Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Toward Valkeros

#21

Pantheon.

A word with two meanings in the dictionary.

1. The grand temple built in the capital that enshrines all the gods of the world.

2. An expression that collectively refers to the divine beings enshrined in the aforementioned temple.

In most cases 2 is used.

The message that just rose before Bran’s eyes was the same.

It meant that the gods had noticed the existence of the individual called “Bran,” and the fact that he was a talent who could be helpful to them.

『Lakus, the Friend of All Companions, shows slight interest in you.』

『Karibarie, the Shaman of the Festival, shows slight interest in you.』

As expected messages rose right away.

Both are good-aligned gods. Perhaps because they govern domains opposing Igra they seemed particularly interested.

‘Glad. Although they are gods outside of interest.’

Interaction with the Pantheon is one of the major systems of Return Road.

An element where the setting that it is a world where gods exist is well revealed.

A player’s specific actions attract the gods’ interest and create opportunities to communicate with them.

Doing good deeds receives the protection of good gods, doing evil deeds receives the protection of evil gods, and so on.

The good point of getting close to gods is above all blessings!

Blessings as diverse as the types of gods allowed the player to enjoy more colorful play.

‘There were cases where completing exclusive quests would bestow holy relics or manifest miracles.’

However, becoming a believer of a specific god was a problem that needed sufficient consideration.

The grace the gods bestow is sweet, but there were also plenty of cases where they force sacrifices or strange rules.

As can be seen just from the case of Igra right away.

A message rose again.

『The Morning Goddess Rawiena shows slight interest in you.』

『You attracted the attention of a Mid-God for the first time! Divine Power increases slightly.』

“Det.”

Bran’s eyes widened.

Today’s first big shot.

From the point that the word “goddess” was directly included in the title one could tell it was of a different rank from the previous two gods.

It seemed the appearance of fighting while borrowing her power remained impressive.

I’m already receiving a lot of help Goddess.

The creation of the Divine Power stat was also a very glad thing.

‘The higher Divine Power the better. Glad I could make it this quickly.’

A certain amount of Divine Power was a great help in game play.

The effect of blessings is also strengthened, and the influence transmitted to divine beings becomes greater.

There were also quite a lot of maps or quests that could only be entered if Divine Power was above a certain value.

Even if there is no need to specialize like a holy knight or priest, there was nothing bad about it being high.

“Coming was good.”

Bran smiled.

The saying that it is seven parts luck and three parts skill does not exist for nothing.

Knowledge as a gamer also played a big role, but if he had not accidentally encountered Leodorn he would not have come here. How fortunate the old man’s voice is loud.

However, the fact that the god Bran wanted did not show interest was a slightly regrettable part.

‘This much is insufficient right. Because it’s not an ordinary god.’

But the stack of showing interest would be accumulating steadily.

Because it’s a divine being that is extremely shy.

Unlike a Great God surpassing Rawiena.

“Uuu··· dizzy···.”

“Kale.”

It was then.

Kale’s voice was heard from behind.

The guy was sitting on the floor while covering his forehead.

A radiance that had become even more brilliant was wavering over the platinum hair.

“Are you okay?”

“Uung. No particularly more painful places.”

“Good work. To be fine even after doing the purification prayer, as expected you are a guy with talent.”

It was not empty words.

The purification prayer Kale had just performed was a dangerous act that could die in the worst case.

Pushing out divine rank with divine rank, extremely speaking it was a ritual no different from war.

If Kale’s talent, and the gap between Rawiena and Igra was not large he would not have made him do it in the first place.

Grabbing his hand and raising him, Bran asked.

“You also felt that your power strengthened right?”

“···Yes. And I heard Lady Rawiena’s voice for the first time.”

“What?”

Bran’s eyes narrowed.

“What did she say to you?”

“She said she would watch over me. It wasn’t a feeling of loving a lot, but still a sign of being glad was tinged.”

“Heng, that must be so.”

It was a natural thing.

The purification prayer was one of the best gifts that could be offered to a god.

As beings who obtain power through faith, there is no god who dislikes expanding influence.

“Didn’t she say why she avoids you?”

“Yes. I asked anyway··· she ignored that.”

