Zeal’s face

Zeal's face turned pale as a sheet, so much so that he looked like a corpse. A few seconds later, he finally gathered himself enough to speak, his voice trembling.

"W-wait, earlier you said... you'd spare me if I surrendered…?"

Though his words were scattered and incoherent, the meaning was clear enough. He was asking why, despite agreeing to surrender, his life was still in danger.

With a smirk, Justin responded, "Sure, that's true—if you were just a regular leader. But you're a cult leader. How is that the same as being a regular leader?"

"W-what's the difference?"

"The difference is that a regular leader can be replaced, but faith doesn't change. The moment you're replaced in a religious territory, it's basically considered blasphemy."

It took a moment, but Zeal's eyes finally widened in realization. He was beginning to understand the gravity of the situation.

"Are you saying that even if I surrender, my followers won't accept it?"