How the Cult Saves the World

Chapter 110

WLL Club?

I tilted my head at the unfamiliar term Fanatic had just uttered. What was that? It sounded like an abbreviation, so I asked him.

"'WLL Club'? What is that, Brother?"

Fanatic's eyes widened slightly, and he let out a deep breath.

"Oh my... Leader, so you didn't know? WLL Club stands for the "We Love Leader Leviathan Club." We just call it WLL Club for short."

Wait, did I hear that correctly? Did he just say it's a group that loves me?

-Ho, child. That has a nice ring to it!

Kyros chimed in with a voice full of amusement, but I was far too embarrassed to respond.

While I was still reeling from the surprise, Fanatic started explaining it all with great excitement.

"Many of the believers in Rovel have joined the WLL Club. I think the gender ratio is about half men and half women."

A group like that existed in Rovel? A group dedicated to me, not to Kyros? I couldn't believe it.

-I'm getting jea~lous~

'No, stop that! They're all your followers in the end.'

-Oh, but some might admire you without truly trusting me.

'Unlikely. My role is the Church Leader of the Kyros Church, so most people who like me must already be your followers. They just like me too as a plus to that---it only makes sense that way.'

-Hmm. But doesn't everyone chase after beauty?

Kyros laughed as he said that, clearly teasing me, which only made it more irritating to me.

"I think there are about fifty members in the WLL Club. Of course, I'm one of them too. Oh oops..."

Fanatic was speaking enthusiastically but suddenly clamped his mouth shut. His face showed regret and his shoulders slumped.

"I sh-shouldn't have told you that... Please, just pretend you didn't hear it, Leader!"

With that, Fanatic ran off. I let out a small sigh as I watched him retreat, his metaphorical tail between his legs.

'So, the WLL Club, huh...'

Is it like a modern-day fan club?

I couldn't help but feel that the lives of those who became leaders of the Kyros Church resembled those of celebrities.

'...I just can't get used to this.'

Even the skills granted as title options had names like "fan service".

There was even a title called "Idol of the Kyros Church".

'...Is this really okay?'

I let out a faint smile and walked away.

***

"Phew..."

I steadied my rapid breathing, trying to catch my breath. It was the fifth day of training with my grandmother.

"Good work, Levi."

Finally, I had completed her basic training.

Through relentless mana training from morning to night, I had fully mastered the breathing technique and pushed my physical abilities to their limits.

At the same time, I had perfected the basic swordsmanship stances she taught me.

"There's nothing left to worry about. Your breathing and posture are flawless."

My grandmother said with a satisfied smile as she approached me.

I placed my wooden sword on the floor and wiped the sweat from my forehead.

"Really?"

"Yes, Levi. My little puppy. As expected of my grandson. I didn't expect you to finish training in under a week!"

Her praise made me smile. I felt proud of myself for completing the training as quickly as Sevenus had.

"Wasn't it hard?"

She asked gently, brushing back my sweaty hair.

"I'm a little tired, but it's not as tough as the first day."

"Right? That's because you're good at mana control now, Levi. Even with the same level of physical training, you'll feel less fatigue if you manage your mana well. Keep practicing it in the future."

"Yes, Grandma,"

I said with a smile.

Just then, Kyros chimed in with excitement.

-You've worked so hard, child! I can feel the energy flowing through your entire body!

'Really?'

-Of course! Doesn't your body feel more energetic than before?

'I guess it does.'

-Your grandmother's training taught me something: the more your holy power, magical power, or life force circulates throughout your body, the more vitality you gain. If you consistently keep controlling your holy power, you'll feel stronger and more energetic---even when you're not actively controlling it.

'Oh, really?'

-Yes! That's why your grandmother looks so beautiful even at her age.

I blinked, surprised at Kyros's sudden admiration for her.

'But isn't that because she's a Sword Master?'

-That's true, but her mastery of mana is what drove her to become a Sword Master in the first place.

'Ah...mana.'

-Yes! Her body is overflowing with mana, and she's honed it to its absolute limit. That constant cultivation of mana has revitalized her body over time, delaying the effects of aging.

'...Oh.'

So, does that mean if I use mana cultivation properly, I too can maintain my appearance?

'That's incredible.'

-Exactly! So, child, you should practice consistently as well.

'Got it. I will.'

No wonder my grandmother, in her seventies, looked like she was in her fifties. The secret to her youthful appearance lay in mana.

That's one more reason to work harder on holy power cultivation.

"Now that I think about it, Levi, you'll be returning to Holden Territory soon."

My grandmother said with a slightly bitter expression as I rested and chatted with Kyros.

"Oh, yes. I think we'll leave in about two or three days."

