Chapter 287: Learning to Use Power 2
Chapter 287: Learning to Use Power 2
Chapter 287: Learning to Use Power 2
TL/Editor: raei
Schedule: 5/Week Mon-Fri
Illustrations: Posted in discord.
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Han Se-ah and her viewers began to unleash their imaginations on how to find those robe-clad men, but for Roland, an adventurer who had been rolling through a medieval fantasy world for ten years, thinking differently was possible.
Why do we even need to keep searching?
This was a medieval fantasy world where human rights didn't really exist.
The teachings of the Temple argued that all life was precious, but this did not include monsters nor did it suggest equality between commoners and nobles.
It was quite natural for a passing mercenary to turn into a murderous robber, and adventurers often stabbed a temporary ally in the back in secluded places if there were no witnesses.
A country knight might be a bit crazy, and a mage who had lost his way thought it was okay to take in orphans for human experiments.
"Let's head back. Yulia, would you join us?"
"Huh? All of a sudden?"
"I've done nothing wrong... What's the issue?"
In this world, we were backed by the terrifying power of the Temple and the royal family.
Damn, why should we bother running around when the kingdom's precious princess and the Temple are protecting us?
I turned those thoughts aside and led the group.
Our destination was naturally the mansion of Lord Antibes.
Though he was just a viscount, he wielded absolute power within this domain.
Glancing at my companions, it seemed only Katie had figured out what I was thinking.
"Hmm, it's good to use what you have. We can't stay here forever."
"What are you talking about?"
"You'll see."
Of course, the journey wasn't smooth.
Even as we followed Yulia, who claimed she knew the way, swarms of bugs continued to appear.
When we threatened them with mana, they would retreat, but the grotesque sights of eight glowing eyes between dense trees, or centipedes and eels rustling through the leaves, were undeniably repulsive.
Definitely the type of side quest you get when you reach a higher levelthreatening them with mana had only reduced their numbers, but who knew how many more were out there, hidden beyond our view, coveting our flesh.
"Wow... there are so many. It's a relief they're not attacking."
"Really, is there an insect nest near my cabin?"
-Ah, f*cking bugs everywhere.
-I was interested because of the Choco sisters, but the more I watch, the less I want to go.
-Barbarians and witches are damn hot, but it all goes downhill when you see bugs.
-Any barbarian friends here who've made it to the tower?
-I really want to take a helicopter and pour down insecticide, but I'm scared it won't kill them.
Yulia, explaining this as a frequently used path, led us through the swarms, sweating with effort, until straight trees came into view again.
Thankfully, the mutant bugs seemed to stay in the jungle, and the forest, by comparison, was easier to walk through, allowing us to return to the domain without further incidents.
A witch standing between a large barbarian warrior and a heavily armored giant. And behind them, a diverse group of beautiful women follow.
It was a strange combination that caught the attention of the guards, who were on alert toward the forest.
"Who goes there!"
"Hey, that's Silbang. If you're going to guard the village, at least remember people's faces. ...So, the people with you came from the capital?"
"Shall I call a carriage?"
"Yes, please."
An old guard chided the young guard who was nervous at seeing Yulia, kicking him in the shins, a sign that experience and seniority can't be ignored as he immediately recognized Silbang and bowed respectfully.
Antibes' mansion was a bit far from the secluded village, but the old guard knew Silbang's face and even the affairs of the estate.
In a country village, it's said they even know how many spoons are in someone's houseperhaps this is what they mean.
As the old guard and Silbang chatted, we boarded a carriage and headed toward the mansion.
A sudden thought sparked.
Is that chatty coachman we brought along still waiting at the inn...?
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Raei Translations
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Just days after we had set out to investigate, Lord Antibes' expression turned curious as we returned sooner than expected.
Considering it normally takes a whole day to cross from one resting place to another in the dense jungle, and we were back in less than a week, it must have been hard for him to understand.
Excluding travel time, it sounded like we had figured things out in just one day.
However, my next words caused Lord Antibes' expression to twist even further.
"So you're saying it's not hostile barbarians or witches doing suspicious things in the jungle, but our own people?"
"Yes, that's right."
As much as he trusted his people, driven by his faith, Lord Antibes was visibly agitated.
The witness we brought was a witch he had never seen before, and our evidence was a giant crystal orb from the witch's cabin, so naturally, he found it hard to believe.
But there was a simple solution to clear his doubts, one that even prepared for the possibility that the witch might have tampered with the crystal orb.
"Then let's call the Inquisition."
"Are you in your right mind... Sorry, that was harsh."
"What?"
Calling an inquisitor, a professional in detecting lies and pursuing the wicked, was the plan.
At the mention of the Inquisition, Lord Antibes scowled, and Yulia turned pale.
If the stories of Temple Knights and monks are about 'fame,' then those of inquisitors surely fit the word 'infamy.'
In a game full of monster-hunting Temple Knights and monks specialized in battling people, what would it be without inquisitors?
Just like a bun without filling.
If Temple Knights and monks are dispatched to rescue and aid priests and nuns traveling to provinces after an incident, inquisitors, on the other hand, are the types who act first and observe later.
If something suspicious or bizarre happens following an oracle, they're the first to move.
Of course, thats about all the information I have.
Aside from being a group that guides black magic and various heretics to the Temple's dungeons, it's not knowledge that a mere adventurer like me would have.
"I understand the hero's intentions, but calling the Inquisition?"
"Right. I've shown the crystal orb and cooperated completely, right? Maybe with a bit more effort, we can solve this ourselves?"
Yet, one thing was certain: their competence was guaranteed.
Lord Antibes of the South, a deeply religious man, was sweating profusely, and even a witch living secretly in a swamp was terrified.
After all, they're a special force that operates based on oracles, so their skills must be solid.
-No way, Teacher, lol
-Like player, like companion, huh? Their way of solving things is a bit... forceful
-Meaning hes going to beat up the pale-skinned suspect, right?"
-Lol, I dont know, just solve it, please.
-Basically, it's like saying we'll catch anyone suspicious and beat them up.
"Uh... an inquisitor? We're not going to end up killing innocent locals by calling them, right? Teacher must have thought this through?"
[Roland's Fiery Greatsword donated 10,000 won!]
He thought it through (because it's annoying, just beat them all up).
"Come on, no way... right?"
Watching Lord Antibes panic and Yulia get scared, the viewers started making noise.
They seemed to think the inquisitor would kill even innocent people, but that's not the case at all.
I've seen inquisitors handle a case before, just like the temple knights I worked with on a commission.
A noble suspected of heresy was investigated, and a chatty young lady, who had dragged me into her bed, spilled all the details because it was the talk of the social circle.
No innocent servant was made to disappear, and there was no torture of locals for testimony, so it should be fine.
"When I heard the witch's story, she mentioned that the suspicious folks were spraying themselves with incense used in the temple."
"That doesn't necessarily mean they are from the temple, does it?"
"I'm not suspecting the brothers and sisters of the Temple. The real problem is that those cunning bastards dare to impersonate the Temple."
"Ah, I see how it is"
Despite this, Lord Antibes and the others began nodding in agreement to my persuasion, their heads moving up and down.
The only one who doesn't seem to understand is the witch, Yulia.
Perhaps living in a swamp rather than in the kingdom, she harbors all sorts of vile delusions about the Inquisition.
Or maybe she has something to feel guilty about.