531 – The Demonic Cult (1)

Luna’s group was able to arrive at the Demonic Cult without any major accidents along the way.

No matter how dangerous the path to the Demonic Cult is, just like the Forest of Chaos, who is in the group?

Not only did Ratatosk exist, but so did Lize, the beings that divided the Forest of Chaos, making it difficult for any beast to approach.

The only animals that approached were small animals that recognized their strength and approached cautiously.

Of course, even those animals couldn’t stand Ratatosk’s glare and quickly left. Anyway, the group arrived at the Demonic Cult without any problems.

“Is this······the Demonic Cult?”

“I guess so.”

The group muttered quietly as they looked at the entrance to the Demonic Cult. Their expressions were varied, but the feeling of ‘surprise’ was similar.

Cheonmasingyo. If someone were to hear it, it would sound like a pseudo-religion, and it is actually a region based on a pseudo-religion.

What kind of place is a cult? It is a place where fanatics with negative images gather and do not understand common sense.

What’s even scarier is that these fanatics look normal on the outside. There are even quite a few who are secretly highly educated.

So why do people fall for cults? Brainwashing is a common method, but this world is different.

“It looks like an ordinary village… but it looks more like a city?”

“That’s right. Maybe we came to the wrong place?”

“No matter how I look at it, it seems like the village has developed into a city······”

This is proof. Proof that I will definitely protect you from any threat.

The moment doubt turns into certainty, people tend to respond with near-infinite trust. The evidence for this is the Demonic Cult.

I thought it would have a creepy vibe because of its negative image as a cult, but it was quite the opposite.

Rather, I felt a lively atmosphere from the entrance. The noise from beyond the entrance was constantly piercing into my ears.

“Your Majesty, you don’t know much about the Demonic Cult, do you?”

“No. On the contrary, from my perspective, it wouldn’t be strange to open a temple. If it were up to me, I would destroy it all.”

“··· ···”

But despite the lively atmosphere, Lize openly showed that she was not very pleased with it.

A completely different look from her usual gentle atmosphere, full of hostility. Even her companions are wary of her.

It was Lize’s contribution that brought her to the Demonic Cult, but would she really be okay in the Demonic Cult? It was a little scary to see her so clearly express her hatred and contempt.

“That······Saint?”

“Yes. What’s going on?”

“I’m just asking this just in case, but if you don’t like something, you can’t break it, right?”

No one raised an objection even though Luna said such confusing things.

After hearing that, Lize realized her shame and coughed in vain. It was a sign of embarrassment.

“Okay, let’s go inside first. We’ve only just arrived, we still have a long way to go.”

“How do I get inside and find it?”

“It’s okay to take your time. There’s a high chance they’ve already noticed our presence.”

The party briefly doubted Lize’s explanation, but soon they were convinced. They had already heard about Cheonma.

A being who is revered as a living god of the Demonic Cult, and who actually possesses the power and authority to be revered.

In fact, the way the Demonic Cult operates is possible thanks to the existence of the Heavenly Demon.

The Heavenly Horse protects the Demonic Cult from external threats, and the Demonic Cultists worship the Heavenly Horse.

“From the perspective of the demonic cult, they are worthy of worship as gods. Even the beasts around here are a world of danger.”

After hearing the explanation, Ellie looked around and said. In fact, the area around the Demonic Cult is full of mountains and forests.

I don’t know how many beasts I’ve encountered and fought on my way here. Even though there are Lize and Ratatosk, it’s still dangerous.

Civilization is a fence for humanity, built to protect us from various dangers, but when the danger is too great, even the fence cannot be built.

However, Cheonma not only helped build the fence, but also protected it, so from Mine’s perspective, he was no different from a god.

“It’s not that they don’t understand, but it’s definitely wrong.”

“But I think it’s okay to provide protection······”

Ellie said with a puzzled look. She thought that the intentions of the Demonic Cult itself were not bad.

On the contrary, it could be seen as a good thing. A god who protects the marginalized. It is a good way rather than a bad way.

But this is something that only one knows and not the other. Kara, who is deeply involved in religion and not Lize, said.

“If it was really good, Lord Guyana Gulag would have appeared in person and protected us. Or he would have sent a spirit.”

“Sister Kara is right. The scariest thing about a cult is its fanaticism. Moreover, it is difficult to even hold a holy war with a cult that has legitimacy like the Devil’s Cult.”

“It sounds like you’re not saying you’re neglecting it, but rather that you’re saying you have no choice but to let it go.”

Lize nodded after hearing Luna’s words. The Demonic Cult had already grown to a point where it was difficult to do anything about it.

Not only does the sect have to fight a ‘holy war’, but even if it does, it will continue to multiply unless it defeats Cheonma.

