[New System: The Sect is Liberated.]
[Sect Name]: d*ath God Sect
[Bishop]: Carami
[Followers]: 2,781 (+2,781 per week)
“…What?”
“Why so surprised?”
While moving to Lake Fortress, a sudden status window appeared, halting all thoughts and actions. Perka and Asies, who were ahead of me, turned back, looking at me with puzzled expressions.
“No, it’s nothing.”
“It looks like something if you’re that flustered.”
Well, how could I not be flustered when a screen just popped up out of nowhere? I can’t even explain it to anyone else.
What is this new system religion?
What is this d*ath God Sect?
Based on the circumstances, it seems to have been named after the d*ath God of the slave d*ath God. Given that my name is clearly listed in the Bishop section, it appears to be a sect that follows me.
‘But who would?’
Who on earth would honor me and even establish a sect?
A staggering 2,781 followers.
[A new believer has joined.]
[Followers]: 3,121.
…It just increased by 400 to reach 3,100. The number of believers is growing in real-time, and there’s even a system certification attached. This wasn’t even a feature during the game.
‘Is there really anyone who would do something like this?’
There is a main slave related to the sect, but he hasn’t appeared yet as he’s at the very end. Other than that, no one else comes to mind.
It seems that the sect system has some hidden functions unlocked, but unfortunately, it’s not the time to check in detail.
“Welcome. I am Linbar, the dwarven warrior from Doomheim. Welcome to Lake Fortress.”
A strong northern warrior, equipped with a bow, greets us. Today is the day we join Lake Fortress as promised. I need to earn the trust of Chief Darika and acquire Lazurite within a month.
Even if I’m not a key character in the story, there’s no harm in getting closer to the tribe members. I reached out my hand to Linbar to initiate a handshake.
“Nice to meet you. You are someone I didn’t see yesterday. To reintroduce myself, I am the slave merchant Carami.”
The wyverns appeared due to the dice of fate I rolled. A misfortune for the northerners, and if I hadn’t dealt with them, the story would have ended there. Luckily, we managed without significant damage.
As a result, the northern warriors were friendlier towards us than yesterday.
Clap!
But I was not included in that us.
Linbar swatted my hand away.
“Sorry, but I’m not fond of merchants, especially slave merchants. I’m only interested in the lady beside you.”
Ignoring me, he approached Asies.
“Hello, miss? I heard about you yesterday. You dealt with the wyvern pack, right?”
“…?”
“Ah~ It’s too bad I didn’t see it in person. I went out on an expedition and just returned this morning. If there’s a chance, I’d love to see your skills sometime.”
I’m her master.
He doesn’t seem to care about that.
Everything was done because I commanded it.
“Haha, I’ve raised a good slave.”
Praise me too.
“Why is your master so oblivious? Can’t even tell the right time to interfere. Ah, you just ruined my mood.”
Suddenly, one more person appeared that I wanted to make a slave of. I wanted to train him to say, ‘Master, you’re amazing!’
When I returned to Lake Fortress today, it had been fully restored overnight. I’d bet that was due to the efforts of those who worked tirelessly through the night.
We set up a tent in an empty area.
Right now in Lake Fortress. No, I can confidently say that anywhere in Isgangar, there’s no one who gets cold as easily as I do.
Even if I lived in a country where autumn turned to heavy snowfall overnight, there’s no way I could survive in a place where blizzards are a daily occurrence.
‘I want to turn off the cold. I want to turn on the air conditioner.’
I wish I could trigger global warming to melt all the snow in Isgangar. Or maybe some women somewhere should cuddle up to polar bears so they lose their habitat.
Of course, the feasibility of either scenario is low, so I can only raise the temperature as much as possible in the meantime. Thus, I made sure my tent was thoroughly prepared for warmth.
Thanks to the skills of the world’s best dwarves. This is why I can’t help but raise dwarf slaves.
Pat pat.
I took out the corn I brought and tossed it into the campfire. Roasted corn is a delicacy on a cold day.
The corn sizzles and fills the air with a delicious aroma. I sense movement outside the tent.
A sight I’ve never seen before, children from the village huddle together, feeling a warmth that can’t be sensed with just fire and fur clothing. Their dripping snot is both cute and pitiful.
Sure, growing up in Isgangar, they’re resistant to the cold, but it’s still cold, after all. As an adult, it’s only right to offer some warmth.
“Here you go, everyone. Aren’t you cold? Come in and have some delicious corn. I’ll also give you a chance to become my slave, of course, for free.”
“Why is becoming a slave free…?”
“Because you could become the slave of a generous master like me. If all the masters in the world were like me, this world would be divided into three groups. Masters and slaves.”
“What’s the last one?”
