Chapter 168
Chapter 168
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: Vassals' Rampage 5
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The square was still packed with people burning with anger and drowned in grief. They had fled Koral Sahar after a sudden typhoon stripped them of their homes and livelihoods, only to suffer attacks from humans inexplicably turned into monsters. Their fury and sorrow had nowhere to go, driving them to the brink of insanity.
In front of such people, every word and every action had to be handled with extreme caution.
“W-What in the world is going on? Why are people turning into monsters…?”
“They killed my family! What happened?!”
“P-People are saying only those who took the Blue Banner Sect’s elixir turned into monsters—is that true?”
“No, the Daoist wouldn’t do such a thing!”
“It’s that woman! The weird woman and the clowns who attacked us…!”
“Yeah, the clowns!”
The crowd was recalling Arael’s group, who had disguised themselves as traveling merchants performing acrobatics.
Beside them, people—whether Blue Banner Sect members or just ordinary folk—were trying to redirect the crowd’s ire toward Arael’s group.
“Everyone, calm down first. And you all—how did you regain your senses?”
Azadin pointed at the ones who had been vassals but had come back to their senses.
“That’s…”
“The Daoist brought us back to our senses.”
“See? The Blue Banner Sect’s Daoist saved you from your rampage with his arts. If not for the Blue Banner Sect’s power, this disaster would have been far worse.”
As Azadin openly took the Blue Banner Sect’s side, its members inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
However, since the sect had a history of bullying and thuggery, others voiced their distrust.
“But why did this happen in the first place?”
“Most of those who turned into monsters had taken the Blue Banner Sect’s elixir—are you really saying the sect bears no responsibility?”
At that, the Blue Banner Sect members immediately shifted all blame to the clowns—that is, Arael’s tribe, who had infiltrated the refugee camp disguised as peddlers.
“Those clowns poisoned it, I’m telling you! No doubt about it.”
“No! The Blue Banner Sect’s elixir was laced with poison!”
The crowd devolved into chaos, spinning all sorts of conspiracy theories amid their anxiety.
“Everyone, calm down!”
As Azadin spoke, he invoked the Emperor’s Voice.
The artificial spirit attached to the Emperor’s herald amplified Azadin’s voice, sending a powerful tone that didn’t sound like one man’s across the square.
“Ah.”
“…….”
Everyone in the crowd turned their attention to Azadin.
“As the blood of the Yaegas divine tribe dilutes, the King’s Radiance weakens and the momentum of Jupiter rises, the blood of the ancient gods sunk in Netherstrom begins to boil.”
Azadin drew a deep breath and proclaimed the prophecy of the Age of Jupiter in a clear, resounding voice.
“This is the Age of Jupiter. This horrific incident… and the storm in Koral Sahar… all stem from the power of the Nether.”
There was no lie in these words right now. The Blue Banner Sect had indeed spread what they called an elixir infused with Nether power, but every mishap was undeniably caused by that same force.
“Fortunately, a powerful new king now sits upon the Royal Throne of Koral Sahar. Those who came from there should return at once and prepare for the coming Age of Jupiter.”
Azadin said this, then called for the Blue Banner Sect Daoist.
“Yes?”
“Select some reliable people to escort a portion of the refugees heading back to Koral Sahar.”
If those who had taken the Blue Banner Sect’s elixir gathered in one place, it would be akin to the followers of the Reaper performing a ritual.
In other words, to prevent future incidents, the sect’s members needed to be dispersed.
“Ah, understood.”
The Blue Banner Sect Daoist was in no position to question Azadin’s orders now.
“But moving so many people will require food and supplies.”
“Use the stockpiles the Blue Banner Sect has gathered so far.”
“Yes? But that won’t be nearly enough…”
Azadin clicked his tongue and handed over some money.
He had amassed a considerable fortune over time. Yet even that vast sum felt insufficient when trying to feed refugees and others.
“Use this to help manage them.”
“Ah, th-thank you.”
“And we’re heading to Btuma—could you write a letter of recommendation so we can get cooperation from Blue Banner Sect members we meet there?”
“A r-recommendation letter? O-Of course. No, not just that—take this…”
The Blue Banner Sect Daoist handed Azadin an ornate baton as thick as his forearm.
“What’s this?”
“It’s the Blue Banner Sect’s baton. It symbolized my position… I’ll write the recommendation letter, so take this as well.”
“…….”
Azadin was speechless at the Daoist offering him what was essentially his credentials.
‘Is this guy just dumping it and running? Passing the buck to me? He calls himself a Blue Banner Sect Daoist, but he’s really a mid-level cult officer, isn’t he? No perks, just endless headaches—and he’s shoving the position at me like it’s charity?’
Such doubts arose, but… thinking ahead to Btuma, it was better to accept.
“If I take this, what happens to you?”
Perhaps irritated, thorns crept into Azadin’s voice.
“I’ve realized my own shortcomings and intend to yield the Daoist position to you.”
The Daoist must have known Azadin would find it awkward, yet he brazenly pushed it on him anyway.
“You don’t become a Daoist just by taking a baton like this, do you? Isn’t it a position appointed by your Heavenly Lord? Can you hand it over so easily?”
