Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 707

After the Vice-Clan Leader election, I had a private meeting with Bersil Gowland.

Well, I’m the Clan Leader, so I have things to say, right?

“Hehe, congratulations. You’ve finally gained power.”

“…Don’t joke around.”

I was just trying to lighten the mood because she seemed too burdened by the Vice-Clan Leader position.

Well, the second-in-command should have a serious side.

“Bersil Gowland.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“From today, you are the Vice-Clan Leader of our clan. When I’m not here, you must lead the clan in my place. Everyone will help you, but you must make the final decisions, and you must also take responsibility for the results.”

“I know…”

Well, looking at her expression, it doesn’t seem like she’s just giving a casual answer.

That puts my mind at ease.

She’ll never compromise and will faithfully carry out her duties as Vice-Clan Leader.

So, then…

‘There’s no need for long speeches.’

I put all the advice I had prepared back in my pocket.

Someone who already knows the weight of the position needs trust and encouragement.

“You can do it.”

“…”

“Let’s go, everyone’s waiting.”

With those words, I patted her shoulder a few times and ended our private meeting. Then, I returned to where the other members were and started the full-fledged meeting.

No, is it even right to call it a meeting?

To be honest, it was closer to criminals coordinating their stories before a police investigation.

“Still, we prepared in advance, so there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

“Prepared?”

“I didn’t know how long it would take to return, so before we went outside the city walls, I deliberately let it slip that we were all going for special training.”

The entire clan going for special training for over two months.

It’s suspicious to anyone, but what can they do if we say that’s what we were doing?

In reality, quite a few clans do similar things in private training grounds set up underground.

Although it’s not a place where you can legally use ‘skills’ [special abilities] with the city’s permission, the official training grounds expose you to the eyes of others.

Most clans use private training grounds when practicing strategies and tactics, and it’s an unspoken rule that the city tacitly allows it…

“Actually, it doesn’t really matter what excuse we make. As long as we respond to the summons on time, they have no grounds to question us. It’s not illegal for us to have been anywhere for two or three months, right?”

Well, that’s the general consensus.

As long as you pay taxes and obey the law, this city respects your freedom to do whatever you want within its boundaries.

The key is not to get caught going outside the city walls.

‘Okay, then that part is settled…’

After that, we spent time discussing future plans.

“From here on out, the Clan Leader’s role is crucial.”

“Mine?”

“Because our clan will have a say in the military headquarters.”

“You mean I should use my influence to get us assigned to a safe rear position.”

“Yes, that’s right. Of course, the Clan Leader’s tendencies are the most important.”

“Tendencies…?”

I’m just normal, right?

If I had to choose, I’d rather be the one doing the hitting than getting hit—.

“There might be people who see this war as an opportunity.”

…Ah, that’s what she meant.

“They might assign us to a place where it’s easier to gain merit. Although it might be a bit more dangerous than the rear—.”

There was no need to hear more.

“Enough, I have no such ambition.”

I cut her off firmly.

“No one gets seriously hurt, and everyone survives. That’s all I need, so don’t push yourselves too hard. Understand?”

It was a point that couldn’t be emphasized enough, so I made eye contact with each member after saying that.

And…

“Don’t worry. I understand the Clan Leader’s intentions perfectly.”

Bersil, who I made eye contact with last, said that with determined eyes.

“Yes, that’s enough.”

I feel a little relieved.

***

After roughly settling on a plan, we finally emerged from the sewers and entered the city.

The streets were empty after the evacuation.

However, as we headed towards the city wall bordering Bifron, we started seeing more and more people.

“…”

“…”

Not ordinary people buying and selling fruit, but explorers and soldiers who made ‘fighting’ their profession.

It didn’t take long for them to start whispering about us.

“Bjorn, the son of Yandel.”

“It’s the Anabada Clan…”

“According to rumors, they went for some kind of training camp…”

“So, they’ve only just now confirmed the summons and joined the war?”

The explorers didn’t approach us rashly but made way for us, quietly whispering.

Most of them had friendly gazes.

“It’s fortunate that they’re assigned to the 7th District.”

“Indeed, if we’re defending the front lines with them, I already feel reassured.”

In such an urgent war, the most reliable thing is a ‘strong ally’.

Even people who would normally have been jealous were welcoming us this time.

“…They say they never abandon their comrades?”

“I hope that reputation is true.”

“The higher-ups wouldn’t even blink if a thousand of us died.”

“But with Baron Yandel, I feel safe.”

Actually, thinking about it, it was a natural reaction.

I’m the only active explorer-turned-noble in this generation, and it was natural that I would care about the 7th District where my clan members were.

They must feel like they have a reliable patron.

“Nia Lapdonia!”

As we were walking towards the city wall, a group of knights rushed over, having heard the news, and saluted us.

“We greet Baron Yandel!”

“What’s your affiliation?”

“I am Muelren Bail, the squad leader of the 7th Outer Wall Defense Unit of the 4th Royal Knights.”

