The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 92



Only Krnovel

Episode 92. sharp knife (2)

An hour has passed since I met with the Agonists at the synagogue.

Kadim wasn’t feeling too well.

“… … Evidence and the supply of demons can be checked at the seized goods warehouse. Therefore, respected lawmakers, we hereby request that you deduct the 146,000 Luden paid in advance from the 1.6 million Luden and give a total of 1,454,000 Luden to the mercenary as compensation for the subjugation operation.”

“Yes… … . Thank you for coming, Captain of the 9th Gate Guard. The evidence has already been confirmed, so you may take your leave now.”

When the captain of the guard finally finished his duties and the council members readily agreed to pay him his salary, he was not offended. In fact, he almost felt a little bit of favor when he heard that they would give him a generous bonus for his trouble.

“Please sit here and wait, mercenary. It will take some time for the aide to get his paycheck. “Would you like to have a little chat with us in the meantime?”

However, that goodwill evaporated as lawmakers held the conservatives hostage.

“I’ve heard a lot about the mercenary’s exploits. The demon slayer who dyed the entire Golden Road with demon blood! It was an unbelievable story, but after seeing the mountain of demon heads piled up yesterday, I can’t help but believe it!”

“Even the most renowned high-ranking paladins of the Empire would have a hard time accomplishing such a feat. If even the Heavenly Elgar knew that there was such a talent in the Alliance, he might be jealous, hahaha!”

The story of the members of the National Assembly began with empty praise… … .

“I heard there was a disturbance with the thugs of the underworld yesterday. They were hiding a subversive force, right? They were people who needed to be taken care of at some point for the sake of the city’s security, so I don’t know how to express my gratitude for taking the lead and helping to sort things out.”

“Anyway, it seems like a lot of things have happened in the city since yesterday. While there is good news that a valuable guest like the mercenary has visited, there is also bad news that a senior member of the council has gone missing… … . Even though his behavior is not exemplary and he has had big and small conflicts with us, he should be safe… … .”

Beyond just thinking about what happened yesterday… … .

“We have always worked hard to make sure that the Atalains were treated better. You have already met the warriors of the army. They were originally just ordinary third-rate gladiators. If it were not for our dedication, they would probably still be locked in the bars of the arena, breathing dust, hahaha!”

“Now we have great influence not only in Agon, but throughout the entire Galentana Territory. It may be a bit strange to say this, but even a runny nose on the street can tell which way the tide is turning… … .”

We got to the point where they were talking about gilding their faces… … .

“By the way, mercenary. Did you know that there are still many neglected compatriots left all over the continent? Since ‘Agon’s Raging Horn’ was promoted as the champion, the perception within the alliance has improved a lot, but in the eastern part of Vestana, there are still those who look down on Atallain as ‘barbarians’… … .”

“… … Also, the Empire’s Elgar Church is capturing innocent Atalans under the guise of being a pagan… … .”

“If the mercenary joins the army and lends us the strength to fight other forces, no one on this continent will be able to ignore the Atalans anymore. Also, to ensure that the mercenary is satisfied, I promise to treat you as if you were the head of the army… … .”

… … has finally reached the point where its true colors are revealed.

The reason Kadim didn’t end this boring tirade midway was purely because of his promise to the one-armed warrior. If it hadn’t been for his promise to listen to the lawmakers, he would have cut him off a long time ago, telling them to shut up and get me the money.

But that patience was slowly running out. The aide who had left to collect the compensation was already at the door. It was clear in his eyes that he would not part with the money until the offer was accepted.

Kadim furrowed his brows and pursed his lips.

“No, I won’t. I have no intention of fighting under someone’s leash. Now that we’re done talking, I’ll go and leave. I’d like you to give me some compensation.”

The lawmakers reacted with incomprehension.

Just in case the bait was not enough, he promised more material rewards such as money, women, land, and artifacts. However, Khadim’s intentions remained unchanged.

Then the members of the National Assembly also hardened their expressions. They changed their tactics from persuasion to dark threats.

“I’m sorry, mercenary. I understand how you feel. However, I think you’ll regret it quite a bit later. You’ll never get another chance like this… … .”

“Well, what can I do? You want to turn your back on your honor and your compatriots and enjoy your immediate freedom. Even though many Atalains on the continent will continue to suffer from neglect and persecution… … I can’t force someone to do something they don’t want to do, can I?”

“But wasn’t there a series of legal procedures when the Council of Councilors executed a budget of more than 1 million Luden? The review period was usually about three months, right? We have simplified the process so far as it is an emergency, but now that the devil’s rampage is over, it may be time to slowly normalize it… … .”

“Oh, and about the case of Rep. Vittorio. Shouldn’t we thoroughly root out who the culprit is? After all, it happened to a fellow council member, so if it comes down to it, we should mobilize the military… … .”

“… … .”

Khadim gives a shady look.

The distant councilors did not notice. Only Adonis, who was standing right in front of them, felt an eerie premonition.

He quickly gathered the council members and spoke to Khadim.

“Oh, don’t worry, Mercenary. The budget execution procedure cannot be applied retroactively, so you will receive your compensation without any problems. However, since it is not a small amount, it seems that there will be some delay, so please be generous and wait. Do you have any other plans for the future?”

“… … I have to go to Agon. Then I have to go to the Magic Tower.”

As he listened, an artificial smile appeared on Adonis’ lips as if he was hearing welcome news.

“Are you planning to go to Agon? That’s good. It’s our hometown, so we’ll be able to help you with anything. “What kind of business are you going on?”

