How the Cult Saves the World

The colossal flower seemed to wither as Quir had said; its entirety was wilting.

---Fortunately, it's still alive.

I examined the flower. Even with the petals in full bloom, I couldn't identify its species. It seemed like a flower I was seeing for the first time.

Then, a small part of a petal that had sprouted towards Bahano's direction caught my eye; it was slightly white.

"Quir, is that the part touched by the light?"

"Yes."

How fascinating. Even in the forest concealed by the magic of the centaurs, the light that began in Bahano reached here. It's the same space, but perhaps it's because the place is conceptually hidden.

Moreover, it was astonishing that Bahano's light had reached it. The large-scale purification used at the time was meant to cleanse the entire kingdom of Bahano.

'If the light was of such magnitude...'

The size of the light from the purification I had seen before was considerable, so the kingdom's purification would have been even larger. I was at the center of it, so I don't know exactly what difference there was on the outside, but that means the fringes of the light must have reached this forest.

'Well, it's not certain.'

As I was lost in thought looking at the Flower, I suddenly felt a gaze. All the centaurs were looking at me.

"Oh, right. I haven't introduced myself. I am Leviathan, the Leader of the Kyros Church."

As I greeted them with a smile, the centaurs hesitated.

"They are all worried about the Flower of Life."

"Oh... It's okay."

After all, I knew well that centaurs despised humans. I replied to Quir and was about to turn my gaze back to the flower when one of the centaurs approached me.

"The Flower of Life is the source of our forest, and in a way, our own origin. Please take good care of it."

Although I didn't like that he didn't introduce himself as I had done, his polite request softened my heart.

"I'll do my best."

'I'm not sure if it will work, though.'

As I spoke of my effort, the stern expressions of the centaurs eased a bit.

I took a deep breath and slowly approached the Flower of Life. Then, I placed my hand on its thick stem.

'Using a healing potion might be better than this.'

Even if I poured all the healing potions I had, it seemed difficult to treat something of this size. Besides, I didn't know when the potion would be absorbed, and touching it directly would be faster than using a potion.

---My little lamb, be strong.

'Yes, Lord Kyros.'

I steeled myself and used my healing skill. A pure white light escaped from my body and wrapped around part of the stem.

'Please, please be healed.'

But nothing happened.

'...Is this for real?'

I was certain my healing skill could be used on living beings, so naturally, I thought it would work.

However, the Flower in front of me remained blackened.

'Why? Can't my power save it?'

Confusion set in as my healing skill had no effect.

---My little bird.

Then, Kyros called me gently.

---This child has a different method of healing than humans.

'...Do you know about this Flower?'

---I came to know through the energy I felt. To heal this child, you must infuse it with 'holy power' itself.

Not a healing skill, but holy power itself.

Remembering Kyros' words, I closed my eyes. With the desire to heal this being, I infused my holy power into it.

I could feel the holy power slowly draining from my entire body.

'I hope this power heals you.'

I don't know exactly what kind of flower you are or what role you play.

But this beautiful forest and the centaurs wish for your health.

It was at that moment.

"...Gasp!"

I opened my eyes wide. The holy power was flowing out faster than I had anticipated.

As if the Flower of Life was sucking in my holy power.

"What in the world...!"

I tried to pull my hand away in a panic, but it wouldn't come off, as if it was stuck to the stem.

'What is this...!'

Even amidst the growing confusion, the holy power continued to be drained. The part of the stem where my hand touched began to regain its green hue.

I could see that it was being healed, but this was too much, wasn't it?!

As the holy power was rapidly drained, my head spun. My vision even started to blur.

'Ky, Lord Kyros! Save me!'

But there was no answer from Kyros. What I heard instead was.

[Thank you.]

It was a man's voice I had never heard before.

[Sudden Quest

<Revive the Flower of Life>

<Revive the Flower of Life>

[Your reward for the sudden quest will be granted.]

Through my blurred vision, I briefly saw the quest window.

But the next moment, I lost consciousness.

"Heave..."

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes wide.

What I saw was the night sky, filled with countless stars.

'What in the world...'

I steadied my breath and recalled my last memory. That is, I had treated the Flower of Life at the request of the centaurs...

And lost consciousness as the holy power was drawn out of me like crazy.

"You're awake."

As soon as I recalled my last memory, Quir's face suddenly appeared.

"Quir?"

"You had fainted, High Priest."

I knew that without being told. I looked up at him and slowly sat up. I felt surprisingly refreshed for someone who had been lying on the grass.

"It seemed your body was not in good health, so I gave you a special centaur stamina potion."

"Is that so? Thank you."

The centaurs were skilled not only in magic but also in alchemy.

