How the Cult Saves the World

"We've arrived."

I woke up from my sleep as the carriage came to a halt and the attendant opened the door for me.

"Wow..."

I couldn't help but gasp as I stepped out of the carriage.

"This is where you'll be staying for two days."

The white mansion looked like something out of a fairy tale. It was not only beautiful on the outside, but also the garden and the mountain behind it were all covered in snow.

A mansion standing gracefully on the snow-covered slope.

---What a splendid place.

"It's so beautiful."

"I've never seen anything like this."

Even though the place was full of snow, the roads were neatly cleared.

'That's right, this world has snow removal potions.'

It was a strange world that was both inconvenient and convenient.

"If you want to visit the village, please call us anytime."

The village. I should go there later.

"The house has everything you need, and we've brought winter clothes for you. And there's a hot spring behind the house, so feel free to use it."

The attendant bowed politely and opened the door of the mansion. As soon as I entered, I felt a warm heat wrap around my body.

I must have forgotten the cold for a while as I admired the mansion and the scenery.

"Wow, as expected. The royal villa is different."

I agreed with Zain's words. The villa was as big as the palace's annex, and it was decorated just as beautifully.

I looked around the various ornaments and headed to the bedroom on the first floor. I liked the simple design of the beige room and chose it as my place.

The bedroom had a bell cord to call the attendant easily, and a spacious bed and a small bathroom attached.

After checking out the room, I ran into the guys who came out of the nearby bedrooms.

"Master, shall we go to the village right away?"

"I want to go to the village too."

Since they wanted to, I had to take them.

"Let's go."

---

"Wow, it's beautiful."

The road to the village by carriage.

Except for the road and the sidewalk that the carriage passed by, everything was covered in snow. The royal villa was on a hill, and the village was spread out below the hill.

It wasn't very big, but it wasn't small either. It had the feel of a medium-sized tourist town.

'It's worth visiting.'

White smoke rose from the chimneys all over the village. It felt like I had found a village in a fairy tale.

Not long after, the carriage stopped near the entrance of the village. I didn't want to be seen by the people getting off the carriage with the royal seal on it, so I made a decision.

Fortunately, there weren't many people on the streets of the village, so there wouldn't be many people who saw us.

So I didn't bother to put on the hood of my thick winter coat.

---You look warm, kid.

'Yes? It's warmer than I thought. This coat.'

The coat I wore was made of thick fur. It was a bit unpleasant that the fur came from a monster. But it was better than an animal being sacrificed.

"I've heard that Bahano's White is beautiful, but it's even more beautiful when I see it with my own eyes."

"I think so too."

Zain and Troy exclaimed in admiration. I too felt like I had entered a fairy tale every time I looked around.

"Master, let's go over there. Let's fill our stomachs first."

"Okay, let's go."

It was a rare vacation, so I decided to listen to their requests as much as possible. The place that Zain led us to was a restaurant.

"Welcome~"

We were greeted by a cozy owner as we entered and a delicious smell hit us. Sniff. This is meat.

The restaurant was full of customers, which meant that it was a popular place in the village.

We sat down at the only empty seat and a waiter brought us a menu. I handed the menu to Zain. Then Zain and Troy picked their menu diligently.

"Please give us claw rabbit stir-fry and blade bear roast!"

I was shocked when I heard Zain's order. Wait a minute, is this a place that sells monster meat?

'...Ugh.'

I rubbed my forehead. Of course, I often saw dishes made with monster ingredients when I played Woosebeop.

'But that doesn't mean I wanted to eat them.'

I couldn't cancel the order when I saw the two guys drooling over the food on the other table.

Besides, what they ordered seemed to be the main menu of this place. I looked closely and saw that everyone else was eating the same menu.

---Huh, they even eat monsters.

'There are monsters that can be eaten.'

It was a very natural thing for the people of this world. But I had never eaten them before. I didn't even want to.

"Enjoy your meal."

The ordered dishes came out soon. It was a stir-fry with a brownish color and a roast with a golden crust.

"It looks delicious!"

Zain and Troy immediately grabbed the food and ate it. I was hungry too, so I picked up a piece of meat. It was hard to put it in my mouth.

"Oh, it's so good!"

"It's really good."

I could only push the food into my mouth when I heard the sincere compliments of the two guys. So this was claw rabbit stir-fry.

"...!"

This taste!

It was moderately salty and sweet. It was delicious.

I swallowed the meat and picked up a blade bear roast.

This was also good. It was tender, lean, and chewy. It suited my taste very well.

'So that's why they eat them.'

I started to eat the food quickly, competing with the two guys who didn't stop moving their chopsticks.

