Barbarian in a Failed Game

Chapter 081. Rebellion (13)

To deal with the Duke, there was an issue that needed to be resolved first.

A dire shortage of numbers.

Not the number of superhumans like knights or mages, but the actual number of soldiers who were to clash swords and spears to breach the Duke’s castle was overwhelmingly insufficient.

Although Kal Elson, the head of the overall command, did lend manpower, their identity as mercenaries meant they were unlikely to follow into actual warfare.

Thus, the only option Khan had was to utilize a small force of superhumans for an infiltration mission.

‘But… even that is not enough.’

However, even with a select few, there was a limit to what could be achieved.

According to Kal Elson’s estimate, the Duke’s soldiers numbered at least five hundred. And he was continually gathering nobles from the north to increase that number, besides somehow churning out knights as if they were factory-produced.

Above all, there was a puppeteer and a mage at the Duke’s side, estimated to be on a similar level, and the Duke himself was a formidable mage, though his exact prowess was unknown.

The Duke’s castle had to be considered a magic fortress in its own right.

In contrast, what about Khan and his companions?

‘The asymmetrical forces we have are probably just me, Kal Elson, and maybe Jan.’

Khan was an asymmetrical force that needed no explanation. A formidable opponent acknowledged by all based on his past confrontations alone, and capable of reversing situations with his inexplicable skill.

Kal Elson was a Swordmaster.

He could not overcome the limits of physical weaponry through aura as knights do, or unleash overwhelming firepower with spells as mages do. However, with just a single sword, he could kill anything; that’s what a Swordmaster was.

The epitome of martial prowess. If someone was within reach of his arms and sword, Kal Elson could slay even a great mage.

However, his limitations were also clear. If an opponent were to completely block access, he would be powerless and easily defeated.

In this plan to infiltrate the mage’s defenses, he might be significantly less effective.

And then there was Jan…

‘As much as I hate to admit it, he’s useful.’

Despite his goofy appearance and clumsy speech, which could lead to misunderstandings, Jan was a genius among mages, incomparable to the typical ones.

The mages available in Chapter 1 were mostly exhausted after casting a few spells, and their magical power was usually underwhelming. Moreover, most had arrogant personalities making them difficult to utilize.

‘In contrast, Jan is…. much to my reluctance, not only is his personality less troublesome, but his power is also quite remarkable.’

Furthermore, he was not just someone who would be depleted after casting a few spells. He could cast dozens of lower-tier spells without exhausting his mana.

He was also adept at a highly complicated technique like remote magic circle manipulation.

It was likely that even within the mage tower, he was regarded as a significant talent, soon catching up to his master’s level wasn’t out of the question…

However, that was something for the future, and currently, it was unrealistic for Jan to significantly impact facing the puppeteer.

‘Plus, he’s not accustomed to battle. At least… I need someone as strong as, if not stronger than, Kal Elson to work with.’

If finding such a strong ally had been easy, there would have been no need for such a headache.

Perhaps in the Empire where main quests occur, or in some major regions, but recruiting useful comrades in such remote locations was extremely difficult.

‘The average level is lower, so it’s safer, but the problem is that enemies worthy of main quests are wreaking havoc.’

“Taking along these fools might just get in the way; it might be better if the two of us just take care of everything.”

Khan discussed this with Kal Elson to see if he had any useful suggestions. Naturally, Kal Elson didn’t seem to think there was anyone worthwhile, showing lukewarm interest.

“Then, we’ll proceed as I have planned.”

“Do you have someone in mind? I was under the impression there weren’t any useful candidates…. Or are you perhaps considering the Witch of Loren?”

“If I were to ask that woman for help, she’d probably tear me to pieces. Instead, I do know someone with a pretty high chance of helping.”

“Who might that be?”

“You’d know the name.”

The Grand Warrior of Black Wing Duke. Artn’s daughter, Pashantu. In another identity, a barbarian who could be considered a distant relative of this body.

“I’ll call her.”

*

*

*

Spreading rumors about the Duke and focusing the attention of mercenaries and mercenaries on Al-Ranzas was all part of the plan.

