Chapter 277: Southern End Request 2

Chapter 277: Southern End Request 2

TL/Editor: raei

Schedule: 5/Week Mon-Fri

Illustrations: Posted in discord.

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Why would a hero, who even received a revelation from the Goddess, come all the way here to solve a problem between a countryside fiefdom at the southern edge and barbarian warriors?

For players, it's just a side quest with a tempting reward, and for streamers, it's a story worth showing.

But our party needed another reason.

The reason was the Lord of Antibes, who had sent a luxurious letter.

According to the K-Fantasy hierarchy, which is a mix of the Chinese five-rank system and misinterpretations of European titles, a 'viscount' wasn't considered high.

It was fourth in the order of duke, marquis, earl, and viscount, objectively on the lower side.

"But how...?"

"Through connections. Our lord has quite the wide network."

In noble society, connections are as important as one's rank.

The viscount of Antibes, known for his piety, worked hard to spread the Goddess Faith among barbarian warriors and witches in the southernmost parts, which became an opportunity to make his name known to the temple.

It's like a diligent army chaplain getting a solid backing from a high-ranking officer in the church.

Antibes was a quiet rural village at the kingdom's edge, known for mushrooms and herbs.

It had low taxes, troublesome insects, hostile barbarians, and capricious witches, but...

On the flip side, he was a man who bloomed the flower of faith in that barren town.

"He has hosted theological debates with bishops from the temple and even converted a whole village of barbarian warriors, earning baptism from a saint. This hornpipe was a token of friendship from that converted village."

"Wow..."

"Now that I think about it, I have heard the sisters at the temple mention him."

The more you hear, the more he seems like a pioneer preacher rather than a rural lord.

He's well-regarded not just by his subjects but also in social circles, not mistreating them due to religious fanaticism.

And since the third princess, or the 6 'White Feather Shield' Bradamante, is involved with the Temple, he's not disregarded among the nobles.

That's why he could ask a hero acting on the Goddess's will to come even to such a remote part of the kingdom.

Moreover, the target was a newly converted barbarian village.

If any noble opposed this, they'd have to be ready to confront not just the princess but also the Temple.

Who would politically attack them?

"Ah, um... Anyway! Yes, that's right! Yes!"Updated from n0velbIn.(c)o/m

"...Yes? Oh, I see."

The receptionist, suddenly becoming aware and starting to sneak glances at us, probably thinks it's the Adventurer's Guild's fault for dragging us here without knowing the request details.

She suddenly switches back to her sharp, soldier-like demeanor after a relaxed conversation, confusing Irene.

Having heard the request and received the hornpipe as a token of friendship from the barbarians, we just need to get a guide to proceed with the quest.

But leaving it to this receptionist might just cause her to keel over from a heart attack.

"Excuse me, Miss Receptionist?"

It seems like Han Se-ah and the viewers in the chat hadn't been down to the South given its harsh environment.

After all, only a few would come down to the southern edge, whether to become mercenaries or work in an inn.

Unless they were crazy enough to slam their character against the tower walls for climbing or streamers walking around the kingdom for content, why come all the way here?

Thus, spotting gacha characters, i.e., the southern beauties with their tan skin, they started chattering noisily.

"Wow, they must be from the forest. ...But they really don't wear much, do they?"

"That bow is huge. How do they manage it in this damp and humid place?"

"Just breathing feels oddly uncomfortable. My lips cracked in the north, but here my skin feels damp."

And it was the same for our party.

Irene was flustered by the sight of barbarian warriors in nothing but leather underwear, regardless of gender.

Grace, even in this situation, showed interest in the barbarians' huge bows.

Katie seemed too bothered by the humid heat to look around.

Walking under the sun for a bit, we could see a white mansion in the distance.

Among the wooden buildings, it stood out, shining beautifully.

"Ah, this seal... Please, come inside."

"We appreciate the guidance."

Seeing the guards and the butler recognize the letter, it was clear the lord had made quite the announcement about calling for a hero.

Passing a robust guard possibly of barbarian descent and following a mustachioed butler to the reception room, the giggling young maids stepping aside was enough to tell.

The faces of the domain's residents without a hint of shadow, barbarian warriors walking around without discrimination, young maids keeping their innocence over manners.

It was a scene from a beautiful domain, as if out of a fairy tale.

Except for the oppressive heat and humidity and the fact that a few days' journey from the domain, there were gangs of man-eating creatures the size of motorcycles roaming around like biker gangs.

"Ah, welcome! Heroes!"

"...Ah, yes. Hello, Lord."

"Heroes, you can speak casually in front of this old man! Aren't you the ones who received a divine revelation from the Goddess herself? Hahaha! Never in my life did I dream I'd witness such a miracle."

And then, there was the Lord of Antibes to consider.

I had imagined him to be closer to a gentle gentleman.

Someone with a well-groomed beard or mustache, white hair, looking sharp in a bowler hat and suitan intellectual modern gentleman.

After all, he was the man who converted an entire village of barbarian warriors with his silver tongue and faith.

I thought of him more as a missionary in a new territory than a country lord, and if he had gained political backing from the princess and recognition from the temple, surely he'd be blessed with the gacha buff and be a handsome man with stars to his name.

That's what I was thinking, but.

"If there's anything you need, just say the word, and I'll support you in any way I can!"

Bald, muscular, with a white mustache, tanned skin, a large tattoo on the shoulder visible through a loose shirt, seemingly a symbol of brotherhood, and even sunglasses to shield from the sun.

[Silver Short-Haired Tomboy with Tan Skin donated 10,000 won!]

Looks like a tanned hermit turtle.

"Right, thank you for the 10,000 won. He looks so intense, it's a bit startling."

What stood before us was definitely not a church pastor but an old gym rat who could lift 600 at the local gym.

Could that be... the reason he was recognized by the temple?