"By the way, what happened to the Flower of Life?" I asked, my concern evident.

During the treatment, I had lost consciousness, leaving me clueless about the fate of the Flower. Yet, considering it had drained nearly all of my sacred power, I hoped it had recovered at least halfway.

"See for yourself,"

Quir urged, stepping aside to reveal the Flower of Life before me.

"Wow..."

Despite having all my holy power siphoned off by that damned thing, I couldn't help but marvel at it.

In the midst of the beautiful forest stood something even more magnificent.

'It would suit Kyros perfectly.'

The previously pitch-black appearance was gone. The thick stem and leaves were now brimming with life, a vibrant green. And the blossoming white petals at the end looked as if they were crafted by a deity.

"This is truly..."

I found myself drawn towards the Flower of Life, walking as if under a spell. Fireflies and glowing butterflies swirled around the colossal bloom, creating a scene that would have startled Zain.

"It's not just beautiful; it's miraculous..."

I had always considered myself a veteran of the game, knowing everything about this world. But this sight made me realize I was wrong.

'The game I knew was just that -- a game.'

This was the world where I truly lived.

And it was vast and wondrous.

The sight before me, unlike anything I had seen through the game screen, stirred emotions within me.

"You're awake, my child!"

It was at that moment that a familiar voice reached my ears. My head instinctively turned towards the sound.

"Are you feeling alright?"

Startled, I blinked. There, in front of me, stood Kyros, manifested in the form of a puppy.

"Kyros? When did you manifest? And... is it really alright for you to reveal yourself like this?"

"I may have weakened, but I am still a God, my child. Is there any reason I shouldn't?"

He had a point. There was no reason Kyros couldn't manifest. Why was I worried?

Subconsciously, I must have thought it dangerous for others to see Kyros in his manifested form.

'No, that's not it.'

I belatedly remembered the real reason. In my confusion, I had forgotten the threat of an attack from the Diego Church.

If they learned of a God's manifestation, they would surely come after us.

Therefore, it was best for Kyros to manifest only in front of the higher-ups.

Though he had already shown himself to the centaurs.

"...Sigh. Still, we should be cautious, Kyros. If the Diego Church learns of this, they might attack us. It's a well-known secret that they deal with powerful religious factions."

I spoke softly, ensuring only Kyros could hear.

"Hmm. You make a valid point. We should be careful for now. But for the moment, we are safe!"

Kyros proclaimed confidently, puffing out his chest. I wondered what made him so sure. Could there be members of the Diego Church among the centaurs... Ah. These creatures despise humans, so perhaps we are safe?

As I pondered this, I noticed the smiles on the centaurs' faces.

The atmosphere had changed drastically since before the Flower of Life was healed.

Then I remembered the system window I had seen just before fainting.

Completing the quest had earned the goodwill of the centaurs.

For now, at least, we were safe.

"You've regained consciousness."

At that moment, a fascinating being appeared before me. It resembled a fairy, no larger than the palm of my hand, with green hair and eyes, looking like a teenager.

No, in this world, it would be... a spirit?

"Greetings. I am Phinis, the Spirit of Life."

I knew spirits existed in the original work, but I had never seen one. They were even rarer than centaurs.

"Ah, yes. It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Leviathan."

Following the centaurs had been a wise decision. To think I would meet a spirit as well!

And such a tiny creature was truly adorable.

"We've met before. We encountered each other before you lost consciousness."

Huh? When did I meet a spirit? This adorable being was new to me.

"My child."

Kyros floated up and pointed with his short paw at the Flower of Life.

"That flower is Phinis."

Ah, of course. Spirits are born from nature.

"Is that so? But Kyros, do you know this spirit?"

I asked, sensing familiarity in his tone. Kyros immediately shook his head.

"No. This is our first meeting."

Really?

"However, its roots come from me, so there's a sense of kinship."

"That's right. My survival is all thanks to Kyros' power."

Ah, connected by sacred power, they had grown close.

"I thank you both once again."

Phinis fluttered its tiny wings and stepped back, bowing respectfully to Kyros and me.

And it wasn't just Phinis. The centaurs gathered behind the spirit and knelt before us.

"Thank you, Kyros."

"We are grateful, High Priest."

There was a distinction in the way they addressed a God and a human, but the centaurs' goodwill made it hard to feel bad.

"My little bird has simply done what was natural for beauty!"

Kyros, seemingly elated, hopped around among the centaurs.

The sight of a puppy frolicking among the giant creatures was quite endearing.

And it seemed the centaurs were charmed by his cuteness as well. Life sparkled in their eyes.

'Now that I've gained their favor, it would be perfect to convert them into followers.'

Is there a way?

As I mulled over this, Phinis approached and spoke.

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