Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 385

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Boom-!

A group of knights burst through the door while I was napping on the sofa.

Even though I had just woken up, the knight’s words clearly registered in my ears.

“Rihen Schuiz, you are under arrest on suspicion of conspiring with Noark.”

Colluding, huh…

This is likely just an excuse to capture me. Their plan is probably to arrest me under any charge and then start a proper investigation.

There were likely too many suspicious things about me.

‘Still, they came faster than I expected.’

Truth be told, I was somewhat prepared for this.

I had been drawing attention by traveling with Erwin, and after getting entangled with Raven on the battlefield, I became even more conspicuous.

I knew something like this could happen at any time.

Clack.

In an instant, the knights occupied the living room and surrounded me, all pointing their swords at me.

There was no sign that they were underestimating me.

The knights fixed their gazes on me from a distance.

“Rihen Schuiz, drop your weapon.”

The knight who seemed to be the commander gave the order.

And in that situation—

‘Now, then…’

I glanced around.

‘What should I do next?’

There’s no mage in sight.

Which means they’ve only sent knights to capture me.

Given their status in PVP, this is probably overkill, but it’s good news for me. It means I can beat the crap out of them and escape.

‘The problem is that if I do, I won’t be able to stay in this city anymore…’

That’s a last-resort option.

Above all, it would conflict with my ultimate goal of reclaiming the name ‘Bjorn Jandel.’

‘It’s about time to walk into the tiger’s den.’

In the end, to regain my name, I’ll have to make contact with the royal family.

It would’ve been less nerve-wracking if I could’ve figured out their intentions beforehand, but…

But it’s not like I haven’t found out anything at all.

[…The royal family already knows the identity of the GM.]

The GM, revered like a guardian figure by players.

According to the information from Soul Queens, the royal family knew his identity.

No, not just knew.

They even controlled information to prevent his identity from being exposed.

That means the royal family isn’t indiscriminately killing evil spirits.

Even in the worst-case scenario where my identity as Bjorn Jandel and an evil spirit is exposed, there’s still room for negotiation.

But…

‘I should test how much they know about me.’

With that short thought, I opened my mouth.

“If I’m under suspicion, I will comply with an investigation, but could I at least speak with my companion before we go?”

The reason for this request was simple.

They would obviously know that my companion is Erwin.

If they refuse, it might suggest that they intentionally waited until Erwen was away, which would indicate they don’t know much about me.

“If you mean the Blood Spirit Queen, there’s no need. You’ll meet her when you arrive.”

I was momentarily stunned by the commander’s response.

“…”

What? Erwin’s been captured too?

And what about Amelia, who would have been with her?

No, first, I need to confirm whether what he’s saying is even true.

“Do you have any proof that Erwin is there?”

The commander responded without the slightest hesitation.

“I swear on the name of the Royal Family of Raphdonia.”

Ha, then it can’t be a lie…

The situation isn’t good.

They even arrested Erwin, who is cherished by the Fairies?

It means the royal family has prepared sufficient justification and grounds to arrest me and Erwin.

“Damn…”

I felt an urge to resist arrest and run away immediately.

But since Erwin has been captured, I can’t do that.

“This is your last warning. Rihen Schuiz, lay down your weapon. Otherwise, it will be considered treason against the royal family.”

As the Commander issued his final ultimatum, even my magic-insensitive barbarian body sensed the high-density mana vibrating outside the mansion.

So there were mages after all.

They were just waiting in places I couldn’t see.

“Meticulous bastards.”

I soon lowered the hammer I was weakly gripping.

Swoosh.

For now, there was no other choice.

I have to stay alert from now on.

***

Once I lowered my weapon, things progressed quickly.

Following the commander’s instructions, I stored my weapon in my subspace ring, and the knights approached to confiscate the subspace ring.

Then…

“Once you’ve been cleared of suspicion, all your belongings will be returned in perfect condition, so don’t worry.”

The commander’s previously overbearing tone had softened to a polite one.

Not just his tone—everything that followed was far from how a criminal would be treated.

“We’ve prepared a carriage for you.”

It was clearly different from what they’d use to transport prisoners.

Not a cage-mounted carriage, but a luxurious carriage that a high ranking noble might use.

“Get in. We’re heading to the capital city, Carnon.”

Even more surprising, the commander was the only one who accompanied me inside the carriage. The rest of the knights rode alongside, escorting us on horseback.

This kind of treatment, better than anything I’d ever received as a baron, was beyond extravagant.

Clatter, clatter.

As the carriage smoothly glided over the stone path, I cautiously eyed the commander seated across from me.

“Is something bothering you?”

Well, what do you think?

I found his question absurd, but I knew it wouldn’t be wise to show such an attitude.

So I cautiously asked.

“What exactly am I being accused of?”

“As I said earlier—”

“Spare me the talk of conspiracy. If that were the charge, I wouldn’t be getting this kind of treatment.”

“…”

The commander shut his mouth, looking troubled.

But perhaps realizing that staying silent would only invite more questions, he finally relented.

“I can’t tell you much right now.”

“Still—”

“You’ll find out soon enough when we reach the capital.”

The commander cut me off firmly, ending the conversation.

In the end, I learned only two things from the exchange.

