I left Leon with a word to pray properly.
I should go see Aaron.
Let’s take a quick look around Riot Castle—standing atop the walls, I spotted him.
“Wow, since when did my direct Knight become so devout?”
“…..”
Aaron, who had been staring at the Flag of Faith, jumped in surprise and turned around.
Even that startled look seemed adorable to me now.
“Aaron, didn’t you used to hate anything to do with gods?”
“W-What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“You prayed, didn’t you? I know everything.”
The content was quite shocking, too.
‘I want to be the First Believer among the Knights’—was that it?
“Ha, how did you know I prayed… Don’t tell me the god tattled on me?”
Aaron muttered, rubbing his forehead.
His face was flushed as if he’d been caught in an embarrassing act.
‘He really does sound like he believes in gods.
Otherwise, there’s no way he would pray. Considering how Aaron has been so far, it’s really unexpected.
“Tell me. Did something change your mind all of a sudden? You used to hate it whenever I told you to believe in gods.”
I’d tried missionary work on Aaron countless times.
In Snowfall, at Barten House, even in the Demon Realm and the Hobson Mountain Range—I’d always tried to seize every opportunity.
Of course, Aaron’s answer had always been a firm refusal.
He’d even warned me not to talk like that in front of the other Knights.
He looked troubled, chewing his lips for a moment.
Then, with a sigh, he spoke.
“I’ve thought that maybe gods do exist. After all, I’ve seen the miracles you’ve performed, Young Master.”
“Then why now?”
“I guess I caught it from you or the townsfolk. The more I see your light, the more I… well, I start to feel a strange reverence, a faith in the gods.”
Is he talking about the effect of the aura?
I watched him quietly.
Aaron continued, gazing at the banner.
“Of course, even now, if a god appeared before me, I’d want to argue. Why make the world like this? Who are you a god for, anyway?”
“Still, in this situation, it feels like only a god can change things. If my prayer can serve as fuel for the lamp, then I’ll gladly do it.”
“You need to pray harder. Leon is trying to become a believer too. Or else you’ll lose your spot as First.”
“Really, what kind of god exposes all the content of my prayers? Geez.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his grumbling.
“Aaron, I hope you become a believer soon.”
And if you could become a Paladin while you’re at it, even better.
Then you could help me save the world.
“Please wait just a little longer. I’ll pray with all my heart.”
Aaron said this, looking down at his own hands.
A complicated mix of emotions appeared on his face.
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“I feel like my condition’s improved ever since I started praying.”
“That’s the effect of prayer.”
“Hmm, and—”
Just as he was about to say something else in response,
“Daddy!”
A young girl’s voice called out.
“Adele?”
It was Adele.
She bounded up the castle steps and jumped into my arms.
“So the First Manservant is here too!”
“Manservant…”
You came at the right time.
There was something I wanted to discuss with her regarding the Elves.
“Aaron, pray sincerely at least once a day. I need to talk to Adele for a bit.”
“Understood. Then I’ll be going.”
Aaron bowed his head and went down from the walls.
Come to think of it, what was it he wanted to say just now?
“Daddy, is the First Manservant a believer now too?”
I nodded.
Adele grinned mischievously, watching Aaron’s retreating back.
“What do you think will happen if he finds out you’re actually a god?”
Come on.
That’s ridiculous.
Unless I say something, there’s no way he’d make that connection.
“No way that’ll happen. I’m going to keep pushing the Saint angle.”
“But the First Manservant knows I’m the World Tree.”
Her words made me shudder.
Now that she mentioned it, it was true.
Adele, the World Tree, calls me ‘Daddy’—if he gets even a little suspicious, he might start to wonder.
Up until now, he probably hasn’t thought much about it, but as his faith deepens, his suspicion might grow.
Besides, Aaron has always loved to spin bizarre conspiracy theories on his own.
“If that happens, I’ll just insist it’s not true. Adele, be careful what you say in front of Aaron.”
“Can’t I just be honest?”
Absolutely not.
“Do you know how much he badmouthed me? Besides, gods are far more mysterious when they’re unknown.”
I patted her head, which for some reason looked sulky.
Time to get to the main topic.
“The Elves?”
“They’ve all woken up! Except for the minimum personnel, I called everyone over here.”
She beamed, rubbing her head against me as if asking for praise, making me laugh.
“Good job. How many came?”
“Um, about fifty?”
Fifty, huh.
Fewer than I expected, but it couldn’t be helped.
The population of the Elves had already dwindled so much.
“Not all of them are fully recovered. As you know, I’m still weak myself… Sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
Adele’s condition wasn’t improving anymore.
Even with a thousand Faith a day, now it was just barely maintaining her state.
“This much Faith is the limit, I guess.”
