Chapter 256

“The Lord who cast radiance and brought light to this land has spoken.”

A bald-headed man spoke.

As soon as those words ended, Encrid tilted his head.

“I serve the Radiance.”

So, someone who replaced greetings with scripture—meaning he was a priest.

“What brings you here?”

Encrid asked.

“I have come to deliver a blessing.”

The priest smiled gently.

‘What blessing out of nowhere?’

Encrid paused to think.

‘Aren’t blessings like that usually received before a war?’

Regardless, the priest continued saying whatever he wanted.

“The Radiant hand that protects this land has sent a hero to this territory. Hohoho.”

For example, toward Krona, he had an oddly developed sense of smell.

It all melded and combined into a sixth sense. That new sense helped him grasp the disposition of the person in front of him.

No—was it more accurate to say that the other party showed no intention of hiding anything?

The man, who had been spouting scriptures this whole time, eventually claimed that the reason this territory had been protected was because he had prayed without sleep for three nights.

Rem, in the middle of tightening his fur coat, raised his head.

Did he just say what I think he said?

His expression made his intent clear.

“Don’t.”

Encrid stepped in at the right moment. Ragna, who had been ignoring everything and heading into the lodging, also stopped walking.

It was clear he’d shifted his weight onto his left foot.

His signature sharp instinct had activated.

Encrid raised his hand toward Ragna, palm forward. It meant to stop.

Rem usually showed signs before he snapped, but Ragna was the type to beat someone senseless the moment he lost it.

Of course, the most dangerous among them was Jaxson.

He might slash before anyone even noticed.

“None of you. Do nothing.”

Encrid said again. He could feel the irritation-based fury in them, and truthfully, he was no different.

But among them, he was the only sane one. They were in the middle of the territory—right in the barracks. Beating or killing a priest here was not something they should allow.

Well… maybe a light beating wouldn’t hurt?

“This is troubling.”

Even Krys spoke with a cold tone. “Troubling” sounded more like he was thinking about how to cover it up if they killed the priest.

It wasn’t because of Krona.

Even if Krys didn’t like being on the front lines, he was still someone who’d fought on the battlefield.

That’s why.

If someone claimed they won a battle because of prayer—if prayer was the only reason for survival—if it was solely prayer that kept them alive in war…

Then what of those who bled to win?

Encrid reached a conclusion. This bastard was an idiot.

And the first method of dealing with an idiot wasn’t to beat them—it was to ignore them. When something is filthy, the first response should be to avoid it.

So ignoring was the answer.

But someone who normally wouldn’t let something like this pass took a step forward.

In that step, the late afternoon sunlight cast a long shadow over the belly-fat priest.

“Are you saying that because we won through prayer, you’re here to collect a victory offering?”

He didn’t even use the word “brother.”

Encrid knew Audin. He was devout, used divine power, and yet kept all that secret.

He also knew Audin didn’t hit just anyone.

Even if the priest was corrupt, greedy for gold, or a womanizer, Audin had always quietly avoided them.

That’s why everyone simply stared.

“Yes, indeed. If you make an offering—for the temple, for the territory, and for its people—I shall widely spread that noble intention.”

Encrid understood what the man meant.

A few gold coins, and they’d sing your praises.

But were these the kind of people who sought praise?

Ignoring really was the best option.

“If the will of the Radiance is so exalted, then what of the funerals for the fallen?”

Audin suddenly asked.

Encrid briefly considered whether he should stop him.

“Well, that can be handled later.”

The priest replied casually. His tone made it clear how little he thought of the dead soldiers.

This was a world teeming with monsters and magical beasts.

Everyone lived with the threat of war hanging over them.

No one knew when creatures would burst from the Demon Realm again and another Holy War would begin.

In the Holy Wars of the past, over half of humanity and their allied races died. Rivers ran with blood, and mountains were made of corpses.

It had been a world of horrific war.

And now?

Nothing had changed. The continent was still engulfed in war.

Then let us ask:

If the blade of danger hangs over your neck, does that mean life is cheap? Worthless?

Some would agree.

A warlord leading a nation might reduce soldiers to mere numbers.

A grand general might feel the same.

But a priest?

“You brought many good items, didn’t you? Hoho, if you donate them with good intentions, blessings shall linger.”

This priest had not even a speck of divinity. The word “blessing” sounded like robbery.

Audin looked at the priest.

It was a common thing. Fools were as plentiful as grains of sand, and this territory seemed to have more than its share.

Addled thugs high on drugs and hypnosis.

Fools belonging to the Black Blade Bandits.

