Barbarian in a Failed Game

The war sparked by the Greenskin warriors inflicted enormous losses across the entire continent. Though the fallen nations were peripheral kingdoms that couldn’t significantly impact the continental power balance, reality is never that simple.

“What? All those countries have fallen? Because of those green monsters!”

“Goods are not coming in as they should…! How can there be imports if the countries have collapsed?”

From the merchant companies dealing with the peripheral kingdoms, chaos erupted immediately. The merchant companies that brought in unique goods not available in the Empire from outside or exported the Empire’s goods to the peripheral kingdoms were in uproar.

With the main financers dead, they couldn’t remain unaffected. The Empire’s commerce was in a state of emergency, and the heads of the merchant association convened daily for strategy meetings.

Of course, they couldn’t come up with any solutions. The Greenskins, non-human perpetrators of the catastrophe, had already been subdued by the Empire’s hands.

They couldn’t demand reparations from the culprits who had caused the widespread destruction. Thus, merchants, including the merchant association, quickly turned their blame.

Rumors started spreading across the Empire, “Wasn’t it the Empire’s delayed response that exacerbated the situation?”

These rumors spread across the continent within days, creating a continental-wide reaction. Survivors from the peripheral kingdoms, including their royalties, began to rise in protest.

“Why did it take ten days to dispatch the subjugation forces?”

“Where is the power of the great Empire? Were you so scared of the Greenskins that you delayed the expedition?”

“Our merchant company has suffered catastrophic losses from this incident! Not only have we lost all existing trade routes, but three of our main trading kingdoms have fallen! How do you plan to compensate for this loss?”

However, the public response was lukewarm. Imperials generally regarded the world outside the Empire as ‘lesser peripheries’, and the Empire had swiftly ended the war with a single expedition, demonstrating its power.

But under the surface, thanks to the merchant association’s persistent propaganda and the influx of massive refugees, criticism against the Empire was growing.

“They are doing unnecessary things.”

Emperor Friedrick dismissed all the criticism with a simple remark.

“I will assign three Banner Lords and two Battle Mages. Go meet with the merchant association.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Chief Court Minister Deon, who had emerged as the most trusted confidant after the Chief Administrator’s betrayal, quietly left the palace.

That very day, the merchant association, which had been manipulating public opinion from behind the scenes, ceased all schemes and issued a statement expressing their respect for the Empire’s swift ten-day resolution of the situation.

Furthermore, the Imperial Family sympathetically acknowledged the merchant association’s losses and granted business rights in territories directly governed by the Imperial Family to the affected merchants.

“Send the refugees to the Georges Principality.”

Emperor Friedrick handled the refugee issue decisively. With vast lands but a sparse population, and having recently lost many men in a civil war, the Georges Principality was an ideal place to send the refugees.

As compensation, the Imperial Family opened their granaries to send food and generously distributed gold.

This incident highlighted why the Empire collapsed after the death of Emperor Friedrick in the ‘Midland Quest.’ His abilities were unparalleled compared to other leaders.

Yet, even Emperor Friedrick had problems that weren’t easily solved.

“So, what’s going on with the Sword Phantom?”

Notoriously unpredictable and supremely talented within the Empire, she had flawlessly completed the large-scale subjugation as the commander.

Naturally, the Imperial Family planned a grand triumphal ceremony to elevate Leniyar to hero status.

It was the perfect event to restore public morale shaken by the war, and even for the Sword Mountain, whose influence had waned due to Cain Leichtahp’s treason, it was a beneficial move.

However, upon her return to the Empire, Leniyar had secluded herself in the Sword Mountain, refusing to make any public appearances.

“Well, who can guess her intentions?”

Conrad, the half-dragon knight, shrugged.

“Maybe she had some sudden epiphany or something. Old Falken used to do that occasionally too.”

Knowing that her mentor, Valken Leichtahp, often displayed similar eccentricities, Conrad didn’t seem overly concerned.

Yet, Emperor Friedrick couldn’t shake off his discomfort. A certain insight, developed over decades as an emperor, kept signaling unease. And the emperor’s intuition was not mistaken.

When Chief Court Minister Deon, who had ‘peacefully’ completed negotiations with the merchant association, returned with peculiar news, the truth became apparent.

“Your Majesty. The leadership of the Argon Kingdom is suppressing rumors of the Dragon Slayer’s death….”

The death of the Dragon Slayer, relayed by a commander of the participating Argon Kingdom who had ties with the merchant association, was not news the emperor could take lightly.

Because the Dragon Slayer was none other than ‘Gordi Khan’.

Emperor Friedrick, often known by the nickname “Iron-Blooded”, was known for his cold demeanor. He remained unfazed by the death of even his own kin, a testament to his complete embodiment of his role as an emperor.

That Friedrick showed visible surprise at someone’s death was something even Conrad found extraordinary. But for the emperor, it was a natural reaction.

