Barbarian Quest - Chapter 46: Witch (2)

The Southern barbarians were the quickest barbarians to assimilate with the Empire. They already had a lot of interactions with the Southern kingdoms, and because they also worshiped the sun, there was less hostility towards Sol. In the end, the majority of the Southern barbarian tribes surrendered within a year of the war.

“Looks like the young master also knows how to buy a prostitute?” joked the mercenaries. Fahel was leading Juniva into their dormitory.

“She isn’t a prostitute. I brought a healer,” said Fahel while scowling.

“If you pay me, I can also do the former,” said Juniva from behind. The mercenaries whistled and made obscene jokes.

“Stop! I brought you here to heal someone. Anything other than that, keep it to yourself,” shouted Fahel.

Creak.

Juniva and Fahel entered Urich’s room. Juniva squinted.

“Is he a Northerner?”

“I don’t know exactly either. Whether he is a Southerner or a Northerner, he’s still the same barbarian.”

Fahel sat in the back. His coin purse was clattering.

“He certainly has a high fever. He’s suffering from a fever,” said Juniva while looking at Urich’s red face.

“I didn’t bring you here to listen to something as obvious as that. If you are able to help this man—Urich—get better, I will award you with a million cil. It shouldn’t be a small amount for you,” said Fahel.

“Then please give me a hundred gold coins, young master,” said Juniva with a slight laugh. A hundred gold coins was worth 10 million cil.

“If you want, I can give it to you.”

Fahel glared at her with his blue eyes. He pulled out his sword and planted it on the floor.

“…But if you want 10 million cil, you’ll have to do so with your life on the line. If you are unable to heal him, I will have your neck,” said Fahel through clenched teeth.

‘I don’t expect a lot from her. She could always just be a struggling prostitute that approached me for my money.’

Fahel thought that if she was a liar, she would try to run away at this point.

“10 million cil. Please swear this on Sun God Ru’s name, young master.”

Juniva approached Fahel, putting her hand on Fahel’s chest and pulling out his Sol pendant.

“Take your hands off my body! I will vow this on Sun God Ru’s name. If you are able to heal Urich, I will give you a hundred gold coins.”

“Ru would have surely heard that as well.”

Juniva gave a slow bow. She sat down next to Urich.

‘There are a lot of unsightly scars. He must be a warrior who has teetered between the line of life and death countless times.’

Juniva felt a sense of nostalgia while looking at Urich’s body. It was a body that she wanted to hug right away.

Stretch.

She reached out her hands to touch Urich’s forehead.

“Aaargh!”

Urich suddenly opened his eyes and snatched Juniva’s hand. He looked back and forth between the woman and Fahel.

“What? Fahel, it was you? And who is this girl? Even if it’s me, it’s hard to embrace a girl right now. While I appreciate the thought… Urgh, fuck. Again. BWARGH.”

Urich put his head down and vomited for a long time. Because he didn’t have anything in his stomach, only a watery fluid came out.

“She isn’t a prostitute. I brought her here to heal you.”

Fahel closed his eyes and didn’t watch Urich vomit. He had a weak stomach. Even just the sound of Urich’s heaves made him feel bloated.

“Haaak, ptoo. This girl? Is she a shaman?”

Urich barely raised his upper body. He looked at Juniva with hazy eyes.

“How do you feel?”

“Like I’m going to die. It feels like I drank alcohol and was on the verge of throwing up but someone opened my head and poured in even more.”

“By the way you talk, I don’t think the fever has reached into your head yet.”

Juniva touched Urich’s forehead.

‘It’s cool. It feels nice.’

Juniva’s cold hands temporarily abated Urich’s fever.

“I’ve seen countless strong warriors die from diseases.”

“Die? Who are you saying is going to die? Don’t say shit like that.”

“All of the dead warriors said something like that. ‘There’s no way I’m going to die. Do you think I’m going to die like this?’ and things along those lines. But all are equal in front of death. We will have to shed the imperfections known as our bodies someday. No one knows when that day will come,” said Juniva calmly.

“I’m certain that I didn’t bring you here to preach shit like that, Juniva.” said Fahel from the back, holding onto his sword that he was still unfamiliar with. He was awkward with it as it was the first time that he threatened someone with a weapon. Juniva smirked.

