Chapter 36: Encounter (2)

Thankfully, they weren’t found out.

“Sorry, I don’t know.”

“That’s a shame.”

Felix wore a disappointed expression.

Evan was dumbfounded.

How would I know where they are?

Glory.

A new cult.

Even now, nothing had been revealed about Glory.

I heard they recently wiped out some cult remnants…

A group that eradicated criminal organizations and cult remnants.

Beyond that, nothing was known.

Some called them a group of justice, others a criminal organization.

Some said they were a small elite group of about ten, others claimed they were a massive organization of thousands.

It was easier to believe they were just one person.

The phrase “For the Glory” left behind was incomprehensible.

It was treated more like a symbol.

In a short time, they’d wiped out two drug manufacturing fields and cult remnants.

According to the Duke, even the imperial family was closely monitoring them.

Since their activity is within the empire, their base is probably there too.

Operating across borders?

Unlikely.

Maybe once or twice, but crossing multiple times would be tough.

Communicating from afar?

Impossible.

They were hostile nations.

Maybe in the future, but for now, it was near impossible.

Since they weren’t in the original story, Evan didn’t know either.

Evan glanced at Felix with a hint of suspicion.

How does he know about them?

Felix.

Elim’s son, a wandering knight on a pilgrimage seeking true strength.

By the way, Evan didn’t know who Elim was. The game never mentioned it.

Probably his father or lord?

His personality wasn’t bad. He wasn’t the type to ignore injustice.

But he wasn’t one to chase it either.

He was a wandering knight on a pilgrimage for strength, not justice.

In the end, he gives up his dream of becoming a Swordmaster.

Endlessly tormented and wandering, the directionally challenged Felix.

That was the character Evan remembered.

And yes, he was genuinely terrible with directions.

Evan had never seen someone so bad at navigating.

Seems about the same now?

Two and a half years until the main story began.

If he hadn’t fixed it by then, he was surely still a directionally challenged mess now.

Felix smacked his lips regretfully.

“There’s no information about that group even in the empire. So I thought they might be abroad, in the Demisia Kingdom.”

“I see.”

“I paid a hefty sum to an information guild, but it was a shame.”

“What hefty sum?”

It was pointless chatter, but Evan was curious.

Did Felix even have money?

As a wandering knight, he should be broke.

“A sum that spared my life.”

Crazy guy.

Evan took a slight step back.

Egis nodded.

“Got a good deal.”

Evan took two more steps back.

Not that it mattered much inside the carriage.

“In that case, I have a request for you all.”

“?”

“I’ll pay a fair price, so let me travel with you for a while. To the Demisia Kingdom.”

“Not with your life.”

“Who’s crazy enough to do that?”

You.

“Though I’m a poor wandering knight, I have a few items to offer as payment.”

Felix reached for his pocket, then realized he was still tightly bound by mana parasites and looked up.

“Could you release this?”

“I’ll check it myself.”

Lapis flicked her finger.

The threads swooshed, rummaging through his belongings.

Felix, looking down at them, offered a comment.

“Hmm, feels strange. I sense killing intent. Do you have a grudge against me?”

“No.”

Lapis replied coldly.

She pulled out the payment with her threads.

Not one, but several.

Several worn-out bundles emerged.

Felix blinked.

“That’s not what I was going to give.”

“Consider it the price of your life.”

Lapis unraveled the bundles with her threads.

“How do I know you won’t harm Evan?”

“Well…”

“And you said you paid for information with your life at a guild before, right?”

Sharp threads tightened around his neck, as if ready to slice at any moment.

Yikes! Scary.

“Let’s do something similar.”

“Hmm.”

Surprisingly, Felix nodded.

“Fair enough. Take it all and spare me.”

Quick decision.

Lapis smiled, satisfied.

Evan was conflicted.

Did I raise this kid wrong?

He made her read ethics books every day.

Should he switch to a holy scripture now?

He seriously considered it.

Though it might be too late, having already taught her assassination techniques.

“Let’s see… anything useful?”

Egis rummaged through the bundles.

She seemed practiced at it.

A former princess—should she be doing that?

“Oh!”

Egis’s eyes sparkled as she found something.

“A Sand Golem’s heart! This is pretty rare!”

“Oh, I got lost and accidentally wandered into a natural dungeon.”

Felix kindly explained.

“There was a boss, so I took its heart.”

“Oh, it’s in good condition… Not bad. You’ve got skills.”

“Would I be on a pilgrimage for nothing?”

His tone carried a hint of pride.

Lapis, unimpressed, added bluntly.

“Still got taken down by me.”

“It’s a matter of talent. Can’t help it.”

Felix said in a calm voice.

“Instead of despairing over it, I’ll put in more effort each day.”

His mindset was healthier than expected.

Not just healthy—impressively so.

What made him break?

Evan was curious.

Was it related to this Elim person?

“The other items… all from the desert?”

A giant cactus root, a Sand Golem’s heart, Sandworm teeth.

All useful items.

Valuable not just in the empire, but in Demisia too.

“I stayed there a while.”

“When did you get here?”

“About a week ago.”

“So, since leaving the empire?”

“Yes.”

