Surviving as a Barbarian in a Fantasy World

Chapter 152: Divine Power (3)

“Is your body feeling much better?”

“Yes. Thank you for waiting.”

The next day, Ketal and Rakza met once again.

“Then, I will explain how to handle divine power.”

“Oh.”

Ketal’s eyes sparkled.

Rakza continued speaking slowly.

“Divine power is different from aura or mana. Both require considerable skill to handle, but not divine power.”

Divine power is a gift from the gods.

Unlike aura or mana, it was not a power that belonged to oneself.

As such, no special skill was needed to handle it.

“Then how do you handle it?”

“You just need to deeply wish for it in your heart.”

“Is that all? Quite simple.”

“Let’s start with a simple enhancement of the body. Pray in your heart for a stronger and faster body.”

“That sounds good.”

Ketal closed his eyes and wished in his heart for a stronger and faster body.

At the same time, a divine light enveloped Ketal’s body.

Kiiiiiing!

“Oooooh!”

Ketal exclaimed.

The great divine mystery was enveloping his body.

He felt so moved that he was almost brought to tears.

“Is my body strengthened now?”

“Yes. According to the great divine power, your body should have become much stronger.”

Rakza swallowed hard.

Ketal’s body was special on its own.

His strength was enough to overwhelm the demon Rubitra.

If such a body were to receive divine assistance, to what level could it reach?

Rakza found it terrifying.

“Hmm.”

Ketal, after assessing the state of his body for a moment, clenched his fist.

They were currently outside the holy land, in a plain.

The plain was quite messy, bearing numerous marks of battles, with pits in the ground and pebbles scattered everywhere.

Ketal swung his clenched fist towards the plain.

Kwaaaang!

A roaring sound erupted.

A gust of wind surged across the plain.

Rakza braced himself against the strong wind.

As the wind finally subsided, Rakza was astonished by the sight of the plain.

The messy part of the plain had been cleaned as if swept.

The pebbles and dust had all flown far away.

“This is incredible. The divine assistance is amazing.”

What would normally take numerous people was accomplished with a single punch.

Rakza thought it was possible because of the divine assistance.

However, Ketal shook his head.

“No. It’s not the effect of the divine power.”

“What?”

“I don’t feel any change in my body’s abilities.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. Is it so subtle that I can’t feel it?”

“No, that’s not it.”

The divine enhancement was very powerful.

It could enable an ordinary human to face someone wielding the divine mystery.

After pondering the reason for a moment, Rakza spoke cautiously.

“Could it be because of the unique nature of your body, Ketal?”

“Ah, is that so?”

Ketal’s body could withstand the powers of a demon without any protection.

Regardless of how it was possible, the body itself had an almost absolute resistance to external forces.

The divine power Ketal wielded was also an external force granted by the gods.

Though Ketal was the user, it wasn’t much different from the demon’s power.

His body had no reason to accept it.

“That’s sad.”

Ketal spoke in a truly regretful tone.

He thought he could finally contain divine power within his body, but it seemed impossible.

“If I were to handle aura or mana, would it be the same?”

“No, it wouldn’t be.”

Those two mysteries were entirely Ketal’s own power.

Regardless of the body’s uniqueness, as they were his own powers, he would be able to handle them without any issue.

Ketal was relieved by those words.

“That’s a relief.”

“Then it seems divine power can’t be used to enhance your body. This is the first time I’ve encountered such a case.”

Muttering as if he found it curious, Rakza suddenly paused.

‘…Wait.’

In that case, the gust that cleaned the plain just now was done without the enhancement of divine power, with just his bare body?

‘…Is that really possible?’

Rakza’s face turned pale.

It was a strength that defied common sense no matter how he looked at it.

“Then, aside from enhancing the body, what else can be done?”

“Ah, yes.”

Body enhancement was only a part of the abilities that divine power possessed.

There were many things that could be done with divine power.

Rakza began to explain slowly.

* * *

Around the time Ketal was learning about divine power, the king of the Denian Kingdom, Barbosa, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“It’s over.”

The problem with the Lutein Kingdom, shaken by Nano who had been a thorn in his side.

The presence of the demon had caused the collapse of the royal capital and the near annihilation of the royal family, leaving only one member alive, which was a monumental event that could destabilize the entire kingdom.

That had finally been resolved.

Although there were still many minor issues left, they were no longer Barbosa’s to handle.

The sole remaining royal of the Lutein Kingdom, one of the two Nanos, Elene, had to take care of it.

Barbosa pressed his forehead, exhausted.

He had been so overworked dealing with numerous issues that he hadn’t slept properly for over a month.

He sighed gloomily.

“…I wish I could take a vacation.”

But that was not possible.

The world was still in turmoil.

The capital, half-destroyed by the demon, had not yet been fully rebuilt, so there was still much to be done.

However, with the external problems resolved, he had more leisure time than before.

Barbosa leaned back on his throne and closed his eyes.

