Barbarian's Adventure in a Fantasy World-Chapter 66: Denian Kingdom (3)

Ketal followed the man down the hallway. There were no attendants or servants in sight. The ornate corridor stretched in silence. Before long, they arrived at their destination—a massive door gilded in gold.

“His Majesty may not mind, but it’s better to show at least a minimum level of respect. For your own life, if nothing else,” the man advised.

“I’ll do my best,” Ketal replied with a shrug.

“The man knocked on the door. “I have brought him, Your Majesty.”

“Let him in.”

A voice resonated from within. The door creaked open, and the man stepped inside. Ketal followed him.

The sound of the barbarian’s footsteps echoed in the grand audience chamber. Seated upon an elevated throne was a man—a middle-aged figure with a thick, majestic beard. He wore the most lavish attire Ketal had ever seen and a crown that symbolized his authority.

That’s the king of this kingdom, Ketal thought. A real king stood before him.

Kings existed in modern times on Earth. England had one, and so did Japan, though one could argue their roles were more symbolic than literal. Modern kings were often no more than figureheads—respected, but hardly rulers in the truest sense.

However, this world was medieval fantasy. The man before him was a true king in every sense of the word. He wielded absolute power, ruling over every inch of the Denian Kingdom.

He was the master of the nation. Not just that, he was a mythical figure, bestowed by the gods with the authority to distinguish between humans and non-humans.

And now, Ketal stood face to face with him.

Though he didn’t feel an overwhelming pressure or immense power, he found himself relishing the situation. Ketal was holding himself back to maintain decorum; otherwise, he might have stomped his feet in excitement.

Ketal gazed at the king with a steady expression, but his lingering stare seemed to irk the man standing behind the king.

“Bow your head, barbarian,” the king’s advisor growled softly. “You stand before the king of this land.”

A sudden surge of force exploded outward, pressing heavily against Ketal. For an ordinary person, the sheer pressure would have been enough to stop their heart. However, Ketal just brushed it off.

“You’re not wrong, but,” Ketal said casually. The ease with which he dismissed the tension made the man’s eyebrows twitch in frustration.

“Unfortunately, he is not my king,” Ketal added.

The man before him was Barbosa, the King of Denian. However, Ketal was not a citizen of the Denian Kingdom. In fact, as long as he bore the name Ketal, he was a subject of no one.

“Apologies, but I am not in a position to bow my head,” Ketal said.

“Then you must be a king somewhere,” Barbosa remarked.

“No, but I do have people who would get quite upset if I did,” Ketal replied with a shrug. “Still, I can show respect to a great king.”

Placing a hand over his chest, Ketal bowed slightly at the waist.

“It is an honor to meet you, Barbosa Denian, King of the Denian Kingdom. I am Ketal, a simple barbarian.”

Ketal’s gesture was remarkably polite and composed. It conveyed respect without appearing servile or degrading. Barbosa’s face showed a flicker of surprise. Even the man glaring at Ketal from behind the throne hesitated.

Meanwhile, Ketal celebrated inwardly. Yes!

Ketal had fantasized many times about standing confidently before a king and offering a dignified greeting. Memories of fictional works he had once seen flashed through his mind. He felt an almost overwhelming joy.

However, he kept it in check. After all, none of those fictional heroes had ever burst out laughing in such situations. Holding back his grin, Ketal straightened his posture.

“Remarkable. You are just as Elene described—a far cry from ordinary barbarians,” Barbosa said.

“So other barbarians are not like me, I take it?” Ketal replied.

“Even being able to hold a proper conversation sets you apart. If all barbarians were like you, life would be much simpler,” Barbosa sighed, rubbing his temples.

Barbarians outside the kingdom must be the same as those inside the White Snowfield. I guess there’s no need to meet them, then, Ketal thought, filing away the information.

“Forget formalities. You may also step back,” Barbosa instructed the man behind him. “From here on, this is between me and him.”

“Understood,” the man replied reluctantly, retreating to the side.

“So, what’s the reason for summoning me?” Ketal asked, steering the conversation to its main point.

“I’ve met Elene, Aron, and the captured knight,” Barbosa said, tapping his fingers on the armrest of his throne. “I checked if they were human or not.”

“And what were the results?” Ketal inquired.

“My ancestor once said that if one believes themselves to be human, then they are human. In other words, as long as one believes they are human, they are.”

“So, they are human,” Ketal concluded.

Parman, Elene, and Aron—they were all human. It was an unexpected result, especially given how Elene had referred to herself as a monster.

I guess she believed herself to be human after all, Ketal thought.

“That fact isn’t the real issue. We conducted an experiment on the captured knight, and the results came quickly,” Barbosa continued. Parman’s abilities were far beyond what could be called human. Barbosa’s expression darkened. “It’s sad that I lost my dear friend and his child...”

“Then what is it you’re curious about?” Ketal asked.

“You told Elene about their true nature. She conveyed that information to me,” Barbosa said, pressing his fingers to his forehead in frustration. “It makes sense. If I exclude the incomprehensibility of such beings’ existence, your explanation could very well be correct.”

