Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 147

The Great Legacy (4)

70 million stones.

A sum that made my heart pound just by hearing about it.

But I forced myself to calm down and continued the conversation.

It wouldn’t be too late to be happy after the money was in my hands.

“Will this letter serve as proof?”

Upon receiving the letter, Krobitz read it slowly from the top, his expression changing completely.

Then he was silent for a long while.

“…Is there a problem?”

“Oh, I apologize. If the contents of this are true… it’s a matter of great importance for our church. I’m not doubting Mr. Jandel, but could you possibly wait inside for a moment?”

“That’s fine.”

Paal Krobitz led us to a room inside the temple, akin to a reception room, and left in a hurry. He said he’d have to check the handwriting before alerting the higher-ups.

“Could something go wrong?”

“Ha, why would it? They just want to make sure everything is verified before proceeding.”

“Murad is right. You’ve seen the letter too; its contents are significant.”

We had to wait longer than expected.

And when we slowly started to speculate different guesses.

“I apologize for making you wait so long; it was unavoidable.”

Paal Krobitz returned.

“Let’s go. Everyone is waiting.”

He led us to a chapel on the second floor.

A space only accessible to the priests, not ordinary followers.

“I heard people outside the priest aren’t allowed in…”

“If the goddess has brought us together, how can we consider you outsiders?”

Krobitz’s response to Rotmiller’s question eased our anxiety. If they had deemed the letter fake, he wouldn’t have acted this way.

Creak.

Krobitz opened the door, revealing the interior of the chapel. It was a vast space, but only seven people were present.

Recognizing them, I stiffened.

“Insane.”

Having thoroughly read several books on the order’s hierarchy after visiting the duke’s estate, I recognized them immediately.

The only two people in the room wearing armor were a man and a woman. The symbols embossed on their armor were different, but the silver thread decorating the edges indicated that they were commanders of the Paladin Order.

Including Paal Krobitz, it meant all three commanders of the order were gathered.

But that wasn’t all.

Two high priests and one cardinal.

And standing in the center, as if receiving their support, an elderly man.

“…A servant of the stars greets His Holiness, the Archpriest.”

Rotmiller kneeled and made the sign of a cross upon seeing him.

It was an appropriate reaction.

To put it in terms of Catholicism, it was as if we were standing before the Pope himself.

‘But who’s that kid?’

After a moment of feeling a little overwhelmed by the impressive line-up, I stared at the little boy in front of the Pope.

A small boy, about ten years old.

Now that I looked, it seemed like everyone was positioned as if to protect him, even the Pope standing right behind the child.

What kind of child was this?

It was at this moment of contemplation.

“The star that rises at twilight shall guide us.”

As the Pope made the sign of the cross, all the members looked at us and bowed in silence.

It was an exceptionally unusual occurrence.

Even Rotmiller, who was also a believer, was so stunned that he turned stiff like a statue.

“…….”

Was it because we were in a chapel?

A strangely sacred and majestic atmosphere flowed through the air.

After a moment of silence, the Pope spoke.

“High Priest Ludwig was a person of immense value to us. We are grateful for the delivery of this letter. May I inquire how you came into possession of it?”

Honestly, it was somewhat unexpected.

For someone who is the highest authority of one of the three major religions, his words were too polite and cautious for a conversation with a Level 4 explorer.

‘It can’t always be like this. We must be very important to them.’

I slowly started to speak.

I explained briefly what had happened in the maze of Larkaz.

Was this a priest’s way of thinking?

“The Twilight Star sent you to him when he was lost and wandering. Thank you for saving his soul. Even though he was captured by an evil god, his soul will continue to shine brightly in the darkness forever.”

It was somewhat uncomfortable to hear.

Not a question of right or wrong, but it felt fundamentally contrary to my beliefs.

I’ve always had a poor affinity with religious people.

“……This was his belonging.”

I then took out the necklace that he was wearing and handed it over to them.

If it were a holy relic, it would be worth much more than any reward…

But I didn’t mind giving it away as it was the right thing to do.

I owed that High Priest, after all.

“Thank you. It might not be what we were searching for, but this will somewhat comfort his spirit.”

So, it wasn’t a relic after all.

If there had been one, that bastard would have taken it all.

“How much is the reward for their return, Cardinal Grayond?”

“Although we did not recover the relic, given the importance of the handwritten letter, his belongings and the account of his last moments that you have provided, paying the full 70 million stones specified by the Treasury would not be excessive.”

“Then, please proceed with that.”

I inadvertently swallowed hard.

I thought the reward would be halved since there was no relic, but to give the full amount… I reflected on my earlier discomfort with their words.

These were truly noble and religious people.

Not that it mattered though.

“I have something I’d like to ask.”

“Please, go ahead.”

I went straight to the point now that the initial part was over.

Perhaps more important than the reward.

“So, what will you all do now?”

“May I ask what exactly you mean?”

“I mean, you’ve found the person who kidnapped High Priest Ludwig, right? I’m curious if you plan to seek revenge. I’ve somehow become involved as well.”

With my question, I subtly implied that they also had a responsibility in the matter.

But the answer that came back was far too vague.

“We cannot provide a definitive answer at this moment.”

“I see.”

I had hoped that if they were bent on revenge, that bastard wouldn’t have the capacity to bother me for a while.

Do I really have to figure this out on my own?

I sighed and nodded my head.

It was at that moment.

“Do not worry too much, great warrior.”

The child I had been watching suddenly spoke up.

Whoosh!

A brilliantly shining silver light burst forth.

