Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 572

“Misha Kalstein is a traitor.”

Ever since that information surfaced from the Butterfly Mask, the Fox had been trying to investigate it.

Perhaps she would have done the same even if I hadn’t asked her to.

Whether she liked it or not, the Fox also had to work with Misha in the future. She wouldn’t want to live with the unsettling feeling of having a traitor among her comrades.

However, it was a question with risks.

“Speaking of Misha Kalstein… this is the second time, right?”

The Butterfly Mask, upon receiving the question, retorted with a strange tone, staring at the Fox, as if trying to see through her intentions.

“You’re very interested in her? That beast woman.”

“…So?”

“Hee… It’s just that.”

Perhaps after today’s Round Table, most of the members here will have the suspicion ‘Fox = Bjorn Yandel’s comrade’ planted in their minds.

After all, she’s already revealed a lot of information about the first basement level.

In fact, it’s practically confirmed that she’s in the labyrinth now…

‘Another reason why Armin’s exploration team and the Hecetz Clan need to return alive as much as possible.’

Just as trees are hidden among trees, and people among people, the more survivors there are, the less likely Versil’s identity will be revealed.

But that’s a story for later.

“Then, can I ask now?”

Not only the Fox but also other members continued to ask questions.

“Who did you get the code to enter the Round Table from?”

The Queen was curious about how the Butterfly Mask was able to enter this place.

Also, the Black Mask joined the question queue for the first time.

It was surprising that he opened his taciturn mouth, but what was more surprising was the content.

“Do you think Misha Kalstein is threatening Bjorn Yandel’s life?”

What is this about?

It’s hard to understand why he asked such a question, but the situation wasn’t bad.

“Hmm… Everyone seems very interested in Misha Kalstein?”

Thanks to the Black Mask stepping in, the suspicion directed at Versil decreased a little. Or, to be precise, should I say the attention was diverted?

“Then, it seems like these are the three questions…”

Soon after the question time ended, the Butterfly Mask let out a playful laugh and took time to ponder.

“Hmm, what should I do…”

Now it was the Butterfly Mask’s choice.

If she answered the Black Mask’s or the Fox’s questions, I would be able to confirm what I was curious about.

If the Queen’s question was chosen, I would have to wait for the next round.

If there was no third round, there was a possibility that I might never hear it.

Therefore…

“Since two people asked, it would be right to answer them, wouldn’t it?”

The moment the unpredictable Butterfly Mask said that, a slight sense of relief bloomed.

Of course, that time was short.

Because sometimes such things exist in the world. Contradictory things that you want to know but don’t want to know.

“Now, then, which of the two questions should I answer…”

The Butterfly Mask, who had been testing the waters, smiled and continued.

“Eyy, I’m in a good mood. Since both questions are similar, I’ll just answer both of you.”

A line that, at first glance, seemed like an act of kindness.

But the more it was, the more suspicious I felt.

After all, what company would lose money by doing a 1+1 event [buy one get one free]?

Every action has a reason, and that reason is usually related to one’s own benefit.

‘……If that’s the first thought that comes to mind, is it because I’m too broken?’

I didn’t know, but I opened my ears and focused on the conversation.

The Butterfly Mask, who had been dragging out her words as if enjoying the attention, was slowly opening her mouth.

“Misha Kalstein returned to Bjorn Yandel’s side under someone’s orders. However, that order is not related to Bjorn Yandel’s death.”

It seemed like she was talking about Baek Ho and the Stone of Rebirth.

I was curious if she called her a traitor for something else.

‘But how does she know even that?’

Could it be that the Butterfly Mask was on Baek Ho’s side?

It wasn’t impossible since Baek Ho was the one who gave me the invitation code…

“Can you tell me exactly what the order was?”

“Ah, that? As far as I know, it’s nothing much. It was just to watch from the side and pass on information.”

“What was the price?”

“Well? Only she would know… Ah, I can’t lie. I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

According to my guess, the price was likely the ‘Stone of Rebirth’ itself.

Baek Ho is a guy who is more than just cunning.

After scaring her by saying that she was destined to die, he probably gave her the Stone of Rebirth and asked her to become a spy.

In fact, the real purpose was ‘to hand over the Stone of Rebirth’.

Well, thanks to the conversation now, I learned one thing.

“Was there no other order besides that?”

“Yes. There isn’t. As far as I know.”

Baek Ho’s trick ended with the Stone of Rebirth.

Of course, he might be plotting something else behind the scenes, but at least it’s unlikely that Misha is involved in that trickery.

However, the problem is…

‘Why is she being so kind in answering all this?’

If I think that the Butterfly Mask is on the same team as Baek Ho, a plausible hypothesis comes out.

Baek Ho knows that I’m the investigator.

‘He must have been trying to give me information naturally.’

His wish has been the same since before.

That guy wants me to lose my attachment to this world.

So, he deliberately gave information that Misha was a traitor or something. Perhaps that alone could break my trust and lead me to suspect those around me.

From his point of view, it’s a risk-free attempt.

“Then, can we move on to the next turn? I think I’ve answered enough.”

