Barbarian in a Failed Game

The day after Elena’s cardinal appointment deliberation was confirmed, shocking news rocked the main headquarters. Leonir, the young genius of the Paladins and a scion of the prestigious Count Istantil family, was exposed for threatening a priest late at night.

And not just any priest, but one chosen by the Goddess of Justice as a prospective apostle.

Considering there was no actual harm done, the widespread doubts among many priests about Aries’s dismissal decision, and the noble status of the Istantil family, Leonir was not excommunicated. However, due to Elena’s firm insistence, he was temporarily stripped of his Paladin status and exiled beyond the main headquarters.

“You must have been shocked. Leonir, being a rare genius from the Istantil family, was under close watch. Who knew he would act so rashly?”

Cardinal Berto, now the chief of the delegation to Koeltz as well as a cardinal at the main headquarters, expressed his condolences to Elena. Other cardinals also approached to offer their words, to which Elena responded with a still unreadable expression.

Thus, the commotion caused by a single Paladin quickly subsided due to various considerations, and the cardinals from the main headquarters, along with their escort of five hundred paladins, set off for Koeltz.

Leonir, who had been ordered to remain under house arrest at the family estate, headed for the Count Istantil mansion the next day.

The entire mansion was in chaos as the proud young knight, who had become a fully-fledged Paladin in record time, returned in disgrace. The Count himself nearly fainted while raging at Leonir for an explanation of the situation.

However, no one in the entire household managed to extract a satisfactory explanation from Leonir. His only vague defense was that he was acting for the sake of his faith.

Having turned the mansion upside down after not being home for several years, Leonir then secluded himself in his room, forbidding even servants from approaching.

“Cooperated with an external force…”

Leonir’s usual passionate yet considerate nature was nowhere to be seen. In a dark, unlit room, he muttered incessantly to himself, the epitome of madness.

Some in the mansion whispered that the sharp-minded second son had lost his mind, while others speculated he was possessed by a demon. Contrary to their beliefs, Leonir was extremely calm.

“There’s no reason for the church to align itself with any particular force…”

Thus, there was only one possibility. Bishop-level cardinals at the main headquarters made decisions for their personal gain.

The doctrine of the Pantheon Church doesn’t forbid clergy from owning property. However, there is an internal regulation that emphasizes restraining one’s desire for wealth as it can harm one’s faith.

“Selling out the church to fill their bellies…?”

A bitter laugh escaped Leonir’s lips. A bishop-level cardinal is supposed to be the highest-ranking clergy within the Pantheon Church, excluding the Pope or a divine apostle.

Such a rank demands profound faith and exceptional abilities. And yet, these bishop-level cardinals were manipulating the church for personal gain?

It was a situation warranting divine retribution, yet they had not lost their holy powers, still wielding the highest-level holy arts freely. This indicated that the gods had not withdrawn their favor from them.

“Why on earth…?”

Leonir knew that the divine gods could not intervene in mortal affairs constantly. However, shouldn’t it be possible for them to withdraw the powers and favor they had granted to a corrupted believer?

Why were the divine gods allowing these individuals to wield their cardinal authority for personal gain?

His doubts turned into musings, and the musings grew into a festering suspicion within him. Despite this, Leonir did not lose control and run wild.

“Not yet…”

The reason he was able to maintain his composure was simple.

“Go to the Empire, Leonir. Fulfill the purpose you first told me about. When I come to the Empire, I want to witness that change myself.”

The words Khan had spoken when they parted barely held together Leonir’s fragile sanity. At that time, he was truly pathetic. He still believed that he could reform the church and was an overly ambitious fool with inadequate skills.

Yet, Khan trusted him enough to nonchalantly hand over a tremendous war trophy—a piece of the demon’s body. He wouldn’t have done the same. What trust did he have in a much weaker youngling? But Khan did.

“If that’s the case, then I should at least be of some help.”

Leonir grasped the blood-stained mace, ‘Demon Crusher’, with determined eyes as he reaffirmed his resolve.

Four days later.

A group of mercenaries, their origins unknown, visited the Istantil estate, and they disappeared along with the Count’s son, who was rumored to have gone mad.

***

“Haha! What does the young apostle think of Koeltz?”

“It’s a wealthy city.”

“Is it merely wealthy? The faith of Koeltz’s citizens is unparalleled anywhere else in the Empire. They’re so devout that their donations can be overwhelming, to the point where we sometimes have to refuse them.”