“Everyone is given vitality when they are born. Some people’s vitality is as small as a pond and others are as big as a large lake. Those who have low vitality won’t live for a long time after receiving an illness. On the other hand, those with a great amount of vitality can overcome any wounds or illnesses and get quickly back up.”

“So?”

“This warrior has already used the majority of his vitality at a young age. The vitality, which normally is spent through the person’s entire lifespan, is almost about to run out. It’s also the reason that he’s sick. The diseases, which were vigilantly waiting for this warrior’s body to weaken, swarmed in the moment he became weak.”

“My vitality ran out?”

“If someone else had as much vitality as you, they could have used that vitality their entire lives and would still have excess to spare. They would have never gotten sick and lived healthily before they died. It means that you must have lived your life with great passion to make that enormous vitality run out at such a young age.”

Juniva grabbed Urich’s hand with both hands.

“Then does this mean that I’m going to die?”

Urich wasn’t angry anymore. He just calmly asked.

“You won’t be able to overcome this disease. Your vitality has run out.”

“Really? Fahel, what do I do now? She’s saying that I’m going to die. I’m sorry I won’t be able to fulfill your request. I really wanted to see the imperial capital too. Shit,” said Urich while looking at Fahel. Fahel clenched his teeth.

“It looks like she is a cultist. I’ll bring a better healer than this woman.”

Fahel stood up. Juniva raised her hand.

“I didn’t say that I was unable to treat him, young master. You’re too impatient.”

“Are you messing around with me? Tell me how to heal him. Juniva, I am a child who doesn’t have an ounce of patience. If things don’t happen the way I want it to happen, I don’t know what I’d do,” said Fahel coldly.

“If someone’s vitality has run out, you just need to fill it up again. If you give me three days, I will return with medicine for it. One capable of completely filling up his vitality. However, I need an advance. Can you please give me around 2 million cil first, young master?” Juniva laughed, slit-eyed.

“If there is an ingredient that you need, I will acquire it for you myself. Why would I trust you and give you an advance?”

“I will vow to the Sun God Ru.”

“I can’t trust a prostitute’s vow. Furthermore, you are a barbarian. There is still a lot of debate whether the sun that the Southerners worship is the same god as Ru.”

“How uptight. Then, young master, goodbye.”

Juniva stood up and walked out of the door. There was no hesitation in her steps.

“Good thinking, Fahel. She was probably just a swindler. My vitality ran out? I must have gone mad as well for believing that bullshit. Your head gets dumber if your body gets weaker. Anyways, I’ll probably get better if I eat and rest well. Don’t worry.”

Urich coughed then laid down on the bed.

‘Urich, who looked massive compared to other people, now looks like the other mercenaries. The aura that surrounded him disappeared. If that aura was the vitality thing…’

Fahel bit his lip while looking at Urich. He clenched his fists and ran outside. He called Juniva who was in the middle of negotiations with the mercenaries.

“I’ll pay you, Juniva! Make sure to heal Urich.”

Juniva laughed as if she had been waiting for it. She kissed a mercenary on the cheek to say goodbye to them.

“I will do my best, young master.”

Juniva, who received the advance from Fahel, stuck her tongue out. There was a small marble embedded on her tongue. Its purpose was a tool to make men feel good.

* * *

* * *

Bump.

One of the mercenaries passed by after hitting Bakman on the shoulder. Bakman scowled and turned around.

“Where did your eyes go?”

When Bakman barked, the mercenary just scoffed.

“You should’ve just avoided it. Why are you giving me this shit?”

“It’s obvious that you did it on purpose you bastard.”

Bakman also gave a sinister laugh. The mercenary world was vicious. If you are looked down upon, you receive a lower rank.

‘Damn it. I’m being looked down on by a newcomer who wasn’t even one of the gladiators.’

His pride was properly stepped on. Bakman couldn’t back out.

‘If I don’t get an apology here, I will be admitting that I have less influence.’

Bakman spread his arms and blocked the mercenary’s path.

“Apologize to me.”

“Apologize? Why should I apologize when we bumped into each other? Do you have an arrow in your head or something? Huh?”

The mercenary shoved his head forward, close enough to almost headbutt him.

