Once a decision was made, the tasks had to be carried out without hesitation.
“Request that the Duchy supply as many mana stones as possible. The more, the better. They don’t need to be high-grade, just focus on securing the quantity.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Alejandro, if there’s a branch of the White Raven, contact them to ask how we can get in touch with the Renford Kingdom’s merchant group. Also, mention that we need long-lasting food supplies.”
“Boss, isn’t that group known for not doing business with just anyone?”
“Look for merchants and mercenaries named Eto and Pavel and tell them we’re here to collect a debt from Bates.”
“Understood.”
The harsh cold of the Hoarfrost Gorge is not just severe but brutal to humans.
Basically, simple supply methods like hunting or gathering were nearly impossible. The wild animals there had evolved to nearly the level of magical beasts, and the unique cold meant there was almost no vegetation.
Even if they managed to hunt wild animals, there was still a problem. The dense muscle tissue was too tough for a normal human’s dental structure to chew.
A barbarian warrior might be able to manage, but for other humans, cooked food was essential. But how could they make a fire in a place where snowstorms raged every day?
“If we fail to secure the necessary supplies, we should consider securing as much as possible on intermediary routes.”
“But isn’t that still a place where people live? I mean, this seems a bit extreme… but if you say so, I’ll do it.”
“You can starve, freeze to death, or get torn apart by a beast the size of a house. If you want to experience various ways of dying, go ahead.”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
Even though Alejandro waved his hands in a panic, Khan didn’t lighten the mood. Naturally, because they were about to step into a living hell, there could be no compromises.
“This is the first and last time I’ll say this: don’t think of that place as inhabited by humans. Think of it as an inhuman territory where any sane person would have long since died. This applies to both people and the usual beasts and greenskins you might see.”
“Whoa… I can’t even imagine it.”
“You’ll believe it when you see wolves bigger than humans roaming in packs.”
Alejandro’s face turned pale as he imagined it. Of course, there weren’t that many wolves of such size moving in packs. The number of such creatures was not that high.
“If you’re lucky, you might encounter one. In Hoarfrost Gorge, they are considered quite valuable pets. If you’re fortunate, you might even rear one.”
“I feel like I’d get eaten in my sleep. I’ll pass.”
“Then instead of asking useless questions, go and make contact with the ravens.”
“Yes, sir!”
Fortunately, the Duchy agreed to supply a large number of small mana stones at less than half the original price. It seemed the crown prince was repaying some debts by redirecting the mana stones initially intended for the Glonas School.
For Khan, it was a beneficial offer with no downsides. The problem arose with the White Ravens.
“I succeeded in making contact with the ravens. But it seems we’ll need to go directly to the merchant group to establish a trade.”
Thanks to their activities in the northern Argon Kingdom and the capital, the White Raven Guild had become the sole intelligence guild within Argon.
Since then, they had aggressively expanded, with ambitions to extend even into the Empire. Seeing White Raven branches popping up in various border kingdoms, there was no doubt that Guildmaster Raven was highly capable.
‘That’s why I entrusted the task to them….’
“What’s the reason?”
“They don’t know either. It seems something happened recently, so they’re cracking down internally. Finding people named Eto and Pavel is impossible.”
“Ah, it’s already that time…”
“That time?”
“There’s such a thing.”
Although it hadn’t yet happened, the merchant group that had swallowed half of Renford Kingdom’s wealth was going to be targeted by the Elves’ Paradise Bank.
The reason was extremely typical of the Elves, making it a somewhat absurd quest. Regardless of the reason, it was clear that the Elves’ threats had already begun.
The Renford Kingdom merchants must have realized this early and were tightening internal controls.
‘Damn Elves.’
Whether in the game or reality, they were a nuisance, fulfilling the stereotype of their species. Khan frowned at the characteristic inconvenience of the Elves.
“Oh, and someone from the guild had something else to add. Someone from the mercenary guild was looking for you. Or should I say, a group?”
“A group?”
“Yes… from the Mage Tower and the Church.”
The other news Alejandro brought was somewhat puzzling for Khan. It made sense for the Mage Tower since they were expecting something from Magus Jerome.
But why would the Church be looking for a barbarian from Hoarfrost Gorge instead of Aries or Leo?
This question was answered when a group arrived at the mansion where Khan’s party was staying.
“I’ve heard from Priestess Elena. A warrior recognized by our god as outstanding and very brave. I can feel the impressive skills.”
“…You are?”
“Ah, my introduction is late.”
“Praga Grobel… He is called the swordsmanship instructor within the Paladin Order.”
Leo, with a reluctant expression, introduced his superior and then stepped back.
Realizing that this was not his place to intervene, Leo discreetly stepped back. After all, the paladin before him was one of the notable named characters in the game.
Moreover, Praga, who had trained most of the current paladins and was known for maintaining a moderate stance among the generally hardline paladins, was ultimately a victim of the church’s internal strife.
‘Why would such a figure directly…?’