“Those who wish to become slaves, of course. And if you become a slave, you can be freed anytime you want, and if you don’t want to be a slave, you can just have the corn.”
“Really, you’ll give us corn…?”
Oh no, it seems there’s still a lack of trust.
“There are two things I hate most in the world, and one of them is lies.”
“What’s the other one?”
“Did I say there were two? I can’t quite remember.”
It seems they were properly educated not to follow strangers. If it were me, I would have rushed in to grab the corn, but the children here hesitate.
“What’s going on?”
Just when I was trying to show goodwill to the kids, Jorn approached with a scary expression.
“I was just trying to share some corn with the kids.”
“I thought I heard something about slaves.”
“I said I’d give them a chance if they wanted to become a slave.”
“Are you going to make the future of the tribe into slaves?”
“I understand your concerns, but I’m different. I treat my slaves with utmost sincerity. I don’t force them. It’s a loss for me if they do.”
How much money does it take to feed, shelter, and clothe them? Besides, I’m not in business, so I won’t even make them work.
Such kids offer me almost no points even if I free them. It’s volunteering in its truest sense.
But Jorn, living in a cold place, seemed to have his spirit frozen, twisting his face into a fierce expression. In a voice as cold as the chill of Isgangar, he said,
“Slave merchant. I won’t deny that I received help from your slave. But if I see you doing nonsense like this again, be prepared.”
“Do as you wish.”
Jorn’s gaze falls on the children.
“You all go back now. And don’t approach this tent carelessly.”
“Yes, yes….”
The children retreat in fright.
“Oh no, I had so much corn prepared for the kids, and if this goes on, it’ll be left over.”
I bit into the well-roasted corn.
It was perfectly roasted.
This tribe leader is so stubborn.
Even during the game, I wanted to kick him in the behind out of frustration.
“Did you just chase the kids away so you could eat all by yourself? Have you ever seen a more wicked person than a slave merchant? If you want to eat, just say you want more roasted corn.”
Jorn’s eyebrows twitch slightly.
Normally, that’s how people react when they’re angry.
“Or not.”
I continued to eat the corn while observing the situation outside the tent. The Northguard, reminiscent of Eskimos, are checking their gear and looking at their maps.
It’s obvious they’re busy.
“You seem to be going out hunting.”
“How did you know?”
“Don’t underestimate a slave merchant’s intuition.”
[The northern region is a harsh environment for humans to live in. Food is always scarce. Help the Northguard procure food!]
Was this about the gist of it?
Staying at Lake Fortress often triggered quests and events at any time. Every time a quest was completed, the favorability of the tribe members increased.
“A good opportunity, indeed. I will send Lady Asies along.”
“Our Northguard does not rely on outsiders’ help.”
“Have you already forgotten that you received Lady Asies’ help just yesterday?”
Jorn shuts his mouth.
It’s not hard to break through a barrier once; the second time isn’t anything special.
“If Lady Asies goes along, the work will become much easier. The risk of accidents will also decrease dramatically.”
“All the Northguard warriors are skilled. They never let their guard down. Accidents won’t happen.”
“What you’re doing right now is letting your guard down. Don’t you know that the battlefield is where any variable can occur?”
“…….”
“As the chief of a tribe, you should care more about the safety of your tribe members than trivial pride. You may not believe me, but you can certainly trust Lady Asies, can’t you?”
Jorn, who had been quietly looking down at the corn kernels, turned his back.
“…Do as you please. If it gets in our way, I will abandon it. Don’t blame us then.”
He just dropped those words and left.
‘Kya. Using logic to pin him down~’
He couldn’t argue back, so he hurried away, right?
He has enough pride to at least say one more thing before leaving.
The warriors of the Northguard protect the northern regions, but in a way, they can be seen as versatile workers who do everything.
Slaying monsters, procuring food, and more.
In a particularly barren northern land where agriculture is difficult, the procurement of food is crucial. They need to hunt monsters or animals for meat and acquire hides to withstand the cold.
It’s directly connected to survival.
Sending Asies on such a task will yield significant benefits in terms of favorability.
“Don’t cause any trouble while you’re out. Just follow along and catch what needs catching. If you happen to get lost, look for the gorge from a high place. Got it?”
“Is Lammi… not going…?”
“Everyone has their own roles.”
I’m not sure if she understands properly, but anyway, Asies nodded her head. She can’t do much on her own, but she does things well when instructed, so there shouldn’t be any major problems.
“Come back safely!”
“Bring back lots of delicious meat!”
The hunting party departs amid the villagers’ cheers.
People are returning to their own tasks.
With the hunting party gone, the village has become quite deserted.
‘Then shall I start my own work now?’
With the village guard’s vigilance relaxed, it’s time for some covert operations.
