Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 234

“Have my daughter as your legal wife, and your lover as a concubine.”

The count, having made such an absurd proposal, continued, “Rimenin, the abyss explorer who first reached the 10th floor; Pikma, the great navigator who explored and mapped all areas of the vast 6th floor; and Juggernaut, the iron hero.”

“……”

“There have been countless other heroes. Do you know what they all have in common? Their journeys always had strong patrons.”

In the end, I couldn’t help but ask, “I understand what you’re getting at, but… what do you gain by sponsoring me?”

“This city is always short of talent. Even if this hadn’t happened, I was planning to sponsor you.”

It didn’t sound like he was just saying empty words.

“What exactly do you mean?”

“It’s common for nobles to sponsor promising explorers. It helps their family’s reputation.”

I knew that much.

Is it like a high-class hobby of the upper class? In modern terms, it’s like collecting supercars.

But I didn’t know this part. “Sometimes, it’s also a measure of a family’s power. If you don’t have any explorers to sponsor, you’re looked down upon, and if they don’t achieve any significant results, you’re judged as having no foresight.”

Now I see, it’s more than just a hobby.

For nobles, the social scene is a political arena, and the opinions of others directly affect their power.

“Our Perdehilt County’s wealth is comparable to that of any great noble family. The same goes for our knight order. But there’s one thing we lack.”

I don’t know much about the count’s family, but I think I know what he means.

“Despite putting in a lot of effort, we haven’t produced any notable explorers for a long time.”

“So, when you said you’d call me separately when you were ready, that’s what you meant.”

“Why would I hide it? I said that because I wasn’t sure about you back then. If a sponsored explorer dies soon after, it would tarnish our family’s reputation.”

Even so, he didn’t want to lose me, so he warned me not to accept invitations from other nobles. A kind of ‘calling dibs’ act.

“If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have hesitated to sponsor you back then.”

His voice was full of regret, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

If he had, the count’s family’s reputation would have skyrocketed as much as my current value. And there wouldn’t have been a need to offer his daughter like this.

“Now I have no doubts. You’re someone who will become even greater. Many explorers have died, but is this the end? As always, time will pass and the empty spots will be filled. You will surely become the main player leading a new era.”

“……That’s an overstatement.”

“Well, we’ll have to wait and see. Anyway, I think I’ve explained all the benefits I’d gain. So, will you give me an answer?”

I was silent for a moment, pretending to consider it. If I refused right away, he would clearly be upset.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think such a relationship would work.” A refusal that tried not to leave any room for doubt.

“Think about it carefully. Everyone will try to have a good relationship with you, but will anyone actually try to form a blood tie? I can do more for you than you can imagine.”

That was the end of my conversation with the count. I exchanged a brief greeting with his daughter once more and returned outside. As soon as I went out, Misha spotted me and approached.

“Bjorn! Where were you! I went to look for you because you weren’t coming back, but I couldn’t find you!”

“Ah, a noble held me up for a bit.” There was no need to mention what had just happened. I made up an excuse and went back to where I was, continuing to drink.

The more I laughed and chatted, the more the count’s words came to mind. [You will surely become the main player leading a new era.]

And so, the banquet ended.

***

The music stops, and the noisy chatter ceases. The tiresome banquet was finally over.

“You bastards.”

At first, he didn’t know what kind of banquet it was. After all, since his only source of information had become useless, he was as good as blind. It was impossible to contact the outside world.

But… [It’s been a while since we’ve met face-to-face.]

Through his conversation with the prime minister who had visited a little while ago, he found out what had happened this time.

[The Noark bastards have been up to no good this time. There has been a lot of damage.]

A lot of damage. Just how much…?

The man tried to hide his rising anxiety and asked, and the prime minister replied, [Whatever you imagine, it’s more than that.]

70% of the explorers above the 4th floor had died. Of course, what was important to him was something else. The explorers above the 7th floor. Several large clans who had been honing themselves to go deeper, even though they could live comfortably without climbing any further. Most of them had also died.

How long would it take to recover from this damage?

“Ha, this is really pissing me off. I should have just blown their heads off back then.” The man gritted his teeth.

When he heard the news, his first thought was, ‘I’ve been had.’ [Did they… intentionally target us?]

He barely suppressed his murderous intent and asked, and the prime minister replied with a smile, [We didn’t know about this either. If you want, you can use your ability to see if it’s the truth.]

Saying they didn’t know was the truth, but… It’s not like I’d fall for that kind of sly talk just once or twice.

[Bullshit. Even if this hadn’t happened, it was obvious that it would have ended up like this.]

[Well, what do you think would have happened?]

[Don’t play dumb. If I had been allowed to kill all of them during the last subjugation, this would never have happened.]

It felt like the puzzle was finally coming together. During the subjugation, the battle situation was much more favorable for Lapdonia. The damage was significant, but if they had pushed a little harder, they could have finished it decisively. However, the royal family did not do so. They gave them time, and in the end, the Noark side activated the ancient barrier and locked the gates.

[Why don’t you just tell me the truth? You never intended to keep your promise with me from the start.]

[How dare you. His Majesty the King made a promise himself, putting the royal family’s honor on the line. It will surely be kept, so do not doubt it.]

[Don’t tell me not to doubt it, you bastard.]

The man finally realized. No, it would be more accurate to say that he finally admitted it. These bastards have no intention of letting us go. ‘They’re probably acting so arrogant because they think I have no way to escape.’

With that conversation, the prime minister left. The reason he didn’t blow his head off was simple. It had to be night.

‘Ha, where should I dig now?’ He thought there would be a clue from the royal family, but he couldn’t find any. No, he only found out that there was no answer here. It’s safe to say that this judgment cost him at least 10 years. But the man didn’t give up.

