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107. Childhood Friend – Sacrifice

– Bang!

Reb was startled and jolted back. When he came to his senses, he found himself passing by a butcher shop.

Inside the butcher shop, the butcher was slicing meat, and the smell of blood he thought was an illusion (幻嗅) was actually coming from there.

‘No. This isn’t right.’

Reb shook his head, erasing the whispers that buzzed in his mind.

The massacre route. This is not what I want. It might have been that way back then, but not now.

This isn’t a game.

These are all living, breathing people. I cannot kill someone simply to gain power.

But…

He swallowed hard.

A system that allows one to skip all sacrificial rites and accumulate offerings.

That alone is incredible, but there was something even more amazing.

– ‘1’ person

Killing one person meant gaining a whole life, which was an enormous benefit.

No matter how complicated the rite prepared, there was no way to receive the entirety of the sacrificed offering.

Although the efficiency of offerings made by apostles is good, it fell short to two decimal places, maybe three at most.

Everything in this world belongs to the divine, and the Asin only twisting and taking a tiny fraction of it.

However, that rule didn’t apply to Reb. Instead, it was noted as if it were natural how many lives he had claimed.

Finally, Reb was convinced that this game was made by the hands of the divine. Such efficiency would be impossible without their permission.

Reb loitered in front of the butcher shop for a while. The butcher shop innkeeper asked if he needed anything, but he waved his hand and continued his troubled contemplation.

Then… he concluded: ‘This isn’t something a human should do.’

Though he had committed murder out of necessity or to survive himself, killing humans with the intent of accumulating offerings was an entirely different matter.

That wasn’t about achieving something through murder or gaining money; it was putting the very lives at stake… something no normal human should even think about doing.

‘But…’

Even after reaching a conclusion, Reb hesitated.

Greed stirred within him. This damn game had given me nothing. While scenario rewards came consistently, the cycles were limited, and the achievements were trivial, offering little help.

So shouldn’t I take this at least? Isn’t it a benefit securely guaranteed by the system…

Reb clasped his head in frustration.

The ambition he once had to enter Marquis Tatian’s household couldn’t even compare to this. Perhaps he could reign as the overlord of this world. He could clear the game in just a few cycles…

After wandering for a while, he firmed his resolve when the butcher shop innkeeper began to suspect, ‘Is that guy a thief?’

‘Let’s use only what’s currently available. Use achievements only when absolutely necessary… Forget the massacre route.’

It was a difficult decision, but perhaps it was a decision he could make because it might not be necessary at all.

The ending was right in front of him.

If he utilized his charm ability well, it seemed he could easily achieve the true ending Minseo had always wanted.

Moreover, the kill count he had accumulated was ample, so it didn’t seem he needed to kill anyone further.

Reb took a deep breath. He expelled the rising desire with his breath and steadied his wavering footsteps.

Leaving behind the suspicious glare of the butcher shop innkeeper, he approached a merchant and inquired about selling a horse.

Handing over the money he obtained from selling leather, the merchant transferred the horse without any dissatisfaction.

Well, Reb’s eyes sparkled.

‘Let’s go to Nevis.’

He made his direction clear.

Leo from the beggar siblings scenario still had a long way to descend to the Conrad Kingdom.

For now, he must have been hiding in the southern mountains of the Belita Kingdom after killing Gilbert Forte, and they would likely only start moving in the spring of the following year, six months later, heading to Noyar Port to find Sir Bart.

In the meantime, I will go to the capital of the Orun Kingdom, Nevis, to charm the king.

I will ask him to adopt Lena and rush to the Conrad Kingdom to warn Prince Leo, preventing his tragedy.

If I move quickly, I might even be able to disrupt Leo’s engagement with Lena Ainar.

Finally, Reb’s horse hit the ground.

As he departed from Torito, his heart oscillated between hope and desire.

*

“Thank you for your hard work today!”

An official in the lord’s castle said while tidying up the scattered documents with a clap.

“Good job. Finish up and head home.”

“Yes!”

The young official in his late teens shouted cheerfully.

Born in the territory of Marquis Gaidan and trained under Duke Harvey’s support to become an official, he was assigned here in Bosspo. With a lot to learn, he made many mistakes at first and was scolded often, but now he had become quite adept.

As the senior officials began to leave, the youngest one started humming a tune cheerfully as he organized the civil complaints reception desk.

Having only recently developed subtle feelings for a woman after being assigned to a foreign place, he was solely focused on finishing his work quickly to leave.