“The biggest reason the gods do not appear is because of growth. They could protect humanity forever, but if they did, humanity’s growth would be hindered.”

“It’s abstract. But at the same time, I understand the gods’ position.”

“That’s right. In other words, they are livestock being farmed. They just eat, sleep, and poop, and they have been given the chance to grow on their own.”

“··· ···”

A contemptuous remark that came out naturally, but no one could refute it.

That’s why I became even more curious. Who on earth is this Cheonma that was able to build such a huge enclosure?

Also, they wondered why the Cheonmasin Church was established. So the group moved forward.

“Stop! Stop right there… Saekmokin?”

As the group entered the main gate, the guard guarding the main gate opened his eyes wide.

The group is made up of people of color, that is, Westerners. Since most of the demonic cult members are Easterners, the guards couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Ah. That’s right. Your Majesty.”

“What’s going on?”

“Your Majesty, are you familiar with the exchange of fish?”

“I can have a simple conversation.”

Although the interpretation was not a problem, the group realized once again the importance of Shivar.

When you’re traveling abroad, especially without any knowledge like this, there’s no better interpreter than Shivar.

Just as the group was starting to realize the importance of Shivar, Lize spoke to the guard.

The guard was already in awe of Lize’s beautiful appearance, but he did his best to carry out his duties.

“Hmm. Hmm. I’ll be comfortable speaking our language. What brings you here?”

“There is someone I want to find.”

“Who are you looking for? Is there anyone who came in recently?”

“I think there will be one.”

Lize answered in a calm but confident voice. It felt like she was being interrogated.

But the guard looked puzzled, as if he really didn’t know. Then he started whispering to his colleague next to him.

“Hey. Has anyone come in here?”

“A lot of people went out, but no one came in.”

“That’s strange. Then who is it?”

“Are you talking about the land?”

“Whose land is it?”

Lize overheard the guards’ conversation and immediately intervened. The guards were startled by this.

The aura emanating from Re:Zero was unusual. Aside from her breathtaking beauty, her aura was also scary.

“······Before that, I have to ask this question first. Do you know where this place is?”

The guard lowered his voice when he saw that Lize’s mood was unusual. It was his intention to refuse if necessary.

After hearing those words, Lize tried to show off her stronger momentum for a moment, but soon calmed down.

There’s no point in getting angry here. It’s a problem you have to go into and think about.

“······I’m sorry. I almost caused trouble where the heavens are.”

“Haha. It’s okay since you apologized. So why did you come here?”

“As I told you earlier, I came here because I wanted to find someone. I might have gotten the date wrong.”

“Hmm. It’s not like there aren’t any colored people among the mines… I understand for now.”

The guards’ attitudes instantly changed to friendly ones as soon as Lize mentioned the sky.

The group that was watching the situation from behind couldn’t help but be dumbfounded for a moment.

What should I say? It felt like I saw a glimpse of fanaticism. Kara was the first to speak.

“······Do you know what they were talking about? Luna. You know, right?”

“I’ve heard it vaguely, but I don’t really understand it. Is there a conversation between heaven and earth?”

“No matter what, as long as it passes, isn’t it okay?”

As Grace said, if you can just get through, there’s no problem. And that’s exactly what happened.

The guards did a quick bag check and let us in. So far, there have been no problems.

“Come on~ It’s cheap, it’s cheap! It’s a wild boar that was just caught today!”

“No. Is this all you have? Give me some more!”

“I gave you a lot, so why are you doing this?”

The inside was the same. The appearance of the Demonic Cult, known as the world of fanatics, was no different from any other village.

Rather, it seemed more vibrant than any other village. It was hard to believe that it was a village of fanatics.

“······It’s a pretty good place, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. Oh. I see a Westerner over there too.”

“What on earth is this place······”

-Dang!

Just as Kara was about to open her mouth, a loud bell sound echoed throughout the village.

The bell sound was clearly heard from far away, but the vibration and sound seemed to spread throughout the place.

At first I thought it was the sound of the clock signaling the hour, but I soon realized it wasn’t.

“Worship the heavens!”

“Worship!”

“Worship!”

Merchants selling goods, butchers cutting meat, children playing, and finally, the military officers in charge of security.

As soon as the bell rang, everyone, without exception, began to bow in the direction from which the bell rang.

He didn’t care if he had something in his hand. Rather, he kept bowing even when he threw it on the ground.

The square, which had been bustling with activity just a moment ago, suddenly took on a solemn atmosphere.

A creepy piety.

“··· ···”

“··· ···”

“··· ···”

The group was able to face the situation and come to a realization.

This is the devil’s cult. And······

“······You’re being ridiculous.”

What fanaticism is.