Ch. 148

I was momentarily flustered at my mother's words. The only saving grace was that, thanks to my life as the Church Leader, I had become adept at hiding my expression.

I barely managed not to show my embarrassment in front of my mother.

'She really is sharp.'

I never dreamed she'd point out the previously small range of the Blessing just two days ago. Nevertheless, I tried to remain as calm as possible. And soon enough, with a businesslike smile, I spoke up.

"Since this incident occurred, I have been continuously praying to Lord Kyros. And Lord Kyros, having answered my prayers, granted me divine power, and with that power, I was able to expand the range of the blessing."

Even I thought it was a rather plausible excuse. Although I felt extremely guilty for having lied to my mother.

'I have no choice given this situation.'

Honestly, I was somewhat nervous. But my mother simply nodded nonchalantly.

"I see. Thanks to you, my people will be safer... I should be expressing my gratitude."

"No, please. This incident is happening due to the Kyros Church...so it's all right."

After all, the people of Holden Territory, including those in Rovel, had been endangered because of the Kyros Church.

I always felt sorry about that.

"And just now, I mentioned that if casualties occurred during the battle, we should establish a relief center within the range of the Blessing, right?"

"Yes."

"In that relief center, I will place healing potions that I made myself, and depending on the extent of the patients' injuries, I will personally administer treatment."

That was the assistance I could offer beyond simply guarding Holden Territory.

At those words, my mother's expression brightened a little.

"I know that your healing ability is unparalleled. After all, you were the one who tended to the Goblin Disease patients in the territory."

"That's too kind of you. I am merely offering the assistance I felt was naturally expected as the leader of the Kyros Church, given the cause of this incident."

"Thank you. Thanks to you, my heart feels much lighter."

Her smile made me feel as if a heavy burden in my heart had been lifted.

***

After the conversation with my mother, I watched the knights of Holden train for a while before leaving the mansion.

Refusing my mother's suggestion to return by carriage, I departed from the mansion alone.

In a deserted area, I removed my glasses---the symbol of the Kyros Church leader---and strolled along the silent streets.

'It's really happening tomorrow.'

I felt a bit anxious about the defense battle that would begin tomorrow afternoon, considering the future of Rovel that I had seen through the System Administrator.

'Thinking back to that time, surely the owner of that power was clearly...'

The one who killed me, the senior members of the Kyros Church, and even my grandmother---all were slain by one of the Demon God's Children.

'With Grandmother's current strength level, she could've killed the Demon God's 15th Child.'

That meant that in the future, a Demon God's Child who's even more powerful might appear.

Which is why my grandmother was defeated.

'Could it be that a single-digit numbered Child is already about to appear?'

Considering the Demon God's Child that emerged during the surge in difficulty in Bahano, it was entirely possible.

If that were the case, the danger would be just as severe. The power given to me by the Administrator increases my strength tenfold.

Even if my current strength were multiplied tenfold, defeating a Demon God's Child represented by a single-digit number would be nearly impossible.

'In that case...'

The most likely scenario is not that a single-digit Demon God's Child appears, but rather that several weaker ones emerge.

'If a Demon God's Child of strength comparable to my grandmother appears...'

And if there were several of that number, it was entirely possible.

And if the System Administrator was truly on my side, then surely he would have given me enough power to defeat the enemy.

'...Either way, it's going to be a tough fight.'

I'll probably have to face most of the Demon God's Children. If my grandmother, along with Chester---who stands out among those trained by her---and Troy somehow manage to handle them...

'If I get the chance to choose more senior officers later, I'll have to recruit more holy knights to prepare for the future.'

Thinking that as I walked, I eventually found myself back in Rovel. Most of Rovel's people wore peaceful expressions.

Among them, I saw some holding each other's hands and offering prayers to Kyros on the streets.

Since the Temple had been closed to prepare for tomorrow's invasion, the devotees were obviously gathered together.

"O great and benevolent Kyros, embrace and protect us always."

Listening to the devotees' prayers, I vowed that I would surely make their wishes come true.

The final goal of defending the territory was to ensure that over 80% of the inhabitants survived for 24 hours.

But I didn't want even a single person to die. I felt a strong desire to protect every single one of them.

***

Before I knew it, the sun had set, and I returned to the Temple of Rovel. Whether it was because I had so much on my mind or because my mind was all over the place, I ended up coming home late.

"Swing harder!"

"Sasha! Your form is slipping!"

"Chester, you're too fast!"

Before entering the Temple, I could hear my grandmother's booming voice. Even without checking the source, it was clear it was coming from the training ground at the back of the Temple.

