Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 309

The Round Table (3)

A silence that had already occurred several times during the conversation stretched on once more.

“……”

“……”

Auril Gavis gazed at me calmly, and I met his eyes without flinching.

Even though I tried not to show it, I felt a strange suffocation.

And in that stillness…

“Well then…”

Auril Gavis spoke.

He did so nonchalantly, as if nothing had happened.

“Shall it be my turn now?”

My heart pounded at those words.

This old man was like the abyss spoken of by some philosopher. Through this conversation, he, too, was gazing beyond the edge.

[How many of those who cleared the original survive 20 years later?]

His first question was to confirm if there were any ‘replacements’ for me.

[Do you want to return to Earth?]

His second question was to see if I had any flaws.

So, what would the third question be?

The answer was now coming out of his mouth.

“What was the name of the body you inhabited after crossing the abyss?”

Bjorn Jandel—my name.

A means to find me outside of this anonymous spiritual world.

“Don’t use the name Nibels Entze. I had a strange feeling about it that day, so I checked.”

I recalled how he had looked at me meaningfully when I mentioned the name “Nibels Entze.”

At the time, I thought I had gotten away with it.

“That day, I was asking for the name you use ‘here,’ wasn’t I?”

Auril Gavis, who had noticed my trick, had started an investigation.

“Do you know? There are seven people in Raphdonia who use that name. I confirmed that six of them were ordinary people…”

“But one I could not find.”

“A Rank 6 Explorer, Nibels Entze.”

“Surprisingly, his race was Barbarian. I thought it was a human name”.

With each word, I felt as if the walls were closing in on me, and I realized something.

[Are you, by any chance, a Barbarian?]

Even that question, which seemed like a joke earlier, was part of his tactic to probe my true feelings.

Even if I had given a false identity, he would have assumed the race remained the same.

“Then, let me ask again.”

Auril Gavis repeated the same question once more.

“What was the name of the body that your soul inhabited after crossing the Abyss?”

There was no option to give another name.

With all the conditions he had laid out, there was only one correct answer.

‘Damn it.’

At the very least, I had to keep my name hidden.

I now knew what kind of “person” Auril Gavis was.

It might be too early to call him an enemy, but one thing was certain.

[How could I possibly feel at ease? Of course, I pity you. I feel responsible too. I’ll probably carry this feeling for the rest of my life, living in atonement.]

This old man could never be an ally.

Therefore…

“I will not answer.”

I asserted my right to remain silent.

“Hmmm…”

Auril Gavis, surprisingly, said nothing more.

He merely observed me, as if even this reaction was of interest to him.

“It seems that was a rather difficult question for you? Well, I suppose it’s only natural for you to be cautious of me. Let’s change the question.”

Not overly concerned about not hearing my name, he continued speaking.

“How long has it been since you woke up in that body?”

He was asking about the duration.

Knowing I had come from 20 years in the future, Auril Gavis could estimate the timing of when I first opened my eyes in the Barbarian’s body with that information.

Therefore…

“I will not answer.”

“Is that so? Then another question—”

“No, the Q&A session is over.”

I ended the truth game without hesitation.

There was still much I wanted to ask, but this old man was no pushover.

If I wanted something, I would have to pay the price.

And I judged that paying any further price here would be dangerous.

“…Wait, what do you mean it’s over?”

“Just what I said. You went first, so there’s no issue, right?”

Auril Gavis licked his lips and stared at me.

Indeed, he couldn’t logically argue.

After all, we hadn’t predetermined the number of questions.

He could only express his regret.

“This is unexpected. I thought for sure you would have plenty of questions for me.”

“Well.”

I still had pages of questions left.

The next one I was going to ask was whether I could return to the original timeline using the fragment of records held by the Noark lord.

However…

‘It’s a good thing I held off.’

In hindsight, it was fortunate that I hadn’t asked.

Asking that question might have inadvertently revealed that I was currently in Noark.

“Are you sure you won’t change your mind?”

The old man, who had been staring at me intently, sighed deeply and then unexpectedly complimented me.

“The more I see, the more cunning you are.”

“……”

“So, what will you do now? Will you leave?”

Contrary to my expectations, Auril Gavis acted like a gentleman, as if he would let me go anytime I wanted.

‘…What should I do?’

I hadn’t anticipated the truth game ending so early, so I needed time to organize my thoughts.

‘It would be a shame to just leave like this.’

After a moment of consideration, I decided to follow through with the plan I had made earlier.

“What about that thing you mentioned earlier? The one where we talk among others.”

