Mushroom Lord in the Underground City

Chapter 677: Chapter 666: Not a Cult

Mist Castle, Vera’s territory.

Under Vera’s efforts and with the assistance of Number Five, this small territory is managed quite well.

Unfortunately, that’s about all it is.

Although Vera wanted to govern this small piece of land into prosperity, like Fa’er in Mushroom City, who turned a small town into the most prosperous human city outside of the Royal Capital.

There were advantages like being the origin of the Fungal Mat, but Fa’er’s own abilities cannot be questioned.

When Vera first arrived at Mist Castle, he also wanted, not for it to be as prosperous as Mushroom City, but at least to breathe new life into the place.

Unfortunately, as an adventurer by birth, he was obviously not as skilled in managing territorial affairs.

Despite doing his utmost, he barely reached a passing standard.

Lately, with the "new defense line" being extended nearby, various related matters have come up, leaving him with rare moments of leisure to rest.

In the empty space of the castle, Number Five was commanding a group of Puki to perform a strange dance with him, wanting Vera to watch and give some suggestions.

A circle of Puki inside, a circle outside, bouncing around waving their tendrils.

Vera, though he didn’t say it, couldn’t shake the feeling that setting up an altar in the middle wouldn’t feel out of place.

"Number Five," he asked, "Where are you planning to perform this dance?"

Number Five halted its movement, its mushroom cap turned towards him, tendrils still in a dancing pose, like an actor paused in motion.

"Puki Festival is coming!" Its thought was full of pride, "This is the victory dance for the Mushroom Lord!"

Vera scratched his head.

He was aware of the Mushroom Lord, as Number Five mentioned it every day, occasionally adding "Praise the Mushroom Lord," as devoutly as those elderly women praying to the God of Light every day.

It was said to be the god of the Mushroom Race, but whether it truly existed was uncertain.

Even the beastmen of the United Kingdom often mentioned Beast God, yet no one had ever witnessed a miracle, and the so-called "divine oracles" were as ambiguous as a fortune-teller’s talk.

"Puki Festival?" he asked.

"It’s the festival celebrating the arrival of Puki in the world!" Number Five’s tendrils trembled with excitement, "This is the 500th anniversary! I must perform a dance the Mushroom Lord would love!"

"The 500th anniversary...!" Vera nodded.

Puki, having existed as a common low-level demon over five hundred years, seemed plausible.

But, who kept track of these years?

"Vera!"

Vera turned to look at the window sill behind him, where Fei Ling was waving at him to come over.

He patted Number Five’s mushroom cap: "Keep it up, I’ll come back later to watch your dance."

"Okay!"

Upon reaching the second floor of the castle, he saw that Fei Ling didn’t speak right away, but looked back at Number Five practicing in the open space.

Vera asked, "What’s wrong?"

Fei Ling had a peculiar expression: "Vera, do you know about the Mushroom Worship Sect?"

Vera shook his head.

"What about the Big Mushroom Charity Association?"

"I’ve heard of that one, I heard it’s an organization focused on aiding refugees, just like its name suggests, a charity association." Vera nodded frequently while speaking, evidently very fond of such benevolent organizations.

Fei Ling continued: "The Big Mushroom Charity Association is the Mushroom Worship Sect, and now they’ve come near Mist Castle."

Vera looked puzzled: "Mushroom Worship Sect? Is it a religious sect?"

"Yes! A group of people who worship the Mushroom Race! An unrecognized illegal sect by the Kingdom!"

Vera finally understood why Fei Ling had been frequently looking at Number Five outside; it was related to the Mushroom Race.

One must know, illegal sects are usually directly labeled as cults.

Of course, for a lord, the same illegal church, ’Hand of Death’ would certainly be struck down without mercy, while some trivial small beliefs could often be overlooked, as they served no purpose, and dealing with them was less beneficial than tackling gangs in the city.

Fei Ling suggested: "Should we send people to drive them away?"

This could be the easiest approach for them.

After all, the other side worships the Mushroom Race, and they have a Number Five here.

Letting them in might stir trouble, direct arrest would be too harsh and unnecessarily hurt Number Five’s feelings.

It’s a straightforward way to avoid mistakes by driving them to another place before Number Five finds out.

However, Vera rejected this idea: "If they truly are a group of good people willing to help others, we shouldn’t chill their hearts like that. If they are hiding evil deeds behind their good actions, we must seize evidence against them and eliminate them, rather than letting them harm other places."

He paused and looked at Number Five, still diligently practicing: "Also, Number Five is our companion too, we shouldn’t hide this from them. They are a good kid, and as long as we explain clearly, they will understand."

Such words left Fei Ling speechless. Her eyes shifted around, and finally, she sighed: "Fine, you always make the most sense... But you go and speak to Number Five yourself!"

...

"Mushroom Worship Sect? I know them!"

Vera didn’t expect Number Five to actually know about the Mushroom Worship Sect.

However, it didn’t seem to know much.

"Twelve is there, don’t worry Vera, Twelve is a good mushroom, always taking other mushrooms along when escaping!"

"Escaping?"

Vera was just about to ask what was going on when Number Five eagerly climbed onto his back.

Those soft mycelium tendrils wrapped around his shoulders, warm, like cotton cloth dried in the sun.

"Let’s go, let’s go!"

It urged, excited as a child going to meet a friend.

Vera was amused by its demeanor, chuckling lightly.

Then, he summoned the other three members of the team and some soldiers, prepared the horses, and set off toward the Mushroom Worship Sect camp.

Unbeknownst to Vera, as soon as he set out with his comrades and soldiers, Number Five had already informed Twelve of its coming through the Fungal Network.

Of course, for Number Five, this was just normal communication among the Mushroom Race, not involving any tip-offs.

Twelve then realized that Number Five was in this region.

"Vera is a good person; he will definitely be willing to help you!" Number Five was full of confidence, which made Twelve happy too.

It jumped up from the Mushroom Envoy’s special seat, causing Julia beside it to inquire.

Upon learning that Viscount Vira was about to arrive, Julia wasn’t flustered.

The activities within the Mushroom Worship Sect were almost all open to the public, almost...

Julia couldn’t help but look at Twelve.

"Great! Julia, prepare a bit, I want to personally cook for Number Five’s friends!"

"Okay, Lord Mushroom Envoy, but before that, there might be something else..."

"Something else?"

Following Julia’s gaze, Twelve focused on the special seat beneath it.

Was there a problem?

The skulls on it were quite dashing!