Chapter 219
Chapter 219
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 219
Chapter Title: Crusader Army
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Three days had passed since I set the justice of this world straight.
Elise and I had poured everything we had into driving out the evil forces and saving the destitute poor, but the world didn't seem to have changed much. Still, believing our noble sacrifice wasn't in vain, I'd dropped by the guild today to look for work.
"Yo, Barbarian Zeke! It's been fucking forever!"
Kobson, who was inside, spotted me and flashed a bright grin, waggling his shovel jaw while waving. What a friendly bastard. How long had it been?
Even his hair looked noticeably better since last time, which was weirdly impressive.
"Yeah. Fucking forever."
"What've you been up to?"
"Eh, did some good deeds for a change."
"Killed someone again, huh!"
"Fuck no."
For those three days, I'd been shaking my hips like crazy, going shopping with the girls, meeting up with Elise once for a meal, and so on. Basically, I'd spent the whole time hanging with women.
How many times did we do it?
Couldn't even count.
Elise hadn't gone back to the church yet. She said she had a bit more to sort out. Fine by me—parting ways always sucked.
I'd also stopped by the Brass Celestial Society church to report the giant's corpse and the tunnels the heretics had dug for cleanup. The head priest I'd given the high-grade holy water to promised a reward after investigation.
Doing good brings more good, huh.
Anyway, no need to explain all that to Kobson, so I brushed it off.
"Busy? Haven't had breakfast—wanna grab some grub?"
"Mm, haven't eaten. Let's go."
"Sounds good."
I headed to a nearby eatery with Kobson.
No need for fancy shit with him. A cheap stew with tough meat and hard bread on the side was plenty for breakfast.
Ordered that, sat down, and bullshitted with Kobson.
He bragged about himself for a bit, then asked how to score with women. Told him to fix that shovel jaw first, and he got pissed.
In that vibe, we kept chatting until Kobson remembered something.
"Oh, Barbarian. Remember that talk about bandits swarming Dodens Barony?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah, that. The ones worshiping some weird god?"
Something we'd talked about over drinks last time.
Who were they again?
"Ezath, the brigand god."
"Right, that. So what?"
The stew arrived.
Kobson grabbed a hunk of bread roughly, dunked it in the stew, stuffed it in his mouth with blissful greed, and chewed away while talking.
His shovel jaw working up and down was kinda mesmerizing.
"Word is, Dodens Baron's army got routed."
"What bullshit is that?"
I nearly spat out my bread.
The baron's army that even beat back orcs—losing to bandits?
"Just what I heard. It's... ominous rumors. Anyway, you know what god Ezath is?"
"Brigand god, right?"
"More precisely, god of bandits. Evil deity worshipped by killers and looters. Most kingdoms brand it heresy."
Kobson looked dead serious.
No matter how shitty the baron's army was, a professional killing outfit losing to daytime bandits was insane.
What, Yellow Turbans?
"Their leader claims to be Ezath's apostle. Whether the baron underestimated them or got careless, the army lost, and now the bandits have seized Yertak Village near the barony."
Kobson, who'd ordered beer in the meantime, chugged half in one go.
"His name Zhang Jiao by any chance?"
"Zhang Jiao? No idea."
Not him, then.
Taiping Dao followers innocent, I guess.
Putting it together: Bandit boss claiming to be evil god's apostle smashed the punitive force and occupied a village without permission.
What hellscape was unfolding there? No need to imagine. Ruthless isekai bandits showed no mercy. If it was just a massacre, they'd be lucky.
Could be worse.
"But bandits that strong? Even if careless, it's an army. Veterans who've fought wars— no reason to lose."
Seemed fishy.
Armies aren't omnipotent; they're often clusters of morons fucking up big time... Wait, yeah, they could lose.
Most armies are full of idiots.
Orcs win with brute force, but humans with similar smarts? Possible.
Thwack!
Kobson slammed his fork into the bread.
Like he was hinting at something.
"Must've gotten Ezath's blessing. Rumors say each bandit's got real power. Leader claiming apostleship ain't for show... They've turned into a full-blown heretical horde."
"Fucking scary. This place doomed too?"
"Heh, as if."
I chugged my beer too.
Chilling stuff.
Claudia'd love it, but if war breaks out, we'd bolt to another city. War's too risky. Back home, I was active in anti-war forums, hating it fiercely.
I knew the dangers well.
Hitler... Stalin... Fascism, imperialism...
Just naming them is horrifying.
—War is an absolute evil that must never happen.
"Churches nearby are already mustering crusaders. Lords of Isvant and Krasheim sending reinforcements too. Magic Towers will jump in for sure... Smell that, Barbarian? Money. Opportunity."
Kobson sniffed for cash like a clueless mutt.
