The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 50



Only Krnovel

Episode 50. The Golden Road (2)

I didn’t have to have as good an ear as Kadim to know. The voice of the guard captain scolding his subordinates could be heard very vividly outside the door.

‘Oh, you fucking idiots!! … … I said, who told you to stop the councilor of the Turis family from coming… … .’

‘… But Captain, there is no way to find out… ‘

‘… … You had to do it!!! Damn, where on earth did you learn how to sharpen a sharp blade? … .’

‘… … Ugh, ahhh!!’

‘… … ‘Ahh, ah!’

After a series of threats, beatings and screams followed. Enrico cleared his throat and pretended not to hear. He listened to Kadim indifferently and then asked as if he was passing by.

“I guess the position of the commissioner is higher than I thought. I didn’t know it would be that tall.”

Enrico shook his head.

“It’s a position, but the main reason is probably because of my family. As a councilor, I cannot directly influence personnel matters here, but if my brother, a senior member of the council, or the Turis family steps forward, not only the guard commander but also his superiors will be in danger.”

A moment later, the door burst open and a bulky security captain entered the reception room. He showed off an unprecedented way of saluting by slamming his head straight into the floor.

thud!

“Loyalty! Glory to the Golden City! Captain of the Second Gate of the Golden Road, Gradin Anglor, greets you, Your Excellency! My subordinates have been ignorant and have dared to inflict an unforgivable insult on you, Your Excellency! The price for this crime should be dismissal from office and dismemberment, but please, if you would have your broad mind and forgive us just this once… … .”

“Get up. I have no intention of holding you and the soldiers responsible. “It was also my fault for not revealing my identity from the beginning.”

“No! There is not a single bit of fault on your part, sir! I will continue to reflect on my responsibility for not being able to manage my subordinates like this and will listen to what you have to say!”

“… … Wake up. “I’m worried I might break my neck.”

A troublesome scuffle ensued. Only after his head turned red as if it was about to explode did the guard captain stand up. Enrico asked as he sat in front of him, who was panting and breathing hard.

“Anyway, let me explain. Why on earth did someone blockade the Golden Road? Even if it was only for a day, the damage would be enormous.”

“Huh, huk, that, that… … But, I’m sorry, but who is the person next to you… … ?”

“Ah, this person is a benefactor who helped me greatly and even saved my life. “He’s not the type of person to go somewhere and spread what he heard, so feel free to talk to me.”

“… … .”

I didn’t want outsiders to eavesdrop on military secrets, but I couldn’t say anything when the councilor guaranteed me something. The guard captain wiped his sweat, his plump chin trembling, and he spoke cautiously.

“Huh, as you may already know… … Please forgive my rudeness in reconfirming this. Everything I’m about to tell you is confidential. If this story were to spread outside, it would cause great chaos throughout the Alliance territory.”

He tilted his bloated upper body towards the counselor and lowered his voice.

“Demons are rampant in the central part of the Golden Road. Since their number is not small, it is still difficult to suppress them. Therefore, each council has issued a blockade order, and the council has set up a defense line at each gate to prevent monsters and demon servants from spreading along the roads.”

“… … !”

The captain added that he was still trying to figure out the details of the rampant demons and the exact extent of the damage. Kadim narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms, while Enrico frowned and put his hand to his mouth.

“Aren’t magic tower wizards stationed at each gateway in preparation for the war against demons? “What are they doing?”

“Immediately after the outbreak, the wizards from the nearby gates were deployed as the initial suppression force, but their whereabouts have all disappeared. Since then, the wizards from other gates have all been stationed at the defensive line, concentrating only on defense… … .”

“What? Then they’re not ordinary demons? Is there no news that the Magic Tower has dispatched a high-ranking magician?”

“that is… … It seems that the Magic Tower and Vestana Council have not yet fully recognized the seriousness of the situation. They said they had brought in additional wizards, but among them, there was not a single high-ranking wizard higher than Conjurer level.”

“… … .”

“This is a bit of a side note, but some speculate that they intentionally avoided sending troops in hopes that other cities would take care of the situation on their own… … Especially since cities like Galentana are right next to the infested area, they would immediately go into full-scale war if they were faced with an imminent demonic threat.”

Enrico had no choice but to grind his teeth.

