Chapter 073 ….

First, I should head to the nearest shop in Lavlas.

“Before that, I should stop by Rufi’s bakery.”

All I need is Senta’s money since I can just buy any bread from Rufi’s bakery.

“In the game, for convenience, all currency was unified… but that’s not the case here.”

Fortunately, I had Senta’s currency. The money had been exchanged for me at the temple before I came to the delegation.

“I’m not exactly sure how much it is due to the exchange rate… but it should be enough to spend comfortably.”

Even if I ran out, it wouldn’t matter. I could just shake down some citizens. That’s what being a cult leader is all about…

As I stepped outside, a servant was waiting.

“I’d like to go to town. Could you prepare a carriage?”

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

We sat briefly on a bench in front of the main gate. Kalebrin took the old book I had given her out of her crossbody bag and opened it.

“Did you find any useful information?”

“Hmm… not really yet… but I think it might contain some useful clues. To figure it out properly… I’d need a lab or something.”

As expected, obtaining proper information would require more time.

“Judging by the looks of it, it’s probably clues left by forgotten gods or information related to them.”

Watching Kalebrin reading the book, I was amazed that she could interpret it.

From my quick glance at the book, it felt like mathematical formulas written in Arabic, mixed with physics, science, and even astronomy.

“I really did well making Kalebrin a believer.”

We sat in the quiet garden, listening to the birds, until the carriage driver called us.

The carriage clattered along the road toward town. The noisy sounds of the marketplace drifted over.

“Oh…”

Kalebrin poked her head slightly out of the carriage window, her eyes sparkling as she watched the streets.

“Fascinating, isn’t it?”

“Hmm… there… there are so many things that aren’t… people.”

True, Kalebrin is an imperial citizen, so she probably hasn’t seen many non-human races. At least she’s not glaring at them with disgust, which is a plus.

“They’re people too, sister. They just look different from us.”

I said that carefully, so she wouldn’t accidentally say something wrong if we visited other places. Kalebrin nodded, showing she understood.

She pointed at someone outside the window with her index finger and looked at me.

“Th-then that one too?”

Following her finger, I saw someone with two sets of horns, reverse eyes, and dark gray skin… someone considered a demon in the Empire, but a “maok” in Senta.

“Of course. And pointing at someone can make them feel uncomfortable, so let’s refrain from doing so.”

“Okay…”

Kalebrin seemed a bit deflated at my repeated lectures. Her curly hair drooped slightly, so I quickly added:

“I hear Senta’s bakery also sells desserts. If there’s anything you’d like, Kalebrin, I’ll buy it all for you.”

“R-really…?”

Kalebrin’s expression brightened, her eyes shining.

‘Acting like I’ve never bought her anything before… well, I only bought her candy in Senta, so…’

I should reflect a little as a cult leader.

After all, to attract people, you need comfortable lodging, food, and recognition from your superior.

Even if you’ve caught your prey, taking care of your existing followers is essential.

“I was able to be here thanks to your help. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t properly thanked you. I really appreciate all the support you’ve given me with sincerity.”

“Uh… ah, it’s nothing. I… I like accompanying the pilgrim too…”

“I’m glad you see it that way. Thank you.”

“The pilgrim even promised to restore my hometown…”

“Yes. It’s almost done now.”

All that’s left is to upgrade the holy relics. Of course, purifying the Witch’s Forest won’t bring back my dead family, villagers, or friends.

‘Even the water serpent we saw back then couldn’t do that.’

I nodded with a smile, briefly patted Kalebrin’s hair, and braided it.

She looked a little awkward at first, but soon adapted and opened her book again.

‘The next relic… is a bit tricky to obtain. One is the holy sword I used to behead the Demon King. But it has a level restriction, so it’s impossible to get now. Even the path to it is difficult.’

So for now, the relics I can realistically get are…

“The Sage series: the Philosopher’s Stone, the Sage’s Tome, and the Sage’s Staff.”

Interestingly, it’s a set of three, not just one.

All three must be collected to draw out their full power; otherwise, they’re just ordinary items.

“The problem is, the Imperial Mage Tower has the staff and the tome, but there’s no way they’d hand them over to me.”

Another one… is considered a family treasure by a noble house, treated like a jewel.

‘I wonder if they don’t know its value… or if they know too well.’

I should be grateful that Lumenicia didn’t destroy the relic. Either way, I’d have to persuade the person at the Mage Tower to give it to me.

As for the noble house… if one of them is sick, I could heal them to persuade them, or if not, make them sick to get it.

‘Yeah, it does sound villainous, but as a cult leader, one of the ultimate evils, I can’t help it! Everyone, this is all just to survive, you understand?’

Why am I thinking this even though no one’s watching…

I released Kalebrin’s hair from my hands. Good. I could see her face clearly now.

Satisfied, I glanced at the hairstyle, put the veil back on, and pulled the robe hood over my head.

