Alkados's Men Are Loaded

"Alkados's subordinates must be why they've got so much cash."

The pursuers' pockets were surprisingly plump with the dead. Yoahim tucked the leather pouches bulging with silver and copper coins into his inventory.

The only other worthwhile loot was their weapons—mostly standard or high-grade stuff. He figured the blacksmith would cough up a few silvers for them, so into the inventory they went.

"Time to absorb some souls too."

Yoahim pulled the crystal from his inventory and sucked up the pursuers' souls.

The crystal's glow intensified with every soul it devoured. Yoahim twirled it lightly, letting out a thoughtful hum.

What the hell does this thing even do? It just ate souls without spitting out any power. Haellagos had used it to buff kobolds, so it definitely strengthened the owner's body somehow. But no immediate effects tied to soul count? That bugged him.

And isn't it gobbling souls a bit too eagerly?

The total capacity was five hundred. Considering Dellyon's soul—worth fifty—that was a ridiculous amount. For Haellagos to hoard that many just to juice up some kobolds? Total waste.

Maybe it doesn't need to be full, or perhaps I just don't know how to use it right.

Either way, no practical use for it yet. Yoahim stared at the pulsing purple glow for a while before stashing the crystal back in his inventory.

"These guys give money, gear, souls... fucking ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠generous to the end."

Yoahim nudged a corpse with his boot. Sasha piped up.

"Apostle, sir... how's that wound?"

"Wound? Oh, this? It's fine."

The gash on his forehead from the rock had already scabbed over. His vitality stat boosted his natural regen.

As Yoahim prodded the spot, Sasha shook her head and dismounted.

"Let's do some first aid to keep it from getting infected. I've got herbs that prevent scarring."

She fished a pouch from her belt bag, ground the herbs in a small mortar, and smeared the paste on his forehead herself. Her touch was so gentle it actually touched him.

Yeah... this is the good stuff.

"There, all done. Want me to wrap it?"

Sasha personally bandaged his forehead. When Yoahim thanked her afterward, she beamed.

"It's nothing for one of the Apostle's followers. Sorry my skills are so limited. If I knew healing magic, I could've fixed it right up."

"Nah, this is plenty."

Yoahim chuckled to himself.

Still, a healer's way more stable.

If they were overwhelmingly strong enough to kill before getting hurt, no healer needed. But they were solid, not invincible.

Problem is, no way to snag one.

His crew served Kakali. What sane priest would hang with demon worshippers? Maybe a pure one like Emily, but she'd already split. Might cross paths again someday, who knew.

Hunt down Kakali priests?

They could heal, but finding them was like chasing stars.

Bottom line: I gotta get stronger.

Dead enemies can't hurt you. As Yoahim nodded to himself, Sasha spoke up.

"Apostle, sir—what about the bodies?"

Yoahim hummed instead of answering right away.

This spot wasn't far from Barakan, nor some remote backwater. Leaving corpses would stir trouble.

"Hide 'em where folks won't spot 'em easy."

The three dragged the bodies behind trees and rocks, then swept bloodstains with broken branches to erase tracks. They'd be found eventually, but this bought time.

"Alright, let's roll."

Yoahim mounted up. Leon and Sasha nodded, and they whipped their horses into a gallop, half-expecting pursuit.

"Hyah!"

Yoahim led, knowing the route, with Leon and Sasha behind. They only dismounted for meals, pushing hard for Tolstone.

Who knew if Alkados's threat was real, but if Wichikill was truly hunting them, they needed Tolstone's walls ASAP.

Tolstone had a mage tower like Barakan, though its overall magic level was lower. Still potent—not trash. No matter how mighty Wichikill, they wouldn't dare touch anyone inside. Invade Tolstone? The mages would ash 'em.

"Apostle, sir—village ahead!"

Day two out from Barakan. Under a blood-red sunset, they spotted it. Supplies were running low anyway; perfect for resupply. And it meant they'd covered half the distance.

"Roof over our heads tonight. Let's go!"

