Surviving game as a barbarian Episode 563

Destination(3)

Blue-skinned, blue-eyed monsters with an average height of 3 meters.

A mysterious race who called themselves “humans”. They emerged from the trees to confront us – the real humans.

“So, those are the ones the Baron mentioned…”

“But why aren’t they advancing? Why are they just standing there?”

Perhaps it was because their numbers were smaller than ours. Even with weapons in hand, their faces were tight with tension.”

And in the midst of this standoff-

“It’s been a long time, Bjorn, son of Jandel.”

The village chief stepped out from among the monsters.

The newbie explorers of the expedition group were shocked that he could speak human language. I walked past them and stepped forward.

“Yeah, it’s been a while.”

“You’ve gained more allies, I see.”

“Ah, that just happened, I guess.”

Since he seemed willing to talk, I gave a vague answer and scanned our surroundings.

The expedition force which had been stationed around the original entrance, were now closing in.

But despite knowing that-

‘Why is he so relaxed?’

Seeing him casually greet me without a hint of urgency deepened my unease.

But I suppressed my emotions and spoke.

“By the way, where the hell did you all come from? As far as I knew, there was only one village entrance.”

“No need to sound so disappointed. I can’t possibly reveal all the village’s secrets to an outsider, can I?”

“Like the corpses in that basement?”

The chief didn’t react to that at all.

He just looked me up and down with a creepy glare and asked,

“You know, the smartest people often act like they don’t notice what’s going on. So, I’m curious—are you just pretending, or do you really not know?”

Well, I’m not sure about that, but with the way he was glaring, that line was honestly terrifying. I nearly swung my hammer at him on reflex

“Baron! Step back!”

Just then, Commander Saintred arrived, and the chief’s gaze shifted to him.

“Hmmm… And you are?”

“Jerome Saintred, Count and Commander of this expedition force, and Captain of the 1st Royal Knights.”

“The Royal Force, huh… I figured the palace’s people would show up eventually—”
“Now, it’s your turn. I heard you introduced yourself to Baron Jandel as the ‘Dragon Knight,’ Cornelius Brungrid. Is that true?”

Jerome cut him off and asked in a commanding tone. The chief stared at him and answered calmly.

“Does it matter?”

“It does. Depending on your answer, we’ll decide whether to treat you as an unidentified entity capable of communication—or an ancient traitor to be executed on the spot.”

Ancient traitor?

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

As I tilted my head in confusion, the Chief’s previously unreadable eyes flashed with a murderous glint.

As if Jerome had struck a nerve.

“Execution… that’s a funny thing to say.”

“Really? That’s weird.My friends always tell me I’m not funny.”

“Even after all this time, your kind hasn’t changed a bit. Still arrogant. Still acting like you rule this world…”

The chief’s voice dropped coldly.

“Try it. That execution thing.”

“Well, no matter how much you may wish for it, I can’t carry out the execution here.”

“Oh? Getting cold feet now—?”

“We have too many questions for you. Once we extract all the information through interrogation, I’ll personally finish what should have been done long ago.”

“……”

The confrontation wrapped up in an instant.

It was so sudden that even I was taken aback.

‘Well, at least they’re not on friendly terms… so that’s good, I guess.’

When running simulations, I did consider the possibility of those two teaming up to take me down. So, this situation wasn’t too bad.

But then—

“Exterminate them! Kill them all except the leader!”

“Nia Rafdonia!”

What now?

[Everyone, scatter and head down to the village!]

As soon as the attack order was given, the monsters broke formation and fled in all directions.

***

“Commander! The monsters are retreating!”

“Pursue and eliminate them! Capture their leader at all costs! Kill him if necessary!”

Wait, should we really be chasing them?

I wasn’t sure, but there was nothing I could do to stop it.

Not that I had any reason to.

“Everyone, stick close to me and don’t fall behind!”

With my Team 4 members in formation, I quickly joined the pursuit.

Of course, I was just faking the chase—I wasn’t actually trying.

I mean, come on—this was clearly suspicious.

“…Jandel, this could be a trap.”

“I know. They’re definitely trying to lure us.”

Jerome surely knew that too.

But he must have decided that he couldn’t just let them go.

Even if it was a trap, he probably believed we could overpower it.

Yeah, so—

“What’s the plan?”

At Amelia’s question, I answered without hesitation.

“We’ll separate from the main force as naturally as possible.”

A clear directive for what to do next.

She seemed confused at first but eventually responded.

“…What do you mean? Separate?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. While we pretend to pursue, we will split off.”

“And after that?”

“We’ll leave the island. While ‘accidentally’ getting separated during pursuit.”

“Do you… really think that’s possible?”

She didn’t say it outright, but I could tell she was asking if we could really handle the consequences of desertion.

But what else could we do?

‘…It’s just too risky to keep going like this.’

Erwin had already gone short-haired before I even got rid of Jerome.

And with the chief’s appearance, it felt like something huge was about to happen.

So could I just sit back and watch?

‘Yeah. This is the right move.’

Shaking off my last bit of doubt, I made my decision.

