Ch.110Chapter 110. Armchair Chosen One (2)

Chapter 110. Basement Pope (2)

In the end, I decided to take both women who had strongly expressed their desire to go.

There wasn’t really anyone else to bring anyway. Let’s look on the bright side.

I can think of Paya and Tuntuni as bringing along an aircraft and its pilot. Since Noah is apparently friends with the Basement Pope, bringing her might help ease any wariness.

Neither of them is completely useless in a fight against demons. I believe Tuntuni’s breath could definitely inflict meaningful damage even on mid-level demons.

Noah can focus on supporting allies with her skills to keep the Basement Pope and his followers safe. So they’re not entirely useless members.

In a way, this party includes all three elements I always emphasize for image purposes.

We have beauty (Lakye), an animal (Tuntuni), and children (Paya, and Noah too, though that’s debatable). Seeing this, even the Pope, who’s expected to be strict, serious, and solemn, would break into a broad smile.

Before departing, I decided to officiate Kanto’s wedding. As a god, I should at least perform the ceremony.

It was only natural that having Roa personally officiate and bless their future would be the greatest honor in barbarian culture.

“…You are taking your first step toward a new life. I am proud.”

Is this how it’s done? I should have had experience officiating weddings.

“May happiness always be on the path you two walk together. I, Malak, bestow my blessing upon you.”

At this point, I cast “Healing Totem” once.

“Emma, Lord Malak has blessed us. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Mr. Kanto…”

Well, as long as the bride and groom are happy, that’s what matters. The ceremony proceeded smoothly.

“I liked him first…!”

The highlight was the tears of Una, Kanto’s left-hand spearwoman. It was quite pitiful seeing her crying with her back turned in the corner.

Honestly, this is partly Una’s fault. As his left hand, she was always with him and must have had plenty of opportunities to confess, but she never tried until the end.

A brave woman wins a fine man. This doesn’t change whether on Earth or in another world.

“If only I weren’t a warrior… if I were just an ordinary woman…!”

…So she did act? Well, maybe Kanto just wasn’t into female warriors. Can’t be helped.

That doesn’t mean her chances are completely gone. Barbarian society allows polygamy, so aiming for the second wife position might not be a bad idea.

The wedding proceeded normally and ended normally with the blessings of many alliance members.

There were no incidents like Kanto’s ex-girlfriend bursting in saying “Actually, I’m carrying Kanto’s child too~!” or men who lost their girlfriends to Kanto starting knife fights.

Considering how this guy usually behaves, such things could have easily happened. Anyway, I’m glad they didn’t.

“Let’s depart.”

We left right after the ceremony. It’s not good to delay too much.

“I don’t plan on being a babysitter, so handle yourselves well. Don’t bother Lord Malak.”

“Chieftain Lakye, have you forgotten that we’re only three or four years apart in age?”

“I’ll be an adult next year too…”

Tuntuni flew through the sky carrying Lakye, Paya, and Noah. I’m currently in Lakye’s arms as Totem #3.

“Isn’t this one too fat? It’s gotten much chubbier than when I rode it before. Make it exercise. I guess it’s true that pets resemble their owners.”

“How is this fat?! Feel its back! It’s solid muscle! And what do you mean ‘resemble’? Chieftain Lakye! You really…!”

“Waaah…! It’s, it’s too high! Don’t look down!”

This party is challenging from the start. Did I bring them for nothing?

“Stay alert. The sky makes you an easy target.”

“I’m sorry.”

“…Yes.”

“I understand… ugh!”

“Ah, um? Please turn your head away when you do that!”

The three finally quieted down after being scolded.

Now, let’s calmly review the plan.

The cathedral where the Basement Pope, the Pope, and the followers are hiding is located above Linea, where Siwoo and the Ashen Mist tribe live.

It’s not exactly close. It’s about two regions away. Since I didn’t plan to ask for their help, we’ll just pass by.

Taking many people on a long journey is work in itself. Especially leading people who aren’t much help in a fight against demons isn’t easy.

I do plan to stop by briefly after defeating the demons and rescuing the Basement Pope to encourage them to join the tribal alliance. It’s about time they united with us.

It’s not like they’re as far away as the Golden Sun tribe. And there’s no shortage of resources or space at the tribal alliance headquarters.

