Ch. 206

[Main Quest <Proselytization>]

Content: You who became the first believer and Church Leader, help the good god Kyros drive out the evil god Diego.

Objective: Within 3 years, make 80% or more of the Celeste Continent's population into Kyros Church believers (Current: 1%)

Upon Success: ???

Upon Failure: Death (soul annihilation), world destruction

[This quest is automatically accepted as a hidden route main quest.]

I opened the main quest window for the first time in a while. And I clearly saw it.

The number that had been immovable at 0% until now had finally become 1%.

'Really, it took so long.'

It had already been over a year and a half since I first came to this world and received this quest. In that period, after making all sorts of efforts, I had finally just barely achieved 1%.

'And the problem is that I now have less than a year and a half remaining.'

Whether I could achieve it was a distant prospect. But I had no intention of despairing.

Though I had to raise the percentage by a whopping 79 more in the meantime, I could do it.

'Since I've opened the floodgates once, the number of believers will definitely increase exponentially.'

Like it had been before, and like there had been many such cases historically.

'Now it's really a matter of time, and if I work harder... it'll be over quickly.'

Rather than despairing, I thought while staring intently at the number 1 with a proud heart. Though my body was weary from running around hard to secure believers for the past few days, one day of rest was enough.

'I should rest tomorrow while handling temple business.'

Though I called it rest, it was no different from just working as usual, but now just being at the temple, which was home itself, without going somewhere was rest.

'After resting like that for one day, from the next day onward I should go find them.'

There were still people throughout the world who, if made my allies in advance, would be quite helpful in the upcoming war. It was just the right time too, and if I departed the day after tomorrow, I would arrive at about the right time.

'And it would be good to obtain items while I'm at it...'

Anyway, let's rest for today.

After roughly finishing checking the system messages, I ate a simple meal, then washed up. Then I lay down on the bed with a somewhat comfortable mind.

'Home really is the best.'

Sleeping in bed for the first time in days felt like both body and mind were becoming comfortable. Thanks to that, I could fall asleep in an instant.

'...Am I asleep right now?'

But before long, I felt my consciousness waking up a bit. My body still felt heavy, like I was asleep... but I couldn't distinguish well whether this was a dream or reality.

'Levi, come here.'

It was right then that a nostalgic voice was heard.

The living room with warm sunlight pouring down. Father was calling me there. And beside him were Mother, a very young Sevenus, grandmother, and even grandfather—all family members gathered in one place.

I was working hard to move my body, which didn't move well, toward them. Only then did I realize.

'Ah, this is... a dream.'

A dream from very young childhood at that.

Though I knew it was a dream, it was the kind of dream I wished were reality.

In the dream, I was a very young child who appeared to be about three years old. And I acted spoiled befitting that age, receiving much love from my family.

Like that, the dream ended.

"Haah..."

I woke from sleep clearly remembering the dream's content. Looking at the light entering dimly, the time was still dawn.

'I didn't sleep much.'

But was it because of the dream? I didn't feel that bad. I dry-washed my face without raising my body.

'What is this... a strange feeling.'

The dream I had today was really odd. Because it felt like a scene really extracted from inside my head, from my memories.

The reason I thought so was simple. Namely...

'Grandfather.'

Revelof Holden's grandfather and Helena Holden's husband—he was a figure whose face had never appeared even in the original.

But I clearly saw his face in the dream. His beautiful yet masculine-looking appearance.

Because of that, confusion arose. Of course, it could simply be said to be the real 'Revelof Holden's' memory, but...

Until then, not even one bit of grandfather's face had come to mind in my head. That's why it felt strange.

'...What is this, really?'

I even thought that perhaps I was gradually becoming the real Revelof Holden.

Then suddenly, an ominous premonition struck.

'At this rate, in just ten years, no, just a few years, won't I live thinking I really am the real Revelof Holden?'

Though it was a problem I had occasionally thought about before, it was an imagination that always arose when I had such dreams.

'...No, thinking like this now is meaningless.'

Because I didn't even know the future a year and a half from now. So for now, it was a problem that wouldn't be too late to think about after the main quest ended.

Ultimately, I decided to get up from bed. Because I wouldn't fall asleep anymore anyway, and it would be more comfortable to finish work as quickly as possible and rest.

—You woke up early.

It had been quite a while since Kyros's voice was heard at this hour. Lately, Kyros not only went around temples everywhere, but also spent much time in the Centaur Forest that welcomed him very warmly.

'What brings you at this hour?'

—Well, I came because I wanted to see my child's face. Did you sleep well?

'...No.'

—Oh my. Why couldn't you sleep?

At Kyros's worried voice, I sighed like complaining and answered.

'I just... had an old dream.'

—What kind of dream did you have?

