Is It Bad That the Main Character’s a Roleplayer?

Chapter 108: To a Distant Land (2)

As a city connecting the southeast to the west, Hudelen had a huge number of goods gathered.

However, where there were flowers, there were butterflies, and where there was honey, there were bees. Similarly, where there were goods, there were thieves. That became quite evident in our current situation.

“Traveling through this area is quite the challenge.”

“This place is well known for these kinds of… occurrences. The guards patrol this place less frequently because it's on the outskirts, so many bandits take advantage of this to ambush caravans here.”

As soon as we entered Hudelen’s vicinity, we had already been ambushed three times.

They were all scum without the slightest intention of earning an honest income who had, from the beginning, chosen to live off looting others.

“So, do you always have to fight them off?”

“Not always, Miss Priest. Usually, we just pay a toll to the most powerful gang in this area to pass through here.”

“The most powerful gang…?”

“From the bandits’ perspective, if they constantly fought against caravans, they would suffer from a manpower shortage. So, they prefer just to let us pass for a reasonable fee. Instead, because the full amount they earn from this is quite high, the bandits end up fighting among themselves, so it’s usually the strongest gang that collects the money.”

Just like how gangsters collected protection money or how brigands operated in martial arts stories, even these bandits had their own way of doing things…

“Then… Why are they attacking us now?”

“Usually, at least one gang maintains control over the others… However, judging by these sporadic attacks, it seems that position is currently vacant. I can’t say whether that’s fortunate or unfortunate for us. The only thing I can say is that I’m glad I hired you all.”

This timing certainly was bad for either side. We had no choice but to draw our swords against these opponents, and the bandits had the bad luck of encountering strong foes who would end their lives.

“Uurgh, spare me…”

Thud!

“Although we are running a deficit due to the goods we already lost, at least we don’t have to pay that toll.”

However, in the end, they brought this upon themselves.

As such, neither the guards hired alongside us nor the caravan’s own guards felt any obligation to spare these thieves.

Dragging them back into the city was too impractical. Furthermore, they were unlikely to repent, and most importantly, they attacked first. There was no reason for us to show them any mercy.

“Why aren’t you using that technique? The one where black stuff comes flying out and kills everything?!”

…Actually, I was also just using my sword in this fight, even though I could have easily dealt with them with my bare fists. I hadn’t used any of my skills, either, as Bers had noticed.

“Or did you leave this opportunity for Berserk? Wahaha! Thanks!”

For the record, that wasn’t why I didn’t use any of my skills.

It was just… I didn’t feel it was necessary to create such carnage when we weren’t in some sort of crisis or a situation related to Demons.

Honestly, cleaving through dozens of people in a single blow wasn’t a pretty sight. Just because I could create such a gory scene didn’t mean It was something to be proud of.

“I wish I had such useful skills like you, Demon Knight.”

“It would certainly be convenient to eliminate all the inconsequential things coming in groups without needing to engage every individual.”

“I’m also not as skilled, but still.”

Despite its brutality, its usefulness was a separate matter that others seemed to find enviable. I was grateful they didn’t criticize me for not using these skills, but it still left me feeling somewhat unsettled.

“…If I could use these kinds of techniques, it would make killing Demons so much easier.”

Since leaving Pa Enoch, the Inquisitor seemed oddly demoralized every time we fought, which worried me a lot!

Was she really that troubled by her lack of strength, which had rendered her unable to properly help the city’s people before we left…?!

“By the way, why can’t you do something like that?”

“There are various reasons, but to put it simply, it’s due to my lack of ability.”

“Huh…”

At that moment, Deb, who’d somewhat come back to life now that the temperature was a bit lower, tried teasing the Inquisitor. However, this time, the Inquisitor’s honesty—or perhaps dejection—won against him.

“Being too modest isn’t a good thing, either, Inquisitor. If you attribute the inherent limitation of Divine Power solely to your incompetence, it could lead to severe misunderstandings.”

“S-Sir Archmage.”

Wait a minute. After looking around a little, the bandit situation appeared to have cleared up quite a bit, so we should prepare to leave again.