---

After eating the monster meat. We wandered around the White Village diligently. There were many souvenir shops that tourists often visited, so we bought souvenirs and ate special desserts made of snow.

Then we bought a few bottles of liquor that the people of White Village usually drank and returned to the villa.

It was almost evening when we arrived at the mansion.

"Master, are you going to have a drink tonight?"

"Since we bought it, we should drink it."

"Then I'll make the snacks."

Zain lifted his chin and showed confidence. Could this guy cook well? I was doubtful.

"Then I'll help too."

Troy volunteered as well. Zain didn't seem to like it, but he accepted Troy in the end.

"But, you have to do as I say."

"Got it. Don't worry."

"Then, Master, please rest comfortably."

I felt uneasy somehow, but I left them alone.

---My little bird, what are you going to do now?

'Um. I don't know. I don't have anything to do, so I'm going to the hot spring.'

I was going to call the attendant and ask him to prepare, but I got ready in the bedroom and headed to the back of the house.

There was a hot spring behind the house, with smoke rising from it.

'Oh, it's an open-air bath.'

---I want to do it too!

Kyros appeared in an instant. A puppy popped up and walked to the hot spring with small steps. The footprints on the white snow were quite cute.

Splash!

The puppy jumped into the hot spring and shook his body.

"It's warm! And the cold wind blows at the same time, making it refreshing!"

Kyros looked very satisfied. I smiled and put on a robe and entered the hot spring.

"Uh, it's cold."

As soon as I dipped my feet in the hot spring, a warm sensation spread throughout my body. I walked inside and found a suitable spot, and Kyros swam over to me.

"Puff!"

The puppy's appearance, cutting through the water and coming closer, was so adorable.

"How is it, my swimming skills?"

"You're very good."

I laughed, and Kyros laughed too. Ah, it's peaceful. And fun.

"Kid."

Kyros had been staring at me for a while. Did I laugh too loud?

"You always work hard."

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

I felt awkward by the sudden seriousness of Kyros. I stroked the wet fur of the puppy, and his eyes looked sad somehow.

"Thank you for always moving for me."

"...It's also for me."

I have to move hard to survive.

But Kyros didn't answer and just stared at me quietly.

"Kyros? What are you thinking about?"

"No. It's just, not long ago, I couldn't even have a form... I feel peaceful."

"Right? I love it here. It's quiet, peaceful, and cozy."

As I sat still and looked at the snow-covered mountain, my worries melted away like snow.

When will this peace come again?

"Yeah. That's right."

Kyros also looked at the mountain with me.

We enjoyed a moment of peace without any conversation for a while.

---

After leaving the hot spring, I changed my clothes and headed to the dining room where Zain and Troy were.

"Ugh..."

But, what's wrong with them?

"Zain, Troy."

I called the two people who were lying on the table. But they didn't get up. My brow furrowed in an instant.

The guys who said they would prepare dinner finished cooking and drank some alcohol. In the middle of the large table, there were gratin, bread, pasta, various cheeses and fruits, and a bottle of liquor rolling around.

---Don't get angry. They just tasted it and got drunk.

Kyros, who returned to his spiritual form, made an excuse for them.

'That's why I'm more annoyed.'

The liquor of White Village was very strong to withstand the cold. So, you get drunk quickly even if you don't drink much.

'They couldn't resist.'

I sighed and sat down at the empty seat. I had to eat by myself.

I poured some liquor into a clean glass. A refreshing and strong alcohol smell came out at the same time. I took a sip of the liquor and felt a sour sensation in my mouth.

'...Not bad.'

It went well with the still warm gratin.

I drank the liquor and checked the state of the two guys. They were completely asleep.

"Ugh... Huh?"

Then, Zain's eyelids opened and his eyes were very loose. He looked at me with a sheepish smile. Ugh.

"Master!"

The drunk guy raised his voice.

"Quiet down and sleep."

I drank the liquor and glanced at him. But Zain ignored my words and lifted his head. Then, he leaned his face on my arm as if he was dizzy.

'He looks like a troublemaker with his half-open eyes.'

I clicked my tongue as I looked at him, and Zain muttered.

"Master... Please give me more money."

"I'm giving you enough already."

"...But please give me more."

Zain smiled faintly and demanded brazenly. He was greedy. On the other hand, Troy was still asleep like a dead man.

"I'll take care of you better from now on, so just sleep."

I said to Zain as if I was scolding him. But he didn't budge.

"Master, do you think I'm a money-crazed guy?"

You're asking the obvious.

"Yeah."

"Right..."

The smile disappeared from Zain's face. Soon, his eyes moistened.

"But. Master, if I don't have money."

A tear fell from Zain's eyes.

"...No one -- no one can protect me."