The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 235



Only Krnovel

Episode 235. The Star That Turned Its Back on the Light (3)

The weak who do not carry a spear or sword on the battlefield are not treated well.

It was the same even if she was a woman of great age. Even if she was in a unit with strict discipline, it would be difficult to expect respectful treatment, and if she was in a place where discipline was at an all-time low, she would not be able to avoid the terrible fate of being a slave.

But here, in the Allied camp, there was an exception.

The Atalan women here were treated with the utmost respect, more than just seasoned warriors. The warriors of the army showed respect according to the precepts of the wilderness, and the soldiers of the Chamsa army were also afraid and could not treat them carelessly. In fact, it was not surprising, considering the prestige her ancestors had built in the barren wilderness in the distant past.

The priests of Atala, who blessed warriors with blood and tattoos and repelled demons with their magical powers. The ‘Wilderness Priests’, who have regained their supernatural powers given by Atala, have taken over the lineage.

However, compared to their reputation and the treatment they received, their abilities still felt inadequate.

“Father of the Wilderness, ah, Atala… … . Help me, help me… … . Strength, uh… … Give the General great strength… … .”

“Yes, great power…” … Please give me tremendous, tremendous strength… … . Please give the general the strength to break the enemy’s spear… … .”

“… … .”

Inside the dark barracks, Goltaran was sitting on a crude shaman’s camp. The shamans surrounding them were mumbling prayers that were close to empty chants.

Tsuzuzu, Tsuzuzuzu – !

Surprisingly, the prayer worked. Several more tattoos that enhance muscle strength were engraved with a yellow glow. Even though it wasn’t a huge deal, it was quite helpful in a battlefield where unity could mean the difference between life and death.

But Goltarann ​​looked uneasy.

In the past, he had been with the ‘True Priestess of the Wilderness’. Although she was not mentally sound, her ability was enough to turn the entire Agon area into a wasteland and the arena into a wasteland by herself. It was only natural that she would not be satisfied with such a minor miracle.

Of course, I couldn’t teach these fledgling shamans. Because their life line was cut off and they suddenly received a divine power, they were in a situation where they used magic at will, without any tradition, fetish, or teacher.

“… …Thank you for your hard work. Let’s stop here for today.”

As soon as the words were finished, half of the shamans collapsed from exhaustion. Goltaran sighed and went out.

The tattoos had grown to about three or four. I knew without even trying it out that this was no way a match for Elgar’s ‘star’.

I knew he would be a tough opponent, but the strength of the old knight far exceeded my expectations. The firepower of his exquisite weapon, the overwhelming power of his weapons… … He didn’t even use ‘Elga’s Divine Power’ or ‘other abilities’. It was to the point where I wondered why he hadn’t killed me and advanced to the alliance territory until now.

no… … Actually, there was one thing I wanted to point out.

‘As expected, even that mighty ‘star’ is afraid of the great warrior… … .’

Goltarran also heard. The news that ‘Demon Slayer’ Kadim had brought down the stars of Elgar that had broken through the front line. At present, his mere presence was a deterrent that prevented the other stars and the Holy Army from advancing.

‘Phew, if the Great Master is acting… … Even if he was a paladin, he would be no match for him… … .’

Still, I had no intention of asking Kadeem for help.

Although he happened to earn the vicious nickname ‘Border Butcher’, Goltaran regarded this battle as an extension of carrying out the ‘mission of relief’ given by Khadim. By fasting on the front lines, stopping the imperial offensive, protecting the lives of his men against menacing enemies, and ultimately saving all his compatriots and allies.

This was a mission given to me by the Great Knight, who dared to impersonate the Great Knight. It was absurd to rely on him because it was difficult to handle. I had to find a way to defeat the paladin and protect the alliance with my own strength.

It wasn’t that there were no methods. There were only two things that immediately came to mind. A way to somehow strengthen the shamans’ abilities, or… … A way to throw away one’s life and suffer mutual destruction.

I decided to look for electronics first.

Goltharan crossed the barracks, past the soldiers saluting hurriedly, and approached a tent in the corner. A group of shabby-looking women’s faces appeared through the dust that drifted around.

“Hey, General Goltarran? Why did you come all the way to such a shabby place…?”

“Where did Everill go? She wasn’t among the priestesses.”

“yes? Yebril… … “Do you mean you?”

The shamans of the wilderness were not all clumsy. Even among idiots, there were gems. The main character was Yebril, a woman who was a slave to the Ubik boss until half a year ago.

