50
Chapter 50
Why can't Holy Knights earn points?
Because they serve a different god? That's not it.
Civilized people who also served the Church of the Goddess earned points for killing the Infected.
Because they are Possessors? Or because Holy Knights are warriors for the Goddess alone?
Once again, there's no way to find out.
...I just had a bad feeling.
A feeling that they can't earn points because they aren't considered 'allies'.
[Not a Netkama: What's up? I'm bored]
A message arrived from Hanna.
[Just hanging out]
I couldn't reply easily, my mind feeling a bit stifled.
***
[Melee-type Spy: Princess Dina, stop acting up and read this. I've only got one thing to say.
User: "Buhihit~ You've been hooked again~!"
Transcendent: "Hey, [Kozaburo]—. Get rid of them today as well—."
Kozaburo: "..."
User: "Aaaaaaaaagh! Why do I have to die! Who are you to kill me!"
Transcendent: "Ara ara~ You've worked hard today, [Kozaburo]—."
Kozaburo: "...[Master]... there's something I want to ask..."
Kozaburo: "Why must I obey you? Why must I commit murder? Just... who are you exactly—?"
Transcendent: "Hey, Kozaburo—. When did I ever give you permission to ask questions—? (Bloodlust emanates from their eyes)"
Kozaburo: "...That [woman] who was screaming in the [Room of Death] you created... who was she...?"
Kozaburo: "Who... was she...?... Who... (Faints, overwhelmed by the Transcendent's powerful magic)"]
Ah, that was Kozaburo Episode 4.
Honestly, even if you know it's a bait, you can't help but bite.
[I Trusted the Monkey Uncle: No, fuck, why is this bait?]
[Bramanda: This guy is truly insane.]
[Corrupted Power Knight: Why on earth are you doing this?]
└ [If Use President's Power: Why... because... it's 'fun', obviously...? Why? Do you think the Melee-type Spy has gone crazy?]
└ [Takashi Kakashi: Why is this idiot President only quoting manga lines? Is he a NEET?]
[3-Lifts 500: Someone take this guy's community access away]
[Holy Holy Knight: Hi, Kozaburo~! How.have.you.been~?!]
[Not a Netkama: This is why George's Raid Party ignored you. You're half responsible for that]
└ [Melee-type Spy: That's a bit harsh;;]
└ [Shotgun Attack: Hahahahaha this is freaking hilarious hahahahaha]
└ [Corner-room First-pick: That was a heavy blow, wasn't it?]
└ [I Trusted the Monkey Uncle: Ah, so satisfying. This is what a community is all about lol]
Hanna. You did well this time.
Although dragging George's Raid Party into it was a psychopathic idea.
I closed the community and looked around.
Right now, the Tribe Alliance is busy moving their headquarters.
Everyone is carrying their belongings and heading down the mountain.
"Grandpa Harry! Please move it carefully! It's the first totem I made for Lord Mallak!"
A Rock Golem carried Totem No. 1, the heaviest and largest of the Tribe Alliance's totems.
"Don't worry. I'm doing that even if you don't tell me."
Harry smiles at Paya's words. His gaze toward her was warm.
Perhaps he's softening up because she's a girl around the same age as his granddaughter.
Paya also treats Harry like a neighborhood grandfather—or more accurately, as an elder.
It's a good relationship for a Civilized Person and a Barbarian.
"Paya. Could I ride on Tuntun-i too? I feel like I'm going to faint from exhaustion..."
Walking beside Harry and sweating profusely, Luna looks at Paya, who is traveling comfortably on Tuntun-i.
"I'd really love to let you ride, but I don't think he can handle the weight."
"I'm not heavy..."
"Oh, I didn't mean it that way. Tuntun-i is still too weak, so it'll be hard for him."
"Ugh..."
"I'll carry you on my back."
"No, you're struggling too, Grandpa... I'll try to walk..."
The little one is practically dying.
The combination of a Mage—the symbol of low stamina—and an underdeveloped body is truly lethal.
I think someone needs to carry her.
"Young Civilized Person. You sound quite frail."
Una, the master of the spear and Kanto's left hand, approaches Luna.
"I'm just... really exhausted..."
Luna, who had become even more limp than before, spoke as if she were about to cry.
"Get on my back, kid."
"What?!"
It's understandable that Luna is surprised. Una's body was as small as Luna's.
She was momentarily flustered that a short, thin woman was offering to carry her.
"What's with that look? I am a warrior. I'm different from you frail Civilized People."
