Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 232

A study filled with the subtle scent of old books.

A young man, visibly tense, is giving a report to a middle-aged man wearing glasses.

“Based on the final analysis, it’s presumed that Belbeve Ruinjenes set up the magic circle and Rilanne Viviane activated it.”

“So, that means they’re both in the city?”

“Yes. Considering that the Noark’s protective barrier is presumed to be functioning normally, there’s a high probability they’re still within Lapdonia.”

“Those guys are masters of disguise.”

“They’re a real pain. Next, I’ll report the casualty statistics compiled this morning.”

The young man reported the total damage from the incident with a somber tone.

The middle-aged man, however, listened without any particular emotion.

“Yes, quite a few died.”

70% of the explorers above the 4th floor died.

It’s said that only about 1,600 explorers who were used as expendable pawns and the dissidents who didn’t enter the labyrinth from the start survived.

In fact, it was a massive loss, almost equivalent to a dimensional collapse.

“It’s for the best.”

The Marquis of Terserion, the chancellor of Lapdonia, chuckled dismissively.

The young man tilted his head, puzzled.

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing. I have things to think about, so you may leave.”

“…Rest well, Father.”

“Use my title within the palace.”

“Yes, Chancellor.”

Soon, the man waved his hand, and the young man bowed politely before leaving the study.

‘I should contact the Magic Tower soon.’

The man got up and approached the window.

He could see servants moving busily everywhere, preparing for today’s event.

Swish.

As he opened the window wide, a strong breeze blew in.

The sunlight was warm, and the sky was clear without a single cloud.

“His Majesty will be pleased.”

It was the perfect day to start a new era.

***

Karnon, the Imperial Capital.

A special area where commoners are not even allowed to set foot without permission.

“Wow, is that the royal palace?!”

Beyond the massive gate with the royal family’s crest, a road stretching straight to the palace appeared.

The ground was covered with flower petals.

Along the main street, crowds of people gathered as if watching a parade.

Of course, there were hardly any nobles.

Even in the imperial capital, known as a city of nobles, 90% of the population consists of servants who commute or reside here.

“Wow! It’s the heroes’ procession!”

“Scatter the flower petals!”

I don’t know how much they were paid for their part-time job, but countless servants lined the main street, enthusiastically welcoming us.

How long had it been?

“We have arrived. Were there any inconveniences during the journey?”

Soon, the carriage stopped in front of the outer wall of the royal palace.

Not only the one we were in, but hundreds of other carriages as well.

“Then, let’s get out.”

“Uh, wait a minute! Just let me catch my breath, okay?”

Is she getting nervous now?

Well, it’s her first time in the imperial capital.

“…Tell me when you’re ready.”

“Ugh, I think I’m good.”

As we got out of the carriage, I saw some familiar faces.

Survivors who had crossed the line of death together during the last tragedy.

However, since we were all at a distance, we only exchanged greetings with our eyes whenever our gazes met.

“I am Pert, and I will be your guide for the heroes today. Please come this way. I will escort you.”

We simply finished our identification check at the gate and followed the guide into the royal palace.

The official name was the Palace of Glory.

A palace used to welcome guests when holding banquets or royal family events.

“B-Bjorn…”

Inside, it was so lavish, befitting the name of a royal palace, that Ainar looked at me, seemingly intimidated.

Seriously, he’s always like this in strange situations.

“Straighten your shoulders. We’re here as guests; it’s even stranger if you act like that.”

“…Ah, okay!”

“Please come this way.”

The place we arrived at, following the guide, was a private reception room of about twenty pyeong [approximately 720 square feet].

“It is an honor to host the heroes.”

As soon as we entered, maids swarmed around us, setting our hair and tidying up our disheveled clothes.

Also, the dedicated guide informed us of simple etiquette and the schedule for today’s banquet.

How much time had passed?

“Mr. Yandel!”

“Oh, you all look so different with those outfits, I almost didn’t recognize you?”

Raven and Abman, who had arrived about 10 minutes earlier, came to our reception room.

They were also dressed differently from usual.

Raven was wearing a traditional dress with a train dragging on the floor, and Bear Uncle was wearing a neat suit.

“Ha, it’s a bit awkward, right?”

Bear Uncle scratched his cheek with an awkward expression.

He said he had dressed up with his wife’s help, but she had insisted on changing him here.

It was a stroke of luck that there was a size that fit…

“The formal wear for the guests is all enchanted clothing.”

