Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Green Banner's Heavenly Lord 3
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It wasn't just because Jis liked him as a person that he handed the priest position over to Azadin. He had deliberately passed it on to draw someone as powerful as Azadin into their fight.
And Azadin needed it too.
With plots from both the Council of Elders and Arahel unfolding against the Btuma Kingdom, he needed an organization to counter them—even if it was a cult.
"Hmm. I was planning to treat travelers to some tea and have a pleasant time."
Gimela sounded regretful that things hadn't gone as expected.
"You gonna drink tea from you people now? After seeing what happened in Adiloph?"
Azadin said that, but still took a seat at the table.
"But who's that muscle hunk besides you?"
"Scott McGreen."
"Oh? Hmm. Impressive. Any interest in a Btuma-style oil massage?"
"......"
Scott glanced at Azadin upon hearing Gimela's blatant seduction.
"What? Are you two lovers?"
Gimela asked in surprise, realizing Scott was seeking Azadin's permission.
"No way. He's just asking for my strategic judgment. Like, is there any benefit to sleeping with you? But you, seriously. Out with a kid and still overflowing with thoughts of adultery."
"This is commonplace in the Btuma court. This kid'll learn all these pleasures in time too."
Azadin's rebuke had no emotional impact on Gimela. Whether it truly was nothing in Btuma or just how she felt, it was clear she felt no pangs of conscience about affairs.
"Perfect timing—it's a safe day, so I was thinking of working off some sedentary fatigue. Really no interest? After a long trip, it'd be a nice change of pace and ease your body's weariness."
"With all due respect, madam. This body doesn't particularly fancy physical activities that build muscle like that."
"...From the name McGreen, I suspected, but you're an orc after all."
Gimela realized Scott was an orc from his reluctance to build muscle.
"Of course. These muscles, this intellect—who but we orcs could shine with such gifts?"
As Scott spoke, Gimela licked her lips.
"I hear orcs have incredible stamina."
"No, enough."
Azadin cut between Gimela and Scott. Even if both parties consented, even if it was common in Btuma, he couldn't tolerate brazen adultery in front of a child.
"Anyway, we came to discuss something with you."
"Discuss? What about?"
"The nagas will attack Btuma's capital soon. Just like what happened to Koral Sahar. On top of that, ogres are launching relentless assaults from the north. And behind them are the Heralds."
Azadin explained in detail the Heralds' schism, their factions' aims, and exactly what had gone down in Koral Sahar to persuade Gimela.
"Good lord. You're a Herald? Impressive! Second Herald—that's a seriously high rank, right?"
Gimela was astonished when Azadin revealed he was a Herald.
"Take off the helmet and show your face? With a voice like that, you must be handsome."
'This woman. I'm talking about the kingdom teetering on the brink, and...'
Azadin was annoyed by her request to see his face but removed his helmet anyway.
"Ah. What a shame. A rare handsome guy, and wasted. Still, your body's pretty sturdy? Not orc-level, but those muscles... Oh, interested in a Btuma oil massage? If you're game, how about with one of my other concubines and that orc."
"No, this isn't the time. Sigh."
Azadin sighed at Gimela, who was impossible to reason with.
"Looks like they're planning to invade Korasar, but we'll get hit first. So convince Count Kimahji to send some troops north and some to aid Btuma. And ask the Green Banner Heavenly Lord to set aside pointless ambitions or grudges against Korasar and help defend Btuma."
"Well, I'm grateful you revealed yourself and all, but you have to consider our side too."
"Your side?"
"Yeah. Including Kimahji, the whole Btuma Kingdom was planning to invade Korasar. Now some guy from Korasar shows up saying monsters—not them—are coming, so focus there instead of war. Who'd listen?"
"Even after seeing Koral Sahar get ransacked, you haven't grasped it?"
"If anything, with Koral Sahar in chaos right now, they might see it as an even better opportunity. Plus, a Herald woman seized Koral Sahar's throne, right? And you're a Herald too. Though you claim you're a third force not aligned with any Herald faction... You've gotta be believable."
"......"
"So how about I make a proposal?"
"A proposal?"
"Even if you meet my father—the Heavenly Lord—with that info, you won't convince him. Why not do as I suggest? Then I can sway him."