It was then, while he was taking a brief rest, that he felt a presence behind him.

“Your Majesty.”

Barbosa opened his eyes.

“Is that you, Maximus?”

“Yes.”

Maximus nodded calmly.

His demeanor was very subdued.

Barbosa looked at Maximus with a curious gaze.

Maximus was someone who had a very strong desire for recognition.

Whenever he acted, he always considered whether he would be recognized or respected by others first.

But at some point, that trait had vanished completely.

Instead of seeking validation, he now remained silently in his place.

From Barbosa’s perspective, who had often been caught up in Maximus’s unilateral actions, this was a very welcome change.

‘I should be grateful to him for this, too.’

The change in Maximus had occurred after meeting Ketal.

Barbosa inwardly thanked Ketal.

‘A Barbarian…’

Thinking of Ketal brought back memories.

Ketal had left the Denian Kingdom and headed towards the Kalosia Church.

‘I hope nothing happens.’

He couldn’t predict what a barbarian arriving at the holy land of the gods would do.

Shaking off his small unease, Barbosa asked Maximus.

“What is it?”

“A priest of the gods has come to see you.”

“A priest? The Earth Goddess’s priest? Show them hospitality.”

Barbosa spoke with a tone of assumption.

The priest of the Earth Goddess had come to help them during the demon invasion.

Since then, they had occasionally visited for follow-up matters.

Barbosa assumed it was the Earth Goddess’s priest visiting again this time.

But Maximus shook his head.

“No, it is not the Earth Goddess’s priest.”

“Hmm? Then who is it?”

Maximus spoke, and Barbosa’s eyes widened.

“They are from the Church of Federica.”

* * *

In the reception room of the royal palace, Barbosa sat down.

He greeted the visitor with a respectful bow.

“Nice to meet you. I am Barbosa Denian, King of the Denian Kingdom.”

“Nice to meet you.”

A clear voice echoed.

In front of Barbosa was a woman with black hair.

She had long straight hair and cold red eyes.

“I am Liltara, a priestess of Lady Federica. Thank you for the warm reception, King Barbosa.”

“Of course.”

“First, I offer my deepest condolences for the recent events. Two named demons invading is indeed a significant ordeal.”

“Thank you. The matter is already resolved, so there is no problem.”

“That was only possible under your rule, King Barbosa.”

“Thank you for the kind words, even if they are just flattery.”

The conversation with Liltara proceeded without any issues.

However, Barbosa’s expression was not very pleasant.

‘Of all people, a priestess of Federica?’

There were many and various gods in this world.

Among them, some gods’ churchs were not very welcome.

Kalosia’s church was an example.

Valuing lies and deception, Kalosia’s church had caused numerous atrocities and was ostracized by the world.

Federica’s church was another such church, even worse than Kalosia’s.

While Kalosia’s church had been quiet recently despite past issues, Federica’s church was an ongoing problem.

Honestly, they were not visitors he could warmly welcome.

Barbosa asked.

“May I ask why you have come?”

The woman stared at Barbosa intently, her blood-red eyes fixed on him.

“The Barbarian,”

Liltara began,

“I heard the Barbarian is here.”

Barbosa’s eyes widened.

Information about Ketal had not been disclosed to the outside world.

Following the advice of the Tower Master, Barbosa had deliberately controlled the information.

Despite two named demons descending and the capital being partially destroyed, Barbosa had maintained silence, though many sought information about the miraculous event.

The Federica Church, being quite distant, should not have been able to discover anything about Ketal.

“…How do you know?”

“I don’t think I need to explain that,”

Liltara narrowed her eyes.

“Where is he?”

Her certainty made it clear she couldn’t be deceived.

Barbosa spoke slowly.

“He is not here. He left the capital long ago.”

“Where did he go?”

“It is his journey. It is not my place to speak about it to others.”

“Are you trying to keep secrets from a priest of the gods?”

Her tone was highly confrontational.

Her interrogative stance made Barbosa scowl.

“I see no reason to explain myself regarding him. Even if you are a priest, I am the king of the Denian Kingdom.”

He was the ruler of a nation.

There was no reason to forcibly comply with the words of a religious church, especially when he had no debt or ties to the Federica Church, unlike the Earth Goddess’s church.

He had no reason to tolerate such rudeness.

While his position generally meant he had to be cautious with religious churchs, there was no reason to be subservient unless dealing with the head of the church.

Barbosa displayed his displeasure, and Liltara, realizing she had overstepped, retreated.

“…I see. I apologize for my rudeness. I understand. I will find him myself.”

With that, Liltara turned to leave, but Barbosa asked.

“So, why are you looking for this Barbarian? Are you going to leave without explaining after this private meeting?”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t mentioned it. I apologize. In my haste, I made a mistake.”

“Fine. So, why are you looking for him?”

“I received a revelation.”

Barbosa’s eyes widened again at her words.

Liltara continued calmly.

“Great Lady Federica commanded me to capture the Barbarian and bring him before her.”