“Hm? Didn’t we already decide that was off the table?”

“I thought it was a good idea. Though, there are a few things I’d like to change.”

Yes, having come this far, I should at least see some faces.

***

The truth game with Auril Gavris was like Russian roulette. The tension rose with each passing turn.

But…

‘This limited edition information is enough.’

After all, there are too many things I don’t know.

And it’s not as if Auril Gavis is the only one with valuable information. Especially when it comes to otherworldly spirits summoned decades before me.

“Hmm, you’ve come up with a rather interesting idea.”

Instead of answering questions, we freely share information.

However, the information must be true, and it must be unknown to at least half of the participants.

When I explained the rules, taken directly from the future Round Table, Auril Gavis laughed, seemingly amused.

“It seems solidly thought out, especially for something you just came up with. What did you originally do?”

The answer is, I was an ordinary office worker.

Of course, I had no intention of being honest.

“I told you the Q&A session is over, didn’t I?”

When I replied curtly, Auril Gavis murmured as if he felt somewhat wronged.

“…I was just curious. Besides, I wasn’t asking anything that serious, was I?”

Indeed, he wasn’t wrong.

But the fact that he was asking made it feel like there was some hidden intent behind it.

“Anyway, give me a moment. To add the rules you mentioned, I’ll need to imbue some authority.”

Auril Gavis then touched the jewel and closed his eyes as if concentrating.

How much time passed?

Whooooooong—

Although it wasn’t visible to the naked eye, the air around the jewel began to refract, like a heat haze on a midsummer street.

“It’s done.”

“That seemed easier than expected?”

“Haha, saying that makes me feel very wronged. Believe it or not, I’ve lost most of my authority over this space because of it.”

Hmm, that didn’t make much sense…

As I gave him a skeptical look, the old man explained without me asking.

“One example is manifestation power. I can still create objects by focusing my thoughts, but there will be a difference from reality.”

I flinched as I half-listened.

Manifestation power and thought concentration didn’t matter much to me.

But the difference from reality…?

“Wait, was the bland taste of that soda earlier because of this…?”

When I asked, just in case, Auril Gavis nodded without hesitation.

“Yes, was there a problem?”

Of course, there is.

It means I won’t be able to enjoy the refreshing taste of that soda anymore.

“……”

“You’re quite seriously addicted to soda.”

“……”

“Judging by how much you long for it, it seems you’ve been here for a long time.”

What the heck is this old man talking about?

Even in this situation, he’s still trying to pry out information.

Thanks to that, I snapped out of it and subtly asked a question in return.

“…Never mind that. Why are you going this far? It seems like that authority is a pretty important ability.”

“Hoho.”

Auril Gavis responded with an amused answer, as if he knew my intentions.

“You mentioned being invited by someone with the nickname GM.”

Ah, I did say that.

“So what?”

“That means the ownership of this space has passed to him. I don’t know how it happened, but if it’s going to end up in someone else’s hands anyway, there’s no reason to give them everything.”

I think I get his reasoning.

It’s like doing things you’d never normally do because you know a server is about to shut down.

You can mess around without feeling any regret.

However, I’m curious about one thing.

“Why aren’t you asking more about the GM?”

“Haha, didn’t you say you don’t know much more than the nickname?”

Ah, that’s true.

As I nodded in understanding, Auril Gavis murmured.

“And even if you did know more, I wouldn’t particularly want to ask.”

“…Why not?”

When I asked, genuinely puzzled, Auril Gavis continued in a somewhat wistful tone.

“I told you before, didn’t I? An observed future cannot be changed, no matter what one does.”

Hmm, maybe he’s implying that ignorance is bliss?

I was left with a vague feeling of understanding and confusion.

“Enough small talk. Let’s go. I think they’ll find it interesting.”

Auril Gavis stood up first, and I followed him.

To a room that was all too familiar to me, where the Round Table stood.

***

The Round Table, with dozens of seats.

Creak.

As Auril Gavis opened the door and entered, the eyes of the four men and women sitting inside turned to us.

“…Master.”

Their reactions were uniform.

Whatever Auril Gavis had done after sending me away last time, they all looked at him with fearful eyes.

And at the same time…

“The one from before is with him as well.”

They looked at me with curiosity.

However, perhaps because Auril Gavis had firmly drawn a line regarding my identity last time, no one dared to speak boldly.

“……”

“……”

A strange silence lingered in the Round Table room for a moment.

Auril Gavis was the one who broke the silence.

“Haha, you all look so tense.”

His words were like those of an absolute ruler.