And now a fool wearing the guise of a priest.

‘Nothing new.’

Audin knew this wasn’t special. He’d seen people like this before.

Even if the Border Guards didn’t have any official clergy, wandering priests were occasionally seen.

And he’d seen them commit robbery in the name of offerings.

Everyone had just looked away.

For quite a while, all the dismissed clergy who had turned a blind eye to visible problems had placed those who could break through walls—those said to be at their limits—above them.

More recently, he had even seen a beast that defied its fate.

Among them, one bore the name Encrid.

And that beast stood before him now.

Many thoughts raced through his mind.

All of them ended with what he felt toward Encrid.

Audin faced his own transformation.

‘Did they say to stand idly by in the face of wrongdoing?’

No. His father, his god, his master never said such a thing.

Thus, Audin reacted and moved when he saw the injustice.

Now that the Lord within him had taken root, he could do so.

This priest was a fool. Encrid knew that too. He had been about to ignore him.

Whoosh.

The moment the air displaced and something tickled his sixth sense, Encrid reacted. If Rem couldn’t hold it in and threw an axe, things would go south.

He reached out and moved to block it. The one who moved was a person. The one who acted slipped beneath Encrid’s outstretched arm like a snake and swung a palm.

Smack!

There was no groan. No scream.

It was Audin who had moved.

He swung an open palm, and it landed squarely on the priest’s cheek.

Encrid turned around.

He sensed Audin’s movements clearly and asked,

“What was that?”

“Snake Step.”

To anyone listening, it would’ve sounded like a conversation between lunatics.

Encrid satisfied his curiosity and then looked at what Audin had done.

“Did he die?”

“Probably close.”

Rem replied to the question.

Ragna silently observed the situation, then looked at Audin and muttered,

“A troublemaker.”

Jaxson followed with a blank expression.

“Was that necessary?”

He could’ve just done it while no one was looking.

Lastly, Rem looked at the belly-fat priest who now lay sprawled out a few steps away from where he had been standing and said,

“He should’ve shown some restraint.”

Rem muttered.

You’re one to talk.

Encrid thought as he signaled to Krys, who approached and checked for breath.

“Fortunately… or maybe not so fortunately. He’s still breathing.”

His cheek was already swelling red, but he was alive. At least his eye hadn’t popped out or ruptured.

Now only the aftermath remained.

Encrid was the squad leader of this unruly bunch.

This kind of incident—well, he was used to it.

‘Though, this is probably the first time a priest got slapped.’

There was no temple in the Border Guards.

Not for any special reason. Just a series of coincidences.

The founding commander distanced himself from religion. His successor followed that stance. The most recent commander before Markus despised gluttonous pigs who only wanted their share.

He hated corrupt priests.

Whether they had a strong spirit of sacrifice or not, the temple took offerings, and he hated that too.

Current battalion commander Markus was the same.

He believed in God and made offerings, but—

He didn’t allow a temple to be built in his territory.

He was the type to ruthlessly cut away anything that didn’t benefit the territory.

And for some reason, all the priests who came to the territory only seemed interested in Krona.

Technically, if the temple sent someone, one could be built instantly, but to this day, there was no temple in the Border Guard.

Still, was this the first time they’d encountered a fool like this?

Not really.

It was just curious why they’d gone ahead and smacked him this time.

Encrid looked at Audin with that intention, and Audin brought both hands together in front of his chest in a prayer-like gesture and said,

“I have no regrets. I only did as my Lord commanded me.”

So, you wanted to hit him.

Encrid understood completely.

“Let’s just kill him and bury the body.”

Rem said. It made no sense. The commotion in front of the lodgings had already drawn a crowd.

Encrid ignored the worthless suggestion and inspected the priest again.

Definitely not dead.

As he crouched and examined the priest, one of the watching soldiers spoke up.

“…Why do I feel so refreshed?”

“Right?”

“That pig of a fool.”

A few thoughtless soldiers snickered while the smarter ones called their superior.

As soon as the officer heard what happened, he reported it up the chain, and Zimmer soon appeared.

“Let’s say I did it.”

“Hm?”

Encrid gave a questioning look, and Zimmer’s eyes sparkled as he said,

“It’ll be easier to clean up if I take the blame.”

“I appreciate it, but…”

“You’re the heroes who protected this land. At the very least, let me do this much.”

Zimmer puffed up his chest.

So what happens if a priest gets beaten?

It’ll be reported immediately. The temple might take it as an insult to their god or use it as an excuse to increase their influence in the territory.

Now that the Border Guards and Martai were becoming a major trading territory, the temple might try to move in and claim a share of the profits.