‘The one who obliterated the ancient giant resurrected in Paradise… died in a mere war against Greenskins?’

It was only recently that he had heard about the event in Paradise through Elena, the Scales of Justice. Furthermore, Gordi Khan was the only link to the mysterious ‘Han,’ and many key figures influencing the Empire had deep ties with him.

‘Now it makes sense.’

Leniyar, the Sword Phantom, had secluded herself in the Sword Mountain immediately after the war. The initial catalyst for the downfall of Paradise, including the raid on the Paradise Bank, was orchestrated by Gordi Khan and Leniyar.

“Though I do not know the exact nature of their relationship, if the commander, who ended the war, experienced a change of heart upon hearing about the disappearance of a significant bond… it’s understandable.”

“Hmm… Your Majesty, that girl is not one to be swayed by someone’s death.”

“People do change.”

I have changed as well. Conrad remained silent in response to Emperor Friedrick’s quiet murmur. The emperor had subtly indicated that Gordi Khan played a part in his own transformation.

“Whatever the case may be. If we assume that his death—no, his disappearance—has deeply unsettled the Sword Phantom, what about the others?”

“Ah…!”

Conrad let out a shallow gasp. The true nature of the unease the emperor had been expressing all this time became clear.

Gordi Khan.

A warrior from a barbarian tribe despised and loathed across the continent. He was not a man to be classified by such simplistic views.

In a kingdom that had to endure rebellion and the resurrection of an ancient dragon, he was a dragon slayer and a hero who saved the nation. In a duchy that seethed with revolution, he was a demon slayer, a seasoned warrior who quelled an internal uprising.

He was also the benefactor who led a decaying paradise back to the right path, providing new lands to displaced elves and dwarves. He subdued ancient beings and was a great warrior.

Moreover, many of those who had bonded with him were influential figures in strategic positions within the Empire.

The experienced emperor intuitively understood that the case with the Sword Phantom was just the beginning and that the aftermath of his disappearance would eventually upset the Empire.

“His presence has become too impactful to be dismissed as that of a mere individual. Without anyone’s realization….”

Though it might seem excessively hyperbolic to suggest that a single individual’s existence could threaten the continental superpower, the emperor himself was certain of it.

Thus, the emperor knew he had to make a decisive move.

“This won’t do. Summon the heads of the Three Pillars.”

In response to a crisis that hadn’t surfaced in hundreds of years, the emperor decided to convene a meeting to discuss matters potentially threatening the foundation of the Empire.

***

Banner Lords guarding the emperor, disguised and traveling incognito, visited the Sword Mountain, the Magic Tower, and the Church to convey the emperor’s message. Naturally, the Elector families were unaware of this.

The criteria set by the emperor for attendance were simple:

Only those who were qualified to discuss the disappearance of the Dragon Slayer were invited.

First, the Sword Mountain responded.

The Sword Phantom, who had been secluding herself, headed alone towards the capital. The Church sent two prospective apostles, accompanied by a paladin.

And from the Magic Tower—

“Am I really fit to attend such a meeting?”

“Who else but you, Ron?”

“My student is right. You should stand tall. Strictly speaking, you were the first companion, aside from that paladin girl.”

Well, that’s true but still—

Ron, who found himself representing the Magic Tower at the Three Pillars meeting, sighed deeply. Even if it wasn’t wrong, wasn’t there supposed to be some decorum?

A mere mercenary among such distinguished company, holding a conversation with the emperor? Just the thought was suffocating.

Although Magus Jerome, Jan’s mentor, accompanied him to maintain some semblance of formality, Ron was ultimately the representative.

This fact weighed heavily on his shoulders.

“Hoo.”

The moment he followed a man who introduced himself as the Chief Court Minister, Deon, into the room and felt the atmosphere, he was completely subdued.

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

There were not too many people in the room, but not too few either. The imperial attendants, the emperor’s steadfast guards including the half-dragon knight willing to follow him anywhere, even to hell, and Emperor Friedrick seated at the head.

Then there were the Sword Phantom, two prospective apostles favored by the Goddess of Justice, and a paladin.

Gulp—

The sound of him swallowing his burgeoning anxiety was exceptionally loud. The oppressive silence in the room was more suffocating than being choked by an orc.

“You’ve come.”

Emperor Friedrick’s voice broke the silence as he acknowledged the arrival of the delegation from the Magic Tower. All eyes in the room turned to Ron, and for a moment, meeting the emperor’s gaze made Ron feel as though his mind had gone blank.

He finally realized:

Today, the future of the continent would be decided here. And Gordi Khan, the one who always found solutions, was no longer there.

“Let’s commence the Three Pillars meeting. The topic is…”

Emperor Friedrick’s steely voice pierced Ron’s consciousness.

“The prophet or the one who has experienced the future, known as ‘Han’. And now, with the disappearance of the Dragon Slayer, who was the only link to him. What remains of the continent’s future as left by these two… that seems to be our agenda.”