Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 723

What on earth was the Founding King’s scheme in setting the condition to kill the Chancellor?

‘Is it because the royal family’s power alone isn’t enough to kill the Chancellor?’

No, that can’t be it.

Having gone through the rebellion route thousands of times in the game, I know better than anyone how powerful the royal family is.

‘Then, is it simply because they want to subcontract the task to me and save their own strength?’

Well, that’s better than the previous idea, but it’s still not very realistic.

I’m not some reliable fixer who has worked with the royal family multiple times, and from the royal family’s perspective, there’s no reason to go through such a troublesome process.

‘They even kept me tied up for a week to orchestrate this…’

It didn’t make sense to say it was just for fun. After all, the Founding King is someone who values ‘time’ more than anyone else, right?

So, for now, it’s best to organize it like this.

The reason the Founding King gave this order is one of two things.

‘Either there’s a reason why he can’t harm the Chancellor directly.’

Or else.

‘There’s a ‘benefit’ that only arises when I kill the Chancellor.’

Of course, this is just my guess, and I still have no clue about the ‘reason’ or ‘benefit’—.

“You’ve suddenly got a lot on your mind, haven’t you?”

At that moment, the Founding King spoke as if urging me to answer, and only then did I snap out of it and open my mouth.

Because there was only one answer I could give.

“Sure, I’ll do it. I didn’t like that bastard anyway.”

“Ah, because of that incident…?”

Well, if it’s about that incident…

“Let me say in advance, I had no involvement in that matter. It was something the Chancellor did on his own initiative.”

It seems like he’s talking about the Ice Rock Expedition, and it seems the royal family roughly knew what we were thinking.

“So, make sure to channel your desire for revenge in a healthy way, in the right place.”

After that, the Founding King said those words, but it didn’t make me feel any better about the royal family.

Even if the Chancellor did it alone, it was the royal family that gave him that much power in the end.

I’m someone who thinks that inaction and indifference are also forms of contribution.

‘…Still, if what he said is true, it does make me feel a little better.’

Even if they contributed, there’s a difference in the degree of contribution, so should I say there’s room for consideration?

It’s not hatred that makes me want to risk my life to fight them.

Well, maybe it’s because hatred for the ‘royal family’ doesn’t help me in this world that I’ve come to think this way.

Anyway.

“Well, then, let’s end the discussion here—.”

“Wait a minute!”

I urgently called out to the Founding King, who was about to end the conversation and turn back towards the ‘life support device’.

There was one last thing I wanted to ask.

Of course, I don’t know if this old man will answer me.

“Down there.”

“……”

“What was trapped down there?”

At my question, the Founding King looked at me silently for a moment.

“…Now that the business is over, you’ve become informal again.”

Uh…

I didn’t really mean to, but I just brazenly remained silent and stared at him, waiting for an answer.

The answer came after a moment of silence.

…Strictly speaking, it wasn’t an answer either.

“How did you know that something was trapped there?”

A question in response to my question.

I hesitated for a moment and then spoke honestly.

“I heard a voice from there, begging to be let out. It was a young girl, probably around ten years old, who was pleading.”

Therefore, I made a reasonable deduction.

That ten-year-old girl might be the ‘Earth Witch’.

“……I see.”

“So, what’s the answer?”

This time, the Founding King paused slightly and made a thoughtful expression.

Was it such a difficult question to answer?

It seems like it.

Judging by the fact that he’s not giving me a clear answer even after I’ve said this much.

“…Bjorn Yandel. You know nothing. How this world is surviving. And how much sacrifice we are making for such a world.”

“……”

“That’s all for the story. Let’s have the rest of the conversation after this is all over.”

Ha, is that all?

I felt so empty that I wanted to say something again, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Because, just as I was about to take a step forward.

“…You said that’s all for the story.”

The knight drew his sword and blocked my path.

“……”

Seeing that the Founding King didn’t say anything about the knight’s actions, it seemed like the conversation was really over.

So, I just stared ahead like a dog chasing a chicken.

Swoosh.

The Founding King nonchalantly took off his clothes in front of me, and then, completely naked, he stepped into the device as if he was used to it.

Whirrrrr.

Soon, the sound of the machine running began, and a mysterious liquid started to bubble, and the Founding King, who had entered it, slowly closed his eyes, ending the whole situation.

‘He really looks like he’s sleeping…’

The audience, which felt both short and incredibly long, was over.

***

“Follow me.”

After watching the Founding King enter the device and fall asleep, I followed the overbearing knight back up. And in the audience chamber, which felt somewhat empty, I heard unexpected words.

“The Founding King instructed in advance. No matter what you ask for, we are to do our best to listen and cooperate.”

Oh, is that so…

Now that I think about it, it seems like they weren’t just telling me to catch the Chancellor on my own from scratch.

“What do you want?”

I knew what to say to the knight’s question.

“I’ll continue watching what I was watching earlier.”

“…I’ll prepare it.”

After that, I watched the video I had stopped watching again.

Ah, of course, I need to save time…

“Is it possible to watch while skipping through it?”

“I’ll adjust the playback speed.”

