Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 286
Causality (2)
There wasn’t a specific destination for today’s outing.
I just wandered around wherever my feet took me.
“Oh, that skewer place was here 20 years ago too.”
Although I don’t usually enjoy walking, this time was quite pleasant.
It felt like playing a game of spotting the differences.
Seeing stores still operating after 20 years, even ones I’d never been to, somehow made me feel glad.
It was during one of those aimless wanderings.
“…Huh?”
How did I end up here?
Habits are really something.
I absentmindedly looked up at the beautiful architecture in front of me.
[Central Southern Archives of Lavigion.]
Also known as the ‘library,’ it was a place I had visited more than anywhere else in the world.
“This place hasn’t changed at all in 20 years.”
With nothing pressing to do, I entered the library without hesitation.
And…
“Welcome. Thank you for visiting.”
As soon as I entered, I was greeted by the staff.
Honestly, it was quite bewildering.
“What is this? This place wasn’t like this before.”
The counters that were empty when Ragna was around were now filled with staff. Back then, there was only one librarian who was usually dozing off.
One of the many librarians approached me.
“Is this your first visit?”
A girl who looked to be in her early teens.
She seemed very young, so she couldn’t be a full-time employee.
Is she a part-timer?
But why does she look so familiar?
“…Is this your first visit?”
“Oh, uh… yes, it is.”
“Then I’ll briefly explain the browsing rules and methods.”
After listening to the staff’s explanation, it wasn’t just the number of librarians that had changed.
There was only one administrative mage among the staff. The mage would use magic to pull records of the stored books when the user provided a keyword, and the other general librarians would guide the users to the location.
“…Why use such a cumbersome method?”
“Pardon?”
“Isn’t it easier to cast a spell on users so they can find it themselves?”
The librarian smiled brightly at my question, as if wondering what this barbarian was talking about.
“Haha, you might think that. However, I heard that spells cast on others consume several times more magic power.”
“Oh, so the problem is the lack of mage.”
“Yes. Besides, I’ve never even heard of such a spell existing.”
Huh? What is she talking about?
I tilted my head in confusion, and the librarian muttered in a self-deprecating tone.
“The noble mages of the mage tower wouldn’t create spells for lowly librarians like us, would they?”
“…Oh, I see. Sorry. I’ll come back later.”
“No problem. If you have any books or topics you’re interested in, feel free to ask.”
As the conversation ended, the librarian returned to her seat. Thanks to that, I could now see her name tag, which wasn’t visible when we were standing.
[Trainee Librarian – Shavin Emure]
Ha, no wonder she looked familiar.
It was her.
She must have worked here before getting a job at the administration office.
‘This is quite interesting.’
I suddenly had a thought.
If I stay here, I could listen to young Misha’s lisping voice…
‘Oh, she still has a lisp even now.’
Anyway, that’s not what’s important.
The point is, I can see the fresh, youthful versions of my acquaintances whenever I want?
It might be fascinating, but what’s the point?
‘Dwalki… must be alive here too.’
Leor Wuerv Dwalki.
A mage who will probably be a lifelong sore spot for me.
‘If changing the future is possible…’
Depending on what I do here, could I prevent Dwalki’s death?
As soon as I thought that, I felt a jolt of electricity through my body.
Not metaphorically, but literally.
Sizzle.
What is this?
Someone electrocuted me.
Looking down at the stinging sensation from my feet, I saw a kid glaring up at me with insolent eyes.
Like an adult barbarian, I spoke magnanimously.
“What kind of nonsense is this?”
The kid responded to my question.
“I’m a mage.”
I was speechless.
Yeah, so what if you’re a mage.
Did you think I’d cower and grovel?
“Human kid, you might not know because you’re young, but even mages die if their necks are snapped.”
It was ridiculous to seriously argue with a six or seven-year-old mage, so I gave her a sincere piece of advice.
But maybe she didn’t like it?
“Move aside. I can’t pass because of you.”
The little mage glared at me with insolent eyes.
Now I understood why she electrocuted me.
‘Hah, she shocked me with electricity just because I was in her way?’
What a cheeky brat, but I remembered Amelia’s words to stay out of trouble and barely restrained myself.
“Fine, go ahead. Brat.”
“What’s the use of being big if you can’t even use magic.”
“What? Do you want to see a neck-snapping magic?”
When I stepped aside, the kid snorted loudly and walked away.
“…Barbarian brute.”
Yeah, no impact on a barbarian.
‘Tsk tsk, were all kids like this 20 years ago? Hah, we weren’t like this back then… What is the world coming to.’
I then wandered around the library.
Instead of taking out any books, I just sat in an empty seat.
I needed to organize my thoughts.
