Barbarian Quest

Chapter 127

The morning came, and Urich, who had been dozing, woke up. He didn't linger in the remnants of sleep and immediately became alert.

‘This place isn't safe.’

Urich was, after all, a spy sent by the emperor. Even Trikee and Bahan, who were currently friendly toward Urich, could turn on him at any moment.

“You got a stomach ache. I saw that coming.”

Urich playfully thumped Trikee on the back with his large hand.

“This is nothing new to me.”

Trikee struggled to sit up.

“You promised me a good meal today, didn't you?”

Urich shrugged his shoulders with anticipation.

Trikee nodded, but Bahan, looking uneasy, whispered something to Trikee.

“Are you really going to bring Kylios with us?”

“That man saved our lives. That alone is a good enough reason to trust him, Bahan.”

Bahan remained silent. As a disciple, he could offer his advice, but the decision was ultimately up to the Ark.

‘The Ark has decided.’

Bahan stared intently at Urich.

“You mustn’t act rashly from now on. Please show proper decorum.”

“Are we meeting some higher-up noble? I'm surprisingly familiar with high society, you know.”

Urich said cheerfully. He hadn't been satisfied with the food since he started acting with the Serpentines. As a big barbarian, he needed to eat well to maintain his physique. Urich, still growing, had bulked up even more since coming to the civilized world where nutrition was more accessible.

“Stop with the false bravado. Just stay behind the Ark and keep your place,” Bahan replied irritably.

‘The man we’re meeting today is important. It would be great if Urich doesn't cause any trouble...’

Serpentism had deeply infiltrated the city, enlisting many lower-class citizens. But to spread their influence and teachings, they inevitably needed the power of the nobility.

Today was the day to reap the fruits of their long labor. Bahan touched the snake tattoo on his left chest.

‘As the snake sheds its skin, it grows stronger... Do not fear casting off the flesh.’

Bahan opened his eyes, which he had tightly shut. Even amidst the strife between factions within the same people, the Arkists sought salvation.

‘The old Serpentism has to fade away.’

The Arkists were reformers, while the fundamentalists were conservatives. The fundamentalists clung to tribal beliefs. Without proper scriptures, they relied on only the myths that were passed down orally. Moreover, they encouraged human sacrifice and cannibalism, even in times of relative food abundance.

The fundamentalists believed that eating humans strengthened their life force and soul.

‘Such selfish and indiscriminate cannibalism only breeds hatred from others.’

The Arkists allowed cannibalism only in very limited situations, as a means to take the souls unable to move on on their own to the next world along with the Ark.

‘Reformation is the only way for Serpentism to survive.’

Bahan glanced at Trikee. Trikee was a shaman of Serpentism who had immersed himself in Solarism before returning to his original religion. He had applied the elements that made Solarism a major religion to Serpentism.

“Bahan, lead the way,” Trikee said after he entered the sewer.

They walked the sewer for a long time in order to leave the poverty area, occasionally emerging above ground only to descend into another.

‘Are we getting closer to the heart of Serpentism?’

Urich had learned a lot about Serpentism. Even if it weren't for the emperor’s mission, his curiosity was piqued. He still hadn't found the afterworld where he would belong. Despite being influenced, his roots lay on the other side of the Sky Mountains.

A light flickered at the end of the sewer. Bahan rhythmically swung torches left and right. The same rhythm was maintained even at the far end.

“Bahan, and... the rumored Savior. The master has been waiting for you. Who's the one in the back?”

A well-dressed man spoke. Hesitant, Bahan replied.

“He's a companion trusted by the Ark, his name is Kylios.”

Bahan introduced Urich. The man looked at Urich with suspicion.

“It feels like you don't trust us, bringing a bodyguard.”

“That is not it at all,” Bahan hastily explained.

“Anyway, the master wants to meet you. Please follow me.”

The man seemed reluctant about Serpentism.

‘A noble's servant. Who would’ve thought that a noble would have been won over by Serpentism... The emperor would be furious if he found out.’

Urich rolled his eyes. The meeting was secretive, involving multiple detours. Whether Serpentism or nobility, this meeting could mean the death of them. It was a meeting full of suspicion, a meeting between parties who couldn’t trust each other even if they wanted to.

Creak.

The basement door opened. Despite the dreary underground, candles flickered brightly to illuminate the room, and a well-prepared banquet was in view.

“Count Baldor.”

As soon as Trikee entered, he bowed.

“Oh, no need for formalities with me, Ark!”

Count Baldor, who had been waiting for Trikee, hurried toward him.

“At last, we can hold our meaningful meeting.”

Count Baldor led Trikee and his party to the banquet table. Bahan was on high alert, surveying the surroundings.

‘If need be, I must ensure the Ark can escape.’

Bahan still didn’t fully trust Count Baldor. Being an imperial noble, the Count was gambling on potentially ruining his entire family.

‘It could be a trap by the empire.’

Bahan looked around the room and sat next to Trikee.

"I've heard a lot about you, Ark. I even planned to personally rescue you from the underground prison. I have quite some connections, you see."

Count Baldor spoke with warmth. Pleasantries were exchanged. The Count talked about how much he had been looking forward to meeting Trikee and his deep belief in Serpentism.