At that moment, a young man approached the desk.

“Excuse me. Today’s work is finished, so tomorrow…”

“I’ve come to see the Grand Officer.”

“Eh? Who are you to see the Grand Officer…”

He looked up, thinking it might be someone of high status, and met glowing red eyes.

‘Ah, I should guide him immediately. It seems urgent… I better guide him quickly and leave myself.’

“May I ask who you are? Do you have an appointment?”

Reb flinched.

He had expected immediate guidance to the Grand Officer due to his charm but the official was inquiring about procedures.

‘It seems charm isn’t quite omnipotent.’

His eyes sparkled once more. He infused more charm and requested.

“It’s urgent. I don’t have an appointment, but I want to see the Grand Officer quickly.”

“Understood. I’ll guide you right away.”

“Oh! Before that, can I get a travel permit to pass through Jerome Holy Kingdom and Conrad Kingdom?”

“Of course.”

The official sat down and opened the stack of documents he had just organized. There was no hint of annoyance in his demeanor.

“What is your identity? What is your purpose for leaving?”

Barbatos’s [Eye of Charm] was not a mind-controlling ability. It was somewhat similar to the favor achievements Leo possessed, so Reb had to follow certain procedures.

He revealed his identity and purpose.

“I am Reb from Demos village… Demos village? Let me see. It’s right here. But you say your purpose is travel? You’re a free citizen, right? As a free citizen, if you don’t have a certificate… Oh! You’re a noble. I see.”

Only after Reb infused charm once more could he receive the travel permit. He regretted not charming the gate guards instead. Such a waste of divine power…

“I’ll guide you to the Grand Officer. This way, please.”

Reb followed the official into the lord’s castle.

This was his second visit. During the childhood friend scenario, he had worked here as a handmaiden and servant alongside Lena.

Looking around, he noticed familiar handmaidens.

The floors were covered with luxurious carpets, and various draperies hung on the walls, indicating that both Hirie Gaidan and Prince Palace Tertan were currently residing in the lord’s castle.

They would set off to the Conrad Kingdom around next month to meet Sir Bart.

Of course, it was nothing Reb had to worry about, and he diligently followed the official.

– Knock, knock.

“Grand Officer, a guest has arrived.”

When the official knocked on the door, a puzzled voice responded from inside.

“A guest? I don’t recall having an appointment today. Let them in.”

The Grand Officer of Bosspo, who was busy writing documents, greeted the unexpected visitor with an annoyed expression.

Ever since Lady Hirie and the heir of Duke Tertan had arrived, he had been busier than he could handle.

Although the decoration of the lord’s castle was completed, he couldn’t afford to neglect hosting the two esteemed guests and had to attend to the knights accompanying them.

Prince Palace Tertan arrived with over a dozen knights.

A few days earlier, the Grand Officer had also requested verification of a necklace that Prince Palace intended to gift to Lady Hirie, which required him to seek out a rather eccentric magician with whom the city of Bosspo had contracted.

That arrogant magician locked up in the room refused to do anything unless the Grand Officer personally asked.

“Who are you to visit without an appointment?”

“Eh? Don’t you know this Grand Officer?”

As the Grand Officer frowned and the official grew flustered, Reb stood there silently.

In truth, he planned to cast charm as soon as he met the Grand Officer.

But a problem arose. The Grand Officer was wearing a consecrated ring, and Reb instinctively realized that charming him would not be easy.

The reason the Asins found themselves cornered since the Holy Woman arrived in this land was evident.

The Acaian Empire’s alliance with the church in wiping out other races played a major part, but the recognition of the Cross Church as the state religion had deeply rooted itself in the lives of the Empire’s citizens and spread divine power.

This was usually accomplished through the church’s customs, such as exchanging consecrated rings during engagements or marriages.

Consecration was the act of imbueing objects with divine power. Since it was less transient than blessings bestowed upon living beings, it had a much longer, semi-permanent effect, which was a significant hurdle for the Asins.

Though the divine power might have been minuscule, possessing consecrated items conferred powerful blessings upon the owner.

As the Grand Officer’s eyes narrowed, Reb quickly cast his charm.

However, blocked by the ring, it proved ineffective, compelling Reb to offer further devotion in his mind.

[ Achievement: Civilian Kill – Two civilians have been killed. They will be slightly unfortunate. ]

After consuming the lives of two civilians, Barbatos’s divine power poured forth. His heart felt sweet like pickled plums, and Reb’s eyes glowed bright red once more.

