Volume 3 Chapter 63: The Religious Sect

It happened in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, the Manager was gone. No, it wasn’t that she disappeared—I was the one who vanished. I was snatched away from the Manager’s side, pulled out of Sumibitotei, the tavern we were in, and thrown into this unfamiliar place.

I had no clue what just happened. But one thing was clear: I’d been abducted.

For the second time recently, no less. Unbelievable.

Though, what happened with Sierra doesn’t quite count. That was more of a failed attempt. Besides, it wasn’t a crime, really—just my worried little sister coming to fetch her idiot older brother. Sure, her methods were borderline illegal, but ultimately, it was my own fault. A harmless prank, more or less.

This time, however, was different.

This was full-blown abduction. No excuses, just a straightforward crime.

Looking at the group standing before me, draped in eerie white robes, I couldn’t think otherwise.

This is bad. What’s going on here? What did I even do to deserve this? Why am I surrounded by these obviously shady people? And what do I need to do to get out of this?

The place I found myself in was vast, with walls and floors as white as freshly fallen snow. Above me was a high domed ceiling, with a single beam of light streaming in from the center. No windows, no visible exits. The floor beneath me was engraved with intricate geometric patterns, and I appeared to be standing at the very center.

A crowd of figures in white robes encircled me, unmoving, their gazes—or what I assumed were their gazes—fixed on me. Honestly, I couldn’t even be sure if they were looking my way. Their faces were hidden beneath pointed hoods, with only two circular holes where their eyes should be. If a kid wore something like this and shouted, “I’m a ghost!” it might’ve been funny. But judging by their adult stature, these weren’t kids. These were grown men and women. And the ridiculous outfits weren’t funny at all—they were downright creepy.

There was no way I was going to look directly into those gaping holes. I didn’t want to meet their eyes. I couldn’t bear it. These people were seriously messed up. They terrified me to my core. I felt like I was going to wet myself.

Desperately trying to avoid their stares, sweat dripping down my face, I suddenly noticed something strange about my body.

Despite being surrounded by this ominous group, I felt… oddly free. Almost like I’d been unshackled from all my burdens.

As if I were… naked.

Wait… I was naked.

No clothes. Not a single stitch. What the hell!?

Thinking back, just before all this, I’d been holding a frothy mug of ale at Sumibitotei. The fact that it had disappeared should’ve been my first clue that something was wrong. But I’d been too shocked to realize I wasn’t wearing a damn thing.

I’m such an idiot. Who doesn’t notice when they’re stark naked?

Panicking, I quickly used both hands to cover Noil-kun. Thank the gods I hadn’t wet myself. That would’ve been too much.

Wait a second. So these people—these robed weirdos—had been silently watching me naked this whole time? What kind of sick game is this? Are you enjoying yourselves? Is this how you live your lives?

As I spiraled into a whirlpool of shame, confusion, and terror, one of the robed figures suddenly dropped to their knees with a heavy thud. The sound made me jump in fright.

What now? What do they want from me? I can’t take this anymore!

Terrified, I hesitantly glanced at the figure kneeling before me. Through the holes in the hood, I could see human eyes. A part of me had hoped these people weren’t human, that maybe they were something else entirely. But no. The universe had no mercy for me.

“Ohhh… ohhh… ohhhhhhhh…!!”

“…Huh?”

Tears streamed from the figure’s wide-open eyes. Their voice trembled with raw emotion, and then… they collapsed. Yep. Fainted right there. Honestly, I wanted to faint too. Or better yet, just die. That would’ve been simpler.

“What… what is even happening…?”

As if that one’s collapse triggered some kind of domino effect, the rest of the robed figures started dropping to their knees one after another. They shook and quivered as if overcome with awe or reverence.

If they were fainting because my naked body was just too much for them to handle, I could understand. Hell, I’d probably throw up if I had to look at a naked guy like this too.

But no. That wasn’t it.

They weren’t disgusted. They were… worshiping me.

Yes, they were worshiping the naked me.

The naked me.

Wherever I directed my gaze, the robed figures would flinch, tremble, and eventually collapse. What the hell? Am I some kind of god to these people?

No. Enough. Just faint already, all of you. While you’re passed out, I’ll find something to wear and get the hell out of here. Hell, I’ll strip one of those ridiculous sheets off you if I have to. After all, they’re criminals. Kidnappers. They don’t deserve my mercy.

Sick of it all, I spread my arms wide. Shame? Pride? I’d already tossed those aside long ago.

Standing under the beam of light shining down from the dome, I struck the most divine pose I could muster, basking in the glow. With all the authority I could summon, I declared in a booming voice:

“I am… your god!”

“Oooooooohhhhh…!!”

The remaining robed figures collapsed to the floor, nearly all of them.

I didn’t think it would actually work. What is wrong with these people? I mean, I can’t even properly manipulate mana right now. And I’m blatantly, obviously a stark-naked weirdo.

“Now then…”

I turned my gaze to the two remaining robed figures. One stood out as particularly tall, while the other was unremarkable in stature. Judging by their positions—standing a step ahead of the others—they were probably the leaders of this bizarre group. Unlike the others, they hadn’t succumbed to my bluff and seemed to be fully conscious.

“I am… your god!”

I gave it another shot. Unfortunately, they didn’t faint this time. Which, honestly, was to be expected.

This was a problem. I really wanted to escape right now, but without being able to use mana, I was ridiculously weak. Could I even manage to evade these two and make a break for it?

After thinking for a moment, I took up a fighting stance. Then I started bouncing on my feet, light and agile. Yes, I was still stark naked, but at this point, I couldn’t care less. I just needed to get out of here before I completely lost my mind.

