Chapter 150
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: The Exploded Bomb (2)
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Barbarian warriors hold honesty as a virtue.
That's why they express their emotions without restraint and don't bother packaging or hiding their words or true feelings.
Yeah, just like these scrubs around me right now.
"Kuhhuk! To think Belterger had such a secret...!"
"A true warrior like that existed in ancient times! Ahh! Kubel! Look upon the lonely warrior!!"
"To become a beacon for warriors losing their honor and pride to harsh environments and starvation!"
"To overcome the trials of the gods alone—what a mighty warrior...!"
Every time these burly men sniffled with tears and snot streaming down, their rock-hard muscles bulged... It was a sight I really didn't want to see.
Amid them, only Charhela's eyes sparkled as she grinned with a meaningful expression.
"Nice? Who would've thought Belterger had a story like that hidden away... Yeah. This could be useful. Scribe. You got it all down properly?"
"Yes! I recorded every single word without missing a thing!"
"Good job. Now then... Alzen. I'd love to hear some other stories too?"
"......"
I stared at Charhela while sipping the milk-brewed liquor of Belterger.
Myths, legends, or religious tales are crucial ingredients when building a nation's foundation.
Comparing those who have them to those who don't already shows clear differences in unity, cohesion, and sense of belonging.
She's probably sparkling like that because she plans to use it when proclaiming the Barbarian Kingdom.
"Sure, why not. It's not hard... But could you clear out these crybabies around us first?"
I had nothing else to do besides drink anyway, so I nodded lightly.
"Puahaha! Great! You lot! How long are you warriors gonna keep whining!? You're ruining the taste of my booze just looking at you! And bring more liquor! You need booze for stories like this! Oh! Bring plenty of meat too!"
"Got it!"
And so, I spent nearly the whole day rambling on about myths and legends related to the barbarians.
It didn't take long for the attitudes of the barbarian warriors—who had been wary of me due to my demonized left arm, or my past crime of stealing the 'Kubel's Soul Totem,' or just prejudiced eyes because I was an imperial—to change.
Of course, it didn't make us friends or anything... But since we won't be seeing each other long-term, this level is just right.
The chilly winds of the wasteland's dawn sky were clear and vast, possessing a magic that made you lose yourself gazing at it.
Keep staring, and it draws out philosophical musings on human smallness and loneliness—that beautiful, expansive sky.
"...Han-gil nim."
While using the sky filling my vision as an appetizer for my drinks, Murel cautiously spoke up.
Turning my head, my close aides—Murel, Rebecca, Kachiolla, and plump Rampon Pasha Tra—were looking at me with worry.
"Yeah. What is it."
"...So far, no particular reactions."
I smirked at her words.
"Reactions to what?"
I had a rough guess, but asked to confirm.
"Lady Vivian seemed unable to comprehend it. Probably couldn't grasp that Han-gil nim entered 'Starnassila Alzen's' body."
"...Was Vivian that stupid?"
"No, it's not that... She seems to be consciously avoiding the thought. In my opinion... It looks like she's afraid to accept it."
"Ah... A defense mechanism, huh. Yeah. That makes sense."
Logically, that's right.
If you suddenly learned a family member's contents had been swapped... I'd probably be scared too, and deny it first before accepting.
It's not something anyone can just dive into, with all that painful, confusing shock awaiting.
Even if the target is wastrel Starnassila Alzen—family is family.
"Lady Nemes was surprised but doesn't seem to care much. Lady Ratifi too, so probably the elves' unique disposition. Or maybe because of the World Tree's blessing Han-gil nim received."
"......"
"Lady Arpe showed psychology I can't understand. Seems related to her unique possessiveness... Looked angry, but also happy."
"Puhut. Really? That's so like her..."
"Lady Weller's thoughts were unreadable."
"......"
"Lira... She's suspicious. She glares at Han-gil nim sharply now and then, looking conflicted. She's the biggest risk factor right now."
"......"
As Murel finished, a heavy silence settled over the biting wasteland winds.
"By the way, Murel. You went around probing all that?"
"Yes."
"I don't remember ordering that."
"...If it upset you, I'm sorry. But it was an essential step to prepare for potential risks."
"I see."
I nodded indifferently, then flopped down onto Rampon Pasha Tra's plump thighs.
...Wow, her tits block the view of my face entirely.
Not just my face—half the beautiful sky too.
Truly, a size that draws admiration every time.
"Ahh...! Heehee, Alzen niim~"
Her eyes widened in slight surprise, then she peeked her face out from her cleavage and started stroking my head with a dopey grin.
"You drunk, Pasha Tra?"
"Yeees~? Nooo~? I'm not drunk at allll~"
"...So, what do you think, Pasha Tra?"
"Yeees~? About what~?"
"About me not being Starnassila Alzen, but Kang Han-gil."
"Hmm~? Hm~"
She tilted her head, pondered briefly, then burst out laughing.
"Dunno~ Too complicated~"
"...Yeah?"
"But~ Hmm~ It's fine~ Whether Alzen nim or Han-gil nim~ I'll always be on 'your' side~"
"......"