The knight who revealed his affiliation didn’t question us in front of everyone.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could you come with us for a moment? The Corps Commander was very pleased to hear that the Baron has appeared.”

“Who’s the Corps Commander?”

“It’s the 3rd Corps Commander, Eltora Terserion.”

Right, that Marquis’s son.

No, to be precise…

[My son… Eltora Terserion is already dead. The one occupying my son’s body is some unknown evil spirit.]

The evil spirit that took over that son’s body, and the very person who used us as pawns during the last Icerock expedition.

‘How can the country function properly when a bastard like that is still sitting in the Corps Commander’s seat?’

“Um… Baron?”

“Understood. Lead the way.”

It wasn’t appropriate to talk in the middle of the street with everyone watching, so I followed the knight’s guidance to the command center located in the center of the garrison below the city wall.

It seemed they were using the largest inn near the city wall as their headquarters…

“Could the others please wait on the first floor?”

“Bersil, come here. You’ll come up with me.”

“Um… that…”

The knight who guided us seemed like he wanted to stop Bersil from entering, but he shut his mouth at my following words.

“She’s the Vice-Clan Leader of our clan. It would be better to discuss things together, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, then this way…”

The knight then led us to a room on the third floor, where that guy I hadn’t seen in a while was.

“It’s good to see you, Baron Yandel.”

Heh, that bastard.

He’s gotten even more arrogant while I wasn’t looking?

“Have a seat.”

He doesn’t even have a title, but he’s acting all high and mighty just because he got the position of Corps Commander.

Crack-!

I was annoyed for some reason, so I just plopped down on the sofa, and it collapsed.

“I… I’ll just stand behind you.”

Bersil said that and actually stood behind me.

Only then did the Marquis’s son, or rather, the bastard, seem to notice her presence and frowned at the knight who had guided us.

“I told you not to let anyone in?”

“That… she said she was the Vice-Clan Leader of the Anabada Clan…”

“Hmm, Vice-Clan Leader…”

The bastard, who seemed like he was about to kick her out, started stroking his chin. I can see why promotions are so fast for salespeople in small and medium-sized businesses.

Even if it’s just a title, having it and not having it is a big difference.

“The Vice-Clan Leader and I have no secrets from each other, so don’t worry about it.”

“No secrets from each other…?”

The bastard looked back and forth between me and Bersil with an unreadable expression, then nodded.

“Hmm, then I understand. Ms. Gowland? You may stay here.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“By the way… are you having a hard time?”

What is this crazy guy talking about?

Has he completely forgotten the time I beat him up last time?

I was annoyed by the way he was acting all high and mighty just because he gained some power, so I quickly got to the point.

“So, why did you call us here?”

“How could I not call you when the Baron, whose whereabouts were unknown, has appeared? And besides, didn’t the Baron come in response to the summons?”

“Well, that’s true. I was in a place with no communication and only just now confirmed the summons.”

“Could you tell me what you mean by a place with no communication?”

“It’s nothing special, we were doing a training camp at a private training ground.”

It’s a suspicious answer to anyone, but openly expressing suspicion is a huge breach of etiquette in the noble society.

“…Haha, is that so?”

As expected, the bastard didn’t say anything and moved on, so let’s end this topic here.

“By the way, this is my first time in this situation, so could you tell me what will happen from now on?”

“Ah, indeed, the Baron’s situation is quite unique.”

“I’ve heard it’s like that.”

“First, according to the Explorer Special Law, the entire Anabada Clan will be temporarily incorporated into our 3rd Corps and will be under our command.”

“What about me?”

“First, you will be incorporated into the military headquarters of the Imperial Capital, Karnon, and then your assignment will be decided. Well, most titled nobles are transferred to the rear strategy department… but sometimes they are assigned to the front lines.”

“Oh, is that possible?”

“Yes, if the person wishes, or if the titled noble’s abilities are needed on the front lines.”

That was detailed information that I hadn’t heard from Kaislan.

“So, does that mean I can stay here in the 3rd Corps?”

“Hmm, then the Baron would have to follow my orders, is that okay?”

“I don’t mind.”

“Then I would welcome it… but it’s better to go to the military headquarters and discuss it directly. I don’t have the authority to arbitrarily incorporate a titled noble like Baron Yandel.”

So, in the end, I have to go to the Imperial Capital, Karnon, for a while.

“The military headquarters has already been contacted, so you can go there right away. If you go through the military magic circle, there will be someone waiting for you.”

“I see.”

As I got up from my seat after hearing that, the bastard spoke to me as if he were my superior.

“Before you go, is there anything you want to ask or say?”

Ah, that.

“Of course there is.”

I was going to say something before I left anyway.

So, then…

“Eltora Terserion.”

I approached him and whispered in his ear.

“I know what you did during the Icerock expedition.”

That guy abandoned us as the front-line commander, whether it was by the Marquis’s orders or not.

“…!”

He was flustered and his shoulders twitched, probably because he didn’t expect me to mention it to his face.

Regardless, I continued to speak.

“So, do well.”

“…”

“There won’t be a second time.”