'A dream of spending pleasant time with family. The problem is... they're not really my family.'

—Aah. Yes. I see. So you're confused.

'Yes. I'm confused and... feel a sense of disconnection.'

While answering Kyros, I left the bedroom. As I was drinking a glass of water, Kyros added.

—I can't comprehend all your emotions, but still, child. For now... let's live thinking about just one goal.

Kyros said with a worried voice. I knew well what he was talking about. The massive-scale war that would soon sweep the continent.

Kyros also knew very well that such an event would happen soon, and was quite worried because of it. So he stayed in the Centaur Forest and talked to spirits, Centaurs, and other races about the war, he said.

Thanks to Kyros stepping forward first, various races decided to help in the war.

'Yes. I should.'

—I'm sorry I can only say such things.

'Lord Kyros doesn't need to apologize to me.'

—Because it feels like I've been too cold to you.

'But in the current situation, I also think that's the best solution.'

Because rather than wasting time with useless thoughts, preventing the war first was urgent.

—Still, whenever difficult things happen, speak openly to me anytime.

'Mmm, I'll think about it.'

—Hmm? Is it something that requires thinking about?

'Yes. Because Lord Kyros doesn't seem to have very high empathy ability for listening to worries.'

When I spoke deliberately playfully, I could feel Kyros becoming sullen.

—Nng. I'm sorry.

'It's okay. What can we do when our existences are of different ranks?'

Kyros was a god to begin with, and I was just human. Though the difference in rank was this great, Kyros had thought about me much until now. To the point of being grateful, actually.

—Anyway, rest well for today.

'Yes. I will.'

After greeting, there was no more answer from Kyros. He must be playing somewhere again.

Then I planned to work while resting a bit today. Because I had to handle work in advance since I had to depart on a journey again tomorrow.

'...Should I move according to plan?'

***

Was it because I spent yesterday too fruitfully? Waking up at the usual time was quite difficult.

'I overdid it.'

It was definitely certain that I overdid it. Because I didn't know how long this journey would take, I tried to do as much work as possible and seemed to have overdone it.

"Nng."

Still, I raised my tired body and got up from bed with difficulty. And because it seemed absolutely impossible, I took out a healing potion I had made myself from inventory and drank it.

'The tonic effect is certain.'

As soon as I consumed the potion, I felt the fatigue completely disappear from my body. After letting out a sigh of relief, I quickly packed my luggage for the journey.

After packing everything and putting on my robe, even pulling up the hood, I could gradually see dawn breaking in the distance.

'Oh no. It's later than I thought.'

The original plan was to leave when it was still early dawn. It can't be helped.

I let out a low sigh and opened the office window. And I lightly landed on the ground.

Tap—

"Where are you going today again, Leviathan?"

At the low voice heard from the side right away, I was surprised. When I turned my head, what I saw was Terdius standing leaning against the wall.

'I think something like this happened before...'

Terdius was looking down at me with his arms crossed. And he wasn't in his usual knightly uniform but wore a robe like me. The clothes visible below the robe were casual wear.

"Ah, well, I have some business."

I spoke to Terdius with a smile. Then his brows narrowed slightly.

"For the past few days, it seems you went around without even telling me."

What. Don't tell me he's hurt that I left him behind.

"Mmm, because I was rather busy..."

"At least I'd like you to give me a hint."

Well, I'd bring him along if it was work that needed force, but both the past schedule and today's schedule weren't particularly work that needed Terdius.

Because I alone would be sufficient.

"It's a bit much to call Brother along every time."

When I spoke with forced effort at smiling, Terdius's brows narrowed more.

"Wasn't I your escort, Leviathan?"

Huh, we never particularly decided that.

"What?"

"Why should I have to hear about your destination from High Priest Alpheus?"

"No, Brother. I never particularly appointed you as an escort, did I?"

When I spoke toward him whose expression was gradually becoming distorted, Terdius let out a deep sigh.

"...It seems you didn't hear. Your grandmother and the Holy Knight Commander, Lady Helena, appointed me as your escort."

No, what kind of talk is this? I'm the Church Leader, so who decided such an order on their own...

More than that, Grandmother, you should have told me such an important matter earlier!

"Since Zain and Troy who accompanied you left for work, she told me to protect you in the meantime."

"...I'm hearing this for the first time now."

At my words, Terdius looked at me closely, then slowly nodded.

"I see."

"Th-then... let's go together for now."

Only then did Terdius's expression relax. In the end, I inevitably decided to move together with him.

After crossing the temple wall and leaving Holden Territory.

"But why are you heading to the eastern edge of the continent, to that sea?"

Terdius asked me with questioning eyes. I smiled toward him and answered.

"To meet merfolk."

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