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Chapter 168: Pirates (3)

“The location of this territory is not very good.”

It was close to the borders of other countries.

Naturally, it also overlapped with maritime borders, making fishing difficult.

A slight mistake could lead to invading another country’s territory, so the boats had to move cautiously, resulting in fewer fish catches.

Moreover, the sea was full of pirates.

Even if they managed to catch fish, they often encountered pirates on the way back and lost everything.

To make matters worse, Dorban’s father had little interest in reviving the territory.

Thus, when Dorban inherited the land, the state of the territory was abysmal.

The roads were filled with vagrants, and many people ate rotten fish covered in fish sauce because they had no other food.

Of course, this often led to serious illness and even death, but even that was rare.

The dish Baker had at the tavern with the strong fish sauce was due to this past.

“I heard that hungry people sometimes exchanged their children to eat.”

“…What?”

Aquaz looked shocked.

The territory she saw was very peaceful and bright.

It had provided her with immediate comfort.

It was hard to believe that such a territory was in such a terrible state decades ago.

The lord stammered in surprise.

“You know very well. People don’t like to mention the past because it is so painful…”

“Old people know many things and often want to share their memories with someone.”

Ketal, who had wandered off alone, met a blind old woman resting on a rocking chair in the park.

He heard various stories about the history of the territory from her.

“From here on, it would be better for you to speak.”

“Oh, okay.”

The lord quickly continued.

“When I became the lord, the city’s condition was unspeakable. As Mr. Ketal mentioned, it wouldn’t have been surprising if it collapsed at any moment.”

The lord desperately sought ways to revive the territory.

But no matter how much he thought, there was no answer.

The kingdom had abandoned the territory, so there was no support.

After much contemplation, the lord made a decision.

“There was a pirate gang that frequently raided the territory. I went to them myself.”

Leading a small boat, the lord went directly to the pirates’ hideout.

Despite the risk of losing his life, he acted for the sake of the territory.

After a desperate conversation with the pirate leader, they managed to strike a deal.

Many of the pirates longed for life on land, so miraculously, it worked out.

The name of the pirate gang was the Valkran Pirates.

“After that, it was a tumultuous time.”

Since he pushed ahead despite the vassals’ opposition, there was internal resistance.

Being pirates, there were many minor incidents and accidents within the territory.

But the lord persevered.

He overcame the opposition of his vassals and gained the recognition of the kingdom.

He managed and guided the pirates to follow the laws of the territory.

In the end, the current state of the territory was achieved.

“To have developed the territory this much, they must be quite capable pirates.”

Ketal said cheerfully.

“The lord’s words are likely true. Despite the pirates, the people’s expressions did not seem uneasy.”

In fact, although the pirates had threatened them, they were not particularly violent.

They just used the Valkran Pirates’ influence to pressure them.

Even after Aquaz captured and subdued a pirate, the others did not draw their weapons.

They said they would withdraw if Aquaz apologized.

“….”

Aquaz’s eyes were shaking.

Ketal spoke calmly.

“I don’t mean to say that pirates are good or that they should be protected. They are certainly close to evil. But Aquaz, there exists a gray area in this world.”

Pirates who plunder merchants and steal cargo are evil.

But those who revived a decaying territory cannot be called evil.

“The bandits you spared mercy for were probably evil to someone as well.”

The bandits they encountered on the way to the territory.

Someone might have lost their food and been killed by them.

But Aquaz spared them, not because of the teachings of the church, but by her own will.

That contradicted her words that only the church’s will was important and that she herself was insignificant.

Baker was dumbfounded hearing Ketal’s words.

‘…Is this guy really a barbarian?’

“It would be easy if the world could be divided into good and evil, but that’s impossible.”

‘Or is it possible?’

Ketal, who had said that, smiled mysteriously.

God and demon.

They would be the unchangeable absolute good and absolute evil in this world.

It was indeed an amusing world.

“I am.”

Aquaz barely managed to open her mouth.

But she couldn’t continue.

“I am… a follower of the Sun God. I must follow the will of the great Sun God. I must eradicate all darkness from this world.”

“The Sun God might be able to do that.”

A great celestial being could probably distinguish between good and evil.

“But aren’t you human?”

Aquaz’s eyes shook violently.

“You said you follow the Sun God’s will and that it doesn’t change. But this world is fluid. That means you could become evil as well.”

“…I, I….”

“Well, it’s a bit of an exaggeration. You are certainly closer to good. But that’s just how the world is.”

“…”

Aquaz seemed to catch her breath, as if her throat was choking.

No.

Pirates are evil.

They must be driven out of the territory and brought to justice.

