Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 654

Event (4)

It wasn’t a question of whether I was a demon, but a statement as if it were a certainty.

I tried to argue, but the marquis didn’t give me the chance.

“Of course, you wouldn’t make a statement here that sounds like an admission. You might think it’s a trap. So, just listen until I’m done.”

“…….”

“Whatever you say, I think you’re a demon.”

“…….”

“That’s why, even when you became a noble, I made sure to cover it up so no one would know. If it were known that a hero like you was a demon, it would create dissonance in the public’s perception.”

It was a topic I had discussed with Amelia in the past.

Why was I able to become a noble without ‘verification’?

[The royal family might have knowingly condoned it. Back then, you were practically a hero in the city.]

…So that was really the reason.

“Demons should always be the enemy of all citizens, and they are in reality. They are more terrifying than any monster in the labyrinth, taking away our lives entirely.”

The marquis’s voice held a deep, unseen anger.

“When it was reported that you died in the labyrinth, I was secretly pleased. For me, who has to lead this country, it was the best situation for you to disappear without being revealed as a demon.”

From here on, it was content I was also well aware of.

The best situation the marquis spoke of was soon overturned.

“But one fellow kept interfering. You know him too. That shameless guy named Baekho Lee.”

The marquis was threatened by Baekho Lee to announce that Bjorn Yandel was a ‘demon,’ and after that, he had to put the demon incorporation policy on the table.

Well, it’s such a big policy that it hasn’t been implemented yet.

“That man dug into my deepest wound.”

“…A deep wound?”

“My son… Eltora Terserion is already dead. What’s occupying my son’s body now is some demon whose name I don’t even know.”

“……!”

I was genuinely surprised.

Not because it was the first time I was hearing this, but because I didn’t expect him to confess even this much honestly.

“Judging by that reaction, you really didn’t know.”

“Uh… I didn’t expect it at all.”

“Anyway, that man threatened me with my son’s identity. Since I couldn’t deal with my son right away, I had no choice but to comply with the threat.”

So, what exactly is the marquis trying to say now?

Since I didn’t know, I continued to listen to the story.

After all, it wasn’t all information I already knew.

“The demon incorporation policy must never be implemented. Even if becoming a demon wasn’t their intention, if we accept them… who can resolve the resentment of those whose bodies have been taken?”

In today’s conversation, it felt like I was seeing the marquis’s inner self for the first time.

“The reason I was able to immediately create an excuse when you disappeared and came back was also because of that. Ironically, to stop that man’s plan, you couldn’t be a demon.”

“…You were preparing in advance.”

“That’s right. I created and recorded false information behind the scenes, making it seem like your non-existent infiltration mission was real. I made thorough preparations so that no one could notice it was fake.”

Now the questions are answered.

No wonder it didn’t seem like a hastily made-up setting, even big figures like Duke Kealurnus seemed to believe it without suspicion.

To think it was a meticulously prepared plan during the time I was gone.

“Of course, originally, I was going to announce that you died during that mission when the time came… but that plan was also thwarted when you came back alive.”

Now that I understand the marquis’s intentions, my fists clench tightly.

“Was that why… you sent us to Ice Rock?”

The marquis easily affirmed without any change in expression.

“There’s no reason to try to hide the truth now. Yes. That’s why I sent you. I thought that if you died and disappeared before you regained your name, no problems would arise.”

How can a person be so shameless?

After all the sincere talk we had, I feel like I want to shove my fist into his face right here and now.

But……

‘I decided to hold back.’

That day, on the cold ice, I swore, didn’t I?

It’s not the time to unleash my anger.

Yes, so.

“So… tell me now. What’s the reason for saying all this?”

I ask the marquis, trying my best to maintain my composure.

The second-in-command of a nation isn’t an idiot, and he wouldn’t change emotionally just because I saved him once.

Of course, saving him wouldn’t have no effect at all, but……

Still, there must be a valid reason for telling me this—.

“Because I’m confused.”

…Huh?

“There’s no reason for you to save me at all. You would have rather wanted me to die, and you’re not the type of person who would try to get on my good side, are you?”

Well, that’s definitely true.

But……

“Why would you throw yourself to save me? I couldn’t understand it at all. But when I thought about it, it wasn’t just me.”

The marquis continues, looking at me.

“You’ve saved countless people so far. But there was no reason for you to save those people. Thanks to that, I was able to come to a conclusion. No, I was finally able to admit it.”

“What was it……?”

“Even if you are a demon, you are a person with the nature of a hero.”

A hero……

To be honest, it doesn’t really feel real even if he says that.

I was just struggling to survive.

Along with the people around me.

“Whether you’re a demon or not, you’re someone who will have a beneficial impact on this world.”

Anyway, regardless of my feelings.

I could intuitively tell that what would come next was the main point.

