Barbarian Quest

Chapter 128

Count Baldor, hiding behind his soldiers, narrowed his eyes. Being no warrior, he took a step back for safety.

‘Why on earth is this man here?'

Count Baldor recognized Urich. Though now somewhat forgotten, Urich was a hot topic among the elite months ago. If he had stayed in the city and befriended some of the nobles then, he might have become quite an influential figure in the empire.

'He is a barbarian, but he is a man with various backgrounds that trump his origins.'

Why would such a man believe in Serpentism? Why hide his identity and infiltrate the core of Serpentism?

‘How could I not be suspicious?'

The soldiers surrounded Urich. The air grew tense as more people entered the underground room.

Grip.

Urich clenched the bone and eyed the soldiers.

"Put your weapons away."

Trikee jumped in between Urich and the soldiers.

"Do not harm the Ark!"

Count Baldor restrained his men.

"I'm not sure what Kyl... no, Urich's motives are, but he is no enemy, Count Baldor."

"How can you be so sure, Ark?"

"I've spent the last few days with him. I don't know why he hid his identity from me, but he will not harm me. I trust Urich."

Trikee reached and knocked the bone out of Urich's hand.

"What makes you trust me?"

Urich relaxed his arms, looking intently at Trikee.

"You pitied the boiled baby in the pot. You have intentions to do good. Tell me, were the actions I’ve done with you wrong in your eyes?"

Urich, lost in thought, finally spoke.

"It didn't seem like you were doing anything wrong."

"Then we're not enemies, Urich. Neither of us has done wrong to each other."

Trikee spoke calmly, gesturing to the soldiers to back off.

'He really is leader material. He is incredibly influential, despite the circumstances.'

Urich squinted and sat down, observing the unfolding situation.

Count Baldor also nodded, reluctantly choosing not to oppose the Ark. His intention to serve Trikee was genuine.

'Is Trikee simply a good man, or is he smart enough not to make me an enemy?'

Urich leaned his head with his arms crossed, intrigued by Trikee.

'To be honest, I don’t care one bit about the emperor’s task.’

Urich was not the emperor’s subordinate. He owed no loyalty to him. His actions were always interest-based and self-centered. People might fear the emperor, but not Urich.

"Why did you lie about your name? Tell us that much."

Trikee pressed Urich.

"The truth is..."

Before Urich could speak, he suddenly looked up.

Thump, thump, thump.

Loud footsteps sounded. A group was moving quickly above.

"Count!" Bahan shouted at Count Baldor.

"I don't know what's happening either!"

Count Baldor sent his subordinate to check outside.

"Aaaah!"

After the soldier stepped outside, only his scream came back. Count Baldor panicked and stumbled back.

"Death to the apostates!"

Suddenly, a servant behind Count Baldor drew a knife. He held it to the Count's throat, threatening the surroundings.

"S-so you were the traitor, Heisen!"

Count Baldor exclaimed. The servant pushed the knife closer, frowning.

"There's no duty to be loyal to one who betrayed Lou. Count Baldor! You fools! To immerse in heresy with your master! Dirty apostates! Lou will not accept your souls!"

The servant shouted at the surrounding soldiers. He had waited for Count Baldor's meeting with Serpentism and had informed the Imperial Army in advance.

Heisen held Count Baldor hostage, stopping his escape. The surrounding soldiers couldn't do anything and just waited. The Imperial Army was going to arrive through the door at any moment.

"We must escape, Ark!" Bahan urged Trikee.

"We cannot leave the Count! He'll die if we leave him here!"

"He is already useless to us! He’ll become a fugitive, just like us!"

"Will you only save those who are useful to you, Bahan?"

Urich watched the argument between Trikee and Bahan. The ceiling-rattling footsteps approached. Shouts from the guards outside were heard.

Creak.

Urich lifted a carving knife.

"Hmm, would've been better if it was an axe."

Urich swung his arm back and flung the knife.

Schluck!

There were two screams. The servant rolled on the floor with a knife in his face, while Count Baldor had an ear cut off.

"Sorry, sorry. I tried to be careful, but I cut your ear off."

Urich nonchalantly said to the Count. He saved Count Baldor but was ultimately responsible for the injury.

"T-thank you."

Count Baldor, grateful for being saved regardless, thanked Urich.

"Let's escape through the sewers," Bahan said as he opened the sewer exit.

Thump! Thump!

The cellar door was being pounded from outside. The soldiers on the other side of the door were going to break through in no time.

‘There goes my Countship.'

Count Baldor bit his lower lip as he exited into the sewer. He would now live on as a wanted apostate.

"It is not the end, Count. It's just the beginning," Trikee consoled Count Baldor.

Bang!

The door shattered. Imperial soldiers burst in, swiftly overpowering Count Baldor's dozen personal guards.

"Stop right there, you heretics!"

The soldiers shouted as they entered the sewer.

"Like we would just stop," Urich muttered, glancing behind.

Creak.

Urich's ears twitched. He recognized a familiar sound.

'Crossbows.'

It was the sound of a crossbow being loaded. Urich quickly used his limbs to knock down his companions.

Thwip!

The crossbow bolt skimmed past the heads of the group fallen to the ground.

"Spit, spit! There's sewage in my mouth..."

Bahan grumbled, then fell silent seeing the bolt embedded in the wall. Urich's quick action had protected them.

"Do not raise your heads! They’re shooting again!"

Urich squinted, warning the group as bolts kept flying over their heads.

‘The famous Imperial Army. They can flexibly adapt to any situation.'