With that, the Butterfly Mask’s turn ended, and the next was the Black Mask’s turn.

“What should I ask…? Since I don’t know much, there’s nothing to ask?”

It was a somewhat annoying tone, but everyone agreed with what the Butterfly Mask said.

Perhaps it was because he spoke so little, but he was even more secretive.

However, that didn’t mean there were no questions at all.

“I’ll go with this. Why did you ask if Misha was a threat to Bjorn Yandel’s life earlier?”

The Butterfly Mask seemed curious about the Black Mask’s identity itself, and the Fox was similar.

“Are you currently in the first basement level?”

It seemed like she was suspecting if he was one of us.

Only the Queen asked a question unrelated to his identity.

“You said that Auriel Gavis was able to cross over to Earth in the past thanks to dimensional magic. Where did that information come from?”

Surprisingly, all three questions were quite interesting.

Of course, if we only consider the importance, the Queen’s question was the best.

But the answer was chosen by the other side anyway.

The Black Mask, who had been silent for a moment, opened his mouth briefly and answered.

“I have never been to the first basement level.”

It was an answer to the Fox’s question.

Well, if he wasn’t really mixed among us, that question was the most reasonable.

“Is that an answer?”

“Yes…”

After the Black Mask’s turn ended, the Clown opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.

“Heh, it’s finally my turn!”

Is he that happy to receive attention?

“Now, then, ask away! You all must have a lot of questions!”

Listening to that triumphant voice, I wanted to give him a blank stare without asking any questions…

“It’s so unfortunate. The fact that I have something I want to ask that person.”

“Heh! Unfortunate, that’s truly delightful!”

Regardless of the Clown’s annoying attitude, the questions poured in as soon as his turn came.

The Fox, the Wolf, the Goblin, the Queen, the Black Mask…

All the members except me and the Butterfly Mask asked one question each, and the Clown seemed very happy about that fact.

“Five questions… This, this… Isn’t this the highest record so far? Heh.”

“Enough, just choose what to answer.”

“But… there’s still one person who hasn’t passed, isn’t there?”

The Clown, who calmly ignored the Queen’s urging, glanced at me. It seemed like he was expecting me to ask something.

He’s really like some elementary school student.

“Well, I don’t really have anything I’m curious about.”

“Hmm… Is that so…”

“It doesn’t matter. As long as it’s an interesting story.”

I added, feeling like he was too disappointed.

It was an unconscious action, but it wasn’t really a mistake.

Given his personality, this way was more likely to get useful information from him.

And that’s how things actually went.

“An interesting story… Well, that’s not bad either. Then, I’ll tell you all an interesting story for a moment.”

“Haa… Just answer the question.”

The Queen sighed, looking at the Clown who had drawn my aggro.

But even so, her eyes were focused on the Clown.

No matter what, she was curious about what the Clown’s ‘interesting story’ was…

“On August 2nd, 154th year of the Great Opening. The Noark forces, who had been living in the sewer underground where no light had ever reached, went out into the world outside the walls.”

That’s how the Clown’s ‘interesting story’ began.

“The world outside the walls was completely different from the stories they had heard. There was no curse of the witch, and beyond the horizon, there were blue forests and fields.”

“So?”

“The Noark people wandered around the wide world like exploring an uncharted territory, and soon settled down in a suitable place.”

“…Enough with that weird concept, just get to the point—.”

“Heh, why don’t you listen carefully? The important part starts now.”

“Go ahead.”

“The Noark people had a question. Why did the royal family lock people inside the walls? Why did they prevent people from going out into the normal world outside?”

“……”

“The Noark people pondered for a long time, and luckily found the answer. And recently, they finally made a major decision.”

Tap tap.

The Clown tapped the table as if to heighten the atmosphere and drew attention.

And finally, he brought out the core of the story.

It wasn’t clear how the story before led to this result…

“To invade Lafdonia.”

A great war was foretold.

***

The Noark and the Royal Family.

The fight between these two had been taking place only within the labyrinth after the Noark went outside the walls. The Noark occupied the 7th floor and fought against the Royal Army, slowly building up their strength.

And now that situation is moving to reality…

“Invasion… Is that certain?”

“Heh… Do you think I would lie?”

“When? Then when is it?”

The impact of the information the Clown revealed was beyond words. All the members were in an uproar, wanting to hear more details from the Clown.

But…

“If you’re curious, find out for yourself! My turn ends here. Well, if I hear something interesting before this meeting ends, then maybe. Heh.”

The Clown drew a line at a suitable place and kept his words to himself.

It was a bit of a shame. I thought he might talk more if he got carried away by the atmosphere—.

“Um…”

As I was sitting still and organizing my thoughts, the Clown carefully spoke to me, looking at me.

“How was it this time…? Was it even a little bit interesting?”

Honestly, it was a reaction that I didn’t quite understand.

‘Looking at it, it seems like he blurted out the invasion plan purely because of me…’

Why is he so eager to get my attention and recognition?

We won’t see each other again after today anyway.

I didn’t know, but I answered.

“Is that your question?”

Now it was my turn to receive their questions and give answers.