The video started playing at a speed of 8x.

However, the video ended much earlier than I expected.

It was a short video to begin with…

“What about part 2…?”

“There isn’t one.”

“So, that’s the end…?”

The mad movie of the Anabada Clan, who were leading the explorers left on the front lines and paving the way, ended with the scene of my companions breaking through the front lines and reaching the Barbarian Sanctuary.

The reason was simple.

“Our enemies know the royal family better than anyone else.”

“No, what does that have to do with anything?”

“They must have prepared a way to avoid our ‘eyes’, so they would have done something like this.”

After listening to the explanation, it seems that the reason they were able to film this video was because they used some strategic weapon of the royal family, and at that point, the Chancellor did something to nullify it…

“The Founding King said that even if you only watched this much, you would kneel.”

Ah, for reference, that prediction was a complete miss.

I knelt without even watching that far.

‘So, what should I do now…’

After thinking for a moment, I first asked the knight for his name, and the knight flinched.

“…I don’t think there’s any reason for you and me to exchange names.”

Oh, what is it?

I just asked because I felt like calling him ‘knight guy’ was a bit much.

Heh.

If he comes out like this, I can’t just let it go as a Barbarian warrior.

“Ahem! Do you intend to disobey the royal command!”

When I gave a stern order like a martial arts master shouting ‘Gal!’, the knight’s eyes changed as if he was dealing with a madman.

It’s a familiar gaze that doesn’t bother me anymore.

However, this time I felt a little wronged.

“Didn’t you say that His Benevolent and Wise Majesty told you to do your best to listen and cooperate with whatever I ask for?”

When I explained kindly, the knight, who had initially scoffed as if it was absurd, gradually changed his gaze to one of confusion.

‘Huh? But come to think of it, he did say that, didn’t he? Then, if I don’t follow this request, am I disobeying the royal command?’

A malfunction created by excessive loyalty to the king.

In the end, the knight sighed and revealed his name.

“…It’s Astarotta Berun.”

Well, it’s a normal name, unlike what I expected?

I thought maybe there was a reason why he didn’t want to exchange names, like maybe it was a famous name that I would know.

‘Then what was that reaction a moment ago?’

Was it just because he didn’t want to exchange names with a Barbarian like me?

“Astarotta… It has a nice ring to it, a pretty name.”

Just in case, I threw out a bait as if praising him.

However, it was a jackpot, and a reaction came back immediately.

“My name is not at all girly.”

“I didn’t say it was girly?”

“……”

Astarotta, who realized that he had practically confessed it himself, became quiet.

“Anyway, since we’ve come to this, let’s get along well in the future, Elizabeth.”

“…It’s Astarotta, not Elizabeth.”

“Ah, sorry. I was mistaken.”

The guy, who didn’t react anymore and remained silent, must have realized that I was teasing him.

Of course, it didn’t mean much.

It’s the Barbarian’s strength to be able to take the initiative with these small weaknesses.

“…Okay, so what are you going to do now?”

The guy changed the subject with an obvious attitude, and I didn’t bother him any further.

Because, come on?

I’m not a psychopath.

I only bother this guy when there’s a reason.

Yes, so…

“I don’t know, but there’s something you need to do.”

“Tell me.”

“Bring Raven first.”

Knowing his personality, he must be scared out of his wits by now.

***

Ricardo Lühnphraha.

The leader of the group called Orculist, and a man commonly known as the ‘Traitor’.

The Marquis, who had only heard about him through reports and stories from the intelligence department, felt a strange feeling after finally meeting the man with his own eyes.

‘……A traitor.’

Surely, the terrifying title attached to that man will disappear after this.

Whether it ends in success or failure.

The owner of that title won’t be him.

‘……No, that’s not right.’

If it ends in success, there won’t be any reason to be called by such a title, right?

There won’t be anyone who dares to challenge the power of the state—.

‘……I guess I’ve been thinking too much.’

The Marquis then focused on the man standing in front of him.

Was it because the first step of his grand plan was about to begin that he suddenly came to see him?

“I heard you requested a private meeting, if you have something to say, speak clearly.”

When the Marquis opened the conversation, the man standing in front of him slowly opened his mouth.

Just like his usual taciturn personality, very short and concise.

“Bjorn Yandel was sighted on the front lines.”

“……I see. Thank you for letting me know. I’ll look into the rest separately.”

The Marquis was silent for a moment at the very straightforward information delivery, then nodded, and the man turned his back and left the room as if he had no more business.

Tap, tap.

The Marquis’s expression was no different from usual, but his constantly moving fingers represented his anxious feelings.

“Bjorn Yandel……”

I was hoping he might have died when the prison collapsed.

But of course, that couldn’t be the case.

“In the end, it’s him again……”

It wasn’t particularly surprising.

At first, he was just a nuisance, but in fact, maybe I had been feeling it deep down since then.

That maybe this day would come someday.

That this guy might be the biggest obstacle in achieving my great cause.

Thump-!

The Marquis’s heart began to beat wildly.

But nothing changed.

The time I never wanted to come had finally arrived.

“Everything is as it should be.”

Now, I can only leave it to fate.