The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 247



Only Krnovel

Episode 247 Simple counterattack (1)

A darker cloud than ever fell over Lucaon, the capital of the Lucaonia Empire.

The soldiers who left with their boots on their backs were unable to make a return trip. The petty bourgeoisie who failed to meet their quota of offerings were burned in the flames. The beggars who had filled their hungry stomachs with the Holy Communion were stripped naked and impaled on spears. Half of the decagrams were killed, and there were even ominous rumors that the ‘Star that Pierces Truth’ had apostatized.

Naturally, public opinion toward the Elgar Order, which had started the war, became extremely negative.

Because of the oppression of the Inquisitors, they could not speak openly, but in places where there were no ears to hear, gossip would occasionally boil over. The banner of honoring Elgar fell to the ground, and the slogan of everything for the light became an empty echo. Among the royal family and nobles, secret discussions began to take place to prevent the tyranny of the religious order.

But even in this desperate situation, there was someone who smiled with unwavering faith.

He was none other than… … Archbishop Erensko, the central figure of the sect that had started the Holy War.

“Thank you, Guide of Light, for everything is going smoothly.”

The cemetery where Elgar’s agents who had completed their mission rest. In this place where new tombstones had increased significantly, the archbishop raised the corners of his lips gently.

Beneath the simple eyebrows, there was a hint of benevolence, and a halo always shined behind his back. Nevertheless, it was difficult to see it as a sincere action. Because I was sitting on a memorial stone commemorating the fallen stars of Elga, like a chair.

“9th, 8th, 7th. Three stars completed their missions as planned and returned to Elgar. Because of their sacrifice, the darkness covering the world has grown even bigger, and the bright starlight that will stand against it will shine even brighter.”

“[… … .]”

“But maybe because I’m older, I keep worrying about it.”

Erensko swipes the names engraved on the stone tablet. His languid hands stop at the names of the 10 ‘Stars that Shine on the Water’, who were executed not by demons but by mere servants.

“It’s a shame that the 10th seat died… … but it’s not really something to worry about. However, I can’t just ignore the conversion of the 3rd seat, Lord Hendark. I didn’t think that he would not die fighting the evil spirits even though he held his disciples hostage.”

“[… … .]”

“It looks like the ‘status’ of the demons will be considerably lower than the original plan… … Would that be okay with you, Lord Cassius?”

The silent black iron knight opened his eyes. Cassius, the second seat of the Decagram, the ‘Star that Swallows Darkness’, answered with his red eyes shining.

“[It doesn’t matter. That demon has already begun to form a ‘divine’ state beyond transcendence. If we just send out the remaining stars and dispose of them, they will be enough prey to devour.]”

“… … .”

“[By the way, what’s going on with the ‘ghost’ that was brought from the Demon Realm? Have you found a way to get the spirit out?]”

An indifferent gesture of the chin pointed into the arms. Erensko immediately took out the black, shivering metal fragments. His weapon was so vicious that his forearms naturally trembled even though he was surrounded by his holy power.

“It’s not hard to destroy this and take out the spirit. You can just offer your prayers to Elga and summon the ‘heavenly punishment’ at will. However, the problem is assembling the broken spirit. If you can’t properly integrate it, then even if you summon it, it will be nothing more than an annoying ghost.”

“[Thanks to the war, wasn’t there an abundant supply of ‘pain and despair’? I think we can use that as nourishment and grow.]”

“That’s something we need later on. If you feed a dismembered corpse a hearty meal, will it return to its original state? “If we want to restore this spirit, a fairly grand ceremony would have to take place first.”

“[… … .]”

The eyes that came through the gap in the helmet flickered. Cassius held the black iron greatsword and scolded in an eerie tone.

“[… … Your speech is annoying, Erensco. What have you been doing without even starting the ritual?]”

A life that spreads like a poisonous fog.

It was hard to tell which one was more sinister, the metal fragment he had picked up or the dark knight’s gaze. If it was the culprit, he would have fainted or gone mad from the pressure, but Erensco was not such an ordinary person.