“So, I’ll make you a proposal.”

The marquis then says to me with shining eyes.

“Join our side. And use your power to maintain balance and peace as a true resident of this world.”

Is it because he built up the tension so well and spoke with such a powerful and passionate voice?

The marquis’s words had a power that seemed to lead people.

However, I know.

The more power a person has, the more you have to keep your wits about you.

‘Ugh, I almost got swept away without realizing it.’

There are two types of people in the world.

Those who only think about the good points of a ‘proposal’ and turn on their wishful thinking, and those who are the opposite.

I’m always the type of person who wants to be the latter.

Therefore……

“Asking me to use my power is a strange thing to say. I’m already doing that enough.”

I give an ambiguous answer, asking the marquis to open his hand further.

“Forget about the incomprehensible talk about demons and all that, why don’t you just say what you want clearly?”

The marquis wasn’t flustered by my request.

He just let out a hearty laugh, as if he expected this, and calmly continued to speak.

“Haha, of course, it’s not like I don’t want anything.”

“Then tell me.”

“Even if you join hands with me now, there’s no proof that I can trust you, is there? I need proof.”

He concluded that I was a good demon at one point, but now he’s just flipping his hand up and down as he pleases—.

“Baekho Lee.”

The air suddenly turns cold.

“Kill that man who only thinks about disrupting the balance of this world.”

Yes, that was the real purpose.

“Then I think I can fully trust you.”

As expected.

There’s no way this guy would act like that just because I saved him once.

***

After a moment of silence.

The marquis added, trying to persuade me.

“If you’re uncomfortable, just think of it as a deal. If you take care of Baekho Lee, I’ll become a reliable patron for you as long as you live in this world.”

Well, if it really works out as he says, it would be reassuring.

The marquis has the power to smooth things over even if I go around shouting that I’m a demon in the middle of the city.

But that’s why it’s even more questionable.

Leaving aside the fact that there’s no need to explain why the marquis wants to kill Baekho Lee.

“Why are you trying to make me do that?”

Why is the marquis trying to entrust this task to me instead of dealing with it himself?

“Because you’re the only one who can do it.”

The marquis’s answer was unexpected.

“To be honest, I’ve already tried countless times, but they all failed. It wasn’t even easy for us to meet him. But… it might be different for you. For some reason, he was very interested in you.”

“…….”

“Of course, you don’t have to decide here and now, and you don’t have to tell me even if you do decide. Just keep it in mind. The moment you bring me his head, you won’t have to worry about anything.”

“…….”

“Please make the right choice. Don’t you love this world? Unlike other demons.”

With those words, the marquis finished speaking and sipped his now cold tea, and the conversation temporarily entered a lull.

The marquis was leisurely passing the time and never brought up the topic first, and the more he did, the more complicated my head became.

What should I answer?

Or what else should I ask?

Those things don’t matter.

No matter what answer I give, the marquis’s thoughts won’t change, and no matter what answer I hear to any question, I won’t be able to trust it 100%.

Just like the head of the research institute I met on the first basement floor.

[The only way to get the truth through others is to believe. Therefore, no matter how long I talk to you, it’s just a waste of time.]

[That’s why I said it was a deal. Does it matter who I am? Whether you accept my proposal or not, you just have to look at that and make a decision.]

What’s always important is your own judgment.

‘Still, he just told me to keep it in mind……’

I can just think of it as a side quest.

It’s not like there’s any problem if I don’t clear it, right?

“I’ll think about your proposal. Oh, and of course, I’m not a demon or anything.”

After breaking the long silence, the marquis nodded without any lingering feelings.

“Do as you please. Still, the repayment is over, so I feel relieved now.”

“……What do you mean? I said I’d just think about it.”

“I have a personality that can’t sleep well if I don’t settle debts.”

“Ah, you’re talking about the District 7 construction—.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

The marquis then shrugged and continued.

“Presenting the right path. That was the repayment for you saving me.”

“…….”

“I don’t know if you’ll believe it or not, though.”

Jeez, he really has a knack for making people feel uneasy until the very end.

“…I’ll be going now.”

“How about having a meal? I still feel uneasy sending you off like this.”

“I’m not very hungry today.”

If I ate with the marquis in this situation, my head would explode, so I fled the mansion.

Then, I closed my eyes tightly as I moved to the military platform in the carriage the marquis had lent me.

It was a day that took a lot of mental energy in many ways.

Clatter, clatter……

The sound of the carriage wheels rolling smoothly.

Using this as background music, I was emptying my head when drowsiness quickly washed over me—.

“Hyung.”

…Huh?

What was that, a hallucination?

“Why did you save the marquis back then?”

I opened my eyes wide and looked out the window at the clear voice.

“Why, are you trying to be friends with the marquis or something?”

Ugh, what a surprise.

Why is this bastard here?