The Wandering Priest in Dark Fantasy Chapter 31

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Max]

Chapter 31: The Taboo of the Salt Mine (5)

"We're... We're coming out!"

Reaching the entrance of the mine, one of the figures waiting anxiously outside shouted urgently.

The commotion outside grew louder, and the murmur of voices flowed into the mine.

"It seems everyone has gathered."

Hal said casually, and Daniel responded with a worried tone.

"Hal. I'll say it again, for a lord, authority is everything."

"Indeed."

Hal nodded as if he understood.

After all, he was a nobleman's son.

He knew that he couldn't treat the people of the territory with only compassion and tolerance.

That would be closer to the attitude that clergyn serving God should maintain.

Hal didn't confuse the two.

Of course.

"My authority is probably very weak right now."

Hal hadn't officially beco the lord yet, nor was he the official successor.

Furthermore, the Gilmore clan wasn't welcod by the people of the territory.

There were no knights left to raise swords and banners for them.

And the lineage of magic, the source of the clan's power, had been severed.

"...You're well aware of that. Then why aren't you establishing your authority?"

Daniel, who had been listening silently to Hal, tilted his head with a puzzled expression.

Hal calmly replied,

"The authority you speak of is probably based on fear."

Overwhelming power and fear were of great help in establishing authority.

For Hal, who had no foundation, there would be nothing better.

But Hal had no intention of doing so.

No, rather than that...

"I would rather give up the position of lord than rule through fear."

At Hal's firm words, Daniel was montarily speechless.

He had seen countless people who would offer all their wealth, their lives, even their very souls, to gain the position that Hal would so easily give up.

The title of nobility held that kind of power.

Daniel, thinking that Hal was indeed unique, asked sothing else.

"Then, what about the mansion...?"

"It will work out sohow. If I ask them to leave the family mansion in exchange for giving up the position of lord, the Imperial family won't refuse."

Daniel thought for a mont and then nodded.

Indeed, from the Imperial family's perspective, it was a deal with no downsides.

Hal recited a passage from the scriptures reverently.

"The God Yan said, 'Those who lead should dedicate themselves wholeheartedly where they are needed, but if they are no longer needed, they should leave without lingering.'"

"...Was there such a passage?"

"It's not in the modern scriptures."

This passage could be seen as a challenge to the system of class society and imperial power.

The phrase could only be found in the scriptures from the ancient republican era.

"...The words of the scriptures change due to the circumstances of humans."

"That's how it is."

Hal simply looked at Daniel calmly.

There wasn't a trace of lingering attachnt in his eyes.

Daniel chuckled at this.

"Just like you."

"Is that so?"

Hal simply nodded.

Thump, thump!

The two of them headed out of the mine without hesitation.

Dozens of people were standing there nervously.

They were holding weapons, tense in case a monster jumped out.

When Hal and Daniel appeared, so breathed a sigh of relief, while others still held onto their suspicions and tension.

It was only natural.

It hadn't been long since they learned not to be deceived by appearances.

It was then.

A man appeared from among the people.

"Lord Hal... is that you?"

"Yes, Dane."

Hal showed his signet ring to the knight who had once served him and his family.

Recognizing it, Dane imdiately knelt.

"Please take with you."

"I don't understand what you an."

When Hal asked with a puzzled look, Dane, still with his head bowed, said,

"I confessed my sins to everyone. I no longer deserve to stay here."

"..."

Hal looked around at the villagers surrounding him.

They subtly avoided Hal's gaze.

'I see.'

Dane had awakened and taught the Doppelgängers.

It was natural for the villagers' resentnt to be directed at him.

He was no longer the village headman, nor their neighbor.

"Although I have stepped down from my position, I would be happy to serve as a servant or a soldier. Please let serve you again."

"I'm not in a position to pay you generously."

"I will serve you."

"...Thank you."

Hal nodded lightly.

There was no justification or reason to forcibly turn away soone who wanted to serve him.

'It wouldn't be right to leave him here...'

Dane's expression brightened at Hal's acceptance.

He then stood up and positioned himself behind Hal.

Dane's father, an old man, simply bowed his head and asked Hal to take good care of his son.

On the other hand, the villagers hesitantly opened the way.

There was no courtesy towards the successor of the territory, nor gratitude for saving the village.

They simply avoided and feared Hal of the Gilmore clan.

The three of them slowly walked through the crowd towards where they had tied their horses.

"..."

Daniel, displeased with the current situation, gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

However, because of the conversation he had with Hal, he simply endured.

"I'm sorry."

Hal awkwardly apologized at the sight.

"Even if you don't care, there's no reason for Sir Daniel to receive such treatnt."

"...It's fine."

Daniel also waved his hand dismissively, seemingly deflated by Hal's apology.

As the three were about to leave,

"Wait... please."

A child approached them.

Hal recognized the child and opened his eyes wide in surprise.

"It's Den."

Den, the son of the deceased Aaron's family.

Den, his eyes red and swollen, stumbled towards them.

"...Uncle Dane. I'm sorry."

"No! Why are you apologizing? What are you sorry for?!"