Now Egis looked dumbfounded.

Understandable.

How bad a sense of direction was that?

Even running together, one curve in the road and he’d vanish.

Beyond imagination.

“But your combat skills seem decent… Evan, what do you think?”

Egis’s question.

Evan thought for a moment.

Combat power wasn’t lacking.

Miniaturized Number 3.

It could probably beat Felix.

But.

To stay low-key, a person is better than a golem.

The Demisia Kingdom.

A nation that worshipped strength.

Whether you were human or not was crucial.

Artificial beings like golems would face discrimination.

He’d planned to hire someone with money when he got there.

That was the cleanest way.

But if he could hire Felix for free now?

Not bad.

He’s not the type to betray either.

Any player would know.

Felix wasn’t the type to betray.

Helping him complete his pilgrimage.

That was the Act 1 quest.

That trust was why Evan agreed.

Definitely not because it was free.

“Alright.”

Evan said, looking out the carriage.

“Let’s travel together for a while.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“In return, I’d like your help a bit in the Demisia Kingdom.”

“I’ll help as much as I can. First, thanks for sparing me.”

The king of positive thinking.

Evan signaled to Lapis.

Lapis swooshed, releasing the threads and opening the carriage door.

“Pardon me.”

Felix brushed off the sand and stepped in.

Up close, he was quite tall.

“For the short time, I’m in your care, Ivan.”

“It’s Evan.”

“Oh, sorry. I’m not well-educated.”

“It’s fine.”

Some even called him Johan, a completely different name.

This was tame by comparison.

“Can I ask something?”

Please don’t get caught!

Why was she acting like that?

As if she were involved in something.

***

A small territory in the eastern region, so minor it was only nominally governed by a baron.

An orphanage was established there.

One bearing the name of the Alkart family.

No one knew why it was built, but the name alone, which even the baron groveled to, inspired awe.

The person managing this orphanage.

Surprisingly, a child who looked barely twelve.

“Hmm…”

Frey let out a satisfied hum.

An excessively large orphanage.

Whether for children to play or some other purpose, it even included a small building.

This was by the Duke’s orders.

Frey happily decorated the space.

At the front was a podium for a preacher or priest, with seats for future followers laid out ahead.

Arranged like the interior of a cathedral.

No statue or followers yet, but it was satisfying enough.

Especially the ornate golden embroidery on the black cloak.

It cost quite a bit, but it reminded her of Evan’s hair and gold, so she liked it.

She even wanted to dye her blue hair to match.

If it’s this much, Evan will be satisfied.

He had to be.

Only then could he achieve his purpose.

Frey, sitting quietly with her eyes closed.

A bird fluttered in.

A bird of ill omen, destined to die from a broken leg, saved by Frey.

It suited Frey perfectly.

Especially since she could bring about a calamity far beyond a mere bird of ill omen.

Receiving an empire newspaper from the bird, Frey’s lips twisted.

…Lately, rumors have been spreading.

Glory.

A group created for Evan’s glory.

Frey had started operating in secret,

but whether due to bad luck, they’d drawn attention right away.

Even though she only targeted drug fields and cults that could interfere with Evan’s work.

“No need to quiet down just yet.”

It didn’t matter if they were noticed.

At least no one would find out Frey was behind it.

Frey reviewed Evan’s reported movements.

“The Demisia Kingdom.”

Coincidentally, she’d obtained some information.

Remaining cult remnants.

Several groups had infiltrated the Demisia Kingdom.

Would Evan not know this?

Of course he would.

“Hehe.”

He was definitely planning it.

Could it be because of her?

Oh.

What a benevolent god.

Squeak—

The cathedral door opened.

Hungry, ragged children.

“Welcome.”

Frey, with an expression of Pride’s benevolence, greeted them.

“Um… they said if I came here… I’d get bread… I, uh, and I don’t have a mom or dad…!”

“That’s right. Come this way.”

An orphanage.

It couldn’t stay empty until Evan sent the Sins.

This was an opportunity.

A sword and followers for Evan.

A chance to raise them.

Carefully, discreetly, to avoid being labeled a cult.

“But there’s a condition.”

“A condition…?”

“Yes. Follow my words. Then you can eat warm soup and bread with me.”

“I-I’ll do it!”

“Now—let us all give thanks to benevolence and glory.”

Frey clasped her hands.

The children clumsily followed.

“For all this.”

The moment her mouth opened, an inexplicable, eerie power spread.

“For Evan.”

That day, the sky was exceptionally clear.

Not a single star in sight.

***

A week to reach Demisia.

A long journey.

“…Why am I needed?”

Felix, shocked after Number 5 briefly activated.

Was it that impressive?

Didn’t seem like it.

Anyway, despite minor issues, they arrived safely.

The capital of the Demisia Kingdom.

They reached the city called Balkan.

There, Evan encountered an unexpected figure.

No, the main figure of this journey.

“Buy some goods.”

A makeshift stall.

A woman selling vegetables on a small mat, with a makeshift wall for shade…

“These are vegetables I grew myself.”

The Oracle of the Starry Sky.

She was selling vegetables.

…

Why is the Oracle doing that?