But no, I wasn’t taking this pose to fight them. I’m not that reckless or aggressive. This was all part of the plan.

If being a generic “god” didn’t work, then I’d try a different type of god.

Bouncing lightly on my feet, I declared in a cool, commanding voice:

“I am… the god of war!”

“No.”

“Ah, okay.”

The tall-robed figure shot me down with a low, resonant voice. I froze mid-step, then meekly lowered my hands to cover Noil-kun once again.

Apparently, that was a bridge too far. I might have even pissed them off.

At this point, I had only one option left—my ultimate move, the 〈Kneel and Kiss the Ground〉 technique.

Just as I was about to drop to my knees—

“Huh?”

The two robed figures beat me to it. They knelt before me, lowering their heads with reverence.

“You truly are our god—the one true god, Lumelherc! Ah, at last, you have manifested before us…! This sacred, divine, and glorious form of yours… I, Aizon Sgehalgen, have awaited this moment for so long…! Please, accept our deepest faith and devotion…!”

As I stood there, utterly dumbfounded, the tall-robed figure spoke in a clear, reverent voice. His shoulders trembled—whether from joy or awe, I couldn’t tell.

And so did mine. Tremble, that is. Not from joy, but pure, unadulterated fear.

What the hell just happened? Wait, what? I’m… who? Lumel… what? Lumel… something? Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. Not that it matters.

Okay, maybe it does matter. But right now, what’s important is that they’ve mistaken me for some kind of god. And not just any god—their god.

This is definitely a dangerous cult.

They’ve mistaken me for the god their cult worships, and that’s why they kidnapped me.

Cold sweat ran down my back.

I could just say, “Hey, you’ve got the wrong guy,” but… what would they do if I said that? Would they even believe me?

No. There’s no way these people would just let me walk away.

The name Lumelherc sparked a vague recollection. In this world of Elist, where gods are believed to have once lived among humans, the idea of monotheism is rare. But there’s one notable exception: a cult based in the Floating City Pharmament, which claims to revere the god who created it—the nation of Sacred Heavens, Lumelherc.

Ah, so that’s it.

That’s what he said earlier. Lumelherc. I didn’t know much about them, but apparently, their god’s name is also the name of their so-called nation.

Not that anyone else acknowledges them as a legitimate nation. Far from it.

Most countries share the same opinion about Lumelherc.

They’re an insane, dangerous band of sky pirates.

The Floating City is, as the name implies, a city that floats in the sky. No one knows exactly how it works, but since it’s classified as a Sacred Artifact, logic and reason don’t really apply.

The city is hidden among thick clouds and constantly on the move, making it incredibly hard to locate. Over time, these self-proclaimed followers of Lumelherc took up residence there.

If that were all, it wouldn’t be so bad. But they believe everything their god created belongs to them, and they actively steal Sacred Artifacts from other nations.

Since Sacred Artifacts are a major source of power for any nation, losing one is a disaster. But even when other nations try to retaliate, Lumelherc’s methods remain a mystery. Their artifacts seem to vanish without a trace, likely due to the power of the Floating City itself.

And now I’ve witnessed it firsthand.

Their focus seems to be on a specific series of artifacts known as the Orb Series, which resemble glass spheres. They claim these were created by their god, Lumelherc, and that’s all they’re interested in. They don’t seem to care about other artifacts.

That said, their actions—stealing without negotiation or warning—have made them universally despised. Yet their overwhelming advantage, the Floating City, allows them to act with impunity. In fact, they look down on those who live on the surface, as if they aren’t even human.

This group, recognized as one of the world’s “Three Calamity Cities,” is none other than the Floating City Pharmament—Sacred Heavens, Lumelherc.

Yep. These people are bad news.

And somehow, I’ve been made their god.

All I wanted was to host a welcome party for Sierra, and now this?

To make it worse, I’m stark naked, unable to use mana, and stuck—probably—somewhere in the sky.

Haha. Hilarious.

“Help me, Manager…”

“Manager…? Forgive me, Lord Lumelherc. If I fail to comprehend your divine words, please punish this unworthy servant.”

Apparently, my pathetic whisper was overheard. That tall guy—Aizon, was it?—lifted his head and asked in a tone full of contrition.

“Ah, no, uh… don’t worry about it.”

I hastily put on an air of authority. I had to bluff my way through this. If they realized I wasn’t a god but just some random guy, they’d probably kill me.

“Ohh…! How merciful and benevolent you are…!”

Uh… sure. If you say so.

The guy’s hood was damp, probably from tears, as he clasped his hands in prayer. I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry.

Anyway, I folded my arms and casually asked, as naturally as possible:

“Aizon. Do you happen to have… anything I can wear?”

“I fear no garment in this world could ever hope to cover your pure, sacred body, Lord Lumelherc. Your natural form is the pinnacle of divine beauty.”

“Uh… right.”

So Lumelherc always walked around naked? Is that the kind of god he was? That’s… concerning.

“No, but seriously… anything at all. Even the bare minimum.”

Thanks to Fiona, I’ve become quite the actor.

Please. Just give me clothes. I’m begging you.

“If that is your command, then perhaps… we could provide something in about a hundred years. While such a wait may seem but a fleeting moment to you, Lord Lumelherc, it is still a considerable delay.”

“Ah. Got it.”

So… no clothes.

I glanced at the other robed figure, but they were still kneeling, shoulders trembling.

I looked to the heavens.

And then, silently, so they wouldn’t hear me, I thought:

Help me, Manager.