“I have done all the things you did not do: annihilating the infidels and pagans, fattening the demons who were the vanguard of those evildoers, prolonging the war, and exalting the glory of the solemn Elgar… .”

“[… … .]”

“Don’t be so self-indulgent as if you’ve already set your feet on heaven. You are still only a half-god who has not even been able to keep up with the footsteps of the Forgotten God, let alone Elgar. And once I get rid of the ‘stigmata’, I will remain like that forever… … “Wow!”

Guddeuk – !

A dark hand shot up and grabbed his throat. Erensko’s body rose into the air. Cassius threw off his gauntlets and thrust the ‘stigmata’ carved into his palm into the Archbishop’s face.

“[Take it and see.]”

“Ugh, ugh, ugh… … .”

“[Take a look. Stop talking with that tiny tongue of yours and try to take a look at this.]”

His old, gray eyes were bloodshot, and his complexion had turned pale. A monotonous chant continued toward the archbishop who lost his composure and struggled.

“[Just because I wandered around the demonic world as you told me to do and acted as an escort a few times, it would be difficult for you to see me as beneath you. “No being on earth has a higher ‘status’ than me.]”

“Extreme, ugh, ugh… … .”

“[If you don’t want to see that old body torn to shreds and the soul of your beloved servant thrown into the abyss, you’d better not wag your tongue like that again. Leave the useless chores to your subordinates and focus solely on the ritual of holding the spirit together.]”

The hand of darkness threw the archbishop away. Hundreds of layers of protection blessings were put to shame, and a black, crushed handprint was left on the leather of the neck. The knight of black iron put on his gauntlets again, grabbed a pitch-black greatsword that looked like a lump of cast iron, and left without looking back.

Erensco, left alone, held the ground. He scratched his neck until blood came out, and coughed until he vomited stomach acid.

Suddenly, he made a stigmata and burst into laughter.

“Heh, heh heh… … Hahaha, hahaha!! Thank you, thank you, Elgas… … . For letting me listen to such foolish threats… … . Thank you for making this lowly old man into someone who knows how to be intimidating… … .”

After losing my favorite person, I thought I had nothing more to lose. But now she has a new opportunity. She was chosen by Elgar and given the opportunity to take revenge on the evil spirit and regain what was lost by the star that roams the heavens. She went from having nothing to lose to finally having something to lose.

Erensko straightened his back. He tidied up his clothes and walked across the dust-free tombstones in front of a tombstone that felt older than it had been.

“All for the light.”

As he read the letters on the tombstone, the benevolent, shining facade crumbled and a dark sorrow filled his eyes.

“And everything is for you.”

Linton Felipus. The name of the man who was born as a priest, became the archbishop’s nephew, and died as a holy knight glowed bright red on the tombstone.

*

Whisper, a sharp dagger cuts through the air… … .

Bam.

… … fell in a parabolic curve like an old man’s urine stream.

The ambitious throw did not even come close to the target. However, the cheers of enthusiasm erupted from the crowd surrounding the training ground.

“Wow! Almost hit the target!!”

“That’s right! If we keep going like this, we’ll definitely be able to hit the target today!!”

“Wow!! This is really cool!! You’re really amazing!!”

“… … .”

The thrower took out the next dagger with a frown on his face. He held his handle tightly, aimed with great care, and swung and threw with alacrity.

But the result was the same as before.

Bam.

A parabola like a stream of urine, and a cheer like a fever.

“Oh my! Your posture has improved even more than before!

“Oh my gosh, I can’t help but be amazed at the growth rate!! This is the first time in my life that I’ve seen someone learn the art of flying so quickly!!”

“Gyaaaah!! How can you throw it so manly… … .”

As time passed, the situation did not change. No, the dagger’s trajectory became increasingly ugly, and the cheers became increasingly hotter. The thrower eventually stopped pulling out the dagger and spoke in a panic.

“That… that’s all of you? Shouldn’t you stop giving those compliments that you don’t mean?”

