Matier, the boss of Black Steel, rubbed his eyes. He couldn't believe what he was seeing and looked again.

A person is being flung through the air by a child much smaller than them.

It's a child who hasn't even reached adulthood. At least, that's how it appears. Small in stature, slight in build. But somehow...

‘What is the reason for this absurdity?!’

"You... You bastards! Can't you do anything properly?!"

He grabbed his weapon but couldn't easily join the fight on the first floor.

When the wooden sword was swung, the bodies of his gang members were broken. Jaws shattered, heads shook. Some clutched their dangling arms and crawled on the ground.

In just one minute.

Within that short time, five adult men were utterly defeated.

"What the heck. Just ruined my appetite."

‘This... this kid… Isn't he a knight of the Empire?’

Trembling, Matier drew his sword. He swung it wildly in the air while shouting.

"You, you bastard! Where did you come from? State your affiliation!"

"I'm from the order."

"The order?! What order?!"

"Summon Ra, and you shall be saved."

Matier dropped his sword at the laughter that sounded more demonic than priestly.

"Ra shall guide you."

"What are you saying..."

"Perish!"

"Ahhhh!"

He wasn't actually killed. Hmm. Killing him would have caused problems.

I made him kneel. And he was stripped of his pants. To be clear, it wasn't me who took off his pants, it was Hector.

"Serves these bastards right."

Seeing him chuckle gave me an idea of how much he harbored ill feelings. Well, I guess it's mostly resolved now.

"Hey."

"Y-yes."

"How much do you earn a month?"

"A-a month, sir?"

I could almost hear his eyes rolling. I nodded toward Hector.

"Grab him."

"Okay."

"W-wait a minute?! What are you doing?!"

Hector forced the boss into a chair. I walked over casually.

I lightly put my arm around his shoulder. I extended my hand forward so he could see it clearly.

"What's your name?"

"M-Matier..."

"Matier. Got it. Buddy, do you know my name?"

"I-I don't..."

"Jahad. Jahad Balton. It's a nice name, don't you think? What do you think?"

"Y-yes! It's a nice name!"

I snapped my fingers. I could feel him flinch at the ember that appeared.

"What do you think of this?"

"I-I think it's fire..."

"That's right. It's fire. Do you like playing with fire?"

"N-no! I hate it! I really hate it!"

"That's unfortunate."

I smiled.

"Because I do."

And then I pressed it against his hand.

"Ahhhhh!"

It shouldn't hurt that much, though.

You're making a bigger deal out of this than I expected. I increased the intensity, channeling more divine power.

"How is it? Tell me how it feels!"

"It hurrrtttsss!! You bastard!!! Stop it!!!"

"Tell me what you think of my 'hot' flame! Describe it! Prove the pinnacle of my efforts with your own words!"

"Oh, you crazy bastard! Stop it! Please, stop!!!"

"Does it burn?! Does it?!"

"Ahhhhh! Yes, it burns!!!"

I withdrew my hand. Matier was panting, his skin red and heated.

"You bastard... you bastard..."

Anyone seeing this might think he was being tortured by fire. It's just a bit of a hot flame—it can't even burn flesh properly.

I clicked my tongue and gestured to Hector. As he released Matier's arms, Matier grabbed his own hand and gasped.

"What do you want?"

"Join the Cult of Ra."

"What the... damn it..."

"You don't seem to understand. Hector, grab him again."

"No, no! Don't!"

"Boss, this is a bit..."

"He's not going to die anyway."

Right.

My current Ember doesn't have the power to kill someone.

But it's certainly powerful enough to cause pain.

"Remember, those who wield violence can be ruined by it."

"You, you bastard! Is what you wield peace and love?!"

"You're seeing it clearly. Now look, dear lamb. The 'prickly' flame in my left hand is peace, and the 'hot' flame in my right hand is love. Which one will you choose?"

"P-Prickly?"

The man rolled his eyes, staring at the flames flickering in my left and right hands.

"If I have to choose, peace..."

"Too bad for you."

I intensified the flames.

"I've already graduated from 'prickly.' All that's left for me is love!"

"Then why did you ask?! Damn it!!!"

Matier surrendered, bending the knee in the name of 'love'.

"I will become a follower..."

Not only did I receive his vow, but I also secured it with paperwork, complete with an official seal.

A slave contract.

I smiled with satisfaction. This secured the funding source.

"Matier."

"Y-Yes, Priest."

"Oh, come on. Why so formal between us? Just call me Jahad."

"J-Jahad..."

"You actually did it when I told you to. Do you want to die?"

"I-I'm sorry... Priest..."

I gestured to the document. I kindly read aloud the section where he had scrawled his signature carelessly.

"Remember the clause that as a follower of the Cult of Ra, Matier pledges to donate half of his income to Hector?"

"H-Half, you say?! Then how are we supposed to manage?! Do you want us to starve?!"

"Stop whining. You could just expand the territory you manage, couldn't you? From what Hector tells me, the area you're controlling is just a tiny speck around here, right?"

