Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 431

The Marquis’s planned triumphal return ceremony was simple. First, a procession starting from the dimensional plaza of Lavigion, where we returned, passing through the commercial city of Commelby, and heading to the imperial capital, Karnon.

Boom, boom, boom-!

A military band in uniform played a lively tune.

Thump-! Thump-! Thump-!

A carriage with drums moved slowly, constantly emitting a majestic sound.

‘Waaaaaaaaaaaaah-!’

The blessings and cheers of the people.

And right through the middle of the main street, filled with the flower petals they scattered.

‘It’s the heroes’ procession…!’

Wearing equipment like veteran warriors, which would be impractical in actual combat.

‘Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah-!’

We moved forward, and forward again.

The expressions of the people watching us were all bright.

‘They say they destroyed the Eye of the Sky? They’ve accomplished great feats.’

‘Things will be much more favorable for the royal family now.’

‘It was probably the most difficult thing to deal with.’

Some explorers clapped their hands.

‘Dad, what’s the Eye of the Sky?’

‘Well, I’m not sure, but… it seems like it was a very important thing.’

‘I want to be like those people someday!’

‘Then, you can do it, anything.’

There were families who came out with their young sons on their shoulders, simply because there was a festival.

‘Akuraba! There’s Akuraba over there!’

‘I thought she had retired, but I’m hearing news of her again in a place like this.’

‘It’s Meland Keislan!’

‘Oh! That’s the Blood Spirit Marquis!’

There were also those who were just trying to catch a glimpse of a famous person’s face.

And…

‘Thanks to you… my son can finally rest in peace! Really, really… thank you…!’

Perhaps she had lost her family to Noahrc [a type of monster].

A woman ran up to the carriage, tears streaming down her face, and grabbed my hand.

But do they even know?

That in the original triumphal return ceremony planned by the Marquis, only empty coffins with our names on them would have been on the carriages.

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeee-

Perhaps it was because there were too many people, or maybe I was having a panic attack.

I could hear ringing in my ears, and forcing a smile was becoming increasingly difficult.

It was during one of those moments.

‘Mister…’

Erwen, who was next to me, placed her hand over mine.

Keislan, who was riding in the carriage ahead, also turned around and looked at me with a worried expression.

What, did they think someone was going to cause an accident?

‘Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah…’

The triumphal procession, which had been traveling along the main street for a long time, passed Lavigion and arrived at Commelby.

It was a little different from Lavigion.

The number of explorers was much higher, and the attire of people with ordinary jobs was much more formal than the average in Lavigion.

Well, it was nothing compared to the imperial capital.

Clatter, clatter.

Regardless, the wheels of the carriage kept turning.

‘Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah-!’

The countless crowds, cheers, and outstretched arms.

It was so frustrating that I couldn’t be happy even while seeing them.

If there hadn’t been any behind-the-scenes maneuvering in this expedition.

If all the members had been able to return alive.

They could have seen the same sight.

If that were the case, I could have shouted with joy.

Thump-!

Heavy,

Thump-!

And heavy again.

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage, whose wheels did not stop turning, eventually passed Commelby and entered the imperial capital, heading straight to the royal palace along the long, straight avenue. The royal palace gates, which were usually strictly closed, were wide open.

‘The heroes have arrived!’

A line of knights stood at the wide-open gates.

On the ramparts, a military band played a climactic and dynamic performance.

And…

‘Somehow, I’ve ended up here again.’

The carriage, which seemed like it would never stop rolling, came to a halt.

It was in front of the ‘Palace of Glory,’ where my peerage was conferred.

‘Welcome the heroes!’

The palace gates opened wide, and we got out of the carriages and entered the palace.

The formation was slightly different from the parade.

Before, I was in the central carriage, but this time, I was at the very front.

‘Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!’

The cheers that erupted as we entered the palace were a little quieter than those we heard on the streets.

Well, most of the people here were either nobles or high-ranking officials from guilds or associations.

‘What are you doing? Why aren’t you moving?’

Keislan poked my back as I stood still at the entrance, blankly looking around.

Tsk, so impatient.

Thud, thud.

I walked along the long red carpet that stretched to the empty throne.

Even then, I kept looking around.

People were shouting, whistling, and even taking out binoculars with curious eyes.

That’s why it was easy to find them even in the crowd of thousands.

Thud.

In this place where everyone was celebrating.

Only they were like uninvited guests among those who were smiling, spending their time in mourning.