Una certainly has some strength. After all, you can't throw a spear that far without power.
"...Excuse me."
After some hesitation, Luna climbed onto Una's back.
"Kid, what's your name? I realized I've never called you by name this whole time."
"I'm Luna Winston. I'm curious about your name too, Unnie."
"I am Una, daughter of Dedu and Sanu."
"I saw you throw your spear! You always hit your mark in one go, it's so cool!"
"...Is, is that so?"
To bridge the distance so easily... Luna is quite a social butterfly.
It would be nice if these two became close.
The great migration of the Tribe Alliance was smoother than expected.
We subjugated three villages along the way, and some places had strange magic prepared, as if they anticipated our arrival.
'This energy... they've deployed suspicious magic. Just trust me.'
Of course, Harry's 'Magic Interference Device' neutralized everything. He repaired the one broken by the Orangutan Demon and improved it slightly.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the EMP of a fantasy world.
'Many demons do not understand or apply magic; they use it simply, like throwing a weapon. While their casting speed is faster than a Mage's, the density and precision are inevitably much lower.
That is why such a simple device can dismantle it. It is the difference between a demon who has talent but didn't develop it, and a human who lacked talent but put in the effort.'
That's what he said, though I didn't fully understand everything.
At that moment, only Paya and Muri were nodding.
This cheat-like device is almost disposable; after using it more than three times, the circuit burns out and it becomes useless.
I'll mass-produce them once I get more materials. Harry's the one doing all the hard work anyway.
At that time, I plan to supply them to the Golden Sun or the Ash Mist Tribe as well.
Oh, while subjugating the villages, I also roughly verified the 'Totem Guardian' blessing bestowed upon Rake.
Although it's limited to the area around a totem, the stat increase effect was definitely real.
'I can beat things like that now even without a weapon.'
Now Rake can beat down low-tier demons with her bare hands, without even needing a curved sword.
She'd pummel them, much like how Kanto got his 'physical therapy,' before snapping their necks; I almost felt sorry for the demons.
'You mentioned the efficiency of the blessing I receive would also increase, right? I'll test that too.'
I was a bit startled when she intentionally let a demon bite her thigh.
She probably did it trusting me, but I'd prefer she refrain since it's dangerous.
I immediately used the Totem of Healing, and the wound closed in a matter of seconds.
I believe this blessing is a late-game skill.
Right now it's just one Totem of Healing, but later on, she'll be able to support with various blessings.
That's when the true value of the 'Totem Guardian' will be revealed.
- Let's rest for a bit. Those who are exhausted, come and receive my healing.
***
The Tribe Alliance, having ended their march of pain, entered the new headquarters.
"We've finally arrived!"
"From today onward, this is the Tribe Alliance!"
As soon as the Barbarians arrived, they planted our Tribe Alliance flag on the castle's flagpole.
Flap~!
This is almost like some weird sense of national pride.
"I can feel Lord Mallak's dignity in this! Did you make it?"
"Hahaha! How did you know I made it! As expected, some things just can't be hidden!"
"Your artistic sense is truly exceptional! Bwahahaha!"
The two Barbarian men who climbed to the top of the castle to hang the flag laughed out loud.
They're really overdoing it. Dignity, my foot.
It wasn't even a properly made flag; it was just a piece of cowhide with a long monster—whether it was a worm or a snake, who knows—drawn in charcoal.
When I asked what this monstrosity was, he confidently told me it was me.
Looking at it again, it had two horns on its head.
I wonder if he tried to draw an Oriental dragon...
"Everyone feels unfamiliar and awkward. I think we need a period of adjustment for a while. How about letting everyone take a sufficient rest for a few days?"
Muri, the eldest member of the Tribe Alliance, offered her advice.
That was my intention from the start.
- We shall do so. Seek the help of Harry and Luna, the Civilized People, regarding matters of the city.
Luna might not know much, but Harry probably knows a thing or two about everything.
Ah, there's just so much to do, but so few people who actually know how.
I'll eventually have to restart the facilities abandoned by the demons and worshippers.
The Barbarians are useless at anything other than hunting or fighting, so this part is difficult.
...I wonder if there are any domain-building experts in the community?
Or maybe there's a User who has already established a domain here.
With such useless thoughts, I logged into the community.
A few new Users had joined. Someone else must have died...
I read the posts from the newbies to see if there was anything I could help with.
[Atomic Rex: Are all of you actually Holy Knights?
I'm not.
I'm not even human]
What?