30 Years After Reincarnating, It Turns Out This World Was A Rofan?! novel Chapter 134

“Kunta, I have a question. Can you answer it, Arno?”

“...Hmm, I don’t mind answering, but please finish your food first. Also, you shouldn’t speak so loudly in the dining hall, Kunta.”

“Got it!”

Slurp!

“...A steak is meant to be chewed, not drunk.”

Kunta had swallowed five thick fillets of tenderloin steak as if they were soup.

Even if they were cooked to be incredibly tender, eating like that would usually upset the stomach.

‘Well, maybe it’s not a problem for him?’

As expected from the mysterious Barbarian race.

Successfully pulling off his boisterous steak-drinking act, he smiled brightly.

“This is delicious. Lots of water comes out.”

“That’s not water; it’s juice.”

“Common language, very hard.”

“...You’re doing fine.”

Arno knew that while Kunta’s grasp of the common language might make him seem a bit dim, he was far from being a fool.

In fact, he was one of the quickest learners Arno had ever encountered.

‘Some people call Barbarians savage warriors, but I believe that’s entirely wrong.’

It was a slanderous misconception, likely spread to demean them.

If anything, their lifestyle was a testament to prioritizing practical knowledge while discarding unnecessary information.

‘Had I not met Kunta, I might have remained trapped in those prejudices forever.’

Now, Arno understood.

Barbarians were not only brave warriors but also born strategists.

They possessed a blend of kindness and diligence that made them truly admirable.

Though Arno had yet to meet any other Barbarians, just from what Kunta shared during his stay with Arno’s family, it was clear how remarkable the Barbarian race truly was.

‘I really hope he becomes a knight alongside me someday.’

There would hardly be a more reliable companion.

“Whew, I’m done eating!”

“...Did you have enough to eat?”

“Not quite enough, but I’ll manage. Kunta needs to eat modestly.”

“...I see.”

Kunta had devoured ten massive steak fillets all by himself.

That was a total of 7 kilograms—and he called it modest eating.

...He was certainly a dependable companion, but perhaps they’d run out of provisions while traveling together.

“Can I ask my question now?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“What is a ‘temple’?”

“...A temple, you mean?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Arno blinked a few times. But as Kunta continued, it started to make sense.

“Yes. The wisest elder in Kunta’s tribe said to beware of ‘temples’ when studying abroad.”

“......”

Arno now understood why Kunta was curious.

It was true that mysterious races like his had to be cautious around such organizations.

“But everyone I’ve met from the temple was kind and good. The priestess in the healing ward was beautiful and kind. I’d like to make her my wife.”

“...Unfortunately, temple priestesses are only allowed to marry after fifty years of devotion.”

“...Is this heartbreak? Kunta feels pain.”

“Also, once they turn fifty, they’re said to regain the appearance of a teenager, as if the gods are rewarding them for their hardships.”

“Wait, does that mean I just have to wait?”

“...Just give up.”

Sigh...

Arno was momentarily speechless at his friend’s ridiculous train of thought, but soon composed himself.

“...The temple is fundamentally a benevolent organization. They provide free healing for all the sick in the kingdom and enthusiastically engage in volunteer work.”

“Then why should we beware of them?”

“That’s because...”

Arno looked around carefully.

Although the facility was exclusively under the Offen family’s jurisdiction, the temple’s reach was known to extend everywhere.

He had to be cautious, meticulously checking for any signs of eavesdroppers before he cautiously spoke ‘that name.’

The name of the most dangerous and infamous faction within the temple.

“The temple has the ‘Inquisition.’ That’s probably what the wise elder meant by advising caution—not the temple as a whole, but them specifically.”

...Even citizens of the kingdom felt chills at the thought of crossing paths with them.

Arno instinctively furrowed his brow as he explained.

“Why are they dangerous?”

“...Some inquisitors within the Inquisition harbor intense hatred for mysterious races and advocate for their complete extermination.”

“...Kunta suddenly loses appetite.”

“......”

It wasn’t a statement one would expect from someone who had just polished off an entire cheesecake in addition to his steak.

Still, Arno could understand his sentiment.

It was indeed an unpleasant topic.

“Even so, don’t worry too much. Kunta is an officially enrolled student at the academy, and the Inquisition no longer engages in senseless acts like they used to. ...However, caution is always wise. I recommend not wandering the capital alone.”

“...The more Arno talks, the more confused Kunta becomes. Should I be cautious or reassured?”

“Just understand it as: it’s best to avoid getting involved with the temple at all.”

That was the best advice Arno could offer, though Kunta still wore a frustrated expression.

“Then, what should I do if I accidentally get involved?”

“In that case...”

“In that case?”