Surviving without God

The road to the kingdom. Gunther Sirhe recalled the words spoken by Servan Barkel.

— Not everyone at the Round Table agreed to your invitation.

— What does that mean?

— It means the matter passed the council with difficulty, three votes to two.

All important affairs within the kingdom were decided by agreement among the five knightly families of the Round Table. The request for aid from Night Raven was no exception, and as it turned out, the decision had been made by the narrowest majority. In other words, not everyone was pleased with their support.

“Tradition and pride... that must be the reason.”

It was also tied to how Night Raven was perceived. Many regarded them as little better than terrorists, willing to use any means necessary. Keeping that in mind, Gunther fixed his gaze forward once more.

A “welcoming party” was already waiting at the main road of the village.

Shhk!

Under fluttering banners, knights stood in formation, their sharp gazes directed at Gunther and his companions. Gunther studied the emblem on the flag. A long spear driven into flames. The crest of the Arder family—the First Family of the Round Table. No other banners were visible. His eyes narrowed.

“They sent only one family...”

Seril Barkel and Servan were clearly taken aback by how small-scale the reception was. However, Servan quickly regained composure and, observing proper etiquette, began introductions.

— This is Albern, a first-class knight of the Arder family. A direct descendant who has inherited the true bloodline of Arder. He is a pillar of the kingdom, whose name will soon be inscribed in the annals of the Round Table.

— ......

The knight opposite showed no reaction to Servan’s grand introduction. No reply, no nod. Servan pressed his lips together, and just as Gunther was watching closely, Albern finally stepped forward.

— I am Albern.

— ......

The man who offered that arrogant greeting stood still, staring at Gunther. His mane-like red hair flowed beneath his helmet. Without waiting for Gunther to introduce himself, he continued:

— How should I put this...

Disappointment was plainly visible in his eyes behind the visor.

— It seems the diplomatic abilities of the Barkel family are now a cause for serious concern.

His gaze shifted behind Gunther.

— Such... meager forces. Frankly, I am deeply perplexed.

Gunther met the gaze calmly. In truth, he had expected this reaction. The kingdom’s situation was critical, and fewer than ten people had arrived as reinforcements—disappointment was inevitable. On top of that, the group’s current appearance was, to put it mildly, not reassuring.

Parco Draven groaned under the weight of the Crown of Thorns. Blanc Ibel was diligently breathing onto Seren Gless’s shield and wiping it clean. Ryan Parker stood with his two-handed hammer like a wild barbarian.

Tarsha Everlight and Levain Bernecker, who at least looked somewhat presentable, ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) were unfortunately absent on a “task.” The only ones who looked remotely proper were Gunther in full plate armor and Cheonmae, who liked to show off and had picked herself a high-quality leather set.

[The Ruler of the Oceans grumbles that if Gunther has earned so much money, he could at least buy the children decent clothes]

Even so, even if he had brought a gleaming army, the reception likely wouldn’t have been much different. The very organization of such a modest welcome reeked of “formal courtesy.”

“As expected... they don’t really count on us.”

At that moment, a sharp voice rang out from behind.

— ...Albern!

It was Seril. Her face flushed with anger as she glared at him.

— These people have traveled a long way to help us. Show them the respect their honor deserves.

Albern’s gaze shifted to her. He let out a faint sigh, and his eyes softened slightly.

— Yes, you can say that only because you do not understand the current situation at all.

— ...What did you say?

Albern continued in a heavy voice:

— First, let us change the setting.

.

.

.

They entered the house provided by the village head. Once the elite knights of Arder and the Night Raven group were seated together, Albern finally spoke.

— Seril Barkel, Servan Barkel, listen carefully.

After a heavy silence, his words echoed through the room.

— Over the past few days, half of the Barkel family’s territory has fallen under the control of the Cult of Repose.

Gunther listened without expression. He had already suspected the situation would be far worse than in the original scenario. But the shock that struck Seril and Servan was indescribable. Their homeland—intact when they left for the Border City—had fallen. As they frantically asked about their family and estate, Albern merely shook his head.

— I do not know. Because of the barrier set by the Cult of Repose, approaching the center of Barkel territory is nearly impossible. We cannot even observe it from outside. We only assume resistance continues, judging by intermittent mana fluctuations from within.

Silence settled naturally.

— For that reason, part of the forces guarding the Laska Plain has been redeployed to rescue Barkel lands.

At those words, the twins’ faces darkened further. The Laska Plain—a border zone adjacent to Luthien. The kingdom’s largest granary and a strategic stronghold, whose fall would threaten the nation’s very survival. Because of its importance, Valloren had concentrated nearly all its forces there, building a defensive line. Luthien had targeted it with relentless persistence, deploying regular armies. The fact that defensive forces had been diverted to Barkel revealed just how dire the situation was.

— Even so, aside from small elite units, breaking through to the center is nearly impossible. Therefore, restoring control is proceeding extremely slowly.