"What's the proposal?"
"Plunder the Green Banner Cult's holy site. His body."
"...The holy site—where your father got struck by lightning?"
"Yeah. Where the Nether god Grimsrowan's body is. If you loot it and claim Grimsrowan's relic, even Father couldn't ignore you. And if the Green Banner moves, Btuma's king couldn't turn away either. The Green Banner's overtaken the King's Church and Salvation Knights as the dominant faith now."
"Grimsrowan's body. What exactly is it?"
"In the swamp, there's a stump of Grimsrowan's ancient tree protruding. Father was resting atop it when lightning struck, turning him into his kin. We've tried cutting it off and hauling it to Btuma several times since, but Nether monsters always showed up and foiled it."
"If I retrieve that body, can I definitely exert influence over the Green Banner Cult?"
"Probably. Though it's impossible for a mere human. Even our cult's warriors and priests couldn't do it. But if you're truly the soulless blasphemer, the godslayer who massacred the new gods? A Second Herald at that—the top echelon of the Heralds? Should be doable, right?"
"Hmm."
Azadin frowned at Gimela's words.
This woman was trying to use him. But talking to others instead... They wouldn't be convinced either.
Rumors said a Herald took Koral Sahar's throne.
So if Azadin introduced himself as a Herald, they'd think the Heralds who swallowed Korasar whole were spouting nonsense to buy time.
The nagas aren't idiots. After already doing a favor for others in Koral Sahar once, why do it again in Btuma? They'd say.
"I'll think about it. But can you arrange a meeting with Count Kimahji?"
"My husband? Hmm. Doubt it'd do any good."
"Still, introduce me."
"It's best if you don't see him and just do as I say."
"...Hey, Komo Sal. You're a Green Banner priest, so you can get me in to see the count, right?"
"Ah, the lady's right. The count's consumed by ambitions against Korasar. He won't abandon them over a few words."
Even Jis agreed.
"Yes. The count's... just not persuadable. Unless it's pillow talk."
"Huh? Pillow talk?"
"The count's a bit of a libertine."
"......"
"He likes orcs."
"Ah. Got it. Scott, great. Let's convince him thoroughly."
"No, boss."
Scott clicked his tongue at Azadin's sudden shift.
*********
Count Kimahji welcomed Azadin's group readily.
Flanked by muscular men, he smiled from his bedchamber couch.
"Well now, what fine slabs of muscle."
The count eyed Scott and smacked his lips.
"......"
Looks like Scott's a hit here too.
Azadin relayed to Count Kimahji exactly what he'd told Gimela, but the count's response was lukewarm.
"Not that I don't trust you. You seem genuine in believing the Heralds will invade Btuma too. But isn't it possible disinformation? Right now, the King's Church is attacking Koral Sahar. They can't tolerate Heralds taking the throne."
"But the King's Church stepping in now won't..."
"The Heralds probably don't have that luxury either. They'll be busy defending Koral Sahar. Once the King's Church deems it unrestorable on their own, they'll naturally seek alliances from neighboring states. And Btuma isn't the barbaric wasteland northerners imagine. Sure, plagued by malaria, but that means massive rice and bean yields to support the population, plus abundant gold mines."
Btuma was dismissed as black land and frontier by outsiders due to its endemic diseases, vast jungles, and hidden naga empire. In truth, it held the second-largest territory among the Eight Kingdoms, with huge population and economy.
Without those boons, no one would endure the diseases to live here.
Thus, Btuma's nobles harbored pride alongside an inferiority complex.
Their governance never got fair credit, leaving them desperate to expand their power.
"So anyway, that fellow—any thoughts on exploring new carnal delights?"
The count showed more interest in Scott's body than Azadin's warning.
*********
In the end, persuading the count came to nothing.
To wield influence in Btuma now as Gimela suggested, raiding the Green Banner Cult's holy site for Grimsrowan's 'marsh stump' body and using it to sway the Heavenly Lord seemed the faster path than convincing the elites.
"Whew. Suddenly everything feels repulsive."
Azadin was deeply disappointed by Btuma's leaders, who ignored naga threats and prioritized their ambitions over the people's lives.