Barbarian in a Failed Game

Even though it was necessary to hurry to find Prince William, it wasn’t wise to leave recklessly. With the group gathered in one place, there were several matters that required attention.

“Thanks to everyone’s contributions, it may have become something difficult to define, but its performance is unquestionable. My master believes that it could be considered a treasure even among ancient artifacts.”

“And what do you think, Jan?”

“It feels… almost overwhelming. It’s incomplete in a way because you need equipment that can handle its output, so it’s a half-measure.”

Khan never imagined that the weapon he was promised during Darkin Perayas incident would end up being delivered to him in the Empire. Fortunately, the result from the Magic Tower far exceeded his expectations.

“Still, it’s probably the most suitable item for a warrior like you, especially if you have a matching weapon.”

“I agree.”

According to Jan, the name of this nails-sized green gem was the “Essence of the Five-Colored Bird.”

When asked why it was green despite its name, Jan explained with a bashful smile.

“It was originally supposed to be the ‘Three-Colored’ Bird, but since we were making three, our Tower Master suggested we make all five. The Blue Magic Tower Master found it interesting and participated, but the Green Tower Master was adamantly against it. When we promised to make the resulting item in the color of the Green Tower, he finally agreed.”

Thus, the Essence of the Five-Colored Bird was created, containing the essence of the visions that represented the Magic Tower Masters.

“It’s not the true vision, but I believe it encapsulates the essence of each Magic Tower Master’s spells.”

Jan’s cautious words were confirmed by the item’s information window.

『Essence of the Five-Colored Bird』 (Legendary)

— Essence of the Five Colors: Each of the five Magic Tower Masters engraved their visions into this gem. The wearer can consume the stored power within the essence to harness the abilities of the visions.

— Remaining Mana 『10000 / 10000』

“If it were a true ancient essence, you could harness its power directly. But replicating that level isn’t possible yet. Instead, it’s designed so that magical equipment with circuits can use the essence’s power.”

Like the “Essence of the Skybearer” used by Pashantu, replicating ancient essences that imbue users with special powers is challenging.

“However, if you have a piece of magical equipment with spell circuits, you can channel the essence’s power through it. It might wear out due to the output, but it will suffice as a temporary measure.”

“That’s more than adequate.”

In its current state, the essence could be depleted after two uses of spells, and the mana could be recharged externally using mana stones or similar methods.

No one could dispute the value of the “Essence of the Five-Colored Bird”. The ability to use spells engraved by the Magic Tower Masters twice in critical situations would provide a significant advantage in battle.

Khan decided to embed the essence into “Neria’s Magic Awl”.

The small green gem blended seamlessly into the dagger, and Jan explained that the essence had integrated with the spell circuits within.

“A spell-casting barbarian… Your opponents are in for a nightmare.”

“Shut it.”

“I’m serious. When you were talking with the town chief, I could tell you’ve already decided who you’re going after next.”

Khan’s expression grew slightly uneasy as Jan added with a knowing look.

“You weren’t this perceptive before.”

“Try living with mages in the Magic Tower for a while. You start picking up on things whether you like it or not.”

“Sounds horrific.”

Living with a bunch of individualist mages was probably enough to drive any sane person mad.

“So, who’s the target this time?”

“Elves.”

“Elves? Aren’t they practically driven out of the continent? Wasn’t that your doing?”

“Not the common ones. I need the real elves.”

Bank President Serenil and Vice President Roun were high-ranking, but they weren’t true elders. True elders among the elves of Paradise were treated almost like royalty and rarely left Paradise.

“They haven’t shown up even when their bank collapsed. What would it take to draw them out? Unless you’re planning to invade Paradise itself… You’re not, right?”

Ron gave Khan a skeptical look, but even Khan had no intention of stepping into Paradise. The place where the monstrous elders became even more powerful was the last place he wanted to be. The smarter move would be to draw them out.

‘With our current strength, we should be able to face an elder.’

The appearance of a dwarf prince was something that even an elf elder couldn’t ignore. As stated earlier, the cunning elves wouldn’t miss the chance to get their hands on a lever to control the dwarf pirates.

“So, I have a job as a guide for you.”

“A guide? That’s my specialty. But I’m not that familiar with imperial geography. Are you sure?”

“It’s fine. I need your unnaturally sharp instincts.”

“Hmm… In that case.”

Ron, now bound to the Magic Tower, couldn’t easily extricate himself. However, he accepted the task without hesitation. Jan also respected Ron’s decision and mentioned that it would be treated as a temporary mission.

“I wish I could join, but I feel like I’m on the brink of a breakthrough.”

Jan, who spoke of many critical research projects within the Magic Tower, lamented that he couldn’t accompany them. His eagerness to join despite the danger left Khan puzzled.

Dangerous missions are best avoided, so why Jan felt disappointed about missing out was beyond him.

“I’ll return him in one piece. If possible.”

“When you say it like that, you know it sounds like you won’t, right…?”

“Please take care of Uncle Ron. Just make sure he comes back with all his limbs.”

“Saying that makes it sound like you’ll put me through hell…!”

Despite Ron’s protests, Khan successfully completed the first part of his plan by securing Ron’s assistance. Khan then advised the group to gather any supplies they might need for the journey and headed towards Aries.

“This situation is going to get chaotic.”

Aries, accompanied by Elena and Leo, was in the middle of a discussion but paused to address Khan as he approached.