“I’m going to kill Agon’s angry horn.”

“… … .”

““… … .””

The air was freezing.

Adonis and the Agonites looked at Kadim with soulless expressions.

Kwa – Ang!!

Afterwards, Kadim broke the stone table with his bare fists, twisted the bridge of his nose wildly, and scolded his brain.

“And if you don’t pay me right away, I plan to kill you all first.”

““… … .””

A life that makes your spine go cold and your lower body tingle.

The faces of the lawmakers all turned pale.

Adonis sent a desperate look to his aide who was peeking through the crack in the door, telling him to come in immediately with the reward money.

*

The hallway outside the synagogue was littered with shocked faces.

A captain of the guard with sunken eyes and bulging cheeks, a peddler who chews his nails in anxiety, and the warriors of Perun and Atalain with hardened, soot-faced faces.

Everyone seemed to have realized that something major was going on in the synagogue. Kadim had a faint smile on his lips.

I can’t say it was a very wise move.

He has already caused quite a stir in this city. He had to maintain an amicable relationship with them as much as possible to reduce repercussions. However, since they threatened his life and even declared war to kill Agon’s angry horn, it was now inevitable that they would be completely hostile.

Still, there was nothing I could do.

If I hadn’t made my intentions so clear, they would have stubbornly clung to me without giving me any compensation. If we were going to become enemies anyway, it would have been better to take what we could and instill fear in them.

In this way, the purpose of coming to Galentana was achieved.

The reward for subduing the demons was 1,654,000 ludens, plus a bonus. If you include the advance payment received from the captain of the guard, the total was 1,800,000 ludens. In Kadim’s hand, a purse filled with gold coins hung like a tree full of fruit.

Duncan came up first and asked quietly.

“I’ll be fine…” … . What happened inside? Did you receive your full compensation properly? Do you think the lawmakers noticed what happened last night? Then you should run away right now… … .”

“… … .”

Kadim shook his head slightly and approached Perun.

“Did you hear what was discussed inside?”

“… … .”

After a moment of contemplation with a confused face, the warrior found it difficult to speak.

“… … I heard, Brother Khadim.”

“I am not your brother. Not even your friend. “We met with the lawmakers and listened to their stories as promised, so let’s say we have nothing left between us now.”

“… … No, but that doesn’t change the fact that we fought on the same battlefield, and that you killed the devil and paid for my severed arm.”

Perun clenched his fists and faced Khadim.

“It was completely understandable that you defeated Tundal, the leader of the punitive force. However, this time I don’t understand at all. Please explain. Why are we going to Agon and trying to harm the one who leads us? … .”

Kadim gave a gaze as dry as the wind in the wilderness.

“Do you truly believe that the Angry Horn of Agon is the ‘Champion of Atala’?”

“… … .”

Perun wanted to ask himself why he was asking this question now. But those eyes that were looking at him did not allow any retort. While pondering my confused feelings, I unconsciously nodded my head.

Kadim added, twisting his mouth.

“Then I have nothing more to say. However, if you don’t want to see your heads die, there is a way.”

“… … .”

“Following the precepts of the wilderness, fight a duel and kill me now.”

Perun’s eyes opened wide.

Deep pupils like the abyss stared straight at him. Kadim’s words were undoubtedly sincere.

Perun felt the emotions clashing chaotically in his heart. Questions and confusion, fear and anger, and above all, a burning desire to protect the one who leads them, a fierce desire to defeat the great enemy.

He raised his clawed hand high as if he were about to announce the start of a duel at any moment, and barely touched his lips.

“… … .”

“… … .”

… … In the end, he was unable to open his mouth and dropped his hands and head.

When Perun gave up the fight, the other warriors also stopped. Kadim passed them by without paying attention. Then he approached the guard captain and handed him a heavy money bag.

Scream!

“Take it, guard captain.”

“What is this?”

“It’s paralysis. “Didn’t you work hard to pull the cart and come all the way here?”

“… … .”

Yulitan looked inside his pocket. It was a large sum of money, roughly equivalent to several years’ salary. If it were normal, he would have been overjoyed and happy, but… …now was not a good time.

“Oh, no, more than that… … What on earth happened in the synagogue? I heard something being smashed… … . Did they threaten the senators or something?”

“Yes. So we should leave here before they come to their senses. You still have work to do, so follow me.”

“Huh, huh?”

There was no time to listen to the explanation as to whether he was joking or serious. Yulitan was dragged outside by his back, and Duncan, who had been standing blankly, ran after him.

And a quiet silence.

Only the Atalain warriors remained in the hallway. They stood for a long time like ominous sculptures, staring at the spot where Khadim had disappeared.

A warrior came forward and asked Perun:

“What are you going to do, Perun? The author has declared that he will kill the one who leads us, the ‘Great Warrior’… … Do you really plan on just letting him go like this?”

“… … .”

After agonizing for a long time, reliving the fantasy of the wilderness behind my eyelids.

Perun managed to open his eyes and open his lips.

“Brothers, perhaps you… … .”

“… … .”

“… … .”

“… … Ah, no. First, let’s go inside the hall to check on the safety of the council members.”

However, in the end, the warriors were unable to properly listen to the question until the end because they swallowed their backsliding.

Perun was in agony. They didn’t know yet. Even if they had seen a vision like him, or had heard these words from Agon’s angry horn, it was impossible to know whether they would think the same way as he did now.

‘Perun. If I hadn’t met that shaman… … I wouldn’t be anything now. That shaman made me a great warrior of Atala.