Chapter 3

After two months of courting the commoners, the "Baybalon" territory rapidly developed.

First, I used the help of the thugs I had healed to build irrigation channels so that water could reach all the fields.

This was supposed to be heavy labor that would take several months, but that's where my healing magic came in.

Not only could it heal wounds, but it could also eliminate fatigue, allowing us to complete the work in just a few days.

Incidentally, when I used the magic to instantly remove fatigue, it not only made people feel incredibly energized but also promoted muscle growth through super-recovery. The thugs worked enthusiastically, and in the end, they became a group of muscle-bound monsters that even the knights would envy. They were saying things like, "Thank you, Lady Rize! Now I won't lose to any beasts!" and were genuinely happy about it.

Actually, when I entrusted the task of driving away the beasts that were ravaging the fields to these super-evolved thugs, they managed to drive them to extinction within the territory. They were really scary, though, seriously.

Anyway, the agricultural issues were all settled. The farmers were working with great enthusiasm, and I was looking forward to the harvest.

So, the remaining problem was...

"Um, Lord, are you listening to me? Well, the 'Goddess Sophia' currently revered in this country is a false deity, and in fact, the world was created by the god 'Demiurgos'—!"

"Yeah, I'm listening, I'm listening."

I stopped my thoughts and turned to face the silver-haired girl in a nun's habit who had been speaking with unusual enthusiasm.

Apparently, this girl was a young leader of a religion called the 'Demiurgos Church,' which had a considerable number of followers. Unfortunately, this country only recognized the 'Sophia Church,' and as a result, she and her followers were being hunted as heretics and had fled to this territory, which was full of escapees. Yeah, she's cute, but she's got a lot of issues. She fits right in with the people of "Baybalon."

As I was thinking this, her speech reached its climax.

"The 'Sophia Church' is twisted! It spreads the wrong teaching that 'magic is a power given by the gods, and using it for the lowly commoners is unthinkable'!

It's undoubtedly a convenient false religion created by the ancient royal and noble families to make themselves appear as 'superior beings chosen by the gods'!"

"Interesting, interesting."

"Compared to that, the 'Demiurgos Church' is different! While we share the belief that magic is a gift from the gods, we recognize that it is a power given to the nobles to save and guide the commoners!"

"Interesting, indeed."

Ah... yeah. No wonder she's being hunted as a heretic. She's directly opposing the 'Sophia Church' and promoting an ideology that offers no benefit to the nobles. Anyone would want an easy life, and using magic is tiring.

By the way, why did this girl storm into the mansion this morning and keep talking with her eyes sparkling?

"Anyway, Lady Rize! The way you use the power of magic for the commoners is the very ideal of a noble!

Please, join the 'Demiurgos Church'!"

Ah, I see... So, my actions of using magic to court the commoners matched her ideal, and that's why she came to recruit me.

What should I do? I really want to refuse... but this silver-haired nun has nearly a hundred followers. If I refuse and cause a riot, that would be scary... Alright, I have no choice.

"Sure, Sister. I'm impressed by the teachings of the 'Demiurgos Church.' Please, let me join as a follower."

"Oh, oh wow! What a great decision, Lady Rize!! If someone as remarkable as you joins, I'll even give you a high-ranking position in the church!"

She was so overjoyed that she almost started jumping around, grabbing my hand and smiling happily. Her well-developed chest bounced with each jump, which was quite a sight. I don't want to get too close, though, as she might start talking about the greatness of the gods in bed.

Well, I ended up joining a religion I don't really understand, but this way, the other followers will probably warm up to me.

It was a good decision, I think!

"Ah, by the way, there's an old meeting hall at the edge of town. It would be good to renovate it and use it as a church."

"Oh, oh oh oh oh oh oh oh...!! To think you would prepare a church for us, who have been oppressed by the nobles like pests!

You are as kind as the rumors say! Could it be that you are the 'Savior' chosen by Demiurgos!? No, there's no doubt about it! Alicia will dedicate her life to you!"

Saying something incomprehensible, the silver-haired nun, Alicia, bowed deeply.

Alright, the recruitment issue is settled! Peace and quiet are the best! Hahaha!

1: Healed and won over the thugs with magic.

2: Won the hearts of the farmers and rapidly increased food production.

3: Protected a religion that directly opposes the state religion and provided a church for its leader.

Hmm, this is leading towards peace, isn't it? ( )