Tsuyokute New Saga - Volume 3 - Chapter 14

“Ohh, so you know about us.” Barrel spoke like he was happy from the bottom of his heart.

Goddess Mera is being seen as the older twin-sister of the Goddess of Earth, Cairys, with who she created the world and this continent, often appearing in ancient legends. Amongst the gods, she is one of the oldest and most renowned, told to hold tremendous power, which resulted in many faithful believers existing all over the world. However, despite being the twin-sister, she is supposed to have the exact opposite disposition of Cairys. Whereas Cairys controlled the light, Mera was responsible for the darkness—Day and night, truth and lies.

Whereas Cairys represented affection and universal love, Mera was a goddess who preferred humans the most among all humanfolk. Inevitably, most believers were of the human race, starting persecution or prosecution towards other races like elves or dwarves, and the stronger and stubborn believers would start setting up attacks without any discrimination. As a result, no other race but humans were accepted in their eyes, and rejected extremely, which is why this faith was regarded as a heretical religion, prohibited in every single country. However, even this remained deeply in human society, told to have great influence.

“I merely heard rumors about it…”

As the line between both sides of society crumbled down during the ‘Great Invasion’, Kyle touched upon the dark sides of the world, and came to know about the Mera Cult.

“It seems like it was dug deeper than I initially assumed.”

The doctrine of the Mera Cult even accepted fallacy if it was necessary. They would hide, faking their belief towards Cairys, but not even Kyle expected that the head priest of the Empire was a follower of Mera.

“As expected of Kyle-sama, being able to guess it immediately. The belief and teachings of the Mera Cult are spreading, deeply rooted in society. You wouldn’t believe how many believers we have.” Barrel smiled, and grinned.

“Don’t tell me…Prince Konrad?” A shiver ran down Kyle’s back, remembering the prince he had just met.

“Nay, he simply visited us because of official business…The missionary work inside our country isn’t quite making much progress, which is very troublesome. Absolute creed of strength may sound great, but those pseudo-humans really are starting to get on our nerves. In that regard, the Kingdom of Zilgus is wonderful, is it not? As an old human country, it has a perfect classification between humans and demi-humans. My ideal would be to completely cut them off…and to think that the next of Callan would be a dwarf…”

“So, what does a follower of Mera want with me?”

Right as Barrel wanted to continue and complain about the state of Zilgus and the Empire, Kyle cut in, asking with his caution levels at an all-time max. He had no idea why Barrel would reveal his true identity here.

“Ah, my apologies…Their Holiness has ordered me to greet you as a believer of Mera-sama, hoping that you would one day serve our faith.”

“…What?”

For a moment, Kyle didn’t understand what exactly he was talking about.

“We have yet to see a precedent of such a case, but it is quite the honor, truly. Congratulations, Kyle-sama.” Barrel seemed happy from the bottom of his heart, enough for Kyle to grasp that.

“Why? For what reason would you ask me?”

“Who knows? I have yet to hear any reason for it. However, it appears as if you are absolutely essential for the future of the Mera Cult. Their Holiness’ orders directly come from Mera-sama herself, so someone like me dares not know.”

“I am a believer of Cairys, remember?”

“Indeed, however we will immediately educate you. Mera-sama is quite open-minded in that regard, so she will forgive you for being uneducated.”

Now that the leader of the Mera Cult, the Holiness, has invited Kyle, Barrel must have accepted Kyle as a new faithful believer already. In his unwavering eyes, Kyle could even see an emotion resembling madness.

“Still, seeing Kyle-sama here as soon as I have received this order from Their Holiness, this must be the guidance of Mera-sama.”

So the grotesque presence Kyle felt two days prior really was Barrel after all.

“However, although we would want to welcome you immediately, any special treatment would cause confusion, and we have those who fear Kyle-sama based on your strength and abilities. I would not dare call it a trial, but we figured it would be easiest if you showed your true skills. That would make everything a lot easier for us.” Barrel spoke, sounding like he believed this was all pure goodwill.

“Hence, we will have you fight the slave we have prepared.”

“Slave? Are you talking about Goldar?”

Kyle faintly remembered the slave gladiator lizardman he met at the training space today.

“Goldar? I’m sorry, but I have not bothered to remember his name…However, we simply assume that his strength is not too far from Kyle-sama.”