Really a god one knows yet doesn’t know.

“But at the end she said thank you. Very softly.”

“Rawiena? She used her heart greatly once.”

Bran admired lowly.

For that haughty goddess to express thanks.

Whatever the circumstances, it was certain she does not sincerely dislike Kale.

‘It’s not that the secret is completely solved, but for now this much should be fine.’

A sigh of relief came out.

It seemed there would be no case of not being able to use Morning’s Blessing in the future.

Of course even if he lost that power he was thinking of taking this kid around.

The secret of Kale and Rawiena would definitely have an opportunity to be found out during the journey.

“Anyway good work. Thank you for following well.”

“Uung, no. If it wasn’t for Bran I wouldn’t have heard Lady Rawiena’s voice either··· I’m glad I could be helpful to Bran.”

Looking up at Bran, Kale smiled brightly.

Bran let out a hollow laugh.

“···Huh.”

The moonlight breaking on the eyelashes was beautiful.

Without exaggeration it was really a face like an angel from a mural.

This is a man. Surprising to the point of getting angry.

Turning his head, Leodorn who was still fainted was visible.

“Ugeok. Geobeup.”

“Let’s go uncle. If you sleep in a place like this your mouth will go crooked.”

Bran carried Leodorn on his back.

Perhaps because he had done strength work when young the body was sturdier than expected.

Just as he was about to exit the chapel, a translucent window rose before his eyes.

『You cleaned up Melheim, the village that serves the evil god Igra!』

『You accomplished a heroic march confronting numerous evils. Weed’s Tenacity activates!』

『The growth speed of Mental Power and dark attribute damage resistance increases.』

Bran smiled.

At this rate he might become a dark killer not inferior to a holy knight later.

A day trip with a lot gained.

He himself obtained stats and the gods’ interest, Kale obtained an opportunity to recover a better blessing and the goddess’s trust.

Before exiting the chapel, Bran who slightly turned back muttered.

“Rest in peace.”

Of course it was words directed not at the cultists but at the victims.

Peaceful silence was wrapping the chapel where moonlight was cast.

No more screams would be heard. At least here.

Thud. The chapel door closed.

****

Fortunately the wagon was fine.

“Ooh, it’s safe!”

“Hihihing.”

Leodorn who discovered the wagon and mules ran barefoot.

Whether the purpose was purely to offer only people as sacrifices, the cargo inside had not been touched yet.

Bran, Kale, and Leodorn collected items worth collecting and left the cultist village.

“It all feels like a dream.”

Leodorn muttered while looking at the village where no one would live anymore.

The subsequent journey continued smoothly.

Unlike the escorts’ threats the Crow Bandit Group did not appear.

Since the Imperial Knight Order had stepped forward it was a natural thing.

Imagining Spera who would be receiving “interrogation” in the capital’s prison by now a smile came out automatically.

“Seems completely ruined. Oh my how twisted.”

They went straight up the main road for a whole month.

The tropical mugginess gradually disappeared, but still since it was summer the heat was the same.

An afternoon when he was sitting leaning inside the wagon as always.

Bran who was vigorously fanning with his hand frowned.

“Aren’t you hot? At least take off some clothes on top.”

“Hek··· I’m fine··· heek, endurable···.”

Kale shook his head.

Unlike the words that it was endurable the appearance of panting like a dog in May and June was impressive.

Thinking about it he had never seen the guy take off clothes.

Even if Weed’s Tenacity activates it is heat that would not be strange, a tough guy.

“Fuck, I can’t endure at all. Even if I become black I have to get some wind.”

“Uung. Go and come back···.”

In the end Bran who could not overcome the heat ran out of the wagon.

Kale who was waving his hand while swaying muttered softly.

“······As expected should I have said it then.”

Not revealing the gender was becoming a little regretful.

If he had said the fact that he was a woman he would have been in a much cooler attire.

A month ago, when conversing in the cultist village he thought he should have just said it.

“No. This is right.”

However he soon shook his head.

If Bran rejected him for the reason that women are troublesome, or acted awkwardly for no reason he had no confidence to endure.

“Of course Bran wouldn’t do that but···.”

