Fortunately, I wasn’t caught.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know.”
“Is that so? What a pity.”
Felix made a regretful expression. Evan felt perplexed.
How would I know about that place?
Gloria.
A new pagan group.
So far, there has been no information revealed about Gloria.
‘I’ve heard somewhere that remnants of the pagans were recently wiped out…’
A force that eradicates criminal organizations or remnants of pagans.
Other than that, nothing is known.
Some say it’s a righteous group, while others call them a criminal organization.
Some claim it’s a small elite group of around ten members, while others insist it’s a large organization with thousands of members.
It would be easier if we could at least believe one person.
The phrase “For the Glory” they leave behind at the end is also incomprehensible.
I just think it looks like some kind of emblem.
In a short period, they have destroyed two drug fields and remnants of pagans.
According to the duke, the royal family is watching them closely too.
‘Since their activity range is within the empire, their base must be in the empire.’
Crossing borders?
Unlikely.
Maybe once or twice, but doing it multiple times is hard.
Communicating from afar?
That’s impossible.
Enemy nations, after all.
Unless it’s the future, it’s almost impossible now.
Since this group didn’t exist in the original story, Evan had no clue either.
Evan glanced at Felix with a slightly suspicious eye.
‘How does he know about it?’
Felix, son of Elim, is a wandering knight on a pilgrimage seeking true strength.
By the way, who is Elim? The game never mentioned him. He’s probably Felix’s father or lord.
He has a good character; he doesn’t avoid injustice when he sees it, though he doesn’t chase after it either.
Being a wandering knight for the sake of strength rather than justice…
‘Eventually, he will give up his dream of becoming a Swordmaster.’
Until then, Felix will endlessly agonize and wander aimlessly.
By the way, his sense of direction is genuinely terrible.
Never seen someone who can get lost as much as he does.
‘Isn’t he still similar now?’
With two and a half years left until the main story begins, if he hasn’t improved by then, he’s obviously still directionally challenged.
Felix sighed regretfully.
“We don’t know much about that organization in the empire either. That’s why I’m heading to the Kingdom of Demesia to check if they’re abroad.”
“I see.”
“I paid quite a hefty sum to the Information Guild, but it was disappointing.”
“…What kind of hefty sum?”
It was useless chatter, yet intriguing.
Does Felix even have money?
As a wandering knight, shouldn’t he be poor?
“I paid a life-saving hefty sum.”
“…”
Crazy guy.
Evan took a step back.
Isis nodded.
“You got off cheaply.”
“…”
Evan stepped back another two steps.
Though inside the carriage, it didn’t hold much meaning.
“In light of that, I’d like to ask for your help.”
“?”
“I’ll pay a fair price. Allow me to accompany you to the Kingdom of Demesia.”
“No paying with lives.”
“Where are such crazy people?”
You.
“Although I’m a poor wandering knight, I do carry a few items to pay as compensation.”
Felix tried to rummage through his belongings but remembered he was still tightly bound by magical ropes.
“Could you untie this for me?”
“I’ll take them out myself and look.”
Lapis wiggled her finger.
The rope slid and rummaged through his belongings automatically.
Felix, only lowering his head, commented.
“Hmm, it feels strange. Do you have a grudge against me?”
“No.”
Lapis coldly replied.
Lapis pulled out several items with the thread.
Not just one, but several old bundles appeared.
Felix blinked.
“That’s not mine to give.”
“Consider it payment for sparing your life.”
Lapis unraveled the bundles with the threads.
“Where’s the guarantee you won’t harm Evan?”
“That’s…”
“And earlier, you said you saved your life by paying the Information Guild for information, right?”
Sharp threads tightened around his neck, ready to sever it if needed.
Wow! Scary!
“Let’s do something similar.”
“Hmm.”
Surprisingly, Felix agreed.
“You’re generous. I’ll give everything I have. Please spare my life.”
Quick decision.
Lapis smiled contentedly.
Evan, however, felt conflicted.
‘…Did I raise her wrong?’
Still, she reads moral books every day…
Should I make her read the Bible instead of moral books now?
He seriously considered it, although teaching her assassination techniques might already be too late.
“Let’s see… Is there anything useful?”
Isis rummaged through the bundles, seemingly familiar with the process.
She was a princess, but this seemed acceptable somehow.
“Oh!”
Isis found an item and her eyes sparkled.
“Heart of Sand Golem! This is quite rare!”
“Ah, I got lost and mistakenly entered a natural dungeon.”
Felix kindly added an explanation.
“There was a boss, so I just took the heart.”
“Oh, it’s in good condition… Not bad. You’ve got skills?”
“Would I randomly go on a pilgrimage otherwise?”
His tone was filled with pride and satisfaction.
Lapis, unimpressed, added sarcastically,
“Even so, you were suppressed by me.”
“Talent differences are inevitable, aren’t they?”
Felix calmly replied.
“Rather than despair over that, I plan to work harder each day.”
Unexpectedly healthy mindset.
Not just healthy but remarkably admirable.
‘How did he get broken then?’
This curiosity grew.
Does it have anything to do with Elim?
“The other items… Are they all obtainable in the desert?”
Huge cactus roots, Heart of Sand Golem, Sandworm teeth.
All quite useful items.
They would sell for high prices in both the empire and Demesia.
“Because I’ve been here for a while.”
“When did you come here?”
