Barbarian in a Failed Game

047. The Goddess of Justice (2)

Although there was an opportunity to make repairs in a small town on the way to Al-Ranzas, the party chose not to dwell and instead hastened their journey. The preserved food that Neria had prepared was more than enough for a round trip from Al-Ranzas to the border town, and there was little difference between sleeping in small houses with a barn inside, huddling with beasts, or camping out on the road.

“Moreover, if such small towns were to maintain themselves in good condition, it would mean they have a considerable income. Where would that be found in the midst of the chaos engulfing the entire North? It can only mean plunder.”

Ron’s speculation that the town itself had transformed into a group of plunderers did have a significant influence on the decision. Of course, ordinary townsman would hardly pose a threat to the party but…

‘There’s no need to stir up unnecessary trouble.’

“But still. You mentioned that Al-Ranzas and Al-Rasdel are quite close, right? I’m a bit worried about that area…”

Upon hearing Jan’s murmur, Khan shrugged his shoulders.

“Well.”

Several days had passed since the party left the border town. Thanks to the carriage Neria had given them as a reward, their journey to Al-Ranzas sped up, and if nothing untoward happened, they expected to enter Al-Ranzas in a few days.

Khan might have dismissed Jan’s worries lightly, but it was certainly a point that needed to be addressed.

“If the chief’s words are true, then Al-Rasdel might have been thrown into chaos due to raiders, but Al-Ranzas should be fine. Even a band of raiders wouldn’t dare to intrude into a place watched over by the Goddess of Justice.”

“Maya is correct. Even the Hundred Battle Marquis, who can be considered the highest authority in the North, sees Al-Ranzas as a separate entity. It should be fine.”

“The Goddess of Justice?”

Jan’s eyes widened.

“The gods of the pantheon usually focus their gaze on the main temples. That’s what my master said…”

“That’s true. However, the convent in Al-Ranzas is a bit special. Or rather, should I say there’s someone special there?”

Ron went on to explain about the background of the convent’s director. It was all based on rumors circulating among mercenaries or something overheard in Al-Ranzas in the past, but it was enough.

“The deputy commander of the paladins…? Why would such a person be, not in the headquarters, but in the remote area of Argon?”

“That, only the person themselves would know. Maybe they retired and settled down in their homeland. Ah, speaking of which, you might have heard something about it, right?”

Suddenly turned to, Khan nonchalantly shook his head.

“All I heard is that the convent’s director might solve my problem.”

“What… That’s so like you.”

Responding as if they expected nothing less from Khan, he glanced at the driver’s seat and clenched his fist slightly.

‘I need to find out more there.’

Of course, it was true that Khan was overly indifferent…

The fact that Aries, who introduced Berta in the first place, was extremely taciturn, nearly on the verge of vanishing, did play a big role. At least, that’s how Khan saw it.

Given that Aries’s manner of speaking suggested nothing remarkable, concluding it as a reasonable suspicion that the little lady was trying to exploit her rank to make use of the convent’s director, Berta, wasn’t necessarily wrong.

“After all… that paladin lady did seem a bit blunt.”

“Paladin lady…? What’s that about?”

“Ah… it’s a long story to explain right now. When there’s a chance later on, I’ll fill you in. So, what do you plan to do once we take care of our business in Al-Ranzas? I’ve heard you wanted to investigate the anomalies in the North, but I’ve not heard exactly what your plan is.”

“Oh, I was curious about that too! Do you have something in mind? Warrior?”

“Roughly.”

While it was difficult to explain in detail because it’s related to knowledge from the game, the clues gathered so far had given him a rough direction.

“Neria mentioned it. Among the rumors circulating in the North, there’s talk of a person called ‘the sage’ leading people. They’re helping refugees from fallen cities or wanderers.”

“The sage?”

Jan was the one who responded to Khan’s words, particularly to the word ‘sage.’ Sages were commonly a nickname referring to the maguses of the magic towers.