‘Yes, it was over there.’

‘Wait a minute… where are you going!’

I easily ignored Keislan’s restraint and turned to head towards the audience seats.

But had they realized where I was going?

‘…Damn it, I don’t know anymore.’

Keislan didn’t try to stop me any further.

Thud, thud.

Our procession changed direction.

The military band, which had been surrounding us, was flustered but professionally changed direction without showing it.

And…

Thud.

We finally stood in front of them.

‘……’

Those who had been quietly wiping away tears looked at me with slightly bewildered faces.

The bereaved families of the members I had asked the Marquis to allow into the Palace of Glory.

Boom, boom, boom-!

No, it’s been annoying since earlier.

Can’t you turn off the sound now?

I was complaining, but it seemed the military band had neither the sense nor the authority to do so, so I went directly and snatched the instruments, throwing them to the ground.

Clang-!

The music stopped abruptly, and silence fell.

Only then did the crowd stop cheering, and the sobbing of the bereaved families in front of me echoed clearly.

And…

Thud.

In front of them, I knelt on one knee.

‘I’m sorry. I couldn’t bring back the person who was precious to you alive.’

As I lowered my head in that position, the members behind me followed suit.

This was the ceremony that should have been done in front of the empty throne later, but who cares about that?

Anyway, the king wouldn’t show his face this time either.

‘Thank you…’

While I was bowing my head, not daring to make eye contact, I felt a cautious touch on my head.

‘How… how did Ashd meet his end?’

Yes, she was Ashd’s wife.

‘He was… like a great wizard from a fairy tale. He wasn’t afraid of death at all, and it’s all thanks to him that we were able to return alive.’

After hearing my words, which might have sounded formal, she didn’t say anything for a while.

She just sobbed quietly.

‘Is that… is that so…’

Now that I think about it, that guy was a liar too.

He said his wife was a strong person…

‘I… I don’t know what to do now… what should I do… our dear one… I’m so sorry… what should I do…’

‘……’

‘Hwaaaaaaaaaaak!’

The woman who had placed her hand on my head collapsed to the floor, expressing her grief.

And as if a dam had burst.

‘M-McKelley Leiathers, how did he, how did he end up? I, I didn’t hear anything. They just told me he was dead and to come here…’

‘…Ventis Gerod! He’s my father! But I didn’t even know he was going on such a dangerous mission!’

‘Ms. Kala! Please tell me! Why isn’t Rick… why isn’t Rick here! Why are you the only one who came back alive!’

Those who had been sitting down rushed towards us, voicing their questions, and we answered their fabricated endings like criminals.

And watching us like that.

‘What is this? Is this part of the event?’

‘Wow, the royal family has prepared well.’

‘I’ve never seen such an impressive triumphal return ceremony before!’

‘No, no matter how you look at it, it just seems like a mess… well, it’s fun, so I guess it’s okay?’

The crowd watched with curious eyes.

How long did that chaotic time last?

‘…We can’t delay any longer.’

Soon, knights who had received instructions from the Marquis approached and sorted out the situation, and the triumphal return ceremony resumed.

We, who had briefly deviated from the path, once again stepped onto the red carpet and headed towards the empty throne.

The Marquis was standing in front of it.

‘He’s finally showing himself. He’s been hiding inside the crystal ball all this time.’

I glanced at him once, then knelt on one knee and lowered my head.

Unlike the previous ceremony, it wasn’t a sign of respect.

It was just that I thought it would be difficult to control my emotions if I made eye contact.

‘You have come a long and arduous path, heroes!’

The Marquis recited the prepared lines, regardless of whether I had acted out of turn or not.

Soon, the Marquis summarized our journey.

Thirty heroes, entrusted with a noble mission, had finally completed their task and returned alive after overcoming countless trials.

It had become unnecessarily long due to the numerous praises, but in summary, that was the story.

It was just a story we had made up, not the truth.

Even the story of the rescue team not arriving was completely omitted through negotiations with the Marquis.

However…

‘Not even the extreme cold of the poles could extinguish your passion. Not even the underground rebels could take your lives.’

As the Marquis spoke of our achievements and praised us, the crowd applauded.

‘Ahem, ahem… First, I would like to talk about what sacrifice is in this place.’

After the Marquis stepped down, the Archbishop of the Tovera Church appeared. The high priest, who was suspected of having hair loss, offered words of comfort to us, and especially mentioned the priests and paladins who had made great sacrifices, and offered a moment of silence.