This was an extremely unfair treatment. As a condition for sending a magician from the Magic Tower, didn’t other councils have been shouldering their share of the management costs of the ‘Golden Road’? When this situation occurred, wasn’t it supposed to be resolved by the Magic Tower?

The captain of the guards also seemed to know this, so he had a complicated expression. However, he was worried that the councilor might be even more upset, so he quickly added. The magicians that the magician stationed at the current tower were a sufficiently strong force, and the areas where demons were rampant were in the direction of Galentana and Vestana, so they could safely get to Delutana from here.

Enrico couldn’t be entirely happy to hear that story, because that was the direction the barbarian was headed, even if it wasn’t him.

“… … .”

Once all the information was obtained, the guard commander was asked to leave. He bowed his hunched back once more and walked out. For a while inside the reception room, the only sound that could be heard was the sound of Tododog and the Tododog counselor tapping on the table.

After thinking about it, Enrico proposed to Kadim in a cautious tone.

“… … How about taking a detour to the northwest, that is, above Delutana, and going to Vestana? It would take a little longer, but it would be much safer that way.”

“No, I’ve had enough time. I don’t want to delay here any longer.”

“Think about it again. If the magicians of the Magic Tower couldn’t subdue them, then they really are no ordinary demons. Of course, I’m not doubting your power, but I think it would be best to be cautious this time. There might be a two-horned superior demon or a higher-level demon… … .”

Enrico said this and turned around slightly. Then he couldn’t help but flinch and shake his shoulders in embarrassment.

I didn’t think the barbarian would be scared. This is an undefeated warrior who slaughtered armies of trolls and monsters, and even tore apart high-ranking paladins and high-ranking wizards single-handedly. But even so, I never imagined that the barbarian would make such an expression upon hearing this story.

Kadim’s face was distorted and he smiled creepily, as if there could be no better news than this.

“Very good. “I just needed some good blood.”

I felt like I was peeking into the bottom of a deep blood pit, stained with malice and murderous intent.

Enrico bit his lower lip so hard that it almost cracked. He had to do that to keep his chin from quivering and showing his unfamiliar fear.

*

The journey is over. The barbarians and the peddlers go to Vestana, the rest to Delutana. Now it is time to depart for each of their destinations.

Enrico had the guard captain issue a pass so that Kadim could cross the defense line without friction. The guard captain thought he was making this for Kadim’s comfort, but in fact it was the opposite. This is a pass to protect the safety of the soldiers guarding the defense line.

Anyway, since the emblem of the council and the seal of the captain of the guard were clearly stamped on it, it was unlikely that it would be stopped by the guards like this.

The soldiers were reluctant to part ways with Duncan. This is because I have become attached to this personable and well-spoken peddler. He tapped my shoulder in a friendly way and said goodbye.

“It’s been fun, Mr. Duncan!”

“Please come back to Remtana later! I will treat you very kindly then!”

“… … Ah, ah, yes.”

But Duncan didn’t have the luxury of smiling and saying goodbye.

Unlike the soldiers who knew nothing, he had heard from Kadim why the Golden Road was blocked. The peaceful journey was over, and now he was about to jump into a hell filled with demons, and he felt a chill down his spine.

Meanwhile, before parting ways, Gulag called Khadim aside. He held a sledgehammer in his hand and twirled it around, carefully stroking his beard.

“Mercenary, do you remember the promise we made before? I told you to come to Delutana later so that I could create a ‘masterpiece’ for you.”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“But maybe because I’m older, I can’t come up with good ideas about what to make. So, is there anything you need or would like to ask of you? “I will use your opinion as a reference to make equipment.”

Kadim’s thoughts remained unchanged as he thought that it was unlikely that he would be able to visit Delutana. So he just said whatever came to mind.

“Big thing.”

“… … A big one?”

“I’d rather have something big. The weapons I have now are too small and light.”

The wrinkles on the hammerhead’s face doubled in number.

Without even saying a trivial goodbye, he said, ‘It’s a big thing, it’s a big thing…’ … ‘ he muttered seriously to himself and got back on the soldier’s horse. Kadim calmly looked at that figure and then looked away.

In fact, the equipment that Kadim needed the most right now was the same weapon he used in the first round, the ‘Destructive Weapon’ that decapitated the Great Demon. But it was pointless to talk about it to the old man.