"To be precise, it's not Serpentism I believe in, but your philosophy, Ark. The idea of saving those living in a wrong world and moving to the next, that struck a chord with me. There's no guarantee I'll be happy reincarnating in Lou's embrace. I might be reborn as a poor soul, suffering all my life. A world where so many suffer can't be normal."

Count Baldor spoke intensely. Trikee looked at him with wide eyes.

'He understands exactly what I'm trying to say. He didn't ask to meet me just for the sake of it.'

Count Baldor was a noble who had lost his faith in Solarism. Despite being middle-aged, he had no heir to his name. His title and lands were about to pass to a nephew whom he had only faced a few times in his lifetime.

'Lou must hate me. Then I won't serve him either.'

Being childless was seen as divine punishment. Relatives and nobles whispered that Count Baldor must have done something wrong to deserve the anger of Lou.

'You gave me, who has been your loyal servant, only misunderstandings and distrust instead of a child.'

Count Baldor couldn’t receive salvation from the northern god either, as he was not a warrior.

For those tired of Solarism, Serpentism was the only option. Especially the Arkist branch of Serpentism, after its reforms, had rational doctrines even a civilized person could understand. The teachings of the Arkists, spreading through underground meetings, were gradually reaching the nobility.

'This is getting interesting.'

Urich suppressed a smile as he watched the meeting.

"Thank you, Count Baldor."

Trikee expressed his gratitude for the Count's cooperation. Count Baldor promised support for the Ark’s proselytization. He intended to fund Trikee's activities to ensure that his activities could be done with no difficulties.

"There are many around me dissatisfied with Solarism. But it's hard to just ask them to believe in Serpentism. Misunderstandings and prejudices against it have deep roots that date back."

"I understand. And most of those prejudices and misunderstandings are true, Count Baldor."

"Such negative rumors do not need to follow us. What is really important is your philosophy, Ark... I was hoping we could drop the name 'Serpentism' and consider adopting a new one."

Trikee and Bahan were startled at Count Baldor's suggestion.

"That is quite a sudden proposal. Going forward without the name 'Serpentism'..."

Trikee stroked his chin.

"In your philosophy, Ark, the snake is merely a symbol, a metaphor. We no longer worship the snake itself."

It was an idea that was only possible because Count Baldor was a civilized man. Trikee and Bahan, from the southern desert, found it hard to deny their roots in Serpentism.

"But..."

Before Bahan could say more, Count Baldor strongly pushed the idea.

"A name is merely a facade. Ark! What matters is the salvation philosophy of a painless next world where everyone goes together."

Count Baldor was almost rude in his passion, but his face was full of fervor.

'I am witnessing the birth of a brand-new religion.'

Count Baldor's heart raced. Perhaps something surpassing Solarism was being born here.

‘Trikee the Ark, you are becoming a new symbol. The savior leading us all. I will be the first civilized disciple by your side.'

Disappointment with Solarism, the desire for immortal glory, and the longing for new salvation drove Count Baldor. Ecstasy and exaltation surged from inside him.

'This nobleman is truly sincere.'

It was a fervor that couldn’t be faked. Bahan gradually set aside his doubts and discussed the direction of the faith.

"If many nobles tacitly support the faith while we distance ourselves from Serpentism, the empire would no longer be able to persecute us."

Count Baldor, who had been speaking fervently, suddenly looked at Urich.

'Why has this massive man been silent this whole time? Is he not a Serpentine?'

Urich was simply devouring the food on the table. He had nearly cleared half of the dishes by himself.

'Never mind, this man isn't important right now.'

Count Baldor turned his gaze back to Trikee but quickly looked at Urich again.

"H-huh?"

Count Baldor stared intently at Urich. His face looked familiar. Nobles attending jousting tournaments got the best seats, close enough to see the participants' faces.

"How come?"

Count Baldor's lips quivered at the implausibility. Nothing was making sense. It was too suspicious.

"What is it, Count?"

Trikee's eyes widened.

"Are you sure we can trust this man?"

Count Baldor pointed accusingly at Urich.

"Put that finger away before I break it."

Urich, who had been tearing into the meat, glared as the amiable atmosphere quickly turned tense.

Chomp.

Urich firmly grabbed a leg of veal. He twisted his head and tore into the remaining meat.

"This man saved my life!" Trikee said.

"So, you must know who he is. He is Urich, the barbarian warrior. He has quite a reputation in civilized society and holds a significant status."

Count Baldor said, reading the room. Trikee and Bahan were shocked, showing that they were completely unaware of Urich's identity.

Fame wasn’t always good. It also meant that enemies could recognize you easily.

'The emperor couldn't have predicted I'd meet a noble while investigating Serpentism.'

Urich slowly stood up. The only people who could recognize Urich by face were either knights or nobles. Average civilians or peasants only knew him by name, at most.

"Kylios?"

Bahan spoke in disbelief. Urich shook his head.

"Nope, my name is Urich."

Hearing this, Count Baldor slammed the wall. Soldiers waiting outside rushed in.

"Explain yourself, Urich the Armor Breaker. What are you doing here?"

Count Baldor asked as he hid behind his soldiers.

"Hmm, if I told you I believe in Serpentism... you wouldn’t believe me, would you?”

Urich smiled at his own words as if he found himself funny. He fell silent, then lifted the veal leg bone like a weapon.