She was gifted with supernatural powers and intuition that were superior to other shamans. The fact that her shamans were able to carve tattoos to strengthen her muscles was all thanks to her enlightenment and teaching.

The problem is that she is born blind and has an extremely timid and passive personality.

She couldn’t even eat properly, let alone go out alone. She was extremely shy not only from men outside the city but also from female priestesses who were in similar situations. In order to bring her to the battlefield, she had no choice but to bring all the women who had been with her since she was a slave.

Indeed, Yevril had outstanding qualities that merited special treatment. If she developed her abilities significantly through some kind of opportunity, she might be able to find a solution that would allow her to reach Elga’s ‘star’.

However, the women were embarrassed by Goltaran’s question and started whispering.

“Uh… … ? Everill… … Ah, no, Everill must have been the one earlier… … .”

“I guided everyone to the front of the tent and came back… … .”

“Yes, Lord Evebril said he would help the general, so I escorted him to the tent where the priestesses were just now… … . Seriously, you didn’t see him there either?”

“… … .”

Goltaran twitched and trembled. He hurried out and searched the compound for his whereabouts. But he couldn’t find any traces anywhere. Her soldiers, shamans, and even the sentries guarding her gates had no idea where she had gone.

Soon, Goltaran gathered all the warriors and women and gave them stern orders.

“… … Find Everill. If something goes wrong with her, those responsible will be severely punished according to military law.”

*

Elgar’s star is dissatisfied with the ‘Decagram’.

He also has complaints about the ‘top tier decagrams’ located 5th place above.

This was an impossible proposition for the Elgar-worshiping crusaders. The ‘Decagram’ was Elgar’s spear, Elgar’s will, the chief agent, and the brilliant star that rose on the earth. According to the law of light, it was the same as blatant blasphemy against Elgar.

This was so not only for doctrinal reasons but also for practical reasons. Even a low-ranking ‘star’ had the power to defeat a large army alone and take on several Archpaladins. Even more so, if you express your dissatisfaction with a high-ranking ‘star’ who is in a different direction from you… … There is no need to say what kind of tragedy will occur.

But, blasphemously, that is what is currently happening in the crusader camp on the borderlands.

“All for the light.”

“Everything is light… … .”

“Everything… … for.”

The knights and soldiers saluted the returning commander. There was no sullenness in his voice and his eyes were gloomy. There was no sign of military discipline even if you looked hard enough.

“… … .”

Hendark, the ‘Star that Pierces Truth’, passed them by without a word. As the distance grew longer, he could hear the boiling, foamy sound of the curse behind him.

It was worth knowing even without listening. What kind of complaints are they spewing out?

In fact, it was a strange situation that there were no complaints. It’s been a while since we wasted our time without advancing forward, retreating backwards, or settling the battle with the enemy commander. Under the indecisive actions of the commander, the sacrifices of our troops were gradually increasing on the central front. If the great star of Elga was not the commander, it would not be surprising if the lieutenants’ reaction or disobedience occurred long ago.

Even Hendark was in a situation where his young disciples were being held hostage. If he continued to stall like this… … there was no telling what kind of ‘gift’ the Archbishop would send him again.

However, the ‘Star that Pierces the Truth’ had no intention of advancing at all.

Because of the grave question that has settled in my heart.

The true purpose of this war is not to enhance the glory of Elgar, but to satisfy the ambition and revenge of one wicked man… … .

… … Why, instead of punishing Archbishop Erensko, does Elgar give him even greater power and authority?

It is written in the religious scriptures. God’s will is deeper than the deepest ocean, and a human being as small as a minnow can never fathom it. Hendark had that verse in his heart since he was young and used it as a window to pierce the irrationality of human affairs. However, it was impossible to overcome the irrationality we faced this time.

Incomprehensibility (不可解), after maintaining a devout faith all his life, the face of God he encountered was a huge barrier of incomprehensibility. In front of him, all Hendark could do was slow down the crusade’s advance and prevent innocent sacrifices.

But even that didn’t work out as planned.

“Captain, reinforcements have arrived. “Please go meet me right now.”

“… … What do you mean? “I don’t remember asking for support.”

“I have asked the Archbishop for support through the military priests. Shouldn’t we settle the matter with the ‘Border Butcher’ before there are more casualties?”

“… … .”

