Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 359

Interrogation (1)

The Screaming Witch, Liranne Vivian.

Slowly descending to the ground, she screamed as soon as her feet touched the earth.

“Nekrapheto! Are you out of your mind? Why did you just let them go?!”

At her hysterical voice, the man whose flesh was just beginning to regrow on his bones frowned.

“Still, I am your senior…”

“Ha! Is this the time to be concerned about that? Just tell me why you let those bastards go! If Commander Oppa finds out, you won’t be left alone!”

Vivian shouted nervously, pointing her index finger at a spot. Only a dimmed and fading magic circle remained there.

“Hah, and why should I be the one getting scolded? Expecting a necromancer to engage in close combat is an unreasonable demand, and you were watching too, weren’t you?”

Vivian, who had been snapping at him, flinched at his unexpectedly sharp reaction.

But perhaps there was something she really wanted to argue about.

“…But you didn’t even use the Call of the Underworld!”

Vivian clung to the fact that the Corpse Collector hadn’t used his core equipment.

“Why should I have used that?”

The man reacted as if it was ridiculous.

“If you had used it, the Lighthouse Keeper wouldn’t have been taken!”

It wasn’t an incorrect statement.

She wasn’t wrong.

If he’d used the Staff of the Underworld, one of the Double Numbered items, he could have forced that man charging like a tank to withdraw from the battlefield.

“If I use that, one of us would have to die before returning. You want me to use it on someone we have no information about? When I could have survived 100% if I stayed out of it?”

“…But you also had the new ability you got this time.”

“If that gets out, the royal family will prepare a strategy against me in advance. Who would benefit from that? If I end up in a dangerous situation where I have to rely on that ability, and I’m hindered because of this incident, will you save me then? Huh?”

“……”

“Please, know your limits. The reason you didn’t use magic is hardly different from mine.”

As the man started to argue in earnest, Vivian could only press her lips together.

Because every word he said hit the mark.

In fact, the reason she hadn’t persistently tried to block that monstrous guy earlier was the same.

Because they lacked information.

Having her magic reflected back at her made it awkward to use stronger spells.

“Ah, this is so frustrating…”

In the end, everyone was responsible for the defeat.

Even though they belonged to the same group and worked together, their fundamental nature didn’t change.

No one here was noble enough to sacrifice themselves for others. They were more sensitive to their own gains and losses than to their comrades being in danger.

“…Is everyone okay?”

As Vivian was biting her lip and holding back her anger, the Blood Knight returned and joined the group.

Missing one arm, the old knight looked the most pitiful among the three.

But…

“If Grandpa Knight had done better, we’d be fine.”

Vivian switched her target to him as if she didn’t care about such things.

“……?”

“Instead of blocking that monster bastard, you should have aimed for their rear!”

It wasn’t just that she was trying to pick a fight; she genuinely believed what she was saying.

“If you couldn’t even stop him, why bother with something pointless…”

If he had targeted their rear instead of holding that man back, the situation would have changed.

That monster, who had taken hits to protect his comrades, had just left his formation for the first time.

“Killing the Blood Spirit Queen, one of the Seven Pillars, would have been achievement enough, and the Golden Mage needs no further explanation. She was one of the targets of this ambush, and if she’d died, their teleportation magic would have been neutralized.”

The Blood Knight’s decision was a mistake.

The man who was listening to the blunt remark beside her gasped in genuine astonishment.

“Wow, you… You’re blaming the old man? You’re even trashier than I thought. How could you say that to someone who was trying to protect us?”

“…What? Can’t I even talk to myself? It’s not like I’m wrong

“Well, that’s true. Heh.”

The man nodded while glancing at the Blood Knight.

He had become prey to the wolves in an instant, but surprisingly, the aged knight made no excuses.

He merely mumbled in a flat voice.

“Quickly, contact the Commander… Tell him… we lost the Golden Mage.”

“…Why don’t you do it, Grandfather?”

The Blood Knight’s cold glare answered Vivian’s question, and she finally lowered her head.

They had lost the target.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the Lighthouse Keeper, considered a rare asset even within Orcules, was taken down and his body was taken.

Yet, all they did was watch as they teleported away.

Because they thought they’d suffer losses if they intervened.

“……”

How could she admit that?

As she hesitated, the Corpse Collector urged her.

“I understand how you feel, but please contact him first. There’s important information to convey even if it’s not about the Golden Mage.”

“…You’re talking about that monstrous guy?”

“That’s part of it, but…”

Trailing off, the man continued.

“Anyway, just report it. I don’t know why she was here, but…”

“……”

“We found Amelia Rainweilz.”

***

Alluva Raven has cast Level 4 spatial magic [Multiple Teleportation].”

When the light from the magic circle faded, the first thing visible was an iron cage.

“Stay calm. We didn’t come to the wrong place.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Each warship has this facility. When spatial transfer abilities are used, they’re directed here to prevent intruders.”

Ah, so they have something like that installed.

Teleportation guidance, huh? I’ve heard about this effect before…

“I am Alluva Raven, Vice-Captain of the 3rd Magic Corps. Here’s my identification. I returned during a battle with Orcules criminals using teleportation magic.”

Then Raven identified herself to the soldier waiting outside the cage, and soon the cage door opened once her credentials were verified.

But…

Clang—!

What? Why is she leaving alone and closing the door?

“…What are you doing?”