Dane replied, almost shouting, his voice urgent.

His face was contorted in pain.

"Rather, I... Because of ... this happened..."

Dane gritted his teeth, unable to finish his sentence.

Den shook his head.

"I don't know about that. But I lied."

"...?"

"Actually... you see. I knew."

"Huh? What did you know...!"

Dane's eyes widened.

Hal and Daniel did the sa.

The child continued, his voice choked with sobs.

"I... I knew. That Mom and D-Dad..."

"..."

"B-But I wanted to believe it wasn't true... I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Waaaaah..."

Everyone was speechless.

The child knew.

About his parents' deaths.

That the beings who raised him were monsters.

But even so, he wanted to deny reality.

Because for the child, his parents were his whole world.

"...No, no!"

Dane quickly ran and hugged Den.

Then, he burst into tears like a child along with Den and apologized.

"I'm sorry! If I... If I hadn't been so foolish!"

Dane's voice cracked like rough iron.

He cursed his past and swore to God.

"Give a chance. I will protect you. Even if it costs my life."

The child nodded, sobbing as if pouring out all the tears he had been holding back.

Dane, as if he had received salvation, just hugged the child tightly.

After crying for a long ti, the child finally looked at Hal and bowed deeply.

"Thank you for saving ."

"..."

The child knew that it was Hal who had avenged his parents and saved him.

Hal didn't know how to respond to the gratitude from the child he thought would resent him.

Hal simply stroked the child's head gently.

"...Um."

Just then, one of the villagers spoke up with difficulty.

His pupils were trembling as if he was anxious, but he seed to have gathered his courage.

"Th-tha... Thank you for saving my husband!"

Hal recalled the woman who had been restlessly pacing in front of the mine.

"...It seems your husband is safe. That's a relief."

Hal nodded.

The next mont,

The villagers started approaching Hal one by one.

They each approached Hal and Daniel and expressed their gratitude.

So shed tears, while others smiled joyfully.

"...This is sudden."

Daniel muttered as if he didn't understand, but Hal felt like he knew why.

They were simply afraid.

Of the new authority figure, a mber of the Gilmore clan.

In this world, a savior who rescued them could turn into a robber in an instant and steal everything they had.

Hal understood their anxiety and nodded.

That was enough.

Bright smiles blood on the faces of the villagers, and the clear blue sky that had cleared up was now shining with warm sunlight.

***

"Please lead us."

The old man, Dane's father, bowed deeply.

Following him, all the villagers bowed to Hal.

"...What kind of magic did you use?"

"..."

Daniel asked, still seemingly unable to understand.

But this ti, Hal couldn't answer because he didn't know the answer either.

Hal, Daniel, Dane, and Den mounted their horses to head to the mansion.

They were bewildered to see the villagers gathered at the entrance of the mining village.

Honestly, Hal didn't have the slightest lingering attachnt to the authority of being a lord.

Rather, it was burdenso to have people he was responsible for when he had to leave on a journey of revenge.

However, Hal was the type to silently carry out the role given to him.

He had entered the priesthood for revenge, but he never neglected his duties as a priest.

Although it was an unwanted position as lord, he intended to live up to people's expectations this ti as well.

Therefore, Hal had only one thing to say to them.

"...I will officially visit you again after assuming the position of lord."

"...!"

The people's eyes widened.

A short silence followed.

"Alright!"

Soone shouted, raising both hands.

Only then did the people smile brightly and raise their hands.

"Long live Lord Hal! Long live Heidern!"

"Hurrah!"

The old man started the chant, and the villagers followed, their voices erupting in blessings for Hal.

In that festive atmosphere, Hal was slightly flustered, bowed politely, and then urged his horse forward.

"I feel like I've been possessed by a ghost."

At Daniel's words, Hal nodded calmly.

"Although I am lacking, I suppose this ans I still have work to do."

"By the will of God?"

"Yes, by the will of God."

The two n exchanged glances and chuckled briefly.

Despite facing an unexpected crisis, they had survived once again.

If everything was according to God's will, it ant they still had things to accomplish.

Although not a particularly devout believer, Daniel quite liked Hal's interpretation.

After riding for so ti,

Even though they rode slowly in consideration of the tired Den and Dane, they were able to reach the mansion before sunset.

Clip-clop, clip-clop!

The mansion beca bustling at the sight of Hal and his party returning.

By the ti they entered the mansion, Bishop Arsen, the Holy Knights, and the Imperial nobles with their escorts were already there to greet them.

"I have returned."

At Hal's greeting, the Imperial noble sneered and said,

"Returning already? Did you even go to the mine?"

"Yes, I did. As expected, there was a demon."

"I see. But why co back empty-handed? You're not saying you can't do it now, are you?"

The bishop's expression hardened at the noble's sarcastic tone.

Just as the bishop was about to speak in a cold, low voice,

"I took care of it."

"...What?"

"I said I took care of it."

Hal calmly looked down at the noble from his horse and said.

Bishop Arsen, who had been staring blankly at the noble and Hal in turn, finally burst into laughter.

"As expected of Hal!"

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Max]