Albern’s eyes turned again to the members of Night Raven.

— And at such a critical moment, reinforcements arrive in fewer numbers than expected. Naturally, this causes frustration. Am I wrong?

His tone was calm, but the accusation and dissatisfaction beneath it were obvious to anyone. Seril slowly lowered her head.

— A-a-a-ah.

At that moment, a loud yawn came from the side. Cheonmae. Covering her mouth lazily, she smirked.

— Well... you do realize we saved your precious Laska Plain from turning into a dead land, right? You do understand that when you’re spewing nonsense like this?

Albern’s gaze froze instantly.

— We are very grateful for that incident. However, it was a request for which monetary compensation was paid, and even without you—

— Hm, maybe we should’ve just let you starve until your asses burst from the strain?

— A-asses?!

The knights erupted in shock at the complete lack of decorum in her words. Several hands instinctively went to sword hilts.

— What a relief...

— They screw up and blame us...

As Ryan and Blanc muttered, Albern’s face twisted with fury.

— I ask that you mind your words and conduct.

Cheonmae tilted her head innocently.

— No, I’m just saying... when brats who’d piss themselves and run at the sight of Magnificence of Abundance sit here acting important, it looks kind of...

Gunther instinctively sensed it was time to intervene. He cleared his throat loudly and stepped between Cheonmae and Albern.

— Sir Albern, first of all, I thank you for personally leading the welcoming party at such a crucial time. We are also fully aware of the need to restore these lands to control as quickly as possible.

Albern looked Gunther over carefully and let out a short breath.

— It seems you are the commander of these “reinforcements.”

— That is correct.

Gunther’s “Charm” and commander traits seemed to take effect; Albern’s hostility, which had been at its peak, eased slightly. Gunther seized the moment.

— In that case, I would like to ask how you intend to deploy us.

Albern answered immediately:

— Let me be clear, I have no intention of disregarding you. We are well aware of your outstanding capabilities, and that is precisely why the kingdom requested your aid, relying on your reputation.

At that moment, Gunther understood that the Arder family was one of the three that had supported inviting Night Raven.

— However... you are too few. According to our information, most of this region has already fallen under the Cult of Repose, and the remaining territories will soon follow. Due to indiscriminate brainwashing, the enemy’s numbers are growing exponentially.

Albern tilted his chin slightly backward.

— Therefore, my plan is as follows: you will join our main forces, and we will reclaim the outer regions of Barkel territory step by step. As much as possible.

A direct breakthrough was impossible. So the small forces available had to be concentrated. From a strategic standpoint, Albern’s words were correct. It would preserve troops for eventually returning to the Laska Plain. But if they did that...

— ......

Gunther fell into thought, remaining silent. Battles against Luthien always differed in scale and form, but one thing never changed: in a defensive war, victory was impossible. Their numbers were always overwhelming, and their methods defied reason. Only sudden, absurd, impossible moves ever led to victory.

Yes. If he followed Albern’s plan, they could avoid major losses for now. But then the Barkel family—one of the Five Families of the Round Table—would be completely destroyed, beyond recovery. And that gap would inevitably fracture the entire kingdom.

— ......

As the silence stretched, all the knights’ gazes gathered on Gunther. Something intangible—a strange force that drew people in—began to slowly condense around him.

...And finally, Gunther spoke.

— I have a different opinion.

— ...You have another plan?

Gunther answered without hesitation: 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

— We will head straight into the heart of Barkel territory and rescue the head of the family and his household.

...The silence grew even heavier. They stared at him as if he were insane. Looks of shock, disbelief, and ridicule poured in.

— Ha, ha, ha...

The reaction was explosive. Albern reached the peak of his fury for the first time that day. The metal of his gauntlet creaked as he gripped his spear.

— By the gods, this is not the time to indulge your ego!

His voice nearly turned into a roar.

— I just explained the situation! To go directly into the center of Barkel territory? It is now a demonic place crawling with maddened people like grains of sand! Even sane individuals lose their minds in an instant and become monsters. In a situation where even thousands of soldiers would be useless, what kind of nonsense—

Gunther cut him off with a faint smile.

— I am not indulging my ego.

— ...What?

— It is possible.

Even Seril and Servan were shaken by the absurdity of the claim. Cheonmae flinched as well. Only the members of the Fourth Platoon looked at him with unwavering trust, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

...At that moment.

From the back of the village came a faint bubbling sound. Smoke mixed with a medicinal scent slowly drifted through the air.

— I-i-i-it’s wooooorking!

— It actually works!

Distant cries of joy from Tarsha and Levain reached them. Gunther smirked and lifted his gaze to the top of his vision.

[The Drug-Addicted Saint wipes sweat from her forehead]

[She smiles proudly, saying the effect of the medicine exceeded expectations]

Gunther looked at Albern, who was still seething without understanding the situation, and finished his sentence:

— The Barkel family will rise on its own.

[Knights and soldiers subjected to brainwashing are being cured]