Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 342

Before coming to the Round Table, I ran countless simulations. After all, there was a sudden gap of two and a half years. The members were bound to have questions about my absence. ‘Perhaps some might have even figured out that I am Bjorn Yandel, given that our disappearances coincided.’ Of course, I’m not too worried about that part. The only people who know I’m alive are Amelia and Erwen. Just showing my face at the Round Table will quell those suspicions. The problem is what happens after I announce my return… ‘Well, it’s not like there won’t be a solution then.’ The immediate issue is something else. How am I going to explain my two-and-a-half-year absence? Because of this, I ran simulations, considering various scenarios, and soon came to a conclusion. “Lion…” “…You’re really alive.” No matter how shocked and questioning their gazes are. There’s no need to explain, really. “Aren’t you going to move?” “Ah… Yes…!” At my blunt words, the Clown standing at the door flinched and moved to the side of the wall. The Soul Queens were the same. Of course, she was much better than the Clown, who was completely out of it. “…Lion, you haven’t changed?” She opened the way, but still observed me with an intrigued gaze. Her relaxed voice was uncomfortable, but I didn’t show it. I just ignored her and passed by. Thud. I simply sat down in my usual seat, indifferent. “……” “……” After that, an eerie silence, which could only be described as bizarre, continued for a while. The members stared at me intently, while also glancing at each other, trying to gauge the situation. The psychology was obvious. They wanted someone to take the lead and throw out all sorts of questions on their behalf. ‘Heh, it’s been a while.’ Is it because I’ve been hiding at home, unable to even breathe properly? A sense of liberation, almost addictive, washes over me. That’s how a few more seconds passed in silence. Thump-! The doors connected to the Round Table slammed shut with a sound. It meant that the entry time was over after 3:10 PM. In other words, it also meant that it was okay to start the meeting now. Therefore… “Are you going to keep standing?” I said, looking at the Clown and the Soul Queens. “Sit down.” I have a lot to hear from you guys. And a lot to tell. *** “Hehehe, I showed a shameful side of myself.” The Clown, who had been blankly stuck to the wall, came to his senses and took his seat. And he looked at me with eyes that couldn’t hide his joy. “I sincerely welcome your return, Lion.” What’s with this guy? Did he forget that I told him not to act friendly last time? Well, it’s been two and a half years, so maybe he did. “……” I just ignored him without a reply, and the Clown chuckled as if he expected it. “Reason.” The one who spoke after the Clown was the Deer Antler. “You haven’t shown your face for over two years, what’s the reason you’re showing up now?” He, who often showed a macho side, stood up from his seat and directly questioned me. Of course, I had a prepared answer. “I wonder.” “Are you refusing to answer?” The Deer Antler’s tone slightly rose at my silence. It sounded just like the voice the royal family used when interrogating someone… It was a pity for me. He got carried away just because I was gone for two and a half years. “Displeasing.” I spoke as coldly as possible. And… Whoooosh-! I slowly raised my killing intent. Since it was my first return in a while, I decided it was necessary to re-establish some discipline. “…Kuh.” The Deer Antler, exposed to the killing intent, clenched his fist as if in pain. He seemed ready to listen, but I wasn’t satisfied and continued to pour out my killing intent as I spoke. “Never again.” At that, the Deer Antler’s neck veins bulged. He was better than the Clown who was wriggling on the floor like a bug, but the Deer Antler wasn’t much different. “Don’t look down on me.” I released my killing intent with all my might, and the Deer Antler’s body slowly bent over. As if something was pressing down on his shoulders. Looking at the Deer Antler, who was staring at me with a struggling face, I said with satisfaction. “Yes, like that.” Before I knew it, the Deer Antler was on his knees on the floor, looking up at me. His arms, which he had placed on the table to support himself, were trembling, it seemed like he was reaching his limit… Actually, it was the same for me. ‘Ugh, my head hurts.’ The moment I felt a pain in my head, the killing intent that had been pressing down on the room disappeared without a trace. And at the same time. “…Haaah!” The Deer Antler took a deep breath that he had been holding back. Seeing that, the Clown sneered. “…Heh, you foolish and stupid human. Have you forgotten how to ask Lion when you have something you want to ask?” “……” “Bring something interesting! Something interesting!” The Clown said that while glancing at me. It was as if he was asking, ‘Right?’ and wanting to be praised. Of course, I just ignored him again this time. And how much time had passed? “Lion.” A man’s voice broke the silence. It was Crescent Moon. He was presumed to be from the Fairy race, and he was the one who craved the ‘Stone of Rebirth’ more than anyone else at the Round Table. “I don’t care what you’ve been doing all this time.” He swallowed all the anxiety and questions he had for over two years and said to me. “Thank you, for coming back, even now.” It was exactly the kind of reaction I was hoping for. But when I actually heard those words, I felt a bit sorry. This guy must have been really worried while I was gone. ‘Should I give him a clue this time?’ I was thinking that to myself. “Hmm, it seems like everything is settled now?” The Soul Queens opened her mouth with a cheerful voice, as if to change the subdued atmosphere. “Then shall we start? It seems like there will be a lot to say to each other at today’s meeting.” And so, the meeting began. *** The process of deciding the order was short. “Then, Fox, you’re first?” “…I guess so.” The order was always clockwise. However, I would be last. “Why do I have to sit here…” It was an unspoken agreement that had been in place since the beginning. First, they would bring out information, and then I would listen to it, evaluate it, and then spit out corresponding information. That was the usual Round Table. “…I don’t have anything special prepared today, so I’ll bring out what I was originally going to talk about here.” Soon, the Fox brought out information as the first in line. It was quite an interesting story from the start. “About three years ago, the Dragon Slayer, who stopped his activities after the High Priest kidnapping incident, has reappeared in the Dark Continent for the first time. According to eyewitness accounts, he looked much stronger than before, and it seemed like he had solved the ‘Dragon’s Curse’ to some extent.” The recent whereabouts of the Dragon Slayer, whom I had forgotten about for a while. ‘He overcame the Dragon’s Curse, huh…’ It was an unfortunate story, but I decided not to get too caught up in it. Just because he can use Dragon Words doesn’t change anything. I’m not the same as I used to be either. Whoosh-! The jewel of the Round Table emitted a green light, signaling that the first turn had been successfully completed. But then. “Heh, Fox, you’re quite clever.” The Clown chuckled and spoke to the Fox. “…What do you mean?” “That wasn’t what you were originally going to talk about here, was it? It’s a story that could reveal your identity.” “……” “Looking at the Deer Antler, it seems like it’s news that even the royal family hasn’t heard yet. Could it be that Fox met him directly?” “I will not answer any personal questions.” “Well, suit yourself. I can just ask that salamander later in the labyrinth who he met.” The Fox, displeased by the Clown’s rude behavior, shut his mouth, and naturally, the turn passed to the next person. “Then it’s my turn… I guess.” This time it was the Deer Antler. Before he spoke, he made eye contact with me, then awkwardly avoided my gaze. It seemed like the lingering effects of the killing intent from earlier were still strong. However, he opened his mouth, trying his best to act as if nothing had happened, as if his pride was hurt if he showed it. “The royal family will soon issue a conscription order for the titled nobles.” The Deer Antler’s gaze was fixed on the Clown as he said that. It was as if he was trying to gauge the reaction of Noah Arc, who was in the opposing camp. But… “Heh, do you think I’ll be scared just because of that? It just looks like you’re cornered to that extent.” The Clown just sneered as usual, and the Deer Antler didn’t react to the provocation, and his turn ended. When the green light went out, the Crescent Moon next to him opened his mouth. “Now it’s my turn.” He was the one who had been bringing information more enthusiastically than anyone else since he had taken the bait of the Stone of Rebirth, so I had high expectations, but… “Unfortunately, I haven’t prepared anything special.” He looked at me and laid the groundwork in advance, as he hadn’t expected my visit today. He seemed worried that I might be disappointed and not come again next time… “It’s a story related to the Blood Lord.” Surprisingly, quite interesting information came out of his mouth. “A few weeks ago, the Blood Lord said he needed money and took most of the support funds that the royal family had given to the Fairy race. The reason was not revealed.” It was a case that was close to a scandal within the tribe. The Soul Queens, who had been listening quietly, expressed their doubts. “Excuse me, but even if it’s the Blood Lord, can he take that much money without revealing the reason? The royal family’s support funds wouldn’t be a small amount?” “Of course, it’s an unusual event. But the elders had no choice but to give it to him when he said he would sell the Sacred Tree Palace to someone else if they didn’t give him the money.” “…Sell the Sacred Tree Palace?” “It’s embarrassing, but yes. But he said it was money needed for something that had to be done, so we have no choice but to believe that there is some hidden meaning.” At the Crescent Moon’s explanation, the other members also couldn’t hide their uneasy feelings. “Heh, what on earth is that crazy woman trying to do?” “If that woman needs that much money, it can only be related to that kind of thing.” “I don’t know what it is, but there’s going to be another bloodbath.” I felt very strange. If they were like this, what kind of public image did Erwen have? No, more than that… ‘She told me not to worry because she had a lot of money, but it was all money she had extorted from the tribe…?’ I was speechless. I wondered where the capital to buy a mansion overnight came from, but I never imagined that there would be such a situation. ‘What will happen if the Fairy race finds out about this?’ If it were me, I would feel like my heart would collapse… While I was worrying about that, the Goblin opened his mouth, looking around. “T-Then… can I go now?” Ah, it’s his turn now. ‘He was a Holy Knight of the Leatlass Order, right?’ Since he was a guy whose identity I knew for sure, following the Clown, I was a little curious about what kind of information he would bring out— “The main branch has decided to join all forces except the 1st Holy Knight Order to the royal army.” What, is it another war-related story? I felt disappointed, but I chuckled. ‘The main branch, huh? It seems like they don’t even intend to hide it anymore. Or maybe his identity was revealed during the two years.’ While I was thinking about what kind of conversations might have taken place at the Round Table while I was gone, my ears were wide open. A short conversation about how the Leatlass Order’s actions would affect the future war situation was concluded, and the next person was about to speak. “Heh.” This time, it was none other than the Clown. “Everyone, how can you only talk about boring stories when Lion has come after so long?” The Clown tilted his head exaggeratedly, then changed his gaze in an instant and brought out information. “The Stone of Rebirth is in the possession of Baek Ho.” …Huh? *** The ripple effect of the information that the Clown casually spat out was huge. And the one who showed the most intense reaction was the Crescent Moon. He, who always had hatred in his eyes when he looked at the Clown, couldn’t hide his emotional turmoil and muttered. “Baek Ho… the one the royal family secretly issued an assassination order for…? The Stone of Rebirth…?” The Crescent Moon seemed surprised to hear the location of the Stone of Rebirth, but I was different. ‘Why is Baek Ho suddenly coming up…?’ It was such an unexpected name, and in the first place, when did he become so famous? Two years ago, he was called ‘that person,’ and it felt like only those who knew him knew his name. How did he get the Stone of Rebirth? Even if you know the acquisition conditions, you can’t get it without luck? “How is it?” Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to space out for long. “I thought the story about Baek Ho might be a little interesting for Lion, so I brought it up.” As soon as the green light came on, the Clown subtly asked me for my impressions, and after a moment of thought, I answered. “Certainly.” It was more valuable than the information I had heard earlier. I was more curious about this kind of thing than the war-related stories. However, it would be strange to be too impressed. “Not bad.” I gave my impressions just enough to not overdo it. After all, I needed to give this kind of evaluation so that he would bring this kind of information in the future. ‘When I go back later, I should ask Erwen if she knows anything about Baek Ho.’ I briefly organized this part and looked straight ahead. “Clown, is what you just said true?” “Can’t you tell by looking?” “J-Just a little bit, even if it’s just a little more detail—” “Heh, I don’t want to?” “……” The Crescent Moon, who had suddenly become the subordinate, was being insulted by the Clown. It was pitiful, but there was nothing I could do. I was hearing the fact that Baek Ho had the Stone of Rebirth for the first time. ‘Hmm, if this is the case, it’s going to be difficult to use the Stone of Rebirth as information… What kind of information should I bring out later?’ While I was quietly watching the situation and thinking about what kind of information to bring out later, the Soul Queens clapped her hands and gathered attention. And… “Well, it’s my turn now?” Looking directly at me among the many members. She opened her mouth with a seductive voice. “Lion has no record of logging into Ghost Busters for two and a half years.” “……” “Where on earth have you been all this time?” Heh… *** On the 15th, the members of the community are forcibly summoned to this spiritual world. Well, there is a way to log out and leave right after logging in… “No record of logging in, what does that mean?” “It means exactly that. There is no record of logging in at all.” The fact that the login record has completely disappeared is strange in many ways. She probably checked this part through the GM [Game Master]. “So I thought you were definitely dead…” Beyond a simple death, this woman would have concluded that I was Bjorn Yandel. Because I was the only famous person who died during that time. But did she feel some kind of contradiction in the Soul Queens’ words? The Goblin voiced his doubts. “D-Dead? Didn’t the Queen keep waiting for Lion?” “No, what I was waiting for was the Master. The one who created this Round Table. I visited periodically in case he might come again.” “Ah…” The Goblin was convinced, and everyone’s gaze turned to me. The desired outcome was clear. Whoosh-! The green light came out of the Round Table, so it must be true that I hadn’t logged in for two and a half years. They must be hoping for an explanation from my mouth. “Ah, are you going to avoid answering after all? Well, this kind of story might not be interesting information for Lion—” I interrupted her provocation and said. “Impudent.” “Then is there any reason to be afraid?” Her face, as she met my eyes, seemed full of composure. Even if I released the killing intent that had made the Deer Antler helpless, it was as if she had a way to respond. “Interesting.” “Oh, so are you going to tell us? What happened?” I glanced at the jewel that had already run out of light and answered. “It’s my turn now.” “Is this ignoring me?” “I wonder.” It’s not ignoring. To be precise, it’s just punishment. “Magical Engineer, Yurben Havelion.” In order to protect the authority of the Lion in the future, I needed to let her know properly. Even if it wasn’t a suppression using ‘killing intent’. “That’s the name of the GM.” That there is a penalty for those who dare to rebel.