"Nah, dude. Army got wrecked—adventurers like us chasing scraps?"
"Heh, you don't get it. Dodens lost, not us. Crusaders, lords' armies, local mercs and adventurers—if everyone piles in, Ezath or not, no contest."
"Baseless confidence, you prick."
"Risky, sure, but rewards match. No matter how strong, numbers crush 'em. Not totally baseless."
True—history's full of armies that charged on numbers and got wrecked.
Separately, a huge punitive force like that? Money to be made.
Gotta tell Claudia.
Kobson's words got me tempted.
If a big crusade forms, riding along ain't bad. Isekai greedballs dive into anything for gold.
Capital's power is unreal.
Isekai joke: Bounty on a backyard dragon? Caught next day.
Finished the stew and stood.
"Ugh. Good eats. No plans? Hit the casino?"
"You degenerate gambler—bankrupt waiting to happen."
"Serial killer talks big."
"Heh... Who's that?"
"Deny it. So, coming?"
"Nope."
"Aw, why not? Need someone to rampage if I lose."
"Crazy talk."
"Fine, see ya."
"Yeah."
Split with Kobson there.
Gambling addict fuck.
Strong feeling he'd bleed for it someday. Easy mark for desperate adventurers hungry for cash and pussy.
"Ugh, shit. So full."
...Brigand god Ezath.
Intriguing.
Whatever happens, I'll hear naturally.
Tell Elise on the way back.
Heading to her dorm then.
Pat-pat-pat-pat!
Footsteps approaching.
Not rare in streets, but stay cautious. Could be a pickpocket. Didn't want trouble, so I hugged the wall and glanced back.
"You! Swordsman! Stop!"
"Hm?"
Blonde woman charging at me, pointing and yelling.
Who?
Face rang a bell.
Lush golden hair in back.
Straight bangs, stern vibe. Blue eyes, flat chest. No tits? Wearing white qipao-like martial robes.
Martial robes.
White with gold embroidery.
Below: Taut thighs like a horse's, matching snow-white long boots.
Something... coming back!
"Martial Instructor!"
I yelled instinctively, drawing my sword!
That stabbing rice-bag bitch I wrecked!
Here for revenge?
"You fucking bitch! Here to settle scores?"
I flowed into Execution Sword Art's killer forms, battle-ready. Bystanders fled the sudden commotion, leaving just me and the martial instructor in the street.
"Haa... haa... Finally found you, savage swordsman!"
Panting like she'd sprinted full tilt.
"Who the hell are you!"
"Wh-what! You forgot me?!"
"Yeah! Who?!"
I timed my counter while she yapped.
Coming for revenge meant do-or-die. She'd been smashed once, but her kicks were sharp—tricky foe.
Fight time!
"I'm Mariel! Junior instructor at the Martial Guild—told you last time!"
That name?
Mariel snarled, fuming. Straight bangs but wild back hair—like a lion.
Thighs like a horse, though.
"Those thighs a honey trap? You cowardly bitch!"
"Th-thighs...? Nonsense! State your name, you!"
My name...!
"A being from beyond the heavens."
Only right to reveal it.
Gripping my sword in max killer stance, I intoned heavily.
"Heavenly Demon."
That name carried weight.
The Heavenly Demon's name.
Never light.
"I am the Heavenly Demon."
I unleashed my inner energy. Overwhelmed, Mariel echoed solemnly.
"Right... Heavenly Demon, huh."
She straightened, regaining composure.
What?
Not attacking?
"Heavenly Demon, I'm here to challenge you to a duel."
She pointed boldly.
"What? Duel?"
"Last time, no proper fight. You're a warrior too, right? Been hunting you for days to settle it fair."
Still pissed about the beatdown, apparently.
This bitch?
"No, accept defeat. What fight? I wrecked you last time."
Unless I misremembered, she couldn't resist my flashy Execution Fist and got tossed in the gutter.
"No! That's not true!"
"Hah. Pathetic sore loser? Scram. I'm busy."
No interest in weaklings.
I pinched my nose and waved her off.
"Defeat? Absurd!"
"Absurd my ass... Fuck off, rice-bag bitch. Worse than a goblin."
"Such insults...!"
She flushed beet red and shrieked.
"Avoiding the fight? Coward! Savage!"
"...What?"
Avoid.
The fight?
"The Heavenly Demon."
Something snapped in my head.
Bigger taboo than calling me savage.
"Never dodges a challenge."
"..."
Playfulness gone.
The Heavenly Demon can't be frivolous.
Dead serious, I eyed the challenger.
"You'll regret flapping your mouth. Come at me."
"...Tch."
Flustered?
Rice-bag's still rice-bag.
Mariel hesitated, then spoke.
"First, terms."
"Terms?"