“Oh dear, don’t you remember me?”

The Grand Officer momentarily appeared bewildered before…

“Oh my! Goodness! Teacher! It’s been so long! How have you been? Ah, you may go.”

After waving the official away, he gestured for Reb to take the honored seat, sitting respectfully beside him.

“I’m glad to meet you again. If it weren’t for you, who knows what would have become of me… I have not forgotten the grace of your kindness after taking in this lost child born as a noble’s illegitimate son. Ah, I’m rambling. I’ll call for tea.”

“No, it’s fine. More importantly…”

Reb raised his hand to decline, but the Grand Officer was quicker.

He called for a handmaiden to bring tea and then returned to his seat with a bright smile. It seemed he was reminiscing about old memories.

“Teacher, how have you been? I wanted to visit, but I couldn’t find you. I thought you had passed away. Speaking of which, you still seem as youthful…??”

The Grand Officer’s eyes widened in surprise.

As his gaze began to question the appearance of the youthful teacher, Reb hurriedly had to offer more devotion.

Reb rushed to get to the point.

“Actually, I am here because I wanted to meet Duke Harvey. Could you write a simple recommendation letter for me?”

“Of course. It would be my honor. I’m sure the Marquis will treat you with great respect. Please wait a moment.”

While the Grand Officer wrote the letter, Reb involuntarily groaned.

This old man wasn’t simply charmed. He had forcibly fitted his memory to the words “don’t you remember me?”

Earlier, when the official tried to skip the procedures for the travel permit, he had assumed Reb was a noble due to the trust placed in him. Even though no surname was provided…

But that would be problematic. He intended to charm the king to adopt Lena as a princess.

If charm activated in this way, then for the king, who would likely be adorned with consecrated items, it would take an unfathomable amount of divine power to pull off a marriage.

That wasn’t the only issue.

The ring the Grand Officer wore. Because of that alone, the divine power required to charm him multiplied by tenfold.

If even a mere Grand Officer was like this, how much divine power would be needed to charm a king who would be thoroughly equipped with consecrated items?

Based on the prior attitudes of the merchant selling beef jerky and leather, it seemed charm wasn’t even permanent…

The Grand Officer handed over a neatly folded letter.

“Here it is. I’ve noted that you are my lifelong benefactor. And since the Marquis’s daughter is here, it would be nice to meet her as well. Lady Gaidan is proficient in etiquette, literature, and tea ceremonies, so…”

Reb politely declined the exited request of the Grand Officer before the matter became more complicated.

He needed to leave for Nevis soon, so he drew the line that it would be difficult to stay for several days. The Grand Officer may have felt a bit disappointed, but seeing the grown-up ‘apprentice’ filled him with joy. He appeared deeply moved, though how far Reb would go remained to be seen…

The Grand Officer escorted him all the way, and as Reb exited the lord’s castle, he finally began to understand the plight of Eric de Yeriel.

‘So, this is why Prince Eric was acting out…’

The power of the Asins was undeniably formidable, but constraints lurked everywhere.

It was difficult to charm those possessing consecrated items, and even if one did manageable to charm, it required excessive divine power.

Even Reb, who could obtain divine power efficiently thanks to the system, felt strained, so the ordinary apostle Eric de Yeriel would hardly dare even consider it.

He might have managed to charm Duke Tertan, at best. Judging by efficiency, that seemed to be the case. It was akin to getting all the nobles in his grasp with minimal investment…

No, wait, it must be more than that.

Eric de Yeriel was the grandson of Duke Rupert Tertan. He could easily approach the Duke without it seeming forced to cast charm on him.

‘Yes, that’s right. Duke Rupert Tertan was said to be a gentle noble. Until Eric started the turmoil…’

Although a puzzling piece of the puzzle had been fit into place, Reb found no time for celebration.

That aside, it seemed he would need even more divine power to charm the king, which meant needing even more offerings…

‘Ah, no. It’s alright. There’s still a lot left.’

Reb shook his head. He desperately suppressed the rising anxiety.

Having merely used the lives of a few commoners, he had plenty of unused achievements remaining.

He hopped onto his horse and galloped toward Nevis. Now that he had obtained the letter of introduction to meet Duke Harvey, there was no more to worry about.

It will go well.

It must go well…

Muttering to himself, Reb departed, and a few days later, a thug’s neck hung from the wooden walls of Torito.

The body, caught for murder and executed by hanging, swung to and fro in the strong wind. The sound of thuds against the wall eerily blessed Reb’s future.