Cardinal Berto’s words were filled with pride, and indeed, Koeltz was a bustling and vibrant city worthy of his boasting. The people welcomed the cardinal, arriving under the protection of more than five hundred paladins, with fervent cheers and reverent prayers. The entire city seemed steeped in religious devotion.

‘Truly exemplary, but…’

Elena suppressed the sneer that threatened to surface. She found it ludicrous that Cardinal Berto had orchestrated this display, whether to flaunt the city’s governance or to assert their prominence to her.

“Let’s all proceed to the Koeltz Cathedral!”

After basking in the citizens’ accolades for a while, Cardinal Berto, now evidently satisfied, led the procession onward. Koeltz Cathedral was the second-largest cathedral within the Pantheon Church.

Unlike the main headquarters, which restricted external access, Koeltz Cathedral, second only to the Levant Cathedral that connected ordinary believers to the headquarters, frequently hosted public events due to its prominent location.

It was aesthetically unrivaled, and its grandeur inspired awe, reminding people of the divine majesty.

“Those from external dioceses are already waiting. The discussion about the cardinal appointment will start tomorrow, but for today…”

Leading the procession, Cardinal Berto glanced sideways.

At the end of his gaze stood Aries, dressed in a flowing dress that was fashionable in the southern part of the Empire, with a single sword at her waist.

She appeared so casual that one might mistake her for a noble maiden visiting Koeltz for leisure.

The citizens of Koeltz were so taken aback by her appearance at the center of the procession that they couldn’t look away. Who could think of her as a criminal?

“…Today, we will have a preliminary discussion on the dismissal of Lady Aries, the prospective apostle. Before the actual discussion, the details of the incident will be explained. That will be your role, Priest Elena.”

Sensing something odd in the brief silence, elena followed Berto’s gaze and locked eyes with Aries. The accidental exchange of glances between the two girls required no words. Aries nodded slightly, and Elena returned her gaze forward.

“……Hmm.”

Meanwhile.

Cardinal Georg Melchus, who had been persistently wary of Elena, muttered thoughtfully with a meaningful expression.

***

“Wow, the city’s appearance is distinctive.”

“Indeed, as it’s a hub for logistics. Recently, I heard there were some issues causing delays in the arrival of goods via Koeltz, but it seems in better shape than expected.”

As the fervor that had gripped the city over the arrival of the cardinals from the main headquarters started to subside, a group passing through the gates of Koeltz couldn’t help but exclaim in awe.

Their rustic appearance prompted a guard, who had just allowed them passage, to speak up.

“Are you folks from the Magic Tower? Not familiar with Koeltz, are you?”

“We rarely venture outside the tower.”

“Ah, that makes sense. Mages usually prefer to stay within the tower… No offense intended, just something I’ve heard.”

“That’s alright.”

“Haha. You’re quite understanding for a young one. If you plan to stay in Koeltz for a while, I’d advise avoiding places near the cathedral. The priests from the main headquarters have just arrived, and security is extremely tight.”

The guard’s casual advice made the mercenaries and mages exchange a knowing look. They didn’t show it outwardly but thanked the guard with a silver coin and entered Koeltz.

“Hmm, it seems we aren’t too late after all, Uncle Ron.”

“Still, we should hurry a bit. Our goal is to follow the stench of corruption the cardinals reek of and find evidence, right? Sir Leonir, any particular plan you have in mind?”

“There must be a ‘collaborator’ within Koeltz working with the cardinals.”

This group was none other than the vanished Ron, Jan, and Leonir from the Istantil estate. Following the information Elena had provided, they had tracked the paladin procession to Koeltz.

“But this mission may very well cost us our lives.”

Leonir warned, now dressed not in his usual armor but in light gear similar to the mercenaries.

“I’ll take the lead. You should support me from behind—”

“Oh, now, what are you saying? Telling us to stay back?”

“There’s no need for you to get entangled in the church’s internal power struggle.”

“We came to help the Paladin lass, who is your comrade. Why are you treating us like strangers? Instead, why not share what you know? The Leonir I know wouldn’t ask us to dive into anything without some leads.”

Ron spoke cheerfully without a hint of hesitation, and Jan, though somewhat dazed, was on the same page. Leonir’s eyes wavered slightly seeing them, but then he sighed, as if resigned, and began to speak.

He recounted that night when he heard Elena’s true thoughts and the message from Khan through her. It was then that Leonir understood why this mission might cost him his life.

“Soon… there will be a secret meeting between Paradise Bank and the cardinals within the lord’s manor of Koeltz.”

TL’s Corner:

I had my suspicion, but yeah, what’s new with the church being corrupt?