“The Heavenly Lord instructed us to gladly yield our positions whenever we feel inadequate. For any parts of the Blue Banner Sect’s laws or structure you don’t know, I’ll stay by your side and assist.”
That meant, at least, the Daoist wasn’t planning to pocket the money and flee.
Azadin glanced at his companions.
“What do you think? It’s fine, right?”
Shati gave a half-hearted reply.
‘Truth be told, I joined the Blue Banner Sect on purpose, so getting the Daoist title is actually welcome. Just didn’t expect it to happen this easily.’
The moment Azadin had laid eyes on the Blue Banner Sect, he had disguised himself as a lay follower to gauge the organization and, if possible, use it. But suddenly becoming a high-ranking officer?
“So, what’s your name?”
“I’m Giswa. And you…”
“Didn’t I introduce myself already?”
“You said Adan. But that’s a pseudonym, isn’t it?”
“Why do you think that?”
“You travel armed in a group, exuding extraordinary skill and presence. My guess is you were probing us from the moment you approached.”
In truth, Giswa, the Blue Banner Sect Daoist, had suspected Azadin’s group from the start. A band wandering armed but not looking like merchants—what else could they be but sellswords or bandits? That’s why he had ordered an investigation into another suspicious faction, Arael’s crew.
“You knew that and still handed over the Daoist position? Fine. My real name is Azadin.”
“You’re of the Herald clan. That explains the extraordinary air.”
“How did you spot that I’m a Herald right away?”
“Isn’t Azadin a Herald name? When the Herald clan shipwrecked on Whubris, their landing spot was Btuma. The area around Btuma still holds much knowledge about the Herald clan—or rather, the Aragasa. If you wish to hide your identity, you’d be better off sticking with the alias Adan in Btuma.”
“But can I, the Emperor’s Herald, also serve as a Blue Banner Sect Daoist?”
Azadin raised that point.
Giswa, this Blue Banner Sect Daoist, surely knew that someone who was the Emperor’s Herald wouldn’t be swayed by the sect’s ideology. Yet…
“These are chaotic times, aren’t they? It shouldn’t matter.”
Giswa had initially suspected Azadin, but after surviving thanks to him in this incident, his attitude had completely flipped. He seemed genuinely impressed and eager to hand over his position.
If it were an earldom or throne, it would be a fine example of yielding power gracefully. But handing over a mid-level cult role felt like forcing a poisoned chalice on Azadin.
‘I planned to infiltrate the Blue Banner Sect for reconnaissance, but now that they’ve laid out the welcome mat like this, it leaves a bad taste.’
Gibek felt much the same unease.
Just a few months ago, he had been a model holy knight. Now he traveled with the Herald clan, an orc necromancer, and soon a blood sorcerer from a cult.
Of course, it was all due to Lord Zekt’s misdeeds, and he held no doubts about Azadin’s character. But to outsiders unaware of that, Gibek would seem utterly corrupted.
“Honestly, I know nothing about the Blue Banner Sect’s teachings. You really think I can be a Daoist?”
“I know the teachings. And… if that rampage really stemmed from a structural flaw as that woman claimed, then the sect’s teachings and organization don’t align. In practicing the teachings, you—who emptied your own coffers out of concern for the refugees—are already exemplary.”
Like most cults, the Blue Banner Sect’s doctrines were filled with nothing but noble words.
Giswa’s argument was that since Azadin actually lived those fine words, he was fit to be Daoist.
‘This guy’s sharper than he lets on. I need to watch him.’
Azadin realized Giswa had seen through his intentions.
No matter how he spun it, Azadin needed the Blue Banner Sect’s network.
That’s why Giswa knew he’d accept this outrageous demand in the end.
‘What’s his angle? Guess I’ll have to find out myself.’
Though wary of Giswa, Azadin accepted his offer.
“Then guide us to Btuma, Giswa.”
“Yes, Daoist Azadin.”
“Already using the title? Just call me Azadin. Beyond Btuma, use Adan.”
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Azadin received the Daoist position from Giswa, the Blue Banner Sect Daoist, along with a map of the lands around Btuma.
Not only that—Giswa decided to guide him personally, and some Blue Banner Sect members followed, along with a portion of the refugees.
“We want to go to Btuma too.”
“I want to find work in Btuma.”
“There’s no food or jobs here, and the bad air keeps spreading disease.”
As more people asked to join for Btuma, Giswa looked troubled and turned to Azadin.
Now that Azadin was the leader, the decision rested with him.
“Let’s go together.”
Azadin permitted their company.
His group’s prowess made the journey no great threat, but for refugees, roadside beasts, monsters, and bandits posed real dangers.
“Shall we head to Btuma then? Wait, Giswa—if I’m a Daoist, that means I can meet this Heavenly Lord of yours, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Looking forward to it.”
In Btuma, where invasion by the Naga Empire loomed, convincing the leaders of the Blue Banner Sect could prove a great asset.
‘Even if not, I have to stop these people from turning into rampaging vassals. Fighting the nagas will be tough enough without the sect causing chaos. I hope the Heavenly Lord is reasonable.’
Azadin set out, anticipating his meeting with the Blue Banner Sect’s Heavenly Lord.