According to the guide, there were thousands of magical clothes that could be worn regardless of body size.

‘Enchanting clothing.’

It was a waste that seemed both reasonable and absurd.

How often would guests without formal wear visit the royal palace like us?

“Then, Raven, did you change your clothes here too?”

“No, I came wearing my own.”

“…I see.”

As a mage belonging to the upper class, it seemed she had a formal dress like this.

“Wow, pretty. How much does something like that cost?”

“Uh… I don’t know. Actually, it was a gift from my teacher a long time ago.”

“Oh, really? Anyway, you look like a fairy in that dress. Not the fairy race, but an old fairy from a fairy tale.”

“Are you referring to a fairy?”

“Ah, yeah. That, that.”

“Hmm, are you making fun of me for being short right now?”

“No, why would I! You’re really pretty, I mean it?”

Somehow, Misha and Raven’s girl talk had started.

Bear Uncle, Ainar, and I stepped back and had a different conversation.

“Hey, Yandel. Have you heard anything more about the reward? There’s a 4th-grade essence I’ve wanted for a long time, and I was wondering if it might be possible.”

“Well, I haven’t heard anything about that either.”

“More importantly, Bjorn, I’m hungry, when are we going to eat?”

“If you can’t stand it, eat some jerky.”

“Oh, do you have some with you?”

“Give me one too. My mouth is bored.”

As we sat side by side, chewing on jerky, the guide who had left for a while returned.

“They say that the preparations for entry are complete. Please come this way.”

Outside the reception room, the hallway was crowded with people.

The guides lined them up in an orderly fashion.

For reference, our position was at the very front center, with Melter Pend to our left and Kyle Uncle to our right.

“Ah, you’ve arrived?”

“Those clothes suit you quite well.”

“Now, stand here.”

…Geez, it’s a bit much.

“Why do I have to be in the middle?”

“Haha, wouldn’t it be stranger if someone else stood there? Everyone gathered here followed you, looking at your back.”

Uh, um…

If you put it that way, I have nothing to say, but this uncle tends to think too highly of me.

I was about to say something when…

“It seems like they’re about to start. Look ahead.”

Kyle said, staring straight ahead.

“The heroes are entering!”

With someone’s grand shout, the door swung open.

Boooooooom!

A cheerful performance began with the sound of a loud trumpet.

“Let’s go.”

At Kyle’s urging, I stepped through the open door, and behind me, countless explorers followed.

Thud, thud.

The space beyond the door was a rectangular hall.

It was large enough to accommodate thousands of people, and a red carpet was laid all the way to the empty throne.

I continued to walk along the carpet.

It was killing me to walk without my crutches, but I was trying my best for the pride of a barbarian.

Thud, thud.

As I walked, the knights drew their swords in salute, and the priests poured out divine power, giving blessings.

Ah, the nobles were clapping from afar.

It was too much of a grand reception for an explorer who was just over a year old.

I didn’t feel particularly good.

Maybe the others felt the same way.

‘This is like a spectacle.’

Ah, is it a spectacle?

Thud.

As I stopped walking, the explorers behind me also stopped in a line.

It was different from the orderliness of soldiers.

Since they hadn’t learned formations, the rows and columns weren’t properly aligned, and their outfits were all over the place, giving a chaotic feeling.

But was that ridiculous?

“Pfft.”

I heard a noble laughing from afar.

And it spread more and more.

At the same time, I heard the sound of something being crushed.

Squeeze-

I turned my head slightly and glanced behind me, and saw an explorer clenching his fist tightly.

Seriously, when they were smashing the heads of monsters, they were so fearless.

‘They’re more timid than I thought.’

Another side of the warriors that I didn’t know about back then.

For some reason, I didn’t like it.

Perhaps that’s why, without realizing it, a shout burst out of me.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaa!!”

A shout echoing through the vast space.

It wasn’t intentional, but a follow-up chant followed.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaa!!”

It was a cry from the warriors, including the few barbarians, who were addicted to our battle cry.

“These crazy guys, even in the royal palace…”

Most of the explorers had bewildered expressions or sighed as if they couldn’t believe it.

The nobles, on the other hand, were a little different.

Did they think this was a pre-arranged performance?

The nobles, who had been silent for a moment as if surprised, clapped and whistled.

‘These guys are really funny too.’

It was a bit funny, but the atmosphere improved.