“Hmm. It’s not someone from our tower, right? Currently, everyone would be either in the East or have returned to the Empire…”

“If the sage in the North were a magus from the magic tower, the rumors wouldn’t have spread like this. Probably an independent mage. Or maybe someone whose affiliation is not yet known.”

“Could it be… the people Count Emil mentioned?”

“You mean that dubious group, the Followers of Truth?”

Upon Maya’s inquiry, Khan nodded.

“There’s a high probability it’s them.”

“I’ve never heard about such a group from the head of the armory… But to think that these individuals are orchestrating the chaos in the north from the shadows, it feels somewhat unreal.”

“Well, that would make sense.”

Khan’s gaze turned somber.

The Followers of Truth would start to make their name known by collapsing the Magic Tower in the future, but if asked whether their current strength was weaker than it would be later, that wasn’t the case.

Just as had happened during the era of Darkin Pereyas, there was no trick to taking out an underdeveloped boss early. The current power of the Followers of Truth wouldn’t differ much from what they’d have later on.

With the continent’s transcendents bound by the current Emperor’s ‘Pact of Purification’, concentrating their power for the hunt of the Great Demons, they were merely conserving their strength while waiting for an opportunity.

If things go as foretold, the moment the current Emperor passes away, a multitude of calamities, including the Followers of Truth, would start to move in earnest.

‘The somewhat relieving point is, to them, our situation here might just be a part of their experiments scattered across the continent.’

Although specifics are forgotten due to the negative effects of skipping parts of the story, he knew that the Followers of Truth were actively working to bring down the Magic Tower around this time.

This meant the Followers of Truth currently in the Kingdom of Argon were not superhumans they couldn’t handle right now… not monsters on the level of the Tower’s Master or the commanders of the Paladin Corps or the Imperial Knights.

The monstrous being who had reached transcendence, akin to a supreme leader among the Followers, naturally could not appear yet.

Their chances were good enough.

If Khan’s prediction was wrong and the Followers in the north were as powerful as the Masters of Magic…

‘Well, we’d have to face them to find out.’

“First, it’s Al-Ranzas. We’ll meet that so-called sage afterward.”

Of course, no one could tell whether meeting the sage would end merely as a simple encounter or if it would become a moment for the axe of justice, like with many other magic practitioners.

For now, at least.

*

*

*

Thus, after several more days of travel, the group entered Al-Ranzas.

Since they couldn’t speed up beyond a certain point on the highway, the carriage began to move sluggishly, and Khan, who had been stuck in the carriage for days and felt stiff, decided to walk on his own feet.

Thanks to the effects attached to the ‘Bracelet of the Messenger’ and his physical stamina stats, walking like this posed no issues of fatigue, and he figured it would also reduce unnecessary disputes if he simply walked alongside as an escort.

“This place seems better off than expected.”

Khan commented as he walked next to the driver’s seat.

Even before fully entering Al-Ranzas, there were noticeable groups of refugees and peddlers moving along the highway on foot.

Especially, groups loading goods on wagons caught his eye. Considering the current situation in the north, these carriages seemed prime targets for bandits, yet there appeared to be no concern for bandits, nor were any guards in sight.

“That’s a trading company operating from Al-Ranzas. The balance scale, symbolizing the Goddess of Justice, combined with the shield emblem belongs to a noble house of Al-Ranzas.”

Having noticed Khan’s interest in the unique caravan moving just ahead, Ron added his explanation.

“The Al-Ranzas Convent venerates the Goddess of Justice among the pantheon. It has a rather deep history, and the noble house that has been governing Al-Ranzas for generations is influenced by it. Incorporating the symbol of the god into the family crest is part of that tradition.”

“The influence of the abbess must be tremendous.”

“Hmm… Normally, you would think so, but that might not be the case. Abbess Berta is famous for not intervening in matters unrelated to the convent.”

Hearing this, one might get the impression of a devout cleric. However, confirmation was elusive. After all, there had been cases like Vice Abbot Norman from Nordic, who was corrupted despite a good reputation.

‘Furthermore, involving the Goddess of Justice…’

The Goddess of Justice ranked fairly high even within the pantheon.