Sevenus had come to my room the night before. Lately, he'd been visiting often to ask about the Kyros Church. During our conversation yesterday, the topic of our return came up.

It wasn't a fixed date, but he said we should leave around two days after completing my training.

"Really? Then...is there anything you want to do before going back?"

The one thing I wanted to do before returning was to make my grandmother a believer in the Kyros Church.

Of course, I hadn't yet figured out a proper method.

If that didn't work, there was always the option of showering her with fan service the day before we left...

But I couldn't exactly say that, so I came up with something else instead.

"I'd like to visit Nezen sometime. I think it's near Hasis. Is that right?"

"Ah, Nezen? Yes, it's about three hours by carriage from here. But, why do you want to go to Nezen?"

"Oh, I've heard the food in Nezen is delicious."

I replied with a smile. It was true that Nezen was known for its delicious food, but that wasn't my real reason for wanting to go.

I wanted to check on Terdius and his younger brother, who lived in Nezen.

I didn't plan to go inside their house, just to see from a distance whether they were staying there---especially Terdius's younger brother.

"Really? Then I'll show you around."

"Really?"

"Of course."

She said with a warm smile.

It was an unexpected stroke of luck. I had been wondering what would have happened if I had a little more time to convince my grandmother.

While I was silently celebrating, Kyros spoke up innocently.

-Oh, dear. Is it true? Is Nezen's food really that delicious?

'Yes, I heard Zain mention it before.'

Though it was secondhand information, Zain had a knack for discovering great restaurants.

-Then, I'm looking forward to it!

'...I'm not sure you'll be able to taste it, Kyros.'

-Huh? Why not? I want to eat it too!

'Because Grandma will be showing me around. It'll be hard for you to show up.'

-Oh...but I still want to try it...

'In that case, I'll store some for later.'

Food stored in my inventory remains in the same condition as when it's placed inside.

-Would you do that?

'Yes, of course.'

-Thank you, child!

Listening to Kyros's gratitude, I turned to my grandmother and asked,

"Grandma, aren't you busy?"

"It's fine. You're my little puppy. If you want to try Nezen's delicious food, I'll go with you. And you're right---there really are some amazing dishes in Nezen."

"Really? Now I'm even more excited."

"I'm excited too. We'll go together tomorrow morning, bright and early."

"Yes, that sounds great!"

I walked beside my grandmother with a bright smile. As we strolled leisurely around the training grounds, we finalized our plans for the next day.

'I'll go to Nezen with Grandma and then...'

I'll maybe practice some yoga, then take a short walk to Terdius's house. But I should prepare for other possibilities in case things don't go as planned.

I hoped the brothers in Nezen were doing well, just like in the original story.

'...Though, that might be too much to hope for.'

After all, Terdius had become an apostle of Diego Church.

Still, nothing was certain yet.

***

The next morning -- 7 a.m.

I left my room with a light heart. There were still about ten minutes until our departure, so I strolled leisurely down the hallway.

"Levi, did you sleep well?"

I turned and saw Sevenus, dressed neatly as always, walking toward me.

"Oh, good morning, Brother."

"Yeah. I heard you're visiting Grandma and Nezen today."

Wait...he's not planning to come with us, is he?

"Oh, yes."

As I silently prayed that he wouldn't join us, the corners of Sevenus's lips curled slightly into a smile.

"Then take care and have a safe trip."

"Uh, huh?"

"I'd like to go with you, but I have some work to do. It's a shame."

"Ah, yes. I understand."

Phew. Thank goodness. I let out a small sigh of relief and started down the stairs with Sevenus.

"Levi, Sevi. My puppies. Good morning."

In the hall, Grandma was waiting for us. She was dressed in a neat blue uniform, different from her usual attire, and she looked incredibly cool.

"Wow, Grandma. The uniform really suits you."

"Really? Levi, you looks so pretty when dressed neatly too."

As I beamed at her compliment, Kyros chimed in enthusiastically.

-Child, I really wish your grandmother would become one of our believers!

'Wh-what?'

-She's so beautiful! Both inside and out, so noble!

'Ha, haha. I'll do my best.'

-I bet she'd look amazing in our Holy Knights Order uniform!

As Kyros spoke, an image popped into my mind: Grandma, dressed in the pure white uniform of the Kyros Church's knights. She looked every bit the dignified and noble knight.

'Yeah, that's true.'

While I was lost in thought, Grandma gestured to me.

"Okay then, let's go, Levi."

"Yes, Grandma."

I walked over to her, and she held out her hand. Smiling, I took it in mine.

"Grandma, Levi---take care on your way."

Sevenus said after he escorted us to the carriage.

And with that, it was time to set off for Nezen.