Surviving as a Barbarian in a Fantasy World

Chapter 121: Priests of the God of Lies and Deception (6)

“No, what kind of crazy talk is this?!”

Heize shouted.

A saint.

A person of wisdom and virtue.

One who has attained enlightenment and has reached the state of Nirvana.

Even if you combined all the religious churches worldwide, it was extremely rare to find someone acknowledged as a saint.

Such a position commanded universal recognition and respect.

Could Ketal be such a saint?

“He’s absolutely not that kind of person!”

He was not someone who had detached himself from emotions and attained enlightenment. Rather, he was a person who pursued his desires more than anyone else.

Knowing this, Heize was dumbfounded by Naplas’s words.

But Naplas chuckled heartily.

“That’s your bias talking. You said you were his comrade, right? Maybe you couldn’t see his greatness because you were too close.”

“No. What are you talking about?”

Heize was on the verge of losing her mind.

She had expected they might accept Ketal, but this was too bizarre.

‘Did he do something?’

Naturally, she began to think that Ketal might have pulled some trick on Naplas.

Heize stared at Naplas in astonishment.

The next day, Heize met Ketal with a haggard face.

She desperately tried to explain that Ketal wasn’t that kind of person and that there must be some misunderstanding, but Naplas didn’t listen.

Instead, he looked at her strangely for being so vehemently opposed.

In the end, Heize had no choice but to back down.

Seeing Heize like that, Ketal asked,

“Heize, what’s wrong? You don’t look well.”

“Ah, it’s nothing. I just couldn’t sleep….”

“Ah, given the situation, that’s understandable.”

Ketal spoke as if he understood.

Heize looked at Ketal with a face full of fear.

‘What on earth have you done…?’

Did he have some sort of brainwashing ability?

Ketal was an extremely peculiar person.

It was entirely possible he had brainwashed Naplas without anyone noticing.

Heize gulped.

One misunderstanding was resolved, and a new one arose.

Regardless of their true feelings, they accepted Ketal’s help.

Naplas bowed respectfully.

“We are grateful for your assistance.”

Ketal smiled faintly.

‘Now I can finally see the holy sanctuary of the gods.’

He was in a very good mood.

Ketal suppressed his emotions as he spoke.

“Shall we depart immediately?”

“There’s no immediate rush, so we’ll stay in the capital a bit longer to find others who can help. We also need to prepare for the journey.”

Naplas replied.

“We know you are strong, but the evil invading the sanctuary is even stronger. It might be dangerous for you to go alone.”

Ketal had defeated a named demon.

But currently, their sanctuary was being attacked by two superhuman-level dark wizards. There were numerous top-tier fighters and countless monsters as well.

Ketal might be a superhuman-level warrior, but even he wouldn’t be enough.

“Is that so?”

Ketal tilted his head in curiosity.

“In that case, I have a question. How has your sanctuary managed to hold out?”

He had heard that a single superhuman-level warrior could destroy an entire territory.

It was hard to understand how they were holding up with two dark wizards attacking.

“We have superhuman-level warriors too.”

Naplas explained.

“The great holy knight and the saintess are holding the line. As long as they are there, we won’t be easily overrun.”

“…Ho.”

Ketal’s lips curled into a smile.

“I see. Then when do we depart?”

“About… two days from now. That seems like a good time.”

“Understood.”

Ketal nodded.

“I have some acquaintances here as well. I should inform them.”

“Alright.”

Naplas smiled in satisfaction.

“Then, let’s meet again in two days.”

“Sure. Heize, see you then.”

“Yes….”

Heize nodded with a gloomy face.

The two parted ways.

Ketal’s first destination was Milena.

Milena’s eyes widened.

“You’re leaving?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, um…”

Milena was momentarily flustered.

She never imagined Ketal would leave.

But she quickly calmed down.

On reflection, Ketal was a barbarian from the White Snowfields.

He was not one to be tied down.

She accepted it calmly.

“Why are you leaving?”

Ketal explained briefly.

Milena’s face twisted in confusion.

“You’re going to… collaborate with Kalosia?”

“Yes. Do you know them?”

“Yes. They came to ask for my help too.”

Milena looked at Ketal with an incomprehensible expression.

“You’re going to help the church of Kalosia?”

Suddenly moving to aid the church was hard to understand.

Ketal spoke calmly.

“I was comrades with a priest of Kalosia during my mercenary days. She has come here.”

“If I remember correctly, that wasn’t too long ago.”

“Right. We completed about two tasks together.”

“…Is that all?”

Was he leaving for the holy land invaded by evil with just that level of connection?

“That’s right.”

