Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 385

Baron Bjorn Yandel.

The Marquis’s eyes didn’t show even the slightest tremor after uttering that name.

If Erwen or Amelia had looked at me with those eyes, I would have honestly confessed all my wrongdoings before getting scolded any further. That’s how confident his gaze was.

But…

The Marquis and those two are different. It would be naive to blindly trust the eyes of a politician who has weathered countless storms and held the second-highest position in the kingdom for decades.

“Marquis, isn’t it possible that you’re misunderstanding something?” I maintained a stance of ignorance, never ruling out the possibility that he was testing me.

Of course, the Marquis didn’t even pretend to listen.

[It feels very awkward to hear you use honorifics. I still vividly remember your appearance from the day you were granted your title.]

“…Is Erwen the cause of this misunderstanding?”

[I understand your position, so I won’t hold it against you for lying in front of me. But…] The Marquis leaned back in his chair, placing his elbows on the table.

[It seems I need to create a situation where you have no choice but to admit it, to have a proper conversation.]

A situation where I have no choice but to admit it? Is he planning to use verification magic or some kind of enchanted item like the ‘twisted trust’ [an item that forces truth-telling]? Or maybe torture?

While maintaining a poker face, I checked and rechecked various possibilities in my head, but in the end, all those predictions were completely off the mark.

[Let’s start with this.] The Marquis chose ‘conversation’.

[Baron Yandel, don’t be alarmed. I am one of the few people who know that you are not a demon.]

Well, he’s coming on strong from the start.

***

When my identity was revealed, the thing that surprised Amelia the most wasn’t anything else, but this: How could I, a demon, receive a noble title?

[…Hmm, now that I think about it, the royal family might have known and turned a blind eye. Back then, you were practically a hero in the city.] Amelia made that guess at the time, and I accepted it as somewhat plausible.

But…

‘If what the Marquis just said is true, it means they really didn’t know.’ Of course, there’s also the possibility that the Marquis knows everything and is just throwing out bait. But for now, I decided to listen to what he had to say.

Sometimes, going second is more advantageous than going first. It’s not too late to judge and act after hearing everything.

[The similarities between Richen Schuetz and Baron Bjorn Yandel. It’s a waste of time to point them out separately. Is that okay?]

“Yes, well, I’ve actually received that kind of misunderstanding a few times…” As I nodded, the Marquis explained one by one the reasons why he was sure I was a Baron.

[First of all, it was easy to find out that you weren’t Richen Schuetz himself. I was able to hear the whole story from the employee who accidentally damaged and disposed of your data.] Some woman came and threatened him, or something? That’s when his suspicion deepened.

[Of course, at first, I thought it didn’t make sense. But do you know what’s most important in administrative work? It’s looking only at the numbers. No matter how logical and convincing a story is, if the numbers don’t match, it’s a wrong story.]

[That was the case with you.] Bjorn Yandel was dead. The Marquis said that the moment he denied that proposition, all the clues started to connect.

[You were too strong to be Baron Bjorn Yandel. But if you were given two years and support, it was entirely possible.]

[Then, how could you have hidden from our eyes for that long? This would make sense if you hadn’t stayed in this city.] If not in this city, then where? The answer was obvious.

[When you went missing on Parune Island, you had contact with people from Noark, right?] The timing was too coincidental to be a coincidence. Furthermore, according to the investigation, the fact that I reappeared two years later was also in the underground fortress that is now closed. The very fortress that was known to have a path connected to the outside of the walls.

[After the Blood Spirit Lord visited that place, you appeared.] Now that I think about it, it wasn’t for nothing that the knight broke down our door and mentioned the charge of treason. At the time, I just thought it was an excuse.

[Now, would you like to tell me your thoughts after hearing my story?] The Marquis looked at me through the crystal ball and smiled. It was a convincing story, enough to be confident. Rather than saying I traveled through time for two years, this made much more sense.

But…

‘Uh…………’ My only thought after hearing the long story was this. No matter how I look at it, it seems like he genuinely believes what he’s saying, not just using it as bait.

‘Should I say he has a great imagination, or that he lacks it…’

So, this is how it can be interpreted.

***

The time for deliberation wasn’t long. I always have a habit of prioritizing when setting goals. First priority is our survival. Second priority is regaining the identity of Bjorn Yandel. Third priority is clearing the demon accusation. I set these priorities when I headed here.

Therefore…

“You’re certainly smart, as expected of the Chancellor.” I shed the guise of Richen Schuetz and reveal my barbarian appearance. The reason is too simple. As I said before, regaining the name of Bjorn Yandel is more important than clearing the demon accusation. Whether they know me as a demon or a traitor, it doesn’t matter. This was a problem that could be overcome through negotiations with the Marquis.

‘If they were going to kill me as a traitor, they wouldn’t have called me here in the first place.’

“Yes, I am Bjorn Yandel. It’s been a while, Marquis.” It’s a new feeling, but words have power. Otherwise, the confidence that I can overcome anything wouldn’t have burst out like this the moment I shed my human mask. Whew, I feel like I can finally breathe.

