The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 167

The plaza was still filled with people, their faces etched with fury and grief. They had been robbed of their homes by a sudden storm in Coral Sahar, forced to flee, and then, to add insult to injury, they were attacked by humans who had inexplicably transformed into monsters. Their anger and sorrow were pushing them to the edge of madness.

In front of such a volatile crowd, one had to be extremely careful with every word and action.

“W-what on earth is going on? Why are people turning into monsters…?”

“They killed my family! What happened?”

“S-some people are saying that only those who took the Blue Banner Gang’s elixirs turned into monsters. Is that true?”

“No, the Taoist [a priest or practitioner of Taoism] wouldn’t do that!”

“It’s that woman! That strange woman and the clown, they…”

“Yes, the clowns!”

The people were remembering Arael and her group, who had disguised themselves as traveling merchants and performed acrobatics.

Near them, some people, whether they were members of the Blue Banner Gang or just ordinary citizens, were trying to redirect the people’s anger towards Arael’s group.

“First, everyone calm down. And you, how did you regain your senses?” Azadin pointed to those who had been minions but had regained their minds.

“That’s…”

“The Taoist helped us regain our senses.”

“See? The Blue Banner Gang’s Taoist saved you from your rampage with their secret arts. If it weren’t for the Blue Banner Gang’s power, this situation would have been a disaster.”

Azadin openly sided with the Blue Banner Gang, which secretly reassured their members.

However, since the Blue Banner Gang had been quite corrupt in the past, others who distrusted them asked,

“But why did this happen in the first place?”

“Most of the people who turned into monsters had taken the Blue Banner Gang’s elixirs. Are you really saying the Blue Banner Gang isn’t responsible?”

Then, the Blue Banner Gang members immediately shifted all blame to the clowns, or rather, Arael’s faction, who had approached the refugee camp disguised as peddlers.

“Those clowns poisoned us! I’m sure of it.”

“No! The Blue Banner Gang’s elixirs were poisoned!”

The people were in a state of anxiety, throwing out various conspiracy theories.

“Everyone, calm down!” Azadin said, invoking the Emperor’s Voice.

The artificial spirit attached to the Emperor’s herald, the Emperor’s Voice, amplified Azadin’s voice, making it sound like a powerful voice that didn’t belong to just one person, echoing in all directions.

“Ah.”

“…”

Everyone in the crowd focused on Azadin.

“As the blood of the Yegas gods thins, the light of the King’s Transformation weakens, and the power of Jupiter grows stronger, the blood of the old gods that sank into the Netherstrom [a mythical realm or dimension] boils.”

Azadin, with strength in his voice, spoke clearly and loudly about the prophecy of the Age of Jupiter.

“Now is the Age of Jupiter. This terrible incident… the storm in Coral Sahar, all of it is the work of the Nether’s power.”

There was no lie in these words. The Blue Banner Gang had indeed spread something containing the Nether’s power, calling it an elixir, but it was true that all the incidents were caused by the Nether’s power.

“Fortunately, a powerful new king has ascended the throne of Coral Sahar. So, for now, those who came from Coral Sahar should return there. Go back and prepare for the coming Age of Jupiter.”

Azadin said this and called for the Blue Banner Gang’s Taoist.

“Yes?”

“Choose trustworthy people to escort some of the refugees going to Coral Sahar.”

If those who had taken the Blue Banner Gang’s elixirs gathered in one place, it would be similar to the followers of the Death God gathering for a ritual.

In other words, it was necessary to disperse the Blue Banner Gang’s members to prevent such incidents from happening again.

“Ah, I understand.”

The Blue Banner Gang’s Taoist was in no position to argue with Azadin’s instructions.

“But, to move so many people, we need food and supplies.”

“Use the Blue Banner Gang’s supplies that you’ve been hoarding.”

“Yes? But that won’t be enough…”

Azadin clicked his tongue and took out some money.

Azadin had amassed quite a fortune over time. However, even a huge sum of money for an individual was not enough to feed the refugees and many others.

“Use this to help manage the people.”

“Ah, th-thank you.”

“And we are planning to head to Butuma. Could you write a letter of recommendation so we can get cooperation from the Blue Banner Gang people we might meet?”

“A letter of recommendation? Of course. No, not just that, but this…”

The Blue Banner Gang’s Taoist handed Azadin a decorated baton about the length of his forearm.

“What is this?”

“This is the Blue Banner Gang’s baton. It originally symbolized my position… I’ll write you a letter of recommendation, so please take this too.”

“…”

Azadin was speechless at the Taoist’s offer to give him the baton, which was like his own identification.

‘Is this guy just trying to quit and run away? Passing it all on to me? He’s just a middle manager in a pseudo-religion, not a real Taoist. Why would he give up a position with no benefits and only hardship as if he’s doing me a favor?’

Such questions arose, but… considering the trip to Butuma, it was better to accept it.

“If I take this, what about you?” Azadin’s voice naturally became sharp, perhaps because he was feeling displeased.

“I feel my inadequacy and wish to transfer the position of Taoist to you.”

Even though he couldn’t possibly be unaware of Azadin’s discomfort, the Taoist cheerfully passed it on to Azadin.

“Just taking this baton doesn’t make me a Taoist, does it? Isn’t it a position appointed by your cult leader? Can you just transfer it so easily?”

“The Heavenly Lord has said that when we feel inadequate, we should willingly transfer our position. I will stay by your side to assist you with the parts of the Blue Banner Gang’s laws and systems that you are not familiar with.”

That meant that at least this Taoist wasn’t planning to take the money and run away.

Azadin looked back at his companions.

