TLWCL 17🔐

Chapter 17 …

At one point, I had wandered through almost every corner of various maps in search of the Holy Sword.

Of course, even back when it was just a mobile game, I had explored the maps enough to memorize them, but in this world, the map changes slightly depending on story progression.

If you don’t explore often, even minor details like the location of trees or the types of buildings would frequently change.

“Important points, however, never change.”

For instance, special objects like the rock I saw when I found the Relic of Purification never changed over time. It was as if it were a law of the world.

Anyway, the mysterious spring in the Witch’s Forest was a Healing Spring that remained clear and abundant even during droughts or fires.

And from what Kardil had told me, some of the villagers had died, and the place had turned into a cursed lake.

Piecing together various keywords from Kardil’s story, I roughly figured out the location.

“I had no clue before… I never thought it would be the lake holding the Healing Relic.”

Who would think that a lake, the kind of trap where falling in would normally mean instant death, could hold a Healing Relic?

“But now, even if I fall into that lake, I won’t die instantly! Haha!”

With the Relic of Purification in my possession, even falling into a terrifying lake would be no more than taking a bath.

The Witch’s Forest was just a little west of Astropolis, and even the monsters that appeared there were mainly poison-type like venom moths.

So with the Relic of Purification, I had nothing to worry about!

Hahaha, could it really be this easy just because I got the Relic of Purification?

I even memorized exactly where the lake was, so there was no chance of getting lost in the forest!

“The sword I left with the blacksmith, the mine my deputy is working hard in, everything’s going smoothly. Life’s finally getting comfortable!”

Survival was going very smoothly.

[Relic Retrieval Time: 22 days]

The time to retrieve the relic was approaching in about three weeks, but obtaining the Healing Relic would take less than a week, so I felt very at ease.

[Number of Followers: 40]

Somehow, one more person had become a follower, bringing the total to exactly 40.

“Just ten more and we’ll get the sub-quest reward~ I can ask my deputy to get a carriage to drop me off at the forest entrance, and I just need to leave the forest before sundown.”

Even if I knew the path, I wasn’t keen on hiking through a dark forest.

While examining the last patient who arrived in the afternoon, I was casually chatting with Kardil when someone burst into the cabin, shouting:

“Ascetic! Run immediately!”

A wave of tension made me stand on edge.

I calmed my nerves and focused.

Stay calm. Getting excited will ruin everything. A steady hand is always better for aiming…

The familiar person seemed out of breath from running up the hill.

After catching their breath for about ten seconds, they began to hurriedly explain the situation.

“The Lion’s Heart is conducting surprise inspections?”

The sense of déjà vu made sense—it was the husband of the pregnant woman.

He ran a small clothing shop in Astropolis with his wife, but apparently, the famous vice-captain of the Lion’s Heart was conducting surprise inspections throughout the city streets.

“Look at this!”

He waved a yellowed piece of paper. I glanced at it and nearly dropped my jaw.

[Wanted Poster]

• Leader –

[Description: Long white hair, ash-colored eyes, height slightly under 2 meters, male]

DEAD OR ALIVE

Reward: 2000 FL

A whopping 2,000 Florins as a bounty.

Who wouldn’t go crazy at the sight of that?

Of course, my followers were already warned, so I was at ease, but even those who had only glanced at me from afar would now dare to speak, lured by the reward.

The label even emphasized “-Leader-,” highlighting my status as heretic.

“Huh.”

I had just thought life was going smoothly… and in three seconds, my peace shattered.

I never expected that, just to catch me, they’d issue surprise inspections and wanted posters this fast.

“Brothers, calm yourselves… It’s okay. This is the only place where I’ve revealed myself, and there are no brothers here who would hand me over as a heretic, correct? I am not afraid.”

No, actually, I was terrified.

But showing fear would only put me at a disadvantage. My top priority was calming the shaken followers and uniting them.

“Persecution actually strengthens unity. That’s why cults intentionally proselytize in public.”

Ultimately, this group was the only one willing to shelter those with nowhere else to go. That thought had to be instilled strongly.

“I’m a cult leader. I can’t be picky. Not that I could be.”

Naturally, I began to incite them. Like a true leader!

“I have only used my power as an ascetic to heal the sick and help those in suffering. If even this is a crime, then who in this world can truly claim to follow and believe in God? If this is a crime, then where are the pure and righteous believers left? Therefore, I am not afraid. As long as God’s will is with me, I will not retreat a single step.”

“Ooooh…”

“As expected of the Ascetic.”

I had said this, but… if they were going to inspect here, that could be troublesome.

Kardil stood and left the cabin. The followers knelt in prayer beneath me.

“They won’t come this far, right?”

Since the inspections seemed focused on shops, they wouldn’t bother a secluded cabin in the slum.

Right…?? Please.

“We will protect you, Ascetic!”

“Yes!”

“You have a noble body meant to reveal a greater purpose to the world… Your safety comes before ours.”