“The heavens will indeed be in an uproar.”

“…Some of the cardinals we’re excommunicating were favored by certain gods.”

Elena, with her exceptional political acumen, spoke of the ongoing discussions regarding the excommunication of six cardinals. It was no wonder her expression rarely lightened.

“Their crimes are clear, but if divine decrees descend from the heavens, the excommunications might not proceed smoothly. They may be removed from their ecclesiastical positions, but they could still remain as worshippers within the Pantheon.”

Even if they were no longer cardinals, their influence wouldn’t simply vanish.

“Their influence has been embedded in the Church for over half a century. If they still receive divine favor, there will be followers who question the decision.”

Most importantly, the existence of these high priests, who wield blessings despite their transgressions, posed a direct challenge to the Church’s authority.

With the apostles, who could maintain order, all trapped in the Arch-Demon’s Domain, any internal power struggles could lead to a potential schism within the Church.

“Cardinal Zion and Berta have gone to the Holy See, so excommunications are likely, but divine will remains paramount…”

Elena spoke of “divine will” as if it were a calamity beyond mortal influence. Knowing Elena’s fanatical devotion, Khan found her words oddly compelling.

‘Perhaps this is also a sign of change.’

Unlike in the game’s storyline, ‘The Scales of the Goddess’, her faith seemed strictly aligned with the Goddess of Justice. Whether this change was due to her personal growth from combatting the Church’s corruption on her own or something else, Khan couldn’t say.

“There might be a way to address that.”

Khan’s lips curled into a slight smile.

“We can increase the influence of the Goddess of Justice, reducing the interference from other gods.”

And in this process, extracting something from the Goddess of Justice wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

***

The captain of the legion, bearing the banner of Aecharis, the scion of the Hell’s Overlord, the Arch Demon. Augrabes had to drift through endless time within his lord’s stomach. A mortal would have long gone insane, but he was a demon. The mere blurring of the boundaries of time could not harm a demon’s mind.

『Damnable mortal…!』

However, the disgrace of being captured and having his consciousness sealed by a mere mortal was a humiliation severe enough to affect even a demon’s hardened psyche. It engulfed him in such rage that, had he been outside instead of within Aecharis’s stomach, he might have obliterated an entire city in his fury.

『If I ever get out again, I will ensure he writhes in the eternal fires of Hell─!』

This time, he wouldn’t care if his main body suffered damage. If he could crush that barbarian’s body, devour him whole along with the space around him, and drag his soul to Hell to be tortured until it ceased to exist, he would gladly accept centuries of convalescence.

And then the moment Augrabes had been waiting for arrived.

He felt a sensation as if the mouth of a pocket had opened, and a gigantic hand grasped his crown and yanked him out.

『Finally──!』

Augrabes was ecstatic.

Before he could even fully absorb the surrounding situation with his supernal perception, he attempted to reconnect with his main body in another dimension, intending to overwhelm the enemy with incomprehensible power without giving them a chance to resist.

But no matter how he tried, when his attempts to link with his main body failed, and he took in the surrounding information, he realized something startling.

『Augrabes. The most loyal vassal of the demon who devours worlds. If it is thy consciousness, it is fitting to serve as an offering.』

The pressure that even a Hell Legion Commander such as Augrabes felt suffocating was beginning to constrain him. It was unmistakably a transcendent force—one that belonged to a God of far superior rank!

『Goddess of Justice─! How can a harlot of the Pantheon—!』

Augrabes felt the urgent need to scream.

Though he had escaped the confines of a stomach, how was it that now, an upper echelon God of the heavens had descended? These divine gods were entities far more detached from the affairs of Midland than demons could ever be.

“Then, as promised, grant me a useful blessing for this journey.”

A hateful voice pierced Augrabes’ ears and that despicable mortal who had humiliated him was now grinning while staring at him being held by the Goddess of Justice.

『You──!』

Augrabes was already aware that this mortal had received a fragment of divinity from the Goddess of Justice. But descending in defiance of the world’s laws? Were divine gods so dedicated to mere mortals?

Absolutely not.

Even while writhing with hatred, augrabes couldn’t shake the puzzling question of why the Goddess of Justice had descended so directly.

“Make sure you get along with your new friend.”

But the mortal’s sneer provided Augrabes with an answer. The reason the Goddess of Justice could manifest and constrain his consciousness was because…

‘Kereaktu! That idiotic fool─!’

The transcendent awareness informed him that an entity bearing the world’s laws in place of the Goddess of Justice was that same demonic army commander.

And realizing that he was about to be placed in the same predicament as the simpleton Kereaktu was a fate he could not ignore.

『Arghhh──! Remember this! No matter the cost, I shall rend you apart with my own hands─! I, augrabes, swear on my true name─!』

Crunch.

『Silence.』

Augrabes’ roar was abruptly cut off. A colossal finger descended from the heavens and crushed his consciousness.

Watching this, the mortal who sold Augrabes out—Khan—was overwhelmed by a chilling admiration.

‘Spectacular.’

Just a few digits above the clouds and it felt as though the world was suffused with the presence of the Goddess of Justice. Moreover, through Karyan’s eyes, the entire scene was imbued with the divine will of the Goddess.

It was hard to believe that even this Goddess of Justice couldn’t handle Karyan.

What made it even more chilling for Khan was that the divine will, which seemed to envelop the entire world, was tinged with a red hue.

『The transaction is completed. Now, let’s discuss what’s left.』