Although he had put out the urgent fire called the Broker Union, Osian still had a mountain of work to do.

"It was much more comfortable when I just took incoming requests and solved them."

He grumbled to himself uncharacteristically, but he still had to do what needed to be done.

The Broker Union was just the beginning. Thanks to them coming forward to actively support him, the recruitment of the 2nd generation of the knight order itself had become easier. However, Osian had no intention of stopping there.

'I need to expand my forces more.'

Originally a wandering knight, he doesn't belong to any particular faction.

That's how the game genre was in the first place. Explore the map, take quests, and defeat monsters.

Building an organization, growing it, and forming appropriate relationships with the people around you is strictly outside the game.

It was what you'd call a realistic problem.

No matter how upright a knight he was, he couldn't ignore reality. Whether he wanted it or not, people he had to protect had appeared. Living as a human being is like that. There's no person who stands completely alone.

People form relationships with others as they live, influencing them while simultaneously being influenced. Sometimes they color others with their own hue, and sometimes they add others' colors to their own.

As various colors mix together like this, the present self is completed. Osian had come here today to add a new color to himself.

[Heavenly Bell Sound]

Perhaps because he had visited once before, Osian was welcomed warmly. Naturally, the one who welcomed Osian most enthusiastically was Amenora. She, who should have been absent due to her busy schedule, hurriedly appeared upon hearing news of Osian's arrival.

"Goodness! To think you came first before I even called you. It's truly an honor."

Amenora smiled brightly and had Osian sit down, then served him expensive refreshments.

Osian sat facing Amenora.

"I came here because I need help."

"I'll do it."

"What?"

"I said I'll do it. Whatever it is."

The answer came without any negotiation. Rather, Osian was the one who was flustered.

"...Wouldn't it be better to think about it a little before answering?"

"There's no need for that. It's none other than Sir Osian's request, isn't it? I should grant it immediately without weighing the pros and cons."

Amenora had created Heavenly Bell Sound solely for Osian and had been nurturing it. No matter how difficult the conditions Osian might demand, the option of refusing didn't exist for her.

"And I can roughly guess what kind of request you'll make. I know about the situation you're in right now, Sir Osian."

"I see. Then I won't need to give unnecessary explanations."

"Are you alright, Sir Osian?"

"What if I'm not?"

Osian chuckled.

"It's something that's already happened. Rather than continuing to deny reality, it's better to firmly grasp it. I came to see you for that purpose."

"As expected...!"

Amenora clasped her hands together, moved. To use a funny comparison, it was like a mother watching her son who had been stuck in his room finally start job hunting. Although those sparkling eyes were burdensome, Osian didn't bother to point it out.

"I'm being revered as a hero, but as a counterbalance, there are quite a few who want to bring me down. I'm trying to build up my forces to prepare for that."

"Is that why you created the knight order?"

"At first, I had the idea of raising knights whose lineage had been severed. It was a purely personal matter."

How much loss had he felt at the fact that knights had disappeared through the ages. He had even felt considerable anger at the fact that external forces had intervened in the severing of the knights' lineage.

Establishing the knight order was to correct all of that back to the starting point.

"But I realized that it couldn't be done with such a complacent mindset. After all, the world has changed, and my situation has changed too."

When necessary, one had to move flexibly. Being too stubborn would only lead to breaking. If he had been alone, it would have been something he wouldn't have even cared about. However, Osian had never thought of this as shackles.

"That's why I need Heavenly Bell Sound. I'd like you to cooperate with the knight order I'm building."

"That's what we want too."

Amenora nodded readily. For her, these weren't empty words either.

Although Heavenly Bell Sound was created by Amenora, all the people affiliated with this place are those who engage in endless cultivation aiming for ascension.

The fundamental principles of their actions were the same as the Starlight Knight Order. The existence called "I" molting one layer to live a better today than yesterday.

Even as separate organizations, joining hands would be no trouble at all.

