Vol 1 Chapter 14 Child Play?

"Huff."

Sipping the tea brewed by Lilia, I waited for Michael, whom I had asked Lilia to call earlier.

Lately, it had been getting colder. Even my breath came out in thin wisps of vapor. This could only mean one thing—the season I hated most was approaching. Winter.

Why did I dislike it? I was a creature of the tropics, only accustomed to the dry and rainy seasons. How could I possibly endure winter? Besides that, I also had a slight trauma associated with winter, having nearly frozen to death once before.

As I was lost in my random thoughts, a knock echoed through the room.

Knock! Knock!

"Come in."

The door swung open, and Michael entered quickly, immediately kneeling before me as I sat on the bed.

"William-kun, are you okay?!" Michael shouted, his eyes wide with panic, staring at me as if I were on my deathbed.

I placed the teacup on the table and answered flatly, "I'm fine. It's just a scar. More importantly, I have a question for you, Michael-sensei."

"Ask me anything, William-kun," Michael replied swiftly.

I locked eyes with him and asked in a low tone, "Are you serious when you say you consider me a god?"

Michael looked startled by my question. He lowered his head, staying silent for a few seconds before lifting his gaze again. With eyes filled with conviction—and madness—he answered with unwavering certainty,

"There is no god but you, William-kun. Truly, I have no doubt in my words."

I held my breath for a moment before a small smirk crept onto my lips.

His eyes were full of devotion.

This man… he was serious.

I didn't know the exact reason why, but I was already used to people who had a few loose screws. However, seeing the madness in his eyes now, for some reason, I felt a bit pleased. People like him were sometimes incomprehensible through normal logic, but that was precisely what I needed.

To build the foundation of my plan, I didn't need logical people. I needed those who would obey me without question, who truly saw me as a god, and who would follow my every command without hesitation.

I sighed and asked, "Michael-sensei, have you heard what happened to Vii-chan?"

"Yes..."

At the mention of Victoria's name, Michael's expression changed instantly. Sorrow was clearly visible on his face.

"Vii-chan, Victoria Adorudia, is dead. And the cause of all this is this flawed world."

"A flawed world..." Michael murmured.

"Exactly. Don't you think this world is utterly broken? Slavery is accepted, prostitution is entertainment, murder is commonplace, and robbery is routine. If this isn't a defect, then what is?"

I rose from the bed, walking toward the window, gazing out at the world beyond with a cold expression.

"..."

"This disgusting world is what led to Victoria's death!" I muttered, clenching my fists tightly.

"That is why I will fix this world and become the god of a new world, just as you and Victoria always spoke about."

I turned to Michael and extended my hand.

"Will you help me achieve my goal, Michael-sensei?"

Michael looked at my outstretched hand, then grasped it, kissing it gently.

...Ah, good thing I was wearing gloves. Otherwise, I would have punched him just now.

Michael lifted his head, a wide grin on his face. His eyes sparkled with joy.

"If that is your will, my God, I shall obey with all my heart."

I smiled in satisfaction.

"Good, Michael-sensei. Without further delay, let's head out and recruit new followers into our cult."

"Yes!"

I eagerly grabbed my coat and headed toward the door.

But before I could step outside…

"You're not leaving the house until you're fully recovered!"

Zenith stood at the doorway, hands on her hips, wearing a terrifying expression.

Just as I was excited about recruiting new members, my mother suddenly forbade me from going out. I felt perfectly fine, but Zenith was still worried about my condition. On top of that, I had entered the forest without permission, which had led to my current "house arrest" as punishment.

I let out a long sigh.

*******

As far as the eye could see, white covered everything. Snowflakes fell gently from the clear sky. Cold mist escaped from my small lips.

"Cold."

Winter had arrived.

I was now four years old. Alongside Michael, I stood in the village square, attempting to recruit new members for our cult—"Will of God."

"We have been blinded by a world full of lies! But here, with our God, the ultimate truth shall be revealed! All injustice will be erased by our God! Come forth, brothers and sisters! Become part of the Will of God cult! Only those who acknowledge our God shall be saved!"

Wearing a large cloak with a hood concealing my face, I stood atop a podium Michael had prepared. My role was simply to stand there with a mysterious expression while Michael passionately delivered his speech.

"Brothers and sisters, join the Will of God cult! Here, you shall find true justice!"

As Michael enthusiastically continued his speech, a villager who knew both of us approached.

"Hey, Michael, William-kun. What are you two doing?"

"Join the Will of God cult, sir!" Michael responded eagerly.

"Huh? Are you kids playing cult games?"

...

I froze.

Michael also fell silent.

The villager chuckled and said, "Ah, kids these days sure have wild imaginations. Back in my day, I used to play pretend as a king, hahaha!"

I glanced at Michael.

Michael glanced at me.

"....."

"....."

'Apparently, recruiting members for a cult isn't that easy…'

*******

"William-kun, the villagers aren't taking us seriously… They all think we're just playing pretend," Michael sighed, sounding exhausted.

"It can't be helped. I'm still a child, and I don't have anything special that would make me seem more like a god."

"William-kun is incredibly special! They just don't realize it yet!" Michael retorted passionately.

Seeing Michael defending me made me smirk, and I said,

"Thank you, Michael-sensei. But perhaps I should focus on training first to become stronger. Because if I have absolute power, then they will have no choice but to obey me." I said with an evil smile.

"As expected from my God. Then I shall gather funds for our cult. With money, they will inevitably be tempted and flock to our cult!" Michael declared, his mind already scheming.

I glanced at Michael.

Michael glanced at me.

"Hahaha!"

"Hahaha!"

After laughing together, Michael scratched his head awkwardly and asked,

"But… how exactly am I supposed to gather the money, William-kun?"

"...."

'You're the one who said you'd gather the funds, and now you're asking me how?' I thought, staring at him coldly.

"Um… don't look at me like that. If I knew, I wouldn't be working as a private painting tutor here…" Michael muttered awkwardly under my icy gaze.

Considering Michael's skills, I thought of the most plausible business idea for him.

"You could sell your paintings to traveling merchants who would then resell them to nobles."

Hearing my suggestion, Michael's eyes lit up with enlightenment, and he shouted in delight,

"Ah, genius! As expected of my God!"

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