Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 363

Responsibility (1)

Finally, after escaping from the [Cage of Silence], we moved to the officer’s quarters located at the center of the ship.

Well, the conversations we’re about to have require confidentiality.

“You can speak freely here. This place was designed specifically for private discussions.”

Oh, is that so?

“First, I’d like to hear about the current situation. How did the surprise attack go?”

“First, I’d like to hear about the battle situation. How did the surprise attack go?”

The first thing I wanted to know was the information I had been cut off from while being locked up.

How had Orucules’s assault turned out?

“Viscount Lamriond died in battle. He was killed by Ricardo Lühensprache while retreating.”

My heart sank when I heard that our corps commander had been killed, but upon listening closely, the battle situation itself was not that urgent.

As soon as we began holding out by using dozens of ships floating on the lake like a fortress, the offensive stopped.

This stalemate had been ongoing for about two hours now.

“The command believes that the goal of this surprise attack was to use the chaos to assassinate key figures.”

An assassination attempt on key figures…

“That seems likely.”

That would explain why the Blood Knight muttered those lines as soon as he saw us.

[Golden Mage, Alluva Raven.]

[One of the targets that must be killed.]

Raven was certainly on the hit list.

The strategy of this assault was beginning to form in my mind.

‘The Corpse Collector must have spread undead over a wide area, using them to pinpoint and share the targets’ locations.’

In fact, the number of undead around us increased dramatically when the Blood Knight was fighting, and a team of three reinforcements soon arrived.

“For now, it’s not an immediate emergency. So let’s talk about the other issue first. What do you plan to do, Mr. Jandel?”

Hmm, a plan…

‘I’ll have to think about that…’

I had no idea that the gift that the old man gave me would work like this.

Thanks to that, my mind has become complicated too—

“Um, and…”

At that moment, Raven trailed off while looking at me.

“I’ll say this in advance, I only helped you this time because I had no choice, but I can’t keep doing this.”

…Huh?

Weren’t we back to being comrades…?

As I looked at her with a sense of betrayal, Raven avoided my gaze.

“Even if you look at me like that, it’s no use. I think I’ve already taken enough risk by not reporting this incident. I believe I’ve fulfilled my duty.”

She didn’t report it because she didn’t want to leave me to die, but that didn’t mean she was ready to fall into the pit alongside me.

That’s what it means to help an evil spirit in this world.

The moment you’re caught, it’s over.

So…

“Raven, don’t look so upset. I don’t blame you. I’m grateful you helped me, even this once. I’ll make sure your name isn’t dragged into this if things go wrong.”

I smiled like a barbarian and patted Raven’s small shoulders.

But then, what is this?

Thump! Thump! Thump!

At a timing when she would have normally screamed in pain and glared at me, Raven didn’t do that.

She just bit her lips and looked down.

“Mr. Jandel… why are you like this even in this situation…”

Sigh, was that what’s bothering you?

So sentimental for no reason.

She still doesn’t get it, even though I understand everything.

“You helped me despite knowing everything. That’s more than enough for me.”

If anything, I feel guilty.

This kid, who was doing fine on her own, now has to risk losing everything because of me.

“……”

“……”

An awkward silence followed, and after a while, Raven regained her composure and returned to the main topic with an embarrassed expression.

“Anyway… so what are you going to do next?”

“Well, you probably shouldn’t hear that.”

“……?”

“If you get any more involved, you won’t be able to walk away. You said this was the last time you’d help, didn’t you?”

When I drew a clear line this time, Raven flinched.

But maybe she still had more to say.

“…You said you’d try to keep my name out of this, but there’s no guarantee things will go as planned, right?”

“That’s true.”

“For now, the best thing is to avoid being exposed. And to do that…”

“…To do that?”

“I’m willing to help. To some extent…”

What? You’re going to help anyway?

When I smirked, Raven shot me an irritated glance.

“Enough, just tell me. What’s your plan? You must have had something in mind since you’ve been hiding your identity even on the battlefield. You knew you’d stand out, didn’t you?”

Eventually, Raven asked, and after some thought, I answered her like a true barbarian.

“I have none. At the moment.”

“…What?”

No matter how much she looked at me, the truth was the truth.

Auril Gavys’s gift was something I could never have imagined.

I came here because I needed money urgently, but I intended to stay as low-key as possible.

Was she really so taken aback by my answer?

“…When you say you have none, do you mean you have no plan whatsoever?”

Raven stuttered as she reconfirmed, and I nodded firmly.

“Yes.”

“Yep.”

“…Are you serious? If they find out I helped you, I’ll not only be expelled from the military but also from the Mage Tower!”

Wait, you could even get expelled from the Magic Tower?

I never imagined the risk was that high.

Grateful for Raven’s resolve, I shifted the topic.

“…Anyway, I’ve been locked up for a while, so I’m starving. Could I eat some jerky—”

“Don’t change the subject!”

“N-no, I really am hungry—”

“What nonsense! You’re not even a real barbarian!!”

Hah, come to think of it, that won’t work on her anymore.

“……”

Why does this feel bittersweet…?

***

“Sigh…”

A sigh echoed in the quiet officer’s room.

Amid the uncomfortable atmosphere, I carefully chewed on the jerky I’d secretly taken out.

“What are you eating now?”

I told you, I’m really hungry.

My body’s still that of a barbarian, you know? It needs constant nourishment.

“…Do you want some?”

“No, thanks.”

“……”

“Jeez, how could anyone believe you’re an evil spirit…”

Raven sighed deeply again, but I decided to take it as praise for my meticulousness.