It laid the foundation for bringing Pashantu to the North without the Duke’s notice, exploiting a vulnerability in his control to infiltrate Pashantu into the North with the guild’s resources.At that moment, when the carriage carrying Pashantu arrived at the ‘cabin’ Karlson had prepared,

[ROOOOAAARRR!!!]

With a volume so overwhelming it made one wonder if a ‘War Cry’ skill had been used, the carriage carrying Pashantu shuddered visibly.

“Hey, is this really okay…?”

Karlson’s concern was justified as a barbarian with ashen skin burst out of the carriage walls and leaped down from the moving carriage, charging forwards with a fearsome momentum.

‘Damn, knew it would come to this.’

The feeling when a monster, a head taller than oneself, closes in with a giant axe in each hand…

“Stand back. It seems talking should come first.”

“Talk? Does that look like the attitude of someone you can reason with?”

“Spoken like it’s obvious.”

For the warriors of the Frost Gorge, fists, axes, and swords are their means of conversation.

With those words left hanging in the air, Khan too gripped his axe and began to run forward.

“Are these madmen…!”

After all the trouble of bringing them here, and to start fighting right away…! Karlson looked on at the backs of the two barbarian just beginning to clash, his eyes reflecting disbelief.

Before long, his gaze turned grave.

‘He’s fighting well. Far better than I expected.’

Khan’s skills were not surprising; they were somewhat known through reports and the business with the Royal Guard. However, Pashantu’s prowess was such that even Karlson had to admire it.

[AHAHAHAHA!!]

Even in the midst of clashing axes with Khan, who possessed monstrous strength sufficient to bind an ogre’s feet alone, Pashantu did not falter by an inch.

Was it simply because her physique was on par with Khan’s?

‘No, she falls short in strength. But…’

Her mastery of technique was of a different dimension.

Unlike Karlson, who perfected his skills through martial arts training, Pashantu’s movements, forged and refined through real combat, approached the realm of a master. It wasn’t an exaggeration.

Realizing the gap in strength at the first exchange, she used both her axes to defend against Khan’s strike. Moreover, she cleverly utilized her shoulders, elbows, knees, and toes at just the right moments to land counterattacks on Khan.

‘No wonder the Black Wing considers her a warrior treasured more than a knight!’

She was the embodiment of battle; that was the impression Karlson, the swordsman from the empire, had upon watching Pashantu fight.

[Incredible! Are you really the son of Gordi I knew, Khan─!]

Pashantu’s movements suddenly changed, as if dancing to a different tune, transforming the flow of the battle itself.

Thud! Thud!

Pashantu’s axes dropped to the ground, leaving deep grooves. Having become unarmed, she swiftly closed the gap into Khan’s embrace with the speed of lightning.

In the midst of exchanging blows with bladed weapons, Pashantu quickly shifted the nature of their fight to close quarters combat, stretching out her hands.

[Let’s see if your fists are any good!]

“What kind of crazy lady is this…!”

The distance was too close for an axe strike. Of course, with Khan’s strength, he could smash rocks even with the handle of an axe, but-

Unable to insist on using his axe while Pashantu aimed to hook her log-like leg around his waist, Khan had to change his plan.

Bang!

Instead, a short swift punch struck Pashantu in the face. Yet, despite taking a punch that could turn an orc’s face into mush, Pashantu burst into laughter.

[Fierce! So fierce! Even the elders of the Frost Gorge would fall to your fist!]

To think she’s still standing after all that racket…! Khan grimaced, muttering under his breath.

Even as blood streamed from her nose and mouth, Pashantu did not let go of the leg she had wrapped around his waist, her right wrist tightly ensnared, leaving only her left hand free.

[Why not! If you’ve passed the trial of a warrior, fighting with Kartus should be more than sufficient!]

Kartus. It was a form of martial art practiced as a foundation by the warriors of the Frost Gorge.

One might understand it as a type of wrestling technique, but fundamentally it was a dreadful martial art designed to subdue even the Frost Gorge orcs, who were several times stronger than the average greenskin.

Like in martial arts, learning it was difficult because of the complex body movements involved. At the time, Khan, having just possessed the body of a barbarian, solved the ‘Trial of Kartus’ in a brutally straightforward manner.