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeee-.

Next was the Duke’s family.

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeee-.

Next was the Explorers’ Guild.

Next, and next…

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeee-.

Those who were planning to share the results of this expedition appeared one by one in front of the crowd, adding their spoons to the pot [taking credit].

Clench-

Wow, I thought it would be like this, but it’s really not easy.

However, fortunately, perhaps because the event time was shortened due to my unexpected actions earlier, the time of endurance was short.

Finally, the triumphal return ceremony entered its climax.

‘May the light of the royal family be with you.’

The music started again with the Marquis’s words.

It was like a salute to the national flag at a school event.

‘This is 3 minutes, right, probably.’

I counted exactly 2 minutes and then opened my mouth.

Just loud enough for the Marquis, who was about 3 meters away, to hear.

‘Hey, Marquis.’

When I spoke, the Marquis looked at me like I was crazy.

Well, it must have seemed insane for the main character of the event to be doing something else at the most important moment.

Especially in a place where almost all the nobles were gathered.

‘I’ve been thinking, what about me getting my name back?’

Perhaps he judged that I might ruin the event if he didn’t answer, the Marquis quickly replied while keeping his gaze fixed on the empty throne.

‘As I said before, it will take at least two more months.’

‘Two months…’

‘That was the promise, wasn’t it?’

‘It was.’

I chuckled and continued.

‘But now that I think about it, it seems too long. I’d like to move it up a bit.’

The Marquis didn’t answer my question.

It was because the music had ended and it was time to resume the event.

‘……’

The Marquis glared at me once, as if urging me, and then continued his words of praise for the royal family.

Hey, even if you’re in a hurry, you should have answered.

If you’re like this, I have no choice.

They say barbarians don’t understand unless you speak strongly?

‘May the light of the royal family be with you!’

The Marquis, who had been giving a long speech about how great and benevolent the royal family was, shouted at us.

It was the last event of this triumphal return ceremony that the Marquis had told me about.

‘Now, let the expedition leader, Richen Shuitz, report!’

A kind of roll call.

The moment this report is officially made, our long expedition will officially come to an end.

That’s why…

[The character has activated [Giantification].]

[The physique increases in proportion to strength.]

I pushed my body to its limits, even using [Transcendence].

Well, it has to be this much for them to notice, right?

Thousands of gazes turned to me as my body grew instantly.

‘To use abilities within the royal palace, how dare you!’

‘Where do you think this is! It’s an insult to the royal family!’

Some were angry that I had used a skill.

And on the other hand.

‘…G-Giantification?’

That was Bjorn Yandel’s signature skill.

‘I-Is it a coincidence?’

‘No, wait a minute, it looks similar…’

‘But that man is dead.’

‘Above all, he was a demon…’

The crowd, who recognized it, voiced their doubts.

And the Marquis?

‘……!’

The Marquis fell backward as soon as I used Giantification.

What, did he think I was going to assassinate him here?

Swoosh.

I took my eyes off the Marquis and stared at the empty throne.

And…

‘I speak the truth before the only monarch.’

I said calmly.

My gaze was forward, but loud enough for anyone in the hall to hear.

One by one, clearly.

Engraving in my heart the moments I couldn’t share with the bereaved families.

‘Pike Neldain.’

He was framed as a traitor and executed in Ice Rock.

At the time, I thought it was the best option, but now I regret it a little. If he had wanted the expedition to fail, he might have been our ally.

‘Philip Eintropi.’

He was a navigator from Keislan’s team.

He lost his life in a surprise battle while waiting for the rescue team in Deadwood.

His head was crushed.

I hadn’t had many conversations with him, but I heard from Keislan later.

He was a filial son who took care of his elderly parents without getting married?

‘Might Million.’

He was instantly killed by [Land’s End Thorns] while escaping Deadwood.

A death without even a death rattle.

I’ll probably have to wonder for the rest of my life.

Was it unavoidable? Or did he deliberately take the hit even though he could have avoided it?

‘Fiona Aymus.’

She was hit by a blind attack while chanting mass teleportation with other mages.

‘Niaro Campbell.’

He was a priest who went forward to help a wounded warrior and died.

‘Milburn Naria.’

Our always polite troll summoner.

He protected everyone, but chose a lonely death.

I hope he woke up in a house filled with the aroma of coffee.

‘Matt Hybrigham.’

He was a paladin in the tank position.