"Although it may not look like it, Heavenly Bell Sound is larger in scale than you'd think. Not in terms of the number of affiliated people, but in terms of the capital we possess and the influence we exert on our surroundings."

"That's fortunate to hear. And there's another favor I'd like to ask of you."

"Goodness. What else is it? I'm so excited right now."

Whether she was happy about the very fact that Osian was making a request, Amenora was in such ecstasy that her mind seemed to be flying away.

Osian felt somewhat burdened by that attitude. Was it really okay to say it?

"To solidly protect the organization, I need more support."

Amenora pondered over those words for a moment before giving her answer.

"Support wouldn't simply mean material things. There are already many people connected to you besides me, Sir Osian. If there's still something needed despite that, it would be more connections, wouldn't it?"

Indeed, Amenora had outstanding insight befitting a celestial dragon who had lived for a long time. She immediately grasped the essence of Osian's vaguely expressed words.

"There are many things to be mindful of when establishing an organization. Especially considering the attention Sir Osian is receiving right now, the media might step in too."

"Right. The most troublesome bunch."

"The media ultimately has no choice but to cater to the tastes of the financiers who pay them. Some will definitely try to tear apart the knight order."

The method to stop the media is simple. Use other media outlets to stop them. Spear against spear. Sword against sword. Pen against pen. It's such a clear principle.

"It's not just media outlets that are needed. There need to be companies that will sponsor the knight order. And there should be contact points with city government officials too."

Amenora immediately began consulting. She had created Heavenly Bell Sound. And it wasn't just Heavenly Bell Sound.

"Although it may not look like it, I also helped with the founding of the Witch Tea Party."

The Witch Tea Party is one of the prominent organizations in Tirna. The fact that Amenora helped with its founding couldn't be false.

"With that much, you're more than qualified."

"Right? In my opinion, the justification for establishing the knight order is sufficient for now. With you being acclaimed as a hero right now, Sir Osian, we should ride this momentum and push forward. I'll arrange that opportunity for you."

Osian nodded.

*

The next place Osian visited was North Blinders.

The mansion of these mafia members who conducted legitimate business exuded grandeur. It was even more splendid than when he had seen it before, clearly showing that they continued to walk the path of success.

Osian received exceptional treatment at North Blinders. From the entrance, organization members showed him respect and guided his way. The place he was guided to was Balud's office.

"What brings such an esteemed hero to this humble place?"

Balud said this while smoothly adjusting his glasses.

"Even after a long time, that attitude of yours remains the same."

"If you came to get on my nerves, please get the hell out. I'm not such an idle person."

"I'm not such an idle person either."

At those words, Balud stared intently at Osian, then personally served him tea. Just from the aroma, one could distinctly feel that it was expensive tea.

If he had truly disliked him, he wouldn't have served such premium tea.

"So what brings you all the way here? You must have a reason worth visiting despite being busy."

Balud was the same as usual. Clean suit, hair slicked back, and glasses that hid his sharp gaze. Looking at that appearance alone, one couldn't feel at all that he was of northern barbarian origin.

"You must have heard the recent news of the city."

"It would be strange not to know that. Everyone's making a fuss about it with one voice. From the incident that occurred in District 17, and you being involved in it. Well, it was entertaining to watch."

Balud slightly loosened his choking necktie.

"Seeing that you came all the way here in person, is there something directly or indirectly related to us?"

"You could say there is, or you could say there isn't."

"You're being ambiguous with your words. If you need something, speak directly. We North Blinders aren't that weak."

If you ask for help, I'll help you. This is what Balud was saying right now.

Some might question what help mere mafia could provide. But North Blinders isn't ordinary mafia.

They had advanced into legitimate business and formed a corporation. They had also formed close cooperation with Blackstone, a defense contractor. This was thanks to the outstanding capabilities of the new boss, Isela Burbank, and Balud who assisted her from the side.

