The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 252



Only Krnovel

Episode 252. A brief counterattack (6)

It is difficult to communicate smoothly with someone who has been hit with an ax on the left shoulder.

Moreover, if the target is a daughter who has been raised well, or a priest who has always pushed all the bad things on others, smooth communication becomes even more difficult.

However, there is a relatively smooth way to communicate with such a person. It is to point an axe blade at their right shoulder and, if they don’t answer properly, explain that it will be your turn this time.

Basement of Malden Castle. Despite the terrible pain, Senisis, the priest of Elgar, obediently answered the questions asked.

“Archbishop, it was your order… … . Hmm… … . For some reason, they asked us to strengthen surveillance even in the outskirts… … Lead the crusade here… … .”

“That’s right, yes… … . You’re right that I came for revenge… … . I misunderstood… … . I had a big misunderstanding that my father was not a devil, but died because of the devil baron and all of you… … .”

“Ugh, there isn’t any. We’re the last of the nearby Holy War troops… … . I won’t tell the church, and I won’t tell my family, so please, please just spare my life… … .”

“… … .”

Kadim took down the ax for now. Of course, I didn’t believe in the promise that even that empty check made.

“Which route from here to the saints is the one with the least risk of encountering Elga-types like you?”

“……yes?”

“If you ask me that one more time, I will hit you with the ax without warning.”

“… … !!”

The axe was placed on his shoulder again. The threat effect was doubled because it had been placed after a moment of reassurance. Senis cried and made a fuss, and squeezed out all the information he knew to answer.

To summarize, it was like this.

There are two main paths: toward the Gorden County and toward the Seomdol Rock Plain. In the former, there are many small groups, but the possibility of meeting a big person is low. In the latter, there are few people, but you may encounter powerful hidden demons or ‘Decagrams’.

Just in case, he checked with the ‘Star that Pierces Truth’ and it wasn’t a lie. Kadim slyly brushed his chin.

I had this urge for a while while dealing with sloppy paladins. I wonder if I should just charge into the church without worrying about whether or not my true identity is discovered by the church.

“… … .”

But that wasn’t going to happen.

Even if they and the assassination team were discovered, there would be no major threat to their safety. Whether Decagram or the Archbishop comes, we can kill them all like this. However, because the enemies knew this, they might cause an unfortunate incident by hiding the Archbishop somewhere and sending all the remaining Decagrams to the border.

Concealing your identity is still important. In that respect, the more attractive route was the latter, Seomdolbawi Plain. Wasn’t it said that there were few people, and there was even a chance to gain some good blood or kill Decagram? However, since he is not currently living alone, he thought it would be a good idea to listen to the opinions of his companions, so he reserved his judgment.

Meanwhile, Senisis doggedly looked at Kadim.

“Hmm, hmm, huh… … .”

Even as I cried and groaned, I tried to figure out a way to survive. Even the threat of God, which was my weapon of conversion, did not work. However, the most powerful weapon still remained.

No matter how heartless he is, he is a man that the author can’t help. It must be difficult to get rid of your primal desires when you are alone with a beautiful woman in a place where no one can see.

“Ugh, I’m, I’m sorry… … Can I just take off the top of this uniform? The fabric keeps sticking to my wounds… … .”

“… … .”

Without even waiting for an answer, I slowly took off my clothes. When I pulled my left arm out of the sleeve, I felt a sharp pain and almost fainted. I barely managed to throw off my formal attire and acted like a pitiful woman.

Although it was once damaged by an axe, its body once fascinated even the prince and high-ranking bishops. The pure white skin and graceful body lines that stood out between the blood stains were still enough to make many men boil with lust.

There was no time to feel ashamed of exposing her naked body to the savage who had killed her father. She had completely thrown away her pride as a proud young lady and her arrogance as an angry priest. If she could survive, if she could survive right here, right now… … .

‘… … When that guy is away, you can use the ‘Electrical Voice Method’. Let’s send a rescue request to Adlen Castle right away.’

Although she was no different from a rookie priest, she had learned one sacred technique that could be used in emergencies. Senis secretly stroked her chest, then when she took off her clothes, she said that she was too cold and asked if she could hug her for a moment, sending her a blatant temptation.

Kadim showed no particular reaction. I just looked at it indifferently, as if I was looking at a piece of meat, and then said this.

“That’s interesting.”

“Huh? What… … .”

“The body takes off the shroud on its own. “It’s something to live for a long time.”

“… … “Yes, yes?”

The moment Senis blinked, a straight line of red flames cut through the darkness.

