This dungeon has mushrooms growing on it.

Chapter 667. Not a Cult
Mist Fortress, the territory of the Vera.

With Vera's efforts and Number Five's assistance, this not-so-large territory was managed in a fairly orderly manner.

Unfortunately, that's all.

Although Vera also longs to make her small territory more prosperous, just like Far in Mushroom City, transforming a former town into the most prosperous human city besides the royal capital.

While it has advantages such as being the birthplace of fungal mats, Far's own capabilities are beyond doubt.

When Vera first arrived at Mist Castle, she thought that she didn't expect it to become as prosperous as Mushroom City, but at least she wanted it to come alive.

Unfortunately, being an adventurer by trade, he was clearly not very good at managing territory affairs.

Even with all my efforts, I could only barely pass the test.

Recently, with the construction of the "new defense line" nearby, various related matters have come knocking on my door, making it a rare opportunity for me to have some free time to rest.

In the castle's open space, Number Five was directing a group of Puji to dance a strange dance with him, hoping Vera would take a look and give him some advice.

A group of creatures, some inside, some outside, hopped and swung their tentacles.

Although Vera didn't say it, I always felt that it wouldn't feel out of place to put an offering altar in the middle.

"Number Five," he asked, "where are you going to jump?"

Number Five stopped moving, and Mushroom Hat turned to him, its tentacles still in a dancing pose, like an actor whose pause button had been pressed.

"The Puji Festival is almost here!" it thought with pride. "This is a victory dance for the Fungus Master!"

Vera scratched her head.

He knew about the Bacteria Master, and Number Five would mention it every day, occasionally adding a "Praise the Bacteria Master," as devout as those old women who pray to the God of Light every day.

It is said to be the god of the mushroom tribe, but whether it exists or not is hard to say.

The orcs of the United Kingdom also talk about the Beast God every day, but none of them have ever seen a miracle. Even the so-called "oracle" is so ambiguous that it sounds like fortune-telling nonsense.

"Puji Festival?" he asked.

"It's a festival to celebrate the arrival of the Puji!" Number Five's tentacle trembled with excitement. "This year is the 500th anniversary! I must dance a dance that the Fungus Master likes!"

“Five hundred years…!” Vera nodded.

It seems reasonable that Puji, as a common low-level monster in the past, has a history of five hundred years.

However, it's unclear who recorded this timeframe.
"Vera!"

Vera turned to look at the windowsill behind her, where Phil was beckoning him over.

He patted the number five mushroom hat on the shoulder: "Good luck, I'll come back to watch your dance again."

"Ok!"

Upon arriving at the second floor of the castle, they noticed that Fei Ling didn't immediately speak, but instead looked again at number five rehearsing in the open space.

Vera asked, "What's wrong?"

Filyn's expression was somewhat strange: "Vera, do you know about the Mushroom Cult?"

Vera shook her head.

"What about the Big Mushroom Charity Association?"

“I’ve heard of this. I heard it’s an organization that specializes in helping homeless people. Just like its name suggests, it’s a charity.” Vera nodded frequently as she spoke, clearly liking this kind of helpful organization.

Feiling continued, "The Great Mushroom Charity Association is the Mushroom Cult, and now they've moved to the vicinity of Oblivion Castle."

Vera looked puzzled: "The Mushroom Cult? They're a religious sect?"

"Yes! A group of people who worship the Mushroom Clan! And they're an illegal cult that's not officially recognized by the kingdom!"

Vera finally understood why Philin kept looking at Number Five outside; it turned out it was related to the Mushroom Clan.

It's important to understand that illegal religious sects can usually be directly labeled as cults. Of course, for a lord, even if they are both illegal churches, the Hand of the Dead will definitely crack down on them to the death, while some insignificant minor beliefs can actually be turned a blind eye, since they are useless anyway. It would be better to use that energy to crack down on gangs for the city than to deal with them.

Feiling suggested, "Should we send someone to drive them away?"

This is arguably the easiest approach for them.

After all, the other side worships the Mushroom Clan, and they also have a number five on their side.

Letting them in might cause trouble, but arresting them directly would be too harsh and unnecessary, and would also upset Number Five.

Before Number Five finds out, driving them away to another place is a simple way to avoid making a mistake.

But Vera rejected the idea: "If they are truly a group of helpful and kind people, then we shouldn't chill their hearts like this. If they use good deeds to cover up their evil deeds, then we should seize their evidence and eliminate them, rather than letting them go and harm other places."

He paused, looking at Puji who was still rehearsing diligently in the open space: "Besides, Number Five is also our companion. We shouldn't keep these things from it. It's a good kid. As long as we explain it to it, it will understand."

Fei Ling was speechless after hearing this. Her eyes darted around a couple of times before she finally sighed, "Fine, you're always right... but you can go and talk to Number Five yourself!"

……

"The Mushroom Cult? I know it!"

Vera was also surprised that Number Five knew about the Bagu Cult.

However, it seems that not many people know about it.

"Twelve's there, don't worry Vera, Twelve's a good mushroom, it always takes other mushrooms with it when it runs away!"

"Run away?"

Just as Vera was about to ask what was going on, Number Five had already impatiently clung to his back.

The soft mycelial tentacles wrapped around his shoulders, warm as if he were wrapped in a layer of sun-dried cotton cloth.

"Let's go, let's go!"

It urged on, as excited as a child going to see a friend.

Vera chuckled softly at his antics.

He then called the other three members of his squad and some soldiers to prepare their horses and set off in the direction of the Baigu Cult camp.

What Vera didn't know was that just as he set off with his companions and soldiers, Number Five had already told Number Twelve about his arrival through the Fungal Network.

Of course, in Number Five's view, this was just normal communication among their mushroom clan, and did not involve any tipping or intelligence gathering.

It was only then that Twelve learned that Number Five was in this area.

"Vera is a good person, he will definitely be willing to help you!" Number Five said confidently, which made Number Twelve very happy.

It suddenly sprang up from its special seat, prompting Julia, who was standing nearby, to ask a question.

Julia didn't panic when she learned that Viscount Vera was coming.

Almost all activities within the Baigu Cult are public-facing, almost...

Julia couldn't help but look at Twelve.

“That’s great! Julia, get ready, I’m going to cook for Number Five’s friend myself! He’ll understand that we’re not a cult.”

"Yes, Master Mushroom, but before that, there might be something else..."

"Other things?"

Following Julia's gaze, Twelve focused her attention on the private seat beneath her feet.

Is there a problem?

These skulls are so cool!
(End of this chapter)