“What kind of regretful words are you speaking of! Everything we have said to you up until now has been said with pure sincerity!”

“you’re right!! “We are people who don’t know how to lie!”

“Then, whenever you speak from now on, please be sure to put ‘I swear to Remillion’ before your words… … .”

““… … .””

The stands suddenly became as quiet as a mouse. A few more insignificant throws followed, and finally one boy opened his mouth to say:

“Re, I swear to Remillion, you are much better at throwing daggers than my brother… … .”

“… … How old is your younger brother?”

“Joe, you’re a little young… … . Six years old this year… … .”

“… … .”

After hearing a compliment that his son was better than a child three years younger than him, Duncan looked like he didn’t know what to say.

In this way, the martial arts training demonstration ceremony of the ‘Savior of Untana’ came to nothing. Although it was an event without much attraction, the citizens did not mind. Even after it was over, Duncan was tormented by crowds of people trying to touch the tip of his beard for a long time, but managed to get out of the training ground under the guard of the soldiers of the Chassa Army.

Heroes are a powerful elixir for soothing war-weary citizens. Enrico Turis, the councilor of Delutana, knew this well.

Currently, there are two famous heroes living in Delutana. ‘The Demon Slayer’ and ‘The Savior of Untana’. Since a murderous savage would not be able to mingle with the citizens, it was natural that a peddler would take up the request. In the end, all that this event left him with was shame and a strange sense of discomfort…

‘I’m sure there was a time in the past similar to now… … .’

Duncan quickly remembered when that was. Ah, when I woke up in the great forest among the dark elves who kept admiring me for its strangeness… … .

In fact, it would have been quite interesting if he had shown how to use ‘distortion holes’ instead of just showing off his first steps in the art of magic. However, he couldn’t risk being ‘punished by heaven’ just to show off something to see. He didn’t forget the warning he had heard from the followers of the forgotten god.

‘Whoa…’ … . If it weren’t for that sun, I would have been able to comfortably use that sacred method when I was secretly going somewhere… … .’

Duncan stepped into the shade, muttering at the scorching sun. He then quickly put on his Night Shadow Cloak.

“… … Ugh, what is it? “Where have you been, Mr. Duncan?”

“More, Mr. Duncan? Duncan? Where have you been? Are you there?”

“… … .”

Duncan managed to hide his presence and escaped the procession.

The life of a hero wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. It was good to be recognized and treated well wherever I went, but the problem was that I was recognized and treated well wherever I went.

Whether you go to the central square, the Council of Ministers, or even to a corner bar… … Wherever you go in Delutana, crowds flock like bees. It only took a day or two to enjoy fame, but as I suffered from it every day, I began to miss the days when I was a peddler with no presence.

To make matters worse, the problem has recently become more serious. This is because he spread the rumor that if someone touches his beard, his family who went to war will return safely.

Citizens who had sent their family members off to the battlefield would grab his beard as if it were a straw whenever they met him. The goatee that had been the pride of the peddler had already been torn off by those desperate hands. Duncan seriously considered whether to wear a mask or shave his beard off… … For now, he compromised by wearing a cloak and sneaking around.

After carefully looking around to see if anyone was there and sneaking through the alleys, he finally reached his destination. Duncan wiped away the sweat and took off his cloak.

“Whew… … .”

The place I arrived at was an old-fashioned mansion. On the outside, it looked like the mansion of one of the richest people in the city, but in reality, it wasn’t like that.

“Julia, I’m here. Where’s Duncan?”

“Ah, are you here, Duncan? “Dunsen is playing with the kids over there.”

“… … .”

Julia pointed out the window. As he said, Dunsen was playing tag in the backyard. While the children were playing, the chattering and laughter continued.

Including those playing separately, the number of children is about 100. It was a happy sight at first glance, but Duncan could not hide his confused expression.

Those children are all orphans who lost their parents in the war, or… …

“Hoo, Remillion… … .”

… … During the Gospel incident, they were orphans who became the Gospel and killed their own families.