‘… … That’s not the type of weapon that humans can make with effort in the first place.’

I shook my head slightly, brushed back my bangs, and shook off my thoughts. Enrico was the last to come to the spot where the old man with the hammer had left. He hesitated, perhaps still in the afterglow of fear, but soon he skillfully hid his emotions and said goodbye.

“There were many twists and turns… … Anyway, it was an honor to be with a great warrior like you. Don’t worry, I will do my best to resolve what happened in the jurisdiction. We will find a way to look up the records of the Magic Tower and send you a letter, so please be patient. May your path ahead be blessed like Remillion’s brilliant gold.”

“Yes, I hope Atala’s fighting spirit is with you.”

They finished blessing each other in the name of the one they were serving. The counselor and the barbarian turned their backs without hesitation.

One towards the den of rulers seething with compromise and bargaining, intrigue and betrayal, the other towards the land rife with demons who feed on suffering and despair.

They each took steps toward their battlefield.

*

A view of the Golden Road with warm sunlight breaking through.

Under the soft sky, a straight road made of granite slabs laid tightly and solidly stretched out. At the edge of the road, a high stone wall was built with exquisite angles, and beyond that, street trees were planted regularly. The uniform landscape that spread out to the distant vanishing point was certainly something that could arouse admiration and awe for human architectural ability.

However, neither Kadim nor Duncan were particularly impressed by it.

Because Kadim was engrossed in other thoughts. And Duncan had to act as a guide even in the midst of turmoil.

“This is the second gate… … If you walk for about half a day, you will reach the third gate, your lord… … . Between the sixth and seventh gates, if you go a little outside, there is a village called Kibon. I guess I can stay there for a day. Of course, that is, if there are no demons there… … .”

Duncan glanced anxiously. Kadim wasn’t even listening to Duncan.

“Who is Remillion?”

“……yes?”

“Who on earth is Remillion? The Allies use his name as if it were a god, but I don’t remember any god by that name.”

Duncan couldn’t help but be taken aback, once by the unexpected question and once by the content of the question.

I almost reflexively asked back if he didn’t know that either, but then I remembered it later. The author didn’t even know of the existence of the Lucaonia Empire before, and his own life was still in the author’s hands.

“Lord Remillion is a great man who united the scattered kingdoms and city-states long ago and formed an alliance… … .”

Duncan chose to explain without saying anything.

Remillion was born the son of a wealthy family and was credited with unifying and developing the Alliance. Thanks to the foundation he laid, the Alliance was able to stand against the Empire for a long time before being defeated. He has many nicknames, such as the Golden Leader, the One Who Saved a City with a Single Gold Coin, and the One Who Defeated a Dragon. In the hearts of the Alliance members, he still remains a god.

“Perhaps the people of the Alliance hope that a second Lord Remillion will appear, unite the three divided Alliance societies once again, and completely free themselves from the oppression of the Empire… … .”

Duncan concluded his story by lamenting the bleak reality.

However, while listening to the story, a mysterious color appeared in Kadim’s eyes. He asked, looking back carefully at his old memories.

“You defeated the dragon?”

“Yes. There is a legend that he was kidnapped by a dragon when he was young, but he used the dragon’s treasure to defeat it and return.”

“You didn’t beg and negotiate until your hands were worn out?”

“Huh? What are you talking about! If you say something like that in front of anyone other than me, you’ll be in big trouble!”

In the Alliance, it was a remark bordering on blasphemy. Even though there was no one on the road due to the lockdown, Duncan looked around frantically, wondering if anyone had overheard him. However, Kadim did not seem to care and was just thinking deeply as if he had noticed something.

After the story about the great man who founded the alliance, a silent walk continued. The scenery along the road was still the same, but the sun in the sky was slightly tilted to the west. Duncan looked up from the map and asked quietly.

“however… … “Why do demons run rampant on the Golden Road?”

“I do not know either. But one thing is certain.”

“… … “What is that?”

“You must prepare plenty of bottles and water bottles.”

“… … .”

After all, there is no option to avoid the demons.

Duncan closed his eyes tightly and fell asleep as if in pain. He smiled bitterly, holding the hilt of the sword that was shaking slightly as if he wanted blood from him.