Just as Harrel said, when Kyle saw Goldar’s match, he understood that he was quite strong, making it to the third round, but someone that Kyle could beat no doubt.

“There, our plan shook a bit. We will be using a certain measure, enjoying the results…Or rather, if you had won in the festival, there would have been no need for such a test, but the arrival of the Crimson Ogre was outside our expectations. Making you face her would be far too cruel, so we prepared that lizard. Fight to your heart’s content,” Barrel talked like he simply did this all for Kyle’s sake.

Kyle stayed silent to get as much information as possible out of him, but because the displeasure and disgust got the better of him, he opened his mouth.

“…You’ve been talking this entire time about this and that, but do you really think I’d just nod and say yes?”

“Huh? No, but, Their Holiness said…”

“Then tell that person. Whether I’m dealing with a human or another race from humanfolk, it doesn’t matter, I won’t discriminate against them.”

There, for the first time, Barrel’s expression broke apart, as regret showed on his face.

“That…is quite troublesome. It appears as if that long-eared woman has been seducing you. We have followers of the Mera Cult in the imperial capital, so maybe we should prepare to dispose of her as quickly as…”

That moment, Kyle pulled his sword at incredible speed, pointing the blade at Barrel’s neck.

“I won’t let you off easily if you plan on hurting Urza in any way.”

However, despite Kyle putting earnest killing intent in his words, and despite the blade pointed at his neck, Barrel was as calm as always.

“I can cut you down right here.”

Barrel however just laughed, and shook his head.

“I highly doubt that, yes. You are quite wise, Kyle-sama, so you should know what would happen if you were to strike me down.”

Seeing Barrel brimming with confidence, Kyle clicked his tongue.

“Then, I’ll reveal that you’re a follower of Mera…”

“With no proof? Even if you were to attempt this, with your significant lack of trust in the Empire, nothing will happen to me.”

Judging from that tone, he probably had enough countermeasures ready even if someone were to rat him out. If Kyle let his emotions get the better of himself, and he struck down Barrel, he would be branded as a criminal, and it might start the flames of a new war.

“More than anything, I have no problem with dying here. There are more who will welcome you.”

He seemed to believe that it was fine to die for the sake of that Holiness and the Mera Cult.

A fanatic, huh…How troublesome.

Not fearing for their lives, simply acting out the orders for the sake of their doctrine…only a fanatic could do that.

“Well, it cannot be helped. If you are that adamant, I shall keep that case on hold for now.” Barrel said, clearly hinting at the assassination of Urza as well.

“Do what you want. I will fight Goldar, and win. Without you forcing me to.” Kyle put away his sword, and was about to leave the room, showing that he had nothing more to talk about, when he suddenly stopped again. “One more thing. Were you present at the banquet the other day?”

“Oh, have you realized? Indeed, I was summoned. However, I had yet to hear the full details in regards to Kyle-sama, so I couldn’t come to greet you. My deepest apologies.”

“I see…”

So that eerie presence Seran had felt really was Barrel after all.

“Now then, I am quite looking forward to your match tomorrow.” Barrel deeply lowered his head, seeing off Kyle.

After Kyle left the cathedral, he moved almost like he was running.

“Now one annoying guy has set his eyes on me…”

The doctrine and faith of Mera did not align with Kyle’s goal at all. Defeating the demons was absolutely impossible with just the human race. He needed elves and dwarves as well, so discrimination against them was the last thing he could do if he wanted to unite all of them. In his previous life, Kyle had absolutely no connection to the Mera Cult. He may be standing out now, but that doesn’t explain why their leader had their eyes set on him.

Either way, he had to rush back to guarantee Urza’s safety. They were currently staying at a designated room inside the imperial palace, and although that place was regarded as the most secure in all of the Empire, Barrel said they had followers of Mera inside the imperial palace, so nothing was guaranteed. On top of that, Kyle didn’t know what kind of methods the cult used. When it came to secret assassinations, neither Urza nor Kyle was experienced. However, he had his own way of dealing with the situation.

“Fight an assassin…with an assassin.” Kyle rushed towards the bar where Minagi was working.

“That being the case, I’d like to employ you.”

“Even if you suddenly tell me that…”

Minagi was currently on a shift, carrying out food to the tables, only for Kyle to barge in, leaving her baffled.