Grrrgrgrgrgr!

[What…!]

Pashantu increased the pressure in shock.In a moment, such an intense pressure weighed down on Khan’s chest that it made it difficult to breathe, his eyes bulging as he clenched his teeth hard.

“Die─you─!”

With sheer force, Khan broke free from Pashantu’s restraints and mercilessly slammed her, who was hanging by his wrist, towards the ground.

*Bang──!!*

Kal Elson, who had been watching from a distance, yelled out, worrying that this might lead to death, but Khan did not stop there.

‘I have to hit them with the intent to kill; only then will they stop just before actually dying.’

Those who enjoy being shattered to pieces even on the verge of death weren’t they the bastards of Sirritgol. If I hold back here, they will surely talk about insult and whatnot.

[Bite down hard on this.]

Khan, cursing under his breath in words that might be from Sirritgol, clenched his fist.

“Damn it! Stop it, I said!”

Kal Elson’s angry shout pierced the air at the same moment Khan’s fist descended towards Pashantu, who was already on the ground.

[Let’s see you get up. Damn aunt.]

*

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*

In the end, Khan did not proceed to beat the face of Pashantu… his own blood-related aunt by the physical body. It was all because Kal Elson, worried about what might happen to his called ally, intervened.

‘It was needless to intervene…’

Khan was confident enough to bet his entire fortune that Pashantu would actually enjoy being beaten.

Immediately after their ‘conversation’ in the style of Sirritgol had ended, Khan had a brief, ‘real conversation’ with Pashantu.

He mentioned what he intended to do in the North and called her to utilize her for that purpose. To the listener, it might have been an incredibly absurd offer.

[I initially came here planning to beat and send you back, thinking you ran away from Sirritgol’s life. But now that I know that’s not the case! It might be good to fight alongside my cute nephew! If we die fighting together, that would be an honorable death too!]

[What a damn unlucky thing to say…]

Thus, Khan successfully recruited the Grand Warrior of the Black Wing Duke as an ally.

“Do you understand?”

“No, I don’t understand any of it…”

“Idiot. Does the Duke lack the ability to judge people?”

“You guys are the abnormal ones!”

Lebron, the court minister, burst out angrily.

“To beat the Grand Warrior of the Black Wing Duke into fighting alongside you? Even if I set aside how one should think to handle things this way! Did the Black Wing Duke even allow this? Or did he send any signal about moving the troops? Anyway! Even if you add one more person, could you bring down the Duke? Everything is a complete mess from start to finish…!”

“What an odd fellow, getting angry after asking for an explanation on why the Grand Warrior of the Black Wing is here.”

“I am a warrior! Who needs no one’s permission!”

“So she says.”

“What the hell do you guys want…”

Rubbing his head and bowing, Court Minister Lebron, let out a deep sigh.

“I know too. That there are many suspicious things about the Duke. Since the situation has come to this, I’m willing to cooperate as much as possible. But to gather such faces and the talk ends up being just making jokes…! With this, not to mention defeating the Duke, it’s impossible to even set foot near the castle!”

Perhaps feeling something from the heavy reprimand, the two barbarian quietly observed Lebron in silence.

‘Maybe these guys aren’t completely thoughtless after all…’

Feeling a glimmer of hope, Court Minister Lebron, steeled his thoughts. Yes, if he could keep his wits about him…

“What nonsense are you spouting, Court Minister Lebron. We’ve already entered the vicinity of the castle.”

“It’s not Lebron, it’s Lebron… Wait, entered where?”

The castle area? Here? As Court Minister Lebron, asked with wide eyes, Khan shrugged and replied.

“Didn’t I mention? Here. It’s a secret hideout created by the association, right near the castle.”

“What, what, what nonsense are you talking about…!”

“Now that we have gathered all who are willing to fight, there’s no need to drag things out.”

As Khan smiled slyly, Pashantu burst into laughter, and Kal Elson, now fully armed, placed his hand on his sword hilt, his eyes shining.

“Me, Pashantu, Kal Elson. And you…”

Together, the four of us will cross the walls.

“Right now.”