“What happens to me now?”

“The decision will be made by a very high-ranking individual.”

Someone very powerful is waiting for me.

And…

“Was anyone else with Erwin when she was taken?”

“I’ve heard she was alone.”

After that, we rode in silence. About an hour later, the carriage came to a halt.

We had arrived at the military teleportation station in District 7, where teleportation circles connect to various areas.

Usually reserved for rapid troop deployments in emergencies, the facility was often used by nobles as a convenient travel method.

I’d never used it before, despite my baron title.

‘Guess this is one way to experience it.’

Without even needing to get off the carriage, we used the teleportation magic circle and arrived directly at the military platform of the capital.

And then…

“It’s not the royal castle.”

The carriage entered a grand mansion near the royal palace.

From the moment I saw the family crest at the entrance, I knew exactly whose mansion it was.

A shield adorned with thorns—the symbol of House Tercerion.

In this city, few are unaware of that house.

For the past ten-plus years, the king has rarely appeared in official settings, so the marquis of Tercerion, the Chancellor of Raphdonia, has been handling most of the state affairs on his behalf.

“The kingdom’s second-in-command…”

Since the commander wore the royal family’s crest, I thought the high-ranking person might be a royal.

‘Still, this isn’t bad. My conversation partner is only second to the king.’

Even so, a sense of tension settled over me.

It felt like I had just walked into a tiger’s den.

High risk, high reward. A few words exchanged with this man could solve all my problems in one go… or plunge me into ruin.

“Step out.”

When I got off the carriage, there were knights everywhere, and I was ushered inside with their utmost (perhaps overly so) courtesy.

Clunk.

An obviously lavish reception room.

“…Where is Erwin?” I asked.

After quickly scanning the room, I asked, and the commander looked somewhat conflicted.

“It was a lie. We didn’t bring her.”

“…What?”

I felt a chill run down my spine.

This bastard even swore on the royal family’s name earlier!

As I glared at him, he averted his gaze, as if to say it wasn’t his decision.

“We had no choice but to lie in order to bring you here quietly.”

“If word gets out that you used the king’s name, you won’t get away with it.”

“As long as no one finds out, we’ll be fine.”

Hah… what an adaptable guy.

I couldn’t help but let out a small compliment.

“You’d make a good explorer, not a knight.”

“Mock me if you wish. I simply chose the most practical option to fulfill my lord’s orders.”

This guy really knows how to leave me speechless.

‘Damn…’

In a way, it’s something I’ve done often enough.

It’s similar to how I’d deceive people using their preconceptions about barbarians, making false promises and tricking them.

It was a tactic that had worked well because it was effective.

Who would have expected a knight, especially one from the Royal Knights, to lie about something as serious as the king’s name?

‘A member of the Royal Knights, no less.’

However, I decided not to dwell too much on the fact that I’d been deceived.

What does it matter if Erwin hasn’t been captured?

If I think about it, it’s actually a good thing.

At least I know she’s safe.

‘Besides, this is something I was bound to face sooner or later.’

What matters now is not what went wrong, but what I do next.

Well, then, what now? Do I just wait for him to arrive?”

“There’s no need.”

The knight shook his head, placing a crystal orb on the table.

There was no need to ask what it was for—the meaning was obvious.

So, that’s why there were no guards with us.

He had planned to speak through this from the start.

“Well then.”

The knight told me to activate the crystal orb after he left, and then he exited the room.

Now, alone in the room…

“……”

I quickly scanned the area, checking for anything out of place, and found something odd. Pulling aside the carpet, I revealed a complex array of colorful geometric symbols beneath.

‘Damn it.’

Underneath the carpet was a magic circle, intricately drawn in vibrant colors.

A chill ran down my spine.

‘So, if I try to escape or things go wrong, they’ll blow the entire place up?’

Well, I guess that’s what you’d expect from the kingdom’s second-in-command.

The scale of this setup is no joke. It’s as if the entire mansion is a giant execution device.

‘…First, let’s turn on the crystal ball.’

Shaking off the unease at how meticulous they were, I followed the knight’s instructions and pressed the button to activate the crystal orb.

Shaaah—

Soon, the orb glowed and projected the image of a man.

A face I recognized from memory.

Ageni Roten Tercerion, the Marquis and Chancellor of the kingdom.

The same man who had presided over my title conferment ceremony in the king’s stead .

[It’s been a while.]

He greeted me in a deep voice, and I froze for a moment.

‘…A while?’

The moment I felt something was off, my heart started pounding.

Thump!

 

Is this a mind game?

How much does the Marquis know?

I forcibly swallowed the questions that were updating in real time.

There was something far more important to figure out right now.

What’s the best response I can give in this situation?

It didn’t take long to decide on my course of action.

“Perhaps…”

I spoke cautiously but respectfully.

“Are you the Marquis of Tercerion?”

I figured that this would be the natural reaction of an explorer who’d been suddenly dragged out of bed by knights.

But…

[Surely, you haven’t already forgotten my face. You’re sharper than they give you credit for.]

The Marquis chuckled, amused by my reaction, and then he spoke my name.

[Baron Bjorn Jandel.]

It had been a long time since I’d heard my full name spoken aloud.