Beings that did not experience death, composed of countless entities too small to be seen, yet firmly believing themselves to be human—the most unsettling part was that this possibility wasn’t unlikely.

Barbosa asked in a low voice, “Do you think those entities can reproduce?” “They likely can,” Ketal replied.

The Nanos had perfectly replaced humans. They could grow taller and their nails could grow longer, which implied that replication was possible. There was no reason why they couldn’t bear children.

Barbosa let out a bitter laugh. “They’re far too great a threat. I don’t even have time to mourn the loss of my friend and his child.”

It was a threat to the human race as a whole.

“The Empire might need to take action. You’ve encountered these small entities directly and know more about them than anyone else. So, let me ask you,” Barbosa said, narrowing his eyes. “How do you think we should deal with them?”

Ketal answered calmly. “We should start by talking to them.”

Barbosa frowned at the unexpected response. “Talking? They’re monsters that are replacing us. Do you really think they’d listen to reason?”

“I believe they would. Those entities genuinely think of themselves as the humans they have replaced. For example, Parman could leave this place anytime he wanted, but he hasn’t,” Ketal explained.

Those entities were composed of countless Nanos. Physical confinement meant nothing to them—they could simply disperse and return to their original forms. If Parman’s presence here revealed their secrets, it would undoubtedly work against them. And yet, Parman stayed.

“Did no one come from the Lutein Kingdom?” Ketal asked.

“They did. A messenger asked that we calm the situation and send the princess back safely,” Barbosa replied.

“How human of them. Those entities replaced the entire Lutein Kingdom, and yet they behave as if they are truly its citizens,” Ketal remarked.

Ketal didn’t know what their motives were. It was uncertain whether they harbored malice toward humanity or were simply tools moving without intent.

“Whether or not they possess self-awareness, it would be wise to meet and speak with them. We need to understand what they want and what their ultimate goal is,” Ketal concluded.

Barbosa studied Ketal with a curious expression. Ketal merely shrugged.

“At the end of the day, I am just a simple mercenary. Such grand matters are beyond my responsibility. They are your concern,” Ketal said.

“Fair enough,” Barbosa acknowledged.

The conversation reached a temporary conclusion.

“What do you plan to do next?” Barbosa asked.

“Well, since I’m in the Denian Kingdom, I thought I’d do some sightseeing. I also plan to visit the Akasha family,” Ketal replied.

“Are you acquainted with the Akasha family?”

“I’ve crossed paths with a woman named Milayna Akasha before.”

Barbosa’s expression showed genuine surprise. “You know the head of the Akasha family?”

“Do you know her?” Ketal asked.

“She’s an exceptional woman. Public perception of her isn’t great, but from the kingdom’s perspective, she is doing what’s necessary.”

“Oh?” Ketal raised an eyebrow.

It seemed the Akasha family had truly succeeded in her endeavors to have received such praise from the king.

“The Akasha family resides in the capital. It’s not far from here,” Barbosa said.

“Close by, then,” Ketal muttered, his eyes gleaming with interest.

Barbosa watched him for a moment before speaking again. “Do you have any identification to prove your status?”

“I have a C-Rank mercenary badge. That should be enough,” Ketal replied confidently.

“You’re mistaken. This is the capital of the Denian Kingdom. A C-Rank mercenary badge won’t let you roam around freely here. You’ll likely face a series of tedious procedures,” Barbosa clarified.

“Really?” Ketal said, surprised. He had assumed a C-Rank badge would suffice for most situations.

Barbosa explained further. “A C-Rank mercenary is recognized as a proper mercenary, but they are still just a mercenary. This is the capital, where even nobles reside. If you were B-Rank, it might be different, but C-Rank isn’t trustworthy enough to bypass all the regulations. Naturally, you’d need to go through inspections and approvals. In a powerful kingdom like ours, this is even more stringent. It’s not uncommon for someone to be held up for months. This isn’t unique to our kingdom. Most capitals in other kingdoms require inspections and approvals for C-Rank mercenaries.”

“I see,” Ketal said.

While he found the fantasy world’s procedures intriguing, the thought of being tied up for months didn’t appeal to him. It seemed movement was more restricted than he had anticipated.

Barbosa watched Ketal’s troubled expression and spoke again. “You’re planning to travel the world, aren’t you?”

“Most likely,” Ketal admitted.

“In that case, I will prepare a token of identification for you.”

“Hm?” Ketal raised an eyebrow.

“You brought Elene here to us,” Barbosa said matter-of-factly. “Even if she’s changed now, she is still the child of my friend. Consider this a gesture of gratitude.”

Barbosa gestured toward the knight standing behind him. Though the knight hesitated for a moment, his face conflicted, he eventually bowed and left the room.

“This token will serve as proof of your identity. Aside from special places like the imperial capital or holy sites of religious orders, you will be able to pass with only simple verification. I’ll have it prepared,” Barbosa explained.

“Oh!” Ketal exclaimed, genuinely touched.