As if saying, from now on, you can relax—a consideration for the weak.

“Well, it’s no wonder. After what you showed us last time…”

A nameless woman exhaled the breath she had been holding and spoke, while Auril Gavis laughed heartily, saying he was sorry.

This marked the point where the atmosphere began to soften.

“Anyway, it’s good that everyone is here. I’ve come up with something interesting during a conversation with this friend here.”

Auril Gavis then placed the jewel at the center of the Round Table and continued.

“I called you all here to exchange information, but we haven’t had a proper conversation so far, have we? Perhaps this will solve that problem.”

“Could you please explain in more detail?”

The man in black, presumably the leader of Orcules, asked, and Auril Gavis briefly explained the rules of the meeting.

The reactions afterward varied.

“It seems difficult, sharing information that at least half of us don’t know.”

The woman looked somewhat worried.

“But that level of challenge is necessary for true interaction. Until now, everyone has been too focused on hiding their intentions.”

Kagureas, a middle-aged man with that name, spoke as if he welcomed the idea.

And…

“Will the Master be participating as well?”

The little boy, who despite his appearance spoke in a mature tone, asked only one thing.

“Of course, I plan to participate. And so does this friend here.”

With Auril Gavis’ answer, the gazes of the four men and women once again fell on me.

Their eyes held an awkwardness.

Well, I guess it makes sense. They would be reluctant to share information with a stranger who suddenly appeared.

‘I may be favored, but they must be curious whether I truly match their level.’

Hmm, what should I do?

It seems like it would be better to prove my qualifications first.

After a moment of thought, I called out to Auril Gavis.

Or rather, I was about to.

“Hey…”

“Ah, just call me Master. You’re the only one here who knows my name.”

Uh, suddenly?

The old man cut me off mid-sentence, and at that moment…

“……!”

“……!”

“……!”

The four men and women’s eyes widened.

‘What is this…’

To be honest, saying I was stunned would be an understatement.

I mean, how exactly had this old man been treating these people?

“He knows… the name…?”

I had no idea he hadn’t even told them his name.

‘…Well, in any case, I guess this is a good thing?’

Feeling a bit bewildered, I tried to see it positively. I noticed Auril Gavis smiling at me in a way that only I could see.

‘I see right through you.’

The reason the old man was helping me was clear.

If not for me, Auril Gavis would have no reason to participate in this meeting.

The fact that he readily accepted my suggestion was likely because he wanted to learn more about me.

No, perhaps it was more than that.

“Come, sit down. It’s natural to be cautious, but if that’s the case, this friend can go first.”

Auril Gavis naturally guided the atmosphere.

Setting it up so that I had no choice but to reveal significant information.

“…But shouldn’t we first ask if everyone’s going to participate?”

Annoyed by the old man’s antics, I spoke up.

But then, what was this?

“……!”

“……!”

Once again, the four men and women’s pupils dilated.

As if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

“How can he speak to the Master so casually…?”

“…And the Master doesn’t even seem to mind.”

Honestly, I was speechless.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Scrape.

So, I simply pulled a chair and sat down.

Following this, one by one, they voiced their intent to participate.

“I will participate.”

“So will I.”

“…Who would refuse such an opportunity?”

Not a single person declined.

Auril Gavis, unable to hide his satisfied smile, volunteered to play the role of the moderator.

“Then it’s unanimous. No need for introductions, so let’s begin. You go first, then we’ll proceed clockwise.”

Once again, all eyes were on me.

Even I couldn’t help but feel the pressure.

After all, this was the first round of a meeting that was just established today.

The quality of the information I divulge would set the tone for the information others would share.

‘Even aside from that, it wouldn’t be good to be underestimated.’

One thing I learned from the Round Table 20 years in the future was that faking competence often pays off.

Being famous meant that even your mistakes were overlooked or praised.

There were indeed many times during the round table meetings when I got by with less-than-stellar information, yet others thought I had hidden intentions and let it slide.

‘Hmm, so what should I say?’

While continuing to ponder, I slowly surveyed the members seated at the Round Table.

They all seemed intensely interested in me, with Auril Gavis being the most eager.

‘Right, you’re dying to know what information I’ll share in this atmosphere, huh?’

Thanks to that, I made my decision.

I knew exactly what this old man expected, but…

‘Not a chance.’

I’m too experienced in these meetings.

Having made up my mind, I spoke.

Something that wouldn’t reveal unnecessary information to Auril Gavris, but would satisfy the other members.

“The Witch of the Earth is still alive.”

This is what I call the Lion’s Style.

First Form: Information Recycling.