After all, this isn’t something I would usually do. By doing this, I was secretly hoping it could change the future Parab saw.

So—

“The chief! The chief went that way! Squad 4, follow me!”

Seizing the right moment, I led Squad 4 away from the main pursuit.

“Huh? But I thought I saw him go—”

“Are you doubting me?! Follow my lead!!”

My squad 4 didn’t know the plan and looked unsure, but thankfully, they obeyed.

Tatatat!

We quickly widened the distance between ourselves and the main force.

“Huh? The Baron is heading that way…”

“But there’s nothing over there, right?”

“But he said he saw something…”

Squad 3, nearby, just watched us with expressions that seemed to ask what they were supposed to do, but they didn’t try to stop us.

After all, who’d ever imagine I’d desert with my squad at a time like—

“He’s heading that way? All units, change direction!”

…Huh?

“All forces, follow Baron Jandel!”

What the hell?

Why are they following me?

Just as I thought I’d successfully broken away from the main force, they turned and started heading my way.

Before I knew it, I ended up at the very front.

“Jandel, what now?”

“Just act natural.”

“…Got it.”

Even if I changed direction now, they’d still follow me.

As I was running and trying to figure out how things got so messed up, Jerome caught up with me in a flash.

“Baron! I trusted your judgment, but are you certain you saw something?”

I was cornered.

“Uh…”

What was I supposed to say here?

As I was pretending not to hear and just running—

“The chief definitely headed that way—”

“Commander! That’s him! The monster we’re chasing is right over there!”

For some reason, the village chief appeared right where I was headed.

“Don’t tell me… the one we were following was just bait?”

“…….”

“Ha…! If not for Baron Yandel, we might’ve lost him! I won’t forget this favor.”

“…Right. Thanks.”

Should I be glad I didn’t have to explain myself? Or should I consider it a complete disaster?

I wasn’t sure, but soon the village chief stopped in front of a tree and slipped into a gap beneath it.

There’s a path down below!”

Seemed like another entrance to the village…

“Count Saintred, what now? There’s a high chance traps are waiting down there.”

“I know. But we can’t let him escape.”

Sigh… So they’re really going down there, huh?

Fine. Maybe if they head down, I’ll have another chance to slip away—

“That reminds me, Baron Jandel.”

“…?”

“Would you mind taking the lead?”

“…Even though we don’t know what’s down there.”

“That’s precisely why we need your strength. You can hold out even against a Level 1 monster. If you can just hold out briefly, the rest of us will be right behind you.”

To be fair, Jerome had a point.

I was the toughest one in the whole expedition.

Sending me first into the most dangerous spot made sense from a commander’s perspective.

But

Badump..

For some reason, the moment I heard that suggestion, my heart started beating hard.

And in the clarity that followed, I saw Jerome’s face clearly for the first time.

The expression of a soldier. Calm as ever.

Badump!

But why?

Suddenly, fragments of the day’s memories began to piece themselves together in my mind.

Individually, they were all small things that could be ignored, but…

‘I should probably check.’

I met Jerome’s eyes and spoke.

“Fine. I’ll take the lead.”

“Oh-ho! That’s excellent! If you refused, I’d have had to agonize over who to send in your—”

“On one condition.”

I cut him off and added a demand. Jerome pressed his lips together for a moment, then stared at me.

His gaze seemed to say, Go ahead and say it, whatever it is.

So, I went for it.

“Is it true that one of the supplies you brought was the ‘Misplaced Trust’?”

“…It is, but?”

“Then I want to use it to check something. If you agree, I’ll go in immediately.”

“I don’t know what you want to check, but must it be now? The man below could be—”

“Then forget it. I’m not going in.”

“Even if I give a direct order as your commander?”

I simply shrugged my shoulders and stayed silent.

“……”

“……”

A heavy silence fell between us.

“…Um, is it just me, or is the atmosphere between those two a little… off?”

“Pheneline, Karlstein, Tersia. Be ready.”

“R-ready for what?”

“Whatever it is, just be ready.”

The tension was so thick that everyone watching could feel it.

In the midst of that silence, he finally made his choice.

“Fine. Sir Evost! Bring ‘Misplaced Trust’! Whatever the Baron wants to confirm, let him!”

As soon as he agreed, the deputy-commander retrieved the item, and I immediately activated it.

Click—

Alright, all preparations were complete.

Now, within a 10-meter radius, no one could lie.

Good, then…

“Is your name Jerome Saintred?”

“It is.”

After a simple test question, I got to the point.

“Now, I’ll ask you something. From this moment on, you can only answer ‘no’ to my questions.”

“Easy enough. Go ahead.”

Looking into his confident eyes, I slowly spoke.

“Excluding today.”

“……”

“No, more precisely—excluding the encounter we had just a little while ago.”

“……”

“Have you ever met that monster who claimed to be Cornelius Brungreed before?”

The answer I was hoping for was “No.”

But no matter how long I waited, the reply I desperately needed never came.

Swish.

Just as I slowly raised my shield and hammer to face him, his deep voice broke the long silence.

“…How did you know?”

…Son of a—

This wasn’t his first time meeting the village chief.

 

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