Meeting a king had been an exciting prospect, but Ketal hadn’t expected the conversation to go this well. After all, he was a barbarian and an outsider in their eyes.

Ketal was treated so kindly and thoughtfully. Barbosa was far removed from the stereotypical image of a cruel and greedy king.

“There’s one request I have,” Barbosa said. “If this matter requires action in the future, I may ask for your cooperation. I will provide satisfactory compensation in return, so I hope you will agree.”

“I’d be grateful for the opportunity. You have my thanks,” Ketal replied with a broad smile.

***

Ketal had left. Barbosa remained seated on his throne, staring silently at the closed door. After a moment, he spoke. “Is this sufficient?”

“Yes, well done, child,” a low voice replied. A skeletal figure appeared before him. “It is rare for you to comply with such a sudden request. I am grateful.”

“Do you think I’d refuse the Tower Master’s request and risk facing the consequences?” Barbosa said with a sigh.

“Consequences? Nonsense. There would be no such thing—just my heartbreak,” the Tower Master replied softly.

“And that wouldn’t count as a consequence?”

“Oh, don’t be so prickly. You were such an adorable child, but look at you now—so difficult to talk to.”

Barbosa sighed deeply. He had known the Tower Master since childhood. Or, more accurately, the Tower Master had taken an interest in him and sought him out. Many envied Barbosa for his connection with the Tower Master, but in truth, he often wished someone would take the old monster off his hands.

“I see that you’re personally intervening in this matter. Does that mean the rumors are true?” Barbosa asked cautiously.

“Yes, the world is twisting,” the Tower Master replied.

“I was aware of the distortions, but I thought they were mere rumors.”

“They’re no longer rumors,” the Tower Master confirmed with a chuckle. “Those entities we’ve encountered—they’re likely the beginning of the distortion. Tell me, child, have you heard of the Forest of Nothingness?”

“I have,” Barbosa replied.

The Forest of Nothingness appeared to be an ordinary forest, but anyone who entered it would never return. Those who somehow managed to leave disappeared entirely the moment they did. It was one of the Demon Realms.

“Upon inspection, that forest has become an entirely normal forest. You can enter and leave without any issue,” the Tower Master said.

“What?” Barbosa’s eyes widened in shock.

“I was surprised, so I checked other Demon Realms, but thankfully, only that one had changed. Still, we do not know when another door might open.”

“That’s... troubling.”

“The balance between the Demon Realms and reality is crumbling,” the Tower Master murmured. “And it’s not just the Demon Realms. The demons, the gods, and other forces—everything is distorting. Even the seals holding the Abomination at bay are weakening bit by bit.”

“Abomination?” Barbosa asked, startled. “This is the first time I’ve heard of it.”

“It’s ancient history—so long ago that it’s been forgotten. Only a handful of old-timers like myself still know of it. Even the Emperor may not be aware. And as for his true intentions, well, even I don’t know what he’s thinking,” the Tower Master said, tapping his jaw.

“These distortions are emerging one by one. For now, the movements are minimal—likely restrained by some limitations. But regardless, none of these bode well for humanity. We must prepare,” the Tower Master added.

“Is Ketal part of those preparations?” Barbosa asked.

The Tower Master had suddenly appeared and asked Barbosa to treat Ketal kindly when he arrived. Ketal believed he had been granted entry thanks to Elene’s insistence, but the truth was that the Tower Master had paved the way.

Barbosa’s expression grew puzzled. “Is that barbarian really that important? I understand that he defeated Adamant, which makes him wield a similar strength as a Transcendent, but those aren’t exactly rare. I wouldn’t think he’d be worth your attention.”

“If you’re only looking at the results, I can see why you’d think that,” the Tower Master replied with a soft laugh.

Only those who had witnessed Ketal’s true nature firsthand could understand his significance. Instead of explaining, the Tower Master changed the subject. “What do you think of that barbarian?”

“He is definitely unusual. Alien, even,” Barbosa said, frowning.

The idea of conversing with the Anomaly that was capable of replacing humanity was not one a normal human would entertain. Initially, Barbosa had thought Ketal was simply a clever and rational barbarian, but the more he spoke with him, the more he realized something felt fundamentally different.

Ketal did not share the same values or perspective as he did.

“Yet, according to the Declaration, he is human,” Barbosa said.

The Declaration of Humanity, an ability exclusive to the royal bloodline of Denian, was used to determine if someone was human. However, there was one hidden truth about it—it wasn’t actually necessary. The royal bloodline could tell at a glance whether someone was human or not.

Ketal had been declared human.

“Human, huh? Whatever the truth may be, it seems he believes himself to be human. That’s fortunate, at least,” the Tower Master said.

“What exactly is he?” Barbosa asked cautiously.

“He is someone who has been touched by the distortions.”

“Distortions?” Barbosa froze, his face turning pale as he processed the implications.

The Tower Master chuckled. “The world is twisting, child. And the Anomalies will spill out into our world. At the very least, there’s no harm in staying on good terms with an Anomaly that harbors goodwill toward humanity.”