Wedge – liquid, slurp – !

Frequently -!!

A flaming dagger was thrust into her throat. Hellfire spread and instantly surrounded her pure white body. The rising flames and the sound of her leaking breath intertwined to form a shrill scream.

‘Hayaaaaa!! Hehehehe… … .’

The priestess who had dug up and violated Baron Molden’s tomb was cremated in exactly the same manner as the corpse she had burned. The only difference was that she was buried alive.

Hwaruk, tick, tiddikk… … .

Kadim retrieved the Hellfire Dagger from the charred corpse.

“It won’t be that cold now.”

Then he turned his back without any regrets.

*

The people of Malden were in shock.

The sight of 50 crusaders being slaughtered by just one mercenary was enough to make even the most stone-faced villager faint.

Actually, something similar happened last year. An incident in which Viscount Adlen’s soldiers were massacred in one night. But there was a crucial difference between then and now. The incident occurred in broad daylight, in front of everyone.

This was not human power. No, not even a devil could demonstrate this kind of power. Everyone shared the shock and fear that the spirit was about to escape. Fearing that they might be the next target, they ran to a corner of the house and trembled.

But the savage’s axe blade did not turn on them. Instead, an unexpected luxury came their way.

“Well, everyone! Rest assured, we have no intention of harming you! “Rather than that, I’m going to give away some food here, so everyone come and get it!”

““… … .””

The cry of a peddler who was with a barbarian mercenary. At first, he was skeptical, but when he actually distributed a lot of food and daily necessities, his eyes widened.

The source of these materials was none other than… …they were brought by the Holy Army to make this place their forward base.

The people of Molden, who had somehow managed to fill their hungry stomachs and ease their guard, did what they had to do. They dug a large pit, buried the bodies of the crusaders in perfect order, and… … collected the remains of the previous lords, who had been reduced to ashes, and rebuilt the tomb.

Delfina, the lord of Malden, could not escape the shock of what she had experienced for quite some time. But she eventually came to her senses and did what she had to do.

“Come here, mercenary, and your party… … . I was so flustered that I couldn’t even greet you properly. For now, I’ll show you to the banquet hall.”

Like her predecessors, Delphina did not forget the ‘custom of hospitality’. She seated her guests at the highest table in the banquet hall and served the most sumptuous menu that the castle could currently prepare to Kadim and his party.

Although the menu was no different from last time, it was salted chicken stew with hot bean soup… … .

“I am truly sorry. I am ashamed… … . I promised to treat you with the utmost courtesy when you came back… … but I can only give you such humble treatment… … .”

Kadim didn’t care. Just receiving a dwarven throwing ax as a gift was an extremely generous treat. Anyway, I had something else I wanted.

“No, that doesn’t matter. Instead, let’s keep a tight lid on what we’ve been through here and what we’ve done.”

“… … Yes, there is a possibility. Don’t worry even a little. Even if Elga’s star comes, I will never tell you about the mercenaries.”

“And, there’s something I promised that captain… … .”

“… … ?”

“… … No. I think this will be a long story, so let’s eat first.”

Kadim and his group fulfilled their duties as treated guests. In other words, I completely emptied several bowls of food. Thanks to this, Delphina’s dark complexion brightened a little.

After finishing the meal, Kadim continued where he left off.

“You probably don’t know either. The situation is different from when rumors spread about the ‘Evil Baron’. Since we really messed with the El family, it won’t be possible for this territory to stay safe for long. “No matter how cleanly you clean up the body, you will get caught someday and you will be in trouble.”

“… … .”

It was correct in every detail. Although this mercenary single-handedly defeated the Crusade, Malden could not escape responsibility. No, in the first place, Delfina had no intention of evading responsibility.

“So, I have a suggestion for you.”

“… … “What is it?”

“Come over to the Alliance, abandon Elgar, and trust Atala. Then I will give you the power to defend yourself.”

“… … !”

As Kadim spat out those words, he somehow thought that his words sounded like typical devil-may-care lines. But he was telling the truth.

Eventually, Yevril came outside and brought someone with him, as if he had been waiting. Delton, the guard captain, was given a tattoo as promised. As he had practiced beforehand, he activated his tattoo and swung the ax with all his might.

“For the Father of the Wilderness!”

Fur – Whew!!

A pile of bricks crumbled like tofu. Not only Delphina, but also Delton himself opened his eyes in surprise. This clearly proves that the promise to give strength is true.

Delphina fell into deep contemplation.