Thus, North Blinders was able to be reborn as the ruler of one district. And Balud, the director of that place, had said he would help Osian.

"I heard you recently became a hero and got entangled in troublesome affairs. Do you want us to resolve that?"

"That's fine. I've already made arrangements to receive help from someone else."

Balud slightly raised his eyebrows over his glasses. If it wasn't that, he couldn't guess why Osian would come to see him.

"I came because I have business with you."

Osian said while staring intently at Balud.

"With you who possesses power as a barbarian warrior."

"If it had been anyone else, I would have torn their mouth apart the moment they mentioned barbarian or whatever to me."

It was a menacing statement that contrasted with his gentle attitude and manner of speaking. And it wasn't just an empty threat. Balud could really do that.

Balud wore a suit and put on the mask of a business representative, but his foundation was that of a warrior who kills people with an axe.

"That's why."

"...There's something else I don't know about."

Balud straightened his posture. He realized that the reason Osian had come was definitely not for ordinary matters.

"As you know, a big incident happened in District 17."

"I know about that from hearing it. They said heretics were involved. And there were more people in league with them than expected. Well, checking the list, it made sense."

"You seem to have checked quite thoroughly."

"Don't underestimate North Blinders' information network. Our foundation is ultimately the underworld. Our information capabilities in this area don't fall behind ordinary companies."

"Right. As you know, outer gods were involved in this incident."

Outer gods. Beings that exist outside, possessing divine strength.

"The monster called Red Eternity, aiming at this side from that distant outer realm."

"Are you saying that thing still exists?"

"No. I drove it away this time. Even if it tries something, it'll be safe for the time being. The problem is a different one."

A different one. Balud silently waited for Osian's next words.

"One troublesome fellow has flowed into this city. It's an outer god like Red Eternity, but looking at what it does, it's much more cunning. I'd like your help in finding that thing."

"Help in finding an outer god."

Balud leaned his back away from the sofa's backrest and bent his upper body forward.

"The fact that you came to see me directly, and not anyone else, means there's something, doesn't it?"

Indeed, Balud was exceptionally clever. From the moment Osian brought up the topic to him alone, he realized that this was something only he could do.

"The power you handle."

"You mean the Nord technique, runes."

"Right. That power is extremely effective in driving away outer gods."

"This thing? I thought it was useful, but I didn't know it was to that extent."

"It's not just you. The power I handle is the same. And there are others too. Mages and paladins."

Of course, ordinary mages, paladins, or barbarian warriors couldn't face outer gods. They might be able to handle minions, but against the outer gods themselves, a mediocre level would rather be devoured.

"Balud. You can use three rune techniques. Is that right?"

Balud nodded. In the case of [Runes] handled by Nordsmen, there are a total of three characteristics.

[Raging Bear] [Frost Wolf] [Rune Raven]

This is a unique power that only Nordsmen can use. However, not all Nordsmen can use it. Only some talented individuals barely learn one of those three characteristics.

But Balud was different. He possessed the qualification to be called a hero, being able to use all three characteristics.

"There are such people. Those who can handle various powers regardless of scope in their field."

Osian brought up the main point of why he had come to see Balud.

"And you are one of them. You possess the power to bring down monsters from the outside, of which there are few in the world."

Balud listened to those words silently. He seemed to be pondering something, crossing his arms and falling into silence. How much time had passed?

Balud stood up from his seat.

"I should show you directly rather than just words. Follow me."

Osian silently followed Balud. The place the two arrived at was some large building considerably distant from the North Blinders mansion.

"This is it."

Balud briefly loosened his shoulders, then pushed the massive door with both hands using all his strength.

-Kuguuuung!

The door opened with a roar, and cold wind rushed out from inside.

'This is... frost?'

What was carried within the wind was pure white frost. Osian could see the interior through the open door.

North Blinders organization members were undergoing grueling training in an extremely cold environment.