My companions and I mounted the horses we’d exchanged for the camels in the last village we visited. Although this area fell under Hudelen’s domain, we still had a long journey ahead of us.

We continued our conversation as we moved—though, given my character setting, it was unlikely I would be able to join in—but there wouldn’t be a problem if they started talking first.

“Does Divine Power have different properties?”

As we resumed our journey, Bers cheerfully asked a question.

“Of course it does. When considering the efficiency of Divine Power compared to Arcane Power when performing healing, it becomes quite apparent.”

“Isn’t that just because it’s the power of God?”

“That might be one reason. However, if its characteristics show a consistent pattern, wouldn’t it be appropriate to describe it using the term ‘property’?”

Since there weren’t any bandits around, all we could do was walk. We weren’t close enough with the people of the caravan to have a friendly chat with them.

Taking advantage of that, the Archmage began a brief lecture on this subject.

This sometimes happened during our travels, and I greatly welcomed it. After all, anything that could supplement my own knowledge, no matter when, was only beneficial to me.

“Divine Power tends to form planes. That means it spreads out and doesn’t easily disperse. Conversely, it’s nearly impossible to compress Divine Power into points or lines.”

“Is that so?”

“…Is that how it is?”

“…? Why don’t you also know about this?”

“I’ve always just used it instinctively and never thought about it like this…”

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who needed their common knowledge supplemented.

“When it comes to applying it to something that already has a form… like a body or weapon, whether you spread it using planes, dots or lines, the difficulty doesn’t vary much, which is probably why you weren’t aware of this. One can only feel the difference when trying to project it outward.”

“Is that so?”

“Certainly. Returning to my explanation, condensing Arcane Power into a point or line is far easier than forming it into a plane. Of course, if the density exceeds a certain degree, that also becomes quite challenging… Anyway, that’s the gist of it.”

“Hmm, hmm. And what does that have to do with it not having any offensive techniques?”

“Think about it. Is it more painful to get hit by a force evenly distributed over ten different spots or by a concentrated hit to just one spot?”

“A concentrated hit to one spot…?”

“That’s why there are more offensive techniques in the field of Arcane Power, while the field of Divine Power holds more defensive skills. Their natures are fundamentally different.”

Following that, the Archmage explained how the lack of offensive skills using Divine Power also had historical reasons.

While that history lesson was quite interesting, it wasn’t especially important for someone not preparing for an exam or something. What piqued my interest was something else.

If concentrating Divine Power into a single point wasn’t possible, couldn’t one just deal damage using its plane form? In the end, blunt weapons like hammers also used their wider surface area to deal damage.

“Well, if Divine Power can only be used to form planes… Can’t it be used to crush or press down on something?”

Exactly, just as Deb said.

“That’s…”

The Archmage hesitated a little at Deb’s question. Knowing the theory was one thing, but since he couldn’t use Divine Power, he seemed somewhat reluctant to speculate about other methods of application…

“Does it not work?”

“…No, it seems feasible.”

The only one among us who could use Divine Power now wore an incredibly pensive look.

She seemed to have been struck by a profound realization, her expression hardening. If this were a manhwa, there would be an exclamation mark in the background behind her. It was both endearing and amusing.

“That’s it!”

She was about to thank him properly, but when she saw Deb’s face, she stopped and only mumbled a small “Thank you…” It really was quite a cute and funny sight.

“What’s with that half-hearted gratitude?”

“I said thank you.”

“No, but it was so quiet.”

“And how is that a problem?”

That topic shift lifted her previously rather downcast mood immensely.

I stifled a laugh about to escape my mouth and urged my horse forward. As I did, the two bickering dumplings and Bers, still struggling to understand the Archmage’s explanation, passed by on either side of me.

* * *

* * *

Fortunately, we didn’t encounter any more bandits after that. Instead, we ran into guards returning from patrol.

That meant less work for us, who had been hired for our combat capabilities.

“Haha, welcome to Hudelen.”

Finally, as the guards at the city gate welcomed us in, the sprawling, developed city unfolded before us—truly the border between the East and West.