Unknowingly drawn by her voice, I headed toward the training ground. There, I saw the senior members of the Church receiving instruction from my grandmother.

And to my surprise, it was the first time that all of them had gathered in that training ground.

'Perhaps because tomorrow is the day of the decisive battle.'

Seeing them swinging their wooden swords made me smile faintly without realizing it.

And my grandmother was correcting each of their posture and mistakes one by one.

They were currently sparring with partners suited to their individual levels: Chester and Troy, Alphius and Selena, Abel and Sasha, Jacob and Zain.

And Melin, who had only recently joined the training to take care of the Merilseus temple, was receiving individual instruction.

Watching them train, sweating profusely, I cautiously entered the training ground.

Step.

Even though my footsteps were hardly audible, everyone's gazes fixed on me.

"Church Leader?"

My grandmother looked at me with slightly surprised eyes. Usually, when I watched the officers' training, I kept a low profile from a distance.

It was almost the first time that I had appeared like this.

"Sorry for interrupting your training, Madam Helena."

"No, it's fine. It was just the right time for a short break."

My grandmother said, signaling the senior members to take a break. They then put down their wooden swords.

"Master, huff, what, huff, brings you here?"

Zain walked up to me and asked. The guy, who usually focused solely on using the bow, was extremely exhausted from the strenuous sword training.

Still, I was very grateful that he was trying to increase his stamina and strength.

"Is the training very hard?"

"Yes. Huff, of course, it's like I'm dying. But after getting training from Madam, Helena, I can hold my bow much more easily."

He added that he could load more weight onto his arrows and shoot them faster and harder.

"I see. Good job."

I patted Zain's shoulder lightly and then looked around at the others.

"I've come because there's something I want to tell you all."

At that, the senior members who had been drinking water immediately turned their gaze toward me. I slowly looked at the officers who had always been there to help me---Alphius, Chester, Sasha, Zain, Troy, Abel, Jacob, Selena, Melin, and even my grandmother.

"In tomorrow's battle, if any of you get injured, inform me immediately. And if you encounter an enemy in battle that you absolutely cannot defeat, do not hesitate to run away."

"But Church Leader, we have to protect the people," Sasha said.

I looked at her and said,

"Yes, Sasha. Protecting the people in tomorrow's battle is, of course, a priority. But remember...your lives are precious to me as well."

I gently stroked Sasha's hair and continued,

"You all are like family to me. I do not want any of you to lose your life or suffer serious injuries in battle. And one more thing."

This was something I had resolved to do ever since I first saw the future through the System Administrator.

"After the battle, no matter what endangers me, do not try to protect me."

"Church Leader! We can't do that."

"Y-yes! Absolutely not! If anything were to happen to you..."

As Alphius and Chester vehemently objected, the other senior members began to add their voices as well.

"Absolutely not, Church Leader! We cannot lose you!"

"That's right."

Abel and even the taciturn Selena contributed,

"That's right. I still have so many dishes to present to you."

"I haven't even been in this world for very long... I don't want to lose you already, Church Leader."

Even Jacob and Melin. Even Zain and Troy came right up to me.

"Master, you have to keep your promise."

"Leader. You must not die!"

Listening to their words, I felt my head starting to throb.

Finally, I sighed and said,

"This is exactly why it won't work. Don't think that if you don't protect me, I might die. I'm strong enough. You all know that."

It was clear to everyone that I was strong, but instinctively they felt that as 'Church Leader', they had to protect me.

"I have gotten sufficient divine power from Kyros, and I've also been personally training under Helena, who is here with us. Plus, I have completely mastered the breathing techniques that have been passed down through the generations of the Holden family."

At those words, my grandmother, who had been quietly observing the situation, came forward and said,

"That's right. The Church Leader is currently...the strongest among those being trained by me here. So don't worry too much, everyone."

My grandmother fully understood my intentions, and I felt extremely grateful to her as I added,

"Today, you all received divine power from Kyros, didn't you?"

"Yes, that's right. Though, Lord Kyros completely exhausted himself doing that," Sasha replied.

"I too have been granted additional power by Kyros. So when the attack starts, even if it's temporary, I'll become even stronger, and the range of the Blessing will expand further."

I then explained to the senior members the exact extent of the Blessing's range, hoping they would make full use of it even in case of danger.

The future of Rovel that I had seen through the System Administrator---the images of senior members who had died protecting me and those who lost their lives helping me---kept flashing through my mind, which is why I emphasized it so strongly.

"So please, all of you, do not overexert yourselves."

When I spoke sincerely, the senior members finally nodded readily.

"Yes, Church Leader."

"We understood. Don't worry."

At last, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

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