The Imperial Army alternated crossbow shots to prevent the escape of Urich and the Serpentines. The narrow sewer that stretched long left no room for lateral movement.

Splash, splash.

Taking advantage of the heretics immobilized the crossbow shower, the Imperial infantry with swords and shields slowly advanced.

‘Goddamned Imperial army! They’re way too competent.'

Even when Urich was surrounded by Count Baldor’s private soldiers, Urich was confident. But against the Imperial soldiers, things were different. He was well aware of their superior combat skills and tactics.

"Urich, take this."

Bahan, still lying down, called Urich. He handed Urich a leather map.

Urich stared into Bahan's eyes. They were filled with resolve.

‘Shit, there’s that look again.'

Bahan’s gaze was firm. Urich had seen many with the same firm eyes—it was the eyes of someone who was about to sacrifice their life for what they believed in.

"...please take care of the Ark."

Bahan stood abruptly with his arms shielding his vital points as he advanced.

Thunk!

The crossbow bolts brutally lodged into Bahan's body.

"Ark! Please take care!" Bahan screamed his last words.

"We can't leave Bahan behind..."

Trikee's cry was in vain.

Urich didn't waste the time Bahan bought for them. He hoisted Trikee over his shoulder and ran with Count Baldor.

"Ooooooh!"

Bahan charged at the soldier. His vision was already blurred from heavy bleeding, and he was practically hurling his weakened body forward.

Schluck!

A soldier's sword pierced Bahan's abdomen.

'Ahhh, am I finally moving on to the next world?'

Bahan collapsed, pondering. His body felt heavy, but his consciousness was incredibly light as if his soul was leaving his body.

"You’re going to turn into an evil spirit and wander eternally, you damn heretic scum."

The Imperial soldier spat on the fallen Bahan, pouring curses on him.

"Go after them! Make sure to capture Count Baldor alive!"

The Imperial soldiers scrambled through the sewers after the fleeing heretics. Urich's group managed to get out of the straight path into the labyrinth-like sewage system.

'I was prepared to lose everything, but actually losing it feels rather empty.'

Count Baldor chuckled bitterly, now only left with his faith.

"Urich, I am sorry for doubting you."

Count Baldor apologized to Urich, who was looking at the leather map for directions. Urich shrugged in response.

"Don’t worry about it. After all, I did in fact infiltrate for the emperor's secret mission."

Hearing this, Count Baldor's eyes widened, and Trikee also looked quite shocked.

"Then why? Why didn't you hand us over to the Imperial army?"

"I just didn't feel like handing over Trikee. My heart didn’t want that."

Urich spoke nonchalantly, but it greatly impacted Count Baldor.

"Betraying the emperor... That is no ordinary courage."

"We betrayed our gods, so why shouldn’t I do the same to the emperor?"

Count Baldor laughed softly. During their walk through the sewers, he had heard why Urich infiltrated Serpentism.

'He refused an offer from the emperor promising anything he wanted as a reward. He's not a typical man, that’s for sure. I guess he never seemed the type to seek societal success.'

Urich had rejected wealth and comfort, choosing a nomadic life. It was his nature. He preferred to jump into the unpredictable waves over a clear, bottom-visible lake because it was unseen and he couldn’t tell what was waiting for him. That’s what intrigued him.

"I have an idea, Urich. I've already lost everything, but the emperor doesn't know you've betrayed him."

Count Baldor was racking his brain.

"So what?"

"Let's find the base of the Fundamentalists. Giving them away to the emperor and having him subdue them will make him believe the roots of Serpentism are eradicated. Unlike them, we won’t be kidnapping infants or using extreme methods. If the Fundamentalists are gone, Serpentism won't bother the emperor anymore. If things go well, you'll receive the emperor’s reward, and we can safely spread our teachings."

"Hmm. You've got a good head on your shoulders."

Urich liked the idea. Baldor’s idea was both realistic and good. It sounded reasonable to anyone’s ears.

"No matter how good the idea may be, we cannot betray our own people, Count Baldor."

"I am no longer a Count, so please, simply call me Baldor. From now on, I will be your servant and disciple,” Baldor pleaded, to which Trikee hesitantly nodded.

“Baldor, as the Ark, I cannot condone such action. They are in the same position. It’s true they see us as their enemies, but they do not sell their brothers out to the Imperial army. It would be shameful to even think of doing such a thing.”

“I’ve been captivated by your philosophy, Ark. Salvation no longer depends on one’s origin. Is the path to the next world not open to everyone, much like how Solarism embraces both civilization and barbarians? You, Ark, were the very man who gave us that message! Why do you think I’ve thrown away everything I have to stand here with you?”

Baldor kneeled before Trikee, pleading.

"Betraying your own people is shameful, Baldor."

"Then my being here, betraying my fellow civilized people, is also shameful."

"That is..."

Trikee hesitated. Baldor seized the opportunity.

'I'll surely bring this religion and the Ark to the bright surface!'

Baldor continued passionately before Trikee could even speak.

"We are a global religion! Ethnicity and origin do not matter. If we can save even a few more people, that's the right thing. If I'm wrong, I must have come to the wrong place. Have I, a civilized person, ignorantly sought a desert tribe's religion?"

Baldor's eyes sparkled. Trikee pondered, reflecting on the scriptures he himself had written and the sermons he had preached.

"...You are right, disciple Baldor. Thank you for broadening my narrow view."

Trikee nodded resolutely, and Baldor's face finally brightened.

'I didn't even agree, and they're going ahead with it. Well, I would've gone along with them anyway...'

Urich watched the scene that was unfolding before his eyes as he scratched his neck. A clump of dirt fell from under his fingernails.