Creak, creak.

Phew, I feel a bit more energized now that I’ve eaten.

“Raven, did you already suspect something?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“I mean, even before the royal proclamation, it seemed like you were already suspicious.”

“Oh, that…”

Raven’s expression darkened instantly.

But did she decide it wasn’t worth hiding?

“There was a magic tool that contained a conversation between Hans Krysen and a dwarf from Noark.”

Oh, so it ended up with her.

But why that recording?

I gave her a questioning look, and Raven continued explaining slowly.

“The core was cheap, so it had a limited number of replays.”

“…And?”

“It could be replayed up to a hundred times, but two were left. That’s why I first wondered why you kept listening to it repeatedly, Mr. Jandel.”

“……I see.”

Who would’ve thought that would be a clue?

It never even crossed my mind—

“Actually… something else was much more decisive.”

Huh?

“Misha came to my lab. It was around 50 days after you supposedly died.”

“…What did she say?”

“That a rumor about you being an evil spirit would soon spread.”

Perhaps because it was about Misha, my heart suddenly felt cold.

“And?”

“Since the magic tool was suspicious, I asked her. I asked if it wasn’t just a rumor.”

At that time, Misha dodged the question.

But ironically, that act was the most definitive answer she could’ve given.

“…Wait, does that mean the person spreading the rumor was that bitch… mean, that woman?”

Erwin, who had been listening quietly, interjected, and Raven glanced at her somewhat uncomfortably before nodding.

“Probably. I don’t know what Misha’s situation was, though.”

Hearing Raven’s confirmation, Erwin clenched her teeth.

“I knew it… That woman… I knew this would happen eventually…”

“Calm down, Erwin. We still don’t know Misha’s situation.”

“But…! No matter the circumstances, I would never do such a thing! Aren’t you angry? You were practically betrayed!”

“That’s why I said, we don’t know yet.”

To be honest, I’m more concerned than angry.

I heard some information at the Round Table, didn’t I?

Misha’s with Lee Baek-ho.

And…

[The Stone of Resurrection is with Lee Baek-ho]

Maybe she made some sort of deal with that guy to save me. It’s just my guess, and even if it’s true, it doesn’t change the fact that her choice harmed me in the end.

Sigh, just what is she doing out there?

“Why! Why are you always so damn kind?!”

What is she saying?

“Anyway, Raven… do you know why the royal family decided to acknowledge the rumor and officially announce it?”

“No. But… I did hear something from Captain Febrosk.”

“What did he say?”

“As soon as the announcement was made, he came to me and said, ‘Isn’t he already dead? Now no one can know the truth.’ At the time, I thought he was just trying to comfort me because I’d be shocked…”

“……”

But looking back, it felt strange. As if he knew the truth. We might find something if we look into him.”

“Could you check when you return to the city?”

“Yes, if it’s just that…”

Contrary to what I feared, Raven readily nodded.

It was truly fortunate.

It seemed that such a request was included in ‘to some extent.’

***

After that, we discussed our plans together and soon reached a conclusion.

“Then it’s better to hide your identity for now.”

Having learned that “misaligned trust” works in such a way, I realized I need to be even more cautious about revealing my identity.

“But… why didn’t it work on Mr. Jandel?”

I gave a vague explanation about Auril Gavis’s gift.

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because of the Fragment of Records.”

I had to lie, but there was no choice.

I’m the only one immune to the effects of “misaligned trust.”

One might think, what’s the point now that my identity as an evil spirit has been shared, but no one knows how things will turn out.

That’s also why I haven’t told Amelia yet.

“If I talk about it, the subject of Auril Gavis will come up.”

Auril Gavis is an enemy of the royal family.

If they find out I received a “gift” from him as an evil spirit, it’ll only make things worse.

It means any room for negotiation will vanish.

“Still… it’s fortunate. If it’s not a temporary phenomenon, then it means you’re a bit safer now.”

“Yes, I think so too.”

“But… do you really have to reveal your identity? I like you just as you are…”

Erwin voiced her opinion, but my ultimate goal of clearing my name and reclaiming my identity didn’t change.

“If I don’t, I won’t be able to receive the Spirit Engraving, right?”

Why else would I have chosen to be a barbarian?

The Spirit Engraving is essential to make the most of the essences I’ve accumulated.

But Erwin didn’t seem to understand.

“You could just… not receive it.”

She asked in a voice tinged with sadness.

“Why… why do you strive so hard to become stronger?”

All eyes turned toward me.

“Come to think of it, you’ve always been like that… focused only on climbing the labyrinth..”

In Raven’s case, her gaze was somewhat uneasy.

“I remember. There’s a rumor that you can return to the original world if you reach the end of the labyrinth, right?”

Amelia calmly understood my position.

But I didn’t particularly appreciate it.

Hey, if you say it like that, it’s sure to cause misunderstandings.

“No way, is that why you…”

“Mr. Jandel must have a reason to go back. After all, it’s his homeland…”

“Mister, can’t you… just live here? I… I’ll do better… I won’t cause trouble…”

Ah, seriously, what are you saying.

“Erwin, calm down. I think there’s some misunderstanding.”

Return?

Returning was never my top priority even before, and it’s the same now.

My number one goal has always been survival.

But now that I’ve met people, explored, and experienced many things, my number one goal has changed a bit.

Not just me.

To survive together.

Yes, so…

“You asked why I’m so obsessed with getting stronger?”

I continued speaking without any hesitation.

“So I can protect you all.”

What this shield must protect is no longer just this body alone.