The explorers, who had been uncomfortable with the lavish royal palace, the many gazes of the nobles, and the awkward formal wear, regained a little composure.

‘Yeah, they’re all shameless explorers; they should be like this. How did they survive and come back from there?’

As I was looking at them with satisfaction, Kyle smiled beside me.

“Didn’t I tell you? Who else would stand in front of this if not you?”

Well, maybe he’s right.

Who else would do this if not a barbarian?

“Silence! Please be quiet! The Chancellor of Lapdonia, His Excellency Ageni Rotten Terserion, is arriving!”

In the midst of the heated atmosphere, the chancellor appeared.

***

An appearance that looked to be in his early 50s.

With graying hair and a kind impression.

The chancellor, who reminded me of a school principal for some reason, stood in front of the empty throne and began his speech.

First, he started with a light joke.

“Haha, I’m sorry. I’m too late. I hope the heroes aren’t too angry. It’s a very good day, isn’t it?”

The speech, which naturally led to the weather, flowed smoothly to the next topic.

There wasn’t anything particularly grand.

He recited our hard work one by one, praised us, and explained to the nobles why we were called here this time.

“They have done what the knights of the royal family and even the famous clans could not do. Perhaps if it weren’t for them, we still wouldn’t know what happened there.”

Bringing back information from Noark.

That was our merit in name.

Of course, they couldn’t openly say that they were giving us a carrot to suppress the backlash from the explorers.

“Therefore, I, Ageni Rotten Terserion, on behalf of His Majesty the King, who is in bed, commend their achievements!”

After the long speech, the chancellor organized the rewards according to the explorers’ merits.

First, all survivors would receive 10 million stones and access to Karnon, the imperial capital, and there would be additional rewards depending on their performance?

For reference, we were the first to be announced…

“Melter Pend, the leader of the Nartel Clan, please come forward.”

The first one was Melter.

“You have made a great contribution to leading the battle to victory by defeating the criminal Blue Mane from the Blue Wolf tribe in the Goblin Forest battle.”

The chancellor, who had already finished gathering information, specifically mentioned his achievements.

“I will open the Silver Treasure Vault to you. You may choose one essence and one item you desire. Also, I will grant you a reward of 25 million stones.”

“Thank you.”

Melter Pend obtained an entry ticket to the treasure vault where 4th-grade essences and equipment of equal value were stored.

‘…Is it okay to look forward to my turn?’

In fact, among the three of us, Melter has the lowest merit. In the first place, the reason he was able to defeat the wolf was because I knocked down the corpse collector.

‘Hoo…’

Unfortunately, the next one was Kyle Uncle.

“The Iron Magician, Sir Kyle Febrosk, please come forward.”

“It’s been a while, Chancellor.”

“Please forgive me for not visiting you sooner, as I have been busy with state affairs.”

The chancellor mentioned three of Kyle’s merits.

Using his wisdom to suggest a way for the expedition to survive.

Evading Berzak with Mass Teleport.

And buying time and inflicting damage on the Destruction Scholar in the Goblin Forest battle.

“You wanted the authority to research forbidden magic from a long time ago, didn’t you? From today, you are a proud royal magician of the Lapdonian royal family.”

“The chancellor cannot know how happy this makes me. Thank you very much.”

Kyle was promoted to royal magician.

He had gained the opportunity to freely learn and master all kinds of magic.

“Bjorn, the son of Yandel, a warrior of the Barbarian tribe, please come forward.”

Finally, it was my turn.

However, perhaps because it was a completely different case from Melter and Kyle, who already had reputations?

The chancellor stared at me as if examining me closely, then recited my achievements one by one.

“Your merits are as follows.”

“Stopping the internal strife with noble will and allowing more knights to return to their families.”

“Becoming a role model by fighting more bravely than anyone else on the most dangerous front line.”

“Becoming bait to buy time from Berzak so that the explorers could survive.”

“Making a decisive contribution to victory by driving the cursed soul of another world, Abet Nekrapeto, into a corner.”

When you put it like that, it seems like nothing much happened.

I was thinking that to myself.

“These achievements alone cannot express the hard work you have done. But even so, on behalf of the royal family, I commend your achievements!”

“…”

“I will open the Gold Treasure Vault to you. You may choose one essence or item you desire, and I will grant you a reward of 50 million stones. Also!”

The chancellor continued.

“I will bestow upon you the title of Baronet.”

…Huh?