‘Donovan faction.’

The mercenary that was bickering with Bakman was a member of the Donovan faction. It was clear that some mercenaries were already preparing to join Donovan’s faction.

‘Fuck. Urich.’

Urich had an open mind. He always looked at the bigger picture. He didn’t give any detriment to joining the Donovan faction. Because of that, those who were quick-witted joined it.

‘That’s the way that Urich leads the mercenary group, but…’

Urich was a natural warrior. He was an existence that you couldn’t help but follow if you were a warrior. He naturally stood above the other warriors without having to be desperate for the leader position. Because of it, he didn’t have a reason to use his head to keep the others in check.

‘But for a normal guy like me, I have to use my head as much as I can to maintain my position.’

The mercenary shoved Bakman away with his hand.

“If you want an apology, get one with your sword. Ru will decide who was in the wrong.”

The others surrounding them murmured. It was a clear invitation to battle.

‘Hmph, he’s just a bastard that follows behind Urich. I should teach him a lesson this time.’

Bakman, at best, was middle of the pack in terms of combat abilities. Sociability and quick wits were his forte.

“You’ll regret looking down on me.”

Bakman clenched his teeth. He was also a man. If he backed out of this situation, it would be something that he would be ridiculed by for the rest of his life.

‘Damn it! Can anyone please mediate?!’ shouted Bakman on the inside. Normally, when something like this happens, Urich would show up, grab both of the individuals and say something like, ‘If you have an issue, why don’t both of you fight me? I will break both of your skulls together. You guys might have been born on different days, but you guys can die together on the same one!’

“Stop it.”

Sven lumbered over and grabbed both Bakman’s and the mercenary’s arms.

CRUUUUSH!

Sven put a lot of strength into his grip. While he wasn’t as strong as Urich, he was still strong. It was the grip of a barbarian who had used a two-handed axe for his entire life.

“Urrrgh!”

“Gurgh!”

Bakman and the mercenary both let out grunts.

“Shake hands with each other. Before I break your wrists,” said Sven as he forced the two hands together.

“Y-You’re lucky, Bakman.”

“I should say that to you.”

Thanks to Sven’s intervention, there was no fight. He, who was forced to intervene, muttered something that was aimed at the mercenaries.

“Only animals bite and fight each for their standing the moment the leader becomes weak.”

The Northerner clicked his tongue. He was a heavy person. He gladly fought as a slave gladiator out of loyalty for Horus, who saved him, and used all of the money that he earned to free his brothers. There wasn’t a more upright person than Sven in the mercenary group.

“Sven, can we talk for a moment?” said Bakman while massaging his wrist. Sven nodded.

“The moment that Urich, our pillar, disappears, it looks like this. How pathetic,” said Sven while looking at the mercenaries outside.

“Sven, if Urich doesn’t get up, I want you to become the mercenary leader. I’ll support you.” Bakman quickly got to the main point. Sven touched his beard and let out a soft chuckle.

“How wretched, Bakman. You aren’t fit to be a warrior. You are someone who suits being a fisherman or joining one of the guards nearby.”

“Perhaps. But right now, I am a mercenary. I don’t want to lose an opportunity to earn money.”

Bakman was a materialistic and small-minded person. He wasn’t a hero.

‘But the majority of people are no different from Bakman.’

Sven touched his long beard and answered.

“I refuse. If Urich is no longer the leader, I will leave the mercenary group and go North.”

“What about the request then?”

“I made no such vow. Sun God Ru is not the Northerners’ god. I don’t know if my brothers will stay here, but I will be returning to the Holy Land of the North.”

Sven’s decision was firm. Bakman realized that he couldn’t change the barbarian’s mind.

“I understand. I guess that my fate will decide on whether Urich is able to get up or not.”

They finished their conversation. As they stepped out, they felt the gazes of the other mercenaries.

‘Donovan.’

Donovan was rolling dice with the members of his faction. He looked at Bakman and exposed his yellow teeth.

‘Damn it. If it’s him, he’ll know that Sven wouldn’t want to become the mercenary leader. He looks so relaxed.’

Donovan was a patient man. He firmly waited under Urich and grabbed his opportunity now.

“I’m quite lucky with the dice today,” said Donovan.