‘It would be a waste to just throw away this opportunity.’
A 20-year time difference.
Like Amelia said, going back to my original time felt like a loss.
‘Since I only have three weeks on the surface, I can’t invest too much time…’
I started planning what I could do during that time.
Several things came to mind.
‘First, the Creation Relic.’
The Creation Relic will be stolen 20 years later.
I can’t stop that, and hiding it in advance is practically impossible.
I don’t even know where it’s hidden in the sanctuary.
But…
‘I can at least send a warning.’
Thus, the first task was decided.
- Write an anonymous letter stating that the Creation Relic will be stolen on March 1st, 153 years after the Cataclysm.
Of course, it’s uncertain if this will change the future.
But it doesn’t require much effort, so there’s no harm in trying. I’ll also write about the Holy War since it was the primary cause of the Barbarian tribe’s decline.
‘…It would be nice if our power was as strong as it is here.’
I haven’t spent much time in this city 20 years ago, but the most noticeable change was the ratio of Barbarians.
Barbarians were quite common wherever I went.
This must have been normal before.
The Holy War reduced our population, and the Mage Tower’s announcement that our hearts had value as magical materials brought us to this point.
‘The Mage Tower… can I do something about it?’
Hmm, I’ll think about this more.
Nothing comes to mind immediately.
Next.
2. Create a situation where Dwalki doesn’t die.
For this, there are two main methods.
Either intervene in the past to prevent him from becoming an explorer…
‘Or kill that bastard Dragon Slayer.’
The former has many variables, but the latter is the most certain method.
It’s also beneficial for the world.
In many ways, it’s full of advantages.
However, the problem is…
‘There’s no guarantee that bastard is in Noark.’
According to known history, he first appeared about 10 years from now after stealing the Dragon Slayer sword.
He made his debut in Orcules by conducting a solo terrorist attack on the sanctuary of the Fairy tribe, which had been destroyed by the Holy War.
Unfortunately, nothing is known about his actions before that.
‘Then I should meet Dwalki first.’
So, I decided to proceed with the plan to prevent Dwalki from becoming an explorer.
Although there are many variables, it’s worth a try.
I even knew where Dwalki would be staying at this time.
‘If I go and tell him all the bad things about being an explorer, he’ll probably get a negative impression.’
Okay, I’ll handle that like this…
‘Next…’
As I continued my thoughts.
Zzzzt!
I heard the sound of electricity from somewhere.
Fortunately, this time it wasn’t coming from my body.
“Aaah!”
Turning my head toward the direction of the sound, I saw a man screaming after being electrocuted.
“Move, don’t block the way.”
The kid recited the same line to the man that she had used on me earlier.
But unfortunately, the outcome was different this time.
How many generous and forgiving adults like me are there in the world?
Smack!
The man mercilessly slapped the kid across the face.
Even with his frail physique typical of a wimp, it was still hard for a six or seven-year-old child to withstand the strength of a grown man.
“Birhe Te…”
The kid, who had been slapped and sent flying, quickly got up and started chanting a spell, but the man didn’t give her the chance.
Thud!
A brutal kick was directed at the small body.
“…Shouldn’t we stop this?”
“Let’s call a librarian!”
People around were watching, but no one stepped forward.
Hah, so much for bookish types.
It’s so distracting.
“Who made that noise?”
I reluctantly got up and walked toward the commotion. Approaching the man who was still stomping in anger…
“Be quiet in the library.”
I tripped him, making him fall.
Thud!
“Hey, who the hell are you?!”
The man, who had fallen on his butt, gritted his teeth and got up.
He raised his voice at me in annoyance.
“If you don’t want to get hurt…”
But he trailed off as soon as our eyes met.
“If I don’t want to get hurt, what?”
“…”
“Why aren’t you finishing your sentence?”
“…”
The man didn’t respond to my question.
I wondered if he was trying the first method of annoying someone into anger, but fortunately, that wasn’t the case.
“…Just go your way.”
He averted his eyes, pretending to be tough but clearly backing down.
I was a bit taken aback.
Considering he slapped the kid so ruthlessly, I thought he might be an egalitarian who treated everyone equally like a barbarian.
‘He’s just someone who bullies the weak.’
Well, in this case, he was definitely in the wrong.
“Why don’t you stop here and go? Can’t you see people are trying to read?”
“…Tch.”
As I laid out the justification, the man clicked his tongue and turned away.
He probably felt ashamed now that his anger had subsided.
“Can you get up?”
“…Don’t worry about it.”
If you’re going to say that, wait until you’re a bit older and have lost your baby fat.
“Ugh.”
I sighed and helped the curled-up kid to his feet.
