Surviving as a Barbarian in a Fantasy World

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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Chapter 352: Peace (3)

[At that time, the universe was filthy.]

Kalosia spoke in a low voice.

[Order no longer fulfilled its role as order, and everything was but toys for the oldest beings. Countless gods, demons, and terrestrial beings vanished meaninglessly.]

Thus, gods and demons—beings existing at diametrically opposed points, unable to tolerate each other—joined hands for the first and last time.

After that long war, the gods and demons emerged victorious, creating the current universe.

Ketal knew about this to some extent.

However, there was a lingering question.

Kalosia, as if sensing this, began to speak.

[As you might know, we are weaker than them. The difference is beyond reach.]

The Demon King.

The aggregate of all demonic power, that being was nearly impossible for even all the gods to defeat easily.

Yet even the Demon King was only slightly stronger than a single one of the Elders.

And there were three of those Elders.

[It wasn’t just the Elders. Back then, there were even more entities like the Serpent, the Rat, and the Bear you know of. They outnumbered the gods.]

There were over three hundred such beings that even the lords and the Demon King had to fight with their full strength to contend with.

[That’s not all. There were also abominable creatures in numbers.]

Even if gods and demons joined forces, victory seemed impossible.

However, despite this, they won.

There was one reason for this.

[The Elders had no interest in beings like us. They were entirely focused on killing one another with all their might.]

Before gods and demons could act, the majority of their enemies' forces had already been consumed by their own infighting.

[In truth, calling it a war is somewhat misleading. Even when we attacked, they had no interest in us. Only the abominable creatures seemed keen on killing us, but such beings were the minority.]

The Abomination clicked its tongue but didn’t refute, indicating that the statement was true.

[In that indifference, we barely managed to achieve victory. But we couldn’t kill them. To be precise, we didn’t have the time or strength to do so.]

The Elders were uninterested in gods and demons, viewing them as nothing more than annoying flies.

Yet even a casual swat of their hands caused damage that would take millennia to recover from.

[In the end, we had no choice but to imprison them on the surface.]

This became the history of how the current Forbidden Lands was formed.

Ketal had a rough understanding of this, which is why he asked the question that intrigued him.

"That seal on the Forbidden Lands—your side created it, correct?"

[It was created with the combined forces of gods and demons.]

"I’m curious about something. How exactly did you create that seal?"

The seal of the Forbidden Lands was said to be unbreakable, even by the combined strength of the three Elders.

Considering their power, it was an incredibly odd phenomenon.

However, Kalosia instead asked Ketal a question.

[I’d rather ask you this: what did you do?]

Eyes that could not be identified as belonging to a girl, boy, old man, or young adult turned toward Ketal.

[How did you manage to break that seal and escape to the outside?]

"I confronted something that was in the way. And I killed it."

[You killed the Gatekeeper to escape? That thing could actually be killed?]

Kalosia let out a laugh of disbelief but quickly composed himself under Ketal's unwavering gaze.

[That was a seal created by the combined forces of gods and demons, imbued with the law that escape was impossible.]

"Doesn’t seem like something that could stop the Elders."

[You’re not wrong. The current laws of the universe mean little to them. That’s why we mixed everything together.]

The ingredients used to create the seal:

Thirteen gods.

Seven demon lords.

And one abominable entity at the level of the Elders.

At that, the Abomination reacted.

[You used one of us as a sacrifice for the seal?]

[You already know, don’t you? Among your kind, there are entities that exist without a sense of self, purely as concepts.]

[The Invisible Wriggling Worm.]

[You were so focused on your internal war that you paid no attention to us. Thanks to that, we secured it without issue.]

"I see."

Because even the Old ones were included in the seal, not even the Elders could break it.

Kalosia continued.

[The amalgamation of the three became the Gatekeeper, guarding the boundaries of the White Snowfield.]

"...So the one I defeated was that thing?"

[Most likely, yes. It was made so that no one could kill it. That’s why everyone was so curious about why the seal suddenly broke. But well, if it’s you, I can understand.]

Kalosia spoke in a low voice.

[After all, you are neither god, demon, nor one of the Elders.]

He could break the seal because Ketal didn’t belong to any of those categories.

Ketal rubbed his chin.

"I get the gist of it. So, I broke something like that. My apologies."

[It doesn’t matter. It would have broken eventually with time. More importantly, what you’ve done has been of greater help than that seal. However… I have one question left.]

Kalosia looked at Ketal with curious eyes.

[The Gatekeeper was strong.]

Many gods, demon lords, and even an Old One-level entity mixed into one.

Considering its peculiarities, it was almost on par with the Elders.

[You claimed to have defeated it with your own power. But you couldn’t even match the Demon King. It was only after receiving our strength that you defeated the Demon King.]

For Ketal, who couldn’t even wield mystical power back in the White Snowfield, to have defeated the Gatekeeper—it was something Kalosia couldn’t easily comprehend.

[How did you manage to defeat the Gatekeeper?]

Ketal answered lightly.

"I had an ace up my sleeve."

[...An ace you didn’t even use against the Demon King?]

