How the Cult Saves the World

Chapter 51

It was not a difficult task to leave the Empire by carriage. The distance between the Holden territory and the border was short, and we could easily cross the border by bribing the soldiers guarding it with some conversation and money, just like last time.

Thanks to the carriage running for hours, we got out of the Empire. I had left the territory before, but it was my first time leaving the empire, so I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.

'It must be similar to Woosebeop.'

The scenery outside the window of the carriage was as I expected. It was not a place with lush greenery, but a barren land on the verge of desertification.

The vast land felt dry and bleak, stretching endlessly. The carriage we were riding followed the road on the ground.

Some might be disappointed by this arid landscape, but not me. It was already a background I had seen in the original work.

'I never thought this would be my first desert experience.'

The Celeste continent, where the Herpheon Empire was located, had achieved rapid growth based on its beautiful nature and abundant food.

However, as time passed, many countries were born and disappeared, and great wars broke out several times. The nature within the continent was destroyed by human development.

The countries that were large in scale, such as the empire and the kingdom, could survive by being self-sufficient, but not those that were not.

For example, the natives who lived with the land without belonging to any country. Or small villages with few people.

Those who lived in harmony with nature, not the ones who ruined the world, were suffering.

'...And he is also one of those people.'

I was staring blankly out of the window, lost in thought, when I heard a rustling sound from somewhere.

I lifted my head and looked at where the sound came from. I saw Zain rummaging through my luggage bag diligently. He took something out of the bag with a bland face.

"What are you doing?"

I asked out of curiosity. Without looking at me, Zain started to move his hands skillfully. He held two long wooden sticks and a thick woolen yarn in his hands.

"Can't you tell? I'm knitting."

He wove the yarn with very proficient movements. He didn't stop talking while moving naturally. It seemed he was quite skilled.

"Why are you doing that all of a sudden?"

I couldn't understand and asked. Zain only moved his eyes and looked at me. He looked at me with disdain.

"Of course, because it makes money. We have a long way to go, so I'm doing it as a side job. And I'm bored too."

He's really amazing. I laughed hollowly at Zain's answer.

---Do you want to do it too, Young Master?

Suddenly, I heard Kyros' question.

'What? Me?'

---We have a long way to go, you said. Aren't you bored too?

'...No.'

Actually, I'm very bored.

---Really?

Actually, I want to do it too. It was too boring to just think blankly. Last time, when we went to Mount Beon, I was also very bored in the carriage.

Ahem, I cleared my throat and spoke softly.

"Zain."

"Yes?"

Zain answered indifferently.

"Well... can I do some knitting too?"

It was very embarrassing to ask this after laughing at him just before.

"What? Really? You were just wondering why I was doing this."

Zain seemed incredulous and grumbled at me. But he still searched his luggage bag and handed me some spare knitting tools.

I happily took them and smiled brightly.

"But Zain, I don't know how to do this."

"Really, Master. You don't even know how to knit and you ask for it?"

He snapped at me openly now. But he had no choice but to bend since I was temporarily his master.

"Yeah. Teach me."

At that answer, Zain sighed softly.

Hamel laughed mockingly and got up from his seat. The man who was overdosed with Happy lay limp on the ground.

"Bring him. We can't waste this precious sacrifice."

Hamel turned away from the man and a young man returned to human form from behind the black panther.

The half-beast, half-man figure with dark black hair and golden eyes followed Hamel's order silently with unfocused eyes.

He carried the lifeless man over his shoulder and followed Hamel quietly.

"Hmm."

I yawned out of boredom. I stretched lightly and scanned outside the window.

It had been about a week since we left the Empire. We stayed overnight on the way and passed through a few villages.

During that time, Zain made about ten pieces of knitting work, and I barely made one scarf.

Zain evaluated my scarf like this.

'Did you make a rag with this precious yarn?'

I was so ashamed by his cold gaze that I decided not to knit anymore.

And Zain's knitting works were really high-quality. He knitted hats and gloves unlike me, and even made bags. I was amazed to see him do that.

I shoved my scarf into my inventory and didn't even look at the knitting tools.

'Are you not doing it anymore?'

'I'll just watch you do it.'

'You're not good at everything, Master.'

'Shut up.'

But watching Zain knit made time pass faster and I didn't feel that bored.

And when dawn broke.

We finally arrived near Aldone Kingdom.

Aldone Kingdom was a place we had to pass through on our way to Bahano Kingdom.

It was a small country with less population and no big features compared to the Bahano Kingdom.

But it was a popular tourist destination for its beautiful white buildings and clear sky.

We planned to rest here for a few days and then leave.

"Wow, it's really pretty."

Aldone Kingdom was beautiful even from afar. The white buildings shining under the morning sun were truly unique.

"I agree."

I was also admiring when the carriage we were riding passed through the gate of Aldone Kingdom.

Right after the system message appeared.

[Subquest 'Light of Hope' 1. Cleared!]

[Subquest reward will be given.]

[Subquest updated!]

[Subquest 'Light of Hope' 2.

Content: You have arrived at Aldone Kingdom within the time limit. Find out the secret hidden here.

Goal: Find traces of the beast in Aldone Kingdom within a week (This quest is linked to another quest)

Success: Next quest clue

Failure: -

Final success reward: ???

[Do you accept?]

[Yes/No]

As soon as I saw that the quest was updated, I was about to press accept. But then I paused for a moment, wondering if I had seen it wrong.

I scrolled down the quest content again and realized that I wasn't mistaken.

It wasn't a mistake.

'...The quest content.'

It's different from Woosebeop.