I asked, forgetting to use honorifics, and Raven avoided my gaze as she spoke to the soldier.

“I’ll leave them here for a while, so watch them carefully.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Oh… I didn’t expect this development.

My mind went blank without me realizing it, and Erwin next to me clung to the bars and shook them.

“…I’m going to kill you!!”

Given the circumstances, it wasn’t just a case of her habitual lack of self-control.

I felt like I was losing control too.

The guild’s underground room flashed through my mind, making me want to break this cage right now.

But…

“I understand your frustration, but please remain calm. It’s impossible to escape with force anyway.”

“…What?”

“No. 399, the Cage of Silence. Inside, you can’t use any abilities, magic, divine power, or aura.”

Ha, no wonder I felt a chill down my spine.

As I confirmed that even uttering a command didn’t activate any skills, I sighed and released my grip on the bars.

“Here… This is a potion. Use it to treat your wounds.”

Raven handed a few potion bottles through the bars, instructed the soldier briefly, and left.

In summary:

We were to be treated with respect.

But no matter what, the cage was not to be opened.

And in case of emergency, we were to be released to handle the situation.

“…We’ve been caught. Tercia, save your energy and come here.”

“What? That woman just locked us up, and you’re acting so—!”

“What else do you suggest?”

“…….”

“Erwin, she’s right. Calm down and come over here.”

“…Yes.”

When I spoke, Erwin reluctantly gave up and came over to my side.

“First… We should use the potions.”

Since natural regeneration would take a long time, I received help from Amelia and Erwin to pour potions all over my body to stop the bleeding.

How much time passed?

“…Are you alright?”

“…Yes, I’ve gotten used to it.”

To be honest, it felt like dying.

All I had left was the ‘30’ pain resistance that came with Bayon’s essence.

But what can I do? I have to treat the wounds.

“Um… could you please give us some water?”

“Oh… oh, sure!”

When Erwin politely asked the soldier, he hurriedly moved and brought water.

Maybe Raven’s instructions to treat us politely played a part, but perhaps he was also unsure how to treat Erwin due to her status.

“Um, Mister… are you okay?”

Ah, she was just worried about me.

“You seemed to be sweating more than bleeding…”

“I’m fine, don’t worry.”

I’ve always been like this when drinking potions.

I gulped down the water from the kind-hearted soldier in one gulp, then pressed myself against the bars opposite the entrance.

Because the conversation we were about to have was confidential.

“Anyway, since we’re done with the treatment, let’s talk. Both of you, come here. And lower your voices.”

“You’re too close…”

“What’s the problem? It’s to have a conversation.”

“…Then me too…”

“Hmm, aren’t fairies supposed to have good hearing?”

“Wh-what does that have to do with you?” Erwin and Amelia argued

“I was just saying…”

Sigh, what’s wrong with them now?

“Both of you, stop it. This isn’t the time.”

“Yes…”

Before the conversation could go off-topic again, I hurriedly wrapped it up and started the discussion.

First, the most important thing to discuss was this.

“Why do you think Raven did that?”

Why did Raven lock us up here?

The two who had been bickering just now quickly agreed on this point.

“She must have realized your identity.”

“Yes, there’s nothing else. That woman knows you as an evil spirit… Hmph, you saved her life several times, and she doesn’t even know gratitude.”

Is she exuding killing intent through her teeth now?

I don’t know, but since I was worried about Erwin’s teeth, I voiced the next most likely scenario.

“Is it possible she realized your identity, Amelia?”

“Well, that’s not impossible. She was on that island back then.”

Raven and Amelia are acquainted.

They fought together on Farune Island, and Raven knows about Amelia’s [Power of the Abyss], [Self-Replication], [Asura Steps], etc.

But she uses daggers as her main weapon?

Even if it had been over two years since the incident and she had covered her face, Raven would have noticed.

“Indeed… She might have done it because of this woman, suspecting we might be spies from Noark. Hah, I knew this would happen.”

“Wait, you did?”

“What else could it be? I knew you’d be a hindrance to him.”

“Ha, you talk well for someone who can’t even control her own mind.”

“What…?”

Ah, here we go again.

If we’re not careful, all three of us could be in trouble.

Well, in the worst case, Erwin might be fine?

I’m being targeted for elimination by the royal family, and Amelia could be suspected as a spy from Noark, but she’s not.

In the worst case, the fairy clan would probably protect her.

“…So what are we going to do now?”

At Amelia’s question, I organized my thoughts for a moment and answered.

“Well, we have no choice but to wait.”

There’s not much we can do while locked in a cage.

When Raven returns later, I’ll have to respond appropriately based on the situation.

Therefore…

“Mister?”

I finished the conversation and stood up.

I approached the covered corpse in the corner, cloth masking the face.

We don’t know what lies ahead…

We don’t know what lies ahead…

But I might as well do what I can.

“…What are you doing?”

“Looting the spoils.”

“…What? Now, of all times?”

‘Ten rings, one necklace, and the staff was dropped when I grabbed him earlier, so I couldn’t pick it up…”

I might be able to check the storage ring once we’re out of this cage.

“Wow, but how much is all this worth?”

In tough situations, you have to learn to smile at small things.

I couldn’t estimate exactly how much profit I’d made, but one thing was clear.

If I sell all this, I can probably pay off my debts.

Well, the problem is whether I’ll be able to get out with all this intact.