But I took off all his equipment. In that state, he forced his way through and lost his life in front of the summit of the Glacier’s Eye.

‘Pasible Eric Colson.’

A friend and subordinate who had spent a long time with Keislan in the same unit. Keislan cried at his death, but comforted me.

Because I was there.

And because I didn’t give up until the end.

His death became meaningful.

‘That… that’s the burden I have to carry from now on.’

I continued to speak.

‘Rick Jogersta.’

He died fighting the Noahrc bastards after regrouping.

The cause of death was [Land’s End Thorns], which had killed Might Million.

‘Ventis Gerod.’

When the Rose Knights attacked from behind, he bought time for us to retreat alone.

He was a man who always talked about romance.

A mage doing what warriors do, is that romantic enough?

‘Royta Mamender.’

He died from an attack by the Rose Knights while helping from a cliff.

He was a very strict priest.

‘McKelley Leiathers.’

He was a mage from Akuraba’s team.

He never woke up after being hit by [Soul Extraction].

‘Roan Beliaro.’

A cheerful old man whose motto was to live a long and thin life, always in the middle.

He died in a surprise attack by the Rose Knights under the cover of darkness.

‘Jun.’

A noble paladin who died standing up.

Even the enemies realized his death late, he was such a great man until the end.

‘Tsuon Iribun.’

He was an archer from the 5th team.

When Sven Parab’s defense line was breached, his upper and lower body were torn apart by a monster summoned by Karui’s priest.

In that state, he asked the priest before he died.

To sing a hymn of hope?

Even though he couldn’t hear because of the penalty,

‘Puta Likerbun.’

He was a guy who lived as a fixer for the Kealunerus Duchy.

A versatile jack-of-all-trades who was a guide and a melee dealer.

His combat skills were just okay.

But he killed two Rose Knights in a row at the end…

Even after hearing about it later, I couldn’t believe it.

If I could have filmed it, it would have been good enough to play at his funeral. Duke, the fixer you threw away was such an amazing bastard.

‘…What power!’

The knights who had approached grabbed my arm.

But perhaps my appearance was too strange?

‘Stop.’

The Marquis dismissed the knights.

For once, he did something I liked.

‘Periton Eriabos, Benjamin Orman.’

These two used the priests’ ultimate move, a sacrifice spell, to destroy the rampaging evil god’s summons.

If it weren’t for these two, we would have all died.

‘Liard Ashd.’

They say he used an awakening magic like Dwarki [a legendary hero].

Not only did he inflict great damage on the evil god’s summons, but he also killed three Rose Knights?

The day before the lockdown, Marone cried and told me.

She was originally going to do it, but Ashd shook his head and stopped her.

‘Ghold Aldidi.’

He said he could entrust the aftermath to me, and he ran through the front line at the cost of his life.

That old man wouldn’t have wanted to die, would he?

‘Yes, so many have died.’

As I recited each of their names, I felt the weight of it.

I continued to speak calmly.

Because I was in the middle of the final report.

‘The following are 20 deceased.’

Twenty people.

They had each taken on this dangerous mission with their own dreams or goals.

They died.

In the cold snowfield.

So tragically and lonely.

Longing for something desperately.

Of course, they weren’t all good guys.

There was one who had embezzled funds from the association he belonged to, and even Jun had tortured innocent people. Puta Likerbun, he must have done all sorts of bad things as a fixer for the Duke’s family.

There would definitely be someone somewhere who would say they deserved to die.

But.

One thing is clear.

‘…None of them deserved to die like that.’

We survived thanks to them.

That’s why…

‘Lilis Marone, Bersil Gowland, James Kala, Meland Keislan…’

I had to say it clearly.

Even to survive.

‘Sven Parab, Laviyeniastorous, Emily Raines, Titana Akuraba, Erwen Fornachi di Tersia…’

Before saying my name last, I briefly looked up at the Marquis.

He was looking at me with a business smile.

He seemed to have judged that it was pointless to stop me now that I had used [Giantification].

The Marquis muttered quietly as he looked at me.

‘Tsk, if you had just held on a little longer, it would have been better for both of us.’

Yes, it would have been for you.

But I felt like I would be too powerless if I didn’t get my name back soon.

Let’s make the situation bigger.

So, in that sense…

‘The proud Baron of the Royal Family.’

In front of thousands of nobles, I shouted proudly.

‘I, Bjorn, son of Yandel, declare that I have returned alive, representing the expedition team, after completing all missions!’

That I had returned.