Then I asked.
“Do you have a mother?”
“Yes.”
Huh? She does?
“No, I don’t.”
“…She’s at home.”
Oh, I see.
You should have said that earlier.
“Why do you come out alone without your mother? If you’re going to places like this, go with her.”
“…I can do it alone.”
“So that’s why you got beaten up?”
I straightforwardly poked at the sore spot like a true barbarian, making the kid frown.
“…I could have won.”
“Sure.”
This is why I dislike children.
They’re far from rational thinking, yet their stubbornness is unmatched.
“Alright, take care of yourself then. If you’re going to cause trouble again, do it somewhere else where I’m not around.”
“…I wasn’t causing trouble. It was their fault for blocking the way in the first place.”
What is she talking about?
“It’s wrong to use magic just because someone blocked the way. You should have asked them to move first.”
“I did. I asked you and that man earlier. But both of you ignored me.”
Huh? Really? I had no idea…
“So I’m not going to thank you.”
“What?”
“I won’t thank you.”
“Oh, alright then.”
I wasn’t expecting it anyway.
“Fine, go.”
I waved my hand, and the kid, still fuming, turned and walked away.
A staff member hurried over after the kid left.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to explain anything. The staff, who had heard the situation from other users, thanked me and left.
“…I heard you helped to resolve the situation. Thank you.”
And with that, the brief commotion ended.
I returned to my seat and continued my thoughts.
Rattle.
I heard a noise from the side and glanced over to see the kid sitting diagonally across from me, opening a book.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Reading a book.”
“Why here?”
“Why can’t I read here?”
Ugh, seriously…
‘Calm down.’
Exercising adult patience, I moved to another seat.
But then, a few minutes later, I heard another chair being pulled diagonally across from me.
“Why did you follow me?”
“I didn’t.”
“You did.”
“No, I didn’t.”
From my extensive volunteer experience, it seemed I had caught the kid’s interest.
‘Indifference is the best remedy in such cases.’
If I don’t respond, he’ll lose interest and go away.
I ignored her and continued my thoughts.
But this pesky kid didn’t know any limits.
“Why aren’t you opening a book?”
“…”
“Can’t you read?”
“…”
“Do you need me to teach you?”
Oh, this is driving me crazy.
“Hey, kid.”
Unable to hold back any longer, I spoke, and the kid frowned.
“I’m not a kid.”
“Not a kid, huh—”
“Alluva Raven.”
“…What?”
I froze, dumbfounded.
For a moment, I doubted my ears, but they weren’t mistaken.
“Alluva Raven, that’s my name.”
…Seriously?
***
Blue eyes and shimmering blond hair.
A petite build and being of the human race.
Those were the only immediate similarities, but upon closer inspection, I saw ‘Alluva Raven.’
However, I couldn’t be as certain as with Shavin Emure.
There’s a huge difference between being six or seven years old and being in your late teens, after all.
So, I asked again to be sure.
“Are you really Alluva? Not Aruna, Aruru, or Aruberos?”
“What are those weird names? My name is Alluva. So call me properly.”
So touchy.
Anyway, in 20 years, no one will call you ‘Alluva’ correctly.
“How old are you?”
“Five.”
Wow, the same age. I guess it’s really she.
She was pretty tall for her age back then.
I was surprised by the sudden encounter, but curiosity slowly began to creep in.
“What’s that book? Looks like it’s about magic. Are you studying alone?”
“Yeah.”
“Not going to the mage tower?”
Knowing Alluva would belong to the mage tower in the future, I couldn’t help but ask.
But she just clicked her tongue.
“You think just anyone can get into the mage tower?”
Well, that’s true, but…
“We’re too poor for that.”
“So you’re studying on your own?”
“Yeah, if I become an administrative mage later, I won’t have to worry about making a living.”
“…Well, that’s true.”
I nodded awkwardly, pondering.
What was I doing at five?
‘Going in and out of surgery, reading books in the hospital every day.’
I was quite mature for my age too, but this kid was on another level.
At least I didn’t worry about my future back then.
Well, I was too busy dealing with life and death to have the luxury.
“Well, I have to go.”
“Huh? Suddenly?”
“My mom will be home from work soon. If she finds out I went to the library, I’ll get in trouble.”
“Well, sneaking out would worry her.”
“…It’s a bit different from that.”
After that, Raven put the book she was reading on the return shelf and left coolly, without looking back.
“‘Different from worrying,’ what does that mean?”
It might be nothing, but Raven’s face looked oddly dark when she said that.
“Is there some problem with her family?”
Come to think of it, she never talked about her family with us.
I didn’t even know she was from a poor background.
“Hmm…”
This is making me curious.