Holding a scale of justice in one hand and a sword of condemnation in the other, this beautiful goddess was known to protect the weak and judge all evils.

Yet, the Goddess of Justice was infamous in the community for antagonizing players without any apparent reason. Some fans, intrigued by the unnecessarily high-quality illustrations, even bestowed odd nicknames like ‘the Disliked Goddess.’

‘Aries had received the favor of that peculiar god, even using the Divine Possession skill… almost as if she was anointed as an apostle.’

The reason why the Goddess of Justice opposed players remained a mystery, even after the game’s conclusion. There’s a chance Khan inadvertently skipped over the clue.And now, the current him was a player with a game system, but also a possessor inhabiting the body of a native from Midland. Therefore, it was an undeniable reality that she might also become hostile towards Khan.

The issue was that Aries, appointed as the apostle by the Goddess of Justice, had a sense of debt towards Khan.

‘Considering those uncooperative Paladin NPCs because of that quirky goddess…’

It was not entirely impossible for Berta, a former Paladin, to become uncooperative against plans.

“Is there a problem? Your expression looks like you’re about to catch someone in the act.”

“…Well. I just thought sudden problems could arise.”

“Khan. Let’s not voice such worries out loud. Considering all the incidents happening around you these days, I wonder if it’s indeed your doing.”

“I’m starting to worry if you’ve started to enjoy getting it wrong.”

“What are you—ugh!”

As per usual, ignoring Ron’s foolish banter and following the trading caravans ahead, the ancient walls of Al-Ranzas soon came into view.

The walls, seemingly telling of their history – or rather, their significant wear and age – sprawled out expansively.

From the first impression, the city seemed nondescript except for the convent dedicated to the Goddess of Justice, making it clear why Al-Ranzas’s nobility made the Goddess of Justice’s symbol their family crest.

‘Without selling even their gods, this city would be hopeless.’

In that regard, the acumen of the nobles governing Al-Ranzas was quite impressive.

Given the influent church in the empire, for a noble of the Argon Kingdom to decisively lean towards the church was a bold move indeed.

Ultimately, the interest of the Goddess of Justice in Al-Ranzas led to positive outcomes, but it was a gamble that could have drastically reduced their influence in the kingdom’s political sphere.

“Well, it’s not my problem anyway.”

After all, Khan had business only with Berta, the former Paladin who would cleanse the Blood Vessel.

*

*

*

Sunlight entering through the window lit the serene interior of the convent.

In the prayer room, where not even a faint breath could be heard, a statue representing the Goddess of Justice and an old nun kneeling in prayer below it seemed almost like a still life.

Even after a while, the old nun remained motionless as if dead, only the occasional rise and fall of her chest would betray that she was not a corpse.

“……”

Her figure radiated a profound sanctity, making it instantaneously apparent she was no ordinary being. Had someone observed her, they might’ve felt the guilt of witnessing a divine message being received.

“Sister Berta! Where are you? Sisteeer…!”

A bright voice of a young girl shattered the silence, and the old nun’s eyes slowly opened. Her milky white irises, seeming almost blinded, faced the statue of the Goddess of Justice with clear intent.

“How could……”

Her voice, tinged with various complex emotions, reflected the frustration of unsolvable problems, a powerless certainty that she could not deal with them on her own, and an instinctive faith in her god…

“You were here all along! Oh…! Viscount Perran is eagerly waiting to meet you, Sister.”

“Is there any other news?”

Despite her aged appearance, the nun’s voice was strong, having managed to compose herself from the emotions that had seeped into her voice momentarily.

“No! That was all. Why? Did the goddess perhaps send a message?”

Because of that, the girl, who had cut her auburn hair just above her shoulders, bubbled with lively chatter, likely attempting to make a joke as usual.

But unfortunately, her attempt at humor fell flat this time.

“Yes. The Goddess of Justice has bestowed an oracle.”

“Really? It’s rare to receive a direct message, isn’t it?”

The young girl’s wide eyes filled with surprise. However, the seasoned abbess, with an unfathomable expression, simply conveyed the sober truth.

“…This city has been struck by a calamity.”