“About a week ago, I think.”
“So, since you departed from the empire?”
“Yes.”
This time, Isis wore an expression of disbelief.
Understandable.
Just how bad is his sense of direction?
No matter how many times they run together, if they take one curve, he disappears.
His sense of direction was beyond imagination.
“Still, his combat abilities seem decent… Evan, what do you think?”
Isis’ question.
Evan thought for a moment.
Combat power isn’t lacking.
Miniaturized No. 3.
With this alone, it seems possible to defeat Felix.
However,
‘If we want to stay unnoticed, humans are better than golems.’
The Kingdom of Demesia.
A nation that venerates strength.
Whether someone is human or not is very important.
Artificial beings like golems would face discrimination.
Originally, he planned to hire someone with money.
That was the cleanest option.
But if Felix can be hired for free now?
Not bad.
‘He’s not the type to betray anyway.’
Players all know.
Felix is at least not the type to betray.
Helping him reach the end of his pilgrimage is part of Act 1 Quest.
He trusts Felix because of that.
It’s not because it’s free.
“…Alright.”
Evan looked outside the carriage and spoke.
“Let’s travel together for a while.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“In return, please assist me a little in the Kingdom of Demesia.”
“Of course, I’ll help. First, let me express my gratitude for saving my life.”
Truly the ultimate in positive thinking.
Evan signaled Lapis.
Lapis silently untied the threads and opened the carriage door.
“Excuse me.”
Felix shook off the sand and entered.
Up close, he was quite tall.
“For a short while, please take care of me, Ivan.”
“It’s Evan.”
“Ah, sorry. My education wasn’t proper.”
“It’s fine.”
Some called him completely different names like John.
This is better.
“May I ask something?”
Please don’t expose me!
Why is he acting like he’s involved in something?
A small fief in the eastern region, so small that it’s governed by a baron in name only.
An orphanage was established there under the name of the Alkart Family.
Regardless of why it was built, the baron bowed deeply to the family’s reputation, instilling fear.
Surprisingly, the manager was a child who looked barely twelve years old.
“Hmm…”
Frey hummed contentedly.
The orphanage was excessively large.
Whether it was for children to play or for another purpose, a small building was attached.
This was by the duke’s order.
Frey happily decorated the space.
In front stood a pulpit where a high priest or pastor could stand, and in front of it were seats prepared for future believers.
The arrangement resembled the inside of a cathedral.
Though there were no statues yet, and no believers, it was satisfying enough.
Especially the elaborate gold embroidery on the black cloak reminded Frey of Evan’s hair and pleased him greatly.
It even made him want to dye his own blue hair.
‘This should satisfy Evan.’
It must satisfy him.
Only then could he achieve what Evan aimed for.
Sitting quietly with eyes closed, Frey noticed a bird flying toward him.
It was a raven destined to die from injury but saved by Frey.
It suited Frey perfectly.
Even more so, given its potential to bring calamity far greater than any raven.
After receiving the imperial newspaper delivered by the raven, Frey smirked.
“…Lately, rumors have been spreading.”
Gloria.
All for Evan’s glory.
Despite starting secretly, Frey drew attention almost immediately.
Even though he only cleaned up drug fields and pagan remnants that could interfere with Evan’s plans.
“There’s no need to remain quiet immediately, is there?”
It doesn’t matter if exposed.
At least there’s no risk of exposing Frey as the mastermind.
Frey reviewed Evan’s movements.
“Kingdom of Demesia…”
Incidentally, he had obtained some information.
About the remaining remnants of the pagans.
Some groups had infiltrated the Kingdom of Demesia.
Would Evan not know?
He surely would.
“Haha.”
It was clearly a deliberate move.
Perhaps he came because of me?
Ah.
What a benevolent god indeed.
Keeek-
At that moment, the cathedral doors opened.
Starving, ragged children entered.
“Welcome.”
Frey greeted them with a benevolent expression, embodying the sin of pride.
“I… They said if I come here, I’ll get bread… And… And I don’t have mom or dad…”
“Correct. Come this way.”
The orphanage.
It couldn’t remain empty until Evan sinned.
This was an opportunity.
A chance to cultivate Evan’s sword and followers.
Though they must be cautious and subtle to avoid being labeled as pagans.
“However, there is a condition.”
“Condition…?”
“Yes. You must follow my words. If you do, you can eat warm soup and bread with me.”
“I’ll do it!”
“Alright—let us all express our gratitude to kindness and glory.”
Frey clasped his hands together.
The children awkwardly followed suit.
“All of this…”
The moment he opened his mouth, an inexplicable mysterious power spread.
“…is for Evan.”
That day, the sky was exceptionally clear.
So clear that not a single star was visible.
One week to arrive in Demesia.
It was quite a long journey.
“…Why am I necessary?”
Felix was shocked upon witnessing No. 5’s brief activity.
Is this really that impressive?
It doesn’t seem like it…
Anyway, despite minor issues, they arrived safely.
The capital of the Kingdom of Demesia.
A city called Balkan.
Upon arriving there, Evan unexpectedly met the protagonist of this schedule.
“Are you buying produce?”
An inadequately prepared stall.
Just a small mat laid out with a makeshift wall selling vegetables…
“These are vegetables I’ve grown myself.”
The Starry Sky Seer.
She was selling vegetables.
…Why is the seer doing this?