“As I mentioned earlier, I’ve heard stories. We paladins usually tend to subdue northern barbarian first and ask questions later, but we can’t treat a warrior acknowledged by the Goddess the same way. So, speak your mind frankly.”
Praga, who was a bit taller than Maya, had broad shoulders and a strong, rugged appearance that exuded an imposing aura. His polite yet confident tone only intensified that impression.
“The current continental situation is unusual. You must be feeling it yourself, right?”
“Well…”
“Especially the recent incidents in the border kingdoms are chaotic. Bates, Argon, Georges… And the problem is that it doesn’t end there. Although the information hasn’t spread yet, there are three demons that have descended on the border kingdoms.”
“Three already?”
Khan’s eyes widened slightly. Praga, anticipating his reaction, explained calmly.
“One was the one you subjugated. Another belonged to the legion of the high demon prince Behelanokto, and the deputy commander led a paladin squad to subdue it. Unfortunately, three paladins were lost as it had already claimed many sacrifices. The last one remains unknown. I heard a passing swordsman took its head…”
“A swordmaster, huh.”
“We suspect as much, but the witnesses’ accounts are inconsistent. We don’t know of any swordmasters in the border kingdoms fitting the description of a very handsome young man in his mid to late twenties. Discovering the swordsman’s identity isn’t the most pressing issue right now.”
True enough.
The speed of the demon invasions was several times faster than in the game. Augrabes and Kereaktu, who now rest in Aecharis’s pocket, only appeared later in the game.
“So, why are you telling me this?”
However, this did not explain why a named paladin was searching for a barbarian from the Hoarfrost Gorge.
Praga acknowledged this and, with a deep sigh, finally revealed his hidden agenda—somewhat unexpectedly.
“Bring the Goddess’ Sword back to us.”
—
—
There was no need to ponder over who the “Goddess’ Sword” referred to. Naturally, it was Aries.
‘I’m not sure why he’s telling me this, though.’
Khan already knew that Aries had been defying the orders of the cardinals to accompany him. The fact that such a high-ranking heavenly god’s chosen paladin was acting on her own whims indicated her significant influence.
Still, it was surprising that a church paladin was asking a barbarian to bring her back.
“I understand it might seem strange. But Priestess Elena advised that this was the most effective and only viable method. The situation is dire enough that we must grasp at any straw.”
“The movements of the demons don’t seem beyond the control of the church’s power.”
“… I cannot disclose more details due to the sensitive nature of internal church affairs.”
Based on the expression of Leo, who stood behind Praga, Khan could guess what this ‘sensitive nature’ was.
“It seems like the pressure from the cardinals has reached an unbearable level.”
“…!”
Praga Grobel’s face stiffened.
“It’s not surprising. Aries is openly defying the cardinals’ orders to bring me back to the main church, and now a person of your status is here to personally address a barbarian. Bowing your head to a barbarian seems odd, doesn’t it?”
“…Unbelievable. Are you really a barbarian?”
“What if I said I wasn’t?”
“That can’t be true… Just shows how shocking this is. It’s not what one would expect. Well, now that it’s all out in the open, I won’t hide anything.”
Shaking his head in amazement, Praga leaned forward.
“Only the Goddess’ Sword can stand against the pressure from the cardinals. Neither the commander nor the deputy commander stays at the main body, nor should they. So, please, persuade her.”
“Sir Praga.”
“This also concerns you, Leo. If things continue as they are, your formal appointment could be indefinitely delayed.”
Khan hadn’t heard about this before. Leo flinched, turning his head away to avoid Khan’s gaze. Clearly, he was aware of the situation but chose to hide it. Khan clicked his tongue in frustration.
‘It’s not an unreasonable request. I wasn’t planning to take them to the Hoarfrost Gorge anyway.’
Khan’s decision, made with the thought of the Goddess of Justice observing everything through Aries and Leo, was to avoid taking them to the Hoarfrost Gorge.
Although the Goddess of Justice had been exceptionally favorable towards him, there was no guarantee it would remain so if he delved into the secrets of the world.
But Praga showed up with a request even before Khan could inform the two of his decision.
“It’s not a difficult request.”
“My Lord?!”
“How long were you planning to just follow me around? Remember your purpose, Leonir.”
Leonir von Istantil, destined to become the youngest commander of the Paladin Order, was also a tragic genius who would ultimately fall in his efforts to reform the church. However, this time things would be different.
As Praga mentioned, someone must remain at the main body to keep the cardinals in check when the commander and deputy commander are absent.
“Go to the Empire, Leonir. Achieve the purpose you first spoke of to me. When I eventually come to the Empire, make sure I can feel the changes you’ve brought.”
Of course, Khan had no intention of sending him off empty-handed. He planned to give Leonir a significant gift that would force the cardinals to acknowledge his contributions. In this worldline, there would be no “Leonir the Apostate.”
And—
“The next time we meet, you better have secured a respectable position. Don’t let me down.”
By the time Leonir rose to a central position within the Paladin Order, Khan would have gained a powerful ally.
One who, as the seventh act’s boss, had once driven countless players to the brink.