"It’s a power I’d rather not use. It denies the very existence of fantasy. That’s why I don’t intend to use it against fantasies. If I were to wield that power again, it’d probably be to confront the entities of the Forbidden Lands."

At those words, Kalosia murmured as if understanding.

[With you, having something like that isn’t surprising. It’s strange enough you only possess the power you do now.]

The conversation reached a conclusion.

Kalosia finally brought up the main subject.

[Now, the reason I’ve called you to the heavens is simple: tell me what you desire.]

"What I desire?"

[I made a vow to you.]

With the concept of deceit and lies at stake, he had promised: whatever you desire, once all is over, I shall grant it.

Kalosia had said this before.

And now, the time had come to fulfill that oath.

Ketal was lost in thought.

"Something I desire, huh…"

To be honest, he didn't have anything in mind.

For him, the world as it was now was perfect.

So, Ketal replied,

"At the moment, there isn't anything. Could I postpone the decision for later?"

[Honestly, I'd prefer if you'd decide quickly, but…]

"As I said, there's really nothing I want right now."

[Fine. Do as you please. It's not my place to rush someone who's received my blessing. When you come up with something, just let the saintess of my church know. She'll gladly fulfill it.]

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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"Thank you."

Ketal smiled faintly. Kalosia asked,

[Is there anything else you're curious about? I'll answer whatever you wish to know.]

"Curious about, huh…"

After a moment's thought, Ketal spoke.

"As you mentioned, the seal on the Forbidden Lands has been broken."

Just like the rat, the white one, and Nano, the things inside could now come out into the open.

"And you won't be able to intervene on the surface for a while because of your battle with the Infernal Realm. Isn't that a pretty dangerous situation?"

[That part isn’t a problem. Just because the seal is broken doesn’t mean the door opens right away.]

The strongest being that could emerge at this point was on the level of the rat.

And at that level, the forces on the surface were capable of handling it.

[Of course, if the "Elders" forced their way out, they could interfere on the surface… but those three are endlessly fighting among themselves.]

The battle between the three Elders, which had been ongoing since the dawn of creation, was far from over.

So, there wasn’t much to worry about.

At least, that was what they believed.

Kalosia spoke leisurely.

[Of course, we’ll need to prepare a response eventually, but for now, there’s time. So when the time comes, I’ll ask for your help again.]

"Understood."

Ketal smiled faintly.

Their conversation continued.

Ketal asked many questions about the gods, and Kalosia answered all of them.

Over the course of a week, they exchanged thousands of questions and answers.

For Ketal, it was an infinitely enjoyable time.

But unfortunately, it came to an end.

“Hm?”

Ketal’s body began to waver, as if static interference had crept into a TV screen.

[It seems the power of the Sun God's child has reached its limit. It lasted for quite a while.]

"Am I to return now?"

Ketal clicked his tongue in disappointment.

Of course, he could have held on if he wanted to.

At his current level, he could have stayed in the heavens for a lifetime.

But there was no reason to, so Ketal decided to return willingly.

Kalosia smiled softly.

[Come again someday. You’ll always be welcome.]

"Next time, I’d like to meet gods other than you."

[I’ll try to persuade them. Though, I can’t promise those cowards will agree.]

"Please make sure of it."

Ketal’s body had become so blurry it was now unrecognizable.

Seeing this, Kalosia spoke softly.

[The beings in the Forbidden Lands are unnecessary in this universe. They all need to be eradicated and erased. But you are an exception.]

The gods had accepted Ketal's existence.

[For a long time to come, I’ll be counting on you.]

"And I, you."

Ketal smiled faintly.

With those words, he returned to the surface.

“Gasp!”

At the same time, a sound of someone exhaling heavily was heard.

Helia, pale-faced, was gasping for breath.

“You… you’ve returned… How was it?”

“It was an enjoyable time. I sincerely thank you.”

Ketal replied cheerfully.

* * *

The next day.

The Tower Master came to visit Ketal.

[You're doing well with the restoration. It's good to see.]

“What brings you here?”

[I’m planning to go to the Empire.]

“The Empire?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

[Yes. The damned Empire hasn’t made a move at all.]

Even as demons descended upon the surface, hell arrived, the Demon King manifested, and the Demon King was defeated—

While the surface was being restored throughout all of this,

the Empire had shown no response.

[Now that things have stabilized, I’m planning to confront the Emperor and ask what they're thinking.]

"Oh, oh!"

The Empire.

The strongest entity on the surface.

It was shrouded in mystery.

Ketal’s eyes gleamed.

“May I come along?”

As if expecting this, the Tower Master laughed.

[For now, it’s difficult. We have no idea what the Empire is thinking. But after I speak with the Emperor and secure permission, I plan to introduce you. I’ve been meaning to.]

Previously, the Tower Master had kept Ketal’s existence hidden.

He couldn’t predict how the Empire would react to him.

But now, Ketal was untouchable, even by the Empire.

In both power and renown.

[I should be back in about a week. We’ll talk then.]

“Got it. I’ll be waiting.”

Ketal cheerfully saw the Tower Master off, waiting for his return to accompany him to the Empire.

But a week passed, then two, and still,

the Tower Master did not return.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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