Chapter 57: The Kerthen Dilemma

Evan was examining the status window that appeared before his eyes.

He analyzed his currently lacking stats.

Since he needed to supplement these deficiencies to face future enemies.

‘The overall balance seems okay…’

[Name: Evan Kerthen]

[Age: 19]

[Level: 64]

[Race: Human]

[Class: None]

[Resonance Rate: 5.98%]

[Life Force: 22,250/22,250]

[Mana: 14,820/14,820]

[Strength: 160]

[Agility: 135]

[Intelligence: 145]

[Stamina: 170]

[Wisdom: 70]

[Holy Power: 5,256]

The most noticeable change through this quest was the Holy Power.

It had increased to an absurd degree.

‘I guess it’s natural, having judged hundreds of souls?’

He had passed judgment on every knight locked away in the temporary detention center.

It was almost like an enormous grind.

Of course, dealing with those imprisoned and shackled was not difficult.

At this level of Holy Power, he was practically immune to most curses, spells, or any other evil forces.

And with that power as a foundation, he could wield great strength against wicked beings.

‘No more worries about the twisted schemes the Nervan Cult uses. Unless a Bone Dragon or a Lich shows up, maybe.’

Evan contemplated which stats needed growth as he checked the rest.

‘Overall it’s fine, but Agility, Intelligence, and Wisdom are lacking.’

Also, his current level was on the lower side compared to the quest difficulty.

If he continued like this, things could get dangerous.

For now, he decided to focus on growth.

Evan closed the status window and used a Soul Stone.

To meet the Mediator, complete the quest, and proceed to the next step.

A radiant light surrounded Evan’s body as he vanished.

***

At the entrance to the walls of Tallin.

A long queue stretched out with guards conducting inspections.

“Is this the place? It’s not as bad as I thought.”

A woman with pale teal hair flowing down past her shoulders smiled brightly, exuding a mysterious aura.

She wore a priest’s robe woven with white and red, holding a staff symbolizing her order in one hand.

“So this is where he is?”

She asked a silver-haired female knight beside her.

The silver-haired knight, lost in thought, nodded.

“Yes, Lady Jena. Since I have to meet him anyway, I’ll make the request once you reach the command center.”

They were Jena, a junior priestess of the Venus Order, and Celia, who had served as the commander of knights in Banher Village.

Celia had been summoned to the Kellutan Command Center right after the incident in Kavre Forest.

***

While waiting for investigations, an incomprehensible order was issued.

To be temporarily dispatched to Tallin and observe Evan, keeping detailed logs.

It felt like a bothersome task to bear.

Evaluations of her experience with Priestess Millia also resulted in her acting as a liaison for the Venus Order.

Coincidentally, Millia had contacted her, introducing the junior priestess Jena.

Since then, she had escorted Jena along with twenty knights, arriving at Tallin.

‘Even a junior priestess is still a priestess.’

The Venus Order wielded significant influence in the southern region.

Priests of such an order held a position that could not be ignored.

“What happened here? I see quite a few different orders gathering.”

Jena, looking around the procession, asked curiously.

Celia also scanned the area and noticed many members affiliated with various orders.

“Indeed? I haven’t heard the details yet either…”

“Well, we’ll know once we go.”

They passed through the checkpoint and entered Tallin.

At that moment, Jena’s eyes sharpened.

‘Someone brought that relic here.’

According to the report from Millia, the order had begun a secret investigation.

Someone had taken the Shrine Relic from Kavre Forest.

‘To activate the ritual, the original medium that used it is necessary.’

The Nervan Cult was showing unusual movements.

And they seemed focused on the Kerthen County, searching for something.

Meanwhile, a major incident had occurred.

There were reports of a wicked abomination roaming Kavre Forest.

However, the situation ended abruptly.

Thanks to Evan, the scion of the Kerthen Count family.

And when Millia arrived late to find the altar, nothing remained.

The only conclusion was that the young master had taken the object.

‘That abomination must be recovered quickly.’

Whether his intentions were good or bad didn’t matter.

Holding that relic was a seed for disaster.

If he abused it, Evan would have to judge him personally, but even if not, heretics would pursue him.

Either way, it was dangerous.

As Jena pondered this while walking, a sense of hostility hung in the air around her.

***

[Branch Quest: Revealed Conspiracy has been completed.]

[Reward: Medium Experience gained.]

Evan gazed at the quest he received from the Mediator, lost in thought.

“This quest…”

After completing Judgment of the Wicked, the rewards were no different.

But the following quests presented a problem.

Four quests had appeared.

The first two, immediately visible, were fine.

[Description: You have heard of the Abila Ruins Zone. There is something unusual there.]