"B-But we lack the manpower to do that. It's not like we're satisfied with just this area!"

"Ah, dear lamb, do not worry."

I gestured towards the children behind me.

"The soldiers of Ra will assist you. Your portion will be taken care of. In fact, it might grow bigger than before, so manage it well."

"Truly?!"

Matier gulped. I could see him calculating in his head. He believed that by teaming up with the children, they could win in gang battles and earn more money even after giving away half.

"Then... it wouldn't be a bad deal for us..."

"Right. You're quick-witted."

The children flinched.

"...What did you just say?"

"Did I hear that right?"

"Boss! What do you mean?!"

The foolish children rushed at me, but I shook them off. Clenching my fist, I shouted at them.

"Do you still not understand my intentions?! Are you content staying here?!"

"W-Well?"

Tears welled up in my eyes as I poured out my feelings.

"Why can't you understand my heart?! As young men, shouldn't you dream big?! You all… Are you going to be satisfied with this little neighborhood?! Do you want to live like these punks forever?!"

"I'm a girl..."

"Me too..."

"Overlook the trivial details!"

"Alright then..."

"Anyway! I want you to grow even more! We cannot stay here! Think about it! Hector! Pavel! Linden! Marie! And... Lotasha!"

"It's Natasha!"

"Mitasha! Anyway!"

"I said it's Natasha!"

I embraced Hector warmly and pointed towards the sky that was obscured by the roof.

"We all have to remember... Now that we've started, we must become the best! If you settle in your place, you'll fall! What is downfall?! It's when those damn bastards climb over our heads!"

"That's a bit harsh..."

"Hey! Don't spoil the mood. You want me to knock some sense into you?"

"I'm, I'm sorry..."

"Hector! Say it aloud yourself. Do you want to keep getting pushed around by those types again? Living in fear of even stronger ones acting arrogantly like them?"

Hector's eyes changed, and he shook his head vigorously.

"No!"

"That's it! That's the spirit! Even though my heart aches every time you struggle... I endure it for your growth! We need to become stronger, and for that, we need trials and hardships!"

"Isn't that just empty words?"

"Shut up, Bactasha."

"I told you, it's Natasha!"

"We're going to climb even higher! Hector, you'll be right behind me!"

I thrust my fist forward passionately.

"We're... comrades... aren't we?"

Hector, Pavel, and Linden clung to me.

"Boss! I'll do my best! I won't lose to anyone!"

"Sniff... To think you had such thoughts..."

"I'll live up to your expectations... Boss..."

Marie and Natasha looked at each other.

"These guys are blockheads, are they?"

"Even if they're friends… What a hassle..."

I straightened my shoulders. Even though I was surrounded by sweaty boys, this would be enough.

Unlike me, these kids without tasks would step up and work for me, and while doing so, they’d also bring more money by fighting alongside those Black Steel guys or whoever they were.

Moreover, the name listed on the contract is Hector!

If something happens, I can cut ties and escape!

"Hehehe."

Goodbye, you dried-up crust of bread. Once the money comes in under Ra's name, I'll never see the likes of you again.

[Ra looked at her apostle with a weary expression.]

Mierkant's mouth fell open. Irene instinctively covered her mouth with both hands.

Money.

Bundles of cash suddenly tumbling in!

"W-What... is this?"

Mierkant counted the money Jahad handed over again. Altogether, ten million talents. It might be a trivial sum for the wealthy, but to a priest of an abandoned church like him, it was a fortune beyond measure.

‘Money to feed the kids healthy meals, provide daily sustenance, and dress them in warm clothes!’

Mierkant looked back and forth between Jahad and the money.

"J-Jahad, you little rascal! What have you done?!"

His initial reaction was suspicion.

Though he tried not to be angry, the words burst out. After all, for a child to come across such a sum, there were practically no legitimate means.

The only possible way to obtain ten million talents was through theft.

Mierkant's hands trembled. He closed his eyes and extended the money back towards Jahad.

"Hurry and return this to its owner! You shouldn't be doing such things!"

"What things?"

"Th-theft, of course! How could you do this, you rascal! I praised you for being good, and this is how you repay me by crossing the line! Return it immediately to its owner, and then we will decide your punishment!"

"Oh, it's not stolen money, priest."

Jahad clapped his hands. The church doors opened, and a group of large men poured in.

"I've been spreading the word during my breaks. Some people were interested in joining our sect, so I brought them here. Mr. Matier. This here is Priest Mierkant."

"...Hello, I am Matier. Please feel free to call me by my name."

Mierkant quickly bowed his head in response to the one-eyed man's bow.

‘New believers?

Here?‘

"Did you really come to join?"

"Of course. After hearing Priest Jahad's words, I've had a change of heart. I am a dedicated follower of the Sun God."

Matier's body trembled, as if he was forcing the words out.

"...I am forever... a slave to Ra."

"How about that, priest."

Jahad grinned.

"See, I told you it wasn't stolen money."

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