Ketal looked like he was wondering why she kept asking.

“Ah, no. If that’s what you want, there’s no problem.”

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.

“Then… you’re really leaving.”

“It seems so. What will you do?”

“I’ll continue as I have been.”

She would continue to build the Akasha family.

Although they were currently shaken by the invasion of evil, they had enough strength to endure.

For a merchant family like hers, crisis was also an opportunity.

If they could somehow overcome this crisis, it would lead to even greater growth.

Ketal would leave this place.

She wouldn’t see him for a while.

Perhaps forever.

Thinking this far, Milena stood up from her chair.

She bowed respectfully.

“I, Milena Akasha, as the head of the Akasha family, express my deepest gratitude to the barbarian Ketal for protecting my homeland and forming a bond with me.”

Milena spoke quietly.

“You are my benefactor and friend, so if you are ever in danger or need my help, I will do everything in my power to assist you.”

With those calm words, her blue eyes looked at Ketal.

Ketal smiled faintly.

“Thank you. I consider you my friend as well, so feel free to ask for help if you need it.”

Milena smiled.

* * *

Next, Ketal went to see Barbosa.

When Ketal visited the royal palace, the guards were alarmed and pointed their spears at him, but he managed to have an audience without much trouble.

Barbosa’s eyebrows twitched as he listened.

“…You’re going to help the church of Kalosia?”

“Yes.”

Ketal nodded.

“I heard they came here to ask for your help. I decided to help them. I thought it would be good to inform you.”

“…I see.”

Barbosa tried to remain calm, but there was undeniable confusion in his eyes.

A barbarian.

They deny the gods.

They despise and hate priests.

They generally do not form good relations with them.

Moreover, Kalosia was the god of lies and deception.

The god whose traits barbarians liked the least.

Was he really going to help the church of Kalosia and fight against evil?

Barbosa had to ask.

“Why?”

“Because they are my friends.”

“…Is that all?”

“What more do you need?”

Barbosa was silent for a moment.

His eyes reflected confusion about what kind of person Ketal was.

‘…Are barbarians from the White Snowfields different somehow?’

After a moment of confusion, Barbosa quickly organized his thoughts and spoke.

“It’s enough if you help.”

“There seems to be no issue then.”

“We wanted to help too, but we refused because we didn’t have the capacity. If you can do it, it’s a great help.”

Even if there was a problem, he wouldn’t try to stop him.

The Tower Master had advised Barbosa that trying to control Ketal was unwise.

No, it was impossible.

How could they control someone who could defeat even a sword master with one strike?

“Do as you please. Then you’ll be leaving the Denian Kingdom.”

“It seems so.”

Ketal said and then looked at Barbosa for a moment.

“I thank you once again. It’s been kind of you to treat an outsider like me so warmly. I’m grateful.”

“It benefited us too, so it’s fine. Thank you once again.”

Barbosa signaled the attendant standing behind him.

The attendant left the room.

When the attendant returned, he was carrying treasures of gold and silver.

“You helped us.”

Barbosa said.

“If it weren’t for you, the capital might have fallen. Given the situation, we can’t offer a fitting reward… but I hope this is satisfactory.”

“Oh.”

Ketal’s eyes sparkled.

It was not a small amount at a glance.

“I won’t refuse. Thank you.”

Ketal smiled brightly.

Then Ketal left.

The attendant behind him spoke cautiously.

“Is this okay? It will put a significant strain on the treasury.”

“It’s fine. He’s worth it.”

In fact, they had no money to spare for anyone.

Even after squeezing money out of the nobles, it wasn’t enough, and they were requesting cooperation from other countries.

Giving such a reward was a significant stretch.

The vassals had tried to stop him, but Barbosa made the decision independently.

The reason was simple.

Ketal was worth it.

“It’s a relief to have established good relations.”

Barbosa sighed in relief.

A barbarian from the White Snowfields.

It was very fortunate to have such a unique existence in this world hold a favorable opinion.

Barbosa thought suddenly.

‘Now this barbarian will roam the world.’

He would leave for the Church of Kalosia and act as he pleased there.

He would remove anything that stood in his way.

“…I hope there won’t be any problems.”

Barbosa murmured with a hint of unease.

* * *

Lastly, Ketal went to see Arkamis.

Ketal told Arkamis that he was leaving the Kingdom of Denian.

Arkamis reacted.

“Wh-what? Wh-wh-what? Why? Did I do something wrong?”

Her reaction was more intense than anyone else he had told so far.

Her eyes were wide like a rabbit’s, and her face was full of confusion.

“You’re leaving? Why? Did I do something wrong?”

She stammered as she asked.