Kale just liked the current closeness.

Speaking without barriers, naturally doing light touches, casually throwing off clothes···.

“Hehe.”

Kale let out a gloomy laugh.

It was one of the reasons he could endure the heat.

Bran’s body trained like a beast did not get boring no matter how many times he looked.

Broad shoulders, sweat flowing along the abs.

Continuing impious thoughts, Kale closed his eyes and muttered.

“I’m sorry Lady Rawiena···.”

He knew himself too.

That it was an impious mindset unsuitable for a person serving a high-ranking goddess who governs the morning, born of noble blood.

But what can be done about the eyes going there!

It was while he was continuing the fight with himself.

“Kale! Come out here!”

“Hiiik?!”

Suddenly Bran’s voice rang out from the roof.

Kale placed a hand on his pounding chest and asked back.

“Wh-what’s the matter?”

“If I say come out just come out you peanut-like guy has a lot of words! I said come up here!”

“Uuu··· outside is hotter···.”

Kale said that but obediently came out of the cargo area.

Standing on the roof of the wagon a blue sky without a single cloud unfolded.

Hwaaak! Platinum hair flipped in the blowing gust.

“···Not bad.”

It was much better than inside the wagon.

The sun is hot but it seems the wind is definitely cool.

Perhaps because it was a plain area the sky was wide open.

Bran was looking at the front of the wagon with his arms crossed.

“Bran?”

“There. In front.”

Bran extended his index finger.

The moment he turned his head following that finger, Kale’s eyes widened round.

“Wow···!”

A barrier red like the sunset was cast on the horizon.

The Red Mountains, the southern shield of the empire, and crossing the south and center.

At the tip of the main road extending to the mountains the city’s lights were wavering.

“Finally arrived. That is Valkeros.”

“There···!”

Bran’s index finger moved to the light.

It was a long and long journey.

Just as said in front of Blackstone Fortress it took exactly two months.

Leodorn who was sitting on the driver’s seat smoking turned to the two.

“Good work. At this speed we’ll arrive tomorrow morning.”

“Uncle you also worked hard a lot. What to do having received so much help.”

“What help! If it wasn’t for you guys I would have been offered as a sacrifice long ago. I would have lost the wagon of course and even my life. Don’t have even a hair’s worth of sorry feelings.”

In fact that was also correct words.

Bran smiled without words and only nodded.

“But by any chance···.”

“Yes?”

Suddenly Leodorn dragged out the end of his words.

Looking around with a whoosh he asked back as if whispering.

“You guys. By any chance no thought of doing one deal with me?”

“A deal?”

“Yes. With your skills it will absolutely not be a difficult matter. You won’t change destinations in Valkeros either.”

Leodorn removed the pipe he had been holding in his mouth.

A movement not seen usually.

Why is this old man suddenly like this?

“Huuuuu···.”

Spitting out white smoke, Leodorn continued in a voice that would appear in a noir movie.

“I will make a proposal you cannot refuse.”

“A proposal you cannot refuse···!”

It was a famous line from a movie he liked.

This makes the heart pound.

Facing him still, Bran answered decisively.

“I don’t want to.”

“Wh-what?! Cough, cough!”

Leodorn who choked began to cough fiercely.

Flustered and spitting smoke from nose and mouth it was like a magician who failed magic.

Bran giggled.

“It’s a joke. Since you concluded it cannot be refused some rebellious nature arose.”

“Haaaa··· so it was that. Please don’t tease this old man.”

“What kind of proposal is it that you’re like that? Now looking your face has become clean too.”

There was a clear difference compared to last night.

Gray hair parted and swept back, a beard trimmed stylishly like an English gentleman.

Although the shabby attire was the same a strange richness was tinged.

“Now we have to enter Valkeros. We have to have the minimum dignity.”

“Good. You look extremely rich.”

“Thank you. Before entering the main point I should first explain my circumstances.”

After pausing for a moment Leodorn continued.

“I was originally an executive of a large merchant group. Have you by any chance heard of the White Silver Pine Merchant Group?”

“What the fuck?”

Too surprised a curse came out naturally.

Of course he had heard of it. Very much so.