That was what she had been taught all along.

But if doing so would lead to the destruction of the territory, could she bear that responsibility?

Impossible.

If she were a god, maybe, but she was just a mere human.

“Ah…”

The Inquisitor of the Sun God, faced with this contradiction, dropped her head powerlessly.

As she showed signs of calming down, the lord sighed in relief.

“Th-thank you.”

He expressed his gratitude to Ketal.

His gaze at Ketal was filled with wonder.

‘…What is this barbarian?’

Believers trusted and followed their gods, considering such actions their duty.

But believers were ultimately human.

Naturally, contradictions were inevitable.

Recognizing contradictions was not difficult.

Learning about theology meant studying those contradictions first.

However, knowing them and persuading a believer were two different things.

The more devout the worshippers, the more they ignored these contradictions, even when they were aware of them.

And Inquisitors were among those who worshipped the gods the most.

Naturally, they did not conflict or waver upon receiving external criticism.

Often, they would become angry and accuse the critic of heresy.

But Aquaz appeared deeply shaken by Ketal’s words.

It meant that this barbarian had such a strong influence that he could shake the beliefs of an Inquisitor.

It was no surprise.

Ketal had been recognized directly by the gods and even permitted to have their sacred relics.

Even if the gods she served were different, they were still celestial beings.

Being pointed out by such a person would naturally shake Aquaz.

‘Who exactly is this guy?’

If not for his appearance, one could believe he was a scholar from somewhere.

Baker approached Aquaz with a worried expression.

“Are you okay?”

“…Yes. I’m fine.”

But the shock on her face did not disappear.

She mumbled a question.

“In that case, Mr. Ketal, what do you think should be done?”

It wasn’t a confrontational tone.

Rather, it was like a child whining, seeking an answer.

“What would you do, Mr. Ketal?”

“I don’t know the answer either. But at least I know what would be beneficial for us.”

“In that case, please show me your way, Mr. Ketal.”

“Sure. But I think I’ll need your help for that.”

“Help…?”

Ketal spoke to Aquaz.

Her pupils widened.

After a moment of contemplation, she nodded.

* * *

At that time, chaos erupted in the pirates’ hideout within the territory.

“Damn it. These idiots!”

Captain Valkran of the Valkran Pirates gnashed his teeth.

The pirates asked frantically.

“What do we do, Captain?”

“What do you mean, what do we do? We have to run! Do you think the Inquisitor will just sit still after knowing about us? Pack your things now!”

“What? What?”

The pirates were flustered.

“Do we really need to flee?”

“We have a contract with the lord, don’t we? Won’t he protect us?”

At their hopeful words, the captain’s face contorted in frustration.

“You idiots! Do you not know Inquisitors? Do you think such a contract will protect us?”

If the Inquisitor judged them as evil, they wouldn’t care about laws, contracts, or borders.

They would act solely to punish evil.

Even if the lord tried to protect them, it would be impossible.

Doing so would only result in the entire territory being burnt down.

Realizing this, the pirates’ faces turned pale.

“Pack your stuff! Get ready to sail, now!”

“But the sea…”

“We have to evade somehow. Or do you want to burn to death?”

“Yes, sir!”

The pirates scrambled in panic.

Among them, a pirate was seen running towards the captain.

The captain’s face twisted in anguish.

It was clearly bad news.

The pirate spoke, and the captain almost felt like crying.

“T-the Inquisitor and her party have arrived!”

* * *

The captain sat in a small reception room with a gloomy face.

Soon, the Inquisitor would enter this place.

And from that moment, the countdown to his death would begin.

‘…Life.’

He didn’t want to end up as a pirate.

His parents were pirates, so he had worked on ships since he was young and naturally became a pirate.

But he wanted to explore broader waters.

So when the lord approached him, he saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and seized it.

This decision almost led to a rebellion, but the captain did not back down and managed to come this far.

But now, everything was being destroyed because of one Inquisitor.

He felt so depressed that he almost wanted to cry.

‘…Still.’

If it was his end, he decided to face it with dignity.

The captain steeled himself.

Creak.

The door opened.

The captain flinched reflexively but soon composed himself and spoke.

“Greetings. Inquisitor of the Sun…”

“Oh, are you the captain of the Valkran Pirates?”

The captain was surprised.

The first person he saw was not the Inquisitor but a barbarian.

Why a barbarian?

And the captain was even more surprised by what happened next.

The Inquisitor entered the reception room after the barbarian.

In such situations, the one who entered first was usually the leader of the group.

It looked as if the barbarian was leading the Inquisitor.

Ketal smiled broadly.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ketal. It seems we have a lot to talk about.”