Arch Paladin, who was acting as the vice-captain, unilaterally reported. It was an obvious abuse of authority, but Hendark did not reprimand the vice-captain. He had already fallen out of favor with the archbishop, and the commander who had thrown away the lives of his allies had neither the will nor the qualifications to hold his subordinates accountable.

However, after checking who the reinforcements were, I regretted not stopping the unit commander.

“It’s been a while since I saw you. A star that pierces the truth.”

“… … .”

A blunt voice rang out. The bald head, sunken eyes, blunt nose, and bulky figure came into view one after another. The overall impression is closer to that of a golem made of cast iron than to a human being. Hendark knew full well who this man was.

The 9th seat of the Decagram, Paxtan el Latum Mastarius, the ‘Star of Peace’.

He was a Holy Knight who occupied the ninth position among the stars, and a special interrogator who was second in rank in the Congregation for the Inquisition.

“Lord… … Weren’t you on the southern front? How did you come here, to the central front?”

“Peace has been restored to the Southern Front. “Now it’s our turn.”

“… … “Recovering ‘peace’ means killing all the enemies?”

“No one died. “They will live forever.”

Paxton answered monotonously, without any emotion.

“In the fiery pit of hell, I will forever regret not taking refuge in Elga.”

A dark furrow formed between Hendark’s eyebrows.

The 9th seat of the Decagram is a much lower seat than the 3rd seat. Before the ‘Holy War’ began, Hendark had the authority to change the rest of Iza’s life with just one word.

But now the positions have changed.

While Hendark was treated as an abandoned star, his future became bright like a rising star. Because the 7th and 8th seats were vacant and the elevation was confirmed by random order, Archbishop Erensko also served as the Grand Inquisitor of the Congregation for the Inquisition of Heresy, effectively making him a direct deputy.

That is, it is difficult to stop the interest rate from doing anything now.

In addition, Hendark was caught with his buttocks down.

“I heard the news roughly. I didn’t know you were that kind of person… … .”

“… … .”

“… … I hope you will push forward without fail. Well, it doesn’t really matter if my stigmata are known to the enemy.”

Pakstan calmly swept away the stigmata engraved on his forehead, the ‘Star of Peace’.

It seems that he heard that the information about the stigmata was leaked to the Archbishop. Hendark bit his lip and asked in a complicated tone.

“Then here too… … are you planning to spread ‘peace’ right away?”

“Yes, I heard that the front line here is sluggish. “If you don’t step forward, I will have to step forward.”

“… … There’s no need for that. I’m just a little late because I’m not feeling well. I’ll take care of everything as soon as I get better, so you go back to the rear and help with unit maintenance… … .”

“I have not come here to ask for permission. I am a star that sees through truth.”

Pakstan resolutely lifted up his new recruit, the ‘pacifist’. A large staff with a symbol of peace hanging at the tip… … No, a mace with a pigeon-shaped iron ball.

“If you are not feeling well, just sit back and watch. I will go and spread true ‘peace’ to the pagans right away.”

*

A woman wandered through a field not far from the battlefield.

“Haa, haa, haa… … .”

An Atalaine woman who looks to be about twenty years old. As she walked, her heavy breathing rose and her white hair fluttered. She was unarmed and constantly shivered as if she were scared, and seemed unsuitable for wandering around such a rough terrain alone.

In fact, the biggest problem was different. The woman covered both eyes with a yellow cloth.

She, Everill, was born blind. As a compensation, she recently received a divine gift and became the ‘Priestess of the Wilderness’, and was greatly trusted by the general leading the Allied Forces… … but she had not yet acquired the ability to replace her lost sight.

There were three main factors that prompted Eveli to come here.

One is her magical ability that has hit a wall due to lack of instruction, the other is her desire to somehow repay the general who believed in her, and the last is… …an unidentified voice calling out to her, desperately offering to help.

My wandering feet landed in front of a stone slab. Yevril bowed his body. Ancient letters were engraved on its surface. Even though he couldn’t read anything, he continued to trace the embossed letters as if he were looking for the answer to a riddle.

Then at some point.

Knock it down… … .

Suddenly, a rough leather-tearing sound was heard.

The cold wind stopped and the stuffy, sealed air rushed in. The musty smell of dust filled his nasal passages. Evril shrugged his shoulders and tilted his head in confusion.

“uh? Uh… … .”

Eventually, she heard the voice that guided her here, echoing with a clear will within her.

[Come here, daughter of the wilderness who has lost the light and wandered in endless darkness… … . I have waited a long time for you to come.]