I can quickly produce corn and potatoes with the “Power of the Rain and Wind God” for food, and the castle was built to accommodate thousands of people, so there’s no problem.

It’s literally just “waiting for you to come.”

With nothing particular to do, I spent time on community chat.

[NotACatfish: Hey]

[NotACatfish: What are you doing?]

Hanna contacted me. She seems to have been very busy since joining Dina’s special forces.

This contact comes after several days of silence.

[Scratching my belly]

[NotACatfish: You crazy bastard]

It’s been a while since I heard such insults. Feels nostalgic, really.

[How have you been?]

I wonder if she’s doing well. I’m curious and slightly worried.

Given Dina’s personality as a newbie abuser, she’s probably being pushed hard.

[NotACatfish: Same old, same old]

[NotACatfish: Raid training raid training raid training raid training raid training raid training]

There’s a hint of madness in that message.

[Do you just train and raid all day?]

[NotACatfish: Pretty much]

[NotACatfish: At this rate, I’ll reach level 7 soon too]

She’s living diligently. By the time we meet again, she might be in the top 1% of paladins.

Teacher Dina’s premium tutoring is amazing. It makes me want to entrust our Noah to her too.

[Are you free now?]

[NotACatfish: A little?]

[NotACatfish: Resting after a raid. Well, “resting” means farming]

I’m glad she seems to be doing well.

[Make sure you eat properly]

[NotACatfish: Are you my dad?]

We continued exchanging messages.

[NotACatfish: Dina is really strict. You should have seen how annoyed she was when I went to sleep without washing up because I was tired]

[You should wash up regularly]

[NotACatfish: Oh come on! That was just once!]

[NotACatfish: Do you want to die?]

Hanna seemed to have a lot built up as she gossiped about Dina. She said Dina is a perfectionist and extremely strict, which can be annoying at times.

A few more hours passed.

“Tuntuni seems to be getting tired. Maybe it’s because this is the first time carrying three people.”

Paya looked down at Tuntuni with concern. She added in a murmur, “It’s because Chieftain Lakye is heavy.”

“…”

Perhaps because I had scolded her earlier, Lakye didn’t argue back. Instead, she was staring intensely at Paya.

She looks like she wants to kill her with that gaze.

“Let’s land.”

Tuntuni is also a high-tier asset, so let’s give it some rest. We decided to walk until our spirit recovers.

While moving with the three women:

“There are lifeforms nearby. Infected ones.”

Lakye, who was walking ahead, drew her meteor sword. The black meteor sword gleamed in the sunlight.

It’s an overpowered item that cut through both the tunnel demon and Asha’s body in one stroke.

“Can you determine their numbers?”

“About eight of them.”

Eight infected. These days, killing such creatures doesn’t even give me 10 points.

Just like how paladins find it harder to gain experience after reaching certain levels, my scoring system works the same way.

Let’s help Noah gain some experience.

“Paladin Noah, deal with the infected.”

Noah nodded and moved toward where the infected were. Her eyes had sharpened in anticipation of battle.

I wonder if Noah, who was once an ordinary Japanese high school girl, has now adapted to this world. I thought she would always remain clumsy.

Grrrr…!

The infected were each carrying something in their mouths as they moved, which looked like human flesh.

They wouldn’t kill cultists brainwashed by demons. It must be from survivors.

Damn, suddenly I’m angry. These bastards.

“Yah!”

Noah swung her sword and instantly dispatched the infected. Her skill was comparable to that of a veteran barbarian warrior.

When I first met Hanna, she was level 4. Noah is also level 4 now, so she might be able to defeat a weak lower demon.

Hmm, maybe it’s harder for her since she didn’t invest in attack skills like Hanna?

“It’s decayed. These people died long ago.”

After briefly examining the human flesh the infected were carrying, Lakye continued.

“…So you don’t need to blame yourself.”

She read my emotions. It’s not quite self-blame though.

I just reminded myself that even while I’m thriving, people are dying elsewhere.

It’s just that kind of feeling, one I’ll forget after a while.

Still, thanks for worrying. As expected of my right hand. At times like this, I really want to pat her head.

“Lord Malak, look over there.”

Paya was looking in one direction with a serious expression. There was a building that appeared to have collapsed recently.