‘…If there’s nowhere else to go, I guess I’ll go to Noark.’ Although their power is weaker compared to the royal family, they would have the will to clear the dungeon.

‘Ah, whatever, let’s go out and think about it.’ The man closed his eyes and reached out into the air. And slowly began imaging. ‘Extinction of the Stars.’ The skill of the Dark Lord, Deadred. The essence he obtained when he last entered the labyrinth, which even the royal family doesn’t know he possesses because there were no witnesses.

Zzzzt—.

A dark sphere rotated on the man’s hand, absorbing all the magic power around it. The sealing magic circle engraved in the room where he was located was the same.

Zzzzzzt.

Soon, the magic circle shattered. And… KWA-A-A-A-A-ANG-!

The dark sphere exploded, annihilating everything within a 100-meter radius.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

At the same time as the explosion, a bell rang, and the sound of knights approaching could be heard. Wow, their reaction is fast.

“E, escape!”

“Stop him!!”

The man smirked. “Hey, you’ll die if you come now, you know?”

The knights froze at the murderous intent he emitted. Even though they chant about the king and loyalty like fanatics every day, they seem to know that their lives are precious. Seeing that made him feel a little better.

“You pathetic bastards.” The man scoffed and leaped high. And, as if enjoying his freedom, he used ‘Space Interference’ to step on the air and easily escaped the royal palace. In less than a minute, he reached hundreds of meters in the air.

This damned city was the same as ever. No matter where he looked, the tall walls were like bars, confining him on all sides.

‘Ah, wait. But I can’t enter Noark right now because of the barrier, can I?’ The man, who had been moving for a while, belatedly realized this and stopped in mid-air to start thinking.

‘…Should I go to Bipron? It’s a good place to hide.’ That seems like the best option. But… ‘Let’s stop by the magic tower first.’ Before hiding, there was somewhere he needed to go first. He needed to restore his information gathering route so that he could know what was going on in the world even while in hiding. ‘I’m also curious about what happened to that guy.’ …He’s alive, right? Well, I hope so. Thinking such thoughts about someone else for the first time in a long time, the man, Baekho Lee, crossed the night sky.

***

Five days had passed since the banquet ended. I hadn’t done much during that time. I just stayed home and took time to recover, and yesterday, when I felt a little better, I went out alone to find a family. Because I had promised. [Please tell my son the news. I think you’ll be famous when you go out. He’ll like that.]

A family with a ten-year-old boy and a young wife. Unlike what he had said, the boy didn’t smile when he saw me. Yeah, how could he smile? [I’ve heard a lot about you. Thank you for coming….]

I had traveled for more than four hours by carriage, but in the end, I only had a brief conversation with the wife. She said that she had received the bereaved family compensation and was planning to open a store with it. It had been a long-time dream of the couple. [If you have any problems raising the child or living, feel free to come to me anytime.]

[Why… why are you being so kind? I heard that you and he met for the first time that day….]

[Because if we had met somewhere else, we would have become friends.]

[I see….]

The resilient woman, who had pulled herself together in just over ten days for the sake of her remaining child, quietly shed tears. [He was… a bit childish since he was young. He always admired heroes. Thank you so, so much. He would be happy too. If someone like you remembers him….]

What am I that I deserve such words? Those words rose to my throat, but I held them back. Whatever the truth may be, I had to be. If that’s what they wanted. That was also something I had to do.

“Bjorn!” As I was quietly reflecting on my thoughts, Misha burst into the room. “Erwen! Erwen is here!”

Right, she’s finally settled down too. I went downstairs and saw Erwen standing blankly in the living room. Our first reunion since that day. I wondered what to say, but in the end, I blurted out, “Welcome.” If I had lived a more proper life, I would have been able to offer a more wonderful word of comfort at a time like this.

“Yes….” Seeing Erwen’s shadowed expression, Misha hurriedly approached her. “D, dinner? Are you hungry?”

“I’m fine. Thank you. Ms. Carlstein.”

“Ms. What! Just call me unnie… Ah!” Ah…. Misha stepped on a landmine.

“No, no, that’s right! Misha is enough….” Misha quickly corrected her title. At this, Erwen closed her eyes tightly. And slowly opened them, forcing a smile. “You don’t have to be so considerate. Really. Thank you for your kindness, unnie….”

“Ah, uh… Right. Come here. I left a room empty here in case you might come….”

“Yes? You left a room empty?”

“You don’t have anywhere to go, do you? You can stay here as long as you need until you’ve recovered. It’s only going to be harder if you’re alone….” Erwen’s eyes widened at Misha’s words. As if she had heard an unexpected proposal.

“I, is that okay…?” Erwen then looked at me as if asking for my opinion, and I shrugged. “Didn’t I tell you? Your unnie asked me to. Now I’m your guardian.”

Erwen clenched her small fist tightly. And barely managed to open her mouth, as if forcing the words out. “…I’ll gratefully accept that kindness. Really, now… I have nothing left….”

“Nothing? Misha, quickly take her and show her the room. You furnished it, so you know it better than I do.”

“Ah! Okay!” Misha then took Erwen to show her the layout of the house and such. But had she not been able to sleep properly during that time? Erwen said she would rest for a while, lay down on the bed, and fell asleep right away.

“…Haa, I think it’s more comfortable fighting monsters.”

“I agree….” After that, the two of us ate the meal that Misha had prepared. Because Aynar said he was staying overnight at the holy site today. Anyway, after finishing dinner, I spent time talking with Misha about various things, and when it was around midnight, I went up to my room and lay down on the bed.

[23:59]

Thump, thump, my heart was beating. I wonder how many people participated? No…. 「The character’s soul resonates and is led to a specific world.」 Did the clown, that bastard, come? I really hope he did.