If anyone recognized me as a saint, things would get complicated, so I planned to pass as a noble out for a casual outing.

“Shall we go?”

We arrived in the middle of town.

“First… let’s go to Rufi’s bakery.”

I knew the streets of Senta fairly well from my gamer days.

If you’re a hardcore gamer, it’s natural to memorize frequently visited city routes.

I led Kalebrin, who was dizzy from all the people, toward Rufi’s bakery.

‘There are quite a few NPCs… ah, now they’re real people. This is reality now…’

Still, the bakery wasn’t crowded enough for a line, so we could enter. A small bell jingled as we opened the glass door.

“Welcome!”

Since it was an old-fashioned bakery, unlike modern stores where customers pick items themselves, the owner would bring them from the back upon request.

“Kalebrin, what would you like to eat?”

“Um… I’m not sure. There are… too many kinds… uh…”

“Any recommendations?”

“Rufi makes all the bread delicious and pretty, but I’d recommend a tart for this lady. Rufi makes them sparkle like jewels!”

Tarts. Kalebrin likes sweets, so that should be fine.

‘I don’t know why there are tarts in a medieval-game-themed bakery… but as long as it tastes good, it’s fine.’

I nodded and selected a few coins from my purse.

“Five tarts of different kinds and one brioche. Three baguettes to go, please.”

How much was that? In the game, I only used gold, so I wasn’t sure.

I took out a reasonable amount of florins.

Rufi, smiling warmly, took the money. She didn’t seem surprised, so I probably gave the right amount.

“Excellent choice, customer! I’ll bring it to you with your change shortly.”

“Keep the change as a tip. You’re very kind and a good neighbor.”

“Thank you for the compliment!”

Rufi went inside, probably to package them. The brioche was for me, the baguettes were for Lavlas.

‘Since possessing this body, I haven’t really been sleepy or hungry…’

Still, eating something is better than nothing for the body of Cernuan Lumiere.

“Here you go!”

The kind, generous owner emerged with two bags of packaged bread.

“These are just the baguettes separately. But… are you a noble’s child?”

I took the bags. Kalebrin tried to reach for one, but I didn’t give it to her.

“I’m not a noble… but please keep it a secret. I don’t want any commotion.”

With one hand holding the bread and the other lifting my veil slightly, I smiled.

The owner nodded in a stunned expression. I left the bakery safely.

I dug through the bag and took out a tart. A fruit tart coated with sparkling sugar.

Even I, a modern person, could see how beautiful it was. For Kalebrin, raised on the meager food of the Empire, it would look stunning.

At that moment, the snake around my neck stretched its body curiously.

‘You want the tart too?’

The little snake crawled from my neck into the bread bag.

‘It’s a spirit, so it’s fine if it eats this. It won’t die from it.’

I hoped not. <Spirit dies from eating tart> isn’t exactly something I wanted to see.

“Shall we eat as we go?”

I offered the tart, and Kalebrin’s crimson eyes shone as she nodded. I lifted the veil slightly and ate the brioche.

‘This bakery is amazing. So that’s why Lavlas gave me bread with a staff.’

I munched on the bread and headed to Lavlas’ shop.

Unlike the bakery, there was no one to greet us at the shop. Only sharp weapons were on display.

‘I’ll just buy one. Maybe a dagger?’

It would be easier to carry later, and I didn’t have anyone to hand weapons to.

“Is anyone there?”

Kalebrin focused on her tart, ignoring my weapon selection.

I chose a dagger of reasonable size and weight. I’m not planning to hurt anyone, so quality wasn’t a concern.

Soon, a short, dark-skinned, bearded man with pointed ears appeared from behind the counter.

“One dagger, noble sir?”

Exactly like the model in the game.

“Yes.”

“Hmm? That bread bag… is it from Rufi’s bakery?”

“The bread was delicious, and the owner was kind.”

I remembered the script roughly and said something similar.

“Right? That bakery really is good! Hahaha, you’ve got taste!”

He laughed heartily and waved his hands in the air.

“Wait a moment, friend. I’ve made a pretty decent staff…”

He went into a small room and soon returned with a slightly rusty staff.

“This was originally for a priest in the Empire, but things got complicated, so it stayed here. You know, there’s no priest here, right?”

I nodded, recalling the script.

“It’s a really good item. Since you appreciate good bread, give me that bread and 5 nickels, and I’ll throw in this staff too.”

“That’s fine. I’ll give it.”

“Good choice.”

I handed the money, and he gave me the dagger and staff. It was cumbersome to carry, but I’d give it to Kardil later, so it was worth it.

And the staff’s design… something you’d only see in a game. Fascinating.

More importantly…

‘Why is he giving it without me flattering him?’

Normally, the script would go 1. Flatter: blah blah, then he’d hand it over.

‘Guess he’s not an NPC.’

Anyway, I got it, so that’s enough.

‘Alright, let’s go get the secondary quest: the arm pauldrons!’

I exited the shop happily, staff in hand.