[Haha, that’s a relief. If you had denied it here too, it would have been a real pain.] I chuckled at the Marquis’s words, which were laced with a hidden meaning.

‘A pain, huh…’ Actually, the reason I readily revealed my identity at this point was also this. After this, it wouldn’t be ‘conversation’ but ‘objects’ that would be used. If they found out that those ‘objects’ didn’t work on me, it was obvious where the arrows would be aimed. Erwen, Amelia, Raven. If they were to investigate them thoroughly, it would only be a matter of time before the truth about that absurd misunderstanding was revealed. In that case, I decided it was better to coolly admit it and move on to the main topic. Somehow, deceiving others has become my specialty.

[Well, then, let’s get to the main point.] The Marquis lowered his voice after ending the small talk.

[Baron Yandel, why did you side with Noark?]

“Well, is that important?”

[Such an uncooperative attitude is not good. You are a smart friend, aren’t you?]

“I didn’t side with them. I just stayed there for a while for my own purpose.”

[……] The Marquis looked at me silently with a strange look in his eyes at my answer. But the more he did, the more confidently I straightened my shoulders. Well, I didn’t say anything completely wrong, did I? I actually went back to the past and stayed in Noark. For a whole six months, no less. I even smashed the lord’s head at the end.

[…It doesn’t seem like you’re lying—] “Burp.”

[……?] “Ah, sorry. I had some air trapped in my stomach.” I really didn’t do it on purpose. Actually, my stomach had been feeling bloated since a while ago.

[It seems you were nervous too.] Perhaps it was because the atmosphere changed slightly due to the sudden hiccup? The Marquis didn’t delve any deeper and moved on to the next topic.

[Anyway, can I understand that you are not with them now?]

“Of course.”

[Even if you say that, it’s hard to believe. If you’re not a spy, why did you hide your identity and act?]

“The royal family declared me a demon first, didn’t they? I was planning to find out what their intentions were before clearing my name.”

[You were wary of us… Indeed, that could be the case.] The Marquis nodded slightly, and now it was my turn. Originally, questions are best when they are exchanged, right?

“So, while we’re on the topic, why did you make such a declaration? I’m sure you, Marquis, know the reason.”

[I can’t tell you the details. Just think that there was a political reason. Besides, we didn’t even know if you were alive at the time.] Whew, this was the part I was most curious about, but I didn’t get to hear the most important thing. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t disappointed, but I didn’t dwell on it and moved on to the next topic.

“Then, tell me this. What do you want from me? If you really thought I was a traitor, you should have assassinated me instead of bringing me here.”

[The royal family doesn’t handle things that way.] Bullshit, they do handle things that way. Every time I go to the royal palace, all sorts of foul smells mix together and stick to my body.

“So, you mean you don’t want anything from me?”

[Actually, if you were a spy, we were planning to persuade you to use you in the war.] See, it came out as soon as I said it.

“Then, that’s unfortunate.”

[Well, is there any reason to be unfortunate? I don’t think the current situation is that bad.]

“Not that bad?”

[War always needs a hero.] When did you declare me a demon? It was absurd to see him say such shameless words without changing his expression, but that’s probably why he climbed to that position.

[Baron Bjorn Yandel, return to the embrace of the royal family.]

“What’s the reason I should?”

[Because we need you.]

“Well, I don’t know about that.” When I pushed back once more, the Marquis revealed his true intentions.

[Whether you cut ties with Noark or not, it’s a fact that you joined hands with them. It’s a matter that could be executed immediately without any problems.]

“In short, if I join hands with you, you’ll pretend it never happened?”

[Not only that. I’ll help you regain your noble title and even your original name.]

“What about the declaration that I’m a demon?”

[If there’s a suitable story, it will be convincing enough.] It seems like the Marquis has already drawn a picture in his head of how he’s going to execute this…

[Didn’t you say you stayed in Noark for a while for your own purpose? If you’re emotionally reluctant, think of it as a trade.] I felt a little strange. No, to be precise, should I say uneasy? That’s because I came here with the mindset of entering a tiger’s den, assuming the worst of the worst.

‘How can things be going so smoothly…?’ Things are progressing too favorably for me, so my heart is beating fast and I feel anxious.

But…

[Baron, if you’ve made a decision, would you please answer?] The choices I could make right now were limited. Even if the Marquis or the royal family were plotting something sinister together, what else could I do here? I’ll agree here and find out on my own later.

“Okay. So, tell me the details. How are you going to restore my title, and what do you want in return?” As soon as I expressed my agreement, the Marquis nodded as if he was satisfied. However, just as he was about to open his mouth.

Kwaaaang-!

A huge vibration erupted from the garden. I wondered what the commotion was, but soon I could hear the cause through the Marquis’s mouth.

[Oh dear, it seems she’s here. I didn’t think she would act so recklessly.] So, it’s Erwen.

[Let’s continue our conversation later, and you should calm her down before it gets any more chaotic.]

“…I will.” And so, that day’s conversation came to an end.