“Your safety ensures ours as well.”

“Exactly!”

The inspired followers prayed, reaffirming their determination.

[Faith: 127]

Surprisingly, the faith stat, which had been barely 50, now exceeded 100.

[Faith: 129]

And it was still rising… in real-time!

“If we unite the will and strength of our brothers, what cannot be achieved? That is the bond that binds us, the true power granted by God.”

Amidst the praying followers, a metallic clanging sounded in the distance.

A knight was approaching.

“It seems the Knight Order has come this far.”

At this, the thirty or so followers in the cramped cabin stood. If anyone asked why so many were here…

It was because patients who had become followers after being treated came periodically for free medical service.

“Ascetic, stay inside.”

“How can I stay put when my brothers are confronting them?”

I tried to assert myself. The followers hurriedly stopped me.

“No! You must be present to heal the suffering souls. Don’t worry about trivial lives!”

“Don’t call them trivial. Every life is precious. But… I understand your intent, so I shall grant God’s blessing.”

I gently placed my hand on one person’s head.

[System: Baptism Skill Activated]

[Target: Ethan]

[Will you bestow baptism?]

Y

A golden effect spread out. With the help of the followers, the shabby cabin now had curtains that blocked the light.

Ethan’s arm now bore a complex pattern I had seen many times before.

“Blessing function in the faith system. I should look into this properly.”

Since I had nearly caused chaos by misusing baptism before, it was wise to check in advance. I could also motivate my followers in the process…

[System: Grant Blessing Activated]

[Target: Ethan]

[Required Faith: 10]

It consumed 10 faith per use. Not bad for cost efficiency.

Faith seemed to rise quickly in response to these demonstrations, so using it here was fine.

Currently, I had no other use for faith…

Y

This time, a green effect enveloped him. The light was dimmer, but he seemed to notice a change, moving his hands experimentally.

“My strength is surging… This is… the Ascetic’s power…”

Ah, some kind of attack buff. I didn’t know how long it would last, but considering the imminent clash with knights, it was useful.

I granted baptism and blessings to everyone present.

“Ascetic, if we fail to hold them off… hide yourself.”

“Yes… no matter your will, Ascetic, you being executed would…”

The followers were nearly in tears.

“Understood. Staying here to be captured would only waste your efforts.”

Yes!

Now I could escape discreetly!

“I shall return shortly.”

“Yes, please stay safe.”

Go, my beloved followers!

They all rushed out of the cabin.

Even though it had taken some time, Kardil hadn’t returned yet.

I wasn’t particularly worried, as he wouldn’t snitch on me anyway…

Moreover, the vice-captain I was thinking of was strong enough that our followers, with no attack skills, would fall easily.

As soon as the cabin emptied, I opened the back door and slipped into the mountains.

Curiosity aside, venturing into the knights’ encirclement just to watch would be foolish.

“And if he’s the vice-captain of the Lion’s Heart… probably him. That guy’s a bit…”

Of course, not as nasty as Kardil, but still.

Rustle. My robe and the leaves brushed together as I vanished into the dark forest.

Austin Gerard. As vice-captain of the Lion’s Heart, he was on a mission to hunt heretics.

He never questioned why he had to do it. He was a knight. A knight is a sword. A sword simply swings.

While steadily climbing the steep slum hill, Austin blinked.

“Kardil, the priest?”

The figure before him was a familiar and welcome face.

“Hello. What brings you here?”

“Uh… inspection. Orders came down.”

He pulled out a familiar piece of paper from his coat.

Kardil, looking tired but freshly washed, received the yellowed, tattered paper.

[Wanted Poster]

• Leader –

[Description: Long white hair, ash-colored eyes, height slightly under 2 meters, male]

DEAD OR ALIVE

Reward: 2000 FL

After skimming the content, Austin spoke:

“More importantly, what brings you here, Father Kardil?”

Yes.

Austin Gerard, vice-captain of the Lion’s Heart.

First-class priest Kardil.

They knew each other. After years of being busy, meeting someone old would at least merit a greeting.

“Just volunteering. Oh, didn’t I mention? Well, it’s been a while since we last met, since the war, so it makes sense.”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

Kardil and Austin were comrades from the 7th demon-slaying campaign.

Back then, Kardil was a 3rd-class priest, and Austin was not yet with the Lion’s Heart, just a member of a modest 3rd squad.

Regardless, Austin was happy to chat with a fellow he knew. And this inspection wasn’t urgent.

“Volunteering… what exactly does that entail?”

“Treating and caring for the sick free of charge. Medical volunteer work, basically.”

As expected, a priest is a priest.

Austin responded in admiration:

“Oh… the Central Church does that?”

I had never heard of the Central Church providing free medical service.

“No? They don’t. I’m doing this because I want to. Why would the Central Church do it?”

His tone and words conveyed some resentment toward the Central Church.

Austin raised an eyebrow.