They eagerly spurred their horses toward the village. Voices and cooking smells grew louder as they neared. Dinner time—they were starving.

"Food first when we get in."

Inside, they dismounted and hunted an inn. Decent-sized place, buzzing with life. Kids dragged home by moms after playing till dusk, laborers heading to the tavern, merchants hawking last calls. Nothing special made it special.

In this world of monster raids, demons, and human wars, "nothing happening" was a luxury.

"Inn first?"

Straight to it. They handed reins to a hawking kid and entered. A waitress scurried over.

"Welcome! Three of you? How many rooms? Meals?"

"Two rooms, meals too."

"Um... sorry, just one room left. It's big enough for three, though. What do you say?"

"No choice. That one."

"Yes, thank you! This way."

Yoahim signed the ledger, paid upfront, grabbed the key, and led the group in.

"Whoa, it's huge."

Probably the inn's best room. Only two beds, but spacious—fit four easy.

"No wonder it's pricey."

Money wasn't an issue after the pursuers' haul.

"Let's eat."

They stashed gear and headed down. The waitress bustled, loading the table: roast chicken, bean salad, grilled sausages, boiled eggs, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠rye porridge, two bread loaves, three beers. Worth every coin.

"Finally, a real meal."

Just two nights roughing it, but Yoahim savored it. Leon's "food is fuel" cooking sucked, and Sasha tried hard but it tasted like ass.

"This place cooks good."

"Agreed."

"Ooh, the bread's yummy."

Starved, they shoveled it down. Halfway through, mid-sip of cool beer, chuckling over chit-chat—

BAM!

The inn door flew open. Drunken louts snapped their heads around. Then paled at the newcomer.

Two reasons: dozens of soldiers lined up behind her. And her armor—pure white, splattered with blood, visor helmet dented to hell. Fresh from brutal combat, a knight through and through.

She raked back her golden hair roughly.

"W-w-welcome... wh-what brings you to our humble inn...?"

The waitress approached, trembling pitifully. The knight glanced at her, scanned the room, and spoke.

"I'm Holy Knight Kellyda. Intel says a demon worshipper's hiding in this village. I'm here for cooperation from locals and travelers."

"C-cooperation, ma'am?"

"This village is under my command and sealed as of now. Until we catch the demon worshipper. Want it lifted quick? Report any suspects. That's all."

Kellyda spun on her heel and left. Door shut, silence blanketed the inn—fear of demon worshippers, and her sheer presence. She looked seriously badass.

"What the hell? Demon worshipper in town?"

Yoahim whispered. Leon whispered back.

"Not you, right, Apostle? Impressive. Trouble follows you everywhere."

"Watch it. I'm no demon worshipper."

"But you got power from Haellagos."

"Didn't ask for it. And I don't worship demons—why label me?"

"Doesn't matter to them. Results do. Holy knights burn strict folks as witches too."

Witch hunts, huh. Yoahim muttered. Sasha added,

"Dangerous. Village sealed till search ends—our cover's blown eventually. We're not demon worshippers, but way worse in their eyes."

Kakali's Apostle beat any demon cultist. And Leon and Sasha? Dark elf Kakali followers. Kellyda wouldn't blink.

"Why broadcast it if they're hunting? Gives time to bolt."

"Holy knights don't hide. It's doctrine. 'The sun shines bright through clouds. Raellos is the sun god; his knights hiding is cowardice.'"

"Inefficient," Leon chimed in.

Yoahim agreed.

"So, what now? Stay and get nabbed? Sneak out tonight or dawn?"

"Best bet. Low ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠odds they snag the 'worshipper' before dark."

They nodded, plotting a late-night escape. Then a voice drew near, hooked by their talk.

"Sorry, mind if I join you?"

They whipped around at the soft tone. Brown-haired guy, meek vibe, eyes so narrow he looked half-asleep.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Just a commoner plotting bad deeds like you. Room for one more?"

His beaming smile screamed "harmless." But harmless types usually weren't. Yoahim knew that well.