For her, it was like having an empty stomach.
After thinking for a while, I spoke.
“It’ll be tough, but hang in there a little longer. Once this war is over, things will get better.”
“Of course! As long as I’m next to you, Daddy, I can endure for hundreds of years!”
What a precious child.
Her boundless affection was a bit burdensome, but at the same time, she was as reliable as a trusted companion.
***
Two more days passed.
There had been no attacks from the Undead during that time.
“This is strange. Ever since the incident, they’ve never been this quiet.”
“Maybe they have no troops left! We should strike first while we have the chance!”
“If it’s all a trap, there’s no turning back. For now, it’s wise to boost the Alliance’s morale and request reinforcements from the other Houses.”
As always, the leadership voiced their opinions with veins bulging in their necks.
Each House had different tendencies, so their ways of thinking were different too.
Some shouted to attack first, others to strengthen our lines.
“Young Master Richard, what do you think?”
Commander Leon turned the question to me, who had been quietly listening.
He can’t even pray properly.
I shot him a glare and opened my mouth.
“I’m for the latter.”
They turned all the land between Polin Castle and Riot Castle into a graveyard.
No way their forces are already depleted.
The real battle hasn’t even started yet.
“There are only two reasons for their silence. Either they’re preparing something big, or they’re waiting for us to attack first.”
The most likely scenario is that they’re preparing something big.
The Undead, whose grudge against the living is so strong, would never suppress their instincts just to wait for our attack.
‘In fact, the magic power is getting thicker. Something’s not right.’
Unfortunately, I was more sensitive to magical energy than most.
So I could feel it.
Far away, somewhere near Polin Castle, magic was churning.
“Strengthen patrols and vigilance. There will be a major battle soon.”
“Understood!”
This was all we could do for now.
I looked around at each member of the leadership.
Some probably harbored dissatisfaction with my words, others agreed.
“Let’s end the meeting here.”
I was the first to push back my chair and stand up.
I keenly realized how frustrating meetings could be.
Hours of arguing every day, only for everyone to walk away with hurt feelings.
‘No amount of worrying will produce an answer that doesn’t exist.’
Still, the good thing was that the Alliance Army’s mood had become much more relaxed.
It was thanks to the bright faces of the believers.
I left the meeting room and went to find Mary.
As always, she was handing out rice balls.
“Ah! Young Master!”
“You’re working hard, Mary.”
“Hehe. Would you like a rice ball?”
She trotted over and offered me one.
“I’m good. More importantly, I think it’s time to get ready.”
“Ah! Finally!”
She broke into a wide smile, and I smiled back at her.
One of the cards I’d been holding back—the time for the believers to act was near.
“Wait just a moment!”
Mary dashed off, then quickly returned.
Behind her were all the believers, gathered together.
“Saint! Is it already time?”
“Well, we’ve already set things up! No need to drag it out any longer.”
“Ooh! The true beginning of missionary work!”
They were all buzzing with excitement.
Set things up, huh.
Somehow, that phrase sounded a little unsettling.
Just in case anyone overheard, I quickly moved us to a secluded corner and picked up ten Alliance Army banners I’d prepared in advance.
Now, if I pour 2,000 Faith into each one, we’ll be ready.
But before that, I asked the believers,
“Are you all truly ready?”
“Of course!”
“Leave it to us!”
Their responses were full of confidence.
Right. If I can’t trust my own believers, who can I trust?
[2,000 Faith has been bestowed upon the item.]
Ten in total.
Twenty thousand Faith vanished in an instant.
Now, I had only about eight thousand left.
I couldn’t help but sigh at being broke again.
But it was an unavoidable investment.
“I’m not sure, but a big battle is coming. Be careful out there.”
“Yes! We are Hor’s assets!”
“That’s right. That’s right.”
I handed the banners to Mary, who was saying such admirable things.
Since coming to Riot Castle, she had been in especially high spirits.
No, all the believers’ eyes were shining brightly.
They were so in love with the potential converts wandering around everywhere.
“Mary. I’ll be away for a while. I’m counting on you to take care of things.”
“Before you come back, I’ll make every one of them devout believers!”
“No, I’m not going to be gone that long.”
I’d only be away for a few days at most.
What I was after was none other than a fateful encounter.
‘If I don’t hurry, I’ll miss my chance.’
Originally, this was an opportunity Leon should have received, but at this rate, the thickening magic power would corrupt it.
I curled my lips, thinking of the mighty Lion King.
If anything happens, I’ll come straight back to Riot Castle.
Best case, there won’t be a battle before I return.
“Now then, prophets. Let’s pray. May Hor’s Church be filled with a million believers…”
“Ah! May a million believers fill the Church!”