It was not a difficult task to convert to a territory adjacent to the border. I had never been a devout believer in the first place, so abandoning the Elgar sect was not a problem. The problem was why the mercenary made such a suggestion, and whether the god called ‘Atala’ was trustworthy.

As for his purpose, Kadim was honest. He was a great warrior representing Atala, and he was protected by the god. In order to avoid Elga’s interference and eliminate his followers, he needed to increase the number of the god’s followers.

And about Atala, Yebril explained. He is the god of struggle and the wilderness, the guardian of warriors who fight in the barren lands. Unlike Elgar, who judges the unbelievers mercilessly, he is the god who blesses all who fight without surrender.

Delphina nodded. She finally realized the mercenary’s true identity and the source of his superhuman strength. After thinking about it for a while, she finally opened her dry lips.

“I am… … Honestly, I don’t know. We still know very little about the god Atala… … . Thank you for giving me strength, but… … . Today, because of the evil actions of a certain god’s followers, even Jiabi’s remains were lost… … It’s hard to be quick to say that I believe in another god, but… … .”

“… … .”

“… … Nevertheless, like my father who ran into the enemy camp after the mercenary, I can trust and follow the mercenary. Yes, the mercenary who risked his life twice to save Malden… … No, you can trust and follow Daejeonsa.”

Delphina rose from her seat. Then she approached Kadim and knelt reverently.

“I swear by my husband’s honor, and by my life and soul, that I, Delphina von Mestridden, the lord of the castle of Molden and its domains, will never forget the kindness you have bestowed upon me, the great knight, and will serve Atala, the god of strife and wilderness, until the day I die.”

Although it was a small territory in the frontier, its population was only about 1,000. It was not a bad achievement for the first step into the imperial territory.

Kadim solemnly accepted the lord’s oath.

“I will remember that oath in the name of Atala.”

*

The Daejeonsa and his party soon left the territory. They had an important mission that should not be delayed. Still, thanks to the remaining soldiers receiving Atala’s tattoo, there was no need to worry about Malden being taken over by evil-doers again.

On the way back after saying goodbye to departing guests. Delphi I stood again in front of her husband’s grave.

“… … .”

The widow’s eyes quietly scan the graveyard.

Thanks to the residents’ sincere efforts to restore the tomb, the appearance of the baron’s grave was restored to its former state. However, there was no longer a coffin or a body inside. The remains of the old relationship, which had been reduced to ashes, were mixed with the loosely raised soil and were indistinguishable.

Hoooooow… … .

The wind blew. The wind swept across her neck. If it had been a while ago, she would have thought it was still the cold winter wind.

But now I know. I could feel it. A faint warmth mixed in the wind, the breath of a herald of spring.

Delfina was still standing here last night before the guests left. Perhaps she had come to know of her presence, or perhaps it was just a coincidence, but a certain Sanga Kadim came to her side.

‘What are you doing there?’

‘Ah, mercenary… … Ah, no, great warrior… … .’

‘Is it to mourn the honorable death of her husband? Or is it to spur revenge on the Elgars?’

‘… … .’

The last time they parted, she had heard clearly from Kadim that her husband had defeated the demon with an iron will and died honorably. She had thought that she had given up all her foolishness by hearing those words… … But when she thought that his body had been burned forever, she could not shake off the emptiness that had been ripped from her heart.

For a moment, I blurted out my honest thoughts without realizing it. After hearing the story, Kadim thought silently and then responded like this.

‘Your husband is gone. What do you mean? I can clearly see him still here.’

‘Huh? What do you mean…?’

‘Did you plant something on top of this before?’

‘Oh, yes… … . Some flower bulbs that I wasn’t able to grow last year… … .’

‘You will know in a little while what I mean.’

There was no need to go until some time later. Just today, Delphina realized the meaning of her departed warrior’s words.

It was sprouting. On top of the loosely covered soil, green sprouts sprouting through the gaps between the bulbs, the final gift from the departed person, and memories of the past apologizing for not being able to protect them.

Tulips embody an unforgettable spring day.

‘To Delphina… … Please spread the word… … . I’m sorry for not being able to protect the tulips… … .’

Delphina held her head high. The sky was clear and bright, but for some reason, a curtain of light appeared before her eyes. She gently closed her eyes and muttered softly as she was greeted by the warm breeze.

“Spring has come, you.”

Finally, he smiled as he saw off the one who had gone before.

“Spring has come again to Malden, your most cherished treasure.”

I promise to live a long time without you.

“Now it’s really… … “It seems like spring has come.”