Surviving as a Barbarian in a Fantasy World

Chapter 192: Sanctuary of the Elves. Elfo Sagrado. (5)

Arkamis cautiously asked Ketal,

"Can your tribe come out into the outside world?"

Ketal, who was about to refuse, hesitated.

"...I don't know."

The existence of the Forbidden Lands was coming out into the outside world.

Given that the world wasn't in total chaos, there seemed to be some restrictions, but just as the white creature emerged, other monsters could emerge as well.

If that was the case, there was no reason the Ashen Barbarians couldn't come out either.

"...I hope they don't come out."

"Huh? Really? You don't get along with them?"

Ketal had lived in the White Snowfield for a long time.

As he had led the barbarians as the chieftain, Arkamis thought he would have some affection for them, so Ketal's unexpected response surprised her.

"If I had to choose, I'd say I like them. But... I don't want to see them again."

Barbarians are dumb.

He had a really hard time with them.

If the barbarians had listened to Ketal even a little, they could have come out into the outside world twice as fast.

Ketal's feelings towards the Ashen Barbarians were close to love-hate.

'...Can they come out?'

Ketal was unsure.

Unlike Ketal, the Ashen Barbarians considered the White Snowfield their home.

They had no longing for the outside world, so even if the restrictions were lifted, the likelihood of them coming out was low.

But they had clung to him, crying, when he was leaving for the outside.

Some had even packed their bags, saying they would follow him.

He had beaten them all and sent them away, but a few might find a way to follow.

'I hope not.'

The thought of meeting them outside made Ketal's head hurt.

He shook his head.

"I don't know. We'll find out if they come out."

If those dumb guys came out into the outside world, they were sure to cause trouble.

It would definitely reach Ketal's ears.

He could deal with it then.

"So, the peculiarity of my body is likely because of the achievements I've made?"

"Oh, yes. It's not certain, but probably."

Ketal changed the subject.

Arkamis followed his lead, sensing he didn't want to talk about his tribe.

"So, the aura of intimidation I exude is also because of that?"

"Um... probably."

Ketal exuded an undeniable aura of intimidation.

Weak humans felt strong pressure just being near him.

As a being of nature, elves were even more sensitive, fearing him like a beast, and high elves would flee in terror.

If that intimidation was due to his achievements, it made sense.

Turning his body into a mystery could easily result in such an aura.

"Is there any way to control this?"

To be honest, it was quite bothersome.

Everywhere he went, people would be terrified, and he had to explain it.

Initially, he found it amusing, but he was getting tired of it.

"Um... I don't know. It's unprecedented..."

"I see."

Ketal was disappointed.

Seeing this, Arkamis quickly added,

"But there is someone who might know!"

"Oh? Who?"

"Our queen."

Ketal's eyes widened.

"The High Elf Queen?"

"Yes. The only one who can control the high elves. The leader of the sacred ground and the elf who made a pact with the spirit king."

A hero-class powerhouse.

"She might know."

Ketal asked in a trembling voice,

"Can I meet her?"

"Of course. Normally, it's impossible for outsiders to meet her, but you have me, right?"

Arkamis was a noble high elf.

With her introduction, Ketal could meet the High Elf Queen.

Arkamis said,

"Do you want to meet her?"

"Oh, please! Haha! Arkamis! Thank you so much!"

Ketal smiled brightly and thanked Arkamis greatly.

Arkamis's lips twitched upwards.

"Well, we're friends. Don't mention it."

Arkamis emphasized those words.

They toasted to their friendship.

* * *

The next day,

Ketal followed Arkamis higher up the World Tree.

When they reached about halfway up, Ketal looked around in awe.

"It's high."

The incredibly tall tree reached the clouds.

From the middle of the tree, Ketal could see the entire forest.

It was a magnificent view. Arkamis said proudly,

"Impressive, right? Only high elves can see this view."

"It's very impressive. I can see black magicians beyond the forest. Judging by their movements, they seem to be preparing for an attack. We should prepare."

"...You can see that?"

Arkamis squinted.

No matter how hard she looked, she couldn't see beyond the forest.

"I can see it."

"...That's really unbelievable. Let's keep going."

They passed the midpoint and reached the area where the leaves were swaying.

They passed the midpoint and reached the area near the swaying leaves.

There was a plaza woven broadly from the tree trunks.

Arkamis lightly stepped into the plaza.

"Queen! I'm here!"

"...Arkamis."

A voice echoed with a small sigh.

"I've told you before, this is a sacred place. Please be respectful and don't raise your voice."

"I don't care about that. You know that, right? If you had a problem with it, you shouldn't have brought me here."

"...Why did someone like you appear among the High Elves?"

"Come on. I'm the only one who chats with you like this, right? Don't worry too much."

Arkamis said casually.

The one called the Queen let out a small sigh.

"It seems you are not alone today."

"Oh? You know?"

"I sensed it from the beginning. How could I not notice someone with such a presence?"

Green eyes, like leaves, turned towards Ketal.

Brown hair, like tree roots, swayed gently.