I hadn't expected such a weighty answer from easygoing Pasha Tra, so I blankly stared at her face.
"...This is touching."
"Why, Han-gil nim."
"Huh?"
Murel suddenly cut in, staring right into my eyes.
...She looks a bit angry.
Why's she like this all of a sudden.
"What?"
"Haa... Han-gil nim. I said the same thing as Pasha Tra before."
"Uh, yeah..."
I glanced at her expression, then smiled wryly.
Packing in the nuance of 'Of course I remember that.'
"No way I'd forget something like that? I just wanted to praise Pasha Tra."
"......"
I sipped my drink, avoiding Murel's narrowed gaze.
"Haa... So, what now?"
Then, Rebecca, who had been listening quietly, sighed and spoke up.
Kachiolla beside her was also staring to gauge my reaction.
"...What do you mean, what? Strike first and kill them all?"
"Not that, but... Isn't the situation really tricky now?"
"Tricky. Super tricky. But whatever..."
I gulped down my booze and let out a weak laugh.
"It'll work out somehow."
"No, saying something so irresponsible..."
"Hey, Master. If you act like that, we're the confused ones. Set a clear direction and lead properly."
I sighed at Kachiolla's sharp jab and looked up at the sky.
...Pasha Tra's chest blocked it completely, but honestly, this view seems better than the sky.
"Even if you say that, I don't have many options right now. As long as it's impossible to change that Kang Han-gil entered Starnassila Alzen's body... They hold the initiative."
"Who exactly is 'they'?"
"Lady Weller and Lira. And... Hmm, ambiguous, but Lady Arpe maybe."
I went to light a cigarette but absentmindedly chewed a dried fruit that slipped into my mouth.
"Ehehe... Tasty? Han-gil nim~"
Watching Pasha Tra stroke my head with her dopey smile somehow lightened my heavy heart amazingly.
Her airheaded healing is OP... If I were as pure as Pasha Tra, would I even get stressed?
"...Alzen nim..."
"Hm..."
On the other hand, Pasha Tra's airheaded healing doesn't work much on women, it seems.
I smiled wryly at their pitiful, worried, serious expressions.
"Sorry to you all. If it comes to the worst... I might have to fight them."
"...Don't worry, Han-gil nim. I'm always on your side."
"Same here. No matter what, I'll protect you with my life."
"Sigh... Can't be helped. We've decided to stick till the end..."
I stared at them declaring their stances one by one, then couldn't hold back the impulse rising from my chest and stretched out both arms.
"Mm..."
"Ah... Haa, haa...!"
"Jeez, so embarrassing..."
Quick-witted Murel leaned into my chest right away, Rebecca excitedly breathed hotly on my nape, and Kachiolla tsked while blushing and subtly stroked my side.
Feeling their soft, warm presence, I looked up at the clear, vast sky again.
...Still, only Pasha Tra's chest was visible.
"Hey, by the way, the vibe with your party feels off? Especially with Weller."
The next day, as Charhela led me somewhere by the hand, I glared at her casual remark.
"You're not really asking because you don't know, right?"
"...Ahem, uh, well..."
As expected, she'd roughly guessed.
"No, but this isn't something I can control. It was too suspicious—how was I supposed to handle that? Who told you to show it so obviously? If you're gonna act, do it properly."
"Tch."
As I chimed in looking down at her shameless nape, she surprisingly peeked at me with a guilty expression.
"But... No way Weller didn't notice your true identity? You got caught long ago, right?"
"Caught long ago, yeah. But I never gave her certainty, and she deliberately avoided mentioning it."
"Ah... So that's your relationship? Hmm... Then Mother and Father are probably similar? Wait, hold on—if you give Mother 'certainty,' won't that be a big problem?"
She grasped the situation from fragments alone and made a grave face.
Sharp and clever, as expected.
Well, in the setting, she's the most talented direct bloodline of the current Duke's Family, so it's natural.
"What can I do now that it's happened! Can't be helped! Just leave the Duke's Family and live with me! Barbarian tribe life gets fun and enjoyable once you're used to it?"
"...What a woman... Haa..."
I shook my head with a sigh.
"I'll say it upfront: No plans to marry you. Ever."
"Why? Got another woman you like?"
"No, just not my type. I like women with big tits and asses."
"......"
She shot me a murderous glare, but I grinned unperturbed.
"Hmph. Doesn't matter. I can just eat you up if I want."
"...Come to think of it, don't you have any resistance to universal values or taboos?"
"I don't care about that crap. Found a guy I like, so I'll make him mine. Even if he's some unknown dude possessing my little brother's body."
"You're insane..."
I shook my head and surveyed the tribe.
Kids running with weapons, barbarian warriors preparing food or weaving... Strangely, there were no roles strictly divided by gender.
Women patrolled or hunted, men did cooking and cleaning.
A bear-like barbarian warrior sewing with lid-sized hands... It evoked an indescribable feeling.
"So, where are you dragging me to?"
"Huh? Didn't I say?"
She tilted her head and grinned.
"To get the shaman tattoo! You asked for that as payment, right?"
"Ah. That."
Spec upgrade—major stuff.
I nodded and followed obediently.