“Well, wouldn’t it be okay?” Shatty replied casually.

‘Actually, since I even joined the Blue Banner Gang on purpose, receiving the position of Taoist is more than welcome. I just didn’t expect it to happen so easily.’

Azadin had planned to infiltrate the Blue Banner Gang disguised as a common member to understand the organization and use it if possible. But suddenly, he was a high-ranking officer.

“So, what’s your name?”

“Ah, I am Jiswa. And you are…”

“Didn’t I introduce myself once?”

“You said you were Adan. Isn’t that a fake name?”

“Why do you think so?”

“Because you are armed and traveling in a group, and I can sense your extraordinary skills and aura. My guess is that you were trying to test us from the moment you approached us.”

The Blue Banner Gang’s Taoist, Jiswa, had actually been suspicious of Azadin’s group when they first arrived. A group that was armed and didn’t seem to be merchants. Were they the Cell Sword Guild or just bandits? That’s why he had ordered the investigation of another suspicious group, Arael’s faction.

“So, knowing that, you’re still handing over the Taoist position to me? Fine. My real name is Azadin.”

“You’re from the Herald Clan. I knew you were no ordinary person.”

“How did you recognize me as a Herald Clan member right away?”

“Azadin is a name of the Herald Clan, isn’t it? When the Herald Clan was shipwrecked on Hybris, they landed in Butuma. There is still a lot of knowledge about the Herald Clan, or rather, the Aragasa [a term for the Herald Clan], in the vicinity of Butuma. If you want to hide your identity, it would be better to continue using the alias Adan in Butuma.”

“But is it okay for me, the Emperor’s herald, to also be a Blue Banner Gang Taoist?” Azadin asked about that point.

This Blue Banner Gang Taoist, Jiswa, couldn’t possibly not know that Azadin, as the Emperor’s herald, wouldn’t be swayed by the Blue Banner Gang’s ideology. However…

“Isn’t this a chaotic era? I don’t think it matters.”

Jiswa, who had initially been suspicious of Azadin, had completely changed his attitude, perhaps because he had survived thanks to Azadin in this incident. He seemed genuinely impressed by Azadin and eager to hand over his position to him.

If this were the position of a count or a king, it would be a great example of abdication, but since it was just a middle manager position in a pseudo-religion, Azadin felt like he was being forced to drink from a poisoned chalice.

‘I was planning to investigate and infiltrate the Blue Banner Gang, but now that they’ve laid out the red carpet like this, I don’t feel good about it.’

Jibeck also felt the same way.

Just a few months ago, Jibeck was a model holy knight, but now he was a member of a group that included a Herald Clan member, an Orc necromancer, and now even a blood mage from a pseudo-religion.

Of course, it was all because of Sir Zekt’s mistake, and he had no doubts about Azadin’s character, but anyone who didn’t know Azadin’s character would have no choice but to criticize Jibeck for being corrupted.

“I don’t actually know anything about the Blue Banner Gang’s teachings. Is it really okay for me to be a Taoist?”

“I know the teachings. And… if the minion rampage really happened because of a structural problem, as that woman said, then the Blue Banner Gang’s teachings and the Blue Banner Gang’s organization are incompatible. In terms of practicing the teachings, you, who are already worried about the refugees and giving away your personal wealth, are already excellent.”

Like most pseudo-religions, the Blue Banner Gang’s teachings were filled with only good-sounding words.

Jiswa’s argument was that Azadin was qualified to be a Taoist because he actually practiced those good-sounding teachings.

‘This guy is surprisingly perceptive. I need to be careful.’

Azadin realized that Jiswa was aware of his intentions.

Regardless, Azadin needed the Blue Banner Gang’s organization.

So, he knew that Azadin would eventually accept the position of Taoist, even with this unreasonable request.

‘What is he aiming for? I guess I’ll have to find out myself?’

Azadin was suspicious of Jiswa, but he accepted his offer.

“Then, I’ll ask you to guide us on the way to Butuma, Jiswa.”

“Yes, Taoist Azadin.”

“Did you already decide on that title? Just call me Azadin. And call me Adan once we’re past Butuma.”

*********

Azadin received the position of Taoist from the Blue Banner Gang’s Taoist, Jiswa, and obtained a map of the area near Butuma.

Not only that, but Jiswa also decided to guide Azadin personally. Following Jiswa, some of the Blue Banner Gang members and some of the refugees also followed.

“We want to go to Butuma too.”

“We want to find work in Butuma.”

“There’s not enough food or jobs here, and the air is bad, so diseases keep spreading.”

As more and more people came to join them on their way to Butuma, Jiswa looked at Azadin, troubled.

Now, Azadin was Jiswa’s leader, and if they wanted to go, the decision was up to Azadin.

“Let’s go together.”

Azadin allowed them to join.

Azadin’s group was strong enough that this journey wouldn’t be a big threat, but for the refugees, the beasts, monsters, and bandits they might encounter on the road were a threat.

“Then, shall we go to Butuma? Wait, Jiswa. If I’m a Taoist, does that mean I can meet the person called the Heavenly Lord?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

In Butuma, where the Naga Empire’s invasion was planned, if they could persuade the leaders of the Blue Banner Gang, it would surely be a great help.

‘Even if not, I have to stop them from becoming minions and rampaging. It’ll be hard enough dealing with the Naga’s attacks, and if the Blue Banner Gang starts rampaging, it’ll be even harder. I hope the Heavenly Lord is someone I can talk to.’

Azadin set off on the road, looking forward to meeting the Blue Banner Gang’s leader, the Heavenly Lord.