Before him stood a hero-class powerhouse.

Ketal was meeting a hero-class being for the second time since the Tower Master.

And upon facing her, he could tell.

Ketal lightly marveled.

'Strong.'

He was a barbarian from the White Snowfield.

There, mysticism didn't exist.

Thus, he had the instinctive ability to gauge an opponent's strength upon encountering them.

When he met the Tower Master, he didn't feel anything special, but that was because the Tower Master perfectly concealed himself.

He specialized in deception.

However, unlike the Tower Master, the Queen had no reason to hide her power, so it naturally flowed out.

Thus, Ketal could tell.

The elf before him was incredibly strong.

Stronger than anyone he'd seen outside.

Few in the White Snowfield could give him such a sense of presence.

Ketal and the Queen looked at each other.

The Queen took a step back and spoke.

"I would appreciate it if you could lessen your presence. A being of your strength spreading such an aura has a negative impact here."

"Presence?"

Ketal asked with a puzzled face.

The Queen's expression changed slightly at his attitude.

"...You don't know?"

"I have a rough idea, but I'm not exactly sure what it is."

"...What?"

Surprise crossed the Queen's face.

She looked as if she'd heard that a mathematician who could solve high-level equations couldn't do basic arithmetic.

"I'll explain it roughly."

Arkamis interjected.

* * *

Arkamis explained why Ketal had come here.

The Queen looked confused but gradually calmed down as she listened.

"...I see. So you want to know the answer about the aura of intimidation."

"I'd also like to know how to control it, if possible."

"Understood. I believe I can help you with that."

"Oh, that's good to hear."

Ketal smiled broadly.

The Queen quietly bowed.

"Before that, an introduction is in order. I am Karin Yggdrasil, Queen of the High Elves and leader of the sacred ground. You can call me Karin."

"Nice to meet you, Karin. I am Ketal, the barbarian."

"I know of you well. Arkamis has always been talking about you."

Karin looked at Ketal with a peculiar expression.

"...So, you are the one Arkamis spoke of."

"Is something wrong?"

"...No, it's nothing. I had thought of greeting you at some point. This is a good opportunity. Even so, Arkamis, you should have informed me in advance."

"Too much hassle. What does it matter? You knew the moment we entered the sacred ground anyway, right?"

Arkamis's words were light, but they couldn't be taken lightly.

It meant that the entire sacred ground was within the Queen's perception.

Karin did not deny it.

"Still, there are procedures."

"I don't care about that."

Arkamis shook her head as if annoyed.

Karin sighed deeply, like a parent dealing with an unruly child.

"First of all... as the leader, I welcome you to the sacred ground. Please rest comfortably. But please be cautious with your actions. Your presence can be a threat to the residents here."

"Don't worry. I have no intention of causing trouble."

"Aren't you being too strict with my guest?"

"Arkamis, shut up."

Karin said with a smile.

Arkamis closed her mouth.

She knew better than anyone that pushing further would result in getting scolded.

"Oh, my apologies for such rudeness in front of a guest. I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine."

Ketal laughed as if he found it amusing.

This Queen was peculiar.

On the surface, she was very gentle, but the aura she occasionally emitted was fierce.

It felt like a ferocious beast disguised as a herbivore.

"To get to the point, most of what Arkamis said is probably correct. You have a keen understanding, Arkamis. If you had given up on alchemy and learned spirit magic instead, you could have been my successor. It's truly a pity."

"I don't like that kind of thing. I like things as they are now."

"Well, fine. I've given up, so do as you wish. Mr. Ketal, the intimidation you exude is your presence itself."

"Presence?"

"The weight of your accumulated deeds."

A beast that has killed countless people exudes murderous intent.

An emperor who has unified a continent radiates a powerful aura.

A saint who has done good deeds emits a gentle mercy.

The atmosphere created by one's accumulated deeds—this was the essence of Ketal's intimidation.

With this mystery solved, Ketal smiled with satisfaction.

"So that's what it is."

"But... even so, I can't understand it."

Karin tilted her head in confusion.

The presence she felt from Ketal was intense.

It was strong enough that a High Elf might mistake him for a dragon.

To exude such a presence, one would have to have achieved remarkable feats.

Feats that could shake the entire continent.

No, even that might not be enough.

His presence was that immense.

It didn't make sense that Karin didn't know of someone like him.

With a puzzled expression, Karin asked,

"May I examine you for a moment?"

"I don't mind."

"Then please relax and open yourself up."

Ketal followed Karin's instructions.

He released the guard he had instinctively been holding.

Karin reached out and placed her hand on Ketal's chest.

A gentle breeze swirled around them.

Her green eyes looked into Ketal's inner being.

It didn't take long for those eyes to fill with shock.

"Ugh."

Karin instinctively withdrew her hand and stepped back.

She couldn't understand her own actions for a moment.

Did she instinctively feel intimidated and retreat?

Not anyone else, but her?

With a face filled with astonishment, she looked at Ketal.

"...Where and what exactly did you achieve?"