Separately, what would happen to Zimmer for hitting the priest?

He might be fined or punished.

If things went south, it could turn into a bigger issue.

If they pushed it, he could be imprisoned.

That’s what it meant to assault a dispatched priest.

But if Zimmer took the fall, it would be better than having Audin do it.

There was a difference between an outsider hitting him and someone from within the territory.

The influence was different too.

Scratch, Encrid rubbed his brow.

He looked at Audin, who had divine power but kept it hidden.

The biggest concern was—

‘Can we tie that bear to the temple?’

Probably not.

He hid his divinity and stayed in a territory with no temple.

And he was part of the unit.

He was a fugitive. It was obvious, even without asking.

Whether he believed in heresy or had committed a crime against the temple—or both.

“Everyone here will be a witness.”

Zimmer said confidently.

He was an Easterner and a commander of this territory.

He probably wouldn’t have trouble influencing the split groups of soldiers.

The ones from the Border Guard favored Encrid, so no persuasion would be needed.

“Let’s do that.”

Krys nudged him and spoke.

Encrid decided to accept the gesture of goodwill.

“Thank you.”

Zimmer nodded.

He had always been a forthright man, even right after a battle.

“Then it’s settled.”

He ordered the soldiers to carry the fallen priest inside.

The next day, the priest—having lost his memory—screamed and argued.

Encrid, who had been sweating from morning training, happened to witness the scene.

“How dare you lay a hand on a servant of God? You think this will end quietly? The Radiance is watching! Huh? I’ll report this to the temple and see that justice is served!”

Near the edge of the barracks, where the underbrush was thick.

Luckily, it seemed the priest didn’t know Audin had hit him.

And from what Encrid later heard, Zimmer was even more forthright than he thought.

“We won because of prayer? You fat pig bastard.”

The priest was speechless. His smoothly running tongue got tangled.

“What? What did you just say?”

His tone wavered faintly. In technical terms, he was scared shitless.

“Are your ears clogged with fat? Should I trim them for you?”

Shwing.

Zimmer unsheathed a dagger. It was morning, and the sun was dazzling. The blade reflected the sunlight beautifully.

“Or should I carve out that tongue spouting nonsense?”

He made a poking motion near the priest’s mouth with the dagger.

There was an aura about him. One that said, if pushed, he might really do it.

Zimmer was like that now.

The priest hesitated to speak and finally tried one last act of defiance.

“I’ll report this to the temple…”

“Then you’ll end up as breakfast for a ghoul that suddenly barged in during morning prayer, or maybe you’ll die charging in the next centaur battlefield. Ah, I know! You got wounded in the charge, right here, maybe? Then you couldn’t get treated in time and died. Everyone would just assume you could’ve healed yourself with divine power because you’re a priest.”

Not every priest could use divine power, but admitting that wasn’t exactly honorable.

The priest couldn’t say a word.

It was a glorious scene.

One that left a deep impression on Encrid.

Then again, if threats were all that was needed, they could’ve handled it themselves.

But no—threats from a local were different than from outsiders.

Zimmer made it possible.

He was an interesting man. That Easterner named Zimmer.

And when Encrid returned to the lodgings, Krys rubbed sleep from his eyes and said,

“When you think about it, they’re actually kind.”

“Who?”

Encrid was about to go back outside to train with his sword before his sweat dried.

He moved as usual.

From behind, Krys said,

“The Black Blade Bandits.”

“…How are they kind?”

“Ugh, it’s cold now. Can’t you steal Rem’s fur coat for me?”

“If you’re wearing it, the edge of his axe will rest against your neck.”

“Even if you stop him?”

“Without a doubt.”

“Ugh, I should’ve bought one too.”

Despite saying that, Krys would never buy a fur coat. He was cheap when it came to Krona.

“Let’s go. You’re going to train, right?”

Krys said toward the door. The sun was warm, but the air was cold. Winter had come.

Encrid picked up his sword and stepped outside.

Until the day promised by the dwarf came, he would stay here and train as usual.

And beside him, Krys shared his thoughts.

Thoughts on why the fools called the Black Blade Bandits were so “kind.”

As Encrid listened, he realized that lately—no, ever since coming to Martai—he’d been running into more fools, and foolish groups.

Now the Black Blade Bandits had finally drawn their swords in earnest.

And there had been that priest who got smacked by Audin.

So how should one deal with such people?

The answer was simple.

‘Just beat them all up.’

He knew the answer. Now it was Krys’s job to pave the way forward. Encrid had ordered it, and Krys was faithful to that command.