“…How beautiful.”

“We get that a lot. They say our city is one of the most picturesque in the world.”

I still felt like something was missing here, but that thought quickly faded.

Instead, like the Inquisitor, I found myself marveling at the scenery around us. It was hard not to.

The backdrop of mountains and cliffs, fully developed buildings nestled into their faces, flowing waterways interspersed throughout, and at the heart of it all, a lake pooling in the lowest part of the city.

While we were walking on a path carved into the cliffs to enter the city, I had simply thought it would look like any other place, but seeing it now, this was the most fantasy world-like view I had ever seen.

No wonder the guard took so much pride in the city’s beauty.

“Nothing will happen in this city, right?”

However, instead of marveling at this beautiful sight, Deb was more concerned. Given the constant incidents that happened every time we visited a new city, his reaction wasn’t too unreasonable.

“I wonder what kind of strong people live here!”

There wasn’t any need to pay heed to Bers’ words.

“I’m sure nothing will happen. Well, it seems our job here is done, so let’s just go report to the Guild and part ways with the merchants.”

And lastly, the Archmage… beautifully planted a flag.

My gaze briefly lingered on him before I moved on. Believing we would at least be safe on our first day here, I hoped we could get a good night’s sleep.

“Please consider accepting our request again next time!”

After going through various procedures, we quickly made our way across the city.

Due to the heavy trade and related requests, the Adventurers’ Guild was conveniently located right next to the trading post, minimizing any wasted time.

Though the most important locations for us, namely our lodgings (the Temple) and the Magic Tower, were at the complete opposite ends of the city.

“The Temple is at the very top, and the Magic Tower at the very bottom. What an odd location choice.”

“The Temples are usually situated in high places.”

“Who doesn’t know that? I wasn’t saying that because I didn’t know.

“Hmmmph! Walking back and forth a few times between the Temple and the Magic Tower will definitely be good exercise. What a nice city.”

Wait, Bers was equating this to exercise? Her being a battle maniac aside, those muscles weren’t just for show, huh?

“…Berserk, I think you’re crazy in a different sense, as well.”

“Berserk isn’t crazy.”

“That’s not what I meant… I apologize if I offended you.”

“Very well. I accept your apology.”

Bers turned uncharacteristically serious at the mention of her being crazy. Only after the poor, startled meat dumpling bowed his head quickly did Bers’ expression return to her usual cheerful one.

“Only if you join me on a few round trips from the Temple to the Magic Tower tomorrow, though!”

“Urgh!”

She seemed a bit too cheerful. I averted my gaze as Bers draped an arm over Deb’s shoulder.

I absolutely wouldn’t be getting involved in that. Those two could figure it out on their own.

“Training? Let me join in, too.”

“Haha! Great! You’re a true warrior!”

Shaking my head inwardly, I looked at the dizzyingly steep slope.

The city was built in a zigzag pattern to avoid the path getting too steep, but going up and down that slope? No way. Why would anyone willingly go through such hardship?

I never even went hiking because I absolutely hated climbing and the like!

“Demon Knight! Join us, as well!”

“Get lost.”

Whoops, I ended up answering reflexively because I hated even the mere idea of it. I wouldn’t be taking it back, though.

Nothing would make me hike up that slope.

“Why don’t you want to? Do you prefer a different type of training?”

No, it wasn’t that… I didn’t like training at all. However, I would occasionally practice my skills to apply them in more intricate and varied ways. Ever since Weapon Master gave me a little hint, I had been focusing on that.

However, outright saying that I didn’t want to join in on their foolishly brutish training session felt a bit out of character.

I averted my eyes from Bers and moved forward. I was rather relieved that the Temple was so eye-catching, making it easy to locate and get to.

“Ah, Demon Knight. Did I forget to mention it? You need to go to the Magic Tower today.”

…However, that didn’t change my fate of having to go all the way down there and back up here again.

No, why?! Why?!!

“Don’t feel too bad about it. White Wind contacted me and said he wants to check something regarding the seal.”

Uuuurgh.