And when I came to my senses,

A vine ring with three intertwined strands was on my thick finger.

I was puzzled about what this meant, but…

But after hearing the cardinal’s exclamation, I realized.

“A prophecy…! A prophecy has been given…!”

It was something I had only heard about in NPC dialogues in games, never something I had actually experienced.

A prophecy.

“Damn it.”

And it was apparently the first one in a very long time.

***

Finally, the mystery was solved.

Why the Pope treated such a young child with reverence as if he were divine.

The answer was surprisingly simple.

“Could it be, he is a saint?”

No, since it’s a boy, should he be called a holy man?

Regardless, the title isn’t what’s important.

A vessel that can hear the voice of God and sometimes harbor his power.

The child with the qualities of such a vessel said,

“The Goddess just told me. That ring will protect you from a deeply connected evil fate up to three times.”

“By evil fate, do you mean Regal Vargos, the dragon slayer?”

A typical fortune-teller might have responded with something non-committal, like it could be or it could not be.

But a prophecy was different.

“Yes. It can only protect against the evil fate with him. So, you must prepare to overcome your destiny when all the strands of the ring are severed.”

It almost felt as if I was the chosen hero to defeat the Demon Lord.

Honestly, I was dumbfounded.

No matter how much I had defeated Elisha, and the matter with the High Priest, why would the Goddess give me such a gift?

Especially to one who is an evil spirit.

“Is this some kind of hidden camera prank?”

For a moment, I wondered if this was all a scheme using the child…

But the ring on my finger dispelled those doubts.

The expressions of shock seemed too genuine to be acting.

“The star that rises at twilight shall guide us.”

“Let it flow as it should.”

The highest religious figures in this world all made the sign of cross towards me.

I checked the expressions of my companions.

“Bjorn, what exactly are you?!”

“Truly, a man of destiny!”

“No, this isn’t just about that. How, how could a barbarian be chosen by the god of humans…”

I mean, even if you stare at me, I don’t know either.

I stared at the boy, realizing that this was not something to be happy about.

I had many questions.

But…

Thud.

The child, perhaps as a consequence of receiving the prophecy, collapsed powerlessly.

The Pope caught the child’s body, and with that, today’s meeting came to an end.

“Sir Krobitz, please escort these people out.”

“Wait, just a moment! I still have questions…”

“Please understand. We will meet again later and explain everything. Until then, we ask you to keep today’s events a secret. It’s possible that a great disaster may befall you otherwise.”

“A great disaster?”

It seemed like a nonsensical thing, but the conversation ended there.

“Sir Krobitz will explain everything to you.”

The Pope’s stubbornness forced us to leave. We were led by Paarl Krobitz to the reception room where we had been waiting earlier.

“Sir Krobitz, what exactly is going on?”

“I… I’m not sure. I don’t know what it means for a prophecy to be given to someone of another race”.

“Is it uncommon for prophecies to be given to beings of other races?”

“Yes, to my knowledge, this is the third time it has happened.”

“And what happened to those others?”

“According to the records, they were branded as traitors within their race and expelled.”

Ah, this just got complicated.

Is it like adding another self-destruct button next to being branded an evil spirit?

“I see why they wanted it kept secret.”

“Yes, it would likely bring more harm than good if it became known.”

The core of a Barbarian’s growth is their spirit imprint.

But being expelled from the tribe?

From that day on, I’d be as good as a lost cause.

Barbarian shamans only exist in the sanctuary.

“But do not worry on our part. There will not be any leak from us.”

Krobitz said this while looking at my companions.

His intention was clear, even without words.

So, I looked at my companions as well.

“Nyah! I, I’ll keep my mouth shut! Really, do you believe me, Bjorn?”

“Don’t worry. As of today, I have heard nothing.”

Misha was unquestionable, and Rotmiller didn’t seem like a concern either. Besides his personality, he was a follower of the Leatlas faith.

The problem was…

“You! Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Do I need to ask?”

“…I’ll give up drinking from now on.”

Seeing the dwarf with a dejected look and his head down, I sighed.

Sigh, we shouldn’t have all come here together.

Is this how all the gods are?

Instead of taking away the biggest stone pressing on my chest, it felt like they just added a smaller one.

‘But he’s not so loose-lipped to worry about…’

I decided to focus on the positive aspects.

If the ring does indeed prevent an encounter with the dragon slayer, then the risk is hardly a risk.

It’s a clear gain when considering the benefits and losses.

It bought me the most crucial time.

‘It’s my first time acquiring a relic through a prophecy.’

Items given by a god are called relics.

They often possess nearly miraculous effects.

Thus, I had no doubts about the ring’s power. I might not know how long it will last, but until all three strands are broken, I won’t encounter him.

But..

“The problem is how long before they break.”

2 years? 3 years?

Since it’s a brand-new relic, I hoped it could last that long…

But it’s better to plan for the shortest possible duration.

I decided to prepare, thinking it might take at least six months to a year, and then I finished organising my thoughts.

And it was at that moment, as I was getting up from the sofa.

Crack.

One of the intertwined vines snapped.

“Uh, Bjorn? It looks like one just broke.”

“…No. That can’t be.”

I rubbed my saliva-coated fingers over the broken vine, trying to join it like a string.

But as always, reality was harsh.

“Look, it’s sticking right back together, isn’t it?”

As I extended my hand to show off the ring.

Whoosh!

The severed vine emitted a silver light and scattered.

I stared blankly at the spectacle.

[The conditions for the activation of the Star’s Blessing have been met]

I couldn’t even muster a hollow laugh.