
[system: If the number of followers reaches ‘13’ after 01:30, gradual physical collapse begins.]
Ah, it seems yet another person had believed.
“Ascetic! I’ve brought the sick! Then, will I receive the Sun’s grace in the afterlife…?”
A woman bowed before me.
‘Who is this…?’
Ah, she must be one of the patients I treated yesterday.
I patted her bowed head.
“Yes, thank you. My abilities are still limited, so I cannot visit everyone in the Empire yet.”
The woman clasped her hands in gratitude and bowed. Performance matters.
Effective persuasion and indoctrination require the right performance.
I slowly approached a patient’s bedside. Judging by their silent suffering, they were clearly ill, and I felt I could help.
“Now… it’s time to awaken.”
I drew on the relic’s power.
Gold light burst through the gap between my fingers onto their forehead. Warmth swept over everyone.
“Ugh…”
The frail woman with black hair trembled and opened her green eyes.
“She’s… awake!”
“I thought she was going to die…”
The people in the hut murmured in astonishment.
Kardil, seemingly accustomed to this after seeing it yesterday, helped the woman up.
‘Hmm… I feel like I’m using Kardil as an assistant…’
I’d have to manage this later. If Kardil got upset, it could be troublesome; he might even leave if he felt useless here.
I knelt, clasped my hands, and spoke to those bowing before me:
“I have descended upon this land to show mercy to the living. All of you here will today walk on your own feet and cross this threshold.”
“Oh… Ascetic…”
“However, to bestow this mercy, I need your help.”
I removed the smile slightly, my expression serious.
“Yes, your help—the help of those here—is needed.”
A divine being. Absolute enough to solve everything.
Yet, smiling and calm, now pleading for their help—human psychology is predictable.
Someone who once saved you without expectation of reward now asks for your help. Who wouldn’t comply?
‘I’d say… the majority will follow.’
Just like the merchant who cried yesterday.
[system: If the number of followers reaches ‘15’ after 02:20, gradual physical collapse begins.]
Checking the system, I saw the number of followers had increased since earlier.
“Please keep this miracle a secret from the Central Church. It’s shameless of me, but if they learn I am performing miracles, I will be accused of heresy.”
I could see people’s expressions. Their desires and emotions laid bare as they looked at me.
“The brothers in the Central Church won’t listen. If that happens, more will suffer, and I will have to return to the light…”
I could hear everyone holding their breath.
“That cannot happen… My sacred mission is to save the living from suffering! To do so, I need your help!”
“We will help you!”
“We’ll help! We can do it!”
“Waaah!!!”
The crowd’s enthusiasm showed no signs of cooling.
I smiled as usual.
“Thank you all. Even if it’s the Central Church, bring the sick to me. Once they experience this miracle firsthand, they too can become our brothers.”
“Understood!”
Compared to Kardil, who had diligently maintained the hut, my sudden appearance had drawn more fanatic support. It was… a peculiar feeling.
“And I also ask you to thank Brother Kardil here. Before my arrival, he tended to everyone here, dedicating himself to the sick.”
“…Yes?”
Kardil hesitated, but his voice was drowned out by applause and cheers.
“Oh… no…”
“Thank you!”
“Thank you, Brother!”
Everything was going according to plan.
Kardil received reluctant thanks, but his mood didn’t seem bad, which pleased me.
I slowly walked to another patient’s bedside and used the relic’s power.
Like before, the patient awoke.
I spoke to them kindly:
“Good morning, brother.”
“Ah… I… am… an… angel…?”
Hmm, angel. Unexpected, so I paused briefly.
“Hoho… angel, you say.”
Someone next to me, overwhelmed, exclaimed:
“No! He is the Ascetic and a god! How dare you speak such blasphemy!”
“…?”
“…”
Though I had orchestrated this, I didn’t expect such loyalty.
The newly awakened patient stammered:
“So… is this… the afterlife…?”
Kardil intervened:
“No. This is a temporary relief shelter. You were brought here last night because someone said you could be healed.”
The one interrupting was the patient’s guardian.
I gave Kardil a signal, and he began treating the awakened patients.
Though their illnesses had been purified, their bodies were still weakened, so Kardil’s treatment was necessary.
Yesterday, too, Kardil proved to be a useful assistant.
He handled injuries and aftercare, while I purified illnesses and recruited followers.
This was perfect. Even without visiting noble houses, just attending Kardil’s hut for two weeks might be enough.
‘Of course, treating these insignificant people won’t serve as much of a shield.’
Still, early followers are crucial.
[Followers: 19]
I had already gathered 19 followers.
Feeling proud, I placed my hand on a patient’s forehead and drew the relic’s power. A new follower appeared upon witnessing this.
A fanfare sounded, filling my vision with the system window.