[Type: Hidden Quest]

[Difficulty: D]

[Objective: Investigate the ruins]

[Recommended Level: 120]

[Recommended Number of Participants: None]

[Reward: 100,000 Reputation Points]

[Description: You have successfully settled in Tallin. However, many dungeons have appeared nearby, making the area dangerous. Clear the dungeons and restore stability to Tallin.]

[Type: Branch Quest]

[Difficulty: C]

[Objective: Dungeon Clear 0/1, Explore Tallin Area]

[Recommended Level: 65]

[Recommended Number of Participants: None]

[Reward: 3,000,000 Reputation Points, Small Experience, Skill Book, Advanced Chest]

The two quests were a Hidden Quest and a Branch Quest.

The Hidden Quest seemed to have appeared because he obtained the archive key.

The Branch Quest was related to normal growth.

Nothing unusual so far.

But the next quests were different.

[Warning! You may only select one of the following quests.]

Two quest windows appeared alongside the warning.

The contents were unknown until selection.

But from the titles, the danger was evident.

“Kingdom Crisis, County Crisis…”

Both were quests that couldn’t be ignored.

He had no idea what serious matters awaited.

To choose just one was unthinkable.

“Do I really have to choose only one?”

Frustrated, Evan asked the Mediator.

The Mediator gave no answer other than a nod, confirming this.

Frowning, Evan looked again at the choices.

If forced to pick between Kingdom Crisis and County Crisis, his decision was made.

‘Choosing the County Crisis is the obvious choice.’

A Kingdom Crisis concerned the entire kingdom.

Others would surely step in to resolve it.

And for something that serious, could he even stop it?

On the other hand, the County Crisis was something that had to be stopped.

The county would take a direct hit, and no one else would care because he was part of the count’s family.

It was unavoidable.

Evan selected the County Crisis.

At that moment, the seal was lifted, and the quest window reappeared.

[Description: The atmosphere in Tallin is ominous. Evil beings are moving. Find their traces and confront them by growing stronger quickly.]

[Type: Main Quest]

[Difficulty: C]

[Objectives: Defeat 0/200 Tallin area monsters, Find 0/3 Clues]

[Recommended Level: 70–80]

[Recommended Number of Participants: None]

[Reward: Huge Experience]

As soon as he read the quest description, Evan’s eyes flashed.

Beyond the content, the quest’s category caught his attention.

Main Quest.

Its outcome could impact the entire continent.

Main Quests, no matter how small or trivial they seemed, eventually caused huge ripples.

Like how the rusty sword he acquired turned out to be the tool to defeat a calamity-level monster.

Main Quests could never be ignored.

Failure was not an option.

‘What on earth is about to happen?’

The evil beings likely meant the Nervan Cult.

After some thought, Evan opened the shop window via the Mediator and purchased several items.

***

When Evan returned to the real world, Alan’s voice could be heard outside the prison.

Someone seemed to have come.

Entry was forbidden without orders.

“What’s going on?”

Evan left the prison behind the scattered knights.

As he approached the detention center entrance, two women appeared.

One was a familiar face—the female knight he had seen in Kavre Forest.

“Celia?”

But the woman beside her looked unusual.

She wore the order’s robes—similar to Millia’s but more ornate.

As Evan approached, they greeted him.

“Oh, we’ve been wanting to see you!”

Celia welcomed him warmly.

Jena next to her scrutinized Evan carefully.

“What’s the matter?”

Evan asked, and Celia explained the situation while introducing Jena.

“The higher-ups have issued a dispatch order to Tallin. And incidentally, I was told to assist with the young master’s affairs. So I’ve brought this priestess here.”

Evan showed a look of annoyance.

“I already have bodyguards. I don’t see why I need help right beside me.”

At that, Celia awkwardly scratched her cheek.

The truth was that her mission was to protect Evan and keep detailed logs of his every move, but she couldn’t be straightforward about it.

So no matter what, she had to stick close.

Then Jena spoke to Evan.

“Excuse me, may I have a moment to speak with you alone?”

Her voice carried a slight edge.

“Of course. Let’s talk while walking.”

Evan led the way out of the detention center, with Jena following slowly behind.

Alan, Reynold, and Celia watched each other in silence.

“…Since fate has brought us together, how about a sparring match? We’re heading there soon anyway. The young master will come eventually through training.”

Alan asked politely.

Celia looked at Jena’s retreating figure and hesitated.

‘Since we’ll be seeing each other often… It wouldn’t hurt to know their skill.’

“All right. Since the priestess is coming along, we probably don’t need to go together.”

So, Celia and the others headed toward the Training Hall.

Evan asked Jena.

“What is it you want? Looking at me like that makes me feel like a criminal.”

“My apologies for the rudeness. But depending on your answer, the situation might change.”

Jena exuded an oppressive aura as she raised her Holy Power.

But Evan remained calm and opened his mouth.